I used to be an over-packer, but not anymore. I learned my lesson after my solo trip to the UK, Italy, and France. It was tiring, trying to navigate or move quickly with a huge piece of checked luggage as well as a carry-on bag. I traveled for months, but when I got home I realized I didn’t even wear or use a quarter of the things I’d packed. There is no way you can pack for everything, so don’t even try. There are packing list essentials. And you’ll be surprised how little you need to pack to travel well.
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Packing List Essentials for Carry-on and Checked Bag
So what did I pack for a whole month in Italy? I knew I couldn’t pack for every possible scenario so I didn’t even try. They do have stores if you need something you didn’t pack. So, don’t overpack– you may find a treasure or two you want to bring back.
Ask a Few Questions
1. What is the temperature on the ground?
2. Are there any restrictions based on culture?
3. How long is my trip?
4. What pieces can I pack that work well together to create multiple looks?
5. What did I pack on the last trip that I used over and over again?
Once you’ve answered these questions, it should be pretty easy to figure out what to pack for your next trip.
Dress for Known Occasions
But know you can’t pack for everything you might encounter. I know it’s HOT, I plan to walk, hike and climb all over Sicily. I know I’ll rent a car, fly to Venice and may go to Malta and Sardinia too.
Save space as well as your back when packing your checked and carry-on luggage. So I’ve packed pretty light, one checked and one carry-on… that will include just my laptop, purse and camera bag. I plan on bringing back some wine… a lot of wine actually, so I need some space for that.
Carry-on Bag
I spent the day charging my electronics (camera batteries/ battery packs, Kindle, and laptop). I pack all the above in my carry-on bag. In addition, I pack things I’ll use on the airplane and all my documents, passport, and purse.
Lithium Batteries
Spare lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries must be carried in carry-on baggage only. Don’t pack them in your checked bag. Carry your spare batteries in your carry-on luggage. Matter of fact, don’t pack anything that the scanner even thinks is a lithium battery. Your suitcase lock will be broken and your battery will be replaced with a note of confiscation.
Toiletries
The only things I pack beside my makeup are a couple of Essential oils, deodorant, and toothpaste. I use natural products. But I love trying the local lotions, body soaps and lotions. That’s just me.
Carry-on Bag
Keep it simple. I also packed my compression socks for the plane, an extra pair of regular black socks & underwear. I always wear a large sarong/ pashmina, extra earbuds and memory cards, eye mask, water bottle, reading and sunglasses, and a few snacks.
Don’t Leave Home Without It
Packing list essentials: passport, US DL/ International DL, medications, printed itineraries/ reservations (JIC), wet wipes (heaven forbid), and travel-related essential oils (stored in zip-locked baggies). I’ll buy a chip for my phone at the airport for under $20.
Checked Bag
A lot of my fellow travelers don’t believe in checked baggage. I love to bring back wine, and in order to do, I have to check a bag. Your airline ticket includes at least one checked bag, so as long as it’s not overweight, it’s not an additional cost.
I love 
❤ my bright yellow faux-crock luggage. It’s so beautiful, it even got me upgraded to first-class once SERIOUSLY. I highly suggest buying good quality luggage that’s light, durable, and easy to recognize.
TSA Regulations
Be sure you know your airline’s baggage rules, i.e. how many, weight and size limitations, alcohol, and TSA regulations. Save yourself the aggravation and pack your keys, loose change, and strappy sandals inside your checked bag.
Contents for 2-3 Week Trip
7-10 days with of mix and match outfits, bra/ pantries, socks that include:
2 pairs of jeans (long &cropped)
1 pair of casual slacks
A sweater and or
7 tops
Sneakers, 1 pair of sandals and heels
Hat, hair scarf & sarong
Flip flops & Bathing suit
2 dresses (short and long)
3 yoga pants (to work out in and wear after all the pasta, gelato, and brioche I plan to eat).
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Comments
This is a great list of things to pack. I don’t always think about the lithium batteries but it’s true. You always need them on a trip.
Especially if you are traveling for a while and taking a lot of pictures. It never fails, the battery in the camera is low when I take that first picture. lol
I’m a chronic overpacked! I really need these tips especially as a mom of 5 because I always have way too much but I always want to be over prepared. Great tips!
Yeah even so you probably forget something. So its better to just bring the absolute necessities and worry about the rest later.
Over packing can be very hectic and I’ve also been a victim once so these days, I try my best to actually minimize my luggage since I’d also want to bring back souvenirs. Anyway, these essentials are just ‘must-carries.’
So true. I feel the same way. I rather bring back a cute outfit back from my travels.
There are so many things to consider when traveling. A good packing list is a must for me because I like to stay organized and have products I use daily.
Yup organizing for your trip takes some of the stress away from travel.
I always pack like a million stuff since I have 2 little babies, and I always end up looking like Santa Claus is going on vacation!
Lol, probably cuter than old Nick though.
When i am too excited for my trip, I tend to overpack or some things would be forgotten. This is really helpful. Now I can make a list of things/essentials for a travel.
I know, its hard to edit, but think about bringing something cute back from your trip anyway.
This is definitely going to come in handy next time I travel. I love a good packing list to keep me organized.
Me too. I’m not big on organizing, but I know its important for me because I tend to try to want to have something for every situation.
Great tips! We mostly have the same idea on what to pack. This would be a good guide for those who are traveling especially if it’s your first time doing so.
So true. Can’t bring everything, I like to move like a ninja diva when I travel.
Thanks for sharing this list, I generally pack according to my trips and thus sometimes I end up doing under-packing rather than over-packing.
I think that’s better. Most places have a store for something you forget or don’t have.
Thanks for sharing this list. When I go for a trip, I always end over packing. With this list on hand, I would know what to bring for my trip.
You’re welcome. I hope it comes in handy.
Ballet flats, little black dress and shawl can get me anywhere in South East Asia. It’s the trips to Europe that make me crazy packing. But I enjoy the trips nonetheless. 🙂
That’s such a cute look– I wish I could wear ballet flats, but my feet are uber flat and an hour of trekking any city streets would have me abject pain. I lean toward some linen, oversized pants, a tank (and shawl) and some low wedges in SE Asia. I love palazzo pants or a maxi dress and wedges in Europe.
Smart way for packing! Even though I check everything I would need, skip at least one thing most of the time.
Yeah, its easy to forget something, but luckily we can usually make do without it or pick it up on our travels.
This is such a great list – I totally admit to being an over packer – I just CANNOT help it! I’ll have to refer to this in future.
Thank you, I was a classic over-packer too. But it just makes sense to bring less and buy a few things where you’re going.
I’ve never gone anywhere overseas for any amount of time, but I now know what and how to pack if I need to go. Great post!
Hey Brittany, thanks for your support. I hioe you get a chance to visit ine day.
I am busy packing for a trip. I tend to overpack as I am afraid that I might need it.
Most people do. I’d prefer under packing and buying one or two things on my travels instead. It’s a nice memory.
Very helpful and also interesting we never consider the culture of the place and what is allowed or not when we are packing to take off. I thing to remember thanks! =)
Yeah, its important, especially if countries where there are religious customs that need to be adhered to. You always need to cover arms and legs when visiting cathedrals like St. Peters and add headgear when going to the mosque in Turkey.
Great list of questions to ask yourself before packing. I feel like a lot of people don’t put as much thought as they should into what their destination will be like.
Great point. It’s like a great menu— we order too much because it all looks and sounds so good. Then when it comes we realize we’ve overdone it and it all won’t fit in our stomach.
This is a quite thorough list.covers all the items required for travel. will save this,so i can recheck before next trip.
Thanks, you have to really take your itinerary into consideration when packing. But you can never plan for everything.
I always take what is necessary for the trip. I used your pattern since college trips conducted by themselves and still do the same. But there were times, that even packing less got me in peril, as I needed that item.
Yeah unfortunately, we can never pack for the unknown. Fortunately, most places do have stores. And now you have a keepsake to remember your trip. I always overpack shoes– so I’ve finally had enough. One pair of sandals. one pair of heels and one walking shoe. That’s it.