If you’re building a packing list and want to cover the true travel essentials, this guide is for you. We’ve put together a simple checklist that helps us pack with less stress and avoid the “we forgot that” moment on departure day.
Packing can feel like a puzzle, especially when we’re juggling flights, accommodation, activities, and work or family life. The goal isn’t to bring everything. The goal is to bring what matters, plus a few extras that make travel easier when plans change.
Below is our go-to list, with tips we’ve learned from real trips.
The non-negotiables (must-pack travel essentials)
Passport, ID, and visas
For international travel, our passport is the first thing we check. We also look at expiry dates because some countries require your passport to be valid for months beyond your return date. (usually 6 months). For domestic trips, we still make sure our photo ID is easy to grab.
Tickets, bookings, and itinerary
We keep flight details, accommodation addresses, and any tour confirmations in one place. Digital is fine, but we like having a backup. That can be a PDF saved offline, a copy in email, or a printed page if we’re travelling somewhere with unreliable reception.
A simple itinerary also helps if we need to explain our plans at a border, or if someone at home needs to know where we’re meant to be.
Money, cards, and a plan for payments
We travel with a mix of cards and cash. A small amount of local currency is useful for markets, tips, taxis, or places that don’t take card.
Before we fly, we check:
- Our bank knows we’re travelling (so cards don’t get blocked)
- Daily limits are suitable
- We’ve got a backup card stored separately
If you want to reduce currency conversion costs, we’ve found a multi-currency travel card useful. Wise is a common option, and you can read how it works here
Health and comfort basics
Medications (plus a little extra)
If we’re taking medication, we pack enough for the whole trip plus a few days extra, just in case delays happen. We keep meds in original packaging with labels. That makes airport checks simpler and helps if we need a pharmacist overseas.
If we have allergies or a condition that matters, we keep a short note (even on our phone) listing:
- The medication name
- The condition it’s for
- Any allergies
Mini first aid kit
A small kit goes a long way. Ours usually includes band-aids, blister pads, antiseptic wipes, pain relief, and any personal items we know we’ll need. It helps us handle minor issues without hunting for a chemist straight away.
Snacks and a refillable water bottle
Delays happen. Long transfers happen. We pack a few snacks that won’t melt or get crushed easily. A refillable water bottle is also a must for staying hydrated, especially on travel days.
Tech and power
Chargers for every device
It sounds obvious, but chargers are one of the easiest things to forget. We do a quick “device check” the night before: phone, smartwatch, earbuds, tablet, laptop, camera (if we’re taking one).
Power bank (charged before we leave)
A power bank saves us when we’re using maps, taking photos, or checking transport apps all day. We charge it fully before leaving home and make sure it meets airline rules.
Travel adaptor and power board (optional but handy)
If we’re travelling internationally, a travel adaptor is essential. We sometimes pack a small power board too, so we can charge multiple devices from one wall socket—helpful in older hotels with limited outlets. With a digital camera, drone, 2 phones, laptop, and powerbank, a power board is often essential to keep everything charged.
Toiletries and personal care
Basics you’ll want on day one
Even if we can buy most things at our destination, we still pack day-one basics: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and any skincare that we know works for us.
For carry-on, we stick to travel-size containers and follow airline rules for liquids.
A small “freshen up” kit for flights
On long-haul trips, we keep a small pouch in our carry-on with tissues, hand sanitiser, lip balm, and a spare set of underwear. It makes a big difference after a long flight or an overnight bus.
Clothing and footwear
Comfortable clothes that mix and match
We aim for outfits that work across different days. Simple layers are best because weather changes, and indoor air con can be cold even when it’s hot outside.
Rather than packing “just in case” outfits, we pick a colour range so everything matches. It cuts down the number of items we bring.
Shoes that suit the trip
If we’re walking a lot, we take supportive shoes we’ve already worn in. A new pair can ruin a trip fast. If we need a second pair, we choose something lightweight (like sandals) that still feels stable.
Laundry plan for longer trips
For longer travel, we pack a small amount of travel detergent (or laundry sheets). Washing a few items in a sink can help us pack lighter and re-wear the basics.
Safety, documents, and backups
Travel insurance (and knowing what it covers)
Travel insurance is part of our basics. We store the policy number and emergency contact details where we can find them quickly.
Before we buy, we check it covers:
- Medical issues
- Cancellations and delays
- Lost or stolen items
- Any activities we’re doing (like hiking, snow sports, or scooter hire)
For general guidance on what to look for, Australia’s Smartraveller site is a solid reference: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
Paragraph bold subheading: Emergency contacts
We keep a list of key contacts, including someone at home, and the address and phone number of our accommodation. If we’re overseas, we also note our embassy or consulate details.
Copies of key documents
We save digital copies of passports, IDs, insurance, and important bookings. We also share access with a trusted person back home, just in case.
A simple approach:
- Photo stored securely on your phone
- Backup in cloud storage
- Optional printed copy in a different bag
Helpful extras that make travel smoother
Travel pillow and eye mask
We don’t always use them, but when we do, we’re glad we packed them. A pillow and eye mask can make flights and bus trips more manageable, especially when we’re trying to sleep at odd hours.
Travel lock
A small lock is useful for luggage, hostel lockers, or shared accommodation. It’s not about expecting theft—it’s about reducing the easy opportunities.
Reusable shopping bag and foldable tote
We pack a foldable bag for groceries, beach days, laundry runs, or extra items. It weighs almost nothing and saves us from buying plastic bags.
Paper map or small guide (backup option)
We love phone navigation, but we’ve still had flat batteries and patchy reception. A basic map or small guide can help us stay oriented when tech fails.
Multi-tool (checked luggage only)
A small multi-tool can be handy for simple tasks, but we only pack it if we’re checking a bag. It should never go in carry-on.
eSIM for data while travelling
An eSIM is a simple way to get data without swapping physical SIM cards. We like it for landing day because we can get connected quickly for maps, messages, and transport.
An itinerary app (optional)
If you want everything in one place, an itinerary organiser can reduce stress. We like having flight and hotel details easy to access, even if we’re offline.
A journal or notes app for memories
Photos are great, but we also like writing a few lines each day: what we ate, where we went, what we learned. It helps us remember the small moments.
Travel essentials for stress-free travel
Our quick checklist before we leave home
To keep this simple, here’s the final “door check” we do:
- Passport/ID and wallet
- Phone, charger, power bank
- Tickets and itinerary saved offline
- Medications in original packaging
- Insurance details and emergency contacts
- Water bottle and a few snacks
- Comfortable shoes ready to go
If those are sorted, we can handle the rest.
Watch our Video On Travel Essentials
