The Ultimate Packing Tips For Women Who Travel
table of contents
Discover the advantages of preparing for your trip in advance.
Preparing for any trip requires some preparation and if you plan to pack light or carry-on only (COO), it requires thoughtful planning.
You want to look stylish while on the go, but you also need to pack light and efficiently. That's why I've put together this guide to help you pack like a pro for your next adventure. From essential clothing items to beauty products and packing organization tips, I've got you covered!
What to consider before you start packing
Travel can be empowering, joyful and even life changing. But, before you start packing, there are a few things to consider.
•Location
•Trip duration
•Weather/daytime & nighttime temperatures
•Season, plan colour schemes and practical clothing and footwear
•Local dress codes
•Accommodations including space on sleeper trains without closets, hotels with elevators that are not in service, cruises with metal walls and ceilings…
•Mode of Transportation (will your luggage fit? Will you be comfortable? Will you need specific items?
•Excursions/activities
•Airline and airport allowances, restrictions and baggage-fee policy. Don’t forget to weigh your luggage!
•Local customs/holidays
•Will laundry facilities be available and is there a cost? Another option is a portable washing bag and hanging them to dry on this line.
•Will you need room in your luggage for shopping & souvenirs
•Essential items you should pack in your personal carry-on
•Learn the 3-1-1 rule about flying with liquids
•Convenient travel apps that will be beneficial for your specific trip
•How to keep safe while travelling
•Essential travel documents: When does your passport expire? Entry requirements.
•Vaccinations
•Prescription medication renewals
•Travel insurance
As you research your destination you will get a better idea of what you need to do to prepare and pack for your trip. I know this seems like a lot, that is why I have created this site. Helping fellow travellers with tips, tricks and lists brings me almost as much joy as planning my own trip.
Pick the right luggage and travel accessories
With a ton of brands, styles, features, and price points, we wrote a few articles to help you pick the right luggage and gear for your next trip.
40 Best Travel Items We Use and Love
Backpack vs Suitcase
How to pick the perfect suitcase
Do Packing Cubes Make a Difference - Exploring Their Benefits
Create a packing list
Create a packing list in advance or customize and print one of our premade, customizable travel packing lists. I don’t recommend printing a premade list from somewhere else unless it is customizable. These lists are often full of way too much stuff and not made for your unique needs.
Don’t forget to print your packing lists and take them with you on the trip. That way, you won’t leave anything behind & you will be able to quickly get from one location to the next without leaving anything behind. I also like to take a picture of the inside of my suitcase, so I remember how I organized it.
Women's Travel Essentials List
Here's a quick rundown of the travel essentials for women:
Pack your packing lists. I have created free customizable lists because they aren't for you if they aren’t customizable.
Printed lists of emergency contacts and itinerary, including accommodations (one per person, trust me on this)
Travel documents: Passport, visa, ID, travel insurance, and other important documents.
Wallet with credit cards and some cash. Don’t forget the coins for the washroom if you are going to Europe.
Cell phone and charging cord/box
A comfortable yet stylish travel capsule wardrobe
Statement scarf that doubles as an airplane blanket
Crossbody sling, day bag, or bum bag as the kids like to call it
Moisturizer with SPF
Menstrual care, if applicable
A minimum amount of over-the-counter medication and maybe a face mask just in case
Prescription medication (if removed from original containers, print out information and give a copy to a fellow traveler in case of an emergency.)
Deodorant or antiperspirant (wipes are great if you are trying to keep liquids to a minimum)
First-aid items; assorted bandaids, antibacterial ointment, antiseptic wipes, gauze, surgical tape, and tweezers
Bar shampoo, bar conditioner, dry shampoo, and hair styling tools
Travel toothbrush, floss, and toothpaste
Travel-sized face wash, toner, and serum
Hand sanitizer because I have always been a bit of a germaphobe
Reusable shopping bags
Universal adapter
Portable charger
Noise-canceling headphones
Packing and compression cubes
Luggage scale
Luggage tracker, such as AirTags
Water bottle
Neck pillow
Snacks
13 Items Women Often Regret Not Packing for Vacation
Obviously, we each have specific needs for our individual trips but these are the items women often wish they had brought along.
Enough underwear
Tide to go
Pain relievers/over-the-counter cold & flu medicine
Digital travel scale
Ziplock bags
Noise-canceling headphones
Portable charger
Sunscreen
Cash
Reusable water bottle
Tweezers
Light robe
DSLR camera (I think this can go either way)
Plan your travel wardrobe & coordinating accessories
If you are traveling on a budget, you don’t have to sacrifice style. Look for affordable options when shopping for travel essentials. Don't be afraid to mix and match high-end pieces with more affordable options to create a chic and stylish look.
•Pack a variety of thoughtful clothing items that can be mixed and matched. Read How to create a stylish & comfortable capsule wardrobe
•Travel fashion & packing inspo can be found on various apps, such as, Pinterest, Instagram, our facebook community
•Use a styling app to visually plan your travel wardrobe. I personally like Stylebook.
•Research best fabrics for travelling to decrease wrinkles and bulk. Nylon and polyester are often light weight and wrinkle resistant.
•If travelling with accessories they should be versatile, light weight and easily replaceable
•Shoe liners keep your shoes and feet smelling nice after a long day
•The number one accessory that women often regret packing is a straw hat
PRO TIP: If you see clothing you like online, screenshot it, open the Amazon app, tap on the camera lens icon and upload the picture you just captured. This will show you similar options.
Must-Have Gadgets for the Tech-Savvy Traveler
If you're a tech-savvy traveler, there are a few gadgets you won't want to leave home without. A portable charger is essential for keeping your phone and other devices charged on the go. A universal adapter will ensure that you can charge your devices no matter where you are in the world.
If you're a frequent flyer, noise-canceling headphones are a game-changer for blocking out the sounds of crying babies (sorry!), complaining children, (so sorry!) and chatty passengers (sorry, again!).
Beauty and Skincare Products for Travel
Travel can take a toll on our skin, so it's important to pack the right beauty and skincare products!
A good moisturizer with SPF is a must-have for protecting skin from the sun (even on cloudy days). Pack a travel-sized face wash, toner, and serum to keep your skin looking fresh and glowing. Travel size shampoo and conditioner bars take up little space, smell wonderful and work well for the whole family.
Don't forget to pack your favorite makeup essentials like mascara, lip gloss, and foundation. Did you know that the skin under our eyes is the thinnest skin we have on our entire bodies!? This is why I am obsessed with this under-eye mask that is made in Japan and it is on my must have list for flying! It steams and relaxes while giving off a gentle citrus scent.
Teresa Kulczycki
“Saran Wrap for Toiletries: Hate when your toiletries leak? (I just had a hand sanitizer leak in my purse on my last trip - yuck!) Unscrew the lids of bottles like shampoo, lotion, or face wash, and place a piece of saran wrap over the opening before screwing the lid back on. This creates a leak-proof barrier and prevents spills inside your luggage.”
Organization, before and during your trip
Once you have done some pre-trip planning, picked your luggage, and made a packing list for your trip, it’s time to think about packing!
Packing organization is key to a stress-free travel experience. Packing cubes are a great way to keep your clothing organized and easily accessible. There are a lot of recommendations for rolling your clothes instead of folding them to save space and prevent wrinkles. I personally think it depends on the material, size, and thickness of the item. Use a luggage scale to ensure that your suitcase is under the weight limit for your airline.
•Make pre-trip checklists, including watering the plants, asking a neighbor to collect your mail, filling your prescriptions, and so on.
•Packing cubes are notorious for helping travelers keep items organized within the suitcase. I recommend packing outfits together.
•Compression cubes are great for compacting things like socks and underwear. Use a separate cube for dirty laundry.
•Use a document, toiletry, makeup, and jewelry organizers.
•Make a last-minute check-list and include things like wallet, phone, charger, and documents, turn everything off and unplug everything….
•Decant your toiletry items. I do a trial run at home to see how much product I go through within a week and then refill accordingly before my trip.
•Keep your charging cords and adapters all in one handy case.
•Specific items can help you keep organized while on a cruise. We have that info for you here.
Final word:
Don’t leave packing to the last minute, causing you to pack in a panic and grab all of the ‘just in case’ items. Use the tips and tricks above to stay organized, plan ahead, and only pack the essentials. If you want more inspiration, join our community of women who love to travel!
If you are traveling solo we have some great tips for you here.
I hope you get to travel more & pack less. Cheers, Amanda Holt
Welcome to Travel More Pack Less—your go-to spot for planning and packing fun! Whether you're off on a solo adventure or a family trip, you'll find everything you need to make the journey a breeze.