Packing What You Need Every Time: The Essential Guide for Effortless Travel
Let’s be honest, packing is one of those travel tasks that can easily become overwhelming—especially if you’re headed abroad. But with a little planning and our thoughtfully curated packing guide, you can streamline the process and save precious time (and sanity). After booking your fabulous luxury vacation with Andare’, reach for this guide to ensure you pack exactly what you need—every time.
After you book your fabulous vacation with Andare’ reach for this list to save you time and energy.
Scroll down to see our ultimate packing tips or download the PDF for an easy-to-print checklist!
Packing Tips for Stress-Free Travel
When preparing for your next adventure, consider the length of your trip, the weather, and any specific gear you might need. These three factors will help you pack like a pro—without overstuffing your suitcase.
Carry-On or Checked Bag?
First things first—decide if you’ll be checking your bag or opting for a carry-on only. Each has its perks, but with layovers and connections, the chances of lost luggage increase. If you do check a bag, make sure it’s secured with a TSA-approved lock, and tuck an Apple AirTag inside for peace of mind.
Keep It Neutral & Layer
Our best-kept packing secret? Neutral colors and layering. A versatile color palette means more mix-and-match options without having to overpack. Plus, packing cubes are a lifesaver when it comes to keeping everything organized and maximizing space.
Smart Clothing Choices
Think multiple-use clothing. From bug-repellent garments to UPF-protected beachwear, these items do double duty and save you space. We love brands like Lululemon, prAna, and Athleta for their stylish yet practical athleisure that works anywhere from a hike in the Dolomites to a casual dinner in Rome.
Laundry on the Go
If you plan to do laundry during your trip, pack fewer clothing items. A travel laundry kit is a must-have for washing on the road. Pro tip: Use a pillowcase as a makeshift laundry bag and, on your return, carry it on as a “personal comfort” item, stuffed with your dirty clothes! (Yes, it works).
Double-Duty Accessories
Why not let your accessories multitask, too? That beach towel you pack can double as an in-flight blanket. And a collapsible tote? Perfect for bringing home all those carefully selected souvenirs.
Packing for Adventure Travel
If you’re heading out on an adventure—whether it’s hiking the Inca Trail or sailing the Adriatic—invest in quality travel gear. Escorted group tours often provide packing lists, which can take a lot of guesswork out of buying your essentials.
Here are a few must-have items for the adventurous traveler:
- Sturdy hiking shoes
- Quick-dry, breathable clothing
- A day pack with hydration sleeve and rain cover
Check out our Inca Trail Packing List for more adventure-specific tips.
What to Pack in Your Carry-On
Your carry-on is where you should pack your most essential items—things you cannot afford to lose:
- Wallet, house keys, medications, glasses
- Laptop, phone, and noise-cancelling headphones
- Travel-size toiletries like your toothbrush, makeup, and contact lenses
Keep your passport (and a copy), visas, travel itinerary, and emergency contacts close at hand. Don’t forget to check that your passport won’t expire within six months of your return date and give yourself enough time to handle any visa applications or vaccinations required by your destination.
Tech Travel Essentials
Tech-savvy travelers, rejoice! Pack these items to make your journey smoother:
- Universal adapters and power converters
- Backup chargers and extra memory cards
- Noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds
- Waterproof phone case if your travels involve water (looking at you, Greek Islands!)
These items ensure you stay connected and entertained no matter where you’re headed.
Random, But Useful!
It may seem random, but trust us—packing items like sanitizing wipes, an extension cord, or even duct tape can come in handy. Think of them as your travel “insurance” for when the unexpected happens.
Click below to download our Ultimate Packing List PDF. Happy Travels!
Luggage
TravelPro Suitcases & Carryons
CLOTHES / ACCESSORIES
▢ Scarves ▢ Socks/Stockings ▢ Underwear
▢ Gloves ▢ Undershirts/Bras ▢ Sleepwear
▢ T-shirts ▢ Sweaters/sweatshirts ▢ Jeans ▢ Casual shirts
▢ Skirts ▢ Hiking/Athletic Shoes ▢ Purses
▢ Ties ▢ Coats/Jackets/Rainwear ▢ Umbrellas
▢ Belts ▢ Dress shoes (suitable for dancing) ▢ Walking shoes
▢Pants ▢ Formal wear (where appropriate) ▢Leisure shoes
▢ Shorts ▢ Jewelry (if valuable, put in carry-on) ▢ Sandals/flip-flops
▢Dresses ▢ Under-clothing document holders ▢ Laundry Bag
▢ Hats ▢ Laundry kit (soap/stain remover) ▢ Collapsible Tote
▢ Slippers ▢ Portable steamer ▢ Clear Tote
MISCELLANEOUS
▢ Cellphone ▢ Emergency Contacts ▢ Laptop/tablet
▢ Binoculars ▢ Credit-card/bank contacts ▢ Electronic Charger ▢ Purse Organizer
▢ Plug Adaptor ▢ Copies of passport/credit card, etc. ▢ List of medications
▢ Toothbrush ▢ Shaving Supplies ▢ Vitamins
▢ Toothpaste ▢ Nail file/clippers ▢ Dental Floss ▢ Perfume
▢ Soap ▢ Insect repellent ▢ Brush/comb ▢ Sneaker cleaner wipes
▢ Makeup ▢ First-aid ointment ▢ Medications ▢ Face moisturizer
▢ Deodorant ▢ Hairstyling tools ▢ Pain Relievers ▢ Kiyo Matcha
▢ Tweezers ▢ Shampoo/conditioner ▢ Hand sanitizer ▢ Hair drying brush
▢ Face lotion/gel/etc. ▢ Face cleanser ▢ eye patches ▢ Eucalyptus shower mist
▢ Sunscreen ▢ Contact lenses/solution ▢ Birth control ▢ Moisturizing face mask
▢ Bandages ▢ Feminine-hygiene products ▢ Makeup remover
CARRY-ON
▢ Cash ▢ International converter ▢ Credit/ATM cards
▢ Itinerary ▢ Video/music player ▢ House/car keys
▢ Tissues ▢ In-flight medications ▢ Books or e-books ▢ eye patches
▢ Lip Balm ▢ Pashmina/travel blanket ▢ Ear plugs/eye mask
▢ Paper/pen ▢ Camera w/memory card ▢ Passport/visa/ID ▢ Evian facial spray
▢ Travel pillow ▢ Valuables, such as jewelry ▢ Food/snacks/gum
▢ Headphones ▢ Insurance cards (medical/travel) ▢ Address book
▢ Maps/guides ▢ Empty water bottle (fill post-security) ▢ Change of clothes
Packing Tips
The length of your trip, the weather, and any non-standard gear you might need are your most important considerations when packing for a vacation.
You should first decide if you will be checking your bag or taking only a carry-on bag. Based on these space considerations, you should adjust the amount of clothing to bring. If you have one or more layover connections, the chances of your bag going missing increase with each connection. Your checked bag should have a TSA-approved lock and stow an apple air tag in each bag. We recommend focusing on packing neutral colors and look to layer your clothes, keeping your neutral color palette will be more versatile and give you more mix-and-match options. Save space and keep all your belongings organized with packing cubes.
It’s a good idea to look for ways to put your clothing to work-meaning multiple-use items like bug-repellent clothing, upf-proof beach wear and compressible jackets can save you some space. We recommend athleisure brands like Lululemon, prAna, and Athleta.
Another consideration is if you plan to do laundry on your vacation. You can probably manage to pack less clothing items. Remember to pack your travel laundry kit. Keep your dirty laundry in a laundry bag or an empty pillow case. If your suitcase is full with all your souvenirs on your return trip, you can carry your pillow case (stuffed with your laundry) onto the plane with you as a “personal comfort” item. Secure it to your rolling carry-on with this belt.
You can double-duty your travel accessories by using your beach towel as an airplane blanket, or packing a collapsible tote to carry home your souvenirs.
Packing for Adventure Travel
For adventure travel, you should always invest in high-quality special travel gear. If you are booked on an escorted group tour, you will receive a packing list from the tour operator which will make packing and buying your gear easier to figure out. Must-have items include hiking shoes, quick-dry clothing, and a day pack with hydration sleeve and rain cover.
See our Peru/Inca Trail Packing List
Your carry-on bag should be the place to pack your toiletry items. Your medications, contacts, makeup, toothbrush can all go here. A good hanging bag will save space in small bathrooms, and using these TSA-friendly containers will save a lot of space in your bag. Your razor will need to be in your checked luggage or purchased in your destination. We recommend traveling with a first-aid kit for bandages, ointments, and insect repellents. Make sure to check TSA guidelines and the laws in your destination when traveling with medication.
What to Pack in Your Carry-On
Your carry-on is where you should pack your most essential items—things you cannot afford to lose:
- Wallet, house keys, medications, glasses
- Laptop, phone, and noise-cancelling headphones
- Travel-size toiletries like your toothbrush, makeup, and contact lenses
- Keep your passport (and a copy), visas, travel itinerary, and emergency contacts close at hand. Don’t forget to check that your passport won’t expire within six months of your return date and give yourself enough time to handle any visa applications or vaccinations required by your destination.
Tech Travel Essentials
Tech-savvy travelers, rejoice! Pack these items to make your journey smoother:
- Universal adapters and power converters
- Backup chargers and extra memory cards
- Noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds
- Waterproof phone case if your travels involve water (looking at you, Greek Islands!)
These items ensure you stay connected and entertained no matter where you’re headed.
Tech items will enhance your trip and allow an easier transition when using international amenities. Your phone, laptop, and tablet are essential items. Noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds will save you on a long flight. Also, remember to pack electronic adapters and power converters. Bring an extra memory card, backup charger, and consider if you will need a waterproof phone case.
Random, But Useful!
It may seem random, but trust us—packing items like sanitizing wipes, an extension cord, or even duct tape can come in handy. Think of them as your travel “insurance” for when the unexpected happens.
