Packing like a pro: The ultimate guide to what to bring

So, you’ve narrowed your travel list down and finally booked your next trip. With all the arrangements made, your bags are figuratively packed.

Now there’s only one thing standing between you and the world: actually packing. For many, it’s the most stressful part of trip preparations. But it doesn’t have to be.

Here are our tips for packing like a pro, and check out these links for tips on packing for specific occasions:

Country-specific advice:

Pre-Departure Checklist

Don’t leave home without getting the essentials in check. Here are some of the things that should be on your pre-departure checklist.

Your passport

Ok, you’ve probably thought of this one already, but check the expiration date. Some countries require at least six months’ validity. And if you have to renew, make sure you leave plenty of time, especially during peak vacation periods. Visa requirements can also change over time so don’t assume it’s the same arrangement as before if returning somewhere familiar. You can check if a visa is required at www.iatatravelcentre.com

Pre-book and save

Often booking in advance can save you money —and that includes booking things like parking before getting to the airport. Even if you do so on the morning of your trip you may save. The same is true for ordering currency in advance. If picking up pre-booked currency, take the card you booked with and take note if you have to go to a particular pickup point to get your cash.

Safety

Read up on your destination for up-to-the-minute issues that might affect your plans. The US Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov); Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (smarttraveller.gov.au); and the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (fco.gov.uk) are the best places to start.

Get insured

Travel insurance is an important part of your packing routine. Provisions for trip interruption, baggage delay or trip cancellation can help protect your travel investment should your trip get disrupted.

A major part of travel insurance is health insurance. Don't assume your coverage in your home country will apply when you are traveling abroad. As for cost, expect it to increase as you approach retirement age. For the policy to be effective, every pre-existing condition must be declared, otherwise your policy could be worthless and you could end up with a very large bill. Also check that any activity you’re planning on undertaking will be included in the price.

Medical Matters

Start with a checkup at your doctor’s and dentist – it’s far easier to deal with any potential issues before you hit the road. Try to go as far in advance as you can in case you need to take full courses of immunizations before you travel. You can usually get any necessary vaccinations at your local health clinic, though specialist travel health clinics can also be found in major cities around the world.

Discount and membership cards

If you’re eligible, obtaining an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) or International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) before you go will save you money all over the place – see www.isic.org for details of both. Travelers of any age will benefit from Hostelling International membership (www.hihostels.com). Senior travelers also qualify for travel discounts with some airlines and for ground transport in many countries. Sometimes flashing an ID is enough, sometimes you need to use a local scheme.

The hands of a woman are packing a colorful sweater into a suitcase at home — The less you can carry with you, the easier your travels will be © Atit Phetmuangtong / EyeEm / Getty Images

Five tips for packing light

Doug Dyment, author of OneBag.com, gives his advice for reducing baggage bulge:

There’s only one real ‘secret’ to traveling light: a proper personal packing list. It’s a contract you make with yourself, a personal pledge that you will never pack anything that isn’t on your list. And for most people, such a list needn’t include more items than will fit in a single, carry-on bag and is able to accommodate destinations ranging from India to Inuvik.
Learn about luggage. Most bags on the market are designed to sell easily, rather than facilitate lightweight travel. So learn about design (shapes, configurations) and construction (fabrics, zippers). You may even discover that the primary function of a wheeled bag is to support itself, not efficiently transport anyone’s belongings!
Avoid liquids; they are the bane of the light traveler. Liquids (and gels) are heavy, bulky, prone to leakage (particularly on planes), and suspicious to security. Did I mention heavy?
Plan to do some laundry. This needn’t be onerous: done properly, and regularly, it should be more like brushing your teeth. With the right gear (travel clothesline, powder detergent, universal sink stopper), three pairs of underwear will take you anywhere.
Coordinate your colors. An excellent way to derive maximum use from a modest amount of clothing is to ensure that every item goes with every other one.

A woman's hands prepare for a summer trip by packing items including a sun hat, some comfortable shoes and various electronic devices — No matter where you go, you don't want to spend your holiday money buying something you meant to pack © bymuratdeniz / Getty images

Backpacker’s packing list

Ensure nothing gets left behind with our handy checklist

Essentials

Passport
Boarding Passes
Foreign cash
Credit/ATM cards
Maps/directions/itinerary
Guidebook material
First aid kit
Travel insurance documents
Repeat and travel medication
Folder for all documents
Large backpack
Small combination lock

Electronics

Camera and charger
Mobile phone and charger
Tablet and charger
Headphones
Plug adapters (see below)
Headtorch and batteries
Waterproof pocket camera
Back-up hard drive

Clothes

Light jacket
Waterproof coat
Light jumpers
Thin hoodie
Casual shirts
Vest tops
T-shirts
Loose trousers
Leggings
Shorts
Skirts
Dresses
Sandals
Flip-flops
Trainers/comfortable shoes
Belt
Thin socks
Underwear
Sleepwear
Sun hat/cap
Swimsuit
Sarong/shawl
Hidden zipper belt

Cosmetics

Sunscreen and aftersun lotion
Body lotion/moisturizer
Insect repellent
Deodorant
Perfume
SPF lip balm
Razor and shaving cream
Shampoo and conditioner
Soap/body wash
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Make-up and remover
Hairbrush/comb
Hair products
Disposable wipes
Sanitary products
Nile file/clippers
Tweezers
Bug spray
Laundry kit: travel detergent, braided clothesline, sink-stopper
Hand sanitizer
Dental floss
Small tubes for liquids
Tissues

Miscelleneous

Painkillers
Glasses
Contact lenses and solution
Travel journal and pen
Books
Sunglasses
Waterproof watch
Beach towel/quick-dry towel
Waterproof bag
Water purifying bottle
Sleep sack
Earplugs
Refillable bottles
Travel neck pillow
Playing cards
Pocket sewing kit
Sleeping bag
Portable stove
Cutlery
Bowl/cup

International Plug Sockets

Here's a run-down of some of the world's plug sockets and fittings. Along with a converter, you can also get individual plugs. For instance, instead of using a converter to charge your iPhone, buy the country-specific plug and rotate it out. These are available through sites like Amazon or a store in country. You might also check with your device manufacturer. For instance, Apple sells a World Travel Adapter Kit that includes all world plugs.

Here's a breakdown of countries and plug types (which you can see pictures of in the graphic above):

Australia: I

Brazil: M

Canada: A, B

China: I

Europe: C, E, F *-Except: Switzerland and Liechtenstein (type J, compatible with C); Denmark (type K, compatible with C); Italy (type L, compatible with C if socket is 10A)

Ireland: G

India: D

Japan: A, B

Malaysia: G

New Zealand: I

Singapore: G

South Africa: M

Thailand: O

UK: G

United States: A, B

This information is reprinted from Lonely Planet’s Best Ever Travel Tips