Travel packing checklist: what to pack in your suitcase (2026 guide)

In short: for a one- to two-week trip, aim for a bag that holds your documents (passport, cards, bookings), 5 to 7 mix-and-match outfits, a cabin-size wash bag, your electronics with cables and adapters, a mini first-aid kit, and a carry-on with survival basics in case your checked bag goes missing. The rest you can buy on the spot.

The rule that changes everything: lay out everything you think you’ll pack on the bed, then remove half the clothes and double the cash. After twelve years packing and repacking bags between Bangkok, Hanoi and Tokyo, it’s the one tip I repeat before every departure. You always travel better light.

Here’s the full checklist, category by category.

1. Documents and money (pack these first)

This is the only category you can’t replace. A forgotten t-shirt is a ten-minute problem; a forgotten passport ends the trip. Check these before anything else:

Valid passport with at least 6 months left after your return date (required by most countries outside Europe).
Visa or electronic authorisation if needed, printed AND saved digitally.
ID card for travel within Europe.
International driving permit if you plan to rent a vehicle outside the EU.
Bank cards: at least two, stored separately (one on you, one in the bag).
Cash in local currency, or euros/dollars to change on arrival.
Bookings (flight, hotel, insurance) saved as offline PDFs on your phone.
Photocopies of your passport, stored in the cloud and left with someone at home.
Travel insurance certificate with the 24/7 emergency number.

A tip from experience: I photograph every document and email the lot to myself. A bag theft in Ho Chi Minh City in 2024 cost me one hour at the consulate, not three days, thanks to that.

2. Clothes by climate

The number-one mistake is packing outfits that don’t work together. Pick a palette of two or three neutral colours: everything pairs with everything, and a weather surprise doesn’t kill a whole outfit.

For a hot climate (Southeast Asia, tropics, above 28°C / 82°F):

5 to 7 light tops (cotton, linen), short sleeves.
2 light bottoms + 1 pair of shorts.
1 covered outfit (shoulders and knees) for temples and places of worship.
1 swimsuit, 1 light sun cover-up.
Sandals + one pair of trainers for walking.

For a temperate climate (Europe, spring or autumn, 12 to 22°C / 54 to 72°F):

The layering system: t-shirts, a shirt or thin jumper, a windproof jacket.
1 pair of jeans + 1 pair of trousers.
Comfortable closed shoes, waterproof if possible.

For a cold climate (mountains, winter, below 5°C / 41°F):

Thermal base layer, fleece, warm and waterproof jacket.
Hat, gloves, a scarf that’s thin but insulating.
Thick merino wool socks, which dry fast.

To match your wardrobe to reality, check the month-by-month weather for your country on our destination pages before you close the bag. The same November calls for radically different bags for Morocco and for Japan.

3. Toiletries (cabin format)

The classic trap: leaving with full bottles for two weeks when 60% ends up in the bin on your return. Switch to small containers and solid formats, which don’t count towards the 100 ml cabin limit.

Toothbrush + travel-size toothpaste.
Solid soap + solid shampoo (compact, no leaks, no liquid limit).
Deodorant, sunscreen (SPF 30 minimum in tropical zones).
Razor and personal kit.
Microfibre towel, which dries in an hour and takes up three times less space than a terry towel.
Sanitary products, sometimes hard to find or expensive depending on the country.

Useful reminder: in the cabin, all liquids must fit in containers of 100 ml maximum, grouped in a one-litre transparent bag. Solid formats bypass this rule entirely.

4. Electronics and cables

Phone + charger.
Power bank (keep it in the cabin, never in the hold, it’s banned there).
Universal plug adapter suited to your destination.
Cables grouped in a pouch (nothing gets tangled or lost faster than a loose cable).
Headphones.
Camera and memory card, if you don’t want to rely on your phone.
E-reader for long journeys, lighter than a stack of books.

Check the plug type before you go: the UK, South Africa and India use standards that a basic Europe adapter doesn’t cover.

5. Health and basic first aid

A mini kit covers most cases: plasters, a painkiller, an anti-diarrhoea medication, an antiseptic, mosquito repellent, and your personal medicines in their original box with the prescription. The full breakdown, adaptations by destination, and the rules for carrying medication on a plane are in our dedicated guide: travel first-aid kit.

Important point: keep all your personal treatments in your carry-on. The hold isn’t heated and the cold can alter some medicines.

6. The carry-on (pack it as if the hold were lost)

Roughly one bag in a hundred goes missing or is delayed. Pack your carry-on to last 24 to 48 hours without the checked bag:

Documents, cash, cards, phone, power bank.
One complete change of clothes.
Personal medicines and a basic kit.
Minimal toiletries (100 ml format).
Chargers and adapter.
Something for the flight (e-reader, headphones).

The day your suitcase arrives at the hotel a day late, this bag makes all the difference. For the exact dimensions allowed by your airline, see our cabin baggage guide.

Common mistakes to avoid

Packing too many shoes: two pairs are enough (one comfortable for walking, one for the setting). They’re heavy and eat up huge volume.
Outfits that don’t combine: each item should work with at least two others.
Full bottles: 100 ml is enough for two weeks, or switch to solids.
Forgetting a change of clothes in the cabin: the first casualty of a lost bag.
Ignoring the real weather: a country’s average hides huge gaps by region and altitude.
The power bank in the hold: it’s banned there and must travel with you in the cabin.

Space-saving tips

Rolling rather than folding saves space and limits creases: tightly rolled clothes take up to 30% less volume. Compression bags (air pushed out) help with bulky items like fleeces and down jackets, less so with light laundry.

Use packing cubes to separate by category: tops, bottoms, underwear. You find everything in three seconds and unpack less often. Slide socks and underwear into your shoes so you don’t lose that space. And always leave 20% of the case empty on departure: that’s the room for souvenirs and things you buy on the way back.

FAQ

What should I pack first in my suitcase?

Documents and money first: a passport valid for 6 months, a visa if needed, two bank cards stored separately, cash, and your bookings saved offline. That’s the only category you can’t replace. The rest can be bought on the spot.

How many clothes should I pack for a week?

Count on 5 to 7 tops, 2 to 3 bottoms, and a palette of two or three neutral colours so everything combines. It’s better to plan a mid-trip laundry than to double your wardrobe. A machine or a laundromat costs a few euros almost everywhere.

Can I put medication in my checked bag?

It’s better to keep all medication in your carry-on. The hold isn’t heated and the cold can alter some treatments. Keep them in their original box with the prescription, especially for regular treatments.

Should I roll or fold my clothes?

Rolling tightly saves up to 30% of volume and limits creases on soft fabrics. Fold structured clothes instead (shirts, jackets) that crease when rolled. Packing cubes help keep everything organised whichever method you use.

Which liquids are allowed in cabin baggage?

In the cabin, each liquid must fit in a container of 100 ml maximum, all grouped in a one-litre transparent bag. Solid soaps and shampoos don’t count towards this limit and are a good way around it.

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Written by Marie L., editor-in-chief of L’Heure du Voyage. Last updated: 8 July 2026.