What to Pack in Checked Luggage: A Practical Guide for Stress-Free Travel
Knowing what you should (and should not) pack in your checked luggage can feel overwhelming. Packing the right items can make your trip smoother, while packing the wrong things can lead to unnecessary stress.
This guide will help remove that uncertainty so you can start your adventure feeling prepared and confident.
First Things First: Where and When Are You Traveling?
Before you even think about putting a single article of clothing into your suitcase, ask yourself two simple questions: Where am I going, and when am I going there?
Seasons matter. What a shocker!
Unless you live somewhere like Los Angeles (my native hometown), a city that somehow magically lacks seasons (to my personal dismay), you’ll need to plan around actual seasonal changes.
This means doing a little research on the climate at your destination. Sometimes you may encounter all four seasons in a single day, so packing layers is often the smartest move.
Also consider wind-chill, which many travelers forget about. Wind can make the temperature feel significantly colder than it actually is.
For example, I used to live in the Netherlands, aka the flattest country in Europe. Because it is so flat, it is also incredibly windy. And that wind can be brutally chilly even when the temperature itself seems perfectly reasonable.
Bugs and All Things that Bite, Suck, and Chew (You)
If you are traveling somewhere humid (jungles, tropical regions, or anywhere with tall grass or brush) you should assume that some buggy-boo is searching for you.
Your best defense is covering as much skin as possible, even when it is hot outside. Fortunately, there are plenty of lightweight fabrics that protect your skin while still allowing you to breathe.
And, please, for the love of your skin, do not rely solely on bug spray!
Yes, insect repellent helps. No, it is not magic.
I once knew someone who relied entirely on bug spray and later discovered they had returned home with a botfly living under their skin.
So yes, sleeves and pants are your friends.
My Personal Travel Hack: Never Walk Barefoot in Your Hotel Room
Here is a travel tip I learned the hard way.
Never walk barefoot in a place you are unfamiliar with, including your hotel room.
Picture this: it’s the middle of the night; you wake up half asleep, and you shuffle toward the bathroom in total darkness. Suddenly your toe wraps around a stray chair or collides straight into the edge of the bed frame with the full force of a particle accelerator.
Congratulations. You may have just broken your toe.
Ask BOTH my Mom and I how we know.
Aside from the obvious pain, the real problem is that it becomes almost impossible to squeeze a freshly broken toe (or even one that’s just horribly bruised) into a closed-toe shoe.
To avoid hobbling around for the rest of your trip, pack flip-flops, wide-brimmed sandals, or something similar and keep them next to the bed. Slip them on before walking around your room, always!
Your toes will thank you.
Click here for a link to my latest favorite Teva flip-flops.
Things You SHOULD Pack in your Checked Luggage
A Portable Luggage Scale
If you are the type of person who likes to travel right at the airline’s maximum weight limit (no judgement here), a small handheld luggage scale is incredibly useful.
We have one that hooks onto the suitcase handle so we can weigh it by simply lifting it off the ground. Click here to see the one we use.
It is a fantastic way to avoid that awkward moment at the airport where you’re desperately moving socks (or, in my case, cool looking rocks I found along the way) from one bag to another while everyone in line watches.
One Formal or Semi-Formal Outfit
Even if fancy dinners are not part of your travel plan, it’s wise to pack one slightly dressier outfit.
You never know when you might want to visit a nice restaurant or attend an event that requires something other than hiking clothes.
My personal go-to is simple: a sweater, a blouse, and black leggings.
Comfortable, versatile, and unlikely to offend any restaurant dress codes.
Foot Powder
If you plan on doing a lot of walking (which most travelers do), your feet are going to sweat more than usual.
Sweaty feet lead to blisters, and blisters lead to pure misery.
Foot powder helps keep things dry and comfortable.
Here is a trick to avoid accidentally dusting your entire hotel room with suspicious looking powder:
- Turn your sock inside-out.
- Sprinkle the powder on the sole of the sock.
- Being sure not to spill the powder, roll the sock up tightly from toe to ankle.
- Tuck the heal of the sock around the rest of the sock until it forms a neat misshapen ball.
- Unroll it again before putting it on.
The powder distributes evenly, your floor stays powder-free, and you avoid some awkward questions from the hotel staff. Everybody wins!
Extra Medications
Bring any medications that do not need to be in your carry-on.
Personally, I always travel with ibuprofen (liquid gel capsules are my preference) because I deal with chronic pain and inflammation.
Even if you normally do not need it, having an anti-inflammatory on hand can be extremely helpful.
I also recommend bringing melatonin or something similar. It can make adjusting to time-zone changes much easier. Jet lag is already unpleasant. There is no reason to make it worse.
Sunscreen
If you plan on spending time outdoors, pack sunscreen, preferably one containing zinc oxide.
Yes, you can get sunburned even on cloudy days.
And while sunburns may seem like a minor inconvenience, it only takes one serious burn to significantly increase your risk of skin cancer. Oh, and, by the way, a suntan is a sign of damaged skin, not that you have healthy glowing skin.
A Spare Hanger
This may sound oddly specific, but bring a hanger.
If you get caught in the rain, you will want a place to dry your jacket. Many hotels provide hangers, but they are often fixed inside closets and cannot be removed.
Unfortunately, wet clothing does not dry very well in a dark closet.
A simple hanger packs flat, hardly weighs a thing, and can also be helpful if you plan to wash clothing in the sink and need somewhere to hang it.
A Laundry Bag (or Trash Bag if You’re Less Bougie)
Pack a bag specifically for dirty laundry. Click here to see the one I use.
Such a nifty bag keeps sweaty clothes separate from clean ones and prevents your suitcase from turning into a traveling gym locker.
Things You Should NOT Pack in your Checked Luggage
Hairdryers, Hair Curlers, Electric Shavers, or Power Strips
Electrical voltage varies from country to country.
Plugging in incompatible electronics can blow a fuse, and if that happens in your accommodation, you could end up paying for the repair.
Fortunately, most hotels already provide hairdryers.
So, save yourself the trouble and leave yours at home.
Too Much Clothing
No, you do not need a brand-new outfit for every single day of your trip!
Unless you plan on sweating like you’re running a marathon daily, most clothing items can easily be worn two or more times.
Packing lighter also means you have room for souvenirs.
Which, most of us, will inevitably buy.
Brand-New Walking Shoes
This is a rookie mistake.
Never travel with shoes that have not been broken in.
New shoes and long walking days are a perfect recipe for blisters (especially if you forget the foot powder).
Bring comfortable shoes you already know your feet agree with.
Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, or Meat
Customs regulations vary by country, but bringing fresh food across borders is rarely worth the hassle.
Fresh produce and meat products are often confiscated and could potentially lead to fines.
Packaged foods are usually safer. For example, vacuum-sealed cheese, chocolate, canned goods, and sealed spices are often permitted depending on the destination.
When in doubt, check customs rules before traveling.
An Overstuffed Suitcase
Always leave some extra room and weight in your luggage. Because chances are high you will find something during your travels that you want to bring home.
Future you will appreciate the extra space.
Should You Roll or Fold Your Clothes?
The correct answer is both.
Roll thinner clothing items like shirts, underwear, and lightweight tops.
Fold thicker items such as jeans, sweaters, and sweatpants.
This combination maximizes space while keeping bulkier clothing from turning into a wrinkled mess.
Conclusion
Packing your checked luggage does not have to be complicated.
With a little planning (and a healthy dose of common sense) you can avoid the most common packing mistakes and travel far more comfortably.
Pack for the climate, protect yourself from the elements (and the insects that come with them), and bring practical items that will make your trip easier.
And most importantly, leave a little extra space in your suitcase.
Because the best souvenirs are the ones you did not plan for.
If you would like to read related content, click here to check out my article about what to pack in your carry-on luggage.