bathroom travel checklist

The Ultimate Guide to Travel Toiletries (with Printable Checklist)

TOILETRIES , Toiletries

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Packing toiletries is like an art form. You want to pack the essentials, but you don’t want to overpack and weigh down your suitcase. Follow our ultimate guide to creating the perfect travel toiletries list and master the art of packing!

Toiletries are a serious struggle for many travelers. How do you take everything you need especially if you’re traveling carry on only?

Store-bought travel size toiletries are convenient but they’re not always the best option.

This article will help you plan what toiletries you should bring on your trip by giving you a step-by-step walk through of a suggested planning process.

It will also provide you with travel size toiletries examples, a printable checklist, answers to the most common questions, and will also show you how to downsize your favorite beauty products.

Photo Credit: E-bags Shop: eBags | Walmart

What is a toiletry item?

When I started traveling, someone took me by surprise when they asked me, “What are toiletries?” Before we get started, I want to quickly clarify what they are.

The toiletries definition from Cambridge Dictionary is: “articles used in washing and taking care of one’s body, such as soap, shampoo, and toothpaste”.

To be as helpful and efficient as possible, we’re including a variety of items in our toiletries list including grooming items, beauty products, and other essentials.

The secret to traveling light is to create a functional but minimalist capsule wardrobe. Learn more in my guide !

What toiletries can I take on a plane?

One of the most important things to know before you start planning for your trip is what you are allowed to bring in your suitcase. The toiletries you can take on a plane depend on whether or not you are checking your luggage.

Image Source: US Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

For cabin or carryon toiletries: airlines require that liquid products be no more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and all bottles must fit in a clear quart size ziplock bag when traveling with a carry on. Products that need to be inside the quart size ziplock bag are liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes. This is called the 3-1-1 Liquids Rule .

Clear Travel Toiletry Bag

For checked toiletries: items that are in containers larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters (regardless of amount ) should be in checked baggage. Visit this TSA page to find out exactly what items are allowed in a checked bag. It’s actually an interesting read!

These guidelines are for US-based airlines. However, these tend to be the general guidelines across all airlines. For specific items, always check the website of the airline or contact them and ask them directly.

Shop Sea To Summit Toiletry Bag: Amazon | Backcountry

What’s the best toiletry bag?

The two toiletry bags our readers love the most are the eBags Pack it Flat Toiletry Kit and the Sea to Summit Hanging Toiletry Bag.

For more suggestions, read our article rounding up the ten best toiletry bags and the best hanging toiletry bags .

Tip: Make sure that you keep the quart-size ziplock bag (storing your carryon toiletries) accessible when you get to the airport. Once you get through security, place them back into your toiletry bag.

How do you keep your liquids from leaking?

Here’s a tip I shared on Oprah to help you prevent liquids from leaking in luggage: remove the cap from the bottle, place a small square of plastic wrap over the opening, and replace the cap.

The reason your bottles leak or explode on a flight is due to changes in air pressure. As the plane goes up, the pressure causes the bottle to compress (as if you were squeezing it with your hand). The plastic wrap acts as a seal to prevent leaks.

YAMYONE Leakproof Travel Bottles

This is the reason why store bought travel size toiletries are never completely full. You need to allow a little bit of extra space so the liquids don’t get pushed out by the changes in pressure. (This is also the reason why your ears get plugged while flying.)

The solution: Don’t fill your bottles all the way to the top. Instead, only fill them by 2/3 or 75%.

How to Pack Toiletries for Travel

Follow the below step-by-step guide on how to pack toiletries to determine what you will and will not need to bring along with how to downsize items.

Step 1: Planning and Preparation

Step 2: eliminate, step 3: downsize, step 4: travel containers.

Start by laying out all the grooming and beauty products you use on a day to day basis. Which of these can you take on your trip and which will you need to leave behind? Choose anything and everything you think you may need.

Then, place each item into one of these categories:

Not required
Not applicable

Safehaven Products – 8 Piece Hygiene and Toiletry Set

There are certain things you might find non-negotiable such as your favorite brand shampoo or premium face moisturizer. You can save a lot of space and weight in your luggage by minimizing toiletries and eliminating certain items altogether.

Round Clear Jars

Would you be willing to use the shampoo and body moisturizer provided by your hotel for a few days? A few weeks? If not, don’t worry. There are tips in the next steps in the article that will provide a solution to this problem. (Hint: Reusable travel containers !)

If you’re unsure whether your accommodation provides complimentary travel size toiletries, check their website or better yet, send them an email. Want a faster response? Call them.

To help you determine the products you may or may not need, you’ll find a list of toiletries examples below:

Sample Travel Size Toiletries List:

(Click any item for product suggestions)

Conditioner
Body Wash/Soap/Oil
Face Wash/Scrub
Feminine Wash
Shaving Cream
Face Moisturizer
Body Moisturizer
Body Powder
Leave in Conditioner
Dry Shampoo
Anti-heat Spray
Styling Gel/Mousse
Hair Smoothing Cream
Hand Moisturizer
Hand Sanitizer
Nail Polish
Nail Polish Remover
Hair Removal Cream
Makeup Remover
Styling Brush/Styling Comb
Flat Iron/Straightener
Curling Iron

Are there any additional beauty products you use such as other shower essentials ? If so, add them to your initial list.

Printable Toiletries Checklist

You can write in an item’s weight (lighter items mean less overall baggage weight)
You can note if you need to purchase something or if you already own it
And most importantly, you can organize where you’ll pack each item including suggested packing organizers like these

Read this post for a printable packing list that includes clothes, shoes, and more!

Now that you’ve gone through the entire list of every possible beauty product you own, create two piles: one for items you don’t need to take and one for items you absolutely do.

AmoVee 2 in 1 Flat Iron – Dual Voltage

For example:

Do you need five hair styling products or can you choose just one? Use something like this 2-in-1 curling/flat iron duo
Instead of razors and hair removal creams, how about a wax before your trip? I like no-heat strips like these
Can you leave behind your nail polish and get a gel manicure instead? Read this post on making your vacation nails last
Do you need several items to comb or brush your hair or can you use just one like this foldable wet brush with a mirror?

Is it possible to temporarily hold off on using any products? If so, do it!

TRAVEL BEAUTY TIP: Find out if your accommodation offers products such as shampoo, shower gel, hair dryer, etc. Some hotels even have additional complimentary items at reception such as razors, toothpaste, and other small essentials. Just ask!

Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps

One of the best ways to minimize toiletries is to choose multi-use products or items. Determine if there are any products you already own that can work double-duty. Choose between two products that serve the same purpose.

Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps and Sea To Summit Wilderness Wash are two of the most popular travel all-in-one travel products.

Other items to consider:

Is it possible to pack 4-in-1 facial cloths like these instead of taking face wash, scrub, and makeup wipes?
Can you use a 2-in-1 shampoo plus conditioner like these ?
Would you consider a tinted moisturizer or BB cream? This one’s my fave.
Can you use your straightener as a curling iron? Better yet, choose a 2-in-1 curling/flat iron duo like this
Have you ever seen double ended makeup brushes? Save space with these

There are various multi-use products on the market, or you can use a few long-term travel hacks like I do, such as:

Baby powder as dry shampoo
Shampoo as shower gel (only for short periods of time)
Conditioner as shaving cream
Face scrub as body scrub
Body moisturizer to smooth hair flyaways

Nars Multiple | Eco Tools Brush Set

You’d be surprised at how many products can be used for multiple needs. Things like coconut oil or other natural oils can be used as a body moisturizer, shave gel, and split end treatment! Tip: The best coconut oil is cold-pressed, unrefined, and good enough to eat.

There are also various multi-use makeup products such as my all-time fave: Nars The Multiple !

Read these tips on how to minimize toiletry products for even more tips!

Have you ever paid attention to how much shampoo you use? I only wash my hair every other day, so a 3 oz. travel size can last me a week!

How long is your trip? Make note of how much product you use for the duration of that time. Now that you know what items you absolutely have to pack, it’s time to determine how much of them you actually need.

Essentials such as shampoo, toothpaste, and moisturizers are particularly important. Don’t forget to test out bath, skincare, and makeup products. Make note so you can refer back when you’re ready to make the final plan.

Tip: avoid taking liquids in your carryon by replacing them with solid toiletries and travel wipes !

Editor’s Favorite Reusable Makeup Remover: Kiki & Josie

Once you have a better idea of what you actually need then consider other ways to downsize such as:

Instead of taking nail polish remover, can you take a few individual wipes like these instead?
Do you need an entire bottle of foundation or can you use a small container like this to take only what you will use?
Mini-nail polish bottles like these are a good choice, if you can’t stand chipped nails.
Read these travel makeup hacks for more ideas!

Skincare tends to be more personalized, but try not to bring more than three skincare items: a cleanser, treatment (for acne or wrinkles), and moisturizer. If you use a skincare system different from this one, try to cut it down to three products.

To downsize your makeup routine, read The Beauty Junkie’s Guide to Packing a Minimalist Makeup Kit and How to Create a Capsule Makeup Collection !

Empty Lip Gloss Balm Container

Choose appropriate travel containers. Many times, 3 oz bottles are too big for a one or two-week trip, so buy various sizes and take only the amount you will use.

Instead of immediately buying “travel-size” containers in 3oz or 100ml bottles, get a range of sizes including 1oz , 2oz , and smaller jars like these , too.

Tip: Replace glass containers with plastic to minimize weight and avoid breakage.

Read this post on the best travel containers for more info!

Do a test run to see if everything fits in your toiletry bag. If your belongings don’t fit, consider using multi-use products such as a shampoo/conditioner combo, using conditioner as shaving cream, or baby shampoo for your hair and body.

Travel Toiletries Comparison Chart

Watch this video for more tips on how to fit all your toiletries into a carryon:

TRAVEL BEAUTY TIP: For long-term trips, don’t pack full-size toiletries. Purchase travel-size products as you go. Some local drug store brands are common around the world. Here are more toiletry tips for long trips!

And for every single trick in my packing book, read my full course “ Stop Overpacking “. I created the STOP OVERPACKING program to teach you my exact packing process. Every secret, every detail, nothing is spared.

Learn more about Stop Overpacking here !

What items are a must have on your toiletries list? Share in the comments below!

For more tips on travel toiletries, please read:

10 Best Travel Toiletry Bags
The Ultimate Guide to Hair While Traveling
Ways to Fit All Your Toiletries into Your Carry-on
The Simple Guide to Essential Travel Beauty Products

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69 Comments

Probably the biggest impact on my packing has been the tips to reduce and decant toiletries. I have followed this website and FB page for several years and the first thing I realized was that my toiletry footprint in my suitcase can be much smaller. This, in turn, makes for more room in small bathrooms (I typically cruise). Thanks for all your great info!!!

This is a great post, very helpful for thos of us that think we need to bring it all with us. Thank you for helping us travel lighter!

Sort of in the toiletries category, if traveling to South East Asia, I highly recommend getting a small pack of toilet seat covers and travel toilet paper (or carry tissues). No guarantee that there will be any available in locations other than your hotels. Otherwise, there is a hose with a spray handle for you to use, and that’s it. :0

I struggle with packing toiletries and overpacking things. I really appreciate this step by step guide that holds my hand and walks me through every step of packing so I don’t get overwhelmed, confused, or frustrated trying to figure everything out.

This is the most helpful travel blog, as I have always struggled with my liquids leaking when I fly. Thx for posting your excellent resources!

I love the compass rose packing cubes and look forward to taking them to Paris and Amsterdam the end of October.

This article has been a lifesaver as my toiletry bag is out of control! I learned many new ways of pairing it down and found some great containers to make that happen. The tips will also help my clear liquids bag be more manageable! Thank you for the great ideas.

I love all of these suggestions! I now have the flat-it pack it from eBags and also the lip balm containers which are genius! Thank you!

Lots of good tips, but beware of local restrictions when traveling; e.g., many African countries are very restrictive about plastics. Plastic bags are bad for the animals… If the plastic bag could be a 1-use bag, it might be prohibited even though you plan to use it multiple times during your trip. Some countries prohibit the shopping bags from the duty-free shops. There could be fines and imprisonment. Just a reminder to check restrictions in your designation country.

Very good point, thanks for sharing Dot!

I find it very informative to see what everyone says about downsizing toiletries. Thanks for sharing a great post. And the comments!

So glad you found this guide helpful!

Minimizing my toiletries and my toiletry case is the challenge I must overcome. I just came back from a 16 day trip to Austria. Individual zipper pouches not only create more bulk but also more weight. Reading your well written articles will assist me in this challenge.

I used those round clear jars on my last trip, but I couldn’t really get a grip on the lid and base to separate the two 🙁 I’m going back to using old empty jars of product and decanting into them instead.

I just want to thank Travel Fashion Girl and everyone that is part of this community for the inspiration and know-how for successful travel when abroad and also when dreaming from home. Taming toiletries remains a challenge! Using multi-purpose (lips, cheeks, eyes) make-up helps minimize make up, and sample sizes (like tiny mascara) are helpful, as is repotting items into much smaller containers versus buying travel sizes. Thanks for all the tips!

Great tips. Toiletries are the most challenging for me.

Great info – toiletries are always a challenge for me!

I loce the tips and be learned from following TFG and pass it a long to friends often! Thanks for the tips

Unbelievably thorough! Thank you for these hugely helpful tips and examples. I’m so excited!

This is the most thorough and well-written toiletries packing article out there! Thank you 🙂

Suggestions for toner bottle? Everything pours out too fast!

Packing now for my first trip carry on only … and I am finding toiletries are the most challenging part! Thank you for all the info, tips, and tricks!

The empty lip gloss containers … life changing! Thank you!

Another great lesson from Alex at TFG! I have more toiletries and medicines than clothes to take on my 15 day trip to the UK. I leave Thursday and am still refining my packing. These toilette tips are sooo helpful! In fact, all of Alex’s blogs are so helpful! I’m so glad I found this group!!

We first started traveling internationally in 2013 and were determined to do carry-on only. I thought it was impossible until I discovered TFG. Toiletries were the most difficult for me to figure out. 9 years later I still use all the tips I’ve learned from here.

Thanks to your tips I was able to downsize my toiletries and pack in a carry on only for my recent 11 day trip to Europe. Never did I ever think I could make this happen!

I got so much helpful information! I never thought of downsizing from Travel size for my liquids. This has been a game changer for me when packing my toiletries! Thanks!

Such great information! Can’t get enough of TravelFashionGirl!

My first trip traveling with only a carry on suitcase was an epiphany! Easier to pack and unpack. I wear all the pieces during the trip and there is less stuff to deal with while traveling.

Great blog – so many tips (with links) to help pair down toiletries especially for carry-on only – especially buying different sizes to decanter products! Using these tips for trip next week – thanks!

These tips are great! Honestly, in past trips, I have done fine packing with limited clothes but my toiletries have taken up half my suitcase! Looking forward to using these tips to scale back and miniturize.

So many great tips for toiletries. I learned alot and will be applying these ideas on my next trip. Thanks for the great info.

Thanks for this great post. Details very helpful! And practical!

Great information. Used these tips on recent flight to Maine. Worked great!

These tips saved me on my recent trip to Italy! Thanks for all of the great advice.

A packing list! I will totally use this and hope to whittle down further. Thank you for another great resource!

I’m so scared to travel with a checked bag theses days and my toiletries are the thing that I was most concerned about fitting into a carry on. I love all the downsizing tips and can’t wait to use them for my next trip in October! Thanks Alex.

I like shopping the travel size section in my drug store and at Target. I find lots of different size containers there. I sometimes buy items just for the containers and then fill them with my products.

This post helped me so much when I was packing for my trip to France in April 2022. I think I was fairly successful in packing only the toiletries that I needed and was planning to check my bag, anyway. I also watched the video again when packing for a shorter trip to NY and was able to take even less toiletries on that trip! Thanks for all of your tips and tricks on safety too in the Paris 2022 Packing Guide!

It’s amazing how little I actually need when I travel—I use lots of products but a tiny amount goes a long way and helps so much with both volume and weight. I decant into a combination of the tiny “lip gloss” tubes and have the tiny deodorant sticks as well for solids (perfect for using up the end of a large stick that wouldn’t have come out anyway). Feels good to not purchase more throwaway plastic for travel sizes since I just refill when I get home and then I’m ready for the next trip! Also I highly recommend lotion bars.

Oh my goodness! This has helped me so much. Packing my liquids was my number one worry about consolidating to a carry on.

What a helpful post! I’m just going to be traveling stateside, but this gave me some great ideas as our space is limited. Thanks TFG!

I have learned so many great ideas for decanting makeup etc. I now have lip gloss tubes, contact lens cases and travel size. It makes traveling so much easier – thank you!

We all have such different needs and non-negotiables, but this article really takes us through the steps to figure out what works for us. Using these tips (and with some trial runs) I’ve been able to get down to a small Sea To Summit toiletry bag. Still refining with each trip….

Downsizing my toiletries is my biggest challenge! Thank you for these great tips.

Wow this information is so helpful. I will use many of these tips.

thank you for these tipps. I always feel very accomplished after I pack my clothes but than comes everything else, like toiletries and electronics and my backpack is bursting.

Your suggestions and tips have been so helpful when preparing for an adventure. Thank you!

Every article you write is helpful, but packing toiletries is my biggest struggle. So thank you for this one!

Using contact lens cases were a game changer on my recent Safari. We were limited to a soft -sided duffle and we wanted to carry on due to Heathrow so this was the way to go. It is amazing how much product fits in each case and how much product you actually use on a trip. I then used the cases on our recent road trip to Arizona. Never had a single spill either trip.

This is my all-time favorite post. Life -changing, making carry-on travel the only way to go now. Huge eye-opener!!!

This post is incredible. So much useful information! Thank you!

I have sliced up solid shampoo and conditioner bars into smaller pieces, to make ones the right size for a weeklong trip.

Thanks for the list!

There is now available shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, soap, laundry detergent in sheet form, and mouthwash and toothpaste as tablets, lotions in bar form,

Hi Vicki, thank you for sharing your great toiletries tip with us! ?

We love solid toiletries and have a range of options here: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/solid-toiletries-for-travel/

One trick I found on the web that works great is to use contact lens cases. You can put a few days/week supply in them, mark them with a black sharpie, and put in your toiletry bag.

Hi Rick, thank you for sharing your great travel hack for packing your toiletries with us! Happy travels! ?

Someone on your blog had mentioned she uses plastic paint cups from Michaels to put her make up in. What a great idea! I just purchased (16) 1/6 oz cups for $2 ( with 50% off coupon) and put my eye cream, under eye concealer, blush…. in them. They are awesome! And they are airtight, so the product won’t dry out! Thank you, whoever you are!

Wow, that is amazing Barbara, so happy to hear it worked so well with packing your toiletries!! Thank you for sharing! Happy Travels!

I wear contacts and somehow have loads of extra contact cases. I use them for putting my face moisturizer, BB cream, salve (in case of cuts or infections) in for trips up to a week. I just use a sharpie to mark something on the outside of the case so I know what is inside.

Hi Jessica, thank you for sharing your great travel tip! 🙂

Love your tips! They have helped me to be a more confident traveler!

I do the same because I know how much I need for products compared to others.

Two products worth the money (and I’m a cheapo). Blinc mascara. Order online. It is water-proof and rub-proof. To remove, rub with fingers and warm water. No remover required.

ColoreScience sunblock, SP 50. It’s a powder, with the brush built in. No need to pack powder. And who re-applies gloppy lotion every 2 hours? My dermatologist says the best sunblock is the one you use.

Hi Kay, thank you so much for sharing your travel toiletries! 🙂

🙂 sounds great! Thanks.

I have found that some doctors offices have small and very small bottles that you can get for free, if you ask nicely. One example is eye doctors, who have these bottles for sample eyedrops. I’ve gotten 6 in this way….for free. And they are the perfect size for travel!

Hi Connie, thank you so much for sharing your great travel tip for toiletries! 🙂

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The Complete Travel Toiletries List – Pack Right Every Time!

Looking for a travel toiletries list to help you organise your packing? If you’re traveling soon, I’ve put together a helpful list of toiletries that work for any trip. As someone who travels very frequently, I’ve narrowed down exactly which toiletries for travel are actually essential. I also know of a few toiletry items that you might not have heard of before or thought you needed. This is the only toiletries packing list you’ll ever need! I’ve put together a printable toiletries list for travel that you can download as a PDF and print off at home to make packing easy every time.

I’m also going to share a few tips for packing toiletries , how to lighten your load and share some of the best travel toiletries I’ve come across over my years of packing toiletries for flying, cruising, road tripping or backpacking. You’ll know exactly what toiletries to pack for a trip by the end of this post!

What You'll Find in This Post

The Complete Travel Toiletries List

Essential toiletries.

These are your travel toiletry essentials. Most of this stuff will feature on everyone’s toiletry bag checklist. If there are any things on this list of toiletries items that you don’t use at home then they’re probably not essential travel toiletries for you. A few of these items are personal preference only like hand cream or cotton buds. For guys, this is basically you whole toiletries list for men.

Shampoo – Packed in GoToob Travel Bottles if you’re traveling less than 2 weeks or traveling carry on only.
Conditioner – Packed as above
Hair brush / comb
Soap / body wash
Toothpaste – Get a travel sized toothpaste if you’re traveling with carry on only
Toothbrush – Folding toothbrushes like this are great for travel
Dental floss – Pick a small travel size one
Deodorant – Make sure it’s under 3oz if you’re traveling carry on only
Facial wipes / cleanser – Wipes are easy and less messy than a liquid cleanser
Facial moisturiser – I use Rosehip oil as it’s small, easy to pack and lasts a long time but whatever you use at home is right for you
Body moisturiser – You can leave this out if you’re staying in hotels but bring it if you’re using Airbnb, cruising or prefer a specific brand
Hand cream – Great for the flight!
Lip balm – Great for the flight, sun or skiing
Coconut oil – One of my top essential toiletries for traveling! Packing in a GoToob , it is so useful for travel as a moisturiser, after sun, shaving gel, hair treatment, make up remover etc. If you plan on using this, you can omit other items on this list as necessary.
Razor – I use this small women’s travel razor
Shaving gel / oil – Shaving oil is more space efficient and is a an essential for a men’s toiletries list
Small mirror – I use this small magnifying mirror which has suction cups so you can use it on a hotel room window or mirror
Nail clippers
Cotton buds / cotton pads

Nice to Have / Trip Specific Toiletries for Vacation

These items are either things that are just nice to have or depend on the type of trip you’re taking. Here are some of the extra toiletries to take on vacation:

Sunscreen – This sunscreen smells amazing!
Insect repellent spray
After sun lotion / aloe vera – For sunburn or moisturising your skin after sun exposure, toiletry bag essentials if you’re at the beach!
Anti-chafe balm / powder – Get this anti-chafe balm if you’re traveling somewhere humid, doing a lot of activity or walking a lot.
Foot powder – Pick up a travel size foot powder if you’re doing lots of hiking or walking around cities, you can also use anti-chafe balm for this.
Tiger balm / Deep heat – If you’re on an active vacation like a ski trip this is great to have.
Hand santizer
Menstrual cup / Tampons / Sanitary pads – An essential part of any female toiletries list depending on what time of the month you’re traveling!
Personal lubricant
After shave / beard oil
Contact lenses and solution
Essential oils – If you need them, pack them in these small travel bottles for essential oils

Hair & Beauty Toiletries for Women

A lot of these are women’s toiletries. Mens travel toiletries are a little more simple so guys can skip this section almost entirely. Most of these are toiletries to pack for vacation, when you’re going on a cruise, to a nice resort or on a weekend city break. If you’re backpacking toiletries like this probably aren’t necessary.

Hair ties – Wrap your hair ties around the handle of your hairbrush and then slot your bobby pins in over the top!
Travel Flat iron – If you have hard to control hair, consider bringing a flat iron. Here’s my list of the best travel flat irons.
Travel hair dryer – Most hotels have a hair dryer in the room but bring your own if you’re staying in an Airbnb or at a friend’s house. Here’s my list of the best travel hair dryers on the market.
Dry shampoo – Get a travel size dry shampoo spray
Hair styling products – Travel size versions of hairspray and styling gel are easy to find or put your gel into a GoTubb
Shower cap – If you’re staying in a hotel, it’s not necessary but if you’re in an Airbnb or staying at a friend’s then it’s useful
Make up brushes
Make up remover
Eye cream – You can scoop some into a little pot like this for travel
Solid perfume – These are great for travel! The Pacifica brand has some lovely Hawaiian scents in their range.

First Aid Kit

A small first aid kit is a very useful addition to your travel toiletries list. I pack mine into a Ziploc sandwich bag and just tuck it away until I need any of the items. You don’t need to bring the whole box of Bandaids or rehydration sachets, just a few of each item is enough.

Bite / sting cream
Immodium – Anti-diaharreal tablets for any emergency situations!
Pain relief – Ibuprofen, panadol or asprin
Antacids – These are so useful if you’re going somewhere that has spicy food!
Rehydration salts – In case of any Delhi belly, important for kids.
Vitamin C sachets
Throat lozenges
Digital thermometer – This should definitely be on your toiletries travel bag list for any families traveling with small kids.

The 10 Best Travel Toiletries Items

Add these to your toiletries shopping list! After many years, I’ve worked out these are some of the best toiletries for travel . Pack your favorite items, of course, but give these items a try when putting together your toiletry kit list.

Folding toothbrush

One of my latest travel toiletries essentials is a folding toothbrush. Not only do they take up less space and fit into a Ziploc bag but they also protect your toothbrush bristles from germy surfaces or cross-contamination.

One of my favorite travel kit toiletries for packing light! These squeezey silicone tubes are perfect for shampoo, conditioner, coconut oil, body wash or any liquid you want to turn into travel mini toiletries. It’s easy to squeeze the liquid out and they don’t leak at all. They come in 2oz or 3oz sizes so are ideal for traveling carry on only.

The tub version of GoToobs, a GoTubb lets you put an thicker creams or gels into smaller containers for travel. Very useful for things like eye cream or hair gel. You can also use them for pills, vitamins or even snacks.

Coconut oil

One of the most useful toiletries to take travelling! You can use coconut for so many different purposes. It’s one of the toiletries travel bloggers most often recommend. It does just about anything! I use mine in lieu of eye make-up remover, body moisturiser, shaving gel, massage oil, hair oil and after sun cream.

Solid perfume

I love having a little pot of solid perfume to travel with because it’s such a nice pick me up when you’re feeling travel tired, smelly or just want to juzz yourself up for a night out. This Pacifica one comes in lots of great travel themed scents also!

Ziploc bags

Ziploc bags are so useful for packing toiletries for plane trips as they make it easy to pull your liquids out for security checks. If I’m traveling carry on only then my toiletries for air travel go into a Ziploc bag. You can also use Ziploc bags to tip vitamins into and leave your bulky bottles at home. Just write the contents and dosage on the outside of the bag.

Magnifying mirror

A small magnifying mirror like this one is so useful for travel because it has suction cups so you can stick it to a hotel window or mirror when you’re doing your eye make up or using your tweezers.

Small brush

A decent travel size hair brush saves a lot of space in your travel toiletry bag.

Menstrual cup

For all the ladies, if you haven’t tried out a menstrual cup then you should definitely give it a go as it’s so useful for travel. A menstrual cup is a reusable tampon alternative that gives you 12 hours of protection and can simply be rinsed and reused. This collapsible one saves a lot of space and comes in a neat little travel container.

Another one for the ladies, BB cream is for your travel make up kit! It gives light coverage which is great for wearing make up in hot climates and also contains a sunscreen. I love this Tarte BB cream because it is very light and dries to almost a soft powder. Plus it comes in a 1oz travel size so is perfect for traveling light.

Tips for Packing Toiletries

Using my travel tips packing toiletries is easy! Here are a few of my best tips for traveling with toiletries and avoiding spillage or overpacking.

Packing toiletries for flight – I always pack my flight toiletries in Ziploc bags in case of spillage as the air pressure of the plane can cause bottles to squeeze in and push the contents out, even if the lid is screwed shut! To avoid messy situations pack anything that might leak into a Ziploc bag and then put it inside your toiletry bag. You’ll notice that my toiletries list for air travel includes packing shampoo and conditioner into GoToobs. This is because these won’t leak. Still, be careful with any liquids.
Packing toiletries for international travel – Unless you’re going somewhere very remote or off the beaten path, you will be able to buy most essential toiletries for travel when you’re abroad. You might not be able to get certain brands you love so if you’re picky, bring them with you.
Packing toiletries for carry on luggage – When packing toiletries for air travel you need to adhere to the guidelines of items under 3oz or 100ml. It’s easy to purchase travel-size versions of most ladies toiletries and mens toiletries. Or you can decant your larger shampoo/conditioner bottles into GoToobs. Another alternative is to use a solid shampoo bar although I personally don’t like these and many of them require you to rinse your hair with vinegar afterwards anyway.
Pick the right toiletry bag – When picking a toiletry bag, look for one that has good waterproof/spill-proof fabric in case of any leakages. A hook for hanging is also really useful so you can hang up your toiletries when there isn’t a lot of counter space. I really like this eBags flat toiletry kit because all the items lay flat in one layer so it’s very easy to find what you’re looking for in your bag. Here’s my full review of the eBags Pack It Flat Toiletry Kit.

Printable Travel Toiletries Checklist

You download my complete toiletry items list here and print it out to pack for your trip. Now you can get organised and get all your toiletries to bring on vacation together. packing list toiletries

>>>>>Click here to download the printable PDF toiletries list for vacation here <<<<<

Any questions or comments on what toiletries to pack for vacation?

I hope you’ve found my list of toiletries for travel useful. As it’s written from my perspective it’s obviously more a women’s toiletries packing list, but guys can definitely adapt it to a list of travel toiletries for men by cutting off the hair and beauty items and all the fancy creams. For families, these travel essentials toiletries are all the same so you’ll just need to add in your kids’ toothbrushes and make sure you have child suitable pain relief and a digital thermometer.

Here’s a quick summary: When you travel pack toiletries that you use at home, go for mini versions or put them in GoToobs, bring any trip specific items as needed and then use the best way to pack toiletries for air travel by putting them in Ziploc bags or a great toiletry kit bag.

What’s on your toiletry bag list? Do you have any trips on what toiletries to take on holiday? I’d love to hear from you if you have any great products or ways of packing them.

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The Ultimate Toiletries Packing List (+ Free Printable Check List)

Last Updated: February 16, 2022

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Looking for a clear, easy-to-follow toiletries packing list? I’ve gotchu.

I’m not sure what it is about toiletries that makes them so easy to forget, but time and time again, even after 4 years of frequent travel, I frequently find myself in exotic locales without basic necessities like toothbrushes, combs and *shudder* deodorant.

So after brushing my teeth with my fingers for the umpteenth time, I’ve decided to plant my butt down and write a complete Toiletries Packing List, both for myself, and of course for you, the best looking readers on the planet.

In this post, I’ll also be including my favourite products/must-haves. I’m a pretty low-maintenance person with a penchant for packing light , but there are some things I couldn’t travel without. Here is the full list!

If you need a handy version of this printed out, I’ve got you. Click here to download it from my Resource Library!

Save this post for later on Pinterest:

Essential Items for Your Toiletries Packing List

Before we get started with the actual toiletries I pack, I want to introduce you to a few different products that can be re-used time and time again, and will make packing toiletries way easier in the long run. In my suitcase, I’m always sure to have…

Re-usable toiletry bottles

This helps you save both money and the environment, so double tick!

I always travel with my own re-usable toiletry bottles, which means I don’t need to use the mini toiletries at the hotel (which, while adorable, aren’t great for unnecessary plastic waste) and also I have easy access to my own favourite products all the time. Re-usable bottles are cheap and easy to find online! Here’s an example.

Of course, the best bottles for you depend on your needs. I have a full guide here that rounds up the best options for different functions, but here is a table summarizing some of the highest rated toiletry bottles you can buy online:

A reuseable toiletries bag

Forget using Ziplocks or the flimsy little bags provided at the airport. Get yourself a clear, TSA-approved toiletries bag instead and you’ll be able to reuse them over and over. Plus, they’re sturdier. Mine is similar to this one and I love it.

Depending on your needs though, you might want to look into investing in a more comprehensive toiletries bag. I have a full guide here that rounds up the best options, but here is a table summarizing some of the highest rated toiletry bags you can buy online:

A good travel towel

No lie, this travel towel is my favourite travel item in the whole wide world. It folds up super small, is amazingly absorbent, dries quickly and is perfect for the beach, hostels and pretty much anywhere you need to go. Best investment I ever made!

Check prices and reviews for this amazing travel towel

OPTIONAL: A hanging toiletries bag

A lot of travellers swear by these hanging toiletries bags, which allow you to easily prop up all your stuff for easy access (without having to put them on the grimy sink). I don’t think this is a total necessity, but a handy splurge if you need it! Plus, this one has pink flamingos on it, sooo…

Check prices and reviews for this cute flamingo organizer

Toiletries Packing List: Summary

If you just want a quick toiletries packing list to glance through, here it is! Obviously this is a very thorough list and you might not need all these things, but I’ve listed them anyway to remind you of them. You can scroll down below for a more detailed explanation and product recommendations.

Oral Hygiene:

Comb or hairbrush, shampoo & conditioner, hair elastics, hair straightener/curler, miscellaneous face & body care:, moisturizer, shaving cream, miscellaneous extras:, make up wipes, q-tips/cotton pads.

Eye care:

Contact Solution

Feminine hygiene products:, pantiliners, toiletries packing list: detailed explanation & recommendations.

A lot of the time, you guys ask for more specific recommendations about travel products, so if you need any further clarification or elaboration on the above list, here it is!

The #1 thing I forget, so I put it first!

One key consideration is to either get a toothbrush with a protective case , or remember to bring a protective case for it, otherwise your toothbrush will just be floating around in your bag with everything else, which is a little gross for something you regularly put in your mouth.

If you’re looking to get something new, I recommend buying a bamboo toothbrush. You can easily get packs online for SO cheap, plus they’re much better for the environment. For instance, this 6 pack comes with a carrying case and is less than $15.

Check prices and reviews for this set of bamboo toothbrushes

I’ll never understand why toothpaste isn’t usually included in hotel toiletry kits. I always manage to forget mine!

You can stock up here if you’re out.

If you’re looking for a non-liquid option, some folks make mouthwash tablets these days. Otherwise, I’d recommend just filling up your own reusable bottles rather than buying mini-versions.

Check prices and reviews for these mouthwash tablets

Another thing I always forget, so I’m gonna underline this multiple times for you. To save space, you can get very cute mini hairbrushes like this one .

I use a special blue shampoo because of my dyed hair, and I bring it with me everywhere using my own reusable bottles . This is more cost-effective in the long run and better for the environment too, so I highly recommend it! If you don’t mind it, a 2 in 1 might be a good idea if you want to cut down on your toiletries packing list.

Otherwise, solid shampoos are all the rage now. I have a strange hair type and I’ve never found them to work that well for me. That said, if you want to reduce liquids and get a product that will travel/keep well, my friends rage about the shampoo bars from Lush. There’s also a huge range of affordable options on Amazon.

Check prices and reviews for these shampoo bars

Always handy to have at least a few small ones in your bag for days when your hair just won’t cooperate. If you have thick hair like me, I highly recommend you get some higher quality ones to avoid mid travel day breakage. Here’s a cheap pack you can grab on Amazon.

Always, always handy to have a few of these. If you keep losing them like I do, you can buy them in bulk online for super cheap here.

I’m not usually high maintenance but one indulgence I always allow myself is my hair straightener ! I use it to curl my hair too, so it’s a double whammy.

Sure it’s a little heavy, but it’s worth it because otherwise my hair looks like a rat’s nest.

One thing I will say: don’t waste your time with mini travel straighteners… they don’t save THAT much space and in my experience, they don’t work nearly as well.

Check prices and reviews for this straightener (that also curls hair really well!)

I don’t usually bring it to be honest, but some people swear by it so I thought I would include it. Aerosol toiletries like these are okay in small amounts for carry-on baggage.

So, so crucial. I have a genuine fear of smelling bad, so I actually bring a little deodorant in my toiletries bag and also every purse. This Lady Speedstick 48h is my favourite of all time, so much that I stock up on it every time I’m back home because they don’t sell it in Germany!

Again, I really recommend you just get some reusable bottles and bring whatever body wash you use at home. It’s more cost-effective in the long run and better for the environment too.

This Nivea Purifying Facewash is my favourite. It works great on my oily skin and I just bottle it up in my reusable bottles and I’m good to go. Check prices and reviews for my favourite facewash

It’s so basic but I swear by my Cetaphil Lotion . It’s nothing fancy but it works wonders.

The most important consideration with your razor is that you have a case for it, otherwise it gets wet and goopy and weird to just throw in with the rest of your toiletries (razor and toothbrush touching? NOPE!!)

This mini travel razor from Venus is my fave – the case is really cute and handy. Otherwise, my friends have said great things about this Sphynx All in One which even comes with a shave bar.

I don’t use it. Is that blasphemy? Anyways, if you do, just don’t forget to pack it!

I always, always, always forget sunscreen. Don’t be me. This Neutrogena one is my favourite.

I don’t usually use these – facewash is sufficient for me!

A tiny bundle is always handy to have in your toiletries bag just in case! I’ve seen a cute hack where you can also store them in a little pill container. Cute!

If you need a good lip balm recommendation, Burt’s Bees is the bees knees.

No recommendations – sorry! I don’t usually include perfume in my toiletries packing list but some might 🙂

(All self explanatory, methinks, so I’ll spare you additional explanation)

Disclaimer: I’m not a fancy make-up girl. I’m just so bad at make-up that any expensive, high-end products would be lost on me… so these are basic products that I own and love.

This Loreal Liquid eyeliner is my favourite thing ever. I have very oily skin so finding eyeliner that doesn’t just rub off is a miracle. Plus, it’s cheap! I wear it everyday.

I used to avoid mascara like the plague because it would always rub off and give me panda eyes. This Covergirl Lashblast waterproof mascara is the only one I’ve found that stays put all day. I love it.

Lipstick/gloss

Okay, so I don’t normally gush about makeup products because I’m no makeup guru but I literally swear by this Maybelline Superstay 24h lip stuff .

It’s cheap, comes in a bajillion colours and is SO good for travelling because it lasts such a long time.

Trust me, if it can survive 6 hours of straight-drinking at Oktoberfest and still look flawless, it can survive any of your travel days, I promise!

Check prices and reviews for my favourite lip stuff

Foundation / Concealer

I find that the Loreal True Match line works great and lasts all day!

When I travel, I just use moisturizer but back in the day, I used to use this Smashbox one a lot.

Lastly, I wear eyeshadow on rare occasion but the Naked Mini Palettes are great – I have the Heat one and it’s super versatile.

These are pretty straight forward, no explanation necessary I think…

What NOT to Include in Your Toiletries Packing List

Full-sized anything

It’s not worth it! It’s heavy and also you won’t be able to bring it in your carry-on.

Flammable items

Again, not worth the risk and you probably won’t be able to bring it on.

Any “just in case” items

Sometimes, people panic and freak out and pack a million things just in case, like a full-on first aid kit.

I would like to remind you that you’ll most likely be travelling somewhere where there are pharmacies and stores for you to buy your stuff.

Don’t pack anything “just in case” because you’ll most likely not need it. Instead, just buy it when the “case” arises.

Grab Your Printable Toiletries Packing List

My go-to travel favourites:.

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

6 thoughts on “The Ultimate Toiletries Packing List (+ Free Printable Check List)”

Hey Christina! Just thought I’d give you a heads up that the ‘ultimate’ in your Pinnable image at the top of the post is missing the ‘t’ 🙂 – great post though, always love your writing!

haha d’oh! thanks so much for pointing that out – I would have never noticed. Running off to change it now <3

My suggestion for perfume is to use Sephora’s sample bottles and refill them with your perfume from home.

The only just in case item that I always throw in is a couple of sink packages of TIDE. They fit easily in the makeup bag and you just never know… The rest of your list is great! Thanks!

I would definitely add Tylenol or ibuprofen. Just get the little travel tube and refill as needed.

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Travel toiletries packing list | a curated guide of the best travel toiletries.

The best travel toiletries and personal-care products.

Travel toiletries have posed a challenge to just about every traveler — specifically, how does one strike the balance between packing what’s needed and packing way too many toiletries. It’s tough, even for seasoned travelers.

So don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed by knowing what you should (and shouldn’t) pack for your trip — that’s exactly why I created this travel toiletries packing list.

Ok, let’s dive in.

My Philosophy On Travel Toiletries

Before we jump into this packing list, let’s look at a few major considerations that will impact the kinds of toiletries you pack and might shape your packing philosophy.

Packing Light and Carry-On Regulations

Personally, I travel as light as possible. Ideally, I only travel with a single carry-on sized backpack/suitcase — which drastically reduces the number and size of toiletries I travel with. It also means having to stick to TSA liquid regulations .

Obviously, carry-on travel isn’t for everyone.

However, every traveler should make it their goal to travel as light as possible. At the very least, you need to be able to carry your bag up multiple stairs without any trouble.

Unfortunately, toiletries are often bulky and heavy so reducing the amount you pack is one of the best ways keep down your luggage weight.

Buy As You Travel

Unless you’re traveling to the far corners of the Earth, there is an excellent chance you can purchase just about any toiletry you need at your destination.

My general philosophy is to only pack the things I 100% know I’ll use and then buy things if the need arises. Furthermore, some items are better purchased once you arrive.

Additionally, many hotels/hostels/rental apartments come stocked with some toiletries so double check as this might help reduce what you need to pack.

Travel-Sized Products

Travel-sized products have always annoyed me because they’re not only expensive but some feel wasteful as well. I prefer to find alternatives (like using refillable travel-sized bottles).

On that same note, I’m rarely a fan of normal items that have been turned into “travel-versions” of themselves. For example, “travel toothbrushes” are just worse versions of normal toothbrushes and it’s not like a standard toothbrush isn’t travel-friendly.

Travel Toiletries Packing List

Here’s a list of recommended travel toiletries that you might want to pack for your next big trip.

Toiletry Bag

A quality toiletry kit is a must-have because it helps keep all your stuff organized and easily mobile between your bag and the bathroom.

I highly recommend choosing a toiletry kit that has a hook so you can hang it up — don’t be surprised if your accommodation has little to no counter space.

Personally, I’m a fan of minimalist toiletry kits because they take up less space in your bag and it helps you limit the amount of stuff you pack.

GoToob+ Leak-Proof Travel Bottles

Some of my favorite travel-specific products are the carry-on sized GoToob+ refillable bottles — specifically, because GoToob makes some of the best leak-proof bottles that I’ve tested.

And trust me, you want leak-proof bottles.

These silicon bottles come in a variety of sizes (1.7, 2.5, and 3.4 ounces are all carry-on sized) and a variety of colors — they come in a few larger sizes as well if being carry-on compliant isn’t an issue.

GoToob+ bottles are sold in multiple configurations from single bottles to multi-packs. Expect to pay around $15-$30 for a set of three.

Shampoo, Conditioner, & Body Wash

Normally, I purchase things like body wash and shampoo once I arrive. However, if you have products you like then I recommend putting them in smaller travel bottles like the GoToob+ bottles .

Toothbrush, Toothbrush Cover, Toothpaste, & Floss

I bring a regular toothbrush when I travel (skip the “travel” toothbrushes — they’re all a waste of money).

Throw in a roll of floss as I’ve found floss to be expensive outside the US. I prefer to pack a travel-sized toothpaste so I can brush right away, but I often buy a regular tube when I arrive.

I’m also a big fan of Steripod clip-on toothbrush covers as they help sterilize your brush (the plastic is infused with thymol, a safe ingredient found in many types of mouthwash) while giving it a physical barrier from other stuff in your toiletry case.

Shaving Razors and Shaving Cream

I highly recommend packing a few of your own favorite razors as changing up your shaving routine on the road is a recipe for disaster — especially if you’re traveling overseas as the brands and quality of razors might be different. I typically buy razors in multi-packs via Amazon for the best price.

I often buy shaving cream once I arrive at my destination because you can find essentially the same shaving products worldwide. That said, EOS Shave Cream (for women) and C.O. Bigelow Premium Shave Cream (for men) are travel-sized and non-aerosol shaving creams that get good reviews.

I’ve found that different countries use different deodorant formulas so I always pack a regular-sized stick of whatever I normally use — stick with a solid deodorant instead of liquid/aerosol since they don’t count against TSA restrictions. You can find plenty of mini-sized deodorants on Amazon if you’re concerned about space.

If you want to be ultra-minimalist, consider the SweatBlock Clinical Strength Antiperspirant Wipes which are supposed to help offer up to seven days of protection per wipe (I haven’t used these but they get great reviews).

Flying (and travel in general) can be incredibly dehydrating so I always travel with a few things of lip balm. I bring multiple sticks and divvy them up between my day bag, carry-on, and toiletry case — plus, I tend to lose a few along the way so it doesn’t hurt to pack a few extras.

Pepto-Bismol Tablets

I never travel without packing a few Pepto-Bismol chewable tablets. You can find these easily overseas but I’d rather them have on-hand as soon as I need them.

I have no idea if vitamins actually help keep you healthy but I figure any extra protection against germs (especially if you’re flying) can’t hurt. Zinc and Vitamin C are cited as the most helpful supplements.

Travel Wet Wipes

I always throw in a few individually wrapped wet wipes into my bag as sometimes travel can wreak havoc on the ol’ digestive system.

If nothing else, wet wipes can also be used to freshen up your face/hands after a long flight or train ride.

Blister Bandages

Travel usually means a lot of walking so the last thing you want is a painful blister. I always throw in a few band-aids that are designed specifically for blisters — notably for your heels.

Anti-Friction Body Powder

In addition to blisters, excess walking can cause a lot of friction/chafing so I like to pack some kind of body powder — especially in the summer. Anti-Monkey Butt Anti-Friction Powder is a cult favorite but there are other options as well.

Pain Medicine and Prescription Drug

In many countries, you can only purchase over-the-counter pain medicine from a pharmacy (which might have limited hours) so bring a few with you. I’m also a fan of Tiger Balm for sore muscles.

Additionally, prescription drugs can also be difficult to get so pack enough for your entire trip. That said, bring the original bottle/box as the local pharmacist might be able to help you get what you need.

Hand Soap Sheets & Hand Sanitizer

Hand soap and hand sanitizer are not interchangeable — they both kill germs but trying to “wash” your hands with hand sanitizer simply doesn’t work. That’s why I pack both.

I’ve found that hand soap sheets are the best for travel since they take up virtually no space and weigh basically nothing.

Makeup & Skincare

Makeup and skincare products can add considerable weight and bulk to your bag so sticking to the basics is recommended.

Favorite Cosmetics: Pack a few of your favorites but stick to the basics.
Face/Body Moisturizer: A good moisturizer will help with the dreaded travel dehydration.
Dry Shampoo: A lot of people swear by dry shampoo when traveling so you might pick up a few travel-sized cans from Amazon .
Makeup Brushes: Stick to one or two of your favorites.
Small Magnifying Mirror from Amazon .

Ways to condense makeup and skincare products:

Leak-proof liquid bottles from Amazon .
Leak-poof cosmetic cream jars from Humangear , Bariho , and Peak Gear .
Makeup wipes are a lightweight solution to keeping your face clean — Olay Daily Facial Wipes are a good all-in-one solution.
Disposable nail-polish remover wipes from Amazon .
Bioderma Cleansing and Make-Up Remover from Amazon .

Cologne/Perfume

Perfume and cologne are unneeded luxuries but I’ve always been a fan of traveling with them. That said, I never travel with a full bottle so I either spray some in a mini refillable atomizer or I pick up a few samples.

Contact Lens Solution/Disposable Lenses

Anyone who uses reusable contact lenses knows the struggle of contact lens solution. If possible, I recommend traveling with disposable lenses so you don’t have to deal with finding solution in a foreign country. That said, in many countries, you can only buy solution from a pharmacy so head there if you need something.

Hair Care and Styling

If you have a specialized hair care routine, then I recommend putting your shampoo and conditioner into refillable no-leak travel bottles like the GoToob+ bottles , or check out Amazon to see if your favorite product comes in a travel-sized option . Otherwise, consider buying shampoo and conditioner once you arrive as there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find similar products.

You should also bring a duel voltage hairdryer or buy one that’s made specifically for the correct voltage (recommended).

Here are some affordable travel hairdryers that get good reviews on Amazon :

Conair 1600 Watt Compact Hair Dryer with Folding Handle
BaBylissPRO BABNT053T Nano Titanium Travel Dryer
Conair 1875 Watt Compact Hair Dryer with Folding Handle
BaBylissPRO BABTT053T TT Tourmaline Titanium Travel Dryer

Nail Clippers and Nail Care

Take care of your nails with a pair of nail clippers and a file.

Throw a pack of condoms into your bag so you have them if needed — Amazon has a wide selection.

Finding sunscreen is easy but having a small bottle with you comes in handy so you can carry it while you’re on the go. I’m a fan of Neutrogena sunscreen but Amazon has multiple options.

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The Ultimate Toiletry Kit Packing List

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

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When it comes to packing for a trip, the toiletry kit is one of the most essential items (and one of the most complicated to put together, especially if you’re flying carry-on only). A well-curated kit ensures that you have all the necessary items without weighing you down or causing potential spills. From travel-sized toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste to essential tools like a razor, nail clippers, and a travel towel, a comprehensive toiletry kit ensures you’re fully equipped for any situation that might arise on the road.

To keep everything neatly contained, I like Eagle Creek’s toiletry bag , which can be hung up or laid out flat to quickly find whatever you need. Made from a water-repellent material, this kit will contain any toiletry spills—and can be washed for easy clean-up.

I also recommend keeping your toiletry kit in your personal item when you fly—in case of delays or canceled flights, it’s nice to be able to clean up (even if it’s in an airport bathroom). Plus, if your checked bag goes missing, you’ll still have the essentials.

Here’s what you should pack in your toiletry kit.

Dental Hygiene

Flat lay of a toothbrush, toothpaste, and white towel on a bright blue background

Toothbrush: The Philips One Travel Toothbrush is the best travel-size electric toothbrush, and the charge lasts for 30 days.

Toothpaste: Stop buying wasteful mini toothpaste and instead use a refillable toothpaste tube .

Floss: These floss picks come in a convenient carrying case for travel.

Mouthwash: Freshen up without adding a ton of weight to your toiletry kit with this concentrated mouthwash that lets you add however much water you want for customized freshness. One tiny bottle can be used up to 64 times!

The Ultimate Packing List

Makeup, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sunhat laid flat on a pink background

Makeup Brushes : Artis brushes have a unique double oval design that makes doing your makeup a snap. This travel-friendly set comes with a carrying case.

Artis Makeup Wipes : Keep your brushes clean on the road with Artis’ easy-to-use makeup wipes .

Vacay All Day Beauty Value Set: Sephora’s all-in-one Vacay All Day Beauty Set offers miniature versions of mascara, lip stain, blush, and all the other makeup essentials you’ll need.

Shower Essentials

Shower materials laid flat on a dark yellow, grey, and light yellow backdrop

Shampoo and Conditioner: Vegamour’s travel-sized shampoo and conditioner set works on all hair types and uses a vegan B-silk protein to help promote thicker and fuller hair (that’s way better than any complimentary hotel shampoo.)

Body Wash: Dr. Bronner’s pure castile soap boasts that it can be used for 18 different things, including as a body wash or laundry detergent.

Face Wash: Drunk Elephant’s Pekee Cleansing Bar is a gentle facial cleanser in solid form, helping you stay under that 3-1-1 liquid requirement.

Razor: Downsize all your toiletries, even your razor, to save space. The Gillette Venus uses a regular size blade but has a small handle to keep it portable (and it includes a travel case).

The Essential Carry-On Bag Packing List

Various skincare products on a bright yellow backdrop

Face Lotion: For an ultra-affordable travel-sized face lotion, pack The Ordinary’s hydrating cream , which is great for all skin types.

Sunscreen: Don’t let a sunburn ruin your trip—pack plenty of sunscreen. Supergoop’s sunscreen is a delight to wear (compared to traditional sunscreen) and comes in fun formulations that are perfect for travel, like an SPF 50 oil , water-resistant lotion , and a flatteringly glowy tinted version for the face .

Body Lotion: Solid body lotion does exist—find this unique formulation in Kate McLeod’s stone body moisturizer , which melts on contact with your skin. The subtle lavender and chamomile scent is designed to help you sleep (no matter where you are).

Eye Cream: Look photo-ready (even after a red-eye) with Luzern’s Nuit Eye Balm , which helps reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. The cream comes with a travel-friendly applicator that provides a cooling and soothing feel.

Hair Products

Purple hair straightener on a purple backdrop

Leave-in Conditioner: Vegamour’s leave-in conditioner not only fights frizz but provides heat protection of up to 450 degrees (essential if you’re using the hotel-provided hair dryer.)

Comb/Brush: Pack a brush that does double-duty as a comb and can be used on wet or dry hair, like the Tangle Teezer Compact Styler .

Dry Shampoo: Skip the aerosol dry shampoo and opt for a hair powder instead, like this one by Handmade Heroes .

Hair Ties: Be kind to your hair and use a silk hair tie , which is less damaging to hair than traditional elastics.

Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Review

Miscellaneous

Antiperspirant or Deodorant: Degree makes a perfectly travel-sized version.

Contact Solution and Case: For contact lens wearers, Opti-Free’s travel set includes cleaning solution and a lens case.

Cotton Swabs: Good for everything from fixing makeup to cleaning ears, cotton swabs are essential to pack.

Nail Clipper: Revlon’s Compact Nail Clipper is ultra-portable.

Tweezers: Contrary to popular belief, tweezers are allowed in carry-on bags on a plane. Revlon’s travel set comes with a protective pouch to keep them safe in your toiletry kit.

Lip Balm: Opt for a lip balm with SPF protection to keep your lips from getting sunburned.

Download Our Editable Toiletry Kit Packing List Here

You can also get a editable packing checklist version of this toiletry kit by clicking below:

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

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Complete Packing List of Travel Toiletries

It’s taken me years to feel like I’ve mastered a well-stocked toiletry bag. I plan carefully to ensure I have everything I need to look and feel my best on a trip, from my favorite skincare and makeup to essential medicines and first aid items. Here’s a packing list of travel toiletries you may find handy for your next trip.

If you travel often, you can buy seconds of all of your favorite items and keep your toiletry bag packed and ready to throw into your suitcase. I’m not that organized… but that concept has always appealed to me 😀

A reader asked a few weeks ago how I bring all my hair and skin products since I only travel with carry-on luggage. The trick is using travel-sized items because the TSA’s rules on liquids just limit the volume in each bottle, not how many tiny bottles, so I bring small containers.

Essential Travel Toiletries for Women

Shower toiletries.

It’s easy to bring your favorite shampoo, conditioner, and body wash with you by transferring them into these TSA-approved containers.
A mini razor (or you can bring your regular-sized one!)
Shaving cream

Laundry Essentials

To keep my clothes neat and tidy while in the airport, on the airplane, or exploring a new city, I make sure that I keep a mini lint roller or my preferred travel gleener and Tide To Go on me.
Wash clothes on the go no matter your amenities – sink, bathtub, or washer – using these Sink Suds packets. They have been a life-saver a couple of times to quickly wash and hang dry items. Tide also makes a version that you can use as well!
Prevent wardrobe malfunctions by placing one of these mini tins of fashion tape in your toiletry bag. I go nowhere without these little miracle workers and even keep a tin in my car.
Portable Clothes Steamer
Portable Fabric Shaver

Skincare, Hair, and Nail Toiletries

Hairdryer: Most hotels supply them, but to be safe, you can pack a mini and put it in a bag like this .
Curling Iron or Flat Iron: Make sure if you are traveling internationally that you have one that’s dual voltage.
Hairspray: I shared in this post all about how I take care of my thinning hair and the products that I use.
Moisturizer
Lip Balm : While you can usually pick this up when you’re traveling, it’s always when you need it the most that you don’t have it.
Serums, toners, etc., that you use
Manicure Set
If my nail polish chips while I’m on a trip, I use these wipes to remove the polish!

Makeup Products

This is going to vary from woman to woman, depending on how complex your routine is. My routine is the same whether home or away…it’s just a habit, so I always pack the same things. These are my current favorites you’ll find in my travel makeup bag:

Foundation- I love this Oxygenetix and have been using it for years…I wear “opal”
Concealer – I just ordered this Illia concealer to try after I had to replace my eye makeup
Blush- this Merit blush goes on beautifully…I use “cheeky”
Lipstick- I bring several lipsticks and always include one of the Jane Iredale lip stain s
Eyebrow Pencil- I always use Anastasia…this brow definer in taupe is my current fav
Eyeliner- loving this Charlotte Tilbury soft pencil in smokey grey
Eyeshadow – I rebought this Naked 2 Basics palette after my eye infection because it is simply perfect for me
Mascara- loving this Pillow Talk mascara by Charlotte Tilbury
Makeup Brush travel kit , I love how soft these are

Hygiene and Medicine Essentials

Personal First Aid Kit : I love that this portable 10 piece first aid kit comes in a small pack. Throw one in your car, your purse, your suitcase. You never know when you will need one.
Bandaids: While your standard bandaids come in the pack above, I would suggest buying the blister bandaids just in case. They make a world of difference with the extra cushion.
Underarm Deodorant Wipes : These can be a lifesaver to have in your purse and refresh with after a long flight.
Toothbrush and toothbrush protector
Hand Sanitizer Spray or my favorite Wipes
Disinfectant Spray
Bug Spray or wipes…I use these natural Deet-free wipes
Sunscreen: You can read this post with all of my favorite sunscreens here .
Daily Medicines
Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc: In case of a headache, toothache, sore back, you will be glad you have a pain reliever with you.
Antihistamines: Especially if you suffer from seasonal or food allergies.
I always bring anti-nausea and anti-diarrheal medicines because nothing is worse than battling an upset stomach on an airplane or a long car ride.
Poo-Pourri Spray : You may not need this, but I guarantee it will get used if you leave it in the bathroom.

Well-Designed Toiletry Bags

This bag looks ingenious and may need to be mine . Hanging toiletry bags are just so convenient and keep the bathroom countertop clear while you’re getting ready. This one has room for all of my essentials. If you’re going on a shorter trip and don’t need as much storage space, this one is great.

The two side compartments are perfect for storing items you need to grab quickly, like hand sanitizer, pain medicine, band-aids, and other things you may need to grab to use while you’re still en route to your destination whether it’s at the airport or on the road. I like to place those items in small clear bags like these .

More Travel Toiletries for Women:

What are some of your “must take” items when you travel?

67 Comments

Wonderful and thorough post! I’m sure I’ll be referring back to it many times. When I saw the toiletry bag, it reminded me of hanging garment bags, and from time to time you ask what you can help with. I need to store away a number of winter coats and jackets and I don’t have lots of extra space for them. Any suggestion would be welcome. I don’t know if that would be of general interest, but just an idea.

I hang mine in garment bags in our guest room closet.

As a firm believer that you should never carry on unless you can lift it into and out of the overhead bin yourself, alas, I’m now relegated to checking my bag.

Jennifer, do you have a printable available for this list?

I’m sorry I don’t but that’s a great idea!

Jennifer – It was spooky when I opened your email today. We are flying to Texas for our grandson’s 7th birthday soon, and for the 1st time I am trying to go carry on bag only, and this morning had begun researching and planning how to get the toiletries I need ready. Voila! You had a post about this very thing. You are a treasure, and I thank you for all the time and effort you put into helping others.

Have a fabulous trip!!

Great list of travel essentials. Liked the manicure set but the scissors will need to be removed and placed in your checked baggage as TSA will confiscate scissors when your carry-on items are screened. Learned this the hard way; wanted to cry while I watched my favorite small pair of Henckels scissors confiscated and thrown in the trash.

I carry scissors all of the time-knitting and embroidery. Have TSA rules changed ?(again)

I bring tiny scissors all the time in my carry-on. I think it depends on who is doing the screening.

A big shout out for Compeed, which you have pictured at the bottom of the post, saved many a vacation for me. They are gel pads that will stick to your skin. I had a blister on the sole of my foot in Italy and these saved the day! The pads, if carefully applied, will stay on for several days. I always have them when I travel and my medicine cupboard at home. First discovered them in Italy, they are available in many European countries.

Like some other readers, I am very curious about how much all the things on your list would weigh.

Unless I’m traveling for a formal event I go personal size only. We always stay places with laundry facilities. I buy health and beauty aids at a dollar store at my destination. I can go a week or two without my “gear”. I’m very low maintenance.

I use single dose shampoo and conditioner discs that I love. I bought them for traveling, but now use them regularly. They are called Gemz at shopgemz.com. I cut them in half, as a whole one is too much for my hair (Jennifer’s length and thick).

They sound brilliant!

Jennifer,do you take an adapter for the clothes steamer,for countries that don’t have 120V outlets. Thanks for all the great travel info,I have already ordered from some of the links! I have a daughter that lives in Brussels, Belgium,so when we go to visit her,these items will come in handy!

I do not, but I haven’t taken mine overseas. I think it’s a very good idea to bring one when traveling internationally.

Thanks for this post; I do use a eco friendly and moisturizing hand sanitizer on every trip because I use it to spray other things. I get it from Germstar.com online. Save the planet!

Brilliant post! I leave in a week for a river cruise, and am already packing! One clarification is that all of 3 oz bottles of liquid have to fit in your quart size TSA clear bag, so you are “limited” to about nine.

Yes, mine all fit in a quart bad. Tiny bottles are the answer.

I now subscribe to sheets laundry club. No liquid or powder to travel with. They are the same size of dryer sheets just thicker. I throw them in a ziploc bag and I don’t have to worry about spillage. When we all had to wear masks and travel ( I am a Travel Agent) I could easily tear off a portion of the sheet and wash my face mask in the sink.

I’ve never heard of those. What a great idea. Thanks for sharing them.

I love those too. They take up so little room in my laundry cabinet too and seem better for the environment!! XOXO Jodie

I always travel carry-on only plus one personal item bag. I wear minimal makeup anyway, so usually only bring a pressed powder, eyebrow product, blush and lip gloss. I do have to bring a 10x mirror so I can see to apply these though. I also make sure to bring a microfiber cloth to clean my eyeglasses. Skincare products are the ones I use daily, just decanted to smaller containers. I’m becoming less high maintenance the older I get!

I forgot to add the magnifying mirror. I go nowhere without one now 🤣

Oh my, this post is terrific! And great timing since we’re traveling May 1 for the first time in 4 years. I can’t go ‘carry on’ only because we’ll be gone several weeks but at my age I can’t lug around a 50 lb suitcase either so I’m determined to streamline my packing and your tips are a great help. Thank you so much!

I hear you. It’s so much easier to check a bag. Have a wonderful trip, Isabelle.

I dispense my cream foundation and blush into contact lens cases. I don’t wear much foundation but find these work well and are leak proof! Anything that I use only a bit of goes in one of those. They’re tiny enough to get a lot of them in that TSA bag. I love to shop for cosmetics when overseas, so I generally buy lip balm, moisturizer, etc while I’m there, not big sizes. I carry adaptor plugs, two or three of them. My curling iron is mini size. Almost everyone has hairdryers now, so I don’t carry one. We share toothpaste and floss between my husband and me, as well as hair brushes, tweezers, first aid stuff. I never travel without a few OTC drugs. Pharmacists are more than happy to assist you in Europe (it’s been my experience as have gotten sick a couple times in France). Most places we rent (apartments) have washer and dryers too. I use a sheet detergent with fabric softener in it. Works well. Looking forward to the next trip. I always travel to the destination carryon only even for two weeks. However, I also pack a large duffel to check for purchases while there. I’ve only had to wait for for luggage to arrive one time and it was fine.

The contact lens case is brilliant! Stealing that idea.

I put OTC drugs in a daily pill organize. I label each section with a sharpie as to what is in it.

Love your columns, Jennifer. I always pack a small bottle of aloe vera gel…for the bug bite or sudden breakout…

Great idea!

I love this topic! I could write a book on minimalist packing. As a long-time frequent traveller due to family geography and before we retired, business trips, I’ve learned that every trip needs are different so I have lists” for all types of scenarios. Our eldest lives in Australia and our youngest now in Montana (and before that Germany). My husband’s family is in India and in Sweden so how’s that for a contrast in packing needs? That being said, I start out by thinking what would I absolutely need in the middle of the night and couldn’t get to a pharmacy or store or wouldn’t want to wake up my host to ask for it. So I pack a lot of the essentials you’ve listed, but in the smallest quantity I can. You don’t need multiples of so many of these “just in case” items. Also on longer trips when I want or have to do carry on only, I pack for a day or two of supplies, and then hit a pharmacy or grocery store for whatever I may need on the rest of our trip. We went to Sicily for a month with our best friends and because of the small trunk situation with the rental car, the 4 of us had to bring only the smallest carry-ons and 1 tote each. The day after we landed, we hit the open air market in Palermo and bought our shampoos, conditioners, SPF, soaps, etc. It was fun, cheap and we could leave whatever we didn’t need or want by the end of our trip. I also have the perfect travel make-up routine. Chanel CC Cream with SPF 50 that does double duty, a Bobbi Brown or Laura Mercier eyeshadow stick, a wind-up eyeliner and lip liner, brow gel, mascara, 1 lipgloss, 1 lipstick, my Hourglass palette that has blush, bronzer and finishing powder, plus a few retractable brushes I’ve collected over the years. It all fits in one small pouch. I’ve found that unless we’re traveling to attend a very special event, I like a fast and easy make-up routine. I do keep a stash of the foil samples you get from Sephora and other beauty counters, but tend use them for overnights or very short trips. I have TSA approved scissors for those because sometimes tearing them open is a challenge! Sorry to be so long here, but it’s a topic I can totally relate to. Have a wonderful weekend.

Brilliant ideas, thank you for sharing, Suzanne! Please share your TSA scissors. I don’t have a pair and need them.

Susan, Your last sentence had me laughing. I totally agree with you!

My response was to the Susan who mentioned packing her pillow and sheets and maybe she should just stay home.

This is really helpful info! I try to keep certain things in my travel bag and then just add travel size for other items. I have more meds then anything and those have to be carried on no matter what!

I agree. My meds never ever leave my side. Including my supplements which get packed with my meds.

Jennifer, I recommend to anyone (over 65) travelling overseas to take with them Paxlovid and antibiotics. Europe is packed to the gills with tourists, very few, if anyone is a wearing a mask. I was extremely careful during my month away, sanitising and wore a mask on planes, trains and inside venues, but still caught noravirus in Italy and was bedridden for 4 days. One day after returning home, I became ill with Covid. Thankfully, because I had my box of Paxlovid, I could start them immediately. I believe anti virals are not easy to obtain in Europe – but is anyone still taking Covid seriously?

I see some people wearing masks but not many. No one wore them in Mexico but we wore ours in close quarters while in the airport and on the plane. I’m sorry you got so sick. Great suggestion to have Paxlovid.

This is a great post full of many good suggestions and ideas. I would love to see how all of these items get packed (arranged) into your cosmetic bag and how much it weighs when full. Also it would be great to see how you pack your carry-on suitcase and the weight of that when full. Are you able to lift it into the overhead bin on the airplane unassisted? I am a frequent traveler by plane, train and automobile. Always striving to be as efficient with my packing as possible. Love all your suggestions.

I am able to lift it but always appreciate when a neighboring traveler assists. They always seem to lately. Both men and younger people. It must be the silvering hair 🤣

I add portable travel waterpik, portable travel electric toothbrush, tiny free perfume samples. I transfer all makeup into tiny containers, or use sample size mascara, travel shower cap, tiny sewing kit with mini scissors, safety pins, earplugs! Eye mask for sleeping. Small packable nylon grocery bag for Europe grocery pick up. Wash cloth, European rentals don’t include wash cloths.

Great tips!

Thanks for this. I’m packing for a trip now and don’t want to forget my first aid kit or sani wipes. BTW, a waving out a lit match is much easier than a poo spray.

Matches are hard to come by these days. Safe travels!

Thanks! Any hardware or grocery store has matches — at least in New England. I’m a luddite who lights candles the old fashioned way LOL

But I don’t want to minimize the difficulty of traveling with matches!

Hi Jennifer, I don’t usually make comments but I always enjoy your posts. I just read your new post about comfortable shoes. I also have foot issues and have one pair of sneakers I wear with orthotics all of the time and with every outfit. It sure would be nice to some different looks. I also have a narrow foot and most of what is made is medium with some wide. How about passing along to Easy Spirit and other shoe contacts that we with narrow feet buy shoes too. Thanks. Kris

If only brands listened to us!! I wish they did. I’ll keep my eye out for narrow shoes too for you.

Easy Spirits has several styles in narrow

Great list, Jennifer. I’m always envious of people who can travel with only a carryon.

One of my “must take” items when I’m staying in a hotel is a small spray bottle of Lysol, for disinfecting the bathroom floor and tub before I take my shoes off, as I have a lifelong repulsion at the thought of catching athlete’s foot.

Happy Passover.

Interesting idea! I wear the hotel slippers if they have them. I hate walking on rugs or floors barefoot. Happy Passover, Kelly. We’ve been invited to attend a Seder this evening and are looking forward to it.

Good morning Jennifer, great post today 🙂🙂 Happy Easter💐

Happy Easter, Pat 🌷

This is a great post, thank you. Susan, I am with you and wish we could travel lighter but as we aged, my husband and I have a bag for medications alone. I do envy those that pack light. Road trips make it easier to bring what we need or may need 🙂. It’s ridiculous what we pack and a challenge to improve for future trips. Happy travels!

Happy Easter Jennifer. Keep up the good work with your helpful,posts

I am confused, even with the small container size, all our liquids have to fit into a quart sized clear bag. That includes makeup as well. I had a friend travelling with me who had some of her things taken because she was using a clear makeup bag, and then had to move it all into a bag that was supplied by the airport. You have the option to put it in your checked baggage, but if you are only carry on then it goes in the garbage. I did lose a small face mist this way. They told me I could take it back out to my car… ha, as if I would leave the line. When I take a checked bag, I can take all my favorite things and the sunscreens alone are worth it. As mentioned already, the 5 pound carry on limit makes it impossible to go that way for me. Even purse size was limited last flight. Remember the good old days. I do still enjoy dressing nicely to travel though.

I transfer my foundation to a tiny sample container like they give you at makeup counters. I never include my makeup in the plastic quart size bag. I had a serum taken once, but it was over the size limit. Some airports are stricter than others. I agree, I miss the old days.

Such great tips and ideas Jennifer! I have done a lot of traveling and recently have gone to a carry on only! This is challenging for me as I tend to pack heavy and I have many products I use that have to come with me! Thank you for all the ideas on travel size products and also the makeup ideas!

I envy those who can do ‘carry on’ only. My toiletries and medications alone on my recent 4 week overseas holiday weighed 4 kgs and as hand luggage has a weight limit of 7kgs, I had to check on my bags (except medications). My ‘must have’ items are just about everything I use on a regular basis and have come to realize, as I packed my pillow (and a top sheet, in case the hotel didn’t use 100% cotton bed linen), I should really stay home.

I’ve sure thought of bringing my pillow too. I hear you Susan.

Jennifer, this is one of the best curated and most helpful blog posts I have ever read! For us travelers, these suggestions are priceless. Thank you for sharing with us.

I’m glad it’s helpful, Nicole.

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The Ultimate Toiletries Packing List - Essential Toiletries for Travel

Preparing essential toiletries for travel is a great way to save money. But what to include? Check out this article for everything you need to know about toiletries packing list for a trip.

Keeping your essentials neat and organised is a must when it comes to travelling. But imagine you are in a rush for a last-minute trip and you need to get your packing done as soon as possible. More than often, you are likely to forget one thing or another, even something as obvious as a toothbrush, razor, deodorant or cotton pads. Don’t worry. We have all been through that.

The best way to tackle this thorny matter is to get a small bag designed for toiletries essentials in advance and fill it with all the personal items that you need for your upcoming trip. It is probably incapable of solving all your problems, but it sure will help you avoid the hustle of overthinking and over packing. And to save more time for you, our CabinZero team has sorted out an ultimate toiletries packing list that gives you the ultimate checklist of everything you need to travel safely, smartly, and with style.

What is a toiletry item?

Toiletry is usually defined as self care items that are used for personal hygiene. In other words, it can be anything you use for cleaning or grooming yourself, such as toothpaste, toothbrush or shampoo. More than often, a simple travel bag of toiletries might include tiny bottles of shampoo, dental floss, deodorant, and soap.

But if you are travelling for a long-day trip, keep scrolling for our handy list of guidelines that are sure to keep things organised for your next journey.

Making a toiletries checklist is a must. Credit: @amend_raditya

Essential Toiletries Packing List

Once you know what to include in your travel toiletries list , everything will become less overwhelming and you will likely get the most amazing experience on your next journey.

Tip: Make sure the toiletries bags are travel size and are sufficient for any circumstance.

>> If you have plan for a honeymoon trip, check out the packing list for honeymoon trip .

Toiletries List for Ladies

Here is everything you absolutely can’t get by without bringing:

Conditioner
Lip balm - (this is a must for flight travel)
Cotton swabs
Soap or body wash
Moisturiser (this is a must for cold weather condition)
Perfume/Cologne (you are never fully dressed without perfume)
Sunscreen (must-have items for tropical weather)
Shaving cream

Whether it is a weekend getaway or just a short vacation, it is typical for us ladies to want to look our best while feeling great and comfortable. Our beauty checklist can help you remember essential toiletries items:

Makeup Remover
Facial wipes / cleanser – Wipes are easy and less messy than a liquid cleanser
Hair Straightener
Curling Iron
Hairbrush or comb
Hairstyling Products (if applicable)
Skincare products (only the essentials)
Lotion for body and face

Toiletries List for Gentlemen

Packing can be pretty much of a disheartening experience for us gentlemen. If you are still worried about what toiletries to bring on a trip , check out the list of indispensable items below as you pack for your next travel endeavour.

Solid Shampoo
Solid Conditioner
Shower Gel and/or Soap
Toothpaste - (get a travel sized one to save space)
Dental floss - (pick a small travel size one)
Lip Balm - (this is a must for flight travel)
Sunscreen (must-have items if you are travelling to tropical regions)
Nail Clippers & File
Hair gel, hair clay and comb
Razor, shaving cream and aftershave (must-have items for a men’s toiletries packing list)
Cotton buds / cotton pads
Hand sanitizer (must-have items to avoid getting sick, especially after the coronavirus pandemic)
Additional vitamins

>> May be you also like: Can You Bring A Razor On A Plane?

Tips for packing toiletries Item

You might think you only need to get yourself a simple toiletries bag, and toss all your essentials into it is enough to travel. However, if you want to make the most of your toiletries packing list while staying organised on the go, you will need even more. Here are some essential tips that our team has concluded for you to curb the packing problems once and for all.

Obvious as it might be, planning things in advance can be a great solution for those who are not regular travellers or have a tendency to forget things and end up hustling back and forth looking for some items. When you have in mind what to include in your holiday toiletries checklist already, you will save plenty of time for yourself and find the way to a stress-free vacation.

Categorise your essentials

Another thing to keep in mind is that no matter where you go, there will always be tons of things to remember whenever you are about to hit the road. That’s why it is advisable to separate your essential toiletries for travel into groups and choose a different coloured or different-sized bag for each group. This way, you will lessen the burden of thinking long and hard about what to include in your toiletries packing list while also ensuring an enjoyable experience for your next journey.

Do it right, and you will have everything at hand. Credit: @dannapena

Pack liquids in secure bags

Imagine tossing everything in your toiletries bag real quick for a last-minute trip only to find the liquid all over the place inside as you arrive at the destination. What a nightmarish scenario that is!

No matter how careful you are, toiletries that can leak will leak. A great way to avoid this is to keep these items placed in a plastic zippered bag or another secure bag of your choosing. Experienced travel experts even recommend cutting small squares of plastic wrap to cover the opening between bottles and their lids in order to prevent any possible seepage.

Check the weather forecast while packing

Depending on where you are going, checking weather forecasts in advance can really do you good by giving you the best idea of what weather to expect on your holiday. For example, if you are travelling to a tropical beach or island, you will need to bring big sized sunscreen not only for your face but for your body as well. Or if you are travelling to a place with cold weather conditions, items like moisturiser, lip balm or hand cream are all essential products to include in your toiletries packing list as winter can be an especially brutal time of the year for your lips, which often get chapped, dry and cracked.

In a nutshell, do a little bit of research on the weather forecast the day before you fly and pack accordingly to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience

Be prepared for extra holiday purchases

When travelling, you are likely to come back from almost every trip with new items such as perfume/cologne, some types of hair care products, cosmetics, or specialty goods as a souvenir to share with friends and family. Therefore, to save space in your luggage for the trip back home, we recommend keeping everything at a minimum number or amount, and using travel-size products so you can feel free to bring any extra holiday purchases when you are about to go back home.

Check, double-check, and triple-check your essentials

Double-checks are never enough!

Your packing list won't be of any use if you don't check it before you leave! So check your toiletries packing list many times to make sure you have everything you need for travel.

CabinZero Packing Cubes - Best choice for packing Toiletries Item

Travelling can be a life-altering experience and certain elements are required for a smooth and comfortable journey. That being said, it is important to pick the suitable backpack so you won’t have to feel like it is weighing you down. But how can you pick the right one when there are tons of options out there? Don’t worry. We are here to help.

Here is our breakdown of questions to ask yourself first when it comes to baggage selection:

How long is your trip going to be?
Which form of transport are you taking?
How much do you pack?
If you are travelling by plane, what are the expected carry-on bag dimensions?

Here at CabinZero, it is our priority to advocate for our clients with our versatile, minimalist and lightweight packing cubes . We are proud to claim that these products will stay on top of all the point strategies, exclusive offers & pivotal news in the travel industry - and they will definitely lock in huge savings along the way. So keep scrolling and check out one of our best-seller products - The Classic Cabin Cube.

Style and colour

Our products have a number of different styles available, and most of them follow a minimalist, versatile and old school look. The most popular choice is the Absolute Black, but if you opt for something else, the range for another brighter shade is also available.

Size and Dimension

These packing cubes are perfectly sized to fit inside our 44L, 36L and 28L bags. Each cube has a nylon outer and is fully lined. A convenient grab handle outside the bag is included to make it easier for carrying around.

Volume: 5.5L (Medium), 11L (Large)
Weight: 100 grams (approx)(Medium), 150 grams (approx)(Large)
Dimensions: 25cm x 17.5cm x 8cm (Medium), 25cm x 35cm x 8cm (Large)
Composition, Outer: Nylon Lining: Polyester

Additional Details

Another additional benefit of these products is that each packing cube includes a built-in global luggage tracker, powered by Okoban. So like all our other bags, if you misplace these packing cubes, there is a fair chance you'll find them again within a few days.

What is more, you can also organise your clothes neatly and efficiently using our large packing cube. And if you are travelling by plane, you won’t have to worry so much as our CabinZero luggage is also specifically designed to fit the carry on luggage requirements for the vast majority of airlines.

With such high quality and convenience, we truly think they are the best packing cubes you will find in the market. Invest in these items for a simpler and easier journey so you never have to worry about whether your bag is good to go for any and every situation. Organising the essential toiletries for travel has never been easier!

Got a question? We are here to answer!

Here are some of the top questions that we get asked the most from our beloved followers about travel toiletries list. If you don’t see your question here, let us know in the comments and we’ll answer from our own experience.

Do packing cubes really save space?

Packing cubes is not the panacea to all of your problems, but they do assist you in staying organised when packing, and our recommended toiletries checklist is sure to help cross out the major packing headache off the list for you. Once you know what toiletries to pack for your trip, you'll always have everything you need at your fingertips.

Should I include a first aid kit in my toiletries?

It depends. A compact first aid pack would be a great addition to your toiletries packing list. You can put it in a Ziploc bag and store it until you need one of the items, but keep in mind this one thing: only pack as much as you’ll need for your trip and nothing more. It is not necessary to carry the entire box of bandaids or rehydration sachets; just a handful of each item is more than enough. Here is the list of thing you need to include:

Bite / sting cream
Imodium – Anti-diarrheal tablets for any emergency situations!
Pain relief – Ibuprofen, panadol or asprin
Antacids – Great for those who are big fans of spicy food!
Rehydration salts
Vitamin C sachets
Throat lozenges
Digital thermometer

>> May be you also like: B usiness Trip Packing List

What should I not bring?

Unsealed bottles of liquids

The last thing you want is to open up your toiletry bag or carry-on only to find a sunscreen or moisturiser all over the place inside! So make sure you tape each bottle closed (may be with a plastic wrap), and then toss your liquids into a waterproof ziplock bag to prevent them from further seepage.

Bottles that are larger than 3 oz

If you are travelling by plane, keep in mind that the TSA has some pretty strict regulations! Make sure you follow all the liquid rules while packing in attempts to get through the check-in procedures smoothly without throwing anything out.

Flammable items

As mentioned above, TSA rules had quite plenty of requirements for what to include in carry-on bags. So make sure you leave out anything that is flammable from your toiletries bag to avoid unpleasant experiences. Seriously, it is just really a bad idea in general to bring flammable liquids on an aeroplane.

A whole collection of beauty products

Let’s be honest. You don’t need that many products even if you are staying there for months. Be selective about what you are going to bring, pack only essential items according to the weather conditions and definitely leave the “just in case” items at home.

Tip: Go through your daily routine in your head and make use of items that have dual or triple purposes.

Is it better to bring everything I need or to buy toiletries at my destination?

It can be a yes or no, depending on your destination.

In several regions or countries, the convenience and low local costs for items is much more worth-it than just bringing your own. However, most of the tourist attractions nowadays tend to charge items far higher there than usual, and sometimes you’ll find that you can’t even get what you need easily. So do a little bit of research before your trip if possible. However, our CabinZero team thinks it is best to just pack most of your own stuff in the toiletries bag beforehand to avoid any inconvenience.

Phuong Nguyen

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Bathroom Essentials Checklist

Bathroom Essentials List --> Bathroom Essentials List

Though every household need different things in the bathroom, you should have the following items available:

Shower Curtain and Liner
Hand Soap Dispenser
First Aid Kit
Wastebasket
Natural Hand Soap
Bath towels, hand towels, washcloths (2 each)
Non-skid bath mat
Toothbrush holder
Over-the-door and/or wall hooks
Personal care items
Toilet paper storage
Toilet brush & container
Plunger (hidden out of sight)
Green cleaning supplies / Bathroom cleaning supplies

Remember: These are just bathroom must haves. Depending on your budget and style, you can always add features like an essential oil diffuser, softer light bulbs, hanging plants, or a colorful shower curtain. Scroll Down ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ to know why You Need These Bathroom Essentials

Master Bathroom Supplies List --> Master Bathroom Supplies List

Your master bathroom should be fully-stocked with everything you need to look and feel your best. In addition to the 12 toilet essentials above, consider equipping your bathroom with the following:

2 sets of organic cotton bath towels , hand towels, washcloths
Non-skid tub mat
Soap dispenser or dish
Shower curtain, liner, & rings
Shower caddy/suction basket(s)
Cosmetics organizers
Wall-mounted shelving
Under-the-sink storage baskets and/or containers
Clothes hamper

Depending on your preferences and daily routine, the things you need in your bathroom may vary. However, some of the most common bathroom must haves include:

Personal Care Products

Natural hair care products
Natural body wash
Skincare regimen (e.g. face wash, eye cream)
Natural lotion
Bubble bath
Shaving cream

Personal Care Tools

Hair styling tools (e.g. dryer, straightener, styler)
Nail clippers
Dental floss

Comfort Bath Items

Bath pillow
Bathrobe and slippers
Space heater
Candles/essential oil diffuser
Makeup/shaving mirror
Bluetooth speaker for music

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Why You Need These Bathroom Essentials

1. Shower Curtain and Liner

Look for a shower curtain and liner that are easy to clean and maintain. Options that are machine washable or wipe clean with a damp cloth are ideal. Measure the length and width of your shower before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.

2. Hand Soap Dispenser

The different types of dispensers are pump dispensers, touchless dispensers, and automatic dispensers. Look for one with a smooth and easy-to-use dispensing mechanism.

Consider the size of your bathroom and other elements in the room when choosing the size and shape of your mirror. A large, rectangular mirror can create a sleek and modern look, while a circular mirror can add a softer, more traditional touch.

4. First Aid Kit

You and your family be prepared for any minor injuries that may occur at home. A good first-aid kit should include items like bandages, gauze pads, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, scissors, and pain relievers. It's also important to choose a kit that is easy to use and store, with clear instructions on how to use each item.

5. Wastebasket

Wastebaskets come in a variety of materials, including plastic, metal, and wicker. Consider the design aesthetic of your bathroom and the other finishes in the room when choosing a material.

6. Natural Hand Soap

A hand soap should not just be used to smell nice and clean, it’s best made with natural ingredients, too! Essential oils, plant extracts, and organic ingredients can clean without the harsh chemicals that dry up the skin.

7. Bath towels, hand towels, washcloths (2 each)

The right set of towels can say a lot about your bathing experience. Choose a material with high-quality stitching, hemming, and finishing. Neutral tones like white, beige, and gray are classic choices that can easily coordinate with other decor elements.

Shop Our Green Cleaning Products

8. Non-skid bath mat

Look for a bath mat made from a non-slip material, such as rubber or silicone. These materials have a natural grip that helps keep the mat in place, even when it gets wet.

9. Toothbrush holder

It’s a practical accessory that prevents you from just having your toothbrush laying around. Consider the hygiene of the toothbrush holder and whether it has features that promote cleanliness, such as ventilation holes or a removable bottom for easy cleaning.

10. Over-the-door and/or wall hooks

Look for hooks made from durable and corrosion-resistant materials, such as stainless steel or plastic. Avoid materials that may rust or deteriorate over time.

11. Personal care items

Don’t forget the personal essentials like toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo , conditioner , and face wash. You may also need cotton balls, dental floss, nail clippers, razors, and shaving cream.

12. Toilet paper storage

Look for storage options that match the overall style and design aesthetic of your bathroom. There are a variety of styles available, including freestanding racks, wall-mounted holders, and baskets.

13. Toilet brush & container

Look for a toilet brush with a shape and bristles that can effectively clean under the rim and other hard-to-reach areas of the toilet bowl.

14. Plunger (hidden out of sight)

There are two main types of plungers - cup plungers and flange plungers. Cup plungers are best for sinks and flat surfaces, while flange plungers are designed for use in toilets.

15. Green cleaning supplies / Bathroom cleaning supplies

Look for products that are made from natural and non-toxic ingredients. Add bathroom cleaning supplies like an all-purpose cleaner, disinfecting surface cleaner , glass cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, microfiber brush, and scrubbing brush.

Your Bathroom Checklist Should Include Green Cleaning Products

You know something in the bathroom you probably don't want? Overpowering fumes and potentially harmful chemicals found in many cleaning products . Biochemists have developed and tested the entire Puracy lineup, and we couldn't get our bathrooms clean without:

Green Cleaning Products --> Green Cleaning Products

Natural Multi-Surface Cleaner
Natural Stain Remover (ideal for bath mats and towels)
Biodegradable Disinfecting Surface Cleaner
Microfiber Towels
Rubber gloves
OXO Deep Clean Brush Set
Pumice cleaning stone (for tough toilet stains)
Shower squeegee
Microfiber mop
Broom and dustpan

Puracy Multi-Surface Cleaner --> Puracy Multi-Surface Cleaner

Our streak-free, versatile surface cleaner can be safely used on pretty much any bathroom surface, including toilets, tubs, tiles, countertops, marble, mirrors, and glass shower doors. And the formula is 99.51% natural.

Enzyme Stain Remover --> Enzyme Stain Remover

Tired of dingy bath mats, stained towels, or gross fabric shower curtains? Try the 98.95% natural formula of Puracy Stain Remover . Six plant-based enzymes tackle hundreds of different stains, residues, odors, and spots – without bleaching, discoloring, or weakening fabrics.

Biodegradable Disinfectant --> Biodegradable Disinfectant

First, this hydrogen peroxide disinfectant tackles grease, grime, and dirt. Next, it kills more than 99.9% of viruses and bacteria in 10 minutes. From toilets to sinks to tile to shower, you can use it on nearly every non-porous material throughout your home.

Note: We recommend sticking to our Natural Surface Cleaner for wood, soapstone, and marble surfaces.

Shop Our Personal Care Products

Guest Bathroom Necessities --> Guest Bathroom Necessities

It's always awkward to ask hosts if things in the toilet area aren't available (especially toilet paper and a plunger). Guests will feel more welcome when they use a bathroom that's well-stocked with the following:

High-quality towels
Travel-sized toiletries (e.g. toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, razors)
Pain relievers (i.e. Tylenol, Advil)
Extra toilet paper
Tampons & pads
Storage for extra toiletries

Add Puracy Products to Your Bathroom Checklist --> Add Puracy Products to Your Bathroom Checklist

When you pair safe, effective cleaning products with our top-to-bottom bathroom cleaning guide , your surfaces will sparkle – without synthetic fragrance, sulfates, bleach, chlorine, phosphates, and much more. Try any of our cleaning or personal care products . If you're not completely impressed, we'll give you your money back. No questions, no hassles. That's the Puracy promise.

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Cleaning 101: How to Get Rid of Hard Water Stains

We're Only Happy If You're Happy --> We're Only Happy If You're Happy

We stand behind our products, and we're sure they'll become staples in your household. In the unlikely chance that you try a Puracy cleaning or personal care natural product and it doesn't meet your expectations, we’ll give you your money back.

For quality control purposes, we may ask for information about your experience, about the product, and may request you send the product back for inspection.

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Packing Tips

The Ultimate Toiletries Packing Guide

Three-ounce shampoo. Mini deodorant. Itty-bitty body wash. Travel toiletries can be super cute, and if you pack right, they'll also be super helpful, covering all your grooming and body care needs while you're jetsetting. But they’re trickier to pack than you might think. Pop quiz: Do you know the TSA's liquid restrictions? Is it the same for aerosol? Don't worry, our guide will help you navigate those hurdles and give you the ultimate toiletry packing strategy. We’ll also share the number-one most forgotten toiletry, so you don't leave it out, too. Let’s get packing!

See recent posts by Kate Reynolds

Toiletry Packing List

Our mission with this list: To keep you looking, feeling, and smelling great for anything from an overnight to a two-week trek. Keep in mind, this list doesn’t include makeup, but we’ve got you covered there, too.

1 Toiletry Bag
1 Toothbrush
1 Mini Toothpaste
1 Pack of Dental Floss
1 Facial Cleanser
1 Mini Sunscreen
1 M ini Moisturizer
1 Mini Deodorant
1 Hairbrush or Comb
1 Mini Shampoo and Conditioner
1 Mini Body Wash
1 Tube of Shaving Cream
1 Loofah (optional)
1 Pack of Bandages
10 Ibuprofen Capsules
1 4 Allergy Medication Capsules
1 of Bottle Buy Spray (optional)
1 Mini Contact-Lens Solution (optional)
1 Pair Contacts Plus Spare (optional)
1 Contacts Case (optional)
Tampons or Pads (optional)
Prescriptions and Birth Control (optional)
Vitamins (optional)

Should I Rely on Free Toiletries?

Free stuff is always good, right? Well, depends . Though your hotel or rental may have complimentary toiletries, the quality of those items can be a toss-up. Travelers with sensitive skin; curly, textured, or temperamental hair; or simply high standards shouldn’t rely on freebies. After a few nights of washing your face with a harsh, perfumed bar of soap, your skin may launch into red alert. The safest bet is to purchase some TSA-approved squeeze bottles and bring your own tried-and-true products. Or invest in buying travel-sized versions of your preferred brand. If you’re feeling frugal, you can always try to collect samples of your faves from various cosmetic counters or as a gift with purchase.

Where Should I Buy Toiletries?

We’ve all seen the travel section at the local drugstore. It’s a snooze. They carry the same basic brands. If you order items online, you can save yourself a trip to the store, save money, and shop a bigger range of brands. Here are our five favorite online retailers for toiletries with links to their toiletry sections.

Amazon.com – Best for Budget
Target.com – Best for Variety
Walmart.com – Best Bundles
Sephora.com – Best Luxury Brands
Ulta.com – Best for Makeup

How Do I Pack Liquid Toiletries?

The overlord of airport security (aka the TSA) sets limitations on flying with liquids. The rules are very specific and sometimes a bit hard to understand. No worries. We’ll break it down. Rules apply based on how you are handling your luggage, specifically if you’re checking a bag vs. carrying a bag on the plane.

Checked Bag

If your suitcase is checked, there are no limitations on liquids. Score! You can bring as many full-size or travel-sized liquid toiletries that will fit in your bag. This includes aerosol cans.

Carry-on Bag

For the carry-on-only crowd, you must adhere to TSA’s 3-1-1 rule ( 3.4 oz bottle or less; one quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; one bag per passenger). Translation: Stock up on those mini bottles, which can include aerosol cans, or decant your items in reusable bottles. Either way, keep them accessible in a plastic bag so you can show the security agent.

What’s the Best Toiletry Bag for Travel?

In the epic battle against disorganization, the right bag is the ultimate weapon. There are two types of bags that belong in every frequent-flier’s arsenal.

For Liquids: A Clear Bag

Keep your liquids organized in a clear, quart-sized (or smaller) bag and you’ll cruise through security. It doesn’t need to be fancy. Heck, you can even go with a basic kitchen Ziploc bag . If you go this route, be prepared to replace it every trip. These aren’t exactly made to last. The better option? Invest in a more durable, reusable clear bag from Amazon .

For Everything Else: A Multi-Compartment Bag

Transport your non-liquids in a colorful, cute multi-compartment bag. Once you’ve landed, you can keep your hotel bathroom pristine by storing products here when not in use. Our top pick is an under-$15 bag by Sleeko , available on Amazon. This bag is water resistant, has unique compartment customization, and it can hang on the back of a bathroom door, freeing up precious counter space. Our other favorite is an under-$20 bag by Mossio , also available on Amazon. It hangs; it has strong compartments; and it comes in a variety of fun prints.

What’s the Best Reusable Travel Container?

Get ready to BYOP: Bring Your Own Product. The alternative to buying travel-size products is bringing your own from home in TSA-approved containers. It’s cost-effective and eco-friendly since you can re-use these containers over and over again. WTP editors love the silicone squeeze containers by Oursunshine . What really sets these guys apart is their size variation. The largest bottles are great for shampoo and conditioner, while the small pots are great for more sparsely used products like eye cream. The bottles have a wide opening which makes it really easy to transfer product from bottle to bottle. Pro tip: If you’re working with especially difficult containers, you could invest in a small bottle funnel. Mini spatulas (made famous on “Shark Tank”) also come in handy if you’re trying to use up that last bit of product.

What About Toiletries Sold in a Bundle?

Convenience Kits International, Women's Deluxe 10 PC Travel Kit.

If using a funnel to transport your shampoo from one bottle to another sounds like a waking nightmare, read on. You can outsource all the toiletry shopping and packing by buying a bundle, a set of minis pre-packaged by a retailer. Think of it as a one-click solution. WTP editors are fans of Walmart’s bundle. For the price of a latte, you get a 10-piece kit . Though this bundle doesn’t tick off every item from our checklist, it does include the most critical items. There’s a men’s and a women’s version of this kit.

Is Dry Shampoo Really Worth It?

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo.

Greasy hair strikes more often when you’re in transit. Keep it fresh by splurging on a luxe toiletry that’s worth the hype: dry shampoo . After a long flight or day of sightseeing, a quick spritz can keep your hair looking clean, dry, and voluminous. If you’re new to the dry-shampoo camp, here’s a little primer. Dry shampoo comes in a little hairspray-like can. Hold the can 12 inches from your head and spray onto your roots. After a few minutes, the spray will dry into a white powder, which looks a little wacky. Just tap the powder into your roots until it’s no longer visible, or brush it through with a hairbrush. You’ll notice immediate results as the powder soaks up grease and adds volume. Our pick is by Living Proof . This brand doesn’t have an offensive scent, it’s easy to use, and it comes in a TSA-friendly 1.8 oz can.

Should You Pre-Buy Sunscreen?

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Water Resistant.

If you’re heading to a tropical destination where there’s Coppertone and Banana Boat in every beachside kiosk, you could be thinking you’ll be A-OK picking up a bottle after you land. That would be a mistake. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends topping up your SPF everyday, not just when you’re beachside. And the sun’s rays are mega-strong when you’re flying, since you’re above the clouds. Do yourself a favor and keep your protection handy. Our picks? Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen , a non-gloopy that stays put, and the zinc-based EltaMD UV Clear , a one-time Allure Best of Beauty winner and dermatologist fave.

Should I Pack Over the Counter Medication?

Once you start doling out ibuprofen from plastic baggies, you’ll be dubbed “the mom” of your group. But stashing a few over-the-counter meds in your bag is absolutely worth it. When you’re in a new place, you don’t know how your body is going to react. If you do go down for the count with a headache or an allergy attack, you’ll be grateful to have painkillers or allergy relief handy (as will other folks). Nothing is worse than arriving in Paris with a drumming headache trying to remember the French word for “pharmacy.” (Talk about a romance killer.) And Ibuprofen is great for hangovers, just saying.

What’s the Most Forgotten Toiletry Item?

Crest 3D White Vivid Fluoride Anticavity Toothpaste.

Drumroll please…it’s toothpaste. According to a recent Reddit thread and annual Amazon order information, this is the one toiletry item that travelers forget the most. We can see why: People have full-sized toothpaste for their everyday use, so they check it off the packing list automatically. But full-size tubes don’t meet TSA regulations for carry-ons. And don’t bother transferring toothpaste into another container unless you want to clean winterfresh blobs off your sink. Just add a mini one to your cart. It’s a worthwhile buy that’ll last multiple trips.

The Rundown: Our Top 10 Toiletry Packing Tips

Mari Kondo Minimalist Packing - Paring Down the Possibilites - Toiletries

Buy toiletries ahead of time. Not all products are easy or cheap to find once you’ve landed in your destination.
Look into a beauty/personal care subscription box for your everyday life. Companies like Ipsy and Birchbox send your curated samples each month. All those minis are great for travel.
Consider multipurpose products. For example: Many shampoo bars can be used as body wash and shampoo.
Take your toiletries for a test drive. Use your travel minis to get ready for the day before you leave. If you’re missing anything, you’ll have time to add it. Repeat with your nighttime routine.
Once they’re all gathered, divvy up your toiletries into two piles, required and nice-to-have. Pack the required pile first.
Tighten caps and lids on every item before packing. Store any items you think could leak in a standalone compartment or plastic bag.
If you’re ever unclear if an item is allowed on a plane or not, check the TSA’s site . Still don’t see the answer? Tweet at the TSA. They actively respond to inquiries there.
Compartmentalize your toiletries to stay organized. Consider taking multiple bags: one makeup bag, one toiletry bag, one clear quart-sized zip-lock bag for liquids from each.
If you’re checking a bag, keep a subset of your makeup and toiletries in your carry-on so that you’re not empty handed in the event that your luggage gets lost.

What to Pack in Your Carry-on

Women’s casual dress outfit for a warm vacation, shop the look.

Hot Lips Lipstick

Call Me Daisy Dress

Pavé Bar Bracelet

Metallic Calfskin Leather Crossbody Bag

Men’s Cool and Casual Outfit for a Trip

Striped Shirt

Slim Fit Jeans

Leather Strap Watch

Duck Bag Canvas Tote

Artur Sneaker

Women’s casual outfit to wear in new england.

Front Button Top

Cropped Skinny Jeans

10-pack Headbands

Pillow Saddle Bag

Ronnie Slide

Men’s comfy outfit for a flight or car ride.

Waffle Knit Shorts

Polarized Sunglasses

Moisture Control Crew Socks

Manila Women’s Nightlife Outfit

Graphic Print Dress

Wooden Hoops Earrings

Gold Bangle

Leather Crossbody Bag

Wedge Sandals

Manila men’s nightlife outfit.

Button-Up Shirt

Skinny Chinos

Leather Belt

RFID Wallet

Women’s prAna Swimsuit with Cover-up

One-piece Swimsuit

Waterproof Crayon Eyeliner

Men’s Outfit for Visiting Myrtle Beach Water Parks

Men's Long-Sleeve T-Shirt Hurley Quick Dry.

Quick Dry Long-Sleeve

Timothy Block Swim Short

Microfiber Towel

Floatable Waterproof Case

Adidas Outdoor Terrex CC Boat

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What’s In My Toiletry Bag? The Ultimate Checklist

Packing gives many people a headache. I get it. It’s tough to remember everything you need to bring with you and the last thing you want to do is forget something super important and be somewhere that you can’t buy it. On top of that, deciding what’s necessary to bring and what’s not can be tough too. I’ve done a post before on how to avoid your luggage being overweight , however this post is focused on your toiletry bag which can be one of the most important things you pack. I put together a list of the things that are always in my toiletry bag when I travel to help you make sure you don’t forget anything at home. Check it out, print it, and use it when you’re packing for your next trip!

The Necessities:

Toothbrush and toothpaste
Hair brush and/or comb
Shampoo and/or conditioner
Soap or body wash
Bug spray (only if traveling in jungles, forests, or anywhere bugs might be or malaria may be present)
Moisturizer and/or aloe (travel can dry your skin right out)

For Your Purse:

Hand sanitizer
Toilet paper or Kleenex (especially in countries that aren’t known to have this in their restrooms)
Eye drops (for those long haul flights)
Face wipes (whether you’re sweaty, dirty or traveling for hours it’s always nice to wipe off the scum from your face)

Medications:

Gravol (drowsy and non-drowsy)
Immodium and/or Pepto-Bismol
Antibiotics (your travel or family doctor can prescribe this for you just in case)
Prescribed medications (birth control, migraine medication and anything you can’t live without)

For Some of You:

Eyewear (glasses, contact lenses, contact lens solution and case if applicable)
Makeup (remember you don’t need all your makeup, only the necessities)
Hair styling products (try to skip the hair straightener and curling iron if you can)
Face wash and moisturizer (for some people face wipes and soap is enough)
Feminine hygiene products

Do you have anything you can’t live without in your toiletry bag? Share below in the comments!

Other packing tips:

Keep Calm & Carry-On: What’s In My Carry-On
How to Avoid Your Luggage Being Overweight
H ow to Pack for 1.5 Weeks in Colombia

How to Be a Tourist in Your Own City

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Tips for Finding Accommodations

Top Tips on Balancing a Job & Travel

15 comments.

Hi! I’m wondering where you found the whole blends travel size bottles. I’ve been looking for a while and can’t seem to find them anywhere. Thanks!

Oh boy. I can’t remember. I think just in my local Shopper’s Drug Mart or Rexall though.

I found them at Walmart

Hi just wanted to let you know they are available at dunelm and sometimes on Amazon but they go out of stock quickly

Aline Bussard

Thanks, this list was really useful!

Glad you found it helpful 🙂

I like to carry cortisol cream for itchy big bites or an eczema flare up

I found this list great as I am going to Nant BH this year

Have a great trip!

Thank for this info, my family and I are traveling to Tennessee

This was really useful because in a few days I’m going on camp to Canberra with my class

I love this list! In six years me and my friends might go on a trip around the US and this really helped my with my packing

Happy you found it helpful 🙂

Chandra Bdr Gurung

Useful infos…

Travel Toiletries Checklist: Essential Toiletries for Travel

November 30, 2019.

Travel Toiletries Checklist (PRINTABLE)

I’ve always been a 3AM before I have to leave at 6AM for my 9AM flight kind of packer. And while I like to think that I’ve honed my craft pretty well over the years, there is always one thing forgotten. More often than not, that forgotten item is something from my toiletries bag. The good news is that you can always pick up toothpaste at a local store in your destination. But, items like contacts and prescription glasses have the potential to be slightly more problematic. Creating a travel toiletries checklist has helped me immensely. Even if I am packing at the very last-minute, having a pre-made comprehensive checklist that I can print out and check off as I go is incredibly efficient. Since this list has helped me out countless times now, I thought I would share my list with you too in the hopes of it being a help for you as well.

Before we get into all the essential toiletries items, I wanted to discuss the accessories needed to pack all these toiletries. A hanging toiletry bag is a great solution to bathroom areas with little to no counter space. You’ll find this a lot in small apartments, airbnbs, and in hostel bathrooms. I would also recommend purchasing some TSA clear bags for your carry on toiletries. Instead of using plastic ziplock bags and throwing away after each use, you can reuse these bags time and time again. I actually just use the bag that came with my leakproof travel size bottles for my liquids. When purchasing your travel size bottles, make sure that whichever brand you choose to buy, there is some way to distinguish between each bottle. You don’t want to mistakenly put hair oil on your skin, or use conditioner as a face wash. Having bottles that are all different colors really helps to differentiate products.

Finally, if you are staying in any other accommodation besides a hotel, I highly recommend purchasing a microfiber quick dry towel . I’ve broken down a whole scenario on Best Travel Accessories post, but to sum it up…who wants to put a damp towel back into their luggage? Not I! These towels are compact, absorbent and can function as both a beach, hand, and bath towel.

And now for the ultimate toiletries packing list…

This post contains affiliate links. That means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking the link at no extra cost to you.

Oral Hygiene Toiletries Items

I always buy this 2-pack and make sure that I have one toothbrush in my toiletries bag which I always keep in my carry-on luggage. It took me way too long to discover the GUM travel toothbrush with folding handle and built-in case! Not only is the toothbrush compact, but you don’t have to put the bristles on the counter which may or may not have been thoroughly cleaned before you checked in. Also, the handle is vented with holes so you don’t have to worry about moisture if you don’t have time to leave the toothbrush out to dry.

Face and Body Toiletries List

I don’t go anywhere without my Philosophy Purity face wash. It is so mild on the skin, but somehow manages to remove my makeup and cleanse incredibly well all at once. I have had problems with leakage for all sizes of the Philosophy bottles, so I always put this cleanser into a leakproof travel bottle for my trip.

I’m not on board with travel-size deodorants. Personally, I find that there is so little product that it makes more sense to bring my full-size deodorant from home instead.

Soap/Body Wash

You will probably only need to include body soap if you are staying in a hostel, camping, or in an apartment. Bringing small packets of laundry detergent can be incredibly useful for major stains like red wine on white pants.

Acne Products

Also, if you have any prescription acne medication that costs a lot in the USA, I recommend purchasing that same medication in Europe. The same medication that costs around $500 in the States, was 20 euros at a pharmacy in Europe.

Venus makes a travel razor if you are looking to conserve space in your toiletries kit.

Shaving Cream

I’ve talked about this Australian Gold tinted sunscreen in many posts, but I love that it is not only tinted, but provides SPF 50 protection. This sunscreen does not feel sticky on your face and while everyone’s skin is different, it does not break me out.

Makeup Remover

While Philosophy Purity does an incredible job of removing my daily makeup from my skin, if I am going out on the town or am traveling for a fancy event, I need an additional round of remover for my foundation and coverup. These Neutrogena cleansing towelettes are my go-to travel makeup remover wipes. And it’s not just me. Anytime I travel with girlfriends, they always seem to have packed these exact wipes too.

Tweezer, Nail Clipper, Nail File, and Small Scissors

This travel nail care set contains all the necessities you may need on your trip. A small scissors is great for cutting off tags on new clothing items or opening packaging to products that you may have purchased.

Q-Tips/Cotton Pads

Always forget q-tips , and always need!

Perfume/Cologne

I rarely use perfume, but I have heard that bringing a fragrance sample from Sephora is the perfect solution for travel.

Hair Care Essential Toiletries

For a more in-depth analysis, check out my post on the best travel-size hair products for your upcoming trip.

Shampoo & Conditioner

If you have a go-to shampoo and conditioner at home that you can’t live without, then I highly recommend putting that product into the leakproof travel-size bottles . I don’t have a strong preference, so I generally pick up a couple of the standard travel size bottles…usually a TRESemme or Pantene shampoo and conditioner. If you’re looking for a more high end product, Luxe Organix has travel-sized shampoo and conditioners available as well. Also to note, if you are traveling for an extended period of time and want to bring multiple travel-sized bottles, I have found that a 2:1 ratio — 2 shampoos, 1 conditioner — works best since I think people tend to use much less conditioner per use.

Hairspray/Gel/Mousse

Heading to a humid destination? If you have hair that tends to curl or frizz like mine does, I recommend bringing travel size toiletries to keep those strays in place. I bought the LA Looks gel in Maui and it was life changing. I could actually style my hair and not just have it in a bun on top of my head with the baby hairs looking like I had been recently electrocuted. There are also multiple options available for travel hairspray and travel mousse under 3 ounces.

Hair Dryer/Straightener/Curling Iron

Dry Shampoo

Batiste dry shampoo is a miracle worker. My favorite scent is blush and is closely followed by crisp…not a huge fan of original.

Hair Ties/Bobby Pins/Hair Clips

I didn’t have hair ties on my toiletries list for the longest time and would always just show up to my destination with the one hair tie on my wrist that I would have to make last for the entire trip duration. Now hair ties are on the list for good along with bobby pins and hair clips for some accessories.

Brush/ Comb

I always bring both a round brush and comb after the disastrous hair experience I had in Wales. The round brush is used to keep the baby hairs at bay and the Wet Brush or Tangle Teezer are fantastic options for hair detangling.

Eye Care Toiletries List:

Double and triple check that you have packed your glasses and/or contacts as these items are probably the most difficult to procure if you forget at home.

Contacts/Contact Case

Contact solution.

I myself am not a customer as I have a small sunglass addiction and too many pairs at home already, but SUNGAIT sunglasses have excellent reviews on Amazon if you are looking for an affordable pair.

Makeup Essentials for Toiletries

Everyone has their own favorite products, so I decided to include a full list of makeup items you may want to bring with you on your trip. I went ahead and linked to the products that are always in my makeup bag on my travels. Typically, I wear minimal makeup when I’m traveling — tinted sunscreen, bronzer, blush, highlight, mascara, and a lip product.

Primer – Smashbox Photo Finish (I don’t really wear foundation and consequently don’t use primer, but I know this is a cult favorite.)

Foundation – I try not to use too much foundation when I’m traveling, especially in the heat of the summer. I typically opt for the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue .

Concealer – Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer (love this but it’s messy)

Beauty Blender – I use the Real Techniques beauty blender but there are multiple beauty blenders to choose from including the original.

Bronzer – Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzing Powder (this bronzer also doubles as eyeshadow and it is just fabulous)

Blush – I love the Tarte blushes, but they aren’t great for travel because the lids break off. I have been using TheBalm DownBoy blush for about a year now and really love it.

Highlighter – I typically use Becca Champagne Pop highlighter but the product will inevitably crumble into a million little pieces on a trip. Becca does sell this in a tube version , which I would recommend instead.

Eyeshadow – Laura Mercier Caviar Stick (These eyeshadows have great pigmentation and pack extremely well. I adore everything about this eyeshadow.)

Eyeliner – Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner in Black (It’s a drugstore and I couldn’t love it more)

Mascara – CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara (We’ve got a drugstore brand once again and a favorite for years.)

Brow Brush/Brow – I use the Anastasia Brow Wiz but the brush side always breaks off, so I bring another brow brush with me at all times. I’m sure there is another brow pencil that would be better for travel, but everyone uses Anastasia so I don’t know what that would be…)

Setting Spray – I use Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray sparingly at home but don’t generally bring it on my trips.

Makeup Brushes – Don’t forget to bring a makeup brush for each of your items!

Prescription Medication

Travel First Aid Kit

There are plenty of first aid kits filled with all sorts of gauze pads, antiseptic, etc. While I think these kits are a bit overkill for your standard vacay, they are actually quite inexpensive. However, if you want to stick to the basic necessities, I recommend simply packing some bandaids and Neosporin .

Feminine Products

I’ve included feminine products for all stages of your period. While you can pick up products when traveling, I prefer to bring my products from home so I can be prepared and comfortable throughout the duration.

Overnight Pads

Regular pads, mosquito products.

Is anyone else massively allergic to mosquitoes? I have tried so many products and still end up with massive welts all over my skin. Taking Zyrtec works best, but I am so prone to bites that I stock up on everything imaginable in the hopes of avoiding these massive red circles that take over my body. Here are a variety of products that may work for you…fingers crossed!

Repellent Wipes

Insect repellent.

Cortizone Cream

I also wanted to include a more concise list of travel toiletries for those of you who simply don’t care about my opinions or want something more readable. Below is the travel toiletries item list without explanation.

Travel Toiletries List

ORAL HYGIENE

Toothbrush Toothpaste Floss Mouth Wash Chapstick

FACE AND BODY

Face Wash Deodorant Soap/Body Wash Acne cream Razor Shaving Cream Sunscreen Makeup Remover Tweezer Nail Clipper Small Scissors Q-Tips/Cotton Swabs Perfume/Cologne

Shampoo Conditioner Hair Oil Hairspray/Gel/Mousse Hair Dryer/Straightener/Curling Iron Dry Shampoo Hair Ties/Bobby Pins/Hair Clips Brush Comb

Glasses Contacts/Contact Case Contact Solution Sunglasses

Primer Foundation Concealer Beauty Blender Bronzer Blush Highlighter Eyeshadow Eyeliner Mascara Brow Brush/Brow Setting Spray Brushes

Prescriptions Advil Tylenol Immodium Tums Bonine Emergencee Bandaids Neosporin Packets

FEMININE PRODUCTS

Tampons Thong Pads Liners Overnight Pads Regular Pads

MOSQUITO PRODUCTS

Permethryn Repellent Bands Repellent Wipes Insect Repellent Zyrtec Cortizone Cream

Looking for a Printable Travel Toiletries Checklist?

If you want a printable version of this list, you can download it here!

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Bathroom Kit Travel Checklist Items

These are items that you may want to take in your bathroom kit for your trip. This excludes makeup items which are in a different group.

STEP 1: SELECT ALL THE ITEMS THAT YOU WANT TO ADD TO YOUR CHECKLIST

Feminine Products

Cotton Pads

Tongue Cleaner

Skin Cleanser

Conditioner

Disposable Razors

Shaving Cream

Electric/Rechargeable Shaver

Dental Floss

Contact Lens Solution

Skin Creams/Lotions

Manicure Set

Nail Clippers

Travel Hair Dryer

Travel Iron/Steamer

Curling Iron

Toilet Paper

Moist Toweletes

Nail Polish

Nail Polish Remover

Travel Bottles

Dry Shampoo

Makeup Remover

Anti-Frizz Gel

Self-Tanner

Hand Lotion

Curly Hair Products

Contact Lens Cleaner

After-Sun Gel

After-Sun Lotion

Cotton Balls

Hot Rollers

Proxy Brush

STEP 2: ENTER ANY OF YOUR OWN ITEMS

Step 3: press a button to proceed.

ADD GROUP DESCRIPTION HERE

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The Ultimate Checklist of Toiletries Items for Men and Women

If you are a Onebagger, then you must have already realized that you cannot take all of your toiletry items with you as space is premium. Instead just take the bare minimum. Even the airport security is now strict than before in term of what they allow on a flight .

What are Toiletries?

Toiletries are personal care items used for hygiene or grooming. For example, travel toothbrush / travel toothpaste , deodorant, shampoo are all toiletry items.

How to travel with toiletries?

Toiletries that aren’t in a liquid or gel form aren’t monitored, which means you can pack them in your carry on as per requirement.

TSA 3:1:1 Liquid Limit

If you are wondering, what to put in The following list is essential items you should have in your traveling toiletries bag.

The Essential Toiletries Packing List for Vacation

Eagle Creek Pack-It Quick Trip Toiletry Organizer closeup shot with toiletries inside

Crystal Deodorant - Your liquid deodorant is prone to leakage on flights and they occupy large space. These are free of perfumes and chemical and are made from natural mineral salts. Even a small bottle lasts for months.
Solid Cologne - This cologne easily fits into pockets and is travel-friendly due to its small and durable container. They apply more subtly than their liquid counterparts and smell lasts longer.
Travel Shaving Gel - Small tube fits snug as a bug in my travel kit. With the small tube, you can expel the just the required amount.
Shaving brush - Good travel shaving brushes are generally smaller and more compact than other brushes and come with storage cases for easy storage when traveling.
Folding Travel Toothbrush - This toothbrush top part folds into a compact size, occupying little space. A toothbrush with a cap will also help in keeping it clean, more packable and dry easily.

Razors - If trimmer/shaver is not your thing, then this one’s replacement heads are readily available.
Folding Scissors - A folding scissor will not cut through your plastic bag.
Nail Clipper - A stainless steel nail clipper will definitely help if you are traveling long-term. If going to a humid climate region, get a stainless steel one. Anything sharp should go in checked luggage.
Shavers/Trimmers for travel - A good travel trimmer is compact, lightweight and battery/USB operated.
Bixby Travel Comb - This one is also foldable almost the size of a lip balm.
Dry shampoo - Look if your favorite shampoo comes in travel size if not available in dry. Again dry shampoos are better as they are not prone to leakage.
Mouthwash - Again get travel size or fill in travel size bottle.
Salux washcloth - Another option is taking a good travel towel .

Travel Hygiene Starts Here

Must have Medicines for Travel

Benadryl (Cough)
Antacid (Stomach)
Band-aids (Minor cuts)
Salbutamol (Asthma)
Neosporin (Skincare in outdoors)
Eye Drops – Essential if you’re catching the ‘red eye’ flight or driving for prolonged periods.

*This is not a medical advice. Consult with your doctor for much better advice.

Miscellaneous Items in a Toiletry Bag

Dental Floss - Comes in travel size and I don’t sleep without flossing.
Alcohol Wipes - For Germaphobes like us.
Travel Size Moisturizer - Get your favorite moisturizer in travel size.
Tissues - These fit into pockets easily. Wet Wipes are an even better choice when traveling.
Cotton Swabs/Buds (Just be aware of the risks)
Condoms - Buy a carry case that holds it discreetly.
Travel Tweezer - This one comes with clear carry tube or you can flash that Unibrow.

Few Tips for Packing you Toiletries

Buy reusable fillable containers and transfer some from your hotel.
Ziploc bags are great for organization.
Prefer Hanging Toiletry Bags.

Our Favorite Toiletry Bag

Written By Kate Mark

Kate is a mid-lifer who quit a growing corporate career to reawaken her passions and her lifelong dream of traveling the world.

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YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Toiletries Travel Checklist: What You Need for a Hotel Bathroom

Forgetting something from your travel checklist is THE WORST. Luckily, a lot of hotels will provide some toiletries if you accidentally left them at home.

While it is important that your hotel caters to the traveler , there are some things you should make sure to remember. A hotel can’t replace all of your personal items, so there are certain things you’ll want to make sure you pack.

Read on for our complete travel checklist.

Travel Checklists

When you’re staying at a hotel for an extended period of time there are some amenities you can’t go without. Long-term hotel guests tend to pack more than short-term, but they also pack smarter.

Here is our travel toiletries checklist:

Bathroom Essentials:

Thing’s you definitely don’t want to forget. Some of these might be provided in the hotel’s toiletries, just to be safe – pack them.

Shampoo, Conditioner, & Bodywash

Chances are your hotel has these three very important items. But in an extended stay situation, you might want your favorites.

Especially if you’re going to work, you don’t want to adjust your hair to a new shampoo and try to be presentable. Unless you are a man, and then, well, I am jealous that you don’t need to worry about such things.

Everyone’s skin is different, and if you’re staying for a while you don’t want to have an acne break out or extremely dry skin.

Luckily, facewash usually comes in a compact container of some sort, so it will fit in your bag nicely.

Moisturizer/Lotion

Not always needed, but annoying if you don’t have it! Make sure you’re moisturized and avoid scaly skin.

Toothbrush/Toothpaste

I would think that this is a no-brainer, but if you’re thinking you won’t forget it – that’s when you will forget it

None of us floss regularly at home anyways, but for the sake of your gums, don’t forget it.

And in case you have forgotten, here are some good reasons why you should floss more .

This is one of the worst things you could forget. Imagine you’re meeting a new client or going to an important consultation and you forgot your deodorant! No, thank you!

Forgetting your favorite comb is dreadful. Especially if you’re the type of person that has a different comb for wet hair and a brush for dry hair!

Things You Don’t Think You’ll Need But You Will:

Just trust me on these ones…

Nail Clippers/Nail File

Something you don’t always think about, but completely cannot go without are nail clippers or a nail file. No matter who you are, you have nails, and you might break them.

You never know when you’re going to have a stray hair or a splinter! Maybe you don’t have time to go get your eyebrows waxed. No matter the reason, tweezers are always extremely handy to have on hand.

Almost any person with medium to long length hair will not ever be caught without a hair tie on their wrist, it’s basically fashion now. It’s always a good idea to have a few extra in your bag just in case.

Razor/Shaving Cream

When staying long-term at a hotel you may need to back shaving essentials. Even if the hotel may provide them, they probably won’t be the quality you’re used to.

Many experts remain against the use of Q-tips … but I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.

Hand Sanitizer

These days hand sanitizer is everywhere. It’s always safe to keep some in your pocket, vehicle, or purse. Germs are everywhere, especially when you’re traveling.

Something that you don’t ever need, until you REALLY need it, and then you have to go out of your way to find one. Sticking a few of these in the bag you pack won’t take up any room and will come in handy.

You have your car chapstick, your bathroom chapstick, your coat pocket chapstick, your junk drawer chapstick… might as well have a travel toiletry bag chapstick.

Sunscreen/Bug Spray

Unless you’re going to stay inside during your entire stay, you might need to pack sunscreen or a bug screen. Experts say that you should wear sunscreen every day whether you’re going to be outside or not!

Headaches are the worst! And if you don’t have anything to lessen the pain it can be excruciating.

Pepto-Bismol

When traveling you’re most likely eating at restaurants a lot. If you’re trying new foods or eating any type of fast food, be sure you have some Pepto on hand!

Heartburn is the absolute worst and if it comes in the middle of the night there is not going to be anywhere to go to get relief. Put some in your bag just to be safe.

Sleeping somewhere you’ve never been before is difficult sometimes. Make sure you have something to help you sleep that won’t make you groggy in the morning.

Essentials That You Forgot About Adding To The List:

Something you don’t necessarily think about adding to your list, but you should, are your glasses. Especially if you wear contacts.

Contact Lenses/Solution

When wearing glasses a lot, sometimes you can forget that contacts are even an option. And then when you go to put them in and you realize they’re at home on your counter it can be a real bummer. Even if you don’t think you’re going to use them, it’s a good thing to bring along.

If you wear makeup on a daily basis, this is probably on your list. But if you only use makeup sometimes, you might want to pack the basics in case you need any concealer or feel like having a night on the town!

Dry Shampoo

If you haven’t tried dry shampoo yet, go get yourself some. It is a lifesaver. You can use it if you don’t wash your hair in the morning, or if you just need a little volume boost.

Hair Styling Products

Hotels usually have blow dryers, but you might want your curling wand, hair straightener, or hair styling product of your choice. It’s probably the last thing you use before you leave your house, and often something people forget.

Feminine Products

Even if you’re not traveling around that time of the month, it’s safe to always have some packed. But you probably knew that already.

Prescription Medications

Do not forget your prescriptions! This is something that is detrimental if you forget, and cannot be replaced!

Hotel Amenities

People often forget things on their travel checklist, and we are here to help. Call the front desk of your hotel. Chances are we have the thing that you forgot and we can bring it up to you right away.

Contact us in advance to find out what amenities we might have and what you need to make sure is on your toiletry travel list.

Daily Use Bathroom Essentials

Bathroom storage essentials, bathroom cleaning essentials, guest bathroom essentials, bathroom decor essentials, our conclusion, faq about bathroom essentials, bathroom essentials checklist for movers (2024 guide).

Written by Shane Sentelle Updated 03/08/2024

Shane Sentelle is a content writer with more than six years of experience producing content about home services. A main area of focus is the moving industry, but Shane has also written for home inspectors and published articles to inform readers about pest control, lawn care, and gutter services…

Stocking your bathroom should be a top priority when moving into your first apartment or a new home . We ‘ve compiled a comprehensive bathroom essentials checklist including daily-use items, cleaning supplies, and more. This guide will make sure you have everything you need for a well-stocked and organized bathroom, whether moving on your own or with the help of a top moving company .

Begin by making a list of the items you use daily. Note which ones you already have and which you need to buy, and plan your moving budget accordingly. Here’s a checklist of daily use essentials to get you started:

Toiletries: Stock up on basics such as shampoo, conditioner, bubble bath, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and other personal care items you use regularly.
Toilet paper: Toilet paper is one item you don’t want to run out of, so make sure you have extra rolls on hand.
Towels: Invest in a set of towels of different sizes, including hand towels to use after washing your hands and standard towels or bath sheets to use after showering. Consider buying separate washcloths or hand towels for your face.
Washcloths: Have a set of washcloths for washing your face or removing makeup. You can purchase another set of washcloths, a loofah, or a washcloth alternative for applying body wash.
Mats or rugs: Buy bath mats or rugs to dry your feet after showering and to keep water off the floor. If your tub or shower floor is smooth, consider purchasing a nonslip tub or shower mat for safety.
Shower curtain: Unless your bathroom has a glass shower door, you’ll need a shower curtain to keep water from splashing all over the floor. Look for a curtain made of a water-resistant material.
Bath mat: A bath mat can help prevent slips and falls when you step out of the shower or tub. Choose an absorbent mat with a nonslip backing to prevent accidents.
Trash can: Add a small trash can to your bathroom to dispose of used tissues, empty bottles, and other bathroom waste. Look for a design that complements your bathroom decor.
Toothbrush holder: Keep your toothbrush off the counter and within easy reach with a toothbrush holder. Look for one that’s easy to clean and has enough slots for everyone in your household.
Soap dispenser: Using a hand-soap dispenser rather than bar soap and a soap dish can help keep your sink area tidy. Choose one that’s easy to refill and matches your bathroom decor.
Cotton swabs and balls: Keep a stash of cotton balls and swabs in your bathroom for cleaning and personal care. Cotton balls are great for removing nail polish, applying astringent, removing makeup, and cleaning hard-to-reach areas.
Air freshener: A n air freshener can keep your bathroom smelling clean. Choose a scent you enjoy and consider using natural alternatives such as essential oil diffusers or plants.

The right bathroom storage can help you stay organized and clutter-free. Here are several ideas :

Toilet paper holder: A toilet paper holder keeps your toilet paper organized and easily accessible. It can also add a stylish touch to your bathroom decor.
Wall-mounted shelves: If you have limited floor space, wall-mounted shelves can be an excellent solution for storing towels, toiletries, and other bathroom necessities. Choose shelves made of durable materials such as wood or metal, and install them securely to avoid accidents.
Storage baskets: Use storage baskets to corral smaller items such as hair accessories, makeup, and cleaning supplies. Look for baskets with handles for easy transport, and choose designs that match your bathroom decor.
Over-the-door hooks: If you’re short on space, over-the-door hooks can be an excellent solution for hanging towels and bathrobes. Look for hooks made of sturdy materials that can hold the weight of your items.
Bathroom vanity: A bathroom vanity with drawers or cabinets can provide ample storage space for larger items such as towels, extra toiletries, and cleaning supplies. Choose a design that matches your bathroom decor and has enough storage space to meet your needs.
Shower caddy: Keep your shower essentials organized and easily accessible with a shower caddy. Look for one with multiple compartments to hold your shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and other products.
Cabinet organizers: Adding pull-out drawers or stacking bins to a bathroom cabinet can help maximize your storage space.
Drawer dividers: Keep bathroom drawers tidy and organized by using dividers to separate items such as makeup, hair accessories, or personal care products.
Towel rack: A towel rack is great for storing multiple towels in a small space. Look for one that matches your bathroom decor and has enough hooks or bars to hold the number of towels you need.

A clean bathroom is vital for maintaining a healthy and comfortable home. Here are some must-have bathroom cleaning products to stock up on:

Toilet-bowl cleaner: Toilet-bowl cleaner keeps your toilets free of stains and bacteria. Look for an effective, easy-to-use cleaner. Follow the instructions on the label and use a toilet brush to scrub the inside of the bowl.
Plunger: Ensure that you have a plunger on hand to address toilet clogs.
Glass cleaner: Use a glass cleaner to clean your bathroom mirrors, windows, and shower doors. Look for a cleaner labeled “streak-free.” Spray the cleaner onto a cloth or paper towel and wipe the surface clean.
All-purpose cleaner: An all-purpose cleaner is a versatile cleaning solution suitable for countertops, sinks, and various other surfaces. Make sure the product you choose is safe for your bathroom surfaces.
Disinfectant spray: A disinfectant spray will kill bacteria and viruses on bathroom surfaces. Look for a spray that’s effective and safe for your bathroom. After spraying, let the cleaner sit for a few minutes before wiping the surface clean with a cloth or paper towel. Alternatively, you can use disinfecting wipes.
Scrub brush: Use a scrub brush to clean grout, tile, and other hard-to-reach areas in your bathroom. Look for a brush with stiff bristles that can handle grime and tough stains.
Rubber gloves: Protect your hands while cleaning your bathroom by wearing rubber gloves. Look for gloves that fit well and are comfortable to wear.
Squeegee: Use a squeegee after each bath or shower to remove excess water from your shower walls and glass surfaces. This can help prevent mold and mildew.
Microfiber cloths: Use microfiber cloths to clean and polish bathroom surfaces. These cloths are effective at picking up dirt and dust without scratching surfaces.

If you have a guest bathroom in your new home, stock it with everything your guests might need during their stay. Here are a few examples:

Towels: Provide clean towels for your guests, including standard bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths. Lay out a complete set for each guest.
Extra toilet paper: Make sure plenty of extra toilet paper is easily accessible in case your guests run out during their stay.
Toiletries: Consider providing your guests with basic toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, and lotion. Choose travel-size bottles and display them in a basket or tray to save space. Keep a few extra toothbrushes and disposable razors on hand, too.
Bath rugs: Add a bath rug to provide a soft landing for your guests’ feet when they step out of the shower or tub.
First-aid kit: Keep a small first-aid kit in your guest bathroom in case of minor accidents. Include items such as bandages, antiseptic, and pain relievers.

Adding decorative elements to your bathroom will create a more inviting and personalized space. Here are some items to consider:

Artwork: Hang some artwork on your bathroom walls to add color and visual interest. Look for pieces that are suitable for humid environments.
Plants: Add some greenery to your bathroom by incorporating ferns and spider plants. Plants can help purify the air and create a more relaxing environment.
Candles: Use candles to create a warm, inviting atmosphere in your bathroom. Choose soothing scents such as lavender or eucalyptus.
Decorative upgrades: Buy decorative versions of bathroom accessories such as shower curtain rings, soap dispensers, and toothbrush holders.

A well-stocked bathroom will help your new house feel like home. Start with essentials such as toiletries and towels, then expand your list to include storage and cleaning supplies. Finally, incorporate decorative elements and guest bathroom essentials.

Check out our guide to moving costs and our review of the cheapest moving companies for more tips on planning and budgeting for your move.

What is the best way to store bathroom items?

The best way to store bathroom items depends on the specific items and your bathroom layout. Options include shelves, cabinets, drawers, baskets, hooks, and racks. Make sure any storage solutions you choose are moisture-resistant.

How can I improve my basic bathroom?

If your bathroom seems too basic, you can take several steps to improve it:

Add color with paint or a colorful shower curtain
Upgrade to new lighting fixtures
Install shelves, baskets, or organizers
Replace hardware and fixtures
Add decorative elements and accessories
Upgrade the showerhead
Install a new toilet
Replace the flooring

What are the benefits of stocking your bathroom?

Stocking your bathroom with essential items can have several benefits:

Convenience
Organization
Preparedness

Find Top Moving Companies In Your City

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at [email protected] .

Close Up Of Senior Couple Downsizing In Retirement Boxes Ready For Move Into New Home

Ultimate Pre-Travel Checklist: Important Things To Do Before Travelling

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Planning a vacation? There is so much to think about before actually heading out on your adventures, but preparing for your trip doesn’t have to be stressful. Our Ultimate Pre-Travel Checklist will help make sure all the important things are done before travelling. So you and your family can relax and enjoy your vacation, knowing everything is well in hand.

The Pre-Vacation checklist covers everything from booking hotels, packing and bringing meds, to all those last minute details of making sure you’ve brought your toothbrush and phone charger, secured your home and the housesitter is confirmed and settled.

While it is organized into what to do 3 months, 1 month, 1 week and less before your trip, if you have less time, just adjust the time frames for the time you have left. It’s never too late to organize!

Our Ultimate Pre-Travel Checklist Free Printable has all things you definitely don’t want to miss, when planning your trip.

Ready to plan? Let’s get prepping.

Table of Contents

Pre-Travel Checklist: What To Do Before Leaving For Vacation

Research destination & pre-trip planning.

Every trip starts with a little (or in my case a lot) of research. It is good to get an idea of what you will be looking forward to or any challenges your family may face. Here are a few things to consider before booking your destination. Then you’ll be all set to go through your travel preparations checklist.

We also like to make a yearly travel vision board to help us focus on our dream vacation that year.

What type of weather are you looking for? Are you looking for a wintery ski destination, some fun in the sun, or mild fall foliage road trip tour?

It’s a good idea to research the average weather and temperature of your destination beforehand, because you definitely don’t want to fly somewhere expecting sunny, hot beach weather, only to find out once you’ve landed that it’s too cool or stormy to hang out on the beach, and you don’t even pack a sweater.

Travel advisories and warnings

Take a look at your government’s travel advisories for your desired destination. They’ll have the latest info on what you need to be aware of from security to healthy risks, recommended vaccines and more.

This is especially important in the time of COVID, as rules, and entry requirements change rapidly.

Rules, etiquettes and cultural norms

Get a sense of the rules, etiquettes and cultural norms of your travel destination. This will help prepare you not only to be a more respectful global citizen, it can also help guide what you need to pack.

Activities & Tours

Many popular tours and activities require advance bookings. Doing a little research ahead of time will avoid the disappointment of missing out on bucket list items, and can even save you money.

Get your kids and partner involved in the dreaming. Ask what they are interested in doing, and have them to help with the research. Watch some YouTube Videos on hotels, activities, things to do in the area you are traveling to.

Language

Learn what language the majority of locals speak. While in tourist destinations you will find most people tend to know at least a little English, people appreciate it when you at least try to say a few words in their language.

Take a class, or brush up on a few common words you can use. We like to take a few courses before we travel and brush up on a few helpful phrase like Hello, Thank You, Where is the Bathroom and How much does that cost?

Rosetta Stone offers popular and affordable language classes you can do from home (or on the road); Try it out here.

Local Transportation Options

Check out the local transportation options. Many places, especially in larger cities, have great public transit or taxi systems, which are easier to use than driving a car.

Or is it a place where you need or want to rent a car, because it’s safer, need to use a carseat, or you plan on doing road trips ? This is good to know ahead of time.

Compare rental car prices and options, auto insurance requirements, and see if there are any discounts available to you through your credit cards, CAA / AAA, professional organizations.

Currency

Different currencies are always a fun challenge. Research what currency you’ll need, the exchange rate, and how easily you’ll be able to access your money abroad.

For most places this is not a problem. However, our trip to Cuba was the exception.

You can’t exchange Cuban currency beforehand, and all research pointed to bringing all the cash you needed. Accessing money while down there through ATMs or the bank can be difficult, so it would have been a stressful situation once we arrived, if we didn’t know all this beforehand.

Loyalty Programs

Sign up for loyalty programs for hotels you like to stay at, airlines you like to fly with and travel points credit cards. Often there are sign-up bonuses, that may even land you a free flight or an extra night or two at no extra cost.

Budget

Working out a budget beforehand can give you an idea of where and how long you can travel for. Planning ahead with a budget can ultimately lead to less stress down the road.

Then you won’t have to pay off a high interest credit card bill, for an expensive vacation you couldn’t afford.

Make sure to include not only the big ticket items like flights, resorts, and hotels, but also factor in meals, snacks, water, tips, souvenirs and activities.

We like to budget out 3 or 4 more expensive items per trip separately, such as special tours, a concert, or fancy meals. Then have a daily per diem to cover food, and miscellaneous daily expenses like bus tickets, tips, water and the like.

Check out how to build a vacation fund for simple ways you can save money for your next family vacation.

Kids School

Check with your child’s school and teacher, to see what the rules are around taking a family vacation . A couple of things to consider. Is it an excused absence? Will your child need to catch up on any missed homework or assignments?

Read Is a family vacation an excused absence from school for all the considerations in pulling your kids out of school.

Photo of travel items; a map, phone, money, camera, map. The words say Overwhelmed by travel details? Pre-Travel Checklist plus Free printable, for stress free planning.

Book Your Vacation

Now that you have settled on a fun holiday destination, now it is the time to book your trip.

Make reservations for your accommodations – hotel, airBnB, VRBO, castle, cruise, resort or wherever you are staying.
Book your transportation – flights, taxis, airport shuttles, buses, trains, transfers between cities and/or hotels
Book activities & tours – some activities and tours book up quickly (like certain rides at Disney), so if there are certain ones you know you don’t want to miss out on, book ahead.

For all reservations make sure you read and clearly understand their cancellation policies BEFORE booking.

Grab your copy of our complete pre-travel checklist template , ready for you to use on your next vacation.

Booking Your Trip

Save up to 90% off flights – Flight deals from well regarded airlines straight to your inbox. Save up to 90% on your flights with Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights). Finding a cheap flight: Check out Skyscanner or Momondo or Google Flights Explore . Search engines that scour the web and airlines for best flight deals. Booking accommodations: Booking.com is a great option for finding cheap accommodations around the world. We also use VRBO to find more unique, home away from home type places to stay. For example: Book your perfect beach house! Travel Insurance: Travel Insurance is important for everything from illness and injury, to trip cancellations or delays and theft. It’s peace of mind and protection should anything go wrong. Safety Wing is a favourite amongst travellers for the under 60 crowd. As always, read the fine print on any insurance policy you buy.

Picture of an Asian Family looking at a world map, planning a vacation.

Pre-Trip Checklist: What to do 3 months before Travel

While you may not always have your vacations planned out 3 or more months in advance, it’s a good idea to give yourself as much time as possible to prepare, especially if you are travelling internationally.

Just move these items to the top of your to do list, no matter how much time you have left to travel.

Check Travel Advisories & COVID Testing Requirements

As noted above, it is imperative you check for health advisories, travel warnings and entry requirements. While this is true anytime, with COVID it is especially important to keep up to date on the changing situation around the world.

You will want to check back regularly leading up to your departure date, to make sure your trip is still possible, and if entry or exit requirements have changed.

Keep an eye on COVID testing requirements for not only leaving your country, but what is also required on your return.

Research government approved testing sites at your destination as well. Being prepared will give you peace of mind and help ensure you aren’t stuck on holiday longer than anticipated. For more info:

Canada Travel Advisories
USA Travel advisories
UK Travel Advisories
Australia Travel Advisories

Pre-Travel Checklist – International Travel

If you are travelling internationally, or use your passport as ID, check to make sure all travellers passports are not expired, and will be valid for at least 6 months past your return date, with at least one blank page.

Double check with your destination’s embassy website, to make sure they don’t have any other passport or entry requirements.

The embassy’s website for your destination will have a lot of helpful information. Look to see their entry and visa requirements.

Make sure you have an idea of how long the process for getting a Visa will take, and if there are any special requirements.

In some cases, you may need to send your passport to the foreign consulate for processing of the visa, so make sure you will not need it during that time. You’ll also want to make sure you have enough time to get all your documentation in order before your trip.

If you are planning on a longer visit, determine requirements at least 6 months in advance, as some types of visas require extra steps (like visiting the consulate in person), and may take longer than expected.

Check back in frequently to make sure visa requirements haven’t changed.

Vaccinations

Are you up to date on your vaccinations?

Visit your government’s travel advisory website (linked above), as they will have all the latest recommendations for safety, travel advice, including vaccine requirements for your destination. The World Health Organization (WHO) website also outlines recommended vaccines based on destination.

Follow up with your local travel clinic, to discuss what vaccines, and precautionary measures may be best for your family. Some vaccines require multiple doses over time, so book well in advance.

Health and Travel Insurance

Extended medical insurance is a necessity when travelling outside the country. Make sure to add this to your list of things to do before travel.

Many employers and credit cards have insurance plans that cover emergency travel and health expenses while abroad. Call for all the fine details. Research and choose an insurance plan that will fit your family size, holiday activities and destination.

Double check the fine print around trip cancellation policies, and coverage for COVID related expenses. Many insurance plans are decreasing and changing coverage due to the pandemic. You don’t want to be caught in an unfortunate situation.

Picture of things to do before travel. Shows insurance papers with passport, and small toy plane on top. A hat, toy car, sunglasses and starfish are in the corners.

Keep your valuables safer when travelling, with anti-theft gear .

Pre-Travel Checklist – Things To Prepare Before Travelling (Anywhere )

Pet and house sitters.

Arrange a house sitter and either a pet sitter or book a kennel or boarding situation for your beloved pets, that won’t be travelling with you.

Sometimes these services are in high demand, especially around popular vacation times like Christmas or Spring Break, so book well in advance.

It will give you peace of mind, knowing your home is safe and your furry family is well taken care of, in your preferred boarding situation.

Create your Packing Lists

Make your packing lists and check them twice. Don’t forget all the essentials!

While it may seem a bit overkill to create a packing list so far in advance, if you have to buy off season clothes or gear for your trip, it can make prepping, and saving money for and on purchases much easier.

Feel free to move this to one month before your trip if you have most or all the gear you need.

Before creating your family’s packing list, there are a few things to consider:

Check on luggage allowances – Does your airline, cruise, train have limits to the weight, and number of luggage pieces you can bring? Are there any extra costs, and are you ok paying them?
Decide how much you want to pack. Are you a carry-on only family? Do you want one suitcase for the kids, one for the adults, or each their own?
Decide on your style of bag: Do you prefer a duffel bag, backpack, suitcase, or maybe a combo. This will also dictate how much you can pack.
Consider your type of trip: Take into consideration the length of stay, weather and planned activities for your family trip.
Decide about laundry: Are you planning on washing your clothes while away, or bringing everything you need? Will you have access to a washer / dryer or laundry service?
Figure out what you can / can’t bring on a plane like waterbottles , sports racquets , magnets and the like.

Most Common Items People Forget To Pack For Vacation

Here is a list of some common items people forget to pack , so make sure they are on your list. These also all happen to be items I have missed a time or two myself.

Toothbrush and toothpaste
Phone, kindle, ipad, chargers
First Aid kit or supplies
Prescriptions and medications
Travel adapter
Copies of travel documents
Warm layer (sweater, light jacket) for sunny destinations
Laundry Bag – I like to keep dirty clothes in a separate mesh bag.

If you forget a few things, don’t panic, most destinations have plenty of options to buy any items you may have forgotten. Cuba however was one destination where you needed to pack everything you needed, as there weren’t a lot of options once you get there.

Buy Essentials Before Your Trip

Planning ahead can save you time, money and headaches.

Here in Canada, finding warm summer clothes, even online, is difficult in the winter months.

Our trip to the Carribean was case in point. Not a lot of options to buy once we arrived, and not many options before we left. If I hadn’t bought a couple of end of summer sale items, we would have been out of luck.

Purchasing a few essentials beforehand can help get your trip off on the right foot. It can help save you money, as you have time to keep an eye out for deals and don’t have to pay exorbitant resort prices to purchase these items.

It can also help save time, if you need to special order anything online.

Some items you may need / want to buy ahead:

For the Kids

Travel Entertainment: Activities, games, crafts, small toys, books
Kids tablet / iPad – load up with fav movies, TV shows, books, podcasts
Weather appropriate clothing & gear (snorkels, rashguards, sun hats, skiis, snowsuits etc.)
Extra diapers, wipes, bottles,
Travel car seat and travel stroller
Travel Booster Seat – We love our compact MiFold Grab and Go Car Booster Seat for travel with older kids (must be at least 4yrs+, 40″ tall and 40lbs)
Infant travel bed
Travel potty & toilet seat (2-in-1 awesomeness)

Toiletry items

Carry-On sized toiletries
Solid shampoo & conditioner bars
Sunscreen
Hand sanitizer

First Aid Kit or items

Pain relievers ( examples: Paracetamol, Tylenol, Ibuprofen). If travelling with kids, pack some for them too.
Bandaids, blister pads, gauze, surgical tape, & antiseptic wipes
Tweezers & small scissors (don’t bring in carry-on!)
Antihistamine & anti-bacterial creams
Loperamide tablets – emergency anti-diarrhea medication
Rehydration Tablets or packets – Pedialyte, Nuum
Motion sickness meds

For the Adults

Weather appropriate clothing & gear
Magazines, books, e-reader subscriptions (and download beforehand)

You may also like 50+ fun gifts for travel lovers of all ages

Pre-Trip Checklist: What To Do 1 Month Before Travel

Get a copy of our free pre-vacation checklist , to make sure you have all the things you’ll need to do in one handy document.

Confirm All Reservations And Bookings

With so many things to prepare before travelling, you don’t want to forget to confirm your bookings.

Now is the time to confirm / reconfirm all reservations, and bookings you made. Look to see if any times or schedules have changed.

We tend to do this 1 month up to 2 weeks before we leave, depending on the travel destination, and the requirements of the various companies.

Flight Times
How you will get to the airport & Pick up time ( friend, taxi, shuttle etc.)
Transportation to lodging
Accomodations
Car Rentals
Bus / Train Reservations
Activities, Tours, & Dining
Pet and House sitters

If you haven’t made any activity, tour or dining reservations yet, do so now. Check discount sites like Groupon, Travelzoo, or local travel sites for deals.

Also confirm any special assistance or requirements, you and your family members may need. Often they require more than 24 hours notice. Double check the amount of notice that is required with your airline, resort or hotel.

Pre-Book in advance:

Special meals – for kids, vegetarians, vegans or any special dietary needs
Assistance at airports – such as porters or transport between terminals
Special Bedding / Room requirements – extra cot, playpen, adjoining rooms, non smoking or smoking rooms, rooms away from the pool etc.

Make A Hard Copy Of Reservations and Bookings

While most reservations are online, and on our phones these days, it’s a good idea to make a hard copy of all bookings, reservations, itineraries. Add emergency numbers, contacts and nearest hospital / clinic.

You never know when you may lose access to the internet / your phone, and need your passport or other info.

Keep a copy handy and in a safe place while you travel, and leave a copy with a trusted friend or family member at home. Taking photos of all important documents is a good backup strategy as well.

Also program “In case of emergency” numbers into your phone , both for your home, and destination.

I like to have the number for police and ambulance, as well as the nearest hospital or clinic mapped out, so in the unlikely event of an emergency I don’t have to scramble for the info.

Car Maintenance

If you are taking a road trip, now is the time to have a little maintenance done on your vehicle. Make an appointment for the car to get checked over; oil change, tire pressure, fluids, windshield wipers.

It is also a good idea to find some ways to save money on your road trip . You don’t want to spend more than you have to.

Medications and Prescriptions

A key item for your pre travel checklist is your medications and prescriptions. Make sure you have enough of your usual medications and prescriptions to last the entire trip plus a week or two extra if possible.

Pharmacies at your destination may have different meds than you are used to, and language may be a barrier.

Here are a few tips to be prepared:

Talk to your doctor prior to your trip, and let them know you will be travelling, and for how long
Ask your doctor to write a prescription for all your medications, preferably renewable for up to a year (or however long you will be gone). Most prescriptions can only be maximum a year.
Make sure they write the American and generic name, doses, amounts etc.
Bring a hard copy of your prescription with you.
Pack your medications in the original containers and place in a one-quart, plastic bag near the top of your carry-on baggage.
Divide the rest into different pieces of luggage, so if one piece of luggage is lost, you won’t have lost all your meds.

Cell Phones & Data Plans

Planning on texting or skyping friends and family back home, browsing the interwebs or streaming a few movies or videos for your kids? Most cell providers these days have fairly competitive international roaming packages for out of country usage.

You definitely want to call your provider and set it up before you leave, so you don’t get an outrageous, surprise international roaming bill on your return home. That’s not the type of souvenir we are looking for!

With so many electronic devices and cords these days, it can be difficult to keep track of it all. Hands up if you’ve ever left a charger at a hotel or a Kindle in the pocket in front of you on the airplane, never to be seen again? No, just me…..ok maybe not.

It’s wise to invest in a small storage pouch, or electronic organizer case like this awesome, affordable Bagsmart electronic organizer . It’s a life saver (or at least an electronics saver).

Pre Travel Checklist – What to Do One Week Before Travel

Exchange currency.

Exchange some currency. It is a good idea to have at least a week’s worth of local currency on hand when you arrive at your amazing destination. Be sure you have some small bills for tipping your taxi or porter at your hotel as well.

Often you’ll get a better exchange rate at your home bank, than at your destination airport anyway. Plus you won’t have to wait in line, exhausted after your days travel, with a bunch of cranky kids, spouse, friends in tow.

Check Pre-Travel COVID Test Requirements & Where To Get One Done

Alot of destinations these days require proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours of boarding.

In the US, visit your . Updated Covid travel rules to look for the latest information on where to get tested. If you are in Canada, visit the government’s website for more info.

Before you leave, make sure all bills are paid up, or that automatic payments are set up, with enough money in the account to cover any expenses while you are away.

Electronics Prep – Download Music, Games, Movies, Books, Travel Apps & Offload Photos

To make those long flights and travel days smoother, especially with kids, download the music, games, movies, podcasts, books you want to keep everyone entertained.

Download and familiarize yourself with any new Travel Apps you want to try out.

If you use your cell phone as your camera, make sure you have enough storage, or delete / save old photos off your phone to make room.

Prepare Your Home

Of all the things to prepare before travelling, home prep is one of the most important, and often overlooked tasks.

Now that all the travel details are under control, you’ll want to start prepping your home. I love returning home to a clean home, with freshly washed sheets and nicely made beds, Don’t you?

Many of these items can be done one week before, right up to the day of travel:

Clean your house; mop floors, clean bathrooms, wipe down counters, vacuum
Run the dishwasher & empty the dishes
Wash and dry clothes, then pack or put away.
Clean your sheets, and make the beds with freshly laundered linens
Empty the garbage and compost bins
Empty out your fridge of perishable items
Water plants
Set your thermostat
Check the heating fuel level (Don’t want to run out in winter!) Arrange for a delivery while you are away if needed

Prepare your House Sitter

I like to have my house sitter and pet sitter over at least the week before we leave on vacation, to go over any routines, expectations and to give them a house tour.

If you have a house sitter looking after your home:

Write out and leave your list of do’s & don’ts
Let them know which room they will be staying in
Leave emergency contacts & how to get a hold of you
Identify any quirky house items they need to look out for
Make sure they know where any emergency shut off valves are (for the furnace, water, propane tank etc.)
Leave the schedule for garbage, compost, recycling, and watering days
Prepare your home for them; clean up, put fresh sheets on their bed, buy some grocery staples, leave the WIFI password

Prepare Your Pet Sitter

If you have a pet sitter:

Leave a detailed note about your pets routine, including feeding amounts and times and walking schedule
Note the contact details for the vet, and dog walking or doggy day care services if you use those
Provide enough pet food and supplies for the whole time you will be away.
Put pet supplies out where they can be easily found; food, leashes, toys, treats

Security Measures: How To Keep Your Home Safe While On Holiday

Before leaving on vacation, you’ll want to take some extra security precautions to make sure your house is safe and looks lived in while on holiday. The best way to do this is to hire a housesitter (or friend) to stay in your home while you are on vacation.

If that is not possible, here are a few things you can do to make sure your house is more secure:

Arrange for a trusted neighbour or friend to collect your mail, water the plants & check up on the house. Ask them to vary the hours they visit, so it’s not predictable.
Put your mail, and newspaper subscription on hold
Set your lights to a timer
Set sprinklers, and watering systems to automatic
Mow your lawn before you leave, so it looks well kept
Lock all your doors and windows
If you have a security company, let them know you will be gone.

Things To Do Before Travel: 3 Days to 24 Hours Before

Preparing for travel. Picture of a family of five sitting, resting their legs on top of their suitcases.

Pre-departure Check-in For Flights

Once you’ve received the email from your airline, complete your pre-departure check-in.

Complete your pre-departure check-in
Choose seat selection
Double check baggage allowances
Make sure mileage account number has been added to each person’s ticket if appropriate.
Print boarding passes

Read and confirm the details of the flights, and that your connections are correct.

You don’t want to end up like the poor woman who thought she was going to Australia and somehow ended up in Newfoundland, Canada. Not that Newfoundland isn’t an awesome place to visit (It is!), just a slightly different experience than the expected Australia.

Choose your seat selection if you haven’t already. We highly recommend if you have young kids, doing this when you book your flight. Most airlines will allow free seat selection for at least one parent to sit with their child.

Check your baggage allowance , and pay for any extras up front. It is often cheaper this way, and means less to worry about at the airport.

COVID Tests

Alot of destinations these days require proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours of boarding. Make sure to get one done from an approved testing place.

Take a trip to the grocery store and buy some filling snacks for your travel day. Ask your kids what they would like too. Less whining = happier parents.

If you have a special diet, or special dietary needs, it’s also a good idea to bring extra so you know you have some safe food to eat on your trip.

Some crafty ways to pack snacks:

Pencil Case
Fishing Tackle Box
Reusable Snack Bags: We love the silicone ones and these cute fabric patterned ones

Now comes the fun part of actually packing. I always feel like this makes the trip more real. It’s a good idea to review your packing list and cull any unnecessary items (especially if it all doesn’t fit in your suitcase).

Pack your main luggage and carry on items
Don’t forget to pack your face masks, hand sanitizer and proof of negative COVID test
Check off the items as you put them in
Use packing cubes . They are a space saver and a life saver. Tip – Have each traveller use a different colour packing cube, to keep clothes organized, and easier to tell apart. Get the ones we use here
Make a list of those last minute items that need to be added right before you leave

Ready to Go! Last Minute Things to Do before Travelling

Make sure all those last minute things are done before you head out.

For a road trip; fill up car with gas, check tire pressure, clean out car, load it up and put out a garbage bag for the trip
Check the weather
Lay out travel clothes for the next day
Charge electronics & pack chargers in an accessible bag
Make sure thermostat is set
Double check doors and windows are locked
Empty garbage cans and compost bins
Check the house for any forgotten items, and pack last minute items
Use the restroom

Conclusion: Pre Travel Checklist – Things To Do Before Travel

While there are a lot of things to prepare before travelling, having a Pre Travel Checklist will keep you organized and hopefully stress free before your vacation.

Have we missed anything on our Pre-Trip Checklist, or do you have any helpful tips to share? Let us know in the comments below, or connect with us on social media. We’d love to hear from you!

Related Articles: Looking for some travel inspiration?

Find out which Hawaiian Island is best for families
Best Travel Backpacks for Kids and Toddlers
A Day in Havana, Cuba (What not to miss)
One Day in Bryce Canyon, UT – Detailed Guide
20 Fun (and family friendly) things to do in Stowe, VT

Packed for Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.ca.

Donna Garrison is the founder of Packed for Life, an ever curious traveler with a passion for making memories with her family. With a unique perspective on travelling on a budget gathered over 30 years, 20 countries and 5 continents she gives families the tools & resources they need to experience the joys of travelling more for less through practical solutions. She helps over 20,000 families a month plan & take the family travel, camping and road trip adventures of their dreams in Canada, the USA and around the world. Contact her at: Donna [at] packedforlife.com

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As someone who just moved abroad, this is very well written and very useful for those of us who love to explore!! Hoping we can travel the world again soon!

Very helpful! Thanks for sharing!

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How To Create The Perfect Travel Checklist In 12 Easy Steps

July 10, 2023 // by Ciara // 10 Comments

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Have you been daydreaming about where your next dream vacation will be? Or what wellness adventure lies ahead of you? While planning a trip and creating a travel checklist can seem stressful with daily to-dos, I find it quite rewarding as it helps build excitement and anticipation before your trip. Plus, I secretly love the process of planning a trip and finding ways to incorporate wellness into the planning process .

Related Post: How I found the Ultimate Adventure at Sea in Ibiza, Spain

Once you’re there, you get to see all your long hours of research and planning come to life. Think of those white dusty beaches along the coast of the Bahamas, trekking through deep green foliage somewhere in Peru, or taking a cross country road trip through the United States. Your windows are rolled down in your car, the sun’s out beaming gently, and Google Maps is directing you where to go. Or in my case, where not to go if you’re on the hunt for vegan food in Bulgaria— but that’s a different story.

(Don’t worry, Google Maps and I eventually worked it out. Together with my husband, we found warm, mouth watering vegan dishes in the center city of Sofia, Bulgaria .)

While we may not be able to travel now, we are able to dream about future trips and plan for exciting times ahead. How do you plan the perfect travel checklist with health and wellness in mind? What are things that you should pack or things that should be left at home?

Combining wellness with a travel checklist

One thing I’ve learned on my health and wellness journey is the art of bringing wellness to packing. At first, it sounded a little strange trying to tie wellness with packing and trip planning. However, the more I practiced it, the less stressful trips were on my mind and body.

Here are some packing travel hacks for the wellness-focused traveler to boost your health and wellness. Whether you’ve planned an adventure road trip or decided to explore the epic train travel in Europe this travel checklist is for you.

Related Post: What is Wellness Traveling? The Quickest Way to Understand

Travel Checklist Guide

Decide how much luggage you are taking.

I photo of me smiling after I finished my packing with my travel checklist

One way to reduce travel stress is by deciding how much luggage you want to take at least two weeks before your trip. If flying, I recommend reading about your airlines luggage weight limit. The luggage weight limits do change occasionally, so always double check before you fly. It will let you know if you get a free 50 lb check-in bag, free hand luggage, or just a personal item with your ticket.

On the other hand, trains have a different luggage limit and allow passengers to carry more luggage. The best part is there’s no extra charge if you need to bring another bag, or two! (I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.) Again, check with your train company for exact guidelines. For road trips, just make sure you can see through your rear view mirror and you’re comfortable in your car.

Decide what type of experience you want and buy travel insurance asap

A photo of me in Cyprus exploring the teal blue ocean

While we can’t pack for everything, we can do our best to pack for what lies ahead. For example, if you know you want to experience an overseas adventure travel at your destination, make sure to include a travel checklist that has options for adventurous items such as: underwater protective phone case, outdoor sandals, sunblock, selfie stick, and more.

After you have an idea of what type of experience you want, buy travel insurance .

In my opinion, it’s better to buy travel insurance as soon as possible just in case you need to change your flight or an emergency happens. Based on the type of travel experience you’re wanting to have (i.e. bungee jumping, etc.) and what your packing (i.e. expensive camera, etc.) you can add in extra coverage for support these.

For those traveling long-term, Safetywing is a great option. Another option is Travel Insurance Master , which is great for short trips.

Side note : If you’re on the fence with buying travel insurance, I get it. It can be confusing and it’s another cost after an expensive trip. BUT, at the same time it’s the best way to safeguard your health and trip. And health is your number one asset. If you’ve got questions, I got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about travel insurance .

Add a copy of your driver’s license and passport to your travel checklist

A photo of a passport which is the number item on a travel checklist.

While traveling is a adventure filled with excitement and new experiences, you probably never want to feel those types of sensations about your personal documents. The best way to safeguard your personal documents, is to make copies. Make a copy of:

Driver license
Credit Card
Medical Insurance
Travel Insurance

Leave one copy of your documents at home with a loved one, and take the other copy with you during your travels.

Research your destination

A notepad, computer and pen for writing down a travel checklist sheet.

Researching your destination will not only help when packing a suitcase, but it will give you more travel tips specific to your travel destination. It will help you select what outfits are appropriate to pack, give you insight into the culture you’re about to experience, and give you more ideas about what things to do in that particular city.

For example, if you’re planning a trip to Barcelona next year —here’s a list of 50 Things To Do & See in Barcelona, Spain to plan out your dream itinerary.

Start packing earlier to avoid pre-trip stress

Yes, it’s a thing! Have you ever been stressed out two days before a trip, running around last minute to buy more items for your suitcase? Or do clothes bombs explode your in room, with clothes covering every inch of your floor? Packing one outfit, then dumping out your suitcase to pack another, only to find yourself finishing up packing at 1 am the day of the of your departure. ( I have to admit, but this used to be my normal packing strategy. )

Packing earlier could be your solution. Not only does it allow you to relax days before your trip to avoid stress (so does essential oils or a massage!), it also allows you to keep your normal routine intact. I’ve found using both of these healthy travel tips combats stress and allows for happier and healthy travels.

Related Post: The 6 Best Essential Oils Every Traveler Should Have

Pack extra clothes in your carry-on

A pair of extra clothes for carry-on luggage

If you have a checked bag, this packing list tip is for you. Sometimes bags get lost, it happens. However, you can be one step ahead of this luggage mishap by packing a spare pair of clothes, and underwear in your carry on or backpack. I’d also recommend packing a couple TSA approved cosmetics in your carry on too. Some zero waste bathroom products that are easy to pack are: mouthwash tablets, body conditioner bars or soap, shampoo bars, and lotion bars.

Get packing cubes or bags to stay organized

I personally love these ones from Amazon! This travel checklist item makes it relatively easy to locate any item in your suitcase since all your clothes and gear now have a home. It also can help you avoid overpacking, since you know what gear and clothes to fit into each cube.

Put flip flops on your travel checklist

A pair of sandals on the beach, a travel checklist must.

This is probably the first thing I check off on my packing list for vacation. Flip flops, or sandals, are extremely versatile. For cold weather, they can double as slippers to keep your feet warm from the cold tile, or bath shoes for a getaway spa day. (I’m a slight germ a-phobe, so flip-flops for a day trip to a spa is a must.) On the other hand, in the hot weather they can be a excellent wardrobe choice for your summer attire, used for a pool day, and if you’re staying at a hostel, say hello to your new shower shoes.

Pack A LOT of healthy travel snacks

Several glass jars filled with nuts and fruit.

Aim to pack healthy travel food that’s high in fiber, protein, and fats. While I’m not a nutrition expert, I can say whenever I’ve used these healthy travel snack tips with my husband, everyone’s tummy and mood seems to be happy. Here’s some snack ideas to add to your travel checklist to help boost your well-being on the road:

Granola Bars
Fresh fruit
Hummus and carrots
A sandwich made with whole-grain bread, avocado, loads of veggies and a protein

Related Post: 4 Quick Steps to Understand a Plant-Based Diet

Pack your breakfast for the next two mornings in your carry-on

Pack-able breakfast items to take on your trip.

Packing your breakfast can be a great way to wellness travel because it allows you to have some normalcy once you arrive to your travel destination. Choosing the right healthy travel food for your trip can boost your wellness and health by giving you the nutrients to refuel your body after a long flight or drive.

Put prebiotic foods on your travel checklist

Prebiotics are a type of high fiber that brings healthy nutrients to the gut bacteria. Some research suggest these nutrients in turn help improve your digestive system , boost your immune system and possibly enhance your metabolism. Prebiotics in food are readily found, and they can be a great addition to your healthy travel food list. Plus they can be found almost anywhere! Here is a good prebiotic food list to get you started:

Don’t overpack

Remember, less is more.

Do you have a secret packing list hack for the wellness-focused traveler? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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Reader Interactions

May 15, 2020 at 4:06 am

I have that same purple suitcase – I Love it! You have some great suggestions here! I need to pick up some packing cubes, they’ve been on my wish list for awhile.

May 16, 2020 at 1:31 am

I always need a good pack list for whenever I travel. Thank you for the tips.

May 17, 2020 at 12:12 am

Ah, this is perfect! I try to travel with only a carry-on if at all possible. That’s a great tip on keeping a copy of your license/passport with you when traveling!

May 17, 2020 at 4:57 am

I never thought about making a copy of my passport and drivers license. I’ll definitely do that next time! 🙂

May 17, 2020 at 9:23 am

Thanks for sharing this. Hopefully, this pandemic will be over very soon so we could all travel safely.

May 17, 2020 at 4:33 pm

Such an amazing packing guide! I just started using packing cubes recently and omg they are such a big life saver!

May 17, 2020 at 5:12 pm

So cool that you mentioned prebiotics, I’ve never seen this before on packing lists! As someone who struggles with gut issues I really appreciate it!

May 22, 2020 at 12:39 pm

I am loving these tips – especially not to overpack and to bring breakfast. I’ve even started doing those for work travel and they are so useful! Can’t wait to get back to travelling again. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!

May 23, 2020 at 10:15 pm

I’ve never really thought of packing cubes until recently and they seem awesome! I will have to buy some for when I plan to travel later in the year.

May 27, 2020 at 7:34 pm

Great advice! I can’t agree more with the packing early tip. Weeks before we go away I throw everything into a tote so I have everything put aside. I also only ever travel with a carry-on so that’s especially important! I can’t live without my packing cubes!

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The Ultimate Travel Checklist | 37 Things to Do Before Your Next Trip

Say goodbye to stressful planning. With this travel checklist in hand, you’ll always be ready for your next adventure.

It's easy to get swept up by the hype when you're planning out a trip. Whether it's international or local travel, daydreams of relaxing on a beach or skiing down snowy slopes can easily occupy your mind. Of course, you won't forget the basics like booking your flight and getting your travel visas in order. Meanwhile, packing lists, house chores, reservations, and transport arrangements take a back seat, right behind the more exciting stuff. As with everything important, though, it's not until you need something that you realize it's not there. Luckily, we've got just what the travel doctor prescribed: 37 things to do before your next trip.

Each item on this list will ensure that everything is in order, from your packing checklist to your house plants. If you’re looking for a quick step-by-step guide, feel free to follow the bulleted travel checklist below. For a more detailed walkthrough, follow along with the video at the end of the list and read on.

A Month Before

Create a travel packing list
Book your accommodation
Apply for an International Driver’s Permit (if you plan on driving in another country)
Check for vaccination requirements
Get an advanced supply of prescription medication
Get travel insurance

A Week Before

Check the weather and change your packing list accordingly
Pack your bags
Notify your bank that you’ll be traveling
Get your finances in order
Make arrangements for someone to take care of your household
Confirm your reservations

2-3 Days Before

Organize your travel documents
Arranging transportation to and from the airport
Share your itinerary, accommodation address, and contact info
Charge your batteries
Double-check your bag
Start adjusting to timezone differences
Clean your house

A Day Before

Take out the trash and any perishables
Pack your travel snacks
Double-check your personal item bag
Unplug the electronics you’ve been charging
Put your bags near the door
Check in to your flight
Download your digital boarding pass
Set an away message for your email
Lay out your outfit for the next day
Eat before you go
Take out any remaining trash and leftovers
Pack up your toiletries
Make sure the plants have been watered and the pets have enough food
Unplug appliances around the house
Grab your phone
Triple-check you have all your essential travel documents
Adjust the thermostat
Grab your bags and go!

A month before the big trip, it's important to decide what gear you'll need, i.e., (1) create a packing list . It essentially acts as a travel checklist, but only for what goes in your bag. Packing checklists depend on a lot of things, such as your destination's climate, duration of stay, personal and work-related needs, and local customs and culture. That last one is a bit nuanced, but a good example would be how temples and other religious sites enforce dress codes that require the head and shoulders to be covered.

At the core of any packing checklist for a vacation (or otherwise) are your absolute necessities, like clothing, toiletries, travel documents, and medication. It’s these items that must go first before you can move on to less essential gear like electronics, cosmetics, and other accessories. If you aren’t sure where to start, you can check out ours—such as our Digital Nomad and Budget packing lists—which are good templates that you can modify as needed.

Once you’ve got a working manifest of everything you need, it’s time to (2) book your accommodation . If your trip coincides with a holiday season or travel-heavy seasons in general, hotel and Airbnb prices usually go up during those times. Additionally, finding a place to stay tends to get more difficult as more and more people book. In other words, it’s better to lock one in as soon as possible.

If you’re traveling internationally and plan on driving a motor vehicle, like a car or motorcycle, you’ll have to (3) apply for an International Driver’s Permit . Procedures and requirements may vary from country to country. The processing time can be a few weeks, so it’s best to get the application process rolling early.

While you’re on the web looking up those permits, (4) check the vaccination requirements for the country you’re visiting. If you’re unsure which vaccines are required and which are recommended, the CDC’s (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) website has an extensive travel checklist and is an excellent resource to get you sorted.

On the subject of health, make sure to top up and (5) get an advanced supply of your prescription medication from your doctor. You never know if you’ll have to extend your stay, and your specific medication may not be available at your destination. Furthermore, it’s important to check the laws and regulations on bringing medicine and drugs into the country beforehand to avoid legal troubles or confiscation.

After you have your vaccination and prescription medicine prepped, one additional layer of readiness you’ll want is (6) travel insurance . Travel insurance coverage varies depending on your provider, but typical coverage includes emergency medical treatment, personal liabilities, and loss of personal items like travel documents and baggage. Again, you never know what could happen while you’re traveling, so it’s best to be prepared in case of an emergency.

A week before your trip is a good time to (7) check the weather and change your packing list accordingly . Weather is one of the most finicky aspects of a travel checklist, as a particular day can go from sunny to rainy in a snap. That said, forecasts are still a safe bet for adapting your packing checklist. After all, what good are flip-flops and shorts when it's going to rain the entire trip? You can still wear them, but you'll be sad, wet, and look totally unprepared.

Now we really get into the thick of things: (8) packing your bags . We've already gone over how you should create your packing checklist, but there's also the question of how it all comes together. Start the process by laying out everything you think you need, then try cutting the quantity down in half. It's never too late to unburden yourself of excess weight, and who knows—maybe the extra space can afford you to bring something you initially had to cut.

Some items need to be packed last because you’ll be using them right up until you leave the house—we’re talking about toiletries, chargers, and house keys—so make sure to save some space in your bag for them. (Psst—that's where this travel checklist comes in handy.)

Once everything’s packed, keep track of your bag’s (or bags’) total weight. If you’re traveling with just a carry-on, airlines have different weight and size limits, so be sure you’re well within them. You can check your bag’s weight by weighing yourself on a bathroom scale with and without the bag then subtracting the difference. If you need a guide for packing a carry-on , we’ve got you covered.

Other than friends and family, you’ll also want to (9) notify your bank that you’ll be traveling . No, you won’t need to shed a few tears of sadness for them like you would for your pet. You’ll be doing this so that they won’t flag your purchases outside your typical area as fraudulent. Tell them the exact dates you’re traveling and where you’ll be. There are few things more embarrassing than having your credit card declined when you’re trying to pay for a fancy dinner; worse if you’re treating someone else.

On that note, check up on any upcoming bills that may come your way while you're gone. In other words, (10) get your finances in order . Don't worry—this won't be as complicated as doing a complete audit; you're simply making sure you're not coming home to find the electricity and internet disconnected.

This one's for the pet lovers and plant havers: (11) make arrangements for someone to take care of your household . Oh, how we wish we could just take our dog and/or three-foot fern with us to the Bahamas. But alas, it's not the most practical idea. The next best thing? Ask a neighbor, friend, or family member to feed and water them from time to time while you're away. Just make sure to bring them back something nice (for the caretaker and the pet/plant).

Someone else who might miss you while you're away is the mail carrier. To keep mail from piling up unnecessarily, you may want to contact your local post office to put your mail on hold if you're going on an extended trip.

While you're still a week away from your trip, (12) confirm your reservations . This not only goes for your accommodations but also for restaurant reservations and any specific events you plan on attending. Last-minute changes to events aren't unheard of, so it's worth re-checking.

Okay, by this point, your hype levels are probably fast approaching critical mass. Hold your horses and passports, though, because there are still a few things to do during these last few days.

Still holding your passports? Okay, good, because it’s time to (13) organize your travel documents . Without these, there is no trip, except to the terminal or station. The documents you’ll want to keep track of are your passport, itinerary, insurance, visas, and tickets. If your everyday wallet can fit all those, then great. If not, passport wallets do exist, and some bags come with dedicated security pockets that can take them in.

The trip from where you're staying and to the terminal probably isn't the one you're particularly excited for, but it's worth prepping for anyway. (14) Arranging transportation to and from the airport is just as important in our eyes, unless you fancy a long walk. To avoid expensive parking fees or taxi fares, you can ask a friend or family member to give you a ride. There's a chance they won't be available on that day, though, so having someone extra as a backup is a good idea. If you’re taking an Uber or Lyft, schedule a pickup in advance so you won't have to wait long on the day itself. The same goes for when you're riding from the airport to wherever you're staying; book it now, so you aren't left waiting needlessly for a ride.

At this point, you’ve already told friends and family about your big trip, but now it’s time to (15) share your itinerary, accommodation address, and contact info . You won’t be doing this to brag, but to make sure they know where you are and how to reach you in case of an emergency.

If there’s something that needs constant attention throughout this travel checklist, it’s the (16) charge levels of your batteries . Even when they're just idling, laptops, smartphones, and handheld consoles like the Nintendo Switch are slowly but surely sipping power. Topping them up just before you leave ensures they're ready when you actually need them.

Okay, now it’s time to (17) double-check your bag . It's not like anything's escaped between now and the time you've packed it a few days back—this is just to make sure you haven't forgotten anything. Plus, it gives you the chance to make a few tweaks to what you've packed and to squeeze in some last few items if you want to.

After you’ve double-checked—and maybe even triple-checked—your bag, you’re probably feeling a bit tired. Too early to go to bed? It may not be the worst idea to (18) adjust now and prevent jet lag . If you’re traveling to a different time zone, you can prepare yourself for the switch by changing your habits. This includes eating dinner an hour earlier or later (depending on the time difference), and the same goes for your sleep schedule.

This may be the least popular tip on the list, but it's worth doing anyway: (19) clean your house . Think your house is dirty as it is? Imagine it days or weeks later when no one's been home to keep things tidy. Trust us, piled-up laundry (worse: piled-up dirty dishes) only becomes more of a chore after you've come back from your trip, exhausted from all the traveling you just did. Do them now.

You've already cleaned the house, expelling all the dirt off of plates, clothes, and any reachable surfaces. But this is the day before the main event, and there's one more thing (or set of things) to throw out. Have you guessed it? Yep, time to (20) take out the trash and any perishables you have lying in the kitchen and pantry. We support eating as much as you want of the perishables since wasting food is just, well, wasteful.

While you’re in the kitchen, you can go ahead and (21) pack your travel snacks . Airport snacks tend to get pricey, and you won’t believe how much you can save just by bringing your own. Just be mindful to pack foods that are easy to eat, not messy, and don't smell. It’s also worth checking out which foods are considered liquids and need to follow TSA’s 3-1-1 rule (we’re looking at you, goat cheese).

Now, (22) double-check your personal item bag , a.k.a your carry-on. This is to ensure your travel essentials are all there, especially your travel documents and money. After you’ve done that, (23) unplug the electronics you’ve been charging , like your laptop, game console, and power bank. By this point, almost everything is packed up, so (24) put the bags near the door where you can grab them and go.

There are just a few more things to sort out before you hit the hay! Before you go to sleep, (25) check in to your flight to save time at the airport. Most airlines have an app that allows you to check into your flight 24 hours ahead of time. Checking in this early lets you pick a good seat, so do that if you haven't already. If you've been issued a (26) digital boarding pass , take this chance to download it to your phone now to save you the hassle later.

Before you put down your phone for the night, make sure to (27) set an away message for your email . That is, unless you’re traveling for work or working remotely . If this is your vacation, turn off all work-related notifications so you can make the most out of your well-earned rest.

Once you’ve put down the phone, (28) lay out your outfit for the next day . Having your clothes laid out and ready will help speed things up as you’re rushing out the door. We don’t know about you, but we move faster just before we sleep than after we’ve just woken up.

At last, we've finally arrived at the day you've been waiting for. It's the main event: the day you actually leave for your trip. Hopefully, you weren't kept up all night by the excitement for your adventure, though we really can't blame you if you were. At the very least, you can go ahead and (29) eat breakfast or lunch to help stave off any hunger that could lead to unnecessary snack purchases at the airport. After you're done eating, (30) take out any remaining trash and leftovers you still have lying around.

Remember when we said some items need to be packed last? Well, it's time to get those aboard as well. After you've freshened yourself up, (31) pack up your toiletries and place them where you can easily get to them when you get to security. Putting them underneath anything else will hold up the line as you search through your bag to get to them, as TSA officers need to check those fluids to make sure they meet regulations. Bring out your packing checklist and ensure all remaining items are in your bag.

And don't forget about your housemates! Namely, your house plants and pets. (32) Make sure the plants have been watered and the pets have enough food to last until your designated caretaker gets to them.

The next tip will help you save money on electricity. (33) Unplug appliances that won’t be in use while you’re away, as they can still sip a tiny amount of electricity if, say, they have LED indicators. This includes TVs, microwaves, coffee makers, and desktop computers. Plus, unplugging will help prevent any potential fires if something accidentally shorts while you’re away. Speaking of unplugging, make sure you (34) grab your phone , earbuds, or Kindle in case you’re doing any last-minute charging.

Yay! You’re almost out the door. But wait! It’s time for another passport check. (35) Triple-check if you have all of your essential travel documents . You can never be too careful in trying to avoid being that person awkwardly digging through their bag at the last minute just before boarding.

While you’re walking towards the door, make a quick (36) walk-over to the thermostat and reduce the temperature . No one’s going to be home, so there’s no need to rack up a pricey heating bill. Needless to say, keep your pets and indoor plants in mind when you’re adjusting this. At this point, consider doing one last pass over this full travel checklist to make sure you're all set to go.

Got all that? Well then, time to (37) grab your bags and go! Careful not to trip in excitement!

If you’re reading this while you’re on a train or aboard your flight, congratulations! 37 travel checklist to-do’s sound like a lot, but once you’ve completed this travel checklist a few times, it becomes second nature. These are tips we follow ourselves and we haven’t missed a beat ever since. No missing passports, accommodations are on point, and the pets are just as happy to see us as when we left them—and it makes the trip all the more worth it.

This travel checklist is brought to you by the Pack Hacker team. We’ve collected these tips through many fun trips and a couple not so fun ones.

December 20, 2021

Author: Jude Miguel De Leon

Miguel loves road trips and actively takes the scenic route to make things interesting. When he's not behind the wheel with a trunk full of gear, you'll find him tinkering with a computer; a hobby he picked up while watching tech reviews starting at age 12. You'll never see him consider a product without being armed with plenty of product research & testing first.

The must-have vacation rental toiletry and bathroom inventory checklist
Owner Resources

Raise the (soap) bar for vacation rental bathroom essentials

Stocking your vacation rental bathroom may seem like a no-brainer. However, your bathroom offers a big opportunity to impress your guests and drive glowing reviews . A deliberate, well-stocked bathroom can mean the difference between your guests reviewing your home as standard or a standout.

When managing your own vacation rental, set up your bathroom for success with the essentials that guests expect, plus some extras that leave them impressed. From the necessities to beyond-the-basics, here is a comprehensive vacation rental property and Airbnb bathroom checklist.

Vacation rental guest toiletries & personal care

Once seen as a hotel luxury, providing vacation rental toiletries shows you’re going above and beyond to make guests feel comfy and cared for. Plus, today’s Airbnb guests are concerned with hygiene. They don’t want to use the same liquids as the guest before them, so stick to travel-size or single-use items. Even if guests bring their own preferred toiletries, offering them in the first place shows you’re considering all the details of their stay.

Travel-size shampoo and conditioner
Travel-size body soap/body wash
Travel-size bars of hand soap

Elevate the everyday and become your guests’ new travel standard. Providing little touches like these can make a stay feel effortless, stress-free, and spa-like. Don’t fret over which brands to use. Guests will likely be impressed by your intention to make their travels easier.

First aid kits
Travel-size body lotion
Travel-size toothpaste (and why not throw in an extra toothbrush, just in case?)
Travel-size mouthwash
Disposable razors and travel-size shaving cream
Shower caps
Single-use makeup remover wipes
Cotton swabs and pads

Inside a vacation home bathroom with a glass shower door in Palm Springs, CA

Paper & linens

A phenomenal guest experience is all in the details. Sure, you may have a breathtaking ocean view. But if you’re leaving Airbnb guests with threadbare bath towels and a soiled shower curtain, the experience could feel downright dingy (and you’ll probably hear about it in their reviews ).

Toilet paper (we recommend 2 rolls per bathroom)
Body towels (minimum 2 per guest)
Hand towels (minimum 4 per guest for today’s increased hand washing)
Wash cloths (minimum 2 per guest)

Vacasa vacation rental towel tip Nothing conveys a luxurious bath experience quite like fluffy, white towels. No matter your decor, we suggest purchasing all white towels for your vacation rental. They match with any color, are simple to clean (just add bleach to the wash), and are easy to replace.

Vacasa can stock your home with plush, hotel-quality towels (and bed sheets!) as part of our vacation rental Linen Program . Plus, we’ll launder them, change them out between guests, and replace when needed.

Stylish and clean shower curtain
No-slip mat for inside the shower
No-slip mat for outside the shower

Vacasa vacation rental tip For that minimalist style that always looks crisp and clean, we recommend white terry cloth floor mats that can be washed after every stay.

The bathroom is just the beginning.

Learn how the right property manager can make your home sparkle: 844‑518‑0967 or [email protected]

Vacation rental bathroom accessories

What’s on your walls and door is just as important as what’s in the shower. Consider what you’d expect in a hotel bathroom, such as:

Hooks to hang clothes and wet towels (or a towel rack)
Clear surface space (remove clutter and any personal items from the sink area)
New shower head (no one likes uneven spray or weak water pressure)
A toilet plunger and toilet brush (hidden from plain sight)
Hamper for dirty towels
Shelves for storing guests’ personal items and toiletry bags (especially important if multiple guests are sharing one bathroom)

COVID-19 cleaning supplies

Today’s guests are obsessed with staying clear of germs more than ever. While you may not be able to overhaul your entire bathroom with touchless controls and motion sensors, there are items to stock in your bathroom to keep your guests feeling safe:

Hand sanitizer
Disposable alcohol wipes
Disinfecting spray and paper towels
Extra hand towels or paper towels to dry off hands

Accessible bathrooms

Consider what guests with mobility issues need in your bathroom to make it more ADA-friendly. Make everyone feel welcome in your vacation home with these additions:

Handrail next to the toilet
Handrails in the shower
A seat that can be placed in the shower
Shelving at a lower, more accessible height

Inside a modern style bathroom of a vacation home with a freestanding bathtub in Palm Springs, CA.

Vacation rental bathroom inventory FAQ

What are examples of amenities that deliver a luxurious guest experience.

Consider what you would find in a luxury hotel or a spa. The idea is to elevate your guests’ stay, while providing some of the essentials that people often forget to pack. This includes fluffy, white towels, memory foam floor mats, and hotel-style toiletries and personal care items such as body lotion, disposable razors, and cotton swabs and pads.

What are basic amenities to offer in my vacation rental bathroom?

Today’s travelers expect vacation homes to cover the basics. Stock your vacation rental bathrooms with these essentials:

Travel-size body soap
Clean towels (for hands and body)
Toilet paper (1–2 rolls per day, per guest)

Does Vacasa have a preferred brand of toiletries?

While we don’t use any specific brand for all of our toiletries, we do use the plant-based Mrs. Meyers Clean Day hand soap in our homes. When shopping for your bath amenities, keep in mind that many of today’s guests tend to favor products that are locally made, eco-friendly, and/or made of natural ingredients.

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When you gotta go: Your guide to public bathrooms during your summer road trip

As more people get the COVID-19 vaccine and the world slowly opens to visitors, frustrated travelers booking flights or planning to hit the road. But as you begin to make plans, you need to consider one frustrating truth: The state of public restrooms could wash all your vacation plans down the, ahem, toilet.

Stay up to date on how the novel coronavirus is impacting travelers and cardholders by bookmarking our dedicated COVID-19 hub page .

Many travelers are gravitating to road trips in the coming weeks and months, as they look to venture out while staying closer to home and avoiding airports and airplanes.

AAA Travel expects a significant rebound in the number of Americans planning to travel this Memorial Day holiday weekend. From May 27 through May 31, more than 37 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home, an increase of 60% from last year, when only 23 million traveled, the lowest on record since AAA began recording in 2000. Despite this, 2021 summer travel still represents 13%—or nearly 6 million—fewer travelers than in 2019.

Related: Not just for flights: Save money on summer road trips with points and miles

Related: Ready to travel? These are the 11 things you need to do before leaving home

Yet even as travelers flock to the nation's roadways, many facilities may not be open. Rest stops and service stations are opening, but it still may be a challenge to find a place to go when you need to, well, go.

Don't poo-poo the importance of apps that help you find " magnificent facilities " along your drive worthy of George Costanza — or products that can help you out in a pinch. And whether renting a car or braving the skies, here's what you need to know about how even public restrooms haven't gone unaffected by the coronavirus pandemic.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

Back to basics

Health and hygiene have never been a more popular topic of conversation. And all the old rules still apply.

"When using public restrooms, consider using toilet paper on toilet handles to flush, as they are notoriously contaminated with fecal bacterial," says Dr. Hanh Le, senior director of medical affairs at Healthline , (also owned by TPG's parent company, Red Ventures). "Also, always wash your hands well with soap and water for at least 20 seconds."

"Toilet seat covers are also handy and provide an added sense of reassurance that you minimize contact with potentially contaminated surfaces, but make sure to not touch the toilet seat cover after you've put it down."

If there are disposable paper towels, opt for those instead of hand dryers, Le advised. "Though hand dryers may feel like the best environmental solution, studies have shown that the strong gusts created by hand dryers actually blow bacteria and viruses throughout the restroom environment, thereby increasing everyone's risk of becoming exposed to fecal microorganisms," she said.

Last, but not least, on the way out, use the hand towels you used to dry your hands to open restroom doors so that you can exit, said Le. "Restroom toilet handles and door handles are typically found to be the most contaminated surfaces in public facilities."

Keep in mind that SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes COVID-19 — may be able to survive on surfaces for some period of time. According to Healthline, the virus can last the longest on stainless steel and plastic (three to seven days) and paper and glass (up to four days).

Related: Prepare yourself: 12 unexpected but significant ways travel has changed

How to find a bathroom

If you've decided to take a road trip or venture into your local area, you may wonder about the availability of public restrooms. Well, there's an app for that. Of course there is. Unfortunately, these apps won't tell you about temporary closures, so you may have to call ahead or take your chances.

Sit Or Squat

This app ( iTunes and Google Play ) was developed by Charmin (yes, like the toilet paper) to help you find a public restroom near you, wherever you may be in the world. With more than 100,000 listings, you can see bathrooms in the list or map view, and filter locations for features such as accessibility , or baby-changing tables. You can also rate bathrooms by cleanliness -- Sit indicates a clean bathroom while Squat indicates a bathroom with, ah, less-desirable conditions.

Bathroom Scout

With more than 1.8 million bathrooms listed worldwide, this app ( iTunes and Google Play ) features public toilets, as well as restrooms in restaurants and other facilities. It offers turn-by-turn directions to nearby bathrooms, the ability to see a Google Street View of the location (if images are available) and you can rate the condition of the bathrooms. The paid version even includes sound cover when using a public restroom.

This free app ( iTunes and Google Play ) covers nearly 200,000 restrooms worldwide. Search for restrooms by map and list view and get directions to ones nearby. You can also filter to see results for bathrooms that require a key or charge a fee. Best of all, this app works even if you don't have an internet connection.

Related: 2 of the best public bathrooms in the U.S. are apparently in airports

Have a backup plan

As the country reopens , so have many public restrooms and rest stops.

But depending on your location, you might discover your favorite facilities are still shuttered. Urban explorers in New York City and Washington, D.C., for example, often turn to Starbucks when in need of a bathroom. But Starbucks is no longer a place to linger, and several locations in the Northeast still have signs announcing their bathrooms are closed. TPG's senior travel editor, Melanie Lieberman, suggests seeking out a Wawa as far north as New Jersey since many locations are open 24 hours a day and you can always pick up a soft pretzel on your way out.

TPG writer Chris Dong recently embarked on a road trip down I-95 to Virginia and noted that the rest stop bathrooms along the interstate were available.

If, however, you're in an area where open, serviced bathrooms are still few and far between, multiple TPG editors recommend turning to big-box home improvement stores or supermarkets for their facilities since they're considered essential and are consistently open. Wegmans, Lowe's and The Home Depot, in particular, get high marks for open bathrooms that are often in tip-top shape.

What to pack

When you know you're going to be using public restrooms, you need to pack for the worst-case scenario, especially if you're venturing off the beaten path.

Bring hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes such as Clorox to-go wipes , since they easily fit into purses, glove boxes and diaper bags and kill 99.9% of germs. Other popular wipes include Purell , or a pack of Germ-X wipes with moisturizing vitamin E. CareTouch makes alcohol-free, fragrance-free wipes that are gentle enough for young children and have soothing vitamin E and aloe.

Because sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer can be in short supply and hard to find right now, consider adding standard baby wipes and DIY hand sanitizer to your packing list, if necessary. Other good items to have on hand are good old-fashioned paper towels, gloves and toilet paper.

And what happens if you just can't find a place to go? Don't worry, you can plan for that too. For families with little ones in tow, pack a portable training seat, such as the Kalencom Potette Plus . And for grown-ups, there's a slew of solutions, including funnels and feminine urinals to help on-the-go women.

Know before you go

If a flight might be in your summer travel plans, there are changes to expect on your next trip through the airport and airplane bathroom, too.

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 30: A touch lavatory is seen on the United Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner at Los Angeles International Airport on November 30, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. In January the new jet is scheduled to begin flying daily non-stop between Los Angeles International airport and Japan's Narita International Airport and later to Shanghai staring in March. The new Boeing 787 Dreamliner will accommodate 219 travelers with 36 seat in United Business First, 70 seats in Economy Plus and 113 in Economy Class. The carbon-fiber composite material that makes up more than 50 percent of the 787 makes the plane jet and more fuel-efficient. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Airplane bathrooms

Many of the world's airlines implemented the International Air Transport Association (IATA) sanitation guidelines , including cleaning lavatories once every two hours (or after being used 10 times) during flight. For high-risk flights (aircraft without HEPA filters, flights originating from destinations with severe outbreaks and flights with a high passenger load, among other factors), lavatories should be cleaned once an hour (or after being used five times) during flight.

Related: What a year it's been — How travel is changing as we hit the road again

IATA also recommends a deep cleaning at the end of a flight, with an emphasis on lavatories and galleys. Surfaces should be cleaned with rags soaked with disinfectant, with separate rags and mops for aisles, lavatories and galleys.

At Southwest Airlines, for example, is using Sani-Cide EX3, a broad-spectrum disinfectant, to clean commonly used areas including lavatories, tray tables, armrests, seat belts, flight attendant call buttons and overhead bin handles before every flight. Disinfecting wipes will be available on all flights for passengers.

Related: Battle of the airlines: Why I think Southwest Airlines is the best

United, American and Air Canada are also among the airlines providing passengers with disinfecting wipes, and Delta has told TPG it's electrostatically spraying and wiping down the lavatories, along with the rest of the plane, between every flight and then again overnight.

Airport bathrooms

Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) has partnered with Flagship Aviation Services to ensure the cleanliness of 11 restrooms in Terminal 3 and 19 in Terminal 4. Approximately 300 cleaning crew are working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to sanitize and disinfect the airport's highest touchpoints, including bathrooms, which are being cleaned multiple times each hour.

Related reading: From cleaning robots to plastic barriers, what to expect the next time you're at the airport

According to USA Today , Los Angeles International (LAX) has issued a statement saying its coronavirus precautions include cleaning and disinfecting restrooms and public areas "at least" once an hour.

Other public bathrooms

(Photo by Daniel Garzn Herazo / EyeEm / Getty Images)

It's impossible to know how clean restrooms are at public places such as hotels, rest stops, gas stations, tourist attractions and even restaurants. But there are some areas in restrooms you might really want to avoid.

A 2019 study by BMC, which has a portfolio of some 300 peer-reviewed journals, found that hand-drying facilities in public washrooms can be reservoirs of drug-resistant bacteria. It's a finding that echoes Dr. Le's warnings. The study also found that washrooms in high- and middle-income areas generally had cleaner facilities and environments.

Bottom line

Unless you're one of those people who can hold it indefinitely, you're probably going to need to use a public restroom if you travel this summer. And if you're traveling, you'll want to know what bathrooms are available and what condition they're in.

One of the key things to keep in mind is that if a public restroom looks very dirty, you should probably steer clear: It could be contaminated, even if not with coronavirus.

"Desperate times require desperate measures obviously," said Dr. Le, "but if you can mitigate your risks, that's really how you'll best protect yourself."

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The Complete Travel Toiletries List
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COMMENTS

The Ultimate Guide to Travel Toiletries (with Printable Checklist)
How to Pack Toiletries for Travel. Step 1: Planning and Preparation. Sample Travel Size Toiletries List: Printable Toiletries Checklist. Step 2: Eliminate. Step 3: Downsize. Step 4: Travel Containers. Travel Toiletries Comparison Chart. Toiletries are a serious struggle for many travelers.
The Complete Travel Toiletries List
A few of these items are personal preference only like hand cream or cotton buds. For guys, this is basically you whole toiletries list for men. Shampoo - Packed in GoToob Travel Bottles if you're traveling less than 2 weeks or traveling carry on only. Conditioner - Packed as above. Hair brush / comb.
The Comprehensive Toiletry Packing List for Trips: with PDF
Check to see if your accommodation provides this to pack lighter. Top Trip Tip: If packing toiletries in your carry-on hand luggage ensure each bottle is no larger than 100ml/3.4oz and placed together in a clear zip-lock bag. A few basic medical items you may like to include are: Sunscreen. Insect repellent.
The Ultimate Toiletries Packing List (+ Free Printable Check List)
7 ounces. Check Reviews & Prices. Premium Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag for Women and Men. $$. *Best overall hanging bag. 8.5 x 4.7 x 10 inches. 10.2 ounces. Check Reviews & Prices. Vetelli Hanging Toiletry Bag.
Travel Toiletries Packing List
Here are some affordable travel hairdryers that get good reviews on Amazon: Conair 1600 Watt Compact Hair Dryer with Folding Handle. BaBylissPRO BABNT053T Nano Titanium Travel Dryer. Conair 1875 Watt Compact Hair Dryer with Folding Handle. BaBylissPRO BABTT053T TT Tourmaline Titanium Travel Dryer.
The Ultimate Toiletry Kit Packing List
Cotton Swabs: Good for everything from fixing makeup to cleaning ears, cotton swabs are essential to pack. Nail Clipper: Revlon's Compact Nail Clipper is ultra-portable. Tweezers: Contrary to ...
Complete Packing List of Travel Toiletries
Hairspray: I shared in this post all about how I take care of my thinning hair and the products that I use. Lotion. Face Wash. Moisturizer. Lip Balm: While you can usually pick this up when you're traveling, it's always when you need it the most that you don't have it. Serums, toners, etc., that you use. Manicure Set.
The Ultimate Toiletries Packing List
Making a toiletries checklist is a must. Credit: @amend_raditya. Essential Toiletries Packing List Once you know what to include in your travel toiletries list, everything will become less overwhelming and you will likely get the most amazing experience on your next journey.. Tip: Make sure the toiletries bags are travel size and are sufficient for any circumstance.
Bathroom Essentials Checklist
Why You Need These Bathroom Essentials. 1. Shower Curtain and Liner. Look for a shower curtain and liner that are easy to clean and maintain. Options that are machine washable or wipe clean with a damp cloth are ideal. Measure the length and width of your shower before purchasing to ensure a proper fit. 2.
Essential Toiletries Packing List 2020
The Ultimate Toiletries Packing Guide. Three-ounce shampoo. Mini deodorant. Itty-bitty body wash. Travel toiletries can be super cute, and if you pack right, they'll also be super helpful, covering all your grooming and body care needs while you're jetsetting. But they're trickier to pack than you might think.
What's In My Toiletry Bag? The Ultimate Checklist
Toothbrush and toothpaste. Hair brush and/or comb. Shampoo and/or conditioner. Soap or body wash. Razor. Deodorant. Sunscreen. Bug spray (only if traveling in jungles, forests, or anywhere bugs might be or malaria may be present) Moisturizer and/or aloe (travel can dry your skin right out)
Travel Toiletries Checklist: Essential Toiletries for Travel
Creating a travel toiletries checklist has helped me immensely. Even if I am packing at the very last-minute, having a pre-made comprehensive checklist that I can print out and check off as I go is incredibly efficient. ... A hanging toiletry bag is a great solution to bathroom areas with little to no counter space. You'll find this a lot in ...
Bathroom Kit Travel Checklist Items
Bathroom Kit Travel Checklist Items These are items that you may want to take in your bathroom kit for your trip. This excludes makeup items which are in a different group. STEP 1: SELECT ALL THE ITEMS THAT YOU WANT TO ADD TO YOUR CHECKLIST ...
The Ultimate Checklist of Toiletries Items for Men and Women
Must have Medicines for Travel. ibuprofen (Fever and Pain) Benadryl (Cough) Antacid (Stomach) Band-aids (Minor cuts) Salbutamol (Asthma) Neosporin (Skincare in outdoors) Eye Drops - Essential if you're catching the 'red eye' flight or driving for prolonged periods. *This is not a medical advice.
Toiletries Travel Checklist: What You Need for a Hotel Bathroom
Here is our travel toiletries checklist: Bathroom Essentials: Thing's you definitely don't want to forget. Some of these might be provided in the hotel's toiletries, just to be safe - pack them. Shampoo, Conditioner, & Bodywash. Chances are your hotel has these three very important items. But in an extended stay situation, you might ...
Bathroom Essentials Checklist for Movers (2024 Guide)
Plunger: Ensure that you have a plunger on hand to address toilet clogs. Glass cleaner: Use a glass cleaner to clean your bathroom mirrors, windows, and shower doors. Look for a cleaner labeled "streak-free.". Spray the cleaner onto a cloth or paper towel and wipe the surface clean.
Ultimate Pre-Travel Checklist: Important Things To Do Before Travelling
Many of these items can be done one week before, right up to the day of travel: Clean your house; mop floors, clean bathrooms, wipe down counters, vacuum. Run the dishwasher & empty the dishes. Wash and dry clothes, then pack or put away. Clean your sheets, and make the beds with freshly laundered linens.
How To Create The Perfect Travel Checklist In 12 Easy Steps
Here's some snack ideas to add to your travel checklist to help boost your well-being on the road: Trail mix. Granola Bars. Fresh fruit. Hummus and carrots. A sandwich made with whole-grain bread, avocado, loads of veggies and a protein.
The Ultimate Travel Checklist
A month before the big trip, it's important to decide what gear you'll need, i.e., (1) create a packing list. It essentially acts as a travel checklist, but only for what goes in your bag. Packing checklists depend on a lot of things, such as your destination's climate, duration of stay, personal and work-related needs, and local customs and ...
Vacation Rental Toiletries & Bathroom Essentials Checklist
From the necessities to beyond-the-basics, here is a comprehensive vacation rental property and Airbnb bathroom checklist. Vacation rental guest toiletries & personal care Once seen as a hotel luxury, providing vacation rental toiletries shows you're going above and beyond to make guests feel comfy and cared for.
Your guide to public bathrooms for this summer's road trip
This free app ( iTunes and Google Play) covers nearly 200,000 restrooms worldwide. Search for restrooms by map and list view and get directions to ones nearby. You can also filter to see results for bathrooms that require a key or charge a fee. Best of all, this app works even if you don't have an internet connection.
49 Printable Bathroom Cleaning Checklists [Word]
Take everything off the vanity and give it a good scrubbing. Scrub the sink fixtures. Include in the scrubbing of your sink its fixtures with a solution that includes baking soda. Aside from the sink fixtures, give the drain block a good scrubbing too. Rinse afterward, then lightly spritz a piece of paper towel with a bathroom cleaner and wipe ...
RV Checklists: Everything you should pack
Hydraulic jack. Jumper cables. Large zip-close bag for documents (license, registration, insurance, rig dimensions/weight, reservation info, RV manual) Level. Leveling blocks. Needle nose pliers. Outdoor mat. Pocket knife. Portable grill and small propane tank.

The Ultimate Guide to Travel Toiletries (with Printable Checklist)

Table Of Contents

What is a toiletry item?

What toiletries can I take on a plane?

What’s the best toiletry bag?

How do you keep your liquids from leaking?

How to Pack Toiletries for Travel

Step 1: Planning and Preparation

Sample Travel Size Toiletries List:

Printable Toiletries Checklist

Travel Toiletries Comparison Chart

I hope you liked this post on the ultimate guide to travel toiletries. Please share with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

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The Complete Travel Toiletries List – Pack Right Every Time!

The Complete Travel Toiletries List

Nice to Have / Trip Specific Toiletries for Vacation

Hair & Beauty Toiletries for Women

First Aid Kit

The 10 Best Travel Toiletries Items

Tips for Packing Toiletries

Printable Travel Toiletries Checklist

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The Ultimate Toiletries Packing List (+ Free Printable Check List)

Essential Items for Your Toiletries Packing List

Re-usable toiletry bottles

A reuseable toiletries bag

A good travel towel

OPTIONAL: A hanging toiletries bag

Toiletries Packing List: Summary

Oral Hygiene:

Contact Solution

Lipstick/gloss

Foundation / Concealer

What NOT to Include in Your Toiletries Packing List

Grab Your Printable Toiletries Packing List

6 thoughts on “The Ultimate Toiletries Packing List (+ Free Printable Check List)”

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City Guides .\33 a132798-3f3b-4585-954d-7e70cf863447{fill:#231f20}

My Philosophy On Travel Toiletries

Packing Light and Carry-On Regulations

Buy As You Travel

Travel-Sized Products

Travel Toiletries Packing List

Toiletry Bag

GoToob+ Leak-Proof Travel Bottles

Shampoo, Conditioner, & Body Wash

Toothbrush, Toothbrush Cover, Toothpaste, & Floss

Shaving Razors and Shaving Cream

Pepto-Bismol Tablets

Travel Wet Wipes

Blister Bandages

Anti-Friction Body Powder

Pain Medicine and Prescription Drug

Hand Soap Sheets & Hand Sanitizer

Makeup & Skincare

Cologne/Perfume

Contact Lens Solution/Disposable Lenses

Hair Care and Styling

Nail Clippers and Nail Care

More Packing Articles

No Funny Business

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The Ultimate Toiletry Kit Packing List

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Dental Hygiene

Shower Essentials

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Miscellaneous

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