Packing

Luggage

What you pack depends on the activities you are participating in, the type of location, the weather, the length of your trip and access to laundry facilities. Keep your packing simple and conservative so you blend in.

Make sure what you pack is a manageable weight, as you’ll have to carry what you take. Backpacks and suitcases on wheels can lighten your load. Many suitcases and duffle bags look alike, so tie a bright colored string or strap to identify your luggage so you can see it easily and others will not mistake your luggage for theirs.

Include a luggage tag or sticker with your home address and the address of your destination, which will help a lost bag catch up to you during your travels. 

Guidebooks & Maps

There are a number of guide books depending on your preference: Lonely Planet Travel Guides, Let’s Go Travel Guides, Fodor’s Travel Guidebooks, Frommer’s Travel Guides, Rough Guides, etc. Many of these guidebooks can be downloaded from the author’s website for a fraction of the cost of a paper copy.

Guidebooks supply information on the history, culture, and geography of your locale and also provide local maps and helpful suggestions on restaurants, accommodations and attractions.

Clothing & Personal Items

Before packing, we recommend you review luggage restrictions for your flight and pack accordingly. International flights may allow more luggage than domestic flights. If you are planning to fly domestically once you reach your host country, pack with the domestic restrictions in mind otherwise you may have to pay for excess luggage. 

Note: if your luggage is being transferred from an international flight to a domestic flight, the domestic carrier will likely accept the larger luggage amount from the international carrier. However, if you are arriving on an international flight and checking in on a domestic flight, the domestic luggage allowance will likely apply.

The following list should help you with your packing but check the rules for what can be carried in your carry-on luggage.

Clothing

1 pair of walking shoes (break them in before you go to avoid blisters)
1 pair of flip flops (showers may not be as clean as you had hoped)
1 pair of good shoes/sandals (for going out on the town)
3-5 pairs of socks
1-2 pairs of shorts
2 shirts
1 rain jacket or umbrella
1 bathing suit
1 semi-nice outfit
5-7 pair of underwear
2 skirts/trousers
1 sweater/sweatshirt
1 light jacket
1 hat

Personal Items

Prescription medications (in carry-on luggage)
Glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses and cleaning solution
Comb and brush
Toothbrush, dental floss, toothpaste
Deodorant
Soap and shampoo
Cosmetics
First aid kit
Kleenex
Razor
Small manicure set
Ear plugs
Lip balm

Miscellaneous

Swiss army knife (in checked luggage)
Camera
Small flashlight
Travel alarm clock
Address book
Money belt or neck wallet
Moist towelettes
Electrical adapter plugs and voltage converter
Travel hairdryer
Travel guide book
Water bottle
Carry bag