We recently wrote a roundup of what guys should be packing for a couples trip. When we started to write that article, we planned to just have one big article for men and women but it quickly became apparent that splitting it up would be much more useful for everyone. Here are our thoughts on the best things for women to pack for their trip.
For anyone, the enemy is always over-packing. Put things together based on the number of days you’ll be away, but remember that you can launder stuff while you’re there and if you forget something, you’re not going to feel bad spending $15 at the drug store. You will feel bad if you lug around an extra 30 lbs of stuff, “just in case” you need it.
Other general ideas are to think in terms of items that are interchangeable and work well together. Items that do double duty like wraps can be useful in a variety of ways. Also think about layering and buttoned or zippered items rather than pull overs – if you’re chilly, add a layer; if you’re hot, remove one.
Clothing Items
- 5–7 simple tank tops and/or t-shirts/polo shirts that can easily mix and match with shorts, pants or skirts.
- 2–3 pairs of shorts of varying lengths.
- Two long skirts or dresses
- 2–3 pairs of light cotton pants and/or leggings – avoid jeans in hot or humid climates.
- A set of pajamas and any lingerie you’d like to bring
- Sufficient amount of underwear that will last you at least a week. Six pairs of panties, two bras and two sports bras
- Two bathing suits or swimwear
- Two pair of thin socks and one pair of athletic socks for hiking or running
- One pair of hiking boots and/or sneakers for running depending on the activities you have planned.
- One pair of flip-flops or sandals, preferably waterproof for wear by the water
- A hat to cover your face and a pair of sunglasses
- A big scarf or wrap for covering up and cooler evenings
Toiletries
Keep in mind that if you carry items on the plane that liquids and gels are 3.4 ounces or smaller and put in a one quart plastic bag for TSA.
- Deodorant
- Lotion
- Face Routine Items
- Hair Styling Products
- Makeup
- Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
- Razor
- A spare pair of contact lenses if you use them + contact solution.
- Feminine products
- Hand Wipes (great for clean ups of all sorts)
- Melatonin – only if you’re traveling across multiple time zones.
Medical Supplies – similar to the list for guys. Coordinate so you don’t double up on these things but make sure one of you has these.
- Bandaids and Antibiotic Ointment
- Pain Reliever – I’m an Ibuprofen kind of guy
- Antacid Tablets – Tums help if that spicy dinner was a little too much
- Pepto Bismol or Imodium Tablets – if you have an upset stomach, nothing is worse than needing it and not having it, let’s leave it at that.
- Hand sanitizer
- Sunscreen and insect repellent – I don’t like bugs and my Irish heritage leads to bad sunburns without plenty of sunscreen. Sunburn = misery, need I say more?
- Lip balm – doesn’t take up much space, grab the kind with sunscreen built in.
- Hydrocortisone cream for itches
- Allergy medicine (I’m a mess in the spring without Claritin, so bring whatever will keep you feeling good).
- Birth control, if that’s a factor for you. If not, it’s one less thing to pack.
- Prescription medication – keep them in the original bottles and be aware of local regulations on what you’re taking.
- Motion sickness medications – I don’t usually get seasick, but if you do or you’re not sure, bring some along to make that afternoon outing more enjoyable.
Gear/Miscellaneous
- Mobile phone & charger
- Laptop if you need to do work, but if that doesn’t apply or you’re going to worry about it for the whole week, just leave it at home.
- Headphones – I like earbuds for running and casual use, but if you’ve got a long plane ride, a set of noise-cancelling over the ear headphones are hard to beat.
- Small flashlight (AA battery size). These are pretty handy in a variety of situations when you’re traveling and don’t take up much room at all. We like the Mini Mag Light since they’re nearly indestructible and made in the USA.
- Book to read – leave your hulking set of Encyclopedia Britannicas at home. A paperback or two that you can leave when you’re done is ideal.
- Travel documents like your passport, tickets, and hotel confirmations.
- Foreign currency for where you’re heading and credit cards to pay for your trip.
- Plastic bags – good for dirty laundry, wet clothing or any number of things. I usually bring a couple smaller zip lock bags and a couple of supermarket/drug store size bags. They don’t take up any space and have a lot of uses on the road.
Optional Items
- A collapsible duffel bag you can use to haul souvenirs or shopping purchases back home with.
- Umbrella/rain gear – depending on where you’re heading and the forecast, this may be helpful or not.
- Heavier jacket. If where you’re heading is a little chillier than a zip front sweatshirt will bear, having a top layer that you wear on the plane may make sense. Ditto for gloves, a scarf and winter hat.
- Camera – smartphones have gotten so much better for pictures in the past few years, that bringing a separate camera isn’t really a necessity. That said, if you’re a shutterbug or want high quality photos or video from your trip, bring it along. Don’t forget extra memory cards and whatever chargers/cords are needed.
- Stain stick/stain remover. Some people swear by them, some people not so much. I usually skip them, but it does help to use one in a pinch.
- Refillable water bottle – good for avoiding over priced water at the airport or at a touristy destination. Just, be sure you are aware of the water quality in the place you’re filling it from.
- Eye mask/ear plugs. Some people can fall asleep anywhere. Others are more bothered by their surroundings. If you need a bit more seclusion, these can help.
- Power adapters/converters. Only necessary if you’re traveling to a location operating with different plugs or voltage than your home country.
- Maps, guidebooks, phrasebook – this depends on where you’re going. If it’s a week at an all-inclusive resort, you probably aren’t going to need this. If you’re traveling to a foreign city and want to see the sights, these are likely must haves, although many tourism bureaus in-country have free maps and guides available for the asking.
- Snacks – I don’t mean you need to clean out the junk food section of your supermarket. I usually just pack a couple of protein/granola bars – if your next meal is too far away it takes the edge off and makes you much less grouchy.
