The Unglamorous Travel Essentials I'm Always Glad I Packed
Updated: Oct 3
Nobody makes a cute flat-lay of laundry bags and eye masks for their travel Instagram. These aren't the fun part of packing. But they're the stuff I never regret bringing, and always regret forgetting, so here's the unglamorous list.
Packing cubes
I resisted these for way longer than I should have, mostly because they felt like an extra step for something a suitcase already technically does on its own.
Then I actually used a set, and realized the difference isn't organization, it's compression. I can fit noticeably more in the same suitcase, and I can find any one kid's outfit without unpacking the entire bag onto a hotel bed first.
Eye Mask
An eye mask that actually blocks light
Hotel curtains lie. They always claim "blackout" and then let in a full strip of hallway light right at eye level. A real eye mask fixes that in about two seconds, and it's genuinely made the difference between actually sleeping on travel days and just lying there staring at the ceiling.
A compression laundry bag
This one earns its spot for the smell alone. Wet swimsuits and worn clothes used to just get tossed loose into a suitcase pocket, which meant everything else smelled like a gym bag by the time we got home. Now it all goes in one compression bag, sealed, and the rest of the suitcase stays like nothing happened.
Wet/Dry Bag A wet/dry bag for the small stuff
Similar idea, smaller scale. This is for the wet swimsuit that needs to come off right before we head to dinner, or the one pair of socks that got soaked walking back from the pool. It keeps the wet thing away from the dry things without needing a whole separate laundry bag for one item.
Quick Dry Towel
A towel that actually dries
Regular towels stay damp forever in a suitcase, and a damp towel packed next to your clothes is how everything ends up smelling faintly like a wet basement by day three. A quick-dry towel solves that on its own, no extra plastic bag required.
Water Bottle
The water bottle, again.
Yes, it's the same one from my beach bag list. That's kind of the point. It comes on the plane, it sits by the hotel bed, it rides in the beach bag during the day. One bottle, everywhere, so Ihttps://geni.us/2adAgky'm not hunting down a different one for every part of the trip.
Laundry soap sheets
I used to either overpack detergent "just in case" or completely forget it and end up hand-washing something in hotel shampoo at eleven at night. Laundry sheets solved both problems. They're flat, they take up
almost no space, and there's always exactly enough for the trip because I can just count out what I need before I leave.
None of this is exciting. It's not the part of packing anyone posts about. But it's the difference between coming home to a suitcase that just needs unpacking, and coming home to a suitcase that needs to be aired out on the porch first.
If you want the rest of what actually goes in our suitcases, the full list is right here.
Below is the full packing list, broken down by category so you can work through it section by section, or just skim for whatever you're missing.
Wherever I've got a product I actually use and recommend, the item is clickable and will take you straight to my pick on Amazon — I'm still adding links as I go, so not everything is linked yet.
One thing I want to say up front: you do not need to pack every single item on this list. Nobody does. Think of this as a helpful starting point, not a mandate. Pull from it based on what actually makes sense for your family's life stage.
If your kids are older, skip the swim vests and the airplane bed. If there's no pool where you're headed, skip the floaties. This is here to make the "what the heck do I even pack" spiral easier, not to give you one more thing you have to fully check off.
And if you'd rather have this whole thing as a printable to check off by hand, grab your free copy below before you dive in.
Want this whole list in one place?
Grab the free printable version — one page, ready to check off by hand, perfect for taping inside your suitcase lid or sticking on the fridge while you pack.
Footwear
♡ Sandals/Flip-Flops
♡ Sneakers/Walking Shoes
Clothing
♡ Swimsuits
♡ Cover-Ups
♡ Underwear
♡ Socks
♡ Bras/Undershirts
♡ T-Shirts
♡ Casual Shirts
♡ Shorts
♡ Pants/Jeans
♡ Dresses/Skirts
♡ Belt
♡ Workout Clothes
♡ Tank Tops
♡ Rompers
♡ Shawl/Pashmina
♡ 2-3 Going-Out Outfits
♡ Statement Jewelry/Accessories
Toiletries & Personal Care
♡ Toothbrush
♡ Toothpaste
♡ Floss
♡ Body Wash/Soap
♡ Shampoo
♡ Conditioner
♡ Deodorant
♡ Face Wash/Cleanser
♡ Moisturizer
♡ Razor
♡ Shaving Cream
♡ Hair Accessories
♡ Make-Up
♡ Perfume
♡ Contact Lenses
♡ Period Care
♡ Q-Tips/Cotton Pads
Health, Safety & First Aid
♡ Personal/Prescription Medications
♡ Talk to Pharmacist: Dukoral/Twinrix
Hydration, Snacks & Wellness
Beach & Swim Gear
Tech, Charging & Entertainment
♡ Tablet/Charger
♡ Multi Charger
♡ Group Playlist: Downloaded Ahead
Sleep, Comfort, Packing & Laundry
Documents/Money & Pre-Trip Prep
♡ Passports
♡ Driver's License
♡ Boarding Passes
♡ Health/Insurance Cards
♡ Itinerary
♡ Hotel Reservations
♡ Rental Car Confirmation
♡ Dinner Reservations/Excursions
♡ Emergency Contacts List
♡ Cash/Credit/Debit Cards
♡ Travel Insurance Documents
♡ Currency Exchanged Before You Go
♡ Toll/Parking Cash
♡ Pet/Plant/House Sitter Info
♡ Copies of Important Documents
♡ Mail Hold/Stop Delivery
♡ Home Lighting Schedule (Break-In Deterrent)
♡ A Way to Split Costs (Venmo/e-Transfer)
♡ Country Arrival/Departure Paperwork (if applicable)
♡ Customs App Downloaded and Filled in (if applicable)
♡ Final Home Check - Doors Locked
Made it through the whole list?
Grab the printable version so you're not scrolling back through this post every time you pack. One page, free, ready to check off by hand.
That's the whole list. Again — take what's useful, leave the rest.
Before you go...
Don't forget your free printable copy of this checklist — perfect for taping inside your suitcase lid so you've always got it on hand.
If there's one thing you'll learn about me, it's that I love finding things that make life feel a little easier. I'm grateful you're here and I hope you found something helpful. Wishing you comfort, calm, and a little less overwhelm wherever life takes you. Ashley
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