Ultimate Travel Must-Haves & Packing List Guide - Maxie Elise (2024)

I’ve been sharing travel must haves on TikTok and Instagram for years and I think it’s finally time to make a master list here on the blog! I consider myself a travel pro with how much I fly and here are all of my favorites when it comes to luggage, carry on gadgets, and travel beauty finds! I’ve also included an exclusive – and very detailed – packing list for each category. If you have an upcoming trip, especially an international trip, you don’t want to miss a thing.

The Best of Luggage

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Beis is one of my absolute favorite luggage brands. I got this three piece set in spring 2022 and I have been obsessed with it ever since! I use the beige roller carry-on every time I fly, and the 29 inch whenever I need the extra space!

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Packing cubes have become an absolute must for me on vacation. I typically use them to separate by category but I’ve also packed by outfit instead! These can also be great if you’re sharing a larger suitcase with your significant other or children! My labeled bags on the left are also so great for longer trips that require more beauty items and accessories. Sorting by each category is so perfect if you ever find yourself forgetting where you packed specific items!

How to pack for an international trip:

  • Makeup in “Face” bag
    • Hair care products in “Hair” bag
      • Skin care products in “Skin” bag
        • Belts, tights and accessories in “Stuff” bag
          • Bottoms in a larger packing cube
            • Tops and dresses in a larger packing cube
              • Swimsuits and coverups in a medium packing cube (if applicable)
                • Athletic sets and pajamas in a medium packing cube
                  • Underwear, bras and socks in a small packing cube
                    • Shoes separated in shoe packing cubes
                      • Bulky jackets, denim and sweatshirts on top

Pro tips:

  • Pack within a color scheme so everything matches
    • Take pictures of the items and keep a list on the Notes app for easy referencing and outfit planning
      • Compression cubes are great if you simply have too much
        • Put the heavier items in your carry on bag if it’s overweight
          • Wear your bulkiest shoes and clothes if they don’t fit in your bag
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The Best of Cosmetics Packing

This Calpak cosmetic bag is my most favorite ever! Everything I pack for my trips is listed below.

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Travel Cosmetic Bag Packing List:

  • Makeup brushes in silicone brush holder
    • 4-in-1 makeup brush
      • Makeup sponge in silicone sponge holder
        • Light up portable mirror
          • Liquid filled makeup removing swabs
            • 3-in-1 makeup compact
              • Lip trio
                • Travel razor
                  • Makeup
                    • Primer
                      • Setting spray
                        • Skincare
                          • Makeup remover
                            • Deodorant
                              • Toothbrush
                                • Toothpaste
                                  • Travel mouthwash
                                    • Floss
                                      • Mouth tape
                                        • Travel body wash
                                          • Travel hair products
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These are two of my favorite cosmetic bags. The Dagne Dover is so great for my skincare products. I use their taller version to fit larger haircare items. This Amazon makeup bag is one of the best. It fits so many products and comes with dividers that you can move and switch out whenever you need to reorganize! Love that the top flap also allows space for makeup brushes and larger palettes.

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My favorite Calpak bag also comes in smaller sizes that can be great for smaller trips – or the lower maintenance traveler lol. Amazon also has great clear cosmetic bags for a more affordable price. This light up makeup mirror is one of my favorites for travel, as well as the silicone makeup brush and sponge pouches. This Beis hanging toiletry bag is also one I’d give 5 stars too because it is so functional and practical – especially for those hotels with the limited counter space!

Carry On Packing Must Haves

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Amazon has some of the best travel gadgets and finds! When it comes to long flights and far trips, these items can make the travel so much better. You can never be too prepared 🙂

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Carry On Packing List:

  • Passport
    • Wallet
      • Lip balm
        • Laptop
          • Tech organizer (see that packing list below)
            • Book or Kindle
              • Eye mask
                • Hand sanitizer
                  • Sunglasses & sunglass case
                    • Headphones
                      • Travel pill organizer
                        • Travel jewelry case
                          • Light up portable mirror
                            • Hair curler in silicone pouch
                              • Makeup bag (if limited space in suitcase)
                                • Jet lag medicine
                                  • Sweatshirt
                                    • Compression socks
                                      • Extra outfit (if you’re traveling to a different climate)
                                        • Snacks (ex. protein bars, pepperoni sticks, electrolyte packets)
                                          • Gum
                                            • (In the bottom):
                                              • 1-2 pairs of shoes
                                                • Emergency kit (see that packing list below)

Having the right bags is step one! My mini convertible weekender from Beis is my all time favorite carry on bag. I love that this shoe compartment and lap top sleeve can be removed – only the convertible bag has this feature! Beis really thought of everything when it comes to this back and it makes sense why it is so popular.

Tech Organizer Packing List:

  • iPad
    • iPad pencil
      • iPad keyboard
        • Kindle
          • Journal or planner
            • Pens and highlighters
              • iPhone charger
                • 3-in-1 charger (iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods)
                  • iPad charger
                    • Kindle charger
                      • Oura ring charger
                        • Outlet adapter (for international travel)
                          • Sticky notes
                            • AirPod earbuds
                              • AirFly adapter (allows you to connect your headphones to airplane TV)
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My tech organizer from Calpak is also a must for me on trips. I love how many compartments it has, I keep all of my chords and smaller electronics in this bag. I love to journal, even when I’m on vacation. So I always bring that along with the staple tools.

Emergency Kit Packing List:

  • Compact travel hair brush
    • 2-3 hair ties
      • Rose deodorant wipes
        • Blowfish hangover remedy
          • White Wipes or Moon teeth whitening wipes
            • Wire earbuds
              • Extra iPhone charger
                • Granola bar
                  • Electrolyte packets
                    • 3-4 tampons of various size
                      • 2 panty liners
                        • Band Aids
                          • Hand lotion
                            • Hand sanitizer
                              • Face mask
                                • Lip balm
                                  • Advil
                                  • Dayquil, Nyquil
                                    • Cough drops
                                      • Floss
                                        • Travel mouth wash
                                          • Gum
                                            • Face mask
                                              • Photo copy of your passport & ID
                                                • Tide stain stick
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My friends and family always laugh at how much I pack – however, my emergency kit almost always comes to the rescue at least a few times on trips! My emergency kit is always packed and basically lives in my carry on at all times. I like to have to have extra’s of the essentials, such chargers and earbuds in case I forget to pack one! But my emergency kit also comes in so handy because you never know what you or your travel mates may need. A sickness, an injury and – let’s be honest – hangovers are always potentials on vacation and I like to be prepared! Airports almost always over charge for these items and depending on the location of your trip, it can be hard to find what you need.

A closer look:

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Shop More Travel Finds Below!

Ultimate Travel Must-Haves & Packing List Guide - Maxie Elise (2024)

FAQs

How many clothes to pack for 7 days? ›

Do the clothing countdown: If you need a mantra to help streamline your wardrobe, use the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule for a weeklong trip: Limit yourself to no more than five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one hat.

What is the 5-4-3-2-1 packing method? ›

Its version of the 5-4-3-2-1 method includes "five tops, four bottoms, three accessories, two shoes (a practical pair and a nice pair), and one swimsuit," though like the Times this formula allows the wiggle room to swap out accessories based on your destination and type of travel.

What might I have forgotten to pack? ›

What are some commonly forgotten travel items? Frequently overlooked items include padlocks, chargers, toiletries, travel adapters, and first aid kits.

What's not allowed on a carry-on? ›

Aerosol cans (except limited quantities of personal care items that are 3.4 ounces or less), butane, fuels, gasoline, gas torches, lighter fluid, strike-anywhere matches, flammable paints, turpentine, paint thinner, arc lighters, plasma lighters, electronic lighters, E-lighters, and replicas of incendiaries cannot be ...

What is the best thing to wear when traveling? ›

Loose-fitting garments are best. If you do opt for something tighter, like leggings, make sure the material is soft and stretchy. Material: Materials like pleather aren't ideal for flying. Stick to cozy fabrics that look nice, like cotton or cashmere.

How far in advance should you pack for a trip? ›

2 Weeks Prior to Departure:

This ensures that everything you want to bring will fit in your luggage and make sure your bag isn't over weight (here are my tricks for dropping your bag's weight). By doing this two weeks before, you have the time to rethink or reduce the number of items you've packed if need be.

What to pack for a 10 day trip list? ›

Follow the 5-4-3-2-1 packing trick, where you pack five tops, four bottoms, three dresses, three pairs of shoes, two swimsuits, two bags, and one of each of a few miscellaneous accessories. If you're opting for a carry-on, mix and match items in your travel capsule and have a versatile wardrobe.

What goes in the zipper side of a suitcase? ›

Pack bulky items like shoes and personal care items on one side and clothing on the other. First, pack clothing that tends to wrinkle on the zippered side. Since it has a flat surface this will lessen wrinkles and the zip closure keeps clothing from shifting and falling out when you open the bag.

How not to pack too much for vacation? ›

You can pack more efficiently by either rolling your clothes individually or packing everything into a bundle. Rewear your clothing more than once, use travel-sized toiletries, and avoid packing a suitcase. Take a rollaboard or carry-on bag instead.

How do you fit 7 days worth of clothes in a carry-on? ›

Pack complimenting clothing.

I have a simple equation for a week of packing – three tops and three pants that all must match each other. This way I get nine outfits from six articles of clothing! Throw in a little black dress, and you're ready to take on any destination.

How many outfits for a 7 day holiday? ›

Pyjamas - one pair should do and you should really only need a pair of shorts and tee. The next side should be for clothes. You will need around seven outfits. Choose first from your "you must take" pile and working down to the "you could live without" pile.

How many PJS for 7 days? ›

Sleepwear. Whether you sleep in t-shirts and sweatpants or complete pajama sets, about two pairs of pajamas will be enough for a weeklong vacation.

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