Family holiday packing list: what belongs in your suitcase?
Family packing is easier to follow when you plan the trip before opening the suitcase. A useful packing list separates each traveller’s belongings from shared equipment and the things you will need along the way.
Start with the details of your trip
How many days are you going for? Where will you stay, how will you travel and what will you do? A week in a self-catering apartment needs a different list from a hotel weekend. Before leaving, check the weather forecast for your destination and find out what your accommodation provides.
Laundry facilities, towels, a travel cot or a high chair can make a real difference to what you bring. Cross off anything you have confirmed will be available.
Give every traveller their own list
Instead of one long list of clothes, separate the adults’ and children’s items. Their routines and the quantities they need will be different.
- Clothes: underwear, socks, everyday outfits, nightwear and layers for the weather.
- Shoes: familiar, comfortable footwear for your planned activities.
- Toiletries: a toothbrush and the personal products each traveller regularly uses.
- Personal essentials: glasses, a favourite bedtime toy or anything else they rely on.
Work out quantities from the number of days, laundry options and each person’s habits. Make extra outfits a deliberate choice, too.
Keep your journey essentials within reach
Set aside an accessible bag for drinks, snacks, tissues, a change of clothes and a small activity. A favourite toy is much more useful there than at the bottom of the largest suitcase.
Tick an item off when it is actually in the bag. Something laid out on the kitchen counter can still be left behind.
Give your next trip a head start
After you get home, take a few minutes to note what you missed and what stayed unused. Your own experience will make the next list more useful than another generic checklist.
In Packing What, you can save each traveller’s always-needed items and daily quantities. For the next trip, you can add suggestions based on your destination and activities.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start my packing list?
As soon as you know the main details of the trip. Collect items first, then check the forecast and accommodation facilities before departure.
Does every family member need a separate suitcase?
Not necessarily. Individual lists still help when you share a suitcase: you can see whose belongings have already been packed.
