The Ultimate Summer Trip Packing List

Summer is the best season of the year to plan a trip with your family or friends. No matter your travel destination, summer vacations ensure a fabulous time.

From rolling out the beach towels on a soft sand beach to sipping refreshing drinks at your poolside bar to swimming with sea turtles along a coral reef to sampling delicious local food and so much more gasp, wheeze, the trip can help you make unforgettable memories worth remembering for a lifetime.

Whether exploring your own country or planning an international trip, you should pack everything required to travel smartly, safely, and with style on your next summer vacation. Ready your summer trip packing list!

So without any further ado, let’s take a closer look at this champion among packing lists for details.

Essential Things You Should Pack for Your Summer Vacation

1. Travel Credit Cards

Access to cash, debit cards, and credit cards is critical for having a safe and fun time abroad. There is a wide range of credit cards with varying benefits.

Some credit cards offer liability protection, rewards, extra air miles, tie-ups with some airlines, hotel discounts, quick transactions, and the peace of mind you need the most while traveling. 

Also, several credit cards offer a range of benefits to consumers. For instance, American Express Platinum or Amex Platinum. This credit card offers unbeatable travel and lifestyle benefits to users. 

2. Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a must-have if you want a safe and fruitful summer trip. It provides coverage against all potential risks, especially when traveling internationally.

There are several benefits of having travel insurance, such as:

• It can cover unforeseen medical expenses. 
• It can ensure hassle-free trip cancellation.
• It can cover risks, like loss of passport or baggage. 
• It can cover any delays in travel abroad.
• It can be a great help in case of emergency assistance. 

Overall, travel insurance provides an additional layer of protection against all financial losses. So if you have travel insurance, make sure to keep all the details handy as you might need them anytime. 

When choosing the best travel insurance plan for your next trip, consider going with World Nomads and InsureMyTrip. Both of these insurance plans are designed to cover all your trip essentials, and we’ve used them a bunch. 

See Related: Best Family Travel Insurance Plans

3. Trolley Bag

A bag is a must-have item for every trip. There are many options, from backpacks to suitcases to trolley bags and others. For your convenience, it is suggested to go for a bag with wheels—for instance, a trolley bag.

Trolley bags are the most comfortable ones and make carrying or moving your stuff easier. Consider the material and size of the bag while making your final selection. The material should be high-quality and durable.

Also, check if the suitcase is spacious enough to fit all your clothes, cosmetics, or other stuff.

4. Shoulder Bag or Handbag

You can’t go on a summer trip without a bag. It is a strong choice for women to look cool and stylish while exploring the holiday destination. Since there’s a vast list of bags, choosing one for your trip can be difficult.

Though there are varying options, a basket, crossbody bag, turtle tote, or colorful shoulder bag could be your best pick. Carrying one of these bags is a great idea to keep all your essential things handy, such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and a scarf.

Additionally, do not forget to check the size, weight, style, and functionality of a bag before placing your order.

See Related: Best Travel Totes

5. Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are containers that help save space in your luggage. They are the best way to organize your things while on the trip. Packing cubes come in different shapes and sizes, making it easy to contain different-sized items.

You can use them to keep all kinds of gear rather than just storing clothes. These cubes can also help avoid overpacking by offering separate space for each belonging.

For example, think about one for your travel-size toiletries like lip balm, wet wipes, eye drops, hand sanitizer, one for your camera and spare memory cards, and one for snacks.

Also, packing cubes come in sets and fun colors. Depending on your items and needs, you can choose any set to keep your things organized.

6. Summer Clothes

The attire you carry with you on a summer vacation can take the fun to the next level. Styles that can work best for women include:

They can also pack a pair of slide-on sandals, sneakers, flip flops, closed-toe shoes, and crocs.

On the other hand, men can carry some beachwear, lightweight pants, shorts, floral shirts, and t-shirts. They should also pack belts, shoes, crocs, and socks.

Also, consider packing sunhats and bathing suits, and take at least one pair of rugged jeans or long pants and a light jacket or sweater for chilly summer nights and air-conditioned rooms.

Moreover, bear in mind that lighter clothes are not only better for warm weather, they’re easier to fold, pack, and carry.

See Related: Best Travel Blazers for Comfort, Style, and Practicality

7. Sunscreen or Sunblock

Exposure to the direct sun can cause sunburn, age spots, wrinkles, or skin cancer. If you don’t want to risk any of these skin-related issues, carry sunblock with you.

Sunscreen can protect your skin from tanning or sunburn. It also builds a protective layer between your skin and harmful UV rays of the sun to prevent any permanent damage.

There’s a wide variety of sunscreens available in different sun protection levels, from sunblocks with SPF 10 to SPF 150. The closer you are to the sun, a sunblock with a higher SPF level will be needed for maximum protection from harmful UV rays.

Overall, if you don’t want to return home with severe sunburn or painful tanning, you must carry sunscreen with a high SPF level in your bag. Keep applying it on your face and exposed body parts after some intervals to ensure proper sun protection.

Just in case you do get burned, bring along a bottle of aloe vera gel to soothe those sun sores.

8. Sunglasses

When it comes to sun-related damage, most people are often concerned about their skin only. But they forget about another important body part – the eyes. Whether traveling within your city or vacationing abroad, a pair of sunglasses is another must-have accessory for your summer vacation.

Sunglasses make you look cool and help avoid having to squint in the sunshine. Moreover, they serve the most crucial purpose, i.e., protecting your eyes from UV damage.

Therefore, buy sunglasses that can block 100% of both UVA and UVB radiations to protect your eyes. Also, keep your sunglasses carefully in a protective cover when not in use.

See Related: Best Travel Sandals for Beach Destinations

9. Filter Water Bottle

It’s always important to stay hydrated, especially during the heat of summer. If you’re planning a summer trip to another country, it is not always recommended to drink tap water.

Due to the change in atmosphere, water source, and level of filtration, you may feel sick (or get genuinely sick) after drinking tap water. The solution is to drink filtered water on your summer holiday.

Buying filtered water bottles throughout your vacation may cost you a fortune, especially when you are on a budget. The best way is to buy a reusable water bottle – one with its own filter!

A filter water bottle from a reliable brand can clean around 99.99% of impurities present within unfiltered water, making it drinkable.

Carrying a filter water bottle with you on your trip can help you lower or eliminate the cost of buying filtered water. It also ensures the availability of potable water on the go with convenience.

In addition, having your own filter water bottles not only saves you money but also helps you protect the environment by eliminating the use of single-use plastic water bottles.

10. Insect Repellent

Most people remember to carry sunscreen or other items on a summer trip but forget bug sprays behind. Since there are several insects or bugs out there during summers, they can ruin your overall experience if not taken proper precautions.

An insect repellent can protect you from insects that spread dengue, malaria, yellow fever, chikungunya, or other diseases. Buy a bug spray and apply it on your skin or clothes to repel insects. Consider reapplying it if the waves wash the cream off to ensure maximum protection.

If you’re looking for a more natural option, try coconut oil or tea tree oil.

See Related: Best Tumi Travel Kits

11. Portable Phone Charger

Cellphones play a crucial role in our lives. Whether you’re an Apple or Android user, your phone has your entire life saved within it.

From finding emergency contacts to clicking pictures to posting new photos on social media to enjoying Netflix to browsing the internet, our daily life revolves around our cellphones.

A phone needs to be charged from time to time for proper utilization.

The hustle of forgetting or misplacing your phone’s charger can create a distressing situation and ruin your overall fun. That means you need to pack a charger to keep your phone charged and capture all the moments throughout the trip.  

You can also carry a portable charger as a backup battery. Toss it in your handbag/tote bag/small backpack or whatever you decide to carry on, and keep charging your phone when you’re on the go.

12. Vanity Box

Beauty products are a must, no matter where you go. As you have different cosmetics, having a vanity box is an excellent idea to store them.

A cosmetic bag can accommodate everything from body lotion to the foundation to bronzer to lip shades. It also makes it convenient for you to carry around your stuff. As there are multiple compartments, cosmetic bags are great for avoiding mess.

Also, cosmetic bags come in varying styles, sizes, and colors. You can pick any size based on your needs. Overall, they are essential to keep your beauty products safe in one place.

See Related: Best Beach Bags with Cooler

13. Umbrella

Umbrella is another essential item on the summer trip packing checklist. You might face scorching summer heat while exploring a coastal region. This is where a travel umbrella comes to the rescue. It can provide maximum protection from the UVA and UVB sun rays.

Not only this, but an umbrella can also keep you dry in the rain during your summer trip.

14. Wipes

Traveling during summer can be really annoying due to the heat. That’s why wet wipes are another must-have item on the summer trip packing checklist.

You can consider carrying deodorant wipes to clean sweat and stay fresh throughout. They come in small packages, allowing you to toss them easily into your daypack or checked luggage.

Apart from deodorant wipes, consider keeping sanitizing and disinfectant wipes in your bag to ensure hygiene and good health.

15. Underwater Camera

Summers are all about enjoying water-based activities. Your underwater moments can be the best memories when on a summer trip with family or friends. If you want to keep these memorable moments with you for life, consider capturing them.

You can use a reasonably-priced water-resistant camera to capture all your water-based fun. Also, make sure the camera is lightweight and compact to carry it with you everywhere you go.

See Related: Best GoPro Accessories for Travel

16. Toiletries

Though basic toiletries are available in hotels you book, packing your own is a must when going on a summer trip.

As we all know, sweating is more apparent during summers. Therefore, it’s crucial to pack your favorite shower gel, mist, perfume, and other toiletries to smell fresh and remain sweat-free all day long.

Also, do not forget to put summer travel essentials like a hairbrush, moisturizers, and tampons. You should pack everything carefully to avoid having to buy any of these items at your holiday destination.

See Related: Best Travel Toiletry Bags

17. Travel Documents

Another necessary item is travel documents. You need to have a hard and soft copy of all the required documents for a hassle-free journey. Travel documents are essential as they allow you to enter a foreign country and re-enter your home country. 

Though the list could be vast, some mandatory documents for international travel are a passport, travel visa, identification documents, air tickets, proof of booked accommodation, and travel insurance details. 

Without proper documents, you will have to face some troubles. For instance, if you’re traveling abroad, you will not be allowed to leave your home country. Or you could be stuck in another country until you arrange replacement documents. 

Overall, arranging all needed documents and keeping them together is recommended for a hassle-free traveling experience.

18. First Aid Kit

A well-stocked travel first-aid kit is another must-have item on a summer vacation packing list, especially if you are camping or visiting somewhere far from medical centers. Travel first-aid kits might even save you a trip to the emergency room, even if you are near a hospital.

A good travel first-aid kit can help you handle minor injuries or accidents as quickly as possible. These situations can be minor cuts, bee stings or bug bites, allergic reactions, or burns.

Also, keep your first-aid kit easy to find and in a secure container – both of these rules ring especially true if you are going on a camping trip.

See Related: Best Minimalist Travel Accessories for Traveling Light

19. Daily Vitamins & Supplements

If you have a medical condition like Eczema, Asthma, Sinus, or sleeplessness, carrying your medicines is mandatory. It can help you deal with unexpected sickness or allergies in a foreign land.

Carrying your supplements is essential because the medication you take might not be available in other countries. Therefore, consider packing everything you may need, including prescribed medication, pain relief, vitamins, antacids, or birth control.

Also, make sure to bring enough medicine that can last your entire trip. Moreover, keep the medications in their original containers to avoid any hassle, or get yourself a pill organizer.

How to Plan a Successful Summer Trip?

Well, you must follow some quick tips to plan a fun and successful summer trip. For instance, you need to do the following things:

• Make a travel checklist and collect all required items. 
• Do the research and ask questions about your travel destination. 
• Stay updated with weather conditions. 
• Check for local events happening during your stay. 
• Be prepared for unexpected situations. 
• Buy travel insurance to secure your future. 
• Do not overpack. 
• Learn from people’s experiences by reading online reviews or suggestions. 

Things Not to Bring on a Summer Trip

There are a few things that are not required on a summer trip. Some of them are as follows:

• Don’t carry a warm coat; instead, wear layers to adapt to changing temperatures at night.
• Don’t bring a regular towel; instead, pack a quick-dry towel. 
• Don’t carry heavy books; instead, put a lightweight book.
• Don’t bring expensive stuff, like jewelry. 
• Don’t pack full-size toiletries. 

Beach Stuff You Should Carry for Summer Vacations

We all know that beaches are hot in the summer. That means you can keep beachwear to enjoy plenty of time in the water or under the sun.

Also, consider carrying a long or short swimsuit cover-up and flip-flops. 

Since you will be under the sun, don’t forget to bring sunscreen to protect your skin from sunburn. Also, make sure to intake as much water as possible to avoid dehydration. 

Hiking Attire for Summer Vacations

If your summer trip involves hiking or other outdoor activities, be ready with the proper attire. Some of the critical essentials for hiking include shoes, clothes, a long jacket, sunglasses, sandals, and a sun hat. You can also carry a bathing suit in your backpack. 

Best Payments Options while Traveling

Though there are several ways to pay your bills, making your payments using a credit card is the safest pick. Many features of credit cards make them a top choice for travelers, for example, fraud protection. This feature of credit cards doesn’t offer direct access to your money, ensuring protection against fraud.

Duration of Summer Vacations

It’s no surprise that summer is the best time throughout the year to plan a trip with your family and friends.

If you’re planning to go on summer vacation, consider taking around one week from your schedule to make the most of that time. Moreover, the duration of the trip also depends on your destination. 

FAQs

Related Resources