Packing is one of those things everyone leaves until the last minute, and then you feel it for the whole trip: either you're lugging around stuff you never use, or you're missing exactly what you need. In our guides we always say the same thing: if you can avoid checking your backpack, you save a lot of money and time. Here's how to pack a suitcase so everything fits, with the checklist we use.

If you're planning a specific trip, each of our travel guides has the weather and seasonal info for the destination, and the Asia ones, like the Bali guide or the Thailand guide, include a complete list of essentials.

1. Start with the destination, not the closet

Before you pull anything out, check three things: what the weather will be like, what you'll be doing (beach, city, hiking, nice dinners) and whether you'll be able to do laundry. That tells you how many clothes you really need. For a trip of more than a week, the usual move is to pack clothes for 5-7 days and wash.

2. Choose the right suitcase or backpack

For city trips, a carry-on roller bag works well. For trips around Asia or with lots of transfers, a backpack is much more comfortable: it'll be your home for the whole trip. Either way, check your airline's carry-on size and weight limits, because they vary a lot between airlines and the low-cost ones are very strict.

3. Make a list (and check things off as you pack)

Split it into categories: clothes, shoes, toiletries, first-aid kit, electronics and documents. At the end of the article you'll find our checklist to copy.

4. Clothes that mix and match

Pick a color palette where everything goes with everything, so a few pieces make lots of outfits. Prioritize lightweight fabrics that dry fast and don't wrinkle. For warm destinations, light, breathable clothes and a pair of long linen pants, which also work for visiting temples.

5. Roll your clothes and use organizers

• Rolling T-shirts, shorts and knitwear takes up less space and wrinkles less than folding.
• Folding works better for button-up shirts and stiffer pieces.
• Packing cubes (or compression bags) separate clothes by type and let you grab something without unpacking everything.
• Bring a cloth bag for dirty laundry.

6. Use every gap

Stuff socks and chargers inside your shoes, put the shoes along the sides or at the bottom, and use the gaps between clothes for small items. The heaviest things always go at the bottom, and close to your back if it's a backpack.

7. Wear your bulkiest items

On travel day, wear your biggest sneakers, your hoodie or sweats and your jacket. You'll also be comfy on the plane, which you'll appreciate on long flights.

8. A small toiletry bag

Small refillable bottles for shampoo, conditioner and body wash; or better yet, solid versions, which take up less space and don't count as liquids. Remember that in your carry-on, liquids go in containers of 100 ml max inside a clear bag, unless the airport says otherwise. Lots of things, like sunscreen or bug spray, you can buy at your destination.

9. Keep the important stuff close at hand

Your passport or ID, cards, phone, charger, power bank, medications and a warm layer go in your small backpack or outside pocket, never in checked luggage. Also keep a digital copy of your documents and your travel insurance (we use IATI Seguros).

10. Review and ditch the "just in case" stuff

Once everything's in, pull out every item you packed "just in case" and ask yourself if you'll really use it. There's almost always one or two pieces of clothing and a pair of shoes too many. Leave some free space for whatever you buy on the trip.

Travel checklist: what we pack

This is the list of essentials we include in our guides to destinations in Asia, like Bali and Thailand. Adapt it to the weather on your trip.

Clothes

• Light, breathable clothes
• Swimsuit or bikini
• Rain jacket
• Comfy sweats or a hoodie for flights
• Tall socks (for hikes) and ankle socks
• Cap
• Long linen pants

Shoes

• Comfortable, sturdy walking sandals
• Hiking shoes or lightweight shoes for walks

Toiletries

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Shampoo, conditioner and body wash in small bottles
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Mosquito repellent
• Lightweight, quick-dry microfiber towel
• Menstrual cup
• Eye drops

First-aid kit

• Personal and prescription medications
• Band-aids, bandages, gauze and disinfectant
• Cream for burns, anti-inflammatory cream and bite cream
• Alcohol wipes
• Motion sickness pills and sleeping pills
• Oral rehydration salts
• Something for diarrhea or constipation

Other essentials

• Universal power adapter
• Power bank
• Small daypack
• Reusable water bottle
• Waterproof bag for your phone and documents
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Mini sewing kit and clothesline
• Neck pillow, eye mask and earplugs
• Backpack locks
• Camping cutlery and rubber bands
• Headphone splitter for sharing music

Before you zip up your suitcase

Check the entry requirements for your destination, because several have changed in 2026: the UK requires a passport and an ETA, Thailand requires the TDAC arrival card and Bali has a tourist tax. We explain it all in London in a weekend with friends, 10 things to know before traveling to Thailand and how to travel to Bali on a budget.

And if you're still deciding where to go, take a look at all our travel guide PDFs with Google Maps maps or start with the free Asia guide.