Traveling Essentials for Women Packing List

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Do you love to travel? If so, it’s important you have an ultimate list of travel essentials so you don’t risk leaving the absolute must-haves at home! Check out my favorite traveling essentials for women that you’ll want to be sure to pack on your next trip!

bag sunglasses sandals shown as traveling essentials for women.

Traveling can be a fun and exciting experience, but it can also be stressful. If you’re a woman, there are a few things you should keep in mind when packing to make your trip go as smoothly as possible.

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There are a few essentials every woman should have on a trip other than clothing and shoes. A passport and or drivers license, tickets, and money are all important; but there are other things to consider as well.

This post will provide a comprehensive packing list for women travelers, including versatile and practical clothing and shoes that can be worn in multiple ways. You’ll also find a list of other must-haves to take along with you like a small bag to hold your necessary items like a phone, charger, lip balm, and sunglasses.

You may also want to take along a book or magazine to read if you will be on a long flight or have a long layover. Anyone following a special diet should also taking along some heathy snacks so you’ll have the kind of food you prefer.

Are you ladies ready to travel? Check out this essential packing list for women. This list will make sure you are prepared for anything while on your trip.

Luggage

First, you will need a sturdy suitcase or backpack. Make sure it is big enough to fit everything you need, even with packing hacks, but not too big or heavy that it becomes a pain to carry around. Don’t travel with a ton of bulky items, especially if you are only taking a short trip. If necessary, pack your stuff in smaller bags that can be carried easily.

The first thing to consider is what kind of clothing you need and how it should be packed. That will determine the type of luggage and travel bags you need.

A day bag may be all you need for a weekend getaway. Short trips by air should only require a carry-on luggage that fits in the overhead compartment and a personal size hand luggage that can fit under the seat in front of you.

Another great option for a shorter trip is a travel backpack that can fit all your essentials, including a laptop. This will also free up your hands and is much easier to carry than a bag with a handle.

travel backpack.

Clothing

Clothing is an important aspect of any travel packing list, whether for a weekend getaway or a month-long overseas excursion. What you wear can make the difference between a comfortable and carefree trip, and a challenging journey full of headaches and hassles.

A good rule of thumb is to pack about the same number of clothes for each day. If you are tight on luggage space, determine which pieces of clothing can be worn on multiple days. Women’s clothing, like men’s, can be broken down into two broad categories: “casual” and “formal”.

Casual clothing consists of items that are comfortable, functional, and stylish. Formal clothing is more expensive, but has a reputation for looking more elegant and professional. The wardrobe for the average woman is a mix of both casual and formal attire. But if it’s a pleasure trip, you’ll want more casual than formal clothing. Whereas a business trip will need more formal clothes.

Be sure to pack clothes in different colors and different sizes. After a long day exploring, you may want to dress down in some big comfy clothing.

It’s also a good idea to pack a light jacket or shawl for warm climates in case the weather turns cool or windy. A warm jacket is an essential travel item if it’s a cold climate or during winter months when nights can get a lot colder in milder climates.

Shoes

There’s no need to sacrifice style when you’re packing for a trip – especially when it comes to your shoes! With the right picks, you can stay comfortable and chic from takeoff to touchdown. Here are the essential pairs of shoes to pack for your next travel adventure.

Leather shoes are timeless, chic and always in fashion. Whether you’re going out for a night on the town or hitting the beach, leather is always a great choice. They can be dressed up or down and made any style you want with different accessories.

Sneakers or other casual shoes are good take alongs if you’ll be doing a lot of walking. For warm climates, take along sandals or a pair of flip flops if you’ll be spending time in the water. Cooler climates or for rougher terrain, you may want to wear your hiking boots so they don’t take up a lot of room in your luggage.

Accessories

Each woman has her own definition of what the best travel accessories are when traveling. For some, it may be a good crossbody bag to keep their hands free, while others might need a few pairs of sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sun.
Regardless of your personal preferences, there are a few key items that every woman should pack in her suitcase when traveling.

The first item on every traveler’s list should be a good pair of sunglasses. When traveling in the tropics, you should be prepared to deal with intense sun exposure.

I never leave the house without my sunglasses. I’m one of those people who wears them even when it’s cloudy out. Keeping your eyes comfortable and protected from the sun’s harsh rays is extremely important. Polarized sunglasses are a great choice to protect your eyes from harsh rays.

Ladies can protect themselves from the sun by wearing a hat or cap. Hats are especially helpful when there is a strong wind because they keep your face and ears covered.

A small bag that can be easily carried is ideal for bringing along necessary items like a phone, charger, lip balm, and sunglasses.

Toiletries

A woman’s list of toiletries for travel is very important. There are some items that are a must have when traveling, and other items that can be optional, depending on the person.

When packing for a trip, it is important to make sure that everything you need will fit into your luggage or carry-on bag. This includes everything in your toiletry bag.

Keep in mind that most airport security requires that all liquids taken on a flight are placed in one clear quart-sized zipper bag. In order to fit everything in, you may want to transfer your favorite brands into small travel size bottles.

A transparent toiletry bag is essential for traveling not only with fluids but also with makeup and other small toiletries. These are a must because they’re TSA approved.

luggage with hat sunglasses hat flip flops passport bathing suit and small bag.

Here is a list of the essentials that every woman should pack when traveling:

  1. Insect repellent. You don’t want to get chewed from head to toe by mosquitos! The constant itching is sure to ruin your vacation. So don’t forget the repellent.
  2. Comb and hair accessories. Have you ever forgotten a comb and tried to untangle your hair with your fingers? I have! It sucks. No matter where you’re traveling to, you’re probably going to need to comb your hair. Make sure you also remember hair ties. I will usually bring at least 5 hair ties because I am very good at losing them.
  3. Makeup bag with all your essentials. While most women always remember to pack makeup, it’s essential to remember to bring your makeup remover too! You do not want to have to try removing waterproof makeup with soap, water, and a rough hotel washcloth. If you’re worried about packing liquid makeup remover because it might spill, pack some makeup remover wipes!
  4. Sunscreen. If you happen to get burnt because you forgot to reapply the sunscreen, it’ll be helpful to have after-sun lotion on hand. My favorite lotion is the Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Lotion. It works so well to relieve sunburn!
  5. Wet wipes or hand sanitizer. You may not alway have access to soap and water before eating. So be sure to have a way to wash up your hands while traveling on the road.
  6. Tampons/Pads, pads, and menstrual cup if there’s potential for any bleeding. Feminine products are a must whether you are traveling or not. I always have pads and tampons on hand. You never know if your period might come early!
  7. Lip balm. Chapstick or lip balm is absolutely one of the top travel essentials for women. Being out and about during the day can cause dry lips. And if you’re like me and wanting lots of pictures taken, you don’t want dry lips ruining the picture! On top of keeping your lips looking soft, most chapsticks provide protection from the sun. My go to chapstick is Burt’s Bee’s All Weather SPF 15 Moisturizing Lip Balm.
  8. Dental essentials. Not only do you want to pack a toothbrush and toothpaste, but be sure to have dental floss and a brush head cover too.
  9. Deodorant. Nothing is worse than smelling your own BO. But, it’s definitely worse when you’re traveling. Make sure you remember to pack your deodorant! You’re sure to get sweaty while out and about enjoying your vacation!
  10. Tylenol or Ibuprofen. You never know when a headache or pains will come on, especially if you are older. So pack a few painkiller pills just in case.
  11. Multi-purpose shampoo/conditioner. You won’t need to pack your own shampoo if staying in a hotel. But if you’re camping or renting and airBNB be prepared to have your own. If a shower won’t always be accessible, pack dry shampoo too.
  12. Hair remover and razor. This may not be a big deal if it’s winter and most of your skin will be covered. But you don’t want hairy armpits and legs while hanging out at the beach or pool.
  13. Daily prescriptions/supplements. Medications are important and so are vitamins and supplements if you take them regularly. So be sure to pack what you need while away from home.
  14. A small bottle of lotion. Lotion is great for preventing chafing, which can make it difficult to sleep on planes or buses.

Electronics

Summertime is the perfect opportunity to travel, whether it’s a road trip to a nearby state or an international vacation. While packing for a trip can be exciting, it can also be overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure what to bring.

To help make your packing process a little easier, we’ve put together a list of the essential electronics items that every woman should pack for her next trip.

Phone

A woman’s phone is a key tool in traveling and should be packed with care. The most important components of a phone are the battery, the charger, and the data cable that allows you to charge your phone while it’s in your bag. Most airports, airplanes, trains, and hotel rooms have USB ports that you can plug your cable into.

Headphones are a must have when traveling. While you might not need them while out and about on your vacation, they’re great during the actual traveling. Noise-cancelling headphones are great for blocking out screaming babies on the airplane.

Cameras

A camera is also key to packing, especially when you’re headed out for a road trip or adventure. Most cellphones have decent cameras but if you want the best pictures, take along a lightweight DSLR mirrorless camera.

I NEVER go anywhere without my camera. My personal camera is a Canon EOS 80D and I absolutely love it! While cellphones take pretty decent pictures, I much prefer having my camera on me.

I always like to make sure I have an extra charged battery and an extra SD card. I prefer to use a 128GB SD card to ensure I have enough space for all of my photos! When I travel, I like to try and hit every spot I possibly can, which can lead to thousands of photos.

zoom camera for travel.

Power bank

A portable power bank is great for charging everything from your phone to your laptop, and they’re small enough to fit in a pocket. You should also have one just for your phone so that you aren’t constantly running out of juice when you’re away from an outlet.

Right now my go to portable phone charger is a solar charging battery block. When I used regular charging blocks, they were ALWAYS dying. The solar charging block is great because as long as it’s in the sun, it will stay charged! I like to leave mine on my dashboard in the car to ensure it’s always charged.

Charger

Many smartphones require a wall plug to charge, but some can be charged using wireless chargers. The more ways you have to charge your phone, the better. You may also need a charger for your laptop or tablet.

Tablet or Laptop

If you need to connect online for more than an hour or two, taking along a laptop or charger will be easier on your eyes. You may also want a laptop to transfer digital photos from your camera or cell phone. A tablet also comes in handy for reading or watching videos during a flight or long ride.

Travel-sized hair dryer

If you are staying in a hotel room, a hair dryer should be provided. But you may want to verify that. Packing a small one will keep your hair smooth and frizz-free if they place you are staying doesn’t provide a hair dryer.

Money and documents

The most important travel documents are your personal identification, reservation information, and tickets. It’s best to have paper backups of your tickets and reservations even if you store them on your phone just in case you happen to lose your cellphone. Your passport is a must-have for international travel .

A credit card is the preferred method of payments when traveling, but you should also bring enough cash to get you through small purchases you may encounter. The amount of money you bring will depend on your destination. A good estimate is to take the amount you expect to pay each day for food times the number of days you are traveling. Take a small travel wallet to keep your ID, credit cards, and cash organized.

Other traveling essentials for women

If you have the room to put them, here’s a list of additional important items you may want to take along with you.

Crossbody bag

For me, a crossbody bag is absolutely essential. If my purse isn’t attached to me, I will forget it. I love crossbody bags because they won’t fall off of me. They’re perfect for carrying around the essentials, without having to lug around a big over the shoulder bag.

Travel pillow

Nobody wants to be uncomfortable during travel. That’s where a travel pillow can come in handy! Whether you’re traveling by plane, car, or train, a travel pillow will definitely come in handy. Try to get one with memory foam!

Journal

Having a travel journal is a great way to write down the best parts of your trip! Write down the notable details of your trip so you can remember them and share or revisit favorite spots.

travel journal.

Something to read

If you have the space, you may also want to take along a good book to read or a magazine.

Water bottle

A reusable water bottle is also great to take with you because most major airports have fountains so you can stay hydrated with water while flying. If you don’t have the room for a regular one, take along a collapsible water bottle that you can stash easily into your luggage when empty.

Staying hydrated is so important when you’re on vacation! Dehydration can ruin a vacation. I always have at least two reusable water bottles on hand. I like the Brita Plastic Water Filter Bottle because it’s so lightweight.

Also, think about your destination. For example, if you discover the water isn’t safe to drink in rural areas after reading the things to know before traveling to Costa Rica, you may want to fill up before leaving the city.

Travel jewelry case

Looking to bring some jewelry to go with all your cute picture perfect outfits? Get a travel jewelry case! They’re great for storing earrings, necklaces, rings, and bracelets on the go. This will ensure they don’t get lost in your suitcase!

Safety alarm keychain

A safety alarm keychain can help keep you safe while you’re out. You can attach it to your bag or purse strap and pull the cord whenever needed. Undoubtedly, this alarm is one of the most useful traveling accessories for women.

Hidden bra wallet

If you’re not a fan of carrying a bag, hidden bra wallets are a great alternative to keep your cards and money safe. It’s great to keep your cash, credit card, pass port and other valuables from pickpockets and thieves.

Related travel tips

When traveling, women typically need to pack more than men. There are a number of items that are essential for women to have when hitting the road. This list covered the basics that every woman should have in her travel bag.

If you’re looking to travel anytime soon, make sure you reference this list of travel essentials for women! It’s great resource for making your own custom list to ensure you don’t leave anything behind when you leave for vacation.

For more traveling tips, be sure to check out our other resources for more travel tips to make your next getaway a bit easier.

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