Answer seven questions about your trip and the generator builds a packing list for it: the right clothes for the number of nights, the documents an international trip needs, the gear for the beach or the slopes and the extras for kids, work or a pet. You can edit the list, add your own items, put your trip name and everyone's names on it and download it as a printable PDF. It is free and you don't need an account.
How the packing list is built
Every item on the list has a rule. A swimsuit appears when the trip includes a beach, a cruise or a pool. A plug adapter appears when you leave the country. Thermal layers appear when the weather is cold. Items that don't apply to your trip never show up, so a weekend city break gets a short list and a two-week family trip to the beach gets a long one.
Clothing quantities come from the number of nights:
- Underwear and socks: one pair per night plus one spare, up to 8. Past a week, plan one laundry stop instead of packing more.
- Tops: about four for every five nights, up to 7.
- Pants, shorts and skirts: about one for every three nights, at least 2 and no more than 4. Bottoms can be worn more than once.
- Carry-on only: the caps come down, because a carry-on holds about five days of clothes.
Shared items such as sunscreen, a first-aid kit or a travel adapter appear once for the whole group. Personal items get a tick box for each traveler when you add names, so everyone can check off their own things on the same sheet. If you prefer, the PDF can give each traveler their own page instead. Kids' and baby items only go on the pages of the children who need them.
The last page of every PDF holds the things that don't go in a suitcase: what to do at home before you leave, a short grab list for the morning of departure and lines for notes.
Free printable packing lists
If you would rather not answer questions, download one of the ready-made lists below. Each one comes in US Letter and A4 sizes. Choose “Customize this list” to open it in the generator and change it.
Ready-made printable packing lists
Download a finished list as is, or open it in the builder above to change it.
Ultimate packing list
A broad one-week list for a beach and city trip abroad, with dressy dinners and photos.
Beach vacation packing list
Swimwear, sun care and warm-weather clothes for a week by the water.
City break packing list
A light carry-on list for a long weekend of walking and sightseeing.
International trip packing list
Passport, adapters, entry paperwork and layers for two weeks abroad.
Family vacation packing list
Beach and theme park essentials for a week with a toddler and a kid.
Camping packing list
Shelter, sleep system, cooking and trail gear for a weekend drive-in camp.
Carry-on only packing list
One bag for a week abroad, with tighter clothing counts and liquids rules.
Business trip packing list
Outfits, tech and paperwork for a short work trip by air.
How much to pack for a week
For a 7-night trip with no laundry, a complete wardrobe is 8 sets of underwear and socks, 5 or 6 tops, 2 or 3 bottoms, one outfit for going out, sleepwear, one layer for cool evenings and 2 pairs of shoes. Wear the bulkiest shoes and jacket on travel day so they don't take space in the bag.
Pick clothes in two or three colors that all go together. Every top then works with every bottom, and six tops and three bottoms give you eighteen outfits. Merino wool and synthetic travel shirts dry overnight after a sink wash, so you can pack fewer of them.
For trips longer than a week, the list stops growing. Two weeks needs the same clothes as one week plus a laundry day, a small bag of detergent sheets and a laundry bag.
Packing a carry-on: liquids, batteries and the personal item
Two rules decide what goes in the cabin bag on flights from the United States.
Liquids follow the TSA 3-1-1 rule. Liquids, gels, creams and aerosols must be in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less, and all of them must fit in one clear quart-size bag. Each passenger gets one bag. Medications, baby formula and breast milk are exempt in reasonable amounts. Tell the officer at the start of screening and expect them to be screened separately. Solid toiletries such as bar shampoo, stick sunscreen and toothpaste tablets don't count toward the bag.
Spare lithium batteries go in the cabin, never in checked bags. That covers power banks, spare camera batteries and loose phone batteries. Batteries up to 100 watt-hours are allowed without approval, which includes nearly every phone power bank. Batteries between 100 and 160 watt-hours need airline approval, and you can bring two at most.
The personal item, the small bag that goes under the seat, should hold everything you can't lose or would need if your checked bag goes missing: documents, wallet, medications, phone, charger, a change of clothes and anything valuable. The generator adds a “Carry-on bag” section with these items whenever you fly.
International trips: passport, entry rules and money
Check your passport's expiration date before you book. Many countries refuse entry if the passport expires within six months of arrival. The Schengen area in Europe requires a passport issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave. Airlines check these rules at the counter and will refuse to board you.
Visa-free travel often still requires an online authorization before departure. Examples are Canada's eTA for air arrivals, the UK's ETA and the US ESTA for visitors to the United States. Check the rules for your passport and destination on the destination government's website a few weeks before the trip. For stays in Europe, the Schengen 90/180 day calculator shows how many days you have left.
For money, carry two cards from different banks and keep them in separate places. Tell your bank you are traveling, bring a small amount of local cash for taxis and tips and check whether your card charges a foreign transaction fee. Keep a photo of your passport and cards on your phone and a paper copy in your luggage.
Packing list vs. travel checklist
A packing list covers what goes in the bag. A travel checklist covers what has to happen before you walk out the door: holding the mail, setting the thermostat, checking in online, downloading offline maps and charging everything the night before. People forget these more often than clothes, and forgetting them costs more. Every PDF from this page includes both, with the checklist on the last page.
Travel gear worth packing
A few items make every trip easier. The picks below change with your answers in the generator: an international trip suggests a universal adapter, a beach trip a dry bag, a long flight compression socks.
Gear worth packing
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure.
Universal travel adapter
One adapter that covers outlets in most countries.
See options on AmazonCarry-on backpack
Fits under the seat for personal-item-only trips.
See options on AmazonPortable charger
Keeps your phone alive during a long day out.
See options on AmazonPacking cubes
Keep a week of clothes in one carry-on.
See options on AmazonMineral sunscreen
Mineral formulas for beach and snorkel days.
See options on AmazonKids' travel activity kit
Quiet activities for planes, trains, and cars.
See options on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
Is this printable packing list really free?
Yes. The generator, the custom PDF and all the ready-made lists are free to download and print. There is no sign-up and your answers stay in your browser.
What should I pack for a 7-day trip?
Pack 8 pairs of underwear and socks, 5 or 6 tops, 2 or 3 bottoms, sleepwear, one going-out outfit, a warm layer and 2 pairs of shoes. Add toiletries in travel sizes, medications, chargers and your documents. Choose clothes in matching colors so every piece works together.
What is the 3-1-1 liquids rule?
The TSA 3-1-1 rule limits carry-on liquids to containers of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less, all packed in 1 quart-size clear bag, with 1 bag per passenger. Medications, baby formula and breast milk are exempt in reasonable quantities. Larger containers must go in checked luggage.
Can I put a power bank in my checked luggage?
No. Power banks and spare lithium batteries must travel in your carry-on. Batteries up to 100 watt-hours need no approval. Between 100 and 160 watt-hours you need airline approval and can carry two at most.
How long does my passport need to be valid to travel?
Many countries require at least six months of validity from the date you arrive. The Schengen area requires a passport issued within the last 10 years and valid for three months beyond your planned departure date. Check the rules for your destination before booking, because airlines can refuse to board you.
What do people forget to pack most often?
Phone chargers, toothbrushes, medications, sunglasses, a plug adapter and sleepwear are the most commonly forgotten items. Outside the suitcase, people forget to hold the mail, check passport expiry dates and download offline maps. The last page of every list on this page covers those.
What is the difference between a packing list and a travel checklist?
A packing list is what goes in your luggage. A travel checklist is everything you need to do before leaving, such as booking confirmations, notifying your bank and preparing your home. The PDFs on this page include both.
Can I print the list on A4 paper?
Yes. Choose A4 or US Letter before downloading. The ready-made lists come in both sizes.
Is there a packing list for cruises?
Yes. The cruise packing list generator asks about your region, formal nights and shore excursions and covers cruise-only items such as the embarkation day bag and documents for closed-loop cruises.