Detailed Packing Lists for a 2-Week Trip
Tired of reading stories about packing? Here are just the lists, no fluff, no unnecessary adjectives. Packing lists for a 2-week trip to anywhere.
We are a family of five, with three teenagers, and have been traveling for over 20 years. The last five of them – full time. We do know a thing about packing.
Driving / Flying with Check-in Luggage
Clothing for him
For all weather basics clothes:
- 4 pairs underwear
- 4 pairs of socks
- 3 T-shirts for layering
- 1 light sweater / hoodie / vest
- PJ’s (if wearing)
For cold weather add:
- 1 warm sweater
- 2 pairs of pants
- 1 pair of hang-out-around-the-house pants (think sweatpants)
- 1 pair warm, waterproof shoes
- 1 jacket
- 1 warm hat
- gloves and scarf
For hot weather add:
- 2 pairs of shorts
- 1 pair of hang-out-around-the-house shorts (think gym shorts)
- 1 sunhat
- 1 bathing suit (2 if going to the beach)
- 1 sunshirt / rashguard
- 1 pair walking shoes or sandals
- 1 pair cheap, light flip-flops
As needed
- Special occasion outfit
- Workout clothes
Clothing For Her
All weather basics:
- 4 pairs underwear
- 4 pairs of socks
- 3 light tops for layering
- 3 bras
- 1 light sweater / hoodie / vest
- PJ’s (if wearing)
- special occasion outfit (if needed)
For cold weather add:
- 1 pair warm, waterproof shoes
- 2 pairs of pants (or skirts with leggings)
- 1 pair hang-around-the-house pants (think sweatpants)
- 1 warm sweater
- 1 warm jacket
- 1 hat
- gloves and scarf
For hot weather add:
- 2 pairs of shorts (skirts)
- 1 pair of hang-out-around-the-house shorts (think gym shorts)
- 1 sunhat
- 1 bathing suit (2 if going to the beach)
- 1 sunshirt / rashguard
- 1 pair walking shoes or sandals
- 1 pair cheap, light flip-flops
As needed:
- Special occasion outfit
- Workout clothes
Personal care for him and her
Basics:
- Hanging toiletry bag
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- deodorant
- Q-tips
- Hand sanitizing wipes
- Sunglasses
Add, if using:
- Glasses – reading, prescription
- Shaving kit
- Feminine care and supplies (small amount)
- Makeup supplies
- Nail kit (nail clippers, tweezers, small file, small scissors)
- Small sunscreen (use for hot or cold weather trips)
- Skin lotion / moisturizer
- Comb / hairbrush
- Soap, shampoo (all Airbnb, hotels and guest houses have some)
- Small sewing kit
- Other skin or hair products as needed
Personal belongings for him and her
Basic
- Wallet and credit card
- Cash
- Cell phone
- Laptop, tablet
- Chargers
- Pen and paper
- A pillowcase (stuff with clothes, or use as a towel, or laundry bag)
Additional, if needed
- Passport
- Visa
- Original cards and documents as needed
- Jewelry
- Adapters (if international travel)
- Camera
- Kindle / Book
- Headphones
- Small birdwatching binoculars (especially if exploring nature)
- Additional devices as needed
- Journal
- Snacks
Medical Needs
Basic needs:
- Over-the-counter pain medication (acetaminophen, ibuprophen)
- Benadryl 25mg tablets (can be very useful with new plants/foods)
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Insect repellent
- Digital thermometer
- Antibiotic ointment (Neosporin or similar)
- Band-Aids – largest ones to cut, or different sizes.
- Rubbing Alcohol wipes
- Face Mask
- A pair of gloves
Other as needed:
- Prescription medications
- Anti-diarrheal
- Stool softeners
- Anti-nausea medication or bracelets
- Vaccine records / Test results as needed
In your carry-on bag / overnight bag
If you are flying, or stopping on the road just for one night the following items must be in your carry-on / overnight bag:
- Wallet
- Passport / Original Documents / Visas
- Personal electronic devices
- Chargers
- Jewelry / Other valuables
- Cash
- Vaccine / Test records
- Tickets / Itinerary
- A complete change of clothes (rolled together)
- Toothpaste / Toothbrush
- Deodorant
- Prescription medications
- Eye glasses
- Water bottle
- A pillowcase (stuff with clothes, or use as a towel, or laundry bag)
Flying carry-on only
Flying carry-on only is the best way to travel by car, train, bus and plane. In all of our years of flying, carry-on style only has been the easiest to pack and carry.
We are so fond of flying backpacking style, that I have an entire post devoted to it. It will help with these packing lists for a 2-week trip (you can go on a 2-month trip with just these items).
With our tips and hacks for traveling carry-on only, you can safely bring a lot more luggage, than the 7kg allowed. Click the link below:
30 Successful Pack Light Tips: Tried and Tested (2023)
Traveling with kids
Older children and teenagers should be able to use everything listed above.
Toddlers and babies have additional needs and gear, which we have long ago forgotten.
Here is a link to another travel blogger, who has all things baby-related covered, including tips you can use for packing lists for a 2-week trip.
The ONLY Baby Checklist for Traveling YOU NEED! (+printable) – Baby Can Travel
If traveling as a family, you can easily lighten your load by sharing many of the personal items and medical supplies.
Conclusion
Traveling is fun, liberating and brings back our curiosity for adventures. It is easy to forget that every person is also a bit of an explorer.
Even if you are only traveling briefly, on vacation, there are opportunities to discover new sights, tastes and places.
Every time we start packing I go into a pre-travel stress mode. If I don’t have a list, I constantly worry about forgetting something. Now multiply this by five, because I also worry about the packing habits of everyone else in my family!
I created these packing lists for a 2-week trip for three reasons:
- To help myself be better organized
- To help you avoid the pre-packing anxiety
- To increase the number of useful posts of this blog.
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Thank you.