6 Things to Keep Packed in Your Suitcase

I’m a planner. I like to think about what I need for a trip, plan for it, prepare for it, ruminate on it, stew in it, etc. As I’ve gotten older I’ve become more comfortable with planning last-minute weekend trips. We often don’t know what Chris’s schedule will be weeks in advance. A few times we’ve decided to trek down to Disney or Universal Studios just days before our departure. However, as we’ve become more spontaneous I’ve found a few simple ways to minimize my own anxiety with last minute plans. One way is designating items that “live” in my suitcase and never get unpacked. Keeping my suitcase partially packed means I am that much closer to picking up my things and going. Today I’m sharing five things to keep packed in your suitcase so you can make a quick and clean getaway.

1. Shoe Travel Bags

You’re going to quickly notice that several of these items revolve around hygiene and comfort. I get super grossed out by the thought of chucking my tennis shoes that have been literally all over God’s creation into my bag uncovered where they can freely touch my clean clothes. No ma’am. These shoe covers live in my suitcase so I can easily find them when I’m packing for my next trip. They are machine washable so you can clean them between trips.

I specifically like individual bags versus one bag per pair so that I can shift them around individually in my suitcase for maximum packing efficiency.

2. Basic Travel Toiletry Kit

There are a few things you’re going to need on any overnight trip, regardless of where you are going. I keep a travel vanity bag with my bare essentials packed and ready to go in my suitcase. I keep this stocked with the brands I use everyday. My kit includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, a full size deodorant, two or three tampons, a hairbrush, shampoo, and conditioner. I add to this depending on where I’m going and what I’ll need.

This bag is very similar to the one I use. I like having the option of hanging my bag to minimize clutter in the hotel or wherever I plan to stay.

I think travel sizes are a rip-off and they often aren’t available in the products I prefer. Unless I can’t avoid it, I usually decant the products I regularly use into travel containers so I have some comforts from home.

3. Travel Slippers

Ok, this next one might be one you haven’t thought of before, but hear me out. Regardless of how luxe or pricey they are, hotels are still common spaces with high turnover and tons of foot traffic. I always travel with a pair of simple, washable slippers in my suitcase because the idea of walking barefoot in a hotel room grosses me out. These stay in my front pocket where they don’t take up much space. I wash them after every trip and put them right back in until the next trip.

4. Travel Pill Organizer

I don’t keep my prescription medications in my case, but I do keep a travel pill organizer. I don’t keep the actual meds in there because I don’t want to end up at my destination with a suitcase full of expired prescriptions. But, seeing the med case in my bag does remind me to take the time to pack my daily meds. I think this one is super cute.

Prescriptions don’t live in my suitcase. However, I do keep a small bag with emergency OTC meds in my suitcase. Check their expiration dates each time you take a trip. You don’t want your meds to be two years past expiration when you have an upset stomach at Disney. This bag is typically very small and lightweight so I can have it on me at all times. (When you’re having a great time in a strange city eating weird foods, that’s when things go awry, right?) The medications that go in this small bag might include antacids, allergy medications, pain relievers, band-aids, and anti-diarrheal medications. Gas stations are a great place to buy individual lightweight packets.

5. A Spare Phone Charger

Tell me something worse than getting to your hotel with a low phone battery and realizing you forgot your charger. Literally nothing, right? If you have plans to travel frequently or even occasionally, go ahead and buy a spare phone charger to live in your bag and save yourself from this modern dilemma.

6. Wrinkle Releaser

Does this need further explanation? A travel sized bottle of Down Wrinkle Releaser stays in the inside pocket of my suitcase. ALWAYS.

I hope you found my list of five things to keep packed in your suitcase helpful. I’m always looking for good ideas— drop a comment below and let me know what you always keep packed in your suitcase! If you enjoyed this post, check out my post about what I pack in my park bag.