The 13 things you always forget to pack for a trip! Here are the things you need to remember and how to remember to pack them.

It’s inevitable! We reach our destination and open our suitcases to find we have forgotten something. If you are my 11-year-old son that item is always underwear!

Sometimes it’s a hassle because you have to go out and pay to replace it, but sometimes it’s a much bigger deal. 

For example, I was in Scotland when I realized I hadn’t packed enough of a medication I take that keeps me alive. We had to spend a day of our vacation at the emergency room and trying to find someone who could figure out how to treat someone with American health insurance. 

Scroll to the end to get a copy of our family’s favorite packing list! We forget things way less when we use it!

Things People Forget to Pack for a Vacation

Swimming Suit

On 3 different occasions, we have had to try to find swimming suits for our boys in the middle of winter! We always forget to pack suits, and our hotels generally have pools.

We end up buying athletic shorts, boxer shorts or the ugliest bathing suits ever. My youngest once wore my husbands suit tied up with a towel around the waist.

Sunscreen

We have tried to buy sunscreen in Sweden in the winter. No luck and my husband’s poor bald spot bore the brunt of that mistake.

My favorite sunscreen is Blue Lizard. It has a high SPF, and it is mineral sunscreen, so it won’t hurt tiny eyes.

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Razors

Trying to shave your legs with your husband’s razor is a marriage-changing fight waiting to happen! Plan ahead and save your marriage.

Charging Cords

Without charging cords, you are in for a whole lot of crying and moaning. When your husband stops his weeping, your kids will start up. Save your vacation and pack charging cords in your carry-on and keep them there so you won’t be without.

 

Passport

My brother missed Christmas in Quebec City this year because he realized his passport was expired. If you only remember to pack one thing, make it this one!!

Toiletries

We decided to keep our carry-ons packed with toiletries and to only take them out for cleaning or refilling. It has saved us more time than I can tell you.

Here is my favorite toiletries bag. It folds up to be very thin. Plus, it’s easy to clean when I spill.

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Makeup

Makeup may not be a necessity depending on who you are, but for me, it is. (I’m a freelance makeup artist!) It is also an expensive thing to replace. I keep a travel bag filled with travel sized favorites!

Here are a few of must-have makeup selections:

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Medication

I told you about my medication issue in Scotland, but we have had more than one issue. We have forgotten my son’s medication over Thanksgiving, Christmas, weekend trips, you name it we have forgotten it.

I finally got so frustrated that I asked his doctor for some samples of the medication and stashed them in my glove compartment. If we take a road trip at least we have some on hand.

Cleaning Solution or Contact Case

My cousin was staying at our house for the weekend and forgot her solution and contact case. No one in my family wears contacts so she put them in a cup of water. In the middle of the night, she reached for the water at the side of her bed and drank her contacts.

They make really small travel-sized solutions and cases that you can keep in your toiletries bag.

A Winter Coat

I know this sounds ridiculous, but I just recently forgot my coat when I went into NYC for the weekend! It was December and frigid. I had to buy a coat so I could do anything outside.

I think coats get forgotten when traveling close to home, and you don’t look at your packing list. I got cocky and had to buy another coat.

Umbrella

This is another one that seems to be forgotten in the shuffle of getting ready. I always have them stashed in the car, but when we are traveling by air, I always seem to forget an umbrella.

Here is an excellent travel umbrella that folds up super small.

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Water Bottle

My husband always remembers his water bottle, and everyone else forgets theirs. It has become a running joke in our family. We always drink all of his water and leave him none.

This is my husband’s trusty water bottle.

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A Book

This isn’t a vacation ruiner but an annoyance for sure. Here are some of my favorite beach reads:

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How to Make Sure You Have Packed Everything?

We have gotten a lot better at ensuring we have everything. It didn’t happen magically, and it isn’t user-error-safe. But a number of years ago, we made our perfect packing list. We print them out and hand them to the kids before trips. We keep it on our phones and the fridge.

Over the years, we have added and subtracted from it until we have the best list we can make.

We Would Like You to be Able to Have our List Too!

Printable Vacation Packing List

Just sign up below and instantly get our FREE Perfect Packing list in your email so that you can have stress-free packing and enjoy your journey!

 Now that you know what you need to pack, here is how to pack in only a carry on!

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Last update on 2026-02-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API