The Best Summer Vacation Packing Checklist

There’s something about summer that calls for easy outfits, open-toed shoes, and spontaneous trips where the sun does most of the planning. The time when all you want is to hop on a plane, train, or car for that sweet, sun-soaked adventure, and there’s one thing that can literally make or break your whole experience: your packing list.

Sunscreen left behind means an entire day spent avoiding the sun instead of enjoying it. Forgetting the outfit that pulls everything together means suddenly, packing light doesn’t feel so genius. That’s why this summer vacation packing checklist was built around one thing: functionality that still feels fun.

This list is the result of hours of research from our trusted travel experts who have agreed to share their summer vacation checklists with us. Reviews were compared, travel forums were scanned, and every item included here passed the “Would this actually help on a summer trip?” test.

* Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog, which allows us to continue providing helpful content for solo travelers like you!

Summer Vacation Packing Checklist

Clothing

• Swimsuits (Bring at least two, so you always have a dry one ready.)
• Cover-Ups
• Lightweight Tops
• Shorts and Skirts
• Dresses
• Pajamas
• Undergarments
• Light Jacket or Sweater
• Rain Jacket
• Hat
• Sunglasses

Footwear

• Slides
• Sandals
• Flip-Flops
• Water Shoes (great for rocky beaches or water activities.)
• Comfortable Walking Shoes (If you plan on sightseeing or hiking.)

Always remember to choose shoes that are easy to pair with multiple outfits and suitable for various activities.

Organization

• Packing Cubes (Our Top Pick) – The Veken Packing Cubes are great for keeping your clothes organized, wrinkle-free, and super accessible; so you won’t be digging through your suitcase like a mad person. With breathable mesh, waterproof protection, and an eco-friendly design, they’re durable, functional, and sustainable.
• Toiletry Bag
• Laundry Bag
• Beach Tote (Our Top Quick) – The Dejaroo Mesh Beach Bag is everything you need in a beach bag and more. It keeps sand out, organizesall your essentials, and dries quickly when you’re done with your splashy adventures. With tons of pockets, machine-washable material, and a design that makes packing easy, this bag is an essential for any beach trip or summer vacation.
• Sunglasses Case (Our Top Pick) – The MoKo Travel Sunglasses Case is the MVP of any summer packing list, it’s compact, foldable, and built to actually protect your sunglasses. It has a magnetic closure that keeps everything secure, a soft inside so lenses don’t get scratched, and it folds flat when you’re not using it, so it’s not just taking up space in your bag.

Essentials: Don’t Leave Home Without These

• Sunscreen
• Lip Balm with SPF
• Bug Spray
• Reusable Water Bottle (Our Top Pick) – The Hydro Flask Water Bottle is basically your hydration BFF for summer. It keeps drinks ice cold all day (even under the blazing sun), doesn’t leak all over your stuff, fits perfectly in your beach bag or backpack, and it’s cute, like, really cute. Plus, it’s tough enough to survive drops, dents, and your chaotic travel schedule. This bottle is a no-brainer for your summer vacation packing checklist.
• Travel Umbrella (Our Top Pick) – The Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella is that one item you didn’t know you needed until you’re caught in a freak summer storm wearing white linen. It’s strong enough to battle gusty winds like a champ, dries super fast (no soggy purse drama), and pops open and closed with the push of a button like it’s doing magic. It fits easily in your tote or backpack without hogging space, and the best part is that it comes with a lifetime replacement guarantee. Like, who does that anymore?
• Travel-Sized Steamer (Our Top Pick) – The HiLife Portable Steamer is a total game-changer for a summer vacation; it’s small enough to slip into your bag, powerful enough to get your clothes wrinkle-free in minutes, and easy to use, with no ironing board required!
• Quick-Dry Towel
• First Aid Kit
• Hand Sanitizer

Toiletries & Personal Care

• Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• Shampoo and Conditioner
• Deodorant
• Razor
• Hairbrush or Comb
• Hair Ties and Clips
• Makeup
• Moisturizer
• Aloe Vera Gel (To soothe any sunburns or skin irritations.)

Tech & Entertainment

• Headphones
• Portable Charger (Our Top Pick) – If there’s one power bank that earns a spot in your summer packing list, it’s the Anker PowerCore 10000. It’s slim enough to fit in your beach tote, powerful enough to charge your phone multiple times, and smart enough to do it fast without frying your device. With thousands of glowing reviews and all the travel-friendly features, it’s basically the Beyoncé of power banks; dependable, strong, and always on point.
• Travel Adapter
• Camera
• Portable Speaker

FINAL THOUGHTS

With a solid plan, a well-rounded list, and a few traveler-approved essentials, it becomes a whole lot easier to get organized without the last-minute stress. No one wants to arrive without sunscreen, a charger, or comfortable shoes.

This list is built around real experiences, backed by thousands of glowing reviews, and packed with must-haves that regularly show up in suitcases around the world.

Next time the suitcase is wide open and it feels impossible to figure out what goes in first, this list is a great place to reset. It’s not about packing everything; it’s about packing what matters.