Packing

We don’t know about you, but for us, packing for our honeymoon was quite stressful. Since we had to pack for six months and two entire continents, we were almost certain we would forget something. We just hoped it wouldn’t be anything essential. So yes, the first time it was quite a struggle, but afterwards it got a lot easier. Mainly because of the fact that we kept our packing list from last time. This way we didn’t have to start from scratch. To make it easier for you, we made this universal packing list, where you should be able to find every item you might need. We advise you to print it out and simply check off individual items while packing. You may also want to add the number of packed pieces.

There are quite a few factors to consider when packing for your honeymoon. You should adjust your packing list based on:

• Your gender
• Your age
• The location of your destination
• The weather at your destination (current season)
• The temperature at your destination
• The duration of your honeymoon
• Chosen transportation
• Chosen type of accommodation
• Chosen activities
• Chosen honeymoon style

HONEYMOONER’S ULTIMATE PACKING LIST

1) IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS AND OTHER ESSENTIAL ITEMS

• Valid passport
• ID card
• Visa or other entry requirements
• Money and bank cards
• Emergency cash (packed apart from the rest of your money)
• Immunization and other medical records
• Travel insurance certificate and information
• Hard (and soft) copies of all your documents
• Extra photos
• Flight tickets or confirmations
• Accommodation reservations
• Other transport confirmations (train, car rental, bus, ship etc.)
• Other tickets
• Driver’s license
• Possible membership cards
• Guidebook(s) (HA suggestion: To save some space we warmly recommend to leave them at home. While it’s wise to read them before hitting the road, when already traveling we never get to read them – at least not the whole content. You can scan some important information you think you might really need, otherwise, you can definitely find all the basic information on the internet.)
• Pocket language guides, translators or dictionaries (HA suggestion: Rather than taking actual books, download smartphone applications instead.)
• List of emergency contacts
• Embassies contacts
• Maps (if you prefer a hard copy version instead of using the digital version on your computer or phone)
• A possible dive or other activity certificates
• Itinerary
• This packing list
• A secure document folder
• If you’re still students, we advise you to take your international student identification cards. You might get some entrance fee discounts.
• Since honeymooners often get some special offers or discounts it may be wise to inform the transportation, accommodation, resort, travel agency etc. staff that you’re on your honeymoon. A simple word should suffice, but just in case you can also pack an international marriage certificate.
• In case you’ll be searching for casual work opportunities, you should take all the necessary documents (CV, a copy of your degree certificate, other qualification certificates, recommendation letters, a portfolio of work etc.).
• A travel wallet/money belt/money pouch for carrying money and documents safely.

While you can easily skip some items from other sections (based on your own judgment), the ones in this section are at least very advisable, if not absolutely necessary.

2) MEDICATIONS AND HEALTH

• Hand sanitizer
• Regular bandages
• Compression bandages (in case of a sprain)
• Blister bandages
• Motion sickness remedies
• First-aid kit
• Analgesics
• Vitamins
• Cold, sore throat etc. remedies
• Thermometer
• Nausea and diarrhea remedies (Nausea mainly occurs because our bodies aren’t used to some unknown ingredients, but food poisoning is also pretty common in exotic places. You should google how to avoid it.)
• Insect repellents (if you are visiting warm, possibly humid places)
• Anti-itch cream
• Ointment for cuts, scrapes or bruises
• Water purification tablets
• Possible contraceptives or prescription drugs

Health care should be the top priority, so we advise you to ask your doctor to prescribe you the adequate medications regarding your medical condition, medical history, and your destination (for example for some tropical destinations malaria tablets are required).

3) HYGIENE AND OTHER PERSONAL ITEMS

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Dental floss
• Mouthwash
• Makeup remover
• Cotton wool
• Manicure set/nail clippers
• Tweezers
• Nail polish
• Nail polish remover
• Comb/hairbrush
• Cotton swabs
• Emergency toilet paper
• Feminine hygiene products
• Soap
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Other hair products
• Face cleanser
• Deodorant
• Razor (with extra blades)
• Shaving gel
• Electric shaver (plus charger)
• Aftershave lotion
• Hand cream
• Face cream
• Body lotion
• Sunscreen
• After sun lotion
• Pocket mirror
• Makeup
• Lip balm
• Hair clips/hair rubber bands
• Tissues
• Baby wipes
• Perfume
• Hair straightener/curling iron
• Hair drier (depends on your accommodation – hotels and most youth hostels already have them)
• Beach towels
• Some spare towels just in case
• Other cosmetic products you may use
• Contact lenses or glasses (plus case and solution)

To determine which cosmetic products you may also need we advise you to check your drawers and think of your daily cosmetic routine or personal routine in general. To minimize your luggage you should consider buying some basic cosmetic products (in small amounts) at your destination. Also keep in mind that hotels usually provide their guests with complimentary soaps, shampoos, conditioners, creams, lotions, tissues etc. If you do take some of those products with you, make sure to put them in light plastic travel-size tubes and jars. In hotels, you will also get fresh towels and sometimes even a hairdryer. We suggest you think twice about packing hair straighteners, curling irons or other non-crucial devices that take up too much space.

4) CLOTHES, SHOES, AND ACCESSORIES

• Underwear
• Undershirts
• Bra
• Sexy lingerie (after all it is your honeymoon – it won’t hurt to spice things up 😉 )
• Socks
• Stockings/tights
• Trousers/jeans
• Shorts
• Leggings
• Sportswear
• Shirts
• T-shirts
• Sweaters
• Skirts
• Dresses
• Suits
• Ties
• Pajamas
• Slippers
• Swimsuit/bikini/swimming trunks
• Other beachwear (e.g. a sarong, which can also be used as a beach towel, a skirt, a scarf, a dress etc.)
• Belt
• Accessories/watch/jewelry
• Umbrella (pick a small, folding, pocket size one)
• Raincoat
• Caps/hats (knitted in case of winter destination)
• Scarf
• Gloves/mittens
• Shoes (multipurpose, also for fancier occasions)
• Sneakers/hiking – walking shoes (waterproof)
• Sandals/flip flops
• Jacket/windbreaker
• Extra hangers/small plastic hooks
• Extra set of clothes for traveling (underwear, an extra T-shirt)

Choose your clothing according to the current climate at your destination. Choose fabrics that are easy to wash, dry fast and don’t need ironing. Make sure to put clothes that wrinkle easily flat in a plastic bag (the plastic will prevent wrinkles) and place them on top. Take clothes for max. 2 weeks, even if you are planning a longer trip. You can find laundry services almost everywhere – in hotels, hostels, camps, resorts or as individual facilities. If nothing else, you can always hand wash some important pieces of clothing. While packing, make sure you roll your clothes instead of folding them – this way you can save a lot of space. You can also save some space by filling the shoes with socks and other gaps with underwear. If necessary buy a compression bag, which will minimize the volume of your items by sucking out the air. Since shoes take up a lot of space, you should avoid packing uncomfortable or unpractical ones. Put them in plastic bags, so they don’t dirty other items.

5) GADGETS AND ELECTRONICS

• Cell phone (plus charger) Note: it’s recommendable to download all the GPS, music, entertainment and other travel applications prior to your departure, to avoid having to pack all those extra books and devices.
• Plug adapter and converter
• Headphones/earbuds
• Computer (plus charger and accessories e.g. USB flash drive)
• Camera (plus charger and accessories)
• Video camera (plus charger and accessories)
• Extra batteries
• Extra memory cards
• Music player (HA suggestion: Download a smartphone music app instead.)
• Extension plug
• Tablet
• GPS (HA suggestion: Download a smartphone GPS app instead.)

Take at least one device that can connect to Wi-Fi. Even though you should seize every moment of your honeymoon and not waste it on meaningless web surfing, social media or other leisure activities on the internet, you will still need it for bank account information, booking, checking directions, connections, recommended activities or best sights. Your own Wi-Fi device will come in very handy since there are tons of free W-Fi places all around the globe (McDonald’s, Starbucks, most mother cafes etc.) and not even nearly as many internet cafes with public computers.

6) EXTRAS

• Notebook/notepad (to write down some directions, addresses or other important information, maybe even to keep a travel journal)
• A pen
• Other books or magazines you might want to read (HA suggestion: Take a soft copy instead of a hard one)
• Chewing gums
• Snack
• Water bottle (you can buy or fill it after security check since you’re not allowed to carry liquids exceeding 100ml/3oz)
• Keys
• A travel pillow (you will usually get it on most long flights)
• A travel blanket (you will usually get it on most long flights)
• Eye mask
• Earplugs
• Zip-top bags for liquids in hand luggage (you should check the liquid restriction info for each airline)
• Sunglasses

• Laundry detergent
• Laundry bag (plus some extra plastic bags – you never know when you’ll need them)
• Purses/bags/backpacks/suitcases to pack all your items into. Make sure the luggage you choose is spacious, light, practical, easy to maneuver and above all safe. On flights, you are usually allowed to take one big piece of luggage (for check-in) and one or two smaller bags for carry on (always check at your airlines in advance). We always tend to take a practical, lightweight bag, which we can use on some daily trips we take at our destination. We usually leave the hotel in the morning and return in the evening. Meanwhile, we need a bag, where we can put some money, water, an extra T-shirt or sweater, an umbrella, essential documents, tickets, cell phones, cameras, sunglasses, sunscreen, some snacks and possibly some special equipment you might need.

7) SPECIAL EQUIPMENT

• Lighter (note: not allowed in flight hand luggage)
• Multi-tool/Swiss army knife – they usually contain a bottle opener, a corkscrew and a knife (note: not allowed in flight hand luggage)
• Multi-purpose cleaning wipes
• Compass
• Pepper spray canister (just in case)
• Safety pins
• Padlock
• Duct tape
• A small set of tableware for camping
• A sleeping bag
• Tent (double size, since it’s your honeymoon)
• Mosquito tent (again – double size)
• Can opener
• Sewing kit
• Flashlight
• Shortwave radio/walkie-talkies or other communication means if you choose wilderness wandering
• Solar charger might also be a good idea for big adventurers
• Other beach items (in case you are planning some special beach activities), e.g. snorkel, goggles, flippers, beach bag, etc.
• Other hiking or camping gear (if you are planning to hike or camp), e.g. hiking poles, camping stove, cooler, thermos, etc.
• Equipment for skiing, snowboarding, climbing, biking, skating, paragliding, fishing, sailing, diving, or any other activity you are planning to do.

CARRY-ON ESSENTIALS

(NOTE: All items in this section are already listed in previous sections)

The first things you want to keep close at all times are your documents and your money. Maybe you won’t need your marriage certificate or your student ID card, but you will definitely need your passport, tickets, visas and other entry requirements, accommodation reservations and sometimes even vaccination records. It’s best to keep all your documents in one secure folder and pack them into your carry-on luggage.

Secondly, since transportation is the least pleasant part of any journey, make sure to make it as comfortable as possible.

• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes! If the journey is long, make sure to take an extra set of underwear and a T-shirt.
• Take an extra sweater (possibly with a hoodie, which can also make up for a scarf, a hat or a place to tune out)! Sometimes it can get cold during the flight.
• Make sure to pack every essential personal item you may need during the flight (toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, tissues, hand sanitizer, hand cream, lip balm, possible prescription drugs, motion sickness remedies (if you suffer from motion sickness), contact lenses or glasses (plus case and solution), etc.).
• Make the journey as pleasant as possible with books, magazines or electronic devices and accessories (which have to be switched off during takeoff, taxi, and landing), such as cell phones, computer, tablet, music player, headphones, etc. But keep in mind: the important thing is that you have each other. 😉
• On most international flights you will get enough food and beverages, a pillow, a blanket, headphones and sometimes even an eye mask and earplugs, but you can make your journey even more comfortable by taking your own high-quality neck pillow, or some extra snacks.

We gave you the full extended packing list version, but keep in mind – when traveling, less is more! We strongly advise you to leave out everything that is not essential. The only things you really need are your documents and money (as long as you have enough money on your credit card or another strong financial plan, you will be able to replace the toothbrush you forgot at home, a piece of clothing or even a smaller gadget). We also suggest leaving expensive jewelry and other expensive or emotionally valuable items at home. You can also reduce your luggage by using multipurpose clothes, shoes and other equipment. As already mentioned, you can easily avoid taking maps, music players, GPS devices, compass, flashlights, guidebooks, dictionaries etc. by downloading the right applications.

While packing keep in mind that it’s for your honeymoon. You may want to pack beautiful dresses, the sexy pair of jeans, the cosmetic products that make you look, feel or smell good, maybe some equipment to spice things up and definitely all of the items that make your partner go weak in the knees.

If you are wondering how to prepare for your honeymoon or learn some traveling tricks, check out our articles Planning & preparation and Travel like a pro.