Packing for a winter holiday is a whole different ballgame compared to spring, summer, or autumn trips. Gone are the days of breezy clothing, swimwear, and lightweight coverups.
Now it’s all about warm layers, cosy hats and scarves, and, depending on your destination, winter boots for hiking or exploring colder climates.
I’ve been caught out a few times during my travels. Like the time I went straight from Vietnam (40°C) to South Korea (-10°C) and had no warm clothing in my suitcase. Or the time I showed up in Hungary and it snowed, but I only had one pair of very thin trainers with me.
Now that I have been travelling full-time for 7 years, I have learnt from all my mistakes in the beginning. I now make sure to plan my trips thoroughly and pack appropriately.
Make the most out of my interactive winter packing list and tick off items as you pack them.
TOP TIP: Make sure to get an eSIM for your upcoming winter holiday to ensure you stay connected throughout your adventure! I recommend using Saily (read my full Saily review here) with their reliable coverage, high speeds, and affordable prices.
Travel essentials
No matter what time of year you are travelling, these travel essentials are a must for most packing lists! Including essential documents, technology, and health items.
Documents
You won’t get very far on your winter holidays without the necessary documents. Here is an overview of some of the most essential travel documents:
Tech and connectivity
The tech you may need for your winter holiday will be specific to you, but there are some absolute essentials like chargers and an eSIM (so you can stay connected whilst abroad!)
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Health and hygiene
Making sure you prepare for any minor health eventuality will save a lot of stress and hassle. And make sure to pack any toiletries that won’t be provided by your hotel or apartment:
What to wear
It is much harder to pack for the winter holidays since warmer clothing is a lot bulkier. Hence, you need to be smart about what you pack. In this list, I will provide the essentials that will provide you with flexibility throughout your trip.
Clothing
You won’t get very far without clothes, particularly clothes that are going to keep you warm. Some items may be very specific to your holiday. For example, if you are skiing, you will want to get some proper ski trousers and a jacket. But these items should cover most winter holidays:
Footwear
Winter footwear can be bulky, so you will want to think carefully about what will fit inside your luggage. I like to make sure I have at least two changes of footwear, one that I wear on my travels and the other that I pack. It is worth bringing two different types so that you are covered for all eventualities:
Accessories
In colder climates you will want to make sure you have some of these essential accessories to keep warm and cosy:
Bags
Obviously, you won’t be able to use any of these winter holiday packing items if you have nothing to carry them around in. Here are some of the bags you’ll want to consider using for both packing and general use.
Packing
I like to pack all my belongings into one large soft shell suitcase and use a backpack as carry-on for planes, in which I can hold all my tech. Hard shell suitcases are often a little heavier, meaning less weight allowance for your winter clothes!
General use
I also like to have the following bags packed for general use throughout my winter holiday:
Winter packing guide wrap-up
Now that your winter packing list is complete, you’re ready for a (hopefully) stress-free winter holiday!
TOP TIP: Don’t forget to stay connected whilst travelling. I always use a Saily eSIM, which makes accessing the internet abroad simple and reliable (find out what an eSIM is).
My go-to travel health insurance:
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