Documents

Passport with at least six months validityDon’t forgetMost countries refuse entry inside six months of expiry, and airlines check it at the gate rather than the border.

A photo of your passport, saved offlineDon’t forgetIf the passport goes, the copy is what gets you an emergency one. We do not sell this — put it in your phone before you fly.

Travel insurance you have actually readDon’t forgetCheck the motorbike and adventure-activity clauses specifically. We do not sell insurance and cannot advise on it.

A wallet that holds a passportEverything you need at a border in one place, so you are not holding up the queue.Worth knowingSold as a wallet. We make no fraud-prevention claim: contactless skimming is rare and cardholder liability is capped under Australian rules.A$45

Clothing

Packing cubesYou can find a clean shirt without unpacking the whole bag, which matters more the longer you are away.A$39

A laundry bag that zipsTwo weeks in, the laundry problem is a smell problem, and a drawstring does not solve it.A$19

Toiletries

A clear liquids bagDon’t forgetThe single most common reason an Australian gets pulled aside at security.A$9

Refillable toiletry bottlesBuying travel-size toiletries every trip is the most avoidable cost in packing.A$25

Laundry detergent sheets14 nights means washing something. Sheets are not a liquid for security purposes.A$25

A travel clotheslineHandwashing only works if there is somewhere to hang it.A$19

Tech & Power

A Type A or B adapterDon’t forgetHalf our voltage, flat pins. Hair dryers and straighteners that are not dual-voltage will run weakly or fail outright.Worth knowingElectrical goods sold in Australia have to carry RCM marking for electrical safety. We do not put an adapter on sale until the unit we ship carries it. Check the plug pins match your destination before you fly.A$19

Check your hair tools are dual-voltageUSA & Canada runs at 120V. An adapter changes the plug shape, not the voltage, so anything that is not dual-voltage will run weakly or fail.

Long charging cablesThe socket is never near the bed.A$29

An eSIM, activated before you flyLanding without data is where most trips go wrong in the first hour.

Health

A small first aid kitBlisters on day two of a walking trip are the most predictable injury in travel.A$35

Prescription medication in its original packagingDon’t forgetBring a doctor’s letter for anything controlled. Some countries are strict about medicines that are ordinary here.

Compression socks13h 50m each way. The evidence supports reduced swelling and reduced symptomless DVT on flights over five hours — that is the claim, and the whole claim.Worth knowingClaims limited to the Cochrane evidence: reduced symptomless DVT and reduced leg swelling on flights over five hours. Not a medical device and not a treatment for any diagnosed condition. Speak to your doctor if you have a clotting history.A$29

A refillable water bottleTap water is safe and free — restaurants bring it without asking. No filter needed. There is no reason to carry a filter here.A$29

Comfort

A packable daypackOne bag for the flight and one for the day, without carrying two bags the whole trip.A$55

Luggage tags that are not blackEvery third bag on the carousel is black.A$25

An eye maskCabin lights come on for breakfast two hours before you want to be awake.A$25

EarplugsThe engine drone on a long sector, and every hostel afterwards.A$15

A packable neck pillowA foam one takes up a third of a daypack. An inflatable one takes up nothing.A$29

A phone tripodOtherwise every photo is of one of you.A$35

Destination-specific

Luggage locks must be TSA-approvedLuggage locks must be TSA-approved. Any other lock will simply be cut off.A$25

Tipping is not optional and is not includedTipping is not optional and is not included. Budget 18–20% on restaurant bills.

Prices on shelves and menus exclude sales taxPrices on shelves and menus exclude sales tax, which varies by state. The number you see is not the number you pay.

ESTA (US) or eTA (Canada) must be approved before you boardESTA (US) or eTA (Canada) must be approved before you board, not on arrival.

Documents

Passport with at least six months validityDon’t forgetMost countries refuse entry inside six months of expiry, and airlines check it at the gate rather than the border.

A photo of your passport, saved offlineDon’t forgetIf the passport goes, the copy is what gets you an emergency one. We do not sell this — put it in your phone before you fly.

Travel insurance you have actually readDon’t forgetCheck the motorbike and adventure-activity clauses specifically. We do not sell insurance and cannot advise on it.

Clothing

Packing cubesYou can find a clean shirt without unpacking the whole bag, which matters more the longer you are away.A$39

A laundry bag that zipsTwo weeks in, the laundry problem is a smell problem, and a drawstring does not solve it.A$19

Toiletries

A clear liquids bagDon’t forgetThe single most common reason an Australian gets pulled aside at security.A$9

Refillable toiletry bottlesBuying travel-size toiletries every trip is the most avoidable cost in packing.A$25

Laundry detergent sheets14 nights means washing something. Sheets are not a liquid for security purposes.A$25

A travel clotheslineHandwashing only works if there is somewhere to hang it.A$19

Tech & Power

Check your hair tools are dual-voltageUSA & Canada runs at 120V. An adapter changes the plug shape, not the voltage, so anything that is not dual-voltage will run weakly or fail.

Long charging cablesThe socket is never near the bed.A$29

An eSIM, activated before you flyLanding without data is where most trips go wrong in the first hour.

Health

A small first aid kitBlisters on day two of a walking trip are the most predictable injury in travel.A$35

Prescription medication in its original packagingDon’t forgetBring a doctor’s letter for anything controlled. Some countries are strict about medicines that are ordinary here.

A refillable water bottleTap water is safe and free — restaurants bring it without asking. No filter needed. There is no reason to carry a filter here.A$29

Comfort

A packable daypackOne bag for the flight and one for the day, without carrying two bags the whole trip.A$55

Luggage tags that are not blackEvery third bag on the carousel is black.A$25

An eye maskCabin lights come on for breakfast two hours before you want to be awake.A$25

EarplugsThe engine drone on a long sector, and every hostel afterwards.A$15

A packable neck pillowA foam one takes up a third of a daypack. An inflatable one takes up nothing.A$29

A phone tripodOtherwise every photo is of one of you.A$35

Destination-specific

Luggage locks must be TSA-approvedLuggage locks must be TSA-approved. Any other lock will simply be cut off.A$25

Tipping is not optional and is not includedTipping is not optional and is not included. Budget 18–20% on restaurant bills.

Prices on shelves and menus exclude sales taxPrices on shelves and menus exclude sales tax, which varies by state. The number you see is not the number you pay.

ESTA (US) or eTA (Canada) must be approved before you boardESTA (US) or eTA (Canada) must be approved before you board, not on arrival.

What to pack for USA & Canada

USA & Canada · 28 things

Documents

Clothing

Toiletries

Tech & Power

Health

Comfort

Destination-specific

Why this list is different

Your cart

USA & Canada · 28 things

Documents

Clothing

Toiletries

Tech & Power

Health

Comfort

Destination-specific