Honeymoon packing can seem like a formidable task, but it doesn’t have to be.

Whether you are traveling to the rolling hills of Napa Valley, the sandy beaches of Fiji, or setting out on a romantic tour of South East Asia, there are a few things that you simply must bring.

Instead of packing for every eventuality or worst-case scenario, it is best to pack the things you truly want and the things you know you will need.

After traveling for nine years to some of the most romantic honeymoon destinations in the world, I know exactly what you should pack to ensure your honeymoon is the best trip of your life.

Read on to discover what should be on your ultimate honeymoon packing list!

Before You Start Packing

Make sure you check in with your hotel or resort to see which amenities are already available in your room. You don’t want to pack a bulky hair dryer or beach towel if the resort can provide one.

You also want to find out what kind of activities are available in your honeymoon destination so you can pack accordingly.

Carry-On Essentials

It is important to pack the things you cannot go without for a night, your valuables, and any fragile goods in your carry-on bag.

You should also bring anything you might need on the airplane, such as a light jacket, compression socks, your Kindle or iPad, lip balm, noise-canceling headphones, a phone charger, and snacks.

If you are traveling with a power bank, remember that it is not allowed in your checked bag so it needs to be in your carry-on.

Here are a few examples of fragile goods that you should always pack in your carry-on bag: your laptop, camera, camera lenses, drone, GoPro, and tablet.

I also recommend packing a change of clothes in case your flight gets delayed or your bag is lost when you arrive at your destination.

Liquids In Your Carry On

According to the TSA, you can pack liquids, gels, and aerosols in your carry-on bag, but only if they are in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or less.

Even if you have less than 3.4 ounces of sunscreen in a 16-ounce bottle, you can not take it with you unless the container itself is 3.4 ounces or less.

Finally, put all of your liquids in one quart-sized Ziplock bag.

Important Documents

It’s a no-brainer, but you need to pack your passport, of course.

Make sure you have both digital and printed copies of all of your important travel documents and credit or debit cards. That way, in case you lose the original (or your phone with the digital copies), you will still have a backup.

You should make a copy of your passport’s info page, visa (if applicable), hotel booking confirmation, airplane tickets, health insurance card, travel insurance card or contract, immunization records (if needed), international driver’s license (if applicable), and emergency contact info.

Clothes For Women

The key to a successful honeymoon wardrobe is packing items that you can mix and match as well as a few signature pieces that look amazing.

What clothes you pack depends on where you are traveling for your honeymoon. However, there are a few things you will want to bring no matter where you go.

The Basics

Pack your bathing suit, exercise clothes (sports bra, leggings, tank top, etc.), 1 or 2 pairs of shorts, a maxi skirt in a basic color, 4-5 tank tops or blouses that you can wear with many things, a white button-down shirt, a pair of jeans, a little black dress, 8-10 pairs of underwear, bras (think about if you need strapless), a cardigan or sweater, a light jacket, sleepwear, lingerie and 5-6 pairs of socks.

As far as accessories go, keep it basic.

Bring 1 or 2 pairs of sunglasses, a bag that goes with lots of outfits, a statement clutch to make your fancy outfits pop, a sarong or scarf, a few good jewelry pieces, and any hair ties you may need.

The Signature Pieces

If you are looking for a jaw-dropping piece that is light and will have your husband saying “oh my god”, I recommend packing a silk slip dress. You can dress it up or down and it screams honeymoon chic.

A linen or rayon dress in a vibrant color is also a great choice because both of these fabrics dry well and are breathable.

Anthropologie has a great dress selection and it is the perfect place to find your signature honeymoon dress whether you are traveling to Paris or Boracay.

The Shoes

You should wear comfortable walking shoes on the plane and then pack a pair of cute sandals and flip-flops. You can also add a pair of heels or mules if you want a dressed-up option or have reservations at an upscale restaurant.

If you are traveling to Florence, London, or another city where you will be walking a lot, I recommend bringing one pair of walking shoes and one pair of flats so you have options.

Clothes For Men

My biggest advice for men is to make sure you pack for the climate.

If you are going to a tropical honeymoon destination, you want to be mindful of sweat stains. That grey t-shirt that looks great in San Francisco will look like a sweat-stained mess in Thailand.

The Basics

You should pack sunglasses, 4-5 T-shirts, athletic apparel (exercise shorts, tank top, athletic socks, etc.), a swimsuit, a pair of khakis, a white button-down shirt, a light jacket, 2-3 short sleeve button-down shirts or polos, a pair of shorts, jeans or long pants, pajamas, a baseball or sun hat, 8-10 pairs of underwear and 5-6 pairs of socks.

The Shoes

If you have dinner reservations at an upscale restaurant, you should pack dress shoes even though they are heavy. Check with the restaurant before you pack, but many fine dining establishments don’t allow tennis shoes or sandals.

If you plan to keep it casual, comfortable shoes and flip-flops will do. However, for outdoor lovers, an extra pair of sneakers is a must.

Bags

You should pack a day bag or small backpack that you can use to store essential items while you are out and about. However, depending on where you are traveling, I do not recommend keeping your wallet or phone in your daypack unless you wear it on your chest.

Many beautiful honeymoon destinations such as Rome, Barcelona, Paris, and Milan are known for pickpockets who will easily open your daypack if you cannot see it.

While some people prefer to wear a money belt, I do not recommend this option because it’s difficult and awkward to access your cash.

You should also pack a reusable shopping bag that can double as a beach bag or tote whenever you need it.

Toiletries

While most resorts provide shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion, and a basic dental hygiene kit, it can be nice to have your own products.

You should be able to pack most of your small toiletries in your carry-on, but other items like face and body sunscreen should go in your checked bag.

You should also bring any hair styling products, hairbrush, comb, razor, shaving cream, tweezers, nail clipper, perfumes, deodorant, mouthwash, makeup remover, hairspray, dry shampoo, or skin care products that are part of your daily routine.

To prevent oils, conditioners, and other products that leak easily from spilling in your bag, I recommend removing the cap, covering the opening of the bottle with a generous amount of cellophane, and then tightly screwing the lid over the cellophane barrier.

For women: pack your own pads and tampons because they can be difficult to find in other countries.

Pro tip: if your resort has a bathtub, don’t forget to pack bubble bath or a bath bomb.

Medicine

Getting sick on your honeymoon is definitely a bummer, but it is best to be well-prepared.

We recommend packing a small first aid kit with only the essentials: band-aids, pain reliever, motion sickness medication, antihistamines, anti-diarrhea medicine, and itch relief cream.

Make sure you bring all prescription medication in its original container and keep in it your carry-on bag in case your checked bag is lost or delayed.

If you wear contact lenses, make sure to bring your preferred contact lens solution because it can be hard to find in other places.

For women: you should bring urinary tract infection (UTI) medication just in case. If you are in a remote location or don’t have access to a car, it can be difficult to get medicine when you need it.

Local Currency and USD

When you first arrive at your destination, you might find yourself in need of a small amount of local currency to buy a SIM card, a bottle of water, or to pay for a local taxi.

We recommend bringing USD so that you can quickly exchange it for a small amount of local currency at the airport. While you can also withdraw local currency using your ATM card, it is smart to also bring cash in case you run into a problem with your card.

Speaking of cards, make sure that you notify your bank before you travel so that you won’t have problems accessing your funds.

The Miscellaneous

After years of travel to honeymoon destinations, these are my “extra” items you should add to your packing list: insect repellent, a waterproof bag for your phone, a keychain with a corkscrew and bottle opener, cheap sunglasses (leave the good ones at home), a moisturizing face mask for after the flight, a reusable water bottle and a portable speaker.

Things You Do Not Need To Bring

Don’t bring anything that is too valuable, breakable, or heavy unless you really want or need to have it. For example, leave your expensive jewelry pieces at home to reduce the chances of them being lost, damaged, or stolen.

Also, don’t bring anything you can find easily at your destination or at your resort, such as an umbrella.

Although many states in the USA allow CBD and THC products for medicinal use, this is not the case in many foreign countries. Do not bring any CBD or THC products abroad to avoid running afoul of the law.

Location-Specific Honeymoon Essentials

While most of our packing list includes general items you will need regardless of your honeymoon destination, we’ve included a few destination-specific items as well.

The Beach

Koh Samui (Thailand), Bora Bora, Negril (Jamaica), Cannes (France), Valencia (Spain), St. Lucia (the Caribbean), and Bali (Indonesia) are all breathtaking beach honeymoon destinations that require a few extra items on your packing list.

You should include a beach coverup, an extra swimsuit (so you never have to wear a wet one), aloe or another after-sun lotion, a beach bag, a dry bag (if you plan to go snorkeling or scuba diving), and a sunhat.

You should also pack clothes made of light, breathable material such as linen pants, rayon dresses, and cotton shirts.

You should not pack jeans, a jacket, boots or any clothes that are too warm.

The Safari

Whether you are planning to watch the Great Migration in Tanzania or enjoy a romantic safari camp in Maasai Mara, Kenya, you will need to pack breathable, light clothes that will protect you from the blazing sun and keep you cool.

You should bring loose, long sleeve shirts (think button-downs) and light, airy pants. Packing a scarf to protect your neck from the sun and keep dust out of your mouth is also a good idea.

Stick to light colors that don’t absorb the sun’s heat.

Your camp will likely provide binoculars, but if you have a favorite pair, definitely pack those along with the accompanying chest harness (so the binoculars don’t strain your neck or bounce on your chest).

The Ski Getaway

From the Swiss Alps to the slopes of Aspen, Colorado, there are so many incredible ski honeymoon destinations that require a special packing list.

Don’t forget to pack a heavy jacket, snow pants, waterproof gloves, woolen gloves or mittens, several warm sweaters, fleece-lined leggings, a fleece jacket, a warm scarf, thermals, long underwear, thick socks, snow goggles, earmuffs, snow boots, a warm hat, and cozy sleepwear.

You should also bring hand and foot warmers, a chapstick with SPF, a high-SPF sunscreen, an emollient lotion to help keep your skin hydrated, and any specific ski gear.

The Jungle Adventure

For couples heading to the misty jungles of Laos or spending a few nights tucked away in a treehouse resort in Hawaii, there are a few essential items you need to pack.

You should include hiking boots (preferably waterproof), walking sandals with excellent tread, a waterproof camera case, a rain poncho, and a waterproof bag for your everyday things.