11 Things You Should Never Bring on Vacation

What You’ll Learn

Overpacking can ruin a great trip. In this practical, no-fluff guide, you’ll discover 11 common items you should leave at home—plus smarter, space-saving alternatives. You’ll learn:

• Why towels, hair dryers, and umbrellas are unnecessary (and what to use instead)
• How to simplify your wardrobe by avoiding extra shoes and bulky items
• What to do instead of packing irreplaceable jewelry, physical books, or favorite snacks
• How to minimize the weight and risk of loss by limiting credit cards, keys, and toiletries
• Why adjusting to local food, culture, and resources leads to a more connected and mindful experience
• How to save money, reduce stress, and travel lighter—without sacrificing comfort or style

Perfect for first-time travelers and seasoned adventurers alike, this post will help you pack with purpose—and return home with more of what matters.

Packing Essentials

What to bring on vacation — with limited cabin space and rising fees for overweight luggage, it’s an important topic to consider before traveling. While the contents of your suitcase should vary depending on the specifics of your trip, there are a few items that won’t ever belong there. Here are 11 things you should never bring with you on vacation.

Towels

Some travel bloggers suggest that you always pack a towel, but they are really just a huge waste of space. Nearly every hotel or AirBnB will provide them free of charge, as do many hostels. And if you’re headed to the beach, most resorts rent them out for a minimal fee.

Hair Dryers

Hair dryers are another item you should never bring on vacation. Most hotel rooms and rental properties come stocked with one (their goal is to please you, after all). If not, there should be one at the front desk.

Unnecessary Shoes

Thinking of bringing that extra pair of shoes because they match your favorite pants? Think again. One of the easiest ways to overpack for a trip is by including unnecessary footwear. Few vacation itineraries require more than three pairs of shoes, and you can often get away with just one. I usually pack a comfortable, closed-toe pair for walking, a more formal pair for special occasions, and flip-flops to keep clean in hostel bathrooms.

Extra Credit Cards

Limit yourself to two credit cards. There’s no need to risk having to cancel all of them if your wallet is stolen or lost.

Sunscreen

Put sunscreen in your carry-on bag? If it’s too big, airport security will toss it. Pack it in your checked luggage? It might explode. Don’t waste space on packing a bottle—you can buy it on arrival.

Irreplaceable Items

Expensive jewelry, family heirlooms, and sentimental objects should all be left at home when you travel. There’s no reason to risk misplacing an irreplaceable item. When in doubt about a particular object, ask yourself if you’d be comfortable losing it. If the answer is ‘no’, then don’t bring it! One exception to this rule is electronic items, like computers and smart phones. Just be sure to back them up using an external hard drive or services like Dropbox before departing.

Keys

Most of us are used to carrying around a big bunch of keys on a daily basis out of necessity. However, you don’t have to do this while traveling. Before heading on a trip, remove any unnecessary keys from your keychain and lighten your load.

Umbrellas

Don’t waste space in your suitcase on an umbrella. Many hotels, hostels, or private rental properties will have umbrellas for you to use, free of charge. Or, you can find a cheap one at a local market or corner store. From personal experience, anytime it rains in a touristic area, entrepreneurial vendors will flood the streets offering to sell you ponchos, umbrellas, and rain jackets. Yes, they will be of poor quality, but that also means you won’t have to feel guilty when you throw it away at the end of your trip.

Physical Books

Physical books are heavy and take up lots of space. Instead of packing them, stick to digital options, like e-books, PDFs, or audio recordings. You can always pick up a piece of literature at your destination or borrow one of the many used books one finds in the lobbies of hostels and hotels.

Everyday Hair Products

There’s no reason to bring everyday hair products with you on vacation. If your’e staying in a hotel or AirBnB, they will provide shampoo and conditioner for you, while you can find hair spray and styling gel at most drug stores.

Your Favorite Foods and Drinks

It can be hard to say goodbye to your favorite foods and drinks—even if just for a few weeks—but learning to adjust to local specialties is an important part of travel. Not only does this force you outside your culinary comfort zone—and into situations where you’re more likely to meet locals—but it will provide you with a more complete view of the places you visit. Plus, you never know when you’ll discover your next favorite dish!

Next time you debate what to bring on vacation remember to automatically exclude these 11 items. Your shoulders and bank account will thank you. 

Can you think of any other items that you should absolutely never pack on vacation? Share in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are some items that I should never bring on vacation?

 Towels, hair dryers, unnecessary shoes, extra credit cards, sunscreen, irreplaceable items, keys, umbrellas, physical books, everyday hair products, and favorite foods and drinks.

Why shouldn’t I bring these items?

 These items can take up unnecessary space, add weight to your luggage, or pose a risk of loss or damage.

What are some alternatives to packing these items?

 Consider purchasing what you need at your destination, using digital alternatives like e-books, or taking advantage of amenities provided by your hotel or rental property.