Packing Tips: Buy Local
Packing list
One main bag with ID tag plus one carry on. Size and weight of bags are subject to airline and charter motorcoach restrictions. Main bag: shoot for under 40lbs.
The bottom line for any trip abroad: Pack light! Keep in mind you'll be toting your own luggage around at the airports and to and from your hotel room in each city. So bring what you need and nothing you don't. To sort it all out, see our packing tips below.
Clothing
Keep in mind that some religious sites require that shirts cover the shoulders and arms, and do not allow shorts, short skirts or flip-flops.
- Comfortable walking shoes and one pair of nicer shoes
- Shirts (short- and long-sleeved)
- Socks
- Underwear
- Shorts/pants/jeans
- Pajamas
- Bathing suit (if applicable)
- Dressier outfit (reserved for a special night out)
- Raincoat and/or umbrella
Toiletries
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Hairbrush/comb
- Sunscreen
- Spare set of contact lenses/glasses (if applicable)
Money
- ATM card (call the bank prior to departure to alert them of the trip; foreign purchases sometimes result in a hold on bank accounts)
- EF Visa Travel card or personal credit card
- At least $50 converted to foreign currency of the first country that you’re visiting
- Pouch for storing money and passport under clothing
Electronics
- An alarm clock (many hotel rooms won't have one)
- An adaptor/converter (available at travel stores)
- Camera with ample batteries (batteries can be expensive abroad)
Documents
- Passport—it is required on all EF Educational Tours. Remember to bring a couple photocopies of it (in case it is lost) and leave one copy at home
- Visas (if applicable)
- A copy of the tour itinerary
- A list of important phone numbers and addresses to send postcards home
- Copy of any prescriptions (Customs officials may want to verify that a container's contents match its label, so all medication should be carried in its original container.)
Carry-on bag
Here’s a short list of things travelers might need on the first day of the trip. These should be packed in the carry-on in case the checked luggage is delayed.
- Passport
- Money
- Airline ticket
- Toothbrush and toothpaste (remember, toothpaste needs to go in a one-quart Ziploc bag, and can't be bigger than 3 oz)
- Hairbrush
- Contact lens case/glasses (to sleep comfortably on the plane)
- A change of clothes (in case luggage is delayed)
- Medication
- Any valuables
To create your own personalized packing list, check out: dontforgetyourtoothbrush.com.
Many of the items on the list may be shared (Tide stick, for example) with a buddy, but it can’t hurt to have your own supply of these things (especially kleenex, hand sanitizer, ibuprofen, etc).
_____passport and ID ______shampoo/conditioner
_____$$ and debit/credit card (ensure that it works) ______deodorant
_____ photocopies of important documents ______toothbrush/toothpaste
_____1-2 long sleeved shirts ______eye drops
_____ t-shirts ______contacts/ solution / extra case
_____comfortable pants/capris ______Pepto / Imodium / Gas X / Tums
_____shorts/skirts ______Advil /Tylenol / Aleve
_____socks (enough for trip) ______sun block
_____undergarments (enough for trip) ______chap stick
_____ p.j.’s ______lotion
_____flip-flops or slippers for hotel ______Band aids
_____two comfortable pairs of walking shoes ______Neosporin
_____swimsuit ______prescriptions
_____light jacket/windbreaker/rain coat ______throat lozenges
_____light sweatshirt/sweater ______Sudafed
_____pashmina/shawl to cover shoulders (girls) ______Benadryl
_____outlet converter ______tissue
_____journal & pen ______feminine products
_____playing cards ______razor
_____snacks ______hand sanitizer
_____gum ______Febreeze (works wonders)
_____batteries ______extra glasses
_____sunglasses ______ear plugs
_____pens _____money belt
_____Tide stick/shout wipes _____safety pins
_____books /magazines _____extra plastic bag/Ziplock bag
_____watch _____phone card (or get one there)
_____music player w/batteries/charger
_____camera/batteries/memory card
_____travel pillow
This page has some great travel tips about bringing things to leave behind, things to trade for cool one-of-a-kind items with locals, and other helpful "how-to-pack-light" ideas.
Another thing to keep in mind when packing is that airlines have their own guidelines and restrictions for what you can and cannot bring and how much. Here is what Icelandair says about baggage:
[From 2010 Tour: Use as a reference guide only]ICELANDAIR BAGGAGE RESTRICTIONS
Carry-on
Permitted for each Economy Class passenger
- One carry-on bag, not weighing more than 6kg (13lbs), total of the 3 dimensions (L+W+H) does not exceed 115cm (45in).
Additional Free Baggage Items
On all International flights the following objects may be taken on board free of charge, as additional cabin baggage:- 1 coat or wrap
- 1 handbag
- 1 umbrella or cane
- 1 small camera
- 1 pair of binoculars
- reasonable amount of reading material
- baby food for the flight
- baby's carrying basket
Checked baggage
Permitted for each Economy Class passenger:- Flights within Europe/Weight Concept: (Europe to Iceland and return) Economy Class passengers are entitled to 20 kg (44lbs).
- Transatlantic Flights/Piece Concept: (Europe to the USA and return) two checked bags, not weighing more than 23kg (50lbs) each, total of the 3 dimensions (L+W+H) does not exceed 158cm (62in).
As a general rule, airline carriers reserve the right to refuse the carriage of more than the free baggage allowance on the same flight as the passenger. It is therefore of great importance that the carrier be advised of all baggage which is in excess of the free allowance in advance in order to allow for special arrangements, such as the booking of necessary space on other aircraft as cargo.
Liability and Claims
If any of your checked baggage is missing or damaged on arrival at your destination airport, please report this to an Icelandair staff member or representative immediately. Any claims must be submitted in writing within seven days. As a carriers liability for loss, delay or damage to baggage is limited, passengers are advised to take out private travel insurance. All claims are subject to proven damage.We would also like to bring your attention to the following:
A passenger is advised not to include in checked baggage, fragile or perishable items, money, keys, jewellery, electronic equipment, precious metals and silverware, negotiable instruments, business documents, securities, valuable items, medication, medical documents, passports and other identification documents or samples.Passengers travelling to/from the United States are advised to take note of TSA (the US Transportation Security Administration) restrictions regarding the locking of checked in baggage.
All Lighters and Matches are now prohibited in both checked baggage and as a carry-on item in the aircraft cabin to and from the USA.
Full details can be found on the TSA website at: http://www.tsa.gov/public
Checked luggage must weigh 50 lbs. or less and its combined length, width and height must measure 62 inches or less. You may also carry on one bag and one small personal item at no charge.
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