Packing for a beach trip in a flight is so different for packing a car. For one thing, you have to follow TSA guidelines– unless you a check a bag, but with today’s TSA and airlines losing so many bags, I don’t recommend it– and you’re limited to what you can put in the bag. So here are my tips as someone who flew to a beach on this list.
1. Swimsuit and a cover-up
I’m not saying you only pack these clothes, but I’m saying that these are your main items, and that your cover-up can double as a dress in some cases. Hell, your cover-up could be a dress. Just make sure you take it off before you lay in the sand or sit in the tide.
2. Sandals
I always bring more than one type of sandals. Hotels across the beach are what I use flipflops for, and hotels that require an actual commute need some sandals that you can walk in. My advice for the shoes? Something super cheap. Flipflops were made equally no matter the price, and if you’re going to walk on sand at some point, your sandals might as well be cute and $5.
3. Optional: Glasses Case
When I wore glasses, no matter where I kept them in my beach bag, sand would get in the screws and inevitably break them. Whether you wear glasses or sunglasses, if you want them to stay safe, get a glasses case and make sure the sand stays soooo far away from them.
I have a sunglasses collection that I rotate now in the hopes that it’ll slow down the way the sand will affect them, but it’s always important to bring a case or make sure your glasses are like your sandals: cheap as hell.
4. Shorts/Jeans & Tops
Remember you can do laundry in a laundromat. Laundromats function similarly anywhere you go: plop some coins in the machine and you’re on your way for clean clothes. Also remember that you can reuse the clothes.
Pack things that go with each other, and make sure that they’re weather dependent. Don’t bring shorts if it’s going to rain!
5. Good Attitude
This depends on where you’re going. If you’re flying a ten hour trip, then you’re allowed a little more in your suitcase that will make any layovers or long flights comfortable.
I don’t believe in anything outside of a power bank, Airpods, a snack, and some Dramamine if you’re prone to motion sickness. Even if you charge your phone in the airport, a ten hour flight will drain it, whether you use the entertainment screen in front of you or not.
If you’re flying shorter legs, minimize that. Charge your phone in the airport and find food there since you don’t get a meal on those flights.
A good attitude is super necessary because what if you have a layover and it gets cancelled? What if you miss your layover because it’s a tight connection? What if, what if, what if. Being mean to the gate agents gets you nowhere. Funky solutions gets you everywhere. A year ago, I purchased a flight from Reno to Las Vegas at 12pm, but thanks to the school shuttle, got to the airport at 9:30am, with a flight at 10am. If you’ve never been to the Reno airport, it’s kind of small, and I had hope. I begged the ticketing agent for a standby ticket, raced through security, and made the final call for the flight.
I got home so much earlier because I was nice to the agent and open to an option that might not have worked.
6. Meds: Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, Tylenol
When I went to Chicama Beach in Peru, my uncle warned me to bring Imodium with me. I was staying with my grandmother (so was he) until my flight to Chicama, but when he offered his, I said no.
Oh, reader. I did not listen. I was so sure I’d be fine.
Then one day I ate a burger from my hostel on the beach, and the next morning had the grossest TMI of my life. I had to learn the Spanish word for plunger, crawl downstairs for it, and stayed in my room for 48 hours until I could take a step without spewing from either end. I bought out the convenience store’s stock of Pepto and Tylenol, crackers and fizzy water, and eventually felt human enough.
The flight back was smooth enough that the nausea didn’t force anything out, but when my uncle picked me up, I looked pale. Also skinny. It says so much that stomach flus make me a little happy because then I lose so much weight. Shout out to unhealthy eating habits and diet culture forced upon us at a young age.
In my grandmother’s house the day after my uncle picked up, my intestines still hated me, so I finally shuffled my way to his room and asked for Imodium. He laughed as he gave it to me.
Reader… I have not forgotten Imodium or Pepto since. I have a stash inside a backpack that I use to travel. Please don’t forget your meds.
7. Universal Adapter
When I went to Peru, I bought a universal adapter. Peru was the first country I was traveling to for my bucket list but I knew there were other countries on my list and I knew I’d need an adapter that worked everywhere. I didn’t want to be lugging around six million adapters and hoping I brought the right one. So I spent $60 on a boxy universal adapter that worked excellently, and I’m pretty sure would still work if I went somewhere else.
Like I said, since this blog is just starting out, I have absolutely zero affiliate links, and I personally hate Amazon so I’d never recommend anything there. I’m like 90% sure that’s where I got mine from though, so it would be super hypocritical for me to say that you can’t get one from there. Saying I bought mine before Amazon became toxic also strikes me as hypocritical because… weren’t they always? I just ignored it, I think.
I’ll just say that I don’t think Jeff Bezos needs anymore money. I’m sure you can find an adapter at Best Buy or another tech-y place, but it’s totally up to you. Just make sure it’s universal, because then you’ll never need to buy one again.
8. Space
This is important if you’re going to a country that you’ve also always wanted to see the city. Space for souvenirs! Space for your bottle of sand/sea glass/rocks! Space for the memories you really should bring back with you. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your clothes can be swapped, washed, and that your shoes (which arguably take up the most space) are versatile.
It’s possible I’ve missed some key tips, but for right now, this is what I’ve got to recommend. Everything can be easy if you’re down to keep it simple.