Let’s be real. Learning what not to pack is just as important as knowing what to bring. Overpacking, choosing the wrong items, or stuffing your suitcase with things you’ll never use? I’ve done it all.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to make the same packing mistakes.
This list of the worst things to pack for travel is based on my own experience as a full-time carry-on traveler. These are things I once thought were must-haves – until they turned out to be more trouble than they were worth.
That said, packing is very personal! Some of these might work just fine for you depending on your travel style, destination, and preferences.
But if you’re looking to pack smarter and travel lighter, I’ll explain why these didn’t work for me, so you can decide what makes sense for your own trips.
So, let’s dive in, because once you stop making these mistakes, you’ll never look at packing the same way again.
🙊 Ready to learn about the worst things to pack for travel? 🙊
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The Official Black List – Worst Things I’ve Ever Packed! (no judging, ok?)
1️⃣ A Neck Pillow:
When we first started traveling full time, I thought a big, plush neck pillow was essential. It seemed like the key to sleeping comfortably on long flights, trains, and buses… boy was I wrong!
Instead, my neck pillow turned out to be one of the worst things to pack for travel. It dangled awkwardly from my backpack, took up too much space, and was constantly in the way. By the time I reached my destination, I realized… it wasn’t even that comfortable. Heck sometimes I didn’t use it all.
Just look at all the things hanging from my backpack (not to mention the giant suitcases LOL). This was when we first left to travel the world full time in September 2021.
When you’re taking multiple flights, trains, and buses, every bit of space matters. A bulky neck pillow becomes one more thing to manage. And trust me, you don’t want extra things to juggle when you’re on the move.
Needless to say, I got rid of it after our first stop. And guess what? I have never needed it in over 3 years!
✅ What to Pack Instead: A compact, stuffable neck pillow that you can fill with a couple extra T-shirts AND it folds down to nothing when you don’t need it. Or even a soft pashmina that can double as a pillow and many other things (this is what I use).
2️⃣ Jeans:
I know this is controversial, but hear me out!
I used to think jeans were a travel essential. A go-to for casual outfits, easy to dress up or down. But after years of traveling with just a carry-on, I’ve realized they’re actually one of the worst things to pack for travel.
Here’s why: Jeans are heavy, bulky, and take forever to dry. I once packed two pairs, thinking I’d rotate them throughout my trip. Instead, I ended up wearing lighter, more comfortable pants 90% of the time.
And the worst part? When I needed to do laundry, my jeans took days to dry (most of the world does not use driers).
That’s not to say jeans are bad for everyone. If you’re going somewhere cold or wearing them on the plane, one pair might make sense. But for most trips, they take up too much space for what they offer in return (in my humble opinion).
✅ What to Pack Instead: A lightweight pair of travel-friendly pants, like linen, cotton-blend, or a comfortable yet stylish jogger. They’re easier to pack and they can look super cute! Not to mention elastic waists, baby! 🍝
👉🏻 I recently got these wide leg ones (pictured below) and I LOVE them!
3️⃣ Heels:
I used to think packing a pair of heels was necessary. Just in case I went to a nice dinner or needed to dress up an outfit. But after years of traveling, I’ve realized that heels are actually one of the worst things to pack for travel.
Why? First, they take up too much space in your suitcase for something you’ll wear maybe once. Second, they’re not practical where you’re walking on uneven streets, cobblestones, or standing in long lines.
That’s not to say you can’t look put-together and stylish while traveling. Just know that you don’t need a pair of heels to do it.
✅ What to Pack Instead: Dressy flat leather sandals that work for both casual outings and fancier occasions. Something comfortable, stylish, and versatile enough to wear more than once.
As you can from the photo above, there are ways to ‘dress up’ flat leather sandals. Pair them with a cute skirt, an elevated basic piece like a T-shirt with puff sleeves and of course, accessorize properly.
4️⃣ French Press:
We love coffee. Like, really love coffee. So at one point, we thought bringing our own French press on our trips was a genius idea. We imagined leisurely brewing our perfect cup every morning, no matter where in the world we were.
Truth is, we did use it and avoided the dreaded instant coffee many times, but it was NOT worth it! A French press takes way too much space!
✅ What to Pack Instead: A collapsible travel coffee filter if you’re serious about your brew. Don’t forget to pack some coffee filters too. Important to mention here that most of the world has coffee, even if it is instant coffee. You’ll get your fix one way or another!
5️⃣ Workout Bands With Handles:
I had the best intentions with this one. I thought I’d be doing full resistance workouts, staying on top of my fitness routine while traveling. But in reality? Workout bands with handles ended up being one of the worst things to pack for travel.
Here’s why: They take up more space than they’re worth. The handles make them bulky, and they don’t pack flat like other workout gear. Plus, I quickly realized that most hotel rooms and Airbnb spaces weren’t ideal for resistance band workouts anyway.
Instead, I found myself going for walks, doing bodyweight exercises, or using whatever was available like stairs, chairs, etc. You can also plan to stay at a place with a gym or sign up at the local gym for a day or week.
✅ What to Pack Instead: Resistance bands (without handles). They’re lightweight, take up almost no space, and still give you a great workout. If you prefer cardio, sometimes just walking everywhere is the best workout while traveling!
6️⃣ Books:
I love reading, but after traveling full-time, I quickly realized that packing physical books is a mistake. They’re heavy, take up too much space, and aren’t practical, especially when you’re trying to travel light.
I once packed three books, thinking I’d read them all on my trip. Instead, I barely finished one and spent the entire time lugging around unnecessary weight in my backpack.
Not only do books make your bag heavier, but they also take up valuable space that could be used for travel essentials. If you’re moving between destinations frequently, every extra pound in your suitcase adds up, making books one of the worst things to pack for travel if you’re trying to keep things light.
✅ What to Pack Instead: A Kindle! it’s lightweight, lets you carry hundreds of books in one device, and takes up almost no space.
That’s my backpack set up 👇🏼 Stay tuned for a blog post coming up soon on how to organize your personal items for long travel days!
Why risk overpacking or bringing things you won’t need?
Just answer two quick questions, and I’ll send you a customized packing list tailored to your trip. So you’ll know exactly what to pack and how to style those pieces.
No more guesswork, just effortless outfits for every occasion! Just let me know these 2 things ⬇️
7️⃣ First Aid Kit – AKA A Bag Of Things I Never Used!
I didn’t go too overboard packing an entire medical supply store, but I did bring a medium-sized Ziplock bag filled with first aid supplies… “just in case”.
Turns out, just in case never happened. I didn’t use a single thing in one year of full time travel, making it one of the worst things to pack for travel. So I got rid of it. And even now, after almost 4 years, I’ve never needed anything urgently.
The world has pharmacies! And the most common medications and first aid items can be found at any pharmacy, no matter where you’re traveling.
The only thing you really want to have on hand in case of an emergency? Imodium. Trust me, you don’t want to be scrambling to find a pharmacy when you actually need it. Shit happens! 😂
✅ What to Pack Instead: We only travel with allergy medicine, an inhaler, and Imodium. Anything else? You can pick it up if you need it. No wasted space, no unnecessary weight. Think about your own needs, not about literally everything that COULD go wrong!
📌 Pro tip: If you’re traveling somewhere remote, do a quick check on what’s available locally so you know what (if anything) to bring. And don’t forget to get travel insurance for peace of mind. It doesn’t cost much!
8️⃣ Beach Towel:
I packed a beautiful Turkish beach towel once, thinking it would come in handy. Instead, it ended up taking up way too much space, barely fitting in my suitcase, and worst of all, once it got wet, it never dried fast enough before I had to pack it again.
Carrying around a damp, sandy towel? Not fun. That’s why a beach towel is one of the worst things to pack for travel.
The reality? Most hotels, Airbnbs, and resorts provide towels, especially if you’re headed somewhere beachy. And if they don’t, there’s always an easy alternative.
✅ What to Pack Instead: Use your pashmina, and check if your hotel or Airbnb provides beach towels before you pack one unnecessarily.
9️⃣ Giant Bags Of Toiletries:
I used to pack way too many beauty products, thinking I’d stick to my very complex full skincare and makeup routine while traveling. But the reality? Most of it went untouched.
Full-size bottles, multiple serums, extra makeup. I brought it all. And it just took up unnecessary space in my bag. Just look at all the toiletries & make-up I packed for our first 6-month long trip 😂
When you’re on the go, a simplified routine is all you need.
✅ What to Pack Instead: Travel friendly toiletries! For me that means a nighttime balm with tons of antioxidants, a plumping serum and a plumping cream. Anything extra? Think about it twice. And remember, you can grab anything you need at your destination if you need to. It can even be a super fun shopping experience!
🎯 Also read: Learn all about travel friendly skincare! (look at my toiletry bag now ⬇️ – I’ve come a long way, and so can you!)
1️⃣0️⃣ Too Many Outfit Options:
I used to pack way too many outfit options, thinking I needed a different look for every occasion. The result? An overstuffed suitcase, pieces I never wore, and a harder time deciding what to actually put on. Even worse? Some items only worked with one outfit, which made mixing and matching impossible.
This is why bringing too many clothes is one of the worst things to pack for travel—it adds unnecessary weight, takes up space, and makes packing (and unpacking) a headache.
When you plan strategically, you don’t need more clothes—you just need the right clothes.
✅ What to Pack Instead: A mix-and-match travel capsule wardrobe that lets you create multiple outfits with fewer pieces. I can teach you how to create 40 travel outfits with just 15 pieces (shoes included).
Look at how that looks inside your suitcase! I can tell you those 40 outfits are enough because I use this exact method for a 3-month long trip! 👉🏻
And even if you think it’s not enough, look at all the space you’ll still have in your suitcase! (that’s a carry-on)
Other Posts To Check Out Next:
- 15 best travel essentials for women
- Stylish and comfy airport outfits
- 10 essentials for spring in Europe
- 15 European summer packing essentials
- Everything you need to know about personal items
To recap: Here are the worst things to pack for travel & what to pack instead:
- 🚫 neck pillow ✅ stuffable neck pillow OR pashmina instead
- 🚫 jeans ✅ lightweight travel-friendly pants (linen, joggers, or cotton-blend)
- 🚫 going out shoes (heels) ✅ flat leather sandals
- 🚫 French press ✅ collapsible travel coffee filter
- 🚫 workout bands with handles ✅ resistance bands (without handles)
- 🚫 books ✅ Kindle
- 🚫 first aid kit ✅ Imodium (And don’t forget travel insurance)
- 🚫 beach towel ✅ use your pashmina!
- 🚫 extra beauty products ✅ travel friendly skincare
- 🚫 too many outfit options ✅ a mix-and-match capsule wardrobe instead
Final Thoughts: Learn from My Mistakes!
Packing can often feel like a guessing game… bring too little, and you might regret it; bring too much, and you’re stuck lugging around things you don’t even use. Trust me, I’ve been there. But the good news? Once you start recognizing the worst things to pack for travel, you’ll naturally become a better, smarter packer.
The key isn’t just knowing what not to bring. It’s about packing things that actually work for you, creating outfits that make sense, and leaving behind the “just in case” clutter that only weighs you down (literally).
So next time you’re standing over your suitcase, debating whether to throw in that extra pair of shoes, a full-size beauty bag, or a stack of books you probably won’t read, ask yourself:
Do I really need this, or will I regret packing it?
Chances are, your future self (the one effortlessly zipping through the airport with a light, organized bag) will thank you for making the smarter choice.
Happy (smart) packing!
XO,
Aimara
PS: Still second-guessing your packing list? I’ve got you covered. Answer 2 quick questions and get a customized packing list tailored to your trip so you know exactly what to bring (and what to leave behind). Check it out here!
About The Author:
Hi, my name is Aimara and I am the voice behind Ways of Style. I was born and raised in Venezuela until the age of 27 when I moved to Chicago, and 2 years later I met my best friend and husband. We now travel full time and live out of a carry-on bag, so believe me, I know a thing or two about how to maximize every single piece I own.
I love creating new looks, and looking cute while I’m traveling. And in this blog, I try to share all my looks, even if I don’t have the best photos ;) My goal is to help you maximize every piece you have in your closet and to encourage you to live with less things.
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