How it works
The list starts from yours: the first time, a starter list of 56 things, each with a rule for when it comes along (always, in the cold, when swimming). Set the nights, the weather, whether you can do laundry and what you'll be doing, and the list keeps only what applies.
Clothes are counted for the nights plus one, because you wear clothes on both travel days. Without laundry: a pair of underwear and socks a day plus a spare, up to 14; a top a day, up to 10; pants or skirts one per three days, up to 4. With laundry, the counts stop at Rick Steves' numbers, which he uses for trips of any length: 5 underwear and socks, 5 tops, 2 pants or skirts. In the cold, one more pair, because things dry slowly. Every count shows its rule; the rules are ours unless they name Rick Steves, and you can change any number for one trip.
On the last day, Heading home turns the list into a check of the room (the wall sockets, the safe, the bathroom, under the pillows) and of your bag, so the charger comes home with you.
Questions people ask
- How many pairs of underwear should I pack for a week?
- Without laundry, our rule of thumb is one a day plus a spare, counting both travel days: 9 for a 7-night trip. If you can wash, 5 is enough; that's Rick Steves' number for trips of any length. In the cold, add one more pair, because things dry slowly.
- How many outfits for a 7-day trip?
- For 7 nights without laundry this list suggests 8 tops (one a day, both travel days included) and 3 pants or skirts (one per 3 days); with laundry, 5 tops and 2 bottoms, Rick Steves' counts. These are rules of thumb; change any number for your trip.
- What should I check before leaving a hotel room?
- Check the wall sockets for chargers, the room safe, the bathroom (shower, counter, hooks), under the bed and the pillows, the drawers and closet, the back of the door, the fridge and the bedside tables. That's our checklist; Heading home turns this page into it, with everything you packed to tick back into the bag.
- Does it know the weather?
- No. You choose cold, mild or hot and whether rain is likely, so the list never waits on a weather service and never needs your destination or dates.
- Where is my list kept?
- Only in this browser on this device; we never see it. Share the list to send a copy, or export it from Settings.