Fewer surprises once you land.
Short reads on the things that catch travelers out, such as tickets that sell out, paying for the metro, what to tip and the day the museum shuts. Each page shows when we last checked it.
Nothing matches that. , or ask Chat in the app: it can plan any city Google Maps covers.
Who you’re traveling with
Solo, groups, couples, kids, parentsA business trip with a free weekend
How to pack one bag for the meetings and a free weekend, when to leave the business-district hotel, what the company pays for, and how to get home on Sunday.
EverywhereCity trips with teenagers
How to plan a city trip with teenagers: a day each, the food argument settled, phones sorted, late starts, one short museum, and how far they can roam alone.
EverywhereGroup trips that stay friends
How to agree money before the flights, plan in one place, book the group slots early, and leave room for the walkers and the nappers.
EverywhereStep-free travel: which cities make it easy
Which cities have step-free metros and where the bus is easier, plus how to book airport assistance, the right hotel room and a ramp taxi.
EverywhereTraveling as a couple: pace, money and the one museum
How to plan a trip for two: split the mornings, name one must-do each, settle money early, book the one reservation that matters, and spend an afternoon apart.
EverywhereTraveling solo without the awkward bits
Where to eat alone without feeling watched, when a hostel beats a hotel, how to meet people, the safety habits that matter, and what to do with the evenings.
EverywhereTraveling with parents and older travelers
How to pace a day with parents or older travelers: rests, step-free transit, medicines across borders, insurance, hotel elevators, heat, and senior discounts that are often EU-only.
EverywhereYour first trip abroad: what to sort before you fly
Passport validity, the UK ETA, arrival cards, plugs, cash and the first night: what to sort before a first trip abroad, as of October 2026.
Before any trip
Money, tickets, transit, and what to do when plans fall aparteSIM, roaming or a local SIM
How to choose between roaming, a local SIM and a travel eSIM, install one before you fly, keep your home number for texts, and judge how much data you need.
EverywhereJet lag by direction
Why flying east hurts more than flying west, what to do with light, coffee, naps and melatonin on the first day, and how to plan an itinerary that forgives day one.
EverywhereLost passport and other emergencies
The first hour after a lost passport, phone or card, emergency numbers for Europe, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Singapore and North America, and what an insurance claim needs.
EverywhereLuggage storage and forwarding
How to forward luggage in Japan, use coin lockers and station left luggage, try storage apps and hotel luggage rooms, and know what never goes in a stored bag.
EverywhereMoney abroad, cards, ATMs and DCC
Which card to carry, which ATMs to avoid, why to always choose the local currency, where cash still rules, and how to tap a card on transit.
EverywhereRail passes, and whether they pay
Whether a JR Pass, Korea's KR Pass, Eurail or a UK Railcard pays for itself, with the sums for the routes most people take.
EverywhereTap water, ice and street food
Where the tap is safe, where to buy sealed bottles, how to choose a street stall, and when a stomach bug needs a doctor.
EverywhereTickets that sell out, and when to book
Which attractions need booking weeks ahead, how far ahead each goes on sale, and which official site sells it, with a plan for the rest of the day.
EverywhereTipping by country
What to leave in Japan, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Europe, Mexico and the US, what the service charge on the bill already covers, and where a tip is the wrong thing to do.
East Asia
City guides: transit, tickets, closed days and mannersBusan: Jagalchi, the Fukuoka ferry and the drone show
How to use T-money and the KTX, eat at Jagalchi, take the ferry to Fukuoka, and see the Saturday drone show at Gwangalli.
FukuokaFukuoka: yatai, Dazaifu and the Busan ferry
How a yatai works and which nights it rests, how to order ramen from a ticket machine, how to reach Dazaifu, and how the ferry to Busan runs.
Hong KongHong Kong: Octopus, the Peak Tram and what a typhoon signal means
Which Octopus card to buy and how to get the deposit back, how to ride the Star Ferry and the Peak Tram, and what closes at typhoon Signal 8.
JejuJeju: rental cars, Hallasan and the haenyeo
How to rent a car with the paper permit, ride the buses, book Hallasan's summit trail, plan around closed days at Seongsan and Manjanggul, and eat black pork.
KyotoKyoto temple and shrine etiquette
What to do at the gate, the water basin and the altar, what to wear, and where photographs are fine and where they are not.
OsakaOsaka: which pass pays, Dotonbori queues and how to eat the kitchen of Japan
Which Osaka pass pays, when to eat in Dotonbori and Kuromon, the kushikatsu and okonomiyaki rules, and how the castle fee change affects your day.
SapporoSapporo: the Snow Festival, the airport train and the beer
When the 2027 Snow Festival runs, how to reach Sapporo from the airport, what the Beer Museum and Moiwa ropeway cost, and how to walk on ice.
SeoulSeoul: T-money, the palaces and the days they close
How to buy and top up T-money, which palaces close on Monday and which on Tuesday, and how Korean restaurants and Seoul cafés work.
TaipeiTaipei: EasyCard, night markets, YouBike and the manners on the MRT
Where to buy and top up an EasyCard, how to rent a YouBike without a Taiwan number, the MRT eating rule and its fine, and when to arrive at a night market.
TokyoTokyo: the tickets that sell out and how restaurants work
Which Tokyo tickets are gone before you land, the Ghibli release day, the garden that closes twice a week, and the unwritten rules of a ramen counter.
Tokyo and KyotoHow to pay for transit in Japan
How to put Suica or ICOCA on your phone, when a bank card works at the gate, where cash still wins, and when a JR Pass pays off.
Southeast Asia
City guides: transit, tickets, closed days and mannersBali scooters, temples and the tourist levy
How to pay the Rp 150,000 tourist levy before you land, what the visa costs, when a scooter is a bad idea, and the temple rules.
BangkokBangkok transit, temple rules and the scams at the gate
How to ride the BTS, MRT and river boats, pay with a card or Grab, dress for the Grand Palace and answer a stranger who says it is closed.
HanoiHanoi: crossing the road, the dong and the trains
How to cross a Hanoi street, pay in dong, take Grab from the airport, see what is left of Train Street, and spot the scams that actually happen.
Luang PrabangLuang Prabang alms, the kip and the train
How to watch the alms round respectfully, handle kip, book the Laos-China train, dress for the palace and temples, and get an eVisa.
Siem ReapThe Angkor pass, the dress code and the new airport
Which Angkor pass to buy, what the guards enforce at the Bakan, how sunrise and tuk-tuks work, and how far the new airport is from town.
SingaporeSingapore: the MRT, hawker center rules and what is banned
How to pay for the MRT with a bank card, the eating fine, hawker tray rules, what the gum and vape bans say, and the free parts of Gardens by the Bay.
South Asia
City guides: transit, tickets, closed days and mannersJaipur's composite ticket, the forts and the heat
What the composite ticket covers after the January 2026 fee rise, why the City Palace costs extra, and how to cope with the heat, the gem scam and the water.
KathmanduKathmandu dust, Durbar Square tickets and the valley
How to handle the Nepal visa, the three Durbar Square tickets, winter air, power, water, cash and taxis, and the temple rules at Pashupatinath and Boudhanath.
Middle East
City guides: transit, tickets, closed days and mannersDubai: the Metro's rules, what to wear where, and the city in Ramadan
Which Nol card to buy and the Metro fines that catch visitors, what to wear in a mall or on a beach, where alcohol is served, and how Ramadan works.
IstanbulIstanbul: Istanbulkart, mosque visits and the Hagia Sophia fee
How one Istanbulkart works for a group, why the ferries are the cheapest way across the Bosphorus, when mosques close to visitors, and what Hagia Sophia costs.
Western Europe
City guides: transit, tickets, closed days and mannersAmsterdam: Anne Frank, Van Gogh and how not to get hit by a bike
How the Tuesday ticket release decides your Anne Frank visit, which museums need a slot, tapping a bank card on the tram, and the bike lane rules.
DublinDublin Leap card, Trinity and the Guinness Storehouse
Why you still need a Leap card, how the 90-minute fare works, which two tickets to book, and which museums are free and open on Monday.
EdinburghEdinburgh Castle tickets, the festival and the hills
Timed Castle tickets and the one o'clock gun, the climbs up Arthur's Seat and Calton Hill, what August does to prices, and how to tap on buses and trams.
LondonPaying for the Tube and which London museums are free
Why a tapped bank card beats an Oyster, what the daily cap saves, which London museums are free, and which of those still want a ticket.
LyonLyon bouchons, the TCL and the traboules
How to ride the TCL, spot a real bouchon, find the traboules you can walk through, work around closed days and decide whether the Lyon City Card pays.
MarseilleMarseille: the Calanques rules, the RTM and bouillabaisse
The fire-risk color code and Sugiton reservation, Sormiou's closed road, paying for the RTM by bank card, whether the City Pass pays, and what a real bouillabaisse costs.
NiceNice's Lignes d'Azur, the Promenade and the Carnival
Tram and bus fares, the airport ticket, which Nice museums are closed and which pass pays, the pebble beaches, Carnival dates and the coast trains.
ParisParis museum tickets and closed days
Which museums close on which day, what to book and how far ahead, and when the Museum Pass is worth it.
Southern Europe
City guides: transit, tickets, closed days and mannersAthens: Acropolis time slots, the combined ticket and the heat
Hourly Acropolis entry slots at €30 all year, why the combined ticket is gone, when heat closes the hill, and how the metro and tavernas run.
BarcelonaBarcelona's timed tickets, one metro ticket and when to eat
How far ahead the Sagrada Família and Park Güell sell out, which metro ticket to buy, how to dodge pickpockets, and why restaurants are empty at 7 p.m.
DubrovnikDubrovnik cruise days, the walls and the pass
How to read the port's cruise ship list, when the old town empties, whether the Dubrovnik Pass beats the walls ticket, and how to get to Kotor.
FlorenceFlorence: Uffizi and Accademia slots, the free Sundays and the driving ban
How to book the Uffizi and Accademia without a mark-up, which Duomo pass to buy, what the first free Sunday does to the lines, and why rental cars stay out.
GranadaAlhambra tickets, free tapas and the hills of Granada
Which Alhambra ticket to buy and how far ahead, the passport rule, how the free tapa works, and the minibuses that do the climbs.
LisbonLisbon's hills, trams and one card
Which tram to ride and when, the elevators that save a climb, and the Viva Viagem card that covers all of it, including trains to Sintra and Belém.
MadridMadrid: the Prado's free hours, closed days and when the city eats
The Prado's free evening hours and line, which museums close on which day, the Paseo del Arte ticket, when Madrid eats, and paying for the metro by bank card.
MilanMilan: The Last Supper, the Duomo roof and the metro
When Last Supper tickets are released, which Duomo ticket reaches the roof, how to pay on the metro, how aperitivo works and which weeks hotels triple.
NaplesNaples: Pompeii tickets, pizza lines and the Circumvesuviana
The named Pompeii ticket and its daily cap, the online-only Vesuvius slot, which train to take, how the pizza lines work and whether the Artecard pays.
PortoPorto: the Andante card, which port lodge to book and the hills that catch people out
The Andante card and zones, the Livraria Lello voucher, which Gaia port lodges take walk-ins, Sunday closures, and why the river is farther down than it looks.
RomeRome tickets, closed days and the dress code
When the Vatican is shut, where Colosseum tickets really come from, the two-hour Borghese rule, and what to wear to get through St Peter's security.
SevilleSeville: Alcázar tickets, the heat and Feria
Book the Alcázar and the Cuarto Real Alto, buy the Cathedral ticket, plan around summer heat and the Semana Santa and Feria dates, and choose between a tablao and a peña.
SplitSplit ferries, the palace ticket and the islands
Which ferry to take to Hvar and when to book, what the palace ticket covers, which bus goes to the airport, and whether to see Krka or Plitvice.
ValenciaValencia paella hours, the Tourist Card and Fallas
Why paella is a lunch to order the day before, when the Tourist Card pays, which transport takes a bank card, and what Fallas does to the city.
VeniceVenice: the day-tripper fee, the vaporetto and the rules that get you fined
Who pays the access fee and how to register, what the vaporetto passes cost, the behavior that is fined, and the basilica's timed ticket and dress rule.
Central Europe
City guides: transit, tickets, closed days and mannersBerlin: the Reichstag dome, Museum Island and BVG tickets
How to register for the free Reichstag dome, what is open on Museum Island while the Pergamon is shut, and how Berlin's zone tickets and Sundays work.
BudapestBudapest: which bath, paying in forint and the ruin bars after dark
Which thermal bath to pick while Gellért is closed, why you pay in forint, how BKK tickets work, and how Kazinczy street runs after dark.
KrakówKraków: złoty, trams and Auschwitz
How to pay in złoty, the March 2026 tram fares, Wawel tickets, how Auschwitz passes work, plus the salt mine, Kazimierz on Sunday, the airport train and tipping.
MunichMunich: Oktoberfest without a reservation, beer garden rules and the Sunday shutdown
Oktoberfest 2027 dates and how to get a seat without a reservation, what a Maß costs, beer garden rules, MVV fares and what is open on Sunday.
PraguePrague: paying in crowns, the tram you need and how the Castle ticket works
Why to pay in crowns, which exchange offices and ATMs to avoid, how the Prague transit app and the Castle ticket work, and what closes on a Saturday.
ViennaVienna: opera standing tickets, the Sunday shutdown and the coffee house
How to get standing tickets at the Staatsoper, which palaces to book, what closes on Sunday, which transit tickets were withdrawn in 2026, and how a coffee house works.
Northern Europe
City guides: transit, tickets, closed days and mannersCopenhagen: tickets, bike lanes and the harbor baths
What replaced the Rejsekort card in 2026, which ticket to buy from the airport, how to ride in a bike lane, and where to swim in the harbor.
StockholmStockholm: SL, the archipelago and the museums
How to pay for SL with a bank card, the best way in from Arlanda, Vasa and ABBA tickets, the archipelago boats, and what shuts at Midsummer and in July.
North America
City guides: transit, tickets, closed days and mannersChicago's Ventra, the architecture boat and the museums
How to tap a bank card on the L, which river cruise to book, who the museum free days are for, and what to tip.
Los AngelesLos Angeles without a car, and the studio tours
How to get around Los Angeles without a car, which free museums need timed tickets, Warner Bros versus Universal, and why to skip Observatory parking.
Mexico CityMexico City's altitude, water, Metro and Monday closures
Why the first day feels slow, what to drink, one card for the Metro and Metrobús, why to use Uber over street taxis, and which museums close on Monday.
MontrealMontreal's OPUS card, the Underground City and the winter
Which fare to load, how the 747 airport bus works, how to use the underground city in January, and what the summer festivals do to hotel prices.
New YorkNew York's subway, tipping and the tickets that sell out
Tap to ride with OMNY and let the weekly cap work, tell express from local, know what to tip, and book the tickets that sell out before you fly.
San FranciscoSan Francisco's Clipper, Alcatraz and the hills
How to pay on Muni, BART and the cable cars, how Alcatraz tickets sell, what fog does to a bridge walk, and two warnings every visitor needs.
TorontoToronto's PRESTO, the island and Niagara
How to pay for the TTC with a bank card, the airport train, the island ferry, the CN Tower, Niagara by GO train, free museum nights and the tax on every price.
VancouverVancouver's Compass card, the seawall and the mountains
Whether you need a Compass card or a bank card will do, what the airport train adds, how to ride the seawall, and Grouse or Capilano.
Latin America
City guides: transit, tickets, closed days and mannersBuenos Aires pesos, the SUBE card and the late dinner
How to pay in pesos, ride the Subte and buses with a SUBE card, eat dinner at 9:30 p.m., and get into the city from Ezeiza.
Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro safety, the bondinho and the beaches
How to stay safe in Rio, book Sugarloaf and the Corcovado train, choose a beach by lifeguard post, and plan around Carnival.
Africa
City guides: transit, tickets, closed days and mannersCape Town Table Mountain, safety and the Winelands
How wind affects Table Mountain cableway tickets, how to book Robben Island, the safety rules that matter, the MyCiTi card, and how to taste wine without driving.
MarrakechMarrakech medina, dirhams and the souk
How to reach your riad, handle dirhams and ATMs, bargain in the souk, deal with offers to guide you, and what to know about mosques, Friday, Ramadan and petit taxis.
Oceania
City guides: transit, tickets, closed days and mannersMelbourne myki, laneways and the Great Ocean Road
Pay with a bank card instead of a myki, ride free in the CBD, get half fares until January 2027, find the coffee and galleries, and size up the day trips.
SydneyPaying for Sydney transport, the Opera House and the ferries
How the fares and caps work with a bank card, which ferries double as a harbor cruise, how to get inside the Opera House, and where it is safe to swim.
Packing lists
By destination, season and kind of tripOpen one in Waystop and it becomes a checklist for each bag and each person. All packing lists
Packing list for Croatia and Slovenia
What to bring for Dubrovnik, Split, Ljubljana, Zagreb and Lake Bled from May to October: water shoes for stone beaches and sea urchins, a hat and two liters of water for the walls at 86°F (30°C), a layer for the bura and the Alpine evenings, and euros, which Croatia has used since 2023.
The Andes above 2,500 meters · May to September dry seasonPacking list for Cusco, Machu Picchu and altitude
What to bring for Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu: layers for 70°F (21°C) days and 36°F (2°C) nights, SPF 50, a daypack that fits the 40 x 35 x 20 cm gate rule, the passport named on your ticket, and a first night lower than Cusco.
Sydney, Melbourne and the coast · December to FebruaryPacking list for Australia in summer
What to bring for Sydney, Melbourne and the coast from December to February: a UV index of 12 means a hat, a rash vest and SPF 50+, a layer for Melbourne's cold changes and the air conditioning, a type I adapter, and nothing in the bag that quarantine will fine you for.
Bali, Lombok and island Southeast Asia · April to October dry seasonPacking list for Bali and the tropics
What to bring for Bali, Lombok and the islands in the April to October dry season: a sarong for temples, reef-safe sunscreen, mosquito protection against dengue, a dry bag for the boat, and strap sandals for flooded lanes.
Beach and town · SummerPacking list for a beach week
A week where the beach is the plan and the town is the evening: Barcelona, the Algarve, the Greek islands or Bali. Less than you think, plus the three things people forget: after-sun, motion tablets and a dry bag.
London, Edinburgh and Dublin · Any month, rain includedPacking list for Britain and Ireland in any season
London, Edinburgh and Dublin in any month: four seasons before lunch, rain that comes in sideways and makes an umbrella a liability, a pub at 72°F (22°C) after a street at 46°F (8°C), a three-pin plug, and a card you tap for everything except a Dublin bus.
Three nights of meetings plus a weekend · Any seasonPacking list for a business trip with a free day
Three nights of meetings and a weekend on the end, all in one carry-on: a jacket that comes out of the bag wearable, three shirts and a hotel laundry slip, one charger for everything, a second pair of shoes that works at the table and on the free day, and the swimwear you will regret leaving behind.
Cancún, Tulum, Isla Mujeres and the cenotes · November to April; hurricane season runs June to NovemberPacking list for Cancún and the Riviera Maya
Cancún, Tulum, Isla Mujeres and the cenotes between November and April: a rash vest instead of sunscreen in the water, water shoes for the cenote steps, a dry bag for the ferry, repellent for the ruins at dusk, and pesos in small notes for the colectivo.
Any city, one bag · AnyPacking list for a week in a carry-on
Seven days in one bag for any city: nine pieces that make twelve outfits, one pair of shoes plus one, a sink wash every third night, and the liquids rules that changed at some airports in 2025 and 2026 but not at others.
Two people, one shared bag · Any seasonPacking list for a couple's city weekend
Paris, Venice, Lisbon or Florence for two to four nights with one bag between you: a single toiletry kit, a dinner outfit each that also works by day, one two-port charger, and the one booking that has a dress code.
Cuba and the Caribbean coast of Colombia and Mexico · Any season; the dry months are December to AprilPacking list for Cuba and the Caribbean coast
Havana, Cartagena and Cancún: 90°F (32°C) and humid, a storm most afternoons from May to October, and a Cuba where cards are not accepted and the shops have little to sell. Bring medicines and toiletries, a flashlight for the blackouts, cash in euros and repellent.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha · October to April (and what changes in summer)Packing list for Dubai and the Gulf
What to bring for Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha from October to April: loose layers that cover shoulders and knees, a sweater for malls chilled against 86°F (30°C) outside, serious sun kit, and the paperwork for any medicine the Gulf counts as controlled.
Cities in Europe · September to NovemberPacking list for Europe in fall
Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, Vienna and Munich from September to November: 46°F (8°C) at breakfast and 68°F (20°C) by lunch on the same day, rain that arrives sideways, wet cobbles, a sun that sets before five by the end, and a beer tent in a sweater.
Several cities, one rail route · Any seasonPacking list for a European trip by train
Paris to Amsterdam to Berlin to Prague to Vienna to Milan, or any order you like, with one bag that goes above your head, the seat reservations some trains demand and others do not, and a laundry plan every four days so the bag stays small.
European cities · Spring to fallPacking list for a European city break
Three to five days in Lisbon, Paris, Rome, London or Barcelona in a carry-on: cobbles, museums, a dinner that starts at nine, and weather that changes by the afternoon.
Southern Europe in July and August · June to SeptemberPacking list for a European summer heatwave
Rome, Athens, Madrid, Barcelona and Lisbon in July and August: 95°F (35°C) by mid afternoon, churches that still want shoulders and knees covered, a city that shuts from lunch until five, and restaurant air conditioning that makes you want the layer you left at the hotel.
Families with children under six · AnyPacking list for a city trip with small kids
London, Paris, Tokyo, New York or Singapore with children under six: a carrier for the stairs, a stroller that folds with one hand, medicines with the dose written on the box, snacks for every line, and a plan with a nap in it.
Four or more traveling together · AnyPacking list for a group trip: the shared kit
Four to eight of you in one apartment or a row of hostel beds: the kit one person brings for everyone, the things each of you still needs, what a rented apartment will not have, and the money rule that stops the last dinner turning into an argument.
A city break with a mountain or coast day · Spring to fallPacking list for hikes and day trips from a city
A city break with one day on a hill or a coast path: Arthur's Seat, the Dragon's Back, Bondi to Coogee or a Los Angeles canyon. Trail shoes that pass at dinner, a 20 liter pack that folds into your case, two liters of water for the hot ones, a blister kit, the fare for the bus back and the time you agree to turn around.
Solo and budget travelers · AnyPacking list for a hostel trip
Dorm beds in Bangkok, Lisbon or Berlin for less than a hotel night: the padlock that fits the locker, the towel the hostel will not lend you, the earplugs that save the night, and the half of your bag you should leave at home.
North India's cities · October to MarchPacking list for Delhi, Agra and Jaipur
North India's Golden Triangle from October to March: 45°F (7°C) mornings and 77°F (25°C) afternoons, shoes that come off at every temple and the Taj, a mask for the smog from late October, and a bag that stays closed in the bazaar.
Boat days and reef trips in the tropics · All year, in each place's dry seasonPacking list for island hopping and snorkeling
What to bring for boat days from Cebu, Phuket, Zanzibar, Bali and Cancún: a mask that fits your face, a dry bag for the bow spray, reef shoes for urchins and rubble, mineral sunscreen where the rules demand it, small cash for islands without an ATM, and a way to dry gear that never dries.
Southern Italy and Sicily · April to OctoberPacking list for Naples and Sicily
What to bring for Naples, Pompeii, Palermo and the islands from April to October: shoes for basalt cobbles and Pompeii's stones, sleeves for the churches, shade and water for sites with no roof, cash for the places that matter, and a bag that stays shut on a scooter street.
Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka and Seoul · October to NovemberPacking list for Japan and Korea in fall
Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka and Seoul in October and November: 50°F (10°C) at the temple gate at eight and 72°F (22°C) by lunch, the fall-leaf crowds that fill every hotel for three weeks, floors you cross in socks, a typhoon tail in early October and a Seoul November that already wants a down layer.
Cities and beaches in Japan and South Korea · June to SeptemberPacking list for Japan and Korea in summer
What to bring for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Seoul, Busan and Jeju from June to September: quick-dry clothes for 90°F (32°C) at 80 percent humidity, a layer for trains cooled to 68°F (20°C), a folding umbrella for the rainy season, and a plan for the typhoon day.
Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Seoul · December to FebruaryPacking list for Japan and Korea in winter
Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Seoul from December to February: Seoul at 21°F (-6°C) in the morning and Tokyo at 50°F (10°C) in the afternoon on the same trip, heated trains that cook a down coat, floors that need socks without holes, and air so dry your lips crack by day two.
Cities in Japan · March to MayPacking list for Japan in spring
What to bring for Kyoto, Tokyo and Osaka from March to May: layers for 46°F (8°C) mornings and 72°F (22°C) afternoons, shoes that come off at every temple, and the small things Japan makes hard to buy on the day.
Flights over eight hours · AnyPacking list for a long-haul flight
Twelve hours to Tokyo or Bangkok in a personal item that fits under the seat: compression socks, a mask and plugs, a bottle you fill after security, a long cable, one warm layer, and the documents and downloads you need before the doors close.
Mexico City, Oaxaca, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende · All year; rain layer June to SeptemberPacking list for Mexico City and the highlands
Mexico City sits at 2,240 meters: strong sun, mornings around 46°F (8°C), afternoons around 75°F (24°C) and a hard rain at about 5 p.m. from June to September. What to bring for the capital, Oaxaca and San Miguel.
Marrakech, Fes and the coast · March to May and September to NovemberPacking list for Marrakech and Morocco
What to bring for Marrakech, Fes and the coast in spring and fall: cover-ups for the medina, a warm layer for riad nights that drop to 50°F (10°C), shoes that take cobbles and dust, and the cash and stomach kit that make the souks easier.
Kathmandu, the valley towns and day hikes to about 2,500 m · October to April, with notes for the monsoonPacking list for Nepal and Himalayan day hikes
What to bring for Kathmandu, the valley towns and day hikes to about 2,500 m at Nagarkot and Shivapuri: a mask for the dust, layers for 37°F (3°C) dawns and 72°F (22°C) afternoons, shoes that come off at every temple, and a flashlight for the lanes when the power goes.
Auckland, Queenstown and the trails · Any seasonPacking list for New Zealand
Auckland, Queenstown and the day tracks in any season: layers for a day that starts at 41°F (5°C) and ends at 77°F (25°C), a rain jacket that is actually waterproof, SPF 50 for strong UV, sandfly repellent for Fiordland, shoes with grip, clean boots at the border and a swimsuit for the hot pools.
Reykjavik, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn · November to MarchPacking list for the Nordics in winter and the northern lights
Reykjavik, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn from November to March: two different colds, one wet and windy and one dry and still, four to six hours of daylight in December, sidewalks of polished ice, and the kit that gets you through a night of standing in a field waiting for the sky.
Canadian, Great Lakes and New York cities · November to MarchPacking list for Toronto, Montreal, Chicago and New York in winter
The Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence and New York from November to March: 5°F (-59°F (15°C)) with the wind, salt on every boot, underground cities that let you skip whole blocks, and buildings heated to 72°F that have you taking layers off and putting them back on all day.
Travelers over 65 and anyone traveling with them · AnyPacking list for older travelers
For older travelers and whoever is going with them: medicines packed so a border officer and a foreign pharmacist can both read them, mobility aids that fold and fly free, the socks and the shoes for a long day, and the questions to ask a hotel before you book the room.
City photography at sunrise · Any seasonPacking list for a photography trip
Kyoto, Istanbul, Hong Kong or Venice with a camera and an alarm set for an hour before sunrise: one body and two lenses, a tripod and the places that will not let you use it, a backup habit for your cards, a rain cover, the drone you should probably leave at home, and a flask for the light before breakfast.
Kenya and Tanzania · June to October and January to FebruaryPacking list for Nairobi, Zanzibar and a first safari
Kenya and Tanzania in the dry seasons: khaki rather than navy, because tsetse flies prefer dark blue; a soft duffel under 15 kg for the bush plane; your own binoculars; a fleece for a 50°F (10°C) dawn drive; malaria tablets and the yellow fever answer sorted before you fly; a sarong for Stone Town; and small dollar bills from 2013 or later.
Argentine and Brazilian cities · October to April (southern summer)Packing list for Buenos Aires and Rio
Argentina and Brazil in their summer, October to April: beach by day and a late dinner by night in Rio, something smarter for a Buenos Aires evening, 86°F (30°C) afternoons that end in a thunderstorm, and a phone that stays in your pocket on the street.
Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia (money notes are for Thailand) · All year, with a rain layer from June to OctoberPacking list for Southeast Asia
Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia in one bag: heat, rain, temples with dress codes, and most of what you forget is cheap at a local pharmacy or convenience store.
Bangkok and Singapore · May to OctoberPacking list for Southeast Asia in the rainy season
Bangkok and Singapore from May to October: a downpour most afternoons that stops in an hour, side streets that flood for another, 90°F (32°C) in between, and temples that still want knees and shoulders covered.
Cities in Spain · April to OctoberPacking list for Spain from April to October
What to bring for Seville, Granada, Valencia, Madrid and Barcelona from April to October: clothes for 97°F (36°C) afternoons and 43°F (6°C) Alhambra mornings, something with sleeves for the cathedrals, a bag that closes on the metro, and the habit of sleeping through the hottest hours.
New York, Boston, Washington DC, Chicago and New Orleans · Any seasonPacking list for US cities
New York, Boston, Washington DC, Chicago and New Orleans across the year: a July that sits above 90°F (32°C) with the humidity to match, a January below freezing from Washington north, 20,000 steps a day, air conditioning that turns every museum into a fridge, and the bag rules at the museum door.
California cities · Any seasonPacking list for Los Angeles and San Francisco
Two cities, one bag, two climates: Los Angeles at 82°F (28°C) in a dry heat and San Francisco at 55°F (13°C) under fog the same July evening. Layers over a coat, shoes for the hills, a daypack that never stays in the car, and one card that pays for everything.
Guests at a destination wedding · Any seasonPacking list for a wedding abroad
Florence, Lisbon, Cancún or Bali as a wedding guest: the outfit in a garment bag that never gets checked, a steamer for the hotel room, shoes that survive grass or sand, the gift as money in a card, and an extra day in case the bag does not arrive.
Two nights, one bag under the seat · Any seasonPacking list for a two-night city break
Friday to Sunday in Milan, Venice, Copenhagen or Amsterdam with one bag under the seat: the dimensions the budget airlines actually measure, two outfits that share one pair of shoes, toiletries small enough that the liquids rule stops mattering, and the sweater everyone forgets.
New York and London in winter · December to FebruaryPacking list for a winter city trip
New York and London between December and February: cold outside, hot inside, and a lot of standing in line for lights and rinks.