The Ultimate Packing Guide for 2 Climates (and 2 Months)

Packing for a trip to a destination you have never been to can prove to be a difficult task. Packing for TWO different climates (and for two months) can seem to be impossible!  In this ultimate packing guide, I'll list the important things to remember when packing to make sure you pack efficiently and don't forget any important items!

Carry your personal item onto the plane with all your important documents such as your passport, and all your valuable items.

The first step in packing for a trip is making sure you have a purse or backpack as your personal item.  It's important to have all of your valuables and important documentation in a bag that you can take onto a flight with you incase you need to produce any of the documents and so you don't lose any valuables. If you check your baggage or your carry-on has to be put under the plane, and it gets lost, you'll be happy to know that none of your valuables are in it!

Pick a bag that will fit each airlines' size and weight requirements.

Whether you've decided you can fit all your items in a carry-on or you've paid to have your bag checked, make sure the size and weight of your bag will fit on all flights you take on your trip. This preplanning can save you from having to pay expensive baggage fees at the airport if your bag is too big for one of your flights.

If you need hiking boots, consider wearing them on the plane instead of storing them in your luggage.

Hiking boots are usually big and bulky, so wear them on your flight to fit more in your bags! Whether you're going away for a short trip or a long one, more space is always beneficial.  Taking a look at the hiking boots I'm bringing, I would have to give up 1/3 of the space in my carry-on to fit them in my bag. Instead, I can bring 4 items of clothing, running shoes, and flip flops in place of my hiking boots!

Bring basic shoes and clothes so you can wear them with several outfits.

Bringing basic clothing will allow you to match with more items in your luggage.  You won't be restricted to only a few outfits and it gives you more space for other items you deem important for your trip! If you are planning to bring 2 weeks of clothing for a 2 month trip like me, bringing items that aren't very expensive or don't have special washing instructions will ensure that the multiple washes your clothing will go through will still look great like when you first brought them.

If you're visiting a warmer climate, be realistic with the number of bathing suits you need to bring.

Do you really need 5 bathing suits for a week-long trip? No. Packing for a 2-month trip has taught me I don't even need 5 bathing suits! The space in your bag is very limited so wearing bathing suits several times, if you have access to a washing machine, will help to save space! It took quite a few times of attempting to close my bag to convince me, but as long as you bring pieces that can match with others, you won't feel like you're wearing the same bathing suit each day!

If you're visiting a cooler climate, pack layers.

You won't have room for large sweaters or winter coats, so packing layers is key! Thin layers such as workout tops, thermal underwear, thin sweatshirts, and down jackets should allow you to bring 5 times the amount of clothing compared to packing only one large item.  By packing layers, this will also give you the freedom to take off layers if the weather changes or if you're doing physical activity and you get warm!

Pack light on items you can buy abroad.

Items like mitts, hats, make up wipes, and lotions can virtually be found anywhere and don't need to be packed with you before you go.  They may seem like small items but the number of these items adds up! Saving space by not bringing these items can mean the opportunity to bring a nice sundress or your favourite running shoes!

Know the weather patterns for each climate and the approximate temperature at your time of travel.

This is the most important part when packing for two climates.  Doing thorough research on where you will be visiting, if it usually rains, what the temperature typically is, what activities you plan on doing, and more will make the actual packing a breeze! Knowing you need a rain coat, long pants, and running shoes for most of your trip would be good to pack ahead of time instead of spending time on your trip looking for quality clothing and shoes at a local store.

Keep your liquids to a minimum! Don't bring any that a hotel will supply.

It's tough to fit all your liquid make up, soaps, shampoo, conditioners, and other products in a quart-sized bag.  Determine what you need to bring, what hotels will supply abroad, and what you can buy during your travels. One tip to having more space in your bag is to bring powdered make up! 

Make a master list several weeks before your trip with clothing that you typically wear from head to toe, include any medications you need, important documents, and electronics you plan to bring.

Creating a list several weeks in advance will give you plenty of time to start packing, to notice if you've forgotten anything, and to buy any items you don't have.  It's also beneficial to have a friend look over your packing list to make sure you don't forget anything!

Check out this post for more tips on packing for two climates: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/10-step-guide-to-packing-for-different-climates/

Do you feel ready to pack after reading this? Let me know if this helped you pack!