Packing for a Group Tour: Staying Comfortable When You Change Hotels Every Morning

The basic rule of packing for a group tour is this: a suitcase you can carry on your own and pack in a few minutes every morning, plus a small bag that stays with you all day. On multi-country routes or routes that change city, your suitcase is loaded onto the coach almost every day, so a few of the right things are worth far more than lots of things. Below is a practical guide to setting up this routine.

Why is packing for a group tour different?

On an independent city break, you unpack at the hotel and don't touch your suitcase again until you leave. On a group tour, things are often different:

• On some routes you stay in a different city almost every night.
• In the mornings, suitcases are loaded onto the coach at a set time; a late suitcase keeps the whole group waiting.
• The coach's luggage hold is shared; large, heavy suitcases make loading and unloading harder.
• You can't get to your suitcase during the day, so everything you need should be in your small bag.

So a group tour suitcase is packed not on the basis of "I might need everything" but on the basis of "I can pack it every morning".

Choosing your suitcase

• Size: a medium-sized, sturdy suitcase on wheels is enough for most tours. On tours with flights, the baggage allowance varies by airline and ticket; go by the information in your quote or on your ticket.
• Easy to spot: in the coach's luggage hold, suitcases look alike. Use a coloured ribbon or luggage tag so you can easily pick out your own. Write your name and phone number on the tag.
• Lock: a simple lock keeps your suitcase closed throughout the journey.

Day bag: what to keep with you all day

A small backpack or cross-body bag is the most important item on a group tour. It should contain:

1. Passport and ID (in a closed compartment close to your body)
2. Wallet, cards and some local currency
3. Phone, charger and power bank
4. Water bottle and a small snack
5. Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen
6. A thin cardigan or a foldable raincoat
7. Any medication you take regularly
8. Wet wipes and hand sanitiser
9. A foldable cover-up or scarf for churches and mosques

Clothing: layered and mix-and-match

The weather can change during the day: a cool city in the morning, a sunny archaeological site at midday, a windy coast in the evening. Choose layers rather than single thick items.

• Colour plan: choose two or three main colours that go together, so you can make lots of outfits from just a few pieces.
• Shoes: one pair of comfortable walking shoes that are already broken in, and a lighter pair for the evenings. Don't take new shoes on a tour without trying them first.
• A seasonal outer layer: a waterproof jacket for northern countries and mountain regions; light, sun-protective clothing for a Mediterranean summer.
• Respectful clothing: if places of worship are on the programme, have at least one outfit that covers your shoulders and knees.

For route-specific tips, you'll find seasonal clothing suggestions in our articles When to visit Scandinavia and Practical information for a trip to Georgia.

A routine for packing quickly every morning

1. Use packing cubes or pouches. If tops, bottoms, underwear and chargers are in separate pouches, opening and closing your suitcase takes minutes.
2. Set aside a laundry bag. Keeping clean and dirty clothes apart keeps things organised.
3. Prepare the night before. Set aside the next day's outfit and your day bag before going to bed, and close up the rest of the suitcase.
4. One last check before leaving the room. Sockets, bathroom, wardrobe, safe and bedside: the most commonly forgotten items are chargers, glasses and documents in the safe.

The items most likely to be forgotten

• Plug adaptor (some countries use a different socket type)
• Glasses or contact lenses and spares
• Regular medication and a copy of the prescriptions
• Toothbrush and small toiletries
• Headphones and a sleep mask (useful on long coach journeys and during light northern nights)

Leave room for souvenirs

Your suitcase is always fuller on the way back than on the way out. Don't fill your suitcase completely when you set off; a foldable extra bag is also a good solution for the return. If you're going to buy liquids (olive oil, wine, cosmetics), check the airline and customs rules in advance.

The next step

Once your packing list is done, the next step is choosing a route. You can see all our programmes on our international tours page; for complete preparation, see our checklist for your first tour abroad too.

Cabin bag or large suitcase?

On short tours, travelling with just a cabin-sized suitcase can be tempting. It cuts the wait at the baggage carousel and makes loading the coach easier. However, the size, weight and amount of liquids allowed in the cabin vary by airline and ticket; check these rules before choosing a cabin bag. On long, multi-country routes or in cold seasons, bulky clothes take up space, so a medium-sized suitcase may be more comfortable.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take a large suitcase on a group tour?

On tours with flights, the baggage allowance varies by airline and ticket. On the coach sections too, a medium-sized suitcase makes things easier for both you and the group.

Can I open my suitcase during the day on a group tour?

Usually not; suitcases stay in the coach's luggage hold or at the hotel. You should carry everything you'll need during the day in your small bag.

How many outfits should I take?

Take a small number of pieces in coordinating colours that can be mixed and matched. You can decide on the number depending on whether you'll be able to do laundry on the tour.

What is most often forgotten on a group tour?

Chargers, plug adaptors, glasses and documents left in the hotel safe are the most commonly forgotten items. A quick check before leaving the room prevents this.