PACKING LIST FOR GERMANY
CLOTHING
4-5 comfortable outfits for school (jeans, khakis, polo shirts, et cetera)
2 nicer outfits for going out
o Gents: dress shirts and ties, khakis/nice slacks
o Ladies: skirts and blouses, dress
1 fancy outfit for the graduation dance
All types of broken-in shoes (gym, dress, casual dress, et cetera – no flip-flops at airport!)
Windbreaker
Sweatshirt or long sleeve T-shirt
T-shirts and undershirts
Socks (dress and gym)
Underwear, nylons, et cetera
A pair of comfortable athletic shorts (German don’t wear shorts as often as Americans)
Swimsuit
Pajamas
Think of dressing like an onion (layers); the high summer temperature in Germany can
range anywhere from the upper 50s to lower 90s, Fahrenheit.
TOILETRIES
Soap, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream
Deodorant/anti-perspirant
Towel, washcloth
Toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss
Sunglasses, sunscreen, lotion
Chapstick
Comb, brush
Hair dryer (and 2-part voltage adaptor/converter)
Band-Aids
Cotton swabs
Hair clips, barrettes
Makeup
Contact lens solution, extra contact lenses
Mousse, hairspray
Nail file, clippers, razors, scissors (sharps must go into checked baggage)
Tums, Tylenol, Pepto-Bismol, Benadryl, bug spray, other medicines (you are responsible for
prescriptions!)
MISCELLANEOUS
TSA-approved suitcase lock (available at Home Depot for about $6)
Gifts for host, family members
Batteries and/or 2-part voltage adaptor/converter
Electronics: Cell phone, camera/memory card, iPod
Books for leisure
Small German-English dictionary
Gum (especially for on the flight)
Dollars (perhaps $100), Euros (perhaps €100), travelers checks (perhaps €500)
PASSPORT (with at least 6 months’ validity past our return date)!!!
Be aware that you can usually only check one bag not exceeding 50 lbs. for your trip!
Additional and overweight bag fees apply!!!
TIPS FROM AN EXPERT TRAVELER
CARRY-ON LUGGAGE
Wear a light jacket/long-sleeve shirt onto the plane
Pack at least one full set of clothes
Add extra undies, including socks
Small toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant (these are seconds/back-ups)
Gum is helpful for most people during take-off and landing
Valuables: Money, jewelry, electronics, etc.
Kroger bags (to help with messes, trash, wet items, liquids)
NO SHARP OBJECTS!
SUITCASES
NOT TOO BIG (bigger suitcases weight more, full and empty)!
New, lightweight hard-side suitcases are worth considering for packing protection
Take a picture of your suitcase before you leave (in case of damage)
Put inside your suitcase some ID, your address, a photo
Decorate your suitcase in a unique manner (ribbon, etc.) so that you can find it quickly
HOW TO PACK (LESS IS BEST!)
Lay EVERYTHING out on the bed, and cut it in half (then, do it again)!
If you forget something, you can get it there (it is part of the experience)!
You do NOT need 8 pairs of jeans (you will learn to wear things twice before washing)!
Fold everything neatly! (It’s not a turkey: fold, don’t stuff, and you’ll maximize space!)
Extra Kroger bags (dirty clothes, smoke, spills, etc.)!
Stack your suitcase from the bottom up (don’t fill both sides and try to close)!
Wrap glass well – use your socks and undies to insulate both inside and outside (on the return
trip, use dirty clothes)!
Put all glasses and glass with liquids in Kroger bags
Shoes: stack them, interlock them, fill them (socks and undies); take 2-3 pairs, tops!
Corners: use all the space and between spaces; squish undies and socks in there!
Straps are your friends too – use them to squeeze extra space
Weight distribution: heavier items closer to the wheels of the suitcase!
PRESENTS
Books are heavy – place them between clothes (especially pants) toward the middle!
Glass is dangerous and fragile – place in the middle of your suitcase (between piles)!
Food always used to be novel, but the internet has taken some of the charm out of that
o Bags with air (chips, Funions): Pin poke and squeeze, then tape!
o Reds, Bengals, OHHS, Cincinnati gear is very popular!
o Liquids: Use Kroger bags; tape them and double-bag!
o Ziplock bags are handy: squeeze the air out of them (roll, squeeze, and seal!)
BIGGEST THING?
Pack your 2 pairs of jeans LAST – these go on the very top of your suitcase for quick
removal, if need be.
