What not to pack: the things that cost you at the airport or never get used

Most packing advice tells you what to bring. The more useful half is what to leave behind. Some things will be taken from you at security, some are unwelcome where you are going, and some simply weigh down your bag for no reason. Here is how to sort the three.

Things that will be taken off you

Every airport screens bags, and a few categories are restricted almost everywhere. The details change and vary by country and airline, so the right habit is to check the official page for each of the airports you will use, and the airline's page on dangerous goods and restricted items.

Expect rules about:

• Liquids, gels and aerosols in hand luggage. Container size is the usual limit. See packing toiletries for a flight.
• Sharp objects. Knives, scissors, razor blades and some tools may need to go in the hold, or stay at home.
• Spare batteries and power banks. These are generally for hand luggage only, with limits on size. Travel tech to pack has more on how to carry them.
• Lighters, matches and fuel. Most places limit these tightly.
• Flammable or pressurised items, such as camping gas, fireworks, some sprays and paints.
• Replica weapons and anything that looks like one.

If you are not sure, assume it will be a problem and look it up. A few minutes of reading costs less than a confiscated bottle.

Things that can cause trouble at the border

What you can carry into a country is its own question. Typical categories where rules are strict:

• Food, plants, seeds and animal products. Many countries ban or limit fresh food, meat, dairy and plants to protect farming and nature.
• Medication. Some medicines that are common at home are controlled elsewhere. Carry them in original packaging, with a prescription or letter, and check with the destination's official sites.
• Drones. Many countries have rules on bringing in and flying them, and some need registration.
• Large amounts of cash. There are usually limits on how much you can carry in or out without declaring it.
• Cultural or historic items. Don't take shells, coral, stones or antiques from a site; export rules can be strict.
• Certain clothing or printed material. Rules differ, so look up the country before you go.

For any of these, the sources are the official government website of the country you are visiting and your own government's travel advice. Both are free and updated by the people responsible.

Things that look useful and are not

These are the usual suspects, the things people bring and bring home unused.

• Too many shoes. Most trips need two pairs: one for walking, one that is smarter or lighter. A third is rarely worn.
• Jeans in hot places. They are heavy, slow to dry and hot to wear.
• "Just in case" outfits. If you have never worn it on a trip, you will not start on this one.
• A towel. Most accommodation provides them. A thin travel towel is enough for beaches and hostels.
• Full-size toiletries. You can buy these on arrival in most places.
• A hair dryer. Most hotels have one. Check, and skip it if so.
• Travel guides in print. One book for a long trip is fine. Six are weight.
• A big camera and three lenses, if your phone does the job.
• Anything you can buy for less than the cost of carrying it. A cheap umbrella is easier to buy than to pack.

Things that make you a target

Some items make a bag, or its owner, easier to spot or rob:

• Expensive jewellery and a flashy watch
• Bags with a famous logo, which tell people what is inside
• Several cards and cash in one wallet, instead of spreading them out
• Original documents you do not need, such as a birth certificate

Keep a photo of your passport, insurance and cards somewhere other than your wallet, and leave the spare cards at home or in the accommodation. The page on travel safety tips has more.

Things the destination makes you leave

Local conditions change what is sensible. Before you pack, read about the place.

• Hot and humid places: heavy fabrics, dark synthetic layers and thick-soled shoes.
• Cold places: cotton layers next to the skin, and single heavy coats instead of layers.
• Places with strong dress norms: clothes that would be seen as disrespectful. Country guides note customs and etiquette to check.
• Places with good water or recycling: bulky bottled water and disposable cutlery.

How to cut a list in half

Lay everything on a bed. Then remove, in this order:

1. Anything you can buy at the destination and would not mind buying.
2. Anything you are bringing "in case" and cannot name a situation for.
3. Anything duplicated.
4. A third of the clothes. You will do laundry, or rewear.
5. Anything you can borrow from a travel companion. What a group should share covers that.

Put a few things back if you must. Leave room for souvenirs and for the bag to close.

Check before you shut the bag

Read the airline's baggage and dangerous goods pages, look at the destination's official customs page, and pull out anything on those lists. Then weigh the bag, if your airline asks for it, and lift it. If you do not want to carry it up three flights of stairs, take something else out.