Filipino Travel Essentials: Travel Items Checklist
Filipinos love to travel. If it’s a beach trip to Boracay, a food trip in Bacolod, or a hiking adventure to Mt. Pulag, you need to pack smart. You don’t want to be that person who forgets their phone charger or, worse, their underwear.
To help you out, here’s a complete travel essentials list to make sure your trip goes smoothly. Pack wisely, travel light, and don’t forget these travel essentials for every Filipino traveler!
Plus, you get a FREE DOWNLOADABLE CHECKLIST at the end of the guide!
Trip Essentials: What Every Filipino Traveler Needs
Your trip essentials depend on where you’re going. But even if it's an island getaway or a city escape, some things are non-negotiable. Here’s your travel must-haves checklist:
Travel Documents
Your travel docs won’t magically appear in your bag. You have to pack it. Along with it, bring:
▢ At least 2 valid IDs (government-issued, just in case)
▢ Flight tickets (digital copy is a must!)
▢ Hotel reservations
▢ Travel insurance details
▢ Itinerary (or at least a rough idea of where you’re going)
▢ Passport (if traveling abroad)
▢ Proof that you’re coming back to the PH (if traveling abroad – certificate of employment, school documents, or business documents)
Pro tip: Take photos of all these and save them on your phone. Just in case your crazy little cousin decides to hide your bag for fun.
Money Matters
Cash is still king, especially in small provinces in the Philippines where ATMs are rarer than a quiet MRT station. Bring:
▢ Enough cash for expenses
▢ A mix of small and big bills (vendors don’t like it when you pay in ₱1,000s)
▢ 1 to 2 debit/credit cards (for backup)
Some local tours require cash payments, so don’t rely on your GCash or Maya wallet alone.
Travel Necessities: Must-Have Gadgets
You can’t live without your phone, but don’t forget these other travel must-haves:
▢ Power bank (because outlets are never where you need them)
▢ Universal adapter (for international trips)
▢ Extra charging cables (you will lose one, trust me)
▢ Earphones (for drowning out that noisy seatmate)
▢ Camera or GoPro (for the ‘gram!)
Packing List: Clothes and Footwear
What you pack depends on where you’re going. But the golden rule? Pack light. Here's a trip packing list for your wardrobe:
Clothes to Pack
▢ Lightweight shirts (perfect for humid weather in Southeast Asia)
▢ Shorts or comfy pants
▢ Extra underwear (always pack more than you think you need)
▢ Sleepwear
▢ Jacket or hoodie (airplanes and buses are cold!)
▢ Swimsuits (if you’re going to Palawan, Cebu, or Siargao!)
Shoes and Slippers
▢ Comfortable walking shoes (especially for city tours or hiking)
▢ Flip-flops (because beaches and hostel showers exist)
▢ Hiking sandals (if you’re going on a hiking trip)
Toiletries List: Hygiene is Non-Negotiable
You don’t want to be that traveler who smells like yesterday’s adventure. Pack a travel toiletry kit with these travel necessities:
▢ Toothbrush and toothpaste
▢ Deodorant (save your seatmates from suffering)
▢ Shampoo and soap (bring sachets if packing light)
▢ Facial Wash (make sure it’s less than 100ml)
▢ Sunscreen (it’s hot in the Philippines)
▢ Razor (for those beach-ready moments)
▢ Wet wipes and tissues (trust me, you’ll need them)
▢ Napkin (if you’re a woman and it’s that time of the month)
▢ Travel bath towel – Not all accommodations in the PH provide towels. Quick-drying, lightweight, and packs small. Can also be used as a scarf/shawl for added protection from the aircon.
Get your portable and lightweight travel bath towel here.
Travel Essentials Kit: First Aid and Medicine
You don’t think you’ll get a headache, but you will. Be prepared with a travel essentials kit:
▢ Pain relievers (long bus rides = back pain)
▢ Anti-allergy meds (new places, new allergens!)
▢ Motion sickness pills (for island-hopping adventures)
▢ Band-aids (for unexpected blisters)
▢ Insect repellent (because mosquitoes don’t take vacations)
Travel Checklist Packing: Bags and Accessories
Packing is an art. If you don’t want to look like you’re moving houses, use the right bags:
▢ Small body bag – Bring your personal belongings wherever you go
▢ Backpack or duffle bag – Perfect for city tours and hikes, great for quick weekend trips
▢ 7kg hand-carry luggage – If you’re riding an airplane
▢ 2 toiletry bags – 1 for medicine, 1 for toiletries
▢ Packing cubes – to organize the things in your bag
Travel Must Haves: Snacks and Reusables
We Filipinos love snacks. Don’t let hunger ruin your trip. Pack these travel must-haves:
▢ Biscuits or chips (for long bus rides)
▢ Chocolates or candies (quick energy boost or when you’re feeling dizzy)
▢ Reusable water bottle (stay hydrated, save the planet, but make sure to empty it when going to the airport)
▢ Eco-bags (for pasalubong shopping)
Trip Essentials List: Travel Entertainment
Long flights? Traffic? Delayed ferries? Avoid boredom with these trip essentials list:
▢ Downloaded Netflix shows (because Wi-Fi is unreliable in the PH)
▢ Offline Spotify playlists (LSS-ready!)
▢ A good book (or e-book, for space-saving)
Final Travel Checklist: Pack Like a Pro
Before you zip up your bag, double-check this travel checklist packing:
▢ Travel documents
▢ Money and cards
▢ Toiletries list
▢ Slippers
▢ Enough clothes for all days
▢ Bath towel
▢ Gadgets and chargers
▢ First aid kit, check
▢ Snacks and candies, complete
▢ Reusable water bottle
▢ Eco-bags for pasalubong
To make sure that you have everything that you need, download our free packing list checklist here!
DOWNLOAD FREE TRAVEL CHECKLIST NOW
Simply print it out and check the things you’ve already packed with a pen to make sure that you don’t forget anything.
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Now that your travel essentials list is complete, it’s time to book that ticket! If you’re hitting the beaches of Palawan, climbing Mt. Pulag, or taking a spontaneous trip with joiner tours, being prepared makes the journey stress-free.
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