What to pack for a trip to New York?

Getting ready to pack for New York? Here's my advice to make sure you don't forget anything and travel with just what you need!

My tips for clothing

I won’t tell you to pack sweaters in winter and t-shirts in summer — you already know that! 🙂 But here are some practical clothing tips:

Pack 2 t-shirts, 2 pairs of socks, and underwear in your carry-on bag. If your checked luggage gets lost, you’ll have enough to get by for a few days while the airline tracks it down. This happened to me once, and I’ve been prepared ever since.
Bring rain gear and pack a small umbrella in your suitcase.
Avoid packing expensive clothes or items you really care about. If the airline loses or damages your luggage, you could lose everything.
Bring a second pair of shoes. Alternating between two pairs while in New York lets your feet rest and reduces the risk of blisters. See my tips for avoiding sore feet in New York.
Pack one nicer outfit if you plan to go out to a nightclub or rooftop bar in New York.
If you want to travel light, New York has plenty of laundromats where you can drop off dirty clothes and pick them up the next day, clean and pressed. It costs money, but it’s much cheaper than dry cleaning in Europe and can be convenient if you’re staying for a while.
Feel free to buy more t-shirts and clothes once you’re in New York. The Big Apple is a shopping capital, and you’ll probably want to bring home some clothes with New York flair. Check out our New York shopping guide for the best places to shop.

Important: if you take prescription medications, always carry them in your carry-on bag. For other items, pack a small first-aid kit with basic over-the-counter medications: something for stomach upset, acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, lozenges or spray for a sore throat, and a cold remedy. Ask your doctor in advance if they can prescribe an antibiotic just in case, though it’s not required.
If you’re staying in a hotel, you don’t need to pack much. Hotels have first-aid kits, and you’ll find drugstores with over-the-counter medications throughout the city. And if you need it, New York has excellent doctors and hospitals — you’re not in the middle of nowhere.

In New York, electrical outlets are different from those in Europe, so you’ll need an adapter to charge your phone, electronics, and batteries. Buy your adapter before you leave — they’re much more expensive in New York.
You can find adapters at major electronics retailers. If your local store doesn’t have one, order online well in advance.

Be reasonable about beauty products, especially perfume. Too many liquids in your suitcase risk breaking and making a mess. If your bottle of Chanel No. 5 breaks during the flight, you’ll know about it when you arrive! 🙂 Always wrap liquids in multiple plastic bags to limit damage if something spills.
The same goes for wine or champagne you want to bring to friends in New York. Protect the bottle well and wrap it in a plastic bag. For bottles as gifts, I recommend buying them at the airport instead. You’ll get duty-free prices and can carry them on the plane in your carry-on, eliminating any risk to your checked luggage.

Fold some plastic or paper bags and put them in your suitcase. They’re useful for wrapping fragile gifts, like a bottle of maple syrup or other liquids you’re bringing home.
Plastic bags also keep dirty clothes separate on the return trip, so you won’t spread odors throughout your suitcase. 😉

Here’s an important tip: don’t pack your suitcase completely full. As you explore the city, you’ll likely want to buy clothes or New York souvenirs. If your suitcase is already full when you arrive, you’ll have a problem on the way home.
And don’t worry: if you realize you forgot something once you’re in New York, you can find whatever you need there.

When you pack, keep these items in your carry-on bag:

Your passport.
Your credit card.
Your printed e-ticket.
Your printed ESTA travel authorization, which allows you to enter the United States.
Vouchers for your New York excursions and guided tours in New York.
Your camera and accessories, memory cards, chargers, and batteries.
Your glasses, contact lenses, and sunglasses.
Your phone, laptop, and any valuable electronics.
Your jewelry. A note on this: I don’t recommend bringing expensive jewelry to New York. The only risk is losing it or having it stolen.
And your New York guide, which you can read on the plane. I recommend the guide I wrote myself, Destination New York 😉 It has everything you need to know for your trip plus quotes from the New York Forum.
Since 2019, electronic devices with lithium batteries cannot go in checked luggage on flights to or from the United States. Keep your phone, tablet, gaming console, laptop, and similar devices in your carry-on. This also applies to phone chargers and power banks, which people often pack in checked luggage.