My 30-Day Sri Lanka Travel Packing List

The little green sticky note that started it all

For years, I have carried a small 2 × 2 inch green sticky note inside my toiletry bag.

It contained my travel packing list.

It was nothing fancy—just a tiny piece of paper with a growing list of things I had learned, forgotten, rediscovered, and added over the years. Whenever I was getting ready for a trip, I would pull out the sticky note and work through it before closing my bags.

Then, after my most recent trip, I lost it.

Ironically, I lost it while I was trying to add new ideas and make changes to the existing list.

So instead of writing the list on another sticky note, I decided to put the whole thing here. That way, I won’t lose it again—and anyone else planning a similar trip can use it too.

This is my personal packing list for a roughly 25–30 day trip, particularly for my trips between Canada and Sri Lanka.

 

Packing for 30 Days

I often travel for around 25 to 30 days when I visit Sri Lanka.

Most of my international travel has been by airlines such as Cathay Pacific, Etihad, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines, usually departing from either Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and arriving at Colombo International Airport (CMB).

Depending on the airline and route, the journey may involve a connection through places such as Dubai, Singapore, India, China, Hong Kong, or Qatar.

After doing this trip many times, I have developed a packing system that works for me.

It is not necessarily a universal packing list. Everyone travels differently.

Instead, this is a list built from experience, convenience, and a lot of trial and error.

Some items are things I need. Others are things that have made long flights and month-long stays considerably easier.

How I organize my bags

I generally divide everything into four groups:

• 🎒 Backpack — my main carry-on
• 👜 Handbag — small things I want immediately accessible
• 🧳 Checked luggage — the larger suitcase
• 🚿 Shower/toiletry bag — grooming and personal-care items

I also separate things based on whether they should travel in the cabin or checked baggage.

That distinction becomes particularly important for liquids, aerosols, electronics, and anything I might need during the flight.

🎒 Backpack — Carry-On

These are the things I want with me during the flight rather than packed into checked luggage.

Power and charging

Multi-plugs and adapters

I carry both round-pin and square-pin multi-plugs.

The reason is simple: electrical sockets can vary considerably between countries, hotels, airports, and other places where I might need to charge something.

USB hub charger

A USB hub charger allows me to charge multiple devices without carrying a separate charger for every device.

USB-C cables

I carry several different cables:

• USB-C to USB-A cables × 2
• USB-C to USB-C cables × 2
• One long USB-C to USB-C cable

The long cable is particularly useful when the power outlet is awkwardly positioned. It gives me much more flexibility when charging a phone or tablet.

I have also noticed that the type of USB connection available on an aircraft can vary between airlines and aircraft. Some flights have USB-A, while others provide USB-C.

Charger block

I also carry a regular, straightforward charger block.

I prefer having a simple charger available rather than relying entirely on a more complicated multi-device charging setup.

I normally keep a square-pin multi-plug or suitable converter with it because many airports and international locations use that style of outlet.

📱 Entertainment for the flight

Tablet

My tablet comes with me in the backpack.

Before leaving, I download entertainment such as:

• Netflix movies or shows
• YouTube downloads
• Other offline content

This is particularly useful on long international flights where Wi-Fi may be unavailable, unreliable, or expensive.

One thing I have learned from travelling is not to depend entirely on streaming access. Your normal account and services may behave differently when travelling internationally, so having content already downloaded is much safer.

Noise-cancelling Bluetooth earbuds

A good pair of noise-cancelling Bluetooth earbuds can make a huge difference on a long flight.

Some Bluetooth earbuds can connect directly to certain aircraft entertainment systems, but compatibility varies. Some aircraft simply do not support Bluetooth connections from the seat entertainment system.

Wired noise-cancelling earbuds

This is why I also carry a wired pair with a reasonably long cable.

They can sometimes be connected directly to the aircraft’s entertainment system.

Over-ear headphones with a cable

I also like having a pair of over-ear noise-cancelling headphones with a wired connection.

Again, the idea is redundancy.

If Bluetooth does not work with the aircraft entertainment system, I still have a way to connect to it.

💧 Water and snacks

Empty water bottle

I carry a water bottle without water through airport security.

Once I am through security, I can fill it with water or ask for water on the aircraft.

I particularly like a bottle with a cup-style lid, because it can be convenient when travelling.

Granola bars × 4

I usually carry several granola bars.

They are small, easy to carry, and useful when I need something to eat between meals.

Small wet snacks

I sometimes carry a small amount of something enjoyable to eat during the journey—for example, a small pack of candy or another snack.

For liquids or semi-liquid foods, I make sure they comply with the applicable airport security restrictions.

Dry snacks

I may also pack things such as:

• Chips
• Chocolate
• Cream crackers

Long flights are much easier when I have a few familiar snacks available.

Of course, food restrictions can apply when entering another country, so I always check the destination’s customs rules before carrying food across the border.

😴 Comfort and sleep

For overnight or very long flights, I also carry the things I personally use to help me relax and sleep.

I may carry personal medications or over-the-counter products that I normally use, but these should always be packed and used according to the label and applicable airline and destination requirements.

Sony WF-C510 Bluetooth earbuds

I also carry my Sony WF-C510 Bluetooth earbuds.

One useful feature I discovered is that they can be turned off through the Sony Sound Connect app, which helps conserve battery when I am wearing them or sleeping.

👜 Handbag — Carry-On

My handbag contains smaller items that I want to reach quickly without opening the main backpack.

Daytime perfume

• Small perfume bottle — approximately 50 ml

Night-time sleep balm

• Sleep-intense balm roll-on — approximately 100 ml

Antiperspirant

• Roll-on antiperspirant — approximately 50 ml

Tissues

• Small pack of dry tissues
• Small pack of wet tissues

These are inexpensive, take almost no space, and are surprisingly useful during a long journey.

🧳 Checked Luggage

The larger suitcase is where I put things that I don’t need during the flight.

Large water bottle

• 1.5 L water bottle
• Empty when packed

Having a larger bottle at the destination can be convenient, particularly when staying somewhere for an extended period.

Vitamins and personal items

My personal list includes:

• Vitamin C
• Multivitamins
• A small supply of my usual over-the-counter pain-relief medication

Medication requirements can vary by country, so this is one area where I recommend checking the rules for your destination and carrying medicines in their original packaging when appropriate.

🛍️ Zip-lock bags

This is one of those items that costs almost nothing but can be incredibly useful.

I normally carry:

• Small zip-lock bags — at least 10
• Large zip-lock bags — at least 10

They can be used for separating small items, protecting things from leaks, organizing luggage, storing leftovers, or keeping wet items away from dry ones.

🪢 Rubber bands

I carry around 20 large rubber bands.

Again, they take almost no space.

They can be useful for bundling cables, securing bags, organizing items, or dealing with the many little situations that come up during a long trip.

🥡 Clear plastic containers

I like carrying a few clear, reusable plastic containers.

The main reason is food.

If I buy or receive food during the trip, I can put it into a container rather than trying to find another way to transport it.

A good container can also prevent:

• Leaking
• Smells spreading through the luggage
• Food stains
• Messes inside bags

🧳 Identifying the suitcase

Coloured luggage strap

I use a brightly coloured luggage strap around the suitcase.

It makes the bag much easier to identify on the baggage carousel.

When dozens of black suitcases come around looking almost identical, a colourful strap can save a surprising amount of time.

🚿 Shower / Toiletry Bag

My toiletry bag is where the original little green sticky note lived.

This is also where many of the things that have gradually accumulated on my packing list originated.

Shaving kit

My shaving kit contains:

• Razor handle
• Replacement blades
• Shaving cream — approximately 100 ml
• After-shave — approximately 100 ml
• Face balm — approximately 50 ml

The exact quantity of replacement blades depends on the length of the trip.

✂️ Grooming kit

My grooming kit includes:

• Small scissors
• Nose-hair trimmer
• Electric shaver
• Shaver attachments

Some items, particularly sharp objects and certain batteries or electrical devices, can have airline restrictions. I always check the current rules before deciding whether an item belongs in checked or carry-on baggage.

🧴 Creams and lotions

I normally take:

• Body cream — approximately 100 ml
• Hand cream — approximately 100 ml

🚿 Shower supplies

For a month-long trip, my basic shower supplies include:

• Body wash — approximately 200 ml
• Shampoo — approximately 200 ml
• Conditioner — approximately 100 ml

🌙 Perfume and body spray

I usually have two types of fragrance:

Daytime perfume

A smaller bottle that I keep accessible in my carry-on.

Stronger evening perfume

A larger bottle, around 100 ml, packed with my toiletry items.

I may also take body spray.

Important: aerosols and pressurized containers can have specific airline restrictions. If a body spray is pressurized, I check the airline’s current baggage rules before deciding where to pack it.

💅 Small personal-care items

Nail clipper

A small nail clipper goes into the toiletry bag.

Dental hygiene

For a long trip, I take:

• Electric toothbrush
• Toothbrush charger
• Toothpaste — approximately 100 ml
• Dental floss
• Manual toothbrush
• Mouthwash

I like carrying a manual toothbrush as a backup.

A charger can fail. A battery can run out. Having a simple backup costs almost nothing.

🦟 Mosquito protection

Sri Lanka and other tropical destinations can mean mosquitoes are part of the travel experience.

I therefore carry:

• Mosquito repellent
• After-bite treatment

For this particular trip, I have listed these as carry-on items, but again, the exact packing location depends on the product type, container size, and current airline/security rules.

My Complete Packing Checklist

Here is the consolidated version of my original sticky-note list.

Item	Bag	Baggage
Shaving set	Shower bag	Checked
Grooming kit	Shower bag	Checked
Creams and lotions	Shower bag	Checked
Body wash, shampoo & conditioner	Shower bag	Checked
Evening perfume	Shower bag	Checked
Body spray	Shower bag	Check airline rules
Nail clipper	Shower bag	Checked
Dental hygiene kit	Shower bag	Checked
Round-pin multi-plug	Backpack	Carry-on
Square-pin multi-plug	Backpack	Carry-on
USB hub charger	Backpack	Carry-on
USB-C to USB-A cables × 2	Backpack	Carry-on
USB-C to USB-C cables × 2	Backpack	Carry-on
Long USB-C to USB-C cable	Backpack	Carry-on
Charger block	Backpack	Carry-on
Tablet	Backpack	Carry-on
Bluetooth noise-cancelling earbuds	Backpack	Carry-on
Wired noise-cancelling earbuds	Backpack	Carry-on
Wired over-ear noise-cancelling headphones	Backpack	Carry-on
Empty water bottle	Backpack	Carry-on
Granola bars	Backpack	Carry-on
Small snacks	Backpack	Carry-on
Dry snacks	Backpack	Carry-on
Personal sleep/relaxation items	Backpack	Check applicable rules
Sony WF-C510 earbuds	Backpack	Carry-on
Daytime perfume, 50 ml	Handbag	Carry-on
Sleep balm roll-on	Handbag	Carry-on
Antiperspirant roll-on, 50 ml	Handbag	Carry-on
Dry tissues	Handbag	Carry-on
Wet tissues	Handbag	Carry-on
1.5 L water bottle — empty	Luggage	Checked
Vitamin C	Luggage	Checked
Multivitamins	Luggage	Checked
Small supply of personal OTC medication	Luggage	Checked
Small zip-lock bags × 10+	Luggage	Checked
Large zip-lock bags × 10+	Luggage	Checked
Large rubber bands × 20	Luggage	Checked
Clear plastic food containers	Luggage	Checked
Coloured luggage strap	Luggage	Checked
Mosquito repellent	Shower bag	Check product/airline rules
After-bite treatment	Shower bag	Check product/airline rules

The list will keep changing

The funny thing about a packing list like this is that it is never really finished.

Every trip teaches me something.

Sometimes I discover that I packed something completely unnecessary.

Sometimes I discover that I really needed something I didn’t bring.

And occasionally, an item becomes a permanent part of the list because it solved a problem I didn’t know I was going to have.

That is exactly how the original 2 × 2 inch green sticky note grew over the years.

It started as a simple reminder.

It eventually became a small travel system.

Now that the sticky note is gone, this webpage can become its permanent home.

And hopefully, it will be useful not only for me when I pack for my next 30-day trip, but also for anyone else preparing for a long journey to Sri Lanka, Asia, or anywhere else where a little preparation can make travelling much easier.

The sticky note may be gone. The list is finally safe.

Professionally, I’ve worked across data analysis, reporting, and application development. One notable experience was developing a Human Resources appraisal system over two years using Visual Basic and SQL Server, where I translated business rules into reliable, user-friendly software. Projects like this deepened my appreciation for clean data, thoughtful design, and systems that support people—not just processes.

Over time, my work expanded into Python, SQL databases, analytics, and automation, with a growing focus on data integrity and insight-driven solutions. I enjoy building tools that reduce manual effort, surface meaningful patterns, and enable better decisions.

Outside of work, I value balance and mindfulness. I enjoy hiking, traveling, kayaking, and spending time in nature—activities that keep me grounded and curious.

Today, I’m focused on contributing within data science and analytics–driven environments, continuing to learn, mentor, and build solutions that are practical, ethical, and impactful.