Can ChatGPT Make A Good Packing List? Yes!

Can ChatGPT Make a Good Packing List?

By Paige Okun & ChatGPT

I panicked for the fourth time in a week about packing for an upcoming trip. I travel all the time, and while I’m not a great packer, I’m competent. However, this trip had me in a tizzy.

I was setting off for a seven-week odyssey taking me from Singapore to Copenhagen to Los Angeles to Colorado Springs to Reykjavik to Edinburgh to London to Klosters. My activities included city walking tours, my son’s graduation, glacier hiking, mountain hiking, Michelin-starred dinners, West End theatre and hot spring dips. Plus I knew some unexpected activities would present themselves!

Besides a range of activities, I'd have multiple climate changes — from temperate Colorado late spring to freezing temps in Iceland to warm London summer.

As I considered this, it became obvious that layers were key.

Oh, did I mention, that I needed to do it all with one bag! Just thinking about it is made me exhausted.

About two weeks before my trip, I started pulling stuff I might need out of my closet and tossing it on my guest room bed. Hiking boots, swimsuit, running shoes, comfy walking flats, a dressy dress, fleece jacket, gloves, hat…everything got tossed on the pile when I thought of something I might need.

Author's growing packing pile led her to wonder if ChatGPT Make a Good Packing List?

Authors growing packing pile * Photo: Paige Okun

Then I realized that 1) I don’t have a suitcase big enough for all of this and 2) I need to do this more logically.

Luggage was an easy solve. I asked a friend, who literally spends about 30% of her time at home and 70% of her time traveling, what she uses. She suggested the largest size of the TravelPro Maxlite Air Hardside suitcase.

The TravelPro Maxlite Air hardside suitcase. * Image: Amazon

Then, another friend said she did a two-week trip with her kids and each was only allowed a carry-on plus a backpack. Incredulously, I asked how that was possible and she introduced me to the magic of vacuum packing! This is literally life changing technology.

ChatGPT helped Paige make a Good Packing List, which included using vacuum packing bags

Author recently discovered vacuum bags for efficient packing. * Photo: Paige Okun

I quickly ordered the suitcase and a cache of bags plus a few vacuum pumps.

Space issues solved. But I still needed to figure out what to put into the vacuum bags that would go into the new suitcase.

I thought, “there must be a packing list online that I can adapt.”

I couldn’t find anything extensive enough to cover all that I needed, which makes sense because what other crazy person combines their son’s graduation with a trip to Iceland and extends that into West End theatre shows?

After a failed Excel spreadsheet, I decided to give ChatGPT a whirl to for an AI packing list and entered this prompt:

I need a packing list for the following itinerary. Please take into consideration: weather, temperature and events listed.

Copenhagen, Denmark. 5 days in May. Touring. Lots of walking. Bike riding.
Colorado Springs, USA. 6 days in May. Walking. Son's college graduation with commencement ceremonies.
Iceland. 10 days in May. Outdoor touring. Hiking. Glacier hiking. Hot springs. Caving.
Edinburgh, Scotland. 6 days in June. Touring. Lots of walking. 1 very nice dinner.
London, England. 5 days in June. Touring. West End theatre show. Lots of walking.
Klosters, Switzerland. 5 days in June. Hiking. Casual dinners.

Dressing for the chilly unpredictable weather in Scotland. * Photo: Paige Okun

ChatGPT responded: (note, I was right about the layering!)

Here's a streamlined packing list for your trip, balancing versatility, weather considerations, and space limitations. Layering is key!

Then there was a lengthy, detailed list of everyday wear, shoes, accessories, toiletries, and miscellaneous items. Plus the query, “Would you like any modifications or additions?”

I responded:

I don't wear shorts. Won't be able to do laundry in Iceland. What about under garments?

ChatGPT responded:

Got it! Here’s an updated packing list with those considerations, tailored to your itinerary, luggage limitations, and laundry restrictions.

Clothing (Layering is key!)

Everyday Wear:

5-6 tops (mix of long & short sleeves)
3-4 pairs of pants (1 jeans, 1 travel-friendly, 1-2 athletic/hiking)
1 dress/skirt or dressy outfit (for Edinburgh dinner & West End show)
1 lightweight sweater/fleece
1 warm sweater/fleece (for Iceland)
1 packable down jacket (for Iceland & Scotland)
1 rain jacket (waterproof, breathable)
1 set of thermal base layers (for glacier hiking)
2 pairs of leggings (for layering or casual wear)
1 swimsuit (for Iceland hot springs)
Pajamas

Underwear & Socks (since no laundry in Iceland):

10+ pairs of underwear
4-5 bras (mix of everyday & sports bras)
8-10 pairs of socks (mix of regular and warm wool socks for Iceland)

Shoes:

Comfortable walking shoes (for daily touring)
Waterproof hiking boots (for Iceland)
Flats or dressy shoes (for Edinburgh dinner & West End show)
Sandals (for hot springs & casual wear)

Accessories:

Lightweight scarf (for layering)
Hat (warm beanie for Iceland, sun hat for Colorado & Copenhagen)
Gloves (for Iceland)
Sunglasses
Small daypack (for hikes & daily touring)
Reusable water bottle
Compression packing cubes (for space-saving)
Packing laundry bag (for separating dirty clothes)
Foldable tote bag (for extra carry-on or shopping)

Toiletries (Travel-size to save space):

Shampoo & conditioner
Body wash or soap
Facial cleanser & moisturizer
Sunscreen
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Deodorant
Razor
Makeup (minimal)
Hairbrush/comb
Lip balm
Basic first-aid kit (band-aids, blister patches, ibuprofen, etc.)
Motion sickness pills (for flights or caving)
Bug spray (for hikes)
Hand sanitizer
Tissues & wet wipes
Travel laundry detergent (for washing small items in the sink)

Miscellaneous:

Power adapter (for Europe & UK)
Charging cables (phone, camera, etc.)
Portable battery pack
Travel documents (passport, ID, insurance, tickets)
Notebook & pen
E-reader or book
Snacks (for flights & hikes)
Ziplock bags (for wet/dirty items)
Eye mask & earplugs (for better sleep while traveling)

This list keeps things compact while ensuring you’re prepared for all your destinations. Let me know if you want to tweak anything!

“Wow,” I thought. The list is beyond comprehensive and useful. I made a few tweaks — I didn’t pack bug spray, because it’s a pain to carry; and didn’t take body wash/soap because all the places I’m staying would have that. But everything else was on point.

I went all in on the list, sharing it with my husband and son, who made a few more tweaks — they both wear shorts, neither wears bras.

Thanks ChatGPT, I couldn’t have done it without you!

And the best thing about using ChatGPT (besides no spreadsheets!) is being able to tailor a packing list based on your specific multi-leg itinerary. It's endlessly customizable from length of trip to weather to activities.