Introduction
Whether you’re hosting a hen do at home, heading to a different town overnight or even flying abroad for a full hen weekend, you’ll need to consider what to take with you to be prepared for maximum fun. This comprehensive hen party packing list covers everything you could need for any scenario, in any location. We’ve even highlighted special items you might need for particular styles of hen parties.
You won’t need everything on this list but you’ll be able to customise it to your needs and make sure you don’t leave anything essential behind.
How to decide what to pack
Before you reach for the suitcase to pack for your hen do trip, ask yourself:
- Where are you travelling to?
- What season is it and will there be any extreme weather?
- What kinds of activities are you doing?
- What kind of accommodation are you staying in?
- Do you need a formal outfit?
- How long are you going for?
The answers to these questions will help you pick all the right items from our hen party packing list below as well as decide on the quantity of each item.
Which travel bag to use?
When packing your hen do, there are a few travel bag options you can go with – each suited to different types of trips, accommodations and people:
- Large suitcase: Only recommended for long trips abroad or if you need to bring large, specialised items for the hen party.
- Carry-on-sized suitcase: A great option if you’ve only got a carry-on luggage allowance, you like a structured space to pack into and your accommodation doesn’t have a lot of stairs with no elevator. Avoid a suitcase if you need to be super portable or tackle a lot of stairs/walking.
- Carry-on-sized backpack: This is a better option if you are limited to carry-on luggage but you need to be very portable and maybe walk up lots of stairs or around cobblestone streets. Just keep in mind the weight you’ll be carrying on your back.
- Duffle bag: We wouldn’t recommend a duffle bag unless it has wheels. Just keep in mind that it will need to fit in the overhead lockers if you are restricted to carry-on luggage.
The comprehensive hen party packing list
ID, Docs & emergencies
We know everything is pretty much online these days but it’s always a good idea to have a printed backup of the essential details of your trip, just in case:
- Your ID: You’ll need this to gain entry to some nightclubs, beach clubs and even some activities.
- Some emergency cash in the local currency
- Printouts of booking information (e.g. hotel reservation)
- Contact list of suppliers and group members
Travel abroad essentials
Before you get on a plane for your hen do abroad, make sure you haven’t forgotten the following items for your hen party packing list:
- Travel wallet (to keep everything safe)
- Your passport
- Travel visa (if required)
- Travel insurance documentation
- Your liquids in a clear, plastic bag (though, some airports don’t require this anymore)
- Travel plug adaptors
- Notify your bank that you’re heading overseas
Must read: Check out our full guide for planning a hen party abroad.
Hen Party accessories
This wouldn’t be a hen party packing list if we didn’t include the top hen do accessories to add to your luggage:
- Sashes
- Hen party bags
- Travel face masks
- Hen party t-shirts
- L-Plates
- Tiaras
- Flower crowns
- Tote bags
- Matching swimsuits
- Matching make up bags
- Badges
- Headbands
- Straws
- Sunglasses
- Masks
- Drink toppers
- Cake toppers
- Bunting
- Photo props
- Balloons
- Piñatas
- Inflatables
- Themed costumes
- Other decorations
Your group will be super impressed if you also plan a hen party survival kit to hand out to the girls. It’ll be a genuine life-saver for those ‘oh no’ moments on the hen do.
Special touches
To add something a bit special to your hen weekend, why not plan a gift or gesture to bring a smile to bride’s face or to show your appreciation for another member of the group. Your hen party packing list could include:
- A gift for the bride: This is optional, so we recommend chatting with the rest of the hen party group to see if everyone wants to go in on a gift together, if you should get your own or if it’s not expected at all.
- A gift for the maid of honour: She has probably done a LOT of hard work to get the hen do organised, so it’s a nice touch to bring her a small token to say thanks.
- Memory book: Grab a notebook or a specialised memory book to add photos, written memories, keepsakes, lipstick kisses and other items for the bride to take home as a memento.
- Polaroid camera: We know they’re a bit old-fashioned but being able to take photos of your fave hen weekend moments and see them straight away is a lovely thing! They’ll also make gorgeous additions to your memory book if you’re doing one.
- A video from the groom: Get the groom to record a short video with a message to the bride to have fun on her hen do and wish the whole group a brilliant time. It’ll be an incredible surprise and a nice way to start the trip.
- Hen party games: Again, this is optional but taking some printouts of some hen party game sheets can mean the difference between evenings of awkward silence and memorable hilarity. You can check out our hen do games on Etsy.
Clothing
The types of clothing and quantities of each item you include in your hen party packing list will vary depending on your destination, trip style, length of stay and many other factors. Take a look at this list of clothes and pick the items that suit your trip:
- Jeans
- Nice trousers
- Modest skirts
- Party skirts
- Beach dresses
- Sarongs
- Casual dresses
- Warm dresses
- Nice dresses
- Shorts
- Casual tops
- Nice tops
- Tank tops
- Sweater
- Lightweight jacket
- Heavier jacket
- Raincoat
- Heavy coat
- Underwear
- Bras
- Socks
- Swimsuits
- Sleepwear
Shoes
First: Take some shoe liners and gel inserts. You’re going to be walking and partying it up and these little beauties will save your feet.
- Flip flops
- Sandals
- Sneakers
- Trainers
- Ankle boots
- Knee-high boots
- Snow boots
- Hiking/walking boots
- High heels or dress shoes
Toiletries
- Hand sanitiser
- Breath mints
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Deodorant
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Soap or body wash
- Razor
- Anti-chafe balm (if relevant)
- Menstrual cup, tampons or sanitary pads
- Condoms (if relevant)
- Contact lenses and solution (if relevant)
Medication & first aid
- Prescription medications
- Paracetamol
- Ibuprofen
- Antacids
- Vitamins
- Berocca (for the hangover)
- Plasters (great for blisters and sore feet)
- A small pack of tissues
Beauty items
- Your own face cloth (it’s a lifesaver)
- Hairbrush
- Tweezers
- Nail polish
- Nail clippers
- Nail file
- Make up items of choice (concealer, foundation, blush, bronzer, eye shadow etc)
- Make up brushes
- Make up remover
- Small make up bag
- Cotton buds / pads
- Facial wipes / body wipes (trust us)
- Face masks (to refresh yourselves in the morning)
- Hand cream
- Face moisturiser
- Lip balm (we recommend tinted so it can double as lippy)
- Perfume (liquid or solid)
- Aftersun lotion
- Tanning cream or a tanning mitt
- Dry shampoo (comes in handy)
- Double-sided tape
Accessories
- Umbrella
- Sun hat
- Beanie
- Gloves
- Scarves
- Belts
- Earrings
- Necklaces
- Bracelets
- Headbands
- Hair ties
- Bobby pins
- Handbag or tote bag
- Collapsible bag
- Purse or wallet
- Glasses and glasses cleaner
Technology
We think your tech items are some of the most important things on your hen party packing list. From getting directions to keeping your battery charged or making your hair look perfect for the night out, your tech can be a real lifesaver.
- Phone and charger
- Earphones or AirPods
- Smartwatch (if relevant)
- Portable battery cells / power bank (pre-charged)
- Portable Bluetooth speaker and charger
- Laptop and charger (if needed for things like hen party games or other activities)
- Travel hair dryer
- Hair straightener
- Hair curler
- Camera (if you’re a bit old-school)
- AirTag or other GPS tracker (check your airline’s rules)
Miscellaneous
- Travel clothesline (usually relevant if staying in a hostel)
- Microfibre towel (again, mainly if you’re staying in a hostel)
Quick beach hen party packing list
If you’re off to seek some sun and sand on your hen do, then these would be the essential items we’d pack:
- 2 swimsuits
- 1 beach dress or coverup
- 1 pair of shorts
- 1 skirt
- 2 strappy tops
- 1 comfy t-shirt
- 1 shirt or light jacket
- 1 nice dress for going out
- 1 cardigan or shawl for going out
- 1 pack away raincoat or poncho
- 1 pyjama set
- 1 pair of sandals
- 1 pair of flip flops
- 1 pair of fancy heels
- 1 pair of comfy walking shoes
- Underwear, socks and bras (your bikini can double as 1 bra)
- 1 beach hat
- 1 beach tote bag
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Aftersun cream
- 1 beach towel (if your accommodation doesn’t provide one)
- 2 portable battery cells / power bank (pre-charged)
- 1 portable Bluetooth speaker and charger (for beach tunes)
Quick outdoorsy hen party packing list
If you’re heading out into the wilds or taking on any really outdoorsy activities for your hen weekend, then we recommend adding these items to your packing list:
- 1 pair of jeans or long trousers
- 1 pair of walking pants
- 1 pair of shorts (if warmer weather)
- 1 tank top
- 2 comfy t-shirts
- 1 shirt or light jacket
- 1 heavier jumper or jacket (if it’s going to be cooler)
- 1 nice dress for going out
- 1 cardigan or shawl for going out
- 1 proper raincoat
- 1 pair of walking sandals (if warmer weather)
- 1 pair of trainers or hiking boots (if doing any vigorous activities)
- 1 pair of fancy heels (if you’re going out)
- 1 pyjama set
- Underwear, socks and bras
- Insect repellant
- Hiking or day pack
- Water bottle
- Umbrella
- Weatherproof cases for technology and other essentials
- Portable battery cells / power bank (pre-charged up)
- Portable Bluetooth speaker (for music and games)
- Non-perishable snacks
- Camping gear (if relevant)
Quick glamping hen party packing list
We recommend packing the following items for your glamping hen party:
- 1 pair of jeans or long trousers
- 1 pair of shorts
- 1 skirt
- 1 strappy top
- 1 comfy t-shirt
- 1 shirt or light jacket
- 1 heavier jumper or jacket (if it’s going to be cooler)
- 1 nice dress for going out (if you’re planning to leave the glamping site)
- 1 cardigan or shawl for going out
- 1 pack away raincoat or poncho
- 1 pair of sandals
- 1 pair of flip-flops (for showering)
- 1 pair of comfy walking shoes
- 1 pair of trainers (if doing any vigorous activities)
- 1 pair of fancy heels (if you’re going out)
- 1 pyjama set
- 1 shawl or warm blanket (if it’s going to be cooler)
- Underwear, socks and bras
- Insect repellant
- Portable battery cells / power bank (pre-charged up)
- Portable Bluetooth speaker (for music and games)
- Fairy lights or bunting for cute hen do decor
- Marshmallows for the fire
- Non-perishable snacks
- BYO alcohol and drinks (if allowed by the glamping site)
Quick city break hen party packing list
If you’re going full glam for your hen do, then you should consider packing these items:
- 1 pair of jeans or long trousers
- 1 pair of shorts
- 1 skirt
- 1 strappy top
- 1 comfy t-shirt
- 1 shirt or light jacket
- 1 heavier jumper or jacket
- 1 nice dress for going out
- 1 cardigan or shawl for going out
- 1 pack away raincoat or poncho
- 1 pair of sandals (if it’s summer)
- 1 pair of comfy walking shoes
- 1 pair of fancy heels for going out
- 1 pair of trainers (if doing any vigorous activities)
- Underwear, socks and bras
Conclusion
We hope we’ve given you enough tips and inspiration to make your own personalised hen party packing list. If you have suggestions for more essential items, please let us know!
