Our best advice is to follow these tips and pack light. We've included sample packing lists below—print them and follow along when you're getting ready for your trip. To make preparing for your trip as easy and as fun as possible, check out the ACIS Travel Store. ACIS has gathered all of the essential items you need for your trip—suitcases, travel clocks and all-weather apparel, among other things—in one place for your shopping convenience. Order everything you need, quickly and securely, without leaving the house!
What to Bring
How to Bring It
Lost or Stolen Luggage
Electric Appliances & Currents
Sample Packing List for your Main Suitcase
Sample Packing List for your Carry-on Bag
Cathedral Etiquette
Climate
What to Bring
Most ACIS trips do not include porterage. As you pack, remember that you’ll be carrying your suitcase through airports and hotels. If you are purchasing luggage for the trip, consider buying luggage on wheels, like those found at the Store.
A good rule of thumb is to lay out everything you think you need, then put half of it back in your closet.
On your flights and on the bus, you are allowed one suitcase and one carry-on bag. European coaches have luggage compartments based on the assumption of one suitcase per person, and local safety laws prevent suitcases from being put in the bus aisle. Your carry-on bag needs to be small enough to fit under a bus seat.
How to Bring It
Choose a lightweight suitcase, preferably one with wheels. The weight limit of 44 pounds per person includes one suitcase and one small carry-on bag. Airlines require that each article of luggage have at least one tag with your name and address information on it.* Before you leave, make a list of the total contents of your suitcase. If your luggage is lost, the list will help you file any insurance claims.
Please note that TGV and overnight trains no longer offer luggage space other than that immediately around your seat and in the overhead compartment. If you are traveling on a TGV train as part of your ACIS itinerary, you will be required to store your luggage in the compartment above your seat for the duration of the journey. If you are traveling on an overnight train as part of your ACIS itinerary, you will be required to store your luggage within your sleeping compartment.
* Due to increased airline security, locked luggage is not permitted. When traveling by bus or train, locks may be used.
Lost or Stolen Luggage
Unless in the care of the airline, your luggage is your responsibility and should never be left unattended. If you lose your luggage on the flight, you must file a claim at the airline's lost-luggage office before leaving the customs hall of the airport. If your luggage is stolen, you must file a police report to be covered by the Ultimate or Comprehensive Protection Plan.
Electric Appliances & Currents
In most of Europe (and Argentina), electric current is 220 volts, not 110 as in the U.S. or Costa Rica. Buy a hairdryer or razor adaptable to 220 volts, as most travel appliances are. You can purchase voltage adapters, dual voltage hairdryers and other travel accessories when you visit the Store.
Sample Packing List for Your Main Suitcase
Pack comfortable clothing for your trip.In general, bring comfortable clothing-and about half the things you think you'll need! You can find some of the items listed below by visiting the Store.
- Battery-operated travel alarm clock or watch.
- Two pairs of shoes, one for walking and one for dressier occasions, such as dinner, the theater or disco. NEVER BRING NEW SHOES!
- Pair of jeans. You're guaranteed to need them, and you can wear them almost daily if you need to.
- Pair of casual shorts, weather permitting.
- Pair of nicer pants. These can rotate in to replace jeans or can be used to dress up.
- Skirt or dress for women, and dress shirt and tie or nice sweater for men, for dinner or the theater.
- Shirt that can be worn with trousers or khakis.
- T-shirts or collared shirts.
- Long-sleeve shirts.
- Something warm that can be layered, such as a sweater, flannel shirt, windbreaker or sweatshirt. The key to packing right is layering!
- Toiletries and cosmetics.
- Tissues.
- Travel umbrella.
- Medicines: Aspirin, Alka-Seltzer, Bandaids, disinfectant. Keep medication you're currently using in your carry-on bag and let your group leader know what you are carrying.
- A list that includes your passport number and visa numbers, two extra passport photos and an extra list of your travelers check numbers.
Sample Packing List for Your Carry-on Bag
If you can't carry it yourself, you have packed too much! Pack light, pack light, pack light!
For the most up-to-date restrictions and regulations regarding your carry-on baggage, please visit the TSA website prior to departure.
- Reading material for your flight.
- Passport and visas. Never pack travel documents in your suitcase.
- If traveling to Canada or Mexico, a notarized letter of permission from your parent(s) or guardian(s).
- Your itinerary and hotel list. This is vital in the unlikely event you become separated from the rest of the group and have to give your hotel address to a taxi driver.
- Essential toiletries and a change of clothing in case you become separated from your suitcase for a few days.
- Photocopy (in color, if possible) of your airline ticket and passport. Your group leader will most likely hold on to the airline tickets for your entire group.
- Plenty of film and an inexpensive camera. Make sure to keep some extra batteries in your main suitcase.
- Sunglasses.
- Extra set of glasses or contact lenses.
- Any necessary medication.
- Address book, your ACIS Travel Journal and pens.
- List of travelers check numbers, PIN numbers and U.S. and overseas telephone numbers for your credit cards and bank.
- ACIS eKit Global Phonecard.
Cathedral Etiquette
Visitors wearing shorts or skirts above the knee, tank tops or sleeveless shirts may not be allowed into cathedrals. If it is warm, women may want to pack a light skirt and scarf to slip on over shorts and around the shoulders.
Climate
Be prepared for wide temperature swings, especially in Europe during the spring. Here is a general guide (average daily highs in °F):
| January | April | July | |
| Amsterdam Athens Barcelona Beijing Berlin Brussels Buenos Aires Dublin Edinburgh Geneva Heidelberg Hong Kong Lisbon London Lucerne Madrid Moscow Munich New York Nice Paris Rome Salzburg San Jose Sydney Venice Vienna |
45 55 55 24 40 40 75 45 45 35 36 63 51 45 43 48 21 34 39 55 43 48 29 85 81 45 37 |
60 70 68 57 57 59 62 58 57 57 56 79 58 58 58 63 49 56 60 68 60 68 47 81 75 69 59 |
72 93 85 79 75 73 50 70 69 75 75 90 71 74 76 85 70 77 85 82 77 93 64 77 63 89 76 |
