Whether this is your first time at San Diego Comic-Con or your tenth, it is always good to have a checklist of what you may need once you are at the convention and what you need to do before arriving. We have compiled a list of suggestions to make your comic con experience as comfortable as possible.

Before you go

Make sure you have a badge. This convention is completely sold out and you don’t want to try and buy tickets at the door. You will be very disappointed. If you do have a badge the Comic-Con International: San Diego website has almost all the information you will need for planning. It is a valuable resource and we absolutely recommend that you get familiar with the website and give it a good look over. To find out how to get to Comic-Con International visit their Parking, Shuttle Bus, and Transportation pages! Make sure you are aware of the parking situation before driving down! 

Maps – The San Diego Convention Center website has maps with all the important information about the temporary restrictions, pedestrian and vehicle access, and detours during Comic-Con. Knowing what roads are open and closed is essential to getting you to the convention center on time.

Packing & what to carry

Have the right luggage! You will make your life so much easier if you have the right luggage. OGIO Alpha Convoy 522s Travel Bag – This 4-wheel carry-on spinner is the most essential and functional piece of travel equipment for the airplane. Built with premium eco Cordura fabric, this bag features fully customizable packing space and the Alpha Convoy MOD Storage System. Check out the video for all the cool features.

A backpack for every day walking around. Minaal Daily Bag, for example, is ideal for carrying around the Comic-con venue as well as a carry on bag if you are flying into the convention. The bag is durable, versatile and meant to protect and transports all your gadgets. This tech-friendly bag is roomy enough for carrying around all your comic con swag but also just as importantly all the items you need to survive the con. It’s perfect for traveling with your laptop as the DeviceNest™ shock-proof laptop compartment fits 15″ laptops & 11″ devices. If you want something that’s less about technology and more about carrying gear we suggest checking out The Indie Traveler’s list of travel backpacks. Back Up Battery, Cords & Chargers are probably some of the most important items to remember to bring with you. There is so much going on at the convention and you are there for so long that it is very important to keep your phone powered. Your phone is your best source for finding out what is happening at the convention. You can pull up all the con information on your mobile device, find out where to eat, call for a Lyft or Uber, taking photos and mapping yourself back to your hotel.  Making sure your phone stays powered on is essential.

STM Goods has a wireless power bank that we think will be great for cons! Their wireless charger is compatible with iPhone, Samsung or other Qi enabled device, with convenient SUCTION CUPS (yes!) that attach the PowerBank to your device for portability. The unit also features a standard USB-A port to charge any of your other digital devices. STM Goods also have the Dapper Wrapper which is a super neat little way to keep your cords and power banks neatly organized and accessible. – Optimal for travel and compact enough to bring with you into the venue, this storage wrap keeps all your tech accessories neat and tidy in one place.

Camera/ Phone Memory. Make sure you cleared memory on your phone, cloud or whatever other camera or devices you may have. So much happening you dont want to have to stop to clear space and miss an awesome moment!

Snacks! Make sure you eat and pack snacks! This will avoid a lot of literal headaches and hangry moments. Food options are limited and pricey at the convention center so plan accordingly. If you plan to sit in panels all day your food options are limited to what is outside those pane room doors. More often than not it is pretzels, chips, and soft drinks. One thing that I recommend is making the effort to get up early and eating a hearty breakfast before heading into the convention center. Also, try hitting a Starbucks or a convenience store on the way to the convention center. Fill up on snacks you can carry with you in your bag to hold you over until you can have lunch or dinner. Starbucks offers prepackaged lunch options that come in convenient packages. Check out our list of Where to drink and eat at San Diego Comic Con 2019 for more tips.

What to wear to San Diego Comic Con

Comfortable shoes are essential to having a good time at the convention center. The fun at San Diego Comic-Con expands far beyond the Convention Center. It can go as far if not further than Petco Park and the Gaslamp District. Hotels and shuttles may be walking distance but that walking can take its toll. Make sure your feet are happy!

The Sanuk Vagabond Lace Sneakers and the Sanuk Pair O Dice Sneakers are built for comfort, they provide optimal support for exploring everything Comic-Con has to offer and they are perfect for travel, they take up minimal suitcase space, so you’ll have plenty of room to bring home souvenirs from the trip! If you are looking for something a little bit more loud and proud check out our list of Geeky shoes to wear to Comic Con!

Fashion isn’t something you immediately you associate with San Diego Comic-Con! But in the last five years since the Her Universe Fashion Show landed at SDCC, fashion has definitely been a part of the comic con experience. You can check out some of the fashion from last year and get some ideas on what to wear to San Diego Comic Con this year. There are examples of everything from casual to upscale in our photo gallery of  The Fashion at San Diego Comic Con 2018. You can also check out the fashion from last year’s Her Universe fashion show in our gallery All 24 Designs From The 2018 Her Universe Fashion Show.

If you are opting for comfort over fashion jeans and a tee shirt are all you need. The weather in San Diego is usually cool in the mornings and evenings but can get hot in the middle of the day. There isn’t much shade outside of the convention center. So be sure to wear plenty of sunblock!

Planning for Panels

The schedule for panels comes out two weeks before San Diego Comic. At that time we highly recommend that you download the Comic-Con App. The app will have all the panel information and will allow you to create a schedule and set reminders. Take some time to really look at what is on the schedule. Pay attention to the locations of each panel. The convention center is huge and it takes more time than you might think to navigate crowds and get from one end of the convention center to the other. Maps will be available on the comic con app as well.

Plan to stand in line everywhere and for a long time. If a panel is really important to you, be sure to be obnoxiously early for that panel. If you are interested in attending a morning Hall H panel, be sure to be in line the night before by 7 pm the night before in order to get a wristband.  Check the comic con website before the convention Hall H policies and rules could change. Be prepared to send up and even over five hours in line for popular panels, exhibits, and exclusives. Be patient with the staff. Remember that they are volunteers and doing their absolute best.

Outside Comic-Con Events

One of the amazing things about SDCC is the nightlife and all the exciting after-hour events that go on in the surrounding area. The list of events happening is every growing. Check out our list of No Badge Required Events at San Diego Comic Con 2019.

You can also check out https://www.outsidecomiccon.com/ for a list of cool stuff happening outside the con.

Tips for Cosplayers

The weather report might say that it will be cool in San Diego but as a cosplayer under armor and heavy costumes, you will feel your temperature rising faster than you might expect. Be sure to stay hydrated and cool. Check out the video below on how to survive a convention in cosplay.

Check out our list of Cosplay Meet-Ups at San Diego Comic Con 2019

Also as a reminder to both cosplayers and cosplay enthusiast, check out these special interviews with cosplayers on How To Talk To Cosplayers and Cosplay Is Not Consent.  These help keep the cosplay community a fun and safe place!

Pro Tips

Take advice from the pros. Check out the hashtag #SDCCTips on Twitter for some great advice from con regulars.

Although Ralph’s is a great option for picking up food, water, etc near the con, there are also a few other drug store options that might work for you as well. For example, the CVS on the corner of J & 5th just down the way from Hard Rock. #SDCC #SDCCTips pic.twitter.com/AxzHdFnJ3K

— Parks And Cons (@ParksAndCons) June 19, 2019

When possible, double-check in person info on any #SDCC operation that’s important to you. Make sure that line up procedures are the same as you thought. Talk to booth employees, volunteers, etc because procedures often change on the fly. #SDCCTips

— Parks And Cons (@ParksAndCons) June 14, 2019

Check out some of our tips from last year at SDCC and other conventions: 

The Comic Con Handbook: Things You Need At EVERY Convention

How To Fangirl like a Pro with special Guest Victoria Malé

If you have any expert advice please leave it in the comments!