We have put together a list that we think will have almost everything you need for traveling to San Diego Comic-Con.
What to pack for traveling to San Diego Comic-Con
Packing appropriately for San Diego Comic-Con and knowing what you will need will make life a lot easier for you. Unless you are a cosplayer, there isn’t much need to pack too heavily. DON’T OVER-PACK!
Pro tip: Pack fewer clothes and more money.
Stick to travel basics, and don’t over-pack on toiletries.
- Take only essential makeup products. You won’t need every makeup pallet or brush you own. Think about the essential stuff and leave the rest at home. Pro-tips if you don’t routinely use it at home, don’t pack it. Most hotels will provide basic toiletries like shampoo and body wash.
For other things, you can pack TSA-approved travel-size versions of your essentials:
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- Makeup wipe/ Makeup remover
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Hair gel/spray
- Brush/comb
- Most hotels will provide a blow dryer. You only need to pack the hair tools you plan to use. It’s tempting to pack multiple, but only if necessary.
- Pack hair ties if you have long hair. The summer weather is known to make people want to pull their hair up.
Create a Comic-Con capsule wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe is a small, carefully chosen collection of clothes that can be used to create many different outfits. The goal is to have a versatile wardrobe without bringing too much clothing. Trust me, you are going to be far too busy running around the convention to worry about what you are wearing.
For example, you can reuse shoes, jackets, and bottoms like denim jeans or shorts several times throughout your trip and mix and match those with different tops. Start by figuring out how many days’ worth of clothes you’ll need and then try to figure out how to reuse some items so you can pack less. SDCC runs from Wed- Sunday. And don’t forget to take travel days into account.
So at a minimum,
- Undergarments and hosiery for each day
- A top/dress for each day
- 2-3 pairs of bottoms that you can mix and match with the tops you bring.
- Optional, you could bring something dressier to wear to the after-parties. But most people at SDCC don’t change, they wear their cons clothes to parties and for nightlife adventures.
- Something to carry your stuff at the convention like a purse or backpack.
Just remember that you don’t need much. The typical styles at San Diego Comic are jeans and your favorite fandom t-shirt.
Comfortable shoes are essential
Comfortable shoes are the most important thing you need to pack. The San Diego Convention Center is a 2.6-million-square-foot facility. And SDCC also takes over the 16½-block neighborhood that is adjacent to it, known as the Gaslamp Quarter. You will be doing a lot of walking. Gel or support inserts for your shoes are recommended if your feet get tired easily.
Optional – Light Weight and Sunblocking Clothing
You will likely spend a lot of time in the sun while waiting in line for events, studio experiences, activations, panel rooms, to shop for collectibles, and much more. Wearing lightweight clothing that protects you from the sun is important.
The weather in July in San Diego will usually be in the highs of 75°F (24°C) with about 10 hours of sunshine each day. The evenings are a lot cooler and the temperature in the panel room can sometimes be chilly. I suggest packing a lightweight jacket or sweater that can easily fit in a backpack.
Prepare for Travel
If you are flying in, be sure to check with the airline(s) and train/bus lines about what size luggage you are allowed. Checking in advance will save you a lot of stress and money at the airport.
Luggage and Travel Cubes
Travel cubes and travel storage help you organize and fit more into your luggage. They are available in a wide variety of sets. If you’ve done a good job of creating a capsule wardrobe for the convention, you might be able to get away with a small travel backpack for your trip.
TikTok user @bmekween recommends the Coowoz Large Travel Backpack
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Don’t forget chargers and backup batteries
One thing you will definitely need a lot of is battery life. There are few things as essential as your phone charger (make sure you bring the plug-in brick and cable) and a backup battery. There will be tons to record and film at SDCC. It is sure to drain your battery life.
Easy access to flight/ticket/travel documents
Be sure that whatever travel documents you need are easily accessible. Download airline apps whenever possible and sign up before arriving at the airport.
Download the app for your hotel
If you are staying in a mid to high-occupancy hotel, you will most likely find that your hotel will have an app. Download the app before arriving, and use it to pre-check in and stay in contact with your hotel.
Stock your hotel room
You can save money by walking down to a local grocery store or convenience store in the Gaslamp District and stocking your hotel room with groceries for your trip. Most hotels (check with your hotel to verify) have a mini fridge where you can store drinks and food. It’s always nice to have snacks waiting in your room after a long day at the con.
These days you can get groceries delivered to your hotel room. You can use apps like Doordash, PostMates, and Instacart to get groceries delivered to your room.
Plan how to ship swag and merch home
Have a plan in mind to ship swag and merch home. Bring along an empty suitcase if you plan to do a lot of shopping. Make sure that anything you are bringing home can be safely stored and won’t break on the trip home.
There is a FedEx Office Print & Ship Center inside the San Diego Convention Center. But be sure to check their website or call ahead to see if they will be open during the convention. There is also a FedEx Authorized ShipCenter located at 113 Tuna Hbr Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 which is about 10 minutes walk from The Convention Center.
The closest Post Office to the San Diego Convention Center is a 6-minute drive or a 20-minute walk and is located at 815 E St, San Diego, CA 92101. It is open Monday – Friday from 9-5 pm and closed on Sundays. Their flat rate package pricing makes it a great option for sending swag and merchandise home to yourself versus traveling back home with it. I recommend calling them with any questions at (800) 275-8777 or checking out their website before visiting.
If you think there is anything we missed be sure to leave a comment!
