LDS Missionary Essentials: Packing Lists, Travel Tips, and FAQs (2026)

The biggest difference is clothing and some personal items. Elders pack professional attire like white dress shirts, ties, dress slacks, and suit coats, while sisters pack modest dresses, skirts, blouses, and dress slacks. Most other categories overlap heavily — luggage, toiletries, electronics, bedding, and medical supplies are similar for both. We put together a separate Elder Missionary Packing List and Sister Missionary Packing List, each based on what our own son and daughter actually took and used on their missions.

It varies a lot depending on how much you already own versus buy new. Many families already have a lot of the items or can borrow them, so most of the budget goes toward clothing, comfortable shoes, and luggage. To keep costs down, watch for sales, check less expensive stores like Wal-Mart or Target for mission gear, and only replace what you truly need. Our packing lists show current Amazon prices next to each item so you can estimate a realistic total for your own situation.

Start once you receive your mission call, since the call and your online missionary portal tell you the climate, culture, and any mission-specific requirements that affect what to pack. Don't wait until the final week, though — give yourself time to break in shoes, order anything that ships slowly, and handle documents early like your passport and visa so you don't get delayed. A few weeks of lead time makes the whole process far less stressful.

Missionary clothing should be modest, professional, and conservative, and the specific requirements differ for elders and sisters. Review the official Church guidance — the guidelines for elders and the guidelines for sisters — and always follow the instructions in your mission call and portal, since some missions have their own rules (for example, certain shirt colors or shoe styles that aren't allowed).

This varies by mission, so your missionary portal is the authority. In general, missionaries bring their own clothing, shoes, toiletries, and personal items, while some bedding or apartment basics may be provided after you arrive — but that differs from mission to mission and can change over time. Our mission-specific lists note what our missionaries found in Brazil and Argentina, but always confirm against your own mission's instructions.

Generally speaking, you are allowed to take two checked suitcases up to 50 lb (23 kg) each, one carryon item (small suitcase), and one personal item (backpack, etc.), but definitely check the current baggage allowance your specific mission will provide in the missionary portal after you receive your mission call. Each mission may have different baggage allowance recommendations. My recommendation is to only take the essential items you will need because with every transfer you must haul all your stuff to your next area and if you have tons of heavy suitcases, it will be difficult. Remember that you will be able to purchase certain items in your mission boundary, so you will not need to take huge supplies of those items in your suitcase. There may be certain essential items you will not be able to purchase in your mission aeras, so those items you will need to take with you. And if you forget some essential items your family or friends may be able to mail you those items.

Yes. We currently have a detailed Elder Missionary Packing List based on our son's mission to the Brazil Rio de Janeiro South Mission, and a Sister Missionary Packing List based on our daughter's mission to the Argentina Tucumán Mission. Even if you're serving elsewhere, most of the general clothing, gear, and personal items apply to missions worldwide.