Packing Instructions



As you begin to pack and prepare for your mission trip, please remember to pack light. You will be responsible for carrying everything you bring. It’s a good idea not to bring an outfit for everyday. Past mission trip participants typically wear the same outer shirt and pants 2-3 times during a week. Please remember the following as you begin to pack.


Keep on your person at all times:


  1. Passport – Police can ask you for your passport and if you don’t have it, you can expect a fine or a long ordeal.


  1. Visa – This will be pasted in your passport and there will be another paper usually attached with a staple on the same page. Ensure these are stapled and double check that these documents are still there if you have to turn over your passport to the hotel or for money exchanging.


  1. Cash – Keep enough cash for one day in your wallet. All the rest of the cash should be under your clothing in a secure money belt.


  1. Credit Cards – Usually it’s best to keep these under your clothing. Most places don’t take credit and it will be rare that you will need it.


  1. Airline Tickets – Always keep these on your person while traveling. Once in country, it’s OK to put these in a locked suitcase in your room.


  1. Medical Insurance Card – This needs to be on you person, usually either in your wallet or in you money belt.



Carry-On Luggage:


  1. Weight Limit – The weight limit is 18 lbs. for the piece of luggage that you can carry on the plane. It’s best to keep this piece small.


  1. Water Bottle – Some airlines will give you a water bottle for the international flight, however don’t depend on it. Take your own small bottle of water and keep the empty bottle to refill once you get to your destination.


  1. Change of clothes – Take one change of clothes with you as delayed luggage often occurs when traveling overseas.


  1. Cameras / Valuables – Take these with you on the plane for security.


  1. Film – Your checked luggage will be x-rayed with a more powerful scanner that will ruin film. Remember to pack your film in your carry-on luggage.

Packing Instructions (cont.)



  1. Snack – Take a few light snacks with you. Airport food is often expensive and may not be readily available in some airports.


  1. Luggage Tags – Make sure your luggage has your name on it. However, if it is visible and not covered, use the address of your church instead of your home address. Thieves on the lookout may look at your name and address and then inform someone on the ground so they can go rob your home as they know you will not be home for a while. If you are carrying a back pack, please remove the luggage tag once you have arrived in your destination city. Luggage tags attached and visible on backpacks is a quick identifier to thieves who want to pickpocket tourists that are unaware.



Checked Luggage:


  1. Weight Limit – The weight limit is 55 lbs. for each of the two pieces of luggage you carry. International airlines allow 70 lbs. per bag however Russian customs only allow 50 kg per person. This works out to be 110 lbs. per person or 55 lbs. per bag. Please keep to this weight limit. Russian Customs charge one Euro (about $1.20) for every pound you are over. Trip participants are responsible for this cost if your luggage is overweight. SAC will be responsible for the Ministry Suitcase weight.


  1. Don’t lock – Do not lock your luggage as this will delay check-in.


  1. Recommend roller luggage – It’s best to use luggage that has rollers and a handle.


  1. Luggage Tags – Make sure your luggage has your name on it. However, if it is visible and not covered, use the address of your church instead of your home address. Thieves on the lookout may look at your name and address and then inform someone on the ground so they can go rob your home as they know you will not be home for a while.


  1. Ministry Suitcases – SAC volunteers will pack the ministry suitcase that you are carrying. It is important that you do not pack personal items in this bag as it will be delay the team if repacking needs to occur. Some ministry suitcases will be taken directly to the ministry site on the way to the airport and there will not be an opportunity to get personal items out of the suitcases prior to this.



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