By Katie McDonald
Your household goods are going to be shipped soon, you’re staring at your empty suitcases, and you’re wondering: what do I need to travel across the world to Guam? Here are five honest, low-stress PCS tips.
1. Don’t panic purchase!
While you might see social media threads recommending you stock up on household items, I want to assure you that between the NEX, BX, Commissary, and the many stores in town (including Home Depot, Macy’s, and Kmart), you will be able to find 90% of what you’re looking for with ease. Plus, Facebook Marketplace and the thrift stores on and off base have hidden gems at unbeatable prices! You can also take advantage of the loan lockers on base to borrow everything from pots and pans to beds and microwaves while you wait for your household goods to arrive.
Kmart is open 24/7 and has everything from clothes to canned goods. Fun fact: Guam has the largest Kmart in the world.
For that other 10% of items you just can’t find, Walmart, Amazon, and Target all ship to Guam (details in our Guam Shipping Guide). You may have to be patient because shipping can take a few weeks, but if you plan ahead, you’ll be fine!
Pro tip: Don’t overpack kitchen gear. Use loan lockers on base while you wait for HHG.
2. What you do need to pack
Light-weight clothing, beachwear, and sandals are all necessities in your suitcase. My rain jacket is my favorite purchase, and I wish I packed rain boots. Sun protection clothing is a big help for beach days and hikes because of the high UV index. Guam has a more casual culture, so, depending on your place of employment, you may not be needing those blazers and suit jackets as often.
However, don’t make the same mistake as me and not pack any colder weather clothes. If you travel to Korea or Japan in the fall and winter, you’ll be glad you packed some long sleeves! Bookmark our weekend hops from Guam to Seoul and Guam to Tokyo guide.
Because Guam does not use paper/plastic bags at checkout, you’re expected to bring a reusable bag or purchase one at the store. It’s a good idea to bring some with you to make your first shopping trip a little easier!
Since GameStop has closed both of its Guam locations (as of 2025), you may want to purchase your gaming equipment while you’re still in the States, but there is a selection at the NEX and BX.
Lightweight clothing, sunscreen, and staying hydrated are essential in Guam's heat.
Quick packing list:
- Lightweight tops/shorts, swimwear, rash guard, sandals/water shoes
- Rain jacket (and boots if you have room), compact umbrella
- Sun gear: hat, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen
- A few warm layers for regional trips (Korea/Japan winters)
- Reusable shopping bags (stores expect them)
- Important docs, meds, and small comforts for the first 2-4 weeks
3. Make a Transportation Plan
One car will be covered during your PCS, so you have a couple of options if you are a two-car household. While Guam does have a bus system, it is not something you can rely on for your day-to-day needs, and the small size of the island does not translate to it being easily walkable or bikeable. Stroll and Good to Go Rides are Guam’s equivalent to Uber, and many drivers have base access. (Good to Go We Deliver is the equivalent to Uber Eats).
Option 1: Pay to have a second car shipped. Keep in mind that this is an expensive and slow process, so if you have an older car, this may not be worth it. In my case, the shipping was more than my car was worth, so it made more sense to sell it.
Option 2: Buy a used car to use during your time on island. There’s a “lemon lot” on base where you can buy and sell cars as well as a dealership, and there are options like the PCS Used Car Lot, Guam Auto Spot, and Atkins Kroll if you’d like to purchase a new or used car in town. I purchased my car through Facebook Marketplace, and there are Facebook groups that make the process easy.
Before you hit the road, you'll have to decide if you'll ship your car or purchase one when you arrive.
Be mindful about repairs: If your car needs parts that can’t be found on island, you could be waiting a month for your repair. I have seen a wide variety of brands on the road, but there isn’t necessarily a guarantee that the mechanics can fix every kind when they break, especially if the parts need to be shipped in from the States. Similarly, if you buy a used car without doing your due diligence, you may end up with a massive bill you weren’t anticipating. Some cars are even Japanese domestic models and drive on the right side instead of the left!
4. Decide on a Cell Plan
I used AT&T in the States, and while I could get service on Guam, I was paying roaming fees that added up quickly in my first few days here. I used an unlocked phone to get a local number through Docomo, and I have unlimited calling and messaging to the States, which is hugely important to prevent homesickness. My husband set up Google Fi for his cell plan, and he can maintain that by submitting his orders every 9 months.
Even with a cell plan, you will need to download WhatsApp. It is hugely popular on island, and you’ll start getting added to group chats in no time.
5. Start to Research Next Steps
If you’ll be living off-base, you’ll want to find a local realtor before you arrive so you can hit the ground running. Because we had communicated with our realtor what we were looking for the week before we moved, I was able to start touring properties on my first day. Each of Guam’s 19 villages has its own personalities and benefits.
Start with a budget, then consider if you want an apartment or home, and then begin to browse the Guam FlexMLS website to get a taste for what’s available. Here are 4 Tips for Renting on Guam. The Guam FlexMLS website lists the available and pending properties and is what your realtor will be referencing.
One of my favorite parts of our rental house is the beautiful flowers.
PCS brain fog is real. Once you've nailed these five tips from Katie, the only thing left is to enjoy the adventure. We'll see you at the beach!
