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The Ultimate Packing List

Christine Sarkis

Ashley Rossi

There's a 95 percent chance Senior Editor Christine Sarkis is thinking about travel right now. Follow her on Instagram @postcartography and Twitter @ChristineSarkis .

Christine Sarkis is an SATW-award-winning journalist and executive editor at SmarterTravel. Her stories have also appeared on USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, Huffington Post, and Business Insider. Her advice has been featured in dozens of print and online publications including The New York Times , Conde Nast Traveler , and People magazine. She has also shared travel tips on television and radio shows including Good Morning America, Marketplace, and Here & Now. Her work has been published in the anthologies Spain from a Backpack and The Best Women's Travel Writing 2008 . She is currently working on a travel memoir.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : The Trtl Pillow . It's easy to pack and comfortable, and makes it so I can actually sleep on flights.

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : Seeing the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of somewhere warm, like a glass igloo or hot spring.

Travel Motto : Curiosity is an amazing compass.

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : Aisle all the way.

Email Christine Sarkis at [email protected] .

Ashley Rossi is always ready for her next trip. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for travel tips, destination ideas, and off the beaten path spots.

After interning at SmarterTravel, Ashley joined the team full time in 2015. She's lived on three continents, but still never knows where her next adventure will take her. She's always searching for upcoming destination hotspots, secluded retreats, and hidden gems to share with the world.

Ashley's stories have been featured online on USA Today, Business Insider, TripAdvisor, Huffington Post, Jetsetter, and Yahoo! Travel, as well as other publications.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : "A reusable filtered water bottle—it saves you money, keeps you hydrated, and eliminates waste—win-win."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : "A week in a bamboo beach hut on India's Andaman Islands."

Travel Motto : "Travel light, often, and in good company."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : "Window—best view in the house."

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Packing mishaps range from inconvenient (heading to the Caribbean without a swimsuit) to disastrous (discovering you left the country without your wallet), but most are preventable. We’ve created this ultimate packing list to help you pack well every time.

The Ultimate Packing Checklist

To see the ultimate packing list, scroll down the page or click here for an editable PDF version that you can save or print out. To customize the list, simply download or print it, then edit for your specific needs. You can also download the editable, mobile-friendly checklist here .

Clothes to Pack

• Dress Shirts
• Casual Shirts
• Sweatshirts
• Laundry Kit
• Leisure Shoes
• Hiking Boots
• Dress Shoes
• Collapsible Tote

Shop Our Clothing Packing List

Toiletries to Pack

• Dental Floss
• Conditioner
• Styling Tools
• Facial Cleanser
• Face Lotion
• Moisturizer
• Contact Lenses
• Contact Solution
• Shaving Supplies
• Makeup Remover
• Menstrual Products
• Birth Control/Medication
• Nail Clippers
• Hand Sanitizer
• First-Aid Ointment
• Insect Repellent
• Pain Relievers

Shop Our Toiletries Packing List

Miscellaneous Items

• Laptop/Tablet
• Film/Memory Card
• List of Medications
• Banking Contacts/Information
• Electronic Chargers
• Emergency Contacts
• Copy of Passport
• Plug Adapter

Shop Our Miscellaneous Items List

What to Pack in Your Carry-on

• Books or E-Books
• Travel Blanket
• Travel Pillow
• Disinfecting Wipes
• Change of Clothes
• Empty Water Bottle
• In-Flight Medications
• Passport/Visa/ID
• Credit/ATM cards
• Insurance Cards
• Maps/Directions

Shop Our Carry-On Essentials List

Packing Tips for Clothes and Other Items

When packing for a vacation the most important things to keep in mind are the length of your trip, the weather, and any non-standard clothing or gear you might need.

Your first step when packing is to decide if you’ll be checking a bag or only taking a carry-on and then curate the amount of clothing you’ll need based on that decision. Typically, you should avoid checking a bag in situations where you have a layover since the likelihood of your bag going missing goes up with every connection . You might also want to avoid checking a bag if you absolutely need items in your bag on arrival—for example, if you’re going on a cruise.

If you’re packing more minimally, focus on packing layering clothes in more neutral colors. That’s not because we don’t like fun colors and patterns; it just means that neutral-colored clothing is more versatile, so you can wear these items more than once when you’re tight on space.

How to Pack in Just a Personal Item Sized Bag

Also invest in clothing that does double duty, like multi-use wraps , crushable hats , self-cooling and heating fabrics like merino wool layers , bug-repellent clothing , wrinkle-resistant shirts, quick-drying activewear and undergarments, casual sneakers, UPF-proof clothing , and compressible jackets … just to name a few. Look toward popular athleisure brands like Lululemon , prAna , and Athleta for comfortable yet stylish travel clothing.

When curating your packing list, you should keep in mind the length of your trip and decide on quantities from there. For a shorter trip (three to five days), you can probably manage with the following: one pair of underwear and socks per day, one pair of pajamas, one to two dressier outfits, one to two activewear or athleisure outfits, one to two casual outfits, and one to two pairs of shoes. For a longer trip (over a week), you can manage with one pair of underwear and socks per day, two pairs of pajamas, three dressier outfits, three to four casual outfits, two pairs of shoes, and two activewear or athleisure outfits.

And if you’re able to do laundry on your vacation, you can probably manage with even fewer items. Just don’t forget to pack a travel laundry kit .

Scrubba Untouched Review

Also make sure to bring along accessories like a money belt, scarf or sarong (can be used for things like an airplane blanket , coverup at the beach, or to throw over your dress on a cool evening), and a collapsible tote or day bag for any extra items you might acquire on your travels. If traveling to a city or destination that is prone to pickpocketing, make sure to pack some pickpocket-proof clothing and gear .

Depending on the type of trip you’re going on, you may need to invest in some special travel gear. We’ve tested out everything from waterproof baby carriers to interchangeable heels , so you can trust our recommendations. If you’re headed out on an organized group tour , you’ll most likely get a packing list from the tour provider, which should make your trip planning easier. If not, do your research online (one tip is to look at locations on Instagram and see what people are wearing) and consult this story for other handy lists of tips.

For more active trips, make sure you have a sturdy pair of hiking boots, quick-drying clothing, a day pack, snacks, and any necessary equipment. Check out our specific packing lists for hiking trips and camping trips .

Another type of trip that you may need to pack slightly specific items for is a cruise . Make sure you pack non-standard items like seasickness remedies, formal wear, dress shoes, and your bathing suit. Beach vacations also require different items like water shoes, towels, sunscreen, and maybe even snorkel gear. Luckily for you, we also have a specific cruise packing list and a beach vacation packing list .

Lastly, you need to consider the weather. For warm-weather destinations like jungles and Caribbean islands, you can obviously skip the coats and gloves, but if you’re headed out on a ski vacation then you’ll need a whole slew of things like goggles, a neck gaiter, snow boots, and more. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a specific Caribbean vacation packing list , a Mexico vacation packing list , and even a ski trip packing list .

10 Secrets I Learned Working in a Hotel

To help keep things organized, we love using packing cubes and/or compression sacks. They’re especially useful for when you’re traveling to multiple destinations in one trip.

Wondering how to pack all of your items? Enter the great debate of the rolling vs. folding method! While this is definitely a personal preference, we put two editors to the test to find out which method is in fact, more space-saving. Watch the video below to see the answer.

How to Pack Toiletries and Medications

Whether it’s important medication or your favorite lipstick, forgetting any type of toiletry can range from being mildly inconvenient to becoming a serious problem. For toiletries, make sure to pack your essentials, like medication, contacts, and any other items that you might not be able to purchase or replace during your travels. (Put them in your carry-on bag, not your checked suitcase.) However, if you forget items like a toothbrush or razor, you can typically call the front desk at the hotel for a spare.

We also recommend traveling with some type of a travel first-aid kit , which includes items like tweezers, first-aid ointment, bandages, travel-sized hand sanitizer, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Make sure to check TSA guidelines if you’re traveling with medication , as well as the policies and regulations at your destination.

Packing Tips for Everything Else …

Traveling without tech items like your phone, laptop, tablet, or camera can be a major bummer. For those traveling abroad, you’ll also want to remember to pack electronic adapters and converters . Other tech-related items for photographers to pack are a sturdy camera bag , backup batteries, and memory cards, as well as lens cleaner. And don’t forget smartphone essentials like a backup charger, waterproof case if you’re headed out on the water, and a phone stand or tripod for photos.

A travel packing tip we’ve learned the hard way? Travel with a copy of your passport, credit card, and bank contacts, as well as a list of medications and your emergency contacts.

If you are traveling abroad, we have an entire checklist for you, but the most important thing to note here is your passport and visas . Make sure that your passport is up to date, has as least six months of validity, and has enough blank pages for any stamps. Another tip for international travel? Give yourself plenty of time to apply for any visas that you might need and to arrange for a visit to a travel clinic if any special medications or vaccines are needed. You should also familiarize yourself with any remaining COVID-19 travel restrictions at your destination.

There are also some items that you may not think to pack, but should, like an electronic tracker , duct tape , toilet paper, a decoy wallet, or a whistle.

The 10 Best Expandable Suitcases

What to Always Pack in Your Carry-on Bag

In case you’re separated from your checked bag or other items, you should always make sure that you have your ID, wallet, house keys, medications, valuables, camera, phone, laptop, tablet, pen, cash and cards, glasses, and copy of your itinerary with you on the plane.

Other items that you might want to have handy with you include entertainment for your flight, comfort-promoting items like a blanket or pillow, as well as an empty water bottle to fill up post-security (here is a list of our favorites ), a change of clothes (just in case your luggage is lost or delayed), snacks, and gum.

If you’re looking to pack carry-on only, you guessed it: We also have a separate packing list and tips for that, as well as the best bags to use for carry-on only .

What to Pack to Stay Healthy While Traveling

The pandemic has significantly changed the way we travel and, by extension, the items we prioritize in our luggage. While many destinations have loosened or entirely lifted COVID-19 restrictions, some venues and events may still require a mask or proof of vaccination/negative COVID test to enter. Plan ahead to see if any activities on your itinerary have restrictions in place.

Sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer , while always a good idea to have on hand at the airport , have become absolute carry-on musts. Wiping down areas like your tray table, airplane seat armrest, and hotel television remote can spare you from a variety of common travel bugs.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2013. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Ashley Rossi contributed to this story.

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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How to Travel Carry On Only: A Beginner’s Guide to Minimalist Packing

Traveling carry-on only sounds like something for shoestring backpackers, but regardless of your travel style, it’s actually a very useful skill to be able to have. Few things are more freeing than traveling light. It makes everything easier, from flying to packing. But somehow it sounds so hard! So I’ve collected my 5 top tips on how to travel carry-on only. Test them out before your next trip, and drop me a comment to let me know what you think!

1. USE A LIGHTWEIGHT BAG

This is something people often skip, but you definitely do not want your bag using up too much of your oh-so-precious weight limit. If you are buying a new bag, make sure it is lightweight first. Unlike with check-in luggages that are tossed around, there is no reason to waste weight on a heavy exterior. If you have multiple bag options at home, weigh your luggages with nothing in them to see which is lightest.

2. YOU NEED LESS THAN YOU THINK

Cut what you want to take in half.

Yes. In half. The first time I heard this tip, I thought it was genius, and I’ve been doing that ever since. It’s hard to generalize on how many outfits every person should take. If you are traveling entirely in warm weather, maybe you can pack two weeks worth, as your clothing items are naturally thinner and lighter. If you are traveling in winter, boots and sweaters and coats will eat up weight and room fast. That’s why I think the best rule of thumb is; list out everything you think you need, and then force yourself to cut it in half.

Focus on Multi-Use Items

A large shawl can be a scarf, a blanket, a head wrap, or a sarong. Leggings can be used to work out, to sleep, or to wear under a long shirt, dress, or coat as faux pants. Don’t bring that cute pair of shoes to only wear once or twice. Try to limit yourself to two solid pairs of shoes to wear out and one pair of slippers for showering. Lately, I’ve been bringing a pair of black athletic sneakers (my favorite Nike Free Runs) on every trip. They look fine with leggings, shorts, and even casual dresses, but they are also functional for long walking days and even hikes.

Ditch the Liquids

Instead of buying expensive (and environmentally unfriendly!) travel sized toiletries, just ditch liquids all together. Or as much as you can, anyways. Try a shampoo bar and bar soap, which will also ensure no spillage in your luggage. You can also always buy liquids once landing if you are traveling longer term.

Recommended reading: A 5-Step Guide to Traveling Cheaper

Do Laundry on the Road

Traveling light does not mean you get to smell. Buy some detergent when you land, and wash clothes every week or two at your hostel, AirBnb, or even hotel. This also means you need to pack items that aren’t high maintenance to wash!

3. PUT HEAVIEST ITEMS IN YOUR PERSONAL BAG

I traveled for 3.5 weeks in Europe during spring with just carry-on. I started in Germany and Austria, where it snowed a bit, and ended in sunny Spain and Portugal, where I enjoyed two beach days. How did I pack for two opposite climates with just carry on? I put all my heaviest items in my personal bag (that extra bag you put under your seat on the flight). All my denim items, my thick-soled sneakers, and my camera weighed the same as my actual carry-on bag. But it didn’t matter, because my personal bag was never weighed. Many airlines don’t even have a weight limit for this bag, but definitely check before your flight.

4. PACK CLOTHES THE RIGHT WAY

Everyone swears by the roll method, which I’ve actually never used. But I think the important thing here is to pack tight and neat . My mother is the world’s neatest packer, and I got a little bit of her gene with that. I always fold my clothes very neatly and press them down on each other very tightly. Regardless of if you roll or fold, the key is keeping it neat and tight.

I’ve recently learned about packing cubes , and these are a great edition to the travel packing scene. They make it so easy to take apart your entire luggage without messing up everything on top. They also help compress your items . Consider investing in a set if you travel even somewhat regularly.

5. WEAR YOUR HEAVIEST CLOTHES ON THE FLIGHT

Layer up as much as you semi-comfortably can before the flight, and then start stripping remove a layer or two once on the plane. Wear two coats, put on two scarves, wear leggings under a pair of shorts, strap on your heaviest shoes, and top it all off with a hat if you’re bringing one. This saved me while back packing around Europe between two different climates.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Have you tried any of my 5 tips to travel carry-on only? What tips do you have? I would love to be better at packing light!

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[…] Greater Mobility – Without a large suitcase to lug around, you’ll enjoy greater mobility during your travels. This can make it easier to navigate crowded airports, public transportation, and city streets. […]

Keep to black and white or navy and cream basics for easy coordination plus for a woman a few colourful,scarves and maybe a colourful evening top that goes with the black or navy I did 7 weeks in Spain England and Chicago with a carryon. Brilliant on trains in Spain.

That Travelista

Thanks for sharing, Sue! I totally agree on both points. I also try to keep to a bunch of darks and a bunch of lights when I travel for long periods of time – to make laundry easier lol! And Spain definitely has a great train network. 🙂

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How to Plan the Perfect Vacation: 10 Step Guide

The ultimate eritrea travel guide: everything you need to know, that travelista.

My Ultimate Carry-On Packing List for One Week or More

I’ve been traveling light and using packing lists for years, and I’ll never take for granted how good it feels to travel carry-on only. Because I’ve seen how miserable traveling with excess can be.

But here’s the good news: Baggage doesn’t have to slow us down. Traveling light is a choice. We don’t have to fight and struggle with our belongings every time we want to go someplace new.

That’s why I’m going to give you an up-close look at my do-everything, all-season travel setup. I want to show you precisely what a lightweight and practical approach to travel looks like.

So, take a look inside my bag. Check off the boxes of my carry-on packing list as you get ready for your next adventure. Maybe you can transform your travel bag into something lighter and more mobile, or maybe you’ll find a game-changing piece of gear to help liberate your life on the road.

Lighten up. It’s a change worth making.

Carry-On Packing List

• Benefits of Carry-On Travel
• ‘Must-Bring’ Travel Essentials

Carry-On Travel Bags

Lightweight travel luxuries.

• Light & Packable Travel Clothing

Cold Weather Travel Clothing

• Travel Photography Gear
• Connectivity & Organization Gear
• Compact Travel Toiletries Kit

In-Transit Travel Clothing

• Final Thoughts on Packing Light

Packing Light: The Benefits of Carry-On Only Travel

I’ve preached to you that traveling light and utilizing a carry-on packing list is of the utmost importance, so let me tell you why. Why must everything fit in one bag? What’s wrong with checked luggage?

Traveling Light is Far More Comfortable

In the world of travel packing, less is more.

Less baggage to carry means more  freedom and mobility. Less  stuff to lug around means more energy to focus on the world around you. Less weighing you down means a more comfortable travel experience.

Who doesn’t want that?

Checking Bags Doesn’t Always End Up So Well

I’ve seen and heard horror stories of checking baggage, and I want no part of the drama.

Friends have told me painful tales of bags getting lost and taking weeks  to make it back to them. I’ve seen a relative’s luggage zipped wide-open with clothing spilling out as it rotated slowly along the luggage carousel. I’ve watched my girlfriend’s heart drop as she opened her checked bag, revealing a mess of scrambled and broken belongings inside.

While situations like these aren’t the norm, there’s always risk involved when you hand your baggage off to a set of busy strangers.

Carry-On Only Travel Saves Time

Packing lists eliminate the stress and guesswork that often come along with organizing your luggage. By knowing exactly what to pack and what to leave behind, you’ll get ready for your travels much faster and more efficiently.

By choosing not to check bags, you’ll never have to wait around anxiously at baggage claim either. Just grab your bag, walk off the plane, and get moving.

Must-Bring Travel Essentials

Certain items you simply cannot travel without. IDs. Visas. Money. Cell phones. Medications. Important travel documents. The items below are likely to stop you dead in your tracks if you’ve left one (or more) of them behind.

While many of the items below (tickets, insurance info, travel documents, etc.) can be saved and accessed digitally, don’t forget to bring hard copies as well. If your cell phone or laptop dies or goes missing, you’ll be glad you did.

Check this list twice. Once after you’ve finished packing, and a second time right before you walk out the door.

Passport/Visa

ID Card/Drivers License

Wallet/Purse

Cash/Credit Cards

Medications

Insurance Documents

Copies of Passport/Visa

Maps/Guidebooks

Travel Itineraries

Travel Reservations

Do-it-All Cell Phone: iPhone 13 Pro

A quality smartphone is a smart investment when putting together your travel packing list. My iPhone 13 Pro has loads of storage (512 GB), a fast processor, an incredible camera, and a beautiful display. Yes, it’s expensive, but it was worth every penny.

VIEW ON AMAZON

Wallet : Slimfold Soft Shell

The thinner the wallet, the better. That’s why I love the Slimfold Soft Shell. Its minimalist design makes it barely noticeable in my pocket. The wallet is simple, easy to access, and holds everything I ask of it. What more could you ask for in a travel wallet?

VIEW ON SLIMFOLD

Passport Cover : J.Crew

I’m glad I received this passport cover as a gift because I would’ve never thought to buy one for myself. It’s durable leather construction shields my passport from the harsh rigors of travel. In addition to protecting my cherished passport, my cover can store important documents as well.

VIEW ON JCREW

Carry-on travel begins and ends with the luggage you bring along. Make sure your main piece of travel baggage abides by the carry-on size guidelines of the airlines you’ll be using, and you’ll be in great shape.

The age-old question of, “ Should I use a rolling suitcase or a backpack? ” is entirely yours to answer. Do some careful research and make a choice the best suits your style of travel. I use a backpack simply because I can move around easier while wearing it.

Don’t forget to bring a packable daypack, which can double as a personal item at the airport. It’ll also come in handy for day trips after you’ve settled at your destination.

Main Travel Backpack

Backpack : Osprey Porter 46

Osprey’s Porter 46 is comfortable, functional, and durable. I loved using it as my main travel bag. That said, it slightly exceeds some airlines’ carry-on luggage limits, though I’ve never been questioned about it once. Consider the Farpoint 40 , if the Porter 46’s limitations give you pause.

Read my article on the 15 best minimalist travel backpacks .

Daypack : Matador Freerain24

I fell in love with this daypack’s features before I ever ordered it. It’s is completely waterproof, weighs only four ounces, and packs down into the palm of my hand. The bag is great for day trips or hikes when bringing along my main travel bag would be overkill.

VIEW ON MATADOR

Camera Bag: Denali

This minimalist camera bag fits my Olympus OM-D E-M10 camera, two lenses, and its spare batteries perfectly. That’s all I could ever ask of it. If my camera and lens kit were any larger, I’d be forced to go searching for another bag, but for now, I’m good.

Below are the non-essential odds and ends that always find their way into my bag anyways. Sure, I don’t need to pack a single one of these items, but that’s not the point. This particular gear enhances my life of travel enough to warrant a permanent spot on my packing list and in my carry-on bag.

Ask yourself, “Which items truly make life better while traveling, and which items can I leave behind?” Carefully construct your own lightweight list of travel luxuries and, if ever in doubt, live by the timeless moniker, Less is more .

Water Bottle

Travel Locks

Packing Cubes

Battery Bank

Bluetooth Speaker

Water Pouch : Sawyer 32 oz

If you’re a frugal traveler, you know that paying for water can bust budgets. That’s why I always carry my Sawyer 32 oz backpacking water pouches. And, when I find fresh water, I pounce and fill these bad boys to the brim. Using them keeps me away from single-use plastics as well, which is a good thing.

Earplugs : Howard Leight

I’m an earplug snob. Sure, it sounds a bit ridiculous, but I’d rather listen to a stranger snore all night than toss and turn while wearing uncomfortable earplugs. I’ve tried out several brands, and I’ve finally found my forever-plugs, the Howard Leights. They’re comfy and effective. Second-to-none.

Travel Lock : TSA-Approved Padlocks

I’m no travel lock expert, but I can tell you that these sturdy little padlocks get the job done. They’re well-built and make it easy to set a unique 4-digit combo. They’re TSA-approved, which means airport security will use keys, not lock-cutters to see what’s in your bag.

Mini-Towel : Packtowl Ultralight Microfiber

Since the vast majority of hotels and hostels offer free towels, I never pack a full-sized towel of my own. I do, however, pack one of these ultra-compact Packtowls for the rare occasion that I can’t get my hands on a towel when I need one.

Packing Cubes : SuitedNomad

Organization is key in the carry-on lifestyle, which is why any sane traveler must include a set of packing cubes on their list. I use two cubes while I travel – one for my clean clothes and the other to store my dirty ones. Without this simple organization, my bag would be a disaster.

Headphones : Sony Xtra Bass

While compact earbud-style headphones might be more practical for lightweight travel, the Sony Xtra Bass’s have found a stable place in my packing list anyways. I love the feel of over-ear headphones, and this pair puts out deep, quality sound at an approachable price.

Battery Bank : Anker Powercore II

My trusty little battery bank bails me out time and time again on the road. It’s durable and compact, and will fully charge my cell phone twice before it runs out of juice itself. As a traveler and blogger, I’m grateful for every instance that it’s kept my precious phone from dying.

Headlamp : Nitecore NU25

I don’t use my headlamp frequently when I travel, but it’s sure nice to have around when I need it. Whether I’m packing up camp on the Huemul Circuit as pre-dawn winds howl or drunkenly night fishing on the North Shore of Hawaii, my headlamp always shines bright and leads the way.

Bluetooth Speaker : JBL Flip 4

Do I need to pack a Bluetooth speaker? Well, no. That’s why I choose not to bring the Flip 4 on many of my trips. That said, this speaker is compact, waterproof, and sounds great. I won’t hesitate to bring it along on the trips where I might feel the need to rock out sans headphones.

Lightweight & Packable Travel Clothing

The biggest hindrance to packing light is the traveler’s tendency to bring far too many clothes along. Few things make me cringe more than witnessing a fellow traveler fight and struggle with a bag that is bursting at the seams with two weeks’ worth of clothing.

Avoid being that traveler and instead pack a lightweight and durable set of clothing for your next adventure. Stay away from the heavier cotton-based materials (like denim!) to experience the true joy of packing light.

I bring a maximum of six shirts and two pairs of travel pants for every trip I take, and I usually manage not to come across as a scruffy and stinky drifter. How? I pack clothing made from highly-breathable materials that stay fresh longer than cotton. I pack mostly dark colors that hide the constant smudges and stains of travel.

And, yes, I utilize laundromats or sink-wash my clothing before it’s reached its limit.

Sweater/Jacket

Travel Pants (2)

Rain Jacket

Athletic Shorts

Button-Up Shirt

T-Shirts (4)

Underwear (5)

Sweater : TSLA 1/4 Zip

I know what you’re thinking.  Does Tesla really make clothing?! No, they don’t, but this brand happens to be well-made and affordable. My 1/4 zip sweater is super-comfy, keeps me warm, and packs down small. In many ways, it’s the perfect travel sweater.

Travel Pants: Wool&Prince Stretch Canvas

Versatile pants are essential for carry-on travel and the Wool&Prince Stretch Canvas check all the boxes. They fit super well, match with all my shirts, and are super stretchy and durable. My uncomfortable days of traveling in constricting pants are now far behind me.

VIEW ON WOOL&PRINCE

Athletic Sandals : Chaco Z1

My Chaco Z1s are beefy, versatile, and well-built. Their thick, durable soles give the support and stability of a hiking boot while allowing the breathability and convenience of a sandal. These are heavier and take up more space than flip flops, but they do so much more.

Rain Jacket : Marmot Precip

While this isn’t my favorite rain jacket for trekking and backpacking, it works well as a lightweight travel jacket. It blocks rain nicely, but it also keeps me warm when worn as a shell with my Tesla 1/4 zip sweater when life on the road gets chilly.

Athletic Shorts: Patagonia Nine Trails

A good set of athletic shorts will always have a place on my packing list, and these are my absolute favorites. They’re feather-light, fit comfortably, and dry quickly. They also have three zippered pockets, so I’m not at risk of losing my important travel essentials.

VIEW ON REI

Button-Up Shirt: Columbia Silver Ridge

While this is my main shirt for backpacking and hiking trips, it’s stylish and practical enough to use as a stand-alone travel shirt as well. I don this shirt when I need to transform from ‘scruffy budget backpacker’ to ‘respectable, cultured traveler,’ and it works like a charm.

T-Shirts: 32 Degrees Cool Crew

These 32 Degrees t-shirts are perfect for my minimalist style of travel. They’re a blend — 90% polyester, 10% Spandex — which makes them soft and breathable without stretching out or losing their fit. They’re very affordable too, so if I stain, rip, or lose one, it’s not the end of the world.

VIEW ON 32 DEGREES

Boxer Briefs: ExOfficio Give ‘n’ Go

The Give ‘n’ Gos are my go-to everyday boxer brief. Travel, hiking, blogging, you name it, they get the job done. They’re comfy, breathable, and odor-resistant, which makes them especially great for travel. Never underestimate the importance of a good set of undies.

Socks: Darn Tough No Show

Darn Tough makes the most comfortable and durable socks I’ve ever put on, hands down. They’re a perfect blend of Merino wool, nylon, and Spandex that keep my feet feeling fresh and comfortable during the throes of travel. Pricey? Yes. Worth it? Definitely.

VIEW ON DARN TOUGH

Travel Belt : Jasgood

Nobody has ever pickpocketed me before, and I aim to keep it that way. By using this zippered money belt, I’m able to keep all of my big bills and important documents hidden safely away from thieves. This belt, along with my pant’s zippered pockets, makes it really difficult to pickpocket me.

Sometimes travel will take you to chilly destinations , so you’d better be prepared with warm, lightweight, and packable travel clothing when the conditions are downright cold.

With all the warm and well-made winter gear on the market, there’s no excuse to let cold weather cheapen or derail your trip. And, no, preparing for a frosty weather adventure doesn’t mean you have to ditch your carry-on travel mantra either.

The five pieces of clothing below help keep me toasty when the temperature drops and bitter conditions set in. As a whole, these items pack down very small and weigh less than 1.5 pounds (700 grams) combined – a small price to pay for warmth and comfort.

Winter Jacket

Long Underwear

Down Jacket : Arc’teryx Cerium LT

The Cerium LT is the warmest down jacket I’ve ever owned, by a long shot. It keeps me comfortable down into below-freezing temperatures and is a must-bring on all my cold-weather backpacking adventures. It’s insanely lightweight and packs down conveniently into its built-in stuff sack.

Long Underwear : Patagonia Capilene

I love my lightweight travel pants, but they don’t always keep my legs warm when temperatures drop. That’s why I bring these along to all of my cold-weather travel destinations. They provide an extra layer of warmth and take up barely any room in my bag.

Warm Hat : Carhartt Knit Beanie

This fleece beanie is a staple of my cold-weather outfit, whether I’m traveling or not. I love it not only for its warmth and comfort but also for its affordable price tag. When I lost my first Carhartt beanie, I had zero hesitation in replacing it immediately.

Warm Socks : Smartwool Extra Heavy

My travel shoes often need a little help insulating my feet in frosty weather, which is why I pack a pair of Smartwool Extra Heavy socks when the temperatures call for them. These socks are ultra-warm, though, so consider a pair of Darn Tough Hikers if your feet tend to run hot.

Gloves : Sealskinz Waterproof

I bought these waterproof gloves solely for hiking and backpacking, but they’ve proven to be a great travel glove as well. They’re compact, stylish, and comfortable and keep my hands toasty warm on even the coldest winter days.

Travel Photography Gear 

It’d be an absolute pity to travel the world without quality photography gear to capture all of life’s vivid moments on the road. Not only do I cherish the thousands of memorable photos my camera has taken, but these images enhance my blog and bring it to life for you, my beloved reader.

Don’t worry. It’s entirely possible to pack a top-notch photography setup while still traveling light. You just need to get your hands on the right gear.

Nearly every single photo on this blog was captured through the camera and lenses I’ve listed below or with my trusty Nexus 6P cell phone. My setup is compact and portable and has found a comfortable place in my lightweight packing list for years to come.

Extra Lenses

Extra Batteries/Charger

Camera/Lens Kit : Olympus O-MD E-M10

After tireless research into mirrorless travel cameras, I bought the Olympus O-MD E-M10 in 2015, and it’s been a proud part of my carry-on packing list ever since. It’s sleek, durable, and effortless to use, and reliably captures high-quality photos.

Prime Lens : Sigma 60mm F2.8

Behold, the best lens in my bag. It’s a prime (fixed) lens, which means it doesn’t zoom, but it makes up for this lack of versatility by taking professional-quality portraits and striking close-ups with ease. My photography kit would be incomplete without it.

Tripod : Ultrapod

The Ultrapod II is one of the most compact and affordable travel tripods on the market, which is why adding it to my travel photography setup was a no-brainer. Sure, its short stature limits its capabilities, but it does everything I ask of it (and nothing more).

Extra Batteries : Powerextra

There are few worse situations while traveling than missing out on a wonderful photo-op because of a dead camera. That’s why I never travel without two fully charged batteries at my disposal. These cost less than a fifth of the price of Olympus’s official replacement batteries.

Connectivity & Organization Items 

Blogging is my passion, and my professional life revolves around it. To leave on a trip without the necessary tools to blog would send me into a spiral of panic and sadness. Nobody wants to see that.

Thankfully, I’ve found a place in my packing list for each essential piece of my lightweight blogging gear. That’s right, I can fit the entirety of my personal and professional needs into one bag and carry it onto an airplane. That’s freedom.

Here’s my simple, powerful, and efficient travel blogging setup that allows me to live a lightweight and mobile life on the road.

Laptop Stand

External Hard Drive

WiFi Signal Strengthener

Laptop Case

Pocket Journal

Travel Adapter

Laptop : MacBook Pro 14″

Travel blogging could get annoying quickly without a fast and reliable computer, which is why I invested in the MacBook Pro 14″. This trusty machine has the speed and power to answer all my blogging needs. It’s portable, durable, and lightweight and has never let me down.

Laptop Stand : Roost

Elevating my laptop to eye-level has been a complete game-changer while working remotely. Gone are the days of slouching over to type, which creates bad posture that can lead to back and neck problems. The Roost is the lightest and most portable stand on the market.

Bluetooth Keyboard : Apple Magic Keyboard

Because I use my Roost to elevate my laptop, I require a keyboard to keep my hands at a comfortable level to type. My Magic Keyboard is essentially a replica of my MacBook’s keyboard, allowing my to type as comfortably as I had before I started using a stand.

Bluetooth Mouse : Keychron M3

Sure, I could have gone all-out Apple and sprung for one of their mouses, but I went for a lighter and more affordable option recommended to me by a tech dork that I trust. My M3 has worked out well for me so far, and has stood up well to the abuses of travel.

Hard Drive : 4 TB WD My Passport

In the dreadful event that my laptop disappears or gets damaged, it’s imperative to have its valuable contents backed up. Thankfully, I can do so with my trusty external hard drive. Backing up my computer’s important files gives me security and peace of mind.

WiFi Signal Strengthener : OURLiNK Dongle

Finding a solid internet connection on the road isn’t always easy, which is why I always carry this little device. This tiny USB plug-in connects to WiFi networks, strengthens connections, and improves internet speeds. A win-win for travel bloggers like me.

Laptop Case : ProCase

Protecting my MacBook Pro while I travel is mandatory. That’s why I carry this generously padded and water-resistant case. I love its external pocket and slide-out handle, which both come in handy for digital nomads like myself. Tip: order one size down.

Pocket Journal : Moleskine Soft Cover

I’m a forgetful writer, so my pocket journal is one of the most valuable blogging tools I carry. It has a thick leather-like cover and durable pages that hold up to the relentless abuses of travel. With it, I capture fleeting details that otherwise might fade from my memory.

Pen : Fisher Space Bullet

I’d be doing my journal a disservice if I didn’t bring along a suitable pen to go with it. The Fisher Space Bullet is sleek, reliable, and versatile. It uses pressurized cartridges, which allow me to write at any angle or livable temperature, and even underwater.

Travel Adapter : Worldwide All-in-One

I can’t keep track of the different types of wall outlets during international travel, so I bought this handy all-in-one travel adapter. By carrying it, I don’t need to worry about foreign power systems or voltages. I simply fold out the proper plug-in and pop it in the wall.

Travel Toiletries

Remember when I said that I usually manage not to come across as a scruffy and stinky drifter while I travel, despite carrying minimal clothing? My lightweight travel wardrobe deserves a lot of credit, but my compact and high-quality toiletries set should get some recognition too.

I’ve somehow managed to squeeze all of my hygienic travel needs into a small and durable toiletries bag that weighs almost nothing. My lightweight little kit packs perfectly into my bag and leaves ample room for the rest of the travel gear on my list.

I pack only TSA-approved liquids that are 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less and, by doing so, free up plenty of room for the rest of my lightweight travel gear.

Toiletries Bag

Hair-Styling Product

Dental Floss

Glasses/Contacts

Contact Solution/Case

Ear Cleaner/Swabs

Nail Clippers

Multivitamins

Toiletries Bag : UltraLite Sacks

This nifty ditty bag isn’t advertised as a toiletries kit, but it works swimmingly for my current setup. It’s ultralight, durable, waterproof, and fits perfectly inside my travel bag. I use an ultralight trail wallet and a small zippered pouch for extra organization inside.

VIEW ON ULTRALITE SACKS

Soap : Dr. Bronner’s

Dr. Bronner’s is an effective and versatile soap that boasts 18 different uses. I use it along my travels as an effective body wash, shampoo, and laundry detergent. It smells great and is full of healthy and sustainable ingredients. A little of this soap goes a very long way.

Toothbrush : Folding Travel Brush

What you see is what you get. This simple toothbrush folds into itself to save space and keep the bristles from collecting germs in my toiletries bag. As long as I rinse the toothbrush thoroughly after every use, it stays clean and germ-free.

Toothpaste : Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint

I’m a sucker for Dr. Bronner’s products. Their toothpaste, just like their soap, is made from simple ingredients that have withstood the test of time. Some natural brands of toothpaste (like Tom’s) don’t seem to leave my mouth feeling completely fresh, but Dr. Bronner’s does.

Deodorant : Sam’s Natural

It took me years of searching and sampling to find an all-natural deodorant that keeps my travel musk at bay. Finally, I came across Sam’s Natural, which boasts over 15 different scents of healthy and long-lasting deodorants that are full of natural ingredients you can pronounce.

Razor : Dollar Shave Club

I stock up on Dollar Shave Club razors whenever I’m back in the U.S. because they’re affordable, convenient, and they get the job done. Yes, I’ve tried the mail-in alternatives (Harry’s and Gillette), and D.S.C. beats them in both price and quality.

VIEW ON DOLLAR SHAVE CLUB

Dental Floss : Plackers Micro Mint

For whatever reason, I can’t stand flossing my teeth the old-fashioned way – with a string of floss and nothing else. Thankfully, someone invented these nifty little ‘Plackers’ to make dental hygiene much more bearable for struggling flossers like myself.

Ear Cleaner : Mudder Ear Pick

Traveling with dozens of pesky Q-tips was an annoying travel reality until I discovered the wonders of the metal ear pick. Not only is my shiny new tool more compact than a handful of Q-tips, but it’s a far healthier way to remove wax from my ear.

Sleep Aid : NOW Melatonin

Getting a solid night of sleep on the road isn’t always easy. That’s why melatonin, a natural sleep aid, is an essential part of my lightweight travel setup. When a challenging sleep situation looms in my future, I’ll pop a 5 mg pill, put in my earplugs, and fade away to dreamland.

Multivitamin : Naturelo ‘One Daily’

My diet is all over the place when I travel , so I always pack daily multivitamins to ensure that my immune system stays strong. While I prefer eating fresh fruits and vegetables to swallowing capsules, at least I can guarantee that one way or another, I’ll be getting the nutrients I need.

Whether I’m on a bus, train, or airplane, personal comfort is paramount when I’m in transit for long periods. This fact of life is why I’ve put together the most comfortable travel outfit possible from head to toe.

The clothes listed below will never actually make it into my fully-packed carry-on bag simply because I always sport them on the days that I travel. The rigors of being in transit are far more bearable when I’m wearing relaxed, comfortable travel gear.

Put aside your perfect set of comfy travel clothes the night before your trip and get ready for maximum comfort along your journey.

Long Sleeve Shirt

Travel Shoes

Long Sleeve Shirt : Carhartt Force Extremes

In many ways, the Carhartt Force Extreme is the perfect ‘in transit’ top. It’s breathable enough to keep me from overheating in hot and muggy situations, but also substantial enough to keep me warm when the A/C is blasting down. It’s the best travel shirt in my arsenal.

Athletic Pants : Brokig Joggers

A comfortable pair of pants is essential when I’m in transit for long periods, which is why I always wear these ultra-cozy joggers during my travel days. They’re a 65% cotton, 35% polyester blend, which makes the material soft, stretchy, and breathable – the perfect combo for long hauls.

Athletic Shoes : Salomon XA Pro 3D V8

Though the XA Pro 3Ds are trail runners, they’re a great everyday travel shoe as well. I’ve put hundreds of hard-earned travel miles on these shoes and also taken them into the mountains for long-distance hiking adventures. They’re stylish, versatile, and are my go-to travel shoe.

Hat : Vuori Athletics

I’d feel naked along my travels without my trusty Vuori hat. See, the cap and I have developed a brotherly connection over the years. The miles we’ve covered and the wild travel memories we’ve made together have only strengthened our bond.

VIEW ON VUORI

Sunglasses : Ray-Ban Square

I got lucky at a thrift shop years ago and scored a pair of these for only 20 bucks. What a steal . Since then, they’ve become a vital part of my travel outfit. These wide-lense shades block out light and allow me to catch sleep for long stretches in less-than-ideal situations.

Boxer Briefs : ExOfficio Give ‘n’ Go

As I mentioned before, these are my go-to everyday boxer briefs. That means I definitely wear them on days I travel. For women with undie-envy, check out the ExOfficio Give ‘n’ Go Bikini Briefs , which are also lightweight, breathable, and highly reviewed.

Socks : Darn Tough No Show

These are such an exceptional pair of socks that I had to mention them twice. They work wonders for my feet on busy travel days, keeping them cozy, dry, and fresh. For a higher cut sock, check out the Darn Tough Hiker 1/4 Cushion .

Live the Carry-On Travel Lifestyle

So, there you have it. An up-close glimpse at every single item inside my lightweight and portable travel bag. Thanks to my carry-on travel packing list, I have the freedom to go wherever I want and do as I please in the most efficient way possible.

Snow-capped mountains? Tropical beaches? Urban jungles? All of the above, please.

Now, it’s your turn. Take a step back and look inside your travel luggage. What do you see?

Is your baggage an overstuffed mess of clutter and confusion? Do you have a lightweight and ultra-portable ‘do-it-all’ setup like mine? Do you fall somewhere in between?

Whatever the inside of your bag looks like, remember this: Traveling light is a mindset. It’s a conscious decision. Freedom and mobility are enjoyed by those who lighten their load.

Travel gives us the chance to experience our world in its most raw and unfiltered state, without unnecessary distractions. The baggage you bring along has the ability to hold you back or power you through your next journey.

Which will you choose?

Last Updated on March 19, 2024

Noel Krasomil

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Not too Much, Not Too Little: My Carry-On Only Printable Packing List

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I wasn’t always good at packing. Trip after trip, I’d forget something — usually something small and easily replaced, but an inconvenience nonetheless. Finally, I learned my lesson, got organized, and wrote out a list. Ever since, I’ve been using the exact same printable packing list and haven’t had problems since. If you’re looking for a starting place of your own, I’m happy to share.

This packing list is minimalist on purpose. I nearly always pack carry-on only, mostly because I hate waiting for my suitcase at baggage claim and partially because I hate dragging too much from one hotel to the next. If you want to bring more than a carry-on, use this list as a starter and add to it as needed.

I originally shared this list in 2016 but it was in need of a refresh in 2021, not for the list of items but for brands and specific gear recommendations. Of course, if you have your own favorite products, pack what you have and only opt for new if you’re unhappy with what you have.

This version of my printable packing list was the basis for my most recent trips including Montenegro , Idaho, Guatemala , and the UAE. Even though those trips each had different activities, climates, and needs, the list is comprehensive and flexible enough to work anywhere.

This is a long post.  If you’re in a hurry, scroll to the section you want tips on, bookmark this page for future use, or head directly to the printable packing list PDF at the end.

Focus on the Bottom Line First

I won’t bore you with an argument to travel carry-on only.  You either love it or hate it…and that won’t change unless you want it to.

What I  do  think is important: being realistic about what you choose to bring.  It boils down to two recommendations:

• Don’t over-prepare. This isn’t Boy Scouts. You only need to be pack for likely scenarios, not one-in-a-million chances.
• Pick a bag that you can carry.   If you can’t pick it up or maneuver it through an airport, downsize and try again. In my opinion, one large bag is easier than two smaller ones.

Becky’s Tried and True Packing List and Gear Recommendations

You do  not want to be the person who flies halfway around the world only to realize your travel gear is subpar.  Not only is it frustrating, but you’ll waste valuable time looking for replacements while traveling instead of spending your time sightDOING.   Skip all the inferior products and go straight to the good stuff.

Start with the Right Bag

I alternate between a rolling suitcase and a backpack for my primary bag, depending on the type of trip I’m taking. Either way, everything on the inside is neatly organized with packing cubes to keep things contained and make it easier to find what I need.

More often than not, I travel with an old Delsey carry-on roller suitcase. It’s a bit banged up, but still works fine and I haven’t found the right suitcase to replace it with yet.

When I’m traveling to destinations where I expect to schlep my stuff around more, I take my Tortuga Backpack . It’s carry-on sized, holds everything I need, and fits comfortably without getting too heavy thanks to the built-in hip belt.

For a personal item that fits underneath the seat in front of me on an airplane, I typically use a laptop bag.

For a daily carry bag when I’m at my destination, I like foldable backpacks that pack down to very little space, like my waterproof Matador Daylite .

Packing the Essentials

There aren’t a lot of essentials, but you should be prepared with your passport, any visas or other required documentation to enter your intended destination (like a vaccination card ), and a few forms of payment.

I typically pack at least one Visa and one Mastercard with no foreign transaction fees, just in case one card type isn’t accepted somewhere, plus my Schwab ATM/debit card and enough cash to last me through the first 24 hours.

Pack the Right Clothing

Clothing makes up the bulk of what I bring and I’ll be honest, I still tend to overpack in this category. I often think I’ll want workout gear or something to go out at night and I usually don’t use either. Pack what you’ll actually wear and be honest about how you tend to travel. For longer trips, laundry on the road is relatively easy and costs less than what you’d spend to check a bag.

Realistically, you probably already have what you need in your closet and don’t need to shop for specialty gear. I avoid fussy fabrics on the road (who wants to iron on vacation?) and look for items that can be mixed and matched for different looks.

How much is too much? My goal is always to fit my clothes into 3 packing cubes : I use two medium-sized cubes for my main clothes and one small cube for socks and underwear. I don’t worry about the exact number of shirts and pants and instead focus on the amount of space it takes up altogether. If the cubes don’t zip, it’s time to take something out.

Keep shoes to the absolute essentials: they’re bulky and heavy. I do most of my hiking in trail runners instead of boots (they’re smaller, lighter, and work for 95% of the trails I’m on) and I pack a pair of good walking sandals as well for just bumming around town or the beach. On some trips, I throw a pair of flats in my bag too for dinners out.

Still want specific recommendations? Try Prana Halle pants , KÜHL Freeflex shorts , Aviator jeans , Bluffworks t-shirts , North Face fleece jackets , and Smartwool socks . For footwear, I swear by my Xero Shoes sandals but don’t care for their other shoe styles.

Don’t forget to grab a swimsuit, raincoat, or other outerwear as needed for your destination.

Packing Personal Care Items and Accessories

This section has a lot of items but they’re typically all small so don’t get overwhelmed.

For hygiene, you’ll want a toothbrush and toothpaste, ravor and shaving cream, deoderant, brush/comb and hair styling products, cosmetics and makeup remover, and maybe cotton swabs or other applicators. Shampoo, conditioner, soap, and lotion are at your discretion: I know some hotels are likely to provide them but when in doubt, I bring my own in GoToobs to prevent leaking.

The specific brands you use will depend on your personal needs and preferences but some of my go-tos are a Billie razor (works well and has an awesome travel case), Wet brush , and Human + Kind family remedy cream . I also think everyone needs a Steripod to keep their toothbrush clean and protected.

You’ll also need a handful of accessories, which may include hair ties or clips, neck ties, jewelry, hats or gloves, belts, sunglasses, or anything else you normally reach for at home to complete your look. You may also want to consider a fake wedding ring instead of bringing valuables from home: there are tons of cheap lookalike options on Amazon .

If you tend to get sick while traveling (or are accident prone), you can assemble an entire travel first aid kit to bring with you. You know yourself best and what you tend to need when away from home, whether that’s anti-inflammatories, anti-diarrheals, motion sickness meds, electrolytes , or whatever.

99% of the time I only need ibuprofen and bandages but when I expect to be in remote locations away from local pharmacies, I use a weekly pill case to carry seven different types of over-the-counter meds (one in each “day” and labeled accordingly).

Make sure to also consider destination-specific health items, like DEET insect repellant ( wipes are easier to pack than sprays) or a water filter .

You’ll also want to bring any and all prescriptions you need. Don’t forget them!

In-Flight Needs

For long-haul flights , you’ll want to be comfortable.

My top items are a water bottle and travel mug (yes, I bring both and fill them up at the airport). I also bring lip balm, an eye mask, earplugs, compression socks , ginger candy , and plenty of entertainment. For me, that’s usually podcasts pre-loaded on my phone and a Kindle with lots of good books.

Packing Electronics

Bringing electronics is a balancing act — we live in an era where technology is a must-have, but you also don’t want to overdo it with expensive gear that’s at risk of being broken or lost.

I always travel with my laptop since I work from the road but kudos to you if you can truly disconnect! I sometimes — but not always — bring a DSLR camera and other times rely on my phone for pictures. Headphones and an external battery round out my list.

I’m also in love with my new wall adapter : it’s super compact and yet can charge up to 4 devices simultaneously (two plugs, one USB-A, and one USB-C). That keeps me covered without having to pack a separate multi-plug…and it has attachments for different international outlet styles so you can head anywhere in the world.

Packing Everything Else

Here’s where I’d love you to chime in: what miscellaneous stuff do you bring?

I always have an old-fashioned paper notebook and pen. For the past year or so, I’ve also consistently packed my foldable yoga mat.

On wildlife-oriented trips, I also bring binoculars, and for trips where I expect early mornings, I bring tea bags along since it’s easy to find hot water even when coffee is unavailable.

At the end of the day, it’s a fully packed bag but I use it all.

What I’ve Stopped Packing

Packing lightly is just as much about what you don’t bring.  A few things don’t make my cut:

Laundry Care:  I used to wash clothes by hand using a Scrubba .  Now, I either send it out (in low-cost countries) or settle for plain soap and a hotel sink.  It might not be perfect, but it’s good enough.

Headlamp:  Unless I know I have an adventure planned, I skip the headlamp and plan on using my cell phone for a flashlight in case of emergency.

Voltage Converters:  Unlike adapters (which help you fit your plugs into the shape of other countries’ wall outlets), voltage converters are rarely necessary.  Almost all modern electronics accept dual voltage, so there’s no need to bring a separate, heavy device that transforms voltage from 240V (frequently used worldwide) to 120V (typical in the USA).

Paper copies of travel documents:  I pull up confirmation numbers, credit card backup information, and other documents from secure internet-based storage.  It’s a good idea to share that info with someone you trust back at home, too.

Solid Toiletries:  For awhile, I stuck to solid shampoos and other items in order to avoid TSA restrictions on liquids and gels.  Most of the products don’t work well and/or are very expensive…and I always seemed to have extra room in my ziploc bag anyway.  Now I stick to liquids.

Anything and everything I don’t use at home:  Think twice before packing items you don’t ordinarily use at home.  For me, it’s things like sewing kits and scarves.  Some people love them, but they make no sense for me.

Printable Packing List

Get ready for your own trip with carry-on packing list or download the PDF for easy printing!

In an effort to be helpful, I’ve added a few popular packing items onto the checklist even if I don’t use them.  Use your best judgment and don’t pack items you don’t think you’ll personally need.

*     *     *

Packing is such a personal chore – what do you agree and disagree with?

20 thoughts on “not too much, not too little: my carry-on only printable packing list”.

I carry a mini-flashlight in my purse or day bag. It is amazing how many times I have used it! Handy on red eye flights to find your things without turning on the overhead light, and for reading maps. My last trip to Poland, I even used it in some museums and crypts to read inscriptions and notes. I keep it bedside at night for an emergency light too. For the most usefulness, get a bright LED flashlight.

@Sharon, I used to carry one also but now I use my phone’s built-in flashlight (and my external battery pack has one too!).

This is a really solid packing list. I have recently started doing the same and have been refining ever since.

One thing to add from my persona list is a few sections for various scenario to remind myself for incremental items.

For example under a section for “If driving:”, i have items like glasses (which i need to drive with at night), international drivers license, phone holder (when i use my iPhone for GPS) etc

I have a couple other sections for “International trip” and “for camping”…

You have a great blog btw! Love the layout/organization.

@Jimmy, Good idea to still list out items that you only need sometimes. I’ve forgotten my car charger for phone (which I use as GPS) before!

I’m a tea-toting person too! There’s something about a familiar flavor that brings me comfort. Also, I love brown rice green tea and that can be very difficult to find when on the road. Cheers!

@Crystal, I’ve never heard of brown rice green tea but now I’m going to try and hunt it down!

I support that 100%. If you have trouble finding some, just let me know. It’s also known by its Japanese name “genmaicha”.

Its good to read about another person’s ideas about what to bring or not bring. I’ve enjoyed your post, and might have to implement some of your ideas in my travels. Thanks!

@Shawn, Anything different you recommend?

This is genius! I try to ONLY pack carry on whenever possible. It’s amazing what you realize you don’t really need.

I have never been able to pull a carry-on only trip off!! These are great tips for packing, it can be overwhelming to make sure you don’t forget anything.

@Jenny, More often, my problem these days is OVER packing with stuff I don’t need!

I love the printable packing list! We will be traveling a bit this summer, so I think this is super important! I always have a difficult time trying to figure out the best things to pack. Thanks for sharing these tips!

What a great list. I think you pretty much covered everything. I always struggle with the right shoes but I’ve learned to wear my heaviest pair. I’m a dansko gal but also have the trail running shoes you mentioned. Dansko’s because of the weight get worn not packed.

I’m 72 years old and don’t do any heavy-duty hiking/activities. However, I am soon going on a 12-day South African Safari with G Adventures (National Geographic Journeys) and will be participating in their basic “game drives” and other primary activities.

Can you recommend a lightweight hiking/walking shoe (or boot) that would be appropriate for this trip?

Thanks in advance for all your great information!

@Budd, I like “trail runner” type shoes because they have pretty good traction on the bottom but are lightweight and airy enough to stay cool in warm climates. All sneaker brands will sell them (Nike, Reebok, etc), if you have a favorite. Hard to give exact styles since everyone’s foot shape and size is different. To go up a level in hiking quality, look for Merrell or Keen.

Great tips for packing. I have always had a problem in figuring out waht to carry and what not to carry. Really helpful read, thanks.

@David, My pleasure to help!

Great ideas. I have been doing carry-on only for the last 10 yrs and we usually travel in the fall. For me, depending on the length of the trip, 3 pr. of pants (1 black semi-dress, navy blue, grey or brown), blouses/shirts, half a many as the days of the trip. Example, if the trip is 14 days then I take 7 blouses/shirts and a mix of short and long sleeves. I only take 3 pr .of underwear and wash them out at the end of the day and 2 bras. 1 sleeping outfit, 1sweater, 1 lightweight rain coat that is packable, 1 packable down coat. 2 pr of shoes, one ballet slipper for evenings and 1 pr of Vionic sandal (which I wear on the plane, because it is easier to get through TSA and a 2 of large scarves, one black and one white. On the plane outfit is jeans, tank top, white long sleeve blouse, black wool jacket, scarf. On of the most important items is a contact eye case, 1 side Vaseline/the other side Vick. Kindle, head phones, cell phone and copy of important documents sent to my email address and same in a folder on that acct. Credit cards, 2 different companies and a debt card. For women a small crossbody bag worn in front on your body. This is the only way to travel. Happy traveling everyone.

Back in the early 1980s when I first started traveling, Rick Steves’ 2nd edition book “Europe through the back door” recommended “Take less stuff and more money”. I’ve been doing that (mostly) ever since.

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I'm a Fashion Editor Who Loves to Travel—30 Essentials I'm Packing This Year

The number one thing I spent my money on in 2023 was traveling. Well, it was actually paying New York City rent, but after that, it was spent on escaping the city I pay so much to live in—go figure. In 2024, I'm predicting it will be much of the same since I can't seem to stay in the city for too long without planning a getaway , even if it's just for a weekend. After all of that traveling , I've become somewhat of a packing aficionado, still an overpacker but nevertheless an expert one. I've listed out all of the best basics your suitcase needs no matter the destination, the perfect travel-size beauty items, the suitcase/weekenders that I swear by, and so much more. 

Keep scrolling to take a look at the travel items I never go anywhere without.

Have you ever gone on a trip and forgotten your leggings? Tragic. These are a must-bring.

I swear by my Oribe travel-size products.

A game changer.

I'm a big fan of a baseball cap on a travel day.

A good white tank you can rely on always comes in my suitcase no matter where I travel.

All the beauty skincare goodies you need in an adorable travel size.

Perfect for the pool, beach, or quick run from your room to the hotel lobby.

I never go anywhere without lotion. This is one of my favorite travel-size ones.

If you run into me at JFK on an early morning flight, there's a good chance I'll be wearing this.

A must-pack, trust me.

A travel-size brush? Absolutely.

I highly reccomend bringing a little white or black dress that looks great with both heels or flats.

They even make travel-size straighteners.

Just throw these in your carry on.

So you can leave your other brushes at home.

I've become a packing-cube person, and there's no going back.

High up on my list of weekenders to buy.

Great hair on the go and only $15.

I'm obsessed with Youth to the People skincare. This travel set is heaven sent.

My holy-grail setting spray, small enough to fit in my carry-on.

A sneaker that goes with everything is always good to keep on your packing list.

Perfect to wear on your flight or when you land.

Calpak luggage never fails me. If you're in the market for a new suitcase, go for one of theirs.

Perfect for a long flight.

More often than not, I reach for my Uggs on a travel day.

You can't go wrong with these.

For the hotel sauna or if I'm going on a warm-weather trip, I always bring a black string bikini with me.

Perfect airport shoes.

Don't forget socks.

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Grace has always been a lover of all things fashion and beauty. Upon receiving her first degree in visual communications from FIDM in Los Angeles, she moved to New York City and continued her education at LIM College, majoring in fashion media with a minor in society and culture. Grace has worked for PhotoBook magazine, Insider, and Harper's Bazaar. As a writer, Grace has had pieces published covering topics including racial justice, fashion, politics, and current events. During her free time, she loves wine tasting, creating content for her social media, spending time with friends, traveling to new places, and Pilates, and has a love for reality television, especially The Real Housewives. Grace is the person in your friend group everyone goes to for recommendations for the best place to grab drinks in NYC on a Friday night or the best hotels and restaurants to try when traveling to a new city. While fashion is her main love, she loves all things wellness and lifestyle as well. Her ideal sunday is brunching with friends then walking around furniture shopping and listening to a podcast. As the assistant shopping editor at Who What Wear, Grace loves finding the best buys out there for the WWW readers.

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The Ultimate Carry On Packing List After 12 Years of Travel

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We’ve been living out of carry-on bags for over 12 years now. We love the freedom that travelling light gives us—we can pack our belongings in 10 minutes, walk around easily with all our luggage, and breeze through airports without queuing at check-in desks or baggage carousels.

Below we share our current travel packing list. It has evolved over the years and is meant to give you a starting point for your own carry on packing list. You don’t need to follow it exactly as we all have our own preferences and needs. 

Living out of carry-on luggage for over a decade is very different from travelling for two weeks or even six months, and we’re certainly not ultralight travellers. We have a ton of electronics to run our online business, whereas many travellers could manage with just a phone.

We’ve added extra clothes over the years to reduce the amount of laundry we need to do and as I started running and yoga. I can’t believe in our first year we only had three tops and pairs of underwear!

We used to travel mostly in hot climates but have been spending more time in cooler places in winter. The packing list below works for multiple climates and I’ve noted the extra things we pack for cold places.

Our biggest change in recent years has been switching from one carry on backpack each to a rolling suitcase plus personal item. You can read more about that below as well as our carry on packing tips.

Our Carry On Suitcases

Our recommended carry-on backpacks, erin’s clothes, simon’s clothes, electronics, miscellaneous, documents and money, carry on packing tips, more carry-on packing posts, our change from carry-on backpack to suitcase.

After nearly ten years of carrying everything we own on our backs, we were ready for a change. 

We loved the freedom of travelling with a backpack—it’s easier to carry on rough streets, climb stairs, and hop on and off buses and boats.

But as we added more items over the years, our bags were getting heavier and we began to dread carrying them. 

Our travel style has also changed—we travel more slowly, often rent cars, and can afford to take taxis to our accommodation rather than walk. 

For travelling by bus around South America, a backpack made sense. When we spend more time in airports and cars, a suitcase makes life much easier. 

Back to Contents

I opted for the Away Bigger Carry-On Suitcase and the Away Everywhere Bag (as my personal item for my electronics). 

With this combination I maximise the amount I can carry on a plane. I haven’t had any issues so far on 10 airlines (including budget European airlines like Ryanair).

I am prepared that on some stricter airlines, I may need to check the suitcase as it is on the larger size for hand luggage and not all airlines allow two bags. If you are worried about this, check out the smaller Away Carry-On instead.

I was nervous about the change, but Away offers an amazing 100 day free trial, so I knew I could return it if it didn’t work out. They also provide free delivery to the US, UK, and Canada.

I haven’t looked back. The suitcase is stylish, spacious, and durable. The smooth spinner wheels mean I can effortlessly roll it alongside me (no need to drag it behind). They even worked on cobbled streets in Europe.

I especially love how the Everywhere Bag slides over the handles of the suitcase, so I don’t have to carry a thing. Airports are so easy now!

Stairs are more challenging with a suitcase than with a backpack, but I think it’s worth it for easy rolling the rest of the time.

Simon was jealous of my burden-free travel days, so he has now converted to the Away Bigger Carry-On too.

He pairs his suitcase with a Tortuga Setout Laptop Backpack, which he loves. It’s no longer available, but we also tested the Tortuga Outbreaker Laptop Backpack , which is similar.

The backpack has plenty of organisation, fits Simon’s two (!) laptops and large iPad, and has a sleeve so you can slide it onto suitcase handles and not need to carry it. 

I do still think backpacks are a great choice for many people, especially if you’ll be moving around a lot, taking public transport, and walking to your accommodation. 

They are best if you can pack lighter than we do—reducing electronics would help. 

Another advantage of backpacks is that you can get away with being over the allowed carry-on weight on planes, as they are less likely to be weighed. That said, our Away suitcases have yet to be weighed (thankfully). Read my tips on dealing with airline weight restrictions .

We think the Tortuga 40L Travel Backpack is the ideal carry-on backpack if you want plenty of space with good organisation, comfort, and a stylish design. See our Tortuga backpack review for full details.

If you’d prefer a smaller bag, I used to travel with and loved the Osprey Farpoint 40. They now offer a women’s specific fit, the Osprey Fairview 40 .

Our Carry-On Only Packing List

• Away Bigger Carry-On Suitcase (Erin and Simon) – Durable, incredibly spacious, and so easy to manoeuvre. It also comes with an optional built-in battery for charging your phone and a detachable laundry bag. 
• Away Everywhere Bag (Erin) – A stylish travel bag for my laptop and camera bag. It fits perfectly on the Away suitcase with a trolley sleeve and is also ideal as an overnight bag. This is my personal item on the plane and fits under the seat. 
• Tortuga Setout Laptop Backpack (Simon) – A spacious, organised laptop bag with a sleeve to slide on the suitcase handle.  Great as an overnight bag too. Simon’s personal item on planes. 
• Matador Beast 18 Daypack – This packable backpack fits inside our luggage on travel days and is comfortable for hiking. It’s rather bulky, though, so the Matador Freefly16 is a much smaller, lighter option. Read our comparison of the best packable daypacks for more ideas.
• Reusable shopping bag – This is useful for shopping, beach visits, and storage of water and snacks on journeys. It folds up into a tiny pouch when not in use. 

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are the secret to carry on packing. They are essential to help us fit more in our luggage and keep things organised. Read my post on  how to use packing cubes .

• Eagle Creek Pack-It compression cubes x 4 (Erin) – I love these as they are ultralight and squeeze my clothes down small. I have two medium cubes (one for tops, one for bottoms/dresses) and two small cubes (one for workout clothes, one for underwear). I have a set of Spectre and the newer Isolate cubes and both are good.
• Peak Design small and medium packing cubes (Simon) – For Simon’s underwear (small) and clothes (medium). These are heavier and don’t compress quite as much as the Eagle Creek ones, but they do have a useful separate compartment for dirty laundry and a more stylish design. 
• 2  Acai Skinny Outdoor Jeans – My new favourite travel-friendly jeans are super comfy, have huge pockets, and are shower-resistant. I have them in blue and black. They are UK based but ship internationally. For more options see my review of the best travel pants for women .When we spent most of our time in hot countries, I had linen trousers instead of the second pair of jeans. 
• 1-2 Leggings – For lounging, hiking, yoga, and planes. My favourites are the buttery soft Lululemon Align . The Wunder Under Tights are a bit warmer. The 25-inch is full length on me (5ft4) and I bought two sizes down as they stretch out.
• 1 RipSkirt Hawaii (Length 2) – This lightweight wrap skirt is perfect for throwing on after a swim as the water-shedding material means no wet bum marks and it dries so quickly. It’s also wrinkle-free and comes in lots of beautiful designs and various lengths.
• 1 -2 Shorts

Tops and Dresses

• 1 -2 Dresses
• 4 – 5 Short-sleeve tops or t-shirts – My favourite is the Bluffworks Threshold t-shirt which is super soft and odour-resistant.
• 1-2 Tank tops

• 1 Cashmere sweater – Cashmere is soft and light but it doesn’t machine wash that well (I do it anyway).
• 1 Fleece – I have one from North Face that’s lightweight with pockets and a hood.

Running Gear

• 1 Capri leggings   – I have the Lululemon Fast and Free High Rise Crop 19 inch which have handy pockets on the side and back.
• 1 Sports bra
• 2 Running socks – The Albirds Trino Sprinters are light, breathable, odour-resistant, and surprisingly durable.
• Runderwear underwear – So comfy!

Underwear and Swimwear

• 2 Bikinis  – I like Andie Swimwear.
• 7-9 Underwear
• 3 Socks – I don’t wear socks often. In cold places, I buy more as needed. 

I used to only travel with three pairs of shoes—running shoes, sports sandals, and ballet flats.

Now, when I’m in cold places I add a pair of Allbirds Wool Runners for casual use, so I can keep my running shoes just for running. They are perfect for travel—see the cold weather section below for details.

Alternatively, for rainier climates I like the Allbirds Wool Runner Mizzles , which are water-resistant and have extra traction.

I sometimes add a pair of hiking shoes (for New Zealand, UK, and US National Parks), but it is hard to fit them in my suitcase. I currently have the Oboz Sypes low waterproof hiking shoes.

I like ballet flats for cities and evenings out. I’ve tried many over the years—see my Allbirds Tree Breezers review (which includes a comparison with Tieks and Rothy’s) as well as my Tieks review (after travelling with them for 8 years) and Rothy’s vs Tieks comparison. 

• Running shoes   – I’ve run in Allbirds Tree Dashers for years now. I love their neutral design (so I can wear them around town too) and they are comfy, breathable, fairly lightweight, and machine washable. See my Allbirds Tree Dashers review for details. 
• Sports sandals – My Teva Verra sandals are perfect for travel—super comfortable, waterproof, and practical for hikes but nice enough to wear in cities. Amazingly, there was no break-in period. Buy them on Amazon or from the Teva website .
• Ballet flats – My Allbirds Tree Breezers are ultra comfortable, lightweight, machine washable, and made from sustainable materials. I wear then on planes as they are easy to slip off at airport security. See my Allbirds flats review for more details. 
• Shower caps – I pick up a few shower caps from hotels to store my shoes in and protect my suitcase. 

Accessories

• Sunglasses – I like Maui Jims , which are expensive but durable, stylish and have polarised lenses to reduce glare (it really makes a difference). 

Cold Weather Extras

In cold weather, I add these extra items: 

• Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody Down Jacket – It’s warm but light and packs down small in its own pocket. 
• Marmot PreCip Eco Rain Jacket – It packs into its pocket and has pit zips and an adjustable hood. 
• Extra sweater – I prefer merino wool for its warmth and odour resistance.
• 1 Flannel shirt – I like the REI Wallace Lake Flannel Shirt .
• 2 Long sleeve t-shirts – A budget option is the Uniqlo Heatech Extra Warm top or for extra warmth, the Icebreaker 200 Oasis Crew Top .
• 1 Fleece-lined leggings – The Lululemon Base Pace Fleece Tights were ideal for hiking on our winter US National Parks road trip.
• Extra socks – My favourite are Smartwool medium crew socks , which are thick, warm, and odour-resistant. Darn Tough hiker micro crew socks are also excellent. Smartwool, Icebreaker and Darn Tough all make great merino socks. Check out REI for lots of choice.
• Allbirds Wool Runners – I love how cosy and warm these wool sneakers are! They are as comfortable as slippers and I can wear them without socks. They are machine washable too. See my Allbirds Wool Runners review for more details. 
• Fleece headband – For running.
• Scarf and gloves

See our Iceland packing list for what we pack when we are only visiting a cold country. 

Most of Simon’s clothes are from the small US company Bluffworks , which makes shopping really easy.

They make travel-friendly clothes that are stylish, durable, wrinkle-resistant, moisture-wicking, and machine washable. Most feature hidden pockets to keep your phone and wallet safe.

Simon loves having clothes that are as suitable for active adventures as for dinners out and city exploring.

• 1 Aviator Travel Jeans – These are super comfortable, feature hidden zipped pockets, and the dark indigo colour looks great.
• 1 Bluffworks Ascender 5 Pocket Pants – They are dressier than normal travel trousers but still lightweight, quick drying, and with hidden zippered pockets for security. He’s worn them on hikes, horse riding, to fancy restaurants, and even to weddings! The khaki colour does stain easily so I recommend a darker colour. Read our detailed Bluffworks pants review .
• 2 Shorts – Simon looks for shorts with lightweight fabric and hidden zippered pockets. He loves his Clothing Arts Pick-Pocket Proof Business Travel Shorts and Bluffworks Ascender Shorts .
• 1 Board Shorts

• 5 T-shirts – Most of them are the wonderful Bluffworks Threshold t-shirts . They are as soft as cotton but moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and odour-resistant. He’s found them more durable than merino t-shirts (his previous go-to).
• 1 Long sleeve dress shirt – After struggling for years with shirts that wrinkled, Simon now travels with the brilliant Bluffworks Meridian dress shirt , which has all the features you need for travel—wrinkle-free, soft and comfortable, moisture-wicking, and quick drying. It looks great, too, and works as well for dinners out as it does for hikes. 
• 1 Long sleeve t-shirt – The Icebreaker 260 Tech Crewe Base Layer is the perfect light layer. As it’s merino it doesn’t smell.
• 1 Bluffworks Gramercy Shirt Jacket – Another genius creation by Bluffworks. This replaces Simon’s old fleece and his Bluffworks Gramercy Blazer . It’s more casual than the blazer but still looks stylish and has a cosy fleece lining and tons of pockets. It’s versatile enough to wear for bike rides or city travels and can be worn alone or under a down jacket for extra warmth.

• 7 underwear – His favourites are ExOfficio Give-n-Go Sports Boxer Briefs , which are very light and quick drying. 
• 4-7 socks – He prefers socks made from merino wool which is moisture-wicking and odour-resistant. REI, Icebreaker, and Smartwool are all good brands. Search REI for a range of options.

For nearly 10 years, Simon had just two pairs of shoes—hiking shoes and sports sandals.

A few years ago he also added a pair of casual sneakers, the Allbirds Tree Runners , which he loves. 

If you aren’t planning any major hikes, the Allbirds are great for travel as they are smaller, lighter, and easier to dress up than hiking shoes, and can be worn without socks. 

• Hiking shoes   – Currently he has the Keen Targhee III waterproof hiking shoes .
• Allbirds Tree Runners – The summer version of Allbirds are lightweight, comfortable, machine washable, and come in a range of fun colours. You can read our comparison of Allbirds tree vs wool runners here.
• Sports sandals – Simon has had a pair of Teva hiking sandals through all our years of travel and lives in them in warm climates. They are super comfortable, durable, and great for hot weather hikes and watersports. His current pair are the Teva Fi Lite . Shop for them on Amazon or the Teva website .

• Sunglasses – Like me, Simon has a pair of Maui Jims with polarised lenses. 

In cold weather he adds these items:

• Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer down jacket – This warm but light jacket packs down small into its own pocket.
• Marmot Eco PreCip rain jacket – A lightweight waterproof that packs into a small pocket but has features like a hood and pit zips. 

Remember to keep all your liquid toiletries in containers of 100 ml (3oz) or less if you are travelling by plane. Solid toiletries help minimise the liquids you need. 

• Toiletry bag  – We have the Sea to Summit Hanging Toiletry Bag  which is lightweight and comes with a mirror and hook to hang it up when there’s nowhere to put it. We have the small version which is just enough space for all of our toiletries. 
• Small zip-lock bag – For liquids when flying. We usually fit our liquids into one bag between us.
• Solid shampoo bar + tin – A must for carry-on travel. Solid shampoo lasts ages and doesn’t use up your liquid allowance. We often use it as soap as well. We buy bars from either Lush (which has shops worldwide) or Ethique . 
• Toothbrush each + head cover
• Toothpaste (usually a 50 ml tube)
• Solid deodorant ( Salt of the Earth 50 g ) – The more solid toiletries you pack, the better. This natural crystal deodorant works well and lasts over a year. 
• Lip balm  
• Moisturiser – I like the Steamcream 75ml tins.
• Hand sanitiser (50 ml bottle) – Especially useful for bus journeys and hikes. Dr Bronner’s lavender hand sanitiser smells so good.
• Shaving oil (15 ml bottle) – Magic stuff! A tiny bottle lasts Simon nine months.
• Razor each + 2 or 3 spare blades
• Hairbrush (travel-size)
• Nail clippers
• Menstrual cup (Erin) – Essential for travellers who menstruate. A Mooncup or Divacup takes up less space than tampons (and you don’t have to worry about finding them abroad) and is better for the environment, your body, and your wallet.
• Hairbands and clips (Erin)

Sometimes we add these extra items in 50-100 ml (2-3 oz) bottles when needed:

• Hair conditioner
• Insect repellent
• Paracetamol – Painkillers.
• Loperamide (Imodium) – In case of traveller’s diarrhoea.
• Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) – For motion sickness.
• Plasters (Band-Aids)
• Prescription medications
• Antihistamine – Simon has allergies, so we sometimes carry these.

We have way too many electronics but we do need/want them as we work as we travel. Most people on shorter trips will only need a phone, Kindle (if you read a lot), and perhaps an iPad.

Laptops and Accessories

• MacBook Pro 16-inch laptop + Incase neoprene case + charger (Simon) – Powerful enough for all his design and development work.
• Razor Blade 14 3070 Gaming Laptop – Yes, ridiculously Simon now travels with two laptops (I don’t recommend this as airport security is a pain). One for work, one for gaming. He loves it.
• MacBook Air M2 13-inch laptop + Comfyable sleeve  + charger (Erin) – Smaller and lighter than Simon’s laptop but powerful enough for my writing and photography.
• Western Digital 2 TB SSD external drive (Simon) – For backing up our laptops. Solid-state drives (SSDs) are well worth the expense for travel as they are tiny and much more durable than spinning disk drives.
• Sandisk 2 TB SSD external drive (Erin)
• Small mouse (Simon)
• International USB travel power adapter   – A power adapter that works worldwide with multiple USB ports makes charging all our devices so much easier. 
• Electronics Organizer – We have an Eagle Creek electronics bag that keeps our cables and accessories organised. It’s no longer available, but this Bagsmart Electronics Organizer is similar or we like the look of the Peak Designs Tech Pouch (they always make quality gear).

Photography (Erin)

Most travellers these days can manage with the camera on their phone and save lots of space. As a travel blogger, that’s not an option for me. 

I switched from DSLR to smaller but high quality mirrorless cameras years ago and think they are the best option for serious travel photographers. 

I pack everything in my Peak Designs bag and then place that inside my Away Everywhere Bag (my personal item) so I only have two pieces of luggage on travel days.  

I charge my camera with my Kindle’s USB cable. 

• Sony A7 III Mirrorless Camera – This full-frame camera takes high quality photos and is especially fantastic in low light. 
• Sony 16-35mm f4 lens – I love the wide angle on this lens for landscapes and interior shots. 
• Samyang 35mm f/2.8 lens – An inexpensive, small, and super light lens that’s ideal for street photography, food, and low light.
• Peak Design Everyday Sling Bag – I love this stylish, comfortable, versatile camera bag that can be carried in three ways. The inside can be configured to fit your camera and lenses using the velcro dividers. I have the 5L in the older version—the 6L is the nearest size in the new bag. 
• Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap – A versatile strap that’s so much more comfortable than a standard camera strap. It can be worn as a sling (my favourite), shoulder, or neck strap, and it’s easy to switch between the styles. 
• 2 batteries 
• 3 Sandisk Extreme 64GB SD cards  
• USB memory card reader  – For transferring photos to my laptop. 
• Lens pen  – For cleaning.

iPhones, iPad, Kindles, Watch

• iPhone 13 Pro (Simon) and iPhone 11 (Erin)- iPhones are becoming increasingly good for photography and I often use it when I don’t want to carry my camera. We buy local SIM cards with data plans in each new country. eSIMS are really convenient (no physical card and you can set them up before you arrive)—we’ve used Airalo in various countries.
• Peak Design Everyday Case – This brilliant phone case is slim, elegant, and protective. It connects to our Peak Design wallet to make a phone stand (we often use it for selfies). You can also get mounts for cars and bikes.
• Apple AirPods Pros x 2 (Both) – We both love the wireless AirPods so much and the noise cancelling is great in the Pros (a life changer for planes).
• iPad Pro  + neoprene case (Simon) – It’s huge, but Simon loves the beautiful screen, especially for drawing.
• Apple Pencil – For drawing on the iPad Pro. Perfect for travelling artists as it replicates a real pen or brush. Simon now does all his artwork digitally.
• Kindle Paperwhite Signature + USB cable x 2 (Both) – I couldn’t live without my Kindle. It fits thousands of books on a device smaller than one paperback and is waterproof for pool reading.
• Apple Watch + USB cable x 2 (Both)  – We find them especially useful for fitness tracking and convenient Apple Pay payments.
• Apple lightning cables  + USB power adapter
• Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter – For connecting our iPad and Mac to a TV. 
• Waterproof phone pouch – This keeps our phone and wallet dry while swimming, kayaking, or river hiking.
• Travel towel – We mainly use this for the beach or swims on hikes.
• Yoga Paws   Skin Thin – Little yoga mats for your hands and feet. A much smaller, lighter alternative to a yoga mat. I practice every day wherever we are with Yoga with Adriene videos (free on Youtube or I signed up for the membership site for offline downloads and extra content). Read my Yoga Paws review .
• Klean Canteen water bottle – This fits in the water bottle pocket of Simon’s laptop backpack on travel days.
• Vapur Element 1L water bottle x 2 – They are light and fold flat or can be rolled up when not in use to save space.
• Silicone earplugs (Erin) – Essential for me for noisy places and overnight bus and plane journeys.
• Eye mask (Erin) – I use a cheap light one, like the kind they give out on planes.
• Tiny sewing kit – Like the ones that hotels provide.
• Moleskine pocket notebook – I tried going digital but I still mostly prefer making travel notes on paper. 
• Zip-lock bags – These always come in useful for storing food or wet clothes. I take a few small and medium bags.
• Beeswax wraps – A sustainable way of storing leftover food and sandwiches. 
• Toilet paper – We store a little folded up in the pockets of our bags.
• Travel insurance – We used True Traveller for many years and they are the best value we’ve found for Brits. We now use SafetyWing instead, which is a monthly subscription designed for digital nomads and is available worldwide. See our SafetyWing insurance review for more details and our travel insurance after departure post for all the options if you are already travelling (or travelling long term).
• Peak Designs mobile stand wallet  – This slim wallet is so well designed. Not only does it keep our cards easily accessible, but it connects to our phone with a magnet and has a built in stand (perfect for selfies).
• Dollars – Around $100 for emergencies. Otherwise, we’re mostly cashless these days (depending on the country) and use Apple Pay via our watches (so convenient). When we do need cash, we withdraw from ATMs locally.
• 2 debit and 2 credit cards each – We recommend travelling with at least two cards in case one gets lost or compromised. Wise (in many countries) and Starling (UK) are the best debit cards we’ve found to use abroad. Read more about managing your travel finances .
• Passports – We protect them with a clear plastic cover .
• Card reader for online banking  – This is issued by our bank for secure access.
• Driving licence
• International driving licence (when needed)
• Photocopies of passport (we also keep a scanned copy on our laptops) 
• Passport photos – For visa applications.
• Vaccination card
• Scuba diving certification card

Here are my top tips for how to pack a carry on.

• Use packing cubes or compression bags to keep your clothes organised and squeeze more in.
• Pack clothes for about a week and then do laundry.
• Buy quick-drying and odour-resistant clothes (like those made from merino wool or from travel companies like Bluffworks ). This isn’t essential if you’re on a tight budget, but it does make things much easier. You have to do less laundry and items dry more quickly when you do.
• Choose solid toiletries (like shampoo bars and crystal deodorant) over liquids to maximise the amount you can fit in your airline-friendly ziplock bag. Keep liquids under 100ml/3oz.
• Don’t pack items “just in case” . Everything needs to earn its place in your bag. If you really need it later, you can probably buy it locally.
• Wear your bulkiest clothes on travel days.
• Go paperless . A Kindle will save so much space if you’re a reader.

See our other posts about packing light:

• Carry-On Travel in 10 Easy Steps – The basic principles you can use for packing carry on only for any trip.
• Iceland Packing List – How we packed hand luggage only for a 12-day trip to this chilly country.
• How to Pack Carry-On Only for Cold Weather – Our winter carry on packing list for Finland including snowboarding.
• How to Pack for 4 Months in Europe from Summer to Winter – How we adapted our packing list for a summer-winter trip.
• The Secret to Carry-On Only Travel: How to Use Packing Cubes to Save Space
• Airline Carry On Luggage Size and Weight Limits: A Detailed Guide

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116 Comments

Thanks for the great tips, Erin. Couple questions – does security ever want to see in the packing cubes? I was thinking of compression ones but thought could be a pain. Also, have you ever travelled to Scotland in early July, if so, any clothing suggestions? I keep getting mixed info.

Reply ↓

Security has never opened our packing cubes.

Unfortunately, weather can go either way in Scotland in July. I’d prepare for everything with layers. Probably most of the time jeans/t-shirt will be fine but you’ll most likely need a sweater and rain jacket too. I’d bring a pair of shorts just in case you get lucky with one of the rare warm spells. Enjoy!

I travel to Europe 1-2 times/year and am always looking for packing tips. This is the most comprehensive I’ve seen. I started taking just a carry on and backpack for 2-3 week trips and am glad I changed. What I learned is not all carry ons and backpacks are the same. My carry on is the biggest allowed and I changed to a non traditional backpack – that’s a game changer.

Thank you for your tips.

I pack dryer sheets with my clothes to keep them fresh smelling and I can wear clothes a couple of times feeling and smelling fresh.

Good tip, thanks Kelia!

As a seasoned traveler & packer, I have to call bs on your one carry on & one personal item mentioned holding everything in your list. I’d like to see a video…

Haha, we barely believe it too! They are very tightly packed at the moment. But the Away suitcases do hold a remarkable amount.

Best travel tip I learn if on a one week or two week vacation. Bringing less clothes. Each outfits can be worn two times . After wearing each outfit hang up or fold neatly to be used again (space out wearing days) or you can wash if needed

Love your information, thanks for sharing!

What’s your experience with Away Bigger Carry-On? Did you have to check-in? And in the overhead bin, it was easy to put the baggage?

We haven’t had to check it so far but due to the pandemic, we’ve only flown long haul flights (and one domestic New Zealand). We’ll be testing on a budget European airline (Easyjet) in May. We haven’t had any problems putting it in the overhead bins but you might on a very small domestic plane. We love the space it gives us!

As I watched a YT videos on travelling with Carry-On, one suggested that the commonly accepted size is 9″x 14″ x 21.5″, which would not allow (officially) for anything bigger than this. I could verify the next time at the airport during check-in, they have box frame to verify sizing, if you have not seen it already.

The kicker is, it is up to the airlines to enforce it. Sometimes, they un-officially allow when the carry-on is too big by asking and moving the carry-on to the checked bag areas. I suppose a passenger can’t complain for not paying a charge for checked bag.

Helpful for travellers. …

What do you use (or did you use) for water purification while traveling in South America? Was the tap water safe to drink in Medellin? Thank you.

It’s been years since we were there, but I think the water was safe to drink in big cities like Medellin and Buenos Aires. Elsewhere we used bottled water.

Sorry if I missed it, but what do you do for pajamas, Erin?

Usually I don’t bother but if it’s cold I wear any tshirt/tank top and leggings. Or one of Simon’s tshirts :)

After nearly 10 years of long term travels I am now of the conclusion that you do not need any expensive, travel specific, technical clothing. Especially in tropical climates, you can just buy local cheap market clothes such as cotton t shirts, shorts etc for next to nothing. There’s no need to pay over the odds for quick drying materials because if you wash a t shirt in the evening, it’s dry by morning, even cotton. A whole kit consisting of; 2 t shirts, 2 pairs shorts, flip flops can be got for under £10. Much of the travel specific clothing is over engineered, over priced and trying to solve problems that don’t exist for most of the time. Best to shop & dress like the locals do.

I can see how that could work. You definitely don’t need tech clothes, but we do find them nice to have.

We don’t find cotton always dries overnight. We just did a wash at a motel here in New Zealand and it’s taking ages (more than 24 hours) for the non technical and merino clothes to dry. We really notice the difference between our different types of clothes. When you only have a day before you are moving on this is inconvenient.

We also appreciate the moisture-wicking nature of tech clothes for hiking (and hot walks in cities) and the odour-resistance reduces the frequency we have to wash stuff.

But yes, it is a luxury rather than a necessity.

I’m planning my trip to Japan (1 month), with my boyfriend and I had in mind 2 big suitcases but mostly empty so we can buy lots of stuff from Japan. Can you give us some advice on how to pack big suitcases or even if there is a better idea for us? I intent to take a tablet and a camera, a few clothes and basic stuff. I’ve been reading non stop your blogs about Japan and I found them all so helpful, I even sat down and translated some things in Greek and noted everything to get ready! I am super excited! Thank you for your help, I hope you are doing well and have fun wherever you are. Greetings from Greece!!

I see in the pictures that you have a hard Carry on and a soft bag., How are you able to use BOTH bags for Carry-On. As you are only allowed ONE Bag and a small purse or small back pack. That soft bag looks way too big to be allowed as well as the other suitcase. Curious as I only take a Hard side Carry-On size bag and a Purse., or very small backpack. Have travelled to 65 counties for the last 50 years. I do not know of what airline allows 2 Carry-on’s of that size. The soft bag will not fit into the cage that they want to put your bag in at the boarding gate. What size are the bags you are using. Thanks.

They definitely won’t be allowed on all airlines, but they do meet the size restrictions of many airlines, especially in the US. So far (due to the pandemic) we’ve only travelled on one flight (Singapore Airlines) and had no problem taking them both on. The suitcase goes in the overhead locker and the soft bags fit under our seat.

My Away Everywhere Bag is 41.5 cm x 18.5 cm x 26 cm.

We do expect there will be times when we have to check the suitcases but after a decade of full-time travel, it’s worth the risk to us in order to have a bit more stuff. If we were travelling on shorter trips we’d stick with just one bag.

Hi, Can you advise where you store important documents such as birth certificates, property papers etc while your travelling? Thanks

We keep a folder of documents at Simon’s parents back in the UK.

Hi, What does Simon wear in bed when it’s cold? Thanks

Boxers and a t-shirt. He doesn’t get as cold as me though.

This is such an awesome list. I love it!! All the ideas, the products you guys use etc etc. Great thanks for putting this together for all of out here who need ideas and thoughts about carry on only desperately!!!!!! I know with all the products and links this would be hard to do, but…..do you have just a printable list?

Thanks Jennifer! I actually created one for readers of my book. You can find it in Google docs here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1R2579yFB2_Vna6PSr4vCgahq7xaNXDktaRirYqMkdgE/edit?userstoinvite=hfguite%40gmail.com&ts=5dd29d0a&actionButton=1#gid=1064467678

Such a helpful article! I’m wondering whether you carry a personal item with you as well as your main backpacks though and if so, what do you recommend?

For most of the last decade we didn’t have a personal item. Sometimes we’d use the packable daypack (we have the Tortuga Setout) or shopping bag if we needed to keep things handy on flights or have extra space for food.

Hey Erin, I was looking to get a good packable backpack for my upcoming trip to Thailand and found this backpack https://the-most-functional-packable.kckb.st/96ac29dc on Indiegogo. What do you think about it? Looks like a great backpack for travel, I was just looking for some opinions before I made my decision… By the way, I love the content you have been posting lately :)

It looks good. It’s a bit heavier than the Setout but has a few more pockets and a laptop sleeve. You can never be sure when (or if) these crowdsourced things will ship though.

Super helpful article! For an upcoming trip, my goal has been not to overpack like I usually do, so this is a great resource. But why bring the dock for the Nintendo Switch? It’s charged with a regular USB-C charger, which would be way smaller and lighter than the unnecessary charging dock. My partner and I also just bought a Switch Lite just to travel with, which is handheld-only and smaller than the original one (and came in a pretty yellow color).

Simon likes having the dock so he can play it on the TV when we’re staying in apartments for a few months. It’s not really necessary for most travellers though.

We’re planning to visit Japan in November, will the shoes you recommend be warm enough for the weather at that time.

Assuming you mean the Tokyo/Kyoto area, the Tieks should be ok but it won’t really be sandals weather. At the beginning of the month the average temperatures are around 20ºC but this drops by about 5ºC by the end of the month.

If you want something warmer, I have recently been wearing Allbirds Wool Runners for winter/spring in Melbourne. They are comfortable and warm and you can wear them without socks (I find I can slip them on and off without undoing the laces which is useful in Japan). https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/1/allbirds/

Hi, I really love your dresses. You didn’t mention where you get them from in your review. I like how your dress in Italy (I think) covers your shoulders and back and is still cute (floral navy dress). Would you mund sharimg yoyr dress yips. Cheers Tanya

Hi Tanya, I buy most of my dresses when we’re back in the UK. The one in Italy is from M&S (but from a few years ago) and I also buy them from John Lewis and White Stuff. Unfortunately they are always changing their designs so there aren’t any particular ones I can recommend. Erin

Hello! I have read through all your backpack information….I am looking for a backpack for a 2 week trip to Europe. I am flying Lufthansa, and they said it has to be 22 by 16 by 9 largest…also it can only weigh 18 pounds! So, I am curious if the Osprey Farpoint 40 would be right dimensions….but really worried it would weigh over 18 pounds when packed?? Thoughts or suggestions?? Thanks for your help!! I will be leaving the backpack at the hotel, but wanted to use one IF possible, for easier travel on plans and trains…Kristi

The Farpoint 40 will be the right size. Depending on what you pack you could end up going over the weight limit. We are usually over the weight limit though and find airlines rarely check. It helps if you check in online to avoid the check-in desk. We wrote more about it here: https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/how-to-travel-carry-on-only-airline-size-and-weight-guide/ Good luck!

Hi Erin, Thanks you and Simon both for an info packed excellent website! I’m about to purchase a Setout pack and am wondering if you have or would recommend the 35L size. I’m 5’1 and thinking that’s going to better fit me /be easier to carry on etc. than the 45L women’s size.

Take care and Happy Holidays!

I do think the 35L would be better as I find the 45L rather bulky. I hope it works out for you!

Simon, did you not have the Tortuga V2 originally? What was the impetus to change to the newer models? The reason I ask is the I have the Tortuga V2 (since October 2015). It has served me well although getting a little tired. We are heading to Europe for 15 months from February 2019 and am thinking about changing or not. Love to get your ideas and reasons why you changed.

Yes, Simon did have the V2 before. Honestly, Tortuga offered him the Outbreaker and later the Setout for review so that’s the main reason he switched. But we do think they are both improvements. The Setout is our favourite because it’s lighter.

Compared to the V2, the Setout looks better, doesn’t have the bulgy pocket in the front or the side pockets which always made it an odd shape, it’s more comfortable to carry, it opens fully on 3 sides so is even easier to pack, and there’s a large water bottle holder on the side. They aren’t huge differences—mainly I think it just looks a lot more stylish.

You can see our Setout review here: https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/tortuga-setout-backpack-review/

Have a great time in Europe!

Nice post. Though nowadays there is a lot of electronic devices that people bring during traveling. I, myself always bring my mavic pro, trackimo tracking device and romoss 20000mah powerbank.

Hey, we travel with a Nintendo Switch too! But you can get rid of the bulky charging dock by getting a USB C charger (we have one that came with our portable battery pack that can also charge our Switch and GoPro Fusion). We also got a tiny adapter that works to connect the switch to any TVs with HDMI to use instead of the dock.

Simon looked into that but apparently if you use a non-Nintendo HDMI adapter Nintendo may brick the Switch! We don’t really want to take that risk and wish Nintendo would come out with their own travel friendly adapter.

My wife and I wonder what you both typically carry for your “personal item” to take on the plane. Do you carry a particular travel purse you like? Do you use your day back?

We try not to have a personal item as it’s easier to travel with one bag and not all airlines allow a personal item. For long flights, when we want to keep things close at hand, we use our packable daypack or our packable tote/shopping bag.

Great post and so well laid out. Have you tried out the icebreaker lineup of merino wool? I highly recommend it. Great stuff.

Yep, we love our long sleeve Icebreaker tops – we’ve had them for over 8 years!

Who do you insure your laptops cameras etc with? I looked at True Traveller but their valuables and single article limit is very low.

We no longer insure our laptops and camera and just make sure we have a contingency fund in case of loss. We couldn’t find anywhere affordable to insure them for continuous travel.

These are such great tips! Thanks for this

Really enjoyed reading this, especially the backpack suggestions. We have been thinking of getting the Tortuga so it’s nice to know you guys like it!

We have continued to downsize and now travel ultra light for a family of 3. We recently went on an 8-day trip with 2 outfits each (we wore one and packed an extra). Our daughter got 4 total because toddlers can go through 2-3 outfits a day easily. We are trying to find an alternative to our noise machine (we love it but it’s so bulky).

That’s impressive Lejla! I always love hearing about families packing light as so many people assume it’s not possible.

Awesome breakdown of your travel packing list. Thanks for the good info!

I’m glad you liked it!

So when the seasons change I guess some of your gear also changes, for people traveling in and out of hot and cold weather climates, do you have any recommendations for selling gear. For example, I may need a coat in northern California this time of year, but I won’t need one when i go to LA.

I think it would be great to have an app where nomads could exchange clothing or sell it.

We have never bothered with selling our clothes on the road as it’s usually hard to get a good rate for it. We usually just donate to a charity shop. You could try ebay or craigslist.

I recommend travelling with a packable down jacket as they don’t take up much space when you don’t need it anymore. I’ve written more about them here: https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/carry-on-only-packing-list-cold-weather/

Hello. Have you ever had trouble with airport security with the retractable lock? I use one to secure my violin case which will be flying carry on shortly.

Not at all, it’s no problem.

great tips and such enjoyable reading!

What a great post Erin! Right up my street. I will be sifting through this with a fine toothcomb when we decide to move on from our first slow stay (in Malaysia). In the meantime, do you have any tips for adapting this list for the one critical “accessory” we also travel with… our soon to be four year old daughter ?

So inspiring–I’m so amazed–thank you so much for your update! Even though I can’t travel with just a backpack on longer trips (too much weather fluctuation, etc.), this is exactly what I love learning from as I aspire to do this on shorter trips. Thank you so much!

Thanks Kristen. Good luck with travelling with a carry-on on your next short trip!

Question for Erin I notice that you don’t pack any scarf. Is there a reason? Could it be that you are now traveling in warm climate places? I usually take a wrap (the big one) and several scarves of various materials to add to my outfit and to use as a blanket (the wrap). Do you find them redundant? Thanks for your take!

We travel mostly in hot countries so I don’t find one necessary. I do usually buy one when we get to colder places and then just leave it behind.

Oh wow. What a complete and useful list! When we travel we prefer having only carriers too, it’s so nice that you don’t have to pay any extra or wait for the suitcases after a flight. This year we’re planning to go around Europe by car during the summer. I’m also going to a short visit to Sweden soon. And maybe some travels will also be possible at the fall/winter season. :)

Enjoy reading your blogs.Thanks for all the tips.

This is an awesome list, I’ll definitely be taking tips for my trip at the end of the year! A little bit unsure about the lack of smart clothes though when looking for the likes of teaching jobs in South America!

You could easily fit in a smart outfit and then buy more clothes locally if you get a job. Have a great trip!

I’m gonna say that it’s a good idea to bring one smart outfit with you. You can buy more on the road if you need them, but having one nice outfit — that you know fits and flatters — is important, especially if you plan to job interview. Especially if you anticipate having trouble being able to buy clothes that fit off the rack — a frequent problem for taller or larger people in Asia, for instance, or for anyone who doesn’t wear standard sizes. (E.g. I’m a petite 5’1″ woman and I can almost never shop without significant alterations anywhere). Pack wrinkle-resistant fabrics, roll vs. fold, and use the age-old traveller trick of hanging it up in the bathroom while taking a shower to steam out the creases.

Won’t need anything for the first few months but I’m thinking ahead to applying for teaching jobs in Chile next February. From what I gather teachers in South America are expected to dress quite professionally. Might just have to get a suit and tie shipped from home at that point! Love those packing cubes though, definitely adding those to the list!

Ahh fellow Apple Lovers and Globe Trotters! I feel as though we would get along ?

Maybe we’ll cross paths one day!

Thanks for this post! Im treating this post almost like a blueprint in some places.

One thought thought: Instead of an HDMI cable why not a chromecast? does the same thing plus more, is lighter and takes up less space?

Just a thought

Really great post! I’ve spent the past ten years of vacations using my beloved Gregory Deva 60L pack, and I’m trying to downsize to a carry-on only bag to avoid the hassles of checked luggage. I’ve looked at the Osprey Farpoint 40 like you have, Erin, but, at 5’1″, I find it really doesn’t fit me very well, even in the S/M size. So I’m still on the hunt for the perfect bag. I also REALLY struggle with keeping my liquids under 100ml … especially sunscreen, since I burn so easily and I’m really picky about what I use. Any advice?

Hey! I really like your blog guys. Very insightful & eye-opening! Gotta use your rips in travelling. Thanks for this. ??

Great post, thanks for all the useful info! Just wondering, do you not use soap/shower gel/moisturiser, or do you buy it in the place you’re visiting? I really struggle to cut down on toiletries, and I’m not even someone who wears make-up etc. Any tips? PS. Looks like the link for your USB Lecxci adaptor isn’t working.

We use our Lush shampoo bar as soap when we need to or if we’re staying for somewhere for a few weeks we buy shower gel. Most places we stay also provide soap.

Great to see, I travelled for years like this too. I’m about to head back out on the road after selling everything and convincing my wife life on the road is better than the corporate grind…Thanks for sharing a great site! Question do you guys own a base anywhere? We are thinking Central America for our base…

We don’t have a base anywhere. Lots of our nomad friends have found a base after travelling full-time for a few years and rent it on Airbnb when they are away.

Really inspirational! :) I might not quite be there yet, although I tried traveling with carry-on for the first time this year. I noticed that there were even things that I could have left at home (and some that I forgot to bring). I guess it’s a process of finding your own list…

It’s definitely a gradual process and everyone has to figure out the packing list that’s right for them.

Hi there, LOVE the list – super helpful. Very interesting about your Tieks – I’ve been on the fence!

I’m interested in Simon’s Bluff’s trousers. My husband has a similar body type – tall and lanky. So it’s a struggle to find pants that look stylish and not baggy. Simon’s look great! What style of bluff’s did he go with?

Simon has the original pants in regular fit. If you get a smaller waist size they are more fitted. For his second pair he went up a waist size and they were a bit looser. They still aren’t too baggy though – so much more stylish than normal travel trousers.

I’ll be writing a detailed review of the Tieks soon. I’m on my third pair and couldn’t travel without them now.

Simon If you have just enough clothes for lasting a week between laundry, how come it’s only 5 shirts and 4 pairs of socks & not 7?

We usually wear t-shirts more than once. Simon doesn’t wear socks every day as we are usually in hot places and he wears sandals. Socks are pretty easy to wash in the sink if necessary between big washes too.

Have you looked at any alternatives to a backpack? I’m just not super keen on carrying my life on my back and was looking at the different options outlined here (www.essentialpackingchecklists.com/finding-the-perfect-carry-on-suitcase/), especially the wheeler with backpack straps. Thoughts?

I included some reviews of suitcases from other carry-on travellers in my book. The Osprey Ozone 22″ is a popular option amongst long term travellers wanting something rugged but light.

Many light packing travellers don’t recommend jeans, however I’ve just found that NEXT do a lightweight jean. They are a mix of cotton and linen and cost £38, much cheaper and better cut than Rohans! They also deliver to Europe.

Thanks for the tip. We wouldn’t be without our jeans and just look out for lightweight pairs in the summer.

If you were limited to just one pair of long trousers would you choose jeans or Bluffs?

Simon would probably choose jeans but it depends what style of travel you are doing. The Bluffs are lighter, dry more quickly, and are more suitable for hiking so would be better for more adventurous travel.

Where would you say is the most secure part of the farpoint bag to attach it with a lock to a piece of furniture?

Probably the top handle.

Commenting on this because I found your blog while looking for color accurate photos of the purple Tieks you used to have. I can’t seem to stop reading the blog — your stories are fascinating. Thanks for sharing. (and kinda delighted to hear that you are on your next-gen pair of the shoes)

Thanks Shani! And you won’t regret getting a pair of Tieks. I’ve been wearing them for three years now and still love them.

Great to see Simon’s clothes list not based on ridiculously expensive gear like Outlier, Wool and Prince et al. You can travel and live without such luxury gear, I am not saying his stuff is the cheapest but is much more realistic than lists you see with $500+ spent on 3 items. Great work love the site!

There’s no reason at all you can’t travel carry-on only with inexpensive clothes.

Really appreciate your work. Extremely detailed.

Reading this helped me to get a clear idea on traveller’s packing list.

Thanks a lot

It’s really nice to see what other travel photographers take on their trips. Thanks for sharing! Cheers!

Sorry but there’s too much attention paid to gear. Gear is just a tool, whereas travel should be about places, people, food, experiences, etc. You can travel in any clothing or even better just turn up in what you have on and buy as and when you need it. Besides, travel with carry-on, i.e. 35-40 litre bags is old hat now, there’s hundreds of articles about it. Try just what fits in a 20-25L day-pack, now there’s a challenge!

Looks like they could pull that off without the electronics, so all they have to do is stop working. :P

And in theory sure, travel has nothing to do with the gear. But a pack that doesn’t fit filled with clothes that are still damp isn’t much fun at all you see. So we share what we pack, learn from others, and hopefully have a journey that doesn’t involve thinking about stuff since we’ve already taken care of it.

Well said, thanks! And yes, most of our stuff is electronics!

This is so great & useful! Thank you.

As you’re heading to Spain soon, check out Decathlon as they have lots of quality clothing and gear for extremely good value. Eg. Quick dry, lightweight chino style hiking trousers for 9.99 Euros, T shirts for 4.99 Euros. We’ve been travelling for 3 years with only carry-on luggage and now most of our clothes are Decathlon. Your entire clothes packing list could be put together for under 100 Euros each!

Thanks for the tip Colin!

Thanks for sharing your experience. These lists are not only useful but inspiring! There is so much to be gained by living simply with just exactly what you need and nothing more.

Absolutely incredible I like how you pack things that really matters you don’t pack things that you are not going to use

Very interesting. Keep rocking guys!

Thanks Armin!

This post is very useful for travelers. Thanks for sharing

Very interested in your adventures!

Thanks Helen!

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The Complete Travel Packing Checklist for 2024 & the Best Packing Tips [Printable]

Erin Miller

Content Contributor

188 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 26 U.S. States Visited: 28

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

35 Published Articles 3260 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 47 U.S. States Visited: 28

Table of Contents

General packing tips & tricks, apps for packing assistance, apps for itinerary management, before leaving the house.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

When it comes down to it, packing for a trip (domestic or international) can be stressful. Do you wait until the last minute? Put off researching what you’ll need for certain activities or weather at your destination? Get distracted easily, or have young kiddos that need attention? It happens to the best of us!

On one hand, if you under-pack you might not be prepared. But if you over-pack, you run the risk of incurring hefty baggage fees or missing out on space to bring home that lovely souvenir. If you forget an essential travel document, you could even miss your trip altogether! We get stressed just thinking about it!

That’s why Upgraded Points is bringing you a guide full of packing tips and tricks, a printable travel checklist, a list of apps to help you out, and reminders for to-do’s around the house before you leave.

We’re here to assuage your anxieties and make sure you’ve got what you need, you’ve cut what you don’t, and there’s no wallet/phone/swimsuit/teddy bear left behind!

Hot Tip: Don’t forget to also check out our “Carry-On Travel Essentials” guide where we’ve compiled a “His” and “Hers” list of some great products that we simply can’t do without when we travel!

📋  Click To View Our Printable Travel Packing List >>  📋

Before you even take your suitcase out of the closet

Check the weather at your destination.

This seems intuitive, but you’d be surprised how many people are stuck traveling in rainy season without a raincoat.

Note how many days/nights you will be away.

This will help you decide the number of necessary outfits. Obviously, how often you prefer to wear the same clothes plays a part in this as well.

Note any special activities/events you may partake in.

Traveling for a birthday? You don’t want to forget that heartfelt gift you bought weeks in advance. Going to a wedding? It’d be a shame if you showed up without your suit. Hiking in Hawaii? Your water-shoes won’t get much use if you leave them behind.

Make a packing list early and review it at least twice. (Yes, twice.)

You can easily find printable vacation packing lists online (like ours above), or you can write out your own. There are also a number of apps you can utilize if you prefer something more tech-based. Read about several of these below!

Timing is key here. If you jot things down or review your printed list in advance, it gives you the opportunity to take a second look with a fresh mind. All too often you’ll remember something you didn’t yesterday when your brain was thinking about pizza instead of packing.

If you’re printing a list that’s not trip specific, review it first and immediately cross off items you won’t need. Why bring a winter coat to the beach?

Take items you can grab at your destination off the list.

If you’re planning to travel with only a carry-on, this tip is especially important as it will save space (at least for your outgoing journey!).

Most times when traveling, your hotel will provide shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, etc.; why waste space packing them? If you’re a little picky about your toiletries or you’re not staying at a hotel, you’ll probably still encounter a drugstore where you can buy anything you might need.

Purchase travel-sized containers or toiletries if you plan on bringing your own.

Remember regulations for the amount of liquids you can bring in a carry-on for a flight. You’ll want travel-sized containers if you plan on carrying liquids this way.

Even if you’re flying with a checked bag and are allowed more liquids, do you really need that 16oz bottle of shampoo for a weeklong trip? Cutting it will save you room for other essential items.

Choose the right luggage.

Yes, different airlines have different restrictions on sizes for carry-ons and checked bags but stick to some general guidelines and you should be safe.

For carry-ons, you’re generally accepted at/under max linear dimensions of 155cm/45in. For checked bags, you’re generally safe under 158cm/62in max linear dimensions. However, be sure to check the airline you’re flying with prior to packing, as some can be stingy!

You also want to seriously consider the type of bag you enjoy traveling with – shoulder bag , backpack , roller bag, hard shell , soft shell, etc. There are definitely loads of options so just remember, your bag shouldn’t stress you out, it should make traveling easier.

Hot Tip:  We’ve done tons of research on this topic so don’t miss our articles on the best carry-on bags and the best checked luggage bags for any type of traveler. 

When you’ve done your prep and you’re almost ready to pack

Essentials first.

Gather your most important items first. This includes all travel documents such as your passport, ID/driver’s license, boarding passes, hotel reservations, etc. This also includes anything you’ll seriously regret forgetting and can’t purchase while traveling: wallet , credit cards , camera , cell phone, etc.

This being said, there are a number of apps that can assist with itinerary management and decrease the number of printed documents you’ll need to carry. See our list of helpful packing apps at the end of this post.

Choose an appropriately sized suitcase.

If you only have 1 suitcase, then you’re set. If you’ve got more options, attempt to use the smaller one – most people tend to overpack when their suitcase is too large for their trip. You don’t really need an extra sweater, 2 more t-shirts, and another pair of boots just because they fit! Plus, your baggage will be a lot easier to handle if it’s smaller and lighter, which will cut your stress level significantly.

Lay everything out.

Laying all of your items out allows you to plan outfits and account for your days/nights away. When everything’s laid out, you can clearly see how much you’re bringing and spot missing items easier. This also includes shoes, accessories, toiletries, etc.

Dividing items into sections based on where they’ll be packed is also helpful.

Lastly, don’t forget to lay out your plane/travel day outfit and consider it with your other pieces.

Pick simple mix-and-match pieces to prevent overpacking.

In general, choose simple tops and bottoms that can be mixed and matched to make multiple outfits. Did you know that just 3 bottoms (pants, shorts, skirt, etc.), 4 tops (tee, tank, etc.), and 2 outer layers (sweater, coat, or cardigan) can make up to 24 different outfits??

Depending on the reason for your trip, you might need to pack a special item that can only be worn once (suit, bridesmaid dress, etc.), but try to keep these to a minimum! This step is key if you’re pressed for space.

PUT STUFF BACK!

Once you’ve laid out all your items, really consider the number of days you’ll be on your trip. Chances are you could stand to put a few things back in the closet in order to pack more efficiently. Remember, no one wants to pay a fee for overweight baggage or lug around extra clothes for no reason!

Pack it up.

You never thought we’d actually get to this step, did you? There are a number of recommended packing tips when it comes to getting everything neatly in the suitcase. This can be overwhelming, but if you pick up the right habits packing will seem much less stressful.

Check, double-check, and triple-check your essentials.

Put a checkmark next to each item you’ve packed and DON’T TAKE IT OUT OF YOUR BAG. If you’re not ready to pack an item, do NOT check the box! That’s exactly how you leave your phone at home on the charger next to your bed. “But the box was checked!!!” you’ll say…

(Note: this rule actually goes for everything, not just essentials.)

If you’re notorious for leaving essentials at home, print an extra travel checklist just for those items and tape it to your front door the night before you leave. Make a promise that you can’t walk out without reviewing the list one final time.

Fold, Interfold, Bundle, or Roll?

By now you’ve probably heard that old-fashioned folding isn’t the best method to use when it comes to packing, especially in tight cases. If you have the room to spare, virtually any of these methods will do.

Interfolding involves layering clothes on top of each other in a top-to-bottom, bottom-to-top format, then interweaving them as you fold them together. If you fold the items in accordance with the size of your suitcase, you’re left with a neat little bundle that will fit right in. Additionally, this style of folding will leave your clothing virtually wrinkle-free.

Bundle packing is very similar to interfolding, but you are tightly folding or wrapping your clothing items around a soft core (like a dopp kit , stack of underwear, cloth zippered jewelry bag , etc.). Bundle packing is also said to reduce wrinkles and save space.

Many people also recommend rolling when packing your clothes – at least for softer items and jeans. Again, this method tends to save room and reduce creasing in the process.

If none of the above methods are doing the trick and you don’t have the option of a hanging garment bag , it may be beneficial to learn the proper way to fold nicer items (like a dress shirt or suit coat ) for the best results.

Pack liquids in secure bags.

Toiletries that can leak will leak. These should be placed in a plastic zippered bag or another secure bag of your choosing. Some travelers even encourage cutting small squares of plastic wrap to cover the opening between bottles and their lids in attempts to prevent further seepage.

Utilize shoe space when you can.

Rolled-up socks, belts, gloves, stocking caps, and other small items can easily fit into shoes (as long as they’re relatively clean and not smelly!). This also helps the shoe hold its shape throughout your travels. Rolled-up belts can also be used to keep a shirt collar stiff if needed.

Prevent dirty shoes from soiling clothes.

Pack them in a separate space or utilize plastic bags/shower caps to cover the bottoms and prevent dirtying the rest of your clothing. Have a delicate pair of dress shoes or heels? Pack them in their own bags if possible, or clean the bottoms and wrap with a durable garment.

Toss a dryer sheet into your suitcase to keep things smelling fresh.

While you’re at it, grab a stain pen or stain wipes for your carry-on. If you happen to spill on one of the only tops you’ve brought and don’t have laundry facilities, you’re cutting your number of outfits drastically. If you know you’ll have laundry facilities or need to wash your clothes by hand, you can purchase individual detergent packets.

Pack a change of clothes in your carry-on.

By packing a change of clothes and undergarments in your carry-on , you’re covered for at least a day if your baggage gets delayed or lost. Some travelers may want to pack an extra pair of shoes just in case.

Similarly, if you’re heading to a beach locale, pack a swimsuit and sandals . If you have to wait to check into your hotel, you can head to the pool while the concierge keeps your luggage.

Keep expensive/irreplaceable items on your person.

As a general rule of thumb, you should leave irreplaceable items at home. This includes objects such as expensive jewelry and heirlooms. If you must travel with them, these items should be kept with you at all times. Do not trust them to be safe when placed in checked baggage; if your suitcase is lost, delayed, or stolen, you’re out of luck.

Similarly, if you must travel with official documents such as birth certificates or social security cards, check to see if a certified copy will suffice. Or maybe take a photo on your phone for less hassle. Otherwise, the same rule applies to these irreplaceable documents.

Follow the TSA 3-1-1 rule for liquids in carry-on baggage.

3 – Travelers may carry liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in containers of 3.4oz (100ml) or smaller.

1 – These items must fit into 1 clear plastic quart-sized bag.

1 – Only 1 bag per passenger is allowed.

Remove this bag from your carry-on and place it separately in the screening bin. This is meant to slightly expedite passing through security .

The following apps can be ultra helpful for those who prefer a mobile device to the standard pen and paper methods.

Evernote: While Evernote isn’t technically travel-oriented, it’s all about lists and can be a big help for packing. With Evernote, you can sync your packing list across all your devices, making it easy to keep track of things no matter where you are…even out at the store buying items from your list!

Evernote also enables sharing notes with others, which is especially helpful for group trips. Need reminders? No problem, you can set alerts in Evernote to keep you on top of your game.

Packing Pro: This app is everything you ever wanted if you’re a list maker, and everything you didn’t know you needed if you’re a forgetful person. Packing Pro helps travelers get organized via packing lists. From templates and suggestions to customizable designs, Packing Pro has options for every type of traveler. Users are allowed an unlimited number of packing lists of an unlimited length, and you can even add images, alerts, and mark “need to buy” items.

It also has iCloud support and the ability to share your lists via email, AirDrop, Dropbox, etc. You can also export and edit your lists with Excel, Numbers, or Google Docs. If you’re the type that physically needs to cross things off, you can send directly to a printer too.

The Expert List-Making Assistant is a cool feature if you’re low-maintenance: it will take your parameters (number of people, destination, weather, etc.) and automatically create lists for you.

PackPoint: PackPoint’s purpose is to take the guesswork out of packing. The app pretty much tells you what to pack based on how long you’re traveling, where you’re going, the weather when you get there, and any activities you have planned (chosen from a pre-defined list in the app). With PackPoint Premium, users can connect to TripIt, share their lists across devices, and add customizable packing items/activities.

Travel List: Travel List seems to have fewer bells and whistles. You can do many of the same things as with Packing Pro and PackPoint: create customizable packing lists, sync across your devices, share with other people, and create alerts/reminders. One nice component is their calendar view, which gives a different type of visualization that some people really prefer. And this one is compatible with Apple Watch, which can be a huge organizational perk.

Lists To Do: This app keeps things simple for general to-do lists and is super easy to use. See your list’s percentage progress for a clear visual on how much you have left to do/pack before jetting off and set yourself reminders and share lists with your travel companions.

The following apps are helpful for keeping all your travel information in one place. From flight itineraries to hotel confirmation, event tickets to dinner reservations, they’ve got you covered. Plus, this means fewer printed travel documents you need to worry about carrying with you.

Google Trips: In a nutshell, Google Trips seamlessly integrates reservations (flights, hotels, rental cars, etc.) from your Gmail and creates a specific “trip” in the app. These trips are like folders of information including some basic categories like Reservations, Things to Do, Saved Places, Day Plans, Food & Drink, Getting Around, and Need to Know.

It also provides opportunities for travel inspiration, traveler reviews, dining/drink options, and encyclopedic information on several hundred top cities and attractions around the globe.

Also good to note: when you download your trip, everything is available offline in case you’re stuck without WiFi or data.

Kayak Trips: Part of Kayak’s main app includes a platform called Trips, which acts as an itinerary management app to keep all your pertinent travel information together. With Trips, you can forward your booking confirmations to [email protected] , where your itinerary is managed for you in a nice timeline format with maps and important info all on one screen.

Kayak Trips gives you the ability to send other people access to your travel plans through sharing options, link to your calendar app for planning consistency, and receive SMS and email flight alerts.

TripIt: TripIt is one of the most popular travel organization apps on the market. The app automatically imports flight, hotel, rental car, and other booking confirmations ( concert tickets from StubHub, dinner reservations from OpenTable, etc.) from your e-mail. If you don’t appreciate the e-mail scan, you can always forward your emails to [email protected] or manually input all the information into the system.

TripIt then creates an itinerary in an easy-to-read format, including space for directions between airports, rental car pickup, and hotel details. TripIt also allows for calendar syncing and makes it easy to send your travel info to family/friends by sharing via text, Evernote, LinkedIn, Slack, or WhatsApp.

With TripIt Pro, users get real-time flight alerts, help to find alternative flights, an airline seat tracker for better seats, reward program points tracking, and interactive airport maps.

In this section, we list some steps you might forget to take when you’re in a hurry to leave for vacation.

Remember to:

• Download your travel resources (guidebooks, language apps, etc.)
• Notify credit card companies of upcoming travel if required (international trips)
• Set an email auto-responder if necessary
• Take out the garbage
• Check the washing machine for wet clothes
• Check the dishwasher for dirty dishes
• Turn off all lights and electronics
• Set lighting timers
• Water the plants
• Drip taps (in cold climates where pipes could freeze)
• Close/lock all doors and windows; pull all curtains
• Set alarm system

For longer trips, don’t forget to:

• Empty the refrigerator/pantry of perishable food
• Unplug electronics
• Put a hold on your mail
• Consider having a friend check on your house from time to time

The Upgraded Points team is always jetting off somewhere and even we  still have trouble packing sometimes!

Additionally, if you’re interested in “the best of the best” travel products to up your packing game, check out these posts:

• All Our Best Travel Product Reviews – In One Place
• The Best Checked Luggage Bags For Any Traveler
• The Best Carry-on Luggage Bags for Any Traveler
• The Best Travel Duffel Bags on the Market

Lastly, if you’re looking for the top travel-related gifts, we’ve got you covered with our Best Gifts for Travelers .

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to fold or roll clothes in a suitcase.

Whether it’s better to fold or roll clothes for your suitcase may depend on a number of things. If you’ve no concern about saving space, folding could be just fine. However, if you’re trying to fit a lot of clothes into a small bag, there’s no shortage of youtube videos out there which prove rolling clothes can help with this task.

Additionally, interfolding and bundling are other techniques that could be helpful space savers. However, to save the most space, vacuum bags will be your best bet – just keep in mind your weight limit when packing a lot of things into one case!

Do packing cubes really save space?

Packing cubes don’t necessarily save space but they definitely help you stay organized when packing.

They can also help by keeping items separated — who wants smelly gym clothes next to their fancy dinner outfits?

How do I maximize space in my luggage?

To maximize space when packing, try using these methods for your contents: roll, bundle, or interfold (explanations above). Each has its own special technique but all can help you save space and fit more into your luggage of choice.

Another quick space-saving tip? Utilize typically unused space. For example, pack socks or belts inside your shoes.

How to I pack clothes without wrinkling them?

Here are a few quick tips to decrease wrinkling when packing your clothes into a suitcase: iron first, use a roll or interfold method, pack wrinkle-prone items in garment bags or utilize tissue paper between folds and layers, and/or choose fabrics that are less likely to wrinkle in the first place (wool, Tencel, knit, cashmere, polyester, nylon, spandex).

How should I pack toiletries in my suitcase?

When packing toiletries, you’ll want to be sure they’re kept separate from your clothes in a special bag or case. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy — a Ziplock baggie will do — but this will prevent the leaking of liquid onto your clothing items.

Additionally, you can place a small piece of cling-wrap between the bottles and lids of your liquids to prevent leakage.

If you’re bringing them in your carry-on, you’ll want to be sure you’re adhering to the 3-1-1 rule (use 3 oz containers max, in 1 quart-sized bag, with one bag per traveler) in order to pass easily through security.

Should I pack valuable items in my suitcase?

Always keep valuable items on your person while traveling. This includes identification cards, passports, visas, money, credit cards, jewelry, important medications, etc.

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About Erin Miller

An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publications.

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Her Packing List

Packing Tips

First timer’s guide to traveling carry-on only.

With prices for baggage becoming more and more expensive and airlines limiting your carry on size even further, now is as important a time as ever to start traveling carry-on only .

I’ve flown carry-on only for a number of trips, including to Hawaii , Puerto Rico and even for a week in London . I highly recommend it on trips where you’ll be taking small, regional flights within your destination or even for much longer trips.

It’s totally possible if you can eliminate the excess!

Here’s what to expect, and how to do it, when you’re a first-timer going carry-on only.

What to Expect When Traveling With Only a Carry On

• Expect a more stringent toiletry packing experience. You’ll need to be more cautious of the liquids that are going into your kit since they have to fall into the 3-1-1 rule. Pare down, repackage, and go for multipurpose items when possible.
• Expect potentially longer security checks. By going carry on only, you’ll have more stuff with you since you’re not checking things in another piece of luggage. Keep your belongings organized so there isn’t so much drama at security.
• Expect to need more overhead luggage space. Instead of a smaller carry on bag that can go under your seat, you may need to get on the plane sooner so that precious overhead space is available.
• Expect to wait less . You’ll wait less in lines that are mainly for checking your luggage, and you’ll wait less at the baggage carousel after a long flight.
• Expect to worry less . Worry less about whether or not your luggage will actually be with you at your destination!
• Expect to stress less. The physical stress of excess baggage is one thing, but the mental stress is real as well. With less stuff to manage, you have more mental bandwidth.
• Expect to pay less money for luggage. Check fewer bags, pay less cash.

How to Go Carry On Only for the First Time

Choose the best carry on travel bag.

Decide what bag you’re going to bring. You might already have one at home that you’ve used for shorter trips or you may need to buy a new one. We’ve covered all ranges of carry on bags on the site, including backpacks , suitcases and duffel bags , so do your research.

A 40 liter backpack is completely doable , and it is our max size recommendation for just about any trip.

The most important part of this whole process is to check the size and weight requirements of the airline you’ll be flying. Does your chosen bag fit into it or will you need to go smaller?

I always check my bag’s dimensions against budget carriers like Ryanair before purchasing, as I know they have the strictest luggage allowances. Consider future trips before you purchase a bag that will only work as carry on for domestic flights.

Also ensure that it will be comfortable to carry through the airport when full of your stuff:

• Will the duffel bag strap start to wear on your shoulder?
• Does having a bag on each shoulder affect your balance?
• Are the straps or wheels sturdy enough to last for long distances?
• And don’t forget about the handles you’ll need when it comes time to place it in the overhead bin.

Create Your Carry-On Packing List

Crafting your packing list for carry-on-only travel is important, as you’ll want to make sure you pack just what you need and nothing more . Optimizing your travel wardrobe, minimizing your toiletries, and cutting back on extras are key.

Don’t worry – it’s easy if you spend a bit of time planning!

• You may want to have a look at these carry-on packing lists: RTW trip and Morocco . This post on Carry On Only for a Year of Travel is also helpful.

Specifically for your travel wardrobe , choose solid color clothing that can go with multiple travel outfits and dress up with accessories. Pick your number of tops and bottoms and work out how many outfits they can create to ensure you don’t put down more items than you need on your carry-on packing list.

You’ll want to re-wear pieces of clothing or mix and match. Multi-use items come in handy in these situations. Consider pieces like the Chrysalis Cardi that can be worn as a top and as a dress.

For toiletries and beauty items , pare down to essentials in reasonable quantities and look into multipurpose beauty items . Also, consider the 3 1 1 rule for liquids , which is explained in more detail in the section below.

For everything on your list , be sure you’re not adding things:

• just in case
• that are duplicates
• that you don’t love or use in your daily life
• that you most likely will not put to use (ie. workout gear or work supplies)

Here are 3 resources that can help with this step of the process:

HPL's Editable Packing Checklist Template

3 Steps to Packing Everything You Need and Nothing More

Carry-On-Only Crash Course

❌ what is not allowed in a carry-on bag.

There are a number of prohibited items for carry-on bags including firearms, knives and razor blades, flammables, explosives, and toxic materials. If it’s sharp and/or can be used as a weapon (like a baseball bat, for example), keep that item at home!

Pack Your Carry-On Luggage in the Best Way Possible

Organize your belongings.

We recommend using pouches and packing cubes to create an organized system inside your luggage. This will help you find what you need faster, repack faster, and get through airport security faster.

Our best tip for this section is to consider the items you might need quick access to when in transit. Put those in an easy-to-reach section of your bag. See this article on how to pack a suitcase for ideas .

Remember the 3 1 1 Rule for Liquids

Traveling with only a carry-on also affects the amounts of liquids, gels, creams, and aerosols you can bring thanks to TSA requirements. That means you will need to be extra focused on packing items like toothpaste, mascara, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, mouthwash, sunscreen, hair gel, and other necessary liquids.

Why is it called the 3-1-1 rule?

All “liquids” items need to be in containers less than 3.4 ounces (or 100 milliliters) each and fit into 1 quart-sized bag. Each passenger is allowed 1 quart-size bag of liquids in their carry-on . That is why it’s called the 3-1-1 rule.

This includes makeup and food items like peanut butter, but does not include medications with the original label, baby formula or duty free items purchased at the airport.

If you’re worried about bringing everything you need while still going carry on:

• opt for solid versions of items like shampoo, soap, deodorant, and perfume
• invest in good travel-sized toiletry containers
• learn the best ways to pack your liquid toiletries

Do you still have to put liquids in plastic bags in 2023?

You may have heard that some airports are no longer requiring you to pull out your bags of liquids while going through airport security – and this is now true for some European locations with new scanners. Some airports in other parts of the world, like in the US and Australia for example, may not ask you to take any liquids out of your carry-on baggage while others will.

However, the 3-1-1 liquids rule is still in effect by the transportation security administration, so you will want to abide by these rules while packing so that you aren’t caught off-guard while moving through a security checkpoint.

Don’t Forget the Personal Item!

While it may be overwhelming to pack carry-on-only in one bag, don’t forget that you may also have a personal item. It’s easy to go overboard, but definitely make sure it’s smaller than your carry-on and can fit comfortably under your seat while still giving you foot room.

Many airlines limit the size of your personal item, and some carriers don’t even allow you one. Do your research.

As of 2023, on many airlines traveling with just a personal item is the only way to travel without needing to pay extra for luggage! Learn how to make ultralight packing a reality inside HPL Packing Method .

The best bags to use as personal items are large purses, totes, briefcases, daypacks, or other soft bags that can be placed at your feet and under the seat in front of you. The bigger they are, the more likely the airlines are to make you check at least one of your bags.

Use this bag for your most important and most needed items. Your personal item is where you should store your passport, documents and items to keep you entertained. I typically use either my PacSafe Slingsafe (now discontinued), my Manhattan Portage messenger bag or my Simic briefcase as my personal item with my purse stored inside for easy access.

Weigh It Up

Before leaving for the airport, give your bag one last check of the dimensions and weight. It can be different when full and you don’t want to fork over unnecessary fees for a few inches (or few pounds)! Investing in a luggage scale can be useful for this step of the process.

When you get to the airport, check the dimensions in the baggage checking station to make sure it fits easily and move items around as necessary before you get to the gate. I’ve had to wear a number of items from my carry on to avoid paying 50 euro on a Ryanair flight before!

This is where a little extra work on packing can come in handy. Check out an HPL Program to start getting the help you need.

Getting Through Security

Even though you have more stuff to take through security than when you check your luggage, the experience shouldn’t be too difficult if you have your belongings well-packed and organized.

Think ahead to what things will need to be removed from your bag before running through the x-ray machine, such as toiletries and laptops, and have those in an easily accessible location.

Consider the clothing you’ll be wearing as well. You may need to remove hats, jackets, belts, and even shoes for this process.

More Motivation to Help You Travel Carry-On-Only When You Haven’t Done It Before

• If you’ve never done carry-on-only packing before, you may feel like you don’t have enough stuff. You might feel uncomfortable. That is totally normal!
• If you go on a trip and you feel like you did everything wrong, that is totally okay! Each trip is a learning experience. You use the information that you gained and make changes and improvements as needed. Don’t give up.
• If you feel like you need a bit more guidance and support, to help with the confidence to go carry-on-only, Her Packing List is here to help. Check out packing programs and products today!

Written by Caroline

Caroline Eubanks is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, but has also called Charleston, South Carolina and Sydney, Australia home. After college graduation and a series of useless part-time jobs, she went to Australia for a working holiday. In that time, she worked as a bartender, bungee jumped, scuba dived, pet kangaroos, held koalas and drank hundreds of cups of tea. You can find Caroline at Caroline in the City .

More posts you may like

Ultralight Packing List: I Traveled for 3 Weeks with a 12L Handbag

How to Successfully Travel with Contact Lens Solution

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How Long Do Travel Toiletries Last?

Gear we use.

Speakeasy Hidden Pocket Scarves

Splice Reversible Jaisalmer Tunic

Eagle Creek Compression Packing Cubes

Tom Bihn 3D Organizer Cube

Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Daypack

Turkish Travel Towels

Travel resources, hpl learnables.

H PL Packing Method – Learn to pack your lightest bag ever in this revolutionary packing course by HPL founder, Brooke.

Book Your Trip

Viator – Enhance your trip experience by booking from thousands of tours across the globe.

Booking.com – Search for hotels, hostels, and apartments using this one resource. Use it for flights, car rentals, and airport taxis as well.

Trusted Housesitters – Save money on travel accommodation by becoming a housesitter. Housesitters often have extra duties, like caring for pets and gardens.

Reader Interactions

September 29, 2015 at 9:57 am

Two days ago I returned home from my first carry on trip. I referenced many articles from this site to make it happen and really liked the experience overall. The other gals I was traveling with were very impressed that I was able to travel carry on for an entire week! The one issue I need to perfect for next time is weight. My duffel backpack was HEAVY and I was more than a little sweaty by the time I reached my destination. Not ideal when I want to reuse the clothes I’m wearing on the flight! I need to keep working on that minimalism.

September 30, 2015 at 7:35 pm

You’ll get there Jennifer! Now that you’ve done it once, you can really jump in and understand where you can change things. Did you brings things you didn’t wear? Could you have brought fewer toiletry items, or exchanged certain things for lighter weight models? So many possibilities, and I’d be happy to help you out. Feel free to drop me an email if you ever want to work on reducing the weight of your carry-on. I think it would make a good post to do a before and after!

September 30, 2015 at 9:46 pm

Thank you! It was quite a good learning experience. I did pretty good with the clothes (the fact that it was a warm location helped) but could probably cut back on a couple things. Definitely brought one more pair of shoes than necessary. My extra weight definitely came from gear and toiletries. I’m a photographer so I lug my SLR with me and I had my laptop. I’m going to try switching to an iPad next time, which will be a challenge for editing but that will get rid of 6 or so pounds right there. I am eager to get back on the road so I can try this again! 🙂

February 19, 2016 at 6:16 pm

Jen- how did you pack your SLR? We’re planning on traveling soon and I can’t imagine not taking it, but I’m struggling with how to pack it properly?

September 29, 2015 at 12:34 pm

My mother and I took our first international trip this July to Paris and Italy. It was for 17 days and we managed to only take one 19″ roller bag and one tote bag each. It was hard work to get her on board, but I had done a lot of research, on this site and others, about carry on only packing and its benefits. We did end up checking our suitcases on the return flight due to all the souvenirs we bought (like artwork!) but it was not that difficult to manage the trains, busses, and airplanes we took during those 17 days with our small bags. Part of our trip was with a tour group, and we had the smallest and least amount of luggage out of 40 people!

September 30, 2015 at 7:26 pm

Woohoo! Way to go Bunny- that’s awesome 🙂 Glad to hear it all worked out and your trip was that much easier because of it!

September 30, 2015 at 4:41 pm

I just got back from my second carry-on only travel adventure. I cannot begin to explain how freeing it is. You never wonder if your bag is lost, you don’t look out the plane window and wonder “is that my bag that fell off the buggy and got trampled by a baggage handler?!”. Plus you get to skip lines! When re-entering Canada we zoomed to the front of the customs line while everyone else had to wait for their luggage. It’s nice to be independent (I never need help carrying a suitcase the size of Australia up the 3 flights of hostel stairs). I will never go back to checking a bag!

September 30, 2015 at 7:24 pm

That’s awesome, Amelia! YES, I know those thoughts! Especially while looking out the window at the baggage handlers- oh dear. It’s an awesome feeling to be in control and to not have to worry 🙂

February 9, 2016 at 12:43 am

Very good tips. I am glad you mentioned checking weight limits. I stay under 7 kg (15.4 lbs) for all my travel as I then comply with just about every carrier worldwide. My wheeled bag (from IT) weighs only 3.5 lbs. My previous bag weighed in at almost 7 lbs and I could never make it under the weight limit. (FWIW I have no affiliation with IT)

May 23, 2016 at 5:11 pm

I have been traveling with only a spinner luggage carry on and a tote since the airlines started charging baggage fees. I also carry a luggage scale to weigh my luggage as well keep in my tote The best Money I have ever spent.. I have often been asked at security if I had any other luggage and I smile and say this is all I have. Very freeing to be the first out of the airport coming and going. I have downsized my makeup as well only take mascara, tinted moisturizer and lipstick. I take a solid deodorant, solid perfume. and tooth paste 100ml. I use the the 5-4-3-2-1 method for packing. 5 Tops 4 bottoms 3 dresses, 2 shoes 1 bathing suit. and under garments. I roll everything I wear my heaviest clothing and shoes on the plane. Always wear a hat and take a pashmina on the plane with me. In my tote I have a digital camera, Ipod and a ereader, an empty water bottle that I fill up after I get through security. I also take snacks such as a bag of mixed nuts,raisins,dried cranberries and sunflower seeds.I carry green tea bags as well. I have a RDIF holder for my credit cards, passport and money in my Tote. I never take a cell phone or a computer. Never discard my boarding passes until I get home and than shred them as the the barcode has way too much personal info on it.

May 23, 2016 at 6:47 pm

You sound super prepared! Thank you for sharing your packing routine. I LOVE that “freeing” feeling of zipping in and out of the airport without checking or picking up bags!

June 17, 2016 at 7:19 pm

This is a great guide- definitely hit all the important factors. I’ve been flying on JetBlue a lot, so I’ve been doing carry-on only a bunch recently. I’ve found that a shape-shifting bag is hugely helpful (duffel, backpack). I also shove a smaller bag into the top of the larger bag to pull out with my “airplane items” so I can stow the big bag, but not bother other travelers if I need to grab a snack or want to stow my book.

June 22, 2016 at 9:13 am

SO much better to use a roller bag and a tote. I have no lost luggage, no baggage fees and no line to wait for my bag after landing. PACKING CUBES are genius. You can get a ton of clothing in these wonderful helpers. I use 3 cubes–one for pants and larger items like a sweater, one for tops and one for underwear and socks. I went to the Container Store and got leakproof 1 oz. Nalgene containers for liquids. They’re cheap. I can get about 25 items in my 3-1-1 bag–toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, moisturizer, concealer, foundation, toner, hand sanitizer, body oil, hand cream, Neosporin, contact solution, eye drops, mouthwash. It you buy a 3-1-1 bag with a flat bottom, you can get more inside rather than a Ziplock which I used to use. I leave the 1 oz. containers filled and in the bag and they’re always ready and filled for the next trip. Another tip is to make a list of what goes in the bag and keep it in the bag. I use a tote for my under the seat bag with really important stuff. Always take some snacks along because planes get delayed and flights can be long depending on where you’re going. Airport food is expensive.

October 26, 2016 at 7:02 am

So happy I found this Site! .I am turning 50 in 2 months and really just started my travelling adventures . Last year I invested in a really cute, 3 piece hot pink luggage set with wheels. I just thought it was the bees knees . Ha ha .I have travelled to the uk twice since then , dragging a suitcase up many many stairs in train stations and hotels with no lift . Not to mention the constant fear of snapping a wheel on those cobblestone streets ! My Christmas gift to myself will definitely be a backpack !! And probably cutting my packing list down to a quarter of what I’ve been taking ! Yikes !

January 13, 2017 at 5:58 pm

Hi I’m traveling for 30 days through Europe soon. Is a carrtypn still adequate!

January 30, 2017 at 1:19 am

Hi Monique! Absolutely! Carry-on works for any trip length. You will need to check with any airlines you plan to fly as to their restrictions. Also plan to wash clothes more often so you can pack less.

May 29, 2017 at 9:02 am

I hope you don’t mind me asking what do you mean by (potentially longer security checks). Does it mean it raises a bar when you travel with a carry-on? I have a middle-eastern name and that’s enough hassle for me but I wonder if I travel with only a carry-on, shall I worry about extra issues?

May 30, 2017 at 7:50 pm

What we mean is when you have more stuff, there’s probably more you have to get out and put in the bins at security. Not only that, but it may take longer to repack after going through security. Also, if security spots something at the bottom of your carry-on bag that they want to investigate, there is more stuff to sort through to get to it. I cannot comment on whether or not this is something to worry about. If you pack simply and smart, there shouldn’t be a problem.

July 15, 2017 at 9:36 pm

This is a great article! Very informative and I enjoyed reading the comments also.

Question: i will be traveling from Atlanta-Paris-Vienna-Atlanta in September and I will be gone for a week. I am a self-confessed overpacker so I am challenging myself to do all carry on for this trip, especially since I’ll jave a packed itinerary.

Do you think a wheeled carry on + a personal bag be okay? I’m worried because of the Paris-Vienna leg with a local airline and I’m not familiar with their rules on carry on yet.

July 17, 2017 at 8:45 am

Hi Jhae – You will need to check with that specific airline. Call or check their restrictions online.

Leave A Reply Cancel reply

• Caribbean and Bahamas

How To Pack For A Seven-Day Vacation In Only One Carry-On

A step-by-step guide to getting everything you need into one portable bag..

Heading off on an island vacation? Lucky you! Here's one piece of advice to start off your trip right: pack only a carry-on bag . You'll save on checked bag fees, won't waste precious vacation time waiting at the luggage carousel, and never have to worry about your luggage getting lost. Plus, if you need to fly standby or your flight gets cancelled, you'll be able to hop the next available flight.

What's that you say, you're going away for a week? No problem! Here's a step-by-step guide to getting everything you need into one portable bag, all without having to shell out for expensive packing accessories. Let's go!

Pre-Packing

The key to packing light is getting organized before you place even one flip-flop in your roll-on.

First, consult the weather forecast for your destination. Only sunshine during your trip? Leave the raingear at home — one secret to packing light is to only bring what you need, without adding "what ifs" to the bag.

Next, check with your accommodations to see what in-room amenities and toiletries they offer. Hairdryers and irons are standard at most properties, so need to pack them (and if they don't have them, leave items that need to be ironed at home).

Remember the 3-1-1 rule for carry on luggage (one, 1-quart bag with liquids no more than 3.4 ounces). Avail yourself of your lodging's toiletries when you can (many luxe spots even offer poolside suntan lotion). Do, however, throw in some individual Woolite packs or a small container of detergent so you can wash clothes on the go.

Now, before you put anything in a bag, make a list . Overpacking happens when you start grabbing drawers full of shirts and dropping them into your open bag (for a packing check list , see below). Write down every item you're going to bring on vacation.

Stick to a color scheme. A neutral background — think black, white, tan — with a few colorful accessories, such as a scarf or a sweater, will help limit what you're packing.

Wear your heaviest items on the plane. For example, if you're planning on hiking, wear your hiking boots on the way to your destination. For casual trips, wear sneakers and layers, including whatever outerwear you're bringing with you for cool evenings, such as a jacket or sweater. Basically, anything bulky that will take up a great deal of suitcase space should be worn (leave the sandals and shorts to pack in your bag).

Pro tip: When making your list, you should figure out what kind of bag suits you best. If you're not checking luggage, that means one in the overhead compartment and one below the seat. Look for a good, durable duffel bag or dependable roller that goes up top and a stylish backpack that stays with you. And be sure it is perfect for your laptop or tablet and headphones .

Okay, you have your list and you know what you're wearing on the plane. Now it's time to pack your bag.

Consult your list and lay out everything where you can see it. Do not add anything to this. The secret to traveling with a carry on bag is to not overstuff.

Roll it up. T-shirts and shorts should be rolled to both save space and cut down on wrinkling. Start with a shirt face down flat on a flat surface. Fold the arms back so you have a perfect square. Fold in half vertically. Now roll up from the bottom to the top — voila, a perfect cylinder.

Fold and go. Heavier materials, like khakis and sweaters, should be folded into squares.

Bag it. For lingerie and delicate items such as bathing suits, use mesh lingerie bags (you can find these at most drug stores), which will allow security to see your items without actually touching them and keep small items organized.

Dress up. For dresses, skirts, blouses or dress shirts, place each item on a hanger, and place in individual plastic drycleaner bags. This keeps clothes wrinkle-free (the plastic reduces friction) and organized.

NOW you're ready to pack your bag. Stack square shapes first, then rolled items around those. Tuck shoes and flip flops into corners (and remember that shoes don't need to travel next to each other). Socks can be placed into shoes, or into empty spaces. Place your toiletry bag on top of your perfectly folded clothes so you can reach it easily for separate screening. Then lay your plastic wrapped dress clothes on top and fold over to fit into the bag. Zip and go!

Pro tip: Even with just a carry-on bag, you should consider purchasing and using a set of packing cubes . By putting your clothing and accessories in these, packing is as easy as playing Tetris.

Packing List for a Seven-Day Trip in One Carry-On Bag

3 shorts or skirts

2 dressy options (mix and match with accessories and outerwear)

1 outerwear — sweater or jacket

1 pair sneakers

1 pair dressy shoes

1 pair flip-flops

2 bathing suits

1 athletic outfit

Accessories (scarves, jewelry)

Write everything down before you start packing

Lay out everything where you can see it

Do NOT add anything else to your suitcase once you have it packed

Recommended

The Ultimate Travel Packing List (By Professional Travellers)

Written By: The Planet D

Travel Gear

Updated On: January 23, 2024

Packing can be one of the most frustrating elements of traveling. It doesn’t seem to matter if it is your first trip or your 10th, you always seem to miss something. We put together this ultimate packing list t o help you avoid those packing mistakes on your next trip.

Table of Contents

The Perfect Packing Checklist

It is important to note that we compiled this ultimate travel packing list from 10 years of being professional travelers and bloggers. The goal of this packing list is to provide you with packing tips that will allow you to travel as efficiently and as comfortably as possible.

Travel Packing List for Luggage

Choosing what type of luggage you are going to use is a personal choice. We have used everything from hi-tech wheeled luggage to the latest backpacks. These are our top recommendations for checked luggage and carry-on luggage that is durable and lightweight.

Aluminum Roller – Known as the Rolls Royce of Luggage, Sterling Pacific is the top choice for luxury travelers, frequent fliers, and pilots. Its aluminum body is lightweight and the Italian leather handles give it extra points for style. Plus it has a lifetime warranty.

4 Wheeled Roller : Our yellow   Voyageur Check-In 28  turned heads. We didn’t worry about anyone mixing up our bags on the conveyor belt with our unique color and design. We found the 28-inch a bit too large, but you can order 24? or 26?. But with the large handle and ultra-quite 360° spinner wheels it was super easy to navigate through the airport

Carry-on Roller : Pro Carry-on with Laptop Pocket  by Level8. We felt so chic going through the airport with these hard cases and modern design and it was easy t o  pop out my laptop and documents right from the front hard case pocket when going through security.

Travel Backpack : If you are heading to destinations that are less developed, you are going to want a reliable backpack. You will want something in the 55L size and it should be comfortable on your back. We recommend the Osprey Fairpoint for men and the Osprey Fairview for women.

Rolling Duffel Bag Eagle Creek Rolling Duffel – Duffel bags are lightweight and durable for rough terrain. We like the separate compartments for hiking boots and how it can still look elegant when going into higher-end hotels.

Messenger Bag Travelon Antitheft Messenger Bag   – Deb carries an over-the-shoulder bag that crosses over her body. It keeps valuables secure from any snatch and grabs and the RFID component helps with any cyber security.

Carry-on Backpack – We’ve recently started using this carry-on backpack by Standard Luggage. The 3 in 1 bag turns into a backpack, suitcase, and shoulder bag to suit your needs. It meets all airline cabin rules which is a bonus and expand from 35 – 45 L. Plus, it’s water resistant to help keep valuable electronics and camera gear safe.

In addition to your luggage, you are going to want to keep everything organized.

Organizing Your Luggage

The first thing you will want to purchase will be packing cubes. These are lightweight compression bags that can help you separate your different types of clothes and keep your bag organized.

• Electronics Organizer
• Toiletry Bag
• Foldable Day Pack
• Document Organizer

Pro Tip: When checking in at the airport, take your computers out of your carry-on bag and put them in a collapsible tote bag (we fold it in the front pocket of our carry-on.) That way it lightens your load should you be weighed, but it doesn’t look like an extra piece of luggage.

Travel Packing Lists for Clothes

Packing clothes can be the most confusing and frustrating experiences of all. What we have learned over the past 10 years fo traveling is to have a base set of close, or capsule wardrobe , consisting of pieces that can be mixed and matched. We then add on from there depending on the length of the trip, the weather at the destination, and if we are going carry-on only or not.

Capsule Wardrobe for Women

• 1x Travel Skirt
• 1x Convertible Pants
• 2x Casual Pants (Usually 1 pair of leggings and 1 pair of pants that can be dressed up or down)
• 1x Long-Sleeved Shirt (I may add one depending on the cultural norms of the country I am visiting.)
• 4x Short-Sleeved Shirts or Blouses
• 1x Bathing Suit
• 1x Merino Wool Sweater or Fleece
• 4-6x Sports Bras and Underwear
• 1- Dress/Sundress
• 2 Pairs of Shoes (1 casual pair and 1 hiking pair)
• 4x Pairs of Socks (At least 2 are Merino Wool Hiking Socks)

Travel Accessories for Her

• Buffs or headbands
• Rain Jacket or Outer Shell

Capsule Wardrobe for Men

• 1x Long Sleeve Shirt
• 3x Short Sleeve Shirts
• 2x Convertable Pants
• 1x Lightweight pant or jeans
• 2x Shorts (1 doubles as a bathing suit)
• 4-6 Exofficio Underwear
• 4x Pairs of Socks (At least 2 are Merino Wool )
• 1x Merino Wool Sweater
• 2x Pairs of Shoes (1 casual and 1 for hiking)

Travel Accessories for Him

• Rain Jacket/Outer Shell

Pro Tip : If you are looking for a winter vacation planning list make sure to check out our How to Dress for Cold Weather article.

Checklist for Packing Toiletries

No travel packing list worth its weight would be complete without a comprehensive checklist for packing your toiletries. The first step is to make sure you have a good toiletry bag. We use this one as it is spacious, light, and hangs on the back of any door. To make it easier for you we have broken down to the travel essentials and the extras.

What to pack in your Toiletry Kit – Toiletry Essential Checklist

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Shampoo and Conditioner (We transfer ours in GoToobes for easier storage)
• Tweezers and Nail Clippers
• Hand Sanitizer
• Gold Bond Medicated Powder (for hot climates)
• Face/Body Moisturizer
• Chapstick/Lip Balm
• Prescription Medication

Toiletry Extras Checklist

• Hair products like hairspray and hair gel
• Travel Mirror
• Shaving Kit and razors
• Pegless Clothesline
• Travel Towel
• Hairbrush or Tangle Teezer
• Toothbrush Sanitizer

Read:  7 Tips for Stress-Free Travel  – here you will find a travel packing list of what we take in our care package on

Packing Checklist for Electronics

When it comes to electronics there are a lot of variables that will determine what you take and what you leave at home. In today’s day and age, there are certain things that everyone will want to take with them, and most of them will fit easily into your carry-on luggage. This checklist for packing electronics will give you the tools to bring back great memories and pack as light as possible.

• World Travel Adaptor : Each country that you visit may have a different plug configuration. This adaptor has you covered for every country.
• Belkin Mini Surge Protector : This is one piece of electronics we don’t leave home without. It protects your electronics against surges, has 3 plugs and 2 USB outlets for charging.
• iPhone/Smartphone: We use the iPhone 11 Pro. : Almost a necessity in today’s world, a smartphone can come in handy in so many ways. You can use it as a camera, a place to store your itineraries and keep friends and family up to date on Social Media.
• Travel Camera: Our recommendation would be the Sony RX100 VII : A good camera that fits in your pocket should be on everyone’s travel checklist. We recommend one that is small, lightweight, and can fit in your pocket.
• Noise Cancelling Headphones: If you want to get any sleep on a plane or bus ride these are essential. We use Beats Studio 3 but some people prefer earbuds. Whichever you choose make sure they are good quality to drown out all that noise.
• Portable Power Bank : The last thing you want to do is run out of power for your electronics when you are on the road. We carry a portable power back that keeps all of our electronics charged.
• Memory Cards : Always pack spare memory cards so you don’t run out of space when you want to capture that perfect shot.

Optional Electronics

• E-Reader or Kindle : If you are into books this is something you will want to add to your packing list.
• Laptop (This is for extended trips) : We carry one everywhere as that is our business. We recommend you pack one for longer trips or if you are into taking a lot of photos and videos like us. We recommend the MacBook Air for most people.
• External Hard Drive : Plan on taking a lot of videos and photos? Make sure you back them up so if something happens you don’t lose all your precious memories.
• Drone: We use the Mavic Pro 2 : Add a whole new element to your memories with a drone. We have been using one for years and love it.
• Portable Bluetooth Speaker : If you love music as much as we do you have to pack one of these for some tunes in your hotel room.
• Travel Tripod : Whether it be for selfies or night photography you will be glad you have on in your bag for those unique situations.

Are you into Travel Photography? Make sure to check out my Travel Photography Gear Guide and find out what is in my camera bag.

Packing List for Comfort

If there is one thing we have learned after all of these years is that a little comfort goes a long way. Especially when you are traveling on airplanes and busses. By adding these travel accessories to your packing list you can rest assured you will be comfortable . All of these have been tested on long plane, train and bus rides so you know that they work.

• Travel Pillow : After flying over 500,000 miles we have found the Trtl Neck travel pillow to be the best travel pillow out there. It is comfortable, gives great supports, and takes up almost no room in your bag.
• Eye Mask and Ear Plugs : No plane flight would be complete without these. The Pretty Care Eye mask is what we recommend. IT doesn’t rest on your eyes, is padded, and blocks out all light.
• Foldable Water Bottle : Staying hydrated on the plane is paramount to feeling refreshed when you arrive at your destination. WE fill this up after security so we always have water on the plane with us.
• Sarong : We have found that plane blankets just don’t cut it. That is why we always have a sarong with us on the plane if the air is a little too cold and you want to bundle up.
• Chapstick and hand moisturizer : WE all know how dry the plane gets. I pack this moisturizing kit so that my hands and face stay moisturized throughout the flight.
• Flight Flap Phone and Tablet Holder : WE discovered this last year and fell in love with it. No more sore necks from watching movies on your phone and tablet. This hangs on the back of the seat so you can watch in comfort.
• Travel Socks : I started using compression socks because they prevent DVT. I know more than a few people who have gotten DVT and this can be very serious. Compression socks help prevent blood clots and are highly recommended.

Packing List for First Aid Kit

A first aid kit is an essential piece of travel gear. We have a n extensive first aid kit as we do a lot of adventures, but most people can get by with the essentials. You can buy pre-made first aid kits. This compact first aid kit  is a good start but it is just as easy to make one at home from your medicine cabinet. That way you only pack what you need.

• Prescription Medication – with a photocopy of our prescriptions
• Insect repellent 
• Advil or Tylenol for pain relief
• Gravol – for nausea  
• Benadryl and Claritin – For allergic reactions
• Allergy Eyedrops
• Imodium – for mild diarrhea
• Rehydration tablets and electrolyte tables – in case of dehydration or severe diarrhea.
• Topical Ointment like Polysporin or prescription Fucidin Cream – For cuts and scrapes
• Antiseptic spray – it’s important to clean cuts quickly, especially in tropical climates. 
• Moleskin – protects your skin from blisters.
• Thermometer
• Do you want to be prepared for every travel emergency? Check out our Ultimate First Aid Kit Packing List.

Travel Documents

Keeping your essential travel documents in order and organized can really take the stress out of travel. Using a travel organizer allows you to all the things you need in one convenient place.

• Passport and Visas- Make sure to have an electronic copy of both in case yours gets lost.
• Personal ID like a drivers license
• Bank cards, Credit Cards. Keep a contact number for your bank and credit card companies in your phone for emergencies.
• Emergency cash: We suggest 1 days worth of USD.
• Frequent Flier cards
• Travel Insurance documents, policy number , and contact information.
• Immunization records if needed.
• Itineraries or reservations- either printed out or stored in an app like Tripit.
• Boarding passes
• Emergency contact information.
• Guide book or maps- in either hard copy or digital copy.

Travel Security

Travel security is something we should all take seriously. Most problems tend to occur in bigger cities and in the form of pickpockets or petty theft. If you add these items to the travel packing list it might help deter would-be thieves.

• RFID Wallet: Protects against RFID Skimming, which is a form of theft using wireless transmitters to gain information to your credit and debit card identification chips. They can do it just by walking by.
• Money belt or neck wallet: We used these in the early days and they can be useful in the big cities where there are a lot of pickpockets.
• PacSafe Luggage Lock: This is perfect if you are staying in hostels or guesthouses.
• Luggage tracker: Give you peace of mind and lets you track your luggage if it gets lost.

More Anti-Theft Suggestions: If you want to get more in-depth about protecting your valuables when you travel check out THE BEST ANTI THEFT TRAVEL BAGS AND ACCESSORIES

Pre-Trip Checklist

Regardless of whether you are going on an extended trip or just a 2 week vacation there are a few things you are going to want to do before you board the plane. We have a complete pre-travel checklist that you can see here.

• Call your banks and credit card companies to tell them of your travel plans. This will avoid cards being flagged for purchases in another country.
• Check baggage restrictions
• Check to see if there are any Visa requirements
• Check Immunization requirements
• Leave flight and travel itineraries with a friend or relative.
• Check-in online or check flight information before leaving for the airport.

And there you have it. Our complete international travel packing list. We have done our best to answer all your travel packing questions and give you some packing tips that you can use on your next vacation. After years of traveling around the world, we hope that our extensive experience helps you when you are deciding what to pack for your next big adventure.

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Looking for more packing tips?

If you liked our ultimate travel packing list, why not check out some other great packing lists and travel tips travel that will be sure to help you out on your next trip.

• The Ultimate Camping Packing List : All the essentials you will need for your next camping trip.
• The Ultimate European Vacation Packing List : Great packing tips for your next trip to Europe.
• The Only Pre-Travel Checklist You Will Ever Need Everything you will need to do before you head to the airport for your next vacation.
• The Best Anti Theft Travel Bags and Accessories : Tips and recommendations on what you need to stay organized while traveling.

You May Also Like These Helpful Travel Planners

• Packing for Travel – 6 Tips to Make Your Trip a Breeze
• The Best Travel Gear – Unique Ideas for Smart Packing
• Travel Photography Gear Guide: What’s In My Camera Bag?
• Do I Really Need Travel Medical Insurance?
• How We Choose Travel Insurance To Best Suit Our Needs
• Essential Tips for Essential Travel
• 10 Must Have Items to Make Air Travel Easy

What else would you add to our travel packing list? Add them in the comments below.

Disclosure:  The links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. We receive affiliate commissions, but it’s no extra cost to you!

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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29 thoughts on “The Ultimate Travel Packing List (By Professional Travellers)”

This is very good content, images to perfect articles, hope you will share more in the future for everyone to see. Thank you very much.

Goig to Machu Pichu in Feb 2020.. 67 yrs young, not a regular hiker. Can you help me with packing list please? Also Amazon headwaters then to coast to relax by ocean for couple of days.

Hi I’m travelling from Australia to India for 2 weeks and will be visitng Dharamashala, Bodh Gaya and Dehli (2 nights)? I am 21yo, well I will be when I leave on 15 January. I am travelling with 7 others. I will be sharing a room with another lady, which I am pleased about as I can be prone to anxiety. Could you please help me with a packing list? Also do you think I should purchase a back pack that will protect my cards from being scanned? Do you recommend some type of money bag/sleeve that I can safely hold my money and passport? Thanks and sorry for all the questions, I don’t want to be caught out!

Excellent blog post, and thank you for sharing some very helpful thoughts!!! Best of luck with your travels.

if you are only using a carry-on, you cannot take tweezers, or small scissors. They were taken away from me when I had them in a carry-on.

Actually I have affiliate links for both booking.com and lonely planet, but only on my guides section. The booking.com link works well, $15 for whenever somebody uses my link. On top of it, I do my own hotel bookings through my own link, so I’m actually giving myself a $15 discount 🙂 I only have these links on a very small section of my blog, totally agree with not doing too much of it early on. I’ve seen too many blogs that I previously enjoying selling out to advertising and turning into what looks like an online Casino site 🙂 Frank (bbqboy)

Great to hear Frank! Thanks for sharing.

Hey guys – we ended up going to the Bay and getting a couple of rolling duffels. Plus they had a special over the weekend and picked up bags that were usually $600 each (we went for the higher end models) at 50% off. So great tip about the Bay. Yes, I should be smarter about affiliate links on the blog. I’ve been a bit lazy on the monetization aspect… Frank

That’s fantastic! The Bay is great isn’t it? I love shopping there. Every time I go to the checkout, they always have a surprise discount. Even when it’s advertised on the item that it’s on sale, they seem to have another deeper discount at the desk. I think it’s one of the best places to shop for luggage. Best of luck with affiliates. It took us years to get around to it. You really need traffic to make it happen as you don’t make much off of each item. It’s base more on volume than sales. With Amazon it’s something like 4%. But it’s nice to get a bit of extra in the pockets if you can supply your readers with something of value.

Great! Have one right downtown next to the optometrist I’m seeing today. Thanks!

Perfect. Hope your eyes are doing well 🙂 The bay always has amazing deals on luggage.

I have seen so many of such type of blogs which contains these packing lists. But all of them possesses the same sort of things in the list. You have done such a wonderful job of adding some brilliant things, which can be very useful in any tour. I really appreciate your work.

Thank you for the kind words. We had a lot of fun putting it together. I just went through my bag and started making a list. It was a lot of work, but I think it’s worth it.

Wow…really great packing list especially with the images, never seen this before. It would be great if you can create a smartphone app 🙂

I was never a fan of these packing list posts. But we’ve been travelling non-stop now for a year and have had so many frustrations with our gear. Besides too much stuff (inefficient clothing mostly) our carrying bags (backpacks) just so damn heavy. Like you say, you can go light when travelling for a couple of weeks but when you’re gone for a year you’re going to be carrying more. We’ll be back in Canada next week and one of the many things we have to do during our month there is to re-organize our whole baggage/packing situation. I know I’m asking for a lot here – but any idea where in Montreal we can get some of those Travel bags? I’m not one to buy stuff online, have to see it with my own eyes. Informative post! Frank (bbqboy)

HI Frank, We bought our rolling duffles at The Bay, they always have amazing deals.

Some great ideas here, but I cant fathom traveling with this much stuff or luggage. I take much shorter trips, but do everything in a 20″ expandable rollaboard and daypack.

My concern with packing camera gear in a larger back is what if you are forced to check that bag? Even runway check the bag? My Crumpler camera bag and laptop fit in the daypack so even if I am forced to check the rollaboard, I have my breakables in the smaller bag to carry on the plane.

I do what Stuart mentioned in the above comment. I have a list for a carryon beach/adventure vacation; a list for the checked bag adventure/beach vacation; lists for carryon and checked city vacations and a business trip packing list. All of these can be altered for the weather/sports at the location.

There’s certainly some good kit on this list. A friend of mine swears that the best way to pack is to maintain lists for different types of destination (i.e. one for winter sports and another for beach vacations) and refer to them while packing. I still pack on an ad hoc basis! Enjoy your travels.

Some great tips here guys! I wish I had read one of these before I first hit the road seven years ago! – certainly would have changed what I took! These days, as long as I have my knife and my head torch; I know I’m pretty much ready for any adventure 🙂

Great article Dave and Deb! You guys are travel experts so if you like our clothes we know we’re doing something right. We look forward to continuing following your travels!

I like it so much. Each time I travel and expect long hour travel by plane, I make sure I have a jet lag cure like JetlagFX. It’s a great supplement and works well for me.

I just got a sample pack of JetlagFX, I can’t wait to try it out.

Great lists! As someone who packs light when I travel, I like how you categorized everything and stuck to the basics.

Thanks. We aren’t the lightest packers since we are on the road constantly, but for we find this list does everything we need without too much extraneous weight.

Great article!! i am a girl so is difficult for me to make a Packing list , but i really think that i have to make one the next trip because i always travel with a lot of stuff in my bags.

Wow, it really is a long list of things…. Bags, organizers, clothes, gears………. simply amazing By the way, Deb looks dashing on the image carrying luggage…

Holy moly, that is the motherload of packing lists. I’m bookmarking it for later. I’m particularly interested in your photography and electronics. I have only just started making enough money writing to even begin to think about traveling and writing full time, but I just don’t know where to begin. Thanks for this awesomely detailed post.

Great post! I need some organization in packing wisely when traveling. My favorite was the travel organizers. I probably would not need as much electronic gear as you have. My iPhone is sufficient enough for me when taking pictures. They come out pretty good. Some of your other ideas are great. We usually check on locations for laundry when traveling for any length of time. This too can cut down on the amount that you have to pack. The downside is that it may take up some of your time to do the laundry.

wow great information. i like this list for travel packing.

Welcome to the ultimate packing guide for carry-on only travel!

Packing can be daunting. We’re here to help you avoid common packing pitfalls and make the most of your carry-on space.

We traveled for six straight months with nothing but carry-on bags and learned a thing or two about packing along the way. In our videos, we’ve shared our top tips for avoiding packing mistakes, but watching a video isn’t always enough.

That’s why we created the ultimate packing checklist, tailored to the needs of carry-on-only travelers. With our free packing list, you’ll be able to:

• Plan ahead and be prepared for multiple seasons and climates
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• Keep your toiletries and miscellaneous items organized and in compliance with TSA regulations

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Everything you need to know to create a perfect

Packing List

A guide on how to pack better and lighter to optimize your travel experience.

• 01. Preparation
• 02. Organization
• 03. The Essentials
• 04. Nice-To-Haves
• 05. Departure

Pack smarter, travel farther.

The Packing List For the Best Trip of Your Life

You know those movie scenes where someone is physically sitting on their suitcase, trying to get it to latch shut while clothes are bursting out the sides? They’re bouncing up and down on top of it like a lunatic until it either closes or they give up in frustration.

Yeah… It doesn’t have to be that way. Trust us. In fact, we guarantee that if you take the time to read this guide and develop your own rock-solid packing list, you’ll never run into that problem. Plus, you’ll travel a whole lot lighter, which makes traveling a whole lot more enjoyable. It’s a win-win.

Throughout the rest of this guide, we’ll point you towards gear that can optimize your packing list, and we’ll also share some of our favorite packing tips and hacks. So whether you’re packing for your very first trip abroad or you’re a seasoned traveler with 20 countries under your belt, we’re going to help you find the best options to pack light and right (for you).

While this guide is more of a general “how to create the best packing list for you” kind of thing, our packing list page is full of curated lists that will help you decide what to pack.

Choosing Your Luggage (Travel Backpacks, Suitcases & More)

Let’s begin with what we’d argue is the most important part of it all—your luggage. Whether you go for roller luggage, a duffel or a backpack, this one purchase is going to play a huge role in how you travel. You’ll want your luggage to have enough space, be comfortable to carry for long periods of time and hold up for years to come. It also tends to the be one of the most expensive items in your travel arsenal. No pressure, but you’ll want to get this one right.

But before we dive into that question, we have to clear up one thing: this guide will be focusing almost entirely on carry-on luggage. Why? Well, we love to travel exclusively with carry-on luggage for a couple of reasons.

First of all, knowing that you have all of your gear on you at all times provides a certain level of freedom. If you’re traveling with only a carry-on, you don’t have to get to the airport early to deal with checking a bag, and when you get off the plane, you can head right to the airport exit without having to wait at the luggage carousel. You’ll also never have to worry about your luggage getting lost by the airline, and you’ll never have to pay extra fees to check a bag.

That being said, we can understand why someone might want to check a bag. You don’t have to lug around a heavy pack through the airport, and you can pack a lot more stuff by using a huge bag.

HOWEVER , we are confident that you can have the best of both worlds if you pack correctly! With the right gear and some know-how, you can perpetually travel the world with a carry-on that is light, comfortable and holds everything you need to live your best life.

The Luggage Debate

And now that we’ve cleared that up, we have one more thing to settle. Backpack or roller luggage? Duffel or suitcase? Let’s take a look at some pros and cons.

Travel Backpacks are nice because they allow you to be agile. You can fly past those slow-pokes on the left side of the escalator, you can climb mountains, you can hop over a puddle, you can walk down cobblestone streets, you can go for a stroll along the beach…you get the idea. These things are just not possible with roller luggage. Additionally, backpacks allow your hands to be free at all times and they typically have more organization than a suitcase. They have plenty of areas to stash things like a mouse, keyboard, pens, notebooks and more. Most suitcases don’t give you that option. And finally, they tend to be a bit more compact. If you don’t have your pack filled to the brim, you can usually compress it so that it takes up less space. Overall, backpacks tend to be less cumbersome than a suitcase.

Roller luggage , on the other hand, is a good option for those who may not be able to (or don’t want to) carry a backpack. There’s no denying that rolling along a piece of luggage is far less strenuous than carrying a backpack—so whether it’s due to a bad back or you just hate carrying backpacks, we understand that it’s not for everyone. Additionally, roller luggage tends to offer more rigidity than most backpacks, and it gives you a simple, structured compartment to pack all of your belongings. If you can’t stand the thought of your clothes getting wrinkled, roller luggage can help with that.

Duffel bags are good for holding a whole lot of stuff, but we tend to think the cons outweigh the pros. Duffel bags don’t offer much organization, they’re difficult and strenuous to carry, and they don’t have much structure, rigidity, or padding. Some duffel bags are multi-function—they might function as a backpack, duffel, and messenger bag. Unfortunately, we have yet to find a bag that does any of those as well as one that has a dedicated role. If you’re interested in a duffel for travel, we’d like to nudge you over to the proverbial backpack aisle.

Traditional suitcases are, to be honest, far from ideal. If you really like your old-fashioned suitcase for whatever reason, we’d recommend looking into one with wheels. It will make your life a million times easier. (We’re not exaggerating—we’ve done the math. A million. Times. Easier.)

We’re not here to tell you which one to choose, although we do think you should limit yourself to the two objectively “best” options—travel backpacks and roller luggage. And we’re not going to lie to you; we’re quite partial to backpacks—so you may see a slight bias towards backpacks in this guide. It’s in the name, after all.

However, if you’re traveling the world perpetually, we’d highly recommend going for a backpack due to the added versatility and freedom of movement. Traveling the world with roller luggage is a recipe for frustration and far too much cursing. We think the journey is half the fun, so you should do what you can to enjoy it.

Luggage Considerations

When choosing the perfect travel backpack or luggage for your travels, you’re going to want to take size and versatility into consideration. The size will, obviously, designate how much stuff you can bring along with you. A larger bag means more room for luggage but more strain on your body and less flexibility. The smaller the pack, the fewer items you’ll need to lug along with you and the easier it will be to move around.

We tend to opt for a happy medium. Traveling ultralight with nothing more than a change of underwear and a toothbrush isn’t terribly enjoyable (at least, in our experience). In the same vein, traveling with a heavy pack that has everything you could need for every possible situation is usually unnecessary and frustrating.

15 to 25 liters is very much on the small side. This is good for weekend trips or extended travel for serious minimalists . For most people looking to travel perpetually, we’d recommend going a bit bigger.

30 to 40 liters tends to be the sweet spot. This is a good size that can easily fit everything you need for perpetual travel while possibly having some wiggle room left over, depending on how heavy you pack. With a backpack, you’ll start running into some nice options for organization here, if that’s your thing, or you can use packing cubes to organize things yourself. This is also the size where smaller folks might start needing to think about how the bag will actually fit on their back. Larger packs in the 40-liter range can be cumbersome for smaller frames.

Over 40 liters is pretty damn large, and you’re going to start running into carry-on compliance issues here. Bags in the 40 to 50-liter range—like the GORUCK GR3 —may claim they’re carry-on compliant, but we have our reservations (hah, travel puns). You’ll definitely want to be careful trying to use a bag of this size for carry-on travel, although it does give you a lot of freedom regarding what to pack.

As far as versatility goes, we have a few things to note. First of all, we like bags that have some built-in weather-resistance or a solid rain cover . This allows you to easily travel through varying climates and be prepared for just about any weather event that might occur. Weather-resistant materials are great for this, but weather-resistant zippers tend to make a huge difference. Good zippers will give you some peace of mind when that sprinkle turns into a downpour.

Some backpacks feature compression straps , which also add some versatility. These allow the pack to expand when full and compress down to a slimmer version when not—meaning you can compress a large travel pack down to something that will work well for shorter trips or a day out in a city. Some packs can compress quite a bit, effectively acting as a daypack and travel pack combined into one . (Another great method is to bring along a packable daypack, but we’ll get into that later on!)

Before we dive into all the nitty-gritty stuff, let’s talk for a second about how packing can affect your overall travel budget.

In the vast majority of cases, traveling with nothing but a carry-on compliant bag will save you money, but you should always do your research beforehand to avoid any surprises. Most airlines charge no extra cost for you to bring along both a carry-on item and a personal item ; however, some airlines will charge varying fees for this and almost all charge for checked bags. It all depends on who you’re flying with, restrictions and prices vary.

Our best recommendation here is to keep your carry-on item well within the general carry-on restrictions, which are 22 inches high by 9 inches deep by 14 inches wide . When you see a backpack listed as “carry-on compliant,” they’re almost certainly saying it fits within these parameters. This means that your bag will definitely get through airport security in the U.S.

That being said, when it comes to size limitations, some airlines will have tighter restrictions and some will give you a bit of extra breathing room. All airlines have some kind of weight restriction , but there is no standard. Generally speaking, you’re highly unlikely to run into a weight restriction unless you’re carrying a lot of seriously heavy stuff—like camera equipment, rocks, or gym weights. (Sorry to all the photographer-mountaineering-weightlifters out there. You might want to check your bag.)

If you haven’t caught on yet, the main lesson here is to check your airline’s website before you fly. And when packing, try to keep things light and compact whenever possible to avoid having to check your bag. This is especially true if you’re traveling around the world, hopping from airline to airline, as one flight may make you check your carry-on, while another won’t.

And if you’re getting concerned about your bag not making it onto a flight—don’t. As long as your bag makes it through security, it is getting on that flight. You may get charged a fee, they may ask you to put it in the cargo hold, but you should never worry about being forced to leave it behind.

What to Pack: The Bare Minimum Essentials

If you’re choosing to show up at the airport with just the clothes on your back and the bare minimum (kudos to you ultra minimalists out there), here’s a list for you. These are the basic items every traveler needs to get on their flight and make their way to their destination.

If you’re not concerned with the details, here’s the rundown:

• Some cash (small bills)

Traveling out of your home country? You’re definitely going to need a passport, and it needs to be current.

For U.S. residents, these typically take four to six weeks to process, so get ahead of the game! You will have to go through the application process and then wait for it to come in the mail. It is possible to expedite this process if you’re willing to fork over some extra cash or you have some extenuating circumstances where you need to have it sooner—but in general, we’d advise planning ahead. The easiest place to get this stuff done is typically a U.S. post office.

For all other countries, the specifics will vary, but the sentiment remains the same. Plan ahead. And make sure you are consulting an official government website in your home country to get the most accurate information and correct forms.

Finally, even if you already have a passport, make sure it won’t expire at any point during your trip or even anywhere near your trip. If your passport is current at the time of your departure, but it is going to expire during your stay, you won’t be able to get into the country. Or, if for some reason you do get in, you might have trouble getting out!

Depending on where, when, and how long you’ll be in another country, you may also need to apply for a visa. There are a whole lot of requirements and stipulations to get a visa, and they all vary from country to country. We’re not going to dive into this, but just know that in most scenarios, you’ll be fine traveling to a country for less than 30 days without a visa. Over 30—and especially over 90—and you should really do your research. You’ll likely need one.

In addition to a passport, you’ll want to bring along your local photo ID. This may come in handy at the airport and in other travel scenarios—like buying alcohol, renting a car, or getting into age-restricted events. At the very least, you’ll want to have one as a precautionary measure. It’s always good to have two forms of ID in case you lose your passport. Typically, this takes the form of a driver’s license or student ID.

Regardless of where you’re going, you’ll need your boarding pass. You’ve got some options on how to approach this, and the good thing is they’re all relatively easy. We think some people stress out too much about boarding passes—in reality, they’re very easy to deal with.

• The Counter: Just like the old days, you can still go to your airline’s customer service counter (where you check a bag) and have them print your boarding pass out. We’d highly recommend against this, as there will almost always be a line. If you need to check a bag, though, it can make sense to bundle it all in one trip.

You may also want to print out your itinerary. Serious travelers might balk at this, but we still like to print out our itinerary sometimes, especially if things are a bit complicated. Between connecting flights, Airbnbs, and car rentals, it can be nice to have all the info you need in one place on a physical piece of paper. This is especially true if you’re ever going to be crunched for time during your trip—like making it to a business meeting right after your flight.

Cash can come in handy while traveling, so we usually like to bring a couple of small bills—in both our home currency and the currency of our destination—to the airport for the first leg of our journey. However, we don’t recommend carrying around large amounts. Stick with small bills and grab yourself a travel-friendly debit and/or credit card . Some offer great travel benefits!

If you know your destination before departing, you can also visit your local bank ahead of time to grab a lower exchange rate on cash, instead of wasting the extra buck or two on this once you arrive.

These are the bare minimum essentials you’ll want and need to bring along for your travels. These are also the first items we tend to set aside while planning and packing for our trip, to ensure we have them when we hit the road. Now…let’s pack that bag!

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An organized pack makes for a happy trip.

How to Pack the Right Way

Do you know what the difference between a frazzled traveler and a calm, collected, professional traveler is?

ORGANIZATION!

The simplest step you can take towards retaining your sanity and ensuring a stress-free journey is to keep all your belongings well-organized. An organized pack makes airport security a breeze, among many other things. You’ll be able to pull out everything you need from your pack at a moment’s notice, and because you’ll never be wasting time trying to find anything, you’ll never fall behind schedule. And because you’ll always be ahead of schedule, you’ll never be in a rush. Which also means you’ll be far less likely to lose anything. Plus, it just feels damn good.

What we’re getting at here is that an organized pack makes for a more enjoyable travel experience!

The key to keeping an organized pack is compartmentalization. And the key to compartmentalization is packing cubes, pouches, and Dopp kits.

Why Packing Cubes?

Packing cubes are one of our absolute go-to travel items. We almost always use them, no matter what or where we are packing for. With packing cubes, you can organize and compress your gear, keeping your bag tidy and saving space.

We’re not going to go in-depth on packing cubes in this guide, but we will talk for a minute about how to best use them. There are basically three trains of thought, and none of them are right or wrong nor are they mutually exclusive. You could use one method or a mix of both to create a system that works for you. It’s really up to personal preference.

• Pack by frequency of use: If you’re only going to be wearing your warm jacket and socks for a few days during your trip, it might make sense to pack that stuff into one cube and toss it in the bottom of your bag. You can keep it out of the way and keep your other gear more accessible.

Trust us on this one, if you do use packing cubes, you’ll thank yourself when you arrive at your destination with a perfectly organized bag.

It also might take a few trips to find a system that works for you—and that’s okay. We’ve actually found it helpful to practice your trip beforehand by packing up your bag just as you would for travel, and going about your daily routine with nothing else but what’s in the bag. This is a good way to figure out what items you need and don’t need, but it will also help you find a packing cube system that makes sense.

Dopp Kit / Toiletry Bag

Instead of throwing all your toiletries into a packing cube, we suggest utilizing a Dopp kit or toiletry bag.

FUN FACT: Dopp kit is a term for toiletry pouches that is commonly used in the United States, and we have Charles Doppelt to thank for it. His company (Dopp) designed small pouches that were issued to U.S. soldiers during World War I and II, and they became widely known as “Dopp Kits.” Now you’ve got a great little factoid for your next cocktail party. (You’re welcome.)

Like the rest of your packing situation, organization is key here—no one wants to dump out their entire toiletry kit to find their daily vitamins at the very bottom. If you utilize a Dopp kit with some organization, your mornings will run smoothly, and you’ll be able to find all your items at a moment’s notice. (It’s the little things that can make or break your morning routine!)

We’ve found Dopp kits with internal organization and a hanging mechanism—like the Muji Hanging Travel Case—to be stellar options. You can hang one of these bad boys up in your Airbnb, and you’re ready to go for the rest of your trip. No unpacking, no spreading your stuff all over the counter—everything is right where it needs to be, and when it comes time to leave, you can close it up and be on your way. Mesh pockets are key as they let you see where everything is at a glance, and we also like to have a few elastic keepers to hold smaller items in place.

What to Pack In Your Personal Item

As we discussed in the introduction, many airlines allow you to bring one personal item on board for free, in addition to your carry-on. We say “many” because, although rare, some budget airlines will charge you a fee for bringing a personal item.

Your personal item can be any small bag, like a daypack , purse, sling bag , or fanny pack (which is no longer just for dads stuck in the 80s, by the way). For the most part, when you board the plane, you’ll want to place your carry-on into the overhead bin and take your personal item directly to your seat with you.

Choosing the right stuff for your personal item is essential to having a stress-free—and ideally, relaxing—flight. Feeling a headache coming on mid-flight? Well, if you packed right, you’ll have your Tylenol or essential oils in a quick zip. Need to drown out the sound of that crying newborn two rows behind you? Your noise-canceling headphones are just a zip away—whew.

Here is a quick list of what you’re almost guaranteed to find in one of our personal items:

• A book: Sometimes there’s nothing like a good, old-fashioned book. No WiFi, no battery, you can always count on this one.

We consider those to be the essentials for a well-stocked personal item. You might not need every item on that list, but we guarantee you’ll want at least a couple, if not most of them. But that’s not all! We have a few other honorable mentions which are not entirely essential, but some people swear by them.

Compression socks can help increase circulation while in flight, reducing the risk of swelling. If you’ve ever noticed this happening on long flights, you might want to look into getting a pair and keeping them in your personal item.

Neck pillows make sleeping on a plane a whole lot more comfortable . We don’t typically use travel pillows because they’re not very versatile and add some extra bulk, but to each their own. Inflatable may be your best bet, as they weigh very little.

Motion sickness medication can be helpful for obvious reasons, although if you need this stuff you’re probably already well aware. One of our team members sat next to a man who barfed all over himself as soon as the plane landed. Do everyone a favor and don’t be that person, if you can help it.

Sleep aids are also helpful for obvious reasons. If you’ve got a red-eye and you know you have trouble sleeping on planes, do yourself a favor and grab some Benadryl, Melatonin, or—if you’re really serious—Ambien to knock yourself out and arrive at your destination feeling refreshed. PSA: We’re not doctors! Do your research and talk to your doctor before you take any new medication!

Gogo Inflight or other in-flight WiFi tools can be great for digital nomads working on the go. But we know what you’re thinking— “Hey! That’s not something I can put in my personal item!” —and you’re right. But if you do have one of these accounts, you should make sure you have the password written down on your phone or a piece of paper. If you have it saved in your web browser or in a password manager, you might not be able to retrieve it without internet. It’s a real Catch-22 scenario, and we’re a bit ashamed to say we know this from trial and error.

The stuff you need to stay alive while on the road. Minimalists rejoice!

What To Pack

If you’ve tackled choosing a travel bag and set of packing cubes (highly recommended) then you are ready to start filling them up with essentials. There are many different occasions and places to pack for, not to mention packing for your own personal style and needs, so we’ll do our best to guide you through the basics. We’ll give you our top gear recommendations and the info you need to make an educated decision. (Which is really what we’re all about—this stuff is your decision at the end of the day.)

Keep in mind, we’re keeping things pretty general here. We’ll have more specific packing lists for individual travel styles and preferences coming soon. Check back or, better yet, sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

In any case, in order to optimize your luggage, we recommend packing the most versatile items and pieces of clothing you can muster. This could be anything from a shirt you can wear 20 days in a row without washing —we didn’t believe it either, but it really works—or a shirt you can wear five different ways . There are some pretty nifty pieces of travel gear out there and we’ll help you find the best. Let’s get packing!

(Are we the only ones that get excited about packing? It’s not just us, right? …Right?)

We’ll start with clothing essentials. The amount of clothing you bring is dependent on how long you plan to travel for, so we’ll stick to the basics here. You’ll likely want these pieces to be as versatile as possible—think merino wool and neutral color schemes that you can wear in a bunch of different combinations.

Soft, durable, and functional for workout & daily wear—the Outlier Runweight Merino T-Shirt is great, but the new version generates more pilling than we’d like to see.

The durability and quality of the clothing you choose is incredibly important here. You won’t want your t-shirt to develop holes twelve days after the first wear if you plan on traveling for a whole year. Pay attention to the materials each item is made with and be particular about the sizing. You are going to want these items to fit as comfortably as possible, as you’ll likely be on the move in them a fair amount.

We’re big fans of merino wool blends for travel, but really any other breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics will do. One thing you should know is that merino wool can go unwashed for several days—even weeks or months—without smelling. That’s one reason why it has become one of our trusty go-to travel fabrics.

Cotton is one fabric we try our best to stray away from when packing. It tends to dry slower, retain smell, and it’s less breathable than other fabrics on the market. But we’ve got to give credit where credit is due—cotton is damn comfortable, and it’s cheap. There’s a reason why 90% of t-shirts are made from cotton, after all. If you’re going on a short trip, cotton should be fine. If you’re traveling the world or taking an extended vacation, merino wool is worth the investment. Linen is also another cotton alternative that is comfortable, lightweight, and versatile.

Variations for the Everyday Twist Top

Versatile pieces can also go a long way when traveling. We love items that can be worn multiple ways, like Buff USA’s Wool Buff, which can be worn in twelve different ways. It combines a hat, face mask, scarf, bandana, balaclava and more into one tiny item—saving you space, weight and money.

Solid colors also can play a big role in versatility. You can generally piece together lots of solid color items and keep things interchangeable, meaning you’ll end up with more outfits for your trip without actually having to buy more tops and bottoms. We’ve also found that darker color pieces can help fight against stains and general wear and tear on the road. Accidentally spill some wine on your shirt while indulging in a pre-dinner amuse bouche in Rome? It happens to the best of us, really. But don’t worry, that black shirt won’t even show it and you’ll be good to go for the rest of your trip.

As long as you have tops, bottoms, underwear, and socks—you’ll be covered! (Unless you have some other body parts that we don’t know about?) Our advice here is to consider your length of stay, the climate(s) you will be enduring, the reasons for your trip (a wedding perhaps?), and cultural considerations depending on the location you travel to. For more on these, read on.

Shoes can be a tricky item when packing. The key here, again, is versatility! Neutral colors like black and brown tend to work best with a wide range of outfits, so we like to stick with those. Darker colors will pick up less dirt and help keep your shoes looking good.

You are most likely going to want one reliable pair of shoes that you can walk comfortably in for long periods of time without feeling like your heels are beginning to bruise on day two of your trip. In general, if they have some padding, breathability, and they’re lightweight, they’ll probably be winners. Extra brownie points if they are packable! We’ve seen some pretty packable shoes in our day (we’re looking at you, Vivobarefoot Kannas ).

For such a lightweight pair of shoes, the Vivobarefoot Kannas are remarkably comfortable and we’ve been impressed with their versatility and packability. While the craftsmanship isn’t the best we’ve seen, they offer a superb option for any one-bag traveler looking for a pair of shoes that won’t take up half their pack.

We should also note that while having versatile and/or packable shoes is great, you shouldn’t feel restricted from bringing a nice pair of shoes or boots. We recommend wearing your bulkiest pair of shoes while in transit, so they don’t take up a ton of space in your luggage. If you go this route, just consider the length of your journey and whether you’re comfortable wearing those particular shoes for the duration.

Some backpacks offer a shoe compartment , which is pretty nifty for packing multiple shoes. We also love shoe compartments because you can toss in a pair of dirty shoes without mucking up the contents of your bag. In fact, it doesn’t even have to be shoes—these tend to be great compartments for wet clothes or other items you’d rather not have contaminate the rest of your stuff.

But while nice to have in certain scenarios, shoe compartments generally take away space from the main compartment of your pack, which can really screw up the configuration of your packing cubes/items. We recommend testing this out on your fully-packed bag before you leave to make sure that everything will still fit correctly if you toss your dirty shoes into the compartment.

If your pack or suitcase doesn’t offer this, you can always grab a separate shoe pouch , which functions just like a packing cube, except it’s made specifically for shoes (duh) so it’ll fit them nicely and offer a little thicker fabric.

At the end of the day, shoot for versatile, dark shoes whenever possible. If you’d like to bring multiple shoes, don’t sweat it—just wear your bulkiest pair on the plane. And if you anticipate dealing with some messy shoes, a shoe compartment or shoe pouch can be a lifesaver.

We already mentioned how useful a Dopp kit (AKA toiletry bag) can be, but we didn’t tell you how to pack it. Let’s dive into the details.

First things first, you need a toothbrush . Just about everyone travels with one (at least, we really hope everyone does). Most toothbrushes take up a similar amount of space and there are smaller, compact versions available that take up a bit less—but they’re kind of a pain to use. We have met some people who cut their toothbrush down to allow for just enough room to hold onto while brushing, or even people who will drill holes in their toothbrush handle to save weight.

If you are bringing along a toothbrush then you’re going to need some toothpaste or solid toothpaste tabs . As good oral hygiene goes, a small container of dental floss will also go a long way. If you’re seriously committed to saving space and/or weight, a spool of dental floss wrapped with a rubber band might be a good option.

Now, as much as we like having this stuff with us at all times, there is something to be said for grabbing these items once you reach your destination. We find that many travelers seem to forget that there are shops—just like the ones you have at home—at virtually any urban destination around the world. You can always buy toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss after you arrive. Plus, if you’re staying at a nice hotel or Airbnb, they may offer this stuff for free.

As far as storing things like shampoos, conditioners and other necessities , these can be squeezed into travel bottles or purchased in solid form. We are big fans of solid shampoo and soap bars because they last way longer than your average liquid alternative and they won’t eat into your TSA liquid quota. Plus, a good soap bar can be used for your hair, body, clothes, and even dishes. (Remember when we talked about versatility?)

A good thing to keep in mind here is the TSA’s 3-1-1 security rule for flying with carry-on liquids . This rule may differ from country to country, but in most major countries—and definitely the U.S.—it means each passenger can bring aboard a one-quart plastic bag with 3.4 ounce/100ml bottles of liquids inside it. You can take as many bottles as you want, as long as they’re all under 3.4 ounces and fit inside that plastic bag. So, needless to say, solid items are a great choice. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about a soap bar exploding in your backpack.

We should note that this rule is only for carry-on bags. You are allowed to put liquids of any size in checked bags. And if you’re halfway through security and realize you have too many liquids, you’ll either be forced to throw them out or check your bag.

If you have long hair, you’ll probably want to pack a compact hairbrush or comb in your Dopp kit. (We’re big fans of the Tangle Teezer Compact Styler, which might just be one of the most compact hair tools on the market.) That being said, this is another item that can be found at most convenience stores after you arrive at your destination.

If you’re looking for a hairbrush that won’t damage your hair, saves you time, and fits inside your dopp kit, the Tangle Teezer Compact Styler is a fantastic choice. Other than some minor aesthetic blemishes after five years of testing, this is a great brush that will last you for years to come.

Deodorant will help you stay fresh, which is (obviously) important on the road. It’s pretty hard to make friends when you stink to high heaven. Many of these come in small travel sizes or small tubes. We even know some folks who will cut out a small stick of deodorant and fill up a chapstick tube to save weight, but that’s a little overkill unless you’re really trying to go ultralight.

One thing to note is that if you are packing merino wool, you should stay away from deodorants with antiperspirants in them. We also suggest clear or colorless deodorants as we’ve seen color build up on some of our lighter pieces of clothing after a number of washes.

Some other items to consider packing in your Dopp kit are:

• First Aid Kit: “I really wish I didn’t have that First Aid Kit,” said no one, ever. This should be self-explanatory. And before you ask, yes—it is worth the weight and space.

The amount of time you are traveling for may change what you bring along…but you’d also be surprised. For example, one merino wool t-shirt can be enough for a weekend trip to California, but even if you’re traveling perpetually you’ll only need three or four merino t-shirts. It all depends on how minimalist you’re ready to be, and the quality of items you choose to travel with.

If you’re planning a weekend trip, you can pack super light. But the point we’re trying to make here is that, even if you’re traveling the world for a year, you can still pack pretty damn light. Three to four outfits, an outer layer, tech gear, and toiletries is more or less all you need. (This is the minimum, we’ll get into some other nice-to-have stuff below.)

The climates you plan to travel through may skew your essential packing list items. For example, if you plan to be traveling around South East Asia for a month, you are going to want thin, breathable clothing items. On the other hand, if you are planning for two weeks in Canada, heavier clothing will be your best friend. If you are a last minute spontaneous traveler (we like your style), you’ll want to prepare for a range of climates.

Outside of the desert, rain can happen just about anywhere. Make sure to grab a rain jacket, and if you can, go for a packable option—they take up barely any space and work just as well. That way, you are prepared for whatever the weather may bring. If you are headed somewhere that is heavily prone to rain—we’re looking at you, South East Asia in July—we highly recommend staying away from cotton clothing as well, as it tends to soak up more water and dry slower than other materials.

If you’re heading to the beach, don’t forget your swimsuit ! This is explanatory, but the real key to packing for the beach is (again) versatile clothing. There are a handful of men’s swimsuits that look like totally normal shorts , so you can wear them to the beach and the bar without anyone noticing. (You really should rinse and dry them in between, though.)

There are also many options for women, including tops that double as crop tops and one-pieces that double as bodysuits. Grab a swimsuit that is more versatile to avoid overpacking and get the most out of your apparel choices!

Shoes are another climate consideration. If you are heading somewhere sandy you may want sandals, which allow you to flip-flop through the sand without creating a small beachfront ecosystem inside your shoes.

For humid areas, you’ll want to look into some breathable, possibly mesh, shoes. And for rainy climates we think you can go one of two routes—either go waterproof and bulky (wear them on the plane to save space in your pack!) or lightweight and open. You’ll either want to avoid getting your feet wet entirely or just relish in the wrinkly toes and go for a pair of shoes that will dry quickly at your hotel or Airbnb.

And finally, cold climates don’t necessarily mean heavy winter boots. We love merino wool shoes because they’re warmer—and a hell of a lot lighter—than your average pair of sneaks.

The stuff you don't need to have, but kind of want to have.

What to Consider for Your Packing List

In addition to your basic packing essentials, there are also some nice-to-have items that you may want to think about bringing. These will likely depend on the type of travel you are packing up for—for example, the digital nomad life requires a different set of items than a family vacation in Florida, honeymooning in the Maldives, or summer in Europe.

Tech Accessories

As seasoned digital nomads, we know how important packing tech accessories for the road is. Without our tech gear, we would find ourselves unpaid, unemployed, and well…broke. And since no money = no traveling, it’s kind of a big deal.

First and foremost, you are going to want to bring along your laptop . If you plan to get the majority of your work done with it, this is essential . We’re not going to dive into laptop recommendations, but we will say that any digital nomad should seriously consider buying a pack or suitcase with a nice laptop compartment. You want something that will offer support, security, and ease of access.

And even though most laptop compartments have some form of padding, we always recommend grabbing a protective laptop sleeve . Chances are, your laptop is your livelihood—so you want to keep it as well-protected as possible.

If you do plan to be at your laptop for a considerable amount of time, we recommend checking out an ergonomic portable laptop stand . (We are more or less in love with our Roost Stand, just saying.) These little stands can quite literally save your back, and after getting used to ours, we’re never looking back. In addition to being beneficial for your health, most portable laptop stands can stow away in a compact manner without adding a ton of extra weight.

We took an in-depth look at the Roost V3 Laptop Stand, an original portable laptop stands for digital nomads and one bag travelers that work on the road.

If you plan to bring one of these along, you also won’t want to forget a small portable keyboard and mouse . We prefer Bluetooth for these accessories—because, let’s be honest, wires suck—but you may want to factor in your destination before you decide on this. While Bluetooth is convenient, there are a lot more things that can go wrong. If you’re headed to a remote destination, you may want to opt for wired accessories. If it’s super remote, you may even want to bring some redundancies—like extra cables, chargers, etc.

You already know to bring your chargers and charging cables , but you can really take this to the next level by grabbing a multi-port USB charger, outlet splitter, and universal outlet adapter . That way, you can charge multiple items at once and you’ll be good to go in any country you venture into.

We should also mention that, although you probably can buy some of these things at your destination, we’d recommend against it. When it comes to tech gear, you’re almost always better off buying high-quality components far in advance. That way, you know you’re getting the best deal and the best stuff. Buying charging cables at the airport or touristy areas is a recipe for disaster. Not only will they cost an arm and a leg, but they might not even make it through your trip.

Any digital nomad should, of course, pack a pair of headphones along with their tech gear. Earbuds are great because they save space and weight, but you’ll compromise on sound quality and noise-canceling. This is mainly up to personal preference, but our one major recommendation would be to grab some headphones that have a microphone built in. That way, you can use them to talk on the phone while keeping both hands free.

If you plan on country hopping or being on-the-go often, we highly suggest grabbing a battery bank . This little tech accessory will save your sanity when your phone battery is at 5% and you’re frantically trying to find your Airbnb as the sun sets in Barcelona. It might sound romantic at first, but walking around in the dark with no clue where you’re going isn’t the best situation to be in. Save yourself by grabbing a small battery bank—we love the selection from Anker.

Just make sure that yours is under 100Wh (watt-hours)! Due to TSA restrictions, you’re not going to be able to carry any bank over 100Wh on to a plane, although you may be able to bring larger ones on with approval.

This typically means you can use any bank that is under 27,027 mAh (milliamp hours) without approval from your airline. If you have a bank over that—and under 43,243 mAh—you’ll want to contact your airline and get it approved beforehand. And just to make things more confusing, you should know that these numbers are assuming your bank is at the standard voltage of 3.7V. If it’s a different voltage, they will be skewed.

Confused? Most portable battery banks are going to be just fine. Make sure to check the watt-hours on the website before you buy and you’ll be good to go. And if you’re really confused, drop us an email and we’ll check it out for you!

We don’t need to tell you this, but we will anyway—pack your phone . Besides functioning as a GPS, watch, weather portal and entertainment center, we typically get a lot of mileage out of our smartphone cameras during travel. Some people might want to bring a dedicated travel camera —which is fine—but in most scenarios, a smartphone camera can get the job done while saving a whole lot of space.

And speaking of phones, we’d suggest downloading a couple essential apps:

• FourSquare is a great option for finding coffee shops, restaurants, and more.

Packable Daypacks

Packable daypacks are, as the name implies, smaller backpacks that can compress or pack down to nearly nothing. We love these because they allow you to leave your larger bag at your Airbnb/hotel/hostel and explore your destination with just the gear you need for the day.

Packable daypacks come in many forms, but these are some of our favorites.

• A Plastic Grocery Bag: This is tough for us to say, but here it goes. (Deep breaths.) In a worst case scenario, you can always stuff a…plastic grocery bag…in your luggage. This is really not the best solution for carrying your items around throughout your journey, but it “can” work. However , we will concede that a plastic bag is nice to have for containing dirty laundry, wet shoes, and other items you’d rather not have in contact with the rest of the stuff in your pack.

One major bonus to having a packable daypack in your travel arsenal is that you can also use it as a secondary vessel to carry stuff home that you didn’t plan on in the first place. Sometimes, your luggage seems to mysteriously expand during your trip, for whatever reason—whether its souvenirs, food, supplies, or just unorganized packing. Having an additional pack can give you some peace of mind, knowing that you’ve got plenty of room to bring home all that Swiss chocolate that your aunt has been begging you for.

We should also note that many one bag travel packs offer compression straps, allowing you to slim the pack down—sometimes substantially. If you get the right pack, you can easily leave some of your stuff at your Airbnb/hostel/hotel, slim your pack down, and head out for the day without having the extra bulk of a fully-laden pack. (Just make sure your belongings are secure, wherever you leave them!)

Workout/Health Items

Staying healthy while traveling can be tough, but we’ll give you some recommendations to make things easier. With just a bit of planning and a small amount of space, these items can help you feel good, boost your productivity, and create a morning—or evening—routine while on-the-go.

If you’re an avid yogi looking forward to sun salutations on-the-go or just hoping to have a reliable space to stretch each morning, a travel-friendly yoga mat should be an essential addition to your list. Many travel packs will offer some way to secure a yoga mat to the outside, so if you do this right, you won’t really be sacrificing any space in your pack. These mats can be multipurpose too, providing some space to lay down on the beach or even take a quick power nap at the airport.

Whether you’re an avid yogi or just looking for a spot to zen out while traveling, the Manduka eKO SuperLite Yoga Mat is an eco-friendly choice that can be packed up smaller than your average yoga mat.

If you don’t want to bring a yoga mat—or you just want to have an entire kit of fitness tools at your disposal resistance bands are another option to consider. These little bands can be used in a million different ways to exercise pretty much any part of your body. These also tend to be a pretty budget-friendly option, along with being lightweight and versatile.

Serious Steel Resistance Bands offer a budget-friendly, lightweight, and versatile way to resistance train and stay in shape while traveling.

And finally, you could go for the most minimal fitness routine of them all—running! Just pack a pair of light running shoes and you’ll have everything you need to stay in shape across the globe.

Healthy snacks are also important! You never know what kind of food options you’ll encounter on your travels. Every now and then, you might find yourself in a situation where your options are limited, unhealthy, or you’re just not feeling the local cuisine. It’s worth grabbing some quality snacks, like protein bars and mixed nuts, at the supermarket before you leave. This step is highly recommended for vegans or vegetarians traveling to remote areas of the world. It can be tricky out there.

Speaking of snacks and foreign foods, if you tend to get stomach aches or you’re nervous about immersing yourself (and your stomach) into the local cuisine of a country you’ve never been to, you may want to consider picking up some charcoal tablets or another type of stomach soother. This is one of those situations where it’s better to be prepared. Trust us on this one.

And finally, staying healthy—as in, alive and disease-free—on the road should always be a top priority. If you are heading anywhere that feels remote, like parts of Africa, South America, Asia, or Australia, you’ll want to check in with the CDC or other local medical centers to make sure you’ve got all the proper vaccinations. Even just a trip to your local doctor will likely do the trick—they probably get people prepped for travel all the time, and if not, they’ll be able to point you in the right direction.

It’s important to do this well in advance, as certain countries will bar you from entering if you don’t have the proper vaccinations, and some of them either require time to take effect or have to be spaced out from one another. Malaria pills are also no joke—make sure you come prepared.

Cultural Considerations

Wherever you may be adventuring, we highly recommend looking into cultural considerations before blindly heading off to a country you are unfamiliar with. Tradition and values are very important to pretty much everyone around the world. If you’d like to be a kind citizen of the world—and you obviously should—we suggest keeping some of the following in mind in addition to doing some research of your own.

If you plan to visit some Buddhist Temples in Asia, be respectful of the dress code. You are expected to cover your arms and legs. A sarong can be great for this type of experience, and they’re sometimes even offered at the entrance of temples. In addition to the proper dress code, don’t be that person snapping photos at inappropriate times during ceremonies and rituals. Some things are better left as fond memories, rather than photo evidence. Be mindful of your surroundings.

Slip-on shoes are also highly beneficial in some areas of the world where you’re expected to take your shoes off frequently. In many parts of Asia, you’re expected to take your shoes off when visiting someone’s home or entering certain sacred areas. Slip-on shoes or sandals take up little room in your pack, but they’ll make your life a whole lot easier. (And spending 2 minutes to untie your shoes in these scenarios screams “TOURIST!”)

If you are traveling to China, consider packing less white pieces of clothing. We typically stay away from white clothing when traveling anyhow, as it tends to pick up lots of dirt. However, in China white represents mourning and is typically worn during funerals. Not a good look for your everyday attire.

When visiting select countries and cities in the Middle East, it would be frowned upon—and in some places illegal—to not be covered in a modest manner. Some places are more strict with these types of laws than others, so make sure to do your researc depending on your destination. In any case, it is a good idea to have a scarf with you to cover your head and shoulders if necessary for both respect and safety.

These are just a few of the most prominent cultural considerations we’ve encountered during our travels. It would be impossible to list out every consideration for every culture across the globe, so be sure to do your research before you hit the airport.

Travel Security

Traveling safely and securely is something that can be overlooked and undervalued—or overbearing and overdone, depending on how you do it! But we think it is absolutely worth considering. There is crime just about everywhere, and unfortunately, tourists tend to be easy targets. Especially when you’re living out of a single backpack, you need to keep your belongings safe. That pack is your lifeline.

Some backpacks and suitcases offer lockable zippers, allowing you to attach a small padlock to keep thieves at bay. Pacsafe is a great brand to check out for all your travel security hopes, wants, and needs. Other packs offer more subtle safety features, such as discreet lockable zippers, hidden pockets, and tear-proof materials. And in places where theft runs high, you may even consider grabbing some additional security gear .

We love simple security features, like hidden pockets on the back panels of backpacks. That way, you can store secure items like your passport and cash, knowing that it would be impossible for anyone to snatch them while you’re wearing the pack. Some packs also offer hidden pockets within the internal compartments that would be virtually impossible to find if you didn’t know what you were looking for

If your backpack does not offer much in the way of security features or if you’ve opted to travel with a suitcase; traveling with a small fanny pack or sling may be a great option to hold your valuables. With a sling or fanny pack, small items can stay close to you at all times—they are also a great spot to store your phone for quick access whenever you want to snap a quick photo on the road!

And finally, our last piece of travel security advice is to do whatever you can to make a potential thief’s life more difficult. The vast majority of thieves are looking for the easiest, quickest candidate to steal from. So anything you can do to make the process of ripping open your luggage harder is a good thing.

There are some simple hacks you can use, like buckling compression straps that run over zippers. Even minor things like sticking zipper pulls into their little zipper jackets can add on a few crucial seconds. Additionally, you can get creative by attaching your bags to certain fixed items via shoulder straps, carabiners, padlocks, and more.

Book that ticket, pack that bag, and prepare for departure!

Time to Get Packing!

If you’ve gotten this far, you should have a good idea of what you want to fill your backpack or suitcase with. Keep in mind that all this stuff comes down to what works best for YOU, at the end of the day. These are merely guidelines for you to run with.

But we’re not done yet! In addition to picking the right gear, there are a few other things you should do before you depart for travel.

Packing List Generator

The first thing you should do is make a packing list. You can use our Packing List Tool to get started. It’s free to sign up and helps you track what to bring and how much it weighs to ensure your travel backpack, daypack, and sling are carry on compliant.

It’s organized into different categories, so you can track the amount of toiletries, clothing, and accessories you bring on your trip, along with noting what you’ll carry on board and what you’ll be wearing. You can even add a photo and a description to help you remember what type of trip you’re packing for so you can use it again later.

Check out some of our Pro Community packing lists and our curated packing lists for ideas of how to get started, and if you need more help, watch our step-by-step video walk through.

Practice Makes Perfect

If there has been one overarching theme of this guide, it is to prepare for your trip well in advance . And while creating the perfect packing list is all well and good, it won’t help you very much if you never actually check to see that everything fits.

If you want to have a genuinely stress-free travel experience, we highly recommend practicing your trip before you leave. Yes, we know this sounds ridiculous. Just hear us out.

Once you’ve got your packing list figured out, go ahead and grab all your gear and pack it up in your backpack or suitcase. It can also help to lay out everything on the ground or a big table to review all the items you’re going to bring.

Once you’ve got your bag packed up, just go about your day. Go to work or go about your normal routines with nothing but the stuff in your luggage, and act as if your home is your hotel room. We like to do this for a couple of days to really sort out all the possible kinks—and because this stuff is pretty much our lives—but just one day can do wonders. The benefit of doing multiple days is you can get pretty granular and figure out how many clothes you need to pack.

You’ll figure out pretty quickly what you need, what you don’t, and how much stuff you can actually fit in your pack. And it’s fun! (At least, we think so.)

Preparing Before Leaving

Coming home to a clean space has to be one of the best feelings ever. Thinking ahead can save you some brain space and time. No one wants to worry about paying past bills right when you walk through the door or washing those three week old dishes—gross. Take some extra time before leaving to iron these things out! You’ll thank yourself later (and us, for reminding you).

• You know to lock your doors, but make sure all of your windows are locked as well!

Most importantly, don’t stress yourself out! These are all suggestions and lessons that we have learned over the years, after much trial and error. We want you to learn from our mistakes and have the most successful trip possible, no matter where your plane is touching down.

Traveling to new (and old) destinations can be incredibly exciting and a bit overwhelming at times. But with enough preparation and optimization—we know you’ll have a great adventure.

From all of us on the Pack Hacker team, good luck and bon voyage!

As always, feel free to drop us a line if you have questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you.

Author: Pack Hacker Team

We find and test the best gear for travel based on form, function and aesthetic. We believe the best trips start with quality gear, regardless if you’re traveling for business or pleasure.

Ultimate Travel Packing List+How to Pack for Long-Term Travel in a Carry-On

Ready to pack for travel? Our ultimate travel packing list gives a detailed packing list that includes tips for traveling in both hot and cold climates. 

Even better, this article provides you with key tips  to pack for long-term travel in a carry-on. Yes, a carry-on. You can do it!

Long-term travel is a wonderful way to experience the world. But hauling a lot of luggage around the world and back again? Not so fun. 

I travel for three months at a time, often through both hot and cold climates. 

During my travels, I travel with just a carry-on bag and personal item. 

This method of travel means that I have less stuff to haul through jungles and cobblestone streets. And I usually do not need to check a bag and risk having the airline lose it.

~I want to share what I have learned with you.~

Below, you will find the ultimate travel packing list that I use for my travels. 

To help with your own packing, I have also included notes on why I pack what I do and adjustments I have made to my packing list over time.

The ultimate travel packing list and tips I share below will help to make sure that you pack just the key essentials. With these tips, you can also travel long-term in just a carry-on.

15 Surprising Things to Pack: What This Long-Term Traveler Always Packs

• 32 Things Every Traveler Should Pack In Their Carry-On

Bags & Luggage

I find that having the right bags, along with a little packing organization, really helps me to pack for long-term travel in a carry-on. 

• Carry-on luggage : Starting with just a carry-on bag (instead of a larger bag) helps me to be thoughtful about what I pack. I love my Delsey luggage . It has been around the world twice and still looks new. While some people swear by backpack-only travel, I just cannot lug around that much stuff on my back.
• Duffel bag : I use a big duffel bag as my personal item. It is on the heavier side but works for me. I did start with a much bigger-sized duffel bag and downgraded to a smaller-sized duffel bag. The bigger size was too heavy to carry.
• Luggage tags : I always have bright luggage tags on both my carry-on and personal item. You never know when you will be required to check your bag or leave it at the hotel.
• Belt Bag : I use a belt bag as my day pack. Using a smaller bag helps me to minimize what I carry with me during the day. You can read about what I pack in my day pack in this article .
• Backpack : On days when I need to carry some extra things with me (like an umbrella or sun screen), I use a packable backpack. On these days, I still wear my belt bag so that my more valuable items (like my phone and credit card) are closer to my body in the belt bag. That makes these items less vulnerable to theft.
• Packable shopping bags : Since I often travel through both hot and cold climates in the same trip, I travel with a winter coat and boots that I might not need in every country. Packable shopping bags are great for storing my winter gear when I am in hot climates. I also use packable shopping bags as beach bags. They came in really handy.
• Tech organizer : I love having all my small electronics and cords stored in one bag.
• Toiletry bags : I travel with two toiletry bags. One toiletry bag has my daily toiletries. The second toiletry bag has the items I use less frequently, like nail clippers, band aids, etc.
• Cosmetic bags : When I first started traveling long-term, I used cosmetic bags to separately organize a lot of my small electronics and toiletries that did not fit in my toiletry bag. On subsequent trips, I consolidated a lot and packed fewer toiletries. As a result, I reduced my count of 7 cosmetic bags to just 2 cosmetic bags.
• Packing cube : I love to stuff my suitcase full. Packing cubes are good for organization but take up valuable space. I just use one packing cube in my luggage. I use it to store my undergarments and socks.
• Leather cross body purse : I packed a big, leather crossbody purse when I first started traveling. I thought it would be a good transition bag from day to night. But I didn’t use it once. I didn’t bring this on subsequent trips. It might be good for someone who travels to more urban locations than I do.

Cash, cards, & paper (oh my)

When packing for long-term travel, I always pack the items below with me. These are items that I carry in my belt bag/day pack when I am traveling:

• Cash : I always carry a little bit of cash with me, even when traveling in countries where credit cards are widely accepted. There is always some amazing little shop that only takes cash. When I arrive in a country, I get some local currency from an ATM at the airport or train station. 
• ATM card :   To extract the cash from ATM machines, I travel with an ATM card that does not have any withdrawal fees, no matter where I am in the world. I use Charles Schwab’s no-fee ATM card .
• Credit card : I also make sure that my credit card does not charge any foreign currency conversion fees. I use the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card .
• Passport : On days when I am changing locations, I carry my passport in my belt bag/day pack. I leave my passport at the hotel otherwise (unless I know a passport is required to show identification somewhere I am going that day). 
• Driver’s license : I always have my U.S. driver’s license with me to show identification when I am not carrying my passport.
• COVID vaccination card : Some areas require a COVID vaccination card, so I have my card with me when I travel. Many places accept a picture of your COVID vaccination card, so you can also store a photo of your card on your phone. 
• Yellow Book vaccination card (for non-COVID vaccines) : Some countries require certain vaccinations to enter their country. For example, some countries may require Yellow Fever vaccination. The Yellow Book documents these vaccinations. You can learn more about what vaccines each country requires on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention travel website . 
• Passport holder : I keep the items above in a passport holder. I use this as my wallet when traveling.
• Wallet : When I first started my long-term travels, I carried both a wallet and a passport holder. Now I just use a passport holder. If you need to travel with more cards than me, a wallet may come in handy.

Electronics & electronics accessories

My ultimate travel packing list has included each of the electronics and electronics accessories below at one time. To assist in your packing, I have identified items I no longer travel with:

• Power strip : One of my favorite travel items is a portable power strip that has both USB and regular plugs. I can charge everything at once.
• Travel adaptors/plug converters : When I travel, I only bring the travel adaptors; I do not bring the voltage converter. I make sure all the electronics I travel with are dual voltage. This means I do not have the added weight of the voltage converter in my bag.
• Portable power bank : I take a lot of pictures and video on my phone, which drains the battery. I travel with a portable power bank to recharge my phone.
• Laptop and laptop charger : Because I work while I travel, I travel with a laptop and my laptop charger. But it means I usually have to go through extra screening at airports. If you can avoid traveling with a laptop, I would leave it at home. 
• Phone and phone charger : I use my cell phone as my primary camera. I prefer Samsung’s camera features, so I travel with a Samsung Galaxy phone.
• Gimbal : To help stabilize my phone’s video, I sometimes use a gimbal. I do not always travel with this, but it is a fun toy.
• Phone wrist strap : To avoid dropping my phone or have it stolen out of my hands, I always secure my phone to my wrist with a wrist strap.
• Flexible tripod : I have a tiny, flexible tripod. In theory, it sounds great. But I do not use it that much in practice. I only occasionally travel with this but it might work out great for someone else.
• Selfie stick/tripod combo : Since I travel solo, a selfie stick with a tripod helps me to take pictures of myself.
• Waterproof phone case : When I’m traveling to places where my phone will likely be near water, I pack a waterproof phone case.
• Wireless earbuds : To save room in my luggage, I do not pack the big over-the-ear headphones. Instead, I bring wireless earbuds with noise cancellation. 
• SmartTags : Although I do not usually check a bag, I still put a SmartTag tracker in my carry-on bag, just in case I am traveling on a smaller plane that requires me to check my carry-on bag.
• Electronic watch and watch charger : I like traveling with an electronic watch, since I can recharge it every night and not worry about a non-rechargeable battery going dead.
• Hair dryer (dual-voltage) : To make sure I do not fry my hair dryer, I travel with a dual voltage dryer that works both in the U.S. (my home country) and in other countries.
• Revlon drying brush (220-240 volts) : I have not been able to find a dual-voltage version of the drying brush, so I bought one from Germany that has the Euro plug and is 220-240 volts. 
• Tablet and tablet charging cord : I use a Samsung tablet as my eReader. I avoid traveling with any physical books since they take up so much room and weigh so much.
• GoPro MAX and charging cord : When I am planning on something active that involves water (like going to a water park or snorkeling), I will pack my GoPro MAX to get some action shots.
• Mirrorless camera (plus mirrorless camera charger, mirrorless camera cord, and mirrorless camera cleaning brush): Because phone cameras have become so advanced, I usually rely on my phone for my pictures and video. I rarely pack my big mirrorless camera.
• Fan/portable charger combo : I loved the idea of this item but never really used it. I do not travel with it any longer but it might be great for someone else.
• Extra charging cords and plugs : I used to pack extra charging cords and plugs, but never used them. I cut the extra out to save room in my luggage.

My toiletry packing list has changed over time, as I have adjusted to what I really need on the road. 

Two key things that I have learned:

• You do not need nearly as many toiletry supplies as you think you need. Bring one travel-size version of your product and buy refills during your travels. 
• Toiletry companies are experts in getting their product to the most far-reaching, rural destinations. You will be able to find what you need on the road.

Without further ado, here is my ultimate travel packing list for toiletries: 

• Electric toothbrush and charger : Traveling with an electric toothbrush feels like a luxury but it is a nice way to keep the comforts of home without taking up too much room in my suitcase.
• Toothbrush cover : To keep my toothbrush clean, I use a toothbrush cover when I put my toothbrush into my toiletry bag.
• Toothpaste : Airport security agents around the world will confiscate your toothpaste if it is over 3.4 oz/100 mL, so I make sure to pack travel-size toothpaste.  
• Floss : I keep my gums healthy by packing some floss.
• Mouthwash : I have seen Listerine mouthwash at the most rural destinations around the world. I pack a travel-size version and refill as I go.
• Contact lens solution and contact case : Contact lens solution is an item I thought I would have a hard time finding while traveling. But I have found my exact contact lens solution brand just about everywhere around the world.
• Extra contacts : Prescription contacts are something you cannot really find on the road, so make sure you have plenty of extras with you. 
• Face wash : The face wash I travel with is a complete splurge. But it feels like a wonderful luxury at the end of a long travel day.
• Headband for washing face : I have long hair, so use a headband to pull back my hair for washing my face.
• Hair ties : I have 3-5 hair ties with me to pull back my hair to wash my face and also to pull back my hair on hot days.  
• Face moisturizer : The face moisturizer I use comes in a bottle that is more than 3.4oz/100mL, so I transfer it into a reusable bottle that is within the size limits.
• Hand lotion : I am constantly washing my hands while traveling, which dries out my skin. I use Aveeno hand lotion to moisturize my hands. 
• Razor : I travel with one razor for legs and underarms.
• Wax strips : Since I travel for multiple months at a time, wax strips come in handy for the face and bikini area. 
• Nail clippers and tweezers : Nail clippers and tweezers always come in handy – and not just for personal grooming. I use the nail clippers as scissors. And the tweezers have come in handy for removing splinters. 
• Shampoo : I do not travel with shampoo anymore. Every place I stay at has had shampoo, so I do not bring my own.
• Conditioner : Unlike shampoo, it is rare to find conditioner in hotels on the road. Or the conditioner is really bad. I travel with more conditioner than any other product. I use reusable bottles to refill on the road.
• Body wash : I also do not travel with body wash. Most hotels and Airbnbs have body wash readily available. If there is not body wash, I just use shampoo. 
• Loofah : I travel with a loofah to get extra clean on the road. Make sure you regularly switch out your loofah – they can be breeding grounds for bacteria.
• Deodorant :  I love Native deodorant. Keeps me fresh all day!
• Sunscreen : I travel with a travel-size sunscreen. When I get to my destination, I buy a bigger bottle. But having the smaller bottle with me means I can go straight to the beach without worrying about where I am going to buy sunscreen on the way.
• Makeup : I travel with a very small amount of makeup. I travel with eye shadow, an eye shadow brush, eye liner, mascara, and concealer.
• Small hair brush : I love my mini Aveda brush and travel everywhere with it.
• Feminine products ( period underwear or tampons ) : If you are on the road for an extended period, you may need feminine products. 
• Mini first aid kit : I used to travel with a full first aid kit but now only travel with band-aids and alcohol wipes. I would carry more first aid items with me if I was doing more adventurous stuff on my own but I always have a guide with me.
• Prescription medication : If you require any prescription medication, make sure to pack it in your personal item.

Day pack essentials

I use a belt bag (formerly known as a fanny pack) for my day pack. I have included some of the key items that I pack in my day back below. 

For a full list of the items in my day pack, read this article .

• Hand Sanitizer : You touch a lot of public surfaces while traveling. I carry a tiny hand sanitizer bottle in my day bag. 
• Headache/pain medicine : It is a real bummer to get a headache or muscle ache while traveling and not have a way to relieve the pain. I have a small container of headache/pain medicine with me at all times.
• Motion sickness medicine : I get pretty bad motion sickness, so I always have motion sickness medicine with me. 
• Kleenex tissues : Rather than pack an entire travel pack of tissues, I pull out 2-3 tissues and put them in a separate compartment in my travel pack. That way I still have access to tissues, but they are not taking up a lot of room in my bag.
• Combo hairbrush and mirror : The ever practical brush/mirror combo is a must-pack. 
• Chapstick : I am rarely without this chapstick. My mom keeps me stocked up because she knows I like it so much!
• Gum : The onions from that Greek salad have a way of lingering. I bring along some peppermint gum for fresh breath throughout the day.
• Floss : Having food stuck in your teeth is no way to spend your vacation! I save the tiny floss packets that my dentist gives me and always carry one in my travel pack. 
• Pen : I am amazed at how often I need to use a pen or am asked by someone else if they can use my pen. It is a great item to include in your day pack.

Clothing: General

When selecting clothing for travel, I ask myself the following questions:

• Is it easy to wash?
• Is it wrinkle-resistant? 
• Is it versatile? I.e. , can it be worn with multiple other clothing items I packed? Or is it a “one-hit-wonder”?
• Does it pack down small?

If the answer to any of these questions is “no”, then I do not pack the item. 

When selecting my clothing for trips, I tend to stick to these brands:

Each of these stores carries clothing that meets the four criteria noted above.

Clothing: Tops

Here are the clothing tops I typically pack:

• 3 long-sleeved blouses
• 2 long-sleeved (light) sweaters
• 3 short-sleeve tops

Even when traveling in hot climates, I pack more long-sleeved tops in my luggage. I do this for several reasons:

• It protects me from the sun.
• There are many places where short-sleeves are not considered acceptable. 
• I feel more “put-together” in long-sleeved shirts. They seem to look just a little more sophisticated than short-sleeved shirts. 

Clothing: Bottoms

Just like tops, my bottoms need to meet the four criteria of being washable, wrinkle-resistant, versatile, and packable. Here are the types of pants I typically pack:

• 1 pair of jeans
• 1 pair of cargo leggings
• 1 pair of “fancy” joggers
• 1 pair of capris

When packing my pants, I want each item to be fairly different than the other, so that I have some variety in my clothing.

For cold climates, I also pack 1 pair of fleece leggings . 

For hot climates where shorts are acceptable, I also pack 1 pair of jean shorts .

Clothing: Dresses

For dresses, I travel with one fancier dress and one more casual dress:

• Fancier dress : I wear a short-sleeve midi dress to nicer places. I only travel with flat sandals (not heels), so it still ends up being a fairly casual dress outfit.
• Casual dress : I wear this casual dress during the day. I also use it as a swim cover-up.

Clothing: Athletic attire

Even if I am not working out while traveling, I find that athletic attire is great for hikes and sleepwear. Here are is the athletic attire I include in my ultimate travel packing list:

• 2 yoga pants : I use these pants for more adventurous activities (like zip lining) and also for sleeping.
• 2 athletic shorts : I used to travel with athletic shorts but tend not to pack these anymore. There are a lot of places where shorts are not appropriate, especially when I am traveling as a solo female.
• 2 short-sleeve workout tops : These tops also double as my pajama tops.
• 2 long-sleeve workout tops : For cooler days, long-sleeve tops come in handy.

Clothing: Shoes

The various shoes I pack are:

• Thin sandals : These are one of the best things in my luggage. At the end of the day, it is so nice to slip off your walking shoes and put on breathable sandals to walk around the hotel.
• Athletic sandals : I only pack athletic/hiking sandals when I am at a tropical location that does not have a lot of sand. Otherwise, I find my feet get too dusty. Generally, I am not a big fan of wearing sandals during the day because they just do not have enough support.
• Leather walking shoes : If I am going to any place other than a tropical island, I pack leather walking shoes. They are comfortable and do not immediately shout “tourist” (even though everyone knows that I am a tourist).
• Combat boots : When traveling to cold climates, I pack combat boots. They are essential for keeping my feet warm. When I am at a location where I do not need them, I store them in one of my packable shopping bags.
• Athletic shoes : You are rarely going to see me exercise while on travel. So I only pack athletic shoes when going to locations where I specifically plan to do an athletic activity. I try to bring mesh athletic shoes to double as water shoes.
• Hiking shoes : I have found that hiking shoes are pretty beneficial in a lot of places I visit. If I want to go on a hike or explore an ancient site that has uneven terrain, hiking shoes are a necessity. 

Clothing: Coats

Depending on the places I plan to travel, I will pack the coats below. During trips when I am traveling through multiple climates, I may pack all of these items:

• Heavy winter coat : I never put my winter coat in my luggage itself. When I am traveling through an airport, I secure it within the straps of my duffel bag. When I am traveling within a country where I do not need it, I put it into one of my packable shopping bags.
• Packable down jacket : No matter where I am going, I always pack a packable down jacket. Even tropical climates can have high altitude places that are very cold. A packable down jacket takes up very little room in my luggage.
• Light fall/spring jacket : A light jacket is great for chilly airports and chilly nights.
• Light rain coat : I only travel with a rain coat if I am in tropical climates where it rains on a regular basis.
• Blazer : I used to travel with a blazer. I had dreams of closing business deals in random locations around the world, ha. But I never wore it, so I do not travel with a blazer anymore.

Clothing: Swim

Even if I am traveling to the coldest of climates, I travel with a swimsuit. You never know when the hotel will have a nice indoor pool! Here are the swim items on my ultimate travel packing list:

• 1-piece swimsuit : There are many places in the world where a 2-piece swimsuit is not appropriate. Rather than try to go back and forth between a 1-piece and 2-piece swimsuit, I just travel with a 1-piece swimsuit.
• Long-sleeved swimsuit : I am very careful about my sun exposure, so I like having a swimsuit with long-sleeves for the days when I am doing some type of water activity (like snorkeling). 
• Cover-up : As noted in the dress section above, I wear a casual dress as a cover-up.
• Rash guards : I bring along rash guards to wear over both swimsuits and over tank tops on sunny days.

Clothing: Undergarments

My ultimate travel packing list for undergarments includes the following:

• 3 regular bras : I make sure my bras are easy to wash, since I regularly do my laundry on the road.
• 2 sports bras : Sports bras are great for more athletic activities. 
• All the underwear : I pack as much underwear as will fit in my packing cube when I travel. I never want to be without a fresh pair!
• 1 pair of compression socks : For long flights, I always make sure I wear compression socks. They make a huge difference in reducing ankle swelling. 
• 3 pairs of no-show socks : These are the absolute best no-show socks. I wear them with my  leather walking shoes .
• 3 pairs of athletic socks : I love these socks, as well. Perfect for wearing with hiking shoes. 

Clothing: Accessories

When packing, I always include these accessories:

• Scarf : A scarf is great for dressing up an outfit, keeping warm on chilly nights, and covering shoulders in conservative settings.
• Sunglasses : Sunglasses are a must for any destination. I like Warby Parker because of their home try-on option.
• Prescription glasses : Like my sunglasses, I use Warby Parker for my prescription glasses. 
• Foldable hat : I think packable hats look a little too floppy. But foldable hats? Definitely the way to go.
• Jewelry : I used to bring jewelry with me when I traveled but do not pack it any more. I had some jewelry stolen out of my luggage in the past. So no jewelry when traveling. 

Cold weather accessories:

• Knit hat : This hat is great for keeping me warm on cold days. 
• Gloves : I like these gloves because they work with phone touchscreens. 

Miscellaneous

The following items fall into a “miscellaneous” category on my ultimate travel packing list:

• Mini umbrella : I am always surprised at how many tourists do not plan for the weather. A mini umbrella packs up small and prevents you from getting soaked.
• Reusable water bottle : A lot of countries either have drinkable tap water or have filtered water available for use at hotels. 
• Blow-up neck pillow : This is one of my most prized possessions. Because it deflates, it takes up very little room in my luggage.
• Bug repellent bracelets : A friend once gave me these bracelets and they are the absolute best thing. I bring them to any climate that has a chance of having biting insects.
• Dirty laundry bag : I use a dirty laundry bag to separate my dirty clothes from my clean clothes. It also makes it easier to get my clothes laundered, since my dirty clothes are all organized in one bag.
• Laundry detergent packets and plastic bag for soaking laundry : I used to bring laundry detergent and a plastic wash bag in the past. But I never used them. I either washed my clothes with shampoo or found an inexpensive laundry service. So I no longer pack these items.
• N95 face mask : Some countries require face masks on public transportation, so it is good to have one handy.
• Small combination lock : I used to travel with a small combination lock, but never used it. I do not travel with one anymore.
• Deck of cards : I also used to travel with a deck of cards, but eventually took it out of my luggage. I am more likely to play electronic games with friends than play with physical cards.

And that brings us to the end of the ultimate travel packing list! I hope my list and tips will help you to pack your own bags – hopefully in just a carry-on!

Happy travels!

Have a comment or a question? I’d love to hear from you! Visit me on Instagram at eastbymidwest  or send me an email at  [email protected] .

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The Ultimate Carry On Only Packing List

Are you considering joining the movement of packing and traveling lighter?  Well, then you’ve come to the right place.  Marty and I have been practicing  minimalist packing using only a backpack  for years. 

We have traveled with only our backpacks for years and love not only the freedom of not having a bag but also the money that we’ve been able to save on baggage fees.  LOL! 

This type of travel does take some careful planning.  So to save you from some of our packing fails, we wanted to share with you our ultimate carry-on only packing list . This list is great whether you are hitting the beach or the mountains!

This is the third post in our  minimalist travel  series.  The first step in succeeding in minimalist travel is to have a great backpack, so we started this series with  The Best Travel Backpack for Europe…and Beyond .  This post will help you choose the best backpack for your travels before moving you on to the second post in the series,  How We Travel With Only a Backpack,  which provides you with all of our tips to make traveling with only a backpack easy and fun.

*This post contains affiliate links.  By purchasing through these links, we get a small commission at no additional cost to you. That Texas Couple is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Carry On Only Packing List

The purpose of this post is to ensure that everyone can travel easily using only carry-on luggage, which for us is our backpacks.  I’ve broken this list down into different categories that you can add to or delete based upon your needs. 

For instance, if you aren’t traveling out of the country, then you obviously don’t need your passport.  Our categories include must-have items, clothing, electronics, and health & beauty.

If you don’t have time to read the whole post, save it to your favorite social media.  If you prefer a print-out version of the checklist, enter your email below and it will come directly to your inbox.

Must-Have Items For Carry On Only Packing List

You definitely don’t want to leave home without your passport if you’re heading out of the country.  Be sure that your passport is up to date and ensure that it won’t expire during your trip.  You want to be sure you can get home!  I always put my passport in one of the small pouches in the front of my bag to ensure I have easy access to it at the airport.  Once I’m through airport security, I then put my passport in a more secure place further inside my bag.

Having an extra identification document, like your driver’s license, never hurts.  Besides, if you’re renting a car at your destination, you will need it anyway.

Boarding Pass

Download your boarding passes to your mobile phone or take a screenshot of it if you’re afraid that you won’t have internet access.

Copies of Your Important Documents

Absolutely make copies of your important document including your passport, debit/credit card, and local ID.  We not only carry copies of these documents with us, we also upload them into a password-protected cloud for easy electronic access if needed.  You will have a much easier time replacing documents if you can prove easily who you are.

Prescription Medication

I don’t think this one needs much explanation.  Make sure that you have your prescription medication and that you have enough pills to get you through the entirety of your trip.

Credit/Debit Cards and Cash

Make sure that you have options when it comes to resources on your trip.  You will definitely want your debit card so that you can access the ATM machines at your destination.  It also never hurts to have some cash on hand.  A little cash can go a long way in a crunch.

Car and House Keys

I know this sounds silly, but be sure that you have your car and house keys with you and that you always keep them in a safe and secure location within your backpack.

Clothing Items

Of course, clothing is a personal choice and will depend on the weather of your travel destination.  The following items are suggestions based upon our travel experiences.  Keep in mind that these are only suggestions. 

You should definitely take the suggested list and make it your own.  If you’re more of a t-shirt and jeans person, then by all means, pack in that direction.  The last thing you want to do is to be uncomfortable while on vacation.

With that in mind, here are some of our clothing suggestions:

• Tops (6 total)
• Pants or Shorts (2)
• Underwear (6)
• Skirts or Dresses (2)
• Sweater/Jacket/Coat (1-only if needed)
• Pajamas or Yoga Pants (1)
• Glasses/Sunglasses
• Scarf or Sarong

We all depend on our technology these days, so don’t leave home without the essentials you need on your trip.  We include our camera equipment, phone, phone chargers, portable power pack, camera batteries, converter, iPad or laptop, and headphones. 

Health and Beauty Items

We pack as few health and beauty items as possible, but there are a few things that I always take with me.  The other items we either purchase once we arrive or use the hotel freebies.  LOL!

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Make-up (very minimal-powder, eyeliner, mascara)
• Non-Rx Meds (Tylenol, Benadryl, etc)

Miscellaneous Items

• Extra ziploc bags
• Journal and pen

Final Thoughts on Carry On Only Travel

If you’ve made it this far into this post, then you are truly committed to this carry on only packing list!  Well then don’t stop now.  Check out the section below where we have linked up some of the exact items that we take on with us on our travels. 

And yes, we only take our backpacks everywhere we go!  I promise, once you’ve done it a couple of times, you will be a pro as well!!

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Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight:

We love using CheapOAir, Kayak, and Kiwi to search for the best flight prices. We love using these search engines because they search the web for airlines worldwide to ensure you get the best deal! In addition to flights, you can also find great hotel prices on Kayak and Kiwi.

Book Your Vacation Package:

If you want to book an entire vacation package, we suggest using Expedia. We love how easy Expedia is to use, and we always find good deals on entire vacation packages on their site.

Another great site for vacation packages is BookVIP . BookVIP offers super cheap vacation packages to incredible destinations. You are sure to save money using their site!

For full guided vacations, including hotels, some meals, transportation, and guides, then we book with Trafalgar. Trafalgar is a trusted tour company that will meet all your needs while ensuring a great experience.

Trip.com allows you to book flights, hotels, train tickets, rental cars, airport transfers, tours, and more all on one site. Owned by the parent company that also owns Skyscanner, this is a trusted resource for travel booking and a great “one-stop shop.”

Book Your Accommodations:

We always begin our search by checking out honest reviews on TripAdvisor hotels. This allows us to narrow our search for specific properties once we are ready to book. Of course, you can also book directly on the TripAdvisor site!

There are several accommodation sites that we like to use. One of our favorites is Booking.com because it offers a wide variety of hotels and guesthouses at a good price.

Another “go-to” hotel booking site for us is Hotels.com . We love their loyalty program that allows you to earn free nights, and their “secret prices” for members are fabulous deals!

HotelsCombined is another cool site. They allow you to compare all the top travel sites with one search to ensure you find the best deal out there. Kayak works in this way as well.

If you want a luxurious all-inclusive vacation, consider checking out the Sandals/Beaches properties. Sandals properties are for couples only and Beaches are for families. We have visited Sandals in the past and absolutely love the attention to detail and the service they provide.

Tour Companies We Trust:

We love taking guided tours when visiting new places. Our go-to tour companies are Viator.com and Get Your Guide . Both of these companies have been in business for years and provide excellent customer service. You can trust booking tours from their sites for sure!

For a guided city tour, check out City Sightseeing and BigBus Tours . These bus tours are so much fun and easy to hop on and hop off at top attractions in cities around the world.

CityPass is a great way to save money when visiting large cities. CityPass allows you to get free admission to major attractions once you buy their pass. The savings add up quickly with this pass, often saving 50% with combined admissions.

Another great pass to save money in larger cities is the Sightseeing Pass . This pass allows you to save valuable time and money by combining admissions to major attractions. They also have a handy app that keeps everything you need at your fingertips.

Looking to Save Time and Money?

Check out our resource page for all of our favorite vendors. These companies help us to save time and money on our travels!

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About the Author

Michelle Snell is a travel writer, history buff, wine lover, and enthusiast of different cultures. Michelle enjoys bringing places to life through creative content creation and her informative writing style on her blogs, That Texas Couple and Totally Texas Travel and accompanying social media accounts.  She is happiest sipping wine in Italy or chilling on a beach with her husband, Marty.

Wednesday 28th of July 2021

Thanks for the helpful advice!

thattexascouple

Thursday 29th of July 2021

Thank you for reading.

Thursday 14th of May 2020

Great list! One thing I have learned to carry on when traveling abroad is at least one outlet converter. There's nothing worse than finally landing after a long flight and being unable to charge my phone or laptop because all of my outlet converters are in my checked baggage!

Saturday 16th of May 2020

This is so very true!!! Thank you!!

Monday 11th of May 2020

I love how this list is so detailed. Especially regarding how much of every piece of clothing to bring. I have only traveled once with a carry-on and that was a domestic flight. I loved that there was no waiting around for luggage. This is very helpful.

Thank you so much for reading. I am so glad you found it helpful!

Holiday House Management Northern Beaches

Monday 26th of November 2018

Before going to anywhere guidance’s is really important. The way you wrote everything that’s so good. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Monday 22nd of October 2018

Great list! I second the scarf. I always carry a scarf shawl, which comes in handy also as a picnic blanket, airplane blanket, etc :)

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Packing light with minimalist travel | How to travel carry-on only

He who would travel happily must travel light .

Table of contents

Less weight on your shoulders through minimalist travel

Minimalist travel – what does it mean?

Embrace the freedom of minimalist travel

Why pack light?

Sustainable benefits of minimalist travel, less stress through minimalist packing, save money by minimalist traveling.

Save money when traveling carry-on only

Tips for minimalist travel & packing

Use the right bag.

On the road with my duffel bag

Make sure the bag fits these criteria:

• Backpack or duffel bag with max. 40 liters –  usually these can be easily stored on buses and they’re allowed as carry-on bags (but if you fly you should always check the airline’s requirements)
• A light bag – if your heavy suitcase already takes up several kilos, you’ll suffer a lot on our trip
• It can be opened completely with a U-shaped zip – so you can easily reach anything inside (stay away from backpacks that only open from the top – this makes it very hard to reach stuff that you packed into the bottom)
• The bag needs a few inside pockets – to organize your things

Here are the duffel bags that I recommend:

• Patagonia Black Hole Duffel (40l) – Die perfekte Duffel von einer meiner Lieblingsmarken mit komplett nachhaltigem Fokus. Lässt sich komplett öffnen, ist robust und wasserabweisend und ist super angenehm, auf dem Rücken zu tragen.
• Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler (40l) – My duffel with which I’ve traveled through Morocco, Portugal, Greece and many other countries. For me it has the perfect size to travel carry-on only. The side pockets and the subdivision by a net inside are also great. Besides, also sustainably produced.
• The North Face Duffel XS (40l) – A dream for all who want to travel minimalist. Totally robust and with practical large mesh as a pocket on the inside of the “cover”.
• North Face Duffel S (50l) – You got a lot of space in here! But this also means that if you want to travel carry-on only with this duffel, you shouldn’t fill it up completely. This way you can squeeze it a little smaller so that it fits into the hand luggage dimensions of most airlines. But we’ve never had any problems with it – even to travel carry-on only.

Packing light with my duffel bag

Know the basics – what’s allowed in your hand luggage

• Liquids in bottles of 100ml max (such as shampoo, make-up, deodorant, hairspray etc) packed in a transparent bag of 1 liter
• Sharp objects with a blade of 6 cm max (such as razors, nail files & scissors)
• Medicine, contact lens solution, hand sanitizer, and baby food (if traveling with a baby) are allowed
• Any liquids with more than 100ml (except meds, contact lens solution, or baby food)
• Any liquids that aren’t packed in a transparent 1-liter bag
• Sharp objects with a blade longer than 6 cm (such as pocket knives or knitting needles) and loose razor blades that aren’t framed in plastic
• Anything that could also be used as a weapon, such as hiking poles or ice skates
• I think I don’t have to go deeper and tell you that weapons, explosive substances, etc. aren’t allowed either, nope not even pepper spray
• Pack everything in a zip bag made of silicone instead of the ones made of plastic – they last much longer and are more environmental-friendly
• Bring a nail clipper instead of scissors
• Solid products (such as shampoo bars, soap, conditioner bars, solid deodorant, body butter bars etc) don’t have to be in your zip bag and are much more environmental-friendly

Solid products like shampoo bars & deodorant sticks don’t need to go into your liquids bag

Only pack for one week

Make a checklist, choose your clothes wisely.

• your favorites
• easy to combine like a “capsule wardrobe” (in terms of colors, shape, and can be worn like an onion on top of each other)
• neutral colors
• crease-resistant
• can be washed together

Neutral colors are easy to combine

Reduce cosmetics

• Instead of different face creams for morning and night just bring one.
• Reduce your make-up, or why not leave it at home completely? (In countries with high humidity it’s better to go without any makeup anyway.)
• Stick to solid products – they’re not just easier to get through security control if you travel carry-on only, more eco-friendly, take up less space and last much longer (I like to bring e.g. a shampoo bar in a small sack or one that already has a string, so it’s easy to hang it and let it dry)
• In case you want to use liquids, fill them into reusable travel-size bottles instead of buying travel-sized samples.
• If you travel with someone else, share the essentials such as shower gel or toothpaste.

A shampoo bar can help you to save lots of space and weight

Pack things that you can use universally

• A tote bag that can help you on many occasions (for grocery shopping, as a beach bag, to pack your dirty clothes, or to keep your socks or underwear separately).
• Coconut oil , apricot seed oil, or another oil that you can use multifunctional (as body lotion with a light natural SPF, as lip balm, to remove make-up, and even to help you with light cuts or injuries due to their anti-inflammatory effect).
• Basic cotton shirts that can be used for sleeping, during the day, or for activities
• A silicon zip bag  for your liquids on the flights if you travel carry-on only, but also for takeaway food
• A thin shawl or scarf that you can wear around your neck when it’s cold on the bus, to cover your shoulders or knees when visiting a temple, and even to lay on the beach

A silicon ziplock bag can be a multi-purpose helper

Bring a reusable water bottle or even a water purifier

A water purifier bottle can be a lifesaver for minimalist travelers

Lifesavers for minimalist travelers

Avoid paper

Leave everything that you “might need” at home.

• Wear the thickest clothes on your flight

Never without warm clothes on a flight

The right way of packing your bag light

Here are a few tips that i find very useful:.

• Use tote bags or packing cubes to have your stuff organized
• Pack heavier things (electronics, cosmetics, books) into the middle – that’s better for your back
• Use a smell-proof laundry bag – You can cram all your dirty clothes in here and the rest of your bag stays fresh
• Pack your liquids, water bottle and laptop where you can easily take them out at the security control
• Also: Bring a second small bag (like a day pack and/or hip bag ) where you can store your documents and most valuable things (like electronics) on your body

Never without my hip bag

How to pack light for two weeks or a normal holiday?

• Get a 40-liter backpack or duffel bag
• Check with the airline to know exactly how much weight and which size is allowed when you travel carry-on only
• You can wash your laundry everywhere, so there’s no need to pack more than for one week
• Choose your clothes so you can easily combine them
• Reduce your cosmetics to the basics and prefer solid items to liquids
• Be creative and pack things that you can use universally
• Bring a water purifier
• Don’t print unnecessarily, but upload your copies into a cloud
• Leave everything that you “might need” at home and sort it out in the end
• Keep in mind the right way and helpful items to pack your back

How to pack light for a month or long-term travel?

With my old Nikon in Asia

Carry-on only packing list

• Duffel bag or 40l backpack
• Raincover for your backpack
• Smell-proof laundry bag – for your dirty clothes
• Hip bag – for your valuables & documents
• Daypack or wetpack (ideally one you can make really small & squeeze in)
• Silicone zip lock bag
• Small travel wallet (with only your credit card(s), health insurance card, ID or passport & some cash)
• Optional: packing cubes
• Optional: padlock (if you’re planning to stay in hostels)
• 2-3 t-shirts
• 2-3 pairs of shorts
• 2 pairs of light, long pants
• Thin rain jacket
• Sports clothes: 1 pair of leggings & 1 sport top
• 7 pairs of underpants (& 2 bras + 1 sports bra for us girls)
• 7 pairs of socks
• 2 Bikinis, swimsuits, or swimming trunks
• A thin shawl or scarf (to wear around your neck, to cover your shoulders or knees in a temple, or to lay on the beach)
• Optional: 1 beach dress or jumpsuit
• Optional (depending on how sunny your destination is): Cap
• Quick-drying travel towel
• Sneakers – a comfy pair in which you can also hike
• A pair of jeans or thicker pants
• Optional: Thin jacket
• Bamboo toothbrush (in a case) & toothpaste
• 2in1 Shampoo & shower bar (in a sisal bag – one that you can also use as soap)
• Conditioner bar  (in a sisal bag / or liquid, refilled in a reusable silicone bottle)
• Solid deodorant
• Scrunchies & bobby pins
• Nail clip or nail file
• For the girls: Tampons, menstrual cup, or menstrual panties
• Hand sanitizer
• Optional: Tweezers
• Optional: A bit of make-up
• Travel tablets (especially if you’re seasick)
• Optional: Mosquito spray (depending on your destination)
• Personal meds
• Smartphone + charger
• Camera + charger
• Headphones (+ charger)
• E-book reader (instead of several books)
• Mosquito bite relief
• Reusable water bottle or water purifier bottle
• Bamboo travel cutlery or mini pocket knife (not possible in hand luggage though)
• Inflatable travel pillow
• Optional (depending on destination): travel adapter
• Boots (wear them on your flight)
• 2 more sweaters
• Thick jacket (wear it on your flight)
• Thermal underwear
• 3 pairs of thick warm socks
• Beanie, scarf, gloves

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What’s unnecessary in my opinion

• Tablet – I learned on my many trips that I can find entertainment in ebooks or on my phone, but mostly I’m exhausted in the evenings and I’d rather process all the new impressions instead of watching anything at night
• Hair dryer – not needed in warm countries; if you can’t go without, look for accommodation with a hairdryer
• Make-up – enjoy being yourself when traveling
• Large shampoo bottles – bars last so much longer
• Lots of medicine – you can find pharmacies all over the world in case you might need something
• Guide books – there’s so much more info in blogs

E-books are the perfect entertainment for minimalist packers

Do you have questions concerning minimalist packing or traveling carry-on only?

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The Ultimate Travel Packing Checklist: What to Pack and Why

Table of contents, introducing your comprehensive travel packing checklist.

I think that one of the most basic questions people ask when preparing for a trip is “What to pack!?” I know first hand how stressful this part can be for any trip. You don’t want to forget something very important and useful, but at the same time you dread the idea of carrying tons of luggage with you. And if you have only one carry-on, then it is a nightmare to make your list short, but efficient. OH and don`t get me started on that most horrific thought, when you are on the airport or on the road and you remember that you forgot THAT important document or item! I swear I have nightmares with this scenario days before I leave for my trip! 

If you find yourself in any of these situations, or you want a complete list with travel items, then you arrived at the best place. Welcome to the ultimate resource for stress-free travel preparations! This comprehensive travel packing checklist is your go-to guide for ensuring that you are fully prepared for your upcoming adventure. From essential clothing items and accessories to vital documents and gadgets, this travel packing checklist has it all. 

I feel like starting a trip by being prepared with anything you need can boost your confidence in the planning department so much. You can begin By making a travel packing checklist. Because who wants to forget their battery charger for their camera? Scarry, right?! 

To help you even more, at the end of this article I’m leaving a simplified list with all the travel items mentioned here. So even if this is a long read for you, just scroll down any time and copy and paste the travel packing checklist on your phone. Or, if you are using Pinterest, you can save the dedicated pin in your board.

Just to let you know… This post (probably) contains affiliate links, including Amazon Associates links, and I may receive a small commission when you click on the links. This is at no extra cost to you and allows me to keep running this website. How cool is that?! I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own.

Simplifying the Packing Process with Essential Items

Packing for a trip should be exciting, not overwhelming. I knew that in theory and in the past I tried to keep that in mind every time I start packing, but as soon as I start adding items in my luggage I become more and more anxious. I thought that I was taking too many clothes, or not the proper shoes, or what if I forget my charger? Or my camera? It never occurred to me that my travel game was missing a travel packing checklist!

In time I started to understand that the key to successful packing is having a checklist that I can adjust for each trip, because every destination is different in terms of weather conditions or the activities that I plan to do. But by having a travel packing checklist I make sure that at least I will have all my travel essentials with me. Also, it liberates me from the anxiety and stress of the “what if…” thought. 

If you find yourself in the same situation and dread making your bags, don’t worry I’m here to simplify this process and streamline your packing routine. I know that every traveler is different and its needs are unique because there are so many types of activities and travel styles, such as backpacking, road-tripping, hiking, going on luxury holidays, cycling and so on. This is why I made this travel packing checklist as complete as possible. And to make it easier for you to design your own checklist, I divided the list into 2 categories: travel must-haves (that are generally required in every trip, no matter the type) and less common, but useful travel items (that apply only in certain situations or destinations).

The goal of this travel packing checklist is for you to say goodbye to the stress of overpacking and underpacking and focus solely on the joy and excitement that a new trip is bringing.

Also, feel free to update the checklist and move things around if you feel like it. Maybe some items in the less common section are must-have for you. So, make it your own.

Travel Essentials: Your Must-Have Packing List

Clothing staples: what to wear for comfort and style.

Depending on your fashion style I suggest you do a little planning in advance and don’t throw every favorite thing from your closet in your luggage. Chances are you are going to wear only half of them, but your luggage is going to be full and difficult to navigate. Believe me, I’ve been there and I hated it, especially when I got home and had to unpack everything. This is why I always start my travel packing checklist with the clothes items.

First of all, find out the weather conditions or the climate of your destination. Second, think about the activities that you are planning to do such as hiking, walking, sunbathing and so on. After that and with the number of days for your trip in mind, you can design your outfits.

For you to master the packing game, try to not take more than you need. For example, if you are going to stay 7 days in a hot place, then take 7 T-shirts or 4 dresses and 3 T-shirts and 3-4 pairs of pants. My advice is to stick to basics, don’t complicate your outfits and most importantly, don’t take items that you usually don’t wear at home because chances are they are uncomfortable or hard to style. The goal during your holiday is to relax and have fun, not stress about uncomfortable outfits. If you are traveling to a cold place, or during winter, then think how you can layer up and combine a few items and create multiple outfits. 

Also, another important tip is to take things that generally go well together. We all have in our closet that skirt that matches only one blouse in our wardrobe. Don’t take that skirt thinking that you are going to wear it, you aren’t, trust me.

In the past I made the mistake of putting things in my luggage thinking “Oh, maybe I will feel like wearing this!”, and repeated it for basically my whole wardrobe. Spoiler alert: I will not. The thing is that when you are traveling you want to spend your time relaxing, exploring and moving around easily, not trying to figure out what to wear. This is why it is so important to have a few things, but easy to match and wear. Planning your outfits before your trip is going to take a huge stress from you. Stick to the travel packing checklist that you already made and you’ll be fine.

That being said, I feel like this couldn’t be a travel packing checklist, without a checklist, so I’m going to write down the most basic items that you should have with you, and build from there:

• Basic T-shirts (especially in colors that are matching most of your pants and shoes, for example white);
• Basic pants (that pair of jeans that fits you perfectly and it can be match with all of your T-shirts);
• Dresses (if you are a female and like wearing them, then I should advice to take a few because you are having an entire outfit with one piece and also, you are going to look cute in photos);
• Underwear (I’m not going to tell you how many panties you should take :)), but try not to overpack);
• Belts (if you need them, not more than 2);
• Hat (if you are visiting a hot destination).

Footwear: Shoes for Every Occasion

I must start this by saying: don’t take too many shoes! Especially those pairs of high heels that make your feet hurt every time. Remember, while traveling comfort is everything, so choose only shoes that are easy to wear and that match most of your outfits. Personally I recommend you take only an extra pair, excluding the ones you are wearing on the day of your departure. 

Preferably, pack the ones that are lighter and wear the ones that are bigger or occupy the most space. Also, if you are planning to go to the beach, then don’t forget to also pack slippers. If you plan to go hiking, then don’t forget to take proper shoes. I know those can be very heavy and bulky, this is why I recommend you wear them on the first day of traveling.

Necessary Accessories: Enhancing Your Outfits

Like I said, you can do many outfits with only a few pieces of clothing, especially if you pack some accessories like a belt or a hat that can give your outfit a different look. Pack smarter and take small items and accessories with you, instead of many clothes.

Documents and IDs: Travel Must-Haves

One of the things that scares me a lot is to forget an important document at home. I mean, I can travel without my favorite dress, but for sure I can’t do it without my passport. I highly recommend having a travel packing checklist for documents, even if you don’t use any other list. 

Most of them you need to have on your phone, but I suggest you download photos of them in a local folder, because there may be occasions when you don’t have access to the internet.

Here is the travel packing checklist for documents and ID’s:

• Passport and/or ID card (make sure you take the one that is required);
• Visa (if it’s required, you will need to check that before your trip);
• Driver’s license (especially if you are planning on renting a car);
• Hotel reservation
• Credit/Debit card and cash (some rentals require you use a credit card, so make sure you have one)
• Travel insurance documents. 

I would like to highlight the importance of having travel insurance, because I feel like people often overlook this aspect. I know I did, because I felt like I paid for nothing thinking that “What are the stakes of something bad happening?!” And happy to report that nothing bad happened, but if it did, well I would have regretted not having travel insurance. Better safe, than sorry. Of course, you don’t need to have an expensive one, but you are going to feel more relaxed and at ease knowing that you have this safety net. 

Summarizing it, here are the main reasons why having travel insurance is important(these depend on the travel insurance particulates):

• financial protection against unexpected expenses;
• coverage for medical emergencies and treatment abroad;
• reimbursement for trip cancellations, delays and interruptions;
• assistance and support 24/7, especially in emergencies;
• tailored coverage for various travel styles and needs
• peace of mind to enjoy a trip worry-free (which is one of the most important ones).

I feel like travel insurance is an affordable investment compared to the potential risks. If you are interested in good travel insurance, then you should check out this link here (or save it for future trips) .

Toiletries and Medications: Staying Fresh and Healthy

Most accommodations offer some sort of toiletries, but generally the quantities aren’t sufficient for your stay. Also, if you have sensitive skin, or prefer to use your own products, then you need to take your essentials. This is why I always include on my travel packing checklist, my  daily products. Make sure you pack everything in approved recipients (especially if you are traveling only with a carry-on). Honestly, I suggest you pack your toiletries in small containers no matter what luggage you have, because you are going to have so much free space left! If you are interested, them check out this ones here . I own this set (see the picture below) and besides the fact that the design is very cute and colorful, they are very easy to use!

Also, it is also recommended you take with you some basic medication in case of emergencies. You are going to find pharmacies, but it’s good to have your own. Especially, if you know that you suffer regularly from stomach pain or migraines or get sunburn very easily.

Here is the travel packing checklist for essential toiletries and medication:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste;
• Shampoo and conditioner (i don’t know about you, but I can’t live without my conditioner);
• Skincare products (i suggest you take only the basic one like cleanser, serum and cream);
• Travel-size first aid kit (with medication for usual pains and also for common problems like diarrhea or sunburns);
• Tampons (if you are a girl).

If you are looking for approved containers for your toiletries, then check out these cute ones, here . These are the ones I own and I love the quality and the design of them.  Also, I find this set of medication bags amazing! The bigger one is perfect for long vacations and the smaller one is ideal if you want to have medication with you all the time. I put in them the medication for the whole family, including for my baby and it’s amazing how great fits in my luggage. You should check them out !

Gadgets and Tech: Enhancing Connectivity and Exploration

Depending on your travel style and preferences, this travel packing checklist may differ, but this list contains the most common items that travelers need on their adventures:

• Smartphone and charger
• Power bank (so useful when you spend your days roaming the streets or hiking and it’s hard to keep your phone and devices working)
• Universal travel adapter (check out this travel adapter that is a best seller on Amazon!)
• Headphones or earbuds (I recommend noise cancellation ones, like this ones )
• Camera and accessories like batteries and memory cards (if you are a photographer or like to take tons of photos)
• Laptop or tablet (if you work remote, or enjoy watching movies during your travels)
• Travel-size cable organizer (if you want to master the packing game, then you need a nice cable organizer, otherwise you are going to have an entanglement of cables in your backpack and it’s so annoying).

If you are interested in a really nice and useful travel-size cable organizer, then you should check out this one, here .

Enhance Your Journey: Less Common, Yet Essential Items

Packing aids: organizers, compression bags, and more.

If you want to become an advanced travel packer and simplify your life during your adventures, then you need to invest in some travel organizers, compression bags and similar items. Add them to your travel packing checklist and you are going to see a huge difference. There are a lot of products available on the market, but before you go and buy all of them, think about your needs and what is missing from your travel packing game.

If you are interested, here are my favorite products to use for organizing my bags:

• Veken 8 Set Packing Cubes for Suitcases
• BAGAIL 8 Set Packing Cubes Luggage Packing Organizers
• BAGAIL 4 Set/5 Set/6 Set Compression Packing Cubes
• BAGSMART Toiletry Bag Travel Bag with Hanging Hook
• Travel Cable Organizer Bag Pouch

Tech and Gadgets: Innovative Tools for Smooth Travels

If you are a passionate photographer, travel blogger, content creator, then you will need extra gear with you during your travel, such as:

• Additional camera accessories (tripod, lentils for different scenarios);

Comfort Boosters: Neck Pillows, Eye Masks, and beyond

The items that I included in this subcategory seem insignificant or things that are obvious, but people tend to overlook them, or forget about them,

Here is the travel packing checklist for comfort boosters:

• Neck pillow 

So useful when you are going on long flights.  Sleeping in the plane without one is very uncomfortable.

• Bag for dirty clothes

Believe me, you don’t want to throw your dirty clothes in your suitcase and create a mess. Having a bag for dirty clothes will keep everything organized and tight. 

• Hand sanitizer and wet wipes

These are so important to have in your small bag or carry on. Chances are you are going to touch a lot of things and you will want to clean your hands before lunch or having a snack. If you put them on your travel packing checklist you are going to thank me, I assure you.

• Kindle or a physical book

If you love reading, as much as I do, then maybe you should move this one to the essential travel items. My Kindle is always part of my travel packing checklist, no matter if I leave for the weekend or a couple of weeks.

• Portable luggage scale

Even if you are going to weigh your luggage before your trip, if you are planning to shop during your trip, then having a portable luggage scale can save you the headache from the airport. You can check out this one , which is an Amazon best seller.

If you are flying long hours chances are your eyes are going to go very dry. Also, if you skip sleep during your travels, then applying a eye mask can be a life charger, because you are going to look and feel better afterwards;

• Portable wifi Hotspot Device

If you are someone that watches a lot of movies during holiday, or doing remote work, then having this device will improve your work for sure.

• Recycled water bottle

If you are always on the road or on long hikes, having a water bottle with you is a must. If you are thinking of investing in a good quality water bottle, I highly encourage you to buy one that is made from recycled or natural elements. 

• Travel planner

If you are like me and love to plan your itinerary or travel plans using a pen and paper, then a great travel planner is a must. My favorite one that I’m using at the moment is amazing and I recommend it because it’s easy to carry in your backpack, has dedicated pages to planning and writing impressions of your destinations. You can check it out here .

Plan and Pack: Your Stress-Free Travel Prep

The convenience of a checklist: simplifying packing.

The first step in setting up for success in the travel packing game is to make a checklist. Even if you hate making lists (I got you, if that’s the case), having a travel packing checklist is going to take so much of the pressure and stress of getting ready for your trip. Also, putting things on paper or writing on an app will clear your head and program your mind to stick to the essential items only. In the long run you are going to travel lighter and smarter, while also having all the items that you need for comfort and pleasure with you. Also, keep in mind that you need to leave some free space in your luggage. If you are like me, then chances are that you are going to buy souvenirs that will serve you as reminders of your destinations. 

What is also fun about having a travel packing checklist is that you are going to learn to be more organized and maybe learn to enjoy this whole process.

Tailoring Your Packing to the Destination and Duration

If you want to make the best and most efficient travel packing checklist, you need to take into consideration the destination and the duration. With these two in mind you can start to plan your outfits depending on the weather and the particularities of your trip. And of course, you are going to think about the duration, because it is so easy to overpack when you don’t think about the number of days.

Your travel packing checklist

As promised here is your travel packing checklist. Feel free to copy it and use it as it is, or adjust it to your own needs.

Must-haves:

Clothing items:

• Basic T-shirts 
• Basic pants 

Documents and IDs:

• Passport and/or ID card 
• Driver’s license 
• Credit/Debit card and cash 

Toiletries and Medications: 

• Shampoo and conditioner 
• Skincare products (cleanser, serum and cream);

Gadgets and Tech: 

• Power bank 
• Universal travel adapter 
• Headphones or earbuds 
• Camera and accessories like batteries and memory cards 
• Travel-size cable organizer 

Less common, but important:

Tech and Gadgets: 

Comfort Boosters:

• Portable Wifi Hotspot Device

Conclusion: Ready to Pack for Your Next Adventure?

I know how excited I get every time I think about a future trip, but the planning and preparations that come after you book your vacation can be a joy killer.

With time, I discovered that it is better to take my time and put some effort in writing a travel packing checklist before I start to throw things in my luggage. Being organized during your trips will make you enjoy the journey more and not worry about the logistics. 

I hope that this article with my travel packing checklist helped you design a stress free vacation mentality in the future. Feel free to leave a comment and let me know if you think  I should add more items to this checklist. 

Also, if you are looking for some travel inspiration or you are in need of finding a new amazing destination, then I suggest you check out my travel guides .

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The ultimate carry-on only packing list.

Need a little help packing light? Every time I travel with the carry-on, making a list really helps me! And with this new carry-on bag packing list, you will remember all the essentials for your trip, wherever you’re going!

Carry-on Packing Tips

Packing right is so important: if you forget an essential item, you will be scrambling to find the nearest store in your destination instead of enjoying your trip to the fullest. However, if you pack too much, you’ll be burdened with heavy bags and will be paying extra for the airline baggage fees. So I would like to use some of the most useful carry-on packing rules that every traveler should learn.

1. Check Your Airline’s Baggage-fee Policy

Figuring out the airlines’ baggage-fee policies is key to any budget packing strategy. More and more airlines offer cheaper and basic fares for flights and baggage fee policies change often. So, if you haven’t flown with an airline for a while, you should check the airline website, chances are, fees could change. This is something you should do before you buy your plane ticket. Pay even more attention to budget airlines, including Spirit Airlines and Frontier, they can charge up to $100 for carry-on bags! 

2. Don’t Fold, Roll 

Rolling is way more efficient than folding. Plus, your clothes will be less prone to getting deep wrinkles from fold creases.

3. Make a Packing List (Or Use Mine)

Start your packing process a few days ahead of your departure date; this gives you time to make a complete list (by using my list below) and purchase any items you might need for your trip. A packing list is a fail-safe way to ensure that you never forget anything important.

4. Remember the 3-1-1 Rule

If you don’t follow the TSA 3-1-1 rule for carry-on luggage and bring a large bottle of shampoo through security, the TSA will likely confiscate your stuff which will hold you up in line. Get familiar with the TSA rules: the most important one is that all liquids brought in the carry-on must be in 3.4-ounce bottles or smaller and inside a single, clear, quart-size zip-top bag.

To find out what is considered liquids or gels by TSA, use the 3-1-1 rule. A simple reminder: foods such as peanut butter, pudding, mashed potatoes and items like mascara, lip gloss, and aerosol items are classified as liquids or gels. Read more on that on the TSA Website . 

5. Bring Your Personal Item 

Most airlines permit travelers to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item onboard. This personal item is subject to specific size requirements, which vary by airline, but something like a purse, laptop bag, or backpack is usually acceptable. Again, check the airline website for more information and pay special attention to budget airlines. 

Don’t waste your personal item on a tiny purse. I usually bring a larger bag that I can put under the seat and put a smaller bag inside it. This will come in handy for keeping all of the things I’ll need to be on hand during the flight. 

6. Use Packing Hacks

My all-time favorite packing hack is the compression sacs . These are essential for traveling with a carry-on. The will shrivel your clothes into a vacuum-packed, tiny, tight bundle that takes up minimal space. I also like to take my packing cubes and the toiletry organizer for easier organization.

Carry-On Bag Packing List

Use my packing list below to stay organized and be on top of it: 

Carry-on Essentials:

• Passport/visa
• Copies of important documents
• Identification/School ID
• Boarding pass/tickets
• Insurance cards
• Electronics chargers
• Voltage adapter
• Credit cards

Clothes and Shoes

• Undershirts/bras
• Dress shirt
• Casual shirts
• Swimsuits and cover-ups
• Coat/rain jacket
• Leisure shoes
• Hiking/athletic shoes
• Dress shoes
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Small purse
• Toiletry Bag

Winter Carry-on Packing Extras:

• Snow/rain boots (wear your bulkiest pair on the plane)
• Sweaters/sweatshirts

Toiletry Bag Packing List

Remember, that the liquids should be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces and fit into a clear, quart-size, zip-top plastic bag. Learn more about TSA rules . 

• Dental floss
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Hairstyling appliances
• Facial cleanser
• Face lotion/gel/etc.
• Moisturizer
• Contact lenses/solution
• Shaving supplies
• Makeup remover
• Feminine-hygiene products
• Nail file/clippers
• Hand sanitizer
• Medications
• Thermometer

Don’t Forget These

• Chewing gum

Sometimes you need a lot more than a small carry-on! If that’s the case, use my awesome printable and editable Packing List Template !

Feel free to print out and save the packing list and let me know in the comments what tips do you use for packing light!

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This is a helpful list for anybody who travels. No matter how often I travel, I always forget something. Even if I make a list, I still forget something. Thanks!

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Ultimate Travel Packing List (Free PDF)

• Packing List
• 7-day Trip Packing List
• Tips and Tricks

Ultimate Travel Packing List

Are you getting ready for your next big adventure and feeling overwhelmed by the thought of packing for your trip? You’re not alone! Packing for a trip can be a daunting task, especially if you’re unsure of what to bring. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate travel packing list to help you be prepared for any situation.

Whether you’re going on a beach vacation or a backpacking trip, this comprehensive list covers everything you’ll need to make your journey as comfortable and stress-free as possible. From essentials like clothing and toiletries to must-have items like a good book and a power bank, this list has got you covered.

We’ve also included tips and tricks for packing efficiently and making the most out of limited space, so you can fit everything you need in just one bag. Trust us, with this list, you’ll be able to pack like a pro and enjoy your trip to the fullest.

So, before you start throwing things into your suitcase, take a look at our ultimate travel packing list and make sure you have everything you need for your next great adventure !

Stay up to date and never miss out.

It’s important to consider the climate of your destination at the time you travel and any cultural norms to consider.

Daily Wear and Accessories for Travel:

• Button-up shirts
• Comfortable shoes
• Glasses and case
• Hiking shoes
• Leisure shoes
• Everyday shoes

Beach clothes and accessories:

• Thongs or sandals
• Rash shirt or wetsuit
• Beach towel

Cold-weather clothes and accessories:

• Warm jacket
• Travel umbrella
• Rain jacket

Electronics

We carry a number of devices with us when we travel, from eReaders and laptops and digital cameras. Also, don’t forget the charger!

• Memory card
• Polarized filters

You need to carry some basic cosmetics while you are traveling:

• Moisturizer
• Body lotion
• Hand sanitizer
• Contact lenses
• Contact solution
• Nail clippers

You should carry some mandatory documents with you like:

• Business cards
• Credit Card
• Permissions
• Travel Insurance

You should print your key documents off before traveling, if possible, including:

• Hotel confirmations
• Airbnb reservations

You can also carry some other basic things like:

• Necessary medicine
• Some dry food
• Neck pillow
• First aid kit 

What should you pack for a 7-day trip?

If you’re still new to travel and clueless about how it all works, then this blog will help you with that. Be sure to share this 7-day trip packing list with your travel partner and make your life more exciting and a little less complicated. First, find the best travel suitcase for your 7-days trip. 

Essentials Packing List

• ID (driver’s license for local trips, passport for international) 
• Airline tickets
• Itinerary/accommodation/transportation confirmations 
• Medical insurance coverage (copies) 
• Prescriptions or medications 
• Phone or laptop  

Useful Carry-on Items

• Electronics (phone, computer, camera) 
• Chargers + adapters 
• Portable charger  
• Snacks (dried fruit, granola, popcorn, crackers) 
• Sunglasses + prescription glasses 
• Ear plugs + neck pillow  
• Notebook + pen 
• Toiletries (under 3oz: toothbrush + paste, deodorant, hairbrush, face wipes, tissues, makeup, razors, nail clippers, shampoos and soaps, lotions, perfumes or colognes, chapstick, hair ties) 
• Change of clothes 

Tips on packing clothes

Now it’s time to pack your bag.

• Check your list and lay out everything where you can see it. Do not add anything to this. 
• Roll it up: T-shirts and shorts should both be rolled to save space and reduce wrinkling. Start with a flat surface with a shirt face down. Fold the arms back so you have a perfect square. Fold in half vertically. Now roll from bottom to top. 
• Fold and go: Heavier materials, like khakis and sweaters, should be folded into squares.
• Bag it: For underwear and delicate items like bathing suits, use mesh underwear bags that will allow security to see your items without touching them and keep smaller items organized.
• Dress up. For dresses, skirts, blouses, or dress shirts, place each item on a hanger and place it in individual plastic dry cleaner bags. This keeps clothes wrinkle-free and organized.
• Now you are ready to pack your bags. Stack the square shapes first, then the rolled items around those. Shoes and flip-flops tuck in the corner. Socks can be placed on shoes or bare. Place your cosmetic bag on top of your neatly folded clothes so you can easily reach them for a separate screening. Then place your plastic wrap over the dress and fold them to fit in the bag.

Tips on packing electronics

• Labeling your items and cables
• Take batteries out of all electronics and remotes so they don’t overheat and leak. Keep all your batteries together in one place.
• Charge up all your rechargeable batteries a couple of days before you move.
• Secure them in a plastic, dust-proof bag.

Tips on packing carry-on

• First, organize your carry-on packing list
• Check Size and weight(All airlines have their own policies regarding carry-on weight)
• You need to maximize your outfits while you are packing carry-on only
• Don’t forget to measure the carry-on weight
• Be selective about your footwear

Tips on packing the backpack

Some tips on packing the backpack:

• Use your compression straps to bring the load closer to your body and keep everything in place.
• Distribute the weight equally between the left and right sides.
• You can divide your tent into the body, fly, and poles so that each person can take a portion of the tent
• Keep frequently used items like your GPS, map, camera, water bottle, sunscreen, or snacks in an easily accessible place like a side pocket or top pocket.
• When you’re hiking on easy terrain, pack heavy items a little higher for better posture.
• You can place heavy items on the bottom which helps give you better balance.
• Stuff sacks allow you to quickly pack and unpack your gear and find what you need. 
• Use your containers as sturdy metal stuff sacks to protect delicate items.
• Make sure all items that don’t get wet are waterproof and all liquids are sealed very well.
• Pack your food on top of your fuel bottle.

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The Perfect International Travel Packing List (+ Downloadable PDF)

Creating a packing list for your first international trip depends on various factors, like your destination, the duration of your trip, the season, and personal preferences. However, there are some things you’ll always need to put on your list, especially for a first time international travel packing list.

I’ve been to  over 30 countries  and can say, there are items you’ll always need and some you’ll need depending on where your going. That’s why I’ve also created a downloadable PDF of this international travel packing list with the ability to check things off your list and add your own additional items.

I hope this packing list will make planning your trip just a little bit easier! I know how much planning goes into your first international trip so if this is your first international trip or tenth, I’m excited for you! Cheers to traveling more and exploring the world.

If you want to download this, I have it for free in my  subscriber only resources ! It’s an editable PDF perfect for helping you plan your trip.

Table of Contents

Packing Tips

International travel means longer flights and ensuring that you are comfortable during your flight. Another challenge that comes with that is how easy it is to overpack in your checked luggage. Still, another challenge is carrying your bags around if you’re staying in historic places or are taking a lot of public transit/walking everywhere. Let’s tackle these challenges with some packing tips!

• Keep yourself comfortable on your long flight with a small bag of essentials that fits under your seat. I recommend bringing compression socks , a neck pillow/blanket , noise-canceling headphones , and wearing comfortable clothes. Plus, any electronics, a portable charger , your passport, and your wallet so they are always in your sight and on your person.
• Pack carry-on only if you can. It will save time and potentially money on bag fees. Plus, it will make packing and unpacking easier. You don’t have to worry about organizing as many things or overpacking. It helps you keep focused on what you need!
• I f you can’t pack carry-on only, bring your essentials in your carry-on . I recommend a few toiletries (toothbrush + toothpaste, hairbrush) and one set of clothes with you in your carry-on. Just in case. There’s nothing worse than getting to your destination, wanting to shower, and then your bag being lost (this happened to me in Peru ). Almost every hotel has shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, so those aren’t necessary unless you’re doing carry-on only.
• I would recommend no more than one carry-on bag that fits under your seat and one checked bag. It can be a lot to try to carry a big bag or a lot of stuff around with you!
• Don’t overpack – instead, plan your outfits. If you plan out your outfits and only bring things for those outfits, you’ll keep yourself from bringing too much. It’s easy when you are going somewhere new or international for the first time to want to bring a lot.
• Be aware of where you are staying when choosing a bag or bags to bring. Many historic hotels and areas do not have elevators. You may have to carry your bag up a few flights of stairs or up small side streets to reach where you are staying. A bag that you can easily carry is key! I recommend this bag from Patagonia . I love it so much, and they offer it in carry-on size!
• Utilize packing cubes to keep your things organized and your outfits clean.

Best Bags and Organization Items for your First Time International Travel Packing List

Yes, you need a packing list, but do you have a bag that will work well on your international trip? You’ll want something durable, easy to carry, and that you can use over and over. Here are my personal favorites.

Organization Packing Items

• Hanging Toiletries Bag : Many parts of the world (including cruise ships on the high seas) will not come with tons of storage space or large countertops.
• TSA Approved Travel bottles : perfect so you don’t have to throw out your favorite self-care products at the security check.
• Toiletry Bag : Easy to pack and water-resistant, this is a great toiletry bag. Comes in several colors.
• Packing Cubes : Packing cubes are a great way to organize your bag and make the most of the space in a larger bag.
• Travel Compression Bags : Use these bags to save space in your bag when traveling.
• Pill organizer : Great option for a travel first aid kit if you don’t want to buy the travel size of each medicine you’d like to bring or have prescriptions you take.
• Jewelry organizer : Great for keeping all your little pieces easy to get to and organized on a trip. This is something I held off on buying for a long time but now love having on trips!

Carry On Options

• North Face Backpack : Plenty of pockets and room as an under-the-seat carry-on.
• Black Hole® Duffel Bag 55L : My personal favorite and current carry-on bag. This is a great option if you want to bring just one carry-on.
• Travel Vest : If you bring the duffle, a great alternative to a second bag is this travel vest.
• Small Duffle Bag : This bag will fit under the seat while you’re traveling and hold your essentials. You can easily put it on top of the hard case luggage linked above for easy carrying.
• Hard case roller bag : Durable and easy to clean, hard case luggage is another great option.

Checked Bags

• Hard case luggage set :  consider getting a set with a carry-on and checked bags. Durable, easy to clean, and organization built in.

Essentials for International Travel

• Passport and visa : Ensure they are valid for the entire duration of your trip. Most places require your passport to be valid 6 months before the trip. Ensure you’re good to go!
• Travel insurance : Including health insurance, if not covered by your regular policy. Medical costs can be very different depending on the country you visit, it’s worth researching ahead of your trip what you need.
• Flight tickets and itinerary : Print or digital copies. I like to have a digital copy and send it to a friend/family for reference in case.
• Hotel reservations : Confirmation details.
• Money : Cash and credit/debit cards. Make sure you are aware of any foreign transaction fees. I recommend having some cash in local currency on hand before your trip (most banks will do this for you free of charge or for a small fee) and using ATMs (if they are reliable in the country you are visiting).
• Travel adapter and voltage converter : Ensure it’s suitable for your destination by researching the compatibility.
• Prescription medications : Carry enough for the entire trip. Keep these in your carry-on.
• Weather-appropriate clothing : Consider the climate of your destination. One outfit per day unless doing a hike or outdoor activity. Then an extra outdoor outfit for that day.
• Underwear and socks : One pair for each day.
• Pajamas: recommend one for every two to three days
• Comfortable walking shoes : Especially if you plan to explore on foot.
• Swimwear : Even if you’re not going to a warm destination, you may want one! If you are doing water activities two days in a row, pack two.
• Hat and sunglasse s

Toiletries and Personal Care

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Shampoo and conditioner (in travel bottles )
• Soap or body wash
• Hairbrush/comb
• Straightener Curler Combo
• Lip balm with SPF
• Personal hygiene items
• Prescription glasses or contact lenses

Miscellaneous

• Travel-sized laundry detergent
• Reusable ziplock bags : Useful for various purposes
• Travel-size sewing kit
• Travel-size first aid kit : add Blister Pads , Immodium , Pepto Bismol , Benadryl  , and Advil
• Door Stop   (for safety)
• Foldable Backpack (for day trips)
• Travel lock

Electronics

• Phone and charger
• Laptop/tablet and charger
• Portable Charger with Fast Charging Technology :
• Camera  for photos
• Noise-canceling headphones

In your Carry On (beyond electronics)

• Travel pillow/blanket (use code megelise for 15% off!
• Entertainment: Books, magazines, or e-reader
• Notebook and pen

Here is the downloadable and editable first time international travel packing list! Remember to customize this list based on your specific destination, the duration of your trip, and any unique needs you may have. Planning ahead will help ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey!

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Vacation Outfit Planner: Free Downloadable + Editable Outfit Planner

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The Best Packing Cubes to Keep Your Suitcase Organized

By Kristi Kellogg and Meaghan Kenny

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

We have two main priorities when it comes to packing : saving space and staying organized. The solution to both? Investing in a set of the best packing cubes. Whether you're headed on a low-key weekend away or a weeklong European adventure , these thoughtfully designed cubes help manage even the most unwieldy of travel wardrobes . The great thing about packing cubes is how versatile they are: Use them to organize your belongings by garment type, to keep complete outfits together, to separate clean clothes from dirty clothes, or to hold your shoes.

Our editors tested some of the most popular packing cubes on the market to determine which are actually worth buying. We considered their size, how much they hold, how compressive they are, and any other useful features that make them stand out. Ahead, discover 13 of the best packing cubes that will make your suitcase a whole lot neater.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Shop our top picks:

• The best compressive cubes: Béis compression packing cubes
• The best for customization: Paravel packing cube quad
• The best colorways: Calpak packing cubes
• The best for camping: REI Co-op expandable packing cube set
• The best Amazon find: Amazon Basics packing cubes

The new compressive packing cubes from Béis have quickly become my go-tos. The six-piece set comes with two extra large cubes for bulky items like sweaters and jeans, four standard-size packing cubes for shirts, underwear, and athleisure, and a sheet of labels. I appreciate that each cube has a clear window where the labels can be easily replaced depending on what I pack for each trip. They feature extra zippers that allow the cubes to be expanded or compressed, making them a great option for both short and long trips. Available in black and the brand's signature shade of beige, they look good inside every suitcase. — Meaghan Kenny

Why we chose it: Compressive design, sleek look, and convenient pre-made labels

The sophisticated packer will love this stylish four-piece set from Paravel, a favorite of Condé Nast Traveler articles director Lale Arikoglu , that features a sleek design and peek-a-boo mesh windows. Up the style with a bespoke monogram for an additional $25. As an added boon, the eco-friendly nylon material is made out of upcycled plastic water bottles.

Why we chose it: Customizable, made of recycled materials

Another one of the best packing cube sets comes from Calpak . The five-pack includes large cubes for bulky items, medium cubes for shirts and undergarments, and one water-resistant envelope pouch for dirty clothes or wet bathing suits. These are your classic packing cubes—they're not compressive, but they're lightweight, lay completely flat when empty, and do the trick at keeping your suitcase sorted. There's a small window where you can add your own label to help identify the right packing cube, too.

Why we chose it: Available in over a dozen fun colors and patterns

Whether you’re headed on a business trip or camping adventure , these sturdy, best-selling packing cubes from REI have you covered. They’re made of a durable ripstop nylon and feature polyester mesh. We love the loops at the top that can be used as carrying handles or to hang them up to dry after you’ve tossed them in the wash.

Why we chose it: Expansion zipper and durable water-repellent finish

This under-$25 set of packing cubes from Amazon is among our top sets for travel. Not only has it racked up nearly 40,000 ratings and an average of 4.7 stars, it's a favorite of executive editor Erin Florio . “I love how spacious they are. I used them on a recent eight-day trip across a few climates and I was easily able to sort my different outfits and keep track of my dirty laundry,” she says. Enjoy smart features like double zippers, carrying handles, and mesh top panels to see what's inside. This set of four certainly doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it gets the job done and holds enough for a long vacation.

Why we chose it : Affordable, lightweight, and easy to carry

More packing cubes we recommend:

If you're headed somewhere warm and plan to pack lightweight clothes, say a long weekend in Montauk or an island getaway , these Eagle Creek packing cubes are a solid, no-frills choice. This set comes with three pouches, sized extra small, small, and medium. These were tested by senior commerce editor Madison Flager , who says they're best used for lightweight clothes you can roll up or fold flat, like athletic clothes and T-shirts. “I find the extra small size is well-suited for underwear (about a week's worth, more than I thought could fit on first glance) or socks (around five ankle or no-shows, or two pairs of thicker socks). The small is good for T-shirts (three to five), and the biggest size, the medium, can accommodate one or two pairs of pants or two to three lighter sweaters,” Flager says. She admits she'll gravitate toward larger packing cubes like the Paravel set for extended trips, but will pull these out for weekend trips and overnights.

Why we chose it : Super lightweight, machine washable, and water-resistant

If you're an overpacker, choose a compressible set like these. This set from Monos features a zipper that closes around each cube, plus another zipper that allows you to squeeze everything down after the first one is shut. These fit a ton of clothing—more than any other cubes I've tried, so I typically whip these out for a weeklong vacation or when I'm traveling abroad. I love that the mesh panels allow me to see what's inside without having to open each one—this makes getting dressed on-the-go so easy. If you prefer a more colorful set, snag them in bright shades like banana budding or purple icing. —M.K.

Why we chose it: Water- and tear-resistant nylon, breathable mesh top panels

When it comes to design, SteamLine's luggage and travel accessories always stand out—and this applies to the brand's vibrant packing cubes, too. This set of four comes with three different sizes, all made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles. Commerce producer Paris Wilson gravitates toward these for shorter trips when she has limited space with a carry-on or duffel bag. “The material is durable yet soft and very easy to fold up and store in your closet when you’re not traveling,” Wilson says. She also notes that the zippers glide easily and that these packing cubes are machine washable.

Why we chose it : Vibrant patterns, a transparent window in each cube

One extremely cool feature of the Peak Design cubes is that each one has an internal divider, which means you can separate clean and dirty garments within the cube itself (or just further compartmentalize your items). The cubes are made from a sturdy nylon and poly blend, and feature two-way zippers plus a tear-away zipper that allows you to fully open the pack in less than a second, should you need instant access. The three-piece set (which includes a small cube, a medium cube, and a shoe pouch) is seen here, but you can also purchase these in a six- or eight-piece set, or purchase bags individually to fit your exact needs.

Why we chose it: Internal dividers that offer additional flexibility when you pack

This budget-friendly set of compressible packing cubes comes with one large cube, two medium size cubes, two small cubes, and one flat shoe bag. These are a go-to of commerce bookings editor Jamie Spain —but she warns these are pretty spacious, making them ideal for weeklong trips rather than weekend getaways or overnight stays. She likes these packing cubes for the smooth zippers and compressible, nylon material that's easy to manipulate in a tight suitcase. If you don't need a whole new set, you can also purchase Bagsmart cubes in a set of two or four.

Why we chose it : Affordable price point, available in several bright colors, flat shoe bag included

We tested several Amazon packing cubes and only the highest quality ones made it onto this list. We can attest that the material of the Bagail packing cubes is durable, lightweight, and easy to clean. The six-piece set, an Amazon bestseller, features three sizes, with two cubes in each size. Use them all yourself, or split them up with a partner or kids so you can better organize your suitcase. Another feature we like: The mesh tops that allow you to see straight into the cube.

Why we chose it: Easy to share among travel buddies

Another competitively priced set, these organizers have such rave reviews on Amazon that we had to try them—and they didn’t disappoint. The ultralight cubes are impeccably designed. The mesh panels on top allow you to easily identify your items, and the nylon material is durable and water-resistant, in case you’re anything spills. Between the four cubes, there’s enough room to pack clothing for trips up to 14 days. In the large cube alone, we were able to fit four pairs of bulky sweatpants, three pairs of jeans, and two pairs of leggings—and it all zipped up with ease.

Why we chose it: Great for longer trips, comes with a laundry bag

These budget-friendly packing cubes from Amazon are compressive, helping you save on space in your suitcase. After packing up a cube, we were able to shrink it down by three inches—which goes a long way, especially if you’re trying to fit everything into a carry-on or a single duffel. Other features include a double zipper, nylon material, and a carrying loop at the top.

Why we chose it: Affordable price point

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Security Screening

TSA incorporates unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen, to accomplish our transportation security mission.

Security measures begin long before you arrive at the airport. TSA works closely with the intelligence and law enforcement communities to share information. Additional security measures are in place from the time you get to the airport until you get to your destination.

TSA adjusts processes and procedures to meet the evolving threat and to achieve the highest levels of transportation security. Because of this, you may notice changes in our procedures from time to time.

TSA counts on the traveling public to report unattended bags or packages; individuals in possession of a threatening item; and persons trying to enter a restricted area or similar suspicious activities at airports, train stations, bus stops and ports. If You See Something, Say Something™ . Report suspicious activity to local law enforcement.

Passenger screening at the airport is part of TSA’s layered approach to security to get you safely to your destination. TSA’s screening procedures are intended to prevent prohibited items and other threats to transportation security from entering the sterile area of the airport and are developed in response to information on threats to transportation security. Learn more by viewing this timeline of transportation security events and measures .

Carry-on Baggage Screening

Carry-on Baggage Screening in Standard Lanes TSA screens approximately 3.3 million carry-on bags for explosives and other dangerous items daily. Here’s what to expect when taking your carry-on bag through security screening next time you fly.

Electronics You will be asked to remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from your carry-on bag and place them into a bin with nothing placed on or under them for X-ray screening.

Common examples of these devices include laptops, tablets, e-readers and handheld game consoles.

This does not include items such as hair dryers, electric shavers or electric toothbrushes.

Food Listen to the instructions of the TSA officer. In most cases, food or snacks such as fruit, health bars, and sandwiches can stay inside your carry-on bag. There are special instructions for liquids, gels, and aerosols, as well as for baby food, breast milk and medically necessary items.

A TSA officer will be available to guide you through the process.

Packing If you are preparing for your flight, be aware that how and what you pack can impact the screening process. Be sure that you check for prohibited items and remember to follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule .

In addition to screening personal electronic devices separately, including laptops, tablets, e-readers and handheld game consoles, TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate other items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.

We recommend keeping your bag organized to help ease the screening process as it takes time for TSA officers to make sure a jam-packed, cluttered, overstuffed bag is safe.

Check out our travel tips page for more packing and screening tips.

Checked Baggage Screening

TSA screens approximately 1.3 million checked bags for explosives and other dangerous items daily. Upon check in, your checked baggage will be provided to TSA for security screening. Once the screening process has completed, your airline will transport your checked baggage on your respective flight as well as deliver it to the baggage claim area. The majority of checked baggage is screened without the need for a physical bag search.

Inspection Notices : TSA may inspect your checked baggage during the screening process. If your property is physically inspected, TSA will place a notice of baggage inspection inside your bag. This is to inform you that an officer conducted an inspection of your property.

Claims : If your property is lost or damaged during the screening process, you may file a claim with TSA. If your property is lost or damaged during transport to the plane or baggage claim, please contact your airline.

Locks : TSA has been provided universal "master" keys under agreements with Safe Skies Luggage Locks and Travel Sentry so that certain branded locks may not have to be cut to inspect baggage. These locks are commercially available, and packaging on the locks should indicate they may be opened by TSA officers. TSA has no position on the validity or effectiveness of these product as a security measure and will be forced to remove these products if necessary during the inspection.

Monitoring : Responsibilities for access control and video monitoring of checked baggage facilities fall to individual airports as part of their security plan. Methods of monitoring vary from airport to airport and may include CCTV.

International Flights

TSA works closely with international partners to maintain aviation security standards abroad.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is actively working to raise the baseline for aviation security across the globe by requiring the implementation of enhanced security measures, both seen and unseen, at approximately 280 foreign airports with direct commercial flights to the U.S., in more than 100 countries around the world. Read about the security measures and FAQ for more information on aviation security worldwide.

What to Expect If you are flying from any of the last-point-of-departure airports into the U.S., you may experience a more extensive screening process and should prepare for additional screening of your property and personal electronic devices. We recommend arriving early to the airport to allow enough time for the screening process. Please know, there are no changes to items allowed in carry-on and checked baggage.

For your convenience, we encourage you to place powder-like substances over 12 oz. / 350 mL in your checked bags. Powders in carry-on baggage may require secondary screening, and powders that cannot be resolved by security officials will be prohibited from the cabin of the aircraft effective June 30, 2018.

Check with your airline if you have questions about your flight to the U.S.

Electronics Restriction There are currently no airlines under restrictions for large personal electronic devices.

Overseas Foods & Goods Visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Know Before You Go page for information on what you can bring upon entry to the U.S.

Hazardous Materials Most hazardous materials are forbidden in carry-on and checked baggage. There are a few exceptions for some personal items such as toiletries, medicines, battery powered electronics and assistive devices. To learn about transporting hazardous materials to the U.S., check the Federal Aviation Administration Pack Safe list .

Pat-Down Screening

Pat-down procedures are used to determine whether prohibited items or other threats to transportation security are concealed on the person. You may be required to undergo a pat-down procedure if the screening technology alarms, as part of unpredictable security measures, for enhanced screening, or as an alternative to other types of screening, such as advanced imaging technology screening. Even passengers who normally receive expedited screening, such as TSA PreCheck™ passengers, may at times receive a pat-down.

A pat-down may include inspection of the head, neck, arms, torso, legs, and feet. This includes head coverings and sensitive areas such as breasts, groin, and the buttocks. You may be required to adjust clothing during the pat-down. The officer will advise you of the procedure to help you anticipate any actions before you feel them. Pat-downs require sufficient pressure to ensure detection, and areas may undergo a pat-down more than once for the TSA officer to confirm no threat items are detected. 

TSA officers use the back of the hands for pat-downs over sensitive areas of the body. In limited cases, additional screening involving a sensitive area pat-down with the front of the hand may be needed to determine that a threat does not exist.   

You will receive a pat-down by an officer of the same gender. TSA officers will explain the procedures to you as they conduct the pat-down. Please inform an officer if you have difficulty raising your arms or remaining in the position required; an external medical device; or areas of the body that are painful when touched. You may request a chair to sit if needed.

At any time during the process, you may request private screening accompanied by a companion of your choice. A second officer of the same gender will always be present during private screening.

Screening Technology

TSA uses millimeter wave advanced imaging technology and walk-through metal detectors to screen passengers. Millimeter wave advanced imaging technology safely screens passengers without physical contact for metallic and non-metallic threats, including weapons and explosives, which may be concealed under clothing. Generally, passengers undergoing screening will have the opportunity to decline AIT screening in favor of physical screening. However, some passengers will be required to undergo AIT screening if their boarding pass indicates that they have been selected for enhanced screening, in accordance with TSA regulations, prior to their arrival at the security checkpoint. This will occur in a very limited number of circumstances. The vast majority of passengers will not be affected. See the responses to frequently asked questions .

Safety : Advanced imaging technology is safe and meets national health and safety standards. This technology uses non-ionizing radio-frequency energy in the millimeter spectrum with no known adverse health effects.  It does not use X-ray technology.

Privacy : TSA has strict privacy standards when using advanced imaging technology to protect your privacy. Advanced imaging technology uses automated target recognition software that eliminates passenger-specific images and instead auto-detects potential threats by indicating their location on a generic outline of a person. The generic outline is identical for all passengers.

Light Outer Garment / Bulky Clothing:  Any individual wearing a light outer garment or bulky clothing when screened through Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) will be asked to divest their light outwear or bulky clothing. A light outer garment is defined as an outer layer of clothing which has a full front zipper or buttons used to fasten the outer garment, excluding button shirts. Examples include, but are not limited to, windbreakers and vests, suit/sport coats, blazers, and light jackets. Bulky clothing is a garment that is very loose or doesn't conform to the contour of the person. Examples include but are not limited to, oversize pullover hoodies, large sweaters, cardigans, and ponchos. If an individual cannot or is not willing to remove a light outer garment or bulky clothing, let the officer know and additional screening may occur. 

Secure Flight

Secure Flight is a risk-based passenger prescreening program that enhances security by identifying low and high-risk passengers before they arrive at the airport by matching their names against trusted traveler lists and watchlists.

To protect privacy, the Secure Flight program collects the minimum amount of personal information, such as full name, date of birth, and gender, necessary to conduct effective matching. Read the Privacy Impact Assessment and the System of Records Notice for information about the program's rigorous privacy protections. Personal data is collected, used, distributed, stored and disposed of according to stringent guidelines.

Secure Flight transmits the screening instructions back to the airlines to identify low-risk passengers eligible for TSA PreCheck®; individuals on the Selectee List who are designated for enhanced screening; and those who will receive standard screening. Secure Flight also prevents individuals on the No Fly List and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Do Not Board List from boarding an aircraft. The Travel Redress Program provides resolution for travel-related screening or inspection issues.

Standard and TSA PreCheck® Screening

As you know, standard screening requires that you remove all items and place them on the X-ray belt for screening. With TSA PreCheck®, you are able to speed through security and don’t need to remove your shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets. Learn about how you can receive expedited screening with TSA PreCheck® .

TSA uses unpredictable security measures throughout the airport and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening.