long term travel packing

How to Pack for Long-Term Travel Around the World

Last updated on January 4, 2024 by Shannon

Traveling around the world for a year (or even six months) is a different beast than a one-week or short-term vacation. While the packing lists share many similarities, long-term round the world travelers often need to pack a few different things that you wouldn’t for a regular trip. Unlike packing single destination or a single climate, your entire wardrobe and gear has to different climes and locations, while still fitting in your backpack..

When I left on my first yearlong round the world trip , I had a lot of anxiety about what to pack. This post shares not only my one-year long-term travel packing list and the updates I added along the way, but also my current recommended packing list after 15+ years traveling around the world as a digital nomad (because a lot has changed since 2008!).

What’s more—I don’t just tell you what to pack—but exactly why and how I’ve found each item on this packing list useful, so you can assess if it is also worth the weight in your pack during your own world travels, whether you’re heading out for a week, a month, or a long-term trip like mine.

Skip straight to the gear and shop my entire packing list on Amazon .

Table of Contents

Long-Term World Travel Packing List

Picture this: It’s 2008, and I’m desperately combing through the sparse online travelogues. I pause at every selfie—not called a selfie back then—and carefully log in my notebook what clothes the women are wearing in their photos.

My list includes notes like “most women carrying one hoodie and two long-sleeved shirts!” and “five t-shirts and a couple tanks = enough”. I initiated my visual stalking sessions in a desperate bid to discover how many tops and bottoms women packed for their round-the-world trips , along with which brands seemed to hold up throughout their year on the road.

When I left in 2008, I posted my original packing list ( below ) so that another woman would never again go through that painstaking process. The internet is a different place now—there’s a lot  of packing advice out there. But yet, every single week a heck of a lot of people still make it to this page for inspiration when sussing out their own long-term travel packing list.

So, consider this my updated, 2023 packing list for female travelers. It’s a full guide to effective packing for long-term trips (a month or more) and freely shares the lessons I’ve learned after 15+ years of travel and living abroad .

This male packing list is also well done, with great recommendations if you’re of the other persuasion. Sections below cover clothes, shoes, electronics, toiletries and more. I offer suggested brands and products, but keep in mind, I had only a few expensive pieces when I started; after 15+ years on the road, some of these were investment pieces that may or may not be worth it for your trip.

Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases—this does not affect my recommendations obviously, as this is a list of my current gear and recommendations of items that I paid for myself.

TL;DR: Long-Term Travel Packing List

• 8 tops (4 t-shirts, 1-2 long-sleeved shirts, 1-2 tank tops, and 1 UPF shirt )
• 4 bottoms (2 travel pants /jeans, 1-2 skirts , 1 dress, 1-2 shorts/capri )
• Cold weather layers: 1 pair leggings, 1 thermal , 1 hoodie
• 1 thin rain jacket
• 4-8 underwear
• 2-3 bras + sports bras
• 1 pair thin sleep shorts
• 1 pair hiking boots or sturdy walking shoe
• 1 pair Chacos or sports sandals
• 1 pair stylish sandals (flip-flops for hostels)
• 1 pair ballet flats (super optional)

Packing Essentials

• 1 set leak-proof containers
• prescriptions (scanned and stored online; printed for pain meds)
• 1 luggage lock(s) (optional combination lock needed for hostels)
• 1 quick-dry travel towel
• 1 menstrual cup
• 1 medical kit
• 1 spork (optional)
• 1 reusable water bottle and SteriPen or LifeStraw
• safety essentials : door stop, safety whistle carabiners, pencil wrapped with duct tape

Electronics

• 1 laptop/netbook/iPad
• 1 smartphone with quality camera
• 1 backup hard drive for photos
• 1 portable charger
• 1 mirrorless camera or point-and-shoot
• 2 travel adaptors (1 multi-USB adaptor; 1 set of small ones)
• 1 water purification device
• 1 pack of cards

Best Clothes for Long-term Travel

Travel-friendly tops.

There’s a good amount of variability here depending on your style preferences and where you’ll spend the bulk of your time on the road. If you’re only dipping into cold places, then opt for one fewer long-sleeved shirt because you can always use your thermal as a base-layer and then put a t-shirt over top.

You must travel with a high-quality UV protective shirt . Most people on round-the-world trips do a lot more outdoors activities than they would in everyday life. You’re sightseeing , snorkeling , trekking , kayaking, etc.

A quality UPF 50+ shirt is a must-pack. I had one on my round-the-world trip, and it’s always with me now, too—over the years I invested in a long-sleeved one for cooler hikes as well.

For the other shirts in your bag, simple cotton ones from your closet will likely suffice. Make one a bit nicer so that you can wear it out for a nice dinner. I also carry two thin tank tops ; I sleep in these, or wear them in non-conservative, hot climates. I tend to pack a range of colors for tops, though all in the same shade families so that key items layer well.

Vary your ratio of t-shirts and tank tops to long-sleeved shirts if you’re planning to visit many cold-weather places. You’ll definitely skip packing a sweater, which is why it’s so important to have a quality thermal and hoodie .

Lightweight/Versatile Dresses

Dresses and skirts an be a lifesaver since they allow you to stay cool in the heat. I tend to favor traveling with two below-the-knee skirts these days, but when I pack my travel dress , it’s pretty similar to this Columbia dress .

I’ve tried on prAna dresses over the years, which are well-made and raved about by other travelers. I’ve never found one that really hit my fashion sense, and I tend to stick with Columbia brand items because they fit my body type well (tall and slender), but I note that here in case you see one of their dresses that you love better.

I recommend getting a travel dress with inch-thick sleeves at the very least. This is more versatile in slightly conservative areas, and if you get a dress that covers more of your shoulder, it provides better sun protection too, which is important if you wear it out sightseeing!

Should it be a travel-specific dress? No! And, yes! If you’re packing for a month, stick with a dress from your closet—if you’re traveling with the dress long-term, however, travel dresses hold up better to many, many washes and are a just a better item to put on your packing list.

Pants & Bottoms

The skirts and dresses that I recommended comprise half of my “bottoms,” and that’s always a good ratio since I am most often in warm climates. I just wear my leggings under skirts in cooler climes.

In addition, I carry my fancy lightweight travel pants . I had a pair of Columbia pants when I first left and I loved them dearly, but they ripped when I took a particularly gnarly fall on my bicycle in Mexico. So, I replaced them with the closest I could find, which is a black pair of Columbia hiking pants . These pants run small—truly very small, like maybe go up two sizes if you have large hips/butt.

I might buy these prAna Halle ones though when I wear out my current high-tech pants because they are more true to size but still look good. To that end—go with black, that’s the entire point of these slim but functional pants over cargo styles from the North Face (which I also own and use on hiking trips, but just can’t fathom packing on a long-term trip because they’re so touristy).

The prAna pants are more stylish than many pants in this travel category. Besides that, I carry a pair of lightweight skinny jeans. I also carry whatever pair of black or grey leggings that I find in my drawer when packing. I don’t wear leggings as pants, but I do wear them under everything, including my jeans if it gets cold enough.

Leggings are a good idea on any packing list for long-term world travelers since they make all of your outfits a bit more versatile in warm/cold weather. I find that shorts are not very handy in conservative cultures, which you will undoubtedly visit on a long-term trip. Plus they tend to be very short or very ugly.

If you love shorts and are traveling to countries where you can wear them, consider packing just one skirt as a trade-off. Also consider packing a pair of thin capris instead of shorts, on many of my world trips I packed capris, and they were convenient—now I just prefer skirts for personal and style reasons.

I nearly always pack bottoms in tones of grey and black, and occasionally a colorful skirt; that way everything matches my tops.

Travel Skirts

Women will need a calf-length skirt at the very least to allow you to visit the temples and churches of this world. On my round the world trip, I had an ankle-length skirt that came in very handy during my four-months in India and Nepal .

Since then, in the rest of Asia and in Europe, it’s most handy to find a skirt that hits just below the knee. I own a SmartWool Merino wool skirt , which is terrific—it’s durable and travel friendly and it’s a great brand . . . but it’s a tinsy bit too short on my tall frame to work in temples. If you’re hiking and want a skirt for active travels, look here.

I pack active skirts when I head to Central America or Europe, where it’s a lot less conservative! Even then, however, I always pack at least one of these cheap Stretch is Comfort skirts that have held up remarkably well—I own that skirt in four colors, that’s how much I love it—the skirts have the perfect cost to function to style ratio. Sure, they will show sweat on a rough day, but they are cheap, functional and just the right length for conservative cultures.

Underwear & Bras

Not gonna lie, I pack eight pairs of underwear when I travel long-term—half thongs and half full-butted underwear. I do this ratio completely because of personal preference (but also because thongs are tiny, take up little space, and I don’t totally hate them).

The fancy travel underwear from ExOfficio have many doting fans among the traveler set—I own three pairs and only pack them if my long-term travels include a fair bit of trekking/hiking—I bought them to hike the Camino for five weeks and did not regret it.

That said, I’ve been fine with regular underwear that I pick up at a store when I pass through the states. Hardcore backpackers pack two pairs of underwear and wear one while washing the other pair. That is not me and will never be me, so I refuse to feel guilty for my eight pairs.

When traveling, you need enough underwear that you are not laundering clothes every day. I also pack two bras —dark and light—and one sports bra . And I carry a pair of small sleep shorts . I usually just wear one of my tank-tops to bed. In cold weather, I sleep in my leggings and wear my thermal to bed instead.

Jackets & Outer-Things

When I first left to travel, I was cash-strapped and I bought a $20 zip-up hoodie from Target and carried that around the world. It looked gnarly at the end of my year of world travel—all pilly and faded. I was actually sheepish about how shabby I looked at the end of my trip, which ended in the UK and Ireland.

My pilly jacket made it very clear that I was a budget backpacker.

Now, I’ve invested in better gear that looks nice and holds up well. You can’t do much better than an Icebreaker zip hoodie , which is made from Merino wool. It’s among my favorite travel brands because the clothes are durable and always fit well, too.

Now, I also carry this lightweight cardigan for a tad bit of protection warm climates or cool evenings (this is a perfectly nice, much cheaper cardigan for budget packers).

I wear my hoodie on planes and travel days and in cold climates. And generally, I wear the cardigan all over for sightseeing and day-to-day travel—it’s super thin so it’s not too warm in hot climates to work as a shield from the sun.

On my long-term trip, I carried this North Face fleece pullover , but now I invested in a very nice thermal under-layer (I had a cheap cotton one before) and it mitigated the need for a fleece. (With thermals, thumb holes are everything !)

Many travelers also pack a  lightweight rain jacket , which is ideal during rainy and monsoon seasons, and it also acts as a thin windbreaker. Splurge for a thin one, as you they can take up a lot of space otherwise.

TL;DR: Clothes to Pack

Best socks, shoes, and sandals.

Mix and match the shoe recommendations to fit the trip you have planned. You should probably limit yourself to three shoes that, in combination, allow you to trek, do water activities, and look nice.

If you go over three shoes, then your packing list gets bloated and you won’t fit everything into a small, carry-able size bag.

Pack Boots or Walking Shoes? 

Finding the right travel shoe is one of the two most important packing decisions you will make ( finding the right backpack being the other).

On my first long-term trip (and for a few years after), I carried these New Balance hiking boots and they were so fantastic that I replaced them with the exact same pair of shoes when I returned. These versatile shoes worked well because they were sturdy enough to function as hiking boots for my trek in the Himalayas, but they’re also light enough to double as general sneakers for everyday sightseeing. They are the most comfortable and cushioned hiking shoe I have ever found.

Now, however, I travel with a pair of Skechers GoWalks and I love them. These Skechers are an ultra lightweight shoe and serve me well in my slower travels now, but—and it’s a big but for a round-the-world trip—they would not have held up to a year on the road, and I would have needed to buy a pair of sturdy hiking boots for the treks I did in the Himalayas .

If I were doing it all over again, I would definitely bring my New Balances if I planned to do any big hikes (Machu Picchu, Nepal, etc). If I weren’t doing something like that, I would find a Merrell store and try on these Siren Edge Hikers so I had a better hiking boot that was a bit more versatile as a walking shoe.

Along with my walking shoes , I now have a pair of green Chuck Taylors, which I deeply love but definitely did not bring on my RTW trip—they offer no arch support and are impractical for long-term travel. Ditch them from your packing list if you’re considering it.

Adjust your shoe choices to your planned trip and activities. And consider buying shoe inserts no matter which shoe you choose as the ones that come with shoes are lame. I have high arches and buy a Superfeet insert  for all of my travel shoes (the green is their classic, but  use their website to determine which color best fits your foot situation. Note that if you use insoles you often need to go up half a shoe size).

Pack Quality Socks

Get ready for a fangirl rave about my love for SmartWool socks . You should not scrimp on good footwear since it’s such an important part of long-term travel, where blisters and ill-fitting shoes can really ruin a trip.

Socks are also important and can play an important part in avoiding stinky feet syndrome.

These SmartWool socks are magical. Pack at least one pair to wear during treks and outdoorsy activities. They will keep your feet dry and cushioned. If you’re planning an active trip—or if you value comfort—pack at least two pairs. Then just throw in two pairs of thin cotton ankle socks . Four pairs of socks should work for most people, especially if you have comfortable sandals you’ll be using to explore and sightsee, too. If you’re on a hiking-heavy trip, pack a pair of tall SmartWool socks .

Best Travel Sandals

On my long-term travels, I needed something versatile and durable, and there is no better travel sandal than Chacos . You’ll meet many long-term travelers wearing these because they offer good arch support and you can wear them in a wide range of circumstances, from trekking through waterfalls to sightseeing in hot climes. (And they look way better than Tevas.)

Alongside my Chacos I packed a pair of flip-flops to do the trick in hostel showers and casual situations. Like with my pants suggestion—avoid color here, just go with black.

Now that my travels rarely include hostels, I replaced my flip-flops with this comfortable gladiator sandal , which is hella stylish and yet surprisingly travel-friendly. For years, I recommended the Crocs Sexi-Flip sandal , which remains the best travel sandal out there, but they are hard to find, and the “upgraded Serena” sandal is just not the same.

I replaced my Sexi-Flip Crocs four times over the years, and am devastated that they discontinued it. The Haviana gladiators I now recommend are still quite comfortable, but they don’t transition as well to night-time chic.

One problem with just traveling with sandals and boots is that you have nothing to wear in nice situations. Carrying a versatile travel sandal is especially needed if you don’t plan to carry ballet flats. I want to like ballet flats, but on a long-term trip I’ve never found a way to keep them from smelling really bad after a short bit. Truly, I’ve tried them all and I’ve tried everything from inserts to spray deodorant—no dice.

For that reason, I don’t pack flats any more; I sometimes buy a cheap pair if I’m in a spot for a while, but I mostly rely on my gladiator sandals. It’s up to every individual woman how she decides to navigate the need for a dressier shoe (also note that most clubs in Western countries will not allow flip-flops)—this travel sandal is amazing and would work for nice occasions, but it’s best for trips under six months since it won’t hold up to near daily use for a year.

Yes, You Need a Sarong

A sarong has untold uses and every female traveler should pack one . My sarong can act as a travel towel. It’s a beach coverup. It’s an emergency bedsheet, sun protection for my face, a stylish accessory, and more.

Pick a sarong in a fun color and pattern. And while your sarong surely works as a scarf, I carry a scarf as well because I am  always cold, plus it’s fun to have a few extra things to make an outfit more stylish. Consider this pickpocket-proof travel scarf as it’s mega-convenient with a hidden pocket.

TL;DR: What Travel to Shoes Pack

Best toiletries and travel accessories.

Buy a high quality liquids containers. When I first left, I had great ones from the Container Store—I still own those, but I eventually supplemented them with these squeeze tubes  and love them. Whatever you buy, buy a good brand as it sucks to have them leak all over.

I am not much fussed over my toiletries, so I fill these tubes with whatever is in the bathroom when I’m packing. I’ve dyed my hair a lot in the past, so I actually dump into a tube the highly concentrated conditioner that comes with dye kits because it lasts a long time.

Other than that, it’s personal preference  what  you put inside; they sell a lot of major brands all over the world (Pantene, Dove, etc). Some travelers swear by non-liquid shampoo bars , but I’ve never gone that route—they’re a bit pricey and I personally prefer to splurge in other areas. If you need to save on liquids though for carry-on travel, these ethical shampoo bars are a good deal .

On the road, note that face lotions in many countries contain whitening elements, so I always pack an extra face cream and an extra quality sunscreen to last a good while. You won’t have this issue in Europe, but it’s rampant in Asia, especially.

Pack your deet repellent in its own ziplock bag.

And for dental hygiene, toothbrushes and toothpaste are a cinch to replace on the road; I use a SteriPod to avoid toothbrush funk.

As for toiletry cases, I used  this small zip one for many years and it worked well. For Christmas I received this hanging one from MEC (a Canadian outdoors company) and it’s magnificent. It’s a cinch to hang from door handles or towel bars to keep everything handy, especially in bathrooms without countertops. The closest you can buy on U.S. Amazon is this Sea to Summit Hanging Bag —a good option from a go-to company for travel gear.

Go for a small-to-medium sized toiletry bag, because you may want to take it directly into showers with you. And opt for one that hangs—you’ll be so glad it does in tiny hotel bathrooms and shared hostels. You can store things like hair brushes, the deet, and other things in a small packing cube . (Here’s why I thoroughly love packing cubes .)

Prescriptions, Contacts, & Glasses

If you have prescriptions , either carry a year’s supply or research where you can top-up on the road. Carry paper copies of your prescription, and scan them and email them to yourself too. It’s dead-simple to get an eye exam and new contacts in Europe, but its trickier if you don’t speak the local language.

Also, some prescription pain meds are controlled substances in countries with harsh drug policies, so if you have any irregular prescriptions, research that ahead of time. I carried a year’s worth of contacts with me (I wore two-week throwaways) and I was able to replenish contact solution on the road.

I also carried a pair of glasses and a hardshell case. Since I am seriously blind without my glasses, I scanned and emailed myself both of these prescriptions in case I was robbed or in case something else happened—I’ve taken multiple eye exams in a foreign language; it’s not fun. I also made sure my contact supply and glasses were never stored in the same bag on travel days.

Menstrual Cup

Menstrual cups like the Diva Cup are the single best way to handle your period on the road, and this post explains what and why . I highly recommend you go this route. Truly.

Read the post. Consider the options. You’ll thank me. (True story. Long-term travelers email their thanks for this tip alone on a monthly basis).

Luggage Lock

Just yes, you need one. It won’t stop someone intent to steal, but it stops quick theft. I carried two around the world, this one  for luggage and this one for my hostel lockers.

I used a Pacsafe to secure my bag during my initial years of longterm travel—its a well made item that does its job well. That said, the company has more sophisticated options , such as slashproof bags and backpacks.

Medical Kit

Start traveling with a good base for your medical kit . Once you have the base, remove the things that seem overkill (I have never carried or needed an ice pack) and then customize it to meet your needs and add a few things that are often lacking.

These oral rehydration salts have saved my life , twice. I carry many now. Also, no matter your stance on antibiotics, you should carry them. I always add a full bottle antihistamines for my hay fever, too.

Carry the basic painkillers: ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin. An antibiotic like Ciprofloxacin or Azithromycin (or both). Loperamide for diarrhea. Malaria medicine, if needed. Band-aids, gauze,  triple antibiotic ointment.

From there, top up your kit when you are on the road—antibiotics are over the counter in many developing countries and they all carry ORS, antihistamines, etc (and for cheaper in most cases!).

Door Stop and Safety Whistle

Solo female friends swear by both these items for giving them more peace of mind on the road. The door stop is a basic precaution in hotel rooms where the door might not latch correctly. You’ll need a doorstopper like this one , which has a very thin front edge since most hotel rooms have minimal gaps since they are fireproof doors.

Water Bottle

I drink from a stainless steel Nalgene  because I prefer not to drink from plastic; if you’re not fussed, you could go with a durable collapsible bottle . Either way, having your own water bottle saves money and is convenient and prevents overuse of plastic in countries with few effective recycling programs.

Many guest houses will have refill stations. And if you bring a SteriPen or LifeStraw then you’ll need one of these too ( here’s why and how I use a SteriPen ).

Sun protection is no joke. This sun hat does the trick.

Misc Bits & Bobs.

I carry this handy travel spork and I love it. If you’re a budget backpacker, then having a set of utensils comes in handy—it’s less necessary for mid-range and higher travelers.

I also carry a tiny ziplock with things like bobby pins , safety pins , a tiny sewing kit , extra hair ties , matches , and a pencil with duct tape wrapped around it . I explain that more here  with ideas for travel hacks for those travel MacGyver moments. You must pack duct tape on a pencil!

I also carry two carabiner clips and I love them dearly for their handiness . I use regular carabiners (with the screw lock) for a range of things. To attach my wallet to my purse, making it pick-pocket proof. To attach my purse strap or backpack to my chair when eating somewhere so it’s not easily swipeable. To attach shopping bags, water bottles or things to my bags on travel days.

I’ve even used it to attach my camera strap to my backpack when sightseeing to prevent a motorbike from driving by and snatching it. So cheap, so many uses.

TL;DR: Packing Toiletries & Long-Term Travel Essentials

Best electronics.

After a couple years on the road, the weird positions of working from the road caught up with me. In addition to the gear listed here, I have a complete ergonomic travel system with a laptop stand and friendly tech that prevents further carpal tunnel and RSI injuries. If you’re keen on that, I have listed out The Best Ergonomic and Portable Travel Gear .

Adapters & Charging

If you’re traveling with a good amount of technology and if you’re in a couple, then you should consider packing this handy Belkin powerstrip . Many times hotels will have just one outlet, so this is the best way to ensure your camera, phone, and gear is all charged in the morning.

I always carry a bigger multi adapter (and these have gotten very cool now, where it has a USB-C charging spot for my Mac, as well as three quick-charging USB ports!). Then, a few stray smaller ones usually float around my bag since I have a lot of electronics to charge—although now that the bigger adapters have so many USB ports I can more easily get away with just one universal travel adapter .

I carry a laptop since I work from the road ( more on that here ) and after 15+ years of travel, it’s never been stolen (knock on wood for me, will ya). I have a MacBook Air now (used to have a Dell PC).

In the past, I have used my  PacSafe in sketchy areas, though I usually carry my computer out sightseeing if I am truly concerned. There is also the option of packing a cheap netbook too if you’re not working on the road. And really, a tablet could do the trick in that case too.

Read Should I Bring my Laptop for an in depth discussion as other travelers weigh in on the options.

I carry a Panasonic Micro Four-Thirds if I’m on a trip where I want really great photos. The  micro four thirds (mirrorless) cameras are the ultimate travel cameras and my review of my Panasonic shares why .

Even more, NatGeo magazine named it a top travel camera. These cameras are fantastic. Basically, it’s almost to the level of a DSLR (with detachable lenses and everything) but at least half the size and weight of traditional DSLR and far nicer photos than a point and shoot. Nothing wrong with a point and shoot though!

If you’re not into high end photography and just need something that works, upgrade your smartphone to the latest model and use it for photos—the iPhones now take truly great photos in sunlight and low light.

iPhone/Smartphone

I adore my unlocked iPhone ; if you unlock your smartphone you can buy cheap SIM cards (about $2) and plans for well less than $15 a month to use while you travel. This helps when meeting up with other travelers and calling guesthouses to book ahead.

Also, the cameras and social sharing features are fantastic and mean you don’t always have to carry your bigger camera when your little one takes high-resolution photos. My techie friends put together a great list of  how to buy SIM cards in various countries around the world.

Backup Hard Drive

Depending on your travel situation, you should likely bring a portable backup hard drive like this Western Digital Passport (what I carry), or the LaCie Rugged drive , which would handle rough travel. Also consider online data backup programs. I wrote a detailed post on  How a Long-Term Traveler Can Back Up Heaps of Data .

Water Purification

Consider a way to sterilize your water . I have seen the LifeStraw in action, and it looks like a great all-in-one option; if this had existed when I left I would have probably carried this instead of a SteriPen, maybe.

The SteriPen is a great device, it uses UV light to sterilize unsafe water in about a minute. I used this extensively throughout India, also Laos, Uganda, and other really undeveloped countries where filtered, clean water is harder to find. I reviewed it after my trip and although you might not need it often, if you are going to very underdeveloped countries, I advise having it as a safety measure. 

I also carry a Klean Kanteen water-bottle  to save money and the environment (fewer plastic bottles!).

Rechargeable Battery Pack

I carry a small backup battery supply that gives me two extra charges on my cell phone and a charge on my Kindle. This will save you if you use your smartphone for navigation sightseeing or entertainment on long bus rides. I carry one like this Anker battery pack .

Kindle/Tablet

I’ve of two minds on this. I carry my Kindle Paperwhite everywhere and I deeply love it. I will not leave for travel without my Kindle . I traveled with an iPad mini too, in the past—it was all overkill since I travel with a laptop. The only strong value I found in the iPad was that my electronic guidebook was far easier to navigate on the tablet than the Kindle.

Usually, however, I carry a paper guidebook, so I am leaving the tablet with my nephews next time I pass through home. If you have a laptop and a smartphone, then there is very little value in carrying a tablet.

If you’re a reader, however, than a Kindle is invaluable. Same goes if you are a solo traveler, it’s nice to have a trove of books to pass the time. Double points if you renew your library membership before you leave; you can check out electronic books for free while you travel.

Something Silly

I carried a deck of cards during my entire RTW trip, and in the years since, I also pack a portable cribbage board when I travel with my nieces and nephews, or Bananagrams if I will be near friends who also like board games and cards.

Travel is about time spent bonding with others, and these silly items will give you a reason to encourage new friends to put down their smartphones and hang out.

TL;DR: Essential Electronics on Long Trips

How to interpret packing list advice.

Above I offered up my current recommended packing list items, as well as the rationale for or against packing each item I recommend. For a bit more help on actually deciding what is worth carrying on your back for a long trip, let’s take a look at how to interpret this information on my packing list, as well as any others you’ve bookmarked.

Know Thyself 

Every person has their own style, and that should play a role in what you ultimately pack for long-term travel. If something doesn’t make sense, but yet a lot of people recommend it, consider if you can pick it up once you’re on the road. Also look at all of this in terms of what you also like in your current life.

Let’s talk about three things that other travelers have mentioned to me over the years as misguided advice.

First, leggings. I packed leggings and I love them. Even now that the leggings trend has waned, I pack a pair and use them constantly. But one blogger followed up and said my advice was rubbish and she never once pulled them from her pack.

Where’s the disconnect?

She and I wear different clothes, and we likely experience cold differently. My leggings act as my sleepwear in cold weather or hotels with A/C. I don’t think twice about using them under my pants for extra warmth (like the buses in Myanmar, which are so unbelievably frigid that I cried a time or two and had to hug my niece for hours to keep her warm).

I also packed an above-the-knee short dress that worked well in Australia and Europe, but I used my leggings to make it culturally appropriate in the 6+ months I spent in Asia. The woman who emailed didn’t find that need, or she had packed something else to work in that situation.

Instead of purchasing every recommendation on my packing list, go with the spirit. Maybe you’re a tights person instead! :)

The same could be said about jeans. I took other people’s advice about not packing them for my longterm trip, and then I bought myself a pair a couple of months into my year around the world.

Now, in the subsequent 15+ years I’ve continued traveling, I’ve never left home without my well-worn jeans. I like jeans and I favor them in regular life. For me, I value the trade-off and carrying them is worth the extra weight and drying time (they are hard to dry in monsoon season).

If you’re happy in trekking clothes or quick-dry, or perhaps you favor khakis, then take my jeans recommendation in the spirit of, “Bring bottoms that you like to wear.”

Pack What You’ll Wear 

Packing lists seem to go one of two ways, either fashionable, or what I can only describe as “safari-light.” For a round the world trip, or longterm travel, you’ll likely need something that crosses between the two.

While I love those pretty packing lists for Europe that I’ve seen online, you’re going to also needed clothes of a quality and style that can last for the length of your trip and also ones that will work in a range of circumstances.

If you’re fashion-conscious, read through this list with an eye toward clothes that fulfill a role that your current wardrobe does not. Do you have clothes to hike a mountain in a conservative-yet-tropical place? While a tank-top suffices in some places, it won’t cover enough skin in others.

It’s because of that range of situations that you need to think about long-term travel as a mix of dual and often competing needs. Stylish but functional and long-lasting.

Suitable for warm-weather, but layerable so you stay warm in cold weather!

You may have never worn a rashguard/sunshirt in your life, but you should seriously think about one if you’re planning outdoorsy activities. I’m not claiming they’re fashionable, but on a long trip, they may just avoid an unwanted third-degree sunburn.

Since your daily life doesn’t likely need much flexibility, pack items with an eye toward not only what you like to wear, but what will serve your trip in the hundreds of new experiences in which you will find yourself.

Consider the Climate

Most packing list advice for long-term travel attempts to cover a huge range of climates and countries. That’s inherently trickier than packing for a two-week trip to one climate. Even though my own world travels included several continents and climates, it’s still different than your trip—and possible different in very important ways.

Let’s consider my advice to pack jeans if you’re keen on them. I love jeans and faithfully carry a pair, but in 2017, I backpacked through Vietnam with my trusty jeans . . . and they stank to high heaven.

In the past, I had always traveled outside of rainy and monsoon seasons. Sure I hit rain sometimes, but in the past, it was a few days of rain and eventually enough dry air to thoroughly dry my jeans.

This time, after three weeks with just a few hours of sporadic sunshine and nearly 100% humidity, my jeans reeked of sour clothes dampness. I shoved them in a ziplock for weeks until I could get to a new climate.

What this means is that you need to temper any packing list with adjustments for your trip. If you are backpacking Asia during rainy season, then consider swapping some cotton shirts for quick-dry fabric.

And my travels have also chased summer around the world. Although I spotted snow on my trek in the Himalayas, that was brief and my layers sufficed (I also bought a cheap jacket in Kathmandu for the hike and ditched it a few weeks later).

If you’re visiting ski destinations or snowy climes, you’ll need to either pack a heartier base layer or plan on buying/renting a heavy jacket once you arrive. You’ll also want an extra pair of wool socks.

Tiny tweaks like what I mention above are impossible to account for if you follow someone else’s packing list in full. Instead, take the packing list advice and compare it to the trip you’re planning around the world.

How I Picked My Backpack

The red backpack was my main pack and it’s a 52L Eagle Creek Meridian. Eagle Creek doesn’t make that pack anymore, but this Tour Travel Pack is nearly identical, and I own this updated version in teal .

At the time, I feared I may need something bigger, but this backpack was free from my bestie in LA, and free won out. Now that my RTW is over, 52L was the perfect  size. I used this bag for five years, and only stopped to downsize and to switch to a 40L rolling bag.

52L was big enough to carry clothes for two people, although I wasn’t that disciplined to carry so little, at first. But on my world travels through Southeast Asia with my niece, we shared this backpack and each carried a daypack—that size sufficed us both for seven months.

The updated version that I own is 55L, and I use it for travels with my toddler son.

The lay-flat design and women’s fit is what sells me on using Eagle Creek backpacks—it makes a massive difference. Even now that I own this Osprey pack (which I bought to walk the Camino ), I maintain that EC has the best build design, and certainly the most comfortable for a woman’s frame.

The blue bag ( North Face Surge ) held my laptop and all of my electronics gear on travel days, and it acted as my daypack when out sightseeing. I used (and fell in love forever with) using a packing cube system  to organize everything in my bag. These packing cubes saved my life on travel days when I was rushed to repack and bolt out the door.

I am a forever evangelist for packing cubes .

This bag setup was my system for six years. Eventually, in 2014 I changed to THE most amazing  rolling suitcase from Timbuk2 , and I used Timbuk2’s Showdown backpack since it was a bit more low-profile and small than my trusty North Face. This setup with the two Timbuk2 bags is what I used from 2014 to 2019.

I still deeply love my rolling suitcase and will never return to full-time backpack use, but I’ve switched up my laptop bag over the years—I also have a Timbuk2 messenger bag and a Herschel backpack— this Herschel backpack is my current laptop bag, and either it or my North Face is my sole luggage when I travel around Europe because both fit under the seat in front of me and hold a week of clothes if you’re super minimalist.

(NOTE: I paid for all of these bags by the way, so it’s all my honest opinion on what works).

I travel more slowly now, so it doesn’t make sense to have the same packing system that I used on my yearlong trip. But, even to this day I swear by packing cubes. When I left the U.S. for the first time, my backpack was packed to its seams, but much of my stuff did not make it beyond Australia, the first country I visited.

I have an in-depth guide on  how to pick a backpack . The size and fit of a pack is so important—it’s imperative that you take the time to pick a good one that will serve your trip well. And if you are convinced that I overpacked (I did that first year!), then this Guide to Carry On Travel might be up your alley; Erin shares great advice and it’s a good jumpstart on your research.

My Original RTW Packing List (2008)

Because I believe in the preservation of information, this is the packing list I took on my year-long round the world trip. I also maintained the dispatches from the road which cover exactly what I had to replace, send home, etc. This is the packing list I published in November 2008 when I left on my longterm trip.

The packing list above is a curated packing list that includes all the things I’ve learned over the years. :)

CLOTHES/SHOES

1 pair of  lightweight tech-travel pants 1 pair of jeans 2 skirts 1 pair of sleep/athletic shorts 1 travel dress 3 tank-tops (1 dressy tank) 1 sun shirt/rashguard for outdoor activity 3 shirts/t-shirts 1  long-sleeved thermal 1 long-sleeved cotton shirt 1 fleece pullover 1 zip-up hoodie

4 pairs of socks ( love   my two SmartWool socks ; plus 2 cotton) 8 pairs of underwear 2 bras 1 sports bra 1 scarf 2 pairs of leggings 1 hat 2 pairs of capris 1 pair of Chacos sports sandals 1 pair of New Balance hiking boots  ( I deeply love these as hiking shoes) 1 pair of flip flops (for shower shoes in nasty hostels)

MISCELLANEOUS

PacSafe Mesh net Microfiber travel towel Sleep sheet Sunscreen Deet insect repellent 1 extra copy of my passport 1 mini sewing kit 2 carabiner clips 1 headlamp flashlight 1 mini set of eating utensils 1 pocket knife 1 travel adapter (and a couple tiny adapter tips) 1 travel medical kit: Advil/Tylenol/Aleve, antibiotic, malaria medicine, band-aids,  gauze  triple antibiotic ointment, cough/zinc drops Random bits: bobby pins, safety pins, sharpie, pen, duct tape (wrapped around a pencil), small scissors, etc.

Toiletry case Refillable travel size containers of: shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen for face, face wash, travel size toothpaste, floss, deodorant Toothbrush Razors Diva Cup Contacts (full trip month supply) Contact solution and 1 eye glasses case Hair ties

1 small bottle of foundation 1 compact eyeshadow duo 1 mascara 1 blush

These are things I carried in my daypack and my travel purse !

ELECTRONICS

My Laptop: (I had a Dell but now use a MacBook Pro) Western Digital hard drive (2+ TB is a mere $100 so it’s worth bringing one to back up photos!). MP3 Player (now I travel with an unlocked iPhone) Camera: Canon PowerShot  (I upgraded in year two to a  Panasonic Lumix Mirrorless ) Headphones for Skyping/music Kindle (as of 2012 I carry one of these now)

Journal Book: Started with “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen Neoprene laptop cover (it’s my computer’s raincoat!) SteriPen Pens Deck of cards My money belt (around my waist version; I used mostly for trains in India and Eastern Europe)

For insights on how I fared with the above packing list, here were my updates from the road circa 2009.

Dispatches From the Road

01/07/09 : RTW Update from Australia

• My beloved headlamp—which was so  helpful at the hostels here—was lost/stolen on my outback safari to Uluru. Plan to replace as soon as possible.
• I left my nice sun hat on a bus along with my Nalgene water bottle.

02/02/09 : Update from Cambodia

• I shipped home a package of souvenirs by sea—hope it gets there!
• My jean skirt is now unnecessary; I shipped that home too.
• One pair of capris was stained beyond wear (trust me), so I left those behind in Phnom Penh.
• I bought a pair of farmer-style pants in Laos.
• Contact solution has been incredibly  hard to find. Wearing glasses for now.

02/25/09 : Update from India

• Helen brought me a new headlamp to replace the flashlight I have been stuck using.
• She also brought a new Nalgene water bottle and a SteriPen— amazing, truly.
• Bought an Indian kurta and haven’t regretted it for a moment. GREAT for trains and blending in as much as possible.
• Picked up a new scarf. Lighter than the warm one that came in handy in Oz and Laos—much better for India.
• Left my purple cotton shirt behind in Jaipur, it was nubby as hell!

04/25/09 : Update from Nepal

• Did some major shopping here! And I shipped home a package of souvenirs.
• I bought a knock-off North Face rain jacket for the Poon Hill trek—works like a champ.
• Bought a safari-style hat for the trek and beyond.
• Replaced my sleep-sheet, my cheap one was too short!!
• I love my new silk harem pants. Great to sleep in and pack up tiny.

05/20/09 : RTW Update from Italy

• I sent another package home with souvenirs from Nepal; though super touristy, Thamel has incredible bargains and neat items if you dig around.
• Threw another worn out shirt away and replaced with a couple new ones from H&M. New sundress too—gave the other one away as it didn’t fit me right anymore.
• My Chacos smell disgusting and are not responding to cleaning, but they still work fabulously besides the stinky-feet syndrome. Will try vinegar soon.

06/25/09 : Update from Slovenia

• Just bought a Western Digital external hard drive to backup photos and my computer is falling apart and sadly destined to die soon.

Other Packing Lists Around the Web

If you’re still deep diving into the world of long-term packing, here are some other great research spots. If you appreciate the resources on A Little Adrift, please come back here when buying any of the suggestions from Amazon . I only linked to products that I actually use and recommend, and if you buy any of my recommendations through my link, then it costs you nothing extra, but I get a tiny commission. That commission helps keep this website running. :)

• Solo female : Devon shares  an amazingly detailed breakdown of her packing list  and this one is well done with  interactive tabs and detailed lists .
• Solo male : Matt has a great packing list , as does Gerard from GQ Trippin .
• Family : With 2 Kids in Tow shared a family packing list for two toddler age children .
• WWOOFing : Beers & Beans have a great list and description for packing if you plan to work on organic farms .

If there is ever anything that I can do to help, please do reach out on Facebook , Twitter , or Instagram and let’s talk about how we can make your travel dream a reality. 

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Ultimate Packing List For Long Term Travel

Home » Blog » Travel Planning » Ultimate Packing List For Long Term Travel

Packing for any trip can be overwhelming. But packing for a long term trip can be downright rip-your-hair-out stressful! After years of traveling for extended periods of time, we have learned a lot about what to pack and what to leave home. We’re here to ease your stress and are sharing our top tips, tricks and an ultimate packing list!

Packing for a trip is always a puzzle. You want to feel prepared for all situations, but not weighed down by overpacking (my constant struggle!). And when your trip will be longer than a couple weeks and will take you through multiple climates and situations, packing your bag can feel straight up impossible.

But we are here to help! *Cue superhero music .

We have been traveling around the world for the past 5 years, through different climates — snow, mountains, beaches, deserts — and different situations. From swanky rooftop bars in Europe to beaches in Southeast Asia to trekking in the Himalayas, we want to feel comfortable in every situation.

We have packed and unpacked and repacked hundreds of times, and we have learned a thing or two about what items are useful and which things are dead weight.

We’re sharing exactly what we packed on a yearlong trip plus our top packing tips and favorite travel gear. (Yes, we have some handy hacks to help you fit everything into your bag!)

And best yet, this packing list is written for men and women, so everyone can use it.

Creating your perfect packing list

As nice as it would be, there is no cut-and-dry packing list that will work for every person for every trip.

The best way to come up a packing list for you is to pull ideas from people you trust and adjust to fit your needs depending on your travel style and where in the world you’ll be going.

Things to consider when making a packing list:

In what type of climates will you be traveling?

How long are you traveling?

Will you be staying and eating at fancy places?

How many outdoor activities do you plan to do on your travels?

Tip: Check out our list at the bottom of this article of destination-specific packing lists to get yourself a free PDF checklist to help you prepare for your trip!

Before setting off on our year-long, round-the-world trip, we answered these questions and started freaking out a bit.

Climate? Many climates; both tropical and wintery.

Length of travel? The better part of a year.

Fancy? Not too many fancy places on our list, but we wanted to be prepared to fit in on the occasional fancy-shmancy splurge.

Outdoor activity? We usually base a lot of our travels around outdoor activities.

So how exactly do you pack for a year of travel through all types of climates? How do you pack to ensure you’re prepared for a fancy dinner as well as a 2-week trek? How do I find eco-friendly travel gear that doesn’t take up too much space in my backpack? 

Glad you asked.

We created a packing video of when Katie went on a month long trip around the world with the United Nations World Tourism Organization .

This video is illustrates how to pack a carry-on for a 1-month trip through multiple climates (aka 5 countries ranging from the deserts of the UAE to snowy Switzerland!).

Related: Check out our favorite gear in our online storefront !

Packing List Contents

We’re going to walk you through exactly what we packed for a year-long trip around the world. 

We hope this is a starting point and gives you the information and inspiration to create your perfect packing list for long term travel.

Below are all the different categories of gear you will need to pack. We have recommendations for both men and women, so anyone can use this list!

Travel Backpack

Women’s travel clothes, women’s travel accessories, women’s travel toiletries, men’s travel clothes, men’s travel accessories, men’s travel toiletries.

Essential Travel Gear

Travel Electronics

Health/medical backpacking supplies, travel documentation, travel apps, travel guide books, fun travel books.

Destination-specific packing checklists

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you would like to learn more, please read our disclosure and privacy policy .

Large backpack, 40L-60L is the ideal size carry on, and for this we love the Osprey brand

Day pack 20-30L for valuables

Packable backpack for day hikes and roaming cities (1 per person)

Packing cubes to organize your clothes and gear

Let’s start with the vessel that will carry all of your gear: a backpack.  

Backpack vs. Roller Suitcase

We strongly prefer carrying a backpack to anything with wheels. We feel like it gives us the most freedom when we’re traveling and prevents us from overpacking. That said, everyone is different. If you have a bad back, or tend to pack on the heavy side, maybe a traditional roller suitcase would be better for you.

What about those hybrid backpacks that convert to a roller duffel? We’re not typically fans of this style. We’ve found these don’t have as good of back support as a traditional backpack, and people end up wheeling them around most of the time.

The models of these are getting better and better, so we wouldn’t be opposed to trying one in the future.

Our friends over at Banana Backpacks have a whole guide on how to choose the right backpack for every type of trip .

What size backpack should I get?

We’re believers in less is more, and smaller is better. The more space you have, the more stuff you’ll collect to fill that space. You’ll also want to decide if you will carry your bag with on flight, or if you’ll typically check your baggage.

For most airlines, a carry on bag should be no greater than 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 9 inches tall. Anything bigger than 60 liters typically must be checked. We think a good size is between 50-60 liters. Check out this carry-on size chart to see the rules of your airline before getting to the airport!

What backpack brand is best?

There are so many great brands out there, and it certainly pays to do your research.

We really like Osprey brand because they’re made with quality materials, contain many side pockets and have an anti-gravity suspension system for extra comfort. 

If you’re socially-conscious traveler, take a look at Banana Backpacks . It’s a small company started by backpackers for backpackers, with packs that are intelligently designed and ethically manufactured to fit all your traveling needs. Seriously, we each have a backpack and they are great!

Each backpack purchased supports a young Cambodian student to have two meals a day for a year. It’s a great company supporting a great cause. 

The best part is they are not much more than the cost of a regular backpack. If you use the code “ TWStravel “, you’ll get 10% your purchase at Banana Backpacks . 

Do I need a smaller daypack too?

Traveling with a day pack is a personal choice, but we both have one to keep all our valuables on us during long bus/train rides. If you plan on going on a multi-day trek, like Machu Picchu, having a small day pack is a great size.

Whether or not you choose to have a day pack, we highly recommend bringing a packable day pack . It’s perfect for touring a city or for short day hikes, and folds up small when stored.  

Tops: (layering is key)

3 basic, loose-fitting tank tops (I prefer tanks over t-shirts, but you may want to adjust these numbers to your personal preference.)

1 long sleeve shirt

1 dressy tank top

2 lightweight dresses for different occasions (1 long, 1 short/1 dressy, 1 casual)

1 lightweight cardigan

Kimono style beach cover up (can be used as a cardigan as well)

Athletic Tops

1-2 athletic tank tops

1 long sleeve athletic shirt or zip-up

• 1 pair comfy pants (yoga/hippy/linen)

1 pair regular leggings

1 pair denim shorts

1 pair cotton shorts

1 long skirt

1 pair jeans (depending on location – I didn’t bring jeans at all to Southeast Asia, but you’ll need a pair in Europe)

Athletic Bottoms

1 pair athletic leggings

1 pair athletic shorts

Tip: Stick to lightweight, loose-fitting fabrics and pack layers. That way you’ll be comfortable in all climates and weather. 

Undergarments:

8 pairs of underwear

3 lightweight socks

1 pair wool socks

1 sports bra

2 bralettes *

1 – 2 swim suits (depending on how much you’ll be using them)

Lightweight sneakers

Comfy flats

Chaco Hiking Sandals

Flip-Flop Sandals *

Hiking boots: Really think about how many times you’ll use hiking boots, and consider if it is worth the weight. On many treks, you’ll be fine with a good pair of sneakers. If trekking is a big part of your trip, it might be a good idea to find a good pair of lightweight hiking boots to replace your sneakers. We really like Vasque Boots  for their comfort, style and customer service. 

Bralettes v. regular bras: I prefer bralettes over regular bras (with underwire) because they pack up small, they’re comfy, and they look cute even if they peek out of a tank! This is totally a personal preference though. Ladies with larger chests may find regular bras work better for them.

*Sandals: I prefer to pack one pair of versatile and comfortable sandals that strap behind my heel and can be worn for long days of walking as well as to the beach or in the shower if necessary.

Fitbit Charge 2

Waterproof rain jacket

Note: Depending on location or season, you might want to bring a warmer jacket. We loved our Columbia Omniheat Shell Jackets in South America. We had no use for it in Southeast Asia so we left it at home for that trip.

Another item every traveler should not leave home without is a sarong . It’s the Swiss Army knife of accessories: it can be a beach towel, a makeshift shade, bus pillow, table cloth, or light blanket. 

Packing clothes can be difficult, but it seems packing toiletries is the thing that stresses me out more for some reasoning. This is my go-to list that I always fall back on.

• Travel Toiletries Bag with Hanger

Lush Solid Shampoo (Jumping Juniper scent!)

Go Tubb container for solid shampoo (one-handed opener!)

It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-in conditioner spray

Bar of soap

Korean scrubbing mitt

Tea tree oil blemish stick

Toothbrush & Toothpaste

Dental floss

Razor and extra blades

Solid lotion stick

Nail clippers

Hand sanitizer

Cotton swabs

Small mirror

Bobble hair ties and bobby pins

Collapsible travel hair brush

Small solid perfume

Makeup items: mascara & lip balm

Small tightly-sealed container of coconut oil to remove mascara

• 4 Tank tops
• 1 Long sleeve shirt
• 1 Quarter zip long sleeve

Pants/Shorts:

• 2 Athletic shorts

2 Pairs of casual shorts

1 Pair of jeans

1 Pair of hiking pants

For shirts, pants and shorts, it all depends on where in the world you plan to travel and when. If you’re headed to Southeast Asia, the above is what Ben packed. If you’re touring Europe, you might want less tank tops and more t-shirts, or a even polo. If you’re going somewhere tropical, leave the jeans at home, because it’ll be dead weight in your bag. 

10 boxer/briefs

4 pairs of light socks

1 pair of wool socks

• Lightweight active sneakers

Casual walking shoes (Vans)

Sandals or Chacos

Note on hiking boots: Some travelers love to bring their hiking boots along, but for us it’s just not worth the weight. We brought them with on our 3-month trip in South America and only used them 4 times, so for future trips we leave them at home. 

Every traveler should own a buff. It has so many uses: a sun blocker for the back of the neck, dusk mask, sweatband and even an eye cover for night buses. We always choose to buy inexpensive sunglasses because if we break or lose them along the way and they’re easy to buy anywhere.

Another item every traveler should not leave home without is a sarong. It’s the Swiss Army knife of accessories: it can be a beach towel, a makeshift shade, bus pillow, table cloth, or light blanket. 

Depending on location or season, you might want to bring a warmer jacket. We loved our Columbia Omniheat Shell Jackets in South America. We had no use for it in Southeast Asia so we left it at home for that trip.

Solid shampoo and tin container

Eco-friendly, biodegradable bar of soap

Soap container

Deodorant Crystal (using this for years)

Toothbrush & toothpaste & brush cover

Reef-safe SPF 30 Sunscreen

Badger Balm Anti-Bug Balm Stick

Solid lotion

Trimmer or razor and solid shaving cream

Sample bottle of cologne (just a little something extra for the lady(ies) in your life)

Don’t worry about running out of toiletries during your trip. You can always pick up some more along the way. Think about it, people around the world have to keep clean too! It might not be the exact brand you like, but part of traveling is being flexible. For months Ben only used little shampoo bottles from hotels. 

One of our best tips when it comes to toiletries is to go solid whenever possible.

It’s lighter (less weight the better),

You can get through airport security quicker and

It’s a lot less messy (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cleaned up spilt shampoo in my bag).

There’s a solid for almost everything: soap bars, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and even shaving cream.

Travel Gear

Packing cubes , all sizes, small to large

Steripen and extra lithium batteries

Water bottles with carabiners

Headlamps and extra batteries

PSI Bands (to alleviate motion sickness)

Microfiber travel towel

Silk sleeping bag liner

Guidebook on Kindle

Travel locks with wire (2 per person)

Small roll of duct tape

Collapsible cups

Pocket knife/Multi-tool

Wine bottle opener

Rope, 3-4 meters long (used for hang drying clothes)

Waterproof playing cards

Ear plugs, optional

RFID Blocking passport holder

Small notebook and pens

I could talk your ears off about how great all these travel items are, but I’ll try to keep is short. Packing cubes are a necessity when traveling longterm to keep your bag organized.

We also love our Hydroflask insulated water bottles . They are the perfect size for carrying in a backpack and they are super durable. 

Using the Steripen has allowed us to drink water from the tap all around the globe even in places where we were told not to. It’s quick, safe and has saved us hundreds of dollars that we would have spent on bottled water.

We always look for items at have multiple uses and we used our collapsible cups as wine glasses on a long hike, guacamole dip holder, or even cereal bowls. 

MacBook Pro with Retina Display

Asus Portable Laptop (11.6” Screen)

Seagate External Hard Drive (1 TB)

Thule water-resistant computer case

Nikon DSLR Camera

GoPro Hero and accessories

iPhone (or smartphone with good camera)

Kindle Paperwhite

External battery charger

Portable Bluetooth speaker

Headphone splitter

SIM card, optional

Universal outlet adapter

Chargers for all

Because work online while on the road, we bring our electronics everywhere we go. Although we have different taste in operating systems (Katie’s more of an Apple lover and Ben is a PC guy  but has recently made the switch), we love our computers because they have lots of storage, fast processors, and are a great size for travel. And to protect our beloved computers, we keep them in a water-resistant computer case  whenever on the road. 

Katie’s baby is her Nikon DSLR camera and would never leave home without it. Ben records most videos on the GoPro Hero which is great for everyday films or extreme activities like snorkeling with reef sharks. You probably already own a smartphone, but make sure to travel with one that has a good camera .

Our Kindle Paperwhites are not only used for fun reading, but we use them everyday when traveling because we download guide books (see below) to get tips on where to go next. You can even rent Kindle books online from your home library and never have to pay for a guide book again. Everyone has had their device die on them at the exact wrong time.

That’s why we carry our Anker external battery pack that can fully charge an iPhone seven times before needing to replug. Whether your at the beach or on a day hike, a portable Bluetooth speaker is a great addition to keep the jams going. 

Cord Management Tip: Carry all your extra charger cords and plugs in a packing cube or zipper pouch bag. We also use small strips of Velcro to wrap the cords up and keep them organized. Or you could use these permanent twist ties in fun colors.

Multi-day Backpacker First Aid Kit (including moleskin for blisters, athletic tape & gauze)

Arnica pills (natural alternative to Ibuprofen)

Anti-diarrheals and laxatives (a.k.a. stoppers and goers), sometimes a good idea when traveling to far and unfamiliar places

Antacid (Tums)

Activated charcoal pills (removes toxins to prevent food poisoning)

Vitamin C boosters (Emergen-C)

Ginger pills or chews (fights motion sickness and upset stomach)

You never want to use these items, but it’s always good to have them handy. Extra small toiletry bags are great for keeping pill bottles in one location. Pick some up at the dollar store or you could use a small packing cube .  

Passport photos (at least 10 extras for visas or even when signing up for SIM cards in some countries)

Vaccination Documentation (if needed for countries you’re visiting, like certain South American countries)

Paper copies of passport photo page (at least 2)

Copy of travel insurance policy and emergency numbers

Copy of all documents saved online to the cloud (any cloud storage will do, but Amazon Cloud Drive has worked well for us)

Expert Travel Tip: Never leave home without travel insurance! Your mama would be pissed! Seriously, bad things can happen anywhere and it’s good to be covered. To find out what we look for in a policy and which companies we recommend, check out our detailed Travel Insurance article .

Google Maps

Know exactly where you are at any time without using data or WiFi. Just load the area of the map where you’re going to go and your phone will track where you are via GPS. 

Trail Wallet

Created by backpackers for backpackers. Track all your expenses while on the road so you can easily stick to your budget. We swear by this app and use it every day. 

Fun way to learn a new language for free on your phone. It’s like playing a game where you can complete with your friends.

Find the up-to-date exchange rate for any currency so you know exactly how much things cost. It even converts metric to imperial for lengths and speeds, so you really know how fast your taxi driver is cruising.

1 Second Everyday

Document your travels with one-second videos everyday. The only hard thing is picking the best one second when you’ve had an awesome day traveling. 

Find our other online travel tips we’ve shared on your Money-Saving Travel Resources article. You’ll thank us later!

Without fail, Lonely Planet guide books have led us to the most incredible places around the globe. We especially enjoy the “On a shoestring” series which are geared toward travelers on a tighter budget. Get them on the Kindle version for a lighter load in your backpack. 

• Lonely Planet Japan (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet Korea (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet South America on a shoestring

Lonely Planet Southeast Asia on a shoestring

Lonely Planet India (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya

Lonely Planet Eastern Europe (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet Europe on a shoestring

Lonely Planet USA (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet Central America on a shoestring

Great books to get you in the wanderlust mood whether you’re at home or on a long bus ride. Don’t forget to get them in the Kindle version. 

On the Road by Jack Kerouac

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

The Beach by Alex Garland

Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto Che Guevara

Marching Powder by James MacFadden

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Want more suggestions? Check out our ultimate list of books for travelers . This list is broken down by category so you are sure to find something that will cure your wanderlust whether at home or on the road!

Destination Specific Packing Lists

New Zealand

Southeast Asia

Need help planning the perfect trip?

Be sure to check out our Travel Planning homepage for resources on everything you need to know from how to get started to packing, budgeting and more! Or you can read some of our favorite articles about planning your next trip below. 

Plan Your Next Trip in 10 Simple Steps

How We Afford to Travel & You Can Too!

How to Find Cheap Flights: 17 Expert Tips

How We Pick the Best Travel Insurance

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We want to hear from you!

What do you think about our list? What would you add? Do you have any other packing tips? Let us know in the comments below!

Comments (13) on “ Ultimate Packing List For Long Term Travel ”

Great article !

Great list. One comment though as I’ve seen in several places you recommend taking dryer sheets to keep everything fresh. Dryer sheets are synthetic "fragrance" items that are now being found out are AWFUL for you and for the environment. Try wool dryer balls and use a high quality essential oil instead. Better for you, better for the environment — the balls last SO much longer than the dryer sheets! BTW, yes I am a distributor for Young Living and only recommend those… but the tip is still valid 😉

Great list!!!! but could you please change the graphic for the Convert app to the actual app visual (as you did with Duolingo). There are 100s of conversion apps and I would like to try the one you use. Thanks

Thank you for the tips on the packing. It helps to make sure I am not forgetting things. I’ll be leaving soon for 17 days taking a little less than what was mentioned on this list; mainly the clothing section where I will downsize and wash a little more.

Studied your articles a few months ago, and back again before the trip to make sure I am not forgetting anything. Anxious, but extremely excited! Thanks again! 🙂

How exciting Cody! Thanks for coming back, we really appreciate it! Where are you heading off to?!

This post (and a few of your others) has helped me so much! Thank you! I was wondering what you pack all of your toiletries in. I am going on a 3 month volunteering trip overseas and I am trying to find the perfect bag for my toiletries and makeup. I will be packing my stuff in a travel pack (still trying to find the perfect pack!) and want to find something compact and easy to find all of my stuff. Do you recommend clear zip up bags or a toiletry bag I can hang on the door (if possible) or something completely different?!

Great question Taylor. Katie loves her hanging toiletry bag. We just got it off of Amazon and it works great. Different compartments for different sized items. I think we found it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/2PAefun It folds up to about the size of a packing cube so it fit great in a backpack. We’ll be sure to update the packing list.

Hi Katie and Ben, thank you for another excellent post! I have a question about your hiking pants for EBC trek, did you bring those with you or purchase some in Nepal? Trying to figure out how to pack for 7 months in many different climates! I cannot tell you how many times my husband and I have looked at your site and how beneficial it has been! You definitely inspired us to do EBC trek on our own and travel to Chitwan! Thank you very much! Have a wonderful evening! 🙂

Hey Laura, that’s an excellent question – definitely one I had before arriving in Nepal. Since we had just traveled for 6 months through SE Asia and India, I had mostly lightweight clothes (aka NOT good for trekking in the Himalayas haha).

If you have a couple days to spare, definitely do some shopping in Kathmandu. There’s literally everything you’ll need. I got my trekking pants, slippers and thermals there. Plus, I rented a down jacket and sleeping bag.

This post is our packing list for EBC, and if you read through the (many!) tips, you’ll find out which stores in Kathmandu we found some of our items at.

I would say that the snacks available in Kathmandu were just alright (and quite expensive for the selection). If you’ll be in a more developed city beforehand, I would suggest picking up some protein bars (we couldn’t find anything other than the equivalent of generic Chewy bars in Nepal). Chocolate is also very limited and expensive in Kathmandu.

For hiking boots, you can find used ones pretty cheap in Kathmandu (we sold Ben’s there after our trek haha), but you might be hard pressed to find some that fit well and you won’t have much time to break them in. If possible, I’d suggest bringing your own footwear.

Oh, and good call on Chitwan! It’s a totally different side of Nepal. Have so much fun and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions.

Wow what a great post! This is such a great list of must haves. I love the app suggestions too…I’m off to go download some of them!

Thanks Alyssa, we use those apps every day and they are the best!

Great post, guys! I definitely need this.

I consider myself something of a travel book junkie, so I thought I’d add a few more recommendations:

The Dud Avocado – Elaine Dundy An Embarrassment of Mangoes – Ann Vanderhoof What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding – Kristin Newman Jungle – Yossi Ghinsberg Around the World in 50 Years – Albert Podell In The Temple of Wolves – Rick Lamplugh Tales of an African Vet – Roy Aronson Lost Angel Walkabout – Linda Ballou Cry of the Kalahari – Mark and Delia Owens

Absolutely ANYTHING by Tim Cahill, Peter Allison, or Bill Bryson.

I also intend to read the rest of Mark and Delia Owens’s books.

Meaghan! I will always come to you for book advice, especially when it come to travel books! Thanks for the awesome additions!

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What’s In My Backpack: The Ultimate Long-Term Travel Packing List

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You’ve just landed in Colombia. As you step onto the tarmac you’re hit with a wave of frigid high-altitude Bogota air. Your thin Northface windbreaker clearly isn’t going to cut it. & due to your lack of preparation or imperfect long-term travel packing list, you’ll be wasting valuable travel funds gathering the gear you need upon arrival. Not to mention all the space wasted on non-essential items. Packing is an artform. & long-term travel packing is a skill honed over years of experience.

Poor planning can make or break a budget travelers trip. Money & space are tight with backpackers and crafting the perfect packing list for you takes time. But fortunately for you, through trial and error, we’ve honed the perfect packing list for any long-term trip. Whether you’re getting ready for a month-long single country excursion or a year-long round-the-world trip what’s inside your backpack is important. Here’s what’s essential for your long-term travel packing list & what you should leave behind.

First things first, this is what we carry in our backpacks . I’m not going to pad this list with unnecessary fluff. We travel light (to save on airfare) but not so light that we don’t have everything we need to live on the road full-time. If you’re looking for more ways to save money before you hit the road we have a HUGE guide detailing every money-saving travel hack we’ve learned .

Tips to Become a Packing Pro

Before we get into your long-term travel packing list, here are my tips to pack like a pro.

1. Stick to Carry On.

Trust me. You need less than you think on the road. The biggest mistake newbie travelers make is to bring everything but the kitchen sink. Don’t forget that people live in these destinations too. You’ll be able to re-up on shampoo and soap. When you’re carrying your entire life on your back every ounce matters. Keep it light.

2. Packing Cubes Will Keep You Sane

Bag packing can be a huge source of frustration. I’ve played with loads of backpacks and different packing methods but cubes are the way to go. You’ll be able to keep your clothes separate and organized in any bag. I stand behind Tripped Travel Gears bags. I’ve used them for years.

My bag method . Bag 1: Fancy dinner outfit, Bag 2: Short & Pants, Bag 3: Underwear, swimsuits, socks, Bag 4: Casual Shirts, Bag 5: Athletic wear

3. Keep in Mind What You Use Most

Put these items near the top of the bag. Or just in the easiest to access place. For me, this is my little toiletries bag. It always goes right on top.

4. Roll Don’t Fold

I’m sure some die-hard travelers will disagree with me because the jury is pretty split on this one…but I’m team roll your clothes. You can fit more, they stay wrinkle-free, and they are easier to keep organized.

5. Pack 3/4 of Your Bag

Do not pack your bag to the gills. I repeat… do not pack your bag full. After that first pre-trip pack, things will never fit as neatly into your bag again. It’s like unraveling a sleeping bag. & you want that extra wiggle room in case you find something you absolutely must have along the way.

Which Bag is Best?

Obviously, a long-term travel packing list must begin with the bag itself. Which bag is best? Evan & I travel with different backpacks. Both are amazing ( but mine is better ).

Evan’s Backpack: Deuter Unisex Futura Pro 40L

Why Evan loves his pack: Deuter backpacks are synonymous with top-of-the-line equipment and deliver on that German engineering they’re known for. Maximum pockets to keep things organized yet accessible. The ability to access from the top and bottom of your bag keeps you from having to take everything out just to get a clean pair of socks. Throw in a waterproof rain shell for when you get caught in some weather and it’s pretty much the perfect pack. Ventilation and padding save your back, as well as support straps around the top and bottom of the pack to ensure support and comfort. I sprung for the 45L which is the max volume permitted as a carry-on because who has time to hassle with checking bags??

Geena’s Backpack: Tortuga Women’s 45L Max Carry-On

I love this backpack. I cannot rave about Tortuga enough. This is the largest legal carry-on size and it’s extraordinarily comfortable with padded straps and lots of clips to take the weight off your shoulders. There are hundreds of hidden pockets for easy organization. I have a spot for everything. Another reason this bag is far superior to others– it packs like a suitcase. It unzips entirely, opening up so you can grab even the items stuffed down into the bottom of the bag with ease. It’s durable, weather-proof, and reasonably priced. Its perfectly rectangular shape also makes it even easier to stow on planes.

Our Day Packs

In addition to the main pack, we also each carry one small bag for hiking or beach trips.

While on trains and buses, it’s very important that you keep all your valuables on you at all times. For us, it’s easiest to just put all the valuables

Topos Rover Backpack

This bag is perfect for hiking or heading to the beach. It’s our go-to day bag. I love that the fabric doesn’t hold onto dirt and that it’s easy to get sand out of.

Topos Photography Bag & Camera Cube

This bag is extra durable and has lots of padded layers to protect our most valuable goods. It also has handy pockets and padded straps for carrying heavy gear. The Topo Design Camera Cube also conveniently fits exactly into this particular pack. This cube lets you organize all your camera gear and carry it with you easily during the day.

This is what the camera cube looks like…

Marchway Waterproof Bag

90% of the time this bag stays rolled up and tucked away but for beach days, rafting, canoeing, rainy hikes, etc. it’s a lifesaver. This one is super durable for a cheap price.

Patagonia Fanny Pack

Patagonia is saving the planet. & it’s also saving me from forgetting all my shit. This fanny pack is perfectly sized to fit your phone, passport, the days cash, and even has a secret compartment for your credit cards and IDs. I’m not a purse person when I travel, I find the fanny pack far more convenient. I’ve used mine for 2 years and counting…

Camera Gear & Electronics

I’ll preface this by saying that the average traveler can just nix this entire section. Ok, not all of it but most of it. I’ll start with the handful of items that all travelers should pack with them & then I’ll share the extras that we bring along for all my prospective digital nomads out there.

Apple Watch

This is a must for every traveler. It has changed my life & I’ll tell you why. I’m no longer attached to my phone. I read the Broke Backpackers post on How Your Cell Phone is RUINING Your Travels & made a personal vow to leave my phone behind while we are out exploring. With my Apple Watch, I can still have the time, Maps.me, & other necessary apps on my wrist without any social media. I’m also obsessed with counting my steps because I find it incredibly impressive how many miles we end up walking every day.

• Phone Charger.
• Apple Watch Charger.
• Universal Outlet Plug. Most countries have a different electrical socket.
• 2 Power Banks. We each bring one.
• Headlamp. (& charger)
• Noise Canceling Headphones. You’ll thank me on your first long bus ride.

Now let’s get to the list of gear we travel with that you probably don’t **need**.

Nikon D3400

Our go-to lenses are the 18-140mm for everyday walking around & the 70-300mm for zoom. We would love to upgrade to a better zoom for wildlife photography in the future, but we aren’t ready to invest yet. We also always have an extra camera battery on hand.

This one is lightweight, easily positional, allows for horizontal & vertical shooting, and is small enough to fly carry-on.

GoPro Hero 8

Cameras are heavy. But GoPros are not only light & easily hidden in your pocket, but they are also waterproof which makes them the go-to choice for underwater photography and for use in extreme weather conditions.

We have a couple of favorite GoPro accessories . The waterproof damage-resistant case . The floating handle (just in case of water-related accidents). The bendy positional tripod . These are the must-haves when traveling.

DJI Mavik Mini 2

Why did we choose the mini? Because it has fewer flight regulations abroad. Technically, this drone is small enough that you don’t need the often required “pilots” license in many countries around the globe.

Macbook Air

Even when working abroad, I never need a laptop larger than the light as a feather 11-inch Macbook Air. It’s the best laptop for travel hands down.

I also use an extra padded Macbook case just to make sure it stays safe when the bags get tossed around.

Toiletries and Medicine

This is where people tend to go crazy with the overpacking. & I don’t blame you. It can be hard to determine what is 100% necessary. Here’s what Evan & I bring on the road. Your lists might not look exactly like ours but this is a good place to start.

Packing List

• Toothpaste + Toothbrush.

I pretty much exclusively use Each & Every deodorant now. It’s compact, natural, lasts forever, and unlike other *natural* deodorants this one actually works. It also smells really refreshing. They also have bar shampoo which is great for eco-friendly traveling.

• Nail Clippers.
• Sunscreen (Reef-safe). We’ve tested more than 20. This is my favorite .
• Aloe Vera. Because this will be difficult to find in most countries.
• Bug Spray. Avoid aerosol to keep it in your carry on. I highly recommend Ben’s .
• Bandaids & Neosporin. Bandaids purchased abroad rarely work like the kind at drugstores back home.
• Anti-Itch Cream. You will get bug bites. There’s no way around it.
• Pepto-Bismol Tablets. Food poisoning is a real bitch.
• Ibuprofen. Headaches or hangovers.
• Hairbrush & Hairties. I always forget to bring extra hairties. Don’t be me.

Everything else you can live without on the road. Or pick up along the way if absolutely necessary.

Looking for tips on how to stay healthy while abroad? I wrote an entire guide filled with my tips and tricks.

Clothes for Every Climate

The internet is littered with unhelpful clothing packing lists. Because the truth is everyone has their own style. Some travelers wear brightly-colored sundresses for picture-perfect Instagram shots, others muted neutrals that make mix & matching easy, and some (like myself) are packing based on pure function.

Your clothing packing list is also extremely dependent on your destination, not just your personal style. I definitely didn’t bring the same items to Colombia as I did to Egypt. Here are all the items you should **consider** packing.

Outerwear – For Cold Climates

• Waterproof Insulated Shell with a hood. For both warm and rain. Northface has some great options .
• Northface Fleece . Or any kind of warm zip-up for layering.

How cold of climate are you visiting? Those two layers will get you through temps as low as 40 degrees but if you’re expecting snow or below freezing temps I would consider supplementing your gear with thermal long underwear and a thermal shirt layer , potentially a parka , gloves , and a warm hat.

The Clothing Essentials

• 10 pairs of underwear for women. 5 for men.
• 2 pairs of ankle socks.
• 2 pairs of thick hiking socks.
• Bralettes. One or two.
• 6 shirts. A variety of tank tops and t-shirts.
• 2 pairs of leggings. I’ve had my Lululemon leggings for 12 years now.
• One long dress. For any “fancy” dinners.
• One jumper. For looking midly presentable while exploring metropolitian areas.

This year I’ve thrown a new wardrobe essential into my backpack… a SOMI underwear/swim set. Underwear that doubles, neigh triples, as both gym attire & a swimsuit. Soft as silk and made in supportive, yet cute, designs these are my new favorites. I got the Maverick Bottoms with the Betty Bra Top . Just when you think it can’t get better- they are also made from recycled materials & the company cares deeply about sustainability.

I do laundry once per month while long-term traveling. That being said, I often wash items like underwear and socks in the shower as needed along the way.

Beach + Warm Climates

• Swimsuits. 2 should do it.
• Shorts. One denim & one fabric.
• One sundress.
• One lightweight jumper or romper.

If you’re a man add a few more pairs of athletic shorts to supplement your wardrobe in lieu of dresses and rompers.

Athletic Wear

Not for jogging and gyms but trekking. Or just lounging. That’s up to you.

• One pair of athletic shorts.
• 2 sports bras.
• An extra pair of leggings.

Evan swears by his Lululemon ABC pants . They look nice enough to be worn to dinner but comfortable enough to hike or lounge in.

Merrel Moab 2 Hiking Boots

Although bulky and heavy, if you’re planning a trip that involves extensive hiking or trekking these shoes are worth the weight.

Teva Sandals

I live in these shoes. I wouldn’t ever travel without them. I’ve brought them everywhere from Indonesia to Iceland.

Adidas Cloud Foam Running Shoes

Versatile tennis shoes are a travel must-have for any backpacker. These are my choice for exploring cities and short hikes.

The Little Things

Here are the handful of extra items that we have found to be invaluable on the road. We never travel without them now.

Lifestraw Filter Bottle .

This single purchase will save you hundreds of dollars while abroad. Most countries don’t have potable water, which means you’ll be running to the store every other day shelling out $1/water bottle just to stay hydrated. OR you can buy one of these babies and fill from the tap no matter how gross and discolored the water may be.

Evan is a light sleeper. He needs them on planes, in hostels, and it’s handy to keep bugs out just in case.

Microfiber Travel Towel.

Most budget accommodations don’t offer towels for personal use. This microfiber towel folds up teeny tiny, dries insanely fast, and doesn’t mold so you can go ages between washes. The large size is closest to an actual towel size.

We bought our sarong abroad. Now it goes with us everywhere. We use it both as an extra blanket and as a beach towel.

Cocoon Sleeping Sheet.

We don’t actually use these compact sleeping sheets often. But it makes our long-term travel packing list solely because when it does come in handy it is oh so worth it. Staying in a less than sanitary room- use the sheet to wrap yourself in. Chilly on a plane or train? This makes for a perfect blanket.

Masks. The COVID kind. Not Snorkel.

Like it or not masks have become a travel staple. But finding a perfectly fitting mask that’s comfortable to wear for hours on end is difficult. These are bound to be your new favorite masks.

We did find it beneficial to bring our snorkel masks on short beach trips like the time we visited Hawaii . Otherwise, it’s too bulky and ends up just being cheaper to rent.

Medically Necessary Braces & Medications.

For me, this means a simple cloth ankle brace for my weak ankles. & before I had implanted birth control, it also meant my BC pills. Depending on the countries you plan to visit it could also include preventative medications like Malaria pills or pills to lessen the effects of altitude sickness.

I am very against traveling with make-up. It’s such a liberating feeling to live life without a mask of thick makeup smoothing out the “imperfections” of my face. But there are occasions you might want to dress up while traveling. I bring along a single tube of mascara for those occasions.

Podcasts & Books

Confession: we’ve been putting off buying a Kindle for ages. If you’ve been around long at all you know that I really prefer to do things the traditional way. Reading without holding paper just feels blasphemous. But I’m slowly getting with the times and honestly, it would be nice to not be reliant on picking out books in foreign hostels and carrying the extra weight.

These are my favorite books to inspire travel . Pick one up before your next trip OR be a modern traveler and just download them on your Kindle.

I’m a bit of a podcast nut. And just like my taste in books, they are all non-fiction and often educational. These are my favorites right now.

• Morbid. True crime podcast. This took me awhile to get into because sometimes their banter drives me INSANE. But if you can power through I think they cover the killers well.
• Criminal. Incredible. 5 stars. Pheobe Judge is actually who are van is named after & she has the most perfect soothing podcasting voice. You’ll also like her podcast “ This is Love” .
• Stuff You Should Know. LOVE. Chuck & Josh have hundreds of hours of episodes to teach you facts about everything from grass to the Aspirin Murders.
• Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter. Because health is important & this is a podcast designed to break through the bullshit.
• No Blackout Dates. One of the few good travel podcasts on the web. (**Not biased because I’m on it**) This show was picked up by Matador Network so you know it’s good.
• Ologies. Interviews with scientists but not at all boring. Thanks Alie Ward!
• The Dirtbag Diaries. An adventurers podcast from Patagonia. It has a lot of climbing stories but it’s pretty much every extreme outdoors “sport” from backpacking to skiiing to running.
• Serial. The season on the Adnan Sayed case kept me so captivated.

Looking for a vanlife or car-camping packing list to be ready for every kind of adventure? Check out my guide to all the Vanlife Essentials.

Crafting the perfect long-term travel packing list takes years of trial and error but this bare-bones list will help any traveler start their first extended trip on the right foot.

Save This Post For Later!

Further Reading...

What to Pack for Colombia (& Other Diverse Climate Destinations)

Introducing: Lonely Planet’s National Park Collection

15 Tips For Visiting Japan on A Budget (How to Travel Cheap in Japan!)

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The Ultimate Long-trip Packing List

Here’s all the clothing, gear, and accessories you need for your next extended getaway.

Packing Checklist for a Long Trip

Clothing and shoes, accessories.

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Travel & Leisure / David Hattan

I spent one year living out of a carry-on suitcase, and if it taught me anything, it’s that I don’t need much else. As a lifelong hoarder — the kind who keeps a stash of shells from beach walks and boxes of boarding pass stubs from every flight I’ve ever taken — it’s been immensely liberating to learn that everything I need to go from a beachy Maldives getaway to hiking Sicily’s Mount Etna and working the grape harvest in France can all fit in a carry-on suitcase. 

Packing for an extended trip looks very different from packing for a business trip or weeklong vacation. You’ll need to consider the various destinations and climates you’ll encounter along the way, plus what essentials you won’t be able to get elsewhere (think: prescription medications or your go-to skincare products). 

While it pays to be prepared, you typically can buy or borrow most things you’d need wherever you’re off to, so don’t stress over items you think won’t get much use. The goal is to travel as light as possible, making sure every item in your suitcase serves multiple functions and is generally neutral in color to maximize all mix-and-match outfit potential.

Here, I’ve rounded up the fruits of all my packing trials and errors, along with some tips and picks tested by Travel + Leisure editors for what to bring along on your next extended trip. The products that made this list are those that we have found, tested, and rated highly in the T+L lab and in real-world tests, in addition to other products we chose based on in-depth research. Beyond these pieces, remember to always include your general travel essentials, like a passport and any necessary visas or vaccination cards. 

One of the easiest hacks for becoming a better packer is to make a list of everything you need and want for your trip — then to nix about half of your wants. You’ll be shocked by how little you’ll miss them when you’re chasing a new adventure every day, but you’ll be grateful to have your essentials on hand in unfamiliar places. The list also makes for a handy reference point for all future travels (it’s a good idea to edit it after a trip, when it’s fresh in your mind which pieces got the most use and which never came out of your suitcase), and it helps ensure you won’t forget anything when repacking. 

Read on for everything you need to pack for an extended trip, and learn more about each recommendation below.

• Best Lightweight Jacket: Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket
• Best Travel Outfit: Reformation Rou Knit Dress
• Best Travel Pants: Everlane the Easy Pant
• Best Sneakers: On Cloud 5 Women's Running Shoe
• Best Travel Sandals: Sandalup Elastic Flat Sandals
• Best Comfy Boots: Blondo Danika Waterproof Bootie
• Best Steamer: Steamery Cirrus 3 Iron Steamer
• Best Camera: Sony ZV-1 
• Best Wash Bag: Scrubba Portable Wash Bag
• Best Reusable Water Bottle: Thermoflask Double Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle With Two Lids
• Best Hotspot Router: GlocalMe G4 Pro 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot 
• Best E-reader: Amazon All New Kindle (2022)
• Best Packing Cube Set: Gonex Compression Packing Cubes
• Best Toiletry Bag: Away Large Toiletry Bag
• Best Travel Tote: Longchamp Le Pliage Original  
• Best Daily Sunscreen: Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen

When packing for a longer trip, focus on lightweight, versatile pieces. Once your list is written out, you’ll be able to see that some items may be superfluous and could be replaced by a piece that does double duty (think swapping short-sleeve and long-sleeve shirts for one shirt with sleeves you can roll up or taking an oversized scarf that also works as a shawl and a swimsuit cover-up that doubles as a picnic blanket instead of a single-use sweater). Shoes should be multi-functional as well, ideally able to take you from a day of sight-seeing to a night on the town. I always opt for neutral pieces that I can layer easily — ideally in quick-drying materials. To keep footwear to the essentials, I limit myself to one pair of sneakers, sandals that take me from day to night, and flip-flops that double as shower shoes. 

Best Lightweight Jacket

Patagonia women's nano puff jacket.

Hyper-lightweight and easy to pack into its own pocket, Patagonia’s Nano Puff Jacket easily earned top marks when T+L editors tested 19 packable jackets for women . The minimalist puffer, which is made from recycled materials and comes in seven hues, weighs just 10 ounces, making it an absolutely essential layer for travelers. Despite its sleek profile, it’s packed with 60 grams of PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco, which will keep you warm in shoulder seasons or in cold airplane cabins. It’s also slim enough to layer over or under other items, making it a versatile addition to your year-round wardrobe. During testing, we loved how subtle the packing pocket is — it’s hidden beside the chest zipper — and we found it simple and straightforward to stuff the jacket inside the handy pocket. There’s even a loop on it to hook onto a carabiner or to hang it up. 

This jacket would be even better if it also included a hood. Otherwise, it features a range of travel-friendly features that they found incredibly useful, from zippered pockets to keep your hands warm to elasticized cuffs and an adjustable hem that help keep wind and cold weather out. 

Travel + Leisure / Sabrina Weiss

Best Travel Outfit

Reformation rou knit dress.

Reformation

This swishy Reformation dress is my go-to for every longhaul flight or train ride. It feels like wearing pajamas but looks incredibly pulled-together, making it easy to head straight from the airport to exploring my next destination. The material is ultra lightweight and cozy and has stood the test of time over the past few years, keeping me company in all sorts of climates as it’s summery on its own but layers well under a chunky sweater. Even if you’re not a dress person, this will change your mind. 

Best Travel Pants

Everlane the easy pant.

Looking for a versatile pair of pants that can take you from the airport to a day of sightseeing and dinner with friends? The Easy Pant from Everlane has got you covered. Made from substantial and soft cotton twill with just a touch of elastane, these breathable straight-leg pants are made to move with you. While they’re not adjustable at the waist, we love the pull-on style, and the fact that there’s no drawstring allows you to easily dress these up or down for any occasion. 

These were part of a T+L lab test for best travel pants, and we found them incredibly comfortable and easy to style. The pants never felt tight or constricting. Out of the 40 pairs of travel pants tested , these were our favorite lightweight pick. We also loved the many features, including four deep pockets, a soft elastic waistband, and the ease of cleaning. When we tossed these in the wash during testing, we were delighted to see there was no pilling on the pants whatsoever afterward. 

Best Sneakers

On cloud 5 women's running shoe.

Made from recycled polyester that’s both antimicrobial and breathable, these sneakers from On are a game changer for travelers. Their lightweight construction makes them perfect for smushing into your suitcase and wandering around a new city, and the bungee-style laces are a dream for slipping these on-and-off at TSA. Out of 41 pairs of walking shoes tested by T+L , these were one of the favorites thanks to their CloudTec Zero-Gravity foam that infuses some pep in every step. One of our editors wore them through the airport on long-haul travel days and found that their feet were less inflamed and tired than usual at the end of the day. We were impressed by the amount of arch support and the molded heel design, which helps keep feet secure while still allowing plenty of flexibility. 

While these are our favorite all-purpose sneakers, if you need dedicated running shoes, consider a pair of fashionable yet-functional black Nikes that you can wear for working out and walking around during the day.

Travel + Leisure / Ashleigh Morley

Best Travel Sandals

Sandalup elastic flat sandals.

Top-notch travel sandals shouldn’t take up much space in your suitcase and should be versatile enough to mix and match with most everything you’ve packed. The Sandalup Elastic Flat Sandals earned top pick in T+L testing for the most comfortable sandals out of 50 pairs. They require minimal space when you pack them together and are available in a bevy of vibrant hues to suit your personal style. While the sandals are relatively thin and lacking arch support, they’re still noticeably comfortable — we found them easy to walk in for hours at a time and never noticed our feet getting overheated or sweaty even in the Florida heat. Best of all, the elastic straps adjust immediately to your foot, so there’s no need to break them in. The lack of a buckle or tie to fuss over makes this a boon for travelers in need of a low-maintenance, polished, and budget-friendly sandal. 

Best Comfy Boots

Blondo danika waterproof bootie.

We put these boots to the ultimate test as one T+L editor brought them along as the only pair of shoes for a week-long sightseeing trip in Eastern Canada. The risk paid off: our editor found them comfortable enough to wear right out of the box, and they felt broken-in immediately as they navigated the cobbled streets of Quebec City and Montreal. We found that they’re best paired with taller socks to prevent socks from slipping down, and we loved the convenience of their pull-on design, made even easier by the elastic gusset and handy pull tab on the back. Plus, they’re water-resistant! As far as rain boots go, these are some of the chicest we’ve seen — and we tested 28 pairs of comfy boots . We found them versatile enough to throw on with jeans and your favorite band T-shirt or with a dress for a more evening-appropriate look. 

Beyond clothing and shoes, there’s some great travel gear that will serve you well on longer trips, from reusable water bottles to portable steamers. The key is to keep things lightweight. Decide what’s easier to bring versus buying on arrival. In most destinations, you’ll be able to purchase, rent, or borrow whatever you may need, but if you’re heading somewhere more remote, make sure to keep these essentials in your carry-on.  

Best Steamer

Steamery cirrus 3 travel steamer.

Carrying a portable steamer has been a game changer in my travels. Living out of a suitcase means my clothes are semi-permanently wrinkled, and being able to steam them in seconds ensures I look more put together than I really am. Steamery’s Cirrus 3 Iron Steamer also reduces odors and kills bacteria, which helps me get by on fewer washes with certain items. While it’s not the cheapest option on the market, it certainly beats the cost of pressing your clothes at hotels over time, and it’s lightweight enough (1.7 pounds) to be a worthwhile addition to any carry-on.

Best Camera

Sony zv-1 digital camera.

A good camera is a traveler’s best friend, whatever the length of your trip. But the longer the journey, the happier you’ll be to have one that’s lightweight and easily packable — and one that is capable of capturing the highlights of your trip. Sony’s ZV-1 is designed for digital content creators and is ultra user-friendly, with top-tier video capability, 3x optical zoom, and a flip-out LCD screen that helps ensure you get the best selfies every time. 

Best Wash Bag

Scrubba portable wash bag.

Why sit around a laundromat when you could be out exploring a new city? While you might luck out with a vacation rental that has a washing machine and dryer, knowing that you can clean your clothes wherever you are offers peace of mind when you’re trying to limit how much you pack. Scrubba’s portable wash bag takes up next-to-no space in my suitcase, weighs just 5.3 ounces, and is perfect for cleaning small-to-medium loads. The patented washboard-in-a-bag technology helps rub stains out of clothes in 1-2 minutes. The best part is that you can also use it as a laundry bag when it’s dry. 

Best Reusable Water Bottle

Thermoflask double wall vacuum insulated stainless steel water bottle.

The Thermoflask Double Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle will keep you hydrated on the go, whether you’re sightseeing, working remotely , or on a longhaul flight. At just 1.1 pounds, the 18-ounce model is easy to tote around thanks to its comfortable grip and convenient carrying handle, and the vacuum-insulated, stainless steel coating keeps beverages cold for 24 hours or hot for 12 hours. This was our best overall pick out of the 26 reusable water bottles we tested — we found that this one was the most durable and convenient to use. We love that it comes with two different lid styles: the chug cap is perfect for travelers looking to sip on the go, plus it’s leakproof, so there’s no need to stress if you need to throw it in your bag, and there’s also a straw lid that delivers a steady flow if that’s your ideal sipping style. 

Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph

Best Hotspot Router

Glocalme g4 pro 4g lte mobile hotspot.

This mobile hotspot is a must for digital nomads and is helpful for anyone who needs stronger internet connectivity in more far-flung destinations. The GlocalMe G4 Pro 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot has a sleek, streamlined design and a proprietary Cloud SIM technology, which allows you to choose pay-as-you-go internet packages in 144 countries around the globe and connect up to 10 devices. The best part? The hotspot comes with one free gigabyte of international data, which you can use over the course of three months.

Best E-reader

Amazon kindle paperwhite.

As someone who spent years packing my personal item with books that I barely made a dent in, carrying an e-reader has helped to lighten my load and allows me more freedom of choice when it comes to picking out what I want to read, when I want to read it. Amazon’s 2023 edition is super compact — just 6.9 by 4.9 inches and 7.23 ounces — making it easy to slip into your purse. T+L editors love this model for its waterproof design and easy-to-read, 6.8-inch display. 

Handy travel accessories like compression packing cubes and toiletry bags are great for staying organized on longer journeys, helping you to condense and keep track of your belongings at a glance. Packing a foldable, multipurpose tote not only serves you well on day trips, you can also slip it into another bag in case you do a little too much shopping on the go. These are some of my favorite accessories for longer trips.

Best Packing Cubes

Gonex compression packing cubes.

This set of four packing cubes is essential for travelers looking to save space in their suitcase and stay organized on a longer journey by compressing their clothing into individual cubes. T+L editors named Gonex’s Compression Packing Cubes the best overall packing cube out of 23 tested thanks to its sturdy zippers, water-repellent nylon exterior, and resistance to tearing when overstuffed. The packing cubes come in four sizes: extra-large (17.3 x 13 x 3.54 inches), large (14.5 x 10.6 x 3.54 inches), medium (11.8 x 8.9 x 3.54 inches), and small (9.8 x 7.5 x 3.54 inches) to pack anything you need.

Travel + Leisure / Vicky Wasik

Best Toiletry Bag

Away large toiletry bag.

Away’s Large Toiletry Bag holds more than it looks like it would and has ample organizational features to help you keep track of all your travel essentials, from haircare products and makeup to cotton swabs. T+L editors managed to pack in makeup brushes, foundation, a compact mirror, and several toiletries with room to spare during testing, in turn ultimately voting this the best overall toiletry bag of the year. There’s a sleek exterior zip pocket to allow you easy access to your must-haves, plus several interior compartments, including a zippered pouch; two mesh linings; and a clear, cosmetic-style bag. The bag’s water-resistant nylon exterior is smooth to the touch, while the wipeable material that coats the inside helps to prevent dreaded spills. 

Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples

Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote

There’s no better foldable bag to keep in your luggage than an iconic Longchamp Le Pliage. I’ve tried everything from tote bags to squishable duffel bags and always come back to this classic for its durability, chic design, near-weightlessness (10 ounces for the large; 7.7 ounces for the medium ), and its two handy internal storage pockets. The bag sits at the bottom of my suitcase in case I overdo it on souvenirs and need extra space, or if I need a place to store a few days worth of clothes but don’t feel like lugging my luggage around on a weekend trip. I’m not alone in my obsession — T+L surveyed its team members, and six different people claimed it as their favorite lightweight travel tote thanks to the bag’s portability, sleek style, and built-to-last design. 

Best Daily Sunscreen

Supergoop unseen sunscreen spf 40.

A good go-to sunscreen is crucial for everyday skin protection, especially when you’re changing climates and might be traveling in destinations where the sun is stronger than you’re used to. Supergoop’s cult-favorite Unseen Sunscreen is velvety smooth and absorbs instantly, without leaving any sticky residue. It’s scentless, chemical-free, and boasts broad-spectrum SPF 40 to help protect your face from sun damage. It earned a spot as the best unscented sunscreen out of 24 face sunscreens tested by T+L for its lightweight and pleasant consistency, as well as its lack of white cast. 

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Frequently Asked Questions

While the amount of clothing you bring will depend on whether you’re carrying on or checking a bag, a good rule of thumb is to pack one week’s worth of clothing and plan to do laundry. A baseline checklist might include four tops, three bottoms, three pairs of shoes (make sure to have a variety for different activities like sneakers, sandals, and hiking boots), a week’s worth of underwear and socks, plus a hat. From there, adjust to your own needs — maybe swapping a top and bottom for a dress, or adding in one or two workout outfits. Your packing list will also depend on where you’re traveling to and what activities you plan on doing there.

On shorter trips, when you’re less likely to be experiencing major climate swings, you can ditch some of your layers at home. For longer travel, layering is the most crucial thing to keep in mind while packing so that you can jet from place to place without worrying if you have weather-appropriate clothing. Lightweight jackets, scarves, rollable T-shirts, and loose-fitting pants are great pieces that can carry you through all sorts of scenarios on a trip that lasts longer than two weeks. 

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Sophie Dodd is a T+L contributor with extensive commerce writing experience. As a freelance travel writer, she takes several extended trips throughout the year, and is well-versed in what it takes to pack for a variety of different adventures. Sophie relied on her personal experience as well as testing insights from our editors, who tried out dozens of products in the T+L lab and during their own travels in order to narrow down the best clothing, gear, and accessories worth packing for a long trip. 

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How Do You Pack for an Entire Year of Travel?

By Harrison Pierce

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.

Picture this: You’re wandering around a 2,000 year-old European city in the morning, sipping coffee and eating pastries. By night, you’re responding to emails and getting your work done. A few months later, you’re spending your day at a cafe in Buenos Aires and spending your nights connecting with other remote workers who happen to be in the same city as you. Lucky for me, this has been my life for the past two and a half years. I’m a full-time digital nomad who has learned a lifetime's worth of travel lessons in the past few years—especially when it comes to packing.

There are many different types of travelers; when planning where to go for extended stays, I avoid cold weather at all costs. This does make things slightly more manageable when it comes to packing . I typically have one sweatshirt, just in case it gets chilly, but that’s it—no bulky coats or winter accessories to worry about. I prefer to spend summers in the Northern Hemisphere, like Mexico and Europe, and when it starts turning cold, I return to the Southern Hemisphere to enjoy the summer there. In 2023, I spent January through the middle of June in Argentina, Uruguay, and Mexico. Then, I went to Europe and country-hopped all summer until I went to the US at the end of September to visit family. After a month at home, I spent the rest of the year in Colombia.

Looking ahead to 2024, I’m back in Argentina through the middle of March, and then I head to Peru through the end of May. From there, I expect to be in Europe through at least September before finding warmth in South America or Southeast Asia. Even though I only go home once a year, I take just one large checked bag , a personal item , and my cat, Isabelle, who counts as my carry-on. It might seem impossible to fit your entire life and your pet into such a small space, but it’s more doable than you think.

If the thought of never-ending travel feels a little intimidating, I'd suggest setting some parameters around it—six months or a year, as a test run. This makes it easier to pack, budget, and wrap your head around full-time travel. Whether you're in planning mode or are just curious as to how to squeeze your life into a suitcase, here are my top tips for how to pack for an entire year of travel.

My packing list for full-time travel:

Reliable luggage, clothing basics, comfortable shoes, toiletry essentials, tech accessories, more travel must-haves.

If you’re going to travel for any prolonged period with multiple destinations on the itinerary, sturdy, reliable luggage is a must. I’ve previously been loyal to Away , but I branched out slightly after my Away weekender bag broke while I was in transit. However, I still swear by the brand's The Large Suitcase. I prefer hard-sided luggage to help protect my items, and I like that the suitcase is split evenly down the middle. I pack all my clothes on the right side of my suitcase and all my work and travel accessories on the left side. I like to know exactly where everything is, so I use a lot of different organizers — packing cubes , shoe cubes, toiletry bags , a tech bag , and a jewelry box. Organization is the most important part of packing, so any accessories that help sort your essentials are worth the investment. If you want to ensure your bag never gets lost, I also highly recommend AirTags or another mobile tag .

Shown in salt

My clothes take up half of my suitcase. When packing, I start from the base of an outfit and end with the accessories. Because I’m only packing for warm weather, I can fit more options than I would if I were trying to pack for multiple seasons. I find it helpful to pack neutral clothes that can all work together to maximize the number of outfits you can create. This helps prevent the feeling that you’re wearing the same outfit over and over again. Here are the clothes I pack:

• 10 pairs of socks and underwear
• Two pairs of lightweight shorts
• A pair of athletic shorts
• A pair of sweatpants
• A pair of linen pants
• A formal pant
• A pair of jeans
• Seven T-shirts
• Six button-up short-sleeve shirts
• Two button-up long-sleeve shirts
• A black jumpsuit for more formal events
• A sweatshirt for chilly days or airplanes
• A scarf just in case it’s extra cold in a destination
• Two bathing suits

In total, I have six pairs of shoes while traveling. This might sound like a lot, but there’s a reason for each pair. I bring a pair of house slippers, sandals for the pool or the beach, Converse for day-to-day, Allbirds sneakers for hikes or long travel days, a dressy pair of loafers, and platform sandals that can be casual or formal. This way, I have all my bases covered.

I have two toiletry bags for all my skincare , haircare essentials, and other products. If you have a checked bag, I recommend packing full-size bottles of your favorite products, as they might be more difficult to find in other countries.

My travel and work accessories take up a large portion of my luggage, but each item holds enough value to secure a coveted spot in my suitcase. Here are the tech essentials worth bringing along, especially if you'll be working remotely.

What you want on hand for an entire year is different than what's deemed a packing essential for a weeklong vacation. Ultimately, all of my accessories take up more space than my clothes, but when traveling long-term, I appreciate having each one of these items with me. These accessories might not be crucial, but they've significantly enhanced my trips and make me feel more comfortable on the road. Most of these items were purchased out of necessity once I was already traveling, and they've been worth the weight they add to my luggage.

With that said, I’ve accepted the fact that my luggage will always be overweight. If you want to avoid paying for heavy luggage, go for a smaller suitcase and leave some of the “nice to have” items out. Everything in my suitcase is intentional and has a purpose, so I don’t mind incurring a fee. When traveling for a year, you will have to make a lot of sacrifices, but you learn how to do more with less.

A Family Year Out: Packing for Long-Term Travel: Updated 2024

Wondering what to pack for long-term travel? Packing for long term travel, whether a family year out (or a family gap year), a sabbatical, or full-time travel is a big enterprise. You’ll want to pack light, so you won’t be dragging unnecessary gear around the world, but you also want to have what you need in many different possible scenarios. If you need a gap year packing list, or long term travel packing list, this is great place to start.

When we began planning our family year out, we anticipated having a set itinerary that moved geographically across the globe. As the year went on, and many borders closed, it became clear that we would have to be more flexible. We started planning 1-2 countries ahead, with a general idea of where we would head next. In the end, this travel gear has seen us through more than two years of full-time travel, three seasons of climate, and many, many countries.

Like planning for a family year out , there is no one right way to pack for family long-term travel, but this is what has worked for our family. We are a family of four, our kids were 4, and 7 at the start of our journey. Not sure what we’re talking about? Check out What is a Family Year Out?

We’ll cover packing for long term travel, from technology to kitchen supplies, to packing cubes and what clothes we carry. We’ve also included a list of items we started carrying, and then left behind (and don’t miss!)

This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase.   As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. All our recommendations are our own and are in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.

At the bottom of this post,  download free Mobile Wallpaper images to satisfy your wanderlust!

Top Packing Picks : Osprey Wheeled Backpacks AirTag GPS tiles Power Strip and Adapters Amazon Basics Packing Cubes

Earth Breeze Laundry Sheets SteriPen Ultra Water Purifier Travel Knife Sharpener Rechargeable Travel Lantern

Table of Contents

What is Long-Term Travel?

This packing list is intended for families planning long-term travel. Long-term travel is a general term, that can mean full-time travel, a family gap year, or even a month or two of travel.

If you plan to do laundry on the road and need to be self-sufficient while traveling, rather than planning to do laundry or other chores when you get back home, we consider that to be long-term travel.

We started our Family Year Out with six months of road-tripping around the United States, then six weeks in Mexico . We were hoping to travel for at least a year, but did not have a set return date. After one year, we had visited 20 countries, including Peru , Colombia , Brazil , Italy , Croatia , Sri Lanka , and more. We’re still going!

Our Packing Journey

When we started our family year out with a two month long cross-country road trip , Cynthia and I were packing our stuff in our backpacking packs. We knew that there would be many places on our trip where we would need our hands free, and many of the places we hoped to see would not have nice paved sidewalks to wheel traditional luggage around.

The original idea packing concept was we would each carry a large backpack with our things and some of the kid’s stuff. Waker would carry a second pack with the rest of the kid’s stuff, Cynthia would carry a day pack, and that would leave us each a hand free for a kid.

Turns out, we needed a lot more space than that!

After three months on the road, we knew we needed to make a few changes. In addition to the packs we were hauling, we had a 40-liter duffel for all the overflow clothing, a laundry bag for dirty clothes, several reusable grocery bags carrying all our food supplies, and a cooler.

We would check into a hotel in the evening and it would take us at least three trips to get all our stuff in the room.

We knew we had to pack lighter, and we needed a better system.

Packing for 3 Seasons

We realized early on, as we were struggling to figure out how to easily carry all of our clothes and gear, we needed to limit our travels to three seasons.

We plan to “follow the sun” as best we can. This means we will spend most of our time in warm locations where we can spend time outdoors, and mostly eat outdoors as well.

However, even generally warm locations include cool mornings and evenings, so we are still carrying middle-weight items such as warm fleece pants, hats, and knit gloves so we are prepared for cool weather.

Not sure which seasons you should prepare for? Check out our bucket list of family adventures to think through your plans.

Carry-on Only?

When we were figuring out our packing system we read many posts of people who packed “carry-on only” and managed to pack very light.

While one of our top family travel tips is “Don’t Overpack” we find that this means something different to everyone. Ultimately, we prefer to carry more clothes and do laundry less frequently.

Our kids are at an age (4 and 7) where they frequently get dirty and trying to keep them in just a few items of clothing would be stressful and difficult. When E(4) slipped in the mud and was covered in thick mud from her sweater down to her sneakers, we were really glad we had brought a second sweater as a backup.

We’ve detailed below approximately what works for us, but you’ll figure out for yourself what exactly “comfortable” means to you.

I can’t live for a year with only one pair of socks or one pair of shoes, so I won’t ask my kids to do that either.

**Update: We are still working on reducing what we carry. It is an endless battle.

1. Luggage for Long-Term Travel

We did a lot of research and decided on larger wheeled backpacks for each adult, plus a larger backpack for the girls’ clothes.

Here’s how we made it all work, so we can carry everything in one trip, with our girls each carrying a small backpack, weighing around 10% of their body weight.

Adults: Osprey Sojourn 28″/80L Wheeled Backpacks

We found we were often lugging our bags for short distances, and putting them on our backs did not always make sense. These Osprey wheeled backpacks mean we can pull our packs on wheels when on smooth surfaces (airports, hotel hallways), but still have the option of carrying them backpack style when needed (stairs, cobblestone streets).

The Osprey Sojourn 80L packs are big: 28 inches long, and roughly 16 inches wide, with a minimum height of around 10 inches if not packed full. There is one large zippered opening and a second small zippered pocket at the top to hold things for easy access. The bag opens horizontally, like most suitcases, rather than top-loading like a traditional backpack. it also has two external compression straps that protect the outer zippers.

The large wheels and collapsible handles make the pack easy to maneuver, I was able to handle two, pulling one and pushing the second with no issues.

Inside the main compartment, there are two side zippered pockets as well as two mesh pockets on the top flap. For a large bag like this, I find all the pockets really helpful for organizing, while still having plenty of room for packing cubes.

Check Prices: Osprey Sojourn 80L

We can hold all our stuff in these packs, as well as some of the kids’ extra gear, and have a little room left over for things we might pick up along the way.

Packed as they are, they currently weigh between 39-44lbs (18-20kg). We are starting out a little heavier than we would like, but we are also carrying extra snacks and lots of liquids (bug spray, sunscreen, lotions) that we will use up as we go.

** Update: We have had two of the Sojourn 28″/80L Wheeled Travel Packs for two years and have really put them to the test. The bottom of one of them now has two large cracks in the plastic molding just above the wheels and will no longer stand up when fully packed.

Osprey has a lifetime warranty and will repair or replace the bag, but as we are still traveling, this is not possible and their current turnaround for repairs is 6-10 weeks. We still are happy with these bags and would likely get them again if we were starting out now.

In 2023 Osprey re-released the Sojourn Wheeled Travel Series with some new updated features and while I still like the 28″/80L, Cynthia is looking at the 25″/60L as it is a little smaller in all directions and has a more adjustable backpack harness that would likely fit her 5′ 2″ frame better.

Kids: Osprey Fairview 55L Backpack

We initially bought the Osprey Fairview 55L for Cynthia but found it still too small for long-term travel. However, all the kids’ packing cubes fit into it nicely. The front zip-off pocket of this bag holds all their other accessories including their hairbrush, pouch of hair ties and accessories, bruise lotion , and nightlight .

This backpack zips fully open like a suitcase, allowing full access to the interior, rather than being top-loading like a traditional backpack. The front section can be zipped off and used as a small daypack, which has come in handy.

The inside front flap contains a large mesh zip pocket that can be used to separate things. We keep our pouch of medicine in this pocket. We rarely need to access it, but always know where it is.

This backpack has two handles, so it can be carried in either orientation if you’re not wearing it on your back. We’ve also found it can be balanced on top of one of the Osprey Sojourn bags and wheeled along with it.

Check Prices: Osprey Fairview 55L

2. Luggage Security

We carry several things to secure our luggage when necessary. This may be in a luggage locker in a bus station or secured to a pole in a train compartment so we can visit the dining car without worrying about our things going missing.

All of these items are kept together in a small zip pouch.

Luggage Locks

We carry a standard TSA-approved luggage lock for each of our large bags. These don’t weigh much and provide peace of mind. We don’t use these often, but when leaving our larger bags in storage for a few days while we jaunt off to the jungle with just backpacks, it’s nice to know the bags are locked.

Luggage Cables

We have two lightweight cables that can be looped through bags and used with the luggage locks to secure our bag to a pole, or another secure part of a bus, train, or boat so someone can’t walk off with our bags when we aren’t paying attention.

Combination Pad Lock

We also carry one combination lock. This comes in handy for bear lockers in national parks or luggage lockers in bus or train stations. Update: This wasn’t worth the weight! We never used it.

Each of our bags has an AirTag GPS tile so we can track the bag if needed. These devices have a battery that lasts about a year.

Check Prices: AirTags

Don’t miss our safety tips for traveling with kids- from AirTags to family code words!

AirTag Silicone Covers

We initially had AirTags loose in each of our bags but found it easy to lose track of them. We also saw that they were starting to get scratched up bouncing around our bags.

We bought these silicone AirTag covers which color code each tag, protect them, and allow us to easily clip them into place so we always know where they are.

Check Prices: AirTag Covers

Extra Batteries for Airtags

We carry one set of extra batteries with us so we can swap these out in our AirTags after being on the road for a year. AirTags take a flat watch-style battery that may be hard to find on the road and weighs very little to carry with us.

3. Carry-On Backpacks

It is important to use that our backpacks function as both carry-ons on long travel days, and day packs when we are on hikes, day trips, and other adventures.

Cynthia carries the Gregory Maya 30L . This light and easy-to-adjust pack fits her well and has a nice 3D foam back panel to keep her back cooler on longer hikes. With both an interior and 3 exterior zippered pockets for small personal items, the pack is easy to organize and keeps what you want within reach.

She uses the separate zippered compartment designed for a water reservoir for her laptop and headphones, as well as larger travel documents. The outer mesh stuff sack has come in handy countless times for jackets, snacks, maps, and information packets. The two mesh water bottle pockets are accessible while wearing the pack and can handle even our large 40oz insulated water bottle.

Check Prices: Gregory Women’s Maya 30L Pack

After spending the summer trading off with Cynthia’s pack, I decided to get my own, so I now carry the Gregory Citro 36L H2O . This pack is bigger than the Maya, has a rigid frame, and comes with a 3-liter water reservoir. You can get the Citro 36 without the reservoir, but it also does not have the separate zippered pocket that it fits in.

We mostly use water bottles on our hikes, as they are easier to refill and easier to share, so I left the reservoir at home for now and use the pocket for my laptop and headphones instead.

Perhaps the biggest difference in the Citro pack is the VaporSpan ventilated suspension that keeps the pack away from your back and allows for lots of airflow. This and the larger size make it a great day pack that is comfortable for all-day adventures.

**Update: The suspension frame that keeps you cool also means it doesn’t fit under the seat on an airplane, or up top on a long bus ride. Which is annoying. In hindsight, we’d trade a slightly hotter pack for the flexibility of being able to stuff it into a smaller space when needed.

Check Prices: Gregory Men’s Citro 36L Pack

4. Kids Backpacks

Our 4 1/2-year-old has the REI Co-op Tarn 18 Kids Backpack . While REI says it is sized for 8 to 12-year-olds, we found that it fits her with room to grow, while being large enough to hold what she needs to carry.

We cannot say enough good things about this pack. It is well made with easy-to-use zippers, interior, and exterior zippered pockets, two mesh water bottle holders, and an exterior stuff pocket for a hat or jacket. It has a padded waist belt with a small zip pocket on each side.

**Update: After two years we still love this bag. It’s still going strong, and still fits our 6-years old well.

Check Prices: REI Tarn 18 Kids Backpack

Our 7-year-old has a Deuter Speed-Lite 20L backpack . After carrying around a much larger backpack for school, she did not want a smaller volume size pack and this was the smallest and shortest 20L we could find.

It is a minimalist pack with an interior divider where she keeps her iPad, headphones, and a notebook. There is an external zippered pocket for small personals and a stuff pocket that can be reached from either side, although we wish it could be unclipped at the center. There are two mesh water bottle pockets and a minimal waist belt.

Check Prices: Deuter Speed-Lite 20L Backpack

5. Clothes and Shoes

All of our clothes and shoes fit into packing cubes in our main bags. We find that what one needs to travel comfortably for long-term travel- whether that’s three months or a year or longer, varies dramatically from person to person.

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes tend to come in standard sizes regardless of the manufacturer. We have a variety of cubes from several different manufacturers.

While there are small differences between the types of packing cubes, overall we love how they keep us organized. We can easily move our cubes into a dresser if we’ll be in one place for a while. Even when we’re moving quickly, they keep our things organized, even when spread out over the floor.

Here are the different types of cubes we are currently using:

Amazon Basics: We mainly use these packing cubes. Amazon Basics sets contain either four of the same size or one of each size; large, medium, small, and slim. We have one of the different sizes when we were first trying to figure out what sizes would work for us.

Being able to color-code our cubes so each member of the family has a different color is really helpful. This especially helps keep each kid’s clothes sorted and organized.

Check Prices: Amazon Basics Packing Cubes

Gonex: 4 medium-sized packing cubes . I like this brand. They have smaller mesh openings than Amazon Basics, but I find this makes them easier to open and close. I am 6ft 2in and I find the medium size works well for most of my clothes (I have changed the way I fold some of my clothes so they pack better).

Eagle Creek: These packing cubes come in sets of three with three different sizes. They are a solid color and are made of a much lighter-weight material than the other brands.

We use these for organizing items other than clothing, such as hair accessories, kitchen tools, and toiletries. We have two sets, one is blue and top-loading , the other is green and side-loading .

We have also noticed that what shoes families carry varies widely. We started out carrying Crocs for our kids as well as their sneakers and flip-flops and decided they weren’t necessary for us.

All of us are carrying water shoes that are useful for kayaking, boating, and exploring rocky beaches. We’ve listed the specific shoes for each person in the details below.

Update: Don’t skip these! Especially on rocky beaches, these have been essential.

How We Use Our Packing Cubes

Here’s how these packing cubes worked best for each of us. Everyone organizes differently, this should be a guideline for how your clothes may fit best into packing cubes.

Men’s Clothes

Based on Waker, 6’2″ adult. 4 medium cubes, 1 small cube, and 1 slim cube.

Medium Cube: Underwear and one pair of long underwear

Medium Cube: T-shirts and one long sleeve t-shirt

Medium Cube: Pants and Shorts

Medium Cube: Two fleece sweaters and two long sleeve sun shirts

Slim Cube: Socks

Small Cube: Swim Trunks, Rashguard, Travel Towel

Shoes: Waterproof Hiking Shoes, Flip Flops, Water Shoes

Women’s Clothes

Based on Cynthia, 5’3″ adult. 3 medium cubes, and 4 small cubes.

Medium Cube: T-shirts and Tanktops

Medium Cube: Pants and Dresses

Medium Cube: Sweaters and Fleece

Small Cube: Shorts

Small Cube: Socks and Underwear

Small Cube: Pajamas and Bras

Small Cube: Swimsuits, Rashguard, Travel Towel

Shoes: Waterproof Hiking Shoes, Slip-on City Shoes (Sketchers), Water Shoes, Flip Flops

Kids Clothes

Based on a 4 and 7-year-old, both wearing approx. size 6-7. Each child has cubes in one specific color. We use masking tape and a Sharpie to label each cube so we can all keep track of what belongs where.

Each child has 1 medium cube and 4 small cubes, as well as 1 shared medium cube.

Small Cube: Socks, Underwear, Pajamas

Small Cube: T-shirts and Tank Tops

Small Cube: Pants

Medium Cube: Warm Pants, Sweaters, Dresses

Medium Cube: Shared cube with both girls’ swimwear, goggles, water shoes, and wet bag.

Shoes: Sneakers, Flip Flops, Water Shoes

6. Jackets and Outerwear

Jackets and Outerwear can be tough to pack. We have struggled at times with the best way to pack these, and how much to invest in new pieces that pack down a little smaller and a little lighter.

Each of us also currently carries the following outerwear gear:

Waterproof Rain Shell

Cynthia has a Patagonia Torrent Shell 3Layer Jacket , which fits over her warmer jacket when needed.

Waker has a Mammut Masao HS Jacket . This is his second Mammut hard shell, the previous one lasted almost fifteen years. Mammut makes great technical gear that won’t break the bank.

Both girls have waterproof Columbia Arcadia Rain Jackets . While they roll up nicely, they do not fit into their packing cubes so we carry them in our bags instead.

Warm Jacket

Cynthia has an REI Co-op 850 Magma Down Jacket . This folds into its own pocket to zip up into a nice, compact pouch.

Waker currently has a Barbour Flyweight Chelsea Quilted Jacket that has worked well in New York City , and Iceland, but is not all that packable. We ended up ditching this and replacing it with a jacket from Decathalon along the way.

Waker has the Patagonia Men’s Down Sweater Jacket on his wishlist. At only 13oz or 371g, it is packed with 800-fill-power responsibly sourced down and packs into the interior zipper pocket for easy travel.

We all keep a pair of middle-weight knit gloves in the pocket of our warm jacket. That way, we always know where they are, and if it’s cool enough to need a jacket, our gloves are easily available.

We all carry warm knit hats. These come in handy in light rain, and generally cool or chilly weather.

Baseball Hat

We all carry a baseball hat to keep the sun off our faces in hot weather. We all have fair complexions, and sometimes just sunscreen is not enough.

7. Personal Care Items

Of course, we carry standard toiletry items including shampoo and condition in travel sizes. Many of our items fit in our family toiletry kit. All of the liquid items are held in a packing cube to keep them all together.

Here are a few items worth pointing out:

Family Toiletry Kit

We use a family toiletry kit that hangs in the bathroom and holds all of our toothbrushes, toothpaste, and basic toiletries. It’s not huge for four people, so we also keep additional personal items in other pouches.

There are a couple of small mesh zip pockets to hold smaller items and a small mirror. We like that it makes all the shared items easily accessible to everyone and easy to pack and unpack.

Check Prices: Family Toiletry Kit

Scissors and Comb

Waker cuts his own hair, and we cut the girls’ hair as well. We carry a small pair of sharp hair-cutting scissors, and a small tooth comb for haircuts.

Beard & Hair Trimmer

Waker has used a lot of different trimmers over the years and knows it is not easy to find one device that does everything really well.

He is really happy with the Braun MGK5280 All-In-One Trimmer for face, hair & body. Its lithium-ion battery lasts 100 minutes and a full recharge takes only one hour. You can wash the blades off in water for easy cleaning and it comes with a bag for easy transporting.

Kids Hair Accessory Pouch

We have a small Eagle Creek Top Zip Packing Cube that holds the girls’ hair accessories. This includes three sizes of hair ties, a small bottle to spray water, hair clips, and soft headbands.

8. Laundry Supplies

Laundry is a constant companion on the road with us. Our kids create laundry very quickly, often getting food or mud on their clothes. We choose to carry more clothes so we can do laundry every week or two, rather than packing lighter and washing clothes every day or two.

Laundry Bag

We carry a white cotton laundry bag that all of our dirty clothes go into. If needed, this bag can be tossed into one of our large packs for a travel day.

For some families, it makes sense for each person to carry their own laundry until it’s time to wash, but our kids are too little for that system at this point.

Small Laundry Bag for Masks

We carry a small drawstring delicates laundry bag to hold our dirty cloth masks. This keeps them separate in the laundry, so they don’t get twisted, torn, or generally lost among the larger clothes.

Update: Nope, we don’t use this, and cloth masks have now been replaced with the N95 disposable kind.

Laundry Sheets

Looking much like a dryer sheet, a laundry sheet is made of dehydrated detergent. We love our Earth Breeze laundry sheets – they make carrying laundry detergent simple and easy.

You tear one sheet into pieces and place it in the bottom of a traditional top-loading washer or place the pieces in the drawer for dry detergent in a front loader. You pay a little more per load, but these are incredibly lightweight and easy to carry.

They are also environmentally friendly as you have no plastic jug to recycle. We take them out of the paper packaging and store them in a ziplock so we don’t have to worry about moisture getting to them.

Check Prices: Earth Breeze Laundry Sheets

Update: LOVE THESE! I’m actually having a new pack sent over from the US. These are so much easier than shopping for liquid detergent, and so easy to carry.

Dryer Sheets

We carry a second ziplock of dryer sheets. Be sure to mark the outside, so you can easily tell which is which!

OxiClean Stain Stick

Some kind of stain remover is a necessity for us. This Oxyclean Stain Stick is a gel, so we don’t have to worry about liquids spilling. Pretreat stains, then throw them in the laundry bag until you’re ready to wash.

9. Snacks and Food Supplies

Of course, we always carry snacks! For hikes, for long days waiting for buses, and everything in between. We also carry a packing cube with a few kitchen essentials so we’re always prepared.

Water Bottles

We carry a Camelbak Eddy + Renew 25oz water bottle . We find that with all the wear and tear, they are easy to clean and the bite valves last a long time and do not leak.

We also have a Simple Modern 40oz insulated water bottle with three different lids. This is a large water bottle great for longer hikes and or as a refill for our smaller one. It also gives us the option to keep things warm or cold.

Update: Waker really wanted this insulated option, but after a few months decided it just wasn’t worth its heavy weight. Great for at home, but didn’t make the cut for long-term travel.

Snack Pouch

Originally we carried various snacks- granola bars, almonds, etc in a zip-lock bag. However, this bag was opened and closed multiple times a day, so we knew we needed to find something sturdier.

This pouch from REI was designed to be a toiletry bag, but it is perfect for holding snacks in my carry-on. It has a top zipper and a wide bottom so it holds a variety of snack sizes easily. It has a side loop if you want to attach it to the inside of a larger bag, and a small inside zip to hold small things separately. This bag is sturdy, easy to clean, and easy to open and close.

Update: We Love this Bag. We would get a second one if they were easily available outside the US.

We carry the SteriPEN Ultra which uses UV light to purify our drinking water. We did not need it in the US as all the places we visited had clean drinking water. Now that we are traveling outside the US, we use it daily.

The Ultra has a rechargeable battery that works up to 50 times on a single charge. It cleanses a liter of water in 90 seconds- the UV light kills over 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and other things you don’t want to drink.

Check Prices: SteriPen Ultra

Pocket Knife

A knife is really handy for cutting up snacks or treats to share. Waker loves this simple Gerber Zilch folding knife . It was under $20 and if we lose it or it gets confiscated at an airport or train station, it is not the end of the world.

**Update: Yup, it got left behind on our trip to Lokrum Island in Croatia . We ended up getting a replacement for Christmas.

Check Prices: Gerber Folding Knife

Packing Cube: Kitchen Essentials

We have a large eagle creek top-close packing cube that holds our cutting board (8 1/2 x 11″), and all of our kitchen items from travel cups to bottle brushes. In this packing cube we carry all of the below items:

Paring Knife with Sheath

Having a good safe knife for cutting up fruit or dividing up meals is really important. We carry this 4-inch paring knife with a sheath from Kuhn Rikon in red, but they have lots of colors to choose from. (Make sure this stays in the checked luggage when you are flying.)

Cutting Board

This little cutting board is great for cutting up apples, making meals, serving food, or even doubling as a plate. We carry this 8.5 x 11-inch rigid poly cutting board. We found ours at Walmart for just a few dollars.

Travel Knife Sharpener

A good sharp knife is one of the most important tools for cooking. If you have stayed in a place that has a kitchen and provides utensils, you already know finding a good knife is hard.

This little travel knife sharpener is easy to carry and really comes in handy. It’s lightweight and easy to use, and you will leave the knife better than you found it. Bring on those tomatoes!

Update: Essential! This has saved us at so many apartments!

Check Prices: Travel Knife Sharpener

Hotel coffee is generally awful, and we don’t want to buy coffee every day. When we are home, we start each morning with a cup of coffee, when we are traveling, we find we prefer to make ourselves a good cup of tea in the morning. There is often a way to easily heat water in the hotel room. We carry tea bags in several varieties so we have some of everyone’s favorites.

Collapsable Travel Cups

This is a set of 4 silicone travel cups that collapse flat. Each one comes with a lid that helps them to stay fully collapsed. These are great for holding snacks or drinks on the road and also double as a rinse cup for brushing teeth when needed. These are a bit heavy, so consider how many of the 4 you really need to carry.

Don’t tell the kids, but these are also great for holding a bit of whiskey when the hotel only provides paper cups.

Travel Bowls

We carry a set of four rigid plastic bowls that we picked up inexpensively at Walmart. They are perfect for yogurt, cereal, rice and beans, and just about anything else you can think of. They nest together and clean up easily. We contemplated replacing these with collapsable bowls with lids but found that the collapsable bowls were too heavy to carry around.

Travel Cutlery Sets

We love these stainless steel cutlery sets – they feel like you are eating with real cutlery. However, they can get heavy, so we have taken out the pieces that we don’t use often (like the metal straw), and combined two sets into one case. The knives are problematic for metal detectors, so we also removed those. This way, we don’t have to worry about removing the set from our carry-on for plane rides.

Update: We actually had the forks taken from us at airport security in South America (why? I’m not sure). So we only have the spoons now which makes this much less handy.

We carry a small bottle of dishwashing soap (3 oz) with us so we can always put our travel dishes and cutting board away clean.

Bottle Brush

I originally bought this CamelBak water bottle cleaning kit to keep the girls’ water bottles clean for school. But now that we are traveling we use it for all our water bottles. The main brush is too big to carry with us, but the small one for the straws and mouthpieces has been essential in keeping things clean.

Mini Travel Towel

We keep a small quick-dry travel towel in with our kitchen supplies. This is a 15 1/2 inch square towel that comes in handy to dry dishes and clean up spills as needed. It packs up small and weighs about half an ounce.

Check Prices: Mini Travel Towel

10. Technology for a Family Year Out: Computers, Cords, and More

Part of our time spent traveling includes blogging for the adults, and schoolwork for the kids via an online program. As such, we have a lot of technology to carry around!

We both carry a MacBook Air with the Mi chip. These are not cheap laptops, but collaborating and moving from our phones to our computers is a breeze. And the new M1s run so efficiently, we can use them for multiple evenings without charging.

Check Prices: MacBook Air

External Hard Drives

We have two portable external hard drives for backing up our laptops. These Element Drives by Western Digital hold 2 TB of storage and come with a USB 2.0/3.0 connection. We opted for the cheaper HDD over the SSD which was over three times as expensive.

We also bought this short USB 3.1 cord with Micro B to USB C to connect to our M1 laptops without needing an adapter.

Travel Tip: Make sure to store your external hard drive with back ups separately from your laptop.

We choose iPads for our kids based on the tech requirements for their online homeschooling program. Many families prefer Kindles to limit game time. We find our kids spend most of their “free screen time” watching PBS Kids shows.

We also use these iPads for video calls with family while we are away.

Adult Headphones

We both carry two pairs of wired EarPods. Why? One for our phones with lighting connections and one for our laptops with 3.5mm headphone jacks. These work just fine most of the time, and have great sound and mics for video chats, but we find over-ear headphones are more comfortable for long use or flights.

While I have not yet tried them, I am interested in the new Flagship ANC Over-Ear Headphones from Status. I have seen some very promising reviews and while most agree they are not as great as the Sony WH1000XM4s, they a pretty close and currently less than half the price.

Kid Headphones

The kids each have a pair of JBuddies Pro Wireless Headphones from JLabs. We are really happy with how these are working out. We are still only using them as wired headphones, but being able to unplug them to untangle them has been key.

Update: After two years of steady use, these headphones are just starting to show wear and tear. Considering how many times these have been stuffed in and out of backpacks when going through security at airports etc., we are quite impressed.

Check Prices: JBuddies Kids Headphones

See our full review of the best headphones for kids .

Travel Power Strip with International Adapters

We carry the GR-8 USB Travel Power Strip with 8 International Adapters . This has four three-prong outlets, four smart USB outlets, and surge protection. The whole kit weighs only a pound and is relatively compact.

Update: This is one of our essential items. It’s the first thing we unpack in a new place, as our devices are always on low! Charges everything, everywhere.

Check Prices: Power Strip and Adapters

Portable USB Charger

This portable charger works via USB. It can recharge a cell phone or an iPad on the go. I keep this in my carry-on, so I don’t have to worry about running out of cell phone battery when I carry our boarding passes, maps, and navigation apps on my phone.

We have used this charger during a power outage that lasted several days and found that it can fully recharge our phones multiple times on one charge.

11. Medicine

We carry two different pouches to handle minor injuries and minor sicknesses.

Our first aid kit holds a variety of items including band-aids, antiseptic cream, tweezers, a tick remover, after-bite lotion, and cortisone cream.

Our second pouch contains items for if one of us is feeling poorly: cough drops, fever reducers, Immodium tablets, Pepto Bismol nausea tablets for adults, and similar tablets designed for kids. We are not carrying any liquids, but have found that most basic medications can be found in tablet or powder form.

Here are a few items that we carry that we think are worth mentioning specifically:

Electrolyte Powder

These pouches of flavored electrolyte powders are easy to carry and easy to use- simply add them to a bottle of water. These are a great way to address dangerous dehydration quickly, whether that’s from throwing up or sunstroke.

**These have definitely come in handy. We used them all (thanks Mexico and India!) and then got replacements.

Fever and Pain Tablets

Until we started packing for long-term travel, I had no idea that chewable fever tablets for kids existed! I wish I had known about these long ago.

Advil Junior chewable tablets are so easy to carry- I keep a bottle in my purse for any unexpected illness or injury. These are NSAIDs, so they reduce inflammation. They are helpful for minor pain relief (earache, toothache) or fever reduction. These are approved for use with kids ages 2 and up.

Check Prices: Chewable Fever Tablets

COVID Tests

Hopefully, we won’t have to use these, but we have several at-home COVID tests that we can use quickly if either we have symptoms, or are notified of possible exposure. These have a tight expiration date, so we won’t carry them indefinitely, but give us some peace of mind as we will likely be traveling places where rapid tests are hard to find.

Update: Expired and left behind before we needed them. Finger’s crossed this isn’t something we’ll need to carry going forward.

This supplement mimics your body’s natural response to the end of the day. Taken a few hours before you want to go to bed, these tablets help your body adjust to jet lag.

Some people find that their kids have reactions to these, so discuss them with your pediatrician before using them. However, we find our kids fall asleep within 15 minutes of taking a half a pill, which really helps us get on top of jetlag.

12. Mosquitos and Sunburn

We carry a series of lotions, sprays, and other gels to deal with the effects of bug bites and too much sun. We stock up on these ahead of time because some of these items can be hard to find on the road.

Bug Spray (non DEET)

We use this Off Botanicals natural , non-DEET bug spray for every day, “there are a few bugs bothering us” use. We don’t have to worry about the effects of this on the kids’ skin.

Bug Spray (Picaridin)

This bug spray is for use in malaria zones, where bugs are not just a nuisance, but an actual health danger.

Picaridin is a recent alternative to DEET in the United States but has been approved in Europe for decades. Unlike DEET, Picardin will not damage any clothes or plastics it comes into contact with (like your sunglasses).

Mosquito Spray for Clothes

Also for malaria zones, this mosquito spray is for use on clothes, rather than on skin. You spray your clothes before you wear them. This spray stays on your clothes through six washes, so you don’t have to constantly reapply.

Check Prices: Mosquito Spray for Clothes

After Bite Itch Eraser

This small roll-on “pen” is part of our first-aid kit. After Bite applies a liquid to itchy bug bites that helps take the sting out of bug bites. This works for mosquitos and other biting bugs that sometimes leave itchy bumps or welts.

We all have fair skin and have found that sunscreen is hard to find in certain parts of the world, so we always carry a good supply with us.

When we got a bit too much sun in Thailand we were shocked at how much a small bottle of gel with soothing aloe cost there. We now carry a family-size bottle with us for anytime one of us gets too much sun.

13. Money & Documents

Keeping your important documents and money clearly organized is important. Here’s how we have it all sorted out for our Family Year Out.

Passport Pouch

We depend on our Family Passport Holder . It holds a pen, our passports, our WHO yellow fever vaccination cards, our Global Entry Cards, our PADI cards, and extra passport photos.

We also keep in here copies of the kids’ birth certificates, our international driver’s permit, and some extra cash in USD.

This study zip pouch keeps everything contained, with a slot to hold printed boarding passes on the front cover.

It’s worth noting we also keep digital scans of all of these important documents should something happen to the originals.

Check Prices: Family Passport Holder

Coin and Currency Pouches

We carry several small pouches for holding different currencies. One holds back up USD cash and credit cards we don’t use often. A second pouch holds extra cash in the currency we are currently using, and a third is an everyday pouch we carry with us daily holding a small amount of the currency of the country where we are traveling.

However you arrange your cash, the key is to never put too much cash in one place, and always have some USD cash as a backup in case your credit cards or debit cards don’t work as you expect them to.

Plastic Document Folder

We have a slim plastic document folder with a pocket on each side that we can slide printed documents into. These vary from bus tickets that need to be printed to immigration forms that we will need to present on paper.

We also carry a small square calendar in here that we find useful for planning out our next stops.

Travel Insurance

Don’t forget your travel insurance! We use SafetyWing – we love that it renews automatically every month until we request for it to stop. We don’t need to list where we are going ahead of time, so we can keep our plans flexible without worrying about updating our travel insurance.

Get a Quote: SafetyWing Travel Insurance

14. Carry-On Items

There are several items that come in handy that stay in our carry-on for long travel days. We use our packs slightly differently when they are day packs.

You can see a full list of how we pack for days out and in our carry-ons. First aid kits are key!

Travel Booster Seats

We use our Mifold Travel Booster Car Seats in every taxi and Uber that we take, however, these are no longer available .

Alternative travel-friendly car seats are the SafeRiderVest for kids 3+, who are between 30 and 60 pounds.

For older kids, check out the Bubblebum Booster or the Hiccapop Booster , both of which are inflatable, and so easy to carry when not in use. These both work for kids who are between 40-100 pounds.

Travel Watch

Waker has a Timex Command Urban 47mm Silicone Strap Watch. He loves the time zones by city, two saved time zones besides your current, vibrating alerts and alarms, Indiglo, an easy-to-read display, and water resistance to 10 ATM.

Check Prices: Timex Command Urban Men’s Travel Watch

Cynthia has a Timex Ironman Transit 33mm Mid-Size Resin Strap Watch. She likes the two time zones and easy-to-read display with the day of the week and date and Indiglo. This is her third watch in this series. It just works for her, it’s colorful, and it’s not expensive.

Check Prices: Timex Ironman Travel Watch

We love these earplugs! These colorful earplugs come in a box with two sizes, Cynthia found the smaller size more comfortable for her. They don’t block out all sound (we can still hear the kids calling) but they dull the sounds so you can sleep when in a noisy place, or when someone around you is snoring.

These sit inside your ear, so you don’t press against them when you put your head against a pillow. They have a long tail that sits in your upper ear that you use to pull them out. We keep this in a small pop-top travel container. Highly Recommend.

Check Prices: Reusable Ear Plugs

Travel Pillow & Sleep Mask

We debated over whether to bring our inflatable travel pillow , so we’ll have one travel pillow between the four of us for whoever needs it most. Each of us has a sleep mask to block out light.

Light Scarf

Cynthia carries a light cotton scarf in her carry-on that can be used for extra warmth or to cover her shoulders in a church or other religious setting. It can also be used as a head covering if needed.

Turkish Travel Towel

These Turkish beach towels are great. We use these as travel blankets on planes and trains. We use them as beach towels to sit on and to dry off with. These are fairly light, soft, hold up well, and are helpful in many situations. We carry two of these, so each kid can curl up with one if needed.

*Update: After 2 years, both of our Turkish towels are still going strong. We wrap the kids with these on long bus rides, and use them at the beach to lay out. These have so many uses.

Buy Now: All Purpose Beach and Travel Towel

Playing Cards

We carry a standard deck of cards and a small notebook for keeping score. There are endless games you can play with a regular deck of cards.

We also carry SushiGo , which we love to play as a family.

Small Pack of Crayons

Cynthia carries a small bag of crayons in her purse that we can use in a pinch- sometimes we find that restaurants have run out of crayons. S(7) loves to play tic-tac-toe while waiting for our food.

*Update: ditched these after they became too heavy and the girls started carrying their own soft purses they bought in Peru. Now they each carry a small set of markers and a notebook to draw in.

We use a Sharpie for so many things! Putting the girls’ initials on things, marking papers or cups. This simple, small, item comes in handy a lot.

We have switched the whole family to KN95 masks for long travel days and public transportation.

These kids’ KN95 masks fit our kids (4 and 7) well. We scrambled at the last minute after we bought another brand marked as “kids” and found that they were too big to comfortably fit our kids.

Pouch for Cloth Masks

We have a zip pouch that holds all of our reusable, washable cloth masks that we don’t use in everyday situations where we aren’t around a lot of other people.

Update: No longer necessary, we use disposables for long travel days.

Small Packs Facial Tissues

These small packs of tissue generally come in sets of eight. We find that we don’t need them for a while, then one of the girls will get a runny nose and need three or four packs in quick succession. These little packs also make a great substitute for toilet paper in a pinch.

Antiseptic wet wipes are great for cleaning up sticky fingers and faces, and also for wiping down tray tables and other public surfaces we may be touching in our travels.

We carry a thin wet bag in a carry-on. Should one of the girls spill something and need to change clothes, we have a place to easily store the wet/dirty item.

15. What the Kids Carry

It is recommended that kids carry no more than 10% -15% of their own body weight in a backpack. With both of our kids hovering around 50 pounds, that means we need to limit what they carry in their backpacks to around five pounds or so. Here is what each of our girls currently carries:

iPad & Headphones

Each girl carries her iPad, her headphones, and all the associated cords. This means their iPads are available for entertainment on long travel days. They know that this means they cannot sit on or mistreat their backpacks and that they are being trusted to carry something of significant value.

Motion Sickness Wristbands

Sea-Bands motion sickness wristbands have saved our girls from getting sick on windy roads. They come in a small reusable holder, so they are easy to pack and don’t weigh much. These run very small, so get the adult size, even for younger children.

Buy Now: Sea Bands Motion Sickness Wristbands

Pajama Packing Cube

Each girl carries in their backpack a packing cube that contains their pajamas, socks, and underwear. This is helpful in a few ways- first, they start to get used to the idea of carrying their own stuff. More importantly, when we get in late to a hotel, they have everything to get ready for bed right at their fingertips (except their toothbrush and toothpaste).

If we are delayed and they want to change into pajamas before a long flight or bus ride, we have them with us, and they are easy to get to. This also saves us from repacking before flights.

Lastly, if we have any kind of accident on a long travel day, from not making it to the bathroom, to spilling food or slipping in the mud, they have a complete change of clothes handy in the form of pajamas.

Each girl carries a cute sleep mask with them. These are lightweight, and allow them to sleep anywhere they choose.

One Comfort Item

Each girl has the option of bringing one small comfort item with them, that they like to sleep with. They are responsible for keeping track of this item and packing it into their bag.

Slim Notebook

Each girl has one notebook to use as they please. This can be used as a journal, for taking notes during school or simply drawing pictures. We try to find the lightest-weight version we can, as paper can get heavy quite quickly.

Coloring Book

Each girl chose one coloring book to take with them for entertainment on long travel days.

Pouch of Markers

Each girl has a slim, zip pencil pouch that holds a few markers. We have found that often the four of us to sit in groups of two on planes and buses, so both girls get a window seat, and we can still talk to each other. The result is that it’s more difficult to share things like markers and pencils than if the girls were sitting together, so we plan for this ahead of time.

Pencils & Sharpener

We also carry one zip pouch of pencils and a small sharpener. This is more for school work and practicing handwriting than for general entertainment.

Small Pouch for Treasures

Each girl has a small mermaid tail pouch with color-changing sequins and a top zipper. While this is far from necessary, it is a great way to talk about limiting the treasures that our girls pick up along the way.

They tend to love keeping ticket stubs, small rocks, shells, and other things that can quickly add up to clutter and extra weight.

16. Misc. Items to Pack for Long-Term Travel

Here are a few miscellaneous items that we carry that may come in handy for your family! These items also show that while we try to pack light, and only bring what is necessary, we also make some exceptions for everyone’s overall comfort.

Packable Shopping Bags

We carry a few reusable shopping bags that fold down small and are lightweight. These are perfect for small grocery runs, carrying souvenir purchases, and even extra bags of snacks when traveling.

Kids Nightlight

We carry a small nightlight to use in hotel rooms. Our character nightlight comes from IKEA (similar to this nightlight ), and works both on a rechargeable battery, and when plugged in. This helps the kids feel more comfortable when sleeping in lots of new places.

Update: This version finally died, and we replaced it with a much smaller, lighter travel lantern . We love that it charges via USB.

Buy Now: Rechargeable Travel Lantern/Nightlight

We are (fingers crossed) still going to be traveling by Christmas next year. We have a faux brass “ Santa Key ” that we use every year. It is a special ornate key that you put outside your door on Christmas Eve, that only Santa can use.

This allows Santa to easily visit you, even when you don’t have a large fireplace. This is one just a few items that I’m packing for our family year out so we can preserve traditions, and all feel comfortable celebrating the holidays in a new (we have no idea where) space.

Birthday Candles

We carry a few birthday candles and a small box of matches. We celebrate birthdays with a muffin, a single birthday candle, and a round of “Happy Birthday” first thing in the morning.

We have kept this tradition going on the road- Eloise got a pastry with a candle in Memphis on her 4th birthday, Waker is next up in February, when we’ll be in Mexico.

Update: So far we’ve celebrated birthdays in Morocco, Jerusalem, Paris, and more. We always make a point of picking up decorations and dessert wherever we are.

This is an Altoids tin where we keep little things like super glue, rubber bands, twist-ties, safety pins, clothespins, and extra mask parts. This is the tin of extra bits to save the day when something breaks.

17. Things We Considered Packing for Long-Term Travel (but left behind).

There are several things we considered packing for our family year out but decided to leave behind. We’re mentioning them in case they are important to you. We’ll let you know if we end up missing any of these!

Cameras for the Kids

Our kids love taking pictures, and they had older model digital cameras with SD cards. However, the batteries constantly needed to be charged and most of the pictures were blurry. We considered getting them better cameras but decided it was just one more piece of potentially expensive gear to keep track of.

Binoculars for the Kids

Our kids have “starter” inexpensive binoculars, and they have loved having them on road trips. They’ve enjoyed using them to tell cows from goats in the fields in the distance. However, they are heavy and don’t really work well, so we are leaving them behind.

We initially anticipated doing a lot of bathtub laundry on our trip. We found instead that many budget hotels in the US have coin-operated laundry for guest use, and rarely had to resort to sinks or tubs. As we move overseas, we anticipate sending our laundry out more than washing in our room.

Travel Clothesline

We debated about this one and pulled it from our baggage at the last minute. We find that we do laundry either when machines are available, or we send it out.

This travel clothes drying line could come in handy for hanging wet swimsuits, but we generally don’t feel comfortable hanging things on hotel balconies, regardless of whether we have a way to secure our things.

Warmer Clothes

By leaving our snow jackets, boots, and gaiters behind, we’re eliminating the possibility of suddenly heading towards a cold climate.

One of our dream destinations was Austria for Christmas- if we decide to head there for Holiday 2022, we’ll have to stock up on warm gear on the road. We decided not to haul a lot of bulky gear for a year on the off chance we may need it once or twice.

Update: We did celebrate December walking around Vienna, Austria enjoying the Christmas markets. We picked up a few things at Decathalon in Istanbul before we arrived, but were mostly fine with our three-season gear.

There You Have It: Packing List for Long-term Family Travel

There’s everything we are packing for long-term travel and a few things we chose not to pack for our Family Gap Year! Hopefully, this will help you decide what to pack for long term travel.

Ultimately each family’s bags will look a bit different, but we hope we’ve given you a few good ideas for what to pack, and saved you from forgetting a thing or two when you pack for your family year out or long-term trip!

Read Next: Full-Time Travel with Kids: 3 Month Report

Don’t miss our full page dedicated to long-term travel planning, packing, and exploring on a Family Year Out !

Waker von Berg is the co-founder of Sharing the Wander. He is a life-long traveler and problem solver specializing in long-term travel and family travel. He is an adventurer and gearhead who loves researching how to make traveling easier. Waker and his family embarked on a Family Gap Year in 2021, and haven't looked back.

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• TRAVEL TIPS
• HIKING & CAMPING

Packing List for Long-Term Travel & 4 Season Trips

Hear me out: it is possible to pack for a trip through all four seasons with just a carry-on. It’s also possible to travel long-term with style.

How do I know? Because I’ve done this myself! Today I’m sharing with you the exact packing list that I used to travel one year through South America. It took me a long time to master the art of packing light, and I’m excited to share my perfected travel packing list with you.

I’ve designed this packing list for long-term travel to keep you comfortable in all climates, from the sweltering tropics to frosty mountain regions. I’ll share my minimalist approach that focuses on multi-functional pieces. I’ll also provide tips on how to select good quality items that will withstand the wear and tear of long-term travel and backpacking. Let’s get started!

If you’re looking for more guidance, check out my tips on how to pack light.

Table of Contents

• 45 – 65 L Backpack
• 25 L Daypack
• Cross-Body Bag
• Lightweight Tote Bag

Lightweight Wallet

• Credit Card
• Travel Insurance
• Proof of Onward Travel

Electronics

eSIM or Local SIM Card

• Adaptor, if needed
• Portable Charger
• Your Usual Toiletries
• Hanging Toiletry Bag (optional)
• Mosquito Repellent
• Lip Balm with SPF
• Bar Shampoo
• Tissues or Toilet Paper
• Hand Sanitizer
• Earplugs and Eye Mask
• Electrolyte Tablets
• Nail Clippers
• Menstrual Cup

Miscellaneous

• Microfiber Towel
• Tupperware Container
• Laundry Bar Soap (optional)

Organizational Items

• Packing Cubes
• Compression Bag (optional)
• Ziploc Bags
• Trail Runners or Hiking Shoes
• Comfortable Sandals (optional)
• Sneakers (optional)
• Athletic Top (1)
• Quick-Dry T-Shirt (1)
• Normal T-Shirt (1)
• Nice but Comfortable Top (1)
• Athletic Shorts (1)
• Lightweight Dresses (1-2)
• Midi Skirt (1)
• Maxi Dress (1)
• Linen Pants (1)
• Joggers (1) (optional)
• Hiking Pants (1)

Additional Layers

• Chambray Shirt (1)
• Lightweight Fleece Sweater (1)
• Flannel Shirt (1)
• Rain Jacket (1)

Cold Weather Clothes

• Thermal Tops (1-2)
• Thermal Leggings (1-2)
• Puffy Jacket (1)
• Wool Hat (1)
• Touchscreen Gloves (1)

Undergarments

• Underwear (7)
• Midweight Hiking Socks (2)
• Light Hiking Socks   (1)
• Normal Socks (2)
• Sports Bra (1)

Accessories

• Light Scarf (1)

Swimsuits (1-2)

• Headbands or Buffs (2)

Optional Items

• Book, Journal , or Kindle
• Cooking Oil, Spices, etc.
• Trekking Poles
• Camping Equipment

Bags to Pack for Long-Term Travel

Backpack with Rain Cover. The contents of this long-term travel packing list should fit into a 45 L (carry-on) backpack. However if you’re not a minimalist packer or are planning to bring additional hiking or camping equipment, get a larger pack (~65 L). I recommend a backpack over a suitcase since it will be easier to load into luggage compartments and carry around crowded spaces. Choose one that is durable, high quality, and comfortable.

Women’s 50 L Backpack Men’s 50 L Backpack Women’s 65 L Backpack Men’s 65 L Backpack

Daypack with Rain Cover , ~25 L. You’ll use this a lot for day hikes and other excursions, so make sure it is durable.

Cross-body Bag . Get a small bag that you can keep with you at all times, whether walking around your hostel or sleeping on the bus. Use it to carry the amount of cash you will need for the day, along with 1-2 debit or credit cards. I also stash a small bag of medicine, a covid mask, tissues, and hand sanitizer in mine.

Lightweight Tote Bag . Use this for carrying larger items like water bottles or groceries around the city. You’ll also use it a lot if you’re staying in a hostel, for instance to bring your towel, toiletries, and clothes into the shower area. 

Essential Travel Items

Leave as many of these items as possible locked away in your accommodation for safekeeping. Although it’s not as common these days, you may need to notify your bank before being able to use your cards abroad.

Debit Card. I use Revolut , which allows me to withdraw local currency without incurring conversion fees.

Credit Card. I use the Chase Sapphire card , which rewards me with substantial points for travel-related purchases.

Travel Insurance. I use SafetyWing , which is the most affordable option I’ve found that also offers excellent coverage. World Nomads is also a good option for comprehensive coverage. Proof of Onward Travel. Proof of onward travel is often a requirement when entering a new country. If your departure date is uncertain, use Onward Ticket to generate a temporary ticket.

Electronics Packing List for Long-Term Travel

Phone. Pick a strong screen cover and case for your phone – it will inevitably face some rough handling if you’re traveling long-term.

Adaptor. If needed.  Portable Charger . This will come in handy for long bus rides or if there’s no outlet next to your hostel bed.

I’d encourage you not to take any large electronics with you when traveling long-term. It will become a burden to carry them and keep them safe. Use your phone to look up essential information and spend your free time immersing yourself in your destinations. If you really can’t go without technology on a long trip, bring a lightweight tablet instead of a laptop. Also consider a Kindle to avoid carrying around heavy books.

Toiletries Travel Packing List

Bring your usual toiletries (packed into small containers ) or buy them once you arrive. Make sure to include the following:

Hanging Toiletry Bag (optional). If you’re staying in a hostel, most shower areas have hooks, but no shelves for your personal items. I use a tote bag, but a hanging toiletry bag would come in handy for organizing your items.

Mosquito Repellent. Protect yourself from bites and mosquito-borne diseases by wearing long, loose layers and using mosquito spray. This one is better for your skin as it is chemical free, and I found it to be just as effective as DEET-containing spray.

Sunscreen. A long, multi-season trip will take you to areas where the sun is very strong. Prevent a bad sunburn from ruining your trip or damaging your skin. I recommend this reef-safe sunscreen to help preserve the beautiful ocean ecosystem.

Lip Balm with SPF .

Bar Soap. Store it in a plastic bag. It’s a much better alternative to bulky shower gel on a long trip!

Bar Shampoo . Much easier to travel with than liquid shampoo.

Tissues or Toilet Paper. Long-term travel will likely take you to destinations where public restrooms do not provide toilet paper.

Hand Sanitizer. Public restrooms may also not be stocked with soap.

Wet Wipes . To freshen up during a hike or on long travel days.

Earplugs and Eye Mask . A must in hostels if you’re a sensitive sleeper.

Medicine. Bring items such as painkillers, stomach medicine, and motion sickness tablets. In some countries, birth control pills are affordable and available over the counter.

Electrolyte Tablets . Protect against dehydration on hot and humid hikes.

Vitamins. Stay on top of your health when traveling!

Nail Clippers. Tip: cut your nails before doing any hikes, your feet will thank you.

Makeup. Bring only the essentials, especially if you’ll be traveling in heat and humidity. Menstrual Cup . An essential packing list item for long-term travel. Better for the environment, takes up little space, and you can leave it in place for 12 hours at a time.

What Shoes to Pack for Long-Term Travel

Hiking shoes.

Assuming you’re going to explore the outdoors on your travels, a good pair of trail runners or hiking shoes is essential. I recommend trail runners , which can be used for both running and hiking. Trail runners are lightweight, quick-drying, and with the right socks, can be worn in all four seasons. 

If you’ll be hiking on more rugged terrain, bring hiking shoes . I wouldn’t recommend hiking boots unless you’re planning to hike extensively in winter conditions or carry a substantial load. They are bulky and heavy, and the belief that they reduce the risk of a sprained ankle is a myth. Also, steer clear of running and general athletic shoes! Their minimal traction will cause you to slip on hiking trails.

These are my recommendations for the best hiking shoes and trail runners for travel:

Women’s Trail Runners Men’s Trail Runners Women’s Hiking Shoe Men’s Hiking Shoe

Everyday Shoes

In total, you should bring 2 – 3 pairs of shoes on your long-term trip. Pack trail runners that are discreet enough to be worn in the city, plus a pair of good walking sandals. For more versatility, pack sneakers that you can wear to dress up a little, go out at night, or use for weight training at the gym. 

These are the sandals I recommend. For sneakers, Keds and Converse are my favorites.

Many long-term travelers pack a pair of flip flops to use in hostel showers. Confession: during a year of travel, I showered barefoot in hostels! If you know how to choose a hostel , there shouldn’t be hygiene issues with the showers.

Clothes Packing List for Four Season Travel

Clothes and shoes will occupy the bulk of your carry-on bag, and I’ve previously written in depth about how to pack light while still looking good. This clothing packing list covers a range of climates, from hot and humid tropical areas to frigid mountain towns. 

It’s important to pick good quality, quick-drying clothing that will stand up to the wear and tear of long-term travel. I’ve chosen these items carefully to prioritize comfort and also ensure that you look stylish and will not stick out as a tourist.

You’ll probably find many options for same-day laundry service at your destination, so there’s no need to overpack clothes on a long trip. You can also hand-wash items like socks and underwear with laundry bar soap .

• Women’s T-Shirt
• Men’s T-Shirt
• Lightweight Dresses (1-2). If you’re traveling to a warm destination, you can also buy them there.
• Women’s Hiking Pants
• Men’s Hiking Pants
• Chambray Shirt (1). Useful for chilly evenings or as a mosquito-proof layer in the tropics.
• Women’s Fleece Jacket
• Men’s Fleece Jacket
• Women’s Flannel Shirt
• Men’s Flannel Shirt
• Women’s Rain Jacket
• Men’s Rain Jacket

Cold Weather Clothes for Four Season Travel

• Thermal Top (also in Scoop Neck ) and Leggings (1-2). Layer under normal clothes for extra warmth.
• Women’s Puffy Jacket
• Men’s Puffy Jacket
• Women’s Hiking Socks
• Men’s Hiking Socks
• Light Hiking Socks (1)

Accessories Packing List for Long-Term Travel

Light Scarf (1). A travel packing list essential that doubles as a towel or beach blanket. I also use mine as a beach cover-up, for sun and mosquito protection, and as an extra layer when it’s chilly.  

Headbands or Buffs (2). For hot, sweaty days or when you can’t be bothered to wash your hair.

Jewelry. Don’t bring anything expensive that will make you stand out as a tourist. Also consider buying some jewelry locally. 

Sun Hat . Protect yourself from sunburn or skin damage.

Sunglasses . Protect your eyes from the sun as well.

Microfiber Towel . Most hostels don’t provide towels, and even if yours does you’ll want a separate towel for the beach.

Tupperware Container. Use this to store your food in the hostel kitchen, or to bring leftovers home from restaurants. Depending on your destination, restaurants don’t always provide to-go containers.

Lock . Keep your belongings safe in hostel lockers. Every hostel has differently shaped lockers, and thicker locks are often too big to fit on the lockers. Lighter. Even if you don’t smoke, you’ll need this to ignite hostel stoves.

Organizational Items for Long-Term Travel

Packing Cubes . These are essential for long trips! They will help keep you organized, especially if you’re staying in places with limited personal space like hostels.

Compression Bag (optional). Use it to condense your bulkier clothing, or to store laundry in. Ziploc Bags. Bring a few in various sizes to organize miscellaneous items.

LifeStraw . Long-term travel will likely take you to places where tap water is unsafe. It’s best to be prepared with a filter that ensures you always have clean drinking water.

Headlamp . Useful if you’re staying at eco-hostels, camping, or planning to catch some sunrises.

Book, Journal , or Kindle . Keep yourself entertained on long bus rides. Most hostels have a small library where you can exchange books.  Cooking Oil, Spices, etc. Hostels don’t always provide cooking oil or salt in their kitchens. Carry small quantities in bottles or bags.

Hiking & Camping Packing List for Long-Term Travel

Trekking Poles . Check if the hiking terrain in your destination is rugged enough to warrant hiking poles. Only bring them if absolutely necessary, since they cannot be packed in carry-on bags. You can often rent them in mountain towns.

Camping Equipment. In popular trekking destinations, you can usually rent camping equipment at affordable rates. However if you’d like to trek through lesser-visited places, I’d recommend including your own gear in your packing list. It can be difficult to find high-quality camping equipment abroad, and prices are often higher than they would be back home because these items are imported. Take a look at my backpacking gear recommendations for more ideas.

Thanks for reading! I hope this packing list for long-term travel helps you navigate the challenge of packing for 4 seasons and extended trips with ease. What’s one travel item you can’t live without? Let me know in the comments. Head to my Travel Tips Page for more tips that will help you prepare and budget for your travels.

This site contains affiliate links; if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a commission. Thanks for supporting me in creating free content for you to enjoy!

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TRAVEL RESOURCES

Head to my Travel Resources Page for more recommendations.

Packing list . See my recommendations for packing a carry-on for long-term or multi-season travel.

Booking.com . This is my go-to platform for booking accommodation since it consistently gives me competitive prices and additional discounts based on usage.

SafetyWing . The most affordable travel insurance I’ve found that also offers excellent coverage.

Viator and Get Your Guide . Offer extensive tour options for both day trips and multi-day excursions.

BusBud . A great platform to search for bus routes in more than 80 countries and buy tickets online.

LifeStraw . This easy-to-use water filter guarantees that you always have access to clean drinking water.

Travel Credit Card . Earn substantial points for travel-related expenses and a very generous bonus when opening an account.

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Hi, I’m Kristina! I’m a solo female traveler sharing my personal experiences around the world. Authentic travel is important to me; in my destination guides I emphasize not just the most spectacular sights but also the local stories and history.

Other things I’m passionate about are discovering hidden gems, budget-friendly travel, and hiking and backpacking. My goal is to show you how to seek adventurous experiences for yourself!

Packing for Long Term Travel: Advice and Essential Items

Many people ask how we’ve been traveling for more than 8 years with only a carry-on suitcase and small backpack each. In our experience, it’s quite easy, but there’s no one-size-fits-all packing list.

How you use the precious space in your luggage depends entirely on where you plan to travel and what types of activities you have in mind. So, while I won’t tell you exactly what should be in your suitcase, I can offer good advice and recommend some essential travel items when packing for long-term travel.

(Click here to jump straight to our recommended gear) .

Contents (click to expand)

Suitcase or Backpack? The Best Luggage for Long Term Travel

When packing for a long trip, don’t assume that you need a giant backpack. Think realistically about your travel style, your anticipated modes of transportation, and how frequently you will actually be in transit.

For example, if you expect to fly to Europe and rent a car, you may as well have a regular suitcase.

Even if you plan to use trains and buses, how much easier is it walking to the station wearing a 50-lb backpack compared to rolling a suitcase behind you?

Would you ever spend an entire day touring a city while carrying all of your belongings, even if they were in a backpack?

We asked ourselves those questions and opted for suitcases. We never regretted the decision. Here’s the suitcase I use and love.

Pack Light. If You Need It, Buy It

It’s better to buy things as the need arises; then you know you have the right gear for the occasion. You can’t possibly anticipate or bring everything you will need for several weeks or months of travel, so don’t stress too much about your packing list.

Unless you are going somewhere truly remote, chances are you can buy any essentials on the road. In our experience, many of the items we needed were cheaper abroad.

For military travelers, packing light also gives you a better shot at a seat when flying Space-A . Some flights, particularly from bases in the Pacific, have a 30 or 40 lb baggage weight limit (depending on the type of aircraft and mission).

Even if the terminal is full of Space-A passengers in a higher category than you, most of them will have too much luggage to be eligible for the weight-restricted flight. In that case, you and your 27 lb bag will go to the front of the line!

General Travel vs. Activity-Themed Trips

Whether you are traveling for a few weeks, several months, or a year+, if you want to stay light on your feet, when packing for long trips, you may need to decide in advance what activities you want to do. That way you won’t fill your suitcase with items you will use only one time.

I have many things on my travel-related life list, but it wasn’t realistic to do them all during our first year of travel . Not that we didn’t have time; needless to say, we could have done anything we wanted with 12+ months at our disposal. But we agreed to use carry-on luggage only. It would have been difficult to travel light while packing for every possible activity.

For example, my husband and I both want to hike the Inca Trail. Unfortunately, incorporating that adventure would have required us to pack a bunch of stuff that we probably wouldn’t need for most other phases of our trip.

If the main focus of our travels had been hiking, of course we would have packed sturdy boots and other outdoor gear. But we were most interested in experiencing what it’s like to live in different places around the world, and we needed to save room for regular clothes. We went on some great hikes, but nothing that our trail shoes couldn’t handle.

Essential Travel Gear: Our Recommendations

Here are a few specific items we recommend for travel. I wrote a separate post related to our must-have technology, including travel apps and devices .

22″ Expandable Roll-Aboard Suitcase

When shopping for a suitcase, it’s important to get one that’s light, spacious, and small enough to stow in the overhead compartment. Most major U.S. airlines say a carry-on suitcase can’t measure more than 22″ in length.

Personally, I avoid “spinner” suitcases because the external wheels use up at least an inch of that space. I want my extra inch in the suitcase itself, which is why I like the inset wheels of this Travelpro Maxlite .

As the name would suggest, this suitcase is incredibly light, and it’s designed so that no matter what I put in it, it’s easy to pull. It’s expandable, and the external pockets offer a generous amount of extra space for items I need to access quickly. I also love that the max handle height is suited to tall people like myself.

If you really want a “spinner,” the Travelpro Maxlite comes in that style as well. Click here to see the 21″ spinner version.

Lightweight Backpack with Numerous Pockets

I first bought this backpack for day-to-day use, but I loved it so much that it’s now my travel backpack as well.

It’s extremely light and very spacious, with many pockets of varying sizes, some of which are hidden inside. It also has sturdy straps/handle and open side pockets to stash anything you need for quick access.

The full-zip pocket in back is perfect for a laptop, tablet, or important papers that you want to keep accessible and wrinkle-free.

Packing Cubes

There are many brands of packing cubes with different features. I love these Eagle Creek cubes because the material is paper thin, yet durable, so they don’t take up extra room or add weight to my suitcase.

I had never used packing cubes prior to traveling long term, but they are absolutely indispensable. They keep my suitcase organized and make frequent packing and unpacking so much easier! I bought them in different colors, which helps me remember what’s in each bag. It’s almost like having drawers in my suitcase!

These compression packing cubes are very similar to the ones above and allow you to squeeze a lot more into your suitcase.

Hanging Toiletry Bag

This is a must for any kind of travel. Whether you are staying in a hotel or in an apartment overseas, many places have little or no sink space in the bathroom. Having a toiletry bag that you can hang from the door or towel rack is essential.

I like this bag because it has a small hook on the upper flap that I can use to hang it in the open position and see all of the contents at once. It also has a good selection and variety of pockets. The little mirror inside comes in very handy when my husband and I are both getting ready and he is occupying the bathroom.

The size of this toiletry bag is a good balance between having enough room to fit all of my stuff and not taking up too much space in my backpack.

The Perfect Travel Shirt (for Men)

My husband discovered these shirts about a year into our travels, and our running joke is that he is wearing one of them in every picture since then! (Fortunately, they come in many colors.)

They have all the qualities of a good travel shirt: quick-drying, wrinkle- and odor-resistant, with sun protection and a hidden security pocket. They also hold up well after many washings.

But what makes them better than other travel shirts is that they look really nice . They work just as well for dinner at a nice restaurant as for a day hike. With limited space in our suitcases, we want everything we own to be dual-purpose, and these shirts fit the bill!

Light Hiking Shoes

As I said above, we love to hike, but we couldn’t pack heavy boots. Light hiking shoes like these are perfect for travel, all-day treks around a city, and moderate hikes, including Mt. Fuji .

Look for a pair that are lightweight with good support and sturdy, no-slip soles. I’ve been very happy with my Merrell hiking shoes (always with the Vibram sole), so I stick with what works.

Laundry Detergent Sheets

When you have the opportunity to do laundry, don’t get caught without detergent. Bring your own so that you don’t need to buy single-use laundry soap.

These laundry detergent sheets are perfect for travel, because they’re light and easy to pack. Also, since they are not liquid, you don’t need to worry about bringing them on a plane.

A combination fork, knife, and spoon all in one, Sporks are priceless for any kind of travel. Not only are they useful when no silverware is available, they are an eco-friendly alternative to disposable cutlery at fast food restaurants or even at hotels that offer free breakfast (those places seldom have real silverware).

Paperless Pour-Over Coffee Dripper

I became accustomed to this style of coffee maker when we lived in Japan, and it’s very convenient for travel as well. I love this model because it doesn’t require paper filters; that means no paper taste in my coffee, less waste, and no need to buy or carry filters while traveling!

Having this single-cup coffee maker is handy, because it’s simple, and we always have a way to make our own coffee. We see an increasing number of short-term apartments that have Keurigs or similar coffee makers that require a specific (expensive) type of cup. It’s so much easier to buy a bag of good ground coffee!

Drawstring Bags

Drawstring bags are great because you can stuff them in the pocket of your suitcase and use them as daypacks. We usually have two or three of these bags of varying quality with us at any given time.

The heavier-weight bag like this Adidas sport bag is for the gym, short hikes, or when we go out for the day and want to carry a spare jacket and water.

We also have at least one cheap, thin bag that we got for free somewhere (e.g. as the goody bag for an event or conference). We use it for the beach or to wear while running, knowing that it won’t last long, and we will swap it for another free bag.

Polarized Sunglasses

These are the perfect sunglasses for travel, sports, or any outdoor activity. They are light as a feather and offer great coverage, even from the sides.

They come with an interchangeable pair of rose-tinted lenses to accommodate varying light conditions. I bought my first pair of these in 2006 and wouldn’t wear anything else. They have served me well through countless hikes, runs, and all-day sightseeing trips.

Wide-Brimmed Hat

Here’s an example of something I bought on the road when I realized I needed it. I had packed two baseball caps, but those didn’t do the job on long hikes. I was especially glad to have the extra coverage when we were in Quito, Ecuador, only steps from the Equator!

This hat is very cool and breathable due to the mesh panels on the sides. The extra-wide brim shades your neck, and the chin strap keeps it in place on windy days. It travels very well; smash it into your suitcase and it pops right back into shape.

Sun Sleeves

Sun sleeves offer easy sun protection without needing to apply sunblock, and when you go indoors or in the shade, you can easily take them off.

I like sun sleeves for travel because I can bring them in lieu of long-sleeved shirts. They are especially convenient for long car trips (yes, you can get sunburned through the car windows).

My husband wears the sporty version , which come in different sizes and are made of breathable fabric. I use these Eclipe Sun Sleeves , which I can wear to cover the backs of my hands and are made of a fabric that cools my skin.

Resistance Bands

Staying fit while traveling is important, and you can easily find ways to exercise without a gym. We’ve carried these bands all around the world, and they are a great way to keep in shape.

Each band has a different level of tension, and you can perform dozens of exercises. Use the door anchor included with the set, or hang the bands on playground equipment, a fence, or the railing of a balcony.

These ProSource bands were the second set of resistance bands we tried. The first set, even though they were called “Strong Man” bands, did not offer enough resistance. This set allows both me and my husband to get a decent workout.

TRX Suspension Training System

Another essential item that keeps us fit while traveling is our TRX . You’ve probably seen these at the gym, but we use ours everywhere we go, whether in our apartment, on our balcony, or in a park.

TRX is a great complement to our resistance bands, and while each set of equipment can provide a good workout on its own, having both offers a lot of variety.

The TRX weighs a bit more than the bands and takes up slightly more space, but it’s well worth it to know that we can stay in great shape without having access to a gym.

Amazon Kindle

If you’re trying to travel light, one of the best ways to save space is by using a Kindle or other e-reader. A Kindle can hold more than 1,000 books. Even if you don’t like to read for enjoyment on your Kindle, downloading a couple travel guidebooks that you otherwise would have brought in hard copy can save a significant amount of weight in your bag.

One of my favorite features of my Kindle is the softly-lit, glare-free screen, which allows me to read in the dark without waking anyone nearby. I can also see the screen in bright sunlight.

Battery-Powered Sonicare Toothbrush

I loved my regular Sonicare toothbrush so much that I actually considered using precious luggage space to bring the whole contraption: cord, stand, and all.

Fortunately, I learned that they make a travel version that runs on a single AAA battery (certain colors come with a USB cord and are rechargeable).

The Sonicare is barely larger than a regular toothbrush and well worth the small investment for clean choppers, especially if you’re traveling long term and aren’t going to the dentist as often as usual. Don’t forget the replacement heads to easily swap out the brush.

Casting and HDMI Capabilities

While traveling overseas, sometimes we want to watch our own movies, TV series, sporting event, or news on TV rather than on a laptop or phone. In order to bring Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, etc., to the big screen, we simply need the capability to “mirror” or “cast” our devices to the TV.

We use Android products, so for us, the setup is simple. To mirror our laptop to any modern TV, we simply use an HDMI to HDMI cable like this one . My husband’s computer has an HDMI port, which makes it extremely easy. We simply connect the cable to the computer and the TV, bring up Netflix or a streaming service on the computer, and our screen is mirrored onto the TV.

If you don’t have an HDMI port on your computer, use this USB to HDMI cable .

We also use Google Chromecast . Chromecast is a device that simply plugs into the TV’s HDMI port and gives our phones and laptops the ability to “cast” the screen to the TV wirelessly. The only issue is that the Chromecast device requires a power outlet, and some apartments/hotels do not have multiple outlets near the TV.

We bring both the HDMI cable and the Google Chromecast device with us while traveling, because they give us options when we want to sit back and enjoy a movie on a full-size screen.

For Apple users, we only know the low-tech solution, which is a USB C Hub like this one . This hub connects to your MacBook Pro via the C Cable and gives you additional USB, SD Card and HDMI capability. Once you plug this hub into your computer, you simply connect the HDMI cable to the hub and then to your TV. Now, your computer is mirrored onto the TV, as described above.

These are our must-bring essential items, and the list has not changed much over the course of 8+ years. We’ve figured out what fits our travel style and daily activities, and we keep our belongings to a minimum. I recommend that you do the same!

The freedom of having a small amount of luggage that you can easily pack and carry far outweighs the benefit of having every single item you could possibly want in your suitcase. So pack the basics and any essentials, zip your bag, and move out!

Related Reading

Essential Apps for Overseas Travel

How We Decided to Travel for a Year After Military Retirement

Preparing for Full-Time Travel: This Military Couple is Ready to Pop Smoke!

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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7 thoughts on “Packing for Long Term Travel: Advice and Essential Items”

I am retired from the USAF, and plan to go to Australia in January 2018. We live near DC. Any suggestions?

Hi Steve – Happy to help! Are you looking for suggestions related to packing or for getting to Australia?

Can’t speak for Steve, but I am curious on what is the most strategic approach to the hops from Columbia, SC.

The most frequent hop to Richmond is a flight originating at Travis and stopping at Hickam and Andersen (Guam) on the way. You could get lucky and get manifested all the way from Travis, but there often aren’t very many seats. Based on feedback from other Space-A travelers, there are often more seats leaving from Hickam or – even better – Guam. So if you can make your way to either of those destinations first, that might be a better strategy. I recommend starting at JB Charleston and making your way to the West Coast. Charleston occasionally has flights to JB Lewis-McChord (there’s one on the schedule for 9/22 as of the moment), and from there, it’s easy to hop to Travis. Charleston also has frequent flights to McGuire, Andrews, and Dover, all of which have frequent flights to the West Coast. There are many ways to do it – that’s part of the adventure!

I love your suggestions. I have a problem overpacking even for a weekend getaway, so I really need to absorb your recommendations.

We have been spending a month in a Paris Airbnb in the fall, using air miles to fly Boston to Paris. Any suggestions on how to get to Paris using MAC flights? Thanks

I recommend trying for a flight to Mildenhall, England and taking the Eurostar from London. This article has information on how to do that: https://www.poppinsmoke.com/flying-space-a-to-mildenhall/ . You could also hop to Ramstein and take the train from there: https://www.poppinsmoke.com/flying-space-a-to-ramstein/

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Long Term Travel Packing List Essentials: Global Nomad Clothing Recommendations

Today we’re covering something we get asked often when traveling long-term: what do you pack for multiple months of travel?

In this two part series we’ll share our long term travel packing list recommendations for both travel clothing and gear essentials .

Part One: Global Nomad Clothing

Today’s post includes:

1. How to pack for your own style of travel

2. Important considerations for choosing the best clothing for long-term travel

3. Best fabrics for global travel clothing

4. Best travel clothing brands (for both cold weather and for hot, humid climates)

5. Our recommended packing list for long-term travel (including the travel shirts, pants, dresses and skirts, socks, underwear, jackets, and shoes that we love the most)

Updated: November 2023. Originally published: December 2017

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase after clicking through one of our links, we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. You don’t have to use our links to make your purchase, but we really appreciate it when you do! We also received complimentary items from Kuhl, Duer, and Bluffworks. All opinions are our own and we only recommend products we love.

Table of Contents

Pack For Your Own Style of Travel

Everyone has their own preferences for how they like to travel. Let your gear support and enhance your travel experience, not hinder it.

Here are our personal travel preferences that help inform the type of gear we bring for trips:

– We are essentialists: We try to make sure that everything we bring with us will actually get used.

– We are minimalist: The more gear, the more burden. We’ve found that backpacks are easier for us to manage than suitcases for going up stairs, walking on unpaved or cobble stone roads and routes where cars cannot go. By knowing we will be carrying our gear, it forces us to be more intentional about what we bring to literally lighten our load.

– Everything must be multi-functional: Our long term travels put us in a variety of situations, from working on farms to attending weddings, so our clothes have to be adaptable for different uses as well as different climates. For example: Jedd’s travel pants are durable enough to be used for work or hiking but casual enough for a day around town and passable for those rare semi-formal events.

– Value matters:  Although we’re on a tight budget, buying cheap gear can backfire, so we invest in nomad travel clothing that is high quality and durable. For example, some of our Exofficio underwear has lasted us 5 years. They were expensive when you compare them to underwear you can get at Target or Walmart, but the quality and durability makes the initial price worth it.

A good rule of thumb here is to invest in great quality travel gear, especially for things you will use regularly like underwear, socks, shoes, etc..

What does your travel look like? Where will you be going? What kind of gear do you need to enhance and help you to have a great experience? Start there.

Choosing the best clothing to pack for long term travel

I’ll say it again: Your clothes should enhance and support your travel experience. Bringing the wrong clothing can become a burden and in some cases, the wrong clothing can actually make you sick.

Here are some important things to consider about travel clothing:

Avoid cotton when possible: Pros: – Feels great against the skin – Typically cheaper material than merino wool and high-tech fabrics Cons: – Absorbs moisture too easy – Does not dry quickly

Consider merino wool and high tech fabric blends (including ones with a cotton mix): Pros: – Wicks away moisture well – Dries quickly (Merino dries faster than cotton. High tech fabric blends are the fastest.) Cons: – Not everyone likes the feel of these fabrics (we do) – Typically more expensive material, especially merino wool

Find multi-use clothing: Examples: board shorts that can be used for swimming and casual wear. A dress that works casually or for formal situations.

Find a balance between function, fashion, and durability: Regardless of how many features an item of clothing might have, if you think it’s ugly then there’s a good chance you won’t wear it. Find the balance that works best for you. Thankfully, travel clothing is starting to look a lot better these days.

Read online reviews when possible: Do products actually do what they say they’ll do? Learn about the fit, the features, etc… Also read the “most critical” reviews. What do people hate about the product? Maybe why they didn’t like something is the reason why you’ll need to get it yourself.

Cold Weather Travel: Why and How You Should Wear Layers

If you’re going to be traveling in cooler climates – something we actually try to avoid – the best thing to do for yourself is learn how to layer properly. The goal: protect yourself from moisture to stay dry and comfortable.

Most of the time people think the way to stay warm in cold weather is just to block out the cold elements. That helps, but if you don’t find something breathable that helps wick moisture, you will be a mobile sauna — sweaty and uncomfortable.

The goal is to find the perfect balance where your body is neither too hot or too cold, protected against the elements but not keeping in all the warmth. With the right layering you can achieve this balance.

All you have to remember is the 3 layer rule:

– Base layer – The moisture wicking machine. Keep your body dry! – Mid layer – Provides insolation and some breathability – Outer layer – Provides protection from the wind/rain/snow, but needs to have ways that hot air can escape (pit vents or breathable material/seams).

Outer layer: Consider a waterproof shield of some sort. It doesn’t have to be heavy or insulated to do the job (the base and mid layers should keep you warm). Remember, the bigger and heavier the coat, the worse it is to pack.

Look for taped seams, pit venting pockets and materials that claim both breathability and waterproof technology. You want something that shields the external elements but allows your body to vent so you don’t get too hot and sweaty.

Mid layers: You have a variety of ways to go here and it all depends on how much warmth you need. If you tend to get cold often, like Michelle, consider mid layers that incorporate fleece or down.

If you will be more active or you heat-up pretty easily, consider high tech fabrics. Look for words like wind-resistant or wind-proof as well as breathability.

Do not use a mid layer to protect you from rain, but it should help protect you from the wind. Think warmth on a plane, early in the morning, or later at night.

Why Cotton Should Not Be On Your Travel Clothing List

The most important thing you want your travel top to do (besides look good) is to help you stay dry .

In cold climates, if your clothes are damp, cold air will find this moisture and make you cold. If you properly layered and protected yourself against outside elements (like rain and wind) but you’re wearing cotton, you risk overheating and sweating. Your clothes will be drenched because cotton has poor wicking properties. Then it will become uncomfortable (and potentially smelly).

In hot and humid weather, cotton can feel nice against the skin, especially with a breeze. However, once it absorbs and holds on to sweat it can feel, well, unpleasant.

Because cotton absorbs and holds moisture well, it will not dry quickly if it rains (or if you need to do a quick wash) and it will show sweat. We’ve also found that the more you sweat, the more you attract mosquitos and flies – gross!

Denim is our one caveat when it comes to cotton. Jeans are so common world-wide and many people feel most comfortable traveling in jeans, plus they’re pretty versatile.

When we lived in hot, humid Jamaica for 2+ years, Michelle never had jeans. (These days, she does pack one pair of jeans if at least one of our destinations has milder weather.)

So first and foremost, always and forever — avoid cotton as much as possible when traveling. Mix blends are ok and full merino wool is best (though pricy).

Ready to travel like a pro?

Get our best packing and travel gear tips! Download our free Guide to Packing & Gear >

Best Travel Clothing Brands

Because everyone has their own fashion sense, here are some of our favorite brands to check-out:

For Mild to Cooler Weather Look For Merino Wool: ⁃ Icebreaker: An outdoor and sportswear company from New Zealand that specializes in merino wool clothing  Browse Icebreaker Women’s  | Browse Icebreaker Men’s

⁃ Smartwool: Performance apparel that’s moisture-wicking, anti-shrinking, odor-reducing, and itch free Browse Smartwool Women’s | Browse Smartwool Men’s

– Woolly: Seattle-based sustainable and versatile travel clothing Browse Woolly Women’s | Browse Woolly Men’s

If you’re wondering: Why the big price difference between REI and the other brands? — It comes down to the quality of the material and the detail in the fit and finish. You’ll find that Icebreaker and Smartwool will fit better against the skin were REI will have a fit for the masses kind of feel.

– PAKA: Alpaca fiber clothing made in Peru. Though spendy, alpaca fiber is actually stronger, softer, more eco-friendly, and has 85% greater wicking capability than merino. Browse PAKA Apparel

For Hot and Humid Weather Look For Moisture-Wicking Techwear: ⁃ Patagonia: An environmentally-conscious brand for climbing and other outdoor adventures Browse Patagonia Women’s | Browse Patagonia Men’s

⁃ Mountain Hardwear: A high-tech outdoor clothing and gear company Browse Mountain Hardwear Women’s | Browse Mountain Hardwear Men’s

⁃ PrAna: Stylish, sustainable clothing for every-day life and adventures Browse PrAna Women’s | Browse PrAna Men’s

⁃ Columbia Sportswear: A Pacific Northwest company producing outdoor gear and sportswear Browse Columbia Women’s | Browse Columbia Men’s

Save money, work smarter, travel deeper with our free Resource Guide for Digital Nomads .

Long-Term Travel Clothing Packing List

We would recommend packing the following, assuming you’ll be traveling for several months at a time:

Best Travel Shirts

Pack 6-7 tops that can be used in a variety of situations.

For men, go for about 4 t-shirts, 2 collared short-sleeve polos, and 1 long sleeve shirt. If you are a true minimalist, use the same high tech t-shirts (like this one ) for work, day to day travel, and working out.

Jedd’s favorite travel shirts for men:

– REI Tech T-shirt  – Standard quick-dry, moisture-wicking crew neck tee perfect for hiking, work outs, and every-day wear; currently available in black, blue, green, dark red, and gray

– Bluffworks Threshold T-shirt – Soft, stretchy, wrinkle and odor resistant tee, with options for a classic or slim fit; crew neck, V-neck, and long-sleeve options available

Michelle’s favorite travel shirts for women:

– Cowl neck polyester blend shirts that work for long walks, long flights, and even work meetings, or just about any Travel Tops by prAna

Best Travel Bottoms

Pack 2-3 long pants or jeans and 1-2 pair of capris or shorts (maybe more if you work out).Try to find pants and shorts that can be used in social, work, and semi-formal situations. Know that shorts are not worn in some cultures so lightweight capris may be more appropriate. Remember to choose colors that can match with several tops.

The best travel skirts and dresses should have the same elements mentioned for tops and bottoms. They should be quick drying, comfortable, and appropriate for casual exploration around town or out to a semi-formal dinner. Michelle packs 1-2 dresses or skirts for a trip, but some women may prefer more depending on their personal style.

KÜHL men’s Deceptr pants and KÜHL women’s Freeflex Metro capri pants

Over the years, we’ve been able to try a lot of different travel clothing. Our preference is for lightweight, tech fabrics in styles that fit multiple occasions.

KÜHL, a technical outdoor brand, is one place to find that magical combo if you’re looking to add high quality, long-lasting pieces to your travel wardrobe.

Duer women’s perfomance denim slim straight and Duer men’s no sweat pants

Duer is another great brand, combining fashion and functionality, for active lifestyles. The travel pants we got from Duer are stretchy, soft, and durable–perfect for travel.

I always like to pack a stretchy pair of jeans for our trips and when my old pair wore out, Duer’s performance denim fit the bill perfectly.

Bluffworks mens Acendor chino and womens Petaluma pants and Threshold wide leg

Bluffworks makes versatile, high quality clothing with features like wrinkle and odor resistance, moisture wicking, and our personal favorite: hidden pockets. The pants and tops we received from Bluffworks are delightfully soft and stretchy.

Michelle loves that they offer petite sizing. We both appreciate the genius use of pockets. There’s even sleek, hidden pockets within pockets, which are so helpful for safely carrying valuables out and about on trips.

Jedd’s favorite travel bottoms for men:

– No Sweat Pants by Duer  – Dress up or down (or even adventure in the outdoors) in these stretchy, soft trousers that wick away moisture. Available in multiple colors, slim fit or relaxed.

– Quicksilver Amphibian Hybrid Shorts – Stretchy water repellant swimsuit shorts that look like chinos so you can wear them in town. Available in solid colors like red, navy, khaki, grey, black, and light blue.

Michelle’s favorite travel bottoms for women:

– Saturday Trail II Knee Pants – Quick dry, light weight stretchy bottoms that keep knees covered. Sleek pockets so you don’t look like you’re going on safari!

– Bluffworks Wide Leg Threshold Pants – Soft, comfy performance fabric pants perfect for long airplane rides.

Michelle’s favorite travel skirts and dresses for women:

– Almost anything by prAna or Toad&Co. Browse prAna dresses – Stylish, wrinkle resistant dresses with smart pockets by Bluffworks. Browse Bluffworks dresses

Best Travel Underwear and Socks

Adjust the number of socks and underwear you pack based on how often you’ll be able to do laundry. We try to have a week’s work, just in case.

If you don’t feel comfortable in your underwear or your socks, you will not enjoy your travel experience no matter what you are wearing on top of it. Things to think about here are staying dry from sweat and avoiding chafing. The last thing you want is a rash or blisters on your feet. Moisture-wicking socks are essential.

Our favorite brands for underwear:

– Exofficio for every-day high tech fabric underwear (they changed the game in the industry) Browse Exofficio underwear for women | Browse Exofficio underwear for men

– Patagonia for long underwear base layers Browse Patagonia base layers for women | Browse Patagonia base layers for men

– We’ve also heard great things from fellow nomads about Icebreaker’s merino underwear

Our favorite socks for travel:

– Smartwool ankle socks for running and every-day use Browse Smartwool ankle socks

– Injinji moisture-wicking toe socks (Jedd swears by these) Browse Injinji toe socks

Best Layers and Outerwear for Men and Women

Jedd’s favorite travel jacket for men:

– Columbia Ascender Softshell Jacket – Wind and water resistant shell makes a great every-day jacket or a mid-layer to go under heavier coats in the cold

Michelle’s favorite travel jackets for women:

– Mountain Hardware Packable Down Jacket – Lightweight down jacket that packs into a pocket. Available with or without hood, in various colors

For a more detailed run-down on outerwear, see our Guide to Light-weight Jackets for Travel

Best Travel Shoes and Footwear

Shoes can easily take up a ton of space in your luggage because they’re not usually collapsable. So it’s best to find shoes that can be used in a variety of situations. We suggest bringing the following 3 types of footwear and wearing your bulkiest pair for transit days, to leave more room in your luggage:

– Town shoes: For casual day-to-day exploring and traveling. Think comfortable and durable enough to walk and explore a city like Rome or rugged enough for the dirt roads of Jamaica. It’s ideal if the shoes can be considered dressy and casual at the same time.

– Athletic shoes: Hiking, working out, exploring, etc… your go-to shoe. Try to find athletic shoes that can do many of these things and still match with multiple outfits.

– A good pair of flip-flops, sandals, or mocs: There are so many times where it’s nice to have lounging footwear. In warmer climates you might even use your flip-flops for every-day wear. Again, find the style that best suits your needs and doesn’t take up much space.

If your travel itinerary calls for a specific kind of footwear, then adjust for your needs. For example, if you plan on doing a backpacking trek then you might need really durable hiking boots. If you’re doing a walking trek like the “Camino de Santiago”, you’re going to want comfortable walking shoes that can handle many miles of walking. Plan accordingly.

For water-resistant walking shoe reviews (like Allbirds), see our post: Walking Shoes for Travel

Further reading on what to pack for travel:

– Packing Hacks of Frequent Travelers – Our Favorite Alternatives to Travel Wallets – Best Light Weight Jackets for Travel – 12 Items We Take With Us on Every Trip – Minimalist Travel Toiletries List for Women – Water-Resistant Wool Walking Shoes for Travel

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10 STEPS TO PACKING FOR A LONG TRIP

To help simplify the packing process, we’ve created this 10 step packing guide for a long trip.   Make this your first stop when planning your next trip.  And don’t forget to  download your free packing checklist !

How do I Pack for an Extended Trip?

Packing for a long trip is daunting but it’s not impossible. The trick to packing for long periods of time is to pack one week’s work of clothing. Why? You’ll just  do laundry  once a week!

It’s true. No matter the length of your trip you can pack for one week and have everything you need. Don’t stress! We’ve put together all the best tips from the entire blog so you can easily access everything in one easy location. Follow these tips for stress free packing for your vacation:

Start by reading how I pack as a  long term traveler ,  blogger , and  digital nomad  too! These packing tips can help you travel carry-on only if that’s your goal. I do!

To master the art of packing light, you’ll need a  capsule wardrobe that is an essential concept to understand in order to create a minimal yet highly functional (and fashionable) travel wardrobe. Read this  packing ebook  to help you create the perfect travel wardrobe for your trip.

If you feel extremely overwhelmed at the idea of packing light or have a complicated itinerary, review this  packing course  which shows you specific techniques to plan around limited clothing choices, varying climates, and other unexpected life situations. I walk you through my personal step by step process as I prepare for my own long term travels. Pack like a pro!

Check  weather.com’s  extended forecast in advance and 3 days before you leave.  Think about how many days you will be in warm vs cold weather.

If you have a 10 day trip and will be spending 7 days in the cold and 3 days in warm weather, plan for 70% of your travel wardrobe to be for the cold and 30% to be for the heat.

If you are only spending a short amount of time in cold weather or if you’re unsure if you will encounter cold weather on your trip, pack only the essentials: two outerwear PLUS two additional items: long sleeve top and leggings.

Use any of our  International packing lists  to find clothing ideas to dress appropriately for your destination. You may especially find these regional backpacking packing lists useful:  Europe ,  Southeast Asia ,  South America , and  Central America .  Use the guidelines from TFG’s  Signature Packing Lists  to help you customize your travel wardrobe.

If you don’t see your destination listed, post a question on  TFG’s Facebook Group .

Think you need to pack your entire closet? Take a look at how to create  3 weeks worth of travel outfits  with less than 10 pieces of clothing. For more travel outfit ideas including what to wear on flights, visit  TFG’s Pinterest Page .

Depending where you’re traveling,  you might encounter cold weather even in the summer. Always check the weather for your countries to get the most accurate idea about what to pack.

Because many people visit multiple destinations, it’s very common to experience mixed weather on your trip any time of the year. Or if you’re traveling somewhere like the UK in summer, you might experience all four seasons on the same day!

The key to packing for multi-season trips is to pack a travel wardrobe that coordinates so you can layer as needed. Review this  Round the World Packing List  and this  Travel Wardrobe for Mixed Weather  for an interchangeable capsule wardrobe that will take you from cold to hot with ease.

For tips on choosing clothing and shoes for trips with different types of weather, please read  this packing guide .

I’ve created this easy three part guide on  how to pack for cold weather  to help you stay warm while packing light.

Knowing how to pack for cold weather travel can be quite daunting especially if you want to pack light. If you’re traveling in winter, bundle up!

There is one major difference between being at home in the winter and traveling when it’s cold: the amount of time you’ll spend outdoors. When you’re traveling, you’ll likely spend extended periods of time outdoors sightseeing. Don’t be unprepared. Consider layering lightweight clothing such as the ones featured in this  winter packing list  to minimize the need for bulky sweaters and coats.

Avoid bringing a thick heavy coat when possible and opt for a  packable down jacket instead.  Thermals  are also key to keeping you warm without having to pack thick sweaters. Don’t skip these!

You can even wear  leggings  or tights under jeans or pants for extra warmth. If you’re not used to the climate, add additional layers until you feel warm. Don’t forget essential winter accessories like a scarf, hat, and gloves!

Picking the best shoes for travel will be one of your biggest challenges so start by   reading this 10 step guide to packing the  best travel shoes  for any trip.

Choosing the right shoes for a trip is challenging and long term travel makes it even more difficult but it’s not impossible! Review this post on the  best travel shoes for long trips around the world . The main thing to remember is that comfort is king – you can’t enjoy your trip to the fullest extent if you’re in pain and can’t walk. While the ideal shoes will be both comfortable and fashionable, style will have to take a back seat if it means you can’t wear a pair of shoes for hours at a time.

Bring no more than three pairs opting for shoes that match all your clothing.  Pack one pair for sightseeing (walking), one pair of any special activities you have planned, and then a third pair to either dress up your outfits or one that’s appropriate for a change in weather.

These are the best  shoes for sightseeing in the cold  and these are the best  shoes for sightseeing in the heat . Black ankle boots like  these  are the most recommended shoes when dealing with either cold or mixed weather.

Please note:  ballet flats  are a popular travel shoe option when you want a dressier look but they are NOT recommended for long hours on your feet sightseeing.

Choose one of these  cute and comfortable walking shoes  instead – they’re the options most recommended by our readers!

It’s important to note that people in any country generally wear the same things that everyone else does around the world – the only difference is HOW they wear them.   People value simplicity, clean styling, and a  good tailored fit  above anything else.

In general, day-to-day European style is more dressy than American style. This DOES NOT mean business clothing. Think dressy top (or the type of top you’d wear to work) plus nice jeans (dark colors are always a good choice).

Read this ultimate  Packing List for Europe , which is a five part guide offering general packing information for Europe along with what to wear in spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Southeast Asia  is an interesting place in the sense that cultural considerations in most countries encourage residents (and visitors) to wear modest attire but some times you will see locals wearing shorts, dresses, and other clothing that doesn’t seem to follow this ideal.

You’ll 100% need to cover your shoulders and knees when visiting temples in all countries, but you don’t necessarily have to do this when you visit other places unless you’re in a Muslim country such as  Malaysia  or Indonesia.

Read these tips about choosing clothing for  conservative countries .

In any destination, remember to pack for the environment. Are you spending your time café crawling in the cities or getting lost in the wilderness? As with most destinations, practical sense applies. Leave the beachwear on the beach because it doesn’t translate well to streetwear in the city.

The same goes for gym wear; unless you’re actually headed to the gym, don’t dress in your gym attire.

One of the most important aspects about packing efficiently is using  luggage organizers .

Watch this packing video to learn  how to use packing cubes  to maximize space and never check a bag again. These are the top 12 reasons why I prefer  packing cubes  to other organizers.

Start with luggage.  If you don’t already own a suitcase, choose one wisely. Read these tips on  how to pick a suitcase  and consider one of these  top brands . Make your life easy with our  best suitcase recommendations .

For long term trips,  backpacks tend to be a better option than wheeled bags . Why? Because the chances are you’ll be traversing through lands far and wide. In fact, many time, the greatest destinations hardly have a path at all! If you’re going on an adventurous trip, learn  how to choose the best travel backpack .

Use packing organizers.  Do you want to know the ultimate tool to travel in a carryon?  PACKING CUBES ! They changed everything for me and thousands of other travelers. See  my packing tutorial  on how to use them! Trust me, they are a must!

Use tried and tested packing strategies.  For a summary, read our top  75 packing tips .

I’ve recently taken on a few extreme packing challenges to show you that packing carry-on only is possible for any trip. If I can pack like an ultra-minimalist (with style of course) then you can pack more comfortably in a regular carry-on. Watch these packing videos to learn more:

• Luggage Free Travel: One Week in My Favorite Purse
• What’s in My Bag: 4 Weeks Carry-on Only

Watch all my packing videos  here !

The biggest mistake travelers make with toiletries is not considering how much product they actually use. There are five key steps when it comes to downsizing your toiletries properly for a trip:

• Find combination items . You can find two-in-one shampoos and conditioners, body cleanser that can double as shave gel, a foldable brush with a mirror attached on the handle, and  multi-use makeup products .
• Purchase empty containers  of various shapes and sizes and DO NOT default to choosing “travel size 100ml or 3oz” options. These are the  best travel containers .
• Stick to the basics . Simplify your skincare and pampering routine and bring a  capsule makeup collection . It’s only temporary.
• Replace liquid beauty products with solids.  While  solid toiletries  may not help you downsize they will help you meet the carryon  3-1-1 liquids rule .
• Choose the right toiletry bag.  These are the  best toiletry bags  and these are the  best  hanging  toiletry bags .

For useful tips such as downsizing toiletries and choosing the best travel makeup, read our  Ultimate Guide to Packing Toiletries . It includes a free printable checklist!

Don’t forget about safety:  Be cautious about where you stash your cash. The safest place for your passport is locked in your accommodation. Carry a photocopy or other ID when you’re sightseeing or are out at night.

Keep your valuables safe with these anti-theft products:

• Money Belts and Anti-theft Accessories
• Best Anti-theft Bags for Women
• Are these Safe Travel Items Worth Taking
• 10 Tried and Tested Tips to Avoid Theft While Traveling

Read these tips on  how to keep your passport safe  when you travel!

Sign up for Travel Fashion Girl’s monthly  newsletter  and get instant access to free packing templates, downloadable checklists, ebooks, and more!

BONUS SECTION: TRAVEL TIPS

Accommodation.

For accommodation, we love  Airbnb  for accommodation in Italy and other parts of Europe.  Sign up here  for a free $40 credit!

I prefer to to book “the entire home” instead of opting for shared accommodation on Airbnb. Aside from safety, I also like to feel like I’m living in the destination. It’s a small taste of local life plus you get more amenities than you would at a hotel such as a kitchen and washing machine.

Read these  Airbnb tips  for more info!

If you prefer the convenience and comfort of a hotel room, I like using both  Agoda.com  and  Hotels.com . Tip: Hotels.com gives you a free night for every ten nights you book!

For flights, I like booking through  Travelocity  or  Cheapoair  (whichever one’s cheapest). Although I prefer Travelocity because they have a 24 hour money back guarantee.

To maximize your vacation time, fly into the city where you’re starting your trip and out of the city where your trip ends. Many times it’s the same price and saves you from having to spend extra time and money to go back to where you started your trip.

For hostels, we recommend  Hostelworld  and  Hostelbookers . Always read the reviews before booking to get the best idea if the hostel is right for you. Some are quiet and family friendly while others are known for their party atmosphere.

As a personal tip, if you’re backpacking, instead of booking all your nights in advance, maybe just book one or two so you can first get a feel for the place without overcommitting. Of course, should you be traveling during a special event or holiday, book in advance.

Not sure about staying at a hostel?  Read this.

Travel Insurance

For travel, I recommend  Travel Guard , which saved me over $800 in hospital bills on my round-the-world trip. As a scuba diver, I also recommend using DAN, which helped me rearrange my and my husband’s flights at no extra cost when we had a dive incident.

Tours are a great way to travel if you’re not ready to travel alone. A few top choices include  G Adventures  or  Intrepid Travel . While I haven’t traveled through Europe with G Adventures, I did go to South America and Africa with them as a new traveler in 2008 and enjoyed my experiences!

For more city tours,  New Europe  has excellent tours and the best part? They’re free! All you have to do is tip your guide.

GET THIS FREE EBOOK!

Suggested Travel Resources

Suggested Packing ebooks:

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The ULTIMATE Long Term Travel Essentials + Blogger’s Packing List

Posted on Last updated: December 21, 2023

Here are the BEST tried-and-tested long term travel essentials in 2024 and beyond – from travel clothes to photo gear that I have been using for years (9 years on the road, to be exact) to my travel packing list I use every trip! I’ve tried SOOO much different travel gear over the years, so if an item has made it to this list, it has my full stamp of approval.

I have been planning this article for YEARS and it is finally here! I am happy to finally announce my comprehensive list of WHAT’S IN MY BAG. These are my long-term travel gear must-haves, recommendations, and travel products I can’t live without. 

I’m not the most materialistic person so I used to try and just use whatever works. But since becoming a blogger I have begun to try out different products that I could actually use myself and recommend. And now I bring this list to you! 

If you are going on a trip soon, you might want to dip into this little list and see if you can supplement your suitcase with some helpful supplies. The below items are great for long-term travel, but also good for any kind of travel and simply make your life easier on the road!

Best Random Long-Term Travel Essentials

Here are the things that don’t fit into a category but are travel essentials nonetheless. Underneath each is why I love them and use them myself!

iPhone Case with a Cord/Crossbody Sling Strap

If you met me from 2021 onwards, you would have noticed my phone hanging on a cord around my neck like a purse. Some people think it’s silly, some think it’s smart, and others are confused by it, but let me tell you having your phone on a cord is a GAME CHANGER.

When I moved to Barcelona for the summer of 2021, I knew it was famous for pickpockets and I didn’t have the best track record with putting my phone down in random places and accidentally leaving it there (and having a massive freakout 5 minutes later).

If you can relate… you NEED one of these. You never need to worry about which pocket your phone is in or where it is in your bag. It’s just ON you at all times in a way that is convenient yet not annoying at all. It can sit under a purse for the ladies or even in a jacket pocket. You are then forgetfulness-proof AND pickpocket-proof. Win!

Budget : I used to have a basic cord case like the first photo on the left. This is super cheap yet durable and adjustable!

Splurge (Only about $10 More): I have ordered this crossbody phone case several times, and it’s my FAVORITE. It has a little wallet on the back that pops out and can even prop up the phone to take a photo with. It’s durable and adjustable and has space for multiple cards, change, and cash.

Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Eco-Sheets

I was indifferent when my mum made me put these in my bag when I left for another long-term trip, but let me tell you these are INCREDIBLE. You can carry 60 LOADS of laundry detergent in a tiny, convenient, nice-smelling flat packet.

Never again do you have to pay for the detergent in the laundromat or try and buy a cheap bag at the store only to end up hauling it around your next destinations with you. I think I’ll use these amazing little detergent sheets for the rest of time.

Travel Water Bottle

It’s very important to have your own reusable travel water bottle when on the road for ANY amount of time, long or short term. Sustainability has never been more important, and if you can avoid using any plastic bottles, the Earth will thank you!

Many destinations, airports, and hotels have water refill stations, and chances are you can get away with using less plastic on most trips now, even when you can’t drink tap water. Stock up on a water bottle you can call your own, and even decorate it with stickers from your travels.

Standard Bottle: Hydro Flask/ThermoFlask – Many people use the HydroFlask brand of water bottle, but I find that the ThermoFlask is pretty much the same but cheaper! I have one of these right now and it’s trustworthy, durable, and keeps water nice and cold. I have tons of peeling stickers on it so it might need a clean, but they last forever! IT even comes with 2 lids.

Space Saving Travel Water Bottle: Nomader Collapsible Water Bottle – These bottles are amazing and made for travel! They’re a great size for travel but when you’re done they FOLD UP super neatly and conveniently with a little strap that hooks it in shape. This way you don’t need to waste space when your bottle is empty!

Splurge for Outdoors : LARQ Water Bottle PureVis – If you’re going somewhere where you can’t drink tap water or where you will be doing a lot of outdoor adventures, hiking, or camping, you might want to invest in a self-cleaning/UV purifying water bottle that can make any water drinking quality. I recommend Larq – they’re cute, too.

Fluentalk T1 Mini Handheld Translator Device

This is a newer of my long term travel essentials that I absolutely LOVE. This tiny, credit-card-sized device can instantly translate between THIRTY SIX languages!!! The future is truly here.

It includes one year of data (which means you can have instant conversations through the translator in two languages anywhere, anytime). For travel through countries where the language is completely foreign, this thing can be a godsend. It can do Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Korean, and of course about 30 more.

When learning a few words is not enough, this thing makes up ALL the ground. I actually wrote a review about my experience using this device here, so check that out or the website below.

Combination Locks

I ALWAYS have a combo lock on me while traveling long term, as it could come in handy for many different reasons. If you are like me, you may end up spending a night or 2 in a hostel (or spend your whole trip in them) to save some money. Hostels have lockers, but usually require you to use your own lock to keep your stuff safe.

Sometimes I use these locks to lock the zippers of my bag together for extra precaution, too. You never know when you’ll need it, so it’s good to have. These ones are even TSA-approved, have long locks you can use them on luggage, and are affordable.

Face Mask and Earplugs

Some long-term travel essentials I ALWAYS have with me are a face mask and earplugs. Sometimes your hotel is on a noisy street, sometimes you stay in hostels with other people around, and other times your curtains do NOT block the morning light properly. Sleep while traveling is SO important!

A face mask and some pairs of earplugs are some of the easiest travel essentials to have on you at all times. They’re cheap, too! I love my unicorn face mask and recommend you get a cute/silly one too for maximum fun.

I recommended some reusable earplugs below and also some soft/moldable silicone ones as I find the gooey ones are MUCH easier on my ears when I’m sleeping.

Quick-Drying/Small Microfiber Towel

Ok, I would be lying if I said I ALWAYS had a small or quick-dry towel with me on the road – sometimes I just use my sarong as I mentioned above, and hope that hotels will provide a towel. But I’m not always so lucky.

Having one of these tiny-pack quick-dry towels is extremely useful on the road, especially long term. There’s nothing worse than a wet smelly towel in your bag or paying for one at your accommodation.

Best CLOTHING Essentials for Long Term Travel

Black leggings.

Black leggings are probably my NUMBER ONE GO-TO long-term travel essential. I always have at least one, if not two pairs with me on the road because they are good for literally everything. You can wear them to a yoga class, and then under a cute top for a night out. You can sleep in them. You can wear them on the place. They’re versatile and go with everything.

Currently, I have a pair of cheaper polyester leggings and also a warmer spandex pair that’s more suited for hiking and cold. See the two options below:

Budget: These polyester leggings come in a 2-pack online for less than $10 a pair. My philosophy: take as many pairs as you can 😛

Splurge: Eddie Bauer Tight trail leggings – these are AMAZING and so durable, with zipper pockets and a little pocket at the top too! They won’t get holes like the ones above did for me!

Waterproof Shell Rain Jacket

This is another MUST essential packing item for travel. I don’t care if you are spending a week in Mexico or 6 months in Europe – you NEED a waterproof jacket, and preferably a shell jacket that folds up small. I speak from experience when I say, you do NOT want to be caught in a surprise rainstorm without one.

Budget : I have had this jacket for a while and have absolutely no complaints. It’s a bit thicker than some shells I’ve had but it still folds up small and works a charm.

Splurge: If you’re all about the quality and the brand, then check out this Marmot waterproof lightweight jacket. It also comes in 3 colors!

Balance of Clothes

Just as a quick packing tip, try and have a good balance of shorts, pants, tank tops, tees, and long sleeve shirts that can layer and go with each other. The best way to do this is have a good balance of solid colors, black/grey/beige/white/other colors that go with everything, and some patterns that also match with a few other items.

You may want to have ONE big puffy jacket that you can usually carry on your arm if it won’t fit in any bags. See my video below for more as well as using packing cubes (link below)

@kimmconn Part 2: choosing clothes to #pack ! #backpacking #longtermtravel #travel #packingtips #tiktoktravel #fypage ♬ original sound – Kimmie Conner

Cover-Ups/Kimonos

A GREAT way to add fun to any outfit is with a kimono, cover up, or similar. You can wear the same black leggings, boots, and crop top every day with a different kimono and maybe necklace. I legitimately do this. See the photos above!

I also always have a sarong on me while traveling, no matter where I am. I use sarongs so much that I usually go through one a year or more as they get so worn and torn. What can you use a sarong for? Let’s see:

• a cover-up when swimming
• a cute wrap skirt or dress
• a scarf or headwrap in the cold
• a cushion for your camera in a backpack
• a blanket on the plane
• and more! Sarongs are long term travel ESSENTIALS for females! I usually haggle for them in local markets but I usually have a cute patterned cloth sarong like the one below:

Obviously you NEED a swimsuit if you are going to travel long or short term. You never know when there will be a nice pool, jacuzzi, hot spring, or beach, and you MUST be prepared.

I know that swimsuits are different for everyone so I am not going to link a product or brand but rather make a recommendation: always have a black swimsuit top and a black swimsuit bottom that you can mix and match with tops and bottoms of different colors and maybe a one piece!

I have a black top that ties like 20 different ways that I recommend – it’s a regular triangle top in black and I wear it ALL the time.

Pashmina/Scarf

This is another long term travel ESSENTIAL because you can use it in SOOO many different ways. A scarf/pashmina is similar to a sarong but tends to keep you warm more than keeping cool. But, it can still do both. Above are photos of me using my pashmina in 3 different ways.

Hats for Travel

These are the hats I usually have. I often pack them flat in a smaller compartment of my suitcase lke a bit of an afterthought.

• One sun hat with a wide brim , foldable if possible. These are great for photos but can be annoying to pack. I have a foldable one which is MUCH more convenient than some stiff brimmed hats. These are also great for photos.
• One bucket hat: I LOVE my bucket hat because it’s fun, great to block the sun, great for parties or festivals, and great for bad hair days. I wear this the most out of all my hats. It’s like this one.
• One snapback/baseball cap : Works for excursions, hikes, runs, or certain fashion days.
• One Beanie: If you are going somewhere cold. Beanies are tiny and cal usually squeeze in your bag somewhere.

Obviously, you need sunglasses no matter where you are traveling. I’m not going to tell you which ones look best on your face, but I will share with you a link to the ones I have purchased literally 5 times on Amazon (I never buy fancy sunnies as I always ruin them). Here they are.

Best Shoes for Travel

I have traveled with all kinds of shoes over the years – some great and some I would never travel with again. Here are the best.

Waterproof Versatile Sneakers

Loom Footwear are the ever-versatile sneaker-running shoe combo. They come in black or white, and are great as running shoes but cute enough to wear out on the town and to events. They’re perfectly low-key enough to go with anything. And they’re waterproof, too – perfect for hiking or rainy days!

I’ve already gone through a couple of pairs of Loom footwear while on the road, simply because I wear them to EVERYTHING. Going on a run? Loom footwear. Going to a festival? Loom footwear. Walking around a new city all day? Loom footwear. 

Tevas – Comfy Hiking Sandals

Hiking sandals are something I never thought I would get into, but once I tried Tevas I was sold. These babies are EPIC – they’re super versatile and perfect for traveling in hot destinations where you don’t feel like putting your feet into a hot sweaty sock/shoe but still want comfort and the ability to go for miles.

I’ve had the same pair for so long that I can’t find the same color online, but the design is exactly like the pair below. They ar great for walking around a new city all day, hiking a mountain, or just everyday wear, too.

Birkenstocks

Yep, it’s true. These are one of the pairs of travel shoes I cannot live without. For some reason some people make fun of birks, but my theory is that those people have never slipped on a pair of properly broken-in birks that are perfectly molded to their feet. They’re durable, they LAST, and they are so comfy. Team Birks forever.

Other Travel Shoes

Besides a pair of trainers/running shoes (that should usually be wearable for other occasions), hiking sandals, and birkenstocks, I sometimes pack:

ONE pair of cute travel shoes (like flats or cute strappy sandals): When Teva’s don’t cut it for a cute night out (and let’s face it, they wouldn’t work for something fancy), I like to have a cute pair of flats just in case. I usually pack a VERY small flat pair so they hardly take up any space and pack easily next to another pair of shoes.

Black ankle boots or similar: Even in warm destinations, I find that a pair of black ankle or combat boots (like Doc Martins) are AMAZING to have (and usually to wear on the plane). A good pair of these works for so many occasions, such as being cute with a dress, comfy to walk around cities all day, cute AND comfy with black leggings, or even to go hiking in if they are comfy enough. I currently have a great pair of knockoff Doc Martins like this.

Converse: You can’t go wrong with a pair of connies. I don’t bring these on EVERY trip, but a pair of solid tennis shoes is always a good idea if you have room. You won’t always need a pair as the running shoes/boots can fill the same function, but they’re good to keep in mind. I usually have a classic pair of chucks.

Best Packing Necessities for Travel

Here are the game-changing long term travel essentials that help with packing, organizing, and keeping things where they need to be.

AmazonBasics Packing Cubes

I SWEAR by these. I have had them for years. The Amazon Basics packing cubes below come with 2 large and 2 medium packing cubes, but I have only ever used three – one large one for tops, the other large one for bottoms, and one small one for undergarments and swimsuits.

The 3 packing cubes fit wonderfully whether you are backpacking with a large backpack OR using the cutcase I recommend below. The size is perfect, and organizing your clothes like this makes it feel like you have mobile drawers to keep things neat. See the video below for how I pack them.

@kimmconn Pt3: Get those clothes packed up! #longtermtravel #packingtips #travel #backpacking #tiktoktravel #travelblogger ♬ original sound – Kimmie Conner

Smaller Daypack Backpack

I always pack at least one smaller backpack in my bag because I am not going to want to wear my huge backpack everywhere. Sometimes you have a small day trip, a hike, or a festival where you just need a mini backpack to carry a couple of things around.

I have one cute leather one for nicer events and another miniature backpacking backpack with straps and compartments similar to the ones below. You may also want to consider a foldable day pack that folds back up into itself for maximum space saving.

Hanging Toiletry Bag

A hanging toiletry bag is another absolute travel packing essential that I ALWAYS have, no matter if my trip is 3 days or 9 months. I have had 3-4 different hanging toiletry bags over the last 10 years and I find it best to have at least 2 larger compartments with some smaller ones. The ones below are great – one cuter and one cheaper.

I haven’t listed out ALL the toiletries that I bring, but check this video below for an idea of how I pack toiletries for long-term travel:

@kimmconn Did I bring too much? #packingtips #packinghacks #tiktoktravel #traveltips #travelblogger #fypage ♬ original sound – Kimmie Conner

Best Suitcases and Backpacks for Travel (The Bags I Use)

Samsonite rolling duffel with compartments.

I ended up with this bag completely randomly, and now I am on my second one. If you are the type who LOVES different compartments and being able to separate your stuff conveniently and easily, you NEED this suitcase… er, I mean, wheeled duffel. Wheeled duffers are the vibe.

This type of bag mixes the best of all suitcase worlds. It has two main compartments – one on the bottom and one on the top. You can access the top compartment from the bottom OR the top, there are other compartments along all the sides of the top compartment, there’s another zip pocket on the top, AND there are two larger compartments on either side. Oh, AND there are backpack straps if you wanted to wear it on your back!

I put different things in each one – shoes and one packing cube in the bottom, other packing cubes/bags and toiletries in the top, and extra stuff in the sides. MY exact bag isn’t available online right now, but I linked two similar ones below. I think the make is called Andante.

Solgaard Check-in Closet Suitcase with Built-In Hanging Closet

After many years with the rolling duffels above, I have finally swapped to an EPIC suitcase as of this year. I have a Solgaard Check-in Closet , which is a large-sized aluminum suitcase that snaps closed. It has a TSA lock, 4 wheels, and a completely innovative built-in closet that you can hang in the closet when you get to your destination.

I have traveled with every different kind of suitcase under the sun and I can CONFIDENTLY say that this one is my favorite. The convenience of opening your suitcase and having an immediate, hangable closet is unmatched. And yes, I did some content for them as you can see above, but I’m never swapping suitcases again!!

Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader Camera Backpack

To be honest, I was never on team ‘expensive backpack’ until I got this bad boy. I made my way around the world with cheap backpacks (always ones that had many compartments, of course) for SO long until Manfrotto reached out to me and sent me this incredible piece of wearable technology I reviewed here . I will never go back.

Yes, this is a camera backpack, but listen… I think this thing would be great for anybody. It comes with more velcro dividers than you could possibly need, which you can organize inside the main compartment in any way you’d like and access it from a few points using the zipper design.

You can use the different compartments for cameras (it’s fantastic to be able to organize the bag depending on your equipment using the different sizes of dividers), OR you can use the compartments for literally anything that you like. The main compartment can be divided up to keep equipment safe, or to keep your clothes seperate from your food.

The top compartment (also with tiny dividers) can separate all the things you’d usually have in the ‘random sh*t’ compartment of your backpack (we all have one). There’s a separate laptop sleeve, secret-looking side compartment, water bottle holders, front zip, TONS of extra straps, tripod attachment loops, and even an attached TSA lock. Best backpack EVER.

Travel Camera Equipment Packing List for Different Budgets

It’s no secret that I have a lot of different camera equipment for travel. I now pack most of my stuff in the backpack above, but it hasn’t always been this way. I will share some great camera bags for travel and also the cameras that I use now and have used in the past on more of a budget.

My Cameras / Best Cameras for Travel

I think it’s very important to have a camera to record all your travel memories with. I know most people use their phones these days, but nothing can replace the quality of a good camera. I have always had a big DSLR (now a mirrorless) but I have recommended a smaller camera for those who don’t place as much emphasis on photography!

Budget DSLR: Nikon d3500 – I had this camera for YEARS and years (well I had the d3300 but now it’s the 3500). It’s a wonderful entry-level DSLR with good quality and capabilities for a crop frame camera. It’s a perfect camera to get used to shooting with a big camera and learn lots of skills.

Splurge DSLR: Nikon D780 – This is the newer version of the camera I have now (the D750), and I love it! Nikon has a d850 out too but in all honesty it’s not much better than the d750/d780 (in fact I prefer the d750) and WAY more expensive. This is a fantastic full-frame DSLR you can use with tons of lenses and get incredible content with.

Budget Mirrorless: Sony a6000 – The Sony a6 series are a fabulous mirrorless camera series that are more compact and affordable than many other cameras on the market today. I will suggest the entry level camera for the sake of budget and ease of use, but check out the further cameras in the series to upgrade.

Splurge Mirrorless : Sony a7riii – This was my DREAM CAMERA for SOOOOO many years, until Eliot and I finally purchased it in 2021 for a series of even photography jobs we had in Mexico. I love it SO much. I have always been a Nikon gal but the Sony has taken over the top spot for the camera I prefer to shoot with. It’s the smartest camera I have ever had.

We have a Tamron 28-75 lens first and foremost for this camera that takes care of most shots we ever need.

Go Pro: I have always traveled with a Go Pro which gets all the shots that my other cameras can’t… underwater, adventures, outdoors, and more. Go Pros have an amazing fish eye wide angle lens leading them to be able to capture a lot more than other cameras, especially during adventurous activities or filming yourself. I currently need a new one but the most recent one on the market is below.

Best Drone for Travel: DJI Mavic Series

I LOVE my drone (which is the version before the Mavic 3, the Mavic 2 Pro). I am sure that a smaller drone such as a mavic air/mini might be more convenient for travel, but my Mavic 2 Pro (his name is Alejandrone) folds up NICE and small, flies very long distances, and gets some of the best shots I’ve ever gotten in my life!

If you are just starting out with drones and want to give them a try for a cheaper price and a smaller product, check out the mini. It’s cute and VERY small. Check DJI for deals … they usually offer incredible Black Friday deals.

Best Camera Bag for Travel

Splurge : I already mentioned my FAVORITE Splurge camera bag above, the Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader Camera Backpack. See abve for the description or here for the link.

Budget: NEEWER Flexible partition padded camera bag – this was our tried-and-trusted camera bag until I got the one above. This camera bag also has flexible dividers that you can move around to fit your gear. Somehow we were able to fit two DSLR’s AND a Drone in here with extra lenses and carry it around the world for two years. Love this bag, would 100% buy again.

My Tripods / Best Tripod for Travel:

Budget : The AmazonBasics tripod is more than adequate. I actually used this tripod for longer than I would like to admit before upgrading to the one below. If you are on a budget or unsure about tripods, try this one out.

Splurge: Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced – This tripod is INCREDIBLE and truly professional. If you want something top-notch, try this one.

Essential Electronics from Long Term Travel

And there is still more! Could this be the most extensive packing list ever? It’s not easy to pack for long trips, but I hope this guide is helping.

A Laptop is one of the main essentials for long term travel especially if you plan on working (which most people will need to do if traveling long term). I have always and will always have a Mac. I’ll be the first to admit that Apple has an absolute hold on me and that I don’t think I am capable of moving away from them now… as annoying as they can be sometimes.

I have a MacBook Pro 16 inch – I upgraded from the 13 inch a few years ago when I learned that the basic version of the 16 inch has the same features as the upgraded version of the 13 inch. Better processing for photography etc.

Laptop Case

It is PARAMOUNT that you keep your super expensive laptop safe. Take it from me, the person who has probably had the most computer issues while traveling out of everyone in the world. I have the laptop case below and I think it’s the best I have had (with compartments – you know I love compartments). It even protected my laptop from spilled water on the plane once. And it’s cute.

A power bank is another true travel essential. You never know when you won’t have time to charge your phone or camera batteries and need to charge on the fly. Power banks are amazing for long days, flights, festivals, and just to have a backup power supply at all times.

We have the 2 Pack Miady 20000 power bank, and these things last FOREVER. They takes ages to charge but you can charge a phone and cameras multiple times on one charge. We ordered the exact pair below recenty.

Everyone needs some music in their ears while traveling… whether it’s to have those existential moments staring out the window on the train or to drown out the baby on the plane. I have had everything from super fancy expensive headphones to a pair I got in a random electronics shop in Jordan. Here are some to look at:

Budget: Tozo t6 True Wireless Earbuds – I had these for a while until they mysteriously disappeared while on the road. They’re under $30, fine quality, and they have over 200k reviews on amazon.

Splurge: Jaybird Headphones – I got a pair of these for Eliot for his birthday one year and they lasted him YEARS. Thse are true top-of-the-line quality headphones and worth investing in f you spend a ton of time listening to music – traveling, at work, and more. The current model is below.

Universal Adaptor

To be completely honest, I usually travel with about 10 different singel adaptors and I have picked up over the years. But I do NOT recommmend that. I recommend getting ONE, GOOD universal adaptor that has a ton of USB slots and a USBC slot as well as plug slots so you can plug everything in at once, everywhere. The one below is a game changer.

I will no doubt be adding more long term travel essentials to this packing list over time – let me know what products you have questions about or would like to see! Thanks for reading!

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The Ultimate Long-Term Travel Packing List for Men

Mark Stewart January 1, 2019 Travel Planning 6 Comments

I’ve been working on this list for around eleven years. What I mean, is that in those years I’ve travelled through many different climates, often on the same trip. Sometimes carrying too much; occasionally a bit too little. Over the years, through much trial and error, I’ve learned what must be packed; and more importantly, what can be left behind. Finally, over the last 18 months, through 17 counties with temperatures ranging from -12°C to +38°C, I’ve finally figured out the perfect combination of gear. This is my all-encompassing, ultimate long-term travel packing list for men.

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Long-Term Travel Packing List for Men

Packing for a long-term trip across different climate types can be a tricky balance. This is not a minimalist packing list. Then again, if packed correctly, it can fit into a 40L, carry-on-sized bag. Also, unlike most packing lists that are just that — a list of items — I’m going to break down exactly why I choose most of these items. That way, you can decide for yourself if you really need it.

Finally, this is a guideline. If your own journey is taking you to Norway in January, you’re probably going to need a warmer jacket.

Short Sleeved T-shirts

For simple, everyday wear I love just throwing on a simple, comfortable t-shirt. I typically bring 3 or 4, not out of necessity so much as having some options. Sure Design make great travel shirts, as well as this one from PrAna because they’re lightweight, colourful and cheap. I also wear the brand, ‘Icebreaker’ shirts, They’re a little pricier, but the awesome benefits of Merino wool make them worth the cost. Easy to wash quick to dry, and they deter odors if you don’t have time to do either!

Button-up Short Sleeved T-shirts

To change things up a little, it’s nice to have some buttons and a collar in the wardrobe as well. The fabric is usually a little tougher than a basic t-shirt and the buttons allow you to let the breeze flow through on those really hot days. I wear several different brands, but North Face, Merrell and this one from PrAna really stand out as favourites.

Light hiking gear keeps you protected and cool

Long-Sleeved Button-up shirt

I typically carry two long-sleeved collared shirts. One is a more casual shirt from Columbia, that is very lightweight and UV blocking This is my go-to flight shirt. Not only is it super comfortable, but it helps in making me look less like a grubby backpacker.

The other shirt is a little more dressy. I actually wear it very rarely and at times wonder why I carry it at all. But it’s perfect for any kind of special occasion. Maybe you’re invited over for a nice dinner or heading to a fancy restaurant. Sometimes it’s just nice to dress up once in a while.

Prana Bridger Jeans

So many people will tell you never to pack jeans, and their reasons aren’t necessarily wrong. “They’re heavy,” and “They take too long to dry” are perfectly valid reasons to avoid jeans. That being said, jeans are great, and if you can find the right pair, you’re gold. And a couple of years ago I found them. The Prana Bridger jeans have a fabric blend that is perfect for travel. They’re far-lighter than regular denim, dry faster, and even have a bit of stretch.

Casual Pants – MEC Concourse

These are the perfect all-purpose travel pants. They’re comfortable, lightweight, quick-drying, and have a zip pocket for stashing cash. Most importantly, these pants look good. These pants can be worn on a hiking trail, in the city, or at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Unfortunately, MEC is a Canadian cooperative, so these specific pants aren’t available internationally. However, they are similar to the Taereen from REI in America , or the Prana Brion pant.

Hiking Pants

Finally, I like to pack light hiking pants like the Silver Ridge from Columbia. These are perfect hiking pants when things might get a little messy for the dressier version above. If you don’t care about fashion, they have a version that zip-off into shorts, which can be great when things get too hot.

If the weather calls for it (and sometimes when it doesn’t) I will be wearing shorts. Here, I change it up from time to time. MEC makes some great styles, as does North Face and Columbia. Try to look for a pair with at least one zippered pocket, I like to keep a small bit of spending cash in there to avoid bringing my wallet everywhere I go.

Board shorts

For the beach. I have no specific brand loyalty here, I’ve worn everything from Quicksilver to Billabong. I even bought an un-branded pair once in Goa that lasted me three years.

Icebreaker Merino Base Layer Set

These are probably used the least, especially the leggings. Though when they are needed, there’s no substitute. The fact that the shirt is casual-looking enough that it can be worn on its own is a nice bonus.

Boxer-briefs

Again, these are personal preference. Just look for something lightweight and quick-drying. If you’re the commando type, even better.

Icebreaker Socks

I carry five pairs of socks: two pairs at regular length, two pairs athletic “ankle socks” and one pair heavier hiking socks. This covers me for any situation I’ve ever found myself in. And because the colour of your socks don’t really matter, consider buying these directly from Icebreaker at their end-of-season sale.

Prana Hoodie

When it gets a little cooler out, this one from Prana is my go-to sweater. The material is strong but very soft, and the zippered chest pocket is great for a bit of cash. It’s perfect for long plane rides and bus trips that crank the A/C.

Rocking our Prana Hoodies in Romania

Icebreaker Jacket

Initially, I was hesitant to carry a “winter” coat at all, but I’m thankful I did. My Icebreaker has come in handy more often than I expected. I’ve worn it from the mountains of southern Mexico to the steppes of Moldova during winter. It’s incredibly warm, especially considering how light it is. And it rolls up into a fairly compact ball, taking up minimal space in the bag.

Another item most minimalists will shun is a raincoat. “It doesn’t rain enough to justify the space,” and “just wear a garbage bag if you need to,” are two things I’ve often read. Spend a month in Medellín, Bristol; or Vietnam during the monsoon, and tell me a raincoat isn’t justified. Again, the one I use is from MEC, but nearly every outdoor clothing company has a fantastic, lightweight option.

Arcade Belt

The perfect travel belt? I’m sure there are better options in existence, but none as affordable as this. Arcade belts use elastic webbing and plastic buckles. This means you’ll get the perfect adjustment for your waist and there’s no need to remove it for airport security.

Hiking Shoes

I’ve worn Merrell since I started travelling back in 2007. It’s not that I’m some obsessed fanboy, it just happens that every time I need an upgrade, Merrell happens to be the best option. I try to get something that’s fairly rugged and can handle some rough terrain, yet still has a casual-enough look to it.

Again, personal preference. I bought a pair in Bangkok for about four dollars. I wore them every single day for over three months before they finally broke.

Casual Shoes

Another fairly contested subject is how many shoes is too much. Previously, I’ve only travelled with hiking shoes and flip flops. Recently, however, I’ve added something more casual — again, for special occasions, meetings, etc. I currently have a pair of Vans that are great for casual use, but horrible for travel. They weigh too much for their size and the flat sole is horribly uncomfortable for long walks.

I’m still on a mission to figure this out

Toque (beanie)

Another option that rarely makes an appearance is the toque. Now, this isn’t the cheesy Canadian style with a puff ball on top. It takes up almost no space but is irreplaceable when the temperature drops close to freezing.

As a bald dude, I need to protect my dome. I don’t really have a particular style, I just throw in a baseball cap of some sort.

These are fairly standard and don’t need a lot of explaining, but I’ll make some notes when necessary.

Toothbrush & Toothpaste

Unless you’re someone who needs something specific or prefers the electric variety, anything will do. I’ve never been to any country that didn’t have a decent selection of both toothbrushes and toothpaste.

GoTubes are great for liquids like soap, sunscreen and aftershave. It’s easier to pack a few of these than a full-sized bottle.

Again, this is personal preference. I use a Wahl to keep the beard in check. It’s compact and decently priced.

Razors/Blades (cheaper)

As someone who shaves their head on a regular basis, I love a good razor. When I’m at home, Harry’s is my go-to. Unfortunately going with something fancy or specialized while travelling can lead to issues. Although razor cartridges are found almost anywhere, in many places it’s tricky to find the latest models. When on the road, I tend to stick with something a little older and wide-spread like a Gillette Mach3.

Again, something found everywhere.

Keep them in…

There are a ton of great toiletry bags out there for travel. Personally, I use the Eagle Creek Wallaby Toiletry Kit because I’ve found nothing better. It’s got a ton of pockets of all sizes, it’s rugged, hangs on almost anything, and is fairly compact when closed.

I remember back when I started travelling I used to carry around a full-size towel. It took up so much space and added so much weight. Thankfully, it didn’t take long for me to discover and pick up a Packtowel. These are incredibly lightweight and fit into a pouch the size of a small book. The cloth itself is absorbent, fast-drying and very durable.

These are a fantastic, multi-purpose square of fabric that I use almost every day. Typically worn as a head covering, I also use mine as a pillow, a scarf, dust mask or emergency towel. I’ve even used it as a “hobo” pouch.

Expensive enough that the build is quality and the lenses have UV protection, but not so pricey you can’t afford to lose (or break) them.

Pick one up at almost any hardware store; preferably one with multiple-sized rings. Use this for washing clothes in the hostel sink.

Clothes Line

The Travelon clothesline is cheap and reliable. The twists in the line hold everything in place, no need for pins. The only downside is that the suction cups are pretty useless once weight is added. Thankfully, the hooks are perfect.

Rope will always come in handy. I throw about 20 feet of paracord into my bag before every trip. And I always find myself using it for all kinds of odd reasons.

For those days when you have an unfinished bottle and you need to catch a bus. Fill one of these, from Platypus, up and throw it in your bag. They’re flexible and puncture resistant.

Having a multi-tool will get you out of a ton of situations. Hostel can opener broken? Need to carve a door stopper out of a piece of wood? Have some string or rope needs to be cut? Screw coming loose on… something? I use my Leatherman at least once a week for some odd job. I couldn’t imagine travelling without one.

For keeping notes the old fashioned way. Sure, a smartphone will do, but there’s something special about physically writing in a classic Moleskine.

For writing in your journal.

I never would have bought something like this in my earlier travels, it just seems so paranoid. On more recent trips, however, I carry a lot of electronics and often visit countries known for petty theft. This portable safe weighs next to nothing and goes completely flat for packing. I throw all my important documents and gear inside and lock it to something in my room.

While nothing prevents theft 100%, the Pacsafe safe give a extra bit of deterrent gives a little peace of mind.

Water Bottle Nomader

Plastic sucks. So does dying of thirst. Avoid both with this awesome collapsible water bottle from Nomader. We’ve been rocking these bottles for nearly two years. They’re puncture resistant, hold their form, and roll into a fairly tight bundle when not in use.

There are several options for water purification such as tablets and filter straws, but we haven’t found anything that compares to a Steri-Pen. It uses UV light to kill all the nasty bugs in questionable tap water. By using this over the past 18 months, we’ve avoided using literally thousands of plastic bottles.

Basic First Aid

Unless you’re a field medic, there’s no need to go overboard here. I carry a simple pouch with a few basic first-aid tools. I usually include a small assortment of bandages, safety pins, alcohol swabs, tweezers, and antibiotic cream.

In addition to any personal prescriptions you require, these are a few extras that I suggest bringing. Ibuprofen, for headaches; Imodium (loperamide), for when you get the shits; Benadryl (antihistamine), for allergies; and Gravel (dimenhydrinate), for motion sickness/nausea.

As well, travellers diarrhoea treatment such as ciprofloxacin or azithromycin, and any other destination-related medications you may require (altitude sickness, malaria, etc…). Talk to your doctor about these.

Farpoint 55

This is what I’ve been using for the last few years. It’s actually a 40L main pack with a removable 15L day pack. The bag and hardware are solid, and I’ve not had a single issue with it. There’s a reason so many people use this bag. I highly recommend checking it out!

Packing Cubes

Finally, to keep things nice and compact, these packing cubes from Eagle Creek are some of the best travel items I’ve ever purchased. Not only will they keep your bag nice and organized, they compress everything into a tight bundle, allowing you to fit more into your bag.

Showing off my sweet backpack in Jasper

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Interesting packing list. Looked for a link to be able to print it (as a summary document). Looks like you haven’t done that or have I missed it? Good info. Thanks!

Hey, thanks for checking it out! We’re actually just in the process of putting together a printable checklist for all of our packing guides. They should be up soon!

Great packing list! Thanks for including the Nomader Collapsible Water Bottle.

Thank you! We LOVE our Water Bottles!!

A learning campaign history, Here you describe that helps me more to set up my tent in the open air. A perfect list for outdoor travel. I think it would be beneficial for me and all of your follower.

Thank you kindly. That’s what we were going for, so many packing lists are just that: lists of items. We really wanted to explain the “why” of items, to help people decided whether or not they actually need them for their own journey.

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Travel By Carla Vianna

Travel and Adventure Inspiration

How To Pack For Long-Term Travel: My RTW Packing List

May 2, 2020 · In: RTW Travel

Regardless if your trip lasts 6 months or a year, the general rule of thumb is to always pack for a week’s worth of travel . That means limiting yourself to seven or so days worth of clothing and doing lots of laundry along the way.

Now, if this seems like an impossible task, I’m here to help! I also never thought I’d be able to travel with no more than a few outfits for such a long time, especially when I was used to bringing a mini-wardrobe of clothing options on regular trips back home.

But one of the lessons I learned from traveling around the world is that sometimes, less is more.

Soon after leaving most of my belongings behind, I realized I didn’t need several pairs of the same shoes or dress to be happy. In fact, by the time I hit one month abroad, I couldn’t even remember what filled the dozens of boxes in my storage unit back home. The few outfits I had in my backpack were more than enough to live with—and truthfully, the trivial “what do I wear today” was quickly masked by “which waterfall should we hike to today?”

In this around the world packing guide, I’ll go over everything you need to know before packing for your own trip, including my personal RTW packing list detailing everything I brought on my 10-month journey around the world .

Table of Contents

How To Pack For A RTW Trip

The first thing you’ll want to do when packing for an around the world trip is figure out if you’re bringing a rolling carry-on bag or a backpack .

There are pros and cons to traveling with a rolling bag or a backpack. A backpack is certainly easier to carry across dirt roads and onto boats, trains and other modes of transportation. But a backpack can also be more difficult to pack, and carrying it on your back 24/7 can become tiring.

A rolling carryon, on the other hand, literally takes that weight off your back. But throwing that bag onto a long tail boat in Thailand or rolling it uphill in a tiny Italian town whose roads are too small for cars to pass can be particularly difficult, too.

Keep in mind that whatever bag you choose, it’ll be put to the test. Traveling in places like South America and Southeast Asia means your bag will be thrown in and out of cars, buses, trains, boats, tuk-tuks and airplanes. It’s also likely that you’ll encounter dirt roads and a wide range of weather conditions—which is why I personally chose to travel with a backpack.

PACKING TIP: I personally wouldn’t recommend bringing a checked bag. Traveling around the world requires quite a bit of plane travel, and checked bag fees quickly add up.

Choosing Your Backpack

There are several factors to consider when choosing the right backpack to travel with .

The first is size. Most travel backpacks fall between 40 and 70 liters. Overall, your backpack should be proportional to your body. Also keep in mind that the larger it is, the more stuff you’ll find to put in it. Keeping your backpack as lightweight as possible is key.

Next thing you’ll want to consider is whether the bag opens from the top, side, bottom or a combination of each. Top-loaded bags with only one opening on the top can be a pain to pack and unpack—and forget accessing anything quickly, especially if it’s at the bottom of your bag. A front-loading bag, on the other hand, allows you to zip open the side of the bag to access anything you need easily and quickly. Some have openings on the top and bottom, which also makes it easier to access your belongings since there’s two holes to pull stuff from.

SHOP BACKPACKS

Compartments are the next factor. Do you care to have pockets to store extra stuff (shoes, water bottles, a hair brush, etc.) on the outside of your bag or not? I personally like having the option to store certain items outside of my bag for easy access—or simply because they no longer fit inside of it.

Finally, you’ll want to ensure you’re buying a backpack from a reputable brand. Osprey, North Face, Patagonia and REI are a few of the more popular options. Although they may be pricier, these brands offer high-quality, durable backpacks made to last. You certainly don’t want your bag to rupture in the back of a bus in South America!

MY BACKPACK: I personally traveled with a 40-liter Terra backpack from North Face, which is generally a lot smaller than what most women travel with. I knew that if I had more space, I’d end up making the bag way too heavy to carry. I also found that this size bag fit my body comfortably, while larger ones felt off. I did however always travel with an extra day pack, where I carried my laptop, camera and other items.

What Clothes To Pack For An Around-The-World Trip

Now that you’ve chosen your bag, it’s time to figure out what the heck to put in it. Everything you bring on a long-term backpacking trip will ultimately be carried on your back. Trust me when I say this, you will regret bringing that extra pair of shoes by Day 10 of your trip.

Again, you want to aim for about a week’s worth of clothing. That means adopting a minimalist style. My recommendation is to pack solid-colored T-shirts, pants, dresses and shorts that could be thrown together to make several different outfits.

Below, see exactly what I packed on my around the world trip.

SHOP MY PACKING LIST

• 1 pair of jeans
• 1 pair of pants
• 1 pair of workout shorts
• 2 pairs of regular shorts (made from a comfortable material; not jeans)
• 5 T-shirts (basic plain-colored shirts from H&M)
• 2 tank tops
• 1 light long-sleeve sweatshirt
• 1 warmer long-sleeve sweater (for buses and planes)
• 1 dress for nicer outings
• 2 lightweight rompers/playsuits
• 1 rain jacket (this Columbia rain jacket packs into its hand pocket, making it super compact!)
• 1 thermal jacket (this North Face jacket also packs into its hand pocket!)
• 1 pair of Columbia’s Omni-heat thermal pants and thermal shirt (these are excellent for unexpected cold weather)
• 1 lightweight scarf
• 7-10 pairs of underwear
• 3-5 sports bras and regular bras
• 4 pairs of regular socks
• 3 pairs of hiking socks
• Hiking boots (my travel and adventure shoe)
• Nike sneakers (my daily walking shoe)
• Waterproof sandals (for nicer outings and beach days)
• Espadrilles (for when I wanted to feel cute)
• Flip flops (for showers)

*I went a bit overboard with shoes—most people bring no more than three. I have tiny feet so I was able to fit a few shoes on the outer pockets of my bag.

• 1 casual bag (I’m obsessed with this Longchamp backpack and wore it every single day on my trip!)
• 1 small makeup bag with travel-sized products
• 1 small jewelry bag
• A large ziplock bag packed with tampons

PACKING TIP: Planning your trip around warm weather is ideal to avoid bulky winter clothes.

Essential RTW Travel Gear

Aside from clothes, there are other travel essentials you’ll want to bring on a long-term trip abroad. While there are tons of travel products out there, these are the ones that made the biggest difference on my day-to-day.

Daypack: Since my traveling backpack was on the smaller end, having a daypack helped tremendously. This is where I kept my laptop, camera and lenses, a light sweater and snacks on travel days. I also used it on hikes.

Osprey bag cover: I often used this waterproof rain cover to protect my bag while traveling.

eBags packing cubes: These packing cubes are a total life saver. I was able to fit so much more than I originally imagined by using packing cubes. These cubes also makes it easier to find specific items as you organize your clothes by category.

Scrubba wash bag: Whenever there wasn’t a laundromat around, we used this bag to wash our clothes.

SHOP MY TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

FlipBelt: I used this savvy belt invention to keep my passport, money and credit card safe when traveling on planes or long overnight bus journeys.

Pocket blanket: I love love love this pocket blanket! It’s more of a satin sheet than a blanket but it’s water resistant and perfect for laying out in a park. I would also use this as a protective layer over my seat on a bus, boat or train that didn’t feel particularly clean.

Microfiber travel towel: It’s always useful having a quick-drying towel on hand.

First-aid kit: Everything from bandaids to a thermometer came in handy at least one point during the trip.

Water bottle: To avoid buying tons of plastic water bottles, bring your own bottle that you can refill daily.

Travel adaptor: A worldwide travel adaptor is a must-have to charge any technology, including your phone.

External battery: You’ll be spending most of your day outside of your hotel room or Airbnb, so having an external battery on hand is necessary if you want to keep your phone charged.

Long-term Travel Checklist: Things To Do Before You Leave

Aside from packing your bag, there are a number of things to check off your long-travel checklist before you leave on that one-way plane ticket. Below are my top recommendations, ranging from minimal tasks like uploading your personal documents onto the cloud and more timely ones like visiting a travel clinic.

• This includes documents like a photocopy of your passport, ID, and medical prescriptions. If anything were to happen to the originals, having a photocopy on hand can go a long way.
• A travel clinic doctor will look at your itinerary and inform you of the appropriate vaccines to get before visiting regions that may expose you to different diseases. For example, some countries in South America require you to show proof of a yellow fever vaccine depending on where you’re traveling from.
• If you’re traveling to Southeast Asia, you’ll most likely need to take malaria pills.
• I also recommended asking for antibiotics for “traveler’s diarrhea,” an all too common occurrence when traveling to developing countries.
• It’s important to check each of the destinations you’re visiting for their visa policy. Some countries require you to apply for visas ahead of time, while others allow you to buy one on the spot.
• I personally ordered a big supply of contact lenses before my trip. I also explain to my gynecologist and insurance provider that I was going abroad for an extended amount of time, and they allowed me to get a 6-month supply of birth control upfront.
• Research the best plan for your trip, keeping in mind that you must also have regular insurance back in the U.S. to avoid tax penalties. There are specific expat insurances that cover you both in the U.S. and abroad, while most travel insurance companies only offer international coverage.
• An agency like Yonder can help you find out exactly what plan fits your needs.
• For an explainer on how travel insurance works, read my “What you need to know about travel insurance” post.

There you have it: My round the world packing guide and long-term travel checklist. I hope this guide helps you as you plan your own trip. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions! 

If you found this post helpful, you may also enjoy:

• How To Plan A Trip Around The World
• The True Cost of Backpacking Around The World
• The Ultimate Around The World Itinerary

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May 2, 2020 at 12:11 pm

Very helpful, love your tips! 🙂

May 2, 2020 at 1:09 pm

These are awesome tips. I agree that checking a bag can really add to the budget. Great ideas on what to take and what to do to prepare for a long trip.

May 4, 2020 at 9:05 am

Glad it was helpful!

May 2, 2020 at 1:45 pm

What a detailed post! I always get so stressed about what to pack for a long trip. I usually try to take a carry on, but, sometimes it’s just not possible! Thanks for helping to make my future trips less stressful!

I usually bring a carry-on for quick trips, or share a checked bag with my boyfriend if it’s a two-week-plus trip—but backpacking is a whole other animal!! I definitely didn’t want to have all that weight on my back!

May 2, 2020 at 5:01 pm

Such great information! I have not backpacked much, but always wondered how people get away with carrying so few things!

May 4, 2020 at 9:01 am

It was definitely a struggle at times! But the most fun I’ve ever had 🙂

May 2, 2020 at 11:15 pm

Hey Carla!! This is an amazing post and one that would have been so helpful a year ago! I definitely packed way too much for my long term trip this past year! Ha!

May 4, 2020 at 9:04 am

Ha! I’m glad it’s helpful!!

May 6, 2020 at 10:43 am

Packing for long term travel is so stressful! But I’ve gotten much better at packing light and it has made travel days so much more enjoyable!! It’s crazy how little you actually need!

May 7, 2020 at 3:06 pm

Yes! So crazy to realize you can live with just a backpack for a year!

May 6, 2020 at 10:53 am

This is such a useful checklist! The rain jacket and thermal jacket are definitely good ideas 🙂

They were truly two items I client live without!!!

May 6, 2020 at 1:32 pm

This is a solid packing list for a long trip! On my last round the world trip (8 months) I actually found that although I packed a variety of things, I ended up always wearing the same items because they were the most comfortable. I think this strategy of packing one or two of every essential is a great strategy!

Yes!! Comfort is KEY when traveling for an extended period of time!

May 7, 2020 at 7:50 am

Thank you for such an awesome list! I am an over packer so this helps greatly!

May 7, 2020 at 3:05 pm

Sooo happy to hear that!

May 7, 2020 at 9:48 am

This is a very comprehensive list! A great guide to have for those longer adventures.

Glad you found it helpful! ☺️

January 13, 2021 at 1:40 pm

This is the best travel post I have read in a long time.

January 13, 2021 at 1:42 pm

I’m so happy to hear that!

April 9, 2022 at 3:11 pm

Were you travelling with someone else or by yourself? I’ve found traveling by myself so much harder, cause I can’t depend on someone else to carry extra batteries or camera lenses. It’s all on me.

June 8, 2022 at 12:20 pm

I was traveling with my boyfriend! So yes, we would split the weight/gear between us. I definitely know it can be a lot to carry alone, but I’ve done it on trips without him! I just pack fewer clothes/shoes to make room for the gear. And perhaps check a bag instead of use a backpack.

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The Only Long-Term Travel Packing List You’ll Ever Need!

• 16 August, 2021

Crystal Egan

• 36453 Views

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This is all you need to know to create the best long-term travel packing list ever. Download your free checklist and pack all the things you’ll use, and nothing you won’t!

PACKING FOR LONG TERM TRAVEL CONTENTS

❶ Packing the Essentials ❷ Electrical Items ❸ Personal Items ❹ Clothing (Men & Women)

❺ Non-Essentials ❻ What Not to Pack ❼ Best Luggage for Long-Term Travel ❽ Got Questions?

You’re close to heading off on a round-the-world trip and you’ll be away for a long time. You don’t know exactly what weather you’ll have so you need to pack for all of the seasons. And that’s understandable because when you travel for a long time, chances are you don’t know exactly what conditions you’ll be packing for.

If you’re a little unsure about how to pack for long-term travel, we’ve got you covered! Crystal and Rosy have both been on extended travel for six months or more (actually, Crystal has done this three times now) and we both have loads of super-awesome tips about what to bring on a long-term trip.

We have now combined our magical packing powers to bring you the ULTIMATE long-term packing list, because one person’s list may not suit another’s!

Take what you want and leave what you don’t need. With this packing list for long-term travel, you won’t forget a thing!

Would you like a FREE printable checklist? You can  download the PDF here .

Long-Term Travel Essentials

Don’t forget your:, ✔ passport.

What to pack for long-term travel? For starters, your Passport! With AT LEAST 6 months validity from the time you plan to return to your home country. I.e: If you are doing a year-long round the world trip. Make sure you have at least 1 year 6 months left in your “valid until” section.

✔ Vaccination Certificates

Different countries require different types of vaccines for entry. Don’t be one of the travelers that are denied entry because you don’t have the required vaccines! For example, most countries will require your  Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate in South and Central America and Africa.

✔ Drivers License + International Drivers Licence

You’ll need an  International Drivers License if you are traveling somewhere where English isn’t spoken. You’ll need this especially if you plan on hiring any type of vehicle while overseas, since the hiring company may not be able to read your license without the translation.

✔  Travel Printouts

Of flight itineraries, scans of your passport, etc. This is especially needed in countries where your exit flight must be proven to receive your visa (Bali, India , and the USA to name a few).

Or you could use a cool app called TripIt to store all your itineraries and bookings.

✔  Visa

I have been using a super useful website that helps you find out country-specific information for a destination. Just enter into VisaHQ the country of your passport and where you’re going to and BAM! All the information you could possibly need.

Alternatively, government embassy websites also contain up-to-date and accurate information on whether a visa or not is required for entry.

✔  Spare Passport Photos

Some countries require a passport photo on arrival (especially in Southeast Asia), so to avoid being charged extra, always have these on hand. Keep them in the same place as your passport.

✔  Passport Holder or Pencil Case

This is to keep your passport and other important documents safe. Crystal uses a Pencil Case with her passport, pens to fill out immigration forms, important documents, credit cards, money, spare passport photos, and keys safely inside.

An RFID Blocking Passport Holder is also a nice way to keep your passport and credit cards safe.

OTHER PACKING ESSENTIALS:

✔ sunscreen (biodegradable & spf 30+).

You especially need biodegradable sunscreen if you plan to enter the water when any other life also lives in those waters. The ingredients of most sunscreens and insect repellants can severely harm fish and are one big reason why coral reefs are dying.

It’s best to buy biodegradable and reef-friendly sunscreen at home and bring it because it can be difficult to find and/or is very expensive in other countries.

✔ Bug Repellant

Read up about your destinations to make sure you’ve got the right DEET level (stronger for those higher-risk areas).

While traditional spray-on repellant still works a treat, we’ve heard great things about  mozzie-repelling wristbands , which are a brilliant option for those traveling on hand luggage only as it negates worry around the 50ml in-flight liquids limit, plus you don’t need to shower yourself in spray every six hours.

✔ Ziploc Bags

It may sound weird now, but on the road, you’ll use them ALL THE TIME – from storing tea bags, hair ties, and leftover snacks, to placing fragile souvenirs into.

Every backpack needs a good backup of different-sized zipper bags for use at the drop of a hat. Ziploc bags are becoming the number one hack for long-term travel planning!

✔ Duct Tape (Gaffer Tape)

This one is a game-changer. No ultimate packing list for long-term travel is complete without duct tape. Permanently fixes your backpack, your raincoat, or your tent in seconds.

Patch up your bike, re-waterproof the soles of your shoes, use it as a label for hostel fridge food storage, a temp fix for clingy shower curtains, or a quick-fix for earphone wires or glasses – its uses are limited only by your creativity.

✔ Travel Sewing Kit

From patching up the trusty flip-flops (thongs, for our friends down under) to essential backpack maintenance and lovingly repairing those little rips in your favorite top. A needle and thread is an absolute must for any adventure. Be sure to include a sewing kit in your long-term travel packing.

ⓘ  They’re so tiny, they need barely any packing room.

✔ String

Lost your hair tie? String! Tent ropes disappeared? String! Hammock fallen down? String! Finger falling off? String (plus duct tape)! Worried you’ll lose your travel buddy in a big crowd? Why not tie yourselves together for added security?

Joking aside, you can do so much with a simple piece of string. Small and portable, it’s an easy addition to any backpack and the sky’s the limit in terms of uses.

✔ Waterproof Phone Case

Take it from Rosy, an Englishwoman who’s spent the last rainy season in Guatemala – you never know when the rain will hit. Smartphone raincoats are cheap and effective, and most travelers will have at least one with them.

If you want to waterproof larger items as well (like your laptop, tablet, passport, etc) check out our genius waterproofing travel hack below!

✔ A Portable Laundry System

Yes, this really is a thing. You can use this revolutionary device as a laundry bag and, once it’s full, you drop in a little laundry liquid and water, leave everything to soak, then basically just punch it for a bit. Drain, rinse, and hang out to dry!

ⓘ  This is also a great substitute for a  dry bag  (if the water can’t get out, it can’t get in either). Dry bags are perfect to protect your camera, phone, and other valuables if you plan to do any water-based activities (taking a boat in Thailand or across the San Blas Islands of Panama, jumping around in the Semuc Champey cascades of Guatemala, or going caving in Borneo, for example).

✔ Life Straw Water Purification

A travel water bottle with an inbuilt purification filter that is Eco-friendly, easily portable, and provides a vital way to ensure your drinking water is safe. No Earth-conscious traveler should leave home without a re-useable water bottle. 

The Life Straw bottle  is our personal favorite. You can also get just a single  Life Straw  if you find the bottle is too limiting!

✔ Activated Charcoal Tablets

No traveler should leave home without a sufficient supply of charcoal tablets. They’re a brilliant solution to general digestive grumbles (which can strike at any time!) and they take up very little space.

If you are traveling to countries known for questionable food and water safety (looking at your Latin America and Southeast Asia), then activated charcoal tablets are essential. These are some great organic ones.

✔ Rehydration Packets

You can pick these up in most pharmacies around the world, but when you need them most you may not feel like popping out to the shops and trying out your new language skills. Bring a decent supply of rehydration sachets wherever you’re going to keep on top of your health and fitness (they’re also the best hangover cure we’ve ever come across).

But there’s no substitute for drinking plenty of water, so remember to drink at least two liters of water each day. The sachets give your body the minerals it needs to absorb the water.

✔ Emergency First-Aid Kit

As a bare-minimum inclusion, we suggest: plasters, blister plasters, mini bandages, antiseptic cream (many are also local anesthetics that you’ll be glad of if a mosquito got through your carefully-planned defenses), anti-histamines (also great re: mosquito bites), and malaria tablets.

Every traveler is different and you know your own body best – put careful thought into what you need to include in your first aid kit.

✔ Travel Pocket Knife

You’ll really never know when this item will come in handy. You may need it for cutting up tomatoes when having a park-baguette lunch in expensive Europe, tightening up a loose screw on your camera, popping open a bottle of beer, or opening a wine bottle.

At the very least, carry it around in your daypack for a bit of protection on the streets (fingers crossed you’ll never need it).

✔ Anti-Theft Belted Wallet

With so many affordable options out there, there’s no excuse not to get one of these brilliantly-designed security wallets. Strap up in the morning, tuck your shirt over the top, and enjoy a hands-free day safe in the knowledge that your valuables are going nowhere without you.

Honestly, though. These are only good for people who wear loose clothes. For the rest of us, an anti-theft backpack might be a better idea. We have compared the  best anti-theft backpacks   so you can choose one that’s best for you. Couple it with an  anti-theft wire  and you have yourself a portable safe.

✔ Packing Cubes

Thinking about how to pack for long-term travel? If you’ve heard people rave about packing cubes but really don’t know what all the fuss is about; just try them. We are sure you’ll be converted! They will turn even the people with no organizational skills into seasoned travelers!

There’s honestly nothing better than being able to just pull a cube out of your backpack and throw it in a drawer. They also keep your luggage tight and space-efficient.

✔ Travel Pillow

After trying many travel pillows and never being 100% satisfied, we finally found one that’s both comfortable and packs down small. It uses both soft foam inside and air to give you a malleable comfort. Stop the inflation at your desired support.

✔ Foldable Shopping Bag

This is as good for mother earth as it is for you. Just scrunch it up and throw it in your daypack for any supermarket side trips.

They are also perfect for taking to the beach (just throw in your sarong and some sunscreen and you’re good to go)!

✔ Microfibre Towel

You’ll need a lightweight, quick-dry microfibre towel for any cheap hotels or Airbnb’s that don’t provide one. It also doubles as a blanket on cold buses, etc.

Make sure you get a LARGE-sized one as you’ll want it to wrap around your body… Trust me, a small one is no fun! Crystal also prefers the more absorbent, thicker ones as they feel much nicer on the skin.

ⓘ Buy a dark-colored one – trust us.

Also, don’t forget to pack these essential things for travel:

✔Lighter ✔ Head Torch  (Water Resistant) ✔ Chapstick

✔wallet ✔ small locks  (tsa approved), never leave home without long-term travel insurance.

Just don’t, this is one of the most important long-term travel essentials. You never know what could happen and without insurance, you could end up with a hefty hospital bill, or worse. Generally, all backpacking travel insurers will cover you for up to a year.

Crystal uses Clements Insurance to cover all her expensive camera and computer gear… Hello, 8TB of hard drive photography storage 😭.

If you’re just after travel medical insurance, SafetyWing is another backpacker favorite and it’s super cheap!

For hospital and less-expensive gear (computers worth up to $2,000, for example) Crystal uses World Nomads .

World Nomads are one of the best at long-term travel insurance for backpackers and digital nomads. They understand that you’ll be doing adventurous activities and they also allow you to buy coverage when you are already overseas (whereas a lot of travel insurers require you to purchase coverage while you are still in your home country.

Don’t ruin your long-term trip with a hefty hospital bill or the need to replace expensive travel items!

Just enter your trip details below for a quote. If you end up buying it, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. 💕

Long-Term Travel Packing List: Electrical Items

✔ laptop or ipad.

It’s one or the other… Not both. You choose.

✔ VPN (Virtual Private Network)

This is essential for long-term travelers and Crystal couldn’t have been on the road for so long without it. A VPN can save your ass in so many ways.

If you ever use public access WiFi while traveling (like an airport, restaurant, vacation rental, or hotel) then you’re potentially putting your online security at risk by hackers.

It also helps out in other ways too. Can’t access your Gmail because it thinks you’re in a dodgy country? (Which you ARE, but still). Just connect to your home country using the VPN. PayPal payment won’t go through because you aren’t in your home country? VPN…

With a quality VPN such as  Nord VPN , you instantly protect your sensitive data on all different devices with just one click. Also, Nord is really affordable, super easy to turn on and we use it daily.

✔ Portable Charger Pack

These affordable, small and lightweight little friends are a travel essential; imagine that 15-hour overnight bus journey without a podcast or Netflix series to binge! Unthinkable.

In fact, I can’t even get through a day of using Google Maps on my iPhone without needing some sexy charger juice (thanks for that, Apple *shakes fist vigorously into the air*). Anyway, charge your smartphone, tablet, MP3 player, or even laptop (sometimes) on the go.

If you do a lot of camping or you go to places with no access to power, you might also like a  solar power charger . Charge your devices using energy from the sun! Perfect!

✔ Universal Converter

Maybe an obvious one, but I’ve managed to forget this crucial item on a trip or two!

An essential on any international travel packing list, we definitely recommend bringing a high-quality converter along as opposed to buying abroad; for example, we can tell you from personal experience that the cheaper ones sold outside countries with strictly-enforced quality laws may not have decent regulating abilities and will, therefore, kill your phone… Surprisingly quickly.

There’s nothing better on a long bus ride than to settle in with a bunch of your favorite Podcasts when you can’t access the internet.

If you are on an iPhone you can download podcasts through your Podcasts App which should already be on your phone. If you are on an Android you can download them through your Google Play Music App and on any other phone there should be an app called Podcasts you can use. Just open the app and search for the name of the podcast you want to listen to offline.

Some great ones Crystal has been listening to for a thick dose of wanderlust are: Zero to Travel , Extra Pack of Peanuts , and Budget Minded Traveler are a great place to start.

✔ GoPro + Attachments

Action cameras are becoming somewhat essential for everyone – and that’s awesome. There’s really not much they can’t do!

If you don’t need a manually operated DSLR, a GoPro can easily replace this camera. You really don’t have an excuse not to buy one when their prices start at only $350 USD!

✔ DSLR Camera + Lenses and Attachments

If a DSLR is essential for you, try to make sure it’s as small and powerful as possible and that it has good video capabilities! Add a few lenses and other attachments and you’ve already gone over your carry-on limit!

Crystal has used Panasonic cameras her whole career because they have some of the BEST video capabilities.

✔ Camera Tripod or Octopod

There are loads of versatile and lightweight tripods that do some cool shit like wrap it around tree branches and fence posts. You can attach your GoPro or your phone. You can even use it as a stand for your phone or small iPad for those long-haul flights.

✔ Phone Lens Kit

Don’t want to splash out on any fancy cameras but still like to do cool stuff with lenses? Be sure to take these tiny lenses that fit right onto your phone’s camera!

This set includes a macro lens for cool close-ups, a fish-eye lens for warping buildings, a wide-angle for spectacular scenery shots, and even a telephoto lens to capture things that are far away. All you need to do is clip them onto your phone (any type) and start taking awesome photos!

✔ Wireless Speaker

Crystal doesn’t do any long-term traveling without her Bluetooth speaker (she just loves music THAT much). The UE Roll is one of the best options because the sound is clear and loud and the actual speaker is small and flat-ish. It is also water-resistant, which comes in handy when traveling (spills, rain, and whatnot).

Honestly though, once you hear the sound of a UE, you won’t be able to listen to anything else.

Also, don’t forget to pack these important electrical items for travel:

✔ Phone Charger ✔ Earphones ✔ Headphone Splitter  (Listen with Friends) ✔ Digital Luggage Scale

✔ Spare  SD Cards  for your Cameras ✔ Flash Drive ✔ External Hard Drive  (Extra Storage for Pictures / Video)

The Best Apps for Long-Term Travel

These are the Apps Crystal always has on her phone to use every day when she travels. Some of them are absolute life-savers (like the offline maps) and others have functions that will save you money!

We recommend you download them all before you leave and start getting familiar with them so when you are on the road you’re like a fighter jet in a sea of snails.

You can even try turning your phone on airplane mode to see how the maps function offline (they are a little different than when you use them online). It’s fascinating to notice that even when your phone is on airplane mode, your phone still knows exactly where you are… Scary! (But also super cool!)

• Trip-It  (FREE)  Store all your flight, hotel and other bookings in one place and access them offline
• Skyscanner (FREE)  Use the “everywhere” button for cheap flights to anywhere in the world
• Google Maps (FREE)  Download selections to be used offline. Also a great way to decipher public transport in cities
• Maps.me  (FREE)  Download entire countries for use offline – a good Google Maps backup
• Xe Currency  (FREE)  Save up to 10 currencies to check offline
• Trail Wallet (FREE)  for tracking expenses while traveling
• Uber Rideshare  (FREE)  Often cheaper than local taxis plus you can send live updates to family at home whenever you are using one
• Duo Lingo (FREE)  Learn some phrases in the local language
• Spotify  (FREE)  Find awesome new music. With Premium you can listen to music offline

Packing List for Long Term Travel: Personal Items

A packing list for long-term travel varies slightly between ladies and gentlemen. But worry not, both are covered here in this long-term packing list.

✔ Tweezers

From retrieving broken-off earphone jacks in your laptop, tablet, or smartphone (trust us – it is possible) to quickly removing splinters or a loose thread, tweezers are a must-have for any traveler. And you can even stretch their use to essential eyebrow maintenance if the inclination so takes you.

✔ Nail Scissors

Like the multi-purpose tweezer, these handily travel-sized little tools have no end of possible uses. Cutting that string or duct tape, for starters.

✔ Your Favourite Re-Usable Razor

Don’t bother trying to buy disposable ones overseas. Not only will you end up carrying large bulk packs of razors, but they just don’t do the job right. Bring your favorite interchangeable head razor with a handful of spare heads.

✔ SPF 15+ Lip Balm

Women travelers will be all-too-familiar with the necessity of this little gem, so this tip is especially for the gentlemen – keep those lips smooth and healthy with a dab or two of SPF lip balm each day.

It protects against every extreme weather type and I promise nobody can tell you’re wearing it. Unless you are actually kissing them at that very moment and, if that’s the case, they’ll be grateful for the added softness 😉 

ⓘ  Also great for smoothing dry skin on the hands, elbows, knees, and face.

✔ Tampons or Menstrual Cup

While sanitary towels are generally available in most places worldwide, tampons are much rarer and can be eye-wateringly expensive.

You will not believe how many countries don’t really sell tampons (think Southeast Asia and South/Central America). It’s utterly crazy. So you can either bring a huge backup of tampons (if you’re traveling one of the above countries for a year you’re going to need A LOT)…

OR you can bring one tiny little  Menstrual Cup . These are reusable orb cups you put up your hoo-ha to catch your unfertilized baby bag. They are a little weird/uncomfortable to use at first but after a couple of go’s, you won’t even notice them!

And if you’re wondering how to clean them, it’s easy. Just boil them at the end of the period cycle or wash with soapy water.

This may seem an obvious one, but I’m listing it on the basis that shampoo is a highly versatile travel companion. If, like me, you travel light; you can use shampoo as soap, laundry detergent, and in a pinch, a tasty and nutritious cool drink (joking on that last one. Please don’t ingest shampoo).

If you love Mother Earth, then try out  solid shampoo bars . They are like soap bars but shampoo (and conditioner if you like!) While most bottled shampoo is 80% water, the solid shampoo will save you space in your backpack AND they will mean you are buying (and then throwing out) LESS plastic bottles. It’s a win/win.

✔ Conditioner

Bring your favorite because chances are, where you’re going, they will be crap. Loads of hotels only provide shampoo too (not conditioner), so if you have thick long hair you’re going to need the best you can get.

If you are considering a solid conditioner bar (to save room and Mother Earth) Crystal will just quickly tell her experience… Initially, she brought one on her latest trip with her because she hates using so much plastic. But, she found the conditioner made her hair really oily and her hair was still super knotty after using it. It was a shame.

✔ Medical Essentials

Please look after yourself; be vigilant with your health. Visit your doctor with plenty of time before your trip (we’re talking a year to 6 months) to discuss vaccinations, supplies of any regular medication you may need, and general travel health advice.

✔ Motion Sickness Wristbands

If you suffer from seasickness or motion sickness, then this simple invention is a godsend. They work by applying pressure to a pressure point on your wrist which has been shown scientifically to restore balance in your body. Crystal’s girlfriend uses them all the time and says they help her a lot.

✔ Hanging Toiletry Bag

One of the handiest things you can take traveling. Just open it up and hang it off the towel rack. Make sure you get one with an enclosed plastic section for shampoo and other liquids so when you change altitudes and your bottles pop open – you don’t ruin your whole bag!

✔ SHEWEE

If you’re anything like Crystal and you have a terribly tiny bladder (Crystal has named hers T.B), then you might want to think about trying out a SHEWEE. It’s a female urination device that enables the ladies to FINALLY pee standing up.

Although we have not used them ourselves, we have heard people swear by them. They are especially good for festivals and camping!

✔ Jewelry Organiser

If you plan to take any type of jewelry traveling that can get tangled, you will have to think about how to look after it. For rings and earrings you can put them in  small plastic jars  and for necklaces and bracelets, you might be able to fit them in a  7-day pill box organizer .

If you really need to protect them, here’s a sleek AF jewelry organizer that would be sure to keep everything safe.

Also, don’t forget to pack these important personal items for travel. If you click the link, you will be taken to the travel-friendly version of these products:

✔ Makeup ✔ Toothpaste ✔ Toothbrush ✔ Mouthwash ✔ Floss ✔ Makeup Travel Bag ✔ Cotton Swabs ✔ Hand Sanitiser ✔ Hairbrush ✔ Comb ✔ Hair Ties ✔ Leave-in Conditioner

✔ face washer ✔ baby wipes ✔ hard glasses case ✔ moisturiser ✔ travel plastic bottles  (storage for creams & liquids) ✔ travel tissues ✔ earplugs ✔ stick deodorant ✔ anti-histamines ✔ malaria tablets.

Want Exclusive Discounts on Accommodation, Travel Products and More? Click Here!

Long-Term Packing List: Clothing for Women & Men

This packing list is a general one for those long-term travel essentials. You could be jetting off on an Australian Outback adventure, hitting the slopes for a season in the Alps, backpacking SEA, or hiking to Petra; so, of course, the clothing you bring will entirely depend on your destination.

There are some fantastic travel-specific clothing ranges out there with everything from ‘non-wash’ tops to multi-style dresses and jackets with completely hidden pockets for your valuables.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: Pack for a Week and Wash

The general mentality you want in terms of clothes is ‘pack for a week’. Do your laundry once a week and you’ll be grand. It’s easy to find cheap laundry places all over the world or to wash your clothes yourself with this awesome contraption . Sometimes you can even find an Airbnb with a washing machine. If all else fails, just wash your underwear in the shower with soap! This is a common backpacking go-to, especially good if you run out of underwear before anything else.

Only bring the casual clothes you love and can mix and match with other clothes you will bring. Muted colors for the basics with splashes of bright color in the belt, scarf, or overthrows is a great way to minimalize the number of outfits you bring.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: Buy When You Get There

Unless you are planning your trip to the moon, there is a high chance that you can buy the items you need at your destination. Obviously, there are some items that are invaluable such as an outlet adapter and electronics. But for things like clothes, it is easy and cheaper (sometimes even more fashionable) to just shop when you get there. This way, you can avoid overpacking and binding stuff that you love but don’t need.

Also, if the weather changes and the stuff you purchased is no longer suitable, you won’t be heartbroken throwing them out!

TOP TRAVEL TIP: Layer Up In the Cold

Layering is the route of all excellence. Bring vest tops, tees, long-sleeved tees, and thin sweaters and you’re ready for whatever nature throws at you.

You can even travel to Europe in winter as long as you have several quality layers like a thermal undershirt, a lightweight cashmere sweater, and a rain jacket on top. Layering is king when you want to keep the long-term travel packing list to a minimum!

In one week you will need the following basic clothes:

Women’s Long Trip Packing List

✔ 8x underwear ✔ 2x sports bra ✔ 2x bra ✔ 1x light pyjama shorts & bed shirt ✔ 1x active shorts (exercising & lounging) ✔ 1x denim shorts ✔ 1x cotton shorts ✔ 2x tank tops ✔ 2x cotton shirt ✔ 1x long sleeve thermal or base layer ✔ 1x cashmere sweater (lightweight & warm) ✔ 1x trekking pants / shorts ✔ 1x lightweight jeans or pants ✔ 1x lightweight rain jacket ✔ 1x beanie, ✔ 1x maxi dress ✔ 2x short dress ✔ 1x comfy yoga leggings ✔ 1x loose comfortable pants (long bus rides, sleeping & lounging) ✔ 2x cute bikinis ✔ 1x swimsuit coverup ✔ 1x foldable hat ✔ 1x warm scarf (cashmere if possible) ✔ 8x pair of socks (1 trekking pair) ✔ 1x pair of trekking shoes (lightweight) ✔ 1x pair of travel sandals (for all-day walking, water activities & going out) ✔ 1x pair of flip flops .

Click the pic to see the tee! All these items are great for shoving into suitcases and are lightweight too. They can be found on Amazon for a REALLY good price, with nothing under a 4-Star rating!

Men’s Long Travel Packing List

✔ 8x underwear ✔ 8x pair of socks (1 trekking pair) ✔ 2x board shorts ✔ 1x active shorts ✔ 2x trekking shorts / pants ✔ 1x long trousers / jeans (going out & sight seeing) ✔ 1x super comfortable long pants (long buses, lounging & sleeping) ✔ 1x long sleeve base layer ✔ 1x beanie, ✔ 2x tank tops ✔ 2x cotton shirts ✔ sweater (lightweight & warm) ✔ 1x warm scarf (cashmere if possible) ✔ 1x cap or hat ✔ 1x lightweight rain jacket ✔ 1x pair flip flops ✔ 1x pair closed shoes.

A long-term travel packing list for men is a lot simpler than one for ladies, simply because of the godly powers of a t-shirt. They are literally perfect for (almost) every single occasion. We have also included more information about these products down below, make sure you give them a click to find out more!

All these items are great for packing into luggage and are lightweight. They can be found on Amazon for a REALLY good price too, with nothing under a 4-Star rating!

Packing List Clothing Accessory Essentials (Men & Women)

This is possibly the most versatile piece of clothing on my packing list. It can take the place of a scarf AND a light blanket. You can wear it over your swimmers as a cover, even tie it into a dress. And when you’re on the beach, it’s the perfect lightweight towel.

It even dries you off. In emergencies, a sarong can also take the place of a bath towel.

✔ SPF Sunglasses

You won’t find the locals or long-term expats wearing shades, but whether you plan to stay a week or half a year, so many incredible places in the world have fierce sunlight and nobody wants their travel mementos to include squint-induced crow’s feet!

✔ Head Buff

These little pieces of headwear have so many uses! A headband to keep hair off your face, an eye mask for sleeping on overnight buses/planes, a sweat rag, the list could go on! Always have one in your day pack for use whenever needed!

✔ Waterproof Rain Coat with a Nice Big Hood

Use it as a top layer in cold weather and always keep it in your daypack for emergency downpours. If you are traveling long-term, you will inevitably run into rainy weather.

In that case, a waterproof jacket or raincoat is essential, and don’t you dare pack an umbrella!

✔ Very Good Hiking Shoes

Perfect for walks, of course, but also general wet weather, navigating gravelly/pot-holed roads, caving/climbing, and long sightseeing walks. This is one thing it’s worth splashing out on.

✔ Bum Bag / Fanny Pack

This is honestly the best (yet unfashionable) travel item. Crystal wears a bum bag almost every day wherever she’s speeding around cities and sightseeing. Having your phone right there (without having to reach around for backpacks) keeps you happy and taking pics.

They are good to keep valuables close on overnight buses and even better to keep your passport and travel documents in while zipping around airports. Better than handbags because you can just do them up and forget about them!

✔ Fingerless Gloves

Fingerless because you ALWAYS still need to use your phone when you’re wearing them, and you don’t want to be taking them on and off. It’s even better to have ones with little mitts on the end so you can cover your fingers when needed. Mmmm toasty…

Packing For Long-Term Travel: Non-Essentials

Things that are really nice to have if you have room. Some of these may become an essential packing list item depending on how you travel and where you’ll be going.

✔ Travel Coffee Press

Not having a quality coffee or two in the mornings ranks pretty highly on my personal tragedy barometer. To that end, I am happy to introduce you to the travel coffee press! Just add fresh ground coffee and hot water, and you’ll never suffer morning sluggishness again, whether you’re in the middle of the Sahara or halfway up a tree in the Amazon.

Shout out to our friend Debs, clinician and volunteer coordinator at  Project Ix-canaan , Guatemala for this invaluable tip.

✔ Aloe Vera Gel

Again, Rosy is from England, where the sun comes out about three days a year and the entire nation immediately suffers comic levels of sunburn. She cannot conscientiously write this list without including aloe vera.

Whenever she’s sunburned, she uses about half a liter every couple of days and IT IS MAGIC. Sometimes she even looks tanned after a few days.

✔ A Pack of Cards

No… Two packs of cards! Do not ever leave your country without at least one pack of cards. Cards games are awesome for passing the time and breaking the ice in a hostel general area.

One of the most common ones played in a backpacker hostel is Shithead . For drinking card games, you need to know how to play Ring of Fire aka King’s Cup.

✔ An International Power Board

If you’re going to be on the road for a REALLY long time and you have loads of electrical items, then this is the product for you. Sometimes you’ll end up buying electronics in strange countries leaving you with strange cords and they all need charging at once!

Make sure you buy one with USB connectors too. Crystal uses hers every day, and although it’s taped together with duct tape (after so much use) she honestly doesn’t know what she’d do without it (probably just charge stuff one-by-one with her boring universal converter I suppose…)

✔ Kindle or E-Reader

Hard copy books are excellent and perfect to pass time when you are on a long-distance bus or train. But do you know what’s better? A kindle!

Save room in your bag while still enjoying access to thousands of books. It is the perfect long-term travel gear because you might not always have the internet to keep you entertained, but you can read a kindle even in the Andes Mountains of South America! They are pricey, but essential if you like reading.

✔ Travel Camera Drone

This is not an essential travel item, but by golly, they are GREAT. There’s nothing sexier than a crisp bird’s-eye view of amazing scenery. Now that drones have been around for a while, the technology has made them small and seriously powerful.

FYI: Crystal has written an entire article comparing all of the  best travel drones  and talks about their specs and functions.

✔ Travel Yoga Mat

When you travel long-term you are going to need a way to stay fit on the road. So you can either run along the beach every day (a great option if you are near a beach), pay for expensive gym entries (not a great option IMO), or carry a travel yoga mat to exercise on!

Crystal has written a post comparing all the best travel yoga mats out there, with a video of her personal review of the yoga mat she has been traveling with for the past 1.5 years.

✔ Sleep Sheet

If you plan to stay in hostels and 1-2 star hotels this might be something you are interested in. It’s a fact that in cheap places you don’t always get the cleanest sheets, so bringing along a sleeping bag liner could help with the mental battle you’ll inevitably end up having when sleeping in questionable beds.

✔ Hammock

This is a luxury item for the budget traveler! String your hammock up anywhere for a free place to sleep. The hammock pictured includes a zip-up mosquito net for those tropical climates and is lightweight and durable.

✔ Washing Line

This is listed as non-essential because neither of us carries a portable washing line. However, they do have great functionality and fold up very small so they are a great thing to carry.

There have been many situations where we’ve wished we had one because the room was dusty or there was nowhere else to hang out wet clothes (once Crystal simply draped hers over a pot plant, haha).

What Not Pack for Long-Term Travel

✘ shaving cream.

Honestly, you don’t need it. Just use a little bit of your hair conditioner, it works perfectly. Thank me later… P.S. If you’re a man and you don’t use conditioner, forget I said anything!

✘ A Hair Dryer, Curling Iron or Straightener

Should you bring a travel hair dryer on your trip? The answer is a definitive NO… Unless you really want it.

Although Crystal LOVES to blow dry her hair when she’s at home, she would never bring one with her traveling. The reason is simple, they are big and heavy (even the travel-sized ones) and the “air” dries your hair just as well (would you believe it?!?!)

It’s a luxury item that just doesn’t belong in the bag of a long-term traveler. Plus, many hotels will have a hairdryer in their bathrooms. But say you are going ultra-budget, you will probably end up finding you never really needed to blow dry your hair anyway…

✘ Heavy Boots

Heavy hiking boots or normal boots will only weigh you down. Unless you’ll be spending most of your time somewhere super cold, you will regret these.

What Backpack to Take on Long-Term Travel

We have dedicated ourselves to finding out what is the best luggage for long-term travel. Altogether we’ve spent over 5 years traveling long-term so these backpacks are tested, tried, and true. Read on to find out why these long-term backpacks are perfect for you!

Best Large Backpack for Long-Term Travel

✔ the osprey fairview 65l wheeled backpack.

If you’re like Crystal and you have so much camera gear and other stuff that you just can’t fit them into carry-on luggage, you’re going to need a large backpack for your travels.

I have tried three different backpacks; one hiking pack (hated it – annoying to get stuff out and didn’t hold enough) and one 70 Litre adventure open-front backpack (far too heavy and totally overkill). The final backpack I found and the one I use now is the 65 Liter Osprey Wheeled Backpack.

Hybrid backpacks really can do it all! They can be wheeled (which is how Crystal uses hers most of the time) and they can also be put on your back (think deep cobblestones or muddy pathways).

Pros of the Osprey 65L Wheeled Backpack

The wheels are huge and durable, able to withstand even the bumpiest of pathways. The HighRoad chassis means the bag has added stability, even when there’s nothing inside. It has a conventional hip belt and padded shoulder straps, ideal for carrying it like a backpacker’s backpack!

Cons of the Osprey 65L Wheeled Backpack

It’s not incredibly comfortable to wear. Although it has a hip strap (a deal-breaker since the hips can take most of the weight) after a while of use it becomes quite uncomfortable.

Best Carry-On Sized Backpack for Long-Term Travel

✔ matein waterproof wheeled backpack for travel.

After six weeks in Spain with a MASSIVE wheeled suitcase (checked luggage), then another month with a smaller wheeled suitcase (hand luggage), Rosy was ready to admit that neither of these was practical for long-term travel. Backpacks are a much more user-friendly option and, of course, far more portable than the suitcase.

But what about those moments when you have to walk for miles? Sometimes, a person needs wheels… Enter the MATEIN Waterproof Wheeled Backpack for Travel.

Complete with durable straps, extendable handle, AND wheels, it has a multitude of pockets including a cushioned compartment for laptops and tablets, a side pouch perfect for water bottles, and a pocket perfect for the straps when not in use (or flip flops, when the straps are being used).

If you roll your clothes and pack carefully, the bag will fall well within the limits of hand luggage size specs, so you can avoid the risk of lost luggage and the cost of checking luggage – and enjoy the added bonus of having everything right at your fingertips during the long-haul flight. It’s also a really reasonable price for what it is. Did we mention that it is waterproof?

Best Daypacks for Long-Term Travel

✔ pacsafe venture safe 25l gii.

Combining a casual day pack with a small backpack that you can also take on day hikes is usually the best option. For added security get an anti-theft backpack to keep your valuables safe while in transit and also in your hotel room. 

I have written an entire post comparing all the  top anti-theft backpacks  and weighing up their pros and cons. Check it out if you’re in the market for a new backpack (because you might as well make it an anti-theft one).

The best anti-theft daypack is the Pacsafe Venture Safe 25L GII. This bag is stylish, lightweight, and durable. Its anti-theft features include RFIDsafe blocking materials throughout the bag and a padded laptop compartment too. The PacSafe has hidden eXomesh slash guard stainless steel wire mesh within the fabric for protection against slash-and-go thefts. This anti-theft backpack mesh is the best of its kind on the market.

The turn-and-lock security hooks are a great feature that adds a subtle additional security element while allowing you to get in and out of the bag with ease. The zippers discreetly attach to the security hooks to offer this bag anti-theft security galore. Ideal for all kinds of travel experiences including hiking and the daily commute.

ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE TRAVEL PRODUCTS?

So there you have it! This long-term travel checklist has hopefully given you all the information you need to know on what to pack for long-term travel. Plus tips on how to use these products.

If you have any questions at all about any of the things I have recommended in this long-term travel checklist, feel free to hunt me down and stalk me with your incessant questioning! I love hearing from you, so I promise I won’t call the police 😉

READ: How YOU Can Save Money For Travel (25 Secrets to Saving)

Pin for later!

If you have a favorite packing for long-term travel item that you just can’t live without, please comment below with your travel tips and tell us about it!

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and other affiliated sites. For more information  read our disclaimer .

Originally Posted:  November 2019. Frequently Updated.

About the Authors

This post was written in combination by Crystal Egan and Rosy Hawkins, two long-term travelers. Crystal travels with a huge backpack that she curses every day (just kidding, I love my hybrid backpack) while Rosy bounces along in life with only carry-on luggage.

We wanted to ensure you don’t forget anything before you leave on your long-term travels while also packing smart and not letting non-essential items weigh you down. You can read more about us below.

ROSY HAWKINS

Rosy is a remote-working writer, proofreader, marketer, and website-creator, with a background in the NPO, legal, health, and higher education sectors. Her work allows her to travel Central America and Mexico (at the moment – who knows where next) finding charities and ethical/sustainable businesses she can volunteer her skills and time with.

Most recently, she spent several months in the Guatemalan jungle village of El Remate, where she volunteered as marketing and communications manager with Project Ix-Canaan to design and develop their new website, create online content, write grant applications, and run a volunteer recruitment drive. She’s always looking for her next project, so  get in touch  if you know anyone who could use her help!

Know someone who always forgets things when they pack? Share this with them and (possibly) change their life!

Passionate baby goat cuddler and part-time adventurer, Crystal can often be found doing headstands on the edges of cliffs, taking photos of abandoned buildings or sleeping on deserted islands with dangerous criminals. She has too many awesome stories and helpful tips to keep them all to herself so follow along and in return she will bring you inspiring pictures, travel videos and a whole load of fun!

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Ultimate Long Term Travel RTW Packing List (For Him or Her)

Putting together the perfect long term travel packing list for a trip like this can be difficult. When we were in the final days before we set off to backpack around the world for 2 years , I was changing the contents of my pack daily. However, the core of my list seems to remain the same and I am going to share that with you in this post.

It hasn’t been easy to choose the small amount of clothing that I will carry with me for the next 2 years. I have to keep reminding myself that I can buy things as I travel, if I need and want to.  I didn’t want to go cheap on the clothing for fear that it would wear out quickly and be a pain to wash while we are moving about the globe.

So we both invested in high quality, quick-dry fabrics that are ideal for the type of traveling we will be doing. Stuff we can wash in the sink that will dry within an hour or two for repacking. We looked to brands that had a solid reputation n outdoor and travel wear.

This includes Icebreaker, Smartwool, Under Armor, ExOfficio, and Columbia. We snuck some other brands in there too and we’re curious to see how the brands hold up against each other during our travels.

So for all of you that have been asking us what I will carry for clothes in my pack for the next 2 years, the contents are revealed below.

Long Term Travel Packing List: For Her

Table of Contents

• 2 Long Sleeve Shirts
• 1 Merino Wool tee
• 3 Quick Dry tees
• 2 Icebreaker Merino Wool Tanks
• 2 Cotton Tanks
• 1 Racerback Quick Dry Tank
• 1 Columbia Button Up
• 2 ExOfficio Camis
• 1 Icebreaker Merino Wool 320 Half Zip
• 1 Columbia Outdoor Fleece Half Zip
• 2 Columbia Just Right Straight Leg Pants
• 1 Grey Stretch Capris
• 1 Black Stretch Bermuda Capris
• 1 Long Grey Maxi Skirt
• 1 Kuhl Khaki shorts
• 1 Columbia Racerback dress
• 1 Gym shorts

Other Stuff

• 1 VS Flawless Demi
• 1 VS Flawless Multi-way
• 1 VSX Sports Bra
• 4 ExOfficio Underwear
• 7 Quick-dry Underwear
• 2 Merino Wool sock pairs
• 4 Quick-dry cushioned ankle sock pairs
• 2 Linen Scarves
• 1 Fleece Hat
• 2 Buffs (1 Merino Wool , 1 UV )
• 1 Pair of polarized Sun Cloud Sunglasses
• 1 Cover up- this can also be worn with a tank and pants as street wear
• I like to spend time in the water and on the beach, so I feel the need to have a variety of swimwear. The solid black bottom will also allow me to interchange the black tops.
• 1 North Face Packable Down Jacket
• 1 Columbia Omni-Dry breathable rain jacket
• 1 Pair of Nike Trainers
• 1 Pair of Croc Modi Sandals
• 1 Pair Old Navy Flip Flops (for showers and beach)

Long Term Travel Packing List: For Him

So we’ve already taken a look at Her List and now we are going to take a look at His list.  For the most part, we will be carrying the same kind of stuff. Tops, bottoms, etc. However, you can see from our lists where our priorities as individuals lie.

He has more layers, where I have tank tops and he doesn’t. We prefer different things and it has been really important for us that we make sure we have the stuff in our packs that we want.

Not what the other one of us thinks we should have.  This hasn’t been an easy process.

We find each other coming up with ideas for the other on packing and in the end, it just isn’t what is right. So we made sure to prepare our own stuff. However, that said, I did have to step in and have a talk with him about not needing 10 pairs of bottoms.

Other than that, I think he did pretty good picking things that he will enjoy having with him. It’s tough when you are carrying only a backpack and need to be picky.

Of course, we’ll probably both end up throwing in some odds and ends and you know, items we can’t live without when we leave.

• 6 Tees (all dry fit, quick-dry, non-cotton)
• 1 LS Columbia Button Shirt
• 1 SS Columbia Button Shirt
• 1 Icebreaker Merino Wool 320 Half zip
• 1 Under Armor Lightweight LS shirt
• 1 Under Armor Insulated LS Shirt
• 2 Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo Pants
• 3 Columbia Quick Dry shorts
• 1 Oneill Swim trunks
• 5 Pairs of ExOfficio Give-N-Go boxers
• 2 Buffs (1 Merino wool, 1 insect guard)
• 3 Pairs Merino Wool Socks
• 3 Pairs Quick Dry Socks (not pictured)
• 2 Costa Sunglasses
• 1 Merrel Quick Dry Hat
• 1 Baseball Cap (not pictured)
• 1 North Face Light Weight Jacket
• 1 Columbia Omni-Dry Packable Rain Jacket
• 1 Pair Merrell Proterra Sport GTX Waterproof Hiking Shoes
• 1 Pair Merrell Traveler Sandspur Sandals
• 1 Pair of Croc Baya Slides

RTW Travel Packing List: Backpacks

After months of trying just about every backpack on the market designed for travelers we settled on the packs we will carry on our upcoming trip around the World. 

In hopes of making someone else’s job a little easier, we were sure to post an RTW backpack review of each bag that we tried during the process.

These reviews talk about the features and setup of each bag and how it relates to travel. They also talk about what we liked and didn’t like about each bag.

In the end, we found the right bags for our needs and are happy to put them together as we take a look at what we are bringing with us on our upcoming RTW travels.

Backpack for Him

David chose the Deuter Traveller 70L backpack with an attached day bag. This bag has a lot of space in it with options for altering the interior layout. It has a bottom access point from outside that you can either section off, creating two compartments in the bag, or you can zip it open in the inside creating one main compartment space.

This leaves flexibility for packing during our travels. It has many mesh pockets along the sides on the inside of the bag for storing small things and valuable for easy access.

The detachable day pack is an interesting concept for us. We are not sure if this will be useful or cumbersome. I believe he is planning to bring his with, as it attaches easily and provides a space to put stuff he will need quick access to. In the end, we may just decide to leave it behind.

Backpack for Her

I chose the Eagle Creek Rincon Vita 75L. The main compartment of the bag is 55L with an attached day bag that offers 20L. After trying a couple of 45L bags and not being able to find the perfect bag for me, I settled on a 55L bag. Quite frankly, I think this will be perfect.

On past travels, I have carried a 65L no travel designed bag comfortably. I am looking forward to the ease of access with the front access and the ability to store my harness away with the zip over flap for air transport.

As far as the day bag, I don’t like the day bag that came with it. It is not very comfortable and it lacks a sternum strap, which is a pet peeve of mine. I have sloped shoulders and wearing a backpack without one gets old for me. Otherwise, I love this bag. The harness is comfortable and I am able to customize it to fit me just right.

Long Term Travel Packing List Essentials: For Anyone

Packing cubes.

How will we pack all this? Into an amazing thing called packing cubes . We have the eBags brand cubes and they work great. I am able to fit everything in this post into the 3 packing cubes above, with the exception of my 2 jackets. Those are packed in their own. The cubes make packing so easy and keep everything in my bag organized. Something that is priceless to me.

So there you have it, the clothing contents of my pack for the next 2 years. I am sure it will change, a little, in the next 9 days and I’ll do my best to update the post if that happens.

RTW Packing List: Electronics

We tend to be the techie types when it comes to travel. There are so many gadgets going in our bags that they deserved their own post.  So what kind of electronics do a couple of travelers take with them for an RTW trip?

Here is our breakdown from computers to cameras, to gadgets and what we will use to carry it all.

Computers & Cameras

• MacBook Pro 13″:  This is my computer. I have a 1TB hard drive so I don’t compromise speed while working on photo projects and running my editing programs.
• Acer Ultrabook 13″:  We decided that having 2 computers would be easier for us to process our photos/videos and keep up with our blog while traveling. This computer is really thin, not even a 1/2 inch and super light.
• DSLR Camera: I will be carrying my Canon 6D for our travels to bring you amazing visuals of all that we experience.
• DSLR Lenses: I am only taking 2 lenses, Canon 18-200mm and Canon 100-400mm L lens. If I find the need for more reach than 400mm, I plan to rent it.
• Video Camera: David will be carrying a Sony AX53 for everyday videos.
• GoPro: After being on the fence about whether we should purchase one of these, we decided to just go for it. We bought the GoPro Hero Black 7 and it doesn’t take up much space and hardly weighs anything. It will be nice to have a camera to take underwater and into situations where we would worry about the other one.
• Fit Bit:  This is a fitness tracking pedometer that will measure our distance traveled, steps taken and calories burned while we circle the Globe.
• Smartphone: We will be taking an unlocked iPhone 4s 16GB with us for ease of keeping in touch with people and staying up to date on our social media accounts. It will also double as a camera and will be my personal mp3.
• Tablet: We have always traveled with an iPad 2. There have been numerous rounds of Angry Birds and Fruit ninja played on this device. Originally, we had planned to leave it behind but after some thought, decided it should come with. We probably don’t need it, but it will come in handy during long bus rides and airport layovers. It will also work as David’s personal mp3.
• External Hard Drive: We’ll actually have 2 of these. Both are Western Digital  Passport 2TB & Passport 5TB
• Because we have two different OS on our laptops we have one formatted to PC and the other to Mac. We chose this method for backup due to inconsistent internet connections while traveling and the time it can take to upload to internet clouds. Each drive will also be stored in a WD Rugged Nomad case to avoid unnecessary damage.
• Misc: In addition to the above, count in a plethora of power cords, battery chargers, spare batteries, memory cards, filters, and cases.

This all seems like a lot of stuff but we simply cannot run this blog and live the lifestyle of digital nomads without it.

Chargers & Adapters

We wanted to carry as little stuff as we could for charging since we already have a lot of electronics to carry. This is the solution we came up with to not only be efficient in the pack but in charging our stuff too.

• Belkin SurgePlus 6 Outlet Plug with 2 USB Ports – This should meet all of our charging needs at one time. We will be able to charge 3 standard things on one side while plugging in 2 battery docks for our camera on the other side. We can also use the USB to charge the GoPro, tablet, and phone.
• Skross World Travel Adaptor 3  – We will plug the Belkin Surge Protector into this handy unit. It provides adaption to outlets in over 150 countries. I sent with this adapter for a number of reasons, but the main one being its ability to accept a grounded plug on the receiving end.  There will still likely be a couple of places that we will have to buy adapters on the road, but it should be pretty minimal having this gadget with us.
• As a secondary adapter set and backup, we will also be carrying just a basic adapter set. Like this one . It is small and packs easily and is worth the peace of mind.

NOTE : These are all ADAPTERS and not CONVERTERS. If you have something that needs to convert voltage (like some hair dryers and razors) you will need to add a voltage converter to your kit. All of our electronics are dual voltage, so a converter is not needed by us.

Camera/Day Bag

We will each have a carry-on bag for our camera equipment. I think it is a touch excessive, but David insists on having one for each of us and I guess, who am I to argue?

We both agree that we need to be able to keep our electronics close to us during transport and at times that we will be separated from our main packs. This arrangement will likely be just fine for us.

• Tenba Messenger Day Pack:  I looked at a lot of camera/laptop bags. I absolutely needed one that would carry my camera, both lenses and my laptop at an absolute minimum. There are loads of options out there, but I ran into issues finding the right bag when I decided I wanted something that didn’t look like a camera bag. I want to avoid being targeted at all costs, so an inconspicuous bag was important to me.
• Tenba Messenger Mini: David wanted a sling bag and something small he could carry around during the day if he wanted to. This bag is perfect with a built-in camera area and a place for a laptop and tablet. It also has a little extra space for other goodies.

Note to readers: We departed on our around the world (RTW) trip on February 21, 2014. We traveled full-time, backpacking across 6 continents for the next 2 years. Since 2016, we travel 7-10 months out of every year creating content and telling stories for this website. It’s been a wild ride!

More on Long Term Travel:

• How to Plan A Trip: Step by Step Guide
• How to Plan A Travel Budget
• 11 Easy Tips on How to Find Cheap Accommodation
• 10 Killer Tips on How to Find Cheap Flights
• How to Save Money for Travel: A Step by Step Plan
• Essential Travel Vaccinations Guide: What You Need & Why
• How to Sell Everything to Pursue Long Term Travel
• What We Told Our Families Before Long Term Travel
• Giving Up Our Couch to See the World
• 20 Days Till Liftoff: Long Term Travel Preparation Checklist
• Where Will 2 Years of Long Term Travel Take Us?
• Redesigning My Life at 30: Long Term Travel Career Break
• House to Hostel: A Married Couples Perspective
• 6 Month Long Term Travel Recap
• 2014 Travel Review: 1 Year of Full-Time Travel
• 2015 Travel Review: 26 Countries on 4 Continents
• 2 Years of Long Term Travel Down: What’s Next for Divergent Travelers?
• 2016 Travel Review: 16 Countries on 4 Continents
• 2017 Travel Review: 7 States & 7 Countries
• How Traveling the World Changed my Perspective of the USA
• 5 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprints while Traveling

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Travel planning resources, about lina stock.

Lina is an award-winning photographer and writer that has been exploring the world since 2001. She has traveled to 100 countries on all 7 continents. Member: SATW, NATJA, ATTA, ITWA

19 thoughts on “Ultimate Long Term Travel RTW Packing List (For Him or Her)”

Hey there! We are just getting ready to set out on a RTW trip here in a few months. I was wondering if this reflects the items you currently have in your pack? Which items have come in handy and which did you get rid of? What do you wish you would have packed differently? Thanks so much! Bryci

For the most part, yes, but I have made a few changes. Updating this is on my ever growing list of things to do! 🙂 Pack less, that is my biggest piece of advice. I took too much, even though I thought I was being frugal. You don’t really wear too many clothes. also, make sure you bring good quality clothing that will hold up to multiple wears and hand washing. some of my stuff just didn’t hold up to that and had to be tossed and replaced. If you have specific questions about your needs, email me! happy to discuss packing with you. 🙂

Love the packing cubes! Totally want to buy some.

I LOVE packing cubes! I can’t believe it took me so long to finally buy into them, but we bought some before our recent S. America trip and I couldn’t have done it without them- we managed to fit everything into a carry-on!

Yes, they are amazing! I used to always use zip lock bags to separate things, so the packing cubes are a huge revelation!

I hate to say it as well because you’ve got a lot of nice stuff there but this seems like way too much stuff to me. Doing laundry on the road is pretty easy especially with your quick dry stuff. I recommend cutting half the underwear and tops.

As a comparison for you I have been travelling full time for 4 months and have 3 pairs of underwear, 1 bra, 1 bikini, 2 pairs of socks, 5 bottoms (inc. thermals), a dress and 6 tops (2 long/thermal, 1 short sleeved and 3 tanks). I’ve also got walking boots, sandals and some flats. I agree with you on the down and the shell. I find mine indispensable. We’ve been to some pretty diverse climates (Hawaii (hot), Patagonia (cold) and New Zealand (wet)) and this has been about right. Honestly if I lost a bottom and a top I would still be ok.

Anyway, you’ll work out what’s right for you once you get started. The worse that happens is you donate something nice to someone along the way. I hope my list helps you.

Hi Suzie! Thank you for the incredibly detailed comment! I love it! It’s so hard to know exactly what you will need/want on the road for a trip like this. We have done a lot of traveling (31 countries to date) but the longest was just short of a month. So this is a different venture all together. I have already culled my bag twice, so that is a good sign! I packed it plum full thinking I was being minimal, then unpacked, went through everything and removed a bunch of stuff and repacked. Way better, but I am going to cull again tomorrow. I am probably putting too much though into it…. we shall see! Yea, down and shell are a must, even if I won’t need it in SE Asia. 🙂 Thanks again for the great comment!

Yeah it’s hard to know for sure. I bet what you had for a month plus the extras for different climates is good. Good luck with the culling! S

It’s really hard to know what you will need. I think I am good on clothes, but we have so many electronics (which we need)… We just arrived in Auckland this morning and are already rethinking our bags!!

This last week I was teaching a class of teenage girls (I teach EFL), and I had them create a packing list for what they’d take on a week’s holiday to the beach. They each had about triple the amount of stuff you’ve listed here: needless to say, I was horrified. Anyway, nice list, and packing cubes are the best, aren’t they?

Packing cubes are amazing. Plain and simple. Wow, I can’t imagine having 3 times what we have! Still not sure we have it right. Did a test pack tonight and then unpacked and removed A LOT of stuff. Mostly toiletries, I am sure we’ll spend this whole week perfecting the contents before we leave on Friday!

Don’t forget a sweatshirt!

Hi Melissa! I have a Merino Wool 320 half zip that I am bringing that will work as my ‘sweatshirt’. Hoodies take up too much room! 🙂

I’m sorry top say it but way way to much stuff. I’m telling you that you’ll lose half of it within two months….Let me know when you do 🙂

Really? I’ve been comparing what I have to what a lot of others are carrying and it seems pretty on par. What would you leave behind?

don’t worry you will forget something.

Very impressive Lina!!

Thanks!! I still think there’s some room for adjustment here.

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The Passport Kids

Adventure Family Travel

Long Term Travel Packing List for Family Travel: A Printable One-Bag Family Travel Packing Checklist

In: Blog , Full Time Travel , Travel Tips by Nicole Last Updated: August 20, 2021

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The one question I get asked the most is – Do you have a long-term travel packing list that we used for our 1 year of travel with our family?

YES, here it is! This is the exact list that we took on our 1 year trip around the world with our family.

This packing list worked for our 1 year gap year itinerary where we travelled to 23 countries with two kids. This is a great international packing list for travelling to Europe, Southeast Asia, Oceania, South America and other regions in the world. Plus, we’ve included some packing tips for long trips to help things easier for you!

We travelled with kids who were 5 & 7 years old when we left for our trip around the world and lived full time out of our suitcases. This packing list for long term travel is for a family of four.

Ultimate Packing List of What to Pack for Long Term Travel

The basics to start with is the travel gear that you plan on using for the entire year. These are the foundational items that you will use for the year of travel and are essential items for long term travel.

You will need to decide what kind of luggage you are going to bring. This may depend on the type of travel you plan to do, the age of the kids and how you see your family travelling. Some questions you may want to consider:

Do you plan on using carry-on luggage only?

This will then give you the criteria for how big your luggage can be. The most common carry-on luggage size is 22″ x 14″ x 9″ for major airlines. Be cautious though on the size because some budget airlines only allow smaller sizes in their overhead bin and you’ll need to check the bag. So consider how you will travel.

Use wheeled luggage or not ?

Do you plan on carrying your luggage on your back or wheeling it? We used wheeled luggage for our entire trip and honestly everywhere we went this worked fine and had no issues or felt like we needed a backpack-style luggage bag.

Travel Pack List

1. travel gear for full-time travel.

• 2 x 60L Convertible Backpack/Rolling Wheeled Suitcases – We loved the Deuter Helion 60 rolling suitcase as the parent suitcases. We found the narrow shape worked well with trains, ferries, and taxis. We never did convert to a backpack but there was a comfort knowing if we needed to we could put on our back and carry our kid’s suitcase and hold their hand if we needed to. We loved the soft shell part but then have great wheels, this is another option we would consider Osprey Farpoint Wheeled 65L .
• 2 x 40L Carry on size suitcases – We would highly recommend carry-on luggage like these RipCurl F-Light wheeled suitcases. They fit in any airplane and were very durable and great skateboard wheels. It’s same idea as the softshell which makes it adaptable in size and very durable. Our kids had no problem pulling these around because of the 2-wheeled suitcase, the 4 wheeled suitcases did not work well for little kids pulling.
• 4 Daypacks – We each had a daypack and all different sizes and purposes. We had this Lowepro Photo Hatchback 16L Camera Backpack that worked well, a regular adult day pack for every day and the kids each had their own daypack. The key items to consider in a daypack is to ensure they each have space on the side for carrying water bottles and feel comfortable on.
• 4 Sleep sheets – We used these travel sleep sheets periodically but when we needed them we were so happy we had them! We brought these sleep bag sleep sheets with zippers and it worked well for the kids to adjust to sleeping in random beds along the way. We used them for when we weren’t provided with sheets or if they were uncomfortable sheets.
• 4 Travel Pillow – These Therm-a-Rest Compressible Travel Pillow were by far the BEST sleep pillows that we have ever used and used them nightly for sleeping too! Highly recommend the medium size.
• 2 Toiletry Kits – Mom had this Eagle Creek toiletry kit for the girls and dad used this Men’s Eagle Creek toiletry bag for the boys. The great thing about them both is that they were able to hang from the wall to keep off the counter or when you had no counter to put them on. Also, very lightweight.
• 4 Packing Cubes Each – We loved these Eagle Creek compression packing cubes and recommend ones that do not have mesh on them in order to keep clothes clean from loose dirt. Try to find ones that are lightweight too.
• 2 Dry Bags – We loved this 10L size for the days that we needed to keep water and sand out of our camera gear, wallet, phone and other valuables at the beach or in boats.
• 2 Stuff Sacks for Laundry – We used simple camping dry sacks to keep dirty laundry in and be able to separate the clean and dirty clothes. These were also good for taking laundry to the laundromat.
• 1 Electronic Organizer – We highly recommend the BUBM travel organizer case to keep your electronics organized.
• 1 Passport / Docs Organizer – This LUG travel docs organizer kept 4 passports, our important docs and papers all in one place.
• 4 Suitcase Locks – We used these TSA-approved locks for airplanes, trains and ferries.
• 2 Wire Cable Locks – We only had to use these travel cable wires on train and ferry when our luggage was out of sight from us.

Travel Gear Tips

• Don’t worry if this needs to change or adjust along your trip. We ended up changing our kids rolling suitcases from a 4 wheeled suitcase to a 2-wheeled suitcase because it was better for their height when pulling the suitcase. We also found that the 2-wheeled suitcases worked better on cobblestone, uneven roads and gravel roads, upstairs, etc.
• Packing Cubes ! Colour code each person’s clothing with packing cubes for a quick find. It also keeps clean and dirty clothes separated.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Passport Kids • Family Travel (@passport_kids)

2. Full Time Travel Items

This section is really the defining difference between when you are going on a 2-week vacation versus travelling full time in my opinion. Some of these items we brought with us from the beginning, while others we acquired along the way and kept in our luggage because of the value they serve when packing for long term travel.

• Water Purification Pen – This purification pen was the one we brought and used for times when we did not have filtered water or bottled water. Great for tap water while brushing your teeth and conserving water.
• Small Duct Tape – Always a good idea for a short-term fix of anything.
• 2 Reusable Nylon Shopping Bags – We used and loved these LOQI shopping bags almost every day for everything from getting groceries, beach bags, laundry bag or extra bag carrying sweaters, etc. I still carry these in my purse to this day :)
• Clothespins – Find ones that are plastic and light material like these to keep your bag weight down. Many places don’t have dryers so you’ll need these to utilize your drying clothesline the best for laundry.
• Small Clothes Line – This was the camping clothesline that we brought and worked great and very versatile.
• 2 Dishcloths – We brought microfiber dishcloths for drying dishes in hotel rooms, washing dishes and so many other miscellaneous things that came up.
• 2 Small Bowls – We had small bowls for travel for hotel room meals (cereal, oatmeal, etc) for the kids and then we would eat after they were done. I would suggest these travel collapsable bowls and ensure the ones you bring are microwave safe.
• 4 Spoon/Fork & 2 Knives – You’d be surprised how often we used these forks/spoons for takeaway meals in hotel rooms that we didn’t get cutlery. One of the best things you need for travelling! I also kept 2 all the time in our daypack.
• Wine Opener / Bottle Opener combo – Well when in Rome, we bought a wine opener! You’ll need this one for wine, beer bottles and even cola bottles around the world. Think small and light like this wine opener .
• 2 Headlights – We had these camping headlights for late-night arrivals, camping, dark hallways and stairways. You won’t regret bringing headlights.
• Travel Games – You are going to need some kind of game to pass the time. Our favourites are playing cards, UNO , Monopoly Deal .
• Whistle – We never had to use this, but as a female traveller and sometimes along with my kids I felt safer having this along with me.
• Food Spice – We brought a little taste of home with our favourite steak spice so when we were missing eating food that was like a warm hug we made it with our spice.
• Ear Plugs – You will need these for planes, hotel rooms and anywhere you need to sleep.
• Eye Mask – Some places have no blinds so you’ll need these if you can’t sleep in the light.
• Laundry Soap – We would buy it as we went and typically always carried powder laundry soap and enough to do a couple of loads.
• Stain Remover – This was the grandma stain remover that we love and works awesome. Since we didn’t have a lot of clothes with us, if we spilled something we would use this to help treat the stain until we could wash it.
• 4 Snorkel & Dive Mask – We brought initially just two masks but then ended up buying all four of us a s norkel set and dive mask . We did not bring the flippers to save space.
• Swim Vest or Lifejacket – We brought and recommend this Speedo swim vest for kids . It was great in the open water and helped our kids that were improving on their swimming skills. An added reassurance for us parents.
• Swimming Goggle & Dive Toys – We brought these pool diving toys and swim goggles for days at the pool with the kids.
• Soft-shelled Cooler Bag – We used a small foldable cooler for packing lunches for beach days.
• Ziplock bags – We always had some of these in our bag for VRBO we stayed it to store extra food or take for lunch.
• Beach Towel – You can buy travel towels like these , we ended up buying beach towels along the way, but in hindsight, we probably could have used the travel towels. I would suggest getting the larger size because you’ll use them on the beach as beach blankets or picnic blankets.

Packing Tips for Full Time Travel Items

• We kept one reusable shopping bag in my purse and one in the daypack. So when we needed it we at least had one at all times with us.
• We also used the clothespins to keep curtains tight and closed in bedrooms when the light was coming in at night from streetlights.
• We always keep the knives in our checked bag.
• You could bring a multi-tool or swiss army knife that could duplicate a few of the items we had on the list.
• Mom carried the whistle in her backpack top pocket all the time.
• We did at first bring a water bottle for each of us and found it took too much space up. Plus, we ended up buying bottled water everywhere and just bought 1-litre bottles and reused smaller bottles we had acquired.
• We used small old water bottles and froze them in the freezers and then used them as ice packs in our cooler bag.

3. Clothing Per Person

We used the following for packing for long term travel for clothing. Each person had the following items packed.

• 4 – 5 T-shirts
• 4 Tank Tops (Girls)
• 1 Causal Dress Pant
• 2 Pairs of Jeans
• 3 – 4 Shorts
• 1 Dress or Skirt (Girls)
• 1 Dress Shirt (Boys)
• 2 – 3 Swimsuits
• 1 Swimsuit Cover (Girls)
• 2 Zip-Up Sweater/Fleece
• 2 Dress Sweaters (Girls)
• 1 Rain Jacket – We brought these North Face rain jackets and highly recommend them. We layered these up with our fleeces in cooler places like New Zealand in the autumn .
• 3 Pairs Socks
• 7 Underwear
• 3 Bras (Girls) – 1 Black, 1 Beige, 1 sport bra
• 1 Pair Running Shoes
• 1 Pair of Flip Flops
• 1 Pair Walking Sandals
• 1 Pair Casual Runners / Stree Runner
• 1 Pair Water Shoes
• 1 Pair of Small Gloves
• 1 Beanie / Toque
• 1 Pair Sunglasses
• 1 Purse (Girls) – This Lug purse was my favourite and fit what I needs plus held a water bottle.

Clothing Long Term Travel Tips

• Kids grow and you will have to buy them clothes and shoes along the way all over the world! So plan for this and try to ensure you shop when you can for these items.
• Bring everyday clothes you wear at home. You’ll be the most comfortable that way.
• We did bring some dry wick clothing and good quality sweaters and rain jackets, but you don’t need an entirely new wardrobe to travel!
• Try having all bottoms and tops be interchangeable and match with everything. Lots of black, white, grey and a few pops of colour.
• Roll your clothes for more space – always a great travel tip!
• You will be washing your clothes all the time, so think of clothes that are quick to dry, especially underwear!
• Adjust your clothing based on the temperatures that you will be travelling in. We followed the sun and was in spring/summer/autumn temperatures and layered our clothes for cooler weather.
• We did not bring hiking boots – instead we went with runners that were suitable for hiking trails and also for running.

4. Toiletries Packing List

• Toothbrush & Toothbrush cover
• Brush / Comb
• Hair Elastics / Hair Product (Girls)
• 1 Washcloth
• Makeup (Girls)
• Perfume / Cologne
• Conditioner
• Contact lenses / Solution
• 2 Pair Prescription Glasses

Packing Tips for Toiletries

• We put all our toiletries in the 60L suitcases since these were always checked bags and we didn’t need to worry about excess liquids in our carry-on suitcases.
• We purchased regular-sized sunscreens, toothpaste, lotion, bug spray, shampoo, conditioner to save money. We only had one container of each and purchased more along our trip.
• Our son broke both pairs of glasses within a month, so have your eyeglass prescription in case you need to buy another pair. A must on ever packing list for travelling! It would be caused us so much more work to do this in another country.
• For any of the makeup, I purchased replacement at international duty-free airports.
• Most places had blowdryers for use. If you need a diffuser try to find one like this that is interchangeable on blowdryers.

5. Electronics for Long Term Travel

You can read everything and more about my camera gear and details of electronics long term travel checklist.

• 1 DSLR Canon Camera
• 1 POS (Point and Shoot) Camera
• 8 Memory Cards
• Waterproof memory card case
• 2 External Hard Drive
• 2 USB Flash Drives
• Universal Plugin Adapter
• USB Multi Charging Cable
• TV Adapter for iPad
• 4 Earphones
• Ear Phone Splitter
• Car Charger
• Chargers & Cables for all electronics

Packing Tips for Travel with Electronics

• We used this BUBM travel case to keep all our chargers and cords in and was awesome! We never lost one cord and everything had its place in the case so we knew if we were missing anything.
• We had a durable Targus iPad case for travel with kids, it was great because it would stand up for movies on the planes, could cover the screen to prevent scratches and cracks.
• Label iPads with your name and email. So if you forget it on a plane then there is some type of identification on it in the lost and found. These are easy to leave behind in the seat pockets on the plane.

6. Medicine Kit

One of the most important things on your long-term travel checklist is medicine to keep you healthy and comfortable on your trip.

• Acetaminophen
• Thermometer – These are the smallest and easiest with kids to bring.
• Allergy Medicine
• Cold/Flu Medicine
• Ear Infection Drops
• Eye Infection Drops
• Swimmers Ear Drops
• Emergency Medical First Aid Kit – We took this smaller camping first aid kit that worked great and had everything we needed in an emergency.

Tips for Medicine Kit for Full Time Travel

• Bring both for adults and kids dosage with 2-3 days worth of each.
• Buying or refilling your kit can be a good idea to do in international airports or duty-free.

7. Kids Extras

• 1 Small Blanket
• 2 Small Stuffed Animals
• Few Small Toys
• Colouring crayons and books
• School books

Packing Tips for Kids

• All the above items had to fit in the kid’s day backpack. Plus, they had their iPad, earphones and space for their hat and sweater. For some of the heavier school books, we did move them to their suitcases for easily pulling them.
• Let your kids choose these few items that bring them joy.
• We printed off the list and let our kids finished their own checklist for packing!

8. Day Pack Extras

• Hand Sanitizer & Hand Wipes
• Tissue Paper
• Snack for Kids

Day Pack Travel Tips

• We always kept the snack in one packing cube in the parent’s day backpack. We then knew how many snacks we had left, made sure there were no liquids for when we went through security at airports, and never had crumbs all over the kid’s backpacks that would make a mess.
• We brought hand wipes for messy kid’s faces and wiping down surfaces.
• Our travel backpack list changed daily based on our activity. So if we were going to the beach it would be beach stuff, if we were hiking or having a city day this would fluctuate and change. Typically we would have at least one backpack along.

9. Documents for Long Term Travel

• Credit cards, debit cards, and drivers license
• Original Birth Certificates for Kids
• Immunization Records
• Tourist Visas
• Extra Passport Photos
• Travel Insurance
• Copy of Medication Prescriptions
• Copy of Eye Prescriptions

Tips for Documents while Traveling Full-Time

• We kept all the documents in a travel organizer in the parent’s backpack and were always in the same place every time.
• If we had electronic visas we would either take a picture on our phones or have them printed out at the hotel before we left for the country. This would help in case we did not have data or wifi to access these.
• You will need sometimes extra passport photos for visas.
• Keep a copy of all documents and cards (front and back) electronically on the cloud so you can access them from your phone.
• Bring the long form copy of the birth certificates, the one with the parent’s name on it. You will need this for some entry into some countries (ie. South Africa )

How to pack for a long trip? And other Packing Tips

• Remember you can buy almost anything EVERYWHERE in the world!
• Less is more when travelling long term.
• If you bring too much or find you aren’t using items… send them home!
• Have a test run at home with only using what is packed in your suitcase before you leave on your trip.
• This packing list is ideal for anyone travelling for longer than 2 weeks and is a great outline of what to pack for a month long trip!
• We brought many of these items off of Amazon and looked through many reviews of the products to find the right ones for us.
• We used this also for our 1 month campervan trip and can confirm it is great for long term road trip essentials!
• Print off this long term packing list and check the items off as you start your planning and prep work.

Hopefully you have found this list to be vaulable as you plan your long term travel packing list and resolved many questions about how to pack for a long trip.

Other Information for Long-term Travel Essentials

• Everything you need to know about Planning a Gap Year and Before you Leave for international travel
• 1 Year Full Time Travel World Itinerary
• Long Term travel insurance – Who we use and our review of family travel insurance .
• 25 Best Countries to take Kids
• Find other FREE printable packing lists HERE

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17 Top Long-Term Travel Packing List Items for 2024 + What to Wear & NOT to Bring

Packing for long-term travel can be challenging. It’s hard to predict what you’ll need if you’re visiting multiple places for an extended period. While it’s an amazing feeling to have everything you need in a backpack while traveling long term, it can also be a battle to make everything fit!

That’s why I’ve drawn from my own experiences to put together this long-term travel packing list. Also, you’ll find sections on what to wear during long-term travel , what NOT to bring, and FAQ answers.

While you’ll want to pack light, you also need to make sure you’re prepared for anything and have everything you need to feel safe, refreshed, and comfortable, wherever in the world you end up.

What to Pack for Long-Term Travel – 17 Essentials

1. backpack.

Packing for long-term travel starts with a good backpack. During your travels, you’re likely to be moving around a lot. Being able to carry all of your luggage on your back makes that easy, whereas juggling suitcases and multiple bags is difficult when you’re walking through cities, and hopping on and off of busses and trains. Make sure to get a backpack with anti-gravity suspension so that your load feels lighter, and it’s also important to buy for your gender as women’s backpacks are fitted for the female body whereas men’s backpacks distribute the weight differently.

View on Amazon.com ➜

2. Travel Towel

A travel towel is absolutely essential for long-term travel. These travel towels pack small and dry quickly, so they’re perfect for carrying around on the move. You also don’t need to clean them as frequently as a normal towel, which is great when you aren’t able to do laundry as frequently. I use my travel towel both outdoors and for bathing.

3. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A VPN protects your security. This means hassle free transactions at airports, hotels, AirBnBs, cafes and even roadside vendors without worrying about your credit card number being hacked or stolen. Unfortunately, I’ve learned from personal experience that travelers are easy targets for credit card fraud. With a VPN you can feel safer and more free in your transactions.

View NordVPN.com Options ➜

4. Packing Cubes

When you’re living out of a backpack, things can get messy really quickly. That’s why I rely on packing cubes. They organize your luggage so that finding your belongings, packing and unpacking is a breeze. When you’re moving from place to place, you’ll be grateful that your backpack is so organized.

5. Neck Wallet

It can be easy to lose track of your valuables while traveling long term. Especially as you move through bus stations, train stations and airports, you want to always be sure that your passport and wallet are safe. This pouch allows you to carry your passport, debit cards, cash and documents safely under your shirt where pickpockets can’t reach them. This neck wallet even comes with RFID blocking to prevent e-thieves from stealing your credit card details.

6. Lifestraw Water Bottle

I can’t understate the importance of traveling with your own water bottle. If you don’t, you can easily end up wasting a lot of unnecessary money and plastic. A Lifestraw water bottle is best because it filters and purifies water on the go, which means that you can drink from anywhere. Depending on where you are, often your water source won’t be reliable, so a water bottle with a built-in filter is a huge plus.

7. Universal Power Adapter

Moving between different countries, you’ll need a good universal power adapter so that you can plug in your electronics anywhere. This one has a built-in fuse to protect your devices during a power surge, and is lightweight and compact.

8. Lipstick-Sized Portable Charger

Whether you spend ten hours on a bus or stay overnight camping somewhere remote, you’ll likely have periods without access to electricity during your travels. This portable charger is lightweight, compact, and greatly extends the battery life of your electronics. It’s much nicer to venture off the beaten track when you know that you’re carrying around your own pocket-sized power supply!

9. Activated Charcoal

When visiting new countries, it is likely that not all of the new foods that you try will sit well in your stomach. In fact, during long-term travel I accept the reality that generally my stomach is likely to frequently be upset. Activated charcoal is a hero for the stomach, as it absorbs toxins, helping you to recover quickly. It’s essential to keep handy when you’re trying new cuisines.

10. Daypack

In addition to your big backpack, you’ll need a smaller pack for day use. I love daypacks that fold up small so that they don’t take up any extra space in your larger pack, but also can be used as an option if you, say, have a shopping trip and your luggage starts to overflow. This daypack is rainproof and ultralight.

11. Travel Pillow

I love my travel pillow. It comes in handy for long flights or bus rides, as well as camping and budget accommodations that are less than comfortable. It rolls up small so it is easy to carry around, but when unrolled this Thermarest travel pillow is so comfortable that you can literally fall asleep anywhere.

12. Lightweight Sleeping Bag

I’ve visited hostels around the world where the insulation and bedding just doesn’t cut it. That’s why I think it’s important to always have your own sleeping bag onhand. This one is light so it won’t add unnecessary weight to your bag. A sleeping bag can make a huge difference when it comes to a good night’s sleep, particularly if you’re traveling somewhere that can get cold.

13. Packable Down Jacket

This packable down jacket is perfect because it can keep you very warm, but isn’t as bulky as most winter wear. It packs small and is extremely light, so it can easily fit into your backpack without adding weight. It’s versatile and works equally well on a chilly summer night, as a fall or spring coat, and as a winter layer.

14. Hiking Boots

During long-term travels, it is likely that you’ll live in your hiking boots. Long-term travel can entail lots and lots of walking, so you want to make sure that you wear shoes that are kind to your feet. Merrel makes great hiking boots that are durable, comfortable, stylish, waterproof, and have fantastic grip for tough terrain.

15. Travel Hammock

A travel hammock is a must for long-term travel. You can string it up in a forest or on a beach and have a perfect rest day. Best of all, it only takes a minute or two to set up. This travel hammock is relatively lightweight and small, and it’s worth carrying around for some luxury and comfort wherever you are.

16. Waterproof Compression Sacks

Using compression sacks for packing has revolutionized travel for me. It saves space in your luggage by compressing your clothes, sleeping bag and towel, removing air to pack down smaller. As you travel and shop at local markets, accumulating stuff, this will be the gift that keeps on giving. These compression sacks are also waterproof, and it is always good to have that added protection on a rainy day.

17. Travel Insurance

Because you never know what might happen while traveling abroad, travel insurance is necessary. Especially if you want to venture out of your comfort zone while traveling – which you should! – you’ll feel better if you are insured. TravelInsurance.com is the best, protecting you in unpredictable events from illness and injury to theft. Plus, you can compare policies from top companies to find the one that best fits you and your travel plans.

Compare policies at TravelInsurance.com ➜

Other Long-Term Travel Packing items not to forget

• Sleeping mask
• Headphone splitter
• First Aid Kit
• Toiletry bag
• Toothbrush cover
• Miniature hairbrush
• Travel umbrella
• Kindle case
• Pencil case
• Waterproof phone case
• Waterproof camera
• Shampoo bar
• Thermal underwear
• Reef safe sunscreen
• Insect repellant
• Tea tree oil
• Travel toilet paper
• Hand sanitizer
• Passport photos
• Hiking socks

What to Wear During Long-Term Travel

Three types of shoes are essential for women during long-term travel: hiking boots, flip flops, and lightweight comfortable flats. While hiking boots are necessary so that you can regularly walk long distances comfortably, flip flops are good for slipping on and hostel use, and lightweight flats can be worn out to dinner or whenever you’re sick of wearing your hiking boots. Women should pack a couple of versatile dresses that work equally well for a casual day or a night out, depending on whether they’re dressed up or down. A cross body purse is also helpful for casual excursions. Leggings are great for long-term travel because they’re light and pack small, and are comfortable for both sleeping and travel. What men should wear during long-term travel (Click to expand) Below is a sample men’s clothing list. (All items link to Amazon.com for your convenience).

Packing for the Long-Term Travel

Seasons vary depending on where you are going, so you’ll have to do individual research for the specific places you’re planning to visit. I’ve put together this rough guide though, to help you with your ideas.

Springtime can be wet, so make sure that you have a good rain jacket. Be prepared with layers for changing temperatures throughout the day, and active wear with long sleeves. A compact jacket is good to carry around wherever you go, just in case temperatures suddenly get cold.

Summer is the easiest time to travel in terms of your packing list. You can wear shorts (menwomen), lightweight pants (men & women), summer dresses, and t-shirts or tank tops. Flip flops are great for summer travel because they’re easy to slip on and off. You also may want to travel with hiking sandals (men & women) instead of or in addition to your hiking boots, because they’re cooler and more comfortable for warmer weather.

As for springtime travel, make sure that you always have layers on hand for when temperatures get cool. This should include merino base layers, which are fantastic because they can keep you both cool or warm depending on what your body needs. Also carry around your compact down jacket for quick and easy warmth when you need it. Hiking boots are the most practical footwear for fall travel. A flannel, and more lightweight sweaters, are also comfortable for travel during this season.

In the winter, though bulky, you usually do need to travel with a proper winter coat. A ski jacket is versatile for many activities and perfect for snow. You’ll also want a microfleece sweater, and thermal base layers for layering up. Merino hiking socks will keep your feet warm, and make sure to pack hiking boots that are insulated and keep your feet dry in rain or snow. Don’t forget a neck warmer, which is often lighter and easier to travel with than a scarf, and a good warm beanie.

RAINY SEASON

You may be traveling to somewhere with a rainy season. In that case, you’ll want to wear clothing that can easily get wet. Waterproof or quick drying shorts and a rain jacket are key. It’s also best to wear hiking sandals with good grip during the rainy season, so that they can get wet and dry quickly, keeping your feet comfortable.

Hiking – For hiking and other outdoor adventure activities, make sure you wear your hiking boots and hiking pants or shorts. Activewear shirts with sweat-wicking technologies are best for keeping you comfortable and cool, and if it is particularly cold wear merino base layers that will keep you warm when cold and cool as you warm up.

Religious sites – Research local customs to make sure that you dress respectfully for visiting religious sites like temples. Carry long sleeves and a sarong to wrap around your shoulders or waist, because often it is disrespectful to show shoulders or legs at various religious sites.

Nightlife – Don’t overdress for nightlife with chunky heels and clothing that is fancy and impractical. Women can get away with flats and a dress, while men can wear nice lightweight shoes, jeans, and a button-down.

The beach – If you’ll be spending lots of time at the beach, be sure to pack a stylish and comfortable beach cover-up in addition to your bathing suit and flip flops. Don’t forget a hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen.

What NOT to bring for long-term travel

1. bulky or uncomfortable shoes.

Leave high heels and other fancy impractical shoes behind. They take up too much room in your baggage and also can be easily damaged when lugged around. Both women and men should only pack shoes that are lightweight and comfortable for long-term use, in addition to hiking boots.

2. Many books

No matter how much you love to read, carrying around too many books on your back is heavy and impractical. I recommend just investing in a kindle for your travels, which is much lighter and also means that you can buy books on-the-go wherever you have wifi.

3. Unnecessary Valuables – including clothes

Traveling long term and moving around a lot, it may at times become difficult to keep track of all of your things. Leave unnecessary valuables behind, including clothing that is precious to you. Apart from necessary items like your passport, wallet, and phone, you should be prepared for the possibility of damaging or losing whatever you travel with long-term.

4. Delicate items

Because you’ll most likely be traveling with a large backpack and moving around a lot, delicate items are not likely to fare well during long-term travel. Leave delicates behind and pack durable, practical items that can handle getting tossed around.

5. Too many clothes

You don’t have room in your backpack for an entire wardrobe, unfortunately. Only pack a few practical outfits, and clothing that is versatile and that you don’t mind wearing over and over again.

6. Lots of cash

Both because of pickpocketing and border crossings with changes in currency, try to keep the cash you carry to a safe but practical minimum. When you take out cash, it can also be a good idea to note the ATMs you use in case of hacking and fraud.

7. Bath towel

A bath towel is impractical because it takes a long time to dry and is bulky in your luggage. It can make your whole backpack mouldy. Bring a travel towel instead.

FAQs about Long-Term Travel

1. how can i travel long-term on a low budget.

Budgeting is especially important when traveling long term. In addition to staying in budget-friendly hostels, it is also a good idea to look into work exchange through  www.workaway.info  or  www.wwoof.net . This gives you accommodation in exchange for work rather than money, and also often includes amazing cultural experiences where you can interact more deeply with locals and spend more time in one place. Don’t be afraid to use local public transport, usually cheaper than private travel, and to try delicious local street foods. It is often more practical to cook many of your meals at your hostel rather than relying on eating out every day. Look into free experiences, like free city walking tours, to learn about where you are without paying extra.

2. Where should I stay while traveling long term?

Look into budget accommodation, like hostels and homestays. As mentioned, also look for accommodation that suits your interests through work exchange, so that you don’t have to spend money for every night of your trip.  www.workaway.info  and  www.wwoof.net  are full of amazing cultural experiences that can both deepen and cheapen your trip. If you’re traveling in places like New Zealand or Hawai’i, look into using a camper van or even just a tent.

3. How and when should I get my visas?

Visa rules are different in every country, so make sure that you do careful research and plan ahead for everywhere you go. I’ve learned this the hard way! Start early because some visas require multiple embassy visits and a few weeks wait, while many you can get online and instantly.

4. What are the best regions for travel long-term?

The region you travel in depends on your interests. Southeast Asia is classic for low-budget travel, warm weather, natural beauty and depth, and diversity in cultural experiences. There is also a well-established infrastructure of hostels there, which makes life easier if you’re new to traveling long term. Central and South America are similarly amazing regions to travel in, full of adventures, but can be slightly more expensive. Europe, of course, is the most expensive, but fantastic for art and cities. Southeastern Europe and the Balkans have amazing cultures, histories, wine, and beaches without costing as much as Northern and Western Europe. Central Asia is extremely adventurous and off-the-beaten-track and can be stunningly beautiful. Particularly if you’re a more seasoned traveler and desire more local experiences without as much tourism “industry,” Central Asia is worth looking into. There is also never enough time to spend in single countries that you fall in love with. In countries like India or New Zealand, you can travel for months without ever getting bored.

5. What is the best way to get around while traveling long term?

Transport also depends on where you are. Public transport is often the cheapest mode of travel while also offering the best insights into local life, but it can also be uncomfortable and slow. Sometimes the best option is to rent or even buy your own car for total freedom and autonomy to explore. To travel sustainably, do reduce your flights and travel by land (or sea!) when you can.

Packing Tips for Long-Term Travel

In this guide, we will help you create the ultimate long-term travel packing checklist.

We have done our fair share of long-term travel adventures, from Backpacking around South America to Ski Seasons in Canada, from volunteering in Africa to spending 15 summers working in New York.

We have become accustomed to packing our entire lives in a backpack and hopping on a plane.

We will introduce you to some of the best packing tips for long-term travel that we have found throughout the years.

We will guide you through what to pack, how to pack, and how much you need to pack for long-term travel.

Long-term Travel Packing Tips

It’s 1am, your taxi to the airport is booked for 3am, and you’re still waiting for your printer to stop jamming while attempting to print off your visa documents.

You haven’t even thought about packing yet, and you just realised that half of your underwear is still in the dirty laundry. Sound familiar?

After too many (more than we are willing to disclose...) experiences of last-minute scrambling to pack our entire lives into two 50L backpacks before setting off on another adventure, we want to share a few packing tips and hacks that have helped us with the dreaded task.

It’s one thing packing for a weekend city break, but where do you start when your trip has no return ticket? 

Don’t panic - our long-term travel packing tips will help you .

Disclaimer - This blog post contains Amazon affiliate links where we earn a commission if you make a purchase through them (at no extra cost to you).

Is a backpack or suitcase better for long-term travel?

Backpacks or suitcases - which are better for long-term travel?

This hotly argued topic splits many travel aficionados straight down the middle. Some suitcase sympathisers argue that for long-term travel, a roomy suitcase is exactly what you need!

However, if you have ever experienced hauling a heavy, hard case suitcase up 5 flights on a spiral staircase to get to your hostel dorm in 40-degree heat (thank you, Cartagena!), then you too would be ditching the case for something lighter and less sweat-inducing. 

It may sound obvious but a solid backpack is definitely our no.1 most important item when embarking on a long-term travel adventure.

Whether you are planning to stay in hostels, hotels, campsites or couch surfing, a well-organised backpack will make moving from place to place so much easier.

When packing for a long-term adventure, perhaps a gap year for couples , it can be tempting to pack everything plus the kitchen sink. After all, you’re potentially travelling for a year or more, so choosing what to pack can be difficult. 

So, while backpacks are versatile and easy to carry, there might be instances or destinations where bigger suitcases, bags, or extra large luggage, like the Eminent XXL suitcase , could come in handy, especially for those items you want to keep crease-free or protect from potential damage.

That said, relying solely on such large suitcases could hinder spontaneity, as they might not be as agile as a backpack in certain situations. It's all about weighing the pros and cons and deciding based on the nature of your journey and destinations.

However, by restricting yourself to a backpack, you instantly avoid packing those non-essential items that will only weigh you down. 

Which brings us to our next tip…

DO NOT buy a backpack over 70L capacity! 

Perfect sized backpack for long-term travel

Although buying the 90L expedition backpack may seem like the perfect option at the time (think of all the extra shoes you could fit?), fast forward to when you are slinging your backpack onto the floor for the 100th time because it is far too heavy to trek across the city to your next hostel, and you will soon regret your choice.

Of course, we all come in different shapes and sizes, and our ability to carry different weights varies, too. However, we promise that, unless you are Dwayne the Rock Johnson’s body double, going for a backpack above the 70L mark will seriously burden your trip . One of our hiking tips for couples is to use a 55L backpack for overnight/multi-hikes, and we don’t think you’ll ever need something bigger for your long-term travel plans.

Backpack tip: our ideal backpack combination for long-term travel is a main backpack ranging between 55-66L and a smaller 20L day pack to carry valuables such as cameras, passports and water etc.

This was the combination we used when embarking on our most extended travel trip so far, which combined working in a summer camp in the USA , a 6-week backpacking tour through South America and working a ski season as a couple in Canada for over a year and a half. Less is more!

Packing cubes are essential for Long-term travel (They will change your life)

Packing cubes are essential for long-term travel

At first, we thought the hype overshadowed the reality regarding packing cubes. They seemed like an unnecessary indulgence and one more way to add extra weight to your backpack. We couldn’t have been more wrong.

These little zippered compression bags are our new favourite addition to our long-term packing arsenal.

Not only do they allow you to categorise your clothes smartly (never again will you have to empty your entire backpack onto the hostel floor to find a clean pair of socks), but they also help to compress the size of all of your clothes . This works a dream for larger, bulkier items such as jumpers or jeans. 

We have found the Gonex Compression packing cubes to be our personal favourites. They are super lightweight and have two robust zips to help compress your clothes. We have, admittedly, overfilled these cubes and never had a problem with the zip popping open or breaking. 

Top tip: packing cubes often come with a shoe bag. We like to use ours as a dirty laundry bag whilst on the move!

Full-Size Microfiber Towels

Instead of wasting half of your backpack space with a fluffy towel from home, opt for super compact microfiber towels . You cannot afford to waste space in your backpack when planning to travel long-term.

Unfortunately, these microfiber travel towels do not compare to your classic cotton bath towel for luxury or comfort, but their quick drying properties and ability to absorb up to 8x the amount of water of a regular towel make them a no-brainer when it comes to clever long-term packing. 

Make sure to go for a full-size or XL towel as some ‘travel size’ options are simply too small. 

Hostel tip: microfiber towels also act as great barriers between you and dodgy hostel bed sheets. One of our best tips for surviving as a couple in hostels is to prop a towel up at the side of a hostel bed, to give you a little extra privacy when you don’t feel like talking to everybody else in the room.

Packable Rain Jacket

Packable rain jacket for traveling

One of the most challenging elements to consider when packing for a long-term trip is mother nature herself. You might end up travelling through multiple seasons, and a pair of shorts and a T-shirt aren't always going to cut it, unfortunately.

A packable rain jacket is an absolutely essential item . Maybe being from the UK and Ireland, we consider this more of an essential item than others. However, we promise you will thank us when your adventure around Thailand turns into a tropical storm. 

Keeping one of these in your daypack instead of your main backpack allows you to be ready for any weather threat and keeps it in an easy-to-reach location. 

Spare Jumper in Day Pack

All of our things in one backpack

On a similar note to the last point, keeping an extra layer such as a fleece or jumper in your daypack can be an absolute lifesaver.

When your bus driver suddenly decides to save on fuel by turning off the heating as you wind your way up in elevation and down in temperature through the Andean mountains, having an extra layer to hand will make the remaining 28hr bus journey a little more comfortable.

Split the load of heavy items when packing for long-term travel  

If you find yourself packing for long-term travel with a partner or group of friends, avoid unnecessary weight by sharing heavy items such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash and other toiletries . 

Investing in every travel-sized toiletry you can find in the supermarket before you depart is neither going to last you more than a few days of your long-term travel trip nor help when they all explode over your perfectly organised clothes. Again, less is more.

Assign one full-size toiletry to each person or split evenly between a couple , or even wait entirely until you get to your starting destination and pick up shampoo en route . Unless you are restricted to a particular brand for health/allergy reasons, you will never struggle to find the holy trinity of shampoo, body wash and toothpaste.

Suppose you want to avoid the hassle altogether, in our experience. In that case, most hostels have a treasure trove of left-over toiletry essentials from backpackers past and are usually left for communal use. 

Splitting our heavy items between two backpacks

Pack Two Pairs of Shoes and Flip Flops

This may sound like the stuff of nightmares for some people, but when travelling with a backpack, space is sacred, and you need to use it wisely. In an ideal world, it would be lovely to have a pair of shoes for nice occasions, trainers, hiking boots, sandals, flip-flops and maybe even some slippers for walking around grubby hostel floors.

In reality, though, a pair of flip-flops can easily masquerade as chic, boho style evening wear and double up as useful hostel shower shoes, all on the same day. 

Our shoes suggestions:   

1x pair of regular trainers - these will get you through day-to-day wear, and you can keep them in relatively good condition for evenings at restaurants or bars. 

1x pair of waterproof, durable trainers - perfect for all-weather exploring and the odd longer hike. It is useful to have an alternate pair of trainers in case your first pair get wet and you don’t have time to dry them out. (No need to carry around heavy hiking boots unless you plan on embarking on regular serious hikes throughout your trip).

1x pair of flip-flops/slides - the chameleon of the shoe world, slides or flip-flops, will get you through every travelling situation. Perfect for hot days spent wandering around market stalls or when you're back in the hostel and chilling by the pool. They also fit easily into your backpack side pocket or simply squished into a day pack. 

Jeans or Leggings for Cold Bus/Flight Journeys

More often than not, even if you are travelling through the equivalent of the Sahara desert, many modes of transport tend to have routinely broken internal thermostats. This results in often long, freezing journeys whereby your West Coast California beach wear isn’t going to suffice. 

When travelling long-term, pack at least one pair of full-length leggings, sweats or jeans to combat even the chilliest of airports or bus terminals. 

You always want to be comfortable when travelling

Travel Pillow/Pillowcase

This one certainly does not fall into the category of essential items; however, if you have ever been in the all too familiar backpacker situation where you enter your dorm room to find your bed sheets are either non-existent or adorned with stains that you would far rather not know the origin of, you will be thankful for this small suggestion.

Bringing a spare pillowcase or travel pillow will at least provide some barrier between said unknown stains and your head, allowing you to sleep easily after your long day of travelling. 

Packing tip: an empty pillow case acts as a great tool to separate dirty laundry from the rest of your clothes in your backpack.

Travel Size Laundry Detergent for Emergencies

A tip handed down from Orla’s Irish Mammy, Pat - packing a small, travel-sized, reusable container of laundry detergent will save you on those days when you wake up, and there isn’t a clean pair of underwear in sight.

Any hotel, hostel or Airbnb sink can quickly be turned into a temporary washing machine. Just make sure that if you are camping or disposing of water in nature, you use eco-friendly soap ! 

Reusable Water Bottle 

No viable long-term travel packing list would be complete without a reusable water bottle.

Water is your most valuable possession when travelling. Even when you think you may have enough, it never will be. Whether you are trekking through the Amazon on a 3-day long expedition or wandering through the quaint, narrow, cobbled streets on the Amalfi Coast, a good water supply is utterly essential. 

With so many options out there, here is a quick breakdown of our top 3 suggestions for reusable water bottles :

Nalgene 32oz Wide-Mouth (£9 - £14 approx)

The 1L capacity strikes the perfect balance between providing a sufficient water supply without being too cumbersome or heavy to carry in your day-pack. 

They are super durable ! Drop this water bottle down the side of a rocky mountain hike, and (if you can retrieve it...) the most you will be met with is a few superficial scuffs - the perfect option for adventure travellers !

BPA/BPS free 

Super lightweight 

Very cheap 

No thermal qualities 

S’well 500ml, 750ml Original Bottle (£24.50 - £31.50 approx)

The S’well’s most important feature - setting it aside from other water bottles - is its thermal abilities . Allowing you to keep water ice-cold for up to 48hrs, or hot for up to 24hrs - it is the ideal option for those who are looking to keep their water supply freezing cold all day long. 

It does come in a range of sizes, but we found the 750ml to be a little cumbersome due to the weight - coming in at 450g before you fill it with water, it is over double the weight of the Nalgene (177.25g)

BPA/BPS free

A more expensive option but reasonable for thermal properties

LifeStraw Universal or LifeStraw Go (£35 - £50 approx)

LifeStraw is an acclaimed specialist in the water filtration world. Their ability to protect against 99.999% of bacteria (including E. coli and Salmonella), parasites , chlorine, microplastics, dirt and silt position the Life-Straw as the ultimate travel aid.

If you already have your own favourite reusable water bottle, you can opt for the LifeStraw Universal , which can adapt to most conventional reusable water bottles (see complete compatibility list here ) 

Alternatively, opt for the LifeStraw Go , which incorporates the filter into their water bottle design, ranging from 22oz to 1L . 

Ideal if travelling in an area where tap water is not drinkable - replace copious amounts of earth-harming plastic bottles with the Life-Straw.

The most expensive option in our line-up - however, a hugely useful tool and something we will never again travel without - using a life straw is one of our tips for how not to end up in a Bolivian Hospital ! 

Best water bottles for travelling

Multiple USB - Universal Travel Adapter

Nowadays, long-term travel is only possible with all of our gadgets. From mobile phones to laptops, cameras to tablets, or even sat-navs to smartwatches, we think you would be hard-pressed to find a long-term traveller who doesn’t travel with at least a few of these luxuries. 

A reliable travel adapter to keep your travel gadgets fully charged is essential for any credible long-term travel packing list.

Long-term travel tip: long-term travel might bring you across multiple different countries, continents and time zones, so opting for a universal travel adaptor will make sure you can use it wherever you go.

Another must-have feature is multiple USB ports . Practically all devices nowadays charge via USB. By having one charging unit that can charge your phone, iPad and smartwatch simultaneously, you’ll not only save time waiting to switch one plug out for the next but also cut down on precious weight by only bringing the USB leads for each device. 

We own a travel adaptor with 4 USB ports that is compatible with Australia, US, Japan, UK and EU sockets. Not to mention it comes in a convenient little travel case!

Lightweight, packable down jacket

We can’t highlight enough how useful and versatile these jackets are and you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a half-decent one.

Sure, you can easily splurge upwards of £150 on a branded, real down jacket, but in our experience, a cheaper, synthetic down jacket will do the job! The absolute joy of these jackets, though, is their packability.

Most will come with a small stuff bag that, similar to how you pack down a sleeping bag, will reduce your super puffy, warm jacket to a fraction of its original size . The perfect long-term travel accomplice, especially when you plan to spend time in warmer summer climates and colder winter ones, too. 

Top Tip: If you're finding it hard to fit larger items such as coats or jumpers into your already overflowing backpack, wear them onto the plane! You can always take them off if you're too warm on the plane, but at least you’ll have them with you for when you’ll really need them.

Bring a first aid kit

A travel first aid kit is essential for long-term travel

The one thing that people always forget to pack for long-term travel. Even though you were advised countless times by parents, friends and family, a first aid kit is often something that many travellers forget to include in their packing arsenal. 

This doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice precious packing space for multiple boxes of malaria tablets or reams of plasters. Bring one small zip-lock bag (more on the importance of zip-lock bags later) full of everything you may need to stay healthy on your trip.

Trust us, this may sound like an unnecessary item but when you’re travelling long-term and you get ill, you want to have any remedies immediately to hand so you can just carry on with your adventure.

Long-term travel First aid kit tips:

Take all tablets out of their boxes - If your trip requires you to bring long courses of Malaria tablets or you take regular medication that usually comes in bulky packaging, bring one set of medication instructions and one box of packaging, then take the other sets out of their packaging and dispose. This way, you will have all the necessary information with you but without the unnecessary bulk.

NEVER forget diarrhoea medication - it happens to even the best of us… and just one of these small tablets can often make the difference between the very best and the very worst bus journey of your life.

Blister plasters are gold - they will save your poor heels and feet from even the gnarliest of hikes!

Allergy Card - thankfully, this is something that neither of us has to worry about. Still, we have seen people who suffer from nut allergies or food intolerances who carry a small business card-sized piece of paper with the sentence “Hi, I am allergic to [insert allergy]” written out in multiple languages. This can be super helpful when dining at restaurants or cafés abroad. 

Pack a reusable ‘bag for life’ - preferably plastic  

If you decide to take on any of these long-term packing tips and tricks, let this be your choice!

You probably have hundreds of them lying around your house, so next time you go to pack for your upcoming trip around the sun, stuff one in and thank us later.

When travelling, particularly for longer than your average weekend break away, you will have to become a little savvy regarding organisation.

Enter… the humble, reusable plastic bag!

Handy uses of a plastic bag for the average, long-term traveller:

Use it to store wet swimwear when you don’t have time to fully dry your bathing suit before boarding your next plane!

Backpacks can quickly become disorganised vessels of chaos after a few months of being on the road - use the trusty plastic bag to separate dirty, muddy shoes from the rest of your clean clothes .

Similar to the last point - plastic bags make for great laundry bags, too. Nothing is worse than opening up your backpack after a long day of travelling and being met with the stench of dirty laundry!

Use it to store opened toiletries (this is why the plastic element is key) - never trust an opened bottle of shampoo… no matter how many times you make sure the lid is screwed on, it WILL find a way to leak all over your freshly washed clothes. 

Finally, we have no shame in using our reusable plastic bag as a not-so-chic beach bag ! If it isn’t obvious by now, the options are endless!  

Bring a Power Bank with multiple ports

Power banks will always come in handy for long-term travel

A handy tip for long-term travel packing is to ensure you, or somebody in your travelling party brings a reliable power bank.

Suppose you are anything like us and depend heavily on your phone for taking pictures, searching for cheap places to eat or storing your virtual boarding passes. In that case, you have probably experienced the stress of making that 1% of battery last as long as possible!

Having travelled for the past few years with multiple cheap power banks between us, we decided to invest in one single power bank that can charge all of our phones, iPads and more multiple times over. 

Not only will this save on precious luggage weight and space, but it will also save you many hours of waiting around in hostel dorms for all your power banks to charge. 

Best portable power banks suited to long-term travel:

Imuto Portable Charger 20000mAh (£23.99 approx) - The cheapest in our top picks, the imuto stands up beside the more well-known brands such as Anker with ease. It is the smallest in size, weighing in at 410g, making it a great option for popping into your day pack whilst out exploring. It has 2 USB ports for dual charging and comes with a handy LED flashlight, too. Its best feature, however, is its digital power display box, allowing you to always know the remaining charge left in the power bank.

Anker Power Bank, PowerCore 20100-20000mAh (£27.99 approx) - Arguably the most reliable brand in the power bank world, Anker has a plethora of options for every traveller’s needs when it comes to charging on the go. With dual USB ports and the ability to charge an iPhone 8, 6.8 times on full charge, the Power Core 20000mAh is more than sufficient. Taking approximately 12hrs to recharge fully, the power bank is also compatible with both Apple and Android formats. 

Anker Power Bank, PowerCore 26800mAh (£39.99 approx) - The most powerful and robust option in our top picks, this power bank not only boasts 3 USB ports for optimum charging but also a dual input port for double speed recharging (6.5hrs). With the ability to charge an iPhone 8 9.6 times before needing to be refuelled, you will be hard-pushed to find a more hardcore power bank. It is, however, the heaviest option, weighing in at almost 500g: a small price to pay if you want complete reliability when charging on the go.

Pull all papers in a document folder  

Important Travel Documents in one folder

Our final tip for long-term travel packing is potentially the most important - a folder containing all your vital documents.

Long-term travel might require you to have more documents with you than your average weekend getaway. Between visas for different countries, passports and vaccination certificates, to name just a few, it can become quite the minefield when asked to present one of these at the airport. 

It is also worth noting that hostels will often ask for such documents, so we recommend carrying a small folder in your day pack (instead of stuffing it into the bottom of your suitcase the second you leave the airport). 

Some ideas for what to include in your documents folder:

Passports and photocopies of passports (useful in case of loss or misplacement)

Visa documents 

Vaccination certificates (e.g. Yellow Fever Vaccine comes with a small yellow card that you must bring with you)

Booking confirmations 

Travel/Health insurance card or policy + emergency medical contact number

Emergency cash - having a stash of emergency funds somewhere other than your main wallet can come in very handy. We all hope it doesn’t happen to us, but theft and loss can utterly ruin a trip - be prepared by carrying a small amount to get you by in a worst-case scenario. 

Top tip: print a copy of your travel insurance to take with you in the event of an emergency. Our affordable travel insurance recommendations will tell you which is the best package to get.

Bonus Packing Tip - Bring at least one travel game

It cannot be denied that playing a game with strangers you have just met is the best way to bond while travelling. The only trouble is, often, people don’t take games with them because they fear they will take up too much room.

Therefore, it is important to pack the best travel games that are lightweight, compact and can be played as a couple or with friends.

Travel Games always bring travellers together

There we have it folks, our extensive round-up of all the helpful long-term travel packing tips we have accumulated over the years . If you have ever struggled to work out what you need to pack when travelling long-term, then we hope this guide has helped you out.

One of our useful tips for surviving travel as a couple , is to start as you mean to go on by packing everything properly and efficiently. If you start well, the rest of your adventure will be a breeze.

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Are you looking to go on a gap year with your partner but you’re stuck for suggestions on what to do? Well, you’ve certainly come to the right place. In this article, we are going to showcase the best things to do on a gap year as a couple.

A conclusive round-up of all the road trip tips for couples that we have learned and perfected along our countless journeys over the years.

Hiking as a couple can be an incredibly rewarding experience, allowing you to connect with nature and each other on a whole new level. Whether you're new to hiking or seasoned veterans, there's always something new to learn about hitting the trails as a pair.

An outline of the best travel games for couples - all of these games are designed to be lightweight, compact and easily playable with 2 or more players.

A review of the best gifts for couples that travel. An outline of gifts for travel couples, highlighting luxury travel gifts, practical gifts for couples that travel and fun gifts for travel couples.

We are going to introduce you to some of the best packing tips for long-term travel that we have found throughout the years. We will guide through what to pack, how to pack, and how much you need to pack for long-term travel.

How do you best navigate hostel dorms as a couple? What are the best tips and tricks for surviving in shared rooms with your partner? In this guide we outline some handy tips for surviving in hostels as a couple.

A rundown of the best travel tips for couples so you can successfully go travelling as a couple without the fear of anything going wrong in your relationship!

We are going to be introducing backpacking as a brilliant way for couples to travel together long-term. We shall introduce how to begin the process of long-term backpacking as a couple, what you will need to research, and where the best places are to go backpacking with your partner. 

Ben Lloyd is the creator, editor and one half of Ticket 4 Two Please. Our website is designed to help adventurous couples travel together on a budget around the world. We have handy destination guides from countless destinations, as well as useful seasonal job resources for summer camps and ski seasons.

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What to Pack for Long-Term Travel | Complete Packing List

Deciding what to pack for a backpacking trip can be overwhelming. If you’re in the merciless midst of writing your packing list, or are simply staring at your empty pack in despair, we’re here to help. Our packing list for long-term travel is curated by Paddy’s staff who have a range of experience exploring all different regions, landscapes, and climates. Free from the usual gimmicks, we’re listing only the things you need to bring and leaving out the stuff that is likely to linger at the bottom of your pack for the duration of your trip. It’s not a minimalist or ultralight packing list by any means, but we’re only including the useful stuff that has rightfully earned its spot in that packing cube. Whether you’re travelling for one year or one month, this comprehensive packing list will take the pain out of packing for your next backpacking trip.

Table of Contents

Quick Packing Tips

• Documents for Long-Term Travel

Best Clothes for Long-Term Travel

Best footwear for long-term travel.

• Toiletries for Long-Term Travel

Electronics for Long-Term Travel

Other essentials for long-term travel, optional extras for long-term travel.

• Complete Long-Term Travel Packing List

How many packs? A common conundrum (especially for new backpackers) is how many packs to bring. This ultimately comes down to personal preference and you can only find out through experience. Taking a large pack (around 60-70L) and a small personal items bag that you can keep close to your person at all times is the most common method. Some travellers (especially those with lots of gear or tech equipment) will take an additional daypack – but this can become a hindrance. That classic traveller getup of large pack on the back and small pack on the front is super impractical, especially when trying to navigate a busy city that you’ve just arrived in. We’d recommend a packable tote bag (like this Patagonia one )  that you can stuff in your main pack and use as your day-to-day bag instead.

What size pack should I buy? Again this is completely preference, and it also depends on what you are bringing with you. If you need to pack lots of hiking and camping gear then a large pack upwards of 70L is your best bet. Most travellers will take something around the 55-70L mark, and this is what the items included in this guide will likely fit into. If you really want to go hardcore minimalist, why not try the carry-on only one-bagging method .

Packing cubes : It’s not revolutionary, but there’s a reason everyone raves about them. Packing cubes are not just for clothes – organise absolutely everything and ensure they have a dedicated space and it will make your life so much easier when packing up in a cramped hostel dorm floor.

Practice makes perfect: Practice packing a couple of times before you set off. You’ll want to have your packing routine down to a fine art for pain-free packing wherever you are and however short on time you may be.

Documents to Bring for Long-Term Travel

Let’s get the boring bit out of the way first. It’s handy to keep all of your important documents together and easily accessible using a document wallet or travel organiser . 

You’ll obviously need your passport , and visa for each country you are visiting. Take another form of ID including your drivers licence and International Driving Permits for the countries you are visiting (if you plan to drive there).

Spare passport photos are very useful to have on hand, especially if you are applying for visa extensions, and having printed out documentation of your travel insurance can be useful in case something goes awry. In many developing countries, cash is the preferred or only payment method. 

To save on higher airport card transaction fees, make sure to take a small amount of local currency for each destination (around $100 of each currency), in addition to an international bank card.

Make sure that you read up on your country’s vaccination requirements well in advance so that you have time to get the necessary vaccines, and bring proof of vaccination with you.

We’d recommend taking the same amount of clothes as you would for a two week vacation. You can wash your clothes at a laundrette pretty much anywhere in the world, often for a very cheap price, and it’s likely that you will end up rotating the same staple items on repeat anyway. Make sure you love wearing everything that you pack, and you’ll be all set. We’ve detailed some top tips and the clothing items that our team of travellers have found most useful on their own travels.

Clothing packing tips

Take less than you need:  You are almost guaranteed to pick up an item here or there at the local market, wherever you are headed.

Everything must match:  The number one tip for clothing: every item has to go with everything else. That way, if you take 7 tops and 4 bottoms, then you’ll end up with 28 different outfits – that’s enough for a different outfit every day for a month.

Layer for cool climates:  Clothing is the one packing element that is most likely to vary significantly depending on climate. It’s much easier to pack light for warmer climates, but if you know you’ll be experiencing a range of temps then layering pieces are key. Think garments that are lightweight but provide significant warmth when combined together. This means that you will be able to wear your items in a range of conditions, from humid seaside cities to high altitudes in the mountains. If this sounds like the kind of trip you are planning, make sure to pack at least one long sleeve breathable baselayer ( merino is best for odour resistance and warmth-to-weight) and a pair of long bottoms (such as leggings or lightweight hiking pants). If you’re heading to very cold countries or high altitude zones, a packable insulated jacket that can compress down easily is definitely worth packing. Check out the Nano Puff Hoodie from Patagonia for men and women for a super lightweight option that packs down into its own pocket.

Limit “nice” clothes : This depends on your destination and what you have planned, however, for most backpacking trips, 1 or 2 “nicer” tops or shirts that you can wear with your everyday shorts (and maybe a dress for ladies) should suffice.

Our top travel clothing items

UPF rated clothing : When you’re travelling, you are going to be outside a lot more than usual. It’s likely that at least some of your destinations will be hot and sunny, and it’s important that you keep your skin as protected as possible. If you’re on the hunt for some sun protective gear, check out Australian-owned Solbari . They’re on a mission to protect our skin from harmful UV rays with a range of sun hats, clothing and accessories.

Lightweight button-down shirt : This  is the kind of piece that will rarely stay in your pack. Super versatile and useful, you can throw on a button down to cover your shoulders at religious sites or as a cover-up at the beach. Check out the Mont Lifestyle Vented LS Shirt for men and women .

Travel pants : Think long and floaty “traveller” style pants. There’s a reason everyone wears them, and it’s not just to look the part. They’re perfect for more conservative cultures, for wearing in the evenings, and for travelling in.

Hoodie or a fleece – Even if you’re only going to hot countries, a comfy layer will always come in handy. You’ll be thankful for a cosy fleece or hoodie at the top of an airy sunrise hike, or when the AC is coming through full-blast on an overnight train.

Lightweight packable waterproof jacket – Wherever you’re going, be it monsoon-season in India, tropical Latin America, or even London in the summer, a rain jacket will never go amiss. There are plenty of lightweight packable jackets on the market that will take up next to no space in your pack and will come in handy more than you can anticipate. Shop our range for men and women .

Lightweight insulated jacket: For colder climates, instead of bringing a heavy parka opt for lightweight and packable insulated jacket. A down jacket is a great option in colder climates as it is warm and won’t take up much room in your pack.

Sun protection: A good protective sunhat or cap and sunglasses are absolute travelling essentials to keep your face, head and eyes protected..

Long skirt : This one is ladies specific, but nothing beats a lightweight long skirt. It’s useful for so many occasions, it’s conservative, and it can be worn from day to night.

Sarong: Another take-it-everywhere item. Sarongs can be used to cover your knees or shoulders at religious sites, as a cover-up or towel on the beach, as a blanket and even a towel – the possibilities are endless. This one can wait until you get there, you’re guaranteed to pick up a beautifully designed sarong for a bargain at the local market. 

Swimwear : Take less swimwear than you think you’ll need as you will probably resort to wearing your favourite every time anyway. 2-3 pieces of swimwear is more than enough for any length of travel.

Sleepwear : Don’t waste valuable space with sleepwear – take one oversized shirt ro sleep in (you can make it work, we promise).

Skip to our full clothing packing list.

Let’s face it, footwear takes up space! We’d recommend taking three pairs of shoes as an absolute maximum, but try to stick to two if you can (you will end up wearing the same ones all the time anyway). Check out our top tips for footwear below.

Essential footwear: 1 pair of sandals and 1 pair of sneakers/trail runners will cover pretty much all bases when travelling in most climates and destinations. If you’re going super minimalist, you can definitely get by with one pair (depending on your destination). Thongs can be a good optional addition for wearing in communal showers and take up minimal space.

Water shoes: One pair of shoes should be suitable for wearing in water. If you can’t live without your birkenstocks, make sure that your runners are breathable enough to wear in water and dry out quickly. You might prefer to prioritise a sandal that can be worn in the water like Tevas – they’ll certainly dry out much quicker than runners.

“Nicer” shoes: You may be tempted to pack a “nicer” pair of shoes such as sandals or sneakers, but for the few times you will wear them it’s probably not worth the space trade-off.

Socks: If you’re exploring warm climates, you’ll probably use socks way less than you expect since you will likely live in sandals. Opt for merino socks if you can because you can wear them more than once without washing, and can therefore take less pairs. I’d recommend 2-3 pairs of merino socks.

Shower caps: This is more of a hygiene tip – no matter where you’re exploring, your shoes will get very dirty. Wrap shower caps around them so that you can shove them in your pack without soiling the rest of your belongings.

Skip to our full footwear packing list.

What toiletries should I pack for long-term travel?

Toiletries are a tricky one when travelling long-term, and you may have to come to terms with the fact that you are not going to find the exact brand of shampoo that you always use when you’re halfway across the world.  The idea is to strip it back to basics and only take items that are strictly necessary for health and hygiene purposes – do you really need that can of hairspray or fancy cologne?

Refillable bottles: A good space-saving and money-saving tactic is to bring mini refillable bottles for shampoo and shower gel and then top them up as you go. Most accommodation options (even hostels) will offer basic shower gel and shampoo. This hack saves you carrying around full size bottles and also means you don’t need to buy shower gel or shampoo during your travels. 

Bars over liquid: You could also try using bars of shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel – they will take up less space, last a lot longer, and won’t count towards your liquid allowance if you are planning to travel hand-luggage only. 

Ziplock bags: We’d recommend that when packing your liquid toiletries, replace the fancy washbag with ziplock bags – if they leak then you don’t have to worry about it ruining any of your other belongings.

Basic medical kit: In terms of medical supplies, you can buy pretty much anything you need over the counter in most developing countries. However, we’d recommend always packing a small medical kit in case of emergencies.

Skip to our full toiletries packing list.

We’d advise being as minimal as you can with electronics as they take up so much room. Everyone will have their own preferences and needs. If you’re a photographer, your camera equipment will be a priority that you will need to account for, or if you work remotely then you simply can’t travel without your laptop. Our basic electronics for long-term travel are:

Adapters: If you’re travelling to lots of different countries, universal chargers or chargers that have different plug options are also a great choice to save you bringing lots of separate adapters, like this Korjo one . Make sure that you check the voltage outlets at your destination and the voltage input on your devices, and purchase a voltage converter if necessary.

Chargers: Multi-USB chargers will help to save space by allowing you to plug everything into one.

Powerbank: You’ll probably need to recharge more often than you think, especially when you’ve spent all day snapping photos and using google maps to navigate. It’s especially useful if you’re heading on a remote hike with limited access to electricity (or on transit days when you’ve fallen down a Netflix rabbit hole). Opt for a compact one like this Biolite option.

Earphones/Headphones : Earphones are a more compact option if you want to save space, but headphones can be great for cancelling out noise if you’re trying to catch some sleep on a bus or in a loud hostel.

Kindle/E-books : If you are a reader this is a must. Kindles are lightweight and compact and will save you lugging around physical books. You can opt for trading books in hostels, but the selection is often slim (there’s only so many times you can read Eat, Pray, Love).

Small lightweight speaker : An essential simply for the *vibes* – a speaker comes in handy at the most unexpected of times.

Skip to our full electronics packing list.

Not everything fits into a neat category, so here are the other backpacking essentials that we think are necessary for any long-term trip.

For all of the small bits that don’t fit into any of the above categories, behold the ‘bits bag’ (basically a packing cube filled with the travel equivalent of that kitchen drawer). You decide what goes in there, but we’d suggest:

• Padlocks – Both for your bags and for hostel lockers. Go for the ones with the long thin and flexible loop .
• Bungee cords – Great for securing your luggage on shaky tuk tuk rides or strapping things to the back of a scooter.
• Carabiners – The possibilities are endless with carabiners: attach dirty shoes to the outside of your pack, hang a headtorch from the roof when the power goes out, or secure your bag to your chair whilst eating in busy places.
• Headtorch – great for sunrise hikes, late night arrivals, and camping trips.
• Eye mask and ear plugs – Get a better sleep on night busses and in hostels.
• Sim card pin – If you are heading to multiple destinations you’ll change your sim card often.
• Masks – Always useful in case you don’t know country’s restrictions.
• Playing cards – You never know when you might fancy a game of rummy.

Travel towel : many hostels will not provide towels and it’s good to have one handy for the beach. Try this antibacterial one to help it stay fresher for longer between washes.

Tote bag : A packable tote bag is great for everything from food shopping to laundry trips. Try this one from Patagonia for a super practical option that can be carried as a tote or a backpack.

Waist pack or small items bag : Rule number 1 of travel is to keep your important belongings (passport, money, keys) on your person at all times, and a waist pack is the perfect solution for this (just make sure to pick one that you won’t mind wearing every single day).

Water bottle : Many packing guides will tell you to bring a filter water bottle, but for urban travel this often isn’t necessary because drinking water is readily available in tourist accommodations around the world. A regular water bottle would definitely suffice in most urban environments –  we love Nalgene . If you’re heading off-grid to more remote locations, then we would definitely recommend a filter bottle. For global travel, a sturdy bottle like the Grayl Ultrapress Purifier is ideal. You can fill it up from any water source including natural sources like streams, and taps where drinking water is unsafe.

Decent sized dry bag : Essential if you’re heading on boat trips because your stuff will almost definitely get wet. I’d recommend a 15L drybag to fit your day’s essentials.

Everybody’s style of travel is different – from the person who packs one pair of shoes for six months, to those of us who like to be prepared for every eventuality. If you sway towards the latter category, then the below list is for you. It includes nice-to-haves that will make your travel experience a bit more comfortable and memorable.

Neck pillow : It’s cumbersome to lug around but is so useful for making those journeys more comfortable and giving you the chance to catch some 40 winks. This one from Cabeau is pretty handy because it folds down to half its size. Another great option is the Sea to Summit inflatable pillow .

Flat packed mirror : A compact mirror can be very useful especially in crowded hostels or those with minimal facilities.

Mask & snorkel:  A luxury item, but if you’re travelling to tropical destinations then bringing your own snorkel is priceless. Having the freedom to dive into the ocean and see what’s lurking beneath the surface whenever you feel like it is the ultimate travel win.

Multi-tool : Multi-tools can come in handy for anything from opening a cold beer to fixing a zipper.

Spork: If you grab something for dinner to find there’s no cutlery, or you’re planning to do a lot of hiking where you might have to cook your own food – a spork will always come in handy and takes up very little space.

Laundry wash and clothes line : Given the availability of laundromats anywhere in the world, this is far from essential, but clothes wash can come in handy if you have a small load of washing to do or you’re heading off grid. Try this handy Sea to Summit Pocket Laundry Wash and Clothes Line .

Travel Journal: If you can fit a small one in your hand luggage, journalling is a productive way to kill half an hour on transit days and is such a sentimental souvenir to remember your trip by.

Film camera : Another great way to record memories of a trip is to take a reusable film camera – the feeling when looking at pictures and moments you’d forgotten all about is second-to-none.

Complete Long-Term Travel Packing List: Backpacking Checklist

• Cash ($100 local currency)
• International bank card
• Drivers License and International Driving Permit
• Spare passport photos
• Travel insurance
• Vaccination certificates
• Prescriptions
• 2x short-sleeve t-shirts
• 3x sleeveless tops/vests
• 1x long-sleeve shirt/baselayer
• 1x nice top
• 1x travel pants
• 1x long bottom layer
• 1x hoodie/fleece
• Lightweight packable waterproof jacket
• 2x swimwear
• 1x button up shirt/cover up
• 7x underwear
• 1x pyjama shirt
• 1x lightweight dress or long skirt (ladies specific)
• 3x bras (2x regular and 1x sports bra) (ladies specific)
• Optional: Packable insulated jacket
• 1x trail runners
• Optional: 1x nice shoes
• Optional: 1x thongs
• Conditioner
• Toothbrush holder
• Roll-on deodorant
• SPF lip balm/chapstick
• Mosquito repellent
• Antibacterial wipes
• Hand sanitiser
• Nail clippers
• Reusable razor with spare heads
• Optional: moisturiser
• Optional: dry shampoo

Ladies-specific toiletries:

• Menstrual cup
• Hair grips/claw clip
• Minimal makeup
• Reusable makeup remover pads

Medical supplies:

• Basic first aid kit (plasters, bandages etc.)
• Painkillers
• Oral rehydration sachets
• Antihistamines

Electronics

• 2x Adapters
• Earphones/Headphones
• Kindle/E-books
• Small lightweight speaker
• Optional: Camera
• Optional: Laptop
• Bungee cords
• Eye mask and ear plugs
• Sim card pin
• Playing cards
• Travel towel
• Waist pack or small items bag
• Water bottle
• Decent sized dry bag
• Optional: Neck pillow
• Optional: Flat-packed mirror
• Optional: Mask & snorkel
• Optional: Multi-tool
• Optional: Spork
• Optional: Laundry wash
• Optional: Clothes line
• Optional: Travel journal
• Optional: Film camera

Did this list help you decide what to pack for your next backpacking trip? Let us know over on Instagram @paddypallin, and make sure to tag us using your favourite gear on your travelling adventures.

Shop our full range of travel gear here .

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The Best Long-Term Travel Packing List For A RTW Trip

By: Author Lotte

Posted on Last updated: February 20, 2023

Categories Packing lists and travel products

Are you planning an extended trip around the world but don't know what to pack? Traveling for an extended period of time can be both exciting and overwhelming.

There is so much to prepare and plan for and packing can be a daunting task. But with the right long-term travel packing list, you can keep it simple and stress-free.

After living out of a backpack for almost two years I felt it was about time I wrote a detailed post about how to pack for long-term travel.

This long term travel packing list has been tried and tested by me, I've painstakingly considered every item, packed, unpacked, and most importantly: I've carried everything on my back for months!

So rest assured, this isn't just a run-of-the-mill standard packing list. It's the list I have used personally, and still use, when packing for a long trip.

Long-term travel packing list

Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). We're very grateful when you use our links to make a purchase:-).

How to pack for long-term travel?

Before going on my five-month trip to New Zealand and Southeast Asia , I spent a lot of time planning what to take with me and what to leave at home.

Browsing through packing list after packing list, one theme kept coming back:

DON’T PACK TOO MUCH!

I took that advice to heart and after much consideration came to my final packing list. With all the items I mention below packed into my bags, my backpack weighs around 10kg, and my day pack is approximately 5kg.

Since that trip, I've fine-tuned my list and packing skills, especially after my trip to Hokkaido , Japan Hokkaido is the northernmost island of Japan and I almost froze during the first night in our little tent.

Most important takeaway: bring enough cold-weather clothes!

My trip to Ireland was the opposite: I fully expected wind, rain, and cold but instead, we got five days of sunshine. Great news of course, but I forgot to pack a t-shirt and a thin lightweight jacket.

Bottom line: bring versatile items and lots of layers.

For our yearlong world trip, versatility was the main theme. I left the Netherlands in January and traveled through very different climates.

From the tropical heat of Sri Lanka to the freezing temperatures of Nepal , the dry heat of Oman to the monsoon season in Taiwan , and from the humidity of Malaysia to the (cold) summer evenings in Canada and the United States.

And I'm proud to say I've managed perfectly with the items I carried in my backpack(s)!

Plan your trip like a pro with these tools: ✈️ Find the best flight deals on Kiwi.com . ? Get the best car rental deal for your road trip on Rentalcars.com . ?️ Find your dream accommodation on Booking.com or Agoda . ? Book the best tours via Get Your Guide , Viator or Klook . ? Plan your journey with the  Lonely Planet . ?️ Travel safely and get reliable travel insurance from Safety Wing .

The ultimate packing list for a long-term trip

Bags and stuff.

Choosing the best travel backpack that fits you and your travel needs is very important as you'll be carrying it pretty much every day.

I tried out several backpacks in an outdoor store, stuffing them with heavy shop inventory and carrying it around the store.

My Deuter backpack definitely was the right backpack for me. It was by far the most comfortable one I tried.

Because it follows the arch of my back and the straps fit snugly around my hips, I carry most of the weight on my hips and not on my shoulders.

I have been traveling with this bag for years and  hiked the Everest Base Camp track  with it so trust me, it’s thoroughly tested!

I highly recommend using a flight bag because it helps to prevent damage to your backpack. All the loose straps of your backpack can easily get caught on a luggage belt, the rail of a jeepney, etc.

Zipping your backpack in a flight bag streamlines and protects your bag and keeps it clean when it’s shoved on the roof of yet another local bus.

While my backpack  is still in good shape, I had to replace my flight bag  (granted,  I traveled a lot  in the last couple of years).

I use my daypack pretty much every day (even at home in the Netherlands) because I LOVE IT. I used this bag for the three-day hike through the Banaue rice terraces and for many weekend trips.

It's big enough to fit clothes for a long weekend and has convenient pockets on both sides. For me, it is the perfect bag!

Make sure you also have a waterproof cover for your daypack, essential for hiking!

Packing cubes

I like being organized which means packing cubes are a must-have for me. I use one cube for tops, one for bottoms, and another one for underwear, socks, and miscellaneous clothing items.

These packing cubes are very similar to the ones I have (I bought mine at Decathlon in the Netherlands).

TSA travel lock

I put a small lock through the zippers of my flight bag. I know this won’t stop people from slashing through my flight bag and backpack with a knife if they really want to, but at least it puts up a bit of a barrier.

The most important thing about the clothes I bring on a long-term trip? It doesn't matter in which combination I wear them, they all more or less match.

I only carry a very limited selection of clothes, as you can tell from the pictures on the blog (I'm always wearing the same thing).

Thin lightweight jacket

I always bring a lightweight and windproof jacket on my travels. Combined with a hoodie or a fleece sweater it’s perfect for countries like Japan, New Zealand, and European countries where evenings can be quite cold, even in summer.

It also protects against light rain but for heavy downpours, you really need a proper raincoat.

While I also own a down jacket  it's still nice to have a thin windproof jacket to wear over the down jacket in really cold weather.

Plus, in tropical climates, you won't need a down jacket, but it might still be nice to have a thin jacket for the evenings.

Waterproof rain jacket

This is an item you hope to use as little as possible, but that doesn't mean it's an item to skimp on… Because there is nothing worse than a raincoat that's not quite waterproof when you need it the most.

Get a proper one and let's hope you don't need to unpack it;-)

Zipper hoodie or fleece sweater 

With pain in my heart, I threw out my favorite hoodie a couple of weeks ago, it was completely worn out. I bought a fleece sweater in Nepal and one warm vest/sweater is enough…

Merino long-sleeve shirt

A merino long sleeve shirt is perfect as an extra layer, against mosquitoes or to cover up in more conservative areas!

Merino hiking shirt

Merino clothes are not cheap but in my opinion, they are worth every penny. I always wear my merino shirt when we go on long hikes, it keeps me warm and dry throughout the day.

2 short-sleeved t-shirts 

Make sure the shirts you bring are made from breathable fabric and dry quickly. Also, don't take shirts that damage easily!

You just never know what your shirts will look like after a wash in an old and battered machine in Asia…

3 tank tops and 1 strap top

Keep in mind these are not suitable for all countries, modesty is key in many Asian countries. I personally only use my strap top as a base layer in colder climates.

(Infinity) dress

I made a very versatile infinity dress, check this site for instructions.

2 pairs of shorts 

For warm climates, plus, I also like to wear shorts when I am hiking.

I carry one long skirt (ankle-length) and one shorter skirt (knee-length)

1 pair of hippie pants or other loose-fitting pants

Thin, quick to dry, and comfortable for long (bus) journeys. Not too fashionable though…

1 pair of quality hiking pants

I’ve had my hiking pants for years and they are in great condition. I personally don’t like the zip-off versions because the zippers tend to irritate my skin.

1 pair of skinny jeans

A pair of (skinny) jeans is perfect for moderate climates (like New Zealand , Canada , or Japan ). I don't usually wear them in Southeast Asia though as it's generally too hot!

Sturdy hiking boots

If you plan on doing lots of hikes, be sure to pack good boots. Break them in at home (not on the trip!) to avoid blisters.

I recommend sturdy B-grade hiking shoes, such as the Lowa Women's Renegade GTX . B-grade hiking boots provide more support for demanding terrain and (multi)day hikes.

Teva Tirra 

I wear my Teva's all the time , they may not be very fashionable but they are so comfy and give proper foot support.

After an unsuccessful attempt by a local shoemaker in Sri Lanka to revive my first pair of Teva's (after 3 years of intensive use, they were falling apart), I've bought a fresh pair.

In a different color, just to mix it up a little;-).

Havaianas flip-flops

I always bring a pair of flip flops . Convenient for beach days, to wear in dodgy showers, and for casual strolls.

Other clothing items

• Bikini or bathing suit
• 2 bras ⇒  preferably with adjustable straps (and a skin-colored one).
• 3 pairs of hiking socks  ⇒  not just for hiking, great protection against mosquitoes and sand-flies
• Underwear ⇒ I bring enough for a week.
• Thermal underwear (top and bottom) ⇒  the cold-weather clothes I was talking about earlier, since Hokkaido , I always take my thermal underwear with me.

Make sure to get a nice pair of sunglasses and check if they're polarized!

Wide rimmed hat

Especially in tropical countries, wearing a hat is essential . You need proper protection from the sun!

Scarf 

I cannot recommend bringing a scarf enough ! When I'm traveling, I use mine every day.

Either to cover up in temples or to keep me warm in an air-conditioned van or shopping mall, to put over my head on a night train where the lights stayed on all night and on plenty of other occasions.

Clean and Care

Don't worry about bringing everything from home, there are shops in foreign countries too!

• Monthly/daily contacts ⇒  despite what I just said above, this is an item you may want to consider bringing from home, at least a couple of months' worth. Quality contacts may not be available everywhere and it can be challenging to have anything delivered without a fixed address. That's why I sometimes stay at an Airbnb and ask if it's okay to receive a pack of new contacts delivered during our stay.
• Glasses ⇒ I don't know about you, but I prefer to wear glasses in the evening and on long travel days. Especially during flights, my eyes get so dry when I'm wearing contacts, I much rather wear my glasses!
• Dental care items ⇒ toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
• Solid shampoo bar ⇒  takes up less space than a bottle of shampoo, plus mine usually lasts about 4 months!
• Large microfiber towel + small microfiber towel  ⇒ get quality ones, I bought a cheap one at first but that one took forever to dry. I use the large towel for showers and the beach, the small one is for my long hair which takes forever to dry.
• MascaraMake-up remover
• Nail clipper
• Body lotion and lip balm

Care (and f irst aid kit )

• Anti-malaria tablets ⇒ I don't take these pills as prevention but do carry 12 pills to use as a cure in case I need them.
• Sunscreen lotion
• Hand sanitizer
• Painkillers
• Antibiotics
• Motion sickness pills
• Re-hydration sachets
• Plasters/Band-Aids (including a couple for treating burns)
• Betadine antiseptic
• Any specific items you need (medication, etc.)

Electronics

I carry quite a lot of electronic devices with me, the consequence of having a travel blog I suppose.

Travel adapter  

This is a crucial item, especially if you travel with many electronic devices! Carry your travel adapter in your hand luggage so you can use it at airports etc.

I currently own an iPhone XS  and I absolutely love the quality of the pictures! I especially love the portrait mode, for making beautiful closeups of our kids and my husband.

GoPro Camera

I love to be able to shoot underwater movies and images with our GoPro . Though truthfully it's mostly my husband who does our underwater filming.

E-reader 

I love to read but I don't want to lug around a lot of weight. That's why an e-reader is perfect !

You can store a virtually unlimited amount of books, it doesn't weigh anything and has a very long battery life. Also, I like the screen, it almost makes me feel like I am reading a regular book.

After years of traveling with just my phone, I invested in an affordable DSLR camera . I wanted to be able to take pictures of wildlife, and the Milky Way and improve my photography skills in general.

I invested in a kit including a telephoto lens  and some other gadgets (UV filter, tripod, etc.) too, and super excited to learn how to take better pictures.

As a travel blogger, I need a light, durable laptop with a good battery. This laptop ticked all the boxes and has helped me run the blog smoothly for years, both at home as well as on the road.

Lonely Planet 

I love these guides! Usually, the first thing I do when planning a trip somewhere is to buy myself a Lonely Planet …

I find their sample itineraries perfect for inspiration and love the detailed information about things to see and do.

Essential documents

• Passport ⇒  made sure to check the expiration date of your passport! Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least another six months.
• Debit cards ⇒  look into which bank is best for you, overseas transaction fees add up if you are on the road for a long time! I recommend having 2 cards from different banks, so if one doesn't work in a particular country, you've got another one.
• Credit card ⇒  essential for booking flights. As with debit cards, it can be smart to apply for 2 credit cards, just for peace of mind and to make sure you don't run into any issues (eg. your card is maxed out but you need to book a flight).
• Yellow book ⇒  medical passport. So far, I only needed this when I crossed the land border between Vietnam to Cambodia .
• Emergency contact details and copies of insurance documents ⇒ these are the things you hope never to use but MUST have.
• Printed tickets/hotel reservations/other important documents ⇒ nowadays most companies accept reservations on your phone, but some (old-fashioned) ones may still require a printed version.
• Passport photos ⇒  for many visas (on arrival) you need passport photos, so make sure you have a couple with you!

For sleeping

Travel pillow .

I love my travel pillow because I can mold it into any shape I like. I always make sure to carry this in my hand luggage and use it on planes, buses, trains, etc.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Mattress 

A Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Mattress  isn't a cheap item but I am very happy we invested in these. A mattress weighs just 540 grams and packs up into a 22 x 12 x 12 cm roll. Most importantly: it's very comfortable!

I used my Therm-a-Rest in Japan , Oman and even in an Airbnb in Taiwan with the worst bed ever.

Travel sheet

A travel sheet is like a lightweight cotton sleeping bag and is perfect for dodgy hostels/night buses/night trains/night boats/etc. It packs very small and weighs next to nothing.

Ear plugs and eye mask

Ear plugs and a sleep mask help me sleep in all sorts of night transportation. Though nowadays it's mostly my kids keeping me up so I barely use there anymore…

Miscellaneous items

• Lifestraw Water Filter Bottle ⇒ avoid having to buy plastic water bottles everywhere and bring your own. I use my Lifestraw water bottle every single day when I'm traveling. It filters out 99,99% of the bacteria!
• Small wallet and bra wallet ⇒  I did not have a money belt but split my cards and cash between a small wallet and a tiny wallet attached to my bra.
• Sewing set ⇒  to repair my clothes. Though maybe I should just buy new ones every once in a while…
• Ziplock bags
• A small piece of rope and duct tape

How to pack for long-term travel: in conclusion

So that's everything I bring on my trip and I can safely say I used every item on the list! It seems like a very long list and a lot of stuff, but when I pack everything it fits easily in my bags…

The two most important things? Bring versatile items and  invest in proper travel gear .

Yes, that may cost a little more but good-quality items last longer. Also, there is nothing more annoying than stuff that breaks (always at the wrong moment) or items that just aren't good enough (like my first travel towel or a not-so-waterproof raincoat).

Like this packing list? Download it now!

This post was updated in February 2023.

Saturday 21st of October 2017

Great list! I'm glad we could leave the camping gear behind on our family's year-long trip - it's enough carrying clothing for four people!

Thank you Melissa! I already have enough in my bag and I only carry my own stuff, can't imagine how difficult it must be to pack for 4 people! The only camping item I do carry is my air mattress because it's so light and small and enables me to sleep everywhere. Enjoy your year-long trip with your family, what an adventure! Where will you be going?

Monday 31st of July 2017

Great tips - sometimes its tricker than one would think packing the perfect items keeping in mind all the different types of situations that could arise! Check out my packing checklist ideas too!

Tuesday 1st of August 2017

Thanks Mark! Yes it's a balance between not wanting to pack everything but still packing all the items you need:-)

Wednesday 8th of March 2017

Hi Lotte! Thank you for these recommendation! Tiny question: since your pictures are really well done, I am guessing you have a camera? Did you go with a point and shoot, or a (heavy) hybrid or DSLR? (or maybe it is just your phone?) I am considering buying a camera for my future trips (including places where you may not want to carry a big, bulky and attractive camera), so I am looking at all options... Thank you so much for your insights! Ange

Hi Ange, thank you for your kind comment and I am so happy to hear you like my photos! Actually, I only have my iPhone 6s... I am also still trying to determine which camera to buy. I mostly photograph landscapes, which is fine with my iPhone. But for sunrise/sunset/indoor and wildlife photography I also need a better camera. A friend of mine recommended the Canon G7X but I have no personal experience with this one so I don't know if it would suit your purpose. Sorry I can't be of more help! Best wishes and happy travels, Lotte

Friday 4th of November 2016

Great post. It looks like so much when it's all written down, doesn't it?!

I know! I am always amazed when I pack everything into my bags and have room to spare, it seems like such a long list;-)

How to choose the Best Travel Backpack

For the past 8 years, my backpack has literally been my home. It’s been my most trust-worthy travel companion and it took me a long time to find the ‘right one’. It’s like finding the right boyfriend: it needs to support you, fit with your body and carry more than just your groceries…

I started my journey in 2011 with the backpack my mum used for her travels in the ’90s. I can’t remember what brand it was but it was a brilliant and sturdy backpack. It had lasted for more than 20 years and seen more of the world than most people.

But 4 years ago it gave its final breath. Some of the zippers were broken and the fabric started ripping in a way my thread and needle couldn’t fix anymore.

I was sad. This backpack had so much emotional value but it was time to replace it. Up until then, I didn’t realize how much of a big deal picking the right backpack was.

I had to choose carefully as I needed a travel backpack that was durable, long-lasting and able to withstand the weather. It had to contain and protect everything I owned.

I wish I could say I chose the right backpack back then but I didn’t. I mean, it was a comfortable one to carry during my long treks in the mountains and it survived 3 long years of hitchhiking from Ireland to Central Asia.

Although the backpack had many good qualities, I often felt like a turtle because of its shape. It also wasn’t very practical as it didn’t have many compartments. And I had to find out the hard way that this backpack wasn’t so weather-resistant after all…

Me and my ‘turtle’ backpack in Georgia, 2017.

But now, finally, I have found my right one! And I also finally figured out what is important and what to look for when choosing a backpack for (long-term) traveling.

So hopefully this post will also help you choose the right one (a backpack that is, a significant other is more complicated…).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Why you should travel with a backpack instead of a suitcase or trolley bag

To be honest with you, I really don’t like suitcases or trolley bags. I’ve only used it once, on a city trip to Barcelona.

I thought the trolley bag would be practical to travel with it in a city like Barcelona. But already one hour into my city trip I struggled with it.

One of the little wheels broke right when I was crossing a big street, the bag fell open and its contents were spread all over the place. It was the first and last time I ever used a trolley bag.

So why do I suggest a backpack for long-term journeys? I find it much more convenient to carry a backpack on my shoulders. If you pack it right, it shouldn’t be too heavy.

A backpack is more versatile, easier to carry across cobblestone streets, uneven terrain or up a flight of stairs.

It’s also so much easier to pack it into tight spaces (like the trunk of a car when hitchhiking or shoving it between seats while taking a train) and it can handle being thrown around and piled on top of a bus or car roof.

Some people like to buy a backpack with wheels but the material is hard and if you end up in situations where you have to carry it, it won’t be so comfortable.

2. What to look for in a good travel backpack

Durable, light and water-resistant fabric.

One of the most important factors that will determine whether or not you have chosen a good backpack is the fabric.

It needs to be durable and strong so it can withstand abrasion and doesn’t rip after one month of (rough) backpacking. Ideally, the fabric should be thin enough so it’s not overly heavy but thick enough to ensure durability. Nylon is one of the best materials for backpacks.

While nylon isn’t fully waterproof, it will keep the contents of the backpack dry during a drizzle. You should be able to pour a glass of water over your backpack without the inside getting wet.

I also find it very practical if the backpack comes with a built-in rain cover. I’ve often been surprised by a heavy thunderstorm and it’s very convenient if you have a good rain cover for your bag.

Strong and sturdy zippers

One of the most frustrating things that can happen while you’re traveling is ending up with broken zippers on your backpack.

While you can still fix a rip in the fabric with needle and thread, there’s not much you can do when one of your zippers break. This happened to my previous backpack.

One of the zippers of the upper compartment must have broken when my backpack was put in the cargo of an airplane. Good thing that the baggage handler put everything nicely in another pocket!

YKK zippers are some of the best zippers around. They’re super strong and have different sizes depending on the area of the pack they’re used.

Some people also look for zippers that you can overlap and lock together with a padlock . While I don’t really use this, some people find it reassuring knowing that they can lock up their bag if they have to leave it unattended in a hostel room.

Multiple compartments

I love to keep my things organized and store them into smaller sections in my backpack. Having multiple compartments makes it easier to find my belongings back.

The main part of my backpack has two compartments: I usually put my sleeping bag and a warm sweater in the lower part and my clothes in the upper one.

Things I need quickly, like my rain jacket, hat and camping cutleries, go into the top compartment. My sandals go into one of the separate side compartments, and my towel and toiletries in the other.

If your backpack doesn’t have multiple compartments, you can always buy some additional packing cubes .

Front-loading

When I first started traveling, I barely saw any front-loading backpacks. Most bags were top-loading, meaning that they were only open at the top.

I didn’t use to care about this. I was used to having to unpack everything in my backpack if I needed something I had stored at the bottom of it.

Nowadays I have a front-loading backpack, meaning that I can open the front of the bag like a suitcase and easily have access to everything in my bag.

It definitely saves a lot of time and frustration now that I don’t have to unpack all my gear to reach for that T-shirt I had packed at the bottom of my backpack…

Padded hip belt and shoulder straps

Don’t overlook the importance of the hip belt and shoulder straps.

If you have a good backpack, most of the weight will be sitting on your hip. Check if the hip belt is padded, which will make it much more comfortable to carry the weight.

The hip belt should also be adjustable so you can tighten it for extra support.

The same counts for the shoulder straps. You really don’t want the straps cutting in your shoulders while you’re walking with your backpack.

Ideally, the shoulder straps should be wide and padded so they put a lot less pressure on your shoulders.

I also want my backpack to have a chest strap as it helps with the distribution of the weight, taking extra pressure from my shoulders.

Don’t buy a backpack with a flat back panel. Look for one with a curved frame instead as it helps to distribute the weight more evenly and keeps your spine in a more natural arch.

It’s hard to avoid a sweaty back when you’re hiking on a sunny day but a well-designed back panel creates a small space between your back and the bag so air can move through, which will cool you down a bit.

3. What size of backpack do you need?

There’s honestly not much difference between packing for a 10-day trip or packing for a one-year backpacking trip around the world.

Try to pack as light as possible and go minimalistic. You really don’t need 5 pairs of pants,15 T-shirts and 3 pairs of shoes! Keep in mind that you have to carry everything you pack.

More than once I left clothes and other stuff behind that I barely used. I was just tired of carrying things that I actually didn’t need. Every gram counts!

What will make a difference in the size of the backpack you should choose is if you’re planning on doing some camping during your journey. Camping gear like a small one-person tent , sleeping bag , and sleeping mattress will take up some extra space and weight.

I’d say that if you’re going on a long-term backpacking trip and you’re mainly staying at hostels, a 50 – 65L pack will be a perfect size.

If you’re planning on taking camping gear with you, go for a 65-75L backpack .

I’ve been traveling full-time for 8 years now and I often go camping. All in all my backpack has an average weight of around 15 kg.

I used to travel with a 65L backpack but because of my camping gear, this bag was often stuffed to the brim.

Now I have an 80L backpack with a 10L expander. I love the extra space in my bag in case I need to travel with extra food.

4. How much money should a good travel backpack cost?

I know that it’s tempting to pick a backpack that costs less than €100. But remember, what you pay is what you get.

The cheaper the backpack is, the less quality you’ll have. I understand that if you don’t have a big budget, you don’t want to spend too much money. I’ve made this mistake before.

Know that a cheap backpack isn’t made out of the most durable fabric. It will fall apart rather sooner than later.

You’ll end up buying a new one and you’ll spend more money than if you’d have gotten a quality backpack straight from the beginning.

This doesn’t mean that you have to go for the most expensive models. You can already find a very decent 65L backpack between €100 and €200.

Brands like Fjällräven, the North Face, Osprey , and Campz offer quality backpacks within this price range.

5. How do you know if you chose the right travel backpack for long-term travel?

It’s sometimes hard to know in advance if you made the right choice. You never know if it fits until you try it, right? Especially if you buy your backpack online.

My suggestion is that you first go into a shop and see what options you have. Feel the different fabrics, have a look at the styles and try on different sizes. Feel what is most comfortable for you.

If you find a model you like, ask the shop about its return policy. It’s important that you also try the backpack on with all your gear in it to see if you chose the right size and if it still feels comfortable.

If you didn’t find something to your liking in the shop yet, you’ll have at least already an idea of the different sizes and fabrics.

When you continue your search online, check if the online retail store offers a free return policy.

Get your top three backpack choices sent to your house, load them with your things and try them on. Don’t forget to verify the seams and zips if they look and feel sturdy enough!

You can even take each one of them on a little walk but be careful that they don’t get damaged or dirty so you can still return them.

It’s important that the backpack you choose is strong, that it sits comfortably on your shoulders and back and that you like the looks of it because you’re going to spend a lot of time together!

6. Why I like my backpack from Campz

I’m currently traveling with the Campz Mountain Pro 80+10L from the online outdoor shop Campz and it’s an ideal backpack for traveling and trekking.

While this backpack is also available in 55L, I picked the 80L one as I need the extra space for my camping equipment.

Although the backpack might look big and bulky, it’s actually very compact. During my travels in Morocco , I was able to easily load it in the trunk of a car while we were hitchhiking or shove it between seats whenever we took a train or a bus.

I have a weak lower back and thanks to the adjustable straps, the curved back panel and the way I can distribute my gear in this backpack, I barely feel the weight of it.

The shoulder straps, the hip belt and even the curved back panel are padded, which makes hiking with this backpack super comfortable.

The backpack has multiple compartments – on the top, on the side, on the bottom and even on the inside of the bag – so my belongings are nicely organized. It’s actually the first time ever that my backpack has so many compartments and as someone who likes overview, I totally love it!

My backpack has both a top loader and a front loader, which makes it super easy to access my gear. I mainly use the top loader for my sleeping mattress and whenever I don’t camp, I can just leave the mattress on the top and open the backpack from the front. It’s so handy!!

Another great feature of this backpack is the rain cover. It’s bright red and covers the whole backpack so I stay visible, even on a gloomy day. I also love that I can transform the rain cover into a proper bag with a small handle.

I use this feature whenever I have the check in my backpack at the airport. No more fiddling around with all the straps and such, I just zip up the whole backpack in its rain cover and everything is covered.

It also works as an extra security system as it’s a lot more difficult this way for dodgy luggage handlers to secretly steal stuff from my backpack.

Finding the best backpack for long-term traveling might sound like a time-consuming process but if you follow my tips, you’ll find the right one in no time!

*This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase one of the recommended products through our website, we’ll receive a small commission at no extra costs for you. This way you’re helping us writing more informative and awesome guides like this. Thank you!

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18 thoughts on “How to choose the Best Travel Backpack”

This arricle is amazing, it really helped me, but one thing that I still have doubts its about carrying my computer and digital gear, do you have a separate day pack for those?

Thank you! And yes, I always carry my tablet, photography and digital gear in my day pack.

Just want to add a guy’s perspective… Pre-pandemic (2019) traveled rather widely in Europe during March and April using a small backpack that qualified for airline carry-on. Worked quite well and carry-on was so much better than checking-in a larger backpack. We did not camp. Perhaps most important decision was to bring just one pair of shoes, which I chose carefully: very comfortable ankle-high leather for all-day walking (and we hiked a ton in all kinds of weather and mud), like a tennis shoe, but appeared more like a dress shoe from top view, so worked for all occasions including high-end restaurants. Kept clothes dark colors and non-wrinkle. Wore jacket on flights to save space. So long as not camping, learned I’ll never again need a larger backpack when traveling overseas.

Hi Kel, travel as light as possible is definitely the way to go! However, I’m traveling long-term and in all kinds of seasons. I spent a year in Georgia and Kyrgyzstan and the winters there are pretty cold… While I try to carry as little as possible, I need to have at least one set of spare clothing (and as this is my life, I have two sets of extra clothes :D). Just a carry-on wouldn’t work for me (unfortunately): I camp and I work online. The gear for camping and online work + photography takes the most space 🙂

Your article is both entertaining and educational. When it comes to one-bag travel, comfort is crucial, especially if you plan to carry the bag for long periods of time. As a result, a backpack with adequate back support is preferable. It’s also crucial to consider how big or small you are, as well as your body type.

THanks for these tips James!

Thanks for the great artcile. You definitely saved me from getting the wrong sized bag 🙂

Happy to hear and help you Tam! 🙂

Thanks for such a wonderful blog, the article is very informative!

Thank you Gourav! 🙂

You should join in a tournament for just one of the best blogs on the web.

Haha, thank you for the compliment! 🙂

Comfort is a big deal when it comes to one bag travel especially if you plan to carry the bag around with you for hours on end. You’ll want a high-quality harness that works with the shape of your body. When selecting a bag, it’s important to take into account how big or small of a person you are, and your body type. Although this matters more for hiking backpacks where you’re carrying a ton of gear, it’s less-important for smaller, one bag travel packs. You ll still want to consider this though. A backpack suited for someone that’s 6’5” and 250 lbs probably isn’t the best travel backpack for someone that’s 5’3” and 140 lbs.

Hey, yes, you’re making a valid point there. It’s also important to keep in mind your length and weight. If you’re a tiny person, having a backpack of 90L wouldn’t be ideal 😀

Thanks for sharing your valuable tips and experience Cynthia. Fabulous post!

Thank you Hussain 🙂

I’m impressed, I need to say. Actually rarely do I encounter a blog that’s each educative and entertaining, and let me let you know, you’ve gotten hit the nail on the head. Your idea is outstanding; the issue is something that not sufficient persons are speaking intelligently about. I am very comfortable that I stumbled throughout this in my search for something referring to this.

Thank you Shoaib! 🙂

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The 18 Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks for Easy, Breezy Packing

From basic rucksacks to nifty new features, these backpacks are a traveler's dream come true.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Team T&C are experts in the field of traveling light and packing efficiently . And because we know every traveler has different preferences and needs, our editors took it upon ourselves to research, test, and share our favorite and most reliable styles on the market. Ahead, find the best carry-on travel backpacks designed to go the distance.

Samsonite Silhouette 17 Backpack

A backpack that packs like a suitcase? Why didn't someone think of this sooner? This Samsonite bag is perfect for the traveler who wants to travel light without sacrificing that packing method they've perfected.

One reviewer writes: "Durable yet lightweight. Streamline design and not bulky at all. Perfect carryon size with backpack straps for convenience."

Dimensions: 20" x 12.5" x 7"

Weight: 3.6 lbs

Material: Recyclex

Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack

This bag has compartments, on compartments, on compartments—including an exterior laptop pocket, making it extra easy to slip your computer in and out for TSA.

One reviewer says: "I initially purchased because I needed more storage to function as my work bag. It just so happen I was traveling abroad in that same month as well. I did not realize that it had a strap on the back to make it super convenient to connect to my carry on luggage. The storage in this bag is phenomenal. 10/10 recommend!"

Dimensions: 17.5” H x 12” L x 7.25” D

Packing Capacity: 27L

Material: 100% recycled polyester with a water-resistant finish

Fjallraven Kanken Water Resistant Backpack

These Scandinavian bags have been tested, tried and true since the 1970s. According to T&C 's Associate Shopping Editor Sophie Dweck, who owns several Fjallraven Kankens, they don't offer a lot of frills or features, but they are as practical and reliable as they come. Cute enough to be your day bag but spacious enough to fit all your carry-on essentials, this bag is two-for-one. Plus, there's no shortage of color options!

One shopper says: "This is my second backpack and I just love to use this during my travels. It’s stylish, lightweight and can surprisingly fit my essentials."

Dimensions: 14" H x 10" W x 4 ½" D

Weight: .7 lbs

Material: Vinylon

Calpak Luka Laptop Backpack

Calpak is known for creating travel bags and accessories with smart engineering in mind, and this backpack is an incredibly popular pick for obvious reasons. Thanks to its many compartments, it can hold a ton—shoes, notebooks, bottles, you name it—and is designed to protect a 15-inch laptop in one of the inner sleeves. Even better, it comes in a variety of pretty colors, such as this rose gold hue.

One shopper says: "I love this backpack. My laptop fits perfectly and it’s very roomy to carry a travel umbrella, glasses, electrical cord, notebooks, and more. I love the puffy exterior and have the matching Luca mini. Together, creates a great weekend getaway."

Dimensions: 16" x 12" x 7"

Weight: 1.8 lbs

Material: Polyester

Monos Metro Backpack

The unique feature on this pack from Monos is the detachable, interchangeable pouch that fixes to the front of the bag. This smaller bag is the perfect spot to keep the items you need quick and easy access to, like your passport, headphones, keys, and charging cables.

One shopper says: "I love this backpack! The trolley sleeve is a huge plus, but my favorite feature is being able to remove the Metro Kit. I like that I can conveniently place the backpack under the seat and the Metro kit can hang off the pouch in the seat in front of me, making it easy to grab the essentials mid-flight."

Exterior Dimensions: 11.5" × 16.5" × 6"

Exterior Weight: 2.4 lb (nylon) / 3 lb (vegan leather)

Metro Dimensions: 8.75" × 6.75" × 2"

Metro Weight: .6 lbs

Material: Nylon or vegan leather

Cuyana Leather Backpack 16-inch

For a travel bag that sacrifices neither function and fashion, you turn to Cuyana. The brand's minimalist backpack is crafted with premium Italian leather and tricked out with convenient features, like a spacious main compartment with pockets and a laptop sleeve, two additional exterior pockets, a magnetic snap closure for easy access, comfortable straps that don't dig into your shoulders, and a top handle that allows you to tote the bag around by hand.

One shopper says: "This is the perfect work and travel backpack. I got it in navy and looks amazing. My laptop, notebook, and computer accessories all fit in very neatly with plenty of room for other items. I was a little worried about my water bottle fitting in the front pocket, but it is just fine there and the magnets even help it stay in place. It is simply PERFECT!!!"

Dimensions: 15.1" x 11" x 7"

Weight: 2.6 lbs

Material: Leather

MZ Wallace Metro Backpack Deluxe

MZ Wallace's bags are absurdly lightweight, insanely roomy, and the signature quilting adds interest to an otherwise understated bag. This backpack is no exception. T&C 's Senior News Editor Emily Burack is a massive fan of the brand .

One shopper says: "Bought the Dawn metro backpack deluxe for a recent trip. I squeezed in so many items such as electronics, iPad, cosmetics, a jacket and small crossbody purse. Love the back sleeve that you can attach to your suitcase, and then can convert it to a pocket by zippering the bottom. And finally side pockets that can fit a water bottle."

Dimensions: 2.20" × 6.90" × 16.50"

Weight: 1.3 lbs

Material: REC Oxford

Carl Friedrik 72-Hour Backpack

For the packer who's serious about one-bag travel, Carl Friedrik's aptly-titled pack is a great option. The 25-liter carrier is designed fit up to three-days worth of outfits and is perfectly sized to fit under the seat in front of you. Also worth noting: The front panel fully unzips, there's a laptop sleeve, and various pockets so you can make the most of every nook and cranny.

And if that's not enough to convince you? Succession 's The Roy family is fan of Carl Friedrik , as is T&C 's very own Leena Kim .

Dimensions: 11.8" x 18.1" x 7.1"

Packing Capacity: 25L

Material: Nylon

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack

Those who are often guilty of overpacking will get a kick out of this pick. No matter how much you stuff inside of it, the bag is lightweight to carry day in and day out. It's made of a blend of tough, TPU-coated polyester and durable nylon paneling, and has padded shoulder straps which add to the comfort. Also notable is its harness feature that distributes weight and prevents you from suffering from any back or shoulder pain later on.

One shopper says: "The Cotopaxi was my real working bag for carrying 3-4 days' clothing & toiletries. I am impressed with the quality build, the cool appearance of the bag, the organized storage, the way the compartments hold their shape without using heavyweight material. The interior feels well enough secure for my purposes but also has easy access smaller compartment for a light jacket."

Dimensions : 20" x 12" x 10"

Weight: 3 lbs 8 oz

Material: Polyester and nylon

Lo & Sons The Rowledge

At last, your very own Mary Poppins bag. Well, not quite, but it might as well be. Don't be fooled by this bag's streamlined look—it can fit a lot. Yet, its dimensions qualify as a personal item, meaning it fits perfectly under the seat in front of you.

One shopper says: "I love traveling with this backpack. It is compact enough to wear I am not hitting people with it every time I turn around on the plane. It has a compartment for everything and is great quality. Excellent customer service from Lo & Sons, too!!!"

Dimensions: 11.5" x 6.75" x 16.5" (large); 10.75" x 6" x 16" (small)

Weight: 3.2 lbs (large); 2.9 lbs (small)

Material: Nylon and leather

Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack

First of all, this bag is made with 23 recycled water bottles! So it's already a winner. Water-resistant and roomy, it comes with a zippered pouch that can be used as a shoe bag, or for any other essentials you want easy access to. We also love its sleek look—how could you not?

One shopper raves: "I wanted a small backpack that could still carry all my stuff, but also look stylish and sleek. This was it. The Dakota and small is the perfect backpack. Big enough to carry all my stuff as a mom of three while traveling but small enough to not feel too heavy. The material is soft but durable. I’m definitely a forever fan now!"

Dimensions: 11.5” L x 5” W x 17” H

Weight: 2 lbs 3 oz

Material: Premium neoprene and performance air mesh

Aer Travel Pack 3 Black

A true traveler's bag, the main compartment of this backpack lays open flat, so you can pack it like a regular suitcase. It has designated laptop and organizational compartments, plus multiple additional pockets for all your other must-haves. The zippers are also lockable, and there's a pocket just for your AirTag !

One shopper says: "This backpack does everything I need. Keeps things really organized, looks great, comfortable to carry heavy stuff... I really like how it collapses to a smaller profile once it’s empty for both easy storage, and a slimmer profile for a day to day pack."

Dimensions : 13" x 21.5" x 9"

Weight: 4.12 lbs

Tumi Celina Backpack

Tumi is one of the most trusted names in luggage, so you can be sure this bag is of high quality. It has lots of pockets and compartments, but the best feature has to be the Tumi Tracer, which will allow you to track and locate your bag should you misplace it.

One shopper raves : "So light empty and so roomy. Lots of pockets and fantastic construction. A quality backpack that will last for years and years, worth every penny!"

Dimensions : 16.0" x 10.6" x 6.5"

Shinola Detroit The Runwell Backpack

If you're looking to invest in a bag that can really go the distance, it's gotta be high-quality leather. You can trust that this will hold up, and best of all, it'll only look better as it wears in during all your trips to come.

One shopper says: "I purchased this Runwell backpack in the summer of ‘19 to use as my work bag and waited a few years of daily use to review. I can truly say it’s almost perfect; it looks small on me but that’s my fault for not reading measurements. It easily fits my laptop, plenty of cables, paperwork, gym clothes, a shower bag, and many more random things. The pockets in the interior are great; it’s very functional. Although I do clean/condition it every few months, it’s developed a wonderful patina."

Dimensions: 17" H x 10.38" W x 6" D

Weight: 3.9 lbs

Beis Travel The Expandable Backpack

With pockets and compartments galore, the Beis backpack has endless room for all your essentials. And once it's all filled up? You can unzip the expandable zipper for even more space! Never thought you'd be so excited about a backpack? We get it.

One reviewer writes: "The expandable feature makes it great for travel but un-expanded, it’s great for work. The pockets are so functional and the extra padded laptop sleeve is great. Also got caught in a rainstorm this week and the inside of the bag stayed perfectly dry!"

Dimensions: 13" x 15" x 5-7"

Weight: 1.67 lbs

Material: 100% recycled poly

Troubadour Aero Backpack

This top-loading backpack not only features a main inner section with a ton of clever pockets, but there's also a 3D top pocket for easy access to your toiletries, a dedicated space for shoes, and a separate padded compartment for a laptop. Even better: It doubles as a duffle carrier for days when you'd prefer carrying your things as a crossbody.

One shopper says: "Just perfect. Enough pockets in the right place without being annoying or irritating and it looks sooooo good."

Dimensions: 13.4" x 20" x 7.9"

Weight: 2.75 lbs

Material: Recycled polyester fabric, recycled polyester lining, vegan leather trim

Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack

Known for the suitcases everybody can't get enough of, Away also offers a range of backpacks that feature the same intelligent designs and user-friendly features. The aptly-named Everywhere knapsack is made with water-resistant nylon and features a wrap-around zipper for extra access in the main compartment.

One shopper writes : "It may be a little much to say this backpack changed my life, but it changed my life.. It's comfortable. It's SO well designed, with a logical place for everything. It holds a LOT. It's stylish and stays upright when you put it down. Most importantly (and the reason I bought it in the first place), I'm no longer sore after walking around and carrying my stuff all day. I may never go back to wearing a shoulder bag again. Worth every penny."

Dimensions : 12" x 5.9" x 17.7"

Weight : 2.45 lbs

Material : Nylon and leather

Paravel Fold-Up Backpack

The genius of this backpack? Its compact size can fit a ton without weighing a ton, and when it's not in use, it folds up flat and zips into a space-saving pouch. Bonus: Get yours customized with your initials for a personalized touch.

One shopper says: "I couldn’t believe that a roomy backpack could zip up very easily into a pouch! It is very roomy with several zip up compartments for extra storage. It looks very nice. I am going to Europe and was searching for a lightweight backpack. This is perfect!"

Dimensions: 13" x 16" x 9"

Weight: .63 lbs

Material: Nylon from recycled water bottles

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A carry-on travel backpack is a great in-flight companion because it's conveniently designed to be super spacious and a hands-free way to carry your belongings.

When shopping for the best option, it's important to choose a bag that can fit underneath the seat in front of you. While sizes vary depending on the airplane, most domestic airlines in the United States require a personal item to be somewhere around 17 inches tall, 13 inches wide, and 8 inches long.

Equally as important: Look for a backpack with functional features, such as organization pockets, full zip openings, a laptop sleeve, and adjustable straps for a comfortable fit.

Why trust Town & Country?

For more than 170 years, Town & Country has been the trusted source for influence, taste, elegant living, and the finest things in life. We cover everything from the latest and greatest in beauty to luxury travel to the buzziest fashion trends of the season. All of our stories are thoroughly researched, tested, and vetted by T&C editors and industry experts.

Meg is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com where she researches trends, tests products, and looks for answers to all your burning questions. She also co-writes a monthly column, Same Same But Different . Meg has previously written for Cosmopolitan and Town & Country . Her passions include travel, buffalo sauce, and sustainability. She will never stop hoping for a One Direction reunion tour.

Sophie Dweck is the associate shopping editor for Town & Country, where she covers beauty, fashion, home and décor, and more. 

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The best packing cubes to save space and keep you organized

These travel cubes will keep your suitcase in order, whether you’re going on a short getaway or a round-the-world adventure.

Whether you’re packing for a weekend getaway or planning an around-the-world adventure, packing cubes can help streamline the packing process. Packing cubes are bags that come in different sizes in a set. They can help organize clothing and save room in your suitcase. Frequent traveler Kayli King uses packing bags daily to keep clothes organized in her van while traveling. “Honestly, after traveling so long, I can’t imagine not using them,” she says.  

After talking to King, we compared packing bags, looking for durable travel cubes with functional designs and a wide variety of sizes. Our top overall pick is the Gonex Compression Packing Cubes. Compression zippers, handles, and a low price tag make this set the best all around.

Our picks for the best packing cubes for travel

The best packing cubes for travel, best overall: gonex compression packing cubes.

Buy it now on   Amazon

Why we like it:   The Gonex Compression Packing Cubes are our choice for the best overall packing cubes. Despite being one of the more affordable travel cube sets on this list, these compression bags have plenty of features, including ripstop nylon, reinforced seams, and handles. They compress via double zippers that pull the edges of the travel packing bag together. The packing cubes can hold everything from socks to jackets and are designed to fit together like puzzle pieces. They’re also available in over 10 colors.

Keep in mind:   These packing cubes unzip only halfway, so you have to stuff your clothes inside rather than lay them flat. Some reviewers note that the compression zippers are difficult for people with arthritis or reduced mobility.

Product details: Size: 4-piece set: 9.8 x 7.5 x 3.54 inches (small), 11.8 x 8.9 x 3.54 inches (medium), 14.5 x 10.6 x 3.54 inches (large), and 17.3 x 13 x 3.54 inches (extra large) | Material:   Ripstop nylon | Weight: 12 ounces (set)  

Best for traveling light: Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Cube Set  

Buy it now at   Backcountry

Why we like it: At 4.2 ounces, the Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Cube Set is half the weight of other packing cubes on this list, but they’re far from flimsy. They’re made of ripstop polyester and have “self-repairing” zippers—if a gap opens in the chain, you can slide one of the zippers over it to close it. Eagle Creek also offers a warranty that covers fabric tears and zippers. Because they’re lightweight and sturdy, these travel cubes are great for hikers and campers who want to organize their backpacks.  

Keep in mind: The set includes only three smaller-sized travel cubes. While great for backpacks and carry-ons, you may want bigger packing cubes for checked luggage.

Product details: Size:   3-piece set: 4.5 x 7.5 x 2.5 inches (extra small), 7.25 x 10 x 3.25 inches (small), and 10 x 14.25 x 3.25 inches (medium) | Material:   Ripstop polyester | Weight:   4.2 ounces (set)  

Best for overpackers: REI Co-op Expandable Packing Cube Set

Buy it now at   REI

Why we like it:   The packing cubes in the REI Co-op Expandable Packing Cube Set are the opposite of compression bags. Each cube has a second zipper that, when unzipped, increases its width to six inches—double the size of other packing bags on this list. They’re designed to last with ripstop polyester treated with a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish. The packing cubes also meet the Bluesign criteria, the highest environmental standard for sustainable textile manufacturing.

Keep in mind:   REI Co-op recently updated its packing cubes, and some buyers believe the quality has suffered as a result. Third-party reviews mention thin material, unreinforced zippers, and mesh that snags.

Product details: Size:   3-piece set: 8 x 6 x 3 inches (small), 12 x 8 x 3 inches (medium), and 14.5 x 10.5 x 3 inches (large) | Material:   Ripstop nylon, polyester mesh | Weight: 8.3 ounce (set)  

Best upcycled option: Cotopaxi Cubo Packing Cube Bundle

Why we like it:   The brightly colored Cotopaxi Cubo Packing Cube Bundle is an upcycled option you can feel good about. The packing bags are made of 100-percent repurposed nylon and mesh. Kayli King likes that the mesh panels allow your things to air out and that you can hang them up by their handles.

Cotopaxi’s sustainability initiatives extend beyond its packing cubes. The company says that 94 percent of its products use repurposed, recycled, or responsible materials. They also offer programs to repair items and trade them in to avoid landfills.

Keep in mind:   Despite its competitive price, this bundle comes with only three packing cubes. The size range is small compared to other packing cube sets. However, King prefers this set for longer trips.

Product details: Size: 3-piece set: 7 x 8 x 2 inches (2-liter bag), 6 x 11.5 x 3 inches (3-liter bag), 10 x 11.5 x 5 inches (10-liter bag) | Material:   100 percent repurposed nylon and mesh | Weight: 9 ounces (set)

Best style: Calpak Packing Cubes Set

Buy it now at   Calpak

Why we like it:   While many packing cubes seem to favor function over fashion, the Calpak Packing Cubes Set balances both. The packing bags come in over 20 colors, with patterns like “cheetah” and “lime viper.” They’re durable, with thick polyester sides and mesh covers that let you see inside. Each packing cube has a zippered pocket for smaller essentials and an ID tag to write down the contents. If five travel cubes aren’t enough, you can buy additional Calpak travel organizers, like shoe bags and laptop totes.

Keep in mind:   The Calpak Packing Cube set is by far the heaviest and most expensive option on this list. You may want lighter packing cubes if you travel with just a carry-on or are concerned about overweight luggage.

Product details: Size:   5-piece set: 13 x 10 x 1.5 inches (envelope), 12 x 8.8 x 3 inches (small x 2), 5 x 11 x 3 inches (medium), 17 x 12 x 3 inches (large) | Material: Polyester and mesh | Weight: 1 pound, 12.8 ounces (set)  

Best set: Tripped Checked Bag Set

Why we like it:   The Tripped Checked Bag Set has a travel cube for almost every packing need. The set includes seven packing bags, including two extra large sizes, a slim cube, a shoe bag, and a roll-top laundry bag. Mix and match the travel cubes to fit your suitcase and packing needs. Most of the packing cubes in the Checked Bag Set also have a compression feature. Plus, they come in a wide range of colors and an illustrated set featuring national parks.  

Keep in mind:   While the packing cubes are made from a ripstop blend, reviewers mention that the material and stitching feel thin and flimsy. Some of the travel cubes don’t unzip all the way, making packing more difficult.

Product details: Size: 6-piece set: 12.5 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches (shoe bag), 12.5 x 4.5 x 3 inches (slim cube), 21 x 11.5 x 0.1 inches (laundry bag), 10 x 7 x 4 inches (small), 14 x 10 x 4 inches (large), 16 x 12 x 4 inches (extra large x 2) | Material:   Ripstop nylon-polyester blend | Weight:   15.5 ounces (set)  

Best budget: Veken 6 Set Packing Cubes

Why we like it: The Veken 6 Set Packing Cubes come with six packing cubes, including a laundry bag and a shoe bag. They cost less than half the price of most other packing bag sets on this list. The low price doesn’t mean low quality, though. The Veken 6 Set Packing Cubes are made of thick polyester, with sturdy zippers and mesh panels to help keep clothes fresh. Plus, they come in 12 colors.  

Keep in mind: The laundry and shoe bags are small. The polyester is not ripstop and can melt if dried on high heat.

Product details: Size: 6-piece set: 4.7 x 17 inches (shoe bag), 14 x 20 inches (laundry bag), 11 x 6.75 x 4 inches (small), 13.75 x 9.75 x 4 inches (medium), 13.75 x 12.75 x 4 inches (large), 17.5 x 12.15 x 5 inches (extra large) | Material:   Polyester | Weight:   10.4 ounces (set)  

How we chose the best travel packing cubes

We weighed the following qualities when curating the best packing cubes:

Third-party reviews:   We considered reviews from sources other than company websites and spoke with seasoned travelers to find out what they liked.  

Brand reputation: Anything you use for traveling should be functional, long-lasting, and, preferably, good for the planet. We looked for brands that value high-quality gear and sustainability.

Quality of material:   We chose travel cubes that were made to last, with durable materials like ripstop nylon and polyester, reinforced seams, and strong zippers.

Size range: Different-sized packing bags make for an easier packing experience. We chose packing cube sets in a range of sizes, from extra small to extra large.

Compression options: Some packing cube brands offer compression bags, which can be a nice feature if you’re tight on space.  

Tips for buying packing bags

Here’s what to consider when picking your own packing cubes:

Brand reputation  

Choose a trusted brand with a proven reputation. Brands with zipper and fabric warranties or repair programs will also help you get as many vacations as possible with your travel organizers.

If you only use carry-ons or smaller luggage, choose a packing cube set with fewer, smaller travel cubes. If you prefer to use checked luggage, go for a packing cube set with more travel cubes and bigger sizes.  

If you travel with just a carry-on or want to use packing cubes for hiking, choose an ultralight packing cube set. Every ounce counts when packing light, and some travel cube sets are nearly 1.5 pounds lighter than others.

Packing cubes are typically made of polyester or nylon, both strong synthetic fabrics. If you need something even more durable, look for ripstop nylon or polyester, which has extra threads to prevent tears from becoming bigger.

Some brands offer compression bags, which can save space. However, King finds that compressed bags can be awkwardly shaped, making them harder to fit together in your suitcase. If you are a heavy packer, travel cubes for shoes or laundry can help keep the rest of your luggage clean.

Frequently asked questions

Are packing cubes worth it?

Packing cubes can help save space in your suitcase and improve organization, reducing stress while traveling.

Does TSA allow packing cubes?

Packing cubes are TSA-approved, provided everything inside is within the regulations. Check with your airline on what is allowed in carry-on and checked bags.

How many packing cubes do you need for a suitcase?

How many packing cubes you need depends on the length of your trip and the size of your suitcase. Four to six packing cubes is a great starting point. You can adjust the number as needed.

How much does a packing cube cost?

The packing cube sets recommended here cost between 20 and 70 dollars. Some companies may sell individual packing cubes for less.

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