What to pack for long-term travel

If you’re planning an around-the-world trip it’s sometimes hard to decide what to pack. You’re going to different countries with different climates and your backpack has limited space. That’s why you need to make choices. We’re here to help with our Travel Packing Checklist!

Before our first world trip, we did a lot of research and took a lot of things we didn’t end up using. We even got rid of things along the way to make our backpacks a bit lighter and easier to carry around. So we thought we’d share our Ultimate Travel Packing Checklist with you to help you prepare.

If you’re looking for the digital Travel Packing Checklist so you can print it or use it on your device, check out our Free Travel Resources.

Clothes

Try to look for items that are versatile and lightweight. It’s easier to work with layers if you’re going to different climates. Winter clothes take up a lot of space and with a couple of shirts that you’ll be wearing anyways, you’ll get the same result.

Take a good look at the materials that are used. Some materials are better for warm climates and help you stay fresh a bit longer than your € 5,- t-shirt from H&M. Merino wool, is one of these fabrics that you should look for.

• (Travel) Pants: even if you’re only going to tropical climates you want to bring at least one pair of pants. You’ll be jumping on airplanes, and traveling in long-distance buses/trains that blast the air conditioning, and even in tropical climates, you’ll have a chilly day now and again. We prefer travel pants because we like to go hiking.
• Jeans: optional, depending on where you’re going. They are quite bulky in a backpack. Comfy when it’s a bit colder, but in tropical climates, you won’t wear them. We only have them because it was cold when we left home.
• T-shirts: take a couple to mix it up. When it’s hot it’s nice to switch t-shirts to feel fresh again and you won’t be able to do laundry everywhere. We take about 5 t-shirts, some of them are merino wool.
• Tank tops: it’s always good to have some tank tops but be aware people are a bit more conservative in a lot of countries. If you’re going to visit a temple you need to cover up, so keep that in mind. But it’s a great base layer.
• Dresses/skirts: look for lightweight dresses or skirts and keep in mind that some countries are a bit more conservative. If you take 2 or 3 you can mix it up a bit.
• Long sleeve shirt: for those colder days/evenings and great for layering.
• Sweater/vest: we prefer to bring one comfy vest for when it’s a bit more chilly or to wear during flights or those cold airconditioned bus/train rides.
• Windproof coat: great for when you’re heading up a mountain or volcano where it gets quite windy. You could go with one that’s waterproof as well but they can be too hot while hiking.
• Poncho: for those rainy days that you’ll get everywhere. We prefer a poncho because it’s not as sticky as rain gear and it protects your backpack at the same time.
• Underwear: take enough underwear to last you a week since you won’t be able to do laundry everywhere. For women, this includes 2 bras and 1 or 2 sports bras.
• Swimwear: take a couple of bathing suits or shorts so you can alternate
• Sportwear: in case you would like to work out while traveling
• (Hiking) Socks: take at least two pairs for those days you’re hiking or wearing your sneakers. We have hiking socks and regular socks.
• (Hiking) Boots/Sneakers: great for outdoor activities like hiking but also very comfy if you’re on your feet all day.
• Sandals/slippers: great for hot weather and walking around town or on the beach

Toiletries

When it comes to toiletries is extra important to think about what you’re bringing. You don’t want to pick up your backpack and discover that your shampoo or sunscreen leaked all over your backpack. Some items aren’t available in other countries, so you might want to buy them in bulk.

• Shampoo(bar): we bring shampoo bars instead of bottles. They last longer and you don’t have to worry about spilling it in your backpack.
• Conditioner: opt for leave-in conditioner if you’re staying in hostels with shared bathrooms a lot. This way you don’t have to worry about running out of hot water either.
• Hair Brush/comb
• Deodorant: if you’re picky you’d better bring a couple of cans. In Asia for example it’s hard to find spray bottles. Don’t buy the travel-size deodorant but
• Toothpaste: Bring along a small tube. If you are staying somewhere for a longer period of time, buy a bigger one. This saves space and sometimes money.
• Toothbrush
• Face Wash: especially in Asia, you have to watch out for all beauty products because they often add something to keep you from tanning, which they call whitening.
• Razor
• Makeup
• Feminine Products: in some countries, it’s hard to find these, especially if you’re using tampons. Bring a whole bunch and take them out of the box. In a plastic bag they don’t take up that much space.
• Sunscreen: especially in Asia, you have to watch out for all beauty products because they often add something to keep you from tanning.
• Deet: buy the local Deet. It usually works much better. We bought our favorite in Thailand and still use it to this day.
• First aid kit: if you’re going hiking or thinking of planning a road trip you might want to bring a first aid kit, just in case something happens.
• Nail clippers

Electronics

In this day and age, it’s almost impossible to travel without electronics. Although you could travel without them, they help you record your trip, plan your trip or simply make the boring parts a bit more entertaining.

It’s important to make choices, otherwise, you’ll end up carrying around too much weight. And you’re a bigger target for theft. A lot of electronic equipment needs to be in your hand luggage when traveling. So pick wisely and only take what you truly need and use.

• (Noise-canceling) Headphones: we use these a lot. When traveling by bus, train, or airplane but also when we need to work a bit. Even just to be in your own little world for a bit. We swear by noise-canceling headphones and wouldn’t want it any other way.
• Phone: to keep in touch with family and friends. But not just that. It helps us navigate new cities and we take lots of photos and videos with our phone. It’s basically a little all-in-one device that’s easy to carry around. Paying with your phone is getting more popular these days and more and more countries accept it.
• Laptop: if you plan on working during your trip you need a laptop to do so. Otherwise, leave it at home. Just mind the size; the bigger the heavier.
• External hard drive: might come in handy for all those photos and videos you’ll probably take. Or opt for an online backup system.
• Tablet: although you could use your phone to play games and watch a movie, sometimes you just want a bigger screen. You could even work on your tablet. This isn’t a must-bring, but more a nice to have.
• Travel adapters: look for travel adapters that don’t take up a lot of space but have a lot of different outlets.
• Camera: during our first world trip we took a DSLR with different lenses. But nowadays you can barely tell the difference between these photos and the ones you take with your phone. This is no longer a must-bring, but more a nice to have.
• Chargers with all these devices don’t forget to bring chargers. I love the USB cables that have all three connections and the chargers that have 2 or more USB ports.
• Power bank: you don’t always have access to outlets that’s when a power bank comes in handy. Do some research because the larger power banks are not accepted by all airlines.
• E-reader: don’t stress your back by bringing a ton of books, but instead bring your e-reader. Besides the fact that you get to bring lots of books it also lets you read anywhere if you chose one with a light.

Travel Accessories

This is a list of items that you might not necessarily need but might be handy to have, just in case. At least you had a chance to think about it before leaving and that’s the most important thing about this Travel Packing Checklist.

• Flight Bag: we use this when on airplanes but also on public transport when our luggage is out of sight. We lock it with a TSA lock to keep people from looking through our backpacks. You don’t have to worry about your backpack getting stuck somewhere either. Be careful though: find a flight bag without straps, otherwise it has no point.
• Flashlight: this could be useful if you’re staying in dorms and need to find your bed late at night. Or if you go hiking at night.
• Pocket knife: easy to carry around and it has lots of functions. Just don’t put it in your hand luggage when flying… Learned that one the hard way.
• Duct tape: always bring duct tape, just in case.
• Sewing kit: you’re only bringing a limited amount of clothing so a seeing kit is great in case you have to fix a tear or put a button back on an item.
• Laundry kit: our kit consists of a bar of soap, a laundry bag, some pins, and a rope.
• Hammam towel: these are usually a bit lighter than a beach towel. You can use it as a blanket or as a towel.

Important Documents

Now we get to the part where you’ve checked a hundred times if you packed your passport but you’re still going back to check again because you never know. These items are so important so keep them somewhere safe at all times.

If something goes missing make sure that you have a copy of everything somewhere accessible. Find the nearest embassy in case your travel documents get stolen or lost or worse.

• Passport: make sure your passport is valid for the time you’re traveling. Most countries ask that your passport is valid for another 6 months when entering. Keep this in mind. If you need to apply for a new passport, ask for a business passport. This has double the amount of pages.
• Driver’s License: if you’re renting a vehicle they want to see your driver’s license. Make sure it’s valid for the time you’re traveling.
• International Driving Permit: in addition to your driver’s license you need an international driving permit in some countries. Thailand is famous for writing out tickets for those driving without this.
• Vaccination papers: check which vaccinations you need before leaving. Some countries don’t allow you to enter without certain vaccinations. Think about Yellow Fever or Covid-19.
• Travel Insurance: bring a piece of paper with all the information like phone numbers and ID. In case you do need to contact them you don’t want the added stress of looking for this information. Don’t travel without insurance. Just, don’t.
• In case of emergency: a little card with important phone numbers, but also allergies or blood type that will help your care in time of need.
• Itinerary: some countries ask you to fill out forms and ask for the address of your hotel.
• Copies of everything: on paper, to carry with you, and digital, easily accessible.

Download our Travel Packing Checklist

Well, it turned out to be quite a list. You might be wondering if it all fits in your backpack. There is only one way to find out, start packing. We usually roll as many items as possible because they take up less space.

And if you do end up taking too much now is the time to reassess. Do you really need that jumper or could you just wear two t-shirts and call it a day? Don’t worry about wearing the same clothes a couple of days in a row, nobody cares.

Download our Travel Packing Checklist and use the blank checklist to add anything we didn’t name. Or let us know in the comments what we forgot to include in our Travel backing Checklist. Safe travels!