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:

1. In what type of climates will you be traveling?

2. How long are you traveling?

3. Will you be staying and eating at fancy places?

4. 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.

1. Climate? Many climates; both tropical and wintery.

2. Length of travel? The better part of a year.

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

4. 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!

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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.

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Travel Backpack

• 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.  

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Women’s Travel Clothes

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.)

• 2 t-shirts

• 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

Bottoms:

• 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)

Shoes:

• 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.

Women’s Travel Accessories

• Sarong

• Buff

• Headband

• Fitbit Charge 2

• Sunglasses

• 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. 

Women’s Travel Toiletries

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

• Face wash

• Tea tree oil blemish stick

• Toothbrush & Toothpaste

• Dental floss

• Razor and extra blades

• Deodorant

• Solid lotion stick

• Tweezers

• 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

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Men’s Travel Clothes

Shirts:

• 6 T-shirts
• 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. 

Undergarments:

• 10 boxer/briefs

• 4 pairs of light socks

• 1 pair of wool socks

• 1 swimsuit

Shoes:

• 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. 

Men’s Travel Accessories

• Buff

• Sunglasses

• Fitbit Charge 2

• Sarong

• Waterproof rain jacket

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.

Men’s Travel Toiletries

• Solid shampoo and tin container

• Eco-friendly, biodegradable bar of soap

• Soap container

• Deodorant Crystal (using this for years)

• Lip balm

• Face wipes

• Toothbrush & toothpaste & brush cover

• Dental floss

• Reef-safe SPF 30 Sunscreen

• Badger Balm Anti-Bug Balm Stick

• Hand sanitizer

• Nail clippers

• Solid lotion

• Cotton swabs

• 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.

1. It’s lighter (less weight the better),

2. You can get through airport security quicker and

3. 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.

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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

• Harmonica

• 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. 

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Travel Electronics

• 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

• Headphones

• 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.

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Health/Medical Backpacking Supplies

• 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

• Neosporin

• 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.  

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Travel Documentation

• Passport

• 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.

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Travel Apps

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

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Travel Guide Books

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

Fun Travel Books

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

• Japan

• New Zealand

• Southeast Asia

• Costa Rica

• Iceland

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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!