There are three things I’m reminding myself of as I’m packing for several months of travel.
If I forget something, I can buy it when I get there.
It’s just like a regular trip but longer.
I don’t actually need that much stuff.
However, with all that in mind, I’m being impressively (if I do say so myself) thorough and organized with what I’m bringing. Everything needs to have a purpose, and lots of things need to have more than one.
So, because no one asked (and because Amazon has a bunch of stuff on sale right now), here’s is a complete* list of everything I’m packing for my trip.
This post includes affiliate links, but I did geniuinely purchase — and am bringing! — all of these things. I.e. I like them.
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While I have taken a backpacker’s approach to scheduling and budgeting this trip, I am not actually travelling with just a backpack. Upon reflection, I’m travelling with a lot of bags, arguably too many!! But I love bags. Bags in bags. Here’s how I’m carrying everything along the way.
I’ve taken my Away Bigger Carry-on on every trip for the past three years. It fits an impressive amount, keeps me organized, and fits luggage requirements on the plane.
My goal is to not fill this bag completely so that there is space for the unknown, i.e. souvenirs or other things I acquire along the way. However, this could be my only bag for a short weekend trip. (Pro: It qualifies as a personal item on budget airlines.) Here’s the Amazon dupe.
My hot take is that you don’t actually need these for travelling. My travel life did not change when I finally purchased packing cubes. They also don’t fit perfectly in my suitcase. But, I have them so I’m bringing 1-2 to organize t-shirts and some clothing items. But I’m not bringing the whole set.
Calpak Clear Cosmetics Case (Small)
I don’t know what it is about this toiletry bag, but it fits everything. I’ll do more later on all the products I’m bringing with me (and how I’m crossing my fingers that I don’t get penalized for bringing to many liquids).
This pouch is cute, durable, and practical and the perfect size for my low-maintenance travel makeup.
I know everyone has this bag, but it’s for a good reason. It’s annoyingly practical and roomy and perfect for travel. I can usually fit a water bottle, umbrella, kindle, and phone in here.
Madewell Transport Camera Bag (Large)
Another omnipresent, abundantly useful travel bag! Do I really need two bags to travel with? Absolutely not. Am I allowing myself a leather option if I want it? Yes. This fits as much, if not more than the Uniqlo one.
Tote bag
I always pack a tote bag when I travel. It doubles as a beach bag, a grocery bag, a book bag, and an extra piece of luggage if you return with more than you left with.
Okay, so yes, the Baggu and tote bag serve similar purposes but not the same! I stuff my Baggu in my purse for the day — that way if I need to pick up groceries or anything else, I have a bag ready to carry things around.
Another amazing multi-tasking bag! I use this to organize tech cords, toiletries, or pretty much anything miscellaneous while travelling. They’re also great for packing snacks for the day (see aforementioned backpacker mentality). I’ll definitely have a few of these with me.
The Tech
Unfortunately, I’m not going off the grid for this trip, so here’s all my technical gear.
When I travel, I’ve been known to pack five hard-cover books in my carry-on. Now, that’s just not practical, especially not when travelling for several months. So I’ve got my trusty Kindle and my Libby account so I can read library books whenever I want.
While I much prefer my noise-cancelling Bose headphones when travelling, the bulk was deemed not worth it in this case. So the very transportable airpods are coming. Here’s hoping I don’t lose them.
Let’s be real, my phone is going to run out of batteries every day from my impending overuse of Google Maps, Spotify, and my camera. This is a cute, portable power bank, and bonus, my phone and the battery charge at the same time so no need for more pesky cords. It also operates as a phone stand.
Ah, a travel necessity. I swear by this one.
I’m actually debating throwing this in my bag. I likely won’t need this in spring weather, and where I’m going in June and July doesn’t get that hot. This might be a gametime decision. But for trips to hotter climates (or just to create some breeze in a stuffy hotel room), this is great.
I’m going to be doing a little bit of writing (and blogging!!!), so the computer is coming.
I hate myself a little bit that this is in my bag, but also, I’m travelling alone and I have social anxiety and I want some cute pictures of myself on my travels. So, I guess this is the beginning of my content creator kit.
I’ll do a more in-depth post on toiletries, skincare, and makeup that are coming along. But here are some of the miscellaneous basics I can’t travel without.
While these are definitely not going to last me the whole trip, it’s a good start. Keeping a balanced diet while travelling is tricky, so these multivitamins are hopfully going to keep me healthy.
Okay, I’m not actually bringing this on this trip because I need way more than a seven-day supply so this is impractical for the kind of trip I’m taking. However, for a standard vacation? So great. Highly recommend.
Another necessity in our post-pandemic world.
Honestly, these are the greatest thing ever invented, and I never go anywhere without them.
I’m a clippers over file girl.
Honestly debated just letting those chin hairs grow free, but then I remembered tweezers are a good thing to have for, you know, splinters.
Okay, I’m not bringing a full first aid kit, but I am bringing bandaids and blister covers.
I wear these on the plane and sometimes overnight after a particularly taxing day. And I have to say, they really, really help.
I don’t drink nearly enough water. (It’s also so annoying to always be looking for a bathroom while travelling!) Liquid IV is one way I try to stay hydrated while on the go.
Believe the hype. This is the greatest brush ever. Works perfectly with wet hair. I also use it for lazy styling with a blow dryer. I’m not even bringing any other brushes or combs I trust this so much.
Yes, I’m bringing the whole bottle. Because in Europe, they only sell paracetamol by like a pack of 12. I want to have a supply if it’s needed.
Claw clips of all sizes are a travel essential. An easy updo that takes two seconds for a day of exploring? Check. I always have these in all different sizes peppered throughout my luggage.
So many hair ties. Can’t wait to lose them all and run out.
Arguably the greatest product ever invented. It’s skincare. It’s medicine. It’s everything. This is the only way my lips aren’t chapped.
Needs no explanation. But this one is great and packs real small. Likely will need to pack some batteries too.
I love the Billie ones. I have this with a few refills packed. But I will also likely get real lazy with the shaving. Ah, travelling alone.
I know this is probably a breeding ground for germs, but this is my preferred way of lathering! I at least bought a new one for the trip.
I popped two packs in my bag.
The Rest
I’m sure there’s something missing from this list. Please tell me what it is.
I’m going to be staying in a lot of hostels on this trip. While I don’t mind a hostel stay, a bad snorer or a loud drunk person can ruin a night’s sleep in a minute. I’ve had so many friends rave about Loop earplugs so I bought a pair and am trying them out on this trip.
See hostel stays above. I’m not spending $5 every time I want to take a shower. Also, this will double as a beach towel/picnic blanket/yoga towel/etc.
I’m currently planning some of my summer stays, and let’s just say the sun is going to set LATE if that gives you any idea as to where I’ll be. I can’t be relying on hotel room blackout shades. If a peep of sunlight comes through, I’ll be away. So, an eyemask is crucial.
Most hostels are BYOL. Bring your own lock. I prefer a combination lock because you don’t have a key to keep track of.
My back tends to act up after about 15K steps in a day, so stretching is going to be key to my walking stamina. I’m bringing this yoga strap to work on my tight hamstrings.
A small umbrella is crucial for travel. And we’re talking really, really, really small. Like, this will fit in my small bag with a water bottle as well. I once spent an entire morning in Bologna looking for a place to buy an umbrella rather than exploring, so I will never forget to pack an umbrella again.
I’m a fairly confident solo traveller, but it never hurts to be safe.
This is the greatest travel water bottle ever, and I will hear no other opinions. It’s insanely lightweight and fits in basically any bag or pouch. When it’s empty, it feels like nothing. I couldn’t travel without it.
I’m determined to keep a journal on this trip. And while I absolutely love writing by hand, I do think I’ll likely keep most of my records on my computer. However, I’m still bringing a few of these Rifle Paper Company notebooks for when the mood strikes.
A travel essential. Also hoping I don’t lose these.
I’m not 100% sure what a passport holder’s purpose is, but this one is just so cute so that’s enough of a purpose for me.
While I’m really going to break down the clothes and wardrobe in another post, the Birkenstocks are multi-functional. Shower shoes? Check. Pool shoes? Check. House slippers? Check. Literally the only reason I’m justifying a third pair of shoes.
I am a writer who is somehow always without a pen. So someone please remind me that I packed pens so I do have them somewhere. Also can’t wait to collect hotel pens.
I’m going to write a separate post on clothes, skincare, and makeup for the trip with some specific product recommendations. So great ready for the rest of my packing series.
*Please tell me what I missed.
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