Master Long-Term Travel Packing List: What I Actually Used

One of the hardest decisions before heading off on a long-term trip? What to pack. We’ve all been there, either overpacked and bogged down by stuff we never use, or underprepared and scrambling to find essentials abroad.

So how do you build a long-term travel packing list that works? Let’s break it down.

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Table of Contents

Key Considerations for Long-Term Travel Packing

What you bring depends on a number of personal factors. Ask yourself the following questions before you start packing:

What’s the weather like where you’re going? Are you heading into winter in Europe or tropical heat in Southeast Asia?
What are the local standards for dress? Will you need to cover your shoulders or knees in religious or conservative areas?
How often can you (or will you) do laundry? This will help you decide how many changes of clothes to bring.
Are you planning any specific activities that require gear or special clothing? Think hiking boots, swimsuits, or snow gear.

Here’s a helpful reminder: You don’t need to pack for every possible scenario. People live and thrive all over the world, so you’ll usually be able to pick up what you need on the road. Overpacking is one of the biggest mistakes travelers make.

Learn How to Do Laundry While Traveling: 4 Practical Options

Choosing the Right Luggage for Long-Term Travel

First off, selecting the right luggage for your long term trip is critical. You will be spending a lot of time with it so it needs to be durable, versatile, and comfortable to carry. This means making lots of decisions up front.

Ask yourself:

What kind of luggage suits your travel style? Backpack, rolling suitcase, or duffel bag?
What type of terrain will you be navigating? If you’re going through cobblestone streets or remote trails, a rolling suitcase might not be practical.
Will you be frequently hopping on and off public transportation? Lighter and more compact luggage might be easier to manage.
What size bag works best for your trip?
- Will you be traveling carry-on only?
- Do the airlines you’re flying have strict baggage rules?
- Are you a minimalist, or do you tend to overpack?

My Favorite Luggage for Long-Term Travel

For me, the perfect long-term travel bag is the 46-Liter Osprey Porter Travel Bag. Here’s why I swear by it:

The size is just right. It’s spacious enough to fit everything I need, yet still small enough to qualify as a carry-on.
It’s a front-loading backpack, which makes accessing items way easier than digging through a top-loader. This was a big selling point for me.
The zippers are tough and lockable, which adds a layer of security when I’m staying in hostels or taking public transport.

Trust me, this bag is battle-tested. I’ve used it on a 13-month round-the-world trip to some of the most remote parts of the world, as well as trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp, safari in Africa, and hiking in Patagonia’s Torres del Paine. It’s held up like a champ.

What To Pack for Long Term Travel

When I packed for my first long-term trip, an around-the-world adventure that spanned 13 months, multiple continents, and every season imaginable, I quickly learned that packing light while staying prepared is a serious balancing act.

This list is based on what worked (and didn’t work) for me during that trip. Use it as a baseline and adjust based on your destinations, travel style, and personal preferences.

Must-Pack Technology for Long-Term Travel

Traveling long term requires you to take more technology than you might be used to traveling with – unless of course you want to disconnect. But in most instances, if you’re working remotely, managing travel logistics, or just staying connected with home, relying solely on your smartphone probably won’t cut it for the long haul.

Tablet or Computer + Charger
I opted for an iPad on my RTW trip because it’s lightweight and has a long battery life – perfect for buses, trains, and airport lounges. It was fantastic for my trip, but if you’re planning to blog or work remotely, a full laptop or iPad with a keyboard is helpful. I managed with an iPad, but writing long posts wasn’t ideal.

Smart Phone + Charger
Your phone is your lifeline on the road – maps, translation, communication, and camera, all in one. Don’t leave home without it.

External Battery Pack
I highly recommend carrying an external battery pack with you for when you’re out and about. Power outlets aren’t always easy to find on buses, trains, or day trips. A good portable charger keeps you connected without being tethered to a wall.

Universal Converter and Adapter
Most modern electronics (phones, tablets, laptops) are dual voltage, so you likely won’t need a voltage converter, but you will need a plug adapter for the regions you’re visiting. If you’re bringing high-powered electronics like a hairdryer or curling iron, you may still need a voltage converter. Always check the label on the device.

Camera + Batteries + Charger + Memory cards + necessary cords
If photography is part of your travel plans, bring a compact camera. I personally use the Panasonic Lumix GX85, which is lightweight and excellent for travel. I’ve also heard rave reviews of the Sony A6000.

Clothing for All Occasions on a Long-Term Trip

Packing clothes for a long trip, especially one that spans multiple countries or even continents, requires striking a balance between practicality and personal style. Sure, those heels and flowy dresses look great on Instagram, but are they worth lugging around in a backpack for 13 months? For me, the answer is no, but based on my feed, I may be in the minority.

Below is what I consider the bare minimum wardrobe for long-term travel. You can customize up or down depending on your itinerary, weather, and style, but this long-term packing list gives you a solid, functional base.

Basic Clothing Needed for Any Long Term Travel Packing List

1 Long-Sleeve Sweater or Zip-Up Jacket
Choose something neutral that works for casual outings or slightly dressier situations. A versatile layering piece is your best friend on the road.

Bottoms: 7 Total
- 2 lightweight jeans (or travel pants)
- 2 running tights (can double as leggings or PJs)
- 2 pairs of shorts
- 1 casual skirt (optional for when you want to dress up slightly)

1 Casual Dress
Honestly? I barely wore mine. I preferred clothing I could move in easily—without attracting unwanted attention or worrying about coverage. But if dresses are your thing, pick one that’s breathable and comfortable for long days out.

Tops: 8 Total
Go for easy mix-and-match pieces—solid-colored bottoms with patterned tops or vice versa. And if you’re visiting conservative areas, limit tank tops and pack a scarf or sweater for covering up when needed. Personally, I wore tank tops and threw on a cardigan or scarf as needed.
- 2 t-shirts
- 4 tank tops
- 2 lightweight overshirts (great for layering or added coverage)

1 Set of Sleepwear
Choose something modest enough for shared spaces like hostel dorms or communal Airbnb settings. Think: a comfy t-shirt and shorts you won’t mind being seen in.

1 Swimsuit
Even if beach time isn’t your priority, you might want it for spas, hostel pools, or that unexpected hot spring in the mountains. But if you’re avoiding water destinations completely, feel free to skip this.

Shoes to Make or Break Your Trip

Shoes are one of those things that can absolutely make or ruin your long-term travel experience. Blisters, sore feet, or lugging around the wrong pair for months? No, thank you.

I’m a firm believer in the three-pair rule. With just three carefully chosen shoes, you’re pretty much set for any situation – cities, beach days, nights out, and light hikes. Of course, your trip specifics may call for a few tweaks. (I picked up hiking boots for my Mount Everest Base Camp Trek, but definitely didn’t want to carry them for the entire 13 months beforehand!).

Here’s what worked for me:

Flip flops
A must if you’re staying in hostels, flip flops double as shower shoes and are perfect for beaches, quick grocery runs, or lounging around. Lightweight and easy to clip onto your bag if needed.

Lightweight gym shoes
Gym shoes can be used for hiking or those days you are walking miles around a city. The biggest thing to be aware of, other than comfort of course, is how bulky they are. You do not want them to take up most of your bag. I love my Nike FlyKnit shoes. They’re super comfy and pack down to almost nothing.

Comfortable Flats
Flats are a great alternative for dinner or travel days where you won’t be hiking 5+ miles at a time. Make sure to take some that have support in them. I love my Naturalizer Samantha flats as they are great for walking. Just make sure to give them a day or two to break in before you go!

Necessary Evils You Need to Pack

Let’s be honest. This category isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of the most important. These are the items you’ll rely on daily, and how many you bring will really depend on one thing: laundry access. You don’t want to be that traveler rewearing socks three days in a row. Although… we’ve all been close.

Underwear / Bras
Here’s where things get tricky. How often will you do laundry? Will you be hand washing in hotel sinks, have laundry at your hostel, or waiting for access to a laundromat? I actually recommend investing in a couple of pairs of “travel” underwear to always be safe, like ExOfficio Give-N-Go. They’re lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying. They are perfect for hand washing when you’re in a pinch and your hostel laundry machine is broken for the third day in a row. When it comes to bras, think comfort and versatility. A mix of everyday and sports bras usually does the trick.

Socks
You know your feet and your shoe choices better than anyone else. If you’re living in gym shoes, pack more. If you’re beach-hopping in flip flops, pack fewer.

Items for Warmth on the Road

Traveling long term, chances are you’ll hit a chilly destination or two. These lightweight warmth essentials won’t take up much space, but they’ll make a huge difference when the temps drop.

Compact jacket
I swear by the Columbia Women’s Mighty Lite III Jacket. If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, , you’ve probably seen it in action on the Inca Trail, in Norway, Patagonia… it’s been everywhere with me. It’s insulated with Omni-Heat technology, which reflects your body heat back to you, and it packs down impressively small. Perfect for tossing in your daypack when temps swing. While they don’t sell this model anymore it appears (the horror!), the Columbia Heavenly Jacket is almost identical.

1 Scarf
A scarf is one of the most useful items in your bag. It can keep you warm, cover your shoulders or hair when visiting religious sites, or even double as a pillow or blanket on travel days

1 Pair of light gloves
If your trip includes high altitudes or colder destinations, a simple pair of gloves can go a long way. Even a thin knit pair helps when you’re trekking at dawn or navigating cold cities.

Miscellaneous Items You Wear

These are the small accessories that can make a big difference in how you feel while traveling.

Jewelry
Leave the flashy stuff at home. Expensive-looking jewelry can draw the wrong kind of attention and make you a target for theft or muggings. Instead, pack just enough to feel like you. For me this was one pair of stud earrings, 1 set of dangling earrings, a long necklace, and a bracelet.

1 Everyday purse + 1 Wristlet
After being mugged at knifepoint in Brazil (yes, really), I didn’t take any chances. I opted for the Travelon Anti-Theft Messenger Bag. It’s slash-proof, has locking zippers, RFID blocking, and a crossbody design. It was large enough to hold my iPad, plus had side pockets for a water bottle and umbrella. For evenings out or quick errands, a small wristlet was perfect.
Sunglasses
Don’t forget them. Seriously. Your eyes will thank you.

Traveling Light: How It All Fits

After going through all of those items, you may be wondering – how does all of this fit into just one backpack? The key is to travel light and stay flexible. No matter how long your long-term trip is, or how many seasons you’re moving through, it’s smarter to carry less and adjust as you go.

I always recommend lightening your load when it comes to inexpensive, easily replaceable items. For example, when you leave cold weather behind, you can ditch the gloves and maybe a long-sleeve shirt. When you head into winter, you probably don’t need to be hauling around a stack of shorts.

Traveling light makes everything easier. You’ll move faster, feel freer, and save your energy for the experiences that actually matter. Best of all? It makes walking places an option and you have the option to keep your bag with you when traveling instead of stashing it on the roof or under the bus.

Toiletries: An Important Part of Your Packing List

Basic Toiletries for All Travelers

The great thing about toiletries? If you forget something or run out, you can almost always pop into a local convenience store and restock. That’s why I recommend sticking to travel-sized containers to keep your packing light and your bag manageable.

Toothbrush + Toothpaste + Floss
Comb or hairbrush
Face wash + Body wash
Deodorant
Shampoo + Conditioner
Razor
Face lotion
Contacts + Contact Solution or Glasses if you need them

Makeup (If You Use It)

Makeup is a personal choice. Maybe you don’t wear makeup, or maybe you need your full glam kit to feel your best. I fall somewhere in between. I’m a “basic” makeup wearer. One thing to keep in mind: your favorite brands or shades might not be available abroad, especially if you’re pale like me or have very specific products you love.

3 Foundations (Yes, really. I can’t match my skin tone easily in Europe or Asia!)
Eyeliner
Mascara
Blush
Chapstick
Tweezers
Nail clippers + Nail file

Medicine for on the Road

This is where packing can get a little tricky. You don’t want to bring a pharmacy, but you do want to be prepared.

Bandaids + Neosporin
Tums
Advil (or your go-to pain reliever)
Imodium
Prescriptions
Getting your prescriptions filled while traveling will unfortunately be a challenge. If at all possible, take what you need for the duration of your trip. Otherwise, you may have to get creative. For me, I had my family ship me my prescription or hand deliver it when I had people coming to meet up with me.

Miscellaneous Toiletries You Will Want to Pack

These are the little things you’ll thank yourself for bringing.

Toilet paper + Hand sanitizer
Toilet paper can be like gold some places! I always tuck just a little bit away in case of “emergencies”. In most circumstances you can refill your stash along the way as most accommodations at minimum will have it, but there are times, like public toilets where you will be out of luck. If you are camping and hiking you already know the value of toilet paper!
Sunscreen
Even if you’re not heading to the beach, the sun can be brutal. I recommend always having at least a travel size tube of sunscreen handy.

Important Items to Remember to Pack

Passport + copy of your passport
Don’t even think about leaving for an international trip without your passport! Before you go, double-check the expiration date, make sure you have enough blank pages, and research whether you need any visas for your destination. Pro tip: Make a paper copy of your passport (or a photo) to keep on you, especially when you lock the original in your accommodation. It’s a small thing that can make a big difference in case of theft or loss.

Credit card + ATM card + Backup credit card + Some US cash for emergencies
I’m a “hit the ATM when I land” kind of traveler. I don’t carry tons of cash or traveler’s checks (do those still exist?). If the country uses credit cards widely, I opt for that. (Get a credit card with no international fees!) Either way, always keep some emergency cash in your bag. You never know when your card might be declined, eaten by an ATM, or turned off by your bank.
Driver’s License
Even if you’re not planning to drive, it’s smart to bring your license. You might decide to rent a scooter, go ATVing, or even rent a boat (no joke). It also serves as a handy secondary ID.

Travel Insurance
This one’s not optional in my book. Nothing can ruin a trip faster than an emergency and no coverage. Do not take this risk, especially on a long trip. I personally travel with World Nomads, which covers medical emergencies, theft, and more. They even offer an “adventure” add-on for activities like scuba diving, skydiving, and hiking at high altitudes. This way, if something happens, your trip isn’t ruined.

Miscellaneous Items to Pack for Long Term Traveling

The key to creating a long term travel packing list, is including all of the necessities, trimming the fat, and then planning for the unexpected with quick and easy fixes. These bonus items are the unsung heroes that can make your life on the road a whole lot smoother.

Don’t Forget to Pack…

Day pack
If you plan on taking day trips or short overnight adventures, a reliable day pack is essential. I used the Osprey Daylite Backpack, and it held up beautifully. It’s the perfect size and lightweight enough for all kinds of excursions.

Packing Cubes
If you haven’t used packing cubes before, prepare to be amazed. They keep your backpack from turning into a chaotic mess. I could pull out exactly what I needed without unpacking everything. Pure magic.

Travel towel
Most accommodations will offer towels, but not all, especially hostels. I recommend taking something small like the Sea to Summit DryLite towel. It’s very compact but super absorbent and can save you money when staying in hostels that don’t include towels.

Umbrella or Rain Jacket
I chose a compact travel umbrella, and honestly, I used it more than expected. It’s a simple item that can make a big difference. And if you change your mind, it’s an easy thing to pick up on the road.

Inflatable travel pillow (Optional)
Only bring this if you’re planning a lot of overnight buses or long-haul travel. I carried one for a while and ended up ditching it after a month—it just wasn’t worth the space for me.

Small Items, Big Impacts: Necessities for Long Term Travel

These are the little things that barely take up space in your bag, but when you need them, you’ll be so glad you packed them. Best of all? You won’t notice the extra space or weight from them if you never use them.

Headlamp
It might seem like an odd choice, but my headlamp has been a lifesaver more times than I can count. From camping in the desert to sunrise hikes, dorm rooms with sleeping roommates, or exploring caves, it’s a surprisingly useful item for long-term travelers.

2 Small locks
Bring two small combination locks: one for your backpack, one for hostel lockers. Skip anything with tiny keys (trust me, those disappear).

Plastic bags
It’s always handy to have one or two plastic bags or reusable bags around. If anything gets wet or muddy, you have a place to separate it from your bag. Need something to drop off your laundry in? No problem.

Carabiner
You won’t realize how often you’ll use this until you have one. Clip wet shoes, water bottles, or even hats to the outside of your pack. For the light weight and minimal space, I tend to throw one in.

Summing Up What to Pack for Long-Term Travel

And there you have it – my complete long-term travel packing list, tried, tested, and packed down into a single 46L backpack. Yes, really. It all fit.

Packing smart can make the difference between a great adventure and a stressful one. The goal isn’t to look like you just stepped off a runway. It’s to be ready for the moments you’ll remember forever. Hikes, hostels, street food, sunrises, rainstorms, buses that may or may not show up… all of it.

My favorite advice? Lay out everything you think you need, then pack half the clothes and twice the money. While you shouldn’t need twice the money, it never hurts to be prepared! And… if you’re like me and you end up extending your around the world trip multiple times, well, you might actually need the full budget after all.

Wherever your travels take you, I hope this packing list for long-term travel helps you feel ready, confident, and excited for the road ahead. Happy packing, and even happier exploring.

What would you add to your long term travel packing list?

Let me know in the comments.

Find Other Key Resources for Your Long Term Travel

Considering quitting your job to travel or taking a gap year to travel around the world? There are a lot of things to consider beyond just what to pack for long term travel. Fortunately, there are plenty of travel bloggers, like me, who have done just that and know what worked and what just didn’t. Start out ahead with advice from the “pros”.

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Master Long-Term Travel Packing List: What I Actually Used

Key Considerations for Long-Term Travel Packing