Wondering what to pack on you trip? Below is our detailed packing list for international travel (although this will work just as well for local adventures). While it was written with the solo traveler in mind, the recommendations don’t change much if you’re traveling in a couple or with a group.

This is information that we have distilled from hours of research, testing, and actual travel. Where possible, we have included specific brand and equipment recommendations.

Our international travel packing list is broken down into:

(Click on any of the above to jump to the relevant sub-section)

The Essentials

Your passport (assuming you’re going abroad). Make sure it’s valid for at least six months after your planned return date, and that you have all the necessary visas (you can check entry requirements at VisaHQ).

(assuming you’re going abroad). Make sure it’s valid for at least six months after your planned return date, and that you have all the necessary visas (you can check entry requirements at VisaHQ). Identification (preferably issued by a government – e.g. driver’s license). You will likely need to prove your identity somewhere, so it’s good to have on you at all times. If someone asks for ID, offer this first before revealing the passport.

(preferably issued by a government – e.g. driver’s license). You will likely need to prove your identity somewhere, so it’s good to have on you at all times. If someone asks for ID, offer this first before revealing the passport. Photocopies of the above . Bring copies of all your important documents, to show in the event of loss/theft (and to expedite getting replacements through the local bank/consulate). It may also make sense to keep digital scans of these in the cloud (e.g. in a Dropbox folder).

. Bring copies of all your important documents, to show in the event of loss/theft (and to expedite getting replacements through the local bank/consulate). It may also make sense to keep digital scans of these in the cloud (e.g. in a Dropbox folder). A credit and/or debit card . Make sure to call your financial institution before you take off to give them a heads up of your expected whereabouts (this way, your cards won’t be frozen for suspicious activity).

and/or . Make sure to call your financial institution before you take off to give them a heads up of your expected whereabouts (this way, your cards won’t be frozen for suspicious activity). Any personal medicines or hard to find toiletries . While most things can be found at your destination, make sure you have a good supply of anything you simply can’t live without. This includes prescription medicine/pills, hearing aids, and so on.

or hard to find . While most things can be found at your destination, make sure you have a good supply of anything you simply can’t live without. This includes prescription medicine/pills, hearing aids, and so on. Cash. Before you leave, make sure you have at least a decent amount of cash (US $200) in the destination currency. If you know there will be ATMs upon arrival, that works too (especially if you can avoid withdrawal fees). ATMs often will have the best exchange rates – try to avoid international currency exchange booths at airports and transport hubs.

Armed with just the above, you could conceivably travel for as long as you want – provided you have enough funds in the bank. Anything extra could simply be purchased on arrival (that includes your travel bag).

General Travel Gear

A travel bag (e.g. suitcase and/or backpack). While plenty of folks obsess over this, my personal opinion is that most of the travel bags out there today will get the job done for general travel. However, I have also done my fair share of research and testing in this department, so if you’d like a complete answer scroll down to the Travel Backpack section of this page.

(e.g. suitcase and/or backpack). While plenty of folks obsess over this, my personal opinion is that most of the travel bags out there today will get the job done for general travel. However, I have also done my fair share of research and testing in this department, so if you’d like a complete answer scroll down to the Travel Backpack section of this page. Comfortable walking shoes . If you’re buying new ones, make sure to try them on before you set off – you should feel comfortable walking in them for hours at a time. Popular brands include Merrell and Vivobarefoot. Don’t forget a quality pair of insoles (recommendation: Superfeet). Given all the sightseeing and exploring you’ll be doing, this is one of the most important gear purchases.

. If you’re buying new ones, make sure to try them on before you set off – you should feel comfortable walking in them for hours at a time. Popular brands include Merrell and Vivobarefoot. Don’t forget a quality pair of insoles (recommendation: Superfeet). Given all the sightseeing and exploring you’ll be doing, this is one of the most important gear purchases. Quick-dry shorts . A must for tropical climates. I personally go for shorts that double as swimming trunks (this is a bit extreme, but allows me to save a lot of luggage space). If you’re looking for a new pair, check out the Prana Zion shorts.

. A must for tropical climates. I personally go for shorts that double as swimming trunks (this is a bit extreme, but allows me to save a lot of luggage space). If you’re looking for a new pair, check out the Prana Zion shorts. Packing cubes . Invaluable for keeping stuff organized in your main bag, and for keeping dirty/wet clothes separate. Eagle Creek is the clear winner here, with their famous Pack-it Specter series.

. Invaluable for keeping stuff organized in your main bag, and for keeping dirty/wet clothes separate. Eagle Creek is the clear winner here, with their famous Pack-it Specter series. An unlocked, quad-band smartphone . Aside from keeping you connected, a decent phone can serve as a replacement for a camera, map, flashlight, notepad, alarm clock, watch, book, music player, entertainment system, and more. Make sure you get one that’s unlocked (not tied to a specific carrier) so that you can pick up local SIM cards anywhere you go. It’s hard to give specific advice because just about any smartphone these days is good enough for travel.

. Aside from keeping you connected, a decent phone can serve as a replacement for a camera, map, flashlight, notepad, alarm clock, watch, book, music player, entertainment system, and more. Make sure you get one that’s unlocked (not tied to a specific carrier) so that you can pick up local SIM cards anywhere you go. It’s hard to give specific advice because just about any smartphone these days is good enough for travel. Immunization card . Bring it along as a record of your medical information.

. Bring it along as a record of your medical information. Travel insurance . Better safe than sorry. Make sure that it is valid in the area(s) you’re visiting, and that coverage at least $100,000 USD (emergency operations and surgeries can be very expensive).

. Better safe than sorry. Make sure that it is valid in the area(s) you’re visiting, and that coverage at least $100,000 USD (emergency operations and surgeries can be very expensive). Universal travel adapter . There’s a popular choice here: the compact Kikkerland Travel Adapter.

. There’s a popular choice here: the compact Kikkerland Travel Adapter. An e-reader . Great for airplane and bedtime reading, and doesn’t strain the eyes. The Kindle Paperwhite E-reader is an excellent choice.

. Great for airplane and bedtime reading, and doesn’t strain the eyes. The Kindle Paperwhite E-reader is an excellent choice. Ear plugs . These can mean the difference between a rage-inducing plane ride and a bearable one. Hearos makes good ones.

. These can mean the difference between a rage-inducing plane ride and a bearable one. Hearos makes good ones. Quick-drying, odor-resistant underwear and socks (ideally made of wool). Leave the cotton undergarments at home – cotton takes a long time to dry, and starts smelling after just a few hours of wear. For guys: try ExOfficio boxers or Uniqlo’s Airism series. For socks, the easy choices are Smartwool or Darn Tough.

and (ideally made of wool). Leave the cotton undergarments at home – cotton takes a long time to dry, and starts smelling after just a few hours of wear. For guys: try ExOfficio boxers or Uniqlo’s Airism series. For socks, the easy choices are Smartwool or Darn Tough. A collared shirt (or equivalent in women’s formal wear). It’s not all hiking and canoeing – eventually, you will be invited to a party or a formal event. Bring at least one “dressy” top.

If you bring everything listed above (along with a change of clothing and a toothbrush), you will be good to go just about anywhere in the world. Whenever possible, save yourself the hassle of lugging around extra stuff: just buy it there.

Specialized Travel Gear

Non-essential for general travel, but still very useful on the road.

Choosing a Travel Backpack

For most types of travel, I recommend getting a sturdy, comfortable, water-resistant (or waterproof) backpack. A word of caution: the choice of backpack is a subject of much debate, and it’s easy to get lost in the arguments for one brand vs. another. Here’s what to look for in a good travel pack:

Make sure it’s actually a backpack (or can be worn as one). Don’t get tempted into buying a duffel or tote – you should be able to walk around with both hands free. Also, resist the urge to bring a roller suitcase – it will not only limit your mobility, but also slow you down considerably if anything breaks (see how long spinner wheels last on cobblestone).

(or can be worn as one). Don’t get tempted into buying a duffel or tote – you should be able to walk around with both hands free. Also, resist the urge to bring a roller suitcase – it will not only limit your mobility, but also slow you down considerably if anything breaks (see how long spinner wheels last on cobblestone). Get something lightweight . Ideally, the pack should weigh less than 1 kg (2.2 lbs). Don’t make it hard on yourself (or your shoulders). When you’re carrying around a pack for extended periods of time, every gram counts. We’re lucky to live in an age of high tech, light materials – there are plenty of quality packs that weigh next to nothing.

. Ideally, the pack should weigh less than 1 kg (2.2 lbs). Don’t make it hard on yourself (or your shoulders). When you’re carrying around a pack for extended periods of time, every gram counts. We’re lucky to live in an age of high tech, light materials – there are plenty of quality packs that weigh next to nothing. Good organizational features , and easy access to the main compartment. Chances are, you will have a bunch of smaller items – pockets and dividers ensure that your bag doesn’t become a “gypsy camp” (disorganized mess). Helps if the pack has a hidden inner pocket, too (for your passport and other valuables).

, and to the main compartment. Chances are, you will have a bunch of smaller items – pockets and dividers ensure that your bag doesn’t become a “gypsy camp” (disorganized mess). Helps if the pack has a hidden inner pocket, too (for your passport and other valuables). Weather resistance . Get a pack that is built to withstand the elements (either with waterproof materials or a built-in rain cover that can be quickly and easily deployed). Nothing worse than showing up somewhere with all your clothing and electronics soaked.

. Get a pack that is built to withstand the elements (either with waterproof materials or a built-in rain cover that can be quickly and easily deployed). Nothing worse than showing up somewhere with all your clothing and electronics soaked. Comfort . This is probably the most important part – make sure you will be comfortable carrying it for hours on end. The best way is to go to a local sports equipment store (e.g. REI in the USA, or MEC in Canada) and try on a few loaded packs. Go with the one that feels right – and doesn’t restrict your hand/leg movement.

. This is probably the most important part – make sure you will be comfortable carrying it for hours on end. The best way is to go to a local sports equipment store (e.g. REI in the USA, or MEC in Canada) and try on a few loaded packs. Go with the one that feels right – and doesn’t restrict your hand/leg movement. Compact size . Get a backpack that meets airline carry-on size regulations (22” x 14” x 8”). Ideally, you should not be checking in bags when you travel (checked luggage slows you down, limits your mobility, leads to extra fees, and has a tendency to get lost). You can usually tell how long a person has been traveling by the size of their backpack – unless they are carrying specialized gear, seasoned travelers typically have a pack that’s 40 Liters or less (in volume). Resist the urge to buy a big pack!

. Get a backpack that meets airline carry-on size regulations (22” x 14” x 8”). Ideally, you should not be checking in bags when you travel (checked luggage slows you down, limits your mobility, leads to extra fees, and has a tendency to get lost). You can usually tell how long a person has been traveling by the size of their backpack – unless they are carrying specialized gear, seasoned travelers typically have a pack that’s 40 Liters or less (in volume). Resist the urge to buy a big pack! Low-profile. The idea is to blend in, and not attract any unnecessary attention. I suggest sticking to dark colors (ideally, black or grey). No designer logos, and minimal straps.

To make things easier, I have created an online spreadsheet to make the bag selection process a bit easier. Take a look: “One Bag” Travel Backpack Comparison.

Bags that I consider to be excellent choices for the minimalist solo traveler:

There are, of course, many others that may suit you just fine – with so many choices, it will often come down to personal preference (and emotional appeal). Many seasoned backpackers swear by Osprey, while rock climbers prefer the specialized offerings from Arc’teryx.

Still not sure which bag is best? Here’s a flowchart to help you out:



Links: Full size image | Original in Google Sheets

Of course, there’s no “one size fits all” solution. When in doubt, try a bag on before you commit to buying something that you you’ll end up hauling all over the world!

To summarize: when choosing what to take, opt for versatility and compactness. The more functions a single item performs, the more useful it will be on the road.

At the end of the day, choosing one brand or another isn’t going to make a big difference to your overall travel experience. Try not to spend too much money on equipment – put it towards the cost of a trip instead.