How to Pack for Long Trips (Carry-on Only!)
Packing for a trip might sound like a simple task, but it can be a point of anxiety for people, including me. Luckily I’ve packed for a handful of long trips and I’ve learned a lot through trial and error. I’ve gone from bringing a 50-pound suitcase and duffle bag to a single carry-on size 40-liter backpack, and let me tell you, it is so much easier traveling with just a carry-on.
There are many advantages to traveling with a carry-on only:
Easier to move from place to place
No baggage fees (or lower baggage fees depending on the airline)
Quicker check-in at the airport
Less stuff to keep track of
Minimalist lifestyle
Bag is more likely to fit in the lockers at hostels
This style of travel might seem intimidating at first, but once you know what to pack and a few tricks, it will become your favorite style of travel, too. This blog includes my general packing list (warm and cold months) and my favorite travel products for minimalist, sustainable travel.
** Some links may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you **
What to Pack
Whether you are packing for a 1-week or 4-month trip, what you pack will be fairly similar. The most important factor you need to consider is the weather and the activities you plan on doing. Below you can find the general lists I use when packing for trips. Your list may vary depending on your destination but this is a good starting point.
Extra tip: Remember that you can do laundry while you travel, so you don’t need to pack one outfit for every day of your trip.
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2-3 shirts/tank tops
1 warm layer - sweatshirt (Can wear on the plane)
1 pair of pants (Can wear on the plane)
Proper footwear (Can wear on the plane)
1-2 pair of shorts
1 swimsuit
7 pairs of underwear
3-4 pairs of socks
Quick-dry Towel
Reusable bag
Shampoo & Conditioner bars
Toiletries
Adapter
Filtering Water Bottle
Laundry detergent sheets
Lock
Adapter
Small backpack or purse
Camera
Sandals
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2-3 long sleeve shirts or thin sweaters
1 packable jacket
1-2 pair of pants (Can wear 1 on the plane)
Proper footwear (Can wear on the plane)
1 swimsuit
7 pairs of underwear
4-5 pairs of warm socks
Quick-dry Towel
Reusable bag
Shampoo & Conditioner bars
Toiletries
Adapter
Filtering Water Bottle
Laundry detergent sheets
Lock
Adapter
Small backpack or purse
Camera
Umbrella
Pack your bag with everything you think you need. Then look at its contents and think, what can I live without? Do I really need another sweater? Do I really need 3 pairs of jeans? (Hint: The answer is probably, no.)
Favorite Travel Products
If you are just starting to travel, please don’t feel like you need to buy a bunch of things to be a “good traveler”. The only thing you really need to travel is an open mind. If you really wanted, you could go with one outfit and your passport. Unfortunately, I am not that minimal. But I have figured out how to travel with a single 40L backpack which is a considerable jump from where I started.
Keep in mind that I spent years collecting these items —I didn’t buy them all at once — and I only bought certain things because I knew I would continue backpacking and they would make my life easier and more comfortable. What I love most about the products I’ve gathered is they have allowed me to travel more sustainably and economically!
40 Liter Backpack
A 40-liter backpack might sound very specific but I have my reasons. 40-liter is usually the max size a backpack can be to be considered a “carry-on” size and fit in the overhead bins. Sadly, I’ve been on very small planes where my backpack is too big for the bins and they have to place it beneath the plane, but this prevents me from paying any sort of luggage fees, so it’s still a win in my book.
The other reason I travel with a backpack is it’s much easier to travel with than a suitcase. It allows you to easily move from location to location without wheels getting stuck on cobblestone or uneven roads.
Side note: My current travel backpack is from Eagle Creek which is now out of business. I linked an Osprey backpack that is highly recommended by travelers and would be the backpack I purchase next if, heaven forbid, something happens to mine (I’m weirdly attached to my backpack now).
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes can be somewhat controversial in the minimalist travel community (which I know sounds funny, if not ridiculous). Some will say they take up more space, which isn’t not true. However, I find them extremely useful when packing to keep my things organized into categories like, “shirts”, “underwear”, “socks”, etc. So this one is really up to your preferences or thoughts on minimalism.
Shampoo & Conditioner Bars
By far one of my favorite travel tips is packing shampoo and conditioner bars, which are solid forms of shampoo and conditioner. These will save you space in your liquids bag, as well as provide shampoo and conditioner for your whole trip (bars typically last between 3-5 months depending on your hair and frequency of use).
If you are new to staying in hostels, you might not know that these accommodations don’t typically provide shampoo and conditioner. Instead of buying a bunch of those travel-size shampoo and conditioner bottles save money, space, and the environment with bars!
Extra tip: Make sure to check the next item in this list for the best way to carry shampoo & conditioner bars.
Soap Bar Case
When I first started traveling with shampoo and conditioner bars, I kept them in tin cans, which left the bars gooey and never fully dry. I then came across this case from Matador and it was a game-changer. The material allows the bars to dry even when the tight seal is in use. No more melty, gooey bars!
Nomadix Towel
Nomadix towels are quick-drying and sand-resistant. Like many other items on this list, the reason why I love this towel is endless, so I’m just going to make a quick list for you:
Lightweight and packs small
Save money - Hostels typically charge to “rent” towels
Quick-drying - Other towels dry slowly and you really don’t want a soggy towel in your luggage
Sand resistant - Say goodbye to sandy luggage on your beach vacation
Made with post-consumer recycled materials (not virgin plastic)
Doesn’t absorb odor - More time in-between washes
Colors don’t bleed - stick it in with any load
Travel Adapter
I know I said you don’t need anything to travel, but if you have a phone, you probably will need an adapter. Outlets vary from country to country, so I prefer to have an adapter that will work in most countries (150+ countries). This way I don’t have to keep track of multiple adapters while traveling. An added bonus to this adapter is the ability to charge up to 6 devices simultaneously.
Filtering Water Bottle
Depending on which country you are visiting, water might now be safe for you to drink. Instead of buying a bunch of single-use plastic bottles, consider investing in a filtering water bottle. I prefer the filtering bottle from Grayl over other brands for its ability to press and purify water into the bottle, versus other products that purify as you drink from it.
Extra tip: If I’m going somewhere hot, I will bring an extra Nalgene water bottle with me. That way, if I’m going out for a while or going on a hike, I can fill the Nalgene and the Grayl water bottles with purified water before heading out.
Laundry Detergent
If you are traveling for more than a week and want to travel with a carry-on only, I highly suggest buying some laundry detergent. Sea to Summit offers two types of travel laundry detergent which are TSA approved, environmentally friendly, and effective for cleaning.
I prefer the dry detergent that comes in a small pocket-sized sleeve with 50 “leaves”, which saves more room in your liquids bag. If you aren’t concerned about your liquids bag filling up, you might also try the liquid detergent by Sea to Summit, which offers the same benefits.
Lock
In my experience, hostels usually don’t provide locks on the lockers where you keep your luggage. Fortunately, I haven’t stayed in hostels where I feel like locking my stuff up is necessary, but I always do it as a precaution. I’ve heard enough horror stories about items being stolen that I don’t want a story of my own.
Reusable Bag
I love reusable bags in my daily life and I always pack one for my travels, too. If you plan on buying groceries or souvenirs, this will definitely help you cut down on your plastic use. My favorite bag to bring with me traveling is from Baggu. They are strong and sturdy, pack down into a little pocket, and come in cute patterns, too.
Toothpaste bits
When I was planning my 3-month trip to Europe I decided to try out toothpaste bits from Bite. They are great for traveling because it saves room in your liquids bag, you can pack as many as you need, and they have plastic-free packaging. I liked them so much that I have continued to use them ever since. You can get $5 off your first $30 subscription, here!
Packable Winter Jacket
A packable winter jacket was definitely one of my luxury purchases but knowing I would be traveling to destinations with temperatures ranging from tank top weather to winter coat weather on the same trip, it felt like a good purchase. If you are wondering what I mean by “packable”, it means that the jacket packs down into a pocket, making it easy to pack in your backpack without taking up a bunch of space.
Mini Fjallraven Backpack
After using purses and fanny packs I finally found my perfect daily companion. The mini Fjallraven Backpack is big enough to hold your wallet, water bottle, reusable bag, and camera. Plus, if you are traveling around Europe, you’ll fit right in.
Umbrella
It took me a long time to realize the importance of traveling with an umbrella. But after buying umbrellas on two long trips, I have finally made it a part of my general packing list. Make sure you get one that is compact so you can keep it in a water bottle pocket on your backpack.
