The Ultimate Packing Guide: One Year Traveling
You dreamed, planned, and booked an entire year of traveling. You have the tickets, the first few nights of accommodation, and now you need to pack. But how do you pack for an entire year, with multiple locations, going through all the seasons? Honest answer: it’s difficult and a very personal question. You can go about it in different ways, but I will share with you what I packed, along with some notes after a month of traveling with said items. I have separated this packing list into four sections: personal items, specialized items, documents, and tickets/passes.
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Table of Contents
1.Personal Items | 2.Specialized Items | 3.Documents | 4.Tickets and Passes | Takeaways
1. Personal Items
The biggest category of items to pack… or maybe not. Personal items are mainly broken down into clothes and toiletries. So, what are you wearing, and what hygiene products do you plan to carry around? Before packing, you should ask yourself the following questions:
Will I have steady access to a washing machine? Will I have to hand wash my clothes?
What activities will I be doing the most? How dirty will I be getting on a daily basis?
How often am I realistically okay with re-wearing items before washing them? Do I use the smell test alone, or are there a certain number of wears that make me feel grossed out?
Do I have any hygiene items that I require? Medications, devices, etc.?
After answering those questions, you can move on to the coordinating phase of packing personal items. For reference, my answers to the above questions were as follows:
I will have steady access to a washing machine. Drying machines might vary, though, so I must factor in the hang drying time.
I will mostly be walking around and exploring but will do some special activities like hiking, swimming, and sports throughout the year. I shouldn’t get too dirty on the average day.
Based on the activities performed in the clothes, I will wear items 3-4x before washing unless the smell test informs me I should wash sooner…
I do not have any specific hygiene/toiletry items I require. However, I do take travel supplements (more on that below).
Based on that information, I could go through my closet and choose around 20 clothing items to cycle through during the year. Of course, there are a few important things to mention. Firstly, if there is something that you will need in a particular location, you will be able to find and buy it there. Don’t feel like you need to account for every possible situation that you might encounter. Second, you can always exchange with others, buy and replace, send home, and trade clothes throughout the year. It is possible to wear the same 10 outfits an entire year, but I understand those who wish for a little more variety. Lastly, styles change, weight changes, and weather is notoriously unpredictable. Learn to roll with the punches a little and adapt, whatever that means at the time, with the current situation. I promise, your wardrobe while traveling is not what people will remember most about you. That said, you will find my recommendations below. Use this as a guide with ideas for your own travels, but of course, adapt it to your personal needs and answers to the above-mentioned questions.
Clothes
3 solid-color tank tops; layering is your friend. These can be worn on their own in warmer climates or used as a base in cooler ones.
1 solid-color short-sleeve shirt; same ideas as above, but sometimes you need a little extra coverage.
1 button-down blouse; I chose a solid white linen one. Wear it alone, unbuttoned over a tank, as a cover-up, dress it up or down…. You can’t go wrong with this.
1 sweater; long sleeve, medium thickness, possibly a turtleneck. Choose a sweater that you could wear at night in the summer or during the day in the winter. Something to keep you warm but not take up too much packing space.
1 jacket; you’ll likely need something more at some point, but buy it then and there. No sense in lugging around multiple jackets during the warmer months.
1 scarf; a lighter fabric is great, so you can also use it as a shaw in warmer weather. This is great for covering shoulders when going into temples in Southeast Asia as well.
2 dresses; something flowy and loose. While form-fitting dresses are great and stylish, traveling, walking, and activities make you sweat and places rub. I opted for one long, flowy maxi dress, and one shorter one for warmer weather.
1 skirt; aside from style, if you are traveling anywhere in Southeast Asia, you will definitely be entering many temples and holy places where you need to cover your legs. A long, flowy skirt is perfect for this, because you can wear biker shorts underneath and take the skirt off once you leave and put it in your bag if it’s too hot.
2 shorts; strictly talking about “normal” ones, not athletic ones at the moment. I brought a pair of white jean shorts and a casual but comfy “cute” pair. Pro tip: you can never go wrong with a pair of good-fitting black shorts to dress up or down.
2-3 pants; comfy, loose, and easy fabrics. I packed a pair of jeans, light fabric black slacks, and leggings… Yes, so American of me. I will likely change my slacks for linen pants in the summer.
1 belt; this is optional, but I love to throw on a belt as an accessory, not as a requirement to keep up my pants.
3 pairs of shoes; this is very controversial. Most experienced travelers will tell you that you need no more than 2 pairs of shoes. Normally, I would agree, but… I use barefoot shoes. They are thin, flexible, foldable, and take up way less space- aside from the health benefits they bring. That said, I brought hiking boots, van-like sneakers, and sandals. My hiking boots take up the most space, so I wear them on travel days and fold the other 2 into a small compartment of my bag.
Underwear for a week; underwear, bras, socks… please wear only once! Hahaha. For real, though, five to seven pairs is more than enough.
2 swimsuits; unless you are yachting, staying exclusively on the coast, or working in a water sport, two swimsuits are all you need. I chose a bikini and long-sleeve one-piece for the days I get lots of sun and don’t want to reapply sunscreen often.
Optional: athletic clothes; if you plan on exercising, doing sports, hiking, etc., you might need to bring some athletic clothes. One outfit should be all that you need. A pair of black bike shorts is always a good idea.
Optional: pajamas; depending on your accommodation, preferences, and comfort level, you might also want to bring a set of pajamas. Personally, I wear my athletic shorts and a tank top to sleep. It just depends if you have the space and desire for a designated set.
These guidelines should work in most situations. So far, I have worn all my clothes and haven’t felt the need for more. Of course, pick items that mix well together so that you can create a multitude of different outfits from the options you take. That’s why my preference is solid-color items- they can be mixed and matched easily.
Toiletries
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Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss; I use a Quip toothbrush, so I brought 5 brush heads (one for every 3 months and an extra if I get sick). Toothpaste can come in various sizes, so be careful if you take only a carry-on like me.
Hairbrush/comb; this might look different depending on the person and the hair. I use a bamboo comb, which occupies little space.
Razor; I use the Leaf Razor, which is great because it’s the last razor handle I will ever need. You can find blades to use everywhere you go for rather cheap.
Last Object Essentials Kit; reduce your single-use waste with Q-tips, rounds, and tissues from Last Object. Use, wash, repeat.
Soaps and moisturizers; shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face wash, moisturizer… everything you might need, you can buy as you go. I prefer to use bar soap, including shampoo. You also have to be careful with the liquid allotment with the mode of transportation you are using. I recommend bringing a small 60ml/2oz (or less) amount of each and simply purchasing more as you go if you choose liquids.
Optional: Other toiletry items you want to bring or need to think about include but are not limited to, a dry brush, female hygiene products, eye drops, retainer/night guard, lip balm, perfume, sunscreen, and bug spray. These items can be bought as needed, though.
Here is a quick look at all of the items listed on this blog, with a few bonuses.
2. Specialized Items
The next category includes things such as sporting gear, instruments, camera gear, technology and charging cords, etc. The items you pack from this category also vary greatly from person to person. Personally, I won’t be doing any specialized sports. But even so, it might be more economical to rent instead of lugging around the gear worldwide. An exception to this might be if your entire travel plans revolve around this sport. I also don’t play an instrument, so I don’t have to worry about that. But, I know several people who travel with guitars, violins, etc., so it is possible. With those items aside, I will focus on tech, devices, and other smaller items I travel with.
Technology and Devices
Phone; this should be a no-brainer. Don’t forget the charging cord.
Travel Adapter; different countries, different outlets. It’s important to have a way to charge your devices, and adapters can be very expensive once you’re at a destination. I use the TESSAN Universal Adapter.
Portable Phone Charger; a lot of public transportation vehicles in Europe have ports to plug in devices, but sometimes you need to charge your phone on the go. I use this mini portable charger that plugs directly into my phone, and it’s the perfect size to tuck into my pocket or fanny pack when not in use.
Laptop and/or Tablet; depending on your needs or work, you might need a laptop. Most people these days will have use for at least one of these. I brought my laptop.
Earbuds/Headphones; again, this is a preference for in-ear or over-ear. I’m sure you already have a favorite pair, so bring them, any case they might have, and their charging cords.
Bluetooth Earbud/Headphone Transmitter/Receiver; if you want to use your wireless earbuds but can’t connect to a certain device without an audio jack (plane screens, for example), there are devices for that! I use this one by EITIPOK off of Amazon. I plug in this device and pair my wireless earbuds to it via Bluetooth.
Smart Watch; not everyone uses one, but if you do, don’t forget to pack the charging cord and any extra bands that you might want.
Camera; whether a Sony/Canon/Nikon-type camera, a GoPro, a 360 camera… I highly suggest bringing something. While our phones are becoming increasingly sophisticated with their cameras, there is something different and special about having a camera dedicated to special moments. I know several backpackers who carry disposable cameras with them for film moments. This does take up some luggage space, so think about what kind of camera you feel would be best for you. Also, keep in mind that you might need accessories and charging cables.
Thumb Drive and/or SSD; storage is important! Especially for all of your magical travel moments. For my phone, I use Amazon Photos and OneDrive. But for your camera, larger files, etc., you might want a thumb drive, extra (micro) SD cards, and possibly an SSD (solid state drive; a compact storage device). I am partial to SanDisk products.
Optional: Safety Devices; this is a personal decision. Some devices, such as pocket knives and pepper spray, are illegal in certain places, so pay attention to the laws. From a location standpoint, I use Apple AirTags and an InvisaWear necklace. With these devices, I can track and send location alerts to myself and my chosen contacts.
Other/Miscellaneous
Noise-Canceling Earbuds/Headphones; traveling is noisy, hostels can be loud, and parties can be insane. I use the Loop Quiet Earplugs with the Mute Inserts, which work great.
Eye Mask; same with noise, light can be a nuisance. Find an eye mask that is comfortable for you- it’s a very personal decision.
Neck Pillow; for travel days and as your primary pillow, these are a great purchase. I use a Tempurpedic one that can roll up. I would suggest bringing a pillowcase to put over it for easy washing.
Microfiber Towel(s); showers, beaches, cover-ups… towels are needed! But they can take up so much space and weight if you’re not careful. My favorites are the XL Pocket Towel from Sea to Summit and Nudi Wear Towel in my favorite pattern.
Locks; you want to keep your valuables safe when you’re not near. You can find lockers everywhere, but sometimes, the size of the lock varies. I’ve found the Prosafe 1000 Travel padlock from Pacsafe works well.
Carabiners; even if you’re not camping and hiking, these little guys come in handy. You might want to clip your shoes to the outside of your bag, a water bottle to your day bag, or your towel to the bunk bed post to dry.
Optional: Card Games; a pack of cards takes little space and can be used anywhere with your new friends. My personal favorite is Itchy Feet: The Travel Card Game, which double as a regular deck of cards as well.
These lists are not comprehensive and useful for everyone. Use them as a guide, do your research, think about your experiences, and decide what you want to take. Just remember- space is limited, and you can buy things as needed.
Some of the specialized items I take with me while traveling.
3. Documents
This category is highly specific to your citizenship status. Check with your embassy or government website to clarify what documents and visas you might need for traveling. Preparing these items well before your trip will save you a lot of headaches, but be careful of expiration dates. I also recommend keeping a digital copy of all documents on a secured platform. Nevertheless, some documents you might want to consider are as follows:
Visas; consult your embassy or government website to determine if you need to apply for any visas or extensions. As an American, for example, I can stay in the Schengen zone for 90/180 days without a special visa.
Travel Insurance; like any other insurance, the hope is that you don’t have to use it. However, having travel insurance adds a layer of protection for you and your belongings while abroad. Personally, I use DAN Travel Insurance (available to non-scuba divers as well).
Driving Permits; this depends on whether your country’s driving license is accepted in different places. My American license is not widely accepted, so I went to AAA to purchase my $20 USD International Driving Permit, which is accepted in over 190 countries.
Vaccination Card; depending on the countries involved, some vaccinations are required or recommended for entry. Keeping a copy of the records might be necessary.
Passport Pictures; it is a great idea to have around 4-5 printed and cut-out passport pictures ready. Some Southeast Asian visas require passport pictures, or you might come into another situation where you need some handy. It takes only a few bucks to have them done before you leave and keep them with your passport.
A few of the documents I carry around with me.
4. Tickets and Passes
Much of the world is moving towards digital tickets and passes. Regarding packing and preparing for your adventure, you might only have the first ticket purchased. Simply ensure you are booked, checked in, and have all necessary documentation. Once at your location, you might want to purchase or reserve tickets and passes for:
Transportation; plane, bus, ferry, ship, etc.
Accommodation; hostel, hotel, campgrounds, etc.
Entry Permit; reserves, campgrounds, countries, etc.
Activity/Day Passes; some cities will offer day passes for entry to several iconic/historical sites, activities, or the like.
I keep my tickets and passes in my travel journey as keepsakes! Just bring a role of tape with you :)
Takeaways
Planning what to pack should take more time than the packing itself. If you classify your items into personal, specialized, documents, and tickets/passes, then it is easier to remember everything. You can further break down those categories as I did above. Ultimately, these lists should be used as a guide but not followed exclusively. Think about your personal needs, desires, activities, and plans. Everyone is different and has different opinions of what is needed for a backpacking trip. As a female traveler, I also considered safety and practicality. And again, don’t stress too much about packing everything you might possibly need. If you need something, you can find it in that place. You might be moving around, but there are stores and kind people who will help you along the way. If you find any of this useful, let me know! If you have questions, comments, or concerns, share them! My goal is for this to be a platform for like-minded travelers to share and help others. If you follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, you will find that’s the easiest place to interact with a community of wanderers. On my YouTube channel, I will share tips, tricks, and lessons learned from each destination I go to, and my podcast will have similar content in a different format. I hope that you find this information helpful and use it as a starting point for your own wonderful, magical adventures! Happy wandering.
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