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Because people seem to love packing lists (and since I love lists in general), you can find all my travel-related posts and specific packing lists here, followed by a detailed breakdown of some of my favorite gear.
PACKING POSTS
Travel Essentials: The Top 12 Things I Can’t Travel Without
These are the things I ALWAYS pack, no matter where I'm going or how long I'm traveling.
A Peek Inside My Camera Bag: My Favorite Travel Photography Gear
A look at all the gear I use to take the photos you see on this site.
What NOT to Pack: 12 Things You Probably Never Need to Pack
Here are 12 things that you likely don't ever need to pack for travel.
The Best Luggage and Bags for Travel
My picks for the best bags to travel with, from backpacks to rolling luggage and everything else in between.
The Quest to Find the Perfect Travel Shoe
A look at all my favorite travel-friendly footwear (for women). These are all shoes I personally own and travel with!
In-Flight Essentials to Make Long Flights Suck Less
These items should hopefully help make your next long flight a little less awful.
PACKING LISTS
These destination-specific packing lists should help you prepare for any trip!
North America
USA Road Trip Essentials: What to Pack for a US Road Trip
All the essentials you'll want to take with you on a road trip around the United States. I road trip in the US a lot, and this list includes all my must-haves.
Europe
What to Pack for a River Cruise in Europe
After my first river cruise down the Danube, I put together this packing list for anyone going on a similar vacation. This is perfect for any sort of river cruise in Europe, and can be tweaked for any season.
What to Pack for a Trip to Ireland
This sample packing list should cover you for just about any season in Ireland.
Packing for a Trip to Iceland in Winter
I've now visited Iceland twice in the winter, so this is the ultimate guide for what to pack for the Land of Fire and Ice if you're visiting during the winter months!
Packing for a Trip to Northern Norway (in Winter)
Going to Tromso or Alta to try to see the Northern Lights? Here's everything you'll need to stay warm and comfortable in Northern Norway in winter.
What to Pack for Backpacking Around Europe
I headed to Europe for 8 weeks in summer 2012, hitting up Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the UK — meaning lots of different types of weather! Here's what to pack.
Africa
What to Wear in Morocco: A Complete Morocco Packing Guide for Women
Planning a trip to Morocco and want to know how to dress respectfully but still be comfortable and cute? Then this Morocco packing guide is for you!
Can I Wear Capris in Egypt? (Or a Complete Egypt Packing Guide for Women)
Yes, Egypt is safe to visit right now. And yes, it's a more conservative country, meaning that if you're visiting (and especially if you're visiting as a woman), you want to be mindful of what you wear. This packing lists covers all the dos and don'ts.
What to Pack for an Overland Trip in Southern Africa
Overlanding is, in my opinion, the best way to see and experience much of Africa. This post details what to pack for an overland trip in Southern Africa.
Oceania
Packing for a Trip to New Zealand
This list is for a spring trip, but could easily be tweaked to apply to any time of year in New Zealand. (Hint: take lots of layers. And a rain coat.)
Asia
Packing for Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia seems like it would be easy to pack for: hot temperatures and plenty of beaches. But don't forget that many countries in this part of the world are slightly more conservative. Check out what I packed for 6 weeks in Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand.
Misc.
Packing for Summer and Winter in One Trip
It's bound to happen eventually if you travel often — the dreaded multi-season trip, where you have to pack for more than one climate in just one bag. Here's how I fared packing for a trip to both Scotland (in winter) and tropical Belize in one go!
FAVORITE TRAVEL GEAR
Here's a look at some of my favorite travel gear.
My bag(s)
Kelty Redwing 44 — This small, compact backpack has traveled around Europe with me for 3 months, and Asia for nearly 2. I love how small it is (it keeps me from over-packing), and love that it unzips fully to be front-loading. There are also some extra side and front pockets that make organizing easy.
Osprey Meridian 60 — For trips when a backpack isn't necessary, I've started using a convertible Osprey pack. It has sturdy wheels on the bottom, but also comes with removable backpack straps, should you need them. I LOVE this bag — it's the best of both worlds! I've been using a 60-liter bag similar to this one for 5 years straight and it's still in great shape.
Osprey Farpoint 40 — If you're looking for a backpack that's incredibly well-made but also carry-on-friendly, check out the Farpoint 40 by Osprey. I LOVE my Sojourn, but it's too big to act as a carry-on. The Farpoint doesn't have wheels, but it does have straps that zip away and plenty of interior space.
Packing must-haves
Packing cubes — Like to be organized? Then you HAVE to start using packing cubes. They come in multiple sizes, and usually fit together, puzzle-like, in any size bag. I use anywhere from 3-5 when I pack: one for shirts, one for shorts, one for skirts, etc.
SegSac — I love my packing cubes, but sometimes you need something with even more compartments for things like socks and underwear. I use a SegSac by Gobi Gear for all these miscellaneous items. It's divided up into 6 compartments and has compression straps so that you can shrink it down.
Toiletry kit — Yes, I love anything that helps me organize a bag better – and that includes a good toiletry kit! If you're just taking the essentials (i.e. travel-sized toiletries instead of the big stuff), then this kit is perfect. It organizes your things nicely, and lays relatively flat in a suitcase or backpack.
Day packs
Pacsafe Slingsafe — This little backpack really packs a punch. With anti-theft features like slash-proof material and secure zippers, this bag is perfect to carry around just about any city. It even fits a tablet, iPad, or 11-inch Macbook Air. It's a bit small to use as a carry-on if you have a bigger laptop or more electronics, but it's great to use as a secure daypack.
STM Haven — The STM Haven is a great carry-on backpack. The Haven is slim and will easily fit under any airplane seat. It also has “floating” pockets for laptops and tablets, giving your devices a little extra padding. Lastly, the bag has a ridiculous amount of pockets, which is a must-have for any organizational freak.
Pacsafe Camsafe V17 — Now that I'm traveling with a lot more camera equipment, I've shifted over to taking a camera-focused bag as my main carry-on. Like the Slingsafe, this bag has anti-theft features like slash-proof material and secure zippers. It also has a separate compartment with dividers made for camera gear, which is perfect for photographers. (There's also a larger version of this bag here.)
Handbags
Anti-theft cross-body bag — A cross-body bag is a must for any traveling woman, and one that is anti-theft is even better. Made by Travelon, I really like this one. It's big enough for everything I would want to take with me for a day (my camera, wallet, Kindle, a scarf or sweater, etc.), and I also love the side pockets for water bottles or an umbrella.
Pacsafe Citysafe — If a smaller handbag is more your style, I'll recommend another bag by Pacsafe (can you tell I love this brand??). This small handbag is made from Pacsafe's signature slashproof material and a RFID-blocking interior pocket.
A convertible bag – Another Pacsafe recommendation coming at you! I usually use this bag in its small backpack form, but love that I can also convert it into a cross-body purse, too. Talk about versatile! I always get compliments on this one when I travel with it, too.
For sleeping/showering
Cocoon silk sleep sheet — We've all experienced questionable sleeping situations on the road. A silk sleep sheet is the answer — it acts like a lightweight sleeping bag, meaning you don't have to actually touch those sketchy sheets or mattresses. These also take up virtually NO space in your bag.
Micro fiber towel — Traveling with a quick-dry towel is a must for most travelers. I never go on long trips without mine. Even if I'm staying in a hotel where towels are provided, having a micro fiber towel can be great for the beach. And, since these towels don't take up much room, packing one is a no-brainer.
Dual voltage hair dryer — In some parts of the world, it's easy to forego the hair dryer and just let your locks dry naturally. But in other situations (I'm looking at YOU, winter), you really need a hair dryer. And, because I don't always stay in hotels that provide hair dryers (and because sometimes hotel hair dryers are AWFUL), I bring my own dual voltage dryer that folds up and packs easily.
Clothing
Mosquito jacket – Especially now with the scare of Zika virus, it's more important than ever to avoid getting bitten by mosquitos when traveling. I invested in this BugsAway mosquito jacket by ExOfficio in 2016, and it actually does WORK. The mesh is light and airy, and yet the bug repellent in the material really does help keep the bugs at bay.
Breathable undies – Maybe it's weird to talk about underwear here, but I don't care. When you travel, a good pair of breathable, quick-drying underwear is essential. I have a week's worth of ExOfficio briefs like this, and they are my absolutely favorite. I don't have to worry about having sweaty nether-regions when I'm traveling in hot climates, and I can wash these by hand at night and know they'll be dry in the morning.
Hidden pocket travel scarf – I really hate money belts and those passport-holder necklaces. I think they just make you stand out MORE as a tourist. As an alternative, check out Speakeasy's hidden pocket travel scarves. The pocket is large enough for a passport, credit cards, and money, and yet when you're wearing the scarf you would never know it!
Footwear
Compression socks — For long plane rides (or really any time you're going to be sitting a lot), I recommend getting a good pair of compression socks. They help increase circulation and decrease swelling, and can also help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. I'm a fan of my Travelsox!
Winter socks — For cold-weather trips, you definitely want something that will keep your toes warm and toasty. My recommendation are Heat Holders – some of the warmest socks I've ever worn! These puppies kept my feet warm while chasing the Northern Lights in Northern Norway in February.
Columbia Omni-Heat boots — Going somewhere cold? Then you'll want boots that are not only nice to look at, but also warm! I bought these omni-heat boots for a trip to Iceland, and they did a great job keeping my toes toasty.
Crocs flat — Okay, so I hate most Crocs shoes. I think they look ugly and obnoxious. But I was convinced to try a pair with the promise of supreme comfort. I found these jelly flats which don't actually look like Crocs at all (and don't have the name branded on them anywhere you can see it), and they ARE, in fact, incredibly comfy. These are my go-to flats now.
Teva Verra sandals — While perhaps not the cutest sandals out there, my Tevas are my most comfortable travel sandal. They're not super clunky, and don't look terrible when you're wearing them out and about – AND they provide great support, which I need when I'm on my feet a lot.
Keen Whisper sandals — Good for hiking or just walking around in a city, these lightweight Keens are my go-to if I don't want to take sneakers but still want to have a shoe that will keep my toes protected. They dry out really quickly if you get them wet, too!
Merrell Moab waterproof hiking boots — I'm not much of a hiker, but I still think it's good to have a solid pair of hiking boots in my arsenal. I bought these for my trip to New Zealand, and was SO glad I did. These are ankle-height, lightweight boots that actually don't look entirely hideous. And, bonus, it didn't take long at all to break them in!
Kodiak Surrey II Hiking Boot — Want a pair of boots that will get you through easy hikes, keep your feet dry in the rain, yet still look cute enough to wear with normal outfits? Then these Kodiak Surrey II boots are for you! I bought these for a trip to Iceland in the late summer, and they were great!
SUAVS Zilker shoes – I have a hard time finding sneakers that are both practical for traveling AND cute – the two often don't seem to go together! But then I tried on a pair of SUAVS Zilker shoes, and fell in love. These lightweight, packable shoes are perfect for travel. They fit more like socks than shoes, and are machine-washable! They're super comfy and have become my go-to shoe for warmer destinations.
Electronics
Kindle Paperwhite — I used to be quite anti-Kindle, but now that I have one, I can't imagine traveling without it! The Paperwhite is great because it comes with a built-in backlight, making reading on planes or in bed a breeze. It's also really small, meaning it's easy to tuck away in my purse or daypack. And don't forget to sign up for Amazon Kindle Unlimited to make the most of your Kindle (get a 30-day free trial here).
Panasonic Lumix – If you're looking for a point-and-shoot camera that takes photos that will rival those of a DSLR, the Panasonic Lumix LX10 is worth considering. I purchased this as my “back-up” camera, and often take it with me on trips where I don't want to lug around my larger camera and lenses, or on nights out where I just want something small I can throw in my pocket or purse.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II — This is my NEW camera; an update from the PEN series model I used to have. It's a slightly bigger, beefier camera and comes with a price tag that reflects this. I LOVE this camera, though, with its electronic viewfinder and tons of settings/options. I also love the 12-40mm Pro lens I bought to go along with it.
A mini bluetooth speaker – Lately, with lots of road trips under my belt, I've found traveling with a small bluetooth speaker to be really handy. I'm in love with this Soundcore Mini by Anker, which sounds great but is very easy on the wallet.
For keeping charged up
Belkin SurgePlus Travel Charger — With 3 regular (US) outlets and 2 USB outlets, I never travel with out this surge protector. It's easy to pack, and also comes in super handy when I find myself in a hotel room or hostel with too few wall outlets.
Portable charger — When you use your smartphone, video camera, and other electronics a lot, you run through a lot of battery. I've started traveling with a portable charger to make sure I don't run out of juice in the middle of the day!
Skross World Travel Adapter — When you're traveling to multiple countries/continents in the same trip, keeping all those outlet adapters organized can be a pain. Enter this awesome little adapter from Skross. It will work in all corners of the world, AND comes with built-in USB ports.
On the Plane
Travel-themed coloring book – Because, I mean, really – WHO DOESN'T LOVE COLORING?!? Adult coloring books are “the thing” right now, and this is one of the first travel-related ones out there. Perfect for that long-haul flight!
Bose headphones – Whether it's listening to music or catching a movie on your in-flight entertainment system, you probably don't want to rely on those awful airline headphones. Investing in a decent pair is worth it. I love these Bose ones because they are super comfortable. I don't like noise-canceling headphones, but many other travelers swear by those, too.
How Not to Travel the World – Need a good travel read? Check out this book by my friend and fellow blogger Lauren Juliff. It's an easy, fun read that chronicles Lauren's adventures (and proves that she may indeed be disaster-prone and one of the unluckiest travelers ever).
Security
Pacsafe portable safe — Sure, you can count on hotel safes and hostel lockers to keep your valuables safe. However, a laptop or DSLR camera won't always fit into those tiny hotel safes. And what happens when you stay in a room that doesn't HAVE a safe? I highly recommend the Pacsafe portable safe – it's basically a sturdy, slash-proof bag that you can secure around a sink or something else in your room that can't be removed.
Doorstop alarm — If you're traveling solo in a place where security might not be the best, it might help put your mind at ease to pack a doorstop alarm. Simply shove this under your closed door at night, and the alarm will sound if anyone tries to get in.
Combination padlocks — I never go anywhere without one or two of these. They have come in handy in hostels, on buses, and during my overland trip in Africa. I especially like these ones because the wire loop means you can use these locks just about anywhere without having to worry about whether they'll fit.
Misc.
Dry bag – You'd be surprised how handy a dry bag can be on your travels. I've used mind for kayaking trips, rainy hikes, and even a boat trip where we had to swim to a beach (I was the only one able to bring a real camera with me!). I never go on a trip without my dry bag – because when you spend thousands of dollars on camera equipment, you want to make sure you can keep it dry!
LensPen – This marker-sized item is a must-have for anyone with a camera. One end has a brush to remove dirt, dust, and sand, and the other will safely clean your camera's lens to get rid of smudges and fingerprints.
Reusable water bottle – If you want to do the planet a favor and cut down on your plastic usage, definitely pick up a reusable water bottle to travel with. I love my Camelbak Chute – mine has been to 3 different continents so far! (And if you travel frequently in areas where the tap water isn't safe to drink, you can check out this filter bottle by LifeStraw.)
Want even MORE gear suggestions? Check out my Amazon shop for more of my favorites!
I am going to Italy in September and plan to be walking A LOT! I really need some shoes that will be comfortable wearing all day and are also cute! Do you have any recommendations? I plan on taking some casual dresses and will try to stick to clothes that would match black shoes. I would love some suggestions!
All of my shoe suggestions are listed on this page, and in this post: https://www.dangerous-business.com/2017/04/best-travel-shoes/ I guess it depends if you’re looking for a sandal, a boot, a flat, etc. Maybe the Naturalizer boots I mention in my “best travel shoes” blog post would be worth checking out – I wore those in Europe last autumn!
Enjoyed your blog, amazing pictures. You must be living the dreams of many around the globe
[…] Williams’ thorough list of location-specific packing […]
Great list, thanks for sharing. I especially like the pack back selection.
Thank you for SUCH a helpful list! I bought quite a few things off this list. I’m going my first solo trip this May (I’m cheating a little though, since I’m spending most of the trip with Intrepid) and I’m trying to figure out what I’ll need. Anyway, I trust your opinion and this list saved me a lot of work. Thanks again!!
My pleasure, Ying! I hope you have a great time! (And Intrepid is great!)
Amanda, you also recommended the ZeroLemon recharger. Does that and ones like it, the myBlock power charger above, survive in NZ under dual voltage? If I recharge the ZeroLemon for example in my hotel room instead of the sun, will it make it under NZ’s higher voltage?
Most electronics these days can handle worldwide voltages, so both of the power banks I’ve mentioned will work anywhere in the world. These days, the only items that you still have to be careful of with voltage are things like hair dryers and curling irons.
Did you use the Kelty Redwing 44 backpack when you did the Haggis “Highland Fling” adventure tour? I’ve booked the 10-day tour and am figuring out what size of backpack or rollaboard to take with me. I’m so excited to visit Scotland! What worked for you?
For that trip I used a 60-liter REI bag (my very first backpack!), though I was traveling for 8 weeks total on that trip. If you’re only going for 10 days, the Kelty would be perfect! (Though I should point out that I also used my Kelty for a 6-week trip in Asia – when you pack light and re-wear outfits, you can fit a LOT in a relatively tiny space!)
[…] blog is a useful one-stop shop for anyone planning a vacation. We especially love her varied packing guides, which cover pretty much any possible travel […]
Looks like we have similar tastes – I love that Osprey Farpoint 40L!
Osprey makes some really, really great bags!