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.
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.
DESTINATION 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.
South America
What to Pack for a Galapagos Cruise (+ Full Galapagos Packing List)
Going on a Galapagos cruise? Here's what you definitely do (and don't) need to pack, whether you're going for just a couple days or a week or more!
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.
Packing for a Trip to Iceland (in Winter or Summer)
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!
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 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!
Want even MORE gear suggestions? Check out my Amazon shop for more of my favorites!
I’m totally convinced that a menstrual cup belongs in every single female backpacker’s pack!
Eh, I’m not a huge fan. But I do know a lot of female travelers who use them!
I, too, have been a Travelsox fan but because of my circulation issues related to a heart condition. For years I wore these great sox to work when I was living in casual long slacks. When asked for gift ideas I either asked for a gift from Audible.com or Travelsox.
But having moved to Lexington, KY from Cleveland, OH I needed to get familiar with the local stores and was happy as a clam when across the street from the newly discovered Honda dealer I found JH Outdoor store… someplace to augment my online, catalog hobby. They carry a brand of compression sox made by a Chattanooga company named Sockwell. Sockwell also markets Diabetic sox but I ended up getting those through Amazon. I love the Sockwell sox and they are less $$$ than the Travelsox.
While I don’t wear them with my shorts I can be seen around Lexington wearing my lightweight but reinforced quick dry pants (used for both wilderness canoe trips and Sunday morning worship services), a pair of Sockwells and my Keen H2 water shoes. The Sockwells come in jazzy colors so I’ve branched out from the Travelsox black and navy colors.
Who’da thought someone could write so many words praising the “lowly compression sox”?
D
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Thank you so much for sharing these checklists! I am going to see the my new house next week and I have to bring some luggage with me. I am going to move these next month because I still have work in my old apartment. Thank you again!
[…] 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 […]
I’m concerned about using international plug converters to charge phones. We have older iPhones (4s). Do you use international plug converters to charge your phone or are there special adapters for smart phones? (We’re traveling to Iceland in a few weeks.)
As a native Floridian, I’ve enjoyed your tips on what to wear/bring to Iceland. There’s a large part of my brain that’s terrified of snow, ice and weather in the 30’s. (I’m pretty sure we’re only allowed to have two days/year of that kind of weather, per Florida statute…)
Hey Connie! Don’t sweat it! Up until this year, I was also traveling the world with an iPhone 4s. All iPhones are made to handle most voltages, so you don’t need any special kind of adapter – just a plug converter for Iceland!
I was just wondering – about the Belkin Surge Protector, when overseas do you just need an adaptor or do you need to use a voltage converter as well?
Ps. Love the blog 🙂
These days, you usually just need the wall plug adapter, since most electronics (like cameras, phones, laptops, etc.) are made to be dual voltage. The only things you’ll have to be careful with are things like hair dryers and straighteners, because these usually are NOT dual voltage. (You can check on your chargers – the voltage is usually listed. If it’s already dual voltage, it will say something like 110-240V.)
Hi! I have been checking out your website for a while. One thing I have found to be extremely useful while traveling is the Go Travel clip pouch wallet. I have been using it as my wallet for years now. I attach it to my bra strap or sock and no one can see it. It is particularly great if you are going out and don’t have pockets (like when you wear a skirt.) Or, if you want to go for a run and just want a piece of ID and a key on you. I bought it at an airport years ago and now pick up several more each time I find them. I’ve given them to friends all over the world. It is small, fits credit cards, and hides away easily. I also find traveling with a small bungee cord also very useful. I have used it for hanging clothes, securing items to my backpack, securing my backpack to motos… Another item that is great for girls is the Diva Cup. It’s a reusable menstral cup that I find to be more sanitary than tampons and you just need to bring the one cup. No more searching for tampons in random countries.
Keep up the great work. And I love your pictures, by the way!
🙂
That definitely sounds like a great travel accessory!
I haven’t brought myself to try anything like the Diva Cup yet, but then again I never travel for months and months at a time – so it’s usually easy enough for me to take enough tampons with me!
Hey girl,
I just booked New Zealand for two weeks this December and I came across your blog. I have been reading it every day since. You write so well and so much incredible experience and passion for travel. Thank you!
Do you have a short packing list for New Zealand by chance? My boyfriend and I are flying into Christchurch from Honolulu Dec. 3-17. Any itineraries would also be so helpful and exciting.
This will be my second international experience (went to England/Scotland last Thanksgiving!) and my boyfriend’s first. Still new to the club 🙂
YOu rock,
Allie
Hey Ali! So glad that you came across my blog! 🙂
I don’t have a short NZ packing list, though I plan to put one together later this year, as I’ll be spending about a month in NZ in November! I would suggest the following for that time of year: lighter clothing (since it’ll be summer), but also some layers as it can still get cool at night down south. A rain jacket, because the weather can change quickly. And solid walking shoes (hiking shoes if you plan on hiking).
As for itineraries… if you’re starting in Christchurch, I would suggest Akaroa, Kaikoura, the glaciers on the west coast, Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook, Wanaka, and of course Queenstown! But… that’s just the South Island! Haha. If you want more detailed suggestions, shoot me an email!
Amanda,
Thank you for your quick reply and helpful information!
I can’t believe you will be in NZ for a month! Lucky for my boyfriend and I that we will be following a few weeks after. I am already excited to the upcoming blog posts and will stay tuned for a more intensive list for NZ.
In the meantime I will be researching the itinerary you suggested for the South Island and will shoot you an email once I get it more organized.
Thanks for your help,
Allie
P.s.
I love the fact how more i travel how less stuff i Need.
When I started to travel three years ago I had such a big backpack.
Nowadays I walk around with maybe 50% less.
I’ve downsized my backpack recently, but I’ve definitely hit a wall when it comes to how much stuff I pack. I have my few essentials that I refuse to give up, even if it would lighten the load slightly!
I love this section. I stumbled upon it as I was looking around your archives :).
Do you ever use space bags…or bags of any kind? I have yet to meet another traveler who likes them, but despite the room, it is nice to separate wet/smelly clothes :). They are pretty cheap too.
I don’t use space bags, but I do use packing cubes to help organize my bag! I LOVE them, and never travel without them these days.
[…] Packing tips for backpackers […]
Just found your website and signed up for your blog.
I have been traveling for many years. Initially ever summer with parents 50 to 62.
Did Europe in 77 for 110 days with a large backpack and a shoulder/hand bag that I carried things I bought until I mailed them home ever few days.
In 2001 I took my first trip around the world in 73 days and carried only a small roller bag that was also a backpack and even carried dress clothes for making presentations.
Looking forward to reading more about your traveling
Alan
[email protected]
http://www.cre8ng.com
It’s funny how, the more you travel, the less “stuff” you find yourself needing.
I’m glad you’ve discovered my blog!
I have been traveling only a couple years, but your comment on needing less and less as you go is without a doubt spot on!
Definitely! (Though, now that I’ve more or less figured out what I need and what I don’t, I still do tend to bring a few extras along.)
Clothes, hats, cheap sunglasses, vitamins, and some deodorant for the flight is mostly all I bring now. Waterproof by bagging and cellophane if headed to SE Asia. Sometimes a favorite instant coffee unavailable elsewhere will I find room for in by bag. I dislike the traveling portion of traveling immensely.