Are you planning an extended trip around the world but don't know what to pack? Traveling for an extended period of time can be both exciting and overwhelming.
There is so much to prepare and plan for and packing can be a daunting task. But with the right long-term travel packing list, you can keep it simple and stress-free.
After living out of a backpack for almost two years I felt it was about time I wrote a detailed post about how to pack for long-term travel.
This long term travel packing list has been tried and tested by me, I've painstakingly considered every item, packed, unpacked, and most importantly: I've carried everything on my back for months!
So rest assured, this isn't just a run-of-the-mill standard packing list. It's the list I have used personally, and still use, when packing for a long trip.
Long-term travel packing list
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How to pack for long-term travel?
Before going on my five-month trip to New Zealand and Southeast Asia, I spent a lot of time planning what to take with me and what to leave at home.
Browsing through packing list after packing list, one theme kept coming back:
DON’T PACK TOO MUCH!
I took that advice to heart and after much consideration came to my final packing list. With all the items I mention below packed into my bags, my backpack weighs around 10kg, and my day pack is approximately 5kg.
Since that trip, I've fine-tuned my list and packing skills, especially after my trip to Hokkaido, Japan Hokkaido is the northernmost island of Japan and I almost froze during the first night in our little tent.
Most important takeaway: bring enough cold-weather clothes!
My trip to Ireland was the opposite: I fully expected wind, rain, and cold but instead, we got five days of sunshine. Great news of course, but I forgot to pack a t-shirt and a thin lightweight jacket.
Bottom line: bring versatile items and lots of layers.
For our yearlong world trip, versatility was the main theme. I left the Netherlands in January and traveled through very different climates.
From the tropical heat of Sri Lanka to the freezing temperatures of Nepal, the dry heat of Oman to the monsoon season in Taiwan, and from the humidity of Malaysia to the (cold) summer evenings in Canada and the United States.
And I'm proud to say I've managed perfectly with the items I carried in my backpack(s)!
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The ultimate packing list for a long-term trip
Bags and stuff
Backpack
Choosing the best travel backpack that fits you and your travel needs is very important as you'll be carrying it pretty much every day.
I tried out several backpacks in an outdoor store, stuffing them with heavy shop inventory and carrying it around the store.
My Deuter backpack definitely was the right backpack for me. It was by far the most comfortable one I tried.
Because it follows the arch of my back and the straps fit snugly around my hips, I carry most of the weight on my hips and not on my shoulders.
I have been traveling with this bag for years and hiked the Everest Base Camp track with it so trust me, it’s thoroughly tested!
Flight bag
I highly recommend using a flight bag because it helps to prevent damage to your backpack. All the loose straps of your backpack can easily get caught on a luggage belt, the rail of a jeepney, etc.
Zipping your backpack in a flight bag streamlines and protects your bag and keeps it clean when it’s shoved on the roof of yet another local bus.
While my backpack is still in good shape, I had to replace my flight bag (granted, I traveled a lot in the last couple of years).
Daypack
I use my daypack pretty much every day (even at home in the Netherlands) because I LOVE IT. I used this bag for the three-day hike through the Banaue rice terraces and for many weekend trips.
It's big enough to fit clothes for a long weekend and has convenient pockets on both sides. For me, it is the perfect bag!
Make sure you also have a waterproof cover for your daypack, essential for hiking!
Packing cubes
I like being organized which means packing cubes are a must-have for me. I use one cube for tops, one for bottoms, and another one for underwear, socks, and miscellaneous clothing items.
These packing cubes are very similar to the ones I have (I bought mine at Decathlon in the Netherlands).
TSA travel lock
I put a small lock through the zippers of my flight bag. I know this won’t stop people from slashing through my flight bag and backpack with a knife if they really want to, but at least it puts up a bit of a barrier.
Clothes
The most important thing about the clothes I bring on a long-term trip? It doesn't matter in which combination I wear them, they all more or less match.
I only carry a very limited selection of clothes, as you can tell from the pictures on the blog (I'm always wearing the same thing).
Thin lightweight jacket
I always bring a lightweight and windproof jacket on my travels. Combined with a hoodie or a fleece sweater it’s perfect for countries like Japan, New Zealand, and European countries where evenings can be quite cold, even in summer.
It also protects against light rain but for heavy downpours, you really need a proper raincoat.
While I also own a down jacket it's still nice to have a thin windproof jacket to wear over the down jacket in really cold weather.
Plus, in tropical climates, you won't need a down jacket, but it might still be nice to have a thin jacket for the evenings.
Waterproof rain jacket
This is an item you hope to use as little as possible, but that doesn't mean it's an item to skimp on… Because there is nothing worse than a raincoat that's not quite waterproof when you need it the most.
Get a proper one and let's hope you don't need to unpack it;-)
Zipper hoodie or fleece sweater
With pain in my heart, I threw out my favorite hoodie a couple of weeks ago, it was completely worn out. I bought a fleece sweater in Nepal and one warm vest/sweater is enough…
Merino long-sleeve shirt
A merino long sleeve shirt is perfect as an extra layer, against mosquitoes or to cover up in more conservative areas!
Merino hiking shirt
Merino clothes are not cheap but in my opinion, they are worth every penny. I always wear my merino shirt when we go on long hikes, it keeps me warm and dry throughout the day.
2 short-sleeved t-shirts
Make sure the shirts you bring are made from breathable fabric and dry quickly. Also, don't take shirts that damage easily!
You just never know what your shirts will look like after a wash in an old and battered machine in Asia…
3 tank tops and 1 strap top
Keep in mind these are not suitable for all countries, modesty is key in many Asian countries. I personally only use my strap top as a base layer in colder climates.
(Infinity) dress
I made a very versatile infinity dress, check this site for instructions.
2 pairs of shorts
For warm climates, plus, I also like to wear shorts when I am hiking.
2 skirts
I carry one long skirt (ankle-length) and one shorter skirt (knee-length)
1 pair of hippie pants or other loose-fitting pants
Thin, quick to dry, and comfortable for long (bus) journeys. Not too fashionable though…
1 pair of quality hiking pants
I’ve had my hiking pants for years and they are in great condition. I personally don’t like the zip-off versions because the zippers tend to irritate my skin.
1 pair of skinny jeans
A pair of (skinny) jeans is perfect for moderate climates (like New Zealand, Canada, or Japan). I don't usually wear them in Southeast Asia though as it's generally too hot!
Shoes
Sturdy hiking boots
If you plan on doing lots of hikes, be sure to pack good boots. Break them in at home (not on the trip!) to avoid blisters.
I recommend sturdy B-grade hiking shoes, such as the Lowa Women's Renegade GTX. B-grade hiking boots provide more support for demanding terrain and (multi)day hikes.
Teva Tirra
I wear my Teva's all the time, they may not be very fashionable but they are so comfy and give proper foot support.
After an unsuccessful attempt by a local shoemaker in Sri Lanka to revive my first pair of Teva's (after 3 years of intensive use, they were falling apart), I've bought a fresh pair.
In a different color, just to mix it up a little;-).
Havaianas flip-flops
I always bring a pair of flip flops. Convenient for beach days, to wear in dodgy showers, and for casual strolls.
Other clothing items
- Bikini or bathing suit
- 2 bras ⇒ preferably with adjustable straps (and a skin-colored one).
- 3 pairs of hiking socks ⇒ not just for hiking, great protection against mosquitoes and sand-flies
- Underwear ⇒ I bring enough for a week.
- Thermal underwear (top and bottom) ⇒ the cold-weather clothes I was talking about earlier, since Hokkaido, I always take my thermal underwear with me.
Sunglasses
Make sure to get a nice pair of sunglasses and check if they're polarized!
Wide rimmed hat
Especially in tropical countries, wearing a hat is essential. You need proper protection from the sun!
Scarf
I cannot recommend bringing a scarf enough! When I'm traveling, I use mine every day.
Either to cover up in temples or to keep me warm in an air-conditioned van or shopping mall, to put over my head on a night train where the lights stayed on all night and on plenty of other occasions.
Clean and Care
Clean
Don't worry about bringing everything from home, there are shops in foreign countries too!
- Monthly/daily contacts ⇒ despite what I just said above, this is an item you may want to consider bringing from home, at least a couple of months' worth. Quality contacts may not be available everywhere and it can be challenging to have anything delivered without a fixed address. That's why I sometimes stay at an Airbnb and ask if it's okay to receive a pack of new contacts delivered during our stay.
- Glasses ⇒ I don't know about you, but I prefer to wear glasses in the evening and on long travel days. Especially during flights, my eyes get so dry when I'm wearing contacts, I much rather wear my glasses!
- Dental care items ⇒ toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
- Solid shampoo bar ⇒ takes up less space than a bottle of shampoo, plus mine usually lasts about 4 months!
- Large microfiber towel + small microfiber towel ⇒ get quality ones, I bought a cheap one at first but that one took forever to dry. I use the large towel for showers and the beach, the small one is for my long hair which takes forever to dry.
- MascaraMake-up remover
- Tweezers
- Epi-lady
- Nail clipper
- Hairbrush
- Hair ties
- Deodorant
- Body lotion and lip balm
Care (and first aid kit)
- Anti-malaria tablets ⇒ I don't take these pills as prevention but do carry 12 pills to use as a cure in case I need them.
- DEET (40%)
- Sunscreen lotion
- Hand sanitizer
- Painkillers
- Antibiotics
- Motion sickness pills
- Imodium
- Re-hydration sachets
- Plasters/Band-Aids (including a couple for treating burns)
- Betadine antiseptic
- Any specific items you need (medication, etc.)
Electronics
I carry quite a lot of electronic devices with me, the consequence of having a travel blog I suppose.
Travel adapter
This is a crucial item, especially if you travel with many electronic devices! Carry your travel adapter in your hand luggage so you can use it at airports etc.
Phone
I currently own an iPhone XS and I absolutely love the quality of the pictures! I especially love the portrait mode, for making beautiful closeups of our kids and my husband.
GoPro Camera
I love to be able to shoot underwater movies and images with our GoPro. Though truthfully it's mostly my husband who does our underwater filming.
E-reader
I love to read but I don't want to lug around a lot of weight. That's why an e-reader is perfect!
You can store a virtually unlimited amount of books, it doesn't weigh anything and has a very long battery life. Also, I like the screen, it almost makes me feel like I am reading a regular book.
Camera
After years of traveling with just my phone, I invested in an affordable DSLR camera. I wanted to be able to take pictures of wildlife, and the Milky Way and improve my photography skills in general.
I invested in a kit including a telephoto lens and some other gadgets (UV filter, tripod, etc.) too, and super excited to learn how to take better pictures.
Laptop
As a travel blogger, I need a light, durable laptop with a good battery. This laptop ticked all the boxes and has helped me run the blog smoothly for years, both at home as well as on the road.
Lonely Planet
I love these guides! Usually, the first thing I do when planning a trip somewhere is to buy myself a Lonely Planet…
I find their sample itineraries perfect for inspiration and love the detailed information about things to see and do.
Essential documents
- Passport ⇒ made sure to check the expiration date of your passport! Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least another six months.
- Debit cards ⇒ look into which bank is best for you, overseas transaction fees add up if you are on the road for a long time! I recommend having 2 cards from different banks, so if one doesn't work in a particular country, you've got another one.
- Credit card ⇒ essential for booking flights. As with debit cards, it can be smart to apply for 2 credit cards, just for peace of mind and to make sure you don't run into any issues (eg. your card is maxed out but you need to book a flight).
- Yellow book ⇒ medical passport. So far, I only needed this when I crossed the land border between Vietnam to Cambodia.
- Emergency contact details and copies of insurance documents ⇒ these are the things you hope never to use but MUST have.
- Printed tickets/hotel reservations/other important documents ⇒ nowadays most companies accept reservations on your phone, but some (old-fashioned) ones may still require a printed version.
- Passport photos ⇒ for many visas (on arrival) you need passport photos, so make sure you have a couple with you!
For sleeping
Travel pillow
I love my travel pillow because I can mold it into any shape I like. I always make sure to carry this in my hand luggage and use it on planes, buses, trains, etc.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Mattress
A Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Mattress isn't a cheap item but I am very happy we invested in these. A mattress weighs just 540 grams and packs up into a 22 x 12 x 12 cm roll. Most importantly: it's very comfortable!
I used my Therm-a-Rest in Japan, Oman and even in an Airbnb in Taiwan with the worst bed ever.
Travel sheet
A travel sheet is like a lightweight cotton sleeping bag and is perfect for dodgy hostels/night buses/night trains/night boats/etc. It packs very small and weighs next to nothing.
Ear plugs and eye mask
Ear plugs and a sleep mask help me sleep in all sorts of night transportation. Though nowadays it's mostly my kids keeping me up so I barely use there anymore…
Miscellaneous items
- Lifestraw Water Filter Bottle ⇒ avoid having to buy plastic water bottles everywhere and bring your own. I use my Lifestraw water bottle every single day when I'm traveling. It filters out 99,99% of the bacteria!
- Small wallet and bra wallet ⇒ I did not have a money belt but split my cards and cash between a small wallet and a tiny wallet attached to my bra.
- Sewing set ⇒ to repair my clothes. Though maybe I should just buy new ones every once in a while…
- Ziplock bags
- Lighter
- A small piece of rope and duct tape
How to pack for long-term travel: in conclusion
So that's everything I bring on my trip and I can safely say I used every item on the list! It seems like a very long list and a lot of stuff, but when I pack everything it fits easily in my bags…
The two most important things? Bring versatile items and invest in proper travel gear.
Yes, that may cost a little more but good-quality items last longer. Also, there is nothing more annoying than stuff that breaks (always at the wrong moment) or items that just aren't good enough (like my first travel towel or a not-so-waterproof raincoat).
Like this packing list? Download it now!
This post was updated in February 2023.
Melissa C.
Saturday 21st of October 2017
Great list! I'm glad we could leave the camping gear behind on our family's year-long trip - it's enough carrying clothing for four people!
Lotte
Saturday 21st of October 2017
Thank you Melissa! I already have enough in my bag and I only carry my own stuff, can't imagine how difficult it must be to pack for 4 people! The only camping item I do carry is my air mattress because it's so light and small and enables me to sleep everywhere. Enjoy your year-long trip with your family, what an adventure! Where will you be going?
Mark
Monday 31st of July 2017
Great tips - sometimes its tricker than one would think packing the perfect items keeping in mind all the different types of situations that could arise! Check out my packing checklist ideas too!
Lotte
Tuesday 1st of August 2017
Thanks Mark! Yes it's a balance between not wanting to pack everything but still packing all the items you need:-)
Ange
Wednesday 8th of March 2017
Hi Lotte! Thank you for these recommendation! Tiny question: since your pictures are really well done, I am guessing you have a camera? Did you go with a point and shoot, or a (heavy) hybrid or DSLR? (or maybe it is just your phone?) I am considering buying a camera for my future trips (including places where you may not want to carry a big, bulky and attractive camera), so I am looking at all options... Thank you so much for your insights! Ange
Lotte
Wednesday 8th of March 2017
Hi Ange, thank you for your kind comment and I am so happy to hear you like my photos! Actually, I only have my iPhone 6s... I am also still trying to determine which camera to buy. I mostly photograph landscapes, which is fine with my iPhone. But for sunrise/sunset/indoor and wildlife photography I also need a better camera. A friend of mine recommended the Canon G7X but I have no personal experience with this one so I don't know if it would suit your purpose. Sorry I can't be of more help! Best wishes and happy travels, Lotte
Natalia
Friday 4th of November 2016
Great post. It looks like so much when it's all written down, doesn't it?!
Lotte
Friday 4th of November 2016
I know! I am always amazed when I pack everything into my bags and have room to spare, it seems like such a long list;-)