Packing List
Backpacker Edition
From the ages of 6 months old to a year old, I had already taken 12 flights. I took my first “solo” trip, when I was 9 and my younger sister 7. Since then I have been on many solo trips and have pick up a few tips and tricks along the way. I have always been considered a very efficient person, to the point, where a friend of mine, gives me an efficiency rating, when I do everyday things. I have always loved packing for trips and consider myself somewhat of an expert in the field. I pack the day before, it never takes me more than half an hour, I’ve always, ONLY, traveled with a carry-on, and have never forgotten anything.
Others have told me that packing can be stressful, even a little painful. So, here is a complete packing list of everything you’ll ever need, for all of your solo trips.
I have also included links to all of my favorite travel items, to help you with all you packing needs!
Skin Care
(All of the products are under 100mg, therefore TSA compliant!)
Dr. Organics -Manuka Honey Rescue Cream
Dōterra
- HD Clear foaming face wash
- HD topical blend
- HD Clear facial lotion
DIY Serum Mix:
In a dropper bottle mix equal parts of:
- Mad Hippie -Vitamin C Serum
- Mad Hippie -Vitamin A Serum
- Eminence -Herbal Recovery Oil
Versed -Gentle Retinol Serum
Ursa Major –Fortifying Face Balm
Image Skincare -Prevention+ daily matte moisturizer oil-free 32SPF Sunscreen
Vermont's Original -Bag Balm® 1 oz. Tin Ointment
Sun Bum –Cool Down Lotion
Zit Sticker
Packing skin care, for travel, has been the hardest thing for me to pack, over the years. Having to transfer all of my products into TSA compliant bottles was so annoying and wasted so much product. I’d end up sacrificing certain products, leaving them at home, because they didn’t fit in the quart ZipLock Bag TSA requires. I love skin care and for the past few years I’ve been heavily researching and testing out different products. I believe, I have finally found the perfect skin care routine and they are all TSA compliant!
When packing skin care for travel keep in mind, that your skin will most likely react to your change of environment and I would not suggest trying new skin care products while traveling. Stick to the products you know and love.
However, keeping that in mind let me explain the different products I pack and why they are essential to have in your bag while traveling:
I have sensitive skin and will occasionally have breakouts and my skin in usually at it’s worst while traveling. Air quality, environment and flying can all affect your skin. Flying in general can mess with your body. Specifically where your skin is concerned, flying really dries out your skin and being so close to the sun can cause irritation. The HD Clear line from Dōterra, keeps acne and blemishes under control and doesn’t dry out your skin. Before and after the plane I suggest that you put on a layer of The Dr. Organics Manuka Honey Rescue Cream, it usually soak’s up into your skin within 30 mins and is incredibly hydrating. Unless you are getting on a flight, I do not suggest that you put this cream on in the morning, because it can be a little shiny. When it’s ski season, I use the Manuka Honey Cream every night to keep my skin from drying out. So if you are traveling in a colder climate, you can apply it every night, go for it. As an everyday moisturizer I use the Ursa Major Fortifying Face Balm and it is the only moisturizer that doesn’t make my face oily, it’s amazing! My little DIY Serum mix is to help “rebuild” and give back your skin what it needs to thrive. I use it everyday and I have it in my beach bag, for after sun care. The retinol serum, I find is pretty self explanatory, but the Versed retinol serum is very gentle and won’t irritate or make your face burn, and has improved my skin texture, within weeks of using it. The Image Skin care sunscreen is the BEST face sunscreen I have ever used, absolutely no white cast and doesn’t make your eyes tear up. I have tried so many different sunscreens for my face, it also won’t make your face oily! My favorite lip balm, mask, whatever you want to call it, has always been the Vermont’s Original bag balm. I use it on my lips, my hands (when they get super cracked), and for tattoo aftercare! Honestly, it’s just a necessity for anyone to have in their bag, especially while traveling, it will moisturize the shit out of anything. You’ll notice that your lips get very dry traveling. Also, TMI gents, but I it have on good authority that it is a great nipple balm for breastfeeding moms. When packing, specifically for your skin needs, always assume that your skin is going to be at it’s worst while traveling, shit happens when you travel, and it usually happens to your skin. So, I always suggest having a couple zit sticker (whatever you want to call them) just in case you have a few unwanted visitors on your face! Now, last but not least, SUN BUM, specifically the Sun Bum Cool Down Lotion, this shit is fucking amazing! I kid you not this will make your sun burns, nearly disappear over night, I always travel with it and have lent it to MANY people in hostels and they all loved it. It smells like a beach vacation and it might just be aftersun care magic.
If you only chose to take 3 of these products with you I would suggest:
-The Sun Bum Cool Down Lotion
-The Vermont’s Original Bag Balm
-Dr. Organics -Manuka Honey Rescue Cream
You’ll notice that I did not list any shampoos or conditioners, because when traveling in hostels people have most likely left those behind and they are free to use. So don’t waste your “liquids” space on hair care.
Clothing/Shoes
Cheap plastic Flip Flops
Birkenstock (suede leather)
Converse or Superga
2 Denim Shorts
Denim Jacket
Flannel Shirt
3 T-shirts (one white or black, and 2 favorite)
A pair of jeans (or 2)
Bathing Suit (at least 1 one pieces, for the ladies)
A wrap dress (if you wear dresses occasionally)
Tank top
Long Sleeve Linen Shirt
Oversized Shirt (to sleep in)
Bralette (lively)
Uniqlo (ultra light down)
A week’s worth of socks
A week’s worth of underwear.
Don’t over pack!! Here’s how…
This is a complete list of ALL of the clothing items you will need backpacking (excluding, if you are going skiing or on a specific excursion). These are all of the clothing and shoes you will need no matter how long you’ll be away.
Tip 1: always pack stuff you could clean in a sink. Some hostels have laundry, but do not count on that, most don’t.
Tip 2: when packing, before your trip, always pack with a note book and pen in hand. While you’re packing, write down anything that pops into your head that you don’t want to forget, no matter how unforgettable you think the item may be. Write down items like: phone, passport, plane ticket, money, etc, you get it. Then tape your list to the front door, and right before you walk out, actively cross out every item you’ve listed. Don’t just assume you’ve packed it, actually have visible confirmation before you cross it out.
Tip 3: always print your boarding pass, you never know.
Now, onto clothes and shoes! I’m sure most of these are self explanatory, but don’t leave any out, every item is an absolute necessity, I do not care where you are going, or where you think you’re going. Plans change and sometimes your beach destination flight is re-routed to Alaska (true story).
Yes, you need both the Birkenstock and the cheap plastic flip flops. The flip flops are not for walking (please don’t walk around in them), they are specifically for the hostel bathrooms and showers, no one is getting a fungus or plantar warts on my watch! The Birkenstock are comfy as hell and are supportive. They are for if you start getting blisters from your other shoes or just if you’d prefer to be walking in sandals. Yes, I am bias towards Birkenstock, I’m German. Quick story time, a few summers ago I was in Japan and had the worst blisters, I ended up having to walk the 3 weeks in my Birkenstock, hikes and all, they held up amazing and I had no foot pain. You might not like the look of them but they are extremely supportive and easy to pack. As far as other shoes I like to have a pair of either Converse hightops or Superga. Usually if it’s a “warm climate” trip I’ll pack the Superga and if I might hit colder weather I grab the Converse. Pack 2 denim shorts, denim is tough quality and doesn’t need to be washed often. I suggest 2 pairs of the shorts, cause it’s most likely warm when you’d be and shit gets sweaty. However, you only need to pack one pair of jeans, cause you won’t sweat through those (unless you’re wearing them on a hot day, don’t do that). Denim Jacket, yes, you need one of those, to sit on (picnic style), weather wise, you should always have one. Specifically I would suggest having a denim jacket that has pockets on the inside so you can hide your passport and plane ticket there when traveling through the airport. Bring both a long sleeve flannel and linen shirt, the flannel is for cold nights or layering and the linen shirt is as a cover-up for the beach, or to give you a light layer on a warm breezy beach day. 3 T-Shirts: one should should be black or white, incase you need to be more “appropriate”/“fancy” for whatever reason. No, a black or white shirt isn’t “fancy” on it’s own but it is a good neutral to have incase you have to be more formal. The other 2 T-Shirts should just be T-Shirts you like and are comfortable in. For bathing suits, pack whatever kind you’d like, however, specifically for the ladies, I suggest packing at least one one-piece because on hot days it can double as a body suit and easily dries. As for the guys, your swim trunks can also double as shorts on very hot days, same principal they just dry fast! The wrap dress is specifically for anyone who feels comfortable in dresses, I specifically suggest a wrap dress because they can be both casual and formal. I like to have a wrap dress when I go to the beach because it makes it easy to change into or out of a swim suit if there’s nowhere to change privately. I don’t wear bras; however, while traveling I like to wear my Lively bralette because it can double as a bikini top whenever you might need one! Now, this is very important, plans change, like I said earlier, you might end up somewhere cold instead of hot, so you should always pack a Uniqlo Ultra Light Down. Those specific Uniqlo jackets fold up into, what looks like, a tiny sleeping bag. That little down jacket, layered with your fleece and denim jacket (if need be) will keep you very warm. Underwear and socks, you’re on your own, just don’t fucking overdo it. You will be washing clothes in your hostel sink!
Other Essentials
Tiny Backpack
Universal Travel Adapter
Tiny Portable Speaker
Baseball Cap
Steripod
Benadryl
Dramamine Non-Drowsy Naturals With Ginger
Advil or Tylenol
Activated Charcoal
Wax Ear Plugs
Period Panties (lifesaver)(ModiBodi)
Wire headphones
Sunglasses (Hump Optics)
Retractable Padlock
Futah Towels or Turkish towels
Toothpaste Tablets (Bite)
Water Bottle (LARQ)
Espresso Coffee Single Serve Packets (Bustelo) or Tea Bags
Regular Band Aids
BAND-AID® Brand HYDRO SEAL® Blister Cushion
Vitamin C Packets (Emergen-C)
Hydration+ Packets (Emergen-C)
Eye drops
Uno (card game)
Deck of Cards
An Aux Cord
A laundry bag
Hair Brush
Exfoliating mitt
Neosporin
Extra ZipLoc Bags (quart size)
Carabiner Clips
Venus Mini Razor
Eye Mask
Ahhh other essentials, here we go!
Very important, if you’d like to use your phone while traveling to another country, you will most likely need a travel adapter. Just have a speaker in your bag, for vibes dude! The steripod, if you’ve never heard of it, is a little clip that has some sort of a powder in it to keep your toothbrush-head sanitized and protected. For your day trips, you should have a tiny backpack, instead of a purse, just to carry all of your daily needs. All of the supplements or medication I’ve listed are your little pharmacy kit incase anything, health wise, should happen to you. You should always carry benadryl, incase you happen to be exposed to something new you are allergic to. The activated charcoal is incase of diarrhea or food poisoning. I find this specific Dramamine to work better, you never know if you might get an upset stomach or motion sick. Neosporin is an antibiotic ointment, that you should definitely have with you incase of any First Aid needs. Always have earplugs with you, snorers are a high risk in hostels! For my period having friends, period panties save so much space in your bag and are much better for the environment. When you’re traveling, usually you pack your own pads, because you never know what kind of period products other countries have (it’s a leak anxiety am I right?). Using period pads are much more efficient and make you feel more comfortable. The company I linked also has period proof bathing suits if that is something that would make you feel more comfortable (they work!). You need sunglasses, everybody does, but you NEED Humps Optics’ sunglasses, they are unbreakable, literally (that’s their whole thing)! When you’re staying in hostels, often they will provide you with a locker or under bed storage thing, you will want to lock that, not all locks are the same so I suggest a retractable padlock. Hostels will provide linens but probably not towels. To save space in your luggage and to have a towel that doubles as a cute beach towel, you’ll need a Turkish Towel or Futah. They can be cleaned in a hostel sink, are super thin, absorbent and dry quickly. I’ve made such a big deal out of things drying quickly, because everything has to be line dried or off the side of your bed. Usually you’re not in a place for too long and it’s annoying when people have their shit hanging all over the hostel room. Again, with the liquids bag, to save money and space, pack toothpaste tablets, you do not want to waste liquids space on toothpaste and you don’t want to keep buying toothpaste when you land. For my coffee drinkers, if you’re gonna get antsy if you don’t get your coffee, please pack instant coffee packets. They are super helpful to have and you can find hot water anywhere to make your cup of joe on the go, haha. WATER, you need a good water bottle and the best is the LARQ water bottle. The LARQ water bottle neutralizes up to 99.9999% of harmful bacteria and viruses, in your water, using a UV-C light. Water quality in different countries can be very different, and regardless of taste, it’s important to know that your water is safe to drink. I always have eye drops on me, frankly, because I have big eyes and stuff gets in them all the time. You, should always have eye drops when traveling, yes, again, because of the plane, well and the sun. If you’re like me a prefer to shave rather than get a wax, I suggest you get yourself a Venus Mini razor. The blades are the same as a regular razor, but the handle is smaller and it comes with a case! You’ll also need an eye mask, because some hostel window don’t have curtains. I’ve always had a deck of cards or UNO in my school backpack, my ski bag and anywhere I go, just incase we need some entertainment. The exfoliating mitt is to help keep your skin moisturized as well as aftersun care.
Everything else seems self explanatory to me but feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Keep a look out for my Anxious Traveler Edition and Wild Child Traveler Edition… coming soon!
As another helpful travel resource check out Courtney’s - She Traveled The World’s blog here!
*this post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase anything through the links provided I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you!