Before you get overwhelmed at the thought of packing for a long trip, sit down and take a deep breath. You’re about to go on vacation! First things first, let’s check the weather. No matter where you’re going you should always check the weather first, as this will determine what you will have to pack. One thing is for sure though (at least for me), I pack a bikini and a sarong no matter what the weather is like. Not sure if that’s South Florida in me or my Brazilian side, but I do.
Anyway, here we go:
Hot/Tropical Climate:
- 5-7 Thin tank tops, different kinds so you can mix and match
- 2-3 shorts, varying lengths
- 2 long skirts or dresses for conservative/modest places, such as temples or churches
- 1 bathing suit/
- 2-3 leggings or thin cotton pants
- 7-10 underwear (make sure it’s comfy )
- 3-4 sports bra or bralette (for the females of course)
- 4 thin socks
- 1 pair of hiking or running shoes
- 1 pair of flip flops
- 1 hat to protect you from the heat of the sun (I REALLY underestimated the value of this one folks)
Indecisive weather: (Now we begin packing to layer)
- 3-4 tank tops, for layering
- 5-7 sleeve shirts (long sleeve, 3/4 sleeve, short sleeve) you decide
- 2-3 long sleeve dresses
- 1 jeans
- 2-3 leggings
- 7-10 underwear (make sure it’s comfy)
- 3-4 sports bra or bralette
- 1 swim trunks/bikini
- 4 socks
- 1 pair boots/closed-toe shoes
- 1 pair of hiking/running shoes
- 1 pair of flip-flops
- 1 jacket, best if also waterproof, but can also be used for all other occasions
(Watch till the end)
Cold Weather: “Layering is your friend, not food”
- 3-4 long sleeve shirts
- 2 thermal shirts
- 3-4 sweaters/hoodies/sweater dress
- 1-2 jeans or thick pants
- 3-4 leggings
- 7 thick socks
- 7-10 underwear (comfy)
- 3-4 sports bra or bralette
- 1 bathing suit/ bikini (for the jacuzzi, DUH)
- 1 pair of snow boots
- 1 pair of hiking/running shoes
- 1 pair of flip flops
- 1 scarf
- 1 beanie/winter hat
- 1 pair of gloves
The secret with packing for longer travel is to pack like you’re leaving for one to two weeks max. Laundry facilities are almost everywhere you go and some hostels even have them on site. In Asia and South America, it’s stupid cheap to buy new clothes, and washing them is easy too.
The other secret to packing for longer travel is to pack clothes that have multiple functions. For example; Athletic leggings can be used as the first layer of warmth, as pajamas, as hiking wear, or for taking a stroll around town. Leggings are also usually cheap and easy to wash and dry. A maxi skirt can be used to get into temples, used in more conservative towns, or something cute for a night out. (This was a lesson I learned the hard way.)
Remember, everything we pack we have to carry around with us the entire time. Not to mention the stuff we pick up on the road. Two months into my last trip to Europe, I started leaving clothes behind every time I moved to a different country. I quickly realized I didn’t need all of it. (Plus my back was FURIOUS at me!)
Moving on, let’s talk toiletries. When packing for longer travel we must remember somethings can easily be found (in most places.) Smaller towns can be a bit more difficult, but they still have the basics. Toiletries are also something that can add a bit of weight to our bag if we’re not smart about how we pack. This is what my basic toiletry bag looked like:
Toiletries:
- Shower bag for communal bathrooms
- Travel size refillable bottles for body wash, shampoo, and conditioner
- 1 travel sponge/loofah (totally not a necessity, but I kinda love this thing)
- 1 toothbrush with travel size toothpaste (you really don’t use as much toothpaste as you think)
- Tampons and Pantyliners (for the females)
- Deodorant
- Perfume/Cologne
- Medications- most over-the-counter medications can be found overseas. Now, for those that have prescription meds, I would recommend getting enough for the full amount of time you will be traveling. If you don’t know how long you will be traveling for, then pack 3-6 months’ worth. This will give you time to plan on where you can refill and not panic in the meantime.
- Tweezers and nail clippers
- Makeup- Concealer, brow gel, mascara, and chapstick
- 1 Razor/trimmer
- 1 Microfiber quick-dry towel
Okay, we have officially covered the essentials of clothing and toiletries. However, there are still a few more things we should pack:
- Phone/laptop/I-pad charger
- Headphones
- Power adapter and power bank
- Extra backpack for walking around town, hikes, and side trips
- A combination lock (so you don’t have to worry about losing the keys) to secure your things in a locker or even just lock up your bag.
I believe that’s everything you should need for your next trip. If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to share them in the comments below!
You never know who’s packing for their next trip.
– Taynahmite
P. S. In case you’re traveling with company, I’ve got some tips for that one too.