Carry-on only travel also means you can travel light, without dragging wheeled luggage through airports and train stations. Everything you have for the trip fits in your backpack. Here’s my easy solo travel packing list. Adjust it to your own needs. The main idea is the same: make sure the stuff you carry around with you has at least two functions. When I go places, I generally only bring my carry-on luggage. There’s a few reasons for this. For one thing, it is easier to keep track of one bag (especially when transferring flights), and the other is I am cheap. That extra $50 for checked luggage might mean another night of accommodations on my trip, a good sit-down meal, or a souvenir I hadn’t planned on buying.
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Start with a Good Backpack
I’m not talking about a frame pack that you would use to ascend Everest. All sorts of backpacks are out there which have travelers in mind. Mine is the Osprey Ozone 46, which means it can carry around 46 liters of stuff. Unfortunately it has been discontinued, but Osprey still makes travel packs such as the Farpoint (which is essentially the same thing) which also have wheels and provide plenty of comfort, and room for your stuff. Though I’m not affiliated with Osprey, I endorse their products for a number of reasons:
- Warranty: Osprey packs have a lifetime warranty against all damage. It takes the sting out of buying a $200 pack if it gets ripped, cut, dragged, or burned.
- Design: Tuck away straps and external cinches keep your gear pulled in tight, which works great in the overhead bin.
- Comfort: Padded straps, back support, chest and hip belts let you carry with confidence. Some Farpoint packs double as wheeled luggage.
- Access: Different panels and pockets allow you to stow your shoes, rain jacket, electronics, and even water bottles.
Other Packs
Packs are crucial because so much about their design, durability, and function determine what you’ll be able to carry in your easy packing list for solo travel.
I just happen to like Osprey, but there are other bags out there. Cocoon specializes in minimalist, globetrekking designs. Some even offer knife resistance and can be used as a shield if necessary. I am not kidding. I’m thinking this is a little bit more useful against would-be pickpockets. You’ll want something that zips and locks with a TSA lock too for your protection. Do your research and get what is right for you.
Travel tip: Size might be an important factor if you have to green tag your bag due to size limitations with smaller planes.
Solo Travel Packing List Basics
Plenty of factors will determine how light you can pack. Will you have access to laundry facilities? How often will you change your clothes? How smelly can you get before your companions beat you about the head an neck? How varied is the climate? Lots of destinations might require only a swimsuit and a couple different shirts, whereas places with drastic changes in the weather might demand different layers to stay dry or comfortable.
Packing cubes are your friend
You can adjust the list below as you see fit, but three or four zipping packing cubes should allow you to roll and stuff your clothes to save space. Don’t forget that your packing list for solo travel also includes everything you are wearing. This won’t be included in the weight restrictions for your carry-on and personal bag.
Clothes Packing List for the Guys
Take these as basic suggestions. You already know what you wear, just try to pack light.
- 4 sets underwear (not including any you are already wearing)
- 2 Undershirts
- 2 Short sleeved button up shirt
- 3 Pairs of socks
- 1 Button-up long-sleeved shirt (good for dinners, more formal events)
- 1 Pair of khakis and/or cargo pants (My favorites are the Mission Ridge from Toad&Co.)
- 1 Pair of jeans
- 1 Pair of cargo shorts
- 1 swim suit
- Boots (Hiking, city walking, etc.): My Origin American Bison boots do all three. Check out my review for the American Bison Boots. I’m going on three years of wearing these!
- Flip flops or lightweight sandals (for beaches, rivers, etc. NOT for walking in cities)
Clothes Packing List for the Ladies
Take these as basic suggestions. You already know what you wear, just try to pack light.
- 4 Sets underwear (not including any you are wearing)
- 2 sports bras
- 1 Nice/comfortable bra
- 2 Short sleeved tops
- 3 Pairs of socks
- 1 Long sleeved top
- 1 Travel skirt (Optional)
- 1 Travel dress (for more formal wear: dinner, club, Instagram)
- 1 Pair jeans, khakis, or capris
- 1 Pair shorts
- Swim suit and wrap or cover-up
- Shoes: 1 set flats or sandals, 1 pair walking, dress shoes (optional)
- Hair ties
Easy packing list for solo travel: Solo Travel Accessories
You might be carrying some of these on your body, just remember everything will need to be dumped out of your pockets at TSA check.
- Belt
- Notebook and pen (moleskine works great)
- Travel towel
- Rain jacket
- Hat
- Lightweight fleece sweater or down puffy coat
- Daypack: You won’t want a full-sized pack to lug around all day if you can help it
- Cellphone and charger
- Digital camera: lenses, extra battery, extra SIM card
- Tablet/iPad/etc. with charger
- Universal Outlet Adapter
- Silicon packets and zip-bag: Useful in case your phone gets wet
- Sunglasses and case
- Glasses and/or contact lenses with case
- No lighters/vapes/pocket knives
Toiletries
- Toothbrush and paste
- Sunscreen
- Disposable razor
- Travel soap/shampoo/3-in-one
- Shower puff: Packs light, dries easy, keeps you clean
- Anything you need to take care of personal hygiene only in smaller sizes
- Small bar of solid laundry soap
- Band-aids
- No liquids exceeding current TSA restrictions
- No scissors/blades
- Beard oil (There’s nothing worse than a dried out beard)
Medication
- Contact lens cleaner or fluid
- Anti-diarrhea pills
- Antihistamines
- Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen
- Prescription medication
Packing List of Other Important Items
Your easy packing list for solo travel includes a few things you might take for granted at home. Having these in your carry-on will not only make solo travel affordable, but also more comfortable.
Water Bottle: a Vital Part of Your Solo Travel Packing List
I have a thermal bottle I use for water which clips onto my pack or daypack. Carrying a water bottle will save you a lot of money on drinks, especially in places where public drinking fountains, water in your room, and other sources is safe (and free) to drink. Staying hydrated on the road is vital.
Headphones
On the plane, the wired earbuds you might get for movies are awful. Bring your own with the right aux connector (not wireless or lightning connector). But be sure you are carrying them on yourself rather than trying to dig through your bag on the flight.
Wallet and Money
Including ID, credit card, other cards you’ll be using. Make sure it is RFID protected and cards such as your Oyster card or other chipped cards don’t interact inside your wallet.
Confirm with your bank that you will be out of the country so your accounts aren’t accidentally closed. I found it cheaper to use my credit card to pay without worrying about currency exchange rates and fees. I got the wholesale value instead of what the bank decided to use for exchange rates I would have gotten by ordering foreign currency. Use an ATM/Cashpoint at your destination if you need currency.
I don’t use a money belt. It’s a total pain in the ass/neck/wherever you have it stashed. The New York City rule of keeping my wallet in my front pocket has served me well. Most of the time we use our credit cards, but cash on hand is useful for places that don’t accept credit, tipping, and incidentals.
Remember Your PASSPORT!!!
Do not–for the love of all that is holy–forget this. I’ve had so many dreams where I have forgotten mine at home and missed the plane.
Copies of documentation
Copies of your passport, drivers license, travel insurance card, and contact information can all be packed separately in case you lose your wallet, get pickpocketed, or even mugged. Even phones are being stolen, so be sure to have your info backed up on the cloud.
Your Phone
There are so many apps which allow you to purchase and use tickets to trains, buses, events, and much more. Make sure your phone is charged (charging). Check with your wireless carrier to confirm activation of your international phone service/data plan. Roaming in another country can be insanely expensive.
On a trip to the UK, I usually had my phone in airplane mode unless I was connected to a Wifi. At the time, my carrier didn’t have international plans I could afford. A few years later, in Ireland, I used my carrier’s global plan which gave me access to my data and minutes for another $13 per day. Navigation apps (Waze) helped me get around without any problems or surprise fees.
It’s also a great way to take photos/video/keep track of social media or read on train trips or kicking back. I take pictures of my important documents in case I need them later.
Travel hack: In Ireland, the ambient humidity was so high that my iPhone wouldn’t accept a charge for several hours because the charging port was wet. Silicon packets and a zip bag can help dry out your phone. It’s no fun having a phone that is nearly dead which is holding all your tickets and important info.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Carry-on Only Travel
A plus to carry-on only travel is that everything you need is in one bag, and maybe a personal belongings bag that can fit under the seat during the flight. I have used my personal belongings bag to carry bottles of whiskey from the duty free, my iPad, and essential items like snacks, reading glasses, and my water bottle. Carry-on is better than checking bags when your luggage gets diverted and you realize everything you needed was lost someplace in Houston International Airport.
Also, there is no waiting at the carousel for your luggage to show up, which can be critical if your flight didn’t land on time and you need to catch your bus or train right now.
Disadvantages of carry-on travel is how much you are going to be lugging around. Stowing all of your material possessions for the next week and a half can be nerve-wracking when space is limited in overhead bins on planes or buses. Plus you’ll need to figure out a way to either ship your souvenirs home or bite the bullet and buy a new bag to check and bring home with you. I prefer experiences over stuff I have to drag home with me anyway. Check out Viator for all sorts of things to do and check out at your destination.
Your Solo Travel Packing List is All a Matter of Preference
On my Ireland trip, my Osprey bag was packed tight and all the zippers and seams were straining. It was also really heavy to pack across Dublin from my hostel to the train station. Throughout my trip, I was sick of looking at my backpack and glad to have it unpacked at my vacation rental where I could easily get to my items. My trip to London was easier, since I was staying at the same room the entire time. I used a daypack in both instances to haul only what I need each day such as my rain jacket, fleece, sunglasses/glasses case, water bottle, charger and iPad.
Whichever you decide to do, whether it is carry-on only or checked luggage travel, should suit your basic needs. Traveling light can mean sacrificing comfort, but it also has its perks. Personally, I like to be able to grab everything I need and go, without waiting for luggage or worrying about where it is. Being flexible can open up all sorts of possibilities, whatever you do.
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