The Essentials: Packing List

First things first. You will overpack. I still overpack. It’s an ongoing journey to find the perfect balance that is travel packing. But all things considered, here is a general packing list for your travels. It looks long but it does pack tight. 

This list is what I use as a 20 year old college athlete. Modify it for your own needs and interests. I chose dancing over hiking and beaches over ski slopes, and that changes what I pack. Pack for what you love to do. 

Keep in mind:

1. Never pack anything you aren't willing to lose. Things happen. 

2. Leave your bag half empty. You’ll pick up things on the way.

3. If you don’t wear it at home, don’t bring it. You'll end up wearing the same three things you always do anyway. 

4. High quality, low quantity.

5. Follow the 20/20 rule: if you can get it for less than $20 in less than 20 minutes, don’t pack it. (Keep in mind, getting something in Paris is a lot easier than the Costa Rican Jungle. Keep your destination in mind). 

I travel with one 40L REI backpack. 

Documents:

1. Passport

2. Plane ticket (or train ticket)

3. Insurance Card

4. Emergency Contact Info

5. Copies of all of the above 

6. Money (Cash is King. Bring US$ plus the local currency)

7. 2 Credit Cards/Debit Cards (I bring one debit and one credit card for my travels)

*inform your bank that you are leaving the country!

Must-Haves:

1. REI Backpack

2. Purse for day trips

3. Draw String bag(s) (good for day trips and as laundry bags)

4. Camera (phone, go pro, whatever)

5. Phone + charger + extra charger 

6. Universal Charger/converter

7. Headphones (I pack two sets)

8. Padlock (with numbers not keys. Be honest, you'll lose that key)

9. Basic First Aid Kit

10. Journal

11. Pens

12. Books (ones you can leave behind)

13. Eye mask (if it helps you sleep)

14. Ziplock bags

15. Medications (I bring theraflu as my way to fight sickness of the road)

In that beauty bag: 

1. Contraceptives

2. Sunscreen + bug spray

3. Chapstick + moisturizer

4. deodorant +perfume

5. toothbrush + toothpaste

6. razor + small nail clippers

7. makeup remover (wipes, oils, whatever works best for you)

8. travel shampoo

9. travel towel

10. makeup (I don’t wear a lot of makeup. So I don’t pack much. My go to is conceler and mascara)

11. Ibuprofen

12. tweezers

Extras:

I’m a huge fan of jewelry. I wear a locally made necklace from my hometown everyday and love rings and bracelets (check out NicaLife for gorgeous handmade jewelry). I always pack a few things.

1. Wrist watch (I’ve dropped my phone on the train tracks trying to check the time. A watch is cute and useful)

2. Rings, rings, rings. (I loose them but love them. Also a cool thing to trade with other female travelers. 

3. Scarves (I attempted to travel England in January without a scarf. Ended up snagging some from the guy I was staying with. Now I wouldn’t travel north without one)

Fabrics:

These are the hardest to pack. Keep in mind your interests and the weather where you go. As a college athlete, I bring work out clothes. I also don’t wear heels. Take this as a guide and change what you need to based on what you love to do. 

On the plane:

1. Boots + Warm socks

2. Leggings

3. Lose T shirt

4. Hoodie

5. Scarf

Vs. In the bag:

Tops:

1. T-shirts (whatever your style is)

2. One nice blouse

3. One flannel

4. One tank top

5. Dresses (one nice, one sun dress)

Jackets:

1. Everyday Jacket

2. Rain Jacket

Bottoms:

1. Running shorts

2. Everyday shorts/skirts/rompers

3. Jeans

Shoes:

1. Running shoes

2. Converse

3. Birkenstocks

4. Flip flops (some showers are gonna be dingy)

*Whatever your style make sure you can walk at least five miles in these shoes comfortably. 

Other:

1. Swimsuit/Bikini (multiple if headed south)

2. Socks

3. Underwear (firm believer in you can never pack too much underwear, it stretches laundry day further and further and packs small)

4. Bras (sports bras and everyday. I’m a big fan of nike light bras. They work for everything and are a cute bikini top if needed)

5. Hat (I pack a baseball cap, feel free to rock the fedora, bucket, fez or whatever it is you love)

Extras:

1. Deck of Cards

2. Soccer ball (I have no musical talent, but a guitar or ukulele could replace this)

3. Drawstring bag for dirty clothes

4. Purse for day trips

5. Pillowcase (some hotels and hostels are a little dingy)

Tips for fitting it all:

1. Roll, roll, roll. Best way to fit it all neatly. 

2. Separate dirty clothes in a drawstring or plastic bag. Don’t want all of your stuff sandy and smelly after day one. 

3. Bag those liquids! Don’t be that guy who has toothpaste everywhere because it exploded in transit. Bag it. (Girls, makeup is notorious for exploding/breaking so think the packing through for those essentials)

“Excess baggage is a symptom of something we are missing on the inside – a fear that we won’t be accepted for what we are, as if our selves are not enough. We bring too much of our past experience, the clutter of our emotions. These things get in the way and keep us from getting close to others. Then we are left with the task of having to find someone else to carry it, whether it is our luggage or our loneliness.”

-Mary Morris