The ultimate packing list: what seven years of overpacking finally taught me

The first time I packed for a long trip, I brought a full-size ceramic hair dryer, three pairs of jeans, and an emergency first-aid kit large enough to treat a minor car accident.

I was going to Southeast Asia for three months. The hair dryer lasted four days before the voltage converter I forgot to check gave it its last rites. The jeans came home unworn. The first-aid kit: I used one plaster.

That was 2019. I’ve been traveling more or less continuously since then, across 47 countries and every climate imaginable, and every trip has been a negotiation between past-me (who believes in being PREPARED) and current-me (who cannot be bothered to pay checked luggage fees or carry more than she needs).

This is the list I’ve landed on. Not just what to pack, but why, and what changes depending on where you’re going.

The philosophy before the list

Everything on this list fits in a carry-on. Not because I’m a minimalism evangelist but because I’ve learned, expensively and painfully, that extra stuff makes trips worse.

You spend more time managing bags, waiting at carousels, paying fees, and schlepping weight around. Every unnecessary kilo is a small tax on your energy and enjoyment, and it compounds quickly.

The rule I use: pack everything you think you need, then remove 30%. That’s the bag you actually needed.

Clothes: the real framework

This is where almost everyone overpacks. The instinct is to pack one outfit per day. The reality is that you’ll wear the same three things on rotation and wonder why you brought the rest.

The base list:

4 tops
2 bottoms
1 lightweight layer
1 warmer layer (destination-dependent)
2 pairs of shoes (wear the heavier pair on travel days)
Underwear and socks for the trip length, or a week if you’re going long (laundry exists everywhere)
1 outfit that works for somewhere nicer

Why these numbers specifically: Four tops gives you enough variety to feel like you have options while being rotatable over a week with minimal repetition. Two bottoms is almost always enough because bottoms hold up longer between washes and take up more bag space than anything else. The lightweight layer covers you on cold planes, in aggressively air-conditioned restaurants (a Southeast Asia staple), and on cooler evenings.

The fabric question nobody thinks about: Cotton feels nice and is cheap, but it dries slowly, weighs more, and wrinkles badly in a bag. Merino wool or quick-dry synthetic fabrics are genuinely better for travel. Merino in particular is remarkable: it regulates temperature, resists odour for days longer than you’d expect, and looks presentable enough for a restaurant. I pack merino tops and haven’t looked back.

What changes by destination:

Conservative countries. Iran, Saudi Arabia, parts of India, Morocco, require more coverage for women specifically, and sometimes for men too. Long sleeves, longer skirts or trousers, a headscarf in Iran (not optional). Don’t rely on buying modest clothing when you arrive in the hope it’ll be cheap and available in your size. Pack it from home, know the rules, research them before you land not at the airport.

Cold weather destinations. One common mistake: packing multiple light layers instead of one genuinely warm one. A lightweight down jacket that compresses into its own pocket weighs almost nothing and is warmer than four hoodies stacked on top of each other. Get one. Use it everywhere.

Beach destinations with cultural sites. Thailand, Bali, parts of Mexico. You’ll need a swimsuit AND clothes that cover your shoulders and knees for temples. A sarong or light scarf does double duty: beach cover-up and temple respectability. Buy one when you arrive if you forget, they’re everywhere.

Tech: what you need and what you’ll thank yourself for

Phone and charger. Your camera, your maps, your translator, your boarding passes, your accommodation confirmations, your connection to everyone you know. Back up before you leave. Back up again. I use iCloud and also back up to a hard drive before any trip longer than two weeks.

Universal travel adapter. One. Not a country-specific one. The kind that covers US, UK, EU, and AU plug types with a single device. Buy once, keep forever. This is the item I recommend most to new travelers.

Voltage awareness. Different countries run on different voltages (the US uses 110-120V; most of Europe, Asia, and Australia uses 220-240V). Most modern electronics, laptops, phone chargers, camera chargers, are dual voltage and handle both automatically. Check the small print on your device charger. If it says “100-240V”, you’re fine. Hair dryers, straighteners, and electric shavers often aren’t dual voltage and will fry, melt, or just stop working if you plug them into the wrong socket. This is the lesson I learned with the ceramic hair dryer in 2019.

Portable power bank. Medium size: 10,000-20,000mAh. The big ones are too heavy; the tiny ones don’t do enough. Essential for long travel days, overnight buses, and anywhere data is draining your battery through GPS.

A VPN, and this is where it gets interesting. If you’re going to China, a VPN is not optional. It’s the difference between a functional phone and a device that can’t access Google Maps, Google anything, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Gmail (yes, Gmail), YouTube, or most Western news sites. The Great Firewall blocks all of these. You need to download and set up a VPN before you land in China because you won’t be able to access the App Store or most VPN websites once you’re there. I use ExpressVPN; it’s the most consistently reliable I’ve found in China. Don’t be the person who figures this out at Beijing airport.

VPNs are also useful in Russia, Iran, and to varying degrees in a handful of other countries. Check before you go.

Laptop or tablet, if you genuinely need it. If you’re working remotely: yes, obviously. If you’re on a two-week holiday and you’re wondering if you might want it: leave it. Your phone handles most things, and carrying a laptop you barely open is dead weight.

Toiletries: the stuff nobody talks about honestly

The 100ml rule for carry-on travel is non-negotiable. Everything liquid, gel, or cream must be in containers of 100ml or less, all fitting in a single small transparent bag.

The essentials:

SPF 50 sunscreen: non-negotiable, applies to every destination including overcast ones
Facial cleanser (travel bottle or solid bar)
Moisturiser (travel bottle)
Deodorant (solid stick avoids liquid rules entirely)
Shampoo and conditioner (travel bottles or solid bars: solid bars are excellent and skip the liquids bag entirely)
Toothbrush and toothpaste (travel size)
Razor

What changes by destination:

Japan: Bring your own deodorant from home. Japan has limited strong deodorant options in most supermarkets, they tend toward light fragrance mists rather than the antiperspirant roll-ons or sticks most Westerners use. This surprises almost everyone. Also: if you have tattoos, note that many onsen (hot spring baths) still prohibit them. Check ahead.

Southeast Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, etc.): SPF is everywhere and cheap. Insect repellent is also cheap and available everywhere, no need to bring more than a travel-size from home. What IS harder to find: specific prescription medications, tampons in smaller towns, and contact lens solution in rural areas.

India: Stomach medication, probiotics, oral rehydration sachets. I’m not being dramatic. I’ve been fine in India and I’ve been very not fine in India. The food is extraordinary and sometimes your gut needs a transition period. Pack for it.

China: Bring any medication you need, clearly labelled or with prescriptions. Some medications common in Western countries are controlled or prohibited in China (certain ADHD medications, some painkillers). Check the Chinese embassy website for your nationality before you travel.

Documents and the things people forget

Passport with at least six months validity beyond your travel dates. This catches people out more than you’d expect. Many countries won’t let you in if your passport expires within six months of arrival, even if you’re only staying two weeks.

Visa documentation. Know before you go which countries require visas and whether they’re on-arrival, e-visa, or require advance application. China requires a full visa application weeks in advance for most Western nationalities. India’s e-visa is available online but should be sorted at least 3-4 days before travel. Japan is visa-free for many nationalities but not all. Check for your specific passport.

Printed copies vs digital. Keep both. Some borders and hotels want to see a printed copy; others are fine with your phone. I email my passport, travel insurance, and accommodation confirmations to myself so they’re accessible from any device even if my phone dies.

Travel insurance policy number and emergency contact. Saved in your phone AND written on a piece of paper in your bag. Not because you’ll need it. Because the one time you do, your phone will be at 2%.

International driving permit, if you’re renting a car anywhere outside your home country. Required in Japan, Thailand, and many others, your domestic licence alone won’t be valid.

Health: country-specific prep most guides skip

Vaccinations. Check the NHS (UK) or CDC (US) travel health recommendations for your destination at least 6-8 weeks before departure, some courses require multiple doses over weeks. Yellow fever vaccination and proof of it is required for entry to some African and South American countries. Hepatitis A and typhoid are recommended for many developing countries. Rabies is worth considering if you’re going anywhere remote in Southeast Asia or Africa.

Medication for your destination: Japan is particular about what you can bring in, some common medications including certain allergy medications and pseudoephedrine-containing cold remedies are prohibited. If in doubt, bring the Japanese Customs certificate (Yakkan Shoumei). India and Southeast Asia warrant stomach prep. Malaria prevention medication is worth discussing with a travel health clinic for parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America.

Heat and hydration. This is one nobody says explicitly: in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, you can become seriously dehydrated before you realise you’re thirsty because the heat is so normalised. Drink water constantly. Don’t rely on thirst.

The financial setup people miss

A travel-friendly bank card with no foreign transaction fees. Using your regular bank card abroad can cost 2-3% per transaction plus fixed fees, which adds up quickly. Wise, Revolut, and Charles Schwab (US) are popular options. Get one sorted before you go.

Cash requirements vary wildly. Japan is still heavily cash-based in rural areas and many smaller restaurants, counterintuitive for such a tech-advanced country, but true. Have yen. China is the opposite: it’s one of the most cashless societies in the world, running almost entirely on WeChat Pay and Alipay. These apps require a Chinese bank account to use fully, which visitors don’t have, though limited tourist versions now exist. Most tourist-facing places accept cards or cash, but getting around in China without sorting mobile payments is a genuine friction point. Research it before you go and set up the tourist version of Alipay from home.

Morocco, most of Southeast Asia, and large parts of Africa and South America still run heavily on cash. ATMs exist but aren’t always reliable; have backup cash.

Data and connectivity. Sorting an eSIM before you leave means you land with working data immediately, no SIM card queues, no roaming charges. I’ve compared eSIM options across 48 countries, the right plan varies significantly depending on destination. Check my eSIM guide if you want to know what actually works where you’re going.

The actual packing list

Clothes:

4 tops (quick-dry or merino preferred)
2 bottoms
1 lightweight layer
1 warmer layer or packable down jacket (destination-dependent)
2 pairs of shoes (heavy ones worn on travel day)
Underwear and socks (trip length or 7 days)
1 nicer outfit option

Tech:

Phone and charger (check voltage compatibility)
Universal travel adapter
Power bank (10,000-20,000mAh)
Laptop/tablet (if needed)
Earbuds
VPN downloaded and configured (especially for China)

Toiletries (all 100ml or under):

SPF 50 sunscreen
Cleanser, moisturiser
Deodorant
Shampoo/conditioner (solid bars or travel bottles)
Toothbrush and toothpaste (travel size)
Razor

Health and documents:

Medications with buffer days, prescription copies
Vaccinations up to date
Stomach meds if going to higher-risk destinations
Passport (6+ months validity), plus digital backup
Visa documentation
Travel insurance details and emergency number
International driving permit if needed

Organisation:

3 packing cubes
Small first aid pouch (plasters, ibuprofen, antihistamines)
Travel-friendly bank card sorted before departure

Seven years to get here. You’re welcome.