What to pack for international travel

Backpack

A backpack is the first and foremost essential item. It will hold all the items that you carry while traveling. It must be lightweight, durable and strong. Invest in a good backpack that will last for several years.

Your backpack must be small enough to pass as a carry-on bag. Get a backpack that’s about 40L. Anything over 40L may not work as a carry-on bag.

I highly recommend Osprey backpacks. I use Osprey Farpoint 55. It’s a 55-liter backpack. The cool thing about this backpack is it comes with a daypack attached to it. If I have to check in my bag for some reason, I can detach the daypack and take all my valuables with me on the plane. The main bag is about 40-liter, so it passes as a carry-on on most planes.

I used to use an Osprey Farpoint 40, which is a perfect carry-on size. Osprey Porter 46 is another excellent carry-on size backpack.

PRO TIP
Get a travel pack instead of a regular backpack. Regular backpacks are top-loading. If you need something that’s at the bottom of the backpack, you have to remove everything to retrieve it. A travel pack is also a backpack, but it’s front-loading. It opens like a suitcase, so it’s easy to pack and repack. Osprey Farpoint 55, Farpoint 40 and Porter 46 are all travel packs.

Shoes

Shoes are the second-most essential item. You will wear them most of the time, so invest in a good pair of shoes. I suggest getting a pair of hiking shoes. They work well for hiking/trekking but also work pretty well for walking around the city.

I use Columbia North Plains hiking shoes. These are built with Omni-grip and tech-light technologies. Meaning, they have an excellent grip and are ultralight. These are the lightest hiking shoes I have found so far. They are also highly comfortable. They held on amazingly well on my Everest Base Camp trek. I highly recommend these shoes.

PRO TIP
Wear your hiking shoes when traveling from place to place, so they won’t take up space in your bag or add weight.

Smart Phone

A smartphone is less of an essential and more of a necessity. It’s your phone, camera, computer, navigator, and communicator. You need it to keep in touch with your folks, look up maps, research on places, take pictures and many other things.

I use an unlocked iPhone 6. I usually purchase a SIM card at the airport when I arrive. I pop in the SIM card and I’m good to go.

Rain Jacket

A good rain jacket can work as a jacket, raincoat, and a wind protector. Even while traveling in warm countries, you might occasionally end up in highlands where it can be windy and chilly. Make sure your rain jacket is lightweight and compressible. It should not add additional weight to your backpack.

My recommendation is to get a Columbia rain jacket or something similar from Decathlon.

Pants

A pair of hiking pants can work as your all-purpose pants. If the hiking pants are convertible, they even work as shorts. Pack at least two pairs of pants.

I use Columbia Silver Ridge convertible hiking pants. They are lightweight, convertible and quick drying. I have even used them on my EBC trek. They held up great to the wind, cold and high altitude. Invest in two pairs of these pants and you are set for the next couple of years. They are extremely durable.

Shorts

If you have convertible pants, you do not need extra shorts. Your convertible pants will work as both pants and shorts. But if don’t have convertible pants, get 2 pairs of lightweight and quick-drying shorts.

I recommend the shorts from Columbia or something similar from Decathlon.

T-Shirts

Pack at least 6-8 t-shirts. Make sure some of these are quick drying and the rest are cotton.

I currently carry 3 T-shirts that I bought in Bangkok and 3 from Ninomax in Vietnam.

Swim Trunks

You need at least one pair of swim trunks. You can, of course, use them for swimming or at the beach. But they can also work as an extra pair of shorts.

Quick-drying Towel

Hostels usually charge for towels. Also, if you Couchsurf or stay at a friend’s place, you should have your own towel. Regular towels can be bulky and take up too much space. Get a microfiber quick-drying travel towel. It packs small and dries quickly.

I carry a travel towel that I bought at Decathlon.

Underwear

Pack at least 3 good pairs of underwear. I use and highly recommend Exoficio underwear. They are breathable, comfortable, odor-free and antimicrobial. On top of all, they are quick drying. They dry in just 2 hours.

You can travel the world for months with just 2 pairs of this underwear. They are slightly expensive but worth the money.

Socks

Pack at least 3 pairs of lightweight socks. Preferably, one pair of hiking socks and 2 pairs of anklet socks.

I use and highly recommend socks from Patagonia. They held up and worked amazingly well on my EBC trek. They are lightweight, quick-drying and odor-free. If you can’t find these, get similar ones from Decathlon.

Flipflops

Pack one good pair of lightweight flip-flops. You need a pair to wear at the hostel/hotel, to walk around or at the beach.

I bought a pair of Havaianas about 2 years ago in Rio de Janeiro. I’m still using them. They are super comfortable but not really lightweight. You can get lightweight and durable flip-flops in Decathlon.

Power Adapter

This is an essential item to pack when traveling. Different countries use different types of plugs. You need an adapter to plug your phone charger, laptop, etc.

I do not recommend spending too much money on this. Just buy something that works.

Luggage Lock

You need a luggage lock to secure your bag or the locker in your hostel.

Not all hotels have safe deposit lockers in the rooms. You can keep your valuables in your backpack and lock up the zips together with a luggage lock.

Most hostels provide a locker for the luggage but will not provide a lock. You can use your luggage lock to secure the locker.

Get a 3-4 digit combination luggage lock. Do not get a padlock with keys. You will easily misplace the keys. I have been using the Kolumbo luggage lock. It’s a 3 digit combination lock. It’s small but sturdy and strong.

Electric Trimmer or Razor

Pack an electric trimmer or a razor. I use and highly recommend Philips Norelco trimmers. They are small and durable. They can also be used to cut your own hair if you know how.

PRO TIP
Yes, electric trimmer and/or razor are allowed in carry-on/cabin bag.

Sunglasses

Invest in a good pair of polarized sunglasses. Do not buy those cheap ones from the roadside. They may look good on you, but they don’t really protect you from strong UV.

I use a pair of Oakley polarized sunglasses. They are a bit expensive.You can also get a really good pair of UV coated sunglasses from Decathlon for $5 USD.

PRO TIP
Get a lightweight case for sunglasses. A case will protect your sunglasses when you pack, squeeze or toss them in your bag.

Toiletries

Pack all essential toiletries such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, soap, shampoo, sunscreen, shaving cream, hair oil, mouthwash, hand sanitizer, etc. You can buy these anywhere so no need to pack big ones or in large quantities.

PRO TIP
To pack toiletries in your carry-on bag, make sure all bottles/tubes are 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less in size. Put them all in a quart-size clear/transparent plastic bag or ziplock bag. While going through the security check in the airport, take the plastic/ziplock bag out from your backpack and place it on a tray.

Jeans

Occasionally you may have to go to a party, attend an event or dinner. A good pair of jeans is great for special occasions. They also come in handy when traveling in highlands or in cold weather.

The problem with jeans is they are heavy and do not dry fast. There are many brands that are making somewhat lightweight jeans these days. I carry a pair of Buffalo jeans. They are somewhat light and easy to pack.

PRO TIP
If you pack a pair of jeans, wear them when traveling from place to place. That way it won’t take up space in your bag or add weight to it.

Down Jacket

You may need a down jacket if you will be traveling or spending time in cold weather.

I carry a North Face down jacket. It’s highly compressible and ultralight. It stows into its own pocket. It was extremely helpful on my EBC trek.

Decathlon also has some really good down jackets.

Collared Shirt

It’s nice to have one or two collared shirts. You can wear them for parties, events or dinners.

I carry two quick-drying collared shirts from Toad & Co. They are ultralight and quick drying. Toad & Co is a really cool travel clothing company.

Scrubba Washbag

If you travel light, you pack a few clothes. That means you have to wash them more often. You can wash them in a sink or use a washbag. A washbag can give you a machine quality wash.

I carry Scrubba washbag. It’s a portable laundry system. It looks like a dry sack, folds small and thin. It’s a bit pricey for what it is. But, it can save you money in the long run.

Water Purifier

UV water purifiers are safe, effective and chemical free. I use SteriPEN Freedom UV water purifier. It’s slightly larger than a pen but small enough to stow in a pocket. It uses UV rays to eliminate bacteria and viruses.

This purifier has come in handy many times including my EBC trek.

Foldable Water Bottle

Buying water bottles all the time can get expensive. It’s not environment-friendly either. Plastic, aluminum or glass bottles take up space.

I use Vapur foldable water bottle. It folds so small, it can easily be stashed in a pocket. It’s durable, freezable and BPA-free. One of the best investments I have made. I highly recommend it.

Eye Mask

An eye mask is useful for a good night’s sleep in dorm rooms and planes. I carry an Alaska Bear natural silk eye mask. It’s smooth and super comfortable on the eyes.

Earplugs

A good pair of earplugs can get you a good night’s sleep in dorm rooms and planes. Earplugs are essential to pack when traveling if you are a light sleeper. Get foam earplugs that are light, soft and comfortable.

Flex Cable/Chain

You may need a cable/chain to secure your backpack to a bedpost or pipe. In hostels with no lockers, you can use a chain or cable to lock up your backpack to something stationary and strong.

A cable/chain can also be used to secure bags when traveling overnight on trains where thefts are common.

I carry a Kryptonite flex cable. It’s small and lightweight.

Headlamp

You may need a headlamp if you are camping, hiking in the dark or in the dorm rooms. Get an inexpensive LED headlamp.

Sleeping Bag

If you couchsurf, stay at friends’ or camp, you may need a sleeping bag. Even ultralight sleeping bags can take up space and add to the weight of the backpack. Carry a sleeping bag only if it’s really needed.

I carry a REI ultralight sleeping bag which I bought from REI in the US. I have used this sleeping bag only a few times in my entire travels. But, it was very useful on my EBC trek. I did not have to spend money on renting a sleeping bag. It was small and lightweight, so I was able to fit easily into my hiking bag.

Decathlon has small and ultralight sleeping bags at inexpensive prices. Check it out.

PRO TIP
Get a compression sack for your sleeping bag. A compression sack can squeeze and compress your bag to 1/3 of its size. You can find an inexpensive one at Decathlon.

Laptop

A laptop is essential if you are a freelancer, blogger or an online professional. If you are not one of these, you can easily manage with a cell phone or a tablet.

I use a MacBook Pro. MacBooks are light, durable and easy to work with. I use Incase Icon Sleeve for my MacBook. It provides cushion and protects my laptop during traveling.

External Mouse

If you are spending hours on your laptop, an external mouse can make your life easier. I use Apple Bluetooth Mouse, which pairs very well with my MacBook Pro.

Kindle

Carrying physical books can add to the size and weight of your bag. A kindle can take your entire library with you.

I made my switch to kindle about a year ago. My bag has become much lighter. Now I have all my guidebooks and my entire library with me. I highly recommend a Kindle instead of print books.

External Hard Drive

It’s extremely important to backup your photos and data while traveling. Computers break down or get stolen. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Carry at least one external hard drive with you.

I use Samsung T3 Portable SSD external hard drive. I use this to store photos and backup the data from my computer.

This hard drive is an SSD, so no spinning disks inside. It is less susceptible to breakdowns or malfunctions. It’s also one-fourth the size of external hard drives out there. So it takes less space in your bag. It’s also shockproof, so no need for a case or protector.

It’s a bit expensive than normal external hard drives. But it’s worth it for its durability and compact size.

Flash Drive

There will be situations where you will have to get prints of some documents. Visa letters, flight itineraries and what not. Flash drives can come in handy. Copy your file onto a flash drive and print it at an internet cafe or at the reception in your hotel/hostel.

I carry 2 SanDisk Ultra flash drives each of 64GB. They also work as additional storage and backup drives.

External Battery

You will be on the road most of the time. You will be traveling, exploring, or hiking in the forest. An external battery can be extremely useful in situations where there is no power source nearby. Or in situations where you cannot sit and wait for your phone to charge.

I use RAVPower portable external battery. It has built-in wall plug and charging cable. There is no need for me to carry additional cables. All I need is this external battery.

Camera

A cell phone or a compact point and shoot camera should work in most cases. You only need a DSLR if you are into photography.

I have been using a Nikon D7100 with an 18-105mm lens. This is my first DSLR camera and I am still using it.

Over time, I have learned it’s not the camera that takes good pictures. It’s the eye for creativity, proper lighting, and software that makes the pictures great.

Tripod

If you use a DSLR and need to shoot crystal clear pictures, you may need a tripod. Especially shooting in the night and waterfalls.

I use MeFOTO Aluminum Backpacker tripod. It’s small, light but also extremely strong. It’s small enough for me to pack it in my carry-on bag. I have used this tripod to shoot cityscapes, canyons, and the Himalayas.

Camera Bag

I recommend using your daypack as your camera bag whenever possible. The less the bags, the easier to travel.

If you need a separate camera bag, I highly recommended ThinkTank camera bags. They do not look like typical camera bags with bright logos. They are discrete with no logos or names on them. Not every place you travel can be safe. A discrete bag not only avoids attention but can also minimize theft.

Cell Phone Tripod Adapter

I use a cell phone tripod adapter to place my cell phone on the tripod. I use this setup to record videos with my cell phone.

Memory Cards

I use two SanDisk Extreme memory cards for my camera. They are cheap and durable. They hold up to a thousand pictures.