3+ Month Long-Term Packing List

Overview

One important caveat: if you’re traveling somewhere with very specific requirements (for example, snow boots for the Alps), you won’t find those items here. But barring extreme climates or unusual circumstances, you should be able to get by comfortably with what’s on this list, supplementing as you go and adjusting to your own needs and preferences.

Everything is organized by bag and then by category, with explanations included where helpful.

And if you’re just here for the plain old list, no frills, that’s reprinted at the very bottom for easy reference.

Hope this helps, and bon voyage!

Personal item

Generally, my personal item contains only what I absolutely need for the plane ride and immediately after landing: my liquids bag (for easy access), a few essentials, and any extra space reserved for whatever didn’t fit in my carry-on, last-minute souvenirs, etc.—and of course snacks for the plane (I do not purchase food on airplanes; I hate getting scammed).

I am actually very irresponsible and don’t usually carry photocopies of my passport, but you absolutely should—especially if you’re doing a lot of country-hopping. I generally carry 4 different cards with me (2 credit, 2 debit), and I use my main credit card for all purchases and my debit card exclusively for ATM withdrawals. I’ve also added my primary cards to Apple Wallet, so I rarely need to take them out at all.

Within my personal item, I keep a small purse that holds everything I might need immediate access to after getting off the plane (wallet, keys, headphones, passport, etc.). This way, I don’t have to dig through a hefty bag trying to find things in a crowded airport.

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I find it helpful to have multiple options for in-flight entertainment, and I keep all of my valuables within arm’s reach. The phone stand is one of the most useful devices I’ve ever purchased (for less than $5!), especially paired with the power bank and the universal converter. No matter where I go, I know my cord will work with any port—and if I need a physical SIM card, I can access it easily. The SSD has all of my movies, games, TV shows, and e-books, which is invaluable when in-flight entertainment options suck or I’m in the middle of a binge.

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Comfort & health

• Sleep aids of choice: I bring melatonin and Benadryl; alternatives include earplugs or an eye mask.
• Travel pillow
• Compression socks
• Prescription meds
• Lip balm (with SPF)
• Reusable tote (mini Trader Joe’s bag)
• Nail file
• Period supplies (if needed – either active or emergency supply)

The Trader Joe’s mini tote is one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. I use it constantly, and because it takes up so little space, I keep it nearby (usually in my purse) just in case—I’ve used it for dirty clothes, souvenirs, groceries, and more.

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I hate having the liquids bag in my personal item, but it makes it easier to pull out when airports request it, and I can quickly check that nothing has leaked. That said, because it’s near my electronics, I double-bag everything, use silicone covers where possible, and keep it as bare-bones as I can—solid shampoo, soap, and conditioner are great swaps since they don’t count toward the quart-bag limit.

Carry-On

My carry-on is packed so I can travel for up to five days without touching my checked bag. I also leave room for souvenirs or last-minute items, so I keep it as light and flexible as possible. And honestly, if my checked bag ends up overweight, heavy items get shifted to the carry-on (or personal item if I’m worried the carry-on might get weighed—this has happened exactly twice in all my travels).

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I pack only the bare essentials in my carry-on. The swimsuit and rain jacket have come in handy more than once, and flip-flops are a must if you’re staying at hotels or hostels with questionable bathroom hygiene. I overpack on underwear and keep just one set of sleepwear—it’s simpler and takes up less space (who am I trying to impress?).

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The quick-dry towel is compact and saves me from paying hostel towel fees. The lint roller is optional, but it makes me feel better to have it than not. The lint roller is optional, but I always like having it on hand. I can’t recommend the anti-chafe stick enough, especially for women—it has saved my thighs countless times in hot weather when I’m walking a lot and don’t have time to freshen up. Definitely add it to your non-negotiables, especially if you’re traveling somewhere humid.

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This is where I pack items I don’t need on the flight but will want later. The luggage scale lets my paranoid self triple-check that I won’t get charged for overweight baggage, so I keep it close—sometimes even in my personal item if there’s room.

The Ember mug is my baby—I take it everywhere, often in ridiculous contexts (I’ve used it working at a café before). I love having my drink stay at the perfect temperature without feeling rushed. You absolutely don’t need it, but I keep it in my carry-on because I use it so often it just makes sense. It’s proof you don’t have to be completely minimalist while living out of a suitcase.

The HDMI cable has caused problems in the past—friends want to have movie nights, but the hotel TV lacks the right connection, forcing us to buy a cable. Now I just keep one on me, and it’s proven useful (though it’s an easy item to cut if I need to save weight or space).

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Daily life & safety

• Large purse (fits laptop)
• Agenda or daily planner
• Erasable gel pens
• Travel door lock
• Deck of cards
• Travel umbrella
• Collapsible water bottle

I have two purses: one that fits all my essentials, a water bottle, and a book, and another that also fits my laptop. The latter goes in my carry-on, so even if I’m just using the carry-on briefly, I can go to a café, work comfortably, and carry my laptop with ease.

I used to pack a laptop case as well, but honestly, it’s bulky, and I really hate carrying it (I feel like part of the geek squad), so I ditched it.

The planner and pens are for work/productivity. I like writing things down on paper to stay organized, though it’s certainly optional. The travel door lock is a handy safety measure a friend recommended. It doesn’t work on all doors, and I rarely need it, but it’s small and reassuring to carry.

I keep a deck of cards for solo entertainment or for casual socializing if I meet other travelers. They’re a fun, compact way to break the ice and easy to slip into any bag.

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This first-aid kit comes from trial and error. It strikes a balance between minimalist packing and avoiding the hassle of finding a pharmacy in a foreign country when you’re already sick. You could certainly add more items—rehydration salts, antibiotic ointment, etc.—but these are the bare-bones essentials. Five days’ worth of dosing is usually more than enough. And seriously, don’t skimp on anti-diarrheals. If ever there was a case for “better to have and not need than need and not have,” this is it.

Checked Bag

This is my master list for the checked bag, including my essential clothes list (stress-tested in various countries and climates).

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In my opinion, the hardest part of packing for long-term travel is clothing. Striking a balance between underpacking and overpacking is challenging, especially when you’re planning for every climate but not every possible scenario. (Ultimately, I assume that if you’re fortunate enough to travel long-term, you can buy what you might be missing if necessary.)

I rewear clothes —especially sleepwear—do laundry roughly once a week, and this list is what works for me. The only thing you really can’t overpack is underwear—trust me. I also pack extra sports bras because I exercise almost every day, but if you don’t or don’t wear bras, you’re in luck—even less to carry.

Most of my clothing consists of basics in neutral colors, which makes them versatile. Tanks work for summer or layered under overshirts in fall and winter, and thermals are perfect for colder days.

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Shoes

• Sneakers
• Boots
• Hiking sandals (I love my Chacos)
• Flats

I almost always wear my boots in the airport rather than in my bags, but if weight isn’t an issue, they’d go in my checked bag. They are steel-toed, so airport security just loves me and always makes me take them off, even with the newer machines that don’t require it. But they are also warm and waterproof, so they are very versatile.

Sneakers, hiking sandals, and flats cover everything else. Sneakers for workouts, hiking sandals for warm weather, and flats for dressier occasions. This is my absolute bare-bones setup, but adjust as needed.

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I bring extra replacement blades because I love my razor and don’t want to give her up. If you don’t shave, skip this. If you’re not particular about razors, cheap replacements are usually available abroad.

I also bring extra concealer because my pasty skin tone can be hard to match abroad, and I prefer my brand anyways. I usually stock up in the U.S., around four bottles at a time, and use it sparingly. I also carry 8–10 eyebrow pencils because I go through those quickly. For the rest of my makeup, one of each item suffices and takes minimal space.

Multivitamins are part of my morning routine, so I buy them in bulk and keep a steady supply. I replace them as needed, so it’s never a pressing concern to find more while traveling.

My small jewelry box holds earrings, a few necklaces, and earring backs for changing studs as needed. It’s compact, keeps everything organized, and since none of my jewelry is valuable, I don’t worry about safety.

Bug spray. BUG SPRAY. I never think about it until after I’ve been devoured by mosquitoes. Do yourself a favor, and just keep some with you. Even just a small bottle—trust me, bring it, even if you think you won’t need it.

For hair care, bring your preferred routine or products. I carry a hair straightener to use on occasion but rarely blow dry my hair, so I ditch the the extra bulk of a hair dryer. Most hotels and short-term rentals provide dryers, so it’s usually unnecessary anyways.

I keep period supplies for two cycles and restock as needed. If you don’t menstruate or use a reusable system, you can skip this. I mention it because in certain countries—Morocco being one example—tampons and pads can be hard to find in preferred sizes or brands, so I recommend packing enough to make sure you’re well-stocked and comfortable.

Lastly, I have very fair skin, so sunscreen is a must, even in places where locals don’t typically use it. High-quality sunscreen can be expensive or hard to find abroad, so I always bring my own. Aerosol sunscreen is especially convenient and may not be available in many destinations—Morocco certainly did not, and surprisingly neither did Bucharest.

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Laundry & organization

• Packing cubes (with a rechargeable vacuum-seal)
• Travel laundry detergent sheets
• Dry bag (mainly for handwashing clothes)
• Day bag / drawstring bag
• Portable clothesline
• Mini sewing kit
• Shoe fresheners

Vacuum-seal packing cubes are a game-changer. They shift the focus from fitting everything by volume to managing weight more efficiently. I use the smaller of my two checked bags and can fit an impressive amount thanks to these cubes. I used to use manual seal ones until I discovered rechargeable cordless mini pumps—what a lifesaver! Highly recommended, especially if you (like me) tend to overpack despite your best intentions.

My mini sewing kit has saved me countless times. It’s especially useful for bras—wires sometimes pierce the lining, and buying replacements abroad can be a hassle, particularly in Morocco. Being able to repair clothes myself has been invaluable.

The dry bag, portable clothesline, and detergent sheets are perfect for short-term travel. I dislike laundromats, so when I’m in a place without a washing machine, I sometimes just handwash my clothes. Now I wash them in a dry bag—it’s much more streamlined and conserves water.

I considered a portable washing machine for underwear and socks, but decided it wasn’t worth the space. Handwashing achieves roughly the same result—and without rinse cycles, you still have to wring out the clothes by hand from the machine anyways.

Finally, shoe fresheners are compact and worth the space to keep my boots from smelling like a gym locker room.

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Tech & power

• 2 converter outlets with multiple plug-ins
• Extra Bluetooth headphones
• Waterproof phone holder
• Rechargeable AA & AAA batteries with charger (optional)

Two outlets with about four plug-ins each have been more than enough for any apartment I’ve stayed in.

I keep extra headphones in case my main pair dies—I listen to music constantly while walking, and not having them would destroy me. The waterproof phone holder isn’t strictly necessary, but it’s handy at pools or beaches, especially when traveling solo. It lets you enjoy the water without leaving valuables behind or risking water damage.

Rechargeable batteries are optional, but if you carry devices that use AA or AAA batteries—flashlights, luggage scales, electric toothbrushes, or booklights—it’s convenient to have a way to recharge rather than hunt down replacements when one dies. I found them extremely useful during travel (I used to carry camping lanterns as well, but not anymore), so I included them here as a practical tip.

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Safety

• Pepper spray and personal safety alarm
• Cable lock for bags and lockers
• Small portable lockbox

I know pepper spray isn’t legal in every country, but I always pack it in my checked bag and haven’t encountered any issues. In countries where it is allowed, it provides an extra layer of personal security while walking around. The small lockbox comes in handy at hostels or beaches, giving peace of mind that your belongings will stay safe. The cable lock is perfect for securing your personal item or using lockers at hostels.

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No-Frills Packing list