Packing Lists

General items for all trips:

PASSPORT (email/dropbox/onedrive/ etc a copy to yourself)

Drivers license (always good to have 2 sets of ID, then you can keep one locked in your room and one on you. Also necessary if you plan on renting a vehicle - keep in mind that some countries will require an international drivers license)

Travel Insurance Card

Travel documents (optional - if you have printed copies. I email all my documents to myself so I can access them anywhere)

Credit card(s) & debit card(s)

Cash (I rarely bother trying to get money out ahead of time as ATM's are generally easy to find and most places take credit card)

Cellphone & charger

Music player (if not your cellphone)

Headphones

Camera & charger, extra memory card(s)

Portable battery pack(s) (handy to recharge your phone and/or camera if you're out and about all day)

Small flashlight

Stuffpack/daypack

Toiletries: (ensure all liquids are under 100 ml or 3 oz if they're going in your carryon, see Liquids)

shampoo
conditioner
toothbrush
toothpaste
disposable razor
comb/brush
deodorant
makeup

Glasses/Contact Lenses/Contact Solution etc (if you need them)

Ear plugs & eye mask

Inflatable backpackers or travel pillow (optional, for the plane)

Sunglasses

Plug adapters (& potentially converters, check the voltage on your electronics & the type of outlet(s) in the country(s) you'll be visiting! See Outlets)

Drugs (and I do NOT mean the fun ones):

headache pills
anti-diarrhea pills
anti-nausea pills
allergy medication
epipen if you need one
antacids

Mini first aid kit (at least a few adhesive bandages and some antiseptic wipes)

Towel (I recommend the PackTowl or looking into another of the lightweight super compact towels)

Snacks for the plane and an empty water bottle (fill up after security)

Bug spray (depending where you're going)

Powdered laundry detergent (small bottle or packet)

Hand sanitizer

Toilet tissue & baggies to dispose of it in (if you're going somewhere without "North American toilets")

Feminine products

Check out some of my favorite lightweight travel gear here!

The following lists are the clothing that I feel is the bare minimum for me for a 2+ week trip, add or remove things as you see fit:

What to pack for a COLD climate:

Boots (depending on where you will be going and what time of year these could be: hiking boots, snow boots, rain boots)

Shoes (Maximum 2 pairs: 1 comfortable pair for walking around in, and 1 nice pair to go with your 'going out' outfit - even better if your comfy pair can double as your going out pair as well)

Toque (pronounced two-k or too-q, for those non-Canadians this is also known as a beanie, or a knitted cap)

Gloves (wind & waterproof)

Scarf

LAYERS LAYERS LAYERS:

Top Layers:

1 long johns aka long underwear (optional, if you'll be outside for extended periods in the cold)

3 t-shirts (one to wear, one to wash, one for while the washed one is drying)

1 long sleeved shirt

2 sweaters/hoodies (1 thick super warm one and one thinner one that can go underneath if need be)

1 lightweight jacket (either wind and rain proof if you're going to a rainy place, or warm if you're going to a cold place, in rare occasions both could be required (eg Iceland in May))

Bottom Layers:

1 long johns aka long underwear (optional, if you'll be outside for extended periods in the cold)

2 pants

1 comfy or yoga pants (optional, but nice to have something to change into in the evening after a long day)

1 pair of rain proof or snow proof pants (optional, depends on what you'll be doing while you're traveling: snowboarding? skiing? hiking to waterfalls? hiking through a snow or rainstorm?)

5-6 socks

5-6 underwear

(not necessary to bring enough socks & undies for the entire trip, they're easy to wash in the sink)

1 nice outfit (but lightweight: this means maybe a dress with leggings or a dress shirt and nice pants) for going out

PJ's/sleepwear

Swimsuit (optional - if you're going somewhere with hot springs or a hot tub highly recommended!)

What to pack for a HOT climate (hint: much less!):

Comfy shoes (1 pair)

Sandals (1 comfy pair)

1 nice pair of shoes or sandals for going out

1 nice outfit (sundress or nice shirt & dress pants)

1 pair of shorts

1 pair of pants (even if it's going to be extremely hot, you may want to wear pants on the plane - if the A/C is on they can be freeeeeezing!!!)

1 light sweater/hoodie (for the plane and for potentially cool evenings)

4 shirts

5-6 socks

5-6 underwear

Swimsuit

PJ's/sleepwear

Light scarf/pashmina (to cover your shoulders if it gets cool in the evenings, or if you need to cover your shoulders/knees etc to go into a church/mosque/temple)

Hat

Sunscreen

What to pack for a MIXED climate trip:

Boots (depending on where you will be going these could be: hiking boots, snow boots, rain boots)

Shoes (1 comfortable pair)

Sandals (1 comfortable pair)

1 nice pair of shoes or sandals for going out (even better if one of the above pairs can double as your 'nice' pair)

Toque (pronounce two-k, for those non-Canadians this is also known as a beanie, or a knitted cap)

Gloves (wind & waterproof)

LAYERS LAYERS LAYERS:

Top Layers:

1 long johns aka long underwear (optional, if you'll be outside for extended periods in the cold)

3 t-shirts (one to wear, one to wash, one for while the washed one is drying)

1 long sleeved shirt

1 sweater/hoodie

1 lightweight jacket (either wind and rain proof if you're going to a rainy place, or warm if you're going to a cold place, in rare occasions both could be required (eg Iceland in May))

Bottom Layers:

1 long johns aka long underwear (optional, if you'll be outside for extended periods in the cold)

1 pants

1 shorts

1 pair of rain proof or snow proof pants, optional (depends on what you'll be doing while you're traveling: snowboarding? hiking to waterfalls?)

5-6 socks (2 pairs of thick socks for cold, 2 pairs of runners socks if you'll be hiking)

5-6 underwear

1 nice outfit for going out (but lightweight)

PJ's/sleepwear

Swimsuit

Light scarf/pashmina (to cover your shoulders if it gets cool in the evenings, or if you need to cover your shoulders/knees etc to go into a church/mosque/temple)