Carry-On Confidence
The Only Packing List You’ll Need for Solo Travel
Travel light, travel smart, travel solo with confidence. This list focuses on versatile items that work in multiple situations. Everything fits in a carry-on bag, saving you time, money, and stress.
1. The Essentials
Never travel without these
📄 Documents & Money
- Passport (check expiration date – needs 6+ months validity)
- Digital copies stored in cloud (Google Drive, iCloud)
- Travel credit card with no foreign fees
- Debit card backup (notify bank of travel dates)
- Driver’s license or international driving permit
- Travel insurance documents (screenshot key info)
- Emergency contact list with local phone numbers
📱 Digital Must-Haves
- Local SIM or eSIM plan (download Airalo app before leaving)
- Google Maps offline download of your destination
- Translation app with offline capability
- Banking apps downloaded and tested
- Backup photos of important documents
💡 Pro Tips:
- Email yourself copies of all documents
- Take photos of your credit cards (front and back)
- Write down embassy phone numbers for your destination
- Keep some cash in local currency for arrival
2. Clothing (Mix & Match Capsule)
Everything should work together
👕 Tops (Choose 4)
- 2 basic t-shirts or tanks (neutral colors)
- 1 nicer shirt for restaurants/cultural sites
- 1 light sweater or cardigan
- Bonus: 1 local-appropriate item (temple scarf, modest top)
👖 Bottoms (Choose 2)
- 1 pair of comfortable walking pants/jeans
- 1 dress OR shorts/skirt (depending on destination)
- Note: Dark colors hide stains and work everywhere
🧥 Layer & Weather
- 1 versatile jacket (can dress up or down)
- Compact rain jacket or poncho
- Light scarf (doubles as blanket, pillow, or modesty cover)
👟 Shoes (Maximum 2 Pairs)
- 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes (broken in!)
- 1 pair nicer shoes OR flip-flops (depending on destination)
- Tip: Wear your heaviest shoes on the plane to save luggage space
🩲 Undergarments
- Quick-dry underwear (3-4 pairs)
- Quick-dry socks (3-4 pairs)
- 1-2 bras (sports bras work great for travel)
- Sleepwear (can double as lounge clothes)
💡 Pro Tips:
- Stick to 2-3 colors that all mix and match
- Avoid white (shows dirt) and bright colors (stand out too much)
- Choose fabrics that don’t wrinkle easily
- Pack one “dressy” outfit for nice restaurants or cultural sites
3. Work-Friendly Gear
For digital nomads and business travelers
💻 Tech Essentials
- Laptop + protective case
- Laptop charger + extra charging cable
- Universal USB travel adapter (with multiple ports)
- Portable laptop stand OR foldable desk setup
- Noise-canceling headphones (essential for video calls)
- Backup power bank (10,000+ mAh capacity)
🎧 Audio & Calls
- Good quality earbuds with microphone
- Headphone splitter (for sharing audio on flights)
- Small bluetooth speaker (for hotel room audio)
📝 Office Supplies
- Small notebook and pen
- Business cards (if networking)
- Portable mouse (makes laptop work much easier)
💡 Pro Tips:
- Test all your tech before leaving home
- Bring charging cables for everything
- Consider a VPN subscription for secure internet
- Download offline work apps before traveling
4. Safety & Solo Travel Must-Haves
Peace of mind for you and family back home
🚨 Security Items
- Portable door alarm or doorstop alarm
- Apple AirTag, Tile, or GPS tracker for your bag
- Money belt or hidden wallet
- TSA-approved luggage locks
📱 Safety Apps & Info
- Emergency contact card with local numbers
- SmartTraveler app (US State Department warnings)
- Local emergency numbers saved in phone
- Share location feature set up with family/friends
🏥 Health & First Aid
- Basic first aid supplies (bandaids, pain reliever)
- Prescription medications (in original containers)
- Hand sanitizer and face masks
- Sunscreen (buy locally to save space)
💡 Pro Tips:
- Tell someone your detailed itinerary before leaving
- Check in with family/friends on a regular schedule
- Research common scams at your destination
- Trust your gut – if something feels wrong, leave immediately
5. Region-Based Add-ons
Customize based on where you’re going
🌴 Tropical Destinations
- Insect repellent (DEET-based for malaria areas)
- Quick-dry swimwear
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Lightweight long sleeves (mosquito protection)
- Water purification tablets or filtered water bottle
❄️ Cold Weather Destinations
- Thermal base layers (top and bottom)
- Warm hat and gloves
- Waterproof boots or shoe covers
- Hand/foot warmers for extreme cold
🕌 Conservative/Religious Areas
- Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees
- Head scarf or shawl
- Long pants (even in hot weather)
- Closed-toe shoes for temple visits
🏔️ Adventure/Outdoor Destinations
- Hiking shoes or boots
- Quick-dry hiking clothes
- Daypack for excursions
- Water bottle with filter
- Basic camping gear (if planning to camp)
🏙️ City/Business Travel
- One nice outfit for business meetings
- Comfortable dress shoes
- Blazer or sport coat
- Small crossbody bag for city walking
✅ Final Packing Tips
Space-Saving Hacks:
- Roll clothes instead of folding (saves 30% more space)
- Use packing cubes to organize and compress items
- Wear your heaviest items on the plane
- Fill shoes with small items (socks, chargers, toiletries)
- Use every pocket in your luggage
Weight Distribution:
- Keep heavy items close to your back in backpacks
- Use both carry-on and personal item allowances
- Weigh your bag before leaving (most airlines allow 22 lbs/10 kg)
Last-Minute Checks:
- Weather forecast for your destination
- Electrical outlet types (buy adapter if needed)
- Local customs and cultural expectations
- Exchange rates and tipping customs
- Transportation from airport to accommodation
📱 Printable & Mobile Versions
For Easy Access:
- Save this list in your phone’s notes app
- Print a copy to keep in your luggage
- Share with travel companions
- Update based on your experiences
Google Sheets Version: Create a dynamic packing list you can customize for each trip:
- Copy this list to Google Sheets
- Add columns for “Packed” checkboxes
- Add notes about what worked/didn’t work
- Share with family so they know what you’re bringing
Smart Packing Strategy: Pack everything 2-3 days before leaving. Live out of your suitcase for a day to see what you actually need. Remove items you don’t use. This prevents overpacking and ensures you only bring essentials.
Remember: You can buy almost anything you need at your destination. It’s better to pack light and purchase locally than to struggle with heavy bags. Happy travels!