These items—all of which can fit in a carry-on—will make your life much easier. http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/solo-travel/solo-trip-packing

1. The 23 Items to Pack for Every Solo Trip
RACHEL CHANG JANUARY 12, 2018
My grandma used to say, “Carry everything with you, so that when you arrive, your things arrive too.” And after I touched
down in Ecuador’s Quito airport for a solo trip a couple of years ago and realized that my checked baggage hadn’t, her words
rang louder than ever.
Jordan Siemens/Getty Images
These items—all of which can t in a carry-on—will make your life much easier.

2. When traveling alone, packing light isn’t as important as packing smart. Since travel inconveniences amplify when you’re
on your own, you want to prepare for any scenario that will set you back on your journey.
Related: The Best Travel Accessories to Solve All Your Problems on the Go
First and foremost, the items at the top of the priority list should provide comfort and convenience—and ideally serve more
than one purpose. So leave behind the strappy heels you’ll only wear once (no matter how cute they’ll look in your photos),
and make sure you’re choosing things ef ciently. In the same way the KonMari decluttering method asks you to take every
item into your hand and ask if it brings you joy, hold every item and ask yourself: Is this item a necessity on my trip? If it
passes the test, set it in the suitcase.
The next tier of the test? Make sure you can singlehandedly manage your luggage for a distance. Without anyone to split
the baggage-toting time with, challenge yourself to see if you can walk down the block and back without a struggle. The key
here is being able to keep your hands free, so you can focus on what’s ahead and not what’s weighing you down.
For me, the secret combo has been an ultra-light, rolling hard carry-on suitcase and a backpack, since it passes the
international carry-on allowance and I don’t have to check anything (thanks, Grandma!). Here are 23 items that have helped
me trot the globe with as little baggage— guratively and literally—as possible. And for more solo travel advice, here are my
hacks for traveling alone, tips for how to meet people, and the best places to go.
Kohl's
Hard-shell Rolling Carry-On Suitcase
I used to favor soft suitcases, since I thought there was more give to squeeze in extra items. But then came the tragic time I
had to drag my bag through the rain with a pathetic garbage bag over it, and my stuff still got soaked. After a few more
years of wrapping all my clothes up in plastic bags, I wised up and got the Samsonite Ziplite 3.0 20-inch Hardside Spinner
Carry-On Luggage. Its expandable zipper allows for extra space, and even when I feel like I’ve overstuffed, I’ve always been
able to rezip the extra zipper completely, magically creating bonus room.

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Backpack with Padded Straps
As I was sprinting down a street in Chicago years ago, my crossbody bag suddenly plopped onto the oor behind me. After
that lesson, I’m a rm believer that two straps are better than one. Not only does a backpack spread the weight out better,
but anything that lets you be hands-free while navigating routes solo is a godsend. Depending on the adventure, I alternate
between a large men’s black Vans backpack (from $35) I inherited and a pink waterproof Cath Kidston one ($72, but I got it
on sale at Asos for $48.60). Plus, since it counts as a personal item, it adds to your carry-on allotment on ights.
Daisco's
Plastic Bags
Whenever I’m near one of Japanese discount store Daiso’s 3,660 locations around the world, I always stock up on their
plastic storage bags ($1.50 per pack). While the teeny ones are perfect for holding medication, the other sizes t everything
from chargers and toiletries to passports and phones. Opt for the thicker bags to protect against moisture. The clear plastic
makes it easy to stay organized and nd things quickly. Also, pack extras—they can easily be stashed at the bottom of a bag
and you never know what size and shape will come in handy.
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Lewis N. Clark
Money Belt
After seeing fellow tourists wear hidden money belts that were so bulky and obvious, I never thought I’d own one. But after
the stress of having to leave my luggage for a day in a hotel’s self-service locker room in Vienna, I realized it was time. After
some research, I landed upon the Lewis N. Clark Hidden Waist Stash Wallet ($13.99), which is so light-weight, I often forget
it’s even on. With multiple pockets, I’ve been able to organize my passport and other currencies without having to give
them a second thought. The protection layer against cyber fraud offers bonus security.

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Zip Pocket Jacket
Ever since I lost my New York City Metrocard and New Jersey Transit bus ticket in one swift go, the rst thing I look for in a
jacket is a zip pocket to ensure I have easy access to my essentials. Columbia’s Titan Ridge Hybrid Jacket ($140) has
everything I need, yet is water- and stain-proof with a layer of extra warmth, making it the perfect all-in-one.
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Courtesy of Uniqlo
Scarf
Whether to keep warm, dress up an out t, cover your head, or use as an extra blanket, a large scarf can serve any number of
purposes. I’ve even used them to pad a fragile souvenir, and I’ve seen a fellow traveler metamorphose one into a draped
out t. The large size of Uniqlo’s stoles ($19.90), which are a 55.1-inch square, make them especially versatile.
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Love Reuseable Bags
Foldable Reusable Bag
Lovebag’s Stash It series (from $22) is so light and tiny that you won’t believe how much it can hold. I’ve folded one into my
pocket on a cold morning and then opened it up to put my jacket in it when it warmed up. I’ve also used it as my daypack
when a backpack was too big, and also opened it up to hold extra souvenirs when I bought too much. But the best part is
that the strap is long enough that you can wear it as a cross-body bag. Bonus: The pouch is so stretchy and durable that I’ve
used it to hide extra money, so my cash isn’t all in one spot.
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Courtesy of Cole Haan

5. Multi-Purpose Shoes
After realizing how ridiculous it is to bring ve pairs of shoes with me “just in case” on one trip, I now limit myself to two. I
bring one pair of waterproof, durable sneakers and another pair of shoes comfortable enough to use on long walks but can
also work when going out to catch a theater performance. I landed on Cole Haan’s Pinch Weekenders ($100, although I’ve
paid as little as $41.97 during a sale on Cole Haan’s site), available in both men’s and women’s varieties. The patent leather
version works for any occasion, and will help you trudge over cobblestones in Cuba or hit the dance oor in Marrakech.
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Headlamp
One of the recommended items for my Morocco trip was a headlamp for the night out in the desert. It seemed like a big
investment for one evening, when I could just use my phone as a ashlight. But while I was at picking up other trip
essentials at Target, I saw the Energizer 3 LED Headlight was only $10 and much more compact than expected. And boy, was
it worth it. Not only did I use it to navigate my way to the restroom in the Sahara, but when I was in Cuba, there was a
blackout while I was packing, so I simply strapped it on my head and continued without missing a beat.
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Sturdy Folder for Printed Documents
Fill a sturdy folder, like the Five Star 2-Pocket Advance Stay-Put Portfolio (Amazon, from $2.19) or the Premium Poly
Envelope with Velcro Closure (Amazon, $7.95 for 5) with printouts of all your essential paperwork—including airline, hotel,
and transportation con rmations and maps to anywhere you might need to navigate on your own. Another tip: Instead of
bringing a heavy tourbook, print out articles and tips and toss them away as you’re done with them, so you aren’t juggling
so much paperwork.

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Sea to Summit
Dry Sack
Even though I bought my small Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack ($12.95 for a one-liter size) for my camera and phone
when I found out it would be raining during my Machu Picchu hike, I’ve now taken it along on almost every trip. If anything,
it serves as an extra pouch, where I know all my electronic and chargers will remain organized and dry.
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Gerard Girbes Berges via Flickr.com / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Last Chance Clothes
I often pack underwear and socks that are just one use away from the trash can. They’re still usable and durable, but maybe
it’s a sock that’s been through one too many muddy runs or underwear that’s beginning to fray. That way, you can throw
them out after using them and lighten your load along the way. Or take those t-shirts you really don’t need and wear them
as pajamas or a base layer during your travels and leave them behind as well—opening up more room for souvenirs!
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Wet Ones
Various Wipes
Being on your own, you want to avoid getting sick at all costs, so I go crazy with wipes to ensure minimal contact with
germs. Before every trip, I head to Target’s travel section and stock up on every form of wipes: Wet Ones Anti-Bacterial
Wipes for my hands, Clorox Disinfecting Wipes to Go for my plane and train seats and the hotel room (yes, I’m that
person!), and Cottonelle Flushable Cleansing Cloths to, well, to keep you feeling fresh and clean in all those public
restrooms.
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7. UIG via Getty Images
Customized First-Aid Kit
Only you know what you might need the most, so run through your itinerary and the worst-case scenarios. For me, this
usually includes a drugstore run to pick up Dramamine, Imodium, Tylenol Cold, Sudafed, Neosporin, large patch bandages,
eye allergy drops, and contacts rewetting drops. But when I get home, I strip off the packaging and just organize the actual
items in plastic bags, writing the dosage directly on the back of the packaging in Sharpie so that it all ts into one small
bag. And don’t forget to bring to your daily multivitamins to keep you strong on the road.
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AFP/Getty Images
Emergency Contact Info Card
Take an index card (or as a cheat: the back of a business card!), write all of your emergency contact info with a Sharpie, and
put in your wallet. That way, if something goes wrong and you can’t access your phone, you can still get in touch with your
contacts. And if there’s an emergency and someone is trying to help you, they can also nd the info in the place they’re
most likely to look—your wallet. Make sure it’s labeled clearly, with an international symbol of a red cross.
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Coleman
Emergency Blanket
You can’t go wrong with this Coleman’s aluminized polyester blanket. It ts atly into a corner of your bag and opens into a
gigantic cover-up, perfect for chillier than expected nights under the stars, like I experienced out in northern Africa’s
desert. It can also double as a ground cover for sticky situations.
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8. Mini Bungee Cord
Another small object that can prevent all kinds of potential aggravation is a mini bungee cord ($3.78 for an eight pack). It
can be used to keep a door open or closed, to hold a busted bag or suitcase together, or even to hang items as makeshift
mini clothesline. And if you really wanted to get creative, it could also be used as a hair tie or belt extender.
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Courtesy of Havaianas
Flip Flops
In addition to the aforementioned two pairs of shoes, throw in a pair of ip ops. Since they’re water resistant, they serve a
different purpose and are at enough to take up minimal room along the side of a suitcase. Besides being useful for days at
the beach, they can also protect your feet in the shower or a hostel oor you’d rather not step on. My favorite pair is still
the tried-and-true Havaianas Slims ($26).
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Envelopes
I’ve always tossed about three or four legal-sized envelopes in my bag—and ultimately end up using at least one for various
purposes. Often, it’s to collect the group tip or give my own tip on a small group tour, while other times it’s to put essential
tickets or extra cash in a safe place. And when I was traveling in Cuba, there were so many papers to bring that they helped
me keep everything organized to speed through lines.
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© Ievgen Chepil / Alamy Stock Vector
Extra Passport Photos

9. More than a decade ago, I was running around Paris for more than a week and bought a seven-day card for the Metro, which
had a space for a photo. Little did I realize it actually required a photo until a cop stopped me in a station and asked to
check it. I ended up getting scolded—and ned. Needless to say, I now always travel with two extra passport photos in the
off-chance they’re needed.
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Bloomberg via Getty Images
Old Cell Phone Case
Leave behind that too-cute phone case and snap on an older, more discreet one. To avoid being a target for thieves when
you’re on your own, go low-key with your tech and try to blend in. When I’m traveling abroad to countries where
smartphones are less common, I sacri ced fun for a $3 light blue case that I got at a Taipei street market, which drew less
attention.
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KIND
Snack Bars
If you’re anything like me, once you get going on your adventure, it’s easy to lose track of time until your stomach starts
growling. Instead of scrambling to nd something to tide you over, buy a box of snack bars, get rid of the box and put them
in a plastic Ziploc bag (which you can later reuse). The durable nature of Kind Bars ($4.99 for a box of four) prevent them
from getting crushed. Just remember to avoid ones with too much chocolate or other ingredients that could melt.
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Courtesy of Uniqlo
Foldable Down Jacket

10. Another dual-purpose essential? A packable warm jacket like Uniqlo’s Ultra Light Down Jacket ($59.90 to $69.90) which is
so compact it can lay at like an almost paper-thin layer in your suitcase. Or roll it into its pouch and it suddenly doubles
as a travel pillow. There’s a men’s version, as well.