From overpacker to minimalist: My best packing tips for travellers

When I first set off on my solo adventures, I packed way too much. I thought I needed “just in case” outfits, an extra pair of shoes and a few things I never actually wore at home but might magically wear on the road. It didn’t help that when I was setting off, I didn’t know when I was coming home and I knew I would be heading to Australia at some point to work. But the truth? Those ‘just in case’ items just became dead weight.

After years of full-time solo travel, living out of a backpack has taught me what really matters: versatility, comfort and a little bit of space for the unexpected. If you’re planning long-term travel or even just want to learn how to pack light, these are my packing tips from a full-time traveller I swear by.

1. Start with the right bag

The backpack vs suitcase debate is a classic one. For long-term travel, your bag becomes your entire world, so choosing wisely makes a big difference. An important tip when it comes to choosing luggage is finding a bag that opens wide or at the side. Of course, this is pretty normal for a suitcase, but some backpacks only open at the top. So try to choose one that opens fully. This will make packing a lot easier. I watched so many backpackers having to empty their whole bag from the top just to get one thing. Don’t let this be you.

The backpack I started off with was the Mountain Warehouse Unisex Traveller 60 + 20L Rucksack Durable Sports Backpack in purple. This is a very popular option and I can see why; it’s great. But I was getting sick of carrying it after a year and a half, so I decided to opt for a hybrid model. Although I will say, purple was an excellent choice, so much easier to spot on the luggage carousel. Solo travel has made me realise just how bad I am at spotting my luggage.

This is when I switched to wheels. I used the Mountain Warehouse Voyager for about a year. It’s a hybrid, part backpack, part wheelie bag which gives you flexibility. You can carry it on your back when the streets are rough or wheel it when you want to save your shoulders. The downside? The zips. One broke within three weeks, leaving me to rely on a single zip for the rest of the year, until that one broke too.

When that bag gave up completely, I bought a Decathlon 60L wheelie backpack in Malaysia (I’d love to link it, but I can’t find it). This was an emergency purchase because my bag broke. It worked well, but over time I realised: bigger isn’t always better. The more space you have, the more you tend to fill it. I was carrying around a lot of unnecessary stuff, which stressed me out.

That’s why my next step is to downsize to a 40L Decathlon Forclaz backpack. It has built-in packing cubes and a laptop sleeve, making it ideal for minimalist travel and solo trips. And a minimalist is what I aspire to be on my next chapter of travels.

My biggest tip when choosing a bag is zips. You want thick zips. When you’re opening and closing your bag nearly every day, you need good quality. And always leave a little space in your bag. Extra room is useful if you want to pick up souvenirs or transfer items into a smaller daypack for tours. I’ve learned this is one of the most overlooked but essential backpack packing tips for long-term travel.

2. Pack for versatility, not quantity

If you’re putting together a minimalist travel packing list, focus on versatility over variety. Stick to neutral colours and fabrics that layer well. A few tops, two pairs of bottoms and a light dress or scarf that can double as a cover-up usually see me through. Checking the weather cast before you leave is always a good idea, but not that effective when it comes to long-term travel. This is where layers can come in handy. For some of the colder excursions or locations, I have purchased a cheap coat and then donated it when I was done. This means you don’t have to carry it around.

Multipurpose items are lifesavers. A scarf can be a blanket on a cold bus, a beach cover-up or something to wear in temples. Shoes are another easy place to overpack; most solo travellers only need one pair of comfortable walking shoes and a pair of flip-flops. Although I do like to have a nice pair for the more dressy occasions.

And here’s the golden rule: if you don’t wear it at home, you won’t magically wear it abroad. I once packed a few dresses I thought I might wear. One of my top packing mistakes to avoid is wasting space on fantasy outfits.

3. Travel tech & essentials

Gadgets can be a blessing and a curse. They make life easier, but they also add weight and stress. Over the years, I’ve whittled my kit down to just the essentials for long-term solo travel:

• My smartphone
• A power bank
• My Kindle
• Airpods
• Laptop (a must for work, otherwise I wouldn’t need to bring it)
• Air tag (handy knowing your hold luggage is in the right airport, trust me)

That’s it. I don’t like to carry too much tech as it’s more to keep track of, charge and worry about. So I only bring what I need.

4. Toiletries & wellness

One of the biggest tips I see for packing light is solid toiletries. But honestly, I am not a fan. When they’re wet, they can be awkward to store and when you run out, you’re not guaranteed to be able to find a shampoo bar in a 7/11. With toiletries, I try to only bring the essentials. I have one toiletry bag and my rule is that everything must fit in it (apart from shampoo and conditioner, I keep that separate). So when purchasing moisturisers, face wash and even perfume, I try to only buy thin and long bottles. When it comes to shower gel, I carry a small refillable bottle and fill up when it’s free (budget queen). This also saves me a lot of space.

What I do prioritise is a small stash of medicines. Painkillers and antihistamines. It’s good to have these on hand when you need them, so you don’t have to go looking for a pharmacy. Feminine hygiene products also deserve space. Tampons in particular can be surprisingly hard to find in some countries (I really struggled in Bali).

And don’t forget the underrated basics: nail scissors and clippers. They’re tiny but make a huge difference when you’re travelling full-time. I have a little manicure pen knife that has different nail tools, scissors and nailclippers. Such a space saver.

5. Things I regret packing

We’ve all been guilty of overpacking and I am no exception. My biggest mistake? Dresses I never actually wore. They were beautiful, but not practical for the way I travel. I convinced myself I’d suddenly become the kind of person who wore floaty dresses to rooftop bars or fancy dinners abroad. Spoiler: I didn’t. They stayed stuffed at the bottom of my bag until I finally posted them home from Japan.

That experience taught me an important lesson: don’t pack for a version of yourself that doesn’t exist. If you don’t wear it at home, chances are you won’t wear it while travelling either. It’s easy to get caught up in the fantasy of ‘travel outfits’, but being honest about your lifestyle saves so much space and hassle.

Other items I ditched along the way included bulky toiletries I could have easily bought abroad, too many pairs of shoes and “emergency” clothes that never actually saw the light of day. Every unnecessary item weighed me down, literally and mentally.

Before your trip, lay out everything you want to bring. Then remove at least 20%. You won’t miss those extras and your back will thank you.

6. Non-negotiables I’ll never travel without

Even after years of living out of a backpack, there are a few things I’d never leave behind:

• Reusable water bottle: Saves money at airports and hostels with refill stations. A must-have for sustainable travel.
• Packing cubes: The ultimate game-changer for staying organised and keeping clean clothes separate from dirty laundry.
• Travel towel: Super handy because they fold up so small. They also dry a lot quicker than other towels.
• Sarongs: They come in so handy. I use them to lie on the beach, by the pool, as a beach cover-up, to cover up at temples and even as a blanket on the airplane and bus.
• Reusable shopping bag: Perfect for grocery runs, beach days or carrying laundry. It folds up tiny but is endlessly useful.
• Travel adaptor – This is a pretty clunky plug with different inserts for each type of adapter. It’s so handy though. Just don’t buy ones that are too heavy. I have met a lot of travellers who have trouble plugging big ones into the wall and keeping them there.

If you’re new to long-term travel, these are the travel essentials for women (and men!) that truly earn their space.

Packing light isn’t about deprivation; it’s about freedom. When you’re travelling full-time, you realise how little you actually need. And the truth is, if you forget something, it’s not the end of the world. As long as you’ve got your passport, travel documents and a few basics, everything else can be replaced or lived without. There will be shops somewhere on your travels, giving you the chance to purchase anything you have forgotten.

So next time you’re staring at your empty bag, don’t panic. Start small, choose versatile items, and remember: practice makes perfect. Every trip teaches you more about how to pack for long-term travel.