My husband and I often travel for 6-8 weeks at a time. We don’t like to cart around too much luggage, so I wanted to share with you how we achieve such light packing on such a long trip. With less to cart around, packing light can make your life so much easier on long trips. So, without further adieu, here are my long term travel packing list and tips:
Planning helps
If you want to downsize your luggage and pack a bit lighter, planning is key. That includes analysing your itinerary for laundry stops, practice packs, and planning what can be left behind.
In preparation for our huge 8-week North American trip in 2018, our practice pack highlighted an issue that we were then able to fix prior to departure.
Originally we were going to share a medium suitcase, but during our practice pack, this became unwieldy. It also highlighted that the wheels of our medium case weren’t very good. So, we made the decision to buy two smaller cases instead. Volume-wise, it meant we increased from 75 litres to 90 litres (45l each); which increased our overall volume by 15 litres – a small but important increase. It also meant that we could split the weight and not have one person pulling 23kg on their own.
Picking your luggage
It’s important to pick the luggage that suits both your travel style and your destination. For instance, I would choose a backpack for an active adventure holiday, and a wheelie case for a resort break. To be honest, I’m 99% a wheelie case gal, unless hiking is involved; but at the end of the day it is down to what suits you. I like 4-wheel multi-directional wheelie cases, so that limits my own choices.
For our #HendersonsOnTour trip, we chose basic hardshell cases because we were carrying equipment that required protection. And with the 16 flights we were due to go on, durability was definitely important.
Long term travel packing tips
Laundry
In order to survive long term travel you will have to schedule in laundry stops. We can usually fit 8-10 days of clothes in a small case, so have to make sure that every 8-9 days we factor in a hotel with laundry facilities. Or an easily accessible laundry service nearby.
On the luxury end of the scale, just utilise the laundry service in your hotel. It will usually be delivered back to your room washed, dried and folded by the end of the day. For the budget conscious, hotel laundry rooms and local laundromats are generally only a few dollars per load.
TIP: While in Banff we were short on time, so chose to use a laundry service near the hotel. It was the best $27 we spent, as it saved us a couple of hours sitting around at a laundromat.
Packing Cubes
One of my favourite items to help me pack are my Packing Cubes. They act as a space-saver by being able to be packed full and then slotted into different sized bags like a jigsaw. My husband and I have different coloured ones, so that when we are sharing a suitcase, we know which clothes are which.
Learn how to be ruthless
In order to achieve your packing goals, you have to be ruthless with what you pack. Versatile clothing choices, that can be layered and worn in different ways are ideal. If you are attending an event while on your trip, why not use accessories to brighten a plainer outfit?
I recommend non-wrinkle garments too! There’s nothing worse than unrolling your clothes out of your packing cubes to find them a crinkled mess.
Footwear
Shoes can be a sticking point when it comes to packing, as they take up a lot of room. My strategy is to have sandals that are both comfortable to walk in and pretty enough to wear in the evenings. And a pair of smart walking shoes that won’t get me turned away from average restaurants!
This strategy is more difficult for men unfortunately. But if minimalist packing ideals are your aim, two pairs of shoes are your limit!
Long term travel packing list
In my small (cabin-size) hold case, I pack the following for a 2-month trip (+ 1 to outfit to wear):
- 9 x underwear + 3 x bras + 1 x swimsuit
- 9 x light summer tops + 3 x light cotton cardigans
- 1 x shorts + 1 x trousers / jeans (depending on the season)
- 2 x skirts + 2 x leggings
- 1 x toiletry bag + straighteners + laundry bag
- 1 x sandals + 1 x trainers (1 worn / 1 packed)
Don’t worry if you don’t get down to cabin-luggage only, especially if you are a natural over-packer. But sometimes it’s worth thinking about the logistics of your holiday in order to pick your luggage size. We knew we had many locations and no valet to carry our cases, so it was important not to overpack.
Hand Luggage
Many people only travel with hand luggage. And certainly for shorter local trips this is our aim too. But for longer overseas trips, we do opt for reserving / buying hold luggage space because we use our cabin luggage for camera equipment.
Your hand luggage offers a safe spot for any delicate items you may need to travel with: computer, tablet, camera, and kindle etc.
TIP: I recommend using a structured yet soft case for your hand luggage – like the SkyTrain from Red Oxx. Hard cases can sometimes be moved to the hold if the aircraft has run out of room.
Long term travel packing list & tips
Packing light has so many advantages, especially when you have lots of connections. Or if you are using public transport. If you’re backpacking, there are distinct advantages to not having to lug around extraneous items. Save your back, save your energy, and pack light – you’ll thank me later!
See some of our North American adventures here: Cruising the Thousand Islands; Exploring Alcatraz; and Visiting wineries in Napa & Sonoma
I prefer the luxury of a little space in my suitcase, and to be able to bring home wine or olive oil. There seems to be an obsession with cabin luggage only – and it can Be to the detriment of fellow travellers as people push their allowance to the limit. Not my style, but Fine if you can really keep to your size and weight allowance for cabin luggage – for me, just my camera and lap-top puts me right up there.
We are actually using these cabin-sized bags as checked luggage on some airlines / situations – we have a small backpack each too – for our cameras and laptops. When you’re travelling for 56 days across 32 locations, pulling a full-sized suitcase everywhere just wasn’t an option for us.
Planning for a wedding and long term travel seems like cruel and unusual punishment. There are so many accoutrements you need to bring to formal occasions that could fill an entire suitcase on their own. Glad you were able to negotiate a multi-purpose item and keep moving on your trip.
great tips! I totally agree. one of the best things we can do to pack light is to choose what we bring carefully. I try to bring stuff that are multipurpose and can be used in different occassions. for example, i always bring a white button up long sleeve top (cotton) with me. I use it for casual day out with leggings and sometimes for bikini cover up. saves space! 🙂
You must be such a packing pro to fit all those things in the suitcase! I agree on the layering, it is really convenient and stylish at the same time! Laundry is also necessary during long trips and scheduling is crucial before starting packing!
Shoes are my biggest challenge, although I don’t wear high heels I still like to have nice sandals, and training shoes, and a comfortable pair of something to walk in. So fancy often gets sacrificed for space! I haven’t used packing cubes before though, I still don’t get how they save space by putting more in the case 😀
The packing cubes allow you to tightly pack smaller spaces (easier to jam pack receptacles), then wedge those packets into your bag. I’ve done a comparison and it definitely aids in volume packed!
We always pack way too much, also we pack a lot of gadgets, cameras and computers in our hand luggage. We like the idea of packing light but doubt if we could actually do it. Travelling in the summer sounds easier as the clothes and footwear are far less bulky than winter clothes.
Yes, definitely easier in summer!!
Bravo on the smart packing front, the packing cubes are a game changer. Appreciate the challenge this must have taken to figure out the how to pack for a wedding and travel – I guess you have to give up the Norm – and think smartly with scarfs and practical footwear. Great tips!
You reminded me that i need to start packing my laundry bag with me. I have packing cubes as well. sometimes i find they take up more space in my bag when i am trying to add other things besides them. smart idea to use different colors so you know whos stuff is whos.
Awesome post! I need to read more about packing because I am just really terrible at this! I guess I need the packing cubes in my life too! Thanks for this post!
Wow, you’ve really gone into the details of exactly what products one can carry and that’s amazing! I love the packing cubes, i haven’t ever tried to use them myself but i recently purchased them and i cant wait for the next trip to use them! Also, I agree shoes are one of the biggest challenges in keeping your bags small, i also usually prefer to carry the sandals and flipflops and wear on the journey the more space-taking footwear. i haven’t ever travelled long term (at least not that long that i’d have to make laundry stops) but if i ever do, i’m surely going to refer to the amazing tips you have given here, thank you!
These days, most of our trips are short term. But we hope to do more long term travel within ten years, so we love that you have these great packing tips! We love packing cubes too. Agree with the rolling your clothes tip. So true!
I find it fascinating that you choose a hardshell suitcase for extended travel. Was that because of the durability? We have recently switched to the lightest suitcase we could find and have been able to shed about 5 pounds of weight from our rig. That five pounds comes in handy on week long journeys but it could be a lifesaver for extended travel.
3 reasons for choosing a hardshell case (will amend article to add these). 1: We carry medication that requires protection, so a hard case is preferred. 2: We can’t find a soft case with 4 multidirectional wheels (my preferred way to roll my case is upright). and 3: We had 16 flights on this trip, so durability was important! Thanks for your comment!
Loved the tips. I too love the Packing Cubes. They are amazing at saving space on long hauls. They are indeed like a jigsaw!
shoes are my weakness – I always, always end up with shoes I don’t wear. I admire your discipline – and love how tidy the packing cubes make everything
Oh yes, shoes… shoes used to be my weakness too… but lugging them round made my feet sore LOL
Your two-month trip across North America sounds like a blast. I always pack far too much and end up having to buy an extra bag! packing cubes do make things so much easier to organise.
it’s so nice to have shirts that can double as tunics with leggings! those are an essential item in my packing arsenal. i’ve traveled both long-term (1 year) and short-term with just 2-3 outfits and find that works pretty well…if you get the right clothing, you can wear most things twice before washing them, and the difference in weight is huge. the only downside is you get soooo tired of wearing the same things all the time.
I think I should invest in packing cubes, do they really make a difference? I only recently started rolling my clothes. Appears I am resistant to change. I REALLY want to know about the gold pineapple-shaped cocktail shaker…
Haha the tale of the gold pineapple-shaped cocktail shaker may have to come to the grave with me!
Practice packs are an excellent idea! I use packing cubes too – they are a great way to save space & stay organized. My biggest challenge is finding room for items I purchase during my travels. It sounds like your new suitcase allowed you to bring home some extra items.
Great tips. Even I do not prefer dragging huge suitcases how ever long the travel be.
This list does enable a easy luggage with most essential stuffs.