How to Pack for an Extended Trip
Going away for more than a month is exciting and offers many opportunities to travel far and wide. It is, however, quite a long time to be living out of a suitcase or backpack, and it can be tough to pack for. Here are some of the things you’ll need to pack for an extended trip or a perfect summer holiday.
Medication
Don’t forget to pack your pills! If you take vitamins every day, or daily medication, make sure you pack enough (and maybe a little extra just in case) for the entirety of the trip. You can buy pillboxes to help keep them organized.
If you have other medications you might not use as often, like asthma inhalers or pain medication, it’s probably a good idea to pack them as well. You don’t want to be stuck in a foreign country without your medicine, and it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
The right clothes
If you’re going away for a month or more, a good rule of thumb is to pack clothes you can repeatedly wear without showing visible wear. Sweat stains, wrinkles, and caught threads are things you don’t want to have to worry about on your trip, especially when you don’t have the resources available to fix or clean them.
Also, avoid packing clothing that has fussy washing or care instructions because chances are, you won’t have the time or a place to iron wrinkles out, and you don’t want your clothes to look unkempt after one wear.
You’re playing the long game here, so pack clothing made from denim, cotton, synthetic blends, or thin wool. You can still travel in style.
Pack accordingly, depending on the climate of your destination. Bring multiple pairs of pants or shorts, a few sweaters, enough t-shirts or tank tops for a week, and enough socks and underwear for one to two weeks.
Bring a pair of pajamas and one dressier outfit if you’re going to a more formal event. If you think you’re only going to wear an item once or twice, don’t bring it – you want to bring pieces you’ll wear over and over without worry.
Also, consider packing items that can be mixed and matched well with other pieces, so you don’t have to wear the same outfits every day.
For outerwear, it’s wise to bring a jacket even if you’re going to a hot climate. A water-resistant jacket with a hood is a great choice, especially if it’s light, rainproof, and windproof, and can be rolled up small to minimize packing space.
Headphones
One of the essential items you should pack is your headphones. Whether they’re wired, Bluetooth, over the head, over the ear, or earbuds, bring them with you. You will need them at some point. Whether you want to listen to music or want to simply drown out noise on a crowded bus or plane, honestly, who can travel without headphones?
If you need to upgrade your current pair of headphones to something more space-saving, check out the best Amazon Prime deals before buying any because you might be able to save a couple of bucks on popular earbuds.
Toiletries
Packing the right toiletries can be tricky because if you’re planning on flying and only traveling with a carry-on, you have to be mindful about what you can and cannot bring with you. You also want to be conscious of the weight, seeing as lugging around a heavy bag full of shampoo can get tiring really quickly. Consider getting travel-sized bottles and squeezing your shampoo and conditioner into them, or buying a solid shampoo bar and using a conditioner spray instead.
Buy a lotion stick instead of using cream lotion, and try not to over-pack on makeup — bring only the essentials, if anything at all. Don’t forget your regular items, too, like a toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, and nail clippers. Check our list of the ultimate travel accessories for the frequent flyer.
