Solo Travel Packing List: 5 Things You Need

Some people don’t like packing, but I have to admit that I kind of do. There’s the excitement of deciding what to bring on the trip (and ordering new things from Amazon), the thrill of seeing whether it all fits, and the sheer hope that you didn’t forget anything. Packing is a drama and an art form.

Based on my experience, here are 5 things that should be on every solo travel packing list.

1. Printed or digital information: passports, contact numbers, etc.

In many parts of the world, the worst thing that might happen to you is getting your phone stolen. If you’re traveling alone, that could still be a really tough thing to deal with. While I do have my parents’ phone numbers memorized from back in my pre-cell-phone days, if either of them were to change their number, there’s no chance I could remember it. For that reason, it’s a good idea to have a paper or digital copy of important phone numbers. (As long as the digital copy is on a Google Drive or email, for example, and not… you know… only on your phone.)

Similarly, having a paper or digital photocopy of your passport can really save you in a pinch. If your passport gets stolen, getting an emergency travel document from your country’s embassy could be a nightmare if you don’t have a way to prove your identity. And if you only have a printed copy, be sure to keep it somewhere separate from your actual passport.

Read more safety tips for solo travelers.

2. Portable chargers

This one is extra important when you’re by yourself. If you have good cell phone service, or maybe an Airalo eSIM card, you may find yourself running the battery down pretty quickly. You do not want your phone to die while you’re out and about — especially after it gets dark. However, this can all be avoided if you pack a portable charger or two, which is the next thing on my solo travel packing list.

As long as you have enough cables and outlet adapters, you can plug them in, charge them all night, and they’ll be ready to go for the next day. These chargers are small and easy to carry around in your bag, and it’s comforting to know you won’t be stranded without your phone.

3. A Master combination lock

If you’re staying in hostels, there are some things you’ll most likely want to lock up at night or during the day when you’re not using them. For me, this was my DSLR camera and my passport. Most hostels will have in-room lockers, assigned to each bed, and my Master Combination Lock has been the perfect size to secure every locker I’ve encountered so far.

Just make sure you really know the combination. I suggest making a note of it somewhere, or texting it to a friend or family member who can help you out if you forget it.

4. The Right Bag — Whatever that Means to You

When you’re a solo traveler, I think having “the right bag” is super important. But this may mean something different to everyone. For me, during my solo trips, it meant a camera bag that didn’t look like a camera bag. This meant I could put my camera away and I didn’t immediately look like a tourist with a camera bag.

It could also mean a backpack that provides more hidden pockets and more protection. A few years ago, Matt got me the PacSafe Backpack, a super cute and stylish everyday backpack… that also has RFID-blocking technology and all that good stuff. The zippers can be locked together, so unsavory characters can’t easily open it. And you can even clip the strap to the leg of a table or chair for extra security.

So when it comes to choosing a bag for your solo trip, be sure to put some thought into it.

5. A journal

This may be my one unconventional recommendation for any solo travel packing list, but hear me out. When I went to Spain, I decided to bring a journal because I wanted to remember everything that happened and everything I felt. When you travel alone, you don’t have anyone else with you to relive these experiences, so a journal is a great way to forever memorialize a trip.

There was also one other advantage — when I would eat dinner alone in restaurants, it gave me something else to focus on. Mealtimes in Spain are very social experiences, so with my journal, I felt less like everyone else was staring at me for being alone. It gave me a purpose and helped me to relax, especially with how stressful eating abroad can be.

 

What do you think of my list? What’s on your solo travel packing list? Let me know in the comments!

-Cathy

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Originally Published on June 15, 2017.