The Ultimate Packing List and Guide for Smart, Light, and Independent Travel | Packing Light Purple Guide
To help you prepare for a seamless journey, we have detailed the importance of every item on our Backpack and Snorkel Purple Travel Guide Packing List. This guide focuses on home security, legal compliance abroad, and self-sufficiency while exploring. If you pack like we do, everything should fit into a single backpack (with the exception of the beach tent).
I use this backpack that has traveled with me for years and multiple times around the planet. It still almost looks like new, except for a couple of scratches that occurred when I had to check it because it exceeded the weight or dimensions of some Asian and South American budget airlines.
Pre-Travel Preparations: Securing Your Home and Documents
Managing your home and documentation before departure prevents legal hurdles and domestic disasters.
Verify Passport Expiration
Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry. Checking this early prevents you from being denied boarding at the airport.
Get Visas
Check if you need a visa to enter your destination. Most Backpack and Snorkel travel guides have links to the respective embassies, or you can use services like iVisa to find a comprehensive list of requirements.
Get International Driver Permit (IDP)
Some countries require both your home license and an IDP to operate a car or motorcycle. This serves as a formal translation. In the USA, you can obtain an IDP for a few dollars from AAA.
Get Travel Insurance
We typically buy annual travel insurance from Allianz. While many travel blogs recommend specific insurances due to affiliate commissions, we provide our honest opinion without having an affiliate agreement with Allianz.
To support us, please consider purchasing one of our Backpack and Snorkel Purple Travel Guides (website).Turn Off Water
A small leak can lead to a flooded home and thousands of dollars in damages. Shutting off the main valve provides peace of mind.
Turn Off Water Heater
Heating a massive tank of water while the house is empty is an unnecessary expense and a potential fire risk.
Adjust Thermostat
Setting your HVAC to an 'away' temperature saves energy and prevents mold or frozen pipes. If you have a smart thermostat, you can readjust it via an app before you return.
Turn On Timers for Lamps and Cameras
A dark house is a signal to burglars. Timers that turn lights on and off create the illusion of occupancy. Always ensure your home camera system is active before you leave.
Disable Vacuum Bot
These devices can trigger motion alarms, get stuck, or smear pet messes while you are not there to intervene.
Bring Trash Out
Rotting food attracts pests and creates an unbearable odor that will greet you upon your return.
Charge Car Batteries
Car electronics drain batteries even when the engine is off. If you embark on longer trips, and especially if your car battery is older, there is a chance that the battery will drain to a level where it cannot start your car, and cannot be recharged and needs to be replaced. Whenever we travel in winter, or longer than 2 weeks, we hook our cars up to a battery charger to prevent battery damage.
Set Hold Mail
A piling stack of mail indicates an empty home. In the US, the USPS offers free Hold Mail for up to 30 days to keep your identity safe.
Travel Notification for Credit and Debit Cards
While many credit cards no longer require travel notifications, it is still best practice for debit cards. If you are absolutely sure that you will have internet connectivity (data!) where you travel, you can 'freeze' and 'unfreeze' your account through your bank app right before using an ATM or paying for purchases with your debit card.
Alert Neighbors and Schedule Maintenance
Ask neighbors to check on your home and plants. For longer trips, schedule lawn mowing or snow removal to maintain the appearance of an occupied home.
Essential Documentation and Electronics
These items are the 'brain' of your trip, managing your identity, finances, and memories.
Passports, Visas, and International Driver Permit
These are your most critical items. They are the only documents that prove your identity and legal right to cross borders.
Credit and Debit Cards and RFID Blocking Card
Carry at least two types of credit cards (ideally Visa and Mastercard) and one debit card. Ensure your credit card has no foreign transaction fees; we prefer the Chase Sapphire Reserve for its travel benefits, including airport lounge access.
Note: Ensure the name on your card matches your driver license as some car rental companies will not rent you a car if the names differ.
Note: Credit and Debit card fraud is widespread, and it is only a matter of time when you will become a victim. Please read the Guarding Against Card Fraud and Theft section and consider using RFID Blocking Cards or Sleeves.Travel and Destination List
We create a PowerPoint itinerary with all flight and hotel data, which we convert to PDF. We store copies on our phones, laptops, a portable SSD, and the cloud (OneDrive). Digital backups are essential if a device is lost, stolen or dies.
Travel Insurance Info
Store your policy number and emergency contact line on all digital devices and the cloud. You will need this immediately to authorize medical treatment in case something happens.
Pen
You may need one for customs forms on the airplane or at the airport, and for writing postcards to friends and family.
Laptop and Chargers
Essential for managing bookings and working remotely. We upload photos from our phones to our laptops every evening to ensure they are backed up, and then we upload them to and SSD and the cloud (OneDrive) in case our phones or laptops get lost, stolen, or die.
Portable SSD
Because hotel Wi-Fi is often too slow for cloud backups, a 1TB SSD is a good idea for backing up your high-resolution photos and videos daily.
Cell Phones and Chargers
This is your map, translator, and lifeline. Keep chargers in your carry-on in case of travel delays. In airports, you sometimes need a very long USB cable as your seat may be far away from the power outlet. We usually carry a charger with a 10 ft USB cable with us.
Ensure you have:
- maps of the regions you travel to locally saved in Google Maps
- Google Translate installed and the languages of your destination countries downloaded
- a telephone and data plan that allows you to use your phone at your destination without expensive international roaming charges. If your phone is not locked by a carrier, you can always buy a local SIM or eSIM card, but remember that in many countries you will need to have at least one passport photo to do that.Cell Phone Safety Equipment
Pickpocketing and phone snatching by motorcycle or on foot are real dangers in many places. Here is how we protect our cell phones:
Our cell phone is attached to our belts with a metal reinforced tether, which is long enough to still allow us to take selfies. It is sturdy enough to withstand motorcycle phone snatching, which most of the inexpensive flimsy all-plastic tethers don’t do, and small enough to easily carry it.
It requires a phone cover with an enclosed bottom. We use this cell phone cover, because:
- its bottom is enclosed ensuring that the safety insert securely connects to the tether
- it is clear, reducing the risk that your phone overheats. My old cell phone had a black cover and constantly overheated when traveling in warm climates
- it has a magnet to strongly and safely attach my USB power bank to
- it has an adjustable angle arm that makes it easier to watch movies on a plane or elsewhere without the need to hold your phoneSacrificial Wallet
Carry a small but reasonable amount of cash, two expired credit cards, and some shopping receipts in a separate wallet. In the event of a robbery, hand this over to protect your life and your real primary wallet.
We typically carry $20-$50 in local currency and US dollars. If possible, use bills in smaller denominations so that it looks like a lot of money.
Never put any ID pr anything else that has your home address in this wallet, and make sure this is an older worn wallet. Each traveler in your group should have their own sacrificial wallet.Safety Wallet
We use a sweatproof fabric pocket that attaches to a belt and hides inside our pants. It is much more discreet and safer than a traditional money belt.
Smart Watch Charger
These usually require proprietary cables. Without them, you lose your navigation notifications and fitness tracking.
Camera Gear
If you travel with dedicated cameras (e.g. underwater camera), remember to bring it, including any spare batteries, chargers and, if applicable, underwater housings (at least 1 and a spare) for snorkeling.
USB Battery Pack
High-power battery packs are necessary for newer phones. Ensure yours has the correct USB ports and enough output to charge modern devices. We use this USB battery pack. Its magnet alone is weak, but in combination with the right cell phone cover, it holds very strongly. For our use, the attached USB cable is long enough.
Car Charger
If you are using a rental car or have booked multi-hour car transfers, you can conveniently charge your phones (especially if you use it for GPS) and other electronic equipment while driving. Be advised that a high-output car charger with the appropriate cable is essential to charge newer cell phones.
Power Outlet Adapters
A Universal Travel Adapter covers most of the world, though some countries like South Africa require specific plug sizes that many Universal Travel Adapters do not support.
Extension Cord
Some hotel rooms and especially cruise staterooms often lack enough power outlets, especially close to the bed. Use a multi-receptacle cord, but remember that all cruise lines prohibit surge protectors due to them being severe fire hazards.
Be advised that some cruise lines have now banned all extension cords (e.g. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Disney, MSC), some still allow multi-plugs like wall cubes without a cord. If you need an extension cord, e.g. for a CPAP machine, go to the ship’s customer service desk right after boarding to borrow one.
Some cruise lines still allow multi-plug extension cords. At the time of writing, Carnival, Norwegian, Princess and Holland America were among the more flexible cruise lines.
Health, Hygiene, and Comfort
Staying healthy is the difference between a dream vacation and a miserable stay in a hotel room.
Ear Plugs
Essential for sleeping on loud airplanes or in city hotels with heavy nightlife.
Floss
Vital for dental hygiene and useful as emergency string for repairs.
Medicine (Pain Relief and Diarrhea)
Having basic relief on hand is a necessity, as pharmacies may be closed or difficult to find in an emergency. We always carry a small 'travel pharmacy' to handle common ailments immediately.
Some travelers experience 'Traveler's Diarrhea' within the first 48 hours. Having your own supply means you do not have to leave your hotel room when you feel your worst.
It is generally recommended to keep your medications in their original packaging, in case you are questioned at customs. However, I have traveled internationally for over 30 years and never been questioned.
Ensure your kit includes:
- Pain and Fever Relief: Pack your favorite headache and migraine pills, and make sure that you have Ibuprofen and/or Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) as a fever reducer.
Some people find that alternating between Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen every 4-6h gives the best fever reducing results. Make sure to never exceed the daily maximum dosage for each drug, especially for Acetaminophen as it can cause severe liver damage. Avoid taking Ibuprofen on an empty stomach, as it can cause pain, nausea, vomiting, or worse.
- Diarrhea and Gut Health: Carry Loperamide (Imodium) for immediate relief of symptoms and Oral Rehydration Salts to prevent dehydration. The chewable Pepto Bismol (Bismuth Subsalicylate) tablets need very little space in your luggage and are effective for general upset stomach, heartburn, or nausea.
- Motion Sickness: If you suffer from motion sickness, and are planning on boat trips, long bus rides, or winding mountain roads, having a small supply of Dramamine or similar 'travel sickness' tablets is helpful.
- Personal trick: We always carry Po Chai Pills (or Bao Ji Wan) with us. They are a Chinese medicine which we have found to be extremely effective against diarrhea. These pills come in plastic vials – you take the contents of 2 plastic vials with warm water and your diarrhea will likely stop soon thereafter.
Note: Many versions of these pills use a medicated leaven (Massa Fermentata) which contains wheat flour. If you have a severe gluten allergy or Celiac disease, you should avoid them.
Note:: As with any herbal supplement, it is wise to consult with a professional if you are pregnant or taking other specific medications, as the complex blend of herbs can interact with certain western drugs.
IMPORTANT NOTE: As with every recommendation for any drug: Always consult your health care professional if the drug is right for you.Sanitizer and Wipes
Use these for high-touch areas like airplane trays to reduce the risk of illness.
Cortisone or Benadryl Cream
Useful for treating unexpected allergic reactions or itchy insect bites.
Sun Lotion
Bring high-quality, water-resistant SPF30 or SPF50. If you are snorkeling, please ensure it is reef-safe. Keep liquids under 3 fl oz (100 ml) for airplane carry-on.
Chap Stick with UV
Prevents painful lip burns in salty, windy, or low-humidity environments.
Cold Cream or Aloe Vera
Essential for soothing skin stressed by sunburn or extreme weather. Keep liquids under 3 fl oz (100 ml) for carry-on.
Mosquito Spray
Prevention is the best protection against Dengue or Malaria. Use a spray with at least 25% DEET to repel both mosquitoes and painful sand flies. Keep liquids under 3 fl oz (100 ml) for carry-on.
Other Toiletries
Carry your own to ensure quality and avoid skin reactions. Keep liquids under 3 fl oz (100 ml) for carry-on. I typically bring 1 small shampoo bottle from a previous hotel with me, as not every hotel provides shampoo.
Many hotels and cruise lines provide conditioner, but I have heard people complain that theirs are usually not very good – so, bring your own.Electric Shaver
Even though electric shavers don't need much space in your luggage, using a small electric travel shaver that can be charged with a USB cable can still save you some space. Opting for a USB-rechargeable model eliminates the need for bulky proprietary power bricks. Since these devices contain lithium-ion batteries, keeping them in your carry-on luggage ensures you comply with international fire safety standards.
Nail Clipper
While many airports allow nail scissors with blades under 6cm, some countries prohibit sharp-pointed objects regardless of their actual length. A nail clipper is a safe choice for your carry-on luggage. This small tool provides high utility for grooming and preventing hangnail infections. Using a clipper instead of scissors ensures that security personnel will not confiscate your grooming kit due to differing regional interpretations of 'sharp objects'.
Clothing and Specialized Gear
Versatile clothing allows you to explore any environment with ease.
Raincoat and Umbrella
A lightweight jacket is essential for weather. A foldable umbrella is also an excellent tool for sun protection, a common practice in Asia.
Quick-Dry Clothing
We follow a 'Rule of Three' for packing (3 shirts, 3 pairs of underwear, 1 pair of pants) in addition to what we are wearing. Use convertible zip-off quick dry travel pants for versatility in cold and warm weather.
It is absolutely essential that they are all quick-dry, so that you can use then the next day after washing.Laundry Kit
We put our large, thick plastic bag in the hotel sink to soak clothes with laundry detergent (that we bring from home in a small Ziplock bag). This is far cheaper than hotel laundry services.
Six Hangers and Six Clamps
Foldable plastic hangers ensure you have space to dry laundry, as not all hotels provide enough hangers. Clamps are great for hanging socks or keeping hotel curtains tightly closed.
Hat
A foldable hat with a cord to prevent it from blowing away protects your scalp and keeps you cool outdoors.
Sweatband
Keeps salt and sweat out of your eyes during humid hikes.
Sunglasses
Essential for protecting your eyes from UV damage and glare reflected off water or snow. If you wear eyeglasses, make your next pair one with “Transition Lenses”, meaning that they darken when exposed to sunlight and brighten back up when indoors.
Microfiber Cloth
Necessary for cleaning eyeglasses, lenses and screens without causing scratches.
Thermal Bottle
A high-quality thermal bottle keeps water cold for hours. We prefer ones with a hanger clip to secure them to our backpacks.
Beach Tent
A zip-up beach tent provides a shaded and dry base camp and adds a layer of security for your belongings while you swim.
Water Sandals
Choose durable sandals suitable for sharp rocks when entering the water for swimming or snorkeling. Ensure that they can withstand longer-term sea water contact and are lightweight.
Swim Pants/Suit and Rash Guard
A rash guard with UPF 50+ (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) protects your skin without the need for excessive sunscreen that washes off in the water. Ideally you would buy one that you can also wear like a regular t-shirt.
Snorkel and Goggles
Your own snorkeling gear provides a better, more hygienic fit than rentals.
If I am planning to do on-beach snorkeling in areas with increased current, I also bring my fins. For off-beach snorkeling, boat tour companies usually provide them for free, so I don’t bring them so save space in my backpack.Swimming Buoy
An inflatable buoy makes you visible to boats, helps you float in distress, and includes a waterproof pocket (dry bag) for your valuables while you are in the water.
See our Backpack and Snorkel Snorkeling Guide for more information.
Utility and Organization
These items solve the small problems encountered when living out of a suitcase.
Ziplock and Plastic Bags
Essential for keeping electronics dry and separating wet swimsuits from dry clothes.
Plastic Utensils
Allows you to eat grocery store meals, a yogurt, leftovers, or cut fruits and vegetables in your room, saving money on expensive restaurant dining.
Water Heater Spiral
An immersion heater allows you to boil water for coffee or tea in any room with a power outlet.
Water Filter
We use a Brita filter for safe but highly chlorinated tap water. For unsafe tap water, we recommend boiling it in your hotel or Airbnb, or buying large multi-liter bottles at a supermarket where you vacation to refill your thermal flask.
Foldable Cutting Board
Allows for hygienic preparation of local produce in your hotel room.
Scotch Pad
Essential for cleaning your reusable utensils and cutting board.
Can Opener
Perfect for budget-conscious travelers who want to utilize local canned goods.
Bottle Opener
Many unique local beverages and craft beers use traditional crown caps. Having a small bottle opener ensures you are never frustrated by a refreshing drink you cannot open.
Small Daypack
A lightweight backpack is perfect for daily trips, grocery shopping, and keeping your essentials within reach.
Empty Space
Always leave roughly 10-20% of your suitcase empty. This provides room for souvenirs and prevents you from struggling to pack on the morning of your departure.
Special Needs
Backup Eyeglasses
If you wear eyeglasses, having a secondary pair of prescription glasses is a vital safeguard. Common experience suggests that mishaps often occur when finding a replacement is most difficult. If you depend on corrective lenses, ensure you pack a spare set to maintain your vision and independence throughout your journey.
USB Nose and Ear Hair Cutter
On longer trips, growing nose or ear hair can become a nuisance. Opt for a USB rechargeable model to eliminate the need for bulky proprietary cables or disposable batteries. Keeping it in your carry-on luggage ensures you comply with the strictest safety standards. This small tool provides high utility for grooming without adding significant weight or volume to your travel kit.
Travel CPAP Machine
If you travel with a CPAP machine, you should always have it in your carry-on luggage to prevent damage or loss. CPAP machines typically come with a water reservoir which makes the machine bulky for travel. If you can afford it, consider a smaller travel CPAP machine which will come without a water reservoir, and which will use significantly less space in your luggage. Be aware that the missing water vapor from the water reservoir can lead to some people's noses drying out, which can be very uncomfortable and some people cannot tolerate it. The kits that recycle moisture from your breath offer some relief, but cannot compensate for the missing water reservoir. If you travel to regions with frequent power outages or plan to use your CPAP on an airplane, you may want to buy a battery, but make sure it complies with airline requirements meaning that the Wh (Watt-hours) need to be below 100Wh (no approval needed at the time of writing), or 160Wh (need to get airline approval to bring onboard). Even in business class, the airplane power supply is not always capable of continuously supplying enough power to the CPAP machine, resulting in short power outages which will stop the CPAP machine long enough to wake you up.
Guarding Against Card Fraud and Theft
Travelers frequently face risks from credit and debit card fraud, which remains widespread in many international destinations. Common threats include card skimming at ATMs or with portable skimmers in crowds, transactions with dishonest merchants, or the physical theft of a wallet. In these scenarios, losing your primary method of payment can derail an entire trip, as receiving a replacement card while abroad is often impossible or delayed by weeks.
The Strategy for Multiple Backup Cards
To mitigate these risks, a robust financial plan involves carrying multiple payment methods distributed among travelers. In our experience, we have followed a specific protocol to ensure we are never without funds:
Primary and Secondary Credit Cards
Carry at least three credit cards in your own name. This allows you to rotate cards if one is flagged for suspicious activity or if a specific network is not accepted by a local vendor. Visa or Mastercard have by far the largest acceptance globally.
Dual-User Debit Access
We maintain one debit card in my name and one in my wife’s name. This ensures that if one account is frozen due to a security breach, the other spouse still has the authority to withdraw local currency.
Physical Separation
Avoid keeping all cards in a single wallet. Distribute them between a secure hotel safe, a secret wallet/money belt, and your daily-use wallet.
Essential Planning for Emergency Cash
Before departure, evaluate your access to liquid capital. If a card is compromised, you must have an immediate alternative. Travelers in the past relied heavily on travelers' checks, but the modern standard is a combination of diverse credit lines and a reserve of hard cash. Planning ahead ensures that you can always access local currency for transport, food, and emergencies, regardless of technical failures or criminal interference.
To safeguard your wallet and cell phone, please read:
23. Cell Phone Safety Equipment
24. Sacrificial Wallet
25. Safety Wallet
You can also use RFID Blocking Cards or Sleeves to protect your cards from mobile skimmers in crowded places.
Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel
Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.
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