What to pack for your solo travel trip

Traveling as a solo female means you’re in for an adventure where you won’t have to answer to anyone for anything! Having no one to rely on but yourself can be empowering and exciting, but it also means you can’t simply borrow a forgotten item from your travel companion. Whether you're planning a solo vacation to a dream destination or taking on the responsibility of pet sitting alone, this packing list for women has got you covered. We’ve sorted through what most women need and what they can usually live without, so you can say goodbye to the stress of packing and simply tick off each item on this woman travel pack checklist. From practical things to keep you comfortable on the road to essential gadgets to enhance your experience, we've left no stone unturned. So grab your luggage and get ready to pack! 

Essential clothing items

Your clothing should be versatile, comfortable, and appropriate for the activities you will be doing. You might need to pack a mix of casual and formal outfits depending on your itinerary, but the following list makes for a great starting point. It’s designed with a week-long trip in mind, but feel free to swap things in or out depending on the length of your trip.

• Tops x4: Including tank tops, T-shirts, and shirts. 
• Bottoms x3: Including shorts, skirts, leggings, and pants. 
• Dresses 1-2: The more dresses you take, the fewer tops and bottoms you’ll need to bring.
• Thin sweaters/light cardigans x2: These are great for layering.  
• Jacket x1: Wear this at the airport to save space in your luggage!
• Swimsuit or bikini x2
• Pairs of shoes x2: Choose comfortable shoes that have been broken in.
• Underwear x8: It’s always handy to pack a couple of extra pairs.
• Socks x5: Depending on footwear and the type of trip you’re taking.
• Bras x2 
• Pyjamas x1 
• Raincoat x1: These normally pack down quite small, and are often more practical than umbrellas.

Toiletries list for ladies

When it comes to preparing your toiletries, stick to the essentials, and don’t forget to decanter liquids into 3.4 oz (100ml) bottles if flying with hand luggage. That being said, many liquids including deodorant, moisturizer, and hair products can be bought in solid or powder form, giving you more space in your tiny resealable bag for things like Vaseline and toothpaste! Of course, your list of travel essentials might look very different to the person next to you, but this travel toiletries list is a great place to start! 

• Toothpaste 
• Toothbrush
• Floss
• Deodorant
• Moisturizer: Face and body.
• Face wash
• Shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel: Check with your accommodation in advance to see if these are provided.
• Lip balm: With SPF if necessary.
• Makeup 
• Makeup brushes/applicators 
• Nail file and clippers
• Tweezers 
• Razor 
• Sanitary products
• Sunscreen for face and body: SPF 30-50 is essential in countries with high UV. 
• Insect repellent: Depending on the destination
• Medication and prescription drugs: Keep these in the original container if traveling abroad.
• Glasses/contact lenses 
• A small first aid kit: Plasters and antiseptic wipes can come in handy.  
• Laundry detergent 

Travel packing list accessories

• Hairbrush
• Hairbands x3 
• Sunglasses x2
• Jewelry 
• Day bag: Tote bags fold away particularly small.
• Sarong: It packs up small for the beach and can double as something to throw over your shoulders if it gets cold in the evening or you need to cover up. 
• Hat: For protection from the sun or to keep warm. 

Miscellaneous women’s travel essentials

• Travel adapters
• Ear plugs and eye mask
• Chargers: A portable charger can be particularly handy for travel.
• Reusable water bottle: Many airports have taps to refill water bottles.
• Towel: Check if your accommodation provides towels, if not, quick-drying microfibre towels are small and light to pack.
• A pen and paper: You never know when this might come in handy, and it barely takes up any space!
• A laundry bag
• Phone 
• Camera 

Packing list for international travel 

• Passport
• Additional photo ID: National identity card, driver’s license, etc.  
• Debit/credit cards x2: Bring at least one backup card. 
• Visa 
• Travel Insurance
• Photocopies of important documents: These can come in handy if anything gets lost or stolen. 

Planning your packing list for women

Of course, this women’s packing list is made to be modified depending on your own personal preferences and the destination you are heading to. You’ll also want to think about the length of your trip and any activities you plan on doing. A packing list for a vacation in Norway might differ greatly from one for Brazil, so be mindful of the specifics of your destination, as well as the temperature, local customs, and dress codes. 

If traveling abroad, you’ll need to decide in advance how much luggage you’re going to take. Rucksacks make traveling light easy, and getting one that unzips the whole way around can help keep things organized. You might also wish to buy packing cubes, which can be used to separate things like toiletries from your underwear. 

Packing tips

• Only pack what you actually need. This list of what to pack for a week trip will likely have a few things you definitely don’t need, and traveling isn’t the time to be trying out new beauty products or flaunting a new pair of sandals you’re unsure whether to keep. 
• Remember that if traveling by airplane with just hand luggage, you’ll need to decanter your liquids into 3.4 oz (100ml) bottles and fit them into a resealable bag. Opt for solid deodorant, moisturizer, and shampoo to save space in your liquids bag.
• When packing your clothes, choose layers and versatile options that you’ll be able to wear more than once and roll them up in your luggage to save space. Always keep in mind the customs of the country you’re visiting and the type of trip you’re going on when choosing which clothes to bring. 
• If you’re packing light, wear your bulkiest clothes and shoes on your travel days. 
• When choosing your shoes, don’t pack anything that’s brand new or hasn’t been broken in yet. Stick to shoes that are comfortable and won’t give you blisters, one pair of trainers or walking shoes and a pair of sandals should be enough. If you’re really low on space, a comfortable pair of flip-flops could take the place of your sandals.
• Bring a small bag for valuables and items you need easy access to while traveling. If you’re flying, this may need to fit into your luggage but only when boarding the plane.
• While not technically essential, it can be a good idea to pack some snacks when traveling. Food can be pricey at airports and travel can be unpredictable (and it’s hungry work!).

Remember, this is a generic packing list for women that you will likely have to adjust depending on your destination. Have some fun with this list, and adapt it to suit you!