{"id":41579,"date":"2021-04-27T09:00:45","date_gmt":"2021-04-27T13:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=41579"},"modified":"2025-09-02T14:13:35","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T18:13:35","slug":"solo-female-travel-packing-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/solo-female-travel-packing-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Packing List for Female Travelers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In this guest post, solo travel expert Kristin Addis from Be My Travel Muse<\/a> shares her tips and advice to help you pack for your next trip abroad.<\/em><\/p>\n I know that it can be daunting trying to figure out what to pack for a week, a month, or a year abroad without much \u2014 or any \u2014 prior experience in the place you aim to visit. I found myself in the same situation eight years ago, but with the benefit of hindsight and over a decade of travel experience, I may have finally figured this female packing list thing out. <\/p>\n I\u2019ve learned that, thankfully, with a few staple items, you can travel just about anywhere without spending a fortune on gear.<\/p>\n The following are my tried-and-true methods and products that, even after years on the road, I still love and use, and make for the ultimate packing list. Feel free to mix and match and take just what you want. Enjoy! I am a huge advocate of backpacks, as it gives me the advantage of mobility (trust me, dragging a wheeled suitcase on a staircase is not fun at all!). It\u2019s also great to not have to wait for your luggage at the airport upon arrival!<\/p>\n Many people are afraid that carrying a backpack will take a toll on their backs, but if you have the right one that fits your body, the weight will be evenly distributed and you will be fine! I highly recommend testing out backpacks (with weights in them) in person (REI stores are perfect for that), as everyone\u2019s body is different. <\/p>\n That being said, these are the tried-and-tested staples that I take with me around the world:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In Europe, Oceania, or anywhere remote, where you might not be able to find cheap clothing or buy it on the road, bring everything you think you\u2019ll need. These suggested packing lists will help:<\/p>\n Hot Climates<\/strong><\/p>\n Temperate Climates<\/strong><\/p>\n Cold Climates<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I\u2019m happy to report that it\u2019s both easy and straightforward to find shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and soap. Ladies abroad use these things, too!<\/p>\n Pantene and Dove products seem to be universal, and with the exception of a few really off-the-grid places, such as tiny islands and extremely poor areas where people mostly subsistence-farm, you\u2019ll be able to find basic toiletries easily on the road.<\/p>\n My basic toiletry packing list includes the following:<\/p>\n For prescriptions, the ease of traveling with them will heavily depend on what you need and how much you can get up front, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The best way to handle it is to talk to your doctor and insurance regarding how much you can get before you leave and how to best take it across borders. <\/p>\n After years spent traveling the world, these are the staples I pack with me. Even with all that, it\u2019s still possible to pack light, travel with just one big bag, and keep your possessions safe and yourself comfortable. It\u2019s all about having the right essentials and leaving home the stuff that doesn\u2019t serve a purpose during your trip. <\/p>\n I suggest you write down what you think you need \u2014 and then cut it in half. You never need as much as you think. Doing this will help you travel light. <\/p>\n Kristin Addis is a solo-female-travel expert who inspires women to travel the world in an authentic and adventurous way. A former investment banker who sold all of her belongings and left California in 2012, Kristin has traveled the world ever since. You can find more of her musings at Be My Travel Muse<\/a> or on Instagram<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/em> Book Your Flight<\/strong> Book Your Accommodation<\/strong> Don’t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong> Want to Travel for Free?<\/strong> Need a Rental Car?<\/strong> Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?<\/strong>
\n <\/p>\nTip #1: What Bag to Bring<\/h3>\n

\nShould you go with a backpack or a suitcase? It depends on your travel destination(s) and length of trip. <\/p>\n\n
Tip #2: What Clothes to Bring<\/h3>\n

\nIn places where clothing is cheap, such as Southeast Asia<\/a> and India<\/a>, don\u2019t stress too much about having a complete wardrobe ready to go before you take off. Just about every girl I met in those regions wore clothing she\u2019d bought on the road. It will suit the climate and, costing just a few dollars per garment, it won\u2019t break the bank.<\/p>\n\n
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Tip #3: Toiletries to Bring<\/h3>\n
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\n <\/p>\nTip #4: Practical Items<\/h3>\n

\nThough most items such as bedding and pillows are provided in hostels, you\u2019ll need a few other things to make your travels easier and cheaper. The following are my must-haves:<\/p>\n\n
Tip #5: Products to Keep You (and Your Belongings) Safe<\/h3>\n

\nIn my eight years of traveling, I\u2019ve never had anything major stolen. I credit this to watching my belongings like a hawk, always carrying the most important stuff on my person, and using thief-safe travel products. These are the security-related items I swear by:<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\nBook Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n
\nFind a cheap flight by using Skyscanner<\/a>. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. <\/p>\n
\nYou can book your hostel with Hostelworld<\/a>. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com<\/a> as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. <\/p>\n
\nTravel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n\n
\nTravel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation \u2014 all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites<\/a> to get started and see the latest best deals.<\/p>\n
\nDiscover Cars<\/a> is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best \u2014 and cheapest \u2014 rental for your trip!<\/p>\n
\nGet Your Guide<\/a> is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. <\/p>\n