How to Pack for Long-Term Travel

12.01.2024 - 15:07 / cntraveler.com

Picture this: You’re wandering around a 2,000 year-old European city in the morning, sipping coffee and eating pastries. By night, you’re responding to emails and getting your work done. A few months later, you’re spending your day at a cafe in Buenos Aires and spending your nights connecting with other remote workers who happen to be in the same city as you. Lucky for me, this has been my life for the past two and a half years. I’m a full-time digital nomad who has learned a lifetime's worth of travel lessons in the past few years—especially when it comes to packing.

There are many different types of travelers; when planning where to go for extended stays, I avoid cold weather at all costs. This does make things slightly more manageable when it comes to packing. I typically have one sweatshirt, just in case it gets chilly, but that’s it—no bulky coats or winter accessories to worry about. I prefer to spend summers in the Northern Hemisphere, like Mexico and Europe, and when it starts turning cold, I return to the Southern Hemisphere to enjoy the summer there. In 2023, I spent January through the middle of June in Argentina, Uruguay, and Mexico. Then, I went to Europe and country-hopped all summer until I went to the US at the end of September to visit family. After a month at home, I spent the rest of the year in Colombia.

Looking ahead to 2024, I’m back in Argentina through the middle of March, and then I head to Peru through the end of May. From there, I expect to be in Europe through at least September before finding warmth in South America or Southeast Asia. Even though I only go home once a year, I take just one large checked bag, a personal item, and my cat, Isabelle, who counts as my carry-on. It might seem impossible to fit your entire life and your pet into such a small space, but it’s more doable than you think.

If the thought of never-ending travel feels a little intimidating, I'd suggest setting some parameters around it—six months or a year, as a test run. This makes it easier to pack, budget, and wrap your head around full-time travel. Whether you're in planning mode or are just curious as to how to squeeze your life into a suitcase, here are my top tips for how to pack for an entire year of travel.

If you’re going to travel for any prolonged period with multiple destinations on the itinerary, sturdy, reliable luggage is a must. I’ve previously been loyal to Away, but I branched out slightly after my Away weekender bag broke while I was in transit. However, I still swear by the brand's The Large Suitcase. I prefer hard-sided luggage to help protect my items, and I like that the suitcase is split evenly down the middle. I pack all my clothes on the right side of my suitcase and all my