Travel Essentials For Women – Tried & Tested

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Looking for a detailed women’s travel packing list? I’ve been packing bags and cases since I was 19 years old. This guide was created after a 17-month travel trip around the Americas and Europe and has since been edited. I’ve whittled down my original oversized travel wardrobe and now think I’ve nailed it!

I’ve packed for adventures in extremely hot countries, cities with a nip in the air, ski festivals, and water-based activities. Hi, I’m Gemma; that’s me in the pictures below.

Looking for a specific style of packing? Here’s our list of guides.

Now, let’s dive into my recommended travel essentials for women.

Luggage For Short Trips

Before purchasing sunnies and sandals, it’s probably wise to consider where you will put them!

So let’s talk about luggage.

Depending on how efficiently you pack for shorter trips, say an overnight, long weekend, or even week-long, you might get away with a small pack or case.

If you are flying, depending on airline rules, you could store your bag or case overheard, so you won’t need to wait for luggage collection once you’ve touched down.

For overnights with minimal toiletries and a change of outfits, I use the stylish Longchamp, which is deceivingly roomy but heavy and awkward to carry if it is too full.

For trips that require more storage, I’ll pack the 44L Cabin Zero backpack or a lightweight case like the robust Eagle Creek Expanse Carry-On or sleek Samsonite C-Lite Spinner.

I do not recommend the IT suitcase for trips that involve moving around; we burned through the wheels of one after a week in Italy.

I tend to lean towards the larger Samsonite case for trips over one week, but I have also backpacked with a pack for many trips, which I’ll discuss below.

The Samonsite has been on multiple European trips like Ibiza and Milan, has road-tripped with us along the US East Coast for months, and it still looks good.

Luggage For Long Trips

For a long-term backpacking trip, I would advise considering a pack.

Why?

Because there will be times that you are walking through cities and hopping on public transport.

Throwing a pack on your back makes moving much more accessible.

We previously used the Vango packs, but now that I’ve spent years researching travel gear, I would go for the Mercedes of all bags, the Osprey US / UK.

So what’s so great about Osprey?

Osprey only focuses on bags and bag-related products, so they are known as the king or queen of backpacking luggage.

They also have a returns policy if the bag stops functioning as it should.

The pack is ideal because it opens up like a suitcase, which makes access to clothes much more manageable.

Try getting something out of the ‘old style’ top access backpacks while nine other people doze off in a dorm!

Respect the hostel dorm etiquette.

Some also have a detachable day pack, which you unzip and wear on your front when you have your pack on your back.

What about a hybrid if you can’t see yourself with a backpack?

Hybrid backpacks fuse the best of both worlds – they take the wheels from a suitcase and the straps from a bag to create a rolling backpack.

The downside to backpacks with wheels is that they add more weight to the overall backpack, as a structured back and wheel casing is required.

I’ve written about wheeled backpacks in detail.

You can read my comparison guide here.

The main issue with taking a traditional suitcase on a worldwide/long-term trip is that most cases aren’t durable enough; see the IT suitcase issue above.

This isn’t the case (boom boom) with the Eagle Creek range.

Eagle Creek luggage is made for off-road travel, which means you can pound the cobbles of Europe and pull the case through the sandy streets of Colombia.

However, if you are backpacking around South and Central America, you won’t see many backpackers with cases, opting for the ease of packs.

Other Travel Baggage

For transport. I usually have a cloth tote bag with my electronics for easy access on buses, planes, and trains.

I do carry a safety net with me.

It is made by Pacsafe US / UK and has protected my belongings since 2015.

In accommodation, I put my day bag into the net, secure it around a radiator or bed frame, and then close it with a padlock.

I then cover it with a coat, etc.

PacSafe net to deter theft

Buy an Osprey bag cover US / UK to protect your day bag and electronics from rain.

My camera and heart stopped working after a downpour in Vietnam.

How to Pack For Long-Term Travel and Short-Term Trips

Packing for long-term travel differs slightly from short-term trips because you need to consider what you can’t get on the road.

It is also likely that long-term travel readers will be on a budget and saving money for only the necessary travel items for women.

At the end of the guide, I detail what I replenished and bought during my “big” backpacking trip.

Other readers have found it helpful to see the reality of travel!

For short-term trips, you may be restricted by space and also size.

If you opt for carry-on only, you won’t be able to take liquids bigger than 100ml, so consider this when shopping for travel toiletry items.

My best packing tip is to roll your clothes instead of folding them, which creates more space and fewer wrinkles.

Alternatively, pack similar clothes in separate bags or packing cubes.

Packing Cubes and Alternatives

During my big trip, I didn’t use packing cubes; I used large sandwich bags from an army store instead, as they were super cheap.

Now, I do use packing cubes.

I like that they come in various sizes and zip around the items.

You can pack a lot, and they place neatly in your luggage, stacking on top of each other.

The grab handles on each cube are also handy for pulling out from your bag or case.

Check for yourself US / UK.

The image below shows the contents of my backpack during my 17-month travel trip; this is the fourth edition, whittling down to must-haves!

Long-Term Female Travel Packing List and Short-Term Pic ‘n’ Mix

Travel Clothes for Women

Travel Tops

Tops – this is where packing starts to get difficult because although I am practical, I still like to look nice.

• 3 x day vest tops – sticking to solid shades
• 1 x night vest top – lacey, black
• 1 x thin top
• 2 x cardigans – 1 x black, 1 x bright
• 1 x floaty shirt
• 1 x hoody
• 1 x denim coat – for city tips
• 1 x fold-away raincoat, the Marmot waterproof jacket US / UK, which I love – perfect for the backpacking Europe packing list! It goes everywhere with me, from dog walking up Munros (Scottish mountains) to hiking through rainforests. 

Travel Dresses and Skirts

I love dresses!

If you choose the right type of material (avoid denim and wool), they pack down very small.

Perfect for hot days, party nights, and photos!

Also, they are ideal for a road trip packing list since they are versatile.

• 2 x black summer dresses
• 1 x black wrap-around – LBD is a top tip for female packing list South America for partying
• 1 x bright/cute dress
• 1 x playsuit if that’s your style

Tip: I tend to avoid patterns – easier to dress up, dress down, to keep looking new.

Consider the length of dresses and skirts depending on where you are visiting.

For example, here is our guide on what to wear in Dubai.

Travel Trousers / Bottoms

• 1 x black culottes – 4 years old, love them
• 1 x khaki shorts – hiking
• 1 x plain skirt
• 1 x denim skirt – I probably don’t need this as heavy, but I like it
• 1 x black long gym trousers – doubles up as disco pants
• 1 x waterproofs – thin/light, pull on top of gym trousers for hikes and skiing

My friend Laura has a great review on travel pants (trousers for us Brits!); they actually look nice!

Factor into your budget that you will likely replenish some of your long-term female travel packing list at some point.

Washing machines and launderettes in Vietnam, Peru, etc., are pretty harsh on your clothes, ruining those travel essentials for women.

White clothing quickly becomes a gross yellow tone!

Suntan lotion, curry, and alcohol stains aren’t always avoided if it is a good night!

Also, clothes get stolen, yes, annoying, but opportunists carry a backpack too.

If you visit an area with mosquitos, advice will tell you to wear light, floaty clothes, but that look is just not me, so I compromise by wearing disco pants after dusk in areas that are very prone to them.

We did carry mosquito nets by Lifesystems for the first year but did not use them; there were times when we should have.

For the first year, we used mosquito repellent with DEET called OFF but decided that since it was making no difference, we’d use a DEET-free alternative called Avon Skin So Soft.

Underwear/Garments

This aspect of the list is a personal choice and may vary depending on the availability of a washing machine or the ability to do hand washing.

It is worth noting that hand washing can be tricky if you move to a destination every couple of days or visit colder climates.

• 5-7 x pants/panties/knickers
• 5 x trainers/sneaker socks
• 1 – 2 pairs of longer socks – for hiking
• 2 x bras
• 1 x sports bra
• PJs – 1-2 pairs

Swimwear

• 2 x bikini tops
• 3 x bikini bottoms

For a women’s long-term travel packing list, I suggest avoiding patterns and mixing different bikini bottoms with tops if wearing the same outfits frequently bothers you.

Travel Shoes

Walk your way to packing success by learning from my mistakes…

I used to carry way too many shoes!

This was pointed out to me when I posted a photo of packing list version three on the Two Scots Abroad Facebook page!

Here are my footwear essentials.

• 1 x flip-flops/sliders – especially if using communal areas
• 1x day trainers – black
• 1x walking boots/shoes – Salomon Ellipse trek shoes US / UK, which I trekked with to Machu Picchu, lighter than boots but still waterproof, quite attractive
• 1 x fancier sandals – black
• 1 x sports trainers – if your day trainers can double up, remember they will smell quickly, especially in warm and rainy climates. My gym Nikes squashed down neatly, so I didn’t mind carrying them

Exercising While Travelling

If, like me, you have to do some form of exercise, save a packing cube for:

• 1 x sports bra
• 1 x gym trousers or shorts
• 1 x vest top
• 1 x trainers
• 1 x resistance band

Travel Accessories For Women

• 2 x shades
• 1 x hat – keep the face out of the sun
• 1 x headband for day two hair
• 1 x watch
• 1 x be cautious of taking wedding rings, does insurance cover?
• 1 x handbag?
• 1 x tote bag
• 1 x drawstring bag to clip lunch or wet clothes to the outside of the backpack

Travel Toiletries List & Makeup

I rarely wear makeup in super-hot climates like Nicaragua, but I will do a full face for city nights out.

Note: I’ve suffered on and off from acne on my chin since I was 19 and have the confidence to go makeup-free in sunny climates. I hope you do, too.

Face – Avoid Ageing Skin

• Factor 50/60 moisturiser, always! La Roche-Posay US / UK if feeling flush
• Cream lotion wash
• Exfoliation
• Night cream/retinol

Travel Hair

• Solid shampoo and conditioner – this stuff is genius; there is no liquid, so there is no spill!
• Or, small bottles
• Hair ties
• Kirby grips/bobby pins
• Hairspray
• Dry shampoo – I dropped this from my original list

My usual routine is to wear freshly washed hair worn down, watching for sunburn in parting.

On day two, hair is worn up.

I like quiffs and buns to pull my hair back.

I found head scarfs an excellent way to hide greasy hair, too.

Body Stuff

• Toothpaste – paste or tabs for no spill
• Soap or body wash
• Deodorant
• Razor
• Factor 50 suntan lotion – always
• Avon Skin So Soft US / UK – midges, mosquitos, and smooth skin

I use towels provided by the accommodation or opt for hiring over packing as they are too bulky, and I don’t find that quick-dry microfibre travel towels dry water off my skin!

If you travel as a couple and book private rooms, you’ll find that towels are often included; oh, the privilege!

Makeup – The Slap 

• Light foundation
• Eyeshadow, bronzer and blush palette
• Liquid eyeliner
• Lipstick for party nights
• Bushes
• No nail varnish – exploded, luckily packed in sealed Tupperware!
• Nail file
• Nail clippers
• Tweezers
• Luminous face paint for a festival!

Long-Term Travel Medical Kit

This covers everyday pills to deathbed essentials.

• Photocopy proof of prescriptions
• Contraceptive pill
• Paracetamol
• Aspirin
• Tablets for constipation
• Tablets for diarrhoea
• Malaria tablets
• Anti-histamine tablets
• Anti-bacterial cream for bites
• Plasters
• Blister pads
• Leukotape hiking tape US / UK – does not budge, so prevents blisters
• Tubigrip support
• First aid kit – including needles
• Filter and purifying bottle
• Tampons – a reader pointed out in the comments that you may struggle to get them on the road, so true! I had to call my mum and mother-in-law to bring packs over for me on two occasions. Stock up or try a menstrual cup

Travel Insurance

Don’t travel without it; it’s not worth the risk.

People in the UK have the luxury of public medical health care through the National Health Service so don’t quite understand the cost of using health care systems in countries that charge.

My friend went over her ankle at the Grand Canyon and was charged $500 for a visit to the doctor and an X-ray.

Luckily, she had travel insurance and good friends (me!) to hold her hand all morning.

I’ve shopped around extensively and settled on True Traveller because they cover hiking at high altitudes; you’ll need this if you’re trekking to Machu Picchu and skiing.

I claimed in Vancouver after visiting the GP and physiotherapist.

They also answered the silly amount of questions I asked before I bought the insurance.

Get a travel quote for your trip from their site here.

World Nomads and Safety Wing are also popular options for travel insurance.

World Nomads tends to be a bit pricier than True Traveller but gets promising reviews.

SafetyWing targets digital nomads, offering packages with global coverage and the option to purchase while abroad, which makes sense given their focus on this audience.

There are two options, essential and complete depending on the level of coverage required.

Read next: Travel Insurance Comparison Guide.

Travel Electronics

Blogging, watching Netflix, taking snaps – here are the essential travel electronics which I travel with:

• Phone, cables, and plugs
• Apple MagSafe battery pack (pricy but no cables) or Anker battery charger US / UK
• Earphones and cables
• Skross universal travel adaptor with USB slots US / UK
• JBL clip music speaker US / UK – it’s light, splash-proof, clips onto your bag, and is affordable
• MacBook Air – maybe not essential for non-bloggers
• Hard drive – now a tiny Sandisk SSD US / UK, previously Transcend US / UK
• Camera – then Nikon Coolpix, moved to Sony A6000, now Canon M50
• SD cards – I never delete images; it is another form of backup. Do not buy from eBay, I did and they were fake and lost my pictures, when compared to the real deal it was obvious they were fake. Learn from my mistake

Female Backpacking List – Replenishing Clothes

How do you guys look so suave all the time on the road?! I’d love a blog post about that! Seriously!!

– Facebook follower.

I love planning outfits, so choosing travel essentials is challenging.

During our “big” trips, I do replenish some items, and here is a breakdown of what I bought during our 17-month backpacking trip:

Peru (April)

• 1 x scarf from a market in Cusco
• 1 x fake North Face puffy jacket – below
• 1 x Peruvian handbag – fell apart by June!

Canada (September – December)

• New brogue shoes
• Sunglasses
• Denim skirt
• Dress
• Handbag
• Tights
• Socks
• My friend brought over Marks and Spencer knickers and a Topshop dress
• Splurged on four items for CAD 12 / £6 at the Salvation Army
• New vintage raincoat – sent home (yellow)
• Ski gloves – I should have bought liners, too, at the hardware store. I’ve now upgraded to Hestra gloves US / UK, which are flipping expensive, but I did not feel the cold once during our ski week in Austria this year
• Winter hat for snowshoeing
• Winter hat – Vancouver souvenir

Portland, Oregon (January)

• New vest tops for Nicaragua – 35 degrees heat!

Austin, Texas (March)

• Wedding shoes/bag/accessories/underwear

Budapest, Hungary (May)

Gearing up for warmer weather:

• 3 x new dresses
• 1 x vest top
• 1 x cardigan
• 1 x bikini bottom
• Socks
• Sandals

Lisbon, Portugal (July)

• 1 x new dress for a festival; I was feeling pretty gross about clothes at this time
• 1 x shades

Our family kindly gave us money throughout the trip for birthdays, the Vancouver engagement, the wedding, and out of feeling sorry for us! This helped fund Project Replenish.

Packing List For Women Overview

When we returned home after bacpacking for 17 months, it felt so good to pile up the rucksack contents and burn them. Jokes!

The culottes, Salomon shoes, and Marmot raincoat have been on many trips since.

Want more ridiculously useful packing lists?

Here is our packing list directory.

Also, see this packing list.

I hope this packing guide for females has been useful. I have created a pin to accompany this long-term planning list for women—please feel free to save and share (pin to Pinterest packing board!).

So what do you think? Have I nailed the ultimate packing list? What can’t you travel without?

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Read next: our hiking packing list – what to pack and what to leave

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