The Ultimate Solo Travel Packing List: Essentials for every woman

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Packing for a solo trip can feel a little overwhelming, especially when you’re responsible for everything yourself. But don’t worry, I’ve got you! Whether you’re heading to Southeast Asia, Europe, or somewhere in between, this solo travel packing list covers the essentials you’ll want no matter where you go. It’s not meant to be a comprehensive list for every climate or destination, but rather a curated guide to items that make solo travel smoother, safer, and more enjoyable. From safety tools to comfort items to those little things you might forget, here’s what I always pack for solo adventures, and what I recommend you do too.

Solo Travel Packing List: Tips

Pack light

Nothing is worse than being stuck with a heavy bag and having to lug it around all by yourself. It makes for miserable travel days, and then you’re sore for days to follow before having to do it all over again. You can always do laundry, so pack as lightly as possible. Plus, it leaves room for anything you might want to buy along the way.

Get a supportive backpack

I always solo travel with my 40L Osprey Fairview backpack. I bought the backpack after hearing many raving reviews from fellow solo women, and I’m here to add to the hype. It’s designed specifically for women, with a hip strap to take the majority of the weight off your shoulders and onto your hips. It has a curved back so you’re not sweating all over it, as well. I love the 40L size, which might seem small but forces you to pack light and not carry more than your body can handle.

Use packing cubes

I will admit, I was a packing cube skeptic before I went on my 6-month backpacking trip. But now I can’t imagine traveling without them. Especially if you’re taking my advice to travel light, they will be a game-changer for packing effectively. When you’re living out of a 40L backpack, you can’t simply throw everything in and hope that it closes. There’s a strategy that goes into packing a small backpack for a long trip, and packing cubes are essential. Make sure they’re compression packing cubes if you’re trying to fit a lot into a small space.

Bring a deck of cards

This isn’t a solo travel packing list essential, but if you’re hoping to make friends while traveling, it’s a great hack. Playing cards is a solo travel rite of passage, and I’ve made so many friends over a good game of Cabo (if you know, you know). Whoever pulls out the cards usually attracts many people to get a game going, so if you want an easy way to meet people, bring a deck.

Solo Travel Packing List: Clothing & Accessories

Destination-appropriate clothing

The clothing you pack will be heavily dependent on your destination. However, there are extra considerations as a solo female traveler. Not only do you need to pack clothes that work for the climate, but you also need to research what clothes are appropriate for women in that destination. Strapless tube tops in India? Booty shorts in the Vatican? These are easy ways to stand out and upset the locals, which you never want to do as a solo traveler.

Sarong/scarf

Having a light sarong or scarf that you can always keep with you is one of my top solo travel hacks for more conservative destinations. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to cover your knees or shoulders, simply pull out your scarf and throw it on easily. This is especially great for warm countries where you might need to cover up, as it provides coverage and sun protection without being too heavy.

Slip-on sandals or flip flops

These are especially useful if you’re staying in hostels, but I always recommend throwing in a pair of sandals or flip flops that you can easily slide on. Whether it’s for the community shower that you don’t want to go barefoot in or quickly running to a convenience store, they’re light and don’t take up much room.

Cross-body bag

Cross-body bags are perfect if you don’t have much to carry around during the day and want the security of having your bag close to your body. They make it much harder for anyone to snatch your bag, and if you get one like the one I have, they store a surprisingly large amount of stuff for such a small bag. I don’t go anywhere abroad without mine.

Solo Travel Packing List: Toiletries & Health

Tampons or a menstrual cup

Before you embark on your solo journey, it’s worth researching if the country you’re visiting has easy access to tampons. There are many destinations where tampons are either not used at all or aren’t used regularly, so finding them can be difficult. And sometimes when you do find them, they’re nothing like the type you’re used to. Bringing your own provides peace of mind so you don’t have to run around panic-shopping. If you use a menstrual cup or have considered it, it’s especially great for traveling to reduce packing space and waste.

Laundry detergent sheets

This item always makes me friends when I’m staying in hostels. Sometimes, you don’t need to do an entire load of laundry and just want to throw some underwear in the sink. Laundry detergent sheets are light and easy to pack, and allow you to do quick handwashing. It’s also nice to have detergent because sometimes hotel & hostel laundry machines don’t provide any. And who wants to go shopping for laundry detergent in a foreign country when they could be doing anything else? I’ve given out sheets to countless other travelers, and they always comment on how smart it is.

Earplugs & eye mask

You’ll never regret bringing earplugs and an eye mask, even if you think you won’t need them. Whether it’s a barking dog next to your resort or a noisy roommate in your hostel, earplugs take up no space in your suitcase and always come in handy. And what if your hotel doesn’t have blackout curtains or someone turns on the dorm lights at 3 am? These are two easy things to pack that will always improve your quality of sleep.

Vitamins

Staying on top of your health is very important, especially when traveling solo. The worst thing is when you’re sick in a foreign country with no one to help take care of you. Now’s not the time to skip out on eating well and getting your nutrients. I take multivitamins every day, and sometimes I’m tempted to leave them behind when traveling. I’ve never regretted bringing them with me, though.

Basic medicine

Unless you want to be scrambling in a foreign country to find a pharmacy and the right medicine (been there, done that), bringing a small medical kit with you is always a good idea. Bring any over-the-counter medicines that could help with common minor issues, such as headaches, cramps, soreness, motion sickness, diarrhea, and small cuts. These are my essentials:

• Tylenol
• Ibuprofin
• Gravol
• Immodium
• Band-aids
• Antibiotic ointment

Wet wipes & hand sanitizer

Staying healthy when solo traveling is really important, so don’t skimp out on health supplies. Wet wipes and hand sanitizer help keep things clean when you’re in a pinch. How many times do public restrooms in foreign countries have soap? In my experience, it’s not often. Wet wipes can also serve as back-up toilet paper if you ever don’t have any.

Vaseline

This one might seem random, but it’s multipurpose. Did you know you can use Vaseline to remove makeup, tame flyaways, heal minor wounds, prevent chafing, and more? You can get so many uses out of this small pot, so it’s always worth packing.

Microfiber towel

I would not have survived without my microfiber travel towel on any of my solo trips. Many hostels don’t provide towels, so it came in handy almost every day. Even if you’re staying somewhere that provides shower towels, it doubles as a towel for the beach or pool. Many travelers bring two microfiber towels, one for the shower and one for everything else, but I got by fine with just one (although sometimes it would’ve been easier to have two, but I didn’t have room!).

Solo Travel Packing List: Safety & Security Items

Locks

A luggage lock is always a good idea, and I also recommend bringing a standard lock if you’re planning on staying in hostels. Most hostels provide you with a locker, but no lock. You can never be too safe when solo traveling, so keeping your belongings secure is always a good idea.

AirTag

There’s nothing worse than your luggage getting lost, but you can have peace of mind if you have an AirTag. I always kept my AirTag on my small backpack with my valuable belongings, such as my iPad and passport, and then switched it to my big backpack if I had to separate from it (to put it under the bus, on the plane, etc.). Next time, I’ll be traveling with two AirTags so both of my bags can always be accounted for.

2 credit & 2 debit cards

This might sound excessive, but it’s not. You always need to solo travel with two credit cards and two debit cards, and you should store them in different places. I keep my primary credit and debit card in my wallet, which I bring with me everywhere, and I keep a backup in my passport holder, which stays in a safe place at my hotel or hostel. This is to ensure that just in case anything happens, whether my wallet is misplaced or my card is frozen, I still have access to money.

Cross-body phone strap

Whether you’re going somewhere with concerns of pickpockets or you’re worried about misplacing or dropping your phone, a cross-body phone strap is game-changing. Yes, it looks a bit silly, but it’s worth it for the peace of mind it provides. I use mine all the time when I solo travel, so I can always ensure my phone is close to my body and secured. Want that Instagram shot but need to reach out? Walking through a busy market and don’t want your phone to be snatched? Simply don’t want to bring a bag but don’t have pockets? It’s great.

Solo Travel Packing List: Tech & Electronics

Long charging cable

While this isn’t a solo travel packing list essential, it can make your life a whole lot easier. You never know when the closest plug is going to be on the other side of the room, so having a long charging cable makes it easier to charge no matter your room setup.

Universal travel adapter

I love having a universal travel adapter that I can pack no matter where I’m going, and not worry about whether it will work for the plugs or not. It’s especially helpful when traveling to multiple countries that might not have the same plugs. It’s just one thing to pack, but it covers all your bases.

Portable charger

Keeping your phone charged is key when solo traveling, because you never want to be alone without a way to stay connected. I never leave my hotel or hostel when solo traveling without a portable charger. This gives me the peace of mind that even if my phone dies, it’s only a few minutes before I’m connected again. Don’t overestimate your battery life – when you’re traveling, you usually use it more, so it dies faster than expected.

At the end of the day, a smart solo travel packing list is about finding that sweet spot between prepared and overpacked. This list is your starting point – adapt it to your destination, your style of travel, and what makes you feel most comfortable and confident on the road. Bon voyage!

Read more:

• Best places to solo travel in Asia as a woman
• South Korea Solo Travel Guide: Safety, tips, & what to expect
• Solo female travel in the Philippines: Safety, tips, & what to expect
• Solo Travel in Japan: Safety, tips, & what to expect
• Solo Travel in Singapore: Safety, tips, & what to expect
• Solo female travel in Thailand: Safety, tips, & what to expect
• Vietnam Itinerary: 3-4 weeks for backpackers and solo travelers
• The hard truth about solo travel in Australia
• Solo travel in Sri Lanka: What you NEED to know as a woman