The Ultimate Packing List for 3+ Months of Travel (Carry-On Only)
When I left Sydney 8 months ago, I had a 40-litre backpack and a day bag. That's it. No checked luggage. No "just in case" suitcase. Two bags for an open-ended trip across three continents.
People thought I was insane. "You can't pack for 8 months in a carry-on." You absolutely can. I've been doing it. And I've worn maybe 60% of what I brought. The other 40% I either never touched or donated along the way.
Here's exactly what's in my bag right now, what I ditched, and what I wish I'd packed from the start.
The Bags
Main bag: Osprey Fairview 40L. Fits as carry-on on most airlines (including budget carriers like AirAsia and Ryanair). Opens like a suitcase, not a top-loader, which makes packing cubes actually work.
Day bag: A 15L packable daypack that folds into its own pocket. I use this daily for exploring and it doubles as my "personal item" on flights.
Total weight when fully packed: about 8kg. Most carry-on limits are 7-10kg. I've never been weighed, but if you're close, wear your heaviest items (jacket, boots) on the plane.
Clothes (The Capsule)
The rule: everything should mix and match, dry quickly, and not wrinkle.
| Item | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirts/tanks | 4 | Merino wool or quick-dry synthetics. 2 neutral, 2 colourful. |
| Long-sleeve shirt | 1 | Sun protection and temple visits. Linen. |
| Shorts | 2 | One casual, one athletic/swim. |
| Lightweight pants | 1 | Convertible zip-offs that become shorts. Ugly but practical. |
| Dress/skirt | 1 | For going out or when you want to feel human. |
| Swimsuit | 2 | They take forever to dry if you only have one. |
| Underwear | 5 | Quick-dry. Merino wool if you can afford it. |
| Sports bra | 2 | |
| Socks | 3 pairs | 2 ankle, 1 hiking. Merino wool. |
| Lightweight jacket | 1 | Packable rain jacket. Mine is a Patagonia Houdini. |
| Hoodie/fleece | 1 | For cold buses and hostel common rooms. |
| Sarong | 1 | Towel, blanket, temple cover-up, beach mat, privacy curtain. |
That's 20 items of clothing. It sounds like nothing. It's enough. You do laundry every 4-5 days ($1-3 at a local laundry in SEA, $5-8 in Europe) and rewear things without guilt.
What I ditched along the way: Jeans (too heavy, take forever to dry), a "nice" blouse (wore it once in 3 months), and an extra pair of shoes I thought I'd need.
Shoes (Just Two)
- Walking sandals: Teva or Chaco style. Comfortable for all-day walking, can get wet, work for casual dinners.
- Trail runners: For hikes, long walking days, and any time you need closed-toe shoes. Double as gym shoes.
I started with three pairs (added flip-flops) and donated the flip-flops in month two. The sandals do everything flip-flops do but with actual support.
Toiletries (Decant Everything)
Buy small refillable bottles (100ml) and decant from full-size products. Don't bring full-size anything.
- Shampoo + conditioner (2-in-1 if you're brave)
- Face wash
- Sunscreen (SPF 50, buy more as you go)
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush + toothpaste
- Razor
- Tiny first aid kit: ibuprofen, antihistamines, plasters, electrolyte sachets, anti-diarrheal tablets
- Insect repellent (buy locally, different regions have different bugs)
What I buy locally: Sunscreen (cheaper in SEA), tampons/pads (available everywhere), mosquito repellent (local brands work better than imported ones).
Tech and Connectivity
| Item | Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Phone (iPhone 14) | 172g | Camera, map, banking, communication, entertainment |
| GOAN eSIM | 0g | 20GB, 105+ countries, real phone number. Set up before departure. |
| Power bank (20,000mAh) | 350g | Charges phone 4x. Non-negotiable. |
| Charging cable + plug adapter | 80g | Universal adapter, one USB-C cable |
| Earbuds | 40g | Noise-cancelling for flights and buses |
| Kindle | 175g | Weighs less than a single paperback |
No laptop. I considered it but decided against it. My phone handles everything I need. If I need to do anything laptop-specific (rare), hostels usually have a shared computer or I borrow someone's.
On the eSIM: This is genuinely one of the best weight-saving decisions I made. The alternative was carrying a pocket Wi-Fi device (300g, needs its own charger, needs its own battery) or buying physical SIM cards at every border (tray ejector tool, multiple plastic cards, time wasted). An eSIM weighs nothing, works everywhere, and I set it up once from my couch. The install process took 60 seconds.
Miscellaneous (The Small Stuff That Matters)
- Packing cubes (set of 4): Organise your clothes by type. Access what you need without unpacking everything. Changed my life. See my hostel life hacks post for my system.
- Dry bag (10L): For beach days, rain, and keeping electronics safe.
- Padlocks x2: Combination, not key. For hostel lockers. Part of my safety kit.
- Headlamp: Petzl Bindi. Rechargeable, tiny, useful in dorms and on night hikes.
- Travel towel: Quick-dry microfibre. Dries in an hour. Hostel towels are a gamble.
- Reusable water bottle: With a filter if possible. Saves money and plastic.
- Earplugs + eye mask: Sleep survival in any dorm.
- Pen: For immigration forms. You'll thank me.
What I Wish I'd Packed
- A better first aid kit. I underestimated how often I'd need electrolyte sachets and anti-diarrheal tablets in SEA. Stock up before you go.
- A second swimsuit from the start. One is never enough when it takes a full day to dry in humid climates.
- A money belt. Not for everyday use, but for travel days when you're carrying everything on you. I bought one in Bangkok after a close call.
What I Wish I'd Left Behind
- The "nice" outfit. I packed a blouse and decent pants for "going out." I wore them once and they took up valuable space for 3 months before I donated them.
- A physical book. One paperback weighs 200-300g. A Kindle weighs 175g and holds thousands of books. The maths is clear.
- Too many toiletries. You can buy sunscreen, shampoo, and mosquito repellent anywhere in the world. Don't pack a 6-month supply.
The Total Weight Breakdown
| Category | Weight |
|---|---|
| Clothes | 2.5kg |
| Shoes (wearing one, packing one) | 0.6kg |
| Toiletries | 0.8kg |
| Tech | 0.8kg |
| Miscellaneous | 0.8kg |
| Bag itself | 1.5kg |
| Total | 7.0kg |
Under most carry-on limits with room to spare.
The Packing Philosophy
The question isn't "what might I need?" It's "what will I definitely use every week?"
If the answer is "maybe once a month," leave it behind. You can buy almost anything, almost anywhere. The stuff you can't buy (like your passport, phone, and eSIM QR code) is the stuff that actually matters.
I've been living out of this bag for 8 months. I don't feel like I'm missing anything. If anything, I feel lighter than I've ever felt. Literally and otherwise.
