HANNAH ABROAD — PERSONAL-ITEM PACKING LIST https://hannahabroad.com/journal/personal-item-packing-list A starting point, not a requirement to bring every item. Adapt for weather, activities, your own needs and the airline allowance. Hannah packs 3–4 tops, 3–4 bottoms, one cocktail dress and underwear/socks for 8–9 days. She uses laundromats on longer trips. CLOTHES AND THE SMALL THINGS I WEAR [ ] Enough socks for 8–9 days Extra socks, always. They’re one of the least exciting things to pack and one of the things I care about most. [ ] Enough underwear for 8–9 days I always pack extra underwear, too. These are worth making room for before another outfit. [ ] 3–4 tops Pick them for the weather and what you’ll actually do. You need clothes you can wear again after washing, not a different outfit for every day you’re away. [ ] 3–4 bottoms Depending on the weather, I try to have a mix of a skirt, shorts, long pants and leggings. Long jeans stay home because they’re bulky. [ ] One cocktail dress Always. I still want the option of a nice dinner or a night out. Packing light doesn’t mean giving up the clothes you’re actually excited to wear; one dress just has to fit alongside the rest of the trip. [ ] Hoodie and sweatpants for the flight Planes are approximately six degrees. I wear my bulky, comfortable clothes on the travel day instead of filling half my bag with them. [ ] Comfortable walking shoes For me, that’s HOKA sneakers. Very committed to comfort. Completely fine with that. If I’m spending the day walking, comfortable feet win. [ ] At most one additional pair of shoes Two pairs total is my limit, including the pair I’m wearing. Choose the other pair around what the walking shoes can’t do on your particular trip. [ ] Sunglasses I’m okay with losing A pair I like, without the added responsibility of carrying my most expensive pair around. [ ] A baseball cap Small, useful and easy to wear on a travel day. THE TECH I MAKE ROOM FOR [ ] Laptop and its charger, if you need them Work makes the laptop worth the weight for me. If you won’t use one, that’s a lot of space you can keep for something else. [ ] Universal travel adapter Check that it covers the plug types on your route. A plug adapter doesn’t convert voltage; check the input rating on the device or charger as well. [ ] Two phone chargers One to use and one backup. This is a duplicate I’m happy to carry. [ ] A charger with a connector that flips between USB-A and USB-C One of my best purchases. Different ports are much less annoying when the thing you brought can actually connect to them. Check that the other end fits your phone, too. [ ] Portable charger I use Anker. It isn’t sponsored and the links in this guide aren’t affiliate links. Check your specific model for recalls and your airline’s power-bank rules before packing it. [ ] AirPods Small enough to justify bringing. The bigger headphones stay home. A SMALL ROUTINE I’LL ACTUALLY USE [ ] A very small makeup bag Essentials only. The products you reach for regularly deserve the space more than the ones you might experiment with on holiday. [ ] Sunscreen I use La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400. Bring an amount that fits your journey’s rules, and plan to replace it if needed rather than making a tiny bottle last the whole trip. [ ] The skincare you already use Tretinoin is part of my own routine. It’s a prescription treatment, not something to start because it appears on a packing list; bring your own prescribed products as directed. [ ] Summer Fridays Jet Lag serum A skincare product I bring as part of my small routine. This is about what I like using, not a treatment for jet lag. [ ] Aquaphor for dry lips This is one of the small comforts I make room for. [ ] Small travel-size perfume After a long travel day, feeling a little less gross matters. This earns its space for me; keep it securely closed and contained with your other liquids. [ ] A small travel hairbrush A brush that works without taking over the bag. [ ] Plenty of hair bands Because I always lose them. Another very small backup I consider worth it. THE UNGLAMOROUS THINGS I’M GLAD I PACKED [ ] Foldable laundry bag An absolute must. Mine folds down small and keeps the dirty clothes separate from everything else. [ ] Small hand sanitizer Another small essential. Pack it with your liquids so it’s included in the security allowance. [ ] Very small crossbody purse Useful once you’re out exploring. Leave space for it inside the backpack when your fare allows only one personal item. [ ] Your own suitable medicines My usual kit includes DayQuil, NyQuil and lozenges. Check the active ingredients, destination rules and transit rules before bringing medicines abroad. [ ] Band-Aids Tiny enough to earn their place without much debate. ADD THE BASICS FOR YOUR OWN TRIP [ ] Passport or ID, required documents and payment options Bring the documents your journey requires and save your booking details somewhere you can reach offline. Carry any needed cash without turning your wallet into a filing cabinet. [ ] Phone Charged, with the information you’ll need when you arrive. [ ] Toothbrush and your essential hygiene supplies Include what you personally need, such as dental, period or contact-lens supplies. Follow the applicable liquid rules. [ ] Your regular medication and any essential support items Plan these first, in the quantity and packaging your journey permits. Cut optional clothes before cutting something you need. WHAT HANNAH LEAVES BEHIND - A neck pillow: You use it on the flight, then have to lug it around for the rest of the trip. I’d rather have the space. - Valuable jewelry and overly flashy things: I don’t want extra things to worry about losing while I’m away. - Expensive sunglasses: Same reason. I bring a pair I’m comfortable taking everywhere. - More than two pairs of shoes: Shoes take up a lot of space. A third pair needs a reason better than ‘maybe.’ - Belts and bulky clothes: Apart from my airport outfit, I avoid clothes that take over the bag. A belt usually doesn’t earn its place for me. - The big over-ear Apple headphones: They’re cute, but my AirPods are easier to travel with and keep track of. The big pair stays home. - Physical books: I love reading. I do not love carrying the extra weight. The aesthetic is not worth it, trust me. Reading on your phone is one way to keep the books without the bulk. - A cute bag that’s heavy before anything goes in it: The empty bag counts toward everything you’ll have to carry. Lightweight wins. - A giant wallet: Keep the cards, ID and cash you need; leave the accumulation behind. - An extensive skincare routine, oils and leak-prone bottles: I don’t want a whole bathroom in my backpack, or one loose cap affecting everything else. The small products I do bring still need secure lids and containment. BEFORE YOU FLY - Check the packed bag against every airline/fare allowance; include room for a small purse inside. - Check all departure, connection and return airport liquids rules. Hand sanitizer counts. - Check medicine ingredients, quantities and packaging against destination and transit rules. - Keep the power bank in the cabin; check recalls and your airline’s capacity, quantity and use rules. - A plug adapter does not convert voltage. Check device input ratings. Official sources and current checked date are linked in the full guide.