6 Packing Hacks for Solo Travel
Q: Are there any special things I should pack for a solo trip?
A: The short answer is… kind of?
Some items become even more important to pack when you’re traveling alone, most of which relate to safety. Check out my solo travel pre-departure checklist for some solo travel safety tips! That being said, I’d actually argue that how you pack for a solo trip is probably more important than what you pack!
Spoiler alert: you should pack light for solo travels!
Below are my top 6 packing hacks for solo travel!
Keep things light.
When packing for a solo trip, I always prep for an imaginary scenario where I’ve boarded an empty airplane without any gracious people around to help me hoist my suitcase into the overhead bin… can I lift my bag above my head on my own? Unnecessarily heavy items like curling irons get left at home. This helps ensure that I can manage myself during unforeseen travel challenges (like a hotel without an elevator)!
Carry-on only!
The best way to keep things light is to start with a relatively small suitcase; carry-on luggage is ideal for solo travel!! You’re also preemptively avoiding that dreaded situation where the airline loses your bag for four days, without any travel companions to borrow clothes from.
Quick access to key documents.
When solo traveling, I’m extra conscious of where all my important travel documents and money reside. You know that person sitting on the floor of the airport with a wide-open suitcase searching for their passport?? When you’re traveling alone, that scene isn’t just a tad embarrassing… it’s a safety hazard! You’ve now just flagged yourself as an easy tourist target!! When I pack my backpack for a flight or pack my purse for a day of city explorations, I take a little extra time to ensure my money, passport, phone, hotel key, etc. are all EXTREMELY accessible.
Roll don’t fold.
You’ve probably heard this before, and you’ll hear it again here. Rolling your clothes into baby burritos is the absolute BEST way to save space while packing. You’ll be able to bring twice as many tops! That being said, as someone who appreciates fashion, I always make sure to bring a couple of travel-sized bottles of wrinkle-release spray. I find my travel-sized steamer to be too damn heavy for solo trips.
Shoes are not your friends.
At least not while traveling! They’re weighty, take up space, and can’t be rolled! Pick two pairs of shoes that can match with every packed outfit. I typically allow myself three pairs if the third pair is either flip flops for a hostel shower or heavy hiking boots with laces that can be swung over my shoulder. Or if I’m heading somewhere fancy where I NEED a pair of heels.
Strategize your outfits!!
This is BY FAR, my number one trick! Avoid last-minute packing and take time to strategize your outfits!! Ensure that nearly every top can be worn with nearly every bottom, plus one logical pair of shoes and/or accessories. Realistically, you can’t predict every outfit need for your trip, and you have to be prepared for all levels of formality and comfort. The best way to do that is to create 24+ different outfit possibilities out of a limited number of items. I like to pick 1-2 shoe colors (black, white, tan, etc.) and then make sure everything else that I pack matches them. For example, if I decide to pack a black pair of sandals, the dresses/tops/pants that I pack must all work well with those black shoes! Otherwise, those items are OUT! Believe me, you’ll be grateful while traveling to see the MANY more outfit options that end up in your suitcase!
What sort of packing hacks do you have? Share in the comments!
