We’ve assembled the ultimate digital nomad packing list if you embark on a nomadic lifestyle. You may wonder how to condense everything into a 50-lb (22-kg) checked bag and one carry-on for your outward-bound flight.
Determining what items suit various situations across diverse climates can be overwhelming. Chances are you’ve already overpacked. We know we certainly did! But after years on the road and many miles traveled, we’ve honed our packing skills.
We’ve learned that you don’t need nearly as much as you think. And we’re here to share our tips and tricks for packing digital nomad essentials. You can use this to ensure you have everything before your first destination.
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Our Ultimate Digital Nomad Packing List
Our list is comprehensive. You will only need some items—we suggest you tailor the list to your needs and travel plans. Our best piece of advice for packing is to show restraint. You usually won’t need nearly as much as you think!
Many essential or day-to-day items can be inexpensive and easily found abroad, so there is no need to waste weight and space in your pack. This is especially true for hygiene supplies. They’re heavy and bulky, and you can easily buy them at your destination. You can consider buying them on arrival if they’re not specialty items.
We generally buy quality, affordable, environmentally friendly products when we can. We also shop locally and support small businesses. Many countries also have electronic recycling and clothes donation options if we upgrade what’s in our bags.
Travel Documents
As a digital nomad, remote worker, or long-term traveler, there are essential travel documents you should pack:
- Passport and Identification (ID) Cards: Your valid passport is the most vital document you need for international travel. Make sure it has at least six months of validity remaining. Also, bring national ID cards, driver’s licenses, or other government-issued identification documents.
- Travel Visas: You may need visas depending on your nationality and destination. Research visa requirements for each country well before your trip and get the necessary ones in advance. Processing them can take time. Find out if you need a Schengen Visa if you’re going to Europe.
- Work Visas or Permits: You may need extra work visas, permits, or licenses, such as a digital nomad visa, remote work visa, or freelance and contractor permit.
- Foreign Currency and Banking Cards: It’s best to have some foreign currency or US or EU dollars on hand that you can convert. We like to travel with some of the latter in case of emergencies. Also, bring your debit and credit cards.
- Travel Insurance Documents: Carry digital and physical copies of your travel insurance details and policies.
- Vaccination Records: If required for entry, have proof of any necessary vaccinations, like a vaccination certificate or card.
- Travel Itineraries, Tickets, and Reservations: Keep a copy of your travel itinerary, flight or train tickets, hotel reservations, and other booking confirmations handy. We used to print out hard copies, but we now organize everything virtually and email copies of itineraries to each other and our families.
- Emergency and Bank Contacts: Have a list of emergency contacts of family or friends and numbers to contact your bank and credit card providers. A laminated card can be handy to put in your wallet or purse.
Organize Digital Copies
Make digital copies of all your essential documents and store them securely on a USB drive or in the cloud if you need to access them remotely. Keep your documents safe, organized, and easily accessible physically and digitally. This ensures a smooth and hassle-free digital nomad journey.
In addition to a physical passport wallet and portfolio sleeve, we use virtual wallets, Apple and One Drive cloud services, and Dropbox. Some people smartly carry their passports and all their plane items in a fanny pack to easily access them and keep them safe.
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Remote Work Equipment
Here’s the essential remote work equipment you should pack as a digital nomad. Consider the weight and size of the equipment you choose to bring:
- Reliable Laptop and Smartphone: A robust laptop is a must-have. Consider a model with a long battery life and good performance. We’ve always used Apple MacBooks. They’re more expensive but lightweight and perform well. We recommend getting the latest with as much memory as you can afford so they last a while, and buy Apple Care. Also, remember to buy a laptop sleeve. An up-to-date smartphone is also best for taking advantage of the latest travel apps.
- Chargers, Cable, and Adapters: Pack your laptop charger and any chargers and cables for your other devices. An ethernet cable has proven helpful in maintaining high internet speeds for Tammy’s video calls as an English teacher. Access to Apple products and servicing can be difficult in some countries. They can also be more costly in Europe. We recommend bringing backup chargers or cables if you’re traveling long-term in less developed or remote areas with limited access to tech. It’s also best to have a few universal power adapters for different countries.
- Headphones or Earbuds: High-quality noise-canceling ones can help you focus in loud places like cafes. Deegy has an affordable pair of EarFun Air Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Earbuds. They’re not 100% noise-cancelling, but they have served me well. Tammy is content buying any earbuds that feel comfortable in her ear.
- External Hard Drive: Bring a portable external hard drive to store important files, documents, and backups. We recommend LaCie’s Rugged Mini 2TB Portable External Hard Drive.
- Power Banks: A high-capacity power bank can charge your devices on the go, especially when access to power outlets is limited. It’s also helpful in still-developing countries where blackouts may occur. They were lifesavers when we experienced power outages in Georgia and Morocco. We have an Anker PowerCore 10,000 Portable Charger for everyday use with our smartphones. We also have a larger-capacity Anker Power Bank 20,000 Portable Charger for our laptops. Both have lasted us a long time!
- Portable Ring Light: If video calls are a part of your job, a travel ring light is essential to enhance your lighting. Quality of lighting can vary in accomodations.
- Wi-Fi Extender or Mobile Hotspot (Optional): Consider a portable mobile hotspot or Wi-Fi extender to ensure reliable internet access. These are especially helpful in areas with spotty Wi-Fi. We’ve managed to get by without one but recently purchased a GL.iNet GL-MT3000 to see if it helps to work in different rooms far from routers. We’ve managed to get by using our smartphones as hotspots when we’re in a bind.
- Optional Desk Accessories: A portable laptop stand, keyboard, mouse, and mousepad can create a more comfortable and ergonomic workspace. If you do video calls, a dedicated webcam and microphone can provide better quality than built-in laptop components. But these are all items we’ve managed to do without. We suggest investing in a quality laptop instead and using available light as best as possible.
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Versatile and Comfortable Clothing
When selecting your travel wardrobe, prioritize fashion that is also functional and multi-purpose. If you can wear the same outfit for sightseeing, hiking, and a trip to the supermarket—that’s the kind of intelligent choice we’re talking about.
Opt for items that can be mixed and matched, giving you a wide range of outfit options from a minimal number of items. This saves space in your luggage and ensures you’re prepared for any activity or occasion during your trip.
Select clothing made of lightweight, quick-dry fabrics for added convenience and practicality. These fabrics are a traveler’s best friend as they launder easily and don’t take up much space in your pack.
Dryers are rare in many countries, and drying clothing in humid or cold climates can be challenging. By choosing versatile clothing, you equip yourself for any travel situation, making your journey more enjoyable and stress-free.
- Comfortable Footwear: Quality shoes are a must for any trip, especially if you plan on doing a lot of walking. Tammy has running shoes and hikers, while Deegy gets by with lightweight trail hikers. In our travel abroad, we’ve found varying quality and availability of shoe sizes, so invest in footwear that will last. And be sure to break in footwear, especially hiking boots, well before you go! It can be a tough choice between waterproof and breathable shoes. We appreciate the former in most places, but the latter is nice to have in hot, humid climates.
- Socks and Underwear: Pack enough socks and underwear for between laundry days. Consider quick-drying, moisture-wicking options. We like to have a good pair of comfy hiking socks and standard ones.
- Versatile Tops: Make practical choices with comfortable t-shirts, button-down shirts, and lightweight sweaters or blouses. These can be layered and dressed up or down, making them perfect for various occasions and helping you pack light. You’ll be prepared for any situation.
- Durable Bottoms: Pack a pair of high-quality, wrinkle-resistant pants. These can withstand frequent wear and washing, ensuring comfort and convenience. Deegy wears a comfortable pair of khakis from Patagonia as an everyday pant.
- Comfortable Dresses and Skirts: Include a few versatile dresses and skirts that can be dressed up or down for different occasions.
- Lightweight Jacket or Sweater: Bring a packable, lightweight jacket for air-conditioned planes, buses, and changing weather conditions. We like to keep lightweight long-sleeve pullovers or hoodies on hand as an extra layer.
- Beach, Rain, or Cold-Weather Gear: Bring weather-appropriate items for various travel destinations. We pack waterproof jackets, travel umbrellas, and hoodies (as a warm layer). You can always pick up an extra layer if needed in colder climates.
- Workout and Leisure Clothes and Swimwear: Pack activewear, like leggings, shorts, and moisture-wicking tops, for exercise or leisure activities. Deegy has hiking pants that can be converted to shorts. We also have comfy pairs of sweatpants or yoga pants. Tammy’s a big fan of Under Armour ankle leggings. And, of course, we pack shorts, flip-flops, swim trunks, and bathing suits. Some of these items double as sleepwear for us.
- Accessories: Remember to pack accessories like sunglasses, hats, or scarves. Deegy’s SMITH sunglasses have nicely held up for over six years of travel, and a hat is a must-have for him on sunny days. A lightweight scarf gets Tammy through a multitude of situations. Do you have to cover your shoulders, head, or legs for sightseeing in churches or mosques? Do you need to dress up your multi-purpose T-shirt or sundress for a Zoom meeting? Do you want to layer up in a colder destination or cover up a bathing suit at the beach? One pretty scarf or shawl covers all your bases! Again, look for them in local bazaars and markets when you travel.
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A final piece of advice from Coco Chanel: “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take at least one thing off.” When you think you’re done packing, remove at least one piece of clothing from your bag. It should be more like five! You only need a couple of mix-and-match outfits for cold and hot weather.
Health, Hygiene, and Sleep Items
Staying healthy and getting enough sleep is essential, especially when you travel and move around as a digital nomad. You sometimes come across sub-optimal conditions. Here are some recommended health, hygiene, and sleep items to pack:
- Water Bottle and Bladder: This helps you keep hydrated and is, of course, better for the environment. Deegy loved his YETI Rambler for many years but lost it while traveling. He’s now happy with his downsized Klean Kanteen water bottle, which is slimmer and easier to carry. Tammy has an environmentally friendly SIGG water bottle. Deegy also lugs around a 2L Platypus water bladder for long-distance hikes or bike rides. (Also helpful to buy a bladder cleaning kit and water bottle cleaning tablets.)
- Travel Towel: A quality quick-dry travel towel is handy for the beach and as a backup.
- Toiletries: We recommend buying toiletries upon arrival to save space in your bags and lighten your load. Consider eco-friendly options and multi-purpose toiletries to maximize space. But do some research because specialty items or brands you’re used to might be out of stock. Deegy plans to switch to a safety razor and shaving soap instead of reusable razors and shaving cream. In the meantime, Deegy uses shampoo that accommodation provides to lather. We also carry nail clippers, files, and tweezers.
- Feminine Hygiene Supplies: While pads of at least a couple varieties are usually easily found in most countries, tampons or a DIVA cup are only sometimes easy to come by. We recommend you bring a suitable supply when traveling outside Western countries if it’s essential.
- First Aid Kit: Prepare for any minor injuries or illnesses while traveling. You can find a first-aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, and bandaids.
- Medication: It is always prudent to bring several months of any necessary medication with you abroad. Countries differ in the availability of certain drugs and brands and in whether you need a prescription from a local doctor. We recommend researching your situation beforehand and always “err on the side of caution.” Generally, it’s always good to pack pain relievers and allergy pills. We’ve also experienced the discomfort of an upset stomach due to changes in diet and water quality while traveling. Having probiotics or digestive supplements can be a game-changer for maintaining gut health. We found activated charcoal capsules invaluable during our trip to India.
- Portable Hand Sanitizers and Face Masks: We use hand sanitizer when we use buses and trains, while we’re out in public spaces, or after using shared amenities. We also still use facemasks when people are coughing in transit.
- Earplugs and Sleep Mask: These little heroes can transform sleep quality in transport and unfamiliar environments. Accommodation quality varies even when you plan your best. Earplugs help you deal with noisy neighbors and traffic noise, while a sleep mask helps when your place doesn’t have blackout curtains. These ensure you wake up refreshed and ready for your adventures.
- Inflatable Neck Pillow: This is good for long flights or bus rides. Look for a neck pillow that you can easily pack and carry.
- Travel-Sized Laundry Detergent: Travel detergent can be helpful when washing clothes on the go or doing sink laundry.
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Optional Travel Gear, Electronics, and Tools
These, of course, depend on your interests and needs.
- Exercise Equipment: We share a yoga mat. As a personal trainer and fitness instructor, Tammy uses and recommends packing both a TRX system with a door attachment and resistance bands.
- Smartwatch: Deegy has an Apple Watch Series 8. The watch’s built-in fitness tracking capabilities let him track his steps, workouts, heart rate, and sleep. This has been especially useful for trying to maintain an active lifestyle. Deegy also finds notifications and responding to messages helpful without constantly pulling out his phone.
- Camera: Use what you have, even if that’s your smartphone. Deegy switched from a heavier DSLR to a lighter mirrorless camera, which has made a world of difference for a more manageable travel load. Deegy now uses a Nikon Z50 APS-C camera with two kit lenses—a 16–50mm and a 50–200mm. Read Deegy’s article which reviews the best travel camera for beginners and enthusiasts.
- E-sim: These are becoming increasingly accessible and affordable. We’ve noticed that T-Mobile is also starting to offer e-sims in different countries. We recommend them for those times you’re traveling through multiple countries. They can save you the time and hassle of getting a physical sim. We bought a worldwide yearly e-sim for when we’re crossing borders and have yet to get a cheaper, physical sim. Airalo e-sims have worked nicely as a backup.
- E-reader: We have a Kobo e-reader that helps keep our packs lighter instead of lugging around books. Tammy still likes to buy and read physical books. But this has been a good backup when she can’t buy books. We’ve also found the Kobo Plus plan a good deal. It includes many Lonely Planet books and some other gems. You can buy an e-reader case to make it feel more like a book. We also bought a microSD card for the Kobo to store many books!
- Swiss Army Knife: When flying, keep this in your checked bag, not your carry-on. Deegy received a simple Swiss Army knife for one of his work anniversaries in Canada. It has proved to be very helpful in various situations. We take it with us on hikes to cut up fruit, and the small scissors came in handy, too. We recommend the Swiss Army knife with a can opener!
- Electronics Tool Kit: We encountered problems with our laptops, household items, and glasses, so an electronics screwdriver set was helpful. If you’re using new gear, it’s perhaps less vital. This falls under the Boy Scouts’ motto of being prepared. It doesn’t hurt to have it.
Best Travel Bags and Accessories
Here are some recommendations for the best travel bags and accessories for digital nomads:
- Main Luggage: We’ve used high-quality backpacking bags as we’ve trekked overseas. Deegy liked his old Deuter Futura Air Trek 60+10 backpack. It was durable and lasted me a long time. Tammy enjoyed her old Deuter Aircontact 45+10 Backpack. She has a small frame, and it fits her well. But we had to replace these over the years due to wear and tear, even after patching them up. Deegy found another favorite with a Forclaz travel backpack. Tammy found a reliable, budget brand in Quechua through Decathalon.
- Carry-On Bag: It’s essential to have a carry-on bag that meets size restrictions. Look for features like padded laptop compartments, organizational pockets, and comfortable straps. As a travel photographer, Deegy has found the Lowepro Fastpack PRO BP 250 AW III 31L to be a perfect fit. Lowepro also has a smaller, cheaper option. Tammy swears by her Quechua carry-on bag for its practicality and durability.
- Small Daypack or Tote Bag: A versatile daypack is a digital nomad’s best friend for day-to-day use, short trips, or as a secondary bag. Look for ones with both handheld and shoulder straps for easy carrying. Brands like Patagonia offer stylish and functional options. Deegy’s Osprey Daylite is the perfect balance of size and functionality. He uses it for errands and day hikes. Tammy’s Quechua daypack is her go-to for its versatility and comfort.
- Packing Cubes: Investing in high-quality travel cubes can maximize space and organize your main bag. I’ve used brands like Eagle Creek and Forclaz, and AmazonBasics has a decent budget option. Deegy likes to use these to organize his clothes. He finds them really easy to take in and out of his bag.
- Tech Organizers: A dedicated pouch or organizer for cables, chargers, dongles, and other electronics helps keep you organized. We have several electronics pouches to keep cords and accessories organized. We also keep a small case in our carry-on for items we want readily available. We can throw another heavy-duty electronic pouch into a checked back with backup cables and components. Deegy uses a Lowepro case for his camera gear. Peak Design has an excellent compact option, too.
- Toiletry and Laundry Bags: Separate bags or compartments for toiletries and dirty laundry help keep the rest of your bags clean. BAGSMART and TRIPPED have excellent toiletry bags. Look for a packable, water-resistant laundry bag. We have a COCOON bag that’s lasted a long time and doubles as a beach bag.
- Luggage Tags and Apple Air Tags: A unique luggage tag can help identify your luggage and provide contact information if you lose it. For peace of mind, we recommend throwing an Apple Air Tag in them so you can track them if needed. We opted for the four-pack to save a bit of money.
The key is to find bags and accessories that are durable, functional, and able to withstand frequent use. A digital nomad lifestyle can be demanding. Look for features like water resistance, comfortable fit, and effortless organization.
Deuter, Gregory, and Forclaz are our favorite brands for large travel backpacks. We also recommend smaller Gregory hydration backpacks and Osprey for smaller bags.
For photographers, Deegy recommends LowePro camera bags for rugged travel and Peak Design bags for urban areas. These are all well-known, good-quality bags to invest in.
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What’s on Our Ultimate Digital Nomad Packing Lists?
In addition to the products listed above, we wanted to give you a glimpse into our bags. Here are some essentials we can’t do without.
As a fitness and outdoor enthusiast, Tammy prioritizes comfort, durability, and fun styles. As a travel photographer and less fashionable traveler, Deegy likes quality products but sticks to the basics.
What’s in Tammy’s Bags?
- A MacBook Air M2 (16GB RAM and 256GB storage) to teach English and write fitness articles
- An unlocked 2nd Generation 64GB iPhone SE, (not a great phone camera though)
- Merrell Women’s Moab 3 Hiking Shoes for hiking
- Saucony Women’s Ride 17 Sneakers for fitness
- Women’s Merino Wool Hiking Shirt for a good layer
What’s in Deegy’s Bags?
- A 13-inch MacBook Pro M2 (24GB RAM and 1TB storage) for editing and photography
- An unlocked 3rd Generation 64GB iPhone SE, which has a decent camera
- Salewa Men’s MS MTN Trainer LITE Trekking & Hiking Shoes (Deegy needed a month to break them in properly)
- Lightweight, long-sleeved praNa pullover as an extra layer
Our Minimalist Digital Nomad Packing List
Finally, here’s a pared-down digital nomad packing list of 10 essential items to pack with links to recommended top products. It will keep you light and functional:
- Laptop: Essential for work and communication.
- Portable Charger: Keeps your devices powered on the go.
- Smartphone: For navigation, communication, quick tasks, and photo and video taking.
- Lightweight Backpack: Durable and easy to carry, with enough space for essentials.
- Travel Adapter: Compatible with various countries to charge your devices.
- Compact Noise-Canceling Headphones: Great for focusing in busy environments.
- Notebook and Pen: This is for jotting down ideas and notes when tech isn’t handy.
- Multi-functional Clothing: Versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched (e.g., convertible pants).
- Toiletry Kit: Minimalist toiletries (toothbrush, travel-sized shampoo, etc.) in a compact bag.
- E-reader: This is perfect for reading without the bulk of physical books.
This list focuses on essentials while allowing for flexibility and comfort on the road! What are your top ten essentials for a digital nomad packing list?
We aim to provide helpful and accurate packing list tips. Please let us know if you notice any inaccuracies so we can correct them.
