There's a big difference between "I might need this" and "I really need this."

It took me a long time to switch to a backpack, and for years I traveled with suitcases. More than once they got lost in airports and returned to me a few days later. But that never stopped me.

I remember buying an absolutely huge suitcase. At the time, I had become interested in snowboarding, and it seemed necessary. Then I started taking that suitcase everywhere with me — it felt like I was traveling with half of my apartment.

Once, I brought a massive blender weighing about four kilograms to a surf camp. It's funny to think about now because that's almost half the weight of the backpack I travel with today.

Minimalism helped me. I became interested in it and started to understand that when you have fewer things, life becomes easier not only physically but mentally as well. Eventually, I started traveling with just one backpack and felt a real sense of freedom.

It turned out that everything that fits into a backpack is completely enough for me.

I became more mobile. I could walk more without thinking about luggage. I no longer had to check a suitcase before boarding, stand in lines, or wait for it after landing. There turned out to be many more advantages than I expected.

Of course, when you travel with one backpack, you have to be more thoughtful about what exactly to take with you.

But that is exactly what taught me to ask myself a simple question: "Do I really need this?" And not only when traveling.

When I was passionate about fitness, I carried a fitness mat separately in a case along with my backpack for quite some time. I believed it was absolutely necessary. But eventually, I stopped taking it too.

If I really wanted to work out on a mat, I could always buy one at my destination.

That is how I gradually realized that there's a big difference between "might be useful" and "actually needed."

Over the years, my packing list has become much shorter. Now I try to take only the things I truly use.

Mini First-Aid Kit

A small set of medicines that is always with me.

Cosmetics and Toiletries

In small containers and only in the amount I need for the trip.

Water, Coffee, and Tea

Reusable water bottle
Travel mug
Mini immersion heater

The mini immersion heater has become an essential item for me. Not every hotel room has a kettle, and that still surprises me.

I also always take a few herbal tea bags. Hotels usually offer black or green tea, but in the evenings I prefer caffeine-free drinks for better sleep.

Sometimes I also take a few sachets of my favorite filter coffee. They weigh almost nothing but can make the morning feel special. The taste and aroma of familiar coffee help me feel at home anywhere in the world.

Clothing and Footwear

Rubber flip-flops
Barefoot sneakers
Leggings and shorts
Socks and T-shirts
Long-sleeve tops
Underwear and thermal underwear
Hoodie
Lightweight rain jacket or compact umbrella

ʼAlmost all of my travel clothing is lightweight and quick-drying. The only cotton items I usually keep are my sleep T-shirt and hoodie.

While traveling through Italy and Slovenia in May, I experienced several rainy days, and my clothes didn't have enough time to dry overnight. Every trip teaches something. Now I travel with clothes that dry quickly. It's one of those small things that makes traveling more comfortable.

Depending on the season, I add warmer clothes, but they are usually on me rather than in my backpack. In my backpack, I try to keep only lightweight and compact items.

Another habit of mine is choosing mostly black and dark colors for travel. They show dirt less and are much more practical on the road.

I also experimented with footwear. I love light-colored sneakers, but for travel I usually choose darker ones. After several days or weeks of walking through cities, airports, and train stations, they simply look much better. I usually travel wearing running shoes.

Technology

Phone
Backup phone or tablet
Power bank (I carry two)
Universal travel adapter
Charging device with multiple ports — a real lifesaver while traveling. You can plug everything into it at once and not have to think about what to charge first.
Headphones

For long flights, I especially appreciate noise-canceling headphones.

It is important for me to stay connected, so I tend to be cautious. One power bank is usually enough. But for solo travel, I recommend having two phones.

My backup phone has already saved me twice: once before boarding a train in Berlin, and another time when I was looking for directions in the streets of Brussels.

Since then, a second phone has earned a permanent place in my backpack.

The same goes for a travel adapter.

One evening in Cyprus, and then again in the Italian town of Trieste, while searching shops for an adapter so I could charge my phone, I realized that there are far more types of electrical outlets in the world than I would like.

Now I'm prepared for almost all of them.

Documents and Money

Passport
Several bank cards
Cash in euros
Euro coins for vending machines, public toilets, and luggage lockers

I always carry some cash in euros, even though I usually pay for everything by card. Not everywhere accepts cards or phone payments, and sometimes cash helps solve problems quickly.

It is also useful to have a few euro coins. They can come in handy for lockers, vending machines, train station toilets, or public transportation.

Useful Little Things

Pen

It takes up almost no space and can be useful anywhere: filling out documents or simply writing something down.

Band-Aids

One of those things that almost always come in handy, especially when you spend a lot of time walking.

Wet and Dry Wipes

No explanation needed — always useful.

Food Bags

This is my personal travel hack. At a hotel breakfast, I can make a sandwich for the road and put it in a bag. Convenient, economical, and useful during long journeys.

Drawstring Backpack

Very useful when you want to leave your main backpack at the hotel and go explore the city, head to the beach, or go hiking with only the essentials.

Throat Lozenges

I no longer travel without them. If your throat starts feeling irritated in a taxi, plane, bus, or train, it's very uncomfortable. Lozenges have helped me dozens of times.

Nasal Spray

This item made it onto my list after a trip to Austria. I caught a slight cold, and before going to bed my nose became completely blocked. I didn't have any nasal spray with me.

I tried everything I could: taking a hot shower, doing squats, waiting for it to improve. Falling asleep was very difficult, although I eventually managed to, but only after the second night.

That was when I decided that nasal spray would always travel with me from then on.

Snacks and Water

A bottle of water always travels with me. So do simple snacks that don't spoil easily: nuts, bars, or a banana. They always help during layovers, delays, or long journeys.

Belt Bag or Crossbody Bag

In addition to my backpack, I always carry a small bag for the most valuable things: passport, documents, cards, cash, phone, and keys.

And one more important rule for solo travel with one backpack: travel clothes should have pockets. And your hands should be free.

I like feeling mobile.

Because freedom in travel begins not only with the route you choose, but also with what you carry with you.

Thank you for reading!

From Suitcase to Backpack