Planning a trip to Dubai, but not sure what to pack? You’ve come to the right place! In this Dubai packing list I have outlined everything you need to know about what to wear in Dubai for every occasion, and what to pack accordingly. Being a Muslim country, packing for Dubai is a little different …
Packing Tips
As a full-time travel blogger and part-time tour leader I have a fair bit of experience when it comes to packing for a trip. For the last three years I have spent 6 months a year on the road, never sleeping in the same place for more than 3 nights.
Let me tell you this; the packing never becomes fun. I love travelling, seeing new places, meeting new people and ticking experiences off my bucket list, but packing and unpacking is always the same incredibly dull activity.
It can also be a bit daunting packing for your first trip abroad or to a specific country with a very different climate from home. So if you’re looking for packing advice, you’ve come to the right place!
In this section of my blog you will find all my top packing tips. This includes my favourite travel essentials and the things I take on every long flight, as well as more detailed packing list for every main destination I’ve been to.
I’ve also listed below the suitcases and backpacks I use when I travel. I’ve personally tested them and taken them all over the world, if you’re looking for a new backpack I can guarantee they’re good!
The backpacks & suitcases I travel with
My main backpack for travel is a 50L backpack by Quechua. I personally love it because it’s spacious, light and has lots of pockets, without going overboard. I can comfortably walk with it for extended periods of time (obviously not marathons but you get what I mean, up to half an hour easily) even when it’s fully packed.
It also fits on the overhead rack on planes meaning you can bring it with you as carry-on. It ultimately depends on your airline but I’ve travelled with it almost everywhere as carry-on.
It’s sturdy but also stretchy, and has padded shoulders for extra comfort and support on your back. Compared to some fancier backpacks on the market it’s also very affordable.
Click here to get your backpack for travelling!
My bumbag
Whether you call it a bumbag or a fanny pack, this is the one I travel with. And you obviously have to wear it sideways over your shoulder if you want to achieve the full Brit Abroad look.
Jokes aside, I love mine because it’s colourful, sturdy and has lots of pockets. Can’t really ask for anything else from a bumbag can you?
Click here to get your bumbag!
If I’m going away only for a weekend or somewhere fancier that I don’t need a backpack I usually travel with a smaller carry-on suitcase. I like it because it fits the carry-on sizes for all airlines I’ve travelled with, but is also quite stretchy so you can squeeze in a few extra things.
I like that it has pockets both inside and outside, which I usually use for dirty clothes or to separate things I don’t want to mix with my clothes. The four wheels also make it very easy to travel with.
Click here to get your carry-on suitcase!
My big suitcase
I very rarely travel with this suitcase, as I generally prefer to use my backpack or travel carry-on. However if I’m going away for a very long time or somewhere where I’ll be more static and not move around as much I’ll go with my 99L suitcase by Away.
I love it because the frame is very light, and doesn’t eat into your suitcase weight allowance (I usually travel light, but if I travel heavy, I travel very heavy)! It also has a rigid case, which will keep anything you put inside a bit more sheltered from the hits and bumps it’s bound to get in the hold of a plane.
The four wheels make it easy to carry around even when it’s full. I’ve never personally used it but the suitcase also has an incorporated TSA approved lock so you can keep your things safe.
It’s considered one of the best travel suitcases, and it’s easy to see why.
Click here to get your big suitcase for long trips!
My day backpack
I’ve recently started travelling with this Yamtion backpack and I love it. This is the backpack I use to keep in all my camera gear, laptop, water, snacks, and in general travel daily essentials.
One thing to note is that it’s pretty much an office backpack, with an area for your laptop. It’s perfect for me as I usually travel with my laptop, but if you’re searching for a more casual beach bag it might not be the best.
I also travel with a lot of camera gear, and wanted a sturdy backpack to hold it in. It’s not a camera backpack. I’ve tried them before but I don’t love them, since they usually don’t have enough space for all my other stuff.
This backpack is spacious, has lots of pockets, outside pouches for water bottles so that you don’t take up space inside your backpack, and is built to be sturdy and comfortable. It’s the perfect backpack if you have lots of stuff to carry on a daily basis, and you want to be comfy.
Click here to get your day-to-day travel backpack!
These are the exact backpacks or suitcases I use to travel. Read on if there’s a specific country you need packing help for, or just leave a comment if you have any questions!
My destination packing guides & tips
Lapland is a region in Northern Finland characterised by freezing temperature and a magical snowy landscape. Winter is from December to February, and the days are the shortest. The temperatures range from -16°C and 5°C during the day. At night, they can dip as low as -30°C. Snow is practically guaranteed. If you’re travelling to …
Marvellous ancient structures, its own grand canyon and even a 3100km coastline – Oman is surely one of the world’s most underrated destinations. But other than breathtaking landscapes, how much do we really know about the society’s traditions and values? When visiting the Middle East, knowing about the dress code is an important part of …
As a woman, there’s a list of travel essentials that you should always remember to pack for the next big adventure. Don’t risk leaving the absolute must-haves at home! Whether you’re going on a relaxing cruise in the Mediterranean or road-trip through Australia, certain items should always be on your packing checklist. I get …
Italy is an enchanting country with an iconic landscape (and I’m not just saying this because I’m Italian). From quaint towns to coastal villages and modern metropolis’, there is so much variety in this vast country that you can explore. After you’ve chosen your ideal Italian travel destination, the next step is figuring out …
The Philippines is a truly gorgeous holiday destination, made up of over 7640 islands of all different shapes and sizes. They’re all a little different, providing something for everyone, with beautiful white beaches, stunning viewpoints, epic waterfalls, and home to a whole host of activities like surfing, diving, hiking and many more. Thankfully, it’s a less …
Deciding what to pack for Morocco isn’t easy. Morocco is a primarily Muslim country and you always hear how as a woman you should cover yourself up, but then you also see photos online of girls twirling around the desert in skimpy dresses. So how do you know what to wear in Morocco? The most …
If you’ve found your way to this page that probably means you’re already deep into planning your Thailand trip. You’ve bought flights, booked accommodation, started browsing activities and excursions, and you’re checking the weather forecast to decide what to pack. That’s when you realised that November is actually rainy season in Thailand and one …
If you’re on this page you’re probably planning a trip to Uluru. You’ve bought tickets, booked a tour and you’re getting ready to go but you’re not sure what to pack. After all it’s a very harsh environment with big temperature swings and everyday amenities and shops are not always readily available. I’ve put together …
So you’ve finally bought flights and are soon headed on that dream trip to Iceland, but you’re probably wondering what to wear. You’re wondering what is the weather going to be like? What should I pack? The weather in Iceland continuously changes, to the point that in the same day you might experience wind, …