Long Haul Travel

Random musings on packing, what to bring, how to bring, staying organized.

4-6 days clothes depending on laundry facilities, pajamas, outerwear, footwear.

• 6 t-shirts
• 6 underwear
• 6 socks
• jeans
• sweatpants
• pajamas
• rain coat
• long sleeve shirt
• shorts
• flip flops
• polo shirt
• kurtha
• jacket
• hat
• gloves
• swimsuit & goggle
• hat

Toiletries, travel sized and topped off, will have to separate liquids for screening, make-up.  

• toothbrush
• paste
• floss/go-between
• shaving cream
• razor
• aftershave
• hair product
• hair brush
• body wash
• shampoo
• deoderant
• lotion - Purchased refillable GoToob+ on 1/12/2023 from REI for $7

Electronics

• Cell phone/laptop and chargers, will have to keep power bank in carry on. 
• Power bank (must stay in carry on)
• Luggage scale
• International charging block

Misc

• Nail cutter and file, will have to be in checked bag
• Eyeglasses and sunglasses
• Small scissors
• Duct tape
• Electrical tape
• Lighter
• Multi-tool
• Zip lock bags
• Carabiner
• Snacks/mints
• Kleenex
• Compression calf sleeves
• Water bottle

Valuables

• Passports, keep accessible
• Currency, wallet, keep secure

Medical EDC

• Bandaids
• Neosporin
• Tums
• Hand sanitizer
• Immodium

Medical Day Trip - Add

• Advil
• Inhaler
• Insect repllent
• Eye drops
• Adhesive Wrap
• Dramamine
• Cough drops

Medical Extended Trip - Add

• Benadryl
• Itch Cream
• Cuticle Cream
• Nasal Gel
• Cold/Cough Medication

Prescription medication - As required, plus a couple of days spare

Packing

• 50 pound checked bag
• Carry on bag
• Personal item
• Apple Airpods
• Bag locks
• Packing Cubes
• Shoe bags

Stay organized with packing cubes, pouches and zip locks, be prepared to separate electronics, liquids and sharp objects, know what goes in checked bags and carry on.  Be prepared to separate liquids and electronics for airport security

Under the seat in front of you, charging cable, power bank, water bottle, snacks, mints, light jacket extra socks, moisturizer, neck pillow

Pack as 3 kg small item, 7 kg carry on and 15 kg checked bag for India domestic travel.  Nothing should be full in terms of volume.

EDC - first aid, Immodium, cash, eye glasses, hand sanitizer, wallet, mask, antacid

Water bottle, I carried a 1 liter and a 200 mL, I will buy a 500 mL for future travel.  Purchased 1/12/2023 from REI for $7.  Should be ideal.

I am planning on buying a Nero Fillo travel pillow.  I am also considering the Thermarest Lumbar pillow.

I like to carry compression calf sleeves and wear them for all flights regardless of duration.

I sometimes bring a hat, but only with a lot of outdoor activity or sporting events.

Small scissors, electrical tape, duct tape, keep these in checked baggage as they are often prohibited.  I also carried a disposable lighter for shoelace repair, but would be hesitant to pack again in the future.  It is often prohibited and did not come in handy.  I left the multi-tool at home also.  It would have been fine in checked baggage.

Measuring tape and duct tape was confiscated by Delhi Airport security from my daughters carry on.

We also traveled with a luggage scale that did come in handy.

We also carried an international charging station. that was very useful and a must travel item.  I did not need my toothbrush charger for a 2 week trip.

I like to wear a travel vest to stay organized.  I like all of the pockets and if pressed, it could even replace a carry on bag.

I also carry a few zip lock bags and a carabiner and they have mixed value.  I do keep drawstring bags that I use for shoes and odd items, but I might switch over to mesh bags as they would be see through.

The ziplocks were most handy to pack up food from the lounges to snack on later.

For outerwear, I always include a windbreaker as they are small, pack tight and provide a surprising amount of warmth.

Aside from a pair of khaki pants that I did not utilize, all of my other packed items were useful.  I did not use the sharpie or cuticle cream and I would have liked to have had lotion.

I did not use my go betweens or mouth guard and I am not sure what the repercussions of that will be, but I brushing me teeth with filtered water and would have used significantly more with my full oral regiment.   I also brought shampoo and bodywash that I did not use, but would still pack again in the future.

I would like an under seat bag that I could pull out of my backpack and am seriously considering the Patagonia 3L and 6L bags.  The 10L feels too big, but I will probably get it anyway to complete the set.  I will certainly find a use for it.  I took a look at these at REI and opted to get the 6L and 10L bags for $45 and $55 respectively.  The 3L was too small to be practical for most of the things I would pack in it.  I have not test packed it yet.

I also want to consolidate first aid supplies as EDC, day trip and extended.  My full kit fit inside a 8x5x3 inch bag (about 2L).  This is a reasonable size to pack for nearly every trip.

On the way back we had several connections and it would have been nice to brush my teeth, shave and apply fresh deodorant.  If I am checking my dopp kit, I will carry those items in my carry on.  Otherwise, I will have my dopp kit available.