In this post we share a women’s packing list for a three-week trip to Southeast Asia.
Trip Details
- 18 hour-long haul flight (nonstop, direct to destination)
- Four “commuter” flights (less than five hours) during the trip
- Carry-on style travel (some of the smaller flights have low weight restrictions where this will not be possible)
- Weather: high 80s, low 90s Fahrenheit (mid-20s-low 30s Celsius); high humidity, occasional rain showers
- 1/2 of the trip will be exploring cities (Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City)
- 1/4 of the trip will be outdoors (no intensive trekking or hiking)
- 1/4 of the trip will be on the beach
- Accommodation: hotels, villas (with access to laundry services)
- Laundry done once mid-way through the trip
Gear
- MomInside Diaper Bag Tote (can be worn as a tote, cross-body, or backpack)
- Purpose: In-flight bag & large day bag if out all day
- Ditty Co. Day Bag/Fanny Pack
- Purpose: Lightweight purse for short day outings; can be worn as a fanny pack or sling
- Kelty Redwing 40 liter pack
- Purpose: luggage that can fit overhead in most international airlines
- Packable backpack for diapers & wipes
- Packing cubes – Eagle Creek, REI or similar
This diaper tote/backpack measures 15.5 inches wide on the front and back panels x 5.5 inches on the side panels and x 14 inches tall.
This fanny pack is purpose built to hold diapers and wipes. It measures 11 inches wide in the front and back panels x 5 inches on the side panels x 5 inches tall. It also includes a baby changing pad and a belt extender. The wipes featured here are an unopened 64 wipe pack with two size 4 diapers and the fit is snug in the main pocket.
Long Haul Flight Outfit
[Items noted below are all listed in the clothing section and are NOT in an addition to what is packed in the backpack]
- Black cardigan
- Shirt
- Black joggers
- White sneakers
Clothing
Outerwear
- 1 lightweight rain shell
- 1 black cardigan
Tops
- 1 white long sleeve cover up
- 1 chambray long sleeve cover up
- 2 tank tops (black, white)
- 3 lightweight shirts with sleeves (black, white, color/patterned)
- 4 dresses – three knee-length one long sleeve midi dress (substitute two dresses with two shorts and two shirts if you don’t wear dresses)
- 1 dress slip
Bottoms
- 1 pair of leggings (for under dresses if not long enough for temples, multipurpose for beach)
- 1 pair of joggers
- 1 pair of linen pants
- 1 pair of shorts
Underwear
- 10 or so pairs of underwear
- 2 seamless bras
- 5 pairs of no show socks
- 1 lightweight pajama set
Beach
- 2 bathing suits (one piece for activities, one bikini or tankini)
- 2 bathing suit dress (or cover up, sarong)
Shoes
- 1 pair city sneakers
- 1 pair walking sandals
- 1 pair flip flops
- 1 pair of flats (substitute flip flops for flats if time is more city oriented)
Accessories
- Earrings – delicate gold hoop, delicate silver hoop (make sure they can get wet/water friendly)
- 1 lightweight scarf for covering shoulders
- 1 hat
Toiletries
- Toothbrush + (mini) toothpaste (purchase full sized when you reach)
- Floss
- Face wash
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
- Deodorant
- Hairbrush
- Hair ties & bobby pins
- After sun soothing cream
- Contact lenses
Makeup
- Eyeliner
- Mascara
- Eyebrow pencil
- Cream blush (can be blended in with fingers)
- Concealer (can be blended with fingers)
- Lip stain
- Chapstick
Tools
- Tweezers
- Cuticle trimmer
- Razor (and extra blades)
- Compact travel mirror
Mosquito bite prevention
- Repellant spray or cream
- Repellant bands
- After-bite itch relief cream
Digestion
- Imodium
- Digestive enzymes
Tricky to find/limited options when on the road:
- Deodorant
- Razor blades
- Period products
- Sunscreen
Electronics
- Google Pixel smartphone + charger
- Waterproof phone case
- Global converter
- iPad mini tablet (as a replacement for computer) + charger + case
- External battery pack + charging cord
- Corded headphones
Miscellaneous
- Wet bag
- Handful of ziplock bags
- Face mask
- Sanitizing wipes
Identity, Health, Banking & Insurance
- Passport (with applicable visas and six months+ of time before expiration)
- Global Entry card (second form of identification)
- Proof of funds (print out of last bank statement)
- Covid-vaccination card
- Charles Schwab debit card (no foreign transaction fees and refunds ATM fees)
- $100 USD converted into local currency, small bills
- World Nomads travel insurance policy and contact information (used as a secondary insurance beyond coverage at home)
- Coin purse
If staying in a hostel, plan to pack:
- Microfiber towel
- Small sleeping bag liner like the Cocoon Travel Sheet (packs down into the size of a fat deck of cards)
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body wash
- Shower flip flops
Items you can leave at home:
- Mosquito net – available for rent or free use in most hostels, hotels and b&b’s.
- Jeans – even though locals wear them, they retain moisture and can become too tight if your body swells in the heat. If you DO bring them, plan to select a looser fitting, boyfriend style cut that does not fit snug against your body.
- Polyester or synthetic clothing — does not breathe well in the humid, hot air.