The Ultimate Packing Guide for Digital Nomads & Remote Workers
How to Travel Lighter, Work Smarter, and Live Freely Anywhere in the World
As a digital nomad, packing is different from packing for a holiday. This is your life, your office, and your mobility all carried on your back or case and if you are minimalist enough into your carry-on which some people do. The goal isn’t just to travel light — it’s takes on a mindful and intentional approach to travel smart, stay productive, and feel at home wherever you land.
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After Ten years of living and working on the road, and before that traveling was my job for 20 years of being a flight attendant with different companies internationally and domestically and living and working in other parts of the world, I can easily say travel has been my life. And to be honest, packing is the hardest thing when you don’t have a guide or you think like a tourist because it is a really different mindset, but let’s dive into that another day.
Randomly, I would also add, that I am a roller not folder, (of cloths when I pack.) When I discovered the rolling of my cloths I found I could fit more in. It is the best way for me, but you might be different. In this blog I outline some suggestions of the packing system that actually works for me and for digital nomads and remote workers (without the fluff).
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Some would say…“If it doesn’t fit in the carry-on, I don’t need that kind of stress in my life.”
But everyone is traveling in their own style to suit their own needs so these are just ideas from experience.
Pict: Unsplash
Pack Like a Minimalist With a System
Sounds easy but, let’s get real it will take some time to figure out what works for you and you will tweak it as you go. To give you an idea of what I mean with my own experience of traveling most of my adult life, I am still adapting to all the changes but I have found what works for me. Because believe it or not you will choose products and make decisions around what you need at the time. I really love clothing that has pockets and has the ability to use it for other things.
I think the secret to long-term travel isn’t owning less — it’s about change and adaptability and knowing exactly what you need and where it goes.
Here are some ideas you can start with:
A 35–40L carry-on backpack
A compact daypack
A couple of packing cubes
One dedicated tech pouch
A simple rule: If you don’t use it weekly, don’t pack it. If you haven’t used it in three months ditch it, give it away because someone else might love it and use it! Every item earns its place.
“Pack for the life you’re living, not the life your Instagram thinks you have.”
Your Mobile Office: The Essential Tech Kit
Your tech setup is the backbone of your remote lifestyle. My tech setup is an android phone (old phone for backup just incase), Microsoft surface pro 12 ich with detachable keyboard touch screen and it fits snuggly into my backpack and is very light weight, an iPad and two sets of wireless headphones extension cord, and powerboard and multi country plug, charging cords, mouse and I may add a smartwatch but have not to date. Your tech will change as you go so invest in good quality tech, and as tech gets better it will change. Invest in the good stuff to keep in minimalistic, protect it, and keep it organised. Here are some Nomad-tested essentials: (Keep in mind you will find what works for you just give it time, there is no one size fits all!)
Laptop + lightweight stand
External keyboard & mouse
Universal travel adapter
USB-C hub or dongle
Power bank (20,000mAh or more)
Noise-cancelling headphones
Backup SSD or secure cloud storage
Small surge protector (yes, it saves gear)
Pro tip: Photograph serial numbers for insurance before you leave.
“Pack light. Travel far.”
A Capsule Wardrobe That Works Everywhere
Honestly again, this takes time and experience. You don’t need a suitcase full of clothes — you need a wardrobe that mixes, matches, and works across climates, quality and not quantity.
So many people have contacted me before coming to travel as a nomad and I always say “pack with an almost empty case or even just carry on baggage and work out what you want as you go, buy what you need as you go.
I have some funny little rules for myself like, I am mad about pockets so much that I have a rule not to by anything without pockets. If I buy something I need to give something away. I also love natural fibers where I can and scarfs because they have multi uses for summer and winter.
For example: Don’t carry pajamas because it only has one use. Instead I carry pants or dresses you can use as pajamas and where out also.The other reason for that is if I have to get up in the middle of the night for some random reason I wont look half respectable in a pair of normal black track pants or , we expect for my crazy hair but that’s fixed with a beany or cap. A denim jacket is useful too.
Aim for 7 days of outfits:
2–3 quick-dry shirts
1–2 durable, comfortable pants
1 pair of shorts or Pants that you can zip off the pant legs is even better
A smart casual outfit or dress for work calls/dinners
Comfortable walking shoes + sandals ( I am not really a sandals kind I take rubber thongs or flip-flops for showering or on the beach again it’s a person thing you just need to feel comfortable)
A packable rain jacket
Reversible items
Natural fibers I like fine wool or cotton
If you can stick to a single colour palette so everything pairs easily that’s great but really just go with your personality and go hey there are not rules, it’s your gig, so go with your flow.
“Less stuff, more life.”
Pic: Unsplash
The “One-In, One-Out” Rule
Every nomad knows the trap: your bag gets heavier the longer you travel. So make sure you keep it simple. Here’s the thing, I use to have the closet that had everything and 50+ pairs of shoes, now I have just a few shoes, and a few jackets and every time I move I take the opportunity to review my things and get rid of anything that is not being used.
Avoid this by living one simple rule:
Buy one thing → remove one thing.
It keeps your bag light, your travel easy, and your decisions simple.
“Your bag should hold dreams, not clutter.”
A Small Health & Comfort Kit Goes a Long Way
Little things matter when you’re constantly changing environments.
Packing ideas for health and wellness:
Basic first aid kit
Electrolytes, magnesium, hydralyte I take iodine everywhere with me if I can
Microfibre towel
Eye mask (or use a scarf) + earplugs (a must for hostels and hotels or when sharing a room)
Essential oils is my choice- Tea tree Oil (antiseptic), Lavender Oil Good for sleep and antiseptic), clove oil for gums and toothache), Oregano oil (antibiotic of the plant world), Peppermint oil for cramping and I use it on my toothbrush. Geranium oil (protect from ticks and bugs use it in carrier oil as perfume) use 100% pure essential oils. These small essentials and comforts make unfamiliar places feel like home and keeps you safe from harm.
“Freedom fits in a carry-on.”
Create an Always-Ready Travel Kit
Keep a small bag ready for transit days, I have a foldable pack that folds into a tiny pouch and hang it on my backpack (main handbag) so you never scramble again. Use a reusable shopping bag for your dirty laundry bag and I will use any plastic bags from fruit and veg purchases for toiletry liquids and shoe bags. Think about a double use for everything, think about how you can reuse it.
Include in your packing:
Passport + documents
Snacks (or I use my travel time to fast)
Water bottle (it depends on where you travel, if you are in countries that don’t have clean water and you have to buy water then reuse then I reuse the bottles. I personally stopped carrying a reusable bottle because I often have to buy water and will reuse the bottles where I can. They can take up alot of space, but again it is what you are comfortable with.
Pen + small notebook
Hygiene essentials
Mask for polluted cities
I always have these things in my backpack and not always a Snack. These things I have listed turns chaotic travel days into calm, organised transitions.
“Travel light — you can’t buy back time.”
Make Digital & Physical Backups of Everything
It’s a no brainer I know but it’s worth talking about. Your digital life runs your real life — protect it. Get your insurance ready before travel because some countries will not allow you to enter without it.
Back up:
Passport & visas
Insurance
Contracts
Emergency contacts
Hard drives
Cloud storage
VPNs
ETA, ETAS Electronic Travel Atheisation) each country has it’s own name for it but it is a private eVisa application online for travelers and it’s all done online and can hold the digital copy, and lasts a few years but check for updates before travel.
Save digital copies securely in the cloud and keep a physical copy hidden in your bag.
“The lighter the bag, the louder the adventure.”
Pack for Your Work Style
Not all nomads work the same, because we all have different demands on our work. Some people need more gear than others but these days with tech you need less and less because your smart phone is super smart.
If you’re a:
Content creator: bring a tripod, lav mic, extra SD card, drone
Designer: portable second screen
Remote manager/coach: quality webcam + good audio
Writer: comfortable keyboard is a must
Founder: portable second screen, back up hard drives,
Remote worker: portable second screen
Depending on your needs and how you like to work is Your workflow determines your gear. Choose what helps you perform at your best.
“Pack only what makes your soul comfortable.”
Connectivity Tools
This one is a tricky one because it really depends on your situation with visas and type of gear. We have a residency in France so we have a FREE Mobile package that works in most places in europe or we use the eSIMs from Nomad Stays MarketPlace.
Stay connected effortlessly:
eSIM apps
SIM ejector tool
Backup local SIM
Offline maps
Translation apps
A little prep saves headaches on arrival. In saying that I have done the on the fly thing too and well things still work out. I am not a big planner I like to dive in and work it out as I go. However, I know that scares people so that’s why I am sharing these ideas.
Pro Tip: Don’t overthink it!
“You can’t pack courage, but you should bring it.”
Your Departure Routine (Don’t Skip This)
Having travelled full time now for over 10 years and before that I was traveling every week as an international flight attendant all these lifestyles and travel routines are different for me, but their is a specific routine.
Your departure routine will always change depending on where you are and how you are traveling but some things are routine. When you move often, it’s easy to leave things behind. If your are flying you will have a routine for that, organising a way to the airport and what you take with you.
For me I wear the same pair of pants with cargo pockets so that I can put my passport and ticket and phone in my pocket, my shoes are easy slip on and off and my computer and hand luggage are the same. If I am taking a large jacket I will carry that and I always have a scarf on me for putting over my head when I sleep on the plane, I use a cotton or natural fibers scarf usually a large one that I can use multi use.
It’s funny I don’t really think about my funny little routines but writing this I realised it’s become so habitual I didn’t even know it. My different modes of travel I do different things, If I am riding my motorbike I have another routine and driving I have a driving cap for example.
But before checking out generally, always check:
Outlets
Under the bed
Behind doors
Bathroom shelves
Workspace for chargers
Of course losing a charger or passport or not having the correct paperwork, vignettes or visas can derail your whole trip. So think about your routine, I am sure you have one for each mode of travel that you never realised you had.
“Adventure begins the moment the zipper closes.”
Pack According to Your Destination — Then Adjust
Don’t overpack for climates you’re not in yet. It depends on your activities when you get there as to what is most appropriate for you.
SE Asia: breathable, light clothing
Europe in winter: buy warm layers there, donate when leaving
Latin America: bring locks + extra power bank, spare phone
Australia: light clothing and always a jacket for rain hail or wind
Africa: very basic stuff not too flashy, Old phone
Pack what’s hard to find or expensive at your destination — and buy the rest when needed.
“Travel light enough to chase new paths.”
Carry a Mini Toolkit
A small repair kit solves half the problems nomads face:
Safety pins
Zip ties
Mini duct tape
Tiny screwdriver
Laundry line + detergent sheets
You’ll use these more than you expect.
In saying all this…“Pack like you’re fleeing the country… on a budget airline.”
The Bottom Line Is Keep it simple!
Packing as a digital nomad isn’t about taking everything — it’s about taking the right things. A lean, intentional packing system frees you to move easier, work better, and enjoy more of the world with less friction.
If you build the right setup, every new destination becomes effortless.
“I travel light — emotionally and physically.”
Adventure on! STAY connected and travel with Nomad Stays
Written by Linda A. McCall – Contemporary Nomad exploring the world to see what’s possible. Living my life simulation to my best ability and finding ways to give back as I serve you and the world with love and light
Hey, here is a Fun Quiz if you read the article, don’t bother if you didnt the answers are in the article above: https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/a3babd33-783c-4bea-8a84-acd980f95b0d?artifactId=16e95eae-c428-42aa-a567-ac25b8db2d99
