YOUR HOME AWAY 
Packing for a short trip is stressful enough. There’s always a worry in the back of your head that you’ve forgotten something, even though you’ve double-checked everything. But packing for a long trip is a whole other beast.
It can be difficult to figure out where to start when packing for a long trip, whether it’s for work or pleasure. This guide breaks down exactly how to pack for a long trip, so you can go into your extended stay feeling prepared.
There are so many packing tips for long trips out there, but the first one always boils down to starting with the essentials. This is the most important step, and you’ll likely return to it as you figure out what to pack for a long trip. But it’s a good starting point because it allows you to focus on bringing only what you need.
Before you get to clothes, think about the other necessities. For instance, you may want to designate a spot for all your travel documents and currency. At a minimum, you will need your passport, driver’s license, or picture ID. You should also have some cash on hand and a credit or debit card. Other important travel documents include a health insurance card, the reservation for your hotel, and transportation tickets.
Next up is toiletries. The basics include:
Finally, consider what type of technology devices you should bring. If you’re packing a phone, laptop, tablet, or camera, you’ll need the appropriate chargers for each. An electric converter or adapter can help you save space here.
Before you start picking outfits for your trip, set aside some time to research the weather at your destination. The time of year will dictate your clothing choices for the most part, especially if you will be spending a lot of time outside. But you should pack a few outfits for any type of climate condition.
Here is a shortlist of what to consider:
If you’re feeling lost, it’s a safe bet to pack a lot of lightweight clothing you can layer. Zip-up hoodies, jackets, and cardigans are also great because you can easily put them on or take them off as needed. This will help you adjust to changing weather, no matter what it throws at you.
You might remember to pack a short book or download a podcast to entertain you while traveling, but during an extended stay, you should also consider bringing some form of entertainment for the hotel room. There’s nothing worse than killing downtime by flipping through the same three local TV channels.
Think about what types of hobbies you enjoy at home. Can you bring them with you? If you are reading a book series, bring more than one to keep you busy. If you’re watching a television show, try downloading multiple episodes to your phone or laptop. If you love video games, pack a portable system and charge it before you leave.
When thinking about how to pack for long trips, many people don’t factor in food. You might think this is something you’ll figure out when you arrive, but this may lead to making unhealthy meal choices. For a short vacation, dining out every night is fine, but for an extended stay, you should create a food plan to keep your diet in check.
To start, you may want to set a budget you’re willing to spend on food during your stay. Factor in breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a minimum, and add in a little wiggle room for snacks and desserts.
Then, you should research food in the area. Does the hotel you’re staying at offer free breakfast? Is there a restaurant at the hotel, and does it provide a meal package? What restaurants are in the surrounding area, what are their menus like, and how are the prices? And finally, is there a convenience store or a grocery store nearby where you can buy ingredients or cheap meals?
Once you have an idea of what’s in the area, you can make a list of healthy snacks or microwave meals you can pack and bring with you. This will help you stay under budget and maintain a good diet.
If you’re having trouble keeping track of everything you need to pack for a long trip, you may want to use an extended stay checklist. This will make it easy to cross off each item as you pack, so you don’t forget anything.
If you’d like to personalize your long term travel packing list, try laying out everything you plan on bringing across a bed or a table. Go through each item one by one, and write them all down. Once you have a complete list, you can start to think through what you absolutely need to bring with you.
Chances are you’ll find items you planned to pack, but on second thought, you likely won’t have time to use them or don’t need them at all. Remove these unneeded items from the list and start to narrow it down. This will help you save space and reduce excess baggage.
Packing for a long trip is a big task, but hopefully, these tips will make it simpler and less stressful for you. Now that you know how to pack for a long trip, stay focused on the journey ahead of you and getting the most out of the experience.
If you’re worried about feeling homesick while you’re away, learn how to turn your time at the hotel into a comfortable extended stay. And don’t forget to enjoy the trip!