Digital Nomad Packing List: Carry-On Edition
This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may make a small commission if you click through. Thanks for supporting my blog!
When I first set out on my digital nomad journey, I packed a huge suitcase full of books, clothes, and other items for my first stop in Colorado back in my 2020 quarantine roadtrip. (Ah, the pandemic chic lifestyle of roadtrips and FEAR!)
Next week, I’m about to pack a tiny lil’ baby carry-on suitcase for a month and a half in Spain. ✈️ A little bit different vibes, right?
While I still haven’t mastered the art of minimalism, I’ve learned how to ✨ pretend ✨ to my (actually) minimalist partner Kyle that I can pack light…
…while secretly still being a bit of a maximalist.
If you’re a digital nomad about to set out on a world adventure, here are my packing tips for you so that you can save money, invest in high-quality travel essentials, and also get some free flights when you pack the right travel credit card. 😎
This post does contain affiliate links and some discounts and welcome bonuses for you. Thanks for supporting my blog!
The Carry-On Suitcase Philosophy for Digital Nomads: Quality Over Quantity
Listen, if you’re a full-time traveler or remote worker of any kind, you know that your stuff has to survive many flights and jaunty adventures around the globe. 🌎 Which is why I’ve learned that quality materials and products save you money in the long run.
This is especially true for things like clothes: when you’re wearing your clothes over and over and over again — and washing them just as many times — you need things that are going to hold up in transit.
I’m not saying that expensive is necessarily better: I’ve had some old “fast fashion” pieces that have lasted longer than name brands. But I’ve generally stopped shopping at places like Zara and H&M because I’ve gotten burned by clothes that just fall apart on you like tissue paper, or warp in the wash.
Same thing with gadgets: as much as I love my books, getting a Kindle e-reader was necessary for traveling light. 📚
Your carry-on should be Marie Kondo-approved: filled with things that bring you joy, last a long time, and serve multiple purposes on the road.
This approach will save you money, time, and the headache of having to replace something while traveling! ✈️
The Perfect Packing List for Digital Nomads: Carry-On Edition
What Carry-On Bag to Get for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers
If you’re looking for a new carry-on piece of luggage itself, my carry-on Away bag has seen many countries over the last 5 years and I think the brand does durability and functionality right. I have their backpack, too, and love how it has tons of secret pockets and slides right on top of my carry-on bag as I run around the airport.
What to Pack for Digital Nomads: Electronics
If you’re working remotely as a digital nomad, your mobile desk setup is going to be key to stay productive during your work sessions on the road.
You can go the whole nine yards with your desk set-up if you’d like and get a laptop stand, external keyboard and mouse, and maybe even some laptop screen extenders. I’ve been tempted to do this, but to be honest I think that’s not very doable for a carry-on suitcase situation.
💻 Here’s what I pack in terms of electronics:
iPhone, portable LED lights, and Lumecube desk tripod, light, and microphone. If you’re a content creator, consider getting the Lumecube creator kit. It’s lightweight and travel-friendly, and adds a quick boost to your content!
Kindle E-Book Reader/Kindle Scribe. Want to take notes on your books AND for your Zoom meetings? The Kindle Scribe is the latest version of the Kindle I’ve had my eye on, and while I don’t have it (yet) it’s going to be my next purchase. If you don’t care about note-taking, then just get a traditional paperwhite Kindle to take books with you on-the-go. I’m obsessed with my Kindle and I use it all the time, so it’s easily one of my most-loved electronics.
Airpod Max Noise-Canceling Headphones OR Airpod Pros. When I lay my 5-year-old baby blue Beats by Dre headphones to rest after the last leg of my travels, my partner Kyle very kindly got me a pair of green Airpod Max over-the-ear headphones that I adore. Noise-canceling headphones are a MUST for airplanes, coffeeshops, and your sanity. If you’re not an Airpods person, I also recommend the Sony noise-canceling headphones in my Amazon shop: my partner Kyle has these and the sound quality is to die for. However, if you find that your luggage is getting overly full, you can also get a pair of Airpod Pros. These Airpods are the same white, in-ear airpods you know and love, but are noise cancelling — just as much as the over-ear headphones! It’s pretty impressive and I recommend getting these instead if you need to save more space.
Apple Watch. When I’m traveling, my Apple watch transports my gym with me! My personal trainer (from the Future app!) designs workouts to fit what I have available (gym, no gym, equipment, no equipment, etc.) and tracks my heart rate on my Apple Watch as a much-needed accountability measure. I’ve lost 2% of my body fat and 10lbs since November thanks to this app, and feel stronger and more energetic than ever! There are a lot of fitness apps out there that I’ve tried, but the accountability of having your trainer literally watching your heart rate and texting you workout reminders through the app is a perfect way to ensure you don’t cheat on your promise to yourself to hit the gym or go for a run. I don’t have a consistent schedule, so I rely on this app to help keep me consistent, no matter what city I’m in!
Electronics cleaning kit. I’m obsessed with this little cleaning kit in my Amazon storefront that cleans all of your electronics! It contains a screen cleaner, Airpods cleaning tool, keyboard cleaning tool and brush, and a little cleaning spray. Never going anywhere without this clever device.
3-in-one travel charger. I no longer travel with a mess of cables and cords! This 3-in-1 travel charger charges your Airpods, Apple Watch, and iPhone — all at once. It’s also foldable and lightweight and can plug into one USB or to the side of your wall adapter if you’re abroad.
Macbook Air. The Macbook Air is a superior laptop, and I’ve been a rabid Apple fan for most of my life. The Macbook Air has been my laptop of choice, and it’s fast, slim, and powerful. I would say this is the #1 essential for all remote workers and travelers, hands down!
International wall adapter. When I started traveling, I had no idea that different countries have different outlets! I love the blue one I got from Amazon because not only is it an all-in-one adapter for different countries’ outlets, but it also has USB plugs in the side which are great for easy charging.
You can check out all of my electronics picks and more on my Amazon storefront!
What to Pack for Digital Nomads: Personal Care Products
I’ve been so inspired over the years by women who have made do with zero or low-waste beauty products while traveling, and I’ve found my combo of how to have the products you love — without taking the entire bathroom cabinet with you on the road.
Don’t overcomplicate your personal care routine on the road: find your minimalist routine that’s TSA-friendly and your luggage will thank you.
✨ Here are my favorite personal care products:
Shampoo bar + shampoo bar holder. The best decision I’ve ever made was weaning my hair off of liquid shampoo and conditioner and switching to a natural shampoo bar. My hair is softer, healthier, and I never have to lug around those plastic bottles of hair juice ever again! The Viori rice water shampoo bar is what I swear by. They also have a conditioning bar, but I find that I don’t really need it, just the shampoo bar is enough. This is also a great space-spaving move for your precious TSA liquid allotment.
UV Retainer/Mouthguard case. If you’re one of the unfortunate souls (like me) whose teeth like having a dance party in your mouth when you’re sleeping, then you probably wear a mouthguard at night. Don’t let your mouthguard get icky when you travel: get this travel case that uses UV light to zap germs!
LARQ UV Self-Cleaning Water Bottle. This water bottle has been THE water bottle I swear by for the last few years. One press of the button on top and you zap germs and clean your water bottle with UV rays. It self-cleans throughout the day, so even if you forget to press the button it’s got you covered. They even have a cute carrying case with a handle for long hikes or walks! My water has never tasted fresher and more clean, especially as a traveler who is sometimes stuck with water fountain water when I don’t want to pay for bottled water at the airport. BPA is everywhere, and cutting down on plastic will just improve your health across the board.
Rechargable Travel Mirror with a Light and Magnification. I don’t always have space for this, but I try to bring it when I do! On my Amazon storefront you’ll find one that lights up and has magnification, great for last looks before hopping on a Zoom or going out on the town.
Dyson Airwrap OR heatless curls tool. Okay, this is not a space-saving hack, it’s just a new obsession of mine and a recent gift from my partner Kyle for my birthday. I never blow dry my hair and rarely curl it because it takes an annoying amount of time, but the hype around the airwrap is well-deserved and now I’m sporting a curly blowout 24/7. I’m addicted, and I’m going to have to Make It Work when it comes to fitting this into my carry-on. You can also get no-heat curling tools that take up less space, including one I have that I included in my storefront called Robe Curls!
Ilia blush, tinted sunscreen, and highlighter sticks. On my journey to swap out every single one of my products for clean, nontoxic alternatives, Ilia and Honest Beauty were the two brands that were as close as I could get in the makeup category. Even though not all of these products are perfect according to EWG’s standards (they have this great tool to check your beauty’s clean standards), I love Ilia’s blush, tinted sunscreen, and highlighter sticks because I just can’t be bothered to bring makeup brushes with me when I travel. Learning how to do minimal makeup is something I’m continuing to perfect! The tinted sunscreen product is a great light-coverage product that I use for both foundation and sunscreen, and then I go in with their concealer for any spots I want extra coverage. As a bonus, you can get a free shade match for all of their products by sending them a selfie!
Revlon Creme Eyeshadow. I absolutely cannot handle traveling with a full eyeshadow palette and brushes, but I have yet to find a better clean beauty alternative to the Revlon Creme Eyeshadow palette. This is the OG creme eyeshadow palette I’ve been using for the last decade, and it’s crease-resistant, long-lasting, shimmery but not glittery, and just a perfect palette. If someone finds a clean alternative to this, please let me know, because I don’t want to support Revlon but I have yet to find a better no-brush-needed cream eyeshadow palette.
No-spill Cadence cubes for liquids. These lil magnetic liquid cubes are super fun and stylish, and I use them for liquids that are harder to find when I’m traveling, but I mostly just use these for shorter tips.
Flat travel-sized hand sanitizer. We live in a germ-y world, and these cute rectangular hand sanitizer containers are scented with essential oils and are much easier to pack than traditional sanitizers that are round and always seem to leak. I put the Noshinku hand sanitizer in my shop because they’re also refillable — which is good for the planet, and your wallet.
Bug Bite Thing. If you’re like me, bugs come at you with a VENGEANCE. I used to just be miserable and slather my body in anti-itch cream after getting bit by international mosquitos with a taste for the finer things in life, but now I just use this suction-based bug bite thing and never have itchy bites anymore. 20/10 absolutely a life-saving purchase, you are required to get this before your trip anywhere.
Kinfield Mosquito Repellant Travel Wipes. Another Shark Tank company that is here to ward off mosquitos? I’m here for it. I just picked up their travel wipes with their mosquito repellant formula (read: TSA-friendly!), so will keep you posted on how this works. I like this brand because it has nontoxic ingredients and smells nice.
Yoga mat. Okay, okay: I know what you’re thinking. “Amy, how on earth are all of these things going to fit into my carry-on?” Just trust me on this. There are some amazing foldable yoga mats out there that WILL fit in your carry-on. I’m including the nontoxic, organic, best brand of yoga mats (Manduka) and the only so-so but more affordable brand (Gaia) with their best folding travel mats in my Amazon storefront for you. I’ve found that I absolutely need to travel with a yoga mat because I do strength and yoga workouts wherever I’m staying, and prefer at-home workouts to classes. Getting a quick bodyweight HIIT session is easier and cheaper than finding a studio, and when I’m traveling internationally I prefer to get my workouts in by running around town, climbing a million hills (looking at you, Lisbon!) or doing something like biking or kayaking. That means my strength workouts usually are done at wherever I’m staying, so a yoga mat is a necessity. Get the smaller size (1.5mm thick) if you want to make sure you can squish it in your carry-on.
Detergent sheets. For digital nomads and long-term travelers, detergent sheets are a must! I love this nontoxic brand in my Amazon storefront that is easy to slip into any suitcase, and is unscented and works really well. It’s much more affordable than buying detergent whenever you get to a place — especially because you probably won’t use the whole thing. You could buy detergent at a laundromat, but they upcharge you even for single servings. Detergent sheets or tablets are must!
Toiletry bag. My partner Kyle loves his Hershel toiletry bag — it’s small, holds liquids that might spill really well, and affordable. I swear by my Dagne Dover Hunter toiletry bag because it’s small and also pretty waterproof, and has lots of containers and compartments for different things you might need.
Attitude plastic-free deodorant. As an active traveler, I love this nontoxic and plastic-free deodorant from Attitude. I also travel with their nontoxic soap bars, too! I’ve tried quite a few brands, but this nontoxic brand of deodorant is my favorite so far.
Sea Kind night cream. I love this ultra-creamy night cream. It’s the pinnacle of clean beauty, and not too expensive as far as night creams go as a small jar will last you for quite a while. It’s already travel-sized and packaged in glass, not plastic.
Micellar water + bamboo cotton rounds. If you’re like me and have sensitive skin, then your best bet is to get bamboo cotton rounds that are washable + reusable and a travel-sized micellar water for removing makeup and cleansing your face. When I get to wherever I’m traveling to, I’ll also pick up a larger bottle of micellar water or get more travel-sized versions if I’m on lots of flights. Micellar water is cheap and effective, and much better than any expensive face-cleansing product I’ve tried.
Aluminum pill case. Because I travel with a million supplements, I needed a stylish 7-day pill organizer that was durable and not made out of plastic. (Have I mentioned I’m trying to avoid plastic these days?) I found a beautiful, not-y0ur-grandparents pill case that I put in my Amazon storefront for you that’s made of aluminum and v. stylish.
What to Pack for Digital Nomads: Clothes and Shoes
The battle with packing a lean wardrobe can be HARD. As a clothing maximalist, I’ve had to really reduce my wardrobe to my absolute favorites in order to fit everything into my carry-on.
⚡️ Here are my favorites when it comes to clothes and shoes:
When it comes to dressing clean, the clothes that have held up the best in the wash are: Mate the Label (great clean, durable clothes made of organic materials), Christy Dawn (regeneratively-grown organic cotton dresses that are breathable and beautiful!), and Sur La Cote (I particularly love their silk skirt, which has outlasted so many of my other clothes!). I also recently found Quince which has a ton of affordable basics, and I got a green silk skirt from them I love.
The Orororo heated jacket is one of the BEST gifts I’ve ever been given (shoutout to my partner Kyle for having great taste and knowing I’m cold all the time) because it’s a lightweight jacket with a detachable hood that also has a built-in heater so it can keep you warm across so many temperatures and climates — very suitcase-friendly compared to bulky puffer jackets! I usually pack a light sweatshirt as well and that’s all I need for outerwear in most temperatures.
I also love my Hoka tennis shoes for running/walking and Birkenstock sandals, and usually pack a ballet flat for nice dinners. Most European cities have slippery cobblestones, so a good sneaker is a must. Bombas socks are the most superior sock, and I wear Wellow compression socks for long plane rides.
The Dagne Dover crossbody bag in camel is my obsession as a woman whose clothes NEVER have pockets, but I never have enough to fill a bag worth carrying. Enter: this tiny lil crossbody bag that’s big enough for my phone, a tube of lip gloss, my Airpods, and my credit cards and a key. That’s it! That’s all I need when I’m running around Europe and just needing some extra hands-free storage.
Save space in your suitcase to purchase new clothes, gifts for family and friends, or anything else you might end up needing! I almost always have found that I’ve overpacked in the past, so when in doubt pack less, and if you miss something essential, just buy it on your trip.
Packing for Your Wallet: My Favorite Travel Credit Cards for Digital Nomads
My absolute favorite travel credit card is the Venture X and then the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which my partner Kyle has. If you have a partner you travel with like I do, then it’s great if one of you has the Venture X and the other has Chase Sapphire Reserve, because they have different travel benefits.
If you want to have your money go even further for travel, you can also sign up for SoFi, a high-yield savings account with…
No overdraft fees.
No minimum balance fees.
No monthly fees.
Members with direct deposit can earn 4.00% APY on their savings and Vaults balances, and 1.20% APY on their checking balances.
Overspent by accident? No problem. You'll be covered up to $50 with no fees with qualifying direct deposits.
Feel the magic of payday up to two days earlier—automatically—when you set up direct deposit.
None of this is financial advice — always talk to your CPA to figure out the best situation for you.
I sleep better at night — and enjoy my travels more! — knowing my cash is working for me…
…and earning me free flights. ✈️ Happy travels!
Get Travel Medical Insurance with SafetyWing
When traveling, I use SafetyWing’s Digital Nomad Travel Medical Insurance (ad/affiliate link) to stay safe. Use the calculator below to see how much it costs:
