Packing your wardrobe is a whole other topic. See How to Pack - Steps for Choosing Your Minimalist Wardrobe.
most of the nice-to-haves should stay behind
Think Camping. Budget travel is more like camping! You'll start to learn what are your little luxury items you love to have. One of my new ones is a tiny pack towel that I keep in my purse and use it any time I need a cloth - mainly to wipe the sweat when hiking (or just riding a hot bus!).
I have a lot of things listed in my packing list and I do pack all of that for each trip. But if you really want to pare it down, you can get away with much less and be fine. What do I actually end up needing? Of course it varies a bit by location but usually I could get away with just this:
- flashlight
- washcloth
- phone & charger
- sunglasses
- chapstick
- outlet adapter
- headphones
- compression socks
- blow-up pillow
- pen & notepad
- hat
- flat sink stopper
- laundry line (braided)
- A daypack or sling bag
- coin purse for all money
- first aid kit (keep it small - no more than a snack-sized ziploc)
- insect repellent
- sunscreen
- hair clip
- travel size shampoo, conditioner, body soap, deodorant, hairbrush, tweezers, nail clippers, floss, toothbrush, toothpaste, razor
And almost without fail, I always wish I brought less clothing, not more. You end up having your go-to outfits and you wear those over and over again. At the end of each trip, I take note of what would have been the perfect wardrobe. It's almost always the same.
- 2 capris
- 1 dress
- 1 skort
- 1 shorts (to sleep in)
- 1 leggings
- 2 under tanks
- 1 bra tank
- 1 sleeveless top
- 2 t-shirts
- 1 over shirt
- 1 loose / conservative shirt
- 2 bras