Travelling to Heathrow airport for my flight to India years ago, I distinctly remember wrestling with an overstuffed backpack and wondering why on earth I had packed so much. By the time I arrived at my destination, I was more tired from managing my luggage than from the actual journey. That trip taught me a vital lesson: travelling light makes solo travel easier, more enjoyable, and far less stressful.

Over the years, whether exploring Paris, travelling through Ghana, visiting Southern Africa, or walking sections of the Camino, I've learned that the secret to successful solo travel isn't having everything you might need. It's having what you will actually use. Here is my personal packing list, along with the things I’ve happily stopped carrying around the world.

Learning to Let Go of the "Just In Case"

Like many travellers, I used to prepare for every possible scenario. I packed extra clothes in case the weather changed, extra shoes for different outfits, and extra toiletries in case I couldn't find my preferred brands abroad. The reality? Most of those items never even left the suitcase.
Nowadays, I ask myself one simple question before anything goes into my bag: "Will I definitely use this?" If the answer is no, it stays at home. When you're travelling solo, there is no one else to help you lift your luggage onto trains, carry it up hotel staircases, or manoeuvre it through crowded stations. The lighter your bag, the more freedom you have.

My Bag Strategy & Daily Essentials
I usually travel with a medium-sized backpack and a lightweight day bag. My day bag stays with me at all times and contains everything important for my peace of mind:

• Passport & travel documents
• Phone, bank cards, and a small amount of local currency
• Reading glasses
• Lip balm & hand sanitiser

Before I walk out the door, I always double-check my documents. I keep physical copies of my travel insurance, flight confirmations, hotel bookings, and emergency contacts, but I also store digital copies and email them to myself. If my phone is ever lost or stolen, I know I can access everything from another device.

Streamlining My Travel Wardrobe

One of the biggest packing mistakes I used to make was taking too many clothes. Now, I focus entirely on versatility and layering rather than quantity. For a typical one-week trip, my wardrobe looks like this:

• 4 or 5 comfortable tops: Stick to neutral colours that mix and match easily.
• 3 pairs of trousers: This includes two regular pairs plus my dedicated hiking trousers.
• 1 skirt: Or a lightweight alternative, depending on the destination.
• Layers: A lightweight cardigan, a comfortable jacket, and a waterproof layer if rain is likely.
• Underwear and sleepwear: Enough for the trip plus one spare day, and one set of comfortable sleepwear.

The beauty of this approach is that every single piece works together, and honestly, nobody notices if you wear the same trousers more than once.

The Shoe Mistake I'll Never Make Again
If there's one area where experience has taught me a hard lesson, it's footwear. Comfort matters far more than fashion when you're exploring a new city on foot. During one early trip, I packed four pairs of shoes and only wore two.
Since then, I've become strictly practical. I travel with just three pairs:

1. My primary walking shoes and hiking boots: I wear the heaviest pair on the plane to save space.
2. One lighter pair: Perfect for evenings or warmer weather.
3. Cotton Socks

Health, Comfort, and Simplifying My Tech
As the miles add up, comfort becomes non-negotiable. I always pack a small first aid kit with plasters, antiseptic wipes, blister pads, basic pain relief, and any personal medications. I also highly recommend compression socks, a good neck pillow for long flights and train journeys, and a refillable water bottle.
My approach to technology has also changed. Because I love photography, I still pack my camera gear, but I've streamlined everything else. So I now travel with just my smartphone, a charging cable, a power bank, a universal travel adapter, and a pair of earphones. My phone now does the work of heavy guidebooks, providing maps, restaurant recommendations, and directions at the touch of a button.

What I Happily Leave Behind Now

• Excess Clothing: I no longer return home with half a suitcase of unworn clothes.
• Multiple Handbags: One secure, practical day bag with reliable zips is all I need.
• Massive Toiletry Bags: Most everyday items can be easily purchased at your destination if you run out.
• The "Just in Case" Mentality: If I genuinely need something unusual, I can usually buy it there.

The Greatest Lesson of All
The best packing lesson I've learned over the years isn't really about clothes, gadgets, or luggage sizes. It's about freedom.
The less I carry, the easier it is to enjoy the journey. Whether I'm catching the Eurostar to Paris or setting off on a completely new solo adventure, travelling light reminds me that the best travel experiences aren't found in our suitcases, they're found along the way.

I'd love to hear from you in the comments below. What is the one item you absolutely never travel without? And on the flip side, what have you finally stopped packing after years of travel experience?