The Ultimate “Eco-Friendly” Travel Packing Guide

Whether you are packing for a road trip, traveling far away by train or by plane, packing logistics can become a nightmare.  That’s why you need an eco-friendly travel packing list so that you can keep track of everything you need for your trip.  Should you even bother trying to be eco-friendly in the process?  Absolutely!

Are you always forgetting something to pack?

To be honest, I am the worse packer. I always bring the wrong stuff and end up not wearing half the clothes that I bring with me or I forget important things.  On my trip to Costa Rica with my kids, I had forgotten to bring underwear! Who does that?  Luckily it was a beach vacation so I spent most of my time in my bathing suit, but still, I wish I had made a list.  Seriously, I was not impressed with myself.

Ever since then, I try to make a list of at least the main items I need to bring so as not to forget. Now that zero waste items are being made more available or we are finding creative ways to generate less waste during our travels, here is our eco-friendly travel packing list.

TRAVEL GEAR

It goes without saying that you will need a suitcase,  a bag or a backpack to travel, along with a day bag or daypack.   As most airlines are now charging you for checking your luggage even on international flights, packing light has taken on a whole new meaning. 

Backpack

We prefer backpacks as they are easy to carry and depending on their size, can easily fit in the overhead bin in the airplane. This is especially more practical to use when you have kids. You need your hands to be free in order to chase after that raging toddler!

Last year, we discovered the brand Cotopaxi.  We bought the 35L one and thus far it has survived a Bachelor Party getaway, a wedding, and a honeymoon in Colombia. 

We are very pleased with it as the inside is already divided into sections which makes it easier for us to organize ourselves.

The way it’s designed makes it look like it has packing cubes integrated inside of it. This is a great eco-friendly option since you won’t have to purchase extra things to organize the interior as it is already done for you.

It fits perfectly in the overhead bin of an airplane and has a side handle which makes it easier to grab.  There is even a hidden pocket where you can stow your laptop or tablet giving it extra protection. This is perfect to use on short trips. 

Obviously, if you are going away for a few months at a time, you will need a bigger one.  This is not a useful backpack to use if you are going hiking as there is no side pocket to hold your water bottle or your sleeping bag. You can, however, attach a hook to one of the handles and link it with your own water bottle (if it also has a hook).

Daypacks

Cotopaxi has different backpack sizes available as well and their daypack is innovative in the sense that when ordered you won’t know what color you’ll get (OMG so scary, right?).  The employee making it uses remnant materials (eco-friendly) and has total creative control over the pack’s colorway. No two are the same. They are also practical as they can easily be rolled up and put inside another backpack and used later on as a secondary bag filled with travel souvenirs on your way home.

I personally have been using a Fjallraven and find it really easy to use as a daypack. I can fit my water bottle, my Ipad, my camera, my wallet, guide book and travel documents inside of it.

Packing Cubes

If you are not a backpack fan or your suitcase still has some good years left in it, how about using some packing cubes? 

Honestly,  using them can save a marriage and prevent a vacation disaster!

You don’t necessarily need to use them for clothes. They are practical to store your shoes so that they don’t mess up your clothes, or your electronics. Also, you can bring one along in your carry-on bag which makes it easier to grab. 

It’s also an eco-friendly packing alternative as you don’t need to use plastic bags or zip locks to separate your different items.  They can even come in handy for an impromptu picnic during one of your travels.

If you live in Canada, you are probably familiar with the SAQ bags to hold bottles. You can use them to store your shoes in your suitcase. It’s another alternative to using plastic and if you don’t feel like spending money on packing cubes.

ECO-FRIENDLY TRAVEL TOILETRIES

Air travel has gotten complicated with its liquid limits and the cost of checking a bag.  If you are traveling on a budget, you don’t necessarily want to give the airline more money than needed. Here is an eco-friendly packing list for items that you need to use every day, without having to worry about spilling or being above the imposed liquid limit.

• Use shampoo and conditioner bars that you can store in a small box or wrap them in a beeswax wrap (eco-friendly option).

• When staying in hotels, grab the free toiletries, and use them on your next trip.  Keep the bottles and fill them up with whatever you need for traveling (moisturizer, sunscreen, shampoo). Reuse, reduce, recycle.

• A deodorant bar that is plastic-free.   Just wrap it once again in a beeswax wrap, a reusable bag, or put it in a container. Another option is to use Alum stone which is a mineral with antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties. You can generally find it in any organic store.

• Savon de Marseille (soap) is perfect to use as a body wash but also to clean clothes.  Obviously, I’m not saying to use it to do the whole laundry but it can come in handy to wash socks or underwear, especially if you forgot to pack some!

• Lush makes some toothpaste tabs that are perfect for air travel or camping. Of course, you still need to bring a toothbrush, but bring your bamboo one with its own traveling case.

• If you aren’t staying in a hotel or Airbnb, don’t forget your towel! They can take up a lot of space in a bag or suitcase.  Luckily ultralight ones are now being made and are compact enough that they won’t take much room in your bag.  You can use them on the beach as well or keep you somewhat warm on the airplane.  Nowadays, even blankets on the plane can come at a cost. Best to be prepared.

• Right before I left on my trip to Vietnam , I discovered the company Last Object whose mission is to eliminate single use items by creating reusable sustainable alternatives. They’ve created a reusable ear swab and make-up swab that you can use over and over again. They both come in a cute and small carrying case.

ECO-FRIENDLY LUNCH ON THE GO

Part of preparing an eco-friendly packing list is trying to reduce our plastic need and waste.  Slowly but surely plastic straws are being replaced by a greener alternative. Of course, you could just stop using them altogether. 

Eco-friendly traveling utensils

You can’t bring knives onto planes, but you can bring a spork, a spoon, and even your metal straws.   So why not bring them with you onboard? Use these instead of the plastic ones offered on the plane, spare a waste! 

Use your own straw at the restaurant and refuse the ones offered, unless they are eco-friendly. Just tell your waiter, no straw, please!  I was surprised when we were in Colombia to be asked if we wanted a straw with our drink.  Great initiative! In Costa Rica, if you ask for a straw you will get a really bad look and people will stare. Don’t ask for one!

Bring your own traveling cup to fill up with coffee or water during your travels.  A foldable one is even better as it takes less space. 

Water bottle

Did you know that some airlines make you pay for water?  On the train, they only serve you water in plastic bottles. So, bring your reusable empty water bottle and fill it up after passing security, for FREE.  Keeping hydrated during the flight will help prevent dry and itchy skin.  Also, by having your own bottle already filled up, you won’t have to wait for the flight attendant to pass nor bother him or her for refills.

Eco-friendly Food Carriers

Want to take an extra cookie for the road or an extra piece of bread? Forget about paper napkins and use these eco-friendly ones instead.

Beeswax Wrap

They can come in handy every day.  Didn’t finish your apple or your piece of cake? That’s alright, just wrap it in your beeswax wrap.  You can also wrap your soap bars in them.  They are also perfect to wrap your PB&J sandwich in.

Stasher

These silicone pouches can come in handy to store leftovers from a meal at the restaurant, to put your sandwich in, for snacks, for all your electronic stuff, or to store your toiletries (if it’s clear enough) to pass security. 

They can go in a microwave and are dishwasher safe. That’s perfect if you are staying in a place with a fridge (hostel, Airbnb, some hotels).

Reusable Sandwich Bag

Personally, I use these handmade pouches to put my foreign currency in, or in the larger sizes to keep my travel documents (passport, visa, vaccines list).  They just make it easier to spot inside the day bag and to grab.  They are great as well for storing snacks and sandwiches.

I’ve also found these adorable pouches by Kroon Designs handmade in Québec with vintage material. You can shop here for them. These are the perfect size to store your travel documents.

Reusable grocery bag

Unless you are staying in a resort, you will have to get some groceries at some point.  Now that plastic bags are being removed from grocery stores and it’s a good practice to have, don’t forget to bring your own. Of course, you can also use your daypack or backpack to carry your groceries as well.

When we were traveling in Morocco, we came home with a few reusable bags.  When you buy things in the Medinas, instead of putting them in a small plastic bag, they put them in a fabric one.  I kept all of mine and use them at the grocery store to put vegetables and fruits in them instead of those flimsy plastic ones.  Very practical.

TECHNOLOGY

We are in an era where everything is digital.  So don’t leave home without these.

Electronics

Can’t find your earphones, charger, or adapter?  Use a packing cube or silicone pouch to store them and have them all in one place. 

Earphones

Some airlines will charge you for the earphones, so don’t forget them and make sure that they have the right end plug or else they will be useless (earphones for the new iPhones won’t work). I like to bring my own Beats (I’m old school) that I’ve had for a few years now and that work well on airplanes as they don’t hurt my ears.

Charger

A portable charger can come in handy, especially if you have an old phone and like to take a lot of pictures.  I have finally upgraded, but seriously, mine would just die after 6 hours.  Having a charger on you can help you survive.

While we were in Colombia, we almost didn’t make it out of the jungle before nightfall and my phone had died.  I would have been relieved to have a charger on me, at least to be able to use the flashlight!

In Iceland, I missed out on a lot of pictures because my phone would keep freezing up and uncharge itself. A charger would most likely have helped a bit for sure.

Adapter

When traveling abroad, make sure you find out if the country you are visiting uses the same voltage.  Europe and North America are different.  Get a Universal power adapter/converter so that it will work anywhere. Travel adapters allow you to safely plug your electronics into foreign outlets regardless of plug prong shape or voltage.

Apps

I have to admit, having certain apps on your phone can come in very handy when traveling abroad.  So don’t forget to add them to your packing list when preparing your trip.

First of all, I never bother paying extra for internet access on my phone while traveling because I’m cheap and because the majority of the places we stay at have Free Wi-Fi.  During the day, I’m exploring and don’t particularly need to be checking what’s going on Instagram and Facebook if you can believe that!  So save yourselves some money and don’t pay extra.  Besides, how do you think people survived before the smartphone era?

Tip:  McDonald’s offers FREE Wi-Fi and can pretty much be found anywhere. Some airports like Montreal, offer free Wi-Fi for a limited time. If you are traveling in the United States (San Francisco),  you can go into Whole Foods supermarkets and have FREE Wi-Fi access for 2 hours.  It makes it easier to grab a Uber!

UBER

The Uber app can come in handy if you are traveling to a country that allows it and they usually cost less than taking a cab.  Another benefit of using Uber is that you won’t have to give cash in the local currency or hand in your credit card as that information is already on file.

However, we had a terrible experience with Uber in San Francisco as Blondie Bear got sick.  Did you know that pending on the amount of liquid you spill or puke it will cost you a different price?  You can read up about that adventure here. It had happened in a taxi once before and we didn’t get charged extra.

In Asia, you will have to use the app Grab that works just like Uber.

Maps.me

Need help getting around?  Download the map of the destination you are going to beforehand and then use it without internet access.  However, this will do no good in Fes’s Medina.  For that, you will just have to use your wits and sense of direction.

Google

Google used to have this great app called Google Trips.  For some unknown reason, they decided to cancel it.  However, you can still use some of it’s best features through Google Maps offline and find your trip reservations (flights and hotels). 

Simply open the app, go to Your places and you’ll find all your reservations.  If you look under explorer, you can find top recommendations in the area such as restaurants, hotels, and local points of interest.  This can really come in handy when you are lost and don’t know where you are.  When all else fails, just use your Lonely Planet guide book.

For more google trip app alternatives, read this article.

Booking

This app will come in handy if you are looking for lodging while traveling.  It came in very handy when we had to switch hostels while staying in Santa Marta. 

It saves up all your reservations and you can use it offline to check the map and see where you are compared to your hotel or hostel location.

Airbnb

If you book your lodging through Airbnb, it’s best to have the app on your phone in order to be able to access your reservation but it doesn’t work offline.

Netflix

Did you know you can download movies and watch them offline? This can come in handy on a long train, bus ride, or on an unforeseen extended layover.

As for Air travel, well, they don’t always show a movie or if you are on an older plane, you’ll have to watch the same movie as everyone else… 

This can also come in handy if you are traveling to an area that has no internet and no TV and you are so over nature and silence.

Whatsapp

All summer long (2019) I’ve been hearing about this.  I’m putting it here because people love it, but from what I gather you still need internet access to use it.  However,  it seems to be a great app to have in order to be able to communicate for free with your friends and family abroad.

Guide Book

It’s not an app, but it can be if you want to ($).  I love the Lonely Planet guide books. They’ve helped me a lot in trip planning and while traveling.  If you are low on battery, having a physical guide book can save you from a lot of trouble.  I’ve been able to navigate around certain cities thanks to their little maps and have found some great places to eat thanks to that little guide book (Casablanca).

Telephone case

If you are like me and like to take a lot of pictures, having a hands-free telephone case will come in handy.  You won’t have to worry about losing or dropping your phone and the cord is adjustable enough so that the phone case can fit in your pocket.

WHAT CLOTHING TO PACK

When it comes to what kind of clothing to pack, I could write a whole other article about it.  That being said, here are some helpful packing guidelines to use.

Compression Socks

This is something I’m going to start using.  I thought they were only used by old ladies but actually a lot of ‘younger’ people who travel use them.  If you are like me and have started to experience water retention when traveling by plane, compression socks are supposed to help with that and will help circulate your blood flow. If you are pregnant, they can help with that too!

Warm clothes for airplane travel

We’ve found these sweatpants that are lined with sherpa.  They are perfect for air travel as not only will they keep you warm but you will be comfortable.  The AC is a killer on airplanes.  Think more about comfort rather than fashion when traveling, especially by plane.

Bring a sweater or wear a long sleeve shirt on the airplane to stay warm.  On airplanes, sometimes you have to pay to get a blanket so best be prepared.  You can also use your traveling towel or beach wrap as a blanket.

General eco-friendly travel packing rule

Remember: 2 for 1 

For every bottom, bring 2 tops.  Bring enough clothes for 7-10 days. Pack light so that you don’t have to check a bag.  Pack even lighter if you are planning on bringing some souvenirs.

Bring two bathing suits in order to switch things up a little. Don’t forget a small wet bag to put them in.

2 in 1 pants

Pants that become shorts! Now that’s a great item to have and saves space in your luggage! Make sure to find one that has deep pockets as well.

How to pack your clothes

Store your socks inside your shoes to free up space. 

Rolling your clothes helps you make the most of the gaps in your backpack or suitcase that folding can leave. Plus, it lets you pack more. Packing cubes help you stay organized, and you can use either method above to prep your clothes before putting them in a cube.  You can roll your clothes by type of outfits to be even better organized.

Accessories

This will depend on your style, but generally, sunglasses and something to cover your head won’t be too much.

In terms of jewelry and depending on where you are traveling too, wear the minimum.  Don’t wear your fancy jewelry.  You have a beautiful and expensive engagement and／or wedding ring?  Leave it at home and buy a cheap one in the country you are traveling to instead.  Then, wear it again every time you travel abroad. Small investment and hassle-free travel. 

That’s what we did in Colombia, and Big Boss ended up losing the cheap one in one of the hostels we stayed at.  Glad it was the fake one!

FINAL ECO-FRIENDLY TRAVEL PACKING TIP

Last but not least, don’t forget to bring a pen and paper with you.  There never seems to be enough pens around in the airplane to fill out the dam forms, so don’t forget yours!  Filling out forms inside the plane will save you time once you exit and will make going through customs less time-consuming.

Having a pen and paper on you can always come in handy in case you are bored and want to play a game of tic tac toe or feel like writing down something important.

So what do you think? Did I forget to pack something important on my eco-friendly packing list?