Read a travel article in GQ or Esquire, and you’re sure to see them say something like: “For your first trip abroad you need quality items.” Okay, a good start. But then, two paragraphs later, you’re being sold on the idea of carrying $2,000 luggage or wearing a Rolex GMT for “travel purposes.” This throws a lot of people off, and is one of the reasons that so many Americans associate travel with being rich.

In reality, you don’t need to spend a whole lot on luggage or gear to have a good time.

This article will show you how to pack for your first trip abroad, without breaking the bank.

You’ll discover quality, affordable tools to maximize your vacation. And these suggestions work whether you’re hitting the beach, hiking the rain forest, or traveling around historic cities.

Without further ado, here’s what you need.

Best Bag For Your First Trip Abroad

There’s a big travel myth that you need to buy expensive luggage when traveling internationally. A lot of site’s and magazine plug designer suitcases or high-end leather goods. That’s fine if you’re a seasoned travel who uses these items regularly. For 99% of the population, however, there are much better options.

My best suggestion is to travel light and invest in a quality backpack which can carry all your things. If you’re vacationing for two weeks, you don’t need a whole lot. My number one suggestion is to visit an army surplus store and buy a used military backpack. These are well-made and specifically made to equipment in tough foreign environments. You can easily buy one in the $50 – $100 price range, and it will last years. Easily the best value for money.

My second choice is a nice Victorinox Luggage backpack. This is another well-made option that’ll successfully store your stuff through any environment. I’ve used one of these before and the pack held up very nicely, even when traveling through the heat and humidity of Central America. If you’re traveling light and want a quality product, this is an excellent option.

What To Bring With You

You don’t need to bring a whole bunch of stuff with you, if you’re traveling short-term (less than a month). Bring shirts, shorts, and all the usual stuff. But I also have a few extra suggestions:

Pack a sweatshirt (even if you’re visiting a warm climate). This will keep you warm on airplanes, trains, buses, or anywhere else that cranks up the air-conditioning.
Bring one “dress casual” outfit. You never know when you’ll end up going to a nice restaurant or visiting an upscale establishment. Don’t be the guy who wears sweaty gym shorts and flip-flops to a nice restaurant.
Put a travel first aid kit in your bag. There’s a good chance you’ll get bit by bugs, scraped by coral, or cut by thorns on your adventure. A small first aid kit can really help improve these situations (here’s one I recommend).
Hide $20 somewhere you’ll forget about. It’ll come in handy if you have any troubles at the ATM or currency exchange.

These are all simple items, but they’re true game changers. Being prepared turns a potentially miserable situation into a non-issue.

What To Leave Home

Now that you know what to bring with, here are some items you can leave behind. Some of these might seems obvious, others will surprise you. But as a general rule of thumb, you can ditch taking the following:

A sleeping bag. Don’t laugh but I actually packed this for my first trip abroad. Why? Because there’s an old myth (though one that’s dying out) about how most foreign hotels or hostels don’t have bed sheets. They do, and you don’t need to bring an extra bedding.
Flip-flops and a beach towel. Every coastal town sells these and they’re often cheaper than back home. I just bought a pair of flip-flops at a local supermarket for $1.50. Leave yours home to free up backpack space.
Tons of excess clothes. Other countries have laundromats too. Use some common sense and avoid unnecessary outfits.
Knives or anything which can be considered a weapon. People bring these on vacation all the time, and they forget to take them out of their carry-on baggage. Then they get stopped by TSA and get all their things searched. Just leave your pocketknife behind.

Most countries, even developing nations, have all the same common goods you can buy at home. Don’t overburden yourself with items you can pick up just as easily once you land.

Two Simple Wearables That Greatly Improve Your Trip

Never take your phone with you to the beach. A lot of countries don’t have locker rooms where you can store your stuff. This makes it very easy for thieves to snatch your valuables while you’re out swimming.

That said, if you’re anything like me, you probably feel helpless without your phone. And, you might have trouble keeping track of time. This becomes an issue if you have dinner plans, or need to be at a certain place at a specific time. I remember missing a shuttle back to my hotel once because I was too busy snorkeling around. Walking back was not fun.

To help you avoid this issue, I recommend wearing an accurate watch you can get wet.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money on this either. You can easily pick up a reliable timepiece for under $50. And that’s going to save you from overstaying your time somewhere.

My watch suggestion is actually Bill Gate’s favorite timepiece, the Casio Duro. This is waterproof, accurate, and well-made. It also costs less than $50. I picked one up last winter and have taken it swimming, hiking, and rock climbing. It’s better than risking your phone, and helps you keep track of the hours. It’s helped me make my shuttles and ferry trips a good dozen times, saving countless hours of frustration.

My second suggestion sounds a little dorky, but is actually great while you’re at the airport. And that’s a small passport holder neck pouch. Yes, these things look kind of dumb. But, you can keep all your important documents handy while going through customs or airport security. Plus, wearing this makes it easy to keep tabs on where you’ve placed your passport. Well worth it for the convenience.

Final Thoughts

Packing for your first trip abroad is easy. With a little common sense (and the right gear), you’ll be all set in no time.

By traveling light, you’re able to stay mobile. Great for hopping between cities or exploring multiple countries during a short period of time. Additionally, investing in good, practical equipment that’s also affordable will leave you with more money for doing the actual fun things you want to try.

I hope this helps and enjoy your trip!