I get asked a lot, what I take when I travel. This guide include’s a list of things, I pack whenever I travel, and a range of bags I used based on the airline, my destination and amount of camera gear I’m taking. I use everything on this list, and can happily recommend everything included.
Some of the things on this list, will probably not be applicable to you. As each person’s needs and travel style varies, we all have different preferences for things like suitcases vs backpacks. Plus depending on the location you may not need some of this stuff.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that earn me a small commission, at no additional cost to you.
My Travel Gear
I have a range of bags that I take with me, depending on my needs. The bag I take depends on the airline’s restrictions, and how much camera gear I’ll be taking with me. I always try to travel hand luggage only, but if I am taking a lot of camera gear I do end up having to check in a bag. As I already use a backpack for my camera gear, I put my clothes and laptop in a rolling case when going hand luggage only.
I prefer using hard cases, but you might find that soft cases are more to your liking. I also love cases with 4 wheels, as I find them easier to roll along.
I love taking some folding duffel bags with me, that fold down quite small. They give me extra space if I end up buying too much, and save me having to hunt for another bag while travelling. They’ve been really useful for trips to Tokyo, and Taipei as I love bringing back tons of snacks like Konyakku jelly. I normally end up with one duffel bag stuffed with snacks for my return. It also acts as a backup, in case my rolling case breaks.
I always take a filter water bottle with me, that I use at home as well as when travelling. This allows me to save money as I don’t need to buy drinks and helps the environment. Plus, as I have mast cell activation syndrome & can react to water, the filter removes most of the things that I might react to – making water safe for me drink.
Cabin bag for use with most airlines
https://amzn.to/2YbHqHhHand luggage rolling case if flying Ryanair and Southwest
Folding duffel bag, for extra luggage.
https://amzn.to/2YesVlUWire Organiser
My Travel Electronics
I always have a set of electronics I take with me whenever I travel. What you want to take will probably vary a lot, especially if you prefer doing a disconnected holiday or go off the grid. I love being able to edit a photo while travelling, so my laptop is a must and as I play a lot of video games during my downtime, I always take a gaming laptop with me. If you’re not interested in gaming, you will probably want something lighter such as the Macbook Air or a Surface Laptop.
My gaming laptop for editing photos + playing video games 
World Travel Adapter extension lead
My Travel Photography gear
What photography gear I take with me, depends on where I’m going, and the type of photography I’m doing. So this list will focus mostly on what gear I always take with me, on every trip. For my full gear list, check out my travel photography gear here.
This list includes the two different tripods that I own. I vary which one I take with me depending on the tripod. For cities, I normally take the travel one, and for wildlife + landscape I take the larger heavier Manfrotto one.
Also included is my two favorite bags, the backpack that I use when taking a lot of gear, and the shoulder bag for lighter trips with 2-3 lenses.
My backup DSLR – a Nikon D7000
My favourite walk around travel lens, a Tamron 24-70mm F/2.8.
An awesome ultra-wide lens. The Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8.
Folding tripod that fits in hand luggage for lighter trips
Larger tripod, for use with heavier equipment.
10 Stop ND filter, for creating long exposures
A lens pen, to keep my camera lenses nice n clean.
Spare camera batteries + a USB battery charger 
Shoulder bag for travelling lighter
Travel Gear for my Medical Supplies
For those of us travelling with health issues, making sure our medication and any other medical supplies are well organised is important. I travel with about 15 different medications, and like to keep them together in a bag that I can have by me at all times while I’m flying. I also like taking a first aid kit with me, as there’s been times when I’ve been alone, in the middle of nowhere, where I’ve got hurt and needed to administer first aid.
I also wear a medical alert bracelet that covers my main conditions and allergies, and my ICE information on them include’s the international dialing code to ensure that anyone can ring it without issues.
I also take a face mask, that I wear on the plane to protect myself from germs. It’s also good for places with higher levels of pollution such as Hong Kong. Plus if you have hay fever, allergy asthma or allergies to airborne things like fragrances these can help protect you from it. I love my Airinum face mask as it has replaceable filters (so cheaper in the long run), adjustable ear straps, and two valves to make it easier to breath.
I also take some hand sanitizer and Avon’s skin so soft which repels insects.
Medication bag
Custom printed medical wrist band 
Travel first aid kit
Airinum Face Mask 
Insect repellent + sunscreen
Travel-sized antibacterial hand sanitizer
Great stuff! But do not tell me that you put all this and your clothes in a carry on and a handbag, because I do not believe it!
I do, all this my camera gear goes in 1 bag under my seat. My laptop+clothes goes into the overhead. Rolling clothes together instead of folding, really helps save on space. The bag under your seat, doesn’t have to be a handbag, the actual size varise depending on airline but there’s 20 to 35L bags made that fit under the seat. Such as this https://amzn.to/3MHKJkI for clothes, and for a camera bag the Lowepro flipside series has some which fit within the underseat measurements. If you fit clothes into the underseat bag, you can get more wiggle room with the camera bag size. Thinktank do some that fit into the overhead size like their Airport Advantage https://amzn.to/3WLeciw