A good digital nomad packing list is short: a reliable laptop and charging kit, an unlocked phone, documents with backups, a small medical kit and a capsule wardrobe that fits a cabin bag. What catches people out is batteries, liquids and passport validity, covered at the end.
Last checked: September 2026
In short:
- Spare lithium batteries and power banks must travel in carry-on only; the FAA limit is 100 Wh per battery, with up to two spares of 101-160 Wh allowed only with airline approval.
- Under an ICAO change in force since 27 March 2026, IATA guidance says passengers may carry no more than two power banks each and must not recharge them on board.
- Emirates and Singapore Airlines allow a 7 kg cabin bag in Economy, and Qantas allows 7 kg in total on international Economy.
Work kit
Laptop. Bring the machine you already know, backed up to the cloud and to a small drive kept in another bag.
Chargers. One GaN multi-port charger replaces a laptop brick, phone plug and tablet plug. Check its wattage covers the laptop and phone charging together.
Universal adapter. One adapter that takes your charger beats a bag of country plugs. It changes plug shape, not voltage, so check device labels read 100-240 V.
Power bank. One mid-sized unit with the Wh rating printed on the case. Read the battery rules below before buying anything large.
Connectivity
Unlocked phone. A locked phone can block local SIMs, often the cheapest data. Get it unlocked before you leave.
eSIM-capable phone. eSIM lets you buy data before landing and keep your home number live for bank codes. Check your exact model supports it.
Travel router. Optional, but useful in rentals: it joins the building’s Wi-Fi once and gives your devices one private network.
VPN. Used to encrypt traffic on public Wi-Fi, reach work systems that require it, and use home banking that blocks foreign connections. Check local law and your employer’s policy; some companies flag logins from unexpected countries.
Documents and money
Passport validity. Thailand requires 6 months’ validity after arrival and one blank page, per UK government travel advice; the US State Department says some countries, especially in Europe, want 6 months beyond your travel dates. Renew before you drop under six months.
Copies. Keep passport, visa, insurance and prescription copies offline on your phone, in cloud storage and on paper in another bag. The State Department also suggests leaving a set with someone at home.
Cards. At least two cards on different payment networks, stored separately, so one outage or fraud block doesn’t stop you paying. Add a little cash in a widely accepted currency for the first taxi or a card outage.
Health
First aid. Plasters, blister dressings, painkillers and rehydration sachets. Keep it small.
Prescriptions. TravelHealthPro (the UK’s national travel health service) advises original labelled packaging, hand luggage, and a prescriber’s letter listing medicines by generic name. Check the destination embassy’s rules, as some medicines legal at home are restricted elsewhere.
Clothing and carry-on strategy
Capsule approach. One colour palette so everything matches: a week of underwear and socks, three or four tops, two bottoms, one smarter outfit for calls, and all-day walking shoes. Do laundry weekly.
Layers. A light insulating layer plus a packable waterproof shell beats a bulky coat.
Cabin allowances vary by airline, so weigh your bag:
| Airline (Economy) | Pieces | Weight | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates | 1 carry-on | 7 kg | 55 x 38 x 22 cm |
| Singapore Airlines | 1 piece | Up to 7 kg | Length + width + height up to 115 cm |
| Qantas (international) | 1 overhead bag + 1 personal item | 7 kg total | Overhead bag 56 x 36 x 23 cm |
Tech eats much of 7 kg, so put heavy kit in the personal item.
Rules that bite
Lithium batteries. The FAA limits lithium-ion batteries to 100 Wh each; up to two spares of 101-160 Wh need airline approval. Spares and power banks go in carry-on only, terminals protected, and come out if your bag is gate-checked. Since 27 March 2026, IATA guidance on an ICAO change allows two power banks per person, with no recharging on board. Airlines can be stricter.
Liquids. GOV.UK says most airports still apply 100 ml, some UK airports may allow up to 2 litres, and you should check every airport on your trip, including the return. Per Which? (January 2026), Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol and both Belfast airports had dropped the 100 ml limit, while Luton and Manchester had not.
Plug types. Per WorldStandards, 15 domestic plug types are in use: C across Europe, Africa, South America and Asia; A and B in North America and Japan; G in the UK, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore and the Arabian Peninsula; I in Australia, New Zealand, China and Argentina. Voltage is 100-127 V in North America, 220-240 V across most of the world.
| Item | Why | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop + backup drive | Your income | Keep the drive in a separate bag |
| GaN multi-port charger | One plug for everything | Check total wattage |
| Universal adapter | Plugs differ by country | Does not convert voltage |
| Power bank | Long travel days | 100 Wh or less, carry-on only, max two |
| Unlocked eSIM phone | Cheap local data | Unlock before you leave |
| Passport (6+ months) | Entry rules | Plus digital and paper copies |
| Two cards, two networks | Backup if one fails | Store separately |
| Medicines + prescriber letter | Border checks | Original packaging |
| Capsule clothes + shell | Fits a 7 kg bag | Weekly laundry |
Related: How to become a digital nomad in 2026: a realistic 7-step plan · Best cities for digital nomads in 2026: 12 picks by budget and lifestyle
Related guides: Expat health insurance for digital nomads: SafetyWing vs Genki vs Cigna and more · eSIMs for digital nomads (2026): prices, fair use and keeping your number · VPNs for digital nomads (2026): what they do and don’t do, and how to choose · Flight search and award tools (2026): Google Flights, ITA Matrix, points
Quick answers
Q: Can I take a power bank on a plane in 2026?
Yes, in carry-on only. The FAA limits lithium-ion batteries to 100 Wh each, and up to two spares of 101-160 Wh need airline approval. IATA guidance on an ICAO change in force since 27 March 2026 says you can carry no more than two power banks and must not recharge them on board.
Q: How long must my passport be valid to travel?
Many countries want six months. Thailand requires at least 6 months of validity after arrival and one blank page, per UK government travel advice. The US State Department says some countries, especially in Europe, want 6 months beyond your travel dates. Renew before you drop under six months.
Q: Is the 100 ml liquids rule gone at UK airports?
Not everywhere. GOV.UK says most airports still apply 100 ml, though some may allow up to 2 litres, so you should check every airport on your trip. Per Which? in January 2026, Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol and both Belfast airports had dropped it; Luton and Manchester had not.
Sources
- FAA: Lithium Batteries (PackSafe)
- IATA: Guidance Document for Operators – Power Banks 2026
- GOV.UK: Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports – liquids
- Which?: The UK’s airport liquid rules for 2026
- Emirates: Cabin baggage rules
- Singapore Airlines: Cabin baggage
- Qantas: Carry-on baggage
- GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice – entry requirements
- US Department of State: International travel checklist
- TravelHealthPro: Medicines and travel
- WorldStandards: Plug and socket types around the world
General information from the Nomad Forums team. Check airline and country rules before you fly.
Over to you: Which airline or airport has weighed your cabin bag or questioned your power bank, and what happened? If you work from a 7 kg setup, what made the cut?