• I recently traveled by train from New York to Eastern Canada for seven days with just a backpack.
• I was thankful I packed light, but there were a few items I wished I had with me during the trip.
• I was glad I brought laundry sheets and quick-dry clothing, but I wish I had brought more socks.

I recently spent seven nights traveling from NYC up to the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Québec by train, and I packed everything into one backpack.

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I recently took a week-long trip to Canada, and I did it with just a backpack.

I traveled by train from NYC to Niagara Falls, New York, and walked into Niagara Falls, Canada, on foot.

After three days in the Niagara Falls area, I took a bus up to Toronto for a night. From there, I traveled to Montréal and Québec City by train and spent one night in each city before flying home to New York.

I explored each city on foot, taking photos and notes along the way. I also stayed in a variety of accommodations, from Airbnbs to luxury hotels.

Read more: I’m a New Yorker who went to Canada for the first time. Here are 7 things that impressed me so much, I’m already planning a trip back.

It was my first time traveling for a week with just a backpack and while packing light made the trip easier, I did forget a few critical items.

Everything the author fit inside her backpack.Joey Hadden/Insider

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In the past, I’ve always traveled with a carry-on suitcase and a backpack for trips longer than a weekend. But with so many places to go in Canada in just seven days, I wanted to pack lighter this time.

I used a 32-liter backpack, the largest one I own, to hold everything I brought. I packed my work computer, camera, and chargers; my tripod, toiletries, and medications; one packing cube stuffed with clothing, and additional necessities like a raincoat, a tote, and a pair of comfy shoes.

I think I did pretty well for my first time packing this light, but there were a handful of items I missed.

One of the most important things I packed was laundry sheets so I could wash my clothes every couple of days.

The author washes clothes in a hotel sink using a laundry sheet.Joey Hadden/Insider

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Laundry sheets are small, dry, scented squares that look like dryer sheets, but they’re actually pads of laundry detergent that turn into a bubbly soap when mixed with water. They’re great for using on the go, and I like to pack them while traveling so I can do my own laundry in sinks and then air dry my items.

I’m glad I came prepared with laundry sheets so I could do laundry in the bathrooms of hotels and Airbnbs I stayed in, and pack fewer clothes without having to spend time and money at a laundromat.

Laundry sheets made it so I didn’t have to pack as many outfits, but I wish I brought more socks because they took longer to air dry than the rest of my clothes.

The author’s socks surrounded by all the clothes she brought on her trip.Joey Hadden/Insider

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I only brought five pairs of socks for this trip. I thought it would be enough considering I planned to do my own laundry, but I wish I packed one pair for each day rather than trying to wash and rewear some of them.

Drying my socks took much longer than the rest of my clothes, and waiting for them made me leave for the day later than I expected once or twice.

My quick-dry clothing was much easier to dry in the sun, however, and I’m glad I brought them.

.The author dries and wears her quick-dry clothing.Joey Hadden/Insider

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For clothing, I brought a couple of quick-dry shirts, shorts, and pants that were made of thin, moisture-wicking materials that are designed to dry quickly in the sun.

Most of my quick-drying clothes are from Under Armour or Prana and are good for exercise, but I thought they’d serve a dual purpose on this trip considering my laundry strategy. During my trip, I dried my freshly-laundered clothing on the balconies of hotel rooms and the porches of Airbnbs, and it never took longer than 20 minutes.

I wish I packed pajamas to make the evenings more comfortable.

The author wears pajamas on a train ride from a previous trip.Joey Hadden/Insider

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Once it was time for bed the first night, I couldn’t believe I had forgotten to pack pajamas. I was so focused on preparing for each day, I forgot to consider my nighttime routine.

Although pajamas are bulkier than much of the other clothing I brought, it would have been worth it to pack them to have a comfy pair of sweats to sleep in, instead of my daytime clothes.

I’m glad I remembered to use a packing cube to keep my clothing from taking up too much room in my backpack.

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I think that packing cubes make organization easier in backpacks with little-to-no separate compartments like mine.

I used one packing cube to stuff all my clothing into, and it made my clothing take up less space in the bag by keeping it compact.

I’m also glad I packed a tote bag in my backpack to separate some items for easier access during my travels, like my phone, wallet, and headphones.

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The author’s tote placed on a train seat.Joey Hadden/Insider

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On travel days, I used the tote to separate and hold personal belongings I’d want to use on the trains or buses so that I could stuff my backpack in the overhead bin.

This made it easy to quickly find items I needed, such as my headphones, and also kept my bulky backpack out of the way. By stowing my backpack on the shelf above me, I was able to maximize leg room, too.

But I wish I remembered to bring a portable charging battery for long days of exploring when my phone nearly died.

.A portable charger would’ve worked wonders on this trip.F.J. Jimenez/Getty Images.

Some days, I was out of my hotel room for 12 hours at a time, and not every train I rode had an outlet. During these times, I had to use my phone less to conserve battery life.

Since I was traveling solo, I couldn’t risk letting my phone die for safety reasons. But I wish I brought a portable battery pack with me so I could have used my phone as much as necessary, to snap extra pictures or take notes.

For those long days exploring, I’m glad I packed Mio, a caffeinated fruity addition to water that also packs in B vitamins.

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In the summertime, I drink Mio every morning, a caffeinated fruit-flavored addition to water with B vitamins. I can’t stand to drink a hot coffee in the heat, and I find it gives me the extra jolt of energy I need.

Since I visited Canada in the summer, I brought my Mio and it helped me to feel comfortable and alert while on the go.

I thought it would have been nice to pack some tea bags as well, since all my hotels had hot water available.

While on the road, I noticed that every hotel and Airbnb I stayed in either had a kettle or a pod coffee maker, so I could have easily boiled water.

Since I enjoy tea, and my lodgings were cool and climate-controlled, I could have easily enjoyed a freshly-brewed cup of tea. Next time, I’ll bring my favorite flavors since each tea bag is so small.

I was glad I packed my reusable water bottle so I didn’t have to purchase disposable plastic water bottles to stay hydrated throughout my trip.

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Greg Caplan, CEO and cofounder of Remote Year, previously told Insider that hydration while traveling is important, and bringing your own water bottle can save you money while limiting your use of plastic bottles, which also helps the environment.

I thought that bringing my own water bottle also saved me time and space since my backpack has a water bottle holder on the side.

Ultimately, I think I did a good job packing light for this trip, but bringing a few additional items would have made my trip more comfortable without weighing me down.

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Next time I pack for a trip like this, I’ll definitely reach for my backpack and packing cubes, but I won’t forget my socks, my pajamas, or my tea.

Read the original article on Insider