Last Updated on July 1, 2025 by George Pavlopoulos
From the day I started running this travel blog, I promised myself to travel light. Well, as light as possible anyway, because a travel writer always has to carry his/her blogging equipment while traveling. Choosing the best travel blogging gear is challenging, though. It takes trial and error to find out what works for you and what doesn’t.
I decided to write this post to help you save money during the process of choosing your blogging gear. Moreover, the setup shown below is ideal for minimalists. One might ask: Why is it important?
As I mentioned, it takes trial and error to find the optimal travel blogging gear. For example, buying a camera that is not what you had in mind (too heavy, not fast enough, etc.) can result in a significant financial loss. How would you feel if you bought a 2,000 euros/dollars camera only to find out that it’s not for you? Or, if you buy a laptop, but all of a sudden, there’s not enough RAM to run your blog smoothly?
My Travel Blogging Gear for Minimalists setup is definitely not the only way to go. However, it proved to be the best way to run my travel blog for six consecutive years.
Before I begin discussing my travel blogging gear, I would like to mention two things. The first is that I’m confident enough to say this setup is excellent for every blog, not just travel blogs. The second is that this is not a sponsored post. I have paid for the blogging gear myself; therefore, what you are going to read here is my honest, first-hand experience.
So, let’s start.
*Some of the links are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Travel blogging gear for minimalists
There are four things that I always have with me when going on a journey. So, in this first part, let’s explore why I always carry these four devices with me.
Laptop: MacBook Pro 13″
I was never an Apple guy. I had no doubts about Apple’s ability to create fantastic products -on the contrary, I always appreciated them. But here’s the thing: most of the products were way too expensive. However, buying a MacBook Pro was the turning point: it was the first time I bought an Apple product. Now it’s seven years later, and I’m still fascinated by it.
Here’s the story: I’ve been searching for a new laptop after my old Toshiba crashed. It was almost ten years old (!), it weighed 3,4 kilos, and I think it offered value for every penny I spent on it. But now, I was about to start a travel blog.
This didn’t only mean that I needed something lightweight to have with me at all times; it also meant that I needed a laptop capable of running heavy software. I knew that I’d spend several hours in front of it, so an extra thing to keep an eye on was the screen.
I didn’t even consider checking out a MacBook Pro due to its high price. However, I did check numerous laptops. I checked Lenovo’s, HP’s, Dell’s, and other laptops. To be honest, I think I checked every single brand. My initial budget was approximately 800 euros.
However, since I couldn’t find what I was searching for, I kept raising the issue. Soon, I ended up at 1,300, and I was ready to buy a Dell. I went to the store and tried to spend time with it. The specs were outstanding, but the screen looked too dark. Then, I said to myself: “Okay, I won’t spend 1,500 euros if I’m not 150% happy with what I’m buying.”
And that’s how I ended up checking the MacBook Pro 13″. In comparison to many other laptops, the specs of the MacBook Pro were lower. But, they were enough for me, the laptop was lightweight, and the screen was probably the best I’ve seen in my life. Since I’m VAT exempt, I spend 1,450 euros on the MacBook Pro 13″.
Now, it’s more than two years later, and I must say that the MacBook Pro works like it’s brand new. I take it with me wherever I go, and even though it has 8 GB of RAM, it runs Lightroom and Final Cut Pro X smoothly.
My advice for buying a laptop as blogging gear
It’s time to splurge. Your laptop will be the one thing that you will see every day. You will spend most of your time in front of the screen, and it needs to be a pleasant environment for you to work in. I know that you don’t have an indefinite amount of money -neither do I.
However, buying the best laptop for my needs was the one thing I wouldn’t compromise on. I could, for example, compromise the camera or the hard drive. But not on the laptop. Check the specs, see the laptops up close, and test them. Last but not least, try to get a lightweight one, something not heavier than 1-1,2 kilos.
However, please invest in the best laptop you can afford. Otherwise, you’ll have a hard time working. In my opinion, the best laptop for travel blogging is the MacBook Pro. Whatever you choose, choose wisely.
Camera: Ricoh GR II
As is the case with the laptop, finding the best camera for running a blog is really difficult. There are numerous cameras available, and ultimately, the question is: which one is right for you? I guess that’s the million-dollar question.
However, travel photography is challenging, and you definitely need equipment that won’t let you down. Therefore, choosing the best camera for travel blogging might not be that easy.
Well, speaking for myself, it was clear that I wanted to travel light. Searching for the best travel blogging gear as a minimalist also meant keeping two things in mind: portability and quality.
Remember, since I splurged on the laptop, I had even less money to spend on a camera. At this initial point in creating my setup, I decided to spend whatever was needed, but this, of course, didn’t mean I could buy a Leica. So, what sort of camera will you need for running a blog?
There are a few key points to consider as both a blogger and a minimalist. The first is that if you don’t opt for a Mirrorless camera or a DSLR (the ones that allow you to change lenses), your camera should be fast. Check if the lens has an Aperture of f/2.8 or lower (f/2.0 or f/1.8, etc.).
Second, ensure it features a large sensor. Sensor size matters way more than megapixels for image quality. Go for 4/3 or an APS-C sensor; a full-frame will (probably) be out of your budget at this stage. And try to keep it as lightweight as possible.
For me, the choice was easy. I bought the Ricoh GR ii, and I wrote a very long review about it, which is for months on the first page of Google. About a year after I bought it, I also created my own Lightroom Presets for the Ricoh GR ii.
There’s a new model, the Ricoh GR III, which people say is also incredible. It practically is the new generation of the series, but I haven’t tested it yet. It’s compact and lightweight, too, so if you’ve never owned a Ricoh before, the GR III might be the perfect choice for you.
Runner-up cameras
When you start buying cameras, it’s never that easy to stop 🙂 Apart from the Ricoh GR ii, I own a couple of other cameras -and I daydream of others as well. I’m adding two more cameras here that meet the above criteria for travel blogging. I find them excellent for travel photography.
Fujifilm X100 series
I will always have a thing for Fujis. The X100 series is one of the best out there. There are already a few cameras from this series available, and the latest one is the X100V. I have used the X100T for a while, and I must admit it’s fantastic.
The X100 cameras have a fixed lens of 35mm; they are fast (f/2,0), but they weigh more than the Ricoh for sure. They are fantastic cameras for travel, street photography, and reportage. The X100 cameras, in my opinion, are definitely among the best for travel blogging. Check the prices for the Fujifilm X100V, X100F, and X100 T here.
Sony a6X00 series.
The Sony a6000 was a brilliant camera, and even though it’s a bit outdated, I still believe it can be the primary camera of a travel blogger. Of course, each new model brought something extra to the table, so you can choose between an earlier or a modern model depending on your budget.
I’ve owned the Sony a6300 for almost two years, and I must say it’s a fantastic camera. I don’t use it that often because I didn’t want to carry lenses with me while traveling. But that’s a personal choice. Make sure to check the Sony a6000, and if your budget allows, also check the a6300, the a6500, and the a6600.
My advice for buying a camera as blogging gear
After your laptop, your camera will be the second most important thing for running your travel blog. If you are searching for a lightweight camera, it must be an advanced point-and-shoot. There are just a couple of them out there, and the Ricoh (GR ii & GR iii) are among the best.
Of course, there are cameras like Mirrorless and DSLRs that offer the flexibility of different focal lenses, albeit at the expense of extra weight in your backpack. If you don’t mind carrying different lenses with you, you can also go for one. I own and use the Sony a6300 extensively. That’s an amazing camera, but (believe it or not) I skipped it for the small Ricoh that fits in my pocket.
Consider investing in a high-quality camera. Advanced point-and-shoot cameras are often great for travel bloggers because you don’t have to carry several lenses with you. Keep in mind the lightweight APS-C sensor with f/2.8 or lower.
Video camera: DJI Osmo Pocket
There are numerous video cameras to choose from these days. For non-professional videographers, action cameras sounded like a game-changer. You didn’t have to carry with you a huge device just to record a video, a GoPro would be enough. Since this is Travel blogging gear for minimalists, though, I’ll stay once again in line: something lightweight without compromises in quality.
The device I ended up having with me all the time is the DJI Osmo Pocket. I don’t just have it with me only when I’m traveling, but I also carry it when I’m walking in Berlin or Athens, the cities where I live.
Exactly like I did with the Ricoh, I wrote a very extensive review for the DJI Osmo Pocket (read the OP Review here). In brief, this tiny device is capable of shooting 4K video and weighs just 116 gr. See a post dedicated to travel videos here.
Now, here’s something to keep in mind regarding videography. A Mirrorless or a DSLR camera will give you the possibility (but it’s not always the case) to have one device for both photos and videos. Cameras like the Sony a6X00 series (a6000, a6300, a6500, etc.) are great all-around cameras.
They definitely weigh more than the 380 grams that the Ricoh and the Osmo Pocket weigh together (!), but their quality is probably superior. However, I wanted to avoid carrying lenses (I had done so in the past); therefore, I ended up with these two separate cameras.
My advice for buying a video camera as travel blogging gear
First things first: you don’t have to buy a video camera. Additionally, you don’t need to purchase a separate camera. Video is not always a must for a travel blogger. But I thought of experimenting a bit with the medium, and I also thought of growing my YouTube Channel (you can follow me here).
However, if you are not a dedicated videographer, the DJI Osmo Pocket is a brilliant, lightweight device capable of 4K video.
External hard drive: LaCie 4 TB rugged
A life’s work probably exists in every laptop out there. Especially for users who keep their laptops for several years, the hard drives are likely to be full of files. Once again, it’s time to splurge, but at least hard drives are not a significant expense, and you won’t need to buy them often either.
For example, after 18 months of blogging, I just bought my second external hard drive. And, to be honest, if I hadn’t shot that many 4K videos, I probably wouldn’t need a second one right now.
I always buy the rugged LaCie ones by Seagate because they are probably the best fit with a MacBook Pro. Plus, the fact that they are rugged makes me more relaxed when everybody is stuffing luggage in an airplane or when I leave my backpack clumsily on the floor.
The rugged and non-rugged versions of the LaCie don’t come with a significant price difference, so I always opt for the rugged one. Supposedly, a car can drive over them, and nothing will happen. Well, I’m not willing to test that, but I’m just adding it here for the record.
I know that there are numerous great external hard drives available. I just thought of buying the most compatible with my MacBook, and also one that I could bring with me on my journeys without worrying at all. If the 4 TB LaCie is too expensive for you, consider the 2 TB; the 1 TB will fill up too soon, so I’d recommend skipping it.
My advice for buying an external hard drive
Your life’s work needs a proper backup. After all, that’s why we purchase external HDs: to have backups in case something fails in the laptop. If you have a MacBook (or you’re about to buy one), I can highly recommend the LaCie hard drives by Seagate.
They are well-built, and I haven’t had any problems with them so far. Of course, any other brand will be fine as well. I used for years the ones by Western Digital, and I was equally satisfied.
What else is part of my travel blogging equipment
While these four devices are the ones I always have with me, a few others also make it into my bag. Some of them are accessories (such as chargers); therefore, they must be part of the setup. Others, I just carry them with me from time. Let’s break down my full travel equipment list:
Memory cards
I don’t pack a load of extra memory cards. For some odd reason, I don’t share the insecurity of travel bloggers that their memory cards will fail them. I usually don’t even have a second one. Regardless, I always opt for the Sandisk Extreme Pro series because they are speedy and reliable.
Why do you need a fast memory card? When shooting photos in continuous mode or 4K video, a fast memory card is essential for storing the data correctly. Most of the time, I buy the Sandisk Extreme Pro 64 GB ones.
Cables and chargers
I’m not sure what to say here. I just hope that we won’t need cables in the near future. It’s one of the ugliest things to store, and it’s always a struggle if you forget one.
DJI Osmo Pocket ND filters
Most of the time, I have these tiny ND filters with me for the Osmo Pocket. The reason is that I sometimes want a more cinematic look in my videos, and the only way to achieve that is by using ND filters. This adds another 4-5 grams to my travel blogging gear 🙂
Card reader
I need a card reader because the MacBook doesn’t have one. I need to have it with me for transferring photos from the SD card directly to the computer. I’d love to see this solved as well. I use the one by Satechi.
Aputure AL-M9 Amaran Mini LED Light
Having an extra light for photos and videos while traveling is helpful. 99% of the images I shoot aren’t staged. Therefore, the light is not always optimal. The same goes for videos. At some point, I considered investing in a portable light.
The Aputure AL-M9 is (surprise, surprise) lightweight, and it, for its size, offers an impressive amount of light. Of course, it can’t compare to larger (and heavier) lights, but for 50 euros, it’s a bargain. And it weighs just 140 grams.
Smartphone
Okay, you can’t technically call a smartphone dedicated travel blogging equipment, but I’m adding it here because I use it sometimes to run the blog. How? I shoot photos, manage the social media for Letters to Barbara, edit photos, and keep notes for my posts.
Lens tissue
That’s apparently a must for your laptop, cameras, and smartphone. It costs almost nothing, it weighs a gram or two, and it is always useful to have one (or more). Get a few of them; you’ll always need them.
Tripod
Most of the time, I don’t have a tripod with me. I only take it if I know I’ll have to shoot something specific. I have two tripods at home, but I always prefer the smaller one by Joby.
Travel backpack
Last but not least, that’s probably the ultimate travel blogging equipment: it has to fit all the above inside! The truth is that I often replace my backpacks because they wear out. For the past year, I’ve been using a Herschel backpack, which seems ideal for me.
It’s very comfortable and, most importantly, my back is not suffering after carrying it around for a couple of hours. It’s probably the best travel backpack I’ve ever had.
Travel blogging gear for minimalists: An Epilogue
That was it for my travel blogging equipment for minimalists. As I mentioned at the beginning, traveling light is very important to me. You see, after one day walking outside with heavy stuff in your backpack, you might feel slightly stiff. Now, do that for a decade, and you’ll most likely wreck your back.
On the other hand, carrying just a few things makes us more sustainable as travelers. The fact is that running a travel blog while being on the road can be a hassle. I wanted to make it easier for myself to travel and write, and that’s how I ended up with this setup, after a trial-and-error process.
As a travel blogger, you will always have to carry a backpack full of equipment. While others are boarding an airplane and don’t even think of taking a laptop with them, travel writers actually start by packing their laptops.
But at the same time, traveling light doesn’t mean you have to compromise. You can still have high-quality equipment that will help you run your blog smoothly.
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More travel blogging tips: How to create a blog from scratch, Reviewing Bluehost, What I learned after a year of travel blogging, The first things I learned about blogging, The name of your blog
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