Best Film for Travel Photography: What to Pack and Why

Travel photography on film is one of the great pleasures of shooting analogue. There's something about the deliberateness of film, the finite number of frames, the anticipation of getting your rolls back, that makes you more present and more intentional as a photographer.

But packing the right film for a trip takes a bit of thought. You'll be shooting in varied light, across different environments, and you won't always be able to run to a camera store if you run out. Here's how to choose well.

The most important factor: versatility

When you're travelling, you don't always know what light you'll be shooting in. A morning market might be bright and sunny. An afternoon in a cathedral might be dim and moody. An evening street scene might be lit by neon and tungsten. You need a film that can handle all of it.

That's why ISO 400 is the default recommendation for travel. It's fast enough for low light, fine-grained enough for bright conditions, and forgiving enough to handle the exposure inconsistencies that come with shooting on the go.

Kodak Portra 400: the reliable choice

Kodak Portra 400 is the professional's choice for a reason. Its exceptional latitude means you can expose it in a wide range of conditions and still get a usable frame. Skin tones are warm and flattering, colours are natural, and grain is fine. If you're shooting people, markets, street scenes, or portraits on your travels, Portra 400 is hard to beat.

Kodak Gold 200: the character choice

Kodak Gold 200 is a different proposition. It's warmer, punchier, and more nostalgic in its rendering. In good daylight, which is most of what you'll encounter on a sunny holiday, it produces images with a warmth and saturation that Portra doesn't quite match. It's also more affordable, which matters when you're shooting a lot of frames.

The trade-off is that it's less forgiving in mixed or low light. If your trip involves a lot of indoor shooting or evening photography, Portra 400 is the safer bet. If you're heading somewhere sunny and want that warm, golden travel aesthetic, Gold 200 is a joy.

How much film to bring

A common mistake is not bringing enough. A 36-exposure roll sounds like a lot until you're shooting freely and realise you've burned through it in an afternoon. For a week-long trip, most photographers shoot between 4 and 10 rolls depending on how actively they're shooting.

We've put together two travel bundles to make it easy:

• Travel Weekender (4 Rolls), ideal for a long weekend or a short trip where you're shooting selectively
• Travel Big Trip (8 Rolls), built for longer trips or photographers who like to shoot freely without rationing frames

Practical tips for travelling with film

• Request hand inspection at airports. X-ray machines can fog film, especially at higher ISOs or after multiple passes. Ask security to hand-check your film. Most airports will accommodate this.
• Keep film in your carry-on. Checked baggage goes through stronger X-ray scanners. Always carry your film with you.
• Store film cool. Heat degrades film over time. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from hot car interiors.
• Bring more than you think you need. Film is harder to find abroad, and you can always shoot the extra rolls at home.
• Label your rolls. A small piece of tape with the date and location helps you keep track of what you shot where.

The short answer

Pack Portra 400 for versatility and reliability, or Gold 200 if you're heading somewhere sunny and want that warm, nostalgic travel look. Bring more rolls than you think you'll need. And enjoy the process. Shooting film on the road is one of the best ways to slow down and really see a place.