Get ready to say goodbye to packing stress, and say hello to a nice, lightweight backpack, full of the essential things that you actually need.
We’ve looked through a lot of community posts and voting polls to discover what backpackers absolutely couldn’t live without in their bags when travelling, here we give you — in no particular order — our top 20 packing list essentials for backpackers. Use this as a checklist for your next overseas backpacking adventure.
1. Wet Wipes
Wet wipes may seem a bit “middle-aged woman with a handbag”, but trust me — when you’re travelling, wet wipes are a gift from the travel gods. Use them to clean up scrapes and scratches, mop dust off your flip-flops, wipe the sweat off your face (nice) and freshen-up quickly if you can’t have a shower (double nice). They’re pretty good at removing fresh stains from clothes too. They have so many uses, you’ll thank me later.
2. Money
Unfortunately, you can’t go travelling around without having a bit of money. Not every town in the world is like your own. While many purchases in the modern world can be paid via card there are always certain countries and smaller towns where cash is still king and you don’t want to be caught out desperately needing a drink in a small town where nobody accepts card.
3. Condoms
Young, free, single and — how shall I put this? — sexually active? You never know when the opportunity will come knocking, you really don’t so pack some quality condoms. You don’t want to be bringing any unwanted presents home with you, this goes for guys and girls.
4. Passport
You won’t get very far without your passport, but before you pack it, one important thing to remember is to check that it isn’t about to expire! In fact you will need to check this when you book your flights. Lots of countries — including backpacker havens Australia, Thailand and Malaysia — won’t let you in if your passport expires within 6 months of your arrival date. It’s also worth packing a photocopy of your passport, and other important documents.
Alternatively, email a copy of these to yourself so you always have them quickly to hand. I even got into a nightclub without any ID and showed the security guard my emailed passport to get in! Of course, also remember to check whether you need a visa to get into the country you’re travelling to.
5. Drugs
No, not that kind of drugs – I’m talking about the medicinal kind! Firstly paracetamol is a popular go-to here, it’s worth taking a stash with you since some countries require a doctor’s appointment to get these or they just don’t stock the ones you’re looking for.
Secondly, we have Tiger Balm. If you haven’t discovered this versatile ointment yet, then get familiar. Tiger balm can help with headaches, aching muscles and insect bites, three of which you’re likely to come across. It’s available in Asia, so you can even pick some up on your travels.
Thirdly, pack some diarrhoea medication, it’s very likely you will eat or drink something that won’t agree with you and you’ll see more of the toilet than you planned.
Finally, some travel sickness tablets are good for those who get motion sickness from windy roads, bumpy flights or rough seas.
6. SIM card
Stay in contact with family and friends back home, as well as any newfound travel buddies with a SIM card that fits in your current phone. Look at any good local deals for minutes and data rather than using your home network roaming charges. You can even try a Global SIM where you can get coverage in 180 countries worldwide if you’re hopping from place to place.
7. Ear plugs
These can be lifesavers. Especially when sleeping in dorm rooms. They are pretty much essential if you want a good night’s sleep in different hostels when roommates and even outside noise can be inevitable. They’re also handy for flights, long-distance trains and buses.
8. Sleeping bag liner
If you’re planning to travel between multiple hostels, a sleeping bag liner is a great idea. It’s essentially a cosy thin sleeping bag, and it’ll protect you from any bed bugs that might be lurking in your sheets. Even the cleanest-looking places get them. Not to mention any sheets that haven’t quite been cleaned to the standard you had hoped. Why not pick up a nice silk one? And feel a bit more 5-star wherever you lay your head.
9. Mosquito repellent
Nobody wants to be covered in bright red bites. They absolutely love me, they’re somehow all addicted to my blood but even if you’re one of those really annoying people who never seem to get bitten (why?), it’s still worth spraying on some mosquito repellent. You may also want to invest in a mosquito net if you’re travelling in Malaria zones.
10. Notebook and pens
I have diarised a few of my journeys in a notebook and it was the best idea ever. I re-read these notes decades on with great memories. Even if you’re planning to write a blog you will forget things so just write it all down while it’s fresh. Nothing beats lying on an isolated beach with a notebook in your hand, writing about your latest travel adventures and capturing how you’re feeling. There are plenty of other good uses for notebooks and pens beyond this too.
11. Travel insurance
OK it’s boring, and yes, I sound like your mum, but it’s so, so important — not least because you can’t get it once you’ve left! Don’t let getting any of your devices nicked or having to fork out for medical treatment ruin your trip. You can buy travel insurance from only 37p a day so just sort it out, keep a note of who it’s with, note their contact details and what the insurance reference number is in case you don’t have internet handy.
12. Music player or smartphone with music capabilities
It goes without saying you will need an internet-connected phone for all sorts of useful reasons but travelling without music on long bus journeys is just no fun; plus, the songs you listen to will forever remind you of your travels
Ensure that your phone has the capability to either stream music or store a good load of it. If not take a cheap MP3 player that has your favourite tracks saved. You can rely on the likes of Spotify to a degree but ensure you have plenty downloaded in offline mode to rely on when there are long stretches of terrain without any signal. The Nullarbor desert in Australia anyone?
13. Padlocks
Always take a couple of padlocks. They don’t need to be huge. They’ll keep your backpack secure, and you can also use them on lockers in certain hostels or leisure centres.
14. Toilet roll
Stick some loo roll in your bag, particularly if you’re travelling around Latin America or Asia, where the public toilets may either be missing toilet roll completely or also missing an actual toilet.
Believe me, there was a bad food experience trip I made in Thailand where I would have paid top, top money for a few leaves of bog roll and I had none. On a toilet-related note; start practising your crouching skills, as the public loos will probably be lacking in seats – yes squat toilets. You’ll soon get used to them.
15. Suncream
Unless you’re travelling to a much colder country (and even then it’s useful) then it’s just an absolute necessity that you will barely get by without while backpacking. Make sure you use it or you’ll regret it shortly after or at least later in life when your skin is ruined beyond repair.
16. Compact travel towel
I only found out about this part-way through my backpacking journey and I wish I had found it sooner. These super lightweight microfibre towels are often kept in little zip bags and dry really fast, like with a strong breeze. Say goodbye to your heavy, thick towel and invest in one of these space savers, you’ll thank me later.
17. Scarf
No, not the woolly winter kind; I’m talking about a big lightweight scarf – ladies call them pashminas. Gents, try a keffiyeh, or a less-politically-controversial-but-still-manly equivalent. Not only will a scarf keep you warm if the evenings get chilly, it can also double up as a beach blanket, and protect you against sub-zero air conditioning on a bus, train or plane journey.
18. A decent water bottle
An item you will take out almost everywhere so get a decent, sturdy, reliable one. It will save you money and help reduce your plastic footprint on our planet while you travel it.
19. World travel adapter plug
These are a must-have to be able to recharge your devices while in different countries. If you’re hopping countries often you’ll be surprised just how crazy different the plug sockets are so get a worldwide travel adapter plug and you’ll be covered for all of the main sockets.
20. Visas
Check way in advance if the country you’re travelling to requires you to have a visa on entry. Then make sure you’ve got that sorted, or you’ll be waiting a long, long time at the border. If you have less than five days to go, no drama, that’s just about time to visit your local store and submit a fast-track visa service, for any entrance visas!
Hopefully, that helps you to check off the necessaries before your next trip. We’re also open to feedback as well so drop us a comment if you feel like we’ve missed anything from our 20 packing list essentials.