Travellers Checklist

Trying to decide what to take with you when you leave home for a long period can be quite daunting. This was the packing list we used to get ready for backpacking around the world.

Pick a category to move fast to the relevant section

We've also provided some lessons learned at the end of the list - what we didn't need, and what we wished we'd brought along.

Documents & Money

Medical Supplies

  • Passport
  • Visas (usually in the passport)
  • Air tickets
  • Money/Dollars
  • Travellers Cheques
  • Driving License
  • Addresses
  • International Driving Permit
  • Yellow Fever Certificate
  • Copies of Documents
  • Waterproof document folder
  • Wallet (plus 'hideaway' wallet)
  • Sterile medical kit (inc. syringes)
  • Sterile dental kit
  • Bandages (gauze & crepe)
  • Antiseptic
  • Scissors
  • Anti-fungal foot powder
  • Felt blister pads
  • Plasters
  • Pain killers (weak & strong)
  • Vitamins
  • Rehydration salts
  • Antihistamine / bite cream
  • Anti malaria tablets
  • Sun lotion
  • Insect repellent (DEET)
Clothing Toiletries
  • Underwear x 5
  • Shorts
  • Long trousers
  • Fleece
  • Sweatshirt
  • Longsleeve shirt
  • Tie (for dealing with officials?)
  • T-shirts x 3
  • Socks
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Walking Boots
  • Deck Shoes or Sandals
  • Hat
  • Light Cotton Scarf
  • Ball Gown
  • Shampoo
  • Soap (in soap box)
  • Flannel
  • Razor
  • Travel Soap
  • Tampons
  • Toothpaste
  • Tooth brush
  • Hair brush
  • Universal bath plug (very useful)
  • Travellers towel (fleece or chamois - very useful)
  • Travel wash (for clothes)
  • Washing line (essential)

Useful Stuff

Eating

  • Torch
  • Waterproof Matches
  • Night Light Candle
  • Swiss Army Penknife (or similar)
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera
  • Alarm clock or watch
  • Sewing kit
  • Ear plugs
  • Spanish Dictionary
  • Maps
  • Guidebooks (not too many)
  • Other reading
  • Pen & paper
  • Cards
  • Compass
  • Water Bottle (SIGG)
  • Water purification tablets (iodine)
  • Emergency water filter
  • Knife/Fork/Spoon
  • Bowl
  • Tin mug

Baggage

  • Rucksack
  • Chicken wire (to line the sack with)
  • Daypack
  • Document pack
  • Stuff sacks
  • Coil lock
  • Security alarm(optional)

Footnotes

Having spent four months living out of the contents of one rucksack, here is some feedback on what we wish we'd taken and what we wish we'd left in the bottom drawer.

We wished we'd packed...

Why the hell did we bring ...

  • A few more socks and boxer shorts We seemed to spend too much time in laundrettes.
  • Suntan lotion We thought it'd be easy to get locally, but it isn't, and it ain't cheap.
  • Rucksack covers Good protection from dirt and thieves.
  • Skirt For Katie - always wearing trousers on the nights out is depressing
  • Sleeping bag sheet liner - better than a sleeping bag in hot countries
  • Water purification filter Tablets are good enough
  • Spare camera film You can buy it everywhere, and its cheaper locally.
  • Two pairs of swimming trunks One pair is enough
  • Chicken wire lining on the rucksasck - not much protection really, and it gets in the way.
  • Guidebooks - again, you can buy rough guides and lonely planets new or second hand in most countries as you arrive, and resell them afterwards.


You are reading Adrian and Katie's Home Pageand World Tour - Planning Notes.
In 1998, Adrian and Katie put the rat race on hold for a year to travel the world.

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What to Pack                                                                         Last Updated: 7 September 1998
Web Page by Adrian Ball  (adrian.ball@virgin.net)