Packing to go travelling? Check out our what to pack travel checklist…

If it’s your first extended foreign trip or you’re off around the world for the foreseeable future knowing what to pack for the great unknown can be tricky. No matter if you’re planning on travelling for a week, a month or a year it can be annoying carrying around excess gear, especially if it comes home un-used.

As travel veterans, us here at GoneTravelling have been there and done that and have got a solid guide of what to pack for your global adventure!

In all honesty, you will meet someone on the road travelling with the bare minimum, a day sack with a change of clothes and some toiletries, there’s no reason that can’t be you! For those of us who like to have a fresh supply of clothes this guide aims to help you pack for a backpackers life on the road.

Before hand, make sure you have a good quality bag, ideally a rucksack. For extended jaunts over more than a month you will probably need a 50 litre pack with a day bag of 15-20 litres.

You probably won’t use a bag cage but a few good combination padlocks are invaluable.

CLOTHES

It’s true, you never know what might happen, you might end up at a black tie event or you could be invited to dinner with the King of Bhutan. Chances are though, you won’t. So leave the suit and/or cocktail dress behind.

Hot weather destinations:

• Shorts/Light skirt
• Light trousers/light dress (girls perhaps one of each, guys just one)
• Swimming gear
• Three T shirts
• One light jumper or cardigan
• One smart casual shirt or top
• Underwear and socks for 5 days
• Flip flops and light shoes/trainers

For flip flops we strongly recommend Havaianas or Birkenstocks.

Cold weather destinations:

• Trousers x 2
• T shirts x 3 or 4
• Light jumper or sweater
• Hoodie or heavier jumper
• Smart casual shirt or top
• Scarf and gloves
• Underwear and socks for 5 days
• Shoes/trainers

EQUIPMENT

The mantra here is, are you really going to use it? Are you taking it ‘just in case’? If you’re not planning on taking a lot of stunning photographs leave the DSLR at home. And do you really need to take your macbook or can you make do with your phone and/or tablet?

• • Smartphone (unlocked) +charger
  • Tablet or e-book reader (optional) +charger
  • Camera (compact, OPTIONAL if phone has good camera)
  • DSLR and/or GoPro if you are expecting to use them a lot ONLY
  • Torch (small compact)
  • Universal Plug Adapter (We recommend the Kinden adaptor)
  • Good hard wearing headphones
  • Bluetooth speaker (optional)

If you really can’t afford to lose it, don’t take it!

Toiletries and Sundries

Do you have a particular brand of perfume or deodorant you can’t bear to be without? Leave it behind. Do you really need that many dioralytes and sticky plasters? Probably not. Keep it simple because you’ll probably be able to get most things you need on the road.

The exception to this is of course specialist medication. If you require regular medication see your GP before travelling.

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Shower gel
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Antiperspirant
• Flannel
• Sun protection
• Simple First Aid Kit
• Contraception (Single guys and gals! Stay safe!)
• Feminine hygiene products

This will be all you need. However some people may find that the addition of particular beauty products are deemed essential. Many will find that normal beauty regimes go out of the window once you’re on the road and a scaled back selection will be more than enough.

• Travel hair dryer (optional)
• Small selection of make-up (one lippy, one eye pencil or eye shadow box)

Other Stuff

A few bits and bobs that may come in handy but are by no means essential include.

• • Towel (Microfibre is best)
  • Small blanket, sarong or shawl (towel might be able to double up)
  • Travel knife
  • Travel cutlery (if expecting to camp)
  • Spare loo roll or tissues
  • Travel washing line
  • Spare day bag/hold all

Don’t worry if you forget something, you’ll be able to pick up most things on the road often cheaper than at home. Many people travel with the absolute bare essentials and get by fine for extended travels, so don’t get stuck trying to decide what to bring. If in doubt, leave it!