Packing List to Everywhere

This is what my first-time packing list looked like:

Mom: ‘Are you really gonna need 3 travel towels and 2 pairs of sunglasses?

“Yes mom, really.”

“Because what if I take a morning shower in the hostel and use one towel, then later that day find some hot springs and use the second towel, and then at the end of the day spill my beer all over and need the third one?

& Sunglasses are just the most important thing one could possibly bring, so I need at least 1 extra pair for if I lose the first.”

“Yes mom, of course I can see it doesn’t fit. I have eyes.”

It-does-NOT-fit.

Like many of you I’ve been there, done that. And after some time I started to get the hang of just bringing the necessary. That’s why I want to share my current packing list with you, so you can maybe downsize a little too.

This packing list is generally based on an infinite trip around the world. The idea is to be spending a little time in cold weather, but mostly in the heat.

For 99% of our stuff goes: You can always buy it in another country. Is it colder than expected? Buy some warm clothes somewhere. Didn’t bring mosquito spray or sunscreen? No biggie, it’s certainly getable in most places.

My outfit

• Comfy sneakers – For me they are the good ol’ All Stars – I’ve been using them since forever and just love ‘em. Pick any kind of light shoes you’re comfortable walking in. You might also consider quick-drying shoes.
• Socks – I’m a fan of hiking socks, even for non-hiking trips. They are light, smell less and dry quickly. Keep your feet happy and blister-free!
• Underwear
• Thailand pants – You guessed it, the famous super light and comfy elephant pants! They make for a very backpackery look, but hey, that’s exactly what we’re doing!
• Tank top – H&M Basics is my hero.
• Vest or sweater – Again: H&M. One piece of advice: make sure you wear layers so you can take something off when ACs are not working and put something on when it’s working too well.
• Down jacket – Keeps you warm and is very easy to pack up small. Sooner or later you’ll need it.
• Money belt – Depending on the destination: Better safe than sorry!

Packing List – Backpack

The North Face – Terra 35L is big enough to fit everything, but small enough to take as cabin luggage.

Clothes

• Flip flops (duh.)
• 2 extra panties (or boxer shorts, or whatever keeps your butt warm)
• Extra bra (or not, if you’re a guy)
• Extra pair of hiking socks – I can wear them for 2 days, since I’m luckily not the owner of stinky feet.
• Swimwear
• 2 tank tops
• A short sleeved shirt – Running shirts are the best. They don’t mind your sweatiness. I’m wearing H&M Sports shirts a lot.
• Long sleeved shirt – Sports shirt too
• Lightweight rain jacket

• Lightweight rain jacket
• 1 dress, or a nice shirt if you’re a guy? Because yes, sometimes we’ll go out dancing!
• Zip off pants – My absolute favorite piece of clothes. For me the zip-off to short is perfect, for guys the just under the knee-one seems like a good option.
• Extra shorts
• Three quarter pants
• Light pyjamas
• Sarong – Useful as blanket, scarf, dress or whatever you need it to be
• Hiking shoes – If you want to go hiking a lot

Some extra necessities

• My laptop and charger
• 2 small micro fiber (means: light & fast-drying!) towels
• Travel mosquito net
• Thin liner
• Also handy: a travel adapter

Toiletries

Keep in mind that you won’t be allowed to take scissors and fluids over 100ml on most planes, if you’re traveling with just cabin luggage like me.

• Deo stick
• Razor
• Toothpaste
• Toot brush
• Floss
• Mini shampoo
• Mini soap
• Tweezers
• Nail clipper
• Cotton swabs
• Mini hairbrush
• Mini perfume

First aid

Firstly, if it comes to health, I am in no way saying this is all you should bring. If you have personal prescriptions, you should obviously bring those (in your cabin luggage!). Secondly, depending on your situation and plans, you might want to bring additional things like pills for motion sickness, altitude sickness, allergies or sleeping. Also, make sure you get informed about necessary vaccinations a few months before your adventure starts. In reality, this is normally my standard package:

• Painkillers, for cases of hangover or otherwise painful experiences
• Immodium, for cases of diarrhea
• ORS, for cases of dehydration
• Bandages
• Also good to bring: a little tube of sunscreen – depending on the destination
• Finally, don’t forget your mosquito spray – depending on the destination

Other

Then for the girls: 3 elastic bands, some tampons, make-up remover pads, some make-up (mascara, eye pencil, foundation)

And for the guys: Shaving cream, small hair spray

Finally, for lens wearers like me: Extra contacts, small solution, extra contact case.

Packing List – Small daypack

Electronics

• Camera, charger, extra battery and extra SD card – Since a long time I’ve used a Canon Powershot and I am really really content with it. Some people wouldn’t agree with me, but the 14x zoom makes it less challenging to capture some interesting scenes.
• Phone and charger
• Earphones

Other

• Wallet
• Passport and copy
• Student card if you have it (gives you some discounts worldwide)
• Travel visa if necessary
• Tickets – plane, bus, train
• Debit card – make sure you activate it for outside our country
• Credit card – I use the American Express Gold Card (this one is specifically for Dutchies)
• Frequent Flyer card or number
• Travel insurance card and/or copy
• Emergency contact numbers
• Sunglasses – I can tell you one pair is in fact enough. You can indeed buy these almost everywhere
• A book to read

• Lip balm, glasses and lenses case
• Small notebook (and pen)
• Small flashlight
• Tissues, sleeping mask & ear plugs
• At last: a bottle of water

What better not to bring?

Detergent. If possible I use laundries along the way, most hostels generally have the option. In any case, some soap or shower gel works fine too.

Big bottles of shampoo, shower gel, or deodorant. Just for practical reasons: Some of this stuff is heavy and besides that, the airlines won’t allow you to keep it in your hand luggage.

Please also think about leaving valuable jewelry at home, since there’s always the risk of losing it or having it stolen.

Anything on your packing list that isn’t on mine? Let me know in a comment!

What’s more?
Epic Travel List