Packing can be your life’s bane: but for you, we’ve made the chore a little less tiresome and built a Full packing list. Was there a big trip coming up? Whether it’s shower gel, socks, clothing, or sunnies, use this ultimate guide to remind you of the useful essentials you need to purchase for your travels. It’s not easy to learn how to pack a backpack for a long journey. But treat this as a checklist for loading and tick – item off as you go. Of course, it depends on what kind of trip you’re going to embark on, whether it’s hiking a mountain or cross-railing Europe, so we’ve tried to include stuff that fits any trip!
The easiest way to pack a backpack is to conserve space when it comes to packing. Our top tip is to fold your clothing effectively. Remember heavy stuff at the bottom, stuff that leaks go into plastic bags, and things you’ll need as soon as you get to the top of your destination (such as toiletries).
If it takes up less room, roll up your clothes rather than folding them.
This guide would work for air travel suitcases as well, not just backpacks. Don’t miss something, fly happily!
Don’t you have time to read the article in full? Before you leave the house, here’s a short rundown of the key essentials to pack:
Passport Passport
Charger for phone / compact charger for phone
Euros
Adapters to the EU
Flops of flip (for the hostel bathrooms)
Bottle of Water
Socks
Underwear Clothing
Cream of the sun
Medicinal drugs/painkillers
Things to buy before traveling to Europe
Any documentation that you may need
Passport
Your passport is the most important item to pack for your travels. Without it, you won’t get very far. Often all you need is your ID/Drivers licence to fly if you travel within Europe as an EU resident, but this also depends on your airline, so we suggest having your passport on you at all times, just in case. Make sure your passport is valid before you fly, too. It’s always nice to have your passport at least six months before it expires, so always check your expiry date in good time so that before the trip arrives, you can order a new one.
Document
Your passport is the most important item to pack for your travels. Without it, you won’t get very far. Often all you need is your ID/Drivers licence to fly if you travel within Europe as an EU resident, but this also depends on your airline, so we suggest having your passport on you at all times, just in case. Make sure your passport is valid before you fly, too. It’s always nice to have your passport at least six months before it expires, so always check your expiry date in good time so that before the trip arrives, you can order a new one.
EU Adapters
Don’t forget to get your EU adapters ready! It saves buying one at the airport, because they can be very costly. On Amazon, for just £ 4.39, you can buy two packets of EU adapters. Two adapters should be enough to charge your laptop, phone, camera, hair and more for your travels.
When our phone runs out of battery on the lane, we all know the feeling. So bring a portable phone charger with you so you can charge your phone on the go. When you’re lost in the city or losing out on great photo opportunities, you don’t want your phone to die. The Anker PowerCore 10000 Redux, a small power bank that never lets us down, is one of our favorite affordable portable phone chargers.
GPS or Map
When you are trying to navigate an area, getting access to a GPS App on your mobile phone would be a lifesaver. Install Maps. me or City Mapper, and it will sort you out. You never know if you’re going to have a strong GPS signal, or your phone battery could die, so carrying a back-up map would be helpful.
Painkillers and Medicine
It’s always nice to be on the road with some drugs. For headaches, muscle aches, menstrual pains, stomach aches, pain relief or allergy pills will come in handy – so keep some on you just in case. They almost still bring Imodium or Dioralyte.
First aid kit
Every backpacker should bring a first aid kit, because you never know when you’re going to need it. Especially if you’re going to do a tour focused on trekking. For £7.99, you can purchase a first aid kit from Amazon.
Every backpacker should bring a first aid kit, because you never know when you’re going to need it. Especially if you’re going to do a tour focused on trekking. For £7.99, you can purchase a first aid kit from Amazon.
