What you decide to take on a round-the-world trip ultimately depends on the activities you plan on partaking in and the places you plan on visiting.
Packing for a long term trip around the world can be a challenge. The contents of your backpack should get you through a variety of climates, sustain you economically, be culturally sensitive, and should support a variety of physical activities without weighing you down.
Here are some items I’ve found to be indispensable during my travels.
1. Fleece and Jacket
A fleece and a wind/waterproof shell worn together or separately give you versatile options which provide protection from a variety of weather.
Jacket Price: $88.83 – $119.00 | BUY | Fleece Top Price: $39.50 | BUY
2. Bank Card
ATMs are becoming more available globally, making it easier than ever to get money in local currency while on the road. Try to have a couple cards for different bank accounts (in case one doesn’t work).
Be sure to investigate how much you will be charged by your bank for international withdrawals.
3. Rain Poncho
A compact yet sturdy rain poncho not only keeps you dry, but can also protect your day pack from moisture. It makes a useful tarp or waterproof mat for sitting on wet surfaces.
Price: $3.95 | BUY
4. Hat/Cap
A soft sun hat made from foldable fabric protects you from the sun and is easy to store. The Horizon Mosquito Cap below includes a concealable mosquito net.
Price: $29.94 | BUY
5. Flip flops
Wear them in grungy hotel showers or during tropical rainstorms when the streets are flooded. Use them as beach wear or for killing bugs. Flip flops work indoors when you are visiting countries where people remove outdoor shoes before entering homes.
Price: $12.99 | BUY
6. Sleeping Bag Liner or Sheet Sack
Even if you don’t carry a sleeping bag, bring a liner. This can be a light-weight silk sleeping bag liner or an old bed sheet, folded and sewn into a sack. Use as a blanket on cold bus rides, a layer between your body and beds of dubious cleanliness, or for its original purpose (since it is easier to clean than a sleeping bag.)
Price: $39.00 | BUY
7. Headscarf or Large Bandanna
Choose a bandanna made of sturdy lightweight material. For women, this may be necessary when visiting places like mosques, Russian Orthodox churches, and more conservative Middle Eastern countries. It also can be used as a bag (tie the corners together), a neck scarf, a way to keep hair out of your face, protection from sand and dust (wrapped around nose and mouth), a window shade (for sunny car rides), and as a halter top.
Price: $1.98 | BUY
8. Waterproof Bags
Useful for protecting important documents that you are not carrying on your person. They can also protect electronic equipment, keep small pieces of clothing dry, or keep potentially leaky items (shampoo, lotion) from getting all over your luggage.
Price: $9.39 – $17.99 | BUY
9. Digital Camera
If you’re traveling around the world, chances are you want to document your travels. Be sure to pack extra memory, and a memory reader so you can occasionally burn photos onto CD/DVD and send an extra copy back home (or upload to online storage space such as Flickr). You can also use a digital camera to store information, such as maps, documents, and other files.
Price: $229.88 | BUY
10. Elastic Clothesline with Hooks
An elastic clothesline makes it easy to hang up and dry laundry anywhere. It is also useful for strapping or tying objects together. Some lines come with suction cups which don’t work as well so make sure you get one with hooks or loops.
Price: $9.94 | BUY
11. Small Flashlight
I carry a Maglite in my day pack because one never knows when the electricity will go out or you’ll find yourself walking down a dark, potholed street.
Editor’s Note – An alternative to flashlights are headlamps which serve the same purpose while freeing up your hands.
Price: $26.64 | BUY.
12. Day Pack
You are going to be carrying a day pack with you most of the time so make sure it has plenty of pockets (both internal and external), is strong, and provides comfortable straps. Consider getting one that can be folded up and stuffed into your regular backpack.
Price: $44.99 | BUY
13. The Keeper (for women only)
Definitely not for everyone but this little cup will minimize the amount of pads you need. Great in countries where access to tampons is a lot more difficult. It reduces the amount of trash you generate, the weight in your bag, money spent on feminine products, and emergency runs to the store.
Price: $35.00 | BUY
14. Swiss Army Knife
The Spartan model includes 2 knives, a pair of scissors, a can opener, a bottle opener, toothpick, tweezers, awl, and corkscrew – sufficient tools while traveling.
Price: $28.89 | BUY
15. Money Belt
A money belt keeps cash, cards, and passports safely concealed. You may want a second storage belt such as a neck pouch to keep smaller amounts of cash for daily purchases.
Price: $11.95 – $12.00 | BUY
16. Thermal Underwear
Long thermal underwear provides much needed warmth when traveling in colder climates. I use a combination of black midweight bottoms and a midweight top. The bottoms double as comfortable leggings for lounging around, stockings underneath a skirt, and pajama bottoms. The top can be used as a sweatshirt as well.
Price: $6.80 – $23.00 | BUY
Price: $14.74 – $23.00 | BUY
17. Sewing Supplies
Sure you can buy these anywhere but sewing supplies are good to have on hand. Make sure your pack includes needles, thread, and some dental floss. Repair heavier items (leather, backpacks) with dental floss. A needle can be used to remove splinters, as well.
18. Sarong or Travel Towel
On my round-the-world trip, I took a regular towel and deeply regret it. An absorbent, fast drying travel towel will suit your needs. A sarong has the advantage of drying quickly while doubling up as clothing.
Price: $12.50 – $33.95 | BUY
Choose quality items that will last your whole trip and don’t underestimate the importance of light-weight items. Backpacks get heavier as you travel so you will be happy that you spent a little extra upfront investing in lightweight, multipurpose gear.
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32 Comments... join the discussion!
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Don't forget the chapstick. I can't live without it. Chapped lips are bad news.
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the diva cup is a better alternative to the keeper. it's made of medical grade silicone, and can be boiled to be cleaned (although it's not necessary) meaning it's super sanitary! (plus you can use it for 12 hours at a time, great for travel!)
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This is a great thread! Thanks for all the suggestions!
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Rain Pancho???? hmmm pushing it…. Great list though
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Don’t forget a decent pocket knife for your fruit and anything else you may need to cut up. It comes in handy to enjoy what you get at the street markets like locals do.
A high quality pair of shoes as well as high quality gear commonly sold in Western countries. It’s though to find a decent quality new pair of shoes abroad in many countries as it’s mostly cheap junk, particularly in Asia and maybe India and Africa too. I know in Asia it’s tough to find high quality gear unless visiting an upscale mall in one of the largest cities such as Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok, Hongkong, etc.
Another essential item is an open mind to being uncomfortable, physical strength challenged, or even scared at times and other times, simply amazed to the point of surreal alternative altered realities. Some of the treks test you and it makes a better man or woman out of you as long as you’re careful, smart, lucky, and wise in your decisions. Just don’t jump off a beeping cliff and hit a rock like some young drunk and high travelers do in the name of having the time of their life.
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Very good list, other important item is a very good first aid kit.
Iodine for clean drinking water and cleaning cuts and abrasions
To stop Diorreha tablets
To loosen bowels tablets
Pain killers
Insect repellent
Sun screen
and any other items I missed, all should be eco friendly as in bio degradable if they happen to be drained into water or on land.↵ -
I’d skip the poncho, you can pick them up along the way, if needed! I’d add a universal plugin adapter too.
Here’s my packing list: http://www.poweredbytofu.com/2009/05/05/how-to-pack-for-a-1-year-round-the-world-trip/
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I’m not sure about the rinsing out of a divacup or keeper in questionable water situations or where there’s no running water. Maybe combine that with the more familiar equipment? Plus a test run at home is an essential. They’re not for everyone!
ditto headlamp, great stuff, and with the new tiny LED ones they weigh next to nothing. Good for early morning takeoffs at the hostel as well.
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Cellphone.
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Here’s my list!
First Aid Kit
Global Positioning Satellite System
Universal plug adaptor
Mobile phone re-charger
Torch
Multipurpose tool (screwdriver, knife, can opener, bottle opener)
Folding scissors
Compass – cheap and inexpensive
Whistle
Wedge – type rubber doorstop (see below)
Inflatable travel pillow
Spork (see picture below)
Sewing Kit
Ziploc platic bags / garbage bags
Drawstring bag for shoes
Liquid hand wash
Chemical or Mechanical water Purifier
Collapsible Water Bottle and Cup
Small roll of duct tape
Extra shoelaces
Ear Plugs
Eye Mask
Pens / Pencil
Small Notebook
Key Contact Numbers (home and international) – Doctor, Travel Agent, Travel Insurance, Hospital, Police, Embassy, Hotel)
Phrase Dictionary
Kwikpoint International Translators (see below)
Extra Visa / Passport Photos (in case you decide to cross borders, lose your passport) and are unable to obtain new photographs↵ -
I like the the rain poncho. It is great because it covers your pack as well in a sudden downpour. We always bring them. Great list.
This is a silly one, but I always bring peppermint oil, it helps in those rooms that smell terrible, and it soothes aching muscles, helps with allergies and stuffy noses. Just my little luxury item.↵ -
all above list so important things when we travel. thans for making a this very nice bilog including all necessary thing when travel but i would like to add some more thing. we need umbrella because if we take umbrella then it work raining and for sun also. second thing is take cheaper mobile because now days if we have mobile then we can buy sim card any where so we can communicate with family where ever we travel. also bring one strong stick with you. it help to walk and some time it save our life too
any way thanks for making this nice article
monterosa↵ -
Hey, what’s the rubber door stop for???
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Currently on an 8-month world tour, I think having a rain shell AND poncho is a bit excessive. Would recommend rechargeable batteries and charger, a netbook (or at minimum one of those mini-hard drives) to store pictures and check email, and an unlocked GSM cell phone.
My biggest recommendation: Travel as light as possible. It’s cheaper to buy stuff on the road instead of paying the extra weight charges every airline in the world is charging nowadays.
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Some really great ideas for things to bring on travels.
One idea I really like is to e-mail yourself a copy of important page(s) of your passport, visas and entry pages. Lose the passport and you can retrieve all necessary information for the embassy to issue another passport.
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Some great ideas. What size plastic bags?
I will be living in Paris and would like to know if I can purchase a lot of the personal care items there reasonably. Do they carry American brands or should I take this opportunity to broaden my horizons?
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hey there joanne. i just left paris after 4 1/2 years. good times. at monoprix you could find quite a few american brands, but you’d be surprised at how many of them are actually made from french companies. yet, there are some things that i couldn’t find at all… like my favorite aquafresh flavor. i suggest broadening; it’s always fun to be a consumer zombie in another country and buy whatever the ad says to.
enjoy! i miss it with all my heart.
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thanks so much for this, I’m preparing for another trip and ill make sure to carry this stuff, you can read about how being unprepared left me last year on my european tour http://wewillseetheworld.blogspot.com/
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One other useful thing to do with elastic clothesline with hooks, you mentioned in post – you can use it as a skipping rope at the end of the day (if you are not tired after whole day of backpacking and if you are a bit of fitness junkie:))
Anyway – great list! Thanks.↵ -
EXCELLENT LIST! i brought every single item on my trip. I would suggest Head lamp instead of flashlgith however.
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I agree with Tourist on the rain poncho. I use a waterproof jacket that comes with its own fleece from Columbia which wont cost you that much. But it does save space and can obviously be worn to save space in the bag if need be or it can be draped over the day pack on hotter days.
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I’m glad my list is similar
I agree with Jenny, can’t live without lipbalm! Especially on the plane.Thanks for sharing!
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Good for you that you are traveling the world! Want to see a different way to see the world?
You could take advantage of this FREE way to coast around the world and not have to worry about luggage or packing!
Look Up and see it. It will really be fun. Come on along, while you can! Its free.
http://www.ikeleraerospace.com↵ -
Hi all,
While traveling in Argentina for the last 3 months I came up with an idea to keep all of my travel info in one place, my iPhone.
Check out http://www.motionTravelmate.com or on the AppStore http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=327094325&mt=8
Happy travels
Jeff
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I read this article when I was living in Argentina this summer and it inspired me to develop an iPhone app for travel. Check it out, store everything securely, itinerary, medication, immunizations, flights…
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=327094325&mt=8
Jeff Brandt
http://www.motionTravelMate.com your travel partner for the iPhone↵ -
Sorry I did it twice, I did not mean to SPAM Need more coffee on the Oregon coast.
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I disagree with not being able to find quality gear in Asia. It’s the same gear you buy in the States without the illusion of an over-priced brand name.
I find an iPod touch pretty indispensable. I can write all my email off-line and when I eventually find an open wifi access point I can send them all at once.
One other item I take everywhere is a Buff bandanna. I use it to catch sweat, as a cloth, a hat, scarf, sun guard and dust screen.
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Thanks for sharing these useful tips. I like the idea of the buff bandanna. One item I always take with me is a silk sarong and lavanda oil: a few drops of it on the pillow is a great help with falling asleep.
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Great list, but I haven’t used a cap once (I did, however, use a neoprene running hat for cold weather) and I second SoulTravelers3 about the headlamp. My Petzl has gotten more use than I ever thought possible, and it’s at the top of the “must pack” list for my 18 month RTW. Thanks for posting!
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Awesome list… as I traveled around the world last spring, a lot of these items were necessary. I would recommend a few other items:
Chapstick (carmax), lock for your bag, scarf (to use for warmth & to cover yourself up in strict countries) and some form to write about your travels.
I spent 4 months traveling the world, as a young college girl, and I never once felt the need for a cell phone. I wouldn’t recommend bringing a cel phone because I think it takes away from your traveling experiences AND it is a total hassle!↵
