My packing list
Let me be honest with you. I get stressed out with packing, especially on a long overseas travel. I often take more things than what is required as I pack at the last moment of my travel. I decided to write down a packing list that will help me and other travelers with the list of things to take. I have divided the post into three sections – one contains things that will go into my suitcase, second are the things that will be packed into my backpack and third is my first aid kit.
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One of the most important and critical things I have learned while traveling is that it is important to pack and travel light. It is difficult usually and takes a little bit of planning and practice. In order to help facilitate the planning, read the post top 20 tips on how to pack light.
Page Contents
What’s in my suitcase?
| Item # | Item Description | Summer | Winter |
| Clothing | |||
| 1 | Shirts/T-shirts | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Pants/Jeans/Shorts | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | Sweaters | No | Yes |
| 4 | Jackets/Coats | Yes, but carry a light jacket | Yes |
| 5 | Dress | Yes | Yes |
| 6 | Underwear – I usually carry a pair extra than what is required | Yes | Yes |
| 7 | Pajamas/Night clothes | Yes | Yes |
| 8 | Socks | Yes | Yes |
| 9 | Slippers | Yes | Yes |
| 11 | Sneakers/Boots | Yes | Yes |
| 12 | Dress shoe | Yes | Yes |
| 13 | Hat/Cap | Yes | Yes |
| 14 | Scarves & Gloves | No | Yes |
| 15 | Swimwear | Yes | Yes |
| 16 | Belts | Yes | Yes |
| 17 | Thermals | No | Yes |
| 19 | Towel | Yes | Yes |
| Item # | Item Description | Summer | Winter |
| Electronics | |||
| 1 | Chargers for Cell phone, Camera, tablet, laptop. Note: Batteries are not allowed in the suitcase. | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Power board (so you can plug multiple devices and use just one plug point) | Yes | Yes |
| Item # | Item Description | Summer | Winter |
| Medical/Health | |||
| 1 | Vitamins | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Personal Medication | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | Insect Repellent | Yes | Yes |
| 4 | Volini | Yes | Yes |
| 5 | Paracetemol | Yes | Yes |
| 6 | Panadol | Yes | Yes |
| 7 | Brufien | Yes | Yes |
| 8 | Band aids | Yes | Yes |
| Item # | Item Description | Summer | Winter |
| Miscellaneous | |||
| 1 | Poncho/umbrella | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Food – Ready to eat or snacks – DO NOT TAKE RAW FOOD | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | Travel lock & key | Yes | Yes |
| Item # | Item Description | Summer | Winter |
| Toiletries | |||
| 1 | Toothbrush, Tongue cleaner, Tooth paste | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Dental floss | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | Ear buds | Yes | Yes |
| 4 | Sunscreen | Yes | Yes |
| 5 | Moisturiser | Yes | Yes |
| 6 | Tweezer & Scissors | Yes | Yes |
| 7 | Comb | Yes | Yes |
| 8 | Shampoo & Conditioner | Yes | Yes |
| 9 | Tissues | Yes | Yes |
| 10 | Soap | Yes | Yes |
| 11 | Perfume | Yes | Yes |
| 12 | Tampons | Yes | Yes |
| 13 | Razor | Yes | Yes |
| 14 | Mirror | Yes | Yes |
| 15 | Deodorant | Yes | Yes |
| 16 | Safety pins | Yes | Yes |
| Item # | Item Description | Summer | Winter |
| Laundry | |||
| 1 | Detergent | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Laundry bag | Yes | Yes |
What’s in my backpack?
Backpacks are very essential for all the travelers. Knowing the right things to pack in a backpack is very important. I have learned what and how to pack my backpack over the years of my travel. In this post, I have tried to list down all the things that I carry in my backpack.
| Item # | Item Description | Summer | Winter |
| Clothing | |||
| 1 | T-shirt (1) | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Undergarment (1 pair) | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | Pant (1) | Yes | Yes |
| 4 | Scarf | Yes – as flight travels get cold and scarf can be used as a blanket | Yes |
| 5 | Ear rings/chains – Do not carry expensive jewellery | Yes | Yes |
| Item # | Item Description | Summer | Winter |
| Money | |||
| 1 | Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Debit Card | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | Photocopy of Credit Card and Debit Card (Store these information on your email as well) | Yes | Yes |
| 4 | Airline Cards – Qantas & Velocity | Yes | Yes |
| 5 | Cash – Forex (Do not carry too much cash) | Yes | Yes |
| Item # | Item Description | Summer | Winter |
| Electronics | |||
| 1 | Cell phone | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Camera and accessories | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | Tripod | Yes | Yes |
| 4 | Laptop and accessories | Yes | Yes |
| 6 | Travel adapter | Yes | Yes |
| 7 | Selfie Stick | Yes | Yes |
| Item # | Item Description | Summer | Winter |
| Medical/Health | |||
| 1 | Prescription | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Prescribed medicines | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | Paracetemol | Yes | Yes |
| Item # | Item Description | Summer | Winter |
| Miscellaneous | |||
| 1 | Sunglasses | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | House Keys | Yes | Yes |
| 4 | Journal | Yes | Yes |
| 5 | A book or two | Yes | Yes |
| 6 | Ear plugs | Yes | Yes |
| 7 | Neck pillow | Yes | Yes |
| 8 | YHA Card (in case you are staying at a hostel) | Yes | Yes |
| 9 | Water bottle (light) | Yes | Yes |
| 10 | Chocolates/Snacks (always make sure you have some snacks in your backpack for travel journey) | Yes | Yes |
| 11 | Pen | Yes | Yes |
| Item # | Item Description | Summer | Winter |
| Toiletries | |||
| 1 | Lip balm | Yes | Yes |
| Item # | Item Description | Summer | Winter |
| Documentation | |||
| 1 | Drivers Licence | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Passport | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | Copy of your visa (if in case it is provided electronically) | Yes | Yes |
| 4 | Flight Tickets | Yes | Yes |
| 5 | Accommodation | Yes | Yes |
| 6 | Travel Insurance | Yes | Yes |
| 7 | Travel Journal | Yes | Yes |
| 8 | Any photography settings | Yes | Yes |
| 9 | Tour details | Yes | Yes |
| 10 | Map | Yes | Yes |
| 11 | Emergency Numbers | Yes | Yes |
Also attached is the downloadable file: packing-list-long-overseas-travel
My first aid kit
Having a first aid kit with some basic medicines is a must for every travel. The first aid kit is the collection of the basic medicines and equipment to administer anyone at the first stage before getting the medical help. This post aims at the things that I carry in my first aid kit.
Note: Ensure you check the expiry date before using any of the medicines. And ensure you don’t carry the scissors and tweezers with the first aid kit if you wish to take the kit as a carry on baggage.
I maintain a small pouch and carry it with me all the time, even during small hikes and travels. My first aid kit contains the below things:
- Waterproof band aids.
- Bandages with either a sticky tape or butterfly clips.
- Block out for treating the sun burn.
- Aeroguard insect repellent.
- Panadols (pain killers).
- Anti-nausea tablets.
- Tablets for loose motions.
- Tablets for constipation.
- Antiseptic cream/wipes (Dettol wipes).
- Wet wipes.
- Headache tablets.
- Scissors & tweezers.
- Medicines for cough and sore throat.
- Eye drops.
Closing Notes
It is very important to pack right and pack only what is required as it can be very stressful if you are traveling with a heavy suitcase or a backpack, especially during solo travels. Is there anything that I have missed or is there something that you think is not required that is specified in the list? Let me know, would love to hear your thoughts.
