packing list
When I got to the end of my seven-week trip, I discovered something (with a good amount of satisfaction) that I had used every single item in my pack. And, and even better, I had never once said, “Man, I wish I’d brought…” Success!
I took a backpack and a small daypack and managed to take all of the following, plus my laptop and a travel guide. Obviously, you’ll want to modify this list for climate (I had some pretty cold weather) and activities (I did a bunch of hiking, but also went to the opera and some nice restaurants). And, if you’re running into trouble getting everything to fit, try rolling your clothes. It works wonders.
Clothes
3 long-sleeve shirts
1 short sleeve shirt
1 sweater
1 pair of jeans
1 pair of black pants
1 dress (for dressy occasions like the opera)
PJ’s (aka yoga pants and a tank top)
6 pair of socks
6 pair of underwear (I loved my quick-dry undies for cities where laundromats were scarce)
Sneakers
Comfy black walking shoes (nothing says, “I’m a tourist, rob me” like sneakers. I try to blend in whenever possible.)
Ballet flats (for feeling like a girl)
Jacket
Gloves
Earmuffs (or hat - I can’t stand hat hair)
Scarf
Capilene base layer (like long johns that wick)
Handy Stuff
Sewing Kit with safety pins
Flashlight
Single-load package of laundry detergent
Clothes line
Ear plugs (critical for dorm sleeping)
Sleep mask
Antibacterial hand wipes
Pocket pack tissues
Electronics
Travel alarm clock
Cell phone and charger
Plug Adapters/voltage converters
Camera and extra batteries (or a spare, if it’s a lithium)
iPod and charger
First-Aid Stuff
Band-Aids
Mole Skin
Neosporin
Assorted Pharmaceuticals (Pepto, Imodium, Advil, cold medicine, sleep aid)
Tweezers
Small scissors
Toiletries
Hand lotion
Deodorant
Chapstick
Facewash, etc.
Body soap
Razor
Toothpaste/toothbrush
Dental floss
Shampoo/Conditioner (I actually bought mine there to avoid checking luggage)
Quick-dry towel
Practical Stuff
Passport
Moneybelt or “gear” (I loved my Amphipod Explorer)
Credit cards
Copies of passport and financial info
Umbrella
Note: If you’re planning on staying in hostels and don’t want to use their linens (I always did, and never an issue), you may want to consider getting a sleep sack. You can find them at REI, or, make your own. Take a full or queen top sheet, fold it in half, and sew along the bottom and the long side.
i am planning a trip to italy next year for about 20-22 days. i am also going to get a back pack for the trip. since i ve never bought one before and am fairly clueless, any tips or advise on what size and kind is better to get? much appreciated. cheers. sheenu
Thanks for sharing your list! It’s great to see the places you were and the compare that with what you brought (destination is so important to what one packs!).
I too would love to hear which backpack you used, and any advice on what to look for in a pack.
I too would like to know what pack you used.
I would have to second the sleep sack suggestion. I did a lot of hoteling and found that some hostels don’t have linens on the beds and they will charge you to rent them. I made my own just as you said and it came in quite handy!
I backpacked Europe this summer, and I would add two things to the list:
1. Medical tape: It’s useful for more than just taping up broken toes, and I had the hardest time finding it anywhere. I ended up having to bind my broken toe with yarn.
2. Any toiletries that you are brand-specific about. For example, I brought like 8 tubes of Burt’s Bees chapstick because I cannot live without it. Also, Europeans have strange deodorant.
They let you on the plane with small scissors?
You can take scissors on a plane as long as the blade is shorter than 4 inches and not too sharp. I have scissors that are tiny but could cut off a toe. They are not allowed in carry-ons.
you can also buy these plastic bags at places like the container store (and maybe rei) - you put clothes in them and roll out all the air, so you’re left with a nice flat bag full of clothes - with this, clothes take up about 1/4 of the size they normally would (i’ve moved abroad several times, and travel a lot and these always come in handy!)