First aid kit
Every backpacker should carry a first aid kit, you never know when you’ll need it.
Travel pillow
If we’re talking airplane essentials, a travel pillow is at the top of our list (also great for train, bus, and car rides).
Phone charger and adaptor
We all know the feeling when our phone runs out of battery on the road. So bring a portable phone charger so that you can give your phone some charge on the go. You don’t want to have your phone die when you’re lost in the city or miss out on amazing photo opportunities.
Clothes (including PJ’s)
The hard part: clothes. Remember to take a mix of light layers and warm layers for your trip (depending where you’re going). It’s always handy to look up the weather before you go and pack accordingly. Packing light is a form of art and with limited space in your backpack, it’s good to be strict with yourself and only bring what you need.
Shampoo and conditioner
Shampoo and conditioner bottles can be bulky to carry and they take up a lot of room in a backpack. Instead, you can fill up smaller-sized bottles with your hair liquids to save space.
Towels
Thick towels can take up a lot of room. So, ideally buy a thin microfiber towel that’s easy to pack They’re definitely worth it if you want to save space. Most hostels don’t provide towels so remember to bring yours.
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Don’t forget your trusty toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are quite heavy so if you find you’re running out of space, opt for a normal toothbrush instead. These don’t require a charger either so saves even more space.
Reusable water bottle
Avoid spending money on plastic water bottles at every stop by bringing along a reusable one.
Hand sanitizer
Say goodbye to the all-too-common post-trip cold by keeping hand sanitizer on you at all times.
Skincare products
Vacation is no excuse to forgo your skin care routine—in fact, you’ll want to keep it up even better to avoid breakouts and flare-ups caused by flights and new climates.
Camera
Create long-lasting vacation memories by snapping better captures along the way
Socks
Socks are important because they will protect your feet from rubbing against your shoes when you do a lot of walking. We recommend packing thick socks if you’re going somewhere cold and ankle socks if you’ll be wearing trainers around the city.