* Originally published on my first ever travel blog Ramblings of a Nomad – Must-have items to pack before you travel when I was travelling Southeast Asia and Australia.
When you’re packing your rucksack in preparation for your first backpacking journey you will want to make sure you pack the essentials. You’ll probably find, once you’ve been traveling for a while, that you initially packed so much stuff that you didn’t need.
But here are a few things that I packed for my first trip, which turned out to be the most valued items in my bag.
A decent phone
A lot of people like the idea of a ‘digital detox whilst travelling, and that’s ok. But in case of emergencies, letting your family know where you are, checking your bank statements, or finding out where the hell you are when you’ve taken a wrong turn, a decent phone with a fast processor and good battery life is essential!
A decent power bank
A power bank was something that I had to invest in overseas, as the one I brought was a bit old.
A decent power bank will save you a lot of hassle and also means while staying in hostels, that you don’t need to leave your devices on charge on the other side of the room if there’s no plug by your bed.
Unfortunately, things going missing is a part of travelling and if your £15 power bank goes missing that’s a lot better than your much more expensive phone or laptop disappearing.
First aid kit
Before I went travelling for the first time, my parents told me to pack a first aid kit. I though “I’m going backpacking, not joining the army” but I was wrong.
When you’re travelling you do a lot of potentially (usually mildly) hazardous stuff. Climbing mountains, walking on stoney beaches, snorkelling, diving and riding on scooters (to name just a few) are all activities where you could end up with scrapes and cuts that you’ll need plasters for.
Hand sanitizer
Hand sanitizer has so many uses! In addition to avoiding germs in less than spotless hostels, hand sanitizer can also be used to clean any cuts and scrapes you may end up with.
If there’s one thing you don’t want on the other side of the world it’s an infected wound!
Travel journal
Sometimes it’s good to put your thoughts on paper; this also helps you to remember the little details of your trip years later!
I still have my travel journal from my first trip and whenever I read it I’m reminded of stories I had long forgotten.
A pen
As well as writing in your journal, once you’ve filled in your 3rd or 4th visa form, you’ll be glad you brought a pen!
Passport photos
On that note about the visa entry forms, bring some passport sized headshots with you, already cut up into separate photos. It really speeds things up in the immigration lines and you’ll avoid having to pay a couple of dollars to have your picture taken.
Torch
While backpacking you’ll probably spend a lot of time in hostels, which means being considerate of other travellers. Everyone hates the guy who gets in at 4am and has to turn the light on to find his bed. Don’t be that guy!
Headphones
Right up there with the guy who turns the light on at 4am, nobody likes the guy who plays loud music in the communal areas. It’s inconsiderate, obnoxious and is easily solved by a set of headphones. Your social status within the hostel will thank you!
A travel towel
If the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy has taught us anything it’s that if you’re going travelling, you’re going to need a towel! A lot of places will give you one for the duration of your stay but for lounging on the beach, or sometimes just for hygiene reasons, you’re going to want to bring your own.
Get a microfibre travel towel as they fold up much smaller and dry much faster than normal towels.
A prepaid currency card
Without a doubt the first item I recommend to all travellers going overseas! Get one.
When you’re going overseas you don’t want to be using your bank card or credit card. The exchange fees suck, you don’t know if the ATMs will even take it and if it gets lost or stolen, good luck getting a new one delivered by your bank. Over the years I’ve seen so many people have headaches with their cards from home and it’s really not worth it.
When I went on my first trip, I took a prepaid currency card (with a spare card in case I lost the first one) and any time I needed to top it up I just transferred money onto it from my bank account using the app.
An international driving license
This is something I actually missed on my first trip and while I managed to get by, it could’ve lead to some headaches if I had been pulled over by the police.
If you’re in Southeast Asia nobody is going to ask to see a license if and when you rent a scooter, but the police will if you get pulled over. Save yourself the fine and get yourself an international license. They’re fairly easy to get if you already have a license from your home country and it means you’ll be driving legally and responsibly.
So that’s it, my list of top things to carry in your backpack on your first backpacking trip. Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments.
For more stories and posts from my first ever solo backpacking trip, check out my first travel blog – Ramblings of a Nomad.