Traveling around the world is an exciting adventure, and the right packing list is crucial to being well prepared on the road. When traveling through different regions, it is important to pack versatile and functionally, as the climatic and cultural differences can be great. Here is a comprehensive Backpacker Checklist that is suitable for tropical as well as temperate and cold regions.

Travel documents & important documents

backpacker checklist – main

• Passport (with visa if required)
• Passport copies (digital copies as well as physical copies)
• Travel insurance (including emergency numbers)
• Vaccination record (special vaccinations for certain countries such as South America)
• Flight tickets / booking confirmations
• Credit card / debit card (and copies)
• Cash (in the local currency, especially for smaller places)
• Travel guides or offline maps (e.g. via apps such as Maps.me)
• Emergency contacts (family, friends, embassies)

Clothing

As you will be crossing a variety of climates, you should pack clothes for hot, humid, but also cooler and occasionally cold regions.

Tropical climate

• Light, breathable clothing (pants, t-shirts, tank tops made of cotton or light merino wool)
• Shorts
• Swimwear
• Multifunctional scarf (scarf, sunscreen, sleeping mask, hat or dust cover on the scooter)
• Light rain jacket (for tropical rains)
• Flip-flops or sandals
• Sun hat or cap (protection from the sun)
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Light, long-sleeved clothing (for protection from mosquitoes, especially at dusk)
• Insect repellent (with DEET or natural alternatives)
• Beach towel (quick-drying)
• Hiking shoes or closed shoes (for jungle hikes, easy trekking tours)

Temperate and cold climates

• Warm jacket or fleece (for colder days)
• Foldable down jacket (space-saving)
• Rain jacket or rain poncho (waterproof and breathable)
• Hiking boots or sturdy shoes
• Thermal underwear (if you are traveling to colder regions, e.g. Patagonia or Canada)
• Hat, gloves and scarf (for colder destinations)
• Socks (including hiking socks)

Technical equipment

• Smartphone (with international roaming or local SIM card slot)
• Travel adapter (for different sockets worldwide)
• Power bank (at least 10,000 mAh, for long trips and hikes)- Camera or GoPro (for photo and video recordings)
• Laptop or tablet (optional if you want to work regularly)
• Headphones or earplugs (for flights and bus trips)
• E-reader or books (e-reader saves space and weight)
• External hard drive or cloud storage (for backups of your photos and data)
• Flashlight or headlamp

Toiletries & care

• Small toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap – preferably in travel size)
• Deodorant (in environmentally friendly packaging if possible)
• Travel towel (quick-drying)
• Hygiene products (such as menstrual products, also sustainable)
• Medicines (including personal medications, painkillers, anti-diarrheal drugs, antihistamines)
• Mosquito repellent (products for the skin, clothing and for tent or accommodation)
• Sunscreen (high-quality sunscreen and after-sun lotion)
• Disinfectants and wet wipes (for quick cleaning on the go)

Health & Safety

• First aid kit (plasters, bandages, disinfectants, painkillers)
• Travel vaccinations (for certain regions such as yellow fever, malaria prophylaxis)
• Water filter or water purification tablets (in remote areas)
• Water bottle (reusable to avoid plastic waste)
• Condoms (for safe sex, if necessary)
• Anti mycotics (against fungal infections that can occur in tropical climates)
• Travel adapter for medication (if you need special medication)

Travel bag and luggage

• Travel backpack (50-70 liters, practical for a trip around the world – with a good carrying system and Rain cover)
• Daypack or day backpack (for day trips)
• Toiletry bag (practical and compact)
• Packing cubes or compression bags (to store clothes neatly)
• Luggage lock (for hostel stays)
• Travel belt or bum bag (to keep money and ID documents safe)

Additional tools

• Notebook and pen (to jot down reminders or important notes)
• Small sewing kit (for repairing clothes or equipment)
• Stitch healer
• Travel sleeping bag (if the hostel bed doesn’t look so clean, or for camping)
• Clothesline and clothespins (to dry clothes)
• Multitool (e.g. Swiss Army knife, if allowed)
• Ziploc bags or waterproof bags (to keep electronics or important documents dry)
• Laundry bag (for dirty clothes)
• Travel alarm clock (optional if you don’t want to use an alarm on your smartphone)

Other

• Travel or camping stove (for long stays in remote areas)- Foldable Tupperware and travel cutlery
• Cards or board games (to have fun on the go)

Packing | Backpacker Checklist tips:

• Less is more: Pack only the essentials, as you will often be traveling with a lot of luggage. The lighter you travel, the easier it will be to travel from place to place.
• Pack for each region: Consider what clothing and equipment you need for each region and climate. This means that you don’t have to pack the same clothes for every country, for example.
• Have important things close at hand: You should always keep important documents, medications and valuables in your hand luggage or in a secure bag.

With this backpacker checklist, you should be prepared for most situations on your world trip and ensure that you are comfortable traveling in both tropical areas and cooler climates. Don’t pack too much though, you don’t have to be prepared for every situation. You can often get what you need locally. Have a good trip!