Backpacking packing list

For a long trip with one big bag: hostels, buses and a few countries. It's light on clothes because you'll wash them, and it remembers the small things that make hostels easier.

Backpacking means two things

To some people it's months of travel with a rucksack and hostels. To others, mostly in North America, it's walking in the hills with a tent. This page is the first kind.

If you mean the second, pick Multi-day trek and A tent, and the list swaps the hostel things for a tent, a stove and a bigger pack. Press Weigh at the top of the list to see what it all weighs.

One bag, and room to spare

Pack the bag, then take a third out. You'll buy things on the way, and a bag that's full on day one is a pain by week three. Around 40 litres often goes as hand luggage, which saves money and waiting at the carousel.

A padlock for hostel lockers, earplugs and a quick-dry towel are small things you'll use every day.

What's on the list

A month away, hostels, mild weather, flying

Papers and money

Passport: Check how long it has left. Some countries want six months from the day you arrive.
Visas or entry permits, if you need them: Look up each country you'll cross. Keep a copy offline.
Travel insurance details: The policy number and the emergency phone number, on your phone and on paper. Check it covers what you'll be doing.
Two bank cards, kept apart: If one is lost or blocked you still have the other.
Some cash: Not everywhere takes cards, and a card can be blocked just when you need it.
Tickets and bookings, saved offline: In case there's no signal when you need them.
Emergency contacts on paper: If your phone dies, you'll still have the numbers.

Bags

Backpack, around 40–50 litres: Around 40 litres often goes as hand luggage. Check your airline's size limit.
Small day bag: For days out from where you're staying.
Rucksack liner: Rain covers leak. A big bag inside the rucksack doesn't.

Clothes

Underwear × 5
Socks × 5
T-shirts or tops × 5
Trousers × 2
Shorts
Something to sleep in
Fleece or warm jumper
Waterproof jacket: Bring it whatever the forecast says. It's your windproof too.
Sun hat
Sunglasses

Footwear

Comfortable shoes for walking: You'll walk more than you think. Wear them in before you go.
Sandals or flip-flops: For showers, and to give your feet a break in the evening.

Sleeping

Sleeping bag liner: For hostel beds you're not sure about.
Earplugs: For thin walls and other people's snoring.
Eye mask

Food, water and cooking

Water bottles: Refill it as you go instead of buying bottled water.
Water filter or purifying tablets: For streams and taps you're not sure about.
Snacks: Something you'll still want to eat when you're tired.
Small knife: Not in hand luggage.
Folding shopping bag

Washing and toiletries

Toothbrush and toothpaste
Toiletries: Small bottles. If you're flying with hand luggage, check your airport's rule for liquids.
Sun cream: When you're out all day you can burn even when it doesn't feel hot.
Quick-dry towel: Hostels and huts often charge for one, or don't have any.
Hand gel
Travel wash and a few pegs: This list assumes you'll wash clothes as you go.
Glasses or contact lenses, and spares: If you wear them. A spare pair saves a trip.
Period products: If you need them. They can be hard to find in remote places.

First aid and medicine

First aid kit: Plasters, a bandage, tape, painkillers and antiseptic wipes cover most things.
Blister plasters: Put one on at the first sore spot, before it turns into a blister.
Your medicines, plus a few days spare: In your hand luggage or day bag, never only in the hold.
Insect repellent

Phone and electronics

Phone and charging cable
Power bank: Maps and photos drain a phone fast.
Plug adapter: If the sockets are different where you're going.
Phone data for abroad: Check what your plan charges abroad, or get an eSIM or a local SIM before you go. A local SIM needs an unlocked phone.
Headphones
Head torch

Finding the way and safety

Offline maps on your phone: Download them before you go, while you have wifi.
Small padlock: For hostel lockers.

Bits and pieces

A few zip bags: For wet things, receipts, and a phone in the rain.
Pen: For filling in forms.
Book or e-reader
Needle and thread
Travel pillow

Questions people ask

What size backpack do I need for backpacking?

Between 40 and 50 litres suits most people. Around 40 litres can often go as hand luggage, but check your airline's size limit. Bigger bags just get filled.

How many clothes do I need for months of travel?

About five days' worth, then wash. Pick clothes that dry overnight and go with each other, and buy what you're missing on the way.

What do hostels not give you?

Often a towel, a padlock for the lockers and quiet. Bring a quick-dry towel, a small padlock, earplugs and an eye mask.

What papers should I take?

A passport with plenty of time left, any visas, travel insurance details, two bank cards kept apart, and copies of everything saved offline. Some countries want six months left on your passport.

Is this the same as a hiking backpacking list?

No. For walking with a tent, pick Multi-day trek and A tent at the top of the page and the list changes to suit.

Can I share my list with a travel partner?

Yes. Press Share and send them the link. They can keep their own copy and tick it off on their phone.

Lists for other trips

The other tools

Gear list: Weigh your kit and your pack
GPX tools: Open, fix, join and convert route files
3D film of a route: Turn a GPX into a flyby film with your photos
All tools

We make Pebbls, an app that keeps a map and diary of a trip as it happens. You don't need it to use any of this.