Packing List for a Round the World Trip

What is the most important thing for a world trip? Maybe not what you would expect…

The most important decision has been made: that you are going on a trip around the world! The biggest, most exciting, and the most thrilling trip of your life! So first of all: Congratulations! This is a big step and I wish you from the bottom of my heart that you will make all the special experiences that this beautiful, great world has to offer.

Now comes the big question: what should you pack? 

 

A few tips from someone that already has some packing experience

Are you standing in front of your empty suitcase? Or in front of an empty backpack? 

This will be the first decision you will have to make. Both are good options. You probably have the image of a big 70-liter backpack in your head, which is part of the romanticized image of a globetrotter. I’ve done both: backpack and suitcase. And while this may be an unpopular opinion, I personally find the suitcase to be a lot more practical. 

To decide, you should simply ask yourself the following questions: 

• Are you planning on walking long distances in rough terrain with all your gear? 

If YES: Take a backpack!

If NO: Think about whether you want to take a suitcase. You can roll the suitcase everywhere! And if you are a bit like me, you will use the space you have. In other words, if you have a big backpack, you’ll probably fill it just as much as if you had a smaller one. The conclusion is that you will probably carry around 20kg permanently on your back. Here is the next tip: never fill your luggage completely! Then you have more leeway and maybe in the course of the trip still something comes in addition.

For my first big, three-month trip to another continent, I used a small, red rolling suitcase (remember Felix the bunny?) and the suitcase and contents weighed 15kg. In addition, I had a small backpack for hand luggage. At this point, I have to confess that on this trip, my first one, I did the best job packing. Because: I have not taken too much.

Whether you’re traveling for three weeks or a year, the essentials will remain the same. If you’re traveling to colder countries, it’s more practical to buy warmer items once you arrived at your destination, as they’re very bulky and you probably won’t want to take your winter jacket and boots to the Caribbean as well. 

---

Overview

• First Aid Kit
• Toiletry bag
• Clothes
• Technology
• Travel Documents
• Other

 

First Aid Kit

A small first-aid kit should be in every backpack or suitcase. Here you will find the most important things you need in a first-aid kit. 

Stomach & Bowel

• Buscopan
• Elotrans – electrolyte-glucose mixture
• Bioflorin, probiotics (gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea)
• Charcoal tablets (diarrhea)

Pain Killers

• Paracetamol
• Ibuprofen

Wound healing

• Disinfection spray
• Bepanthen ointment
• Plasters
• Tape
• Bandages

Insect protection

• Anti-mosquito spray
• Anti-itching gel

General

• Broad-spectrum antibiotic*
• Fever thermometer
• Tablets against seasickness and motion sickness (e.g. ginger tablets)

If traveling in Malaria area:

• Malaria StandBy Tablets
  (prescription)

If you plan to travel into the tropics, you can consider impregnating a few pieces of clothes with insect repellent in advance. There are specific mosquito sprays for clothing.

*Antibiotics are only available on prescription, but you should get them from your doctor when you tell him that you are going on a trip around the world. For bacterial infections sometimes there is nothing else to do and it is not always easy to get a doctor’s appointment in other countries (if there is one in the area). Therefore I would recommend bringing your own antibiotics.

Do you still need inspiration for the tropics? Then check out Angel and join her on her trip to Thailand! 

---

Clothes

Less is more! You can wash on the go and do not need your entire closet 😉 
My recommendation: 

• 5-6 T-shirts
• 2 Long sleeve
• 1 Hoodie
• 2-3 Shorts 
• 3 Long pants
• Fleece jacket/ warmer vest
• Foldable down jacket
• A pair of sturdy shoes: light trekking shoes are recommended here
• FliFlops or sandals
• Sportswear
• Swimwear
• Thin hat
• 3-4 pairs of socks
• Last but not least: Underwear! ProTip: Washing is often expensive when you are traveling. With the amount of clothes, you will be fine for some time, but if you do not have fresh underwear, it will be tricky. Therefore, I would recommend you to take rather more pieces with you, so about 10 underpants should be enough.
• For the girls: I find a sarong very practical: works as a scarf, beach towel & dress! I also like to have two dresses with me because I find dresses very practical, they don’t take up much space and it’s just nice to go out in the evening and put on a dress. 

I would also advise you not to bring your favorite pieces. of clothes. Washing machines are often very different and it can easily happen that things get washed out – or stains remain. Often things also get broken, because when traveling the clothes are more stressed than at home in everyday life. 

For packing, you can use packing cubes to organize your things better!

Last but not least!

Above all, do not forget the fun of packing! My personal recommendation: turn on your favorite music, order pizza & off goes the great packing! 🙂 

You don’t know exactly where to go yet? Then let yourself be inspired! Check out JoinMyTrip and find the perfect trip!