It’s so liberating to have all that you need in just one backpack or suitcase, and knowing that you can travel the whole world with everything in there. My previous article on hand luggage only packing for Iceland was a big success, so now I would like to share what I use for worldwide destinations when travelling long haul and checking in a bag. I hope that you find this round the world packing list helpful for your big trip!
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My Ultimate Round the world Packing List
Documents and Books
- Passport and Visas.
- Student/Teacher’s ID Card for discounts.
- Rail Pass for travel when leaving and returning to UK.
- Priority Pass (to get me in first class airport lounges!)
- Disability ID and medical bracelet (to show I’m epileptic and asthmatic)
- Photocopy of Passport in main luggage while passport is in money belt or hand luggage.
- Print out of onward travel plans.
- Train and plane tickets printed out ready.
- Travel Journal.
These documents go in my hand luggage (other than the passport photocopy) along with daily medication, toothbrush, one change of underwear and my phone/laptop/camera.
I do carry my Kindle for reading – it really cuts down on the amount of books that you need to carry, especially during long trips (this is also listed in electronic gadgets).
I will sometimes take the Lonely Planet Guide to wherever I am visiting. But I mostly find that you pick travel tips up from other fellow travellers on route, so the Lonely Planet is not really a necessity, so if you want to save baggage allowance, be brave and skip it!
Round the World Packing List – Money
I usually carry my money in a money belt underneath my clothes, or in a sewn in pocket on the inside of my jeans or trousers. Split money between your hand luggage and your main bag (don’t put all your eggs in one basket) and make sure that you have small denominations of currencies of as many countries as possible (for taxis, buses, emergencies when you arrive).
- Money Belt or secure pocket/wallet.
- Cash money in the relevant currencies of the countries you are travelling to.
- Pounds Sterling – for exchanging and using when you get back to UK tired and hungry.
- Cash Card for a UK bank account that can be used abroad.
- Credit card (mainly for flights).
- Post office Travel Money Card – you can pre-load these and have them for different currencies e.g. Euros/Dollars.
Toiletries
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste.
- Brace elastics and interdental brushes (especially if you are travelling with braces on!!!)
- Dove Roll on deodorant (not aerosol)
- Suncream (factor 15 and 30)
- Travel size shampoo and body wash.
- Leave-in conditioner.
- Tinted moisturiser.
- Minimal make up – lipstick, mascara, eyebrow pencil.
- Small pack of tissues
- Sanitary towels and Tampax (not limited to girls – boys used sanitary products for diarrhoea in Morocco!)
- Small travel sized washing powder for hand washing clothes.
Remember that toiletries will need to be less than 100ml and all fit into the airport clear square plastic bags (approx 20cm X 20cm) if you are travelling hand luggage only.
Medication
Many of you know that I’m travelling with several medical conditions, so my medical kit is quite extensive! I will highlight below which meds are for my medical conditions, and which are there for general travel first aid.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
I’m asthmatic and epileptic. I also suffer from tendonitis, mild anxiety and chronic endometriosis. I DON’T let it stop me from travelling (see my article on travelling with endometriosis), I simply prepare well and arrange for people to meet me where possible.
- Asthma inhalers – blue and brown (for travelling with asthma)
- Pregabalin (anti epileptics) – enough for daily use.
- Diazepam – emergency anxiety pills mainly for flight!
- Ibuprofen, Cocodomol and Movicol (for endometriosis)
General Travel Medication and Supplies
- DVT socks for long haul flights.
- Ibuprofen – for general pain and anti-inflamatory
- Paracetomol – for headaches.
- Senna – for constipation.
- Dioralyte – for dehydration.
- Rennie – to settle the stomach.
- Plasters and basic triangular bandage – for first aid.
- Trimethoprim (prescribed by doctor) for ear infections/UTI’s.
Oh, and, girls, don’t forget your contraceptive pills and condoms!
Clothes and Shoes
Shoes
- Karrimor Walking Boots (worn on the plane)
- Walking sandals.
Underwear
- 5 pairs walking socks (I prefer Bridgedale).
- 7 pairs of pants.
- 2 bras (one to wash, one to wear!!!)
- Bikini (make sure it fits!).
Clothing
- 3 T-shirts or vest tops.
- 1 pair of shorts.
- 1 pair of leggings.
- 1 pair of long light cotton trousers.
- 1 long sleeved cotton top.
- 1 comfortable dress.
- 1 Skirt.
- Jeans (worn on the plane).
- Jumper or fleece (worn on the plane) – I’ve had my Peter Storm Fleece for about 20 years!
- Waterproof jacket (worn on the plane)
Essential Blogging Equipment
- Lightweight Laptop (I use a MACBOOK 12 inch retina display)
- iPad or tablet as a Laptop alternative
- iPhone or Smartphone.
- Auto Point and Shoot Camera (I love my Canon Power Shot)
- Digital SLR Camera (I recommend Canon or Nikon)
- Spare Camera SD cards (WIFI SD cards are great if your camera doesn’t have built in WIFI).
- Go Pro (optional for those who want to make video)
- Kindle or e-Reader (optional if you don’t read, but you should!)
- Portable Power Pack.
- International Adapters.
- Chargers, batteries and cables for all gadgets.
- Ear Phones.
- Wire Organiser and camera case.
Round the world packing list – Extras
- Padlocks for locking way your valuables in hostels (take one with a number combination and one with a key)
- Carrier bags or soft bags to separate clean and dirty laundry.
Anything I’ve missed from my round the world packing list? Please leave me a comment below and I will consider adding it!
One more thing, here’s the problem with Smart Luggage!
You might also like to read my other blogs about Extreme Light Packing for Iceland.