After years of travelling you start to get an understanding of the necessities and optional luxuries depending on your destination. Effective packing requires knowing the difference between what is essential and excessive. We've all seen that guy that looks like a Sherpa stroll into the hostel with half of his belongings jammed into a 55 litre pack. In our experience its unnecessary, a bit silly, and adds more frustration than benefit. In most cases you will want to embrace minimalism and walk straight past the baggage claim upon arrival or avoid the risk of the airline losing your baggage (though we've learned airlines seem to be shrinking what classifies as "carry on". For instance Air Asia and other discount airlines have this at 7kg while others are 10kg.
Save your back the struggle, and follow this guide in your preparations. With that said, we understand that everyone's definition of essential is different so we've tried our best to extend the list beyond our own opinions to give you more to consider. We will be treating this as a live document constantly updating as we learn more, so please reach out with suggested adds or replacements.
Pre-packing - Before you get your bag together have you considered these?
First flights (or any transcontinental flights where prices go a lot higher when booked last minute that intercontinental flights)
First couple nights accommodation - Always good to have something pre-arranged
Travel insurance - Sometimes your policy at home doesn't have you covered. It's worth giving them a call.
Notify your health department for extended vacation over 6 months
Notify the Government and prescribe to update messages. If you are an Albertan resident, here is the link: https://www.alberta.ca/ahcip-absence-from-alberta.aspx
Cash - Local currency and USD is generally the easiest to convert and use. Opt for smaller denominations like $20s, $10s, and $5s.
Cancel phone plan or place it on hold (save a few bucks you could use for your travels instead)
Set your car on parking insurance (more savings)
Download essential apps like Uber, Grab, Agoda, city transit, etc.
Tell a close friend or family member the details of where you are going/staying and continue to do so throughout trip
Documents & Cards
Passport - Make sure it's valid (typically required to be in excess of 6 months) and signed.
Passport photocopies (physical & electronics)
Passport photos - Some countries ask for them during visa processing (Costco charges the cheapest for around $6 for two copies)
Visas - Are you even allowed in? Here is the link we used to see if we require a visa: https://www.visahq.ca/
ID or drivers license - So you don't have to carry your passport everywhere
International drivers license - In some places your Provincial or State license won't cut it. (You can get this at any local AMA for $25 + passport photo fees if you don't have one)
Student ID - May be discounts to be had
Health card
Insurance card - Detailing plan and member numbers
Credit cards - More than one is recommended (preferably a MasterCard and a Visa since some places only take one or the other)
Debit cards - More than one is recommended. For Canadians, we recommend opening up a Tangerine account. Compare to other debit cards, this card only charges $2.00 for ATM withdrawal fees compare to $5 for TD. Tangerine is also under the Scotiabank umbrella so you can also use the banks under the Global ATM alliance that would allow you to withdraw money with no service charge. Another bonus is there is no monthly fee and you can use the card for unlimited transactions. Registering for the account can be simply done online. Make sure to put our Orange Key 51814758S1 when you register and get a $50 bonus. https://www.tangerine.ca/en/products/spending/chequing-account/
Copy of your itineraries saved on your phone - For those that like to be organized. Also some countries can require proof of return or evidence of travel onward in the form of flight, train, or bus tickets and you might need to show this to them during immigration.
Packing - Keep it light
Backpack - Carry on bags save time and money. We opt for Osprey (Farpoint 40L for men and Fairview 40L for women). You can buy this at any of your local outdoor stores such as MEC and Campers Village. Although these packs are also available to buy online, we recommend you to actually try the pack yourself first before investing your $$$. Make sure it is the right fit for you as we all have different body built. This is the YouTube link officially from Osprey to give you a little more information about the packs: https://youtu.be/9HQGaHXEQA0
Day pack - Osprey sells great packable bags that fit into your hand. We recommend the Osprey 18L Ultralight daypack.
Rain cover - Keeps the bag dry in a downpour.
Packing cubes - this can be found on amazon or your local outdoor shop. We recommend the light packing cubes from MEC.
Space bags - this help you compress your clothes and would give you more space in your pack.
Toiletry bag
Carabiner - Good for hanging items off the side of your bag
Luggage tag - Be sure to put your email if you cancel your phone plan
Additional foldable bag if you intend on shopping
Clothing - Head to toe
Hat
Scarf - When travelling to Muslim majority destinations its a good idea to have one handy. Ideally something that can be multi-purpose.
Head band/Bandana
Sunglasses - Go cheap as you don't want to worry about losing it while you're travelling.
Sweater or cardigan - Even in hot destinations for the brisk AC in malls and on public transport
Jacket (depending on where you are travelling)
Rain jacket (always good to pack wherever you are going). We recommend the Arctery'x Beta SL hybrid. It has pit zips that you can open when you are in warmer countries. This might be a little bit over price for some of you but we invested in this jacket as we know this is something that we will always carry with us when we travel. We had considered the amount of usage, packability and durability of this jacket and we though sparing $500 for this purchase would be worth it.
Gloves
T-Shirts - 7 to 10 should be all you need depending on how much you want to do laundry. Make sure to choose natural coloured shirts that you can dress up with by wearing a nice skirt and that you can also use with your casual or gym shorts.
Pants - 3 pairs should do it depending on location (I always recommend to bring one long pants for travelling to warmer places - you can wear this when taking trains/bus where air conditioning is typically at its maximum; if you are also planning on visiting religious buildings, they typically won't let you go in with shorts).
Belt with secret zippers - we found this cool accessory at MEC. You can hide a few of your $$$ into the zipper. Something that is good to have just in case you get robbed (that is if they don't take your belt).
Swimming attire - bathing suit (2 piece or one piece for women) and swim shorts for men (some places are very particular on what you should wear for swim trunks so we recommend bringing a speedo and avoid board shorts). Note for women: if you are travelling to Muslim countries, make sure to look up what type of swimwear is acceptable as some countries wearing a 2-piece is frowned upon. We recommend to bring a rash guard - it's on the safer end and it will prevent extreme sun burns and jelly fish stings.
Underwear - Pick an easy to hand clean material
1 pair of shoes - Depending on your need one pair of trail/walking shoes with plenty of support should do it. Our advise for hot and wet destinations is mesh and breathable. On a heavy downpour, your feet is going to get wet whether you are wearing waterproof shoes or not. It's better to wear something that is breathable and easy to dry if it gets wet. Gore-tex takes forever to dry and sets your feet on fire in hot climates.
1 pair of Flip flops - One pair of flops that you can use for the beach and your hotel/hostel. For women: I chose a flip flop that is more dressy so I can also use it as a sandal. Keep the material as foam rubber as it is easier to dry than leather/suede and is subject to less deterioration.
Socks - 7-10 pairs should do - choose a mix of lightweight and heavy socks depending on the weather of the country you are visiting.
1 Micro towel - Packable and dries quick. Most hotels and hostels provide free use of towel so make sure do not bring towels that are oversized and will take a lot of space.
Toiletries - Keep it fresh and under 100ml
Toothbrush
Tooth paste
Deodorant - preferably solid so you don't need to worry about the 100 ml limit.
Shampoo (with conditioner) - eliminates the need to bring another bottle of conditioner as well.
Soap (instead of body wash) - would have more use and you don't have to worry about the 100 ml limit.
Soap holder
Hair gel
Hair brush or comb
Face wash
Moisturizer
Razor (hand held or electric)
Shaving gel
Q-tips
Toe nail clippers (especially if you are travelling for long period of times)
Tweezers (especially if you are travelling for long period of times)
Laundry bar (instead of detergent) - so you can do your own laundry in your hotel/hostel rooms.
Contacts solution (if you are wearing lenses)
Eye drops
Wet wipes
Tissues (especially in south east Asia where most bathrooms and some restaurants are quite stingy with their napkins/toiler papers).
Hand Sanitizer - always smart to have clean hands before eating as some restaurants don't have soap in their washrooms.
Make up bag - neutral eye shadow palette with brush, eyeliner, 1 lipstick and blush. These are all the items that Lorelaine packed. If you need foundation, get a travel size one. Limit your kit to the basic necessities of your face.
Hair tie
Jewelry - keep it simple. I have my watch, 1 pair of earrings and my ring.
Medical & Vaccinations - Stay healthy
First aid kit - We travel with a small kit that includes most of the below items. You can buy this at your any local outdoor shop such as MEC and Camper's Village.
Travellers diarrhea pills - 1 dosage is good. Just make sure that you always clean your hands before eating and don't buy food that's been sitting out for too long (unless they re-cooked it for you). For some countries where water is not clean, avoid eating salad as the water they might have washed your lettuce with might not be clean.
Malaria pills & other vaccinations - Most pharmacies and travel clinics can give you an assessment of what you need. We recommend Shoppers Drugmart (not the one in Oliver Square though).
Immunization record - In case something happens the doctor knows what you have.
Blood type - May be useful for you and someone you're travelling with to know.
Allergy medications, puffer, or epi-pen
Sleeping pills - Not a problem for Lorelaine, but some people need them.
Sun screen (anything above SPF +30 and waterproof is recommended)
Mosquito repellant - there are some mosquito bites that do not have any vaccinations for such as dengue and Zika so make sure to use mosquito repellants especially when in Asia.
Insect after bite ointment (tiger balm would suffice)
Menthol lozenges (such as fisherman friend, ricola, etc) - this helped us with itchy throats and any motion sickness from taking the bus/boat.
Bandages and wraps (should be part of your first aid kit)
Alcohol swaps (should be part of your first aid kit)
Polysporin
Tylenol or any pain relievers
Water purifiers (preferably the tablet as it will not take space in your pack)
Security - Be safe
Locks - Good for the hostel to keep your items secure. Make them TSA approved for airport use.
Hidden wallet/Money belt
Belt with inner zipper (as mentioned under the clothing section above)
RFID covers for your cards
Throw away wallet - So you have something to give under pressure
Electronics - Stay connected
Headphones
Computer
Computer mouse (not necessary but might be helpful depending on what you are doing)
Tablet or laptop (depending on what you need)
Cell phone
Camera/GoPro
Selfie stick (waterproof) - so you can take it to the water with you especially when you are snorkelling or diving.
Travel adapter
Chargers (extra battery pack is not necessary but recommended if you are not in the habit of making sure your phone is always charged)
Cord organizers
Other - Getting optional here
Travel guides
Clothes line - Friends of ours recommended this one for hanging clothes in the hotel to dry after doing laundry.
Book - Save space if you don't mind e-readers
Journal/Notebook - always good to reflect on you travels by writing it down on a notebook.
Pen - For visa forms on the bus and plane
Compact flash light or head lamp - (not necessary but recommended) some streets in south east Asia do not have street lights so it gets really dark around 7pm. You can just always use the flashlight on your phone.
Neck pillow - for the plane, train or bus.
Ear plugs (not necessary but recommended if you cannot sleep with any noise)
Snacks for the plane - Sometimes airline food sucks
Divers log (if you are diving)
PADI certification card (if you are diving)
Sheet - not necessary but good to have if you are taking the night train or night bus or if you are not comfortable with the sheet used at the hostels
Ziploc bags - to stay organize. I have a ziploc bag for our electronics, medicine, etc. It just helps us to pack our items in a more organized manner. We also used our ziploc bags as a water-resistant case for our phone and money (not for underwater use).
Foldable cloth bag for grocery shopping
Corkscrew and bottle opener - May need to be checked at the airport, but useful for having a drink at the hotel or hostel.
We hope you find this useful. As mentioned above, please share your suggestions! Happy to learn about new and exciting travel products.
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