How to Pack for Six Months of Travel | Packing list
Planning a long trip and figuring out what to pack for it can be daunting, especially when you want to pack enough so you have everything you need but you don’t want to overpack!
After multiple month long holidays and now a six month long, backpacking trip during my adult gap year with just a carry on suitcase and a backpack, I want to share what has worked for me and some advice for long term travel that I’ve learnt along the way.
This covers:
What to pack for months of travel - tips to get you started
Packing list
Tips for staying in hostels
Tips for doing laundry
What to pack for months of travel - tips to get you started
It can be daunting to fit your life for the next however many months into a suitcase or a backpack - I found it helpful to know what other people brought, so here’s my advice if you’re struggling with what to bring (full list down below).
Consider the weather and the seasons you’ll be travelling through
Are you visiting places that are tropical and sunny weather? Or will you also pass through autumn and cooler areas where you’ll need layers and a jacket? These all change what you pack.
If you’re only going to be in cooler weather for a short period or the later part of your trip, consider buying layers/jackets for that weather later when you need them, or pack clothes that you can layer.
Pack light, and include clothes and shoes that are versatile
Whatever you pack is whatever you’ll be carrying around the rest of your trip!
I packed everything into a carry-on suitcase using compression packing cubes, a 30L backpack and a Uniqlo moon bag. I liked being able to wheel my heavier bag around (personal preference) but a 40-60L backpack is also a great option depending on how much you have.
If you plan to shop - bring less stuff! A week’s worth of clothes is a good rule of thumb.
Pack clothes that are versatile
Consider the different activities you want to do, such as hiking, water activities, summer vs winter.
I also tried to pack clothes that I could mix and match (tops, skirts, shorts, pants) especially since I was also going to music and dance festivals, and clothes to layer for cooler weather.
Don’t forget your hat, sunnies, swimwear and a jacket!
Shoes are bulky
I brought 4 pairs of shoes - sneakers, dance sneakers, Teva sandals and slides - and while these all fit sometimes I wish I had one or two less pairs of shoes.
Bring your usual skincare, haircare and other toiletries
It’s tempting to skip these bulky items, but if you’re gone for a long time it’s worth packing these, even if they’re in smaller quantities.
I found most places had body wash and shampoo, but conditioner was really limited. I was also able to replenish skincare items as we were travelling through Europe and Asia, but keep this in mind depending on where you’re travelling to.
If you’re coming from Australia, pack your favourite sunscreen as this can get expensive overseas!
Tech - laptop, spare phone, chargers
The most helpful tip I got before leaving home was bringing a spare phone that’s already set up and logged into apps like banking, social media and emails - this was a lifesaver when my phone was stolen in Europe, and made the replacement process much easier. An esim is also much easier to replace than a physical sim.
I would strongly recommend getting a universal adapter so you don’t have to stress about different electrical plugs - I bought this Lencent 65W International Travel Adapter so I didn’t need to bring a separate laptop charger, and packed USB-C cables and my Fitbit Charger.
Whether you decide to bring a laptop is personal preference - I liked having a laptop for doing research and writing articles like this!
Important documents - passport, bank cards
It goes without saying that your passport is a must! But other essentials I would pack include your Driver’s Licence as it’s accepted as ID at bars and easier to replace than a passport, and any debit and credit cards that don’t charge international fees.
I personally use Up Bank (debit) and an ANZ credit card, but other great options internatonal transactions include Wise, Revolut, Macquarie (debit cards) and Bankwest (credit cards).
Packing list
For my summer/autumn trip I packed:
2 sundresses
3 tshirts & 2 crop tops
2 pairs of shorts
1 skirt (I wore this with a nice top for more dressy occasions)
Black leggings
2 pairs of pants (e.g. cargo pants & linen pants)
Underwear, socks and sleepwear
Cardigan (for layers, could also bring thermals)
Jacket
Swimwear and quick dry towel
Hat, sunnies
1 pair sneakers
1 pair sandals (I brought Teva sandals as they wree good for outdoor and water activities)
1 pair flip flops / slides
Skincare, haircare and toiletries
Travel adapter, cables, laptop and spare phone
Passport and bankcards
I’m staying in a hostel - what should I bring?
If you’re planning to spend some time in hostels, I would highly recommend packing a lock for lockers and a quick dry towel as these don’t take up much space and dry quickly.
Some other nice to haves are earplugs and eyemask, and I also like to have a small plastic or tote bag to put my clothes & toiletries in when using the shower.
Tips for doing laundry
There’s a few options for doing laundry on the go depending on your budget - self-service laundromats, laundry facilities at hostels, apartments and airbnbs, and pick up laundry services.
Our preference was to book an apartment or airbnb with a laundry machine included, but we also used self-service laundromats and paid for wash and dry at hostels when we were unable to.
I also met someone who had a washing bag where they could add clothes, water and detergent, give it a shake and wash clothes for free!
Some tips:
Bring two laundry bags - one for clothes you’ll wear again and one for clothes you plan to wash
Laundry sheets are my fave travel hack - convenient for washing clothes when you aren’t given laundry detergent, and a spare sheet in your suitcase or bag helps clothes smelling fresh
If you do forget anything, there is a 99% chance that you’ll be able to buy it overseas (unless it’s your passport!).
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