Backpacking Checklist: What Do You Need To Go Travelling?

No matter what stage you are at, whether you are just thinking whether or not you should go backpacking, or your ready to pack your bags, the travel checklist below is a great guide as to when and what you need to sort out before travelling around the world.

Theoretically you can arrange everything in couple of weeks, but it is best to plan in advance for a lot of things, otherwise you could end up paying more, not being fully vaccinated, or missing out altogether.

More detail on the below advice can be found in our Travel Preparation article.

4+ Months Before Departure: Planning

• Think about exactly where you want to go, and what you want to do. How long do you intend to go for? Are you travelling alone or with others? Bookmark and subscribe to travel blogs, twitter accounts and alike for ideas and advice, particularly our initial backpacker planning advice.
• Set a budget of how much you need and want to spend, then start saving money for your travels.
• If interested start looking into working or volunteering programs.

2-3 Months Before Departure: Arranging

• Sort out your passport. You should ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity after your return date home. A damaged passport or outdated photos may cause problems. There should also be plenty of blank pages. It can take 3-6 weeks to receive a new or renewed passport.
• Arrange any visas. Many countries require visas for entry, a lot you may receive on arrival, but equally a lot you have to arrange before arriving. It is a good idea to sort out your visa before booking your flight – you do not want to spend money on a flight and then get denied a visa.
• Book your flight or other method of transport. The sooner you book your flight the cheaper.
• Visit your doctor for a medical checkup and start vaccination courses. Courses can take months, so please do not leave this until 2 weeks before you go.

1 Month Before Departure: Acquiring

• Buy a backpack and any gear you need to take that you don’t already have.
• Visit the dentist, and if necessary your optician.
• Apply for a currency card, or a good exchange rate bank account like Monzo, if you don’t already have one.
• Apply for discount cards and saving schemes.
• If you going on a working holiday look into jobs, accommodation, etc.

2-3 Weeks Before Departure: Preparing

• Sort out any loose ends you may have.
• Start taking anti-malaria tablets if heading straight into a malaria zone (parts of South America, Asia and Africa). Always seek doctors advice on when to begin taking anti-malarials.
• Stock up on prescription medication, with a doctor’s letter if necessary.
• Book your first few nights accommodation.
• Write your own personalised packing and check lists.
• Create a document to track your budgeting and itinerary plans.
• Arrange travel insurance and ensure it covers what you want to do and where you are going.
• Photocopy your documents. Take copies with you and leave a copy with family or friends.
• Download any music, books or films you want to take.
• Make a note of important numbers and information, i.e. emergency numbers, stolen card number, embassy addresses.
• Learn some key words in the language of your destination.

1-3 Days Before Departure: Finalising

• Start Packing.
• Get some foreign currency. It is always a good idea to arrive in a country with some local currency – not all airports or even countries have ATMs.
• Look at your transfer options, from the airport to your accommodation.
• Download useful apps and offline maps of your destinations.
• Buy an eSim (if your phone is compatible) that covers your destinations from Airalo
• Get your haircut, or anything similar that you may not want to do for a while whilst you are away.
• Print, pack, screenshot and email yourself all documentation (visa, passport, tickets, insurance, proof of funds, etc.). Alternatively organise travel documents into a Google Drive or Dropbox folder.
• Reconfirm flight and accommodation if necessary.
• Adjust your sleep routine as part of the avoiding jet lag steps.
• Run over your checklist.

Departure Day: Checking

• Fully charge all your electronics (the night before if necessary).
• Plan to get to the airport in ample time and check traffic reports.
• Run over your checklist again.
• Remember the last things to pack, like you phone charger.
• Get excited for the time of your life.
• Remember more detail on the above can be found in our Travel Preparation article.