Whether you are going away for a few days, weeks or months there are some items that are absolutely essential. So, what are they and why are they going to be so helpful?
Backpack- obvious but necessary
Do you have to use a backpack to technically have a backpackers holiday? No. Will it make your life easier while travelling? Yes!
We recommend having a couple of backpacks, one large and one small/medium. The smaller one will be very handy for the shorter getaways and can be used as a day bag when you are exploring. A bag such as this would be perfect for daytime adventures and carry on luggage. With multiple pockets and separation pods you've got plenty of space for all your travel needs.
Larger backpacks are great for longer trips. They are easier to travel with than a suitcase and they really do limit your packing so you only take the essentials which is what you want when you have to carry it all with you! There are a lot of large backpacks to pick from online and in certain stores. Make sure you get one that is waterproof and has chest/waist straps for extra support, like this one.
While on the subject of limiting what you pack, I am going to mention packing cubes once more! They come in a variety of sizes, colours and styles and some packs also include laundry bags. These nifty little cubes will keep everything together in your bag, compress your clothes down and make it easier to pack everything into your bag. Worth every single penny.
Water filter bottle
An absolute must for every trip you take. These bottles filter all water sources, making it safe to drink. From tap water to rain water, these bottles will filter it all. This will save you lots of money and save a lot of waste from single use plastic water bottles. Don't try and filter sea water though! That's the one type of water the filter will not work on.
I used Aqua pure for my first few trips away, now I use Water-to-Go bottles. They come in a variety of colours, styles and sizes. Luckily for all of you, my friend has a discount code for orders over £20!
For a space saving alternative, there is pocket water purifiers available! Collect water from whatever source and run it through the device to get safe, clean drinking water.
Reusable cutlery and tupperware
Budget travelling at it's best. Hostels usually have a communal kitchen and I highly recommend making the most of these facilities. Buying ingredients and making your own food is much more cost effective than eating out 3 times a day. Bulk cook meals that can be eaten cold and on the go (pasta salads, cous cous, wraps etc) and box it all up. You can then take these with you on your days out and know you don't have to purchase food while out in an expensive tourism area.
I recommend getting reusable cutlery that comes in a container of some sort so that you can carry it around when it's dirty and it won't dirty other items in your bag, like this one!
It comes with a fork, knife, spoon, chop sticks, a straw, a cleaning brush and a storage bag that rolls up. This makes it easy to carry with you and takes up little space.
When it comes to tupperware, any one will do! An old take away container that you can dispose of after the trip, a nice one that you will bring back with you or even a collapsible one to save space when it's empty! Whatever you feel most comfortable with and what is within your budget.
Charging block
When out exploring for hours on end, the last thing you want is your phone or camera to get a flat battery. I highly recommend taking a portable charging/power block with you. Keep this fully charged and keep your phone charging wire with you to avoid disappointment.
For those that have a terrible memory and may forget to charge their charging block, there are ones available that are solar powered. Fancy!
Space saving/travel toiletries
Most supermarkets or drugstores offer miniature, travel sized versions of toiletries. However, I consider these to be a waste of money and plastic. Most items can be decanted into small containers for hand luggage. For example, small tupperware used for sauces are also great for holding a small amount of shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and body wash.
Go through all your body washes, check all those gift sets you got for Christmas. There's a good chance you will have a small, 60-100ml, sized bottle of body wash. Perfect for travel and once all the product is gone, rinse the bottle out, keep it and refill it for your next weekend away!
Space saving options are always good to consider when backpacking. For these I would recommend solid shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, perfume and body wash. They take up much less space than 5 plastic bottles. Plus, not only do they save space, they save a lot of plastic waste.
Another way to space save is to have reuseable items such as menstruation products (cups, pads etc), cotton pads, cotton buds and dental floss. Reuseable items aren't for everyone, some people really just cannot get along with them but I really do recommend you give them a try. Not only just for travelling, they are great everyday swaps you can make to be a little more eco-conscious. Give these ones a go and you can save money at checkout with code travelbee10!
So there we have what I consider some essentials for your next trip! I hope it's given you some ideas and some inspiration. Is anyone else itching to get packing and jump on a plane now?!
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