Packing List
Things to do before you leave By this I mean the things you usually have to fix before you go. The list does not contain any of the travel preparations you have to do, like buying tickets, getting visas and such.
To do for most trips
Wash the dishes
If you forget this you'll be sorry when you come back.
Shave
For short trips it can be a very good idea to shave before you go and leave your shaving equipment at home.
Pet Care
Have someone take care of your pets while you're away.
Unplug electrical stuff
This may reduce the risk of fire if the house is struck by lightning, or if there is some kind of power surge, while you're away. Some appliances consume electricity while plugged in, even if they are off - televisions are a good example of this - so lets help save the planet by reducing power consumption!
Turn down the temperature in your home
If nobody is home, why waste energy heating it?
Empty all trash cans
Vegetables left in the trash can quickly become pretty disgusting. Don't come back to a stinking house!
Memorize PIN codes to credit cards
So that you can use them with ATM machines to get cash.
Check out what hospitals are covered by your health insurance
Whenever I go somewhere with my family, I need to check out beforehand which hospitals are covered by my health insurance, so that I don't bring a sick child to the wrong place. That can end up being a very costly mistake.
Get travel insurance
Make sure your insurance covers the activities you plan to do, such as climbing! Not all of them do! Also very important if you travel with kids.
Install or recharge batteries
It is such a pain and hassle to get these replaced in cameras etc during the trip. Get it done before you go and avoid the problem. Rechargeable batteries exists in lots of devices - make sure they are recharged before you leave!
Get maps
It can be easier to get maps of your destination from home, particularly since you may not know where the map store is in another city. Sometimes you may get good maps for free, such as at travel agencies or AAA (American Automotive Association) if you are a member.
Forward (or hold) delivery of newspapers and magazines
If you're away for some time, it might be a good idea to forward your subscribed newspapers and magazines to some other place or person. Some newspapers also allow you to put your subscription on hold until you come back. To do for longer trips
Balance your bank account
It's also important to let someone take care of incoming salaries or outgoing expenses on the credit card.
Wash clothes
It is nice to have all your clothes shining clean when you hit the road. It is also nice to have a clean set of clothes to put on when you return home.
Pay the rent and other necessary bills
If you are lucky enough to have a place to live you'd better be sure to still have it when you come back. I like to have it all sorted out nicely when I travel, so the best thing is to give some money to a trusted friend who can pay all necessary bills when you are out of town.
Plant care
Have someone take care of your plants while you're away or they will change colors.
Empty all water containers
A filled water boiler can be rather disgusting after a month. Not to mention in what condition a coffeepot or coffee making machine filled with used coffee grounds can be after a month! Absolutely disgusting!
Store away things that are easy to steal
Some things, like bicycles, are unlikely to be stolen from your back yard when it is clear that you're around. But if it becomes obvious that you're away, such as if there are tons of mail in your mailbox, then a thief may feel comfortable enough to steal things that usually require too much time or effort to locate and move.
Empty your fridge of perishables
Vegetables, for example, are pretty disgusting if you have to deal with them 3 months after they should have been eaten. If you empty and unplug your fridge remember to defrost it first, then leave the door propped open.
Hold delivery of snail mail
In many countries you can have your mail held at the post office while you are away. Then the post office will deliver it in a big package when you get back.
Wax boots
Clothes
This list does not count the clothes you wear the day you take off.
This list describes clothes most of us are quite likely to bring with us, biased to male clothing. Avoid clothes that look military, since that might cause you problems in countries where spy paranoia is high (much of Africa). I try to melt into the environment by wearing clothes that don't look too odd. A good idea could be to bring enough clothes for one week w/o needing to do laundry. Another suggestion has been that shorter trips mean lots of clothes while long trips often mean different climates and thus mean you really need to buy stuff underway.
Unisex clothes
Underwear
Can be obtained very cheaply in many towns, but if you prefer the western style, you'd better get a basic set of these at home before you go. Definitely stay with cotton, or possibly silk, if you can afford it.
Shirts
There is almost no place on the globe where you can be without needing a good warm shirt. I usually bring one or two tough flannel shirts, but I leave them at home if my destination is really hot.
T-shirts
Pretty impossible to be without, unless you just use thin shirts. You can buy them cheaply along the road.
Shorts
This is a must unless you travel in cold climates. I think it is one of the most important pieces of clothing you use. Buy one or two pairs of very good quality. Shorts can double as swimming trunks. Don't use sport shorts made for running, since their length may be too short to be considered decent clothing in some countries.
Socks
Good quality socks can be a blessing. Wool is best. If you are hiking, be sure to bring a lot of socks in case the weather is bad - walking in wet socks is horrible! Remember that if it is hot summer at your travelling destination, you may not end up using socks at all, just sandals!
Trousers ( Pants, Jeans )
I like black jeans at home, but leave them at home if you're going to a really hot place. Shorts will be a much better choice.
Sweater
A must in colder climates, and a good idea if you're flying.
Cap ( Hat )
Two out of every three Australians who live to the age of 75 can expect to develop some type of skin cancer, so hats are more or less government recommendation in Australia. I'm not too fond of hats, but I have burnt my nose to pure coal so many times now that I've bought myself a cool hat. Shoes Very important. Only use good quality shoes!
Walking shoes
I have been a faithful customer of Dr. Martens shoes for over 20 years, but my last pair broke after just a few months, so I've abandoned them since then. Now I'm a proud owner of a pair of Meindl Trattberg shoes. They look sharp, and will probably last a long time, but they need a long and rather painful walk-in period before you can walk a full day in them. Quite expensive and hot, so if you travel in a hot climate, a pair of light jogging shoes can be an alternative.
Sandals ( Flip-flops )
Very nice to have in hot climates, or on filthy bathroom floors. Optional clothes Pick the ones you like, and leave the rest at home.
Belt
Raincoat
I usually carry a Gore-Tex jacket, but it takes up a hell of a lot of space in my backpack. Difficult decision. Leave it at home, unless you are heading for colder climates or the mountains where this is essential.
Umbrella
Some love them, others hate them. What kind of person are you?
Swimming trunks ( Bikini )
Takes virtually no space in your backpack, and can be very nice.
Pyjamas ( Pajamas )
Scarf
Can save you from getting a cold.
Beach pants
Thin cotton pants that are great when shorts are too casual and it is too hot for regular trousers. Also nice on long flights, since they are very comfortable.
Jewelry
Easily stolen, so I wouldn't bring anything too valuable. Clothes for cold weather
Jacket ( Wind breaker )
Gloves
Nice if it gets really cold.
Mittens
I have on many occasions wished I had brought with me a pair of thin fleece mittens, since it gets cold, even in daytime, when you reach a certain altitude. Forgetting to bring a pair of mittens may not ruin your time at the summit, but you may choose to go down earlier than you had wished. Don't be stupid like me, bring a pair! A thin pair of cotton, light wool of fleece mittens takes up virtually zero space.
Long underwear
Knitted (woolen) cap
Nice to have on that glacier in northern Norway. Money and documents This list is about what kind of documents and what kind of money you better not be without.
Basic documents
Insurance certificate ( Health Insurance card )
Very handy if you want to rent a car in the US without having to pay for insurance. The insurance that covers your car at home often also covers cars you rent, but check with your insurance company before you go, to be sure.
Cash
If you bring cash, the equivalent of US $10 and $50 are the most convenient denominations.
Emergency money
In case all your money, or all your gear, is lost or stolen.
Credit/ATM cards ( Visa, Eurocard/Mastercard, American Express etc )
They take virtually no space in your backpack. American Express has the advantage of letting you use the Amex office facilities. In a group, have each person bring a different brand of card. Make sure to carry the phone numbers to call to report if your card is stolen! Remember, typical free numbers (such as 800 or 888 numbers in the US) often do not work from outside your country (for example, calling american 800-numbers from Sweden is bound to fail). Make sure you bring "normal" phone numbers together with the free (800) numbers.
Driver's license
Can often double as your ID card.
ID card
I have my Swedish driver's license for security if I lose my passport.
Address list (with phone numbers and email addresses)
For writing letters, sending emails from a cyber cafe, or for phoning home to Mom for more money. Optional documents Some of the items on this list might be very good to have with you.
This packing list
Can be very handy if you have things stolen. It can be darn hard to remember what you lost otherwise.
International Student Identification Card ( ISIC )
Can save you some money in Youth Hostels, trains, museums, planes, so get one if you qualify as a student. If you can, get the brochure with addresses to student travel organisations in different countries, and tear out the pages you want. You will need these addresses if you want to buy student plane tickets.
Tourist organization certificate
Can save you money in a way similar to an ISIC card. For carrying money and documents You might end up carrying a lot of important documents, as well as money. This list gives some hints on how to carry them. Remember to carry these things in 2 or more locations. Unless everything gets stolen, this way you'll have some extra money and papers that will make it easier to replace what was stolen, not to mention that some extra money can make it possible for you to continue your travels while waiting for new travellers cheques or documents. When making purchases, be modest. Don't flash large amounts of cash. The wallet of a westerner has tempted people in poor countries to commit murder! Please remember this!
Wallet
This is my favourite! They have a distinct disadvantage though - pickpockets! Where pickpockets are a problem, carry your wallet in your front trousers pocket.
Paper folder
I tend to carry quite a lot of paper with me; to prevent it from becoming unreadable from the massive pressure in my backpack, I put it all in a sturdy paper folder. I have never regretted this. The folder also gives some steadiness in the backpack. The stiff envelopes available from Federal Express or Express Mail (in the US) are great for carrying the assortment of papers one picks up. They are a little stiffer than folders and available free of charge. Maps I always travel with lots of maps. Remember that good maps can be pretty hard to find in many countries.
Small scale map
I like to have a small scale map for the occasions when I sit at a cafe and try to figure out where to go next.
Large scale map
For more detailed kind of travelling. In cities in the western world you can often get them for free in tourist information offices. Good souvenirs! Books Books are heavy but hard to be without.
Novels
You may end up waiting a lot on most trips, so a novel or two or three will make your trip more enjoyable. A guideline is to bring one book per week of travel. Books in your native language are all nice and cosy on the road, but the price of it on the second hand market may be reduced. Travellers often swap books, so if you have a book in Swedish you may be out of luck. Choose English. Guidebook
I usually have a Lonely Planet guide with me, but they're approaching the weight of a brick nowadays, so try to reduce it by ripping out pages or leave it at home. A too-complete guide-book is kind of boring, since it reduces the thrill of finding your own hotels and magic places around the globe. You can be pretty sure that if a place is in the guidebook, it is more or less crowded with travellers. At the same time, it is a bad idea to go to a place like Africa without a guide, since you will be unaware of local rules, conflicts and other things that are bound to put you in lots of uncomfortable situations. Equipment Quite a few lists of general equipment handy in different situations.
Things for packing Items that enable you to bring along the other items as effortlessly as possible.
Backpack ( Rucksack )
Stay away from the cheap ones! I don't like the ones with lots of external pockets since they are easy to steal from. I try to use one that seems a bit too small since that forces me to skip some unnecessary things. Remember that you are most likely going to have more things when coming home than when you left. Avoid backpacks with an external metallic frame, since the frame can break if thrown up on a truck or something. They are also not easy to push into small boxes at railways stations and similar places. Small extra backpack ( Knap sack, Day pack )
I can't be without a small extra backpack, since that is where I carry things when walking around in cities. It serves two other purposes as well. First, it gives you a chance to carry more things along the road since I try to keep the small backpack more or less empty from the start. Second, when carrying the big backpack, I have the small one attached by a carabiner (a climbing D-ring with a spring-loaded latch, and possibly a safety lock so that it will not disconnect) to the shoulder strap of the big one. This way I have easy access to tickets and other important things in the small backpack. The carabiner makes it impossible for thieves to just grab the small backpack and run. To be honest, I'm pretty proud of this idea.
Expandable carry-on
The expandable bag will provide more room for souvenirs when returning home from a trip.
Rubber-bands
It's pretty amazing how much you can put into a backpack if you do a good job. By using rubber-bands, I squeeze clothes down to a minimal size.
Plastic bags ( Ziploc )
Excellent to put stuff in.
Stuff Sack
I have a set of small sacks (up to 3 litres) made of cloth with a drawstring, in different colours. I keep different types of things in different sacks, and with this colour code I can easily find what I'm looking for in my backpack. Without these sacks, your backpack will look like a mess in no time. Bring a few spare ones as well.
Small box
Can be a good idea for small things that easily get lost in the backpack. Such a box is also a good place to put fragile stuff in, such as a pair of extra glasses. Things for sleeping Things that might give you a better sleep, or actually give you a chance to sleep at all.
Sleeping bag
Takes up a hell of a lot of space in your backpack. Get one in a sack that makes it possible to compress the sleeping bag as much as possible.
Tent
Leave it at home unless you trek in cold climates or are on a tight budget. Actually, I once remember sleeping at a camp site in Paris, which was cheaper than a hostel, but I ended up spending quite a lot of money on buses to and from the remotely situated camp site. Tents are often very heavy and bulky, but there are also a few small and light ones. It seems like you can very often rent tents whenever you are in a place where they are useful, such as close to the highest mountains in a country.
Sheets ( Bed covers )
If you find out that you don't trust the ones you get in hotels. A sheet bag is also an option and a requirement for sleeping in many YHA youth hostels.
Pillowcase
A pillow is too large to fit in a backpack, but you can make one by just stuffing clothes into a pillowcase.
Sleeping mattress
Very useful! I use it in its rolled state for sitting on, and it keeps you from dirty floors and scorpions at night. I just recently bought one of the self inflating variants. I thought it was a good idea, but it soon got too close to a heater and is now broken. These mattresses also comes in the shape of pillows and chairs. Cooking equipment Remember that this kind of equipment weighs quite a lot and takes up a lot of space in your backpack.
Stove
Well, try to find something so small that it fits in your shirt pocket. Some reports say "multi-fuel" stoves are excellent.
Extra fuel
Don't bring it on a plane in your carry-on baggage!
Can be difficult to find abroad depending on the fuel. If it is a liquid - bring it in a bottle sturdy enough to stand a direct hit from a nuclear warhead. That's the kind of pressure your backpack will produce.
Can opener
One of these things you are bound to need sooner or later. Unnecessary if you have a good Swiss army knife or multi-tool.
Eating utensils ( Cutlery )
Don't bring them on a plane in your carry-on baggage!
I think a Swiss army knife or multi-tool works OK. But then again, I don't cook much food on the road. People going to China are often advised to bring their own chopsticks, since washing bamboo ones doesn't sanitise them.
Drinking cup
There are some indestructible plastic drinking cups. Very useful. Some models can be used also as a plate.
Plate
The best kind is made of heavy-duty plastic. Sometimes also works as a Frisbee.
Washing-up liquid
Try to find a small bottle that can hold just as much as you'll need on your hike. Reports say that shampoo can double as washing- up liquid. You may not want to try the other way around. Eating equipment This list contains items that might be good to bring along even if you don't cook your own food.
Multi-tool ( Folding knife )
Don't bring it on a plane in your carry-on baggage!
A Swiss army knife is good for many things, but the blade is usually too short for slicing bread or fruit. Avoid anything that might look military unless you want problems at border crossings. Miscellaneous equipment Things that just didn't fit into any other list.
Compass
Sometimes useful in the city.
Pens
You can buy them anywhere, but the quality is often very bad. Bring a bunch of good ones. Works as much appreciated gifts to kids. Bring a few with a very fine point felt top since they are excellent for writing compact letters.
Candle
Nice in your hotel room late at night when the electricity is gone, or in a tent, or in a mountain cabin with no electricity.
Earplugs
Invaluable on long flights. Packs very small and can also save you (or your fellow traveller) a night's sleep.
Lighter ( Matches )
Matches can be bought everywhere but are sometimes of lousy quality. It is a good idea to bring a cheap gas lighter even if you don't smoke.
Sunglasses
Small ones are cool but will leave your eyes pretty unprotected.
Keys
To places you plan to visit that you have keys to.
Extra car keys
In case the first set of car keys is lost. Extra things If any of your equipment breaks or you lose something. There are actually kits you can buy that contain many of the items below. It could be an option instead of buying them one by one.
Extra straps
When you need to attach something to your backpack. Happened to me recently when my hiking friend hurt his knee and I took some of the things from his backpack. I had no extra straps, so it was a bit of a mess.
Safety pins
You are wrong if you think you don't need them.
Sturdy nylon cord ( Clothes line )
Can be used for just about anything, including a clothesline string. Hygiene This is a list of the kind of hygiene things all of us are likely to bring with us. It is a good idea to put most of these things in a separate pouch so that you can easily bring everything with you when you go to the bathroom.
Hygiene
Toilet bag ( Bathroom bag, Necessaire )
A handy bag where you put all your hygiene items.
Razor
Either a razor with disposable blades, or disposable light-weight razors. They are actually good for several shaves.
Extra blades for Razor
This only applies to we who prefer to avoid electric shavers, since they are heavy, and electrical standards are different all over the world. Shaving gel ( Shaving foam )
Make sure you bring along a really small can. Another option is to use brushless shaving cream, or shaving oil.
Electric shaver
If you are just going for a shorter trip and don't mind the weight. But then again, if it is a short trip, why not just leave it and shave when you get home?
Toothbrush ( Electric toothbrush with charger )
One of the few things you can buy all over the world.
Toothpaste
Can be bought almost everywhere.
Soap
The ones you find along the road may not smell the way you are used to, but at least they are available everywhere.
Soap box
The box where you keep your wet soap.
Liquid soap
Liquid soap in little containers is said to be more convenient to carry than bar soap. A sample size bottle can be refilled from normal size bottles.
Shampoo
If you are really hard-core, you can use soap, but, well, I'm kind of wimpy and prefer real shampoo. Not as available as soap, but it should be no real problem getting it in most towns all over the world. Also available at all hotels, free of charge, but it may not smell like you're used to.
Toilet paper
NOT available everywhere, but nevertheless kind of indispensable.
Deodorant
Some say this is a must. Some even say "lots of deodorant, PLEASE!!!
Towel
I just used a T-shirt on one trip, but now I think a small towel is a must, unless I know I will be staying at hotels all the time. Alternatively, there are very absorbent cloths which act like a sponge to soak up water. They dry very quickly and are much smaller than towels.
Sunblock lotion
Can be hard and/or very expensive to get in some countries. Bring some heavy duty stuff!
Contact lenses ( Contacts )
It might be a good idea to bring some extra lenses in case you lose one, for example if a big wave takes you by surprise on the beach.
Container for contact lenses
You know, the container where you're supposed to store your contact lenses when you don't use them. They are often ridiculously large (cow size, if you see what I mean), so that you will use unnecessary amounts of expensive lens cleaning liquid. Pick the smallest you can find.
Lens cleaning liquid
Take a small bottle of multi-purpose liquid. You usually don't need a big bottle.
Extra glasses
If you are like me, blind without glasses, you need some kind of backup. Carry your prescription as well, and keep the glasses in a sturdy box so that they will not be crushed in your backpack. Hygiene (optional) After taking a sneek look at some womens makeup "equipment", I realize that this list could easily grow to ridiculous proportions.
Comb
You might be pretty unhappy without it. Packs very small.
Hair brush
Bulkier than a comb.
Laundry bag
A special bag where you put your dirty laundry, to keep it separate from your clean clothes.
Fingernail clippers
Moisturizer
Can also be used on hair if sun makes it impenetrable for your comb.
Qtips
Cotton on a stick to clean the ears after dusty bus trips.
Tweezers
The metal tongs women use to pluck hairs from their eyebrows, but also handy for pulling out splinters. Health
There are sure to be gaps in the information below. Conditions change almost daily. For the most accurate and up-to-date health information, be sure to consult with your doctor and your local health authority.
Things which can help preserve health on your trip. Put most of your things in this category in a special pouch. On long trips through many remote parts of the tropical world you should count on becoming ill at some point and make allowances for this eventuality. Many things can be sorted out, given time and care - be prepared to forget your schedule and stay put for a week or so.
For other sources, check our resource/reading checklist, as well as about other health concerns.
General health items
Prescription medicine
Condoms
Can be kind of hard to find in some countries. Don't go abroad without them! As for birth control pills/devices, these can cause some raised eyebrows (or worse) at customs checks in some countries if the woman is travelling alone. Wearing a wedding ring even if you're single is often recommended.
Sore tape ( Adhesive tape )
If you need to protect and/or cover these blisters you got from your shoes. Band-Aid/bandages work alright for this; however, there are excellent products available which are made specially for walking blisters/sores.
Insect repellent
Very good to have in Malaria prone countries, as well as in Canada or Scandinavia during the summer. Avoid putting it on the skin of small children. They should only be protected by clothes in the day, and mosquito nets at night.
Band-Aids ( Plaster )
These are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Take a good selection as well as some tape rolls.
First aid kit
I have never had to use one, but I carry one with me, just in case.
Water bottle
If you go to Africa, Asia, South America or even the Rocky Mountains in Canada, you'll be very sorry if you didn't bring a good watertight bottle. Soda bottles are sometimes OK, but they don't last very long. Buy one of the metallic types (e.g. Sigg, they also make fuel bottles) or a sturdy plastic one (Nalgene). Pour in some dubious water and throw in some of these purifying tablets; in some minutes you have some horrible tasting water, but bad tasting water is better than Amoebic Dysentery or "Beaver Fever" (Giardia). Trust me. If you hike in the mountains, bringing along a water bottle is more important than many people think. Any climb of a mountain is bound to make you sweat. At high altitude water is very important, if only to reduce the risk of headaches. Bring enough of it in your backpack. You also absolutely need a water bottle or two with water if you travel with children.
Water purifying filter
If you know you have to purify large amounts of water for a long time, then this gadget might be an option. Quite expensive and quality varies. Many water filters have appeared on the camping market in recent years. It would be wise to read reviews about them before purchase, or stick with the old standard (Katadyn). Water filters also vary in what they will remove. Some are capable of removing virus organisms and even chemicals. Others filter only larger organisms and particulates. Determining what your needs are will help simplify your choice. Pills, tablets and medicines There's a lot on this list, since there are many diseases you can catch. Remember that with a backpack full of strange pills, you can get into border problems. Keep the pills in their original containers, and stuff them all in a box so that they don't end up being ground to dust by the pressure in your backpack.
Water purifying tablets
Take lots. Perfect gifts in poor villages in Africa. Remember that they are also necessary in "civilised" places like the Canadian Rocky Mountains, where there is now a greater incidence of "Beaver Fever", a form of giardiasis.
Motion sickness tablets
Also available are "patches" which attach to your skin (behind the ear) and slowly release the required medication. There are also devices, wrist bands, which are reported to provide relief by applying pressure to wrist pressure points.
Fever tablets
Paracetamol/acetaminophen is recommended by some.
Pain killers
Headaches are quite common during travels. You can easily get it from not drinking enough, or any of the various sicknesses you can get. Or altitude. There are many different types, so make sure you bring a type that works for you.
Allergy pills ( Anti-histamines )
Electrical stuff General electrical or electromechanical stuff sometimes worth bringing with you.
General electrical items
Cell Phone ( Mobile Phone, Cellular Phone )
Remember that there is a risk your phone may not work in other countries. It could be the wrong network technology, or your phone service doesn't allow you to use it outside your own country, or even outside your own state in the US. An alternative is to rent a phone at your destination, but that is probably expensive.
Charger to Cell Phone
Remember that you may need a Wall socket adapter if you wish to recharge the batteries of the telephone, unless you have one of those new solar-powered cell phone battery chargers.
Computer
There are many choices from Laptop, Notebook to Subnotebook. Make sure you really need it, since many of them are heavier than you first might think! Many times an internet cafe will be all you need to process your emails. Remember that you may need a Wall socket adapter if you wish to recharge the batteries in the computer.
Watch
I use a cheapo watch when I travel. No big deal if it gets stolen. Be sure the battery is fresh! Some watches have a handy alarm feature and a built-in tiny compass. Another handy option would be a watch with a built-in calculator, but they are unfortunately often ugly beyond description and also seldom watertight.
Flashlight ( Torch )
I have a Maglite (a thin black slick metallic torch with an adjustable magnifying glass) that I like to bring with me. It's nice to carry along at night in strange neighbourhoods abroad. Kind of expensive. The smallest Maglite is called "Solitaire" and can hang off your key ring. An alternative is the tiny, long-lasting LED lights that cost about $10 US. Get the kind with the lockable on/off switch for hands-free use.
Bookmark reading light
A small travel light in the form of a bookmark. Very useful and works with AA batteries. Also good for fully discharging lithium batteries, which help prolong their life.
Extra batteries for your camera, flash, torch, watch, MP3-player, PDA and GPS
GPS
I have a Garmin eTrex Vista. It has a pretty detailed map of roads in the US, a pretty good altimeter, an electronic compass, a clock and a calendar. I'm a very happy customer. Only minuses are that a pair of batteries only lasts about a day, and that the GPS doesn't work that well in dense forrests or in deep valleys. Digital Camera equipment In many cases a digital camera is probably a better choice for a trip than a normal camera, since they are so much simpler to handle, takes up less space in your luggage, and are cheaper to use in the long run. But the quality of digital photos aren't yet really as good as normal photos, so if you are really into this, then you'd better bring a normal camera and normal film.
Digital camera
Be sure the batteries are fresh, or bring along a charger.
Memory cards
Some memory cards are now so large that you are able to get away with a single card for the whole of your trip. Try to estimate how many pictures you'll take during your trip, and how much memory they normally take up on your memory card, and you should be able to calculate what size memory card you'll need.
Battery charger for camera
If your camera uses non-standard batteries, and you're off to a longer trip. You may also need a Wall socket adapter.
Associated cables
To your charger, or from the camera to your computer, in case you want to move some of the pictures off your memory card, to make room for more pictures. Camcorder equipment Some camcorders are now so small that they're actually an option for travellers.
Camcorder
Charger for camcorder batteries
You may also need a Wall socket adapter.
Video tapes
Generic photo equipment Various things to bring with you if you bring along a camera or video camera.
Camera bag
Music items A music player can be heaven and hell. It can be stolen, and it can also give you some of the best highlights of a trip.
Music player ( Cassette, CD, MiniDisc, MP3 )
For travels it is probably best to take an MP3 player since they pack small and can hold a lot of music, as well as many MP3 audio books. Particularly great if you can't read on buses. Even better if it has a radio tuner. There are solar cell battery chargers you can buy, so that you don't need to buy so many batteries. Remember that you may need a Wall socket adapter if you wish to recharge batteries the normal way.
Headphones
Can also be a good idea on long flights, since the ones you're offered on planes are often of very low quality.
