This is the thing that I probably found the most stressful before going travelling. I didn’t have a clue what I needed to take, and I didn’t know how I was going to fit it all in a backpack.
I watched a lot of TikToks and read people’s blogs for advice about what the essentials were.
Here is my full packing list of everything I took with me to South East Asia. I have since discovered what has been useful and what has been a waste of time and space, but here is the original list.
Clothes-
I took 4 compression packing cubes of clothes in my main backpack, and an extra cube in my daypack.
In the cubes were…
- Crop tops/vests x 9
- Tshirts x 4
- Gym shorts x 3
- Linen shorts x 3
- Skirt x 1
- Dress x 1
- Long trousers x 1
- Leggings x 1
- Trackie bottoms x 1
- Sports bras x 2
- Underwear x 13
- Trainer socks x 6
- Bikinis x 3
- Swimming costume x 1
- Sarong x 1
- Long sleeve linen shirts x 2
- Thin quarter zip x 1
- Fleece x 1
- Pj shorts and vest x 1
I had one cube for all my tops, one for bottoms, one for swimwear, and one for underwear. This is so I could easily find everything. My fleece, sarong and one shirt went in the packing cube in my daypack.
Shoes–
I took 4 pairs of shoes. All the research I did said don’t take this many pairs of shoes but I ignored this advice (which I’m glad I did).
I took my Crocs, Birkenstocks, a pair of Adidas Continental trainers, and my ASICS running trainers.
Toiletries-
I had a hanging toiletry bag for my toiletries and also another toiletry bag for overspill!
- Cerave hydrating cleanser
- Cerave moisturiser
- Simple soap bar
- Ethique pinkaliciois shampoo bar
- Ethique conditioner bar (I can’t remember which one)
- Maria Nila cleansing powder (dry shampoo)
- Rhyme & reason liquid shea leave in conditioner
- Hair oil
- Tangle teezer hairbrush
- Electric toothbrush and spare toothbrush heads
- Estrid razor and spare razor heads
- Mitchum deodorant
- Nivea night cream
- Embrolysse moisturiser
- Microfibre face cloth x 2
- Body exfoliating scrub
- La Roche Possay face spf x 2
- Garnier suncream x 2
- Garnier aftersun
- Jungle insect repellent
- Shower filter
- Clear nail varnish and pink nail varnish
- Nail varnish remover pads
- Body shop camomile make up remover
Make up–
I decided to take a small amount of make up with me as I felt I would regret it if I didn’t have any. Even though I knew I probably wouldn’t wear it a lot, I felt better knowing I would have the option.
I took concealer, eye brow gel, mascara, setting powder, liquid bronzer, blush, primer, a small eyeshadow palette, mini brushes and a light up mirror.
Other bits-
- Dry bag
- Mosquito coils
- Universal plug adapter
- Collapsible Tupperware and cutlery
- Packable raincoat
- Microfibre towel x 2
- Carabiners
- TSA approved padlocks x 4
- Travel washing line and travel wash
- Spare glasses and sunglasses
- Folder for souvenirs
- Hat
- Shower filter
- Spare glasses and sunglasses (I would have major problems if I broke or lost my glasses!)
- Microfibre beach and bath towel
- SIM card remover tool
First aid kit-
- Travel sickness tablets
- Paracetamol
- Ibuprofen
- Sleeping tablets
- Plasters
- Antiseptic wipes
- Wound dressings
- Bite relief cream
- Antihistamines
- Bug spray with 50% deet
- Rehydration sachets
- Imodium
- Charcoal tablets
- Dulcoease
- Rennies
- Tiger balm
- Vapour rub
- Thrush cream and tablets
Day bag-
I took a 25l Eurohike Nova day bag. Inside I packed…
- A packing cube with a fleece, sarong and shirt
- Noise cancelling headphones
- Small toiletry bag with essentials (e.g. mini spf moisturiser, foldable toothbrush, small toothpaste, painkillers, travel sickness tablets)
- Eye mask and ear plugs
- Portable charger
- Cables in a cable organiser
- Handheld mini fan
- Documents in a folder
- Journal and pen
- Kindle
In hindsight…
Above is my original packing list and everything I took with me to South East Asia. After travelling for almost a year I can assure you that it isn’t necessary to take all of these things.
It is so easy to pick up whatever you need when you’re out there. In terms of clothes and shoes I feel like I got it right. But everything else I had too much of. There are pharmacies and shops everywhere so any medicine or toiletries are always available to you.
However, it is something that you don’t know until you’ve done it. In my head it was better to be over prepared than under prepared.
Down to Earth Travel 
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