Hello,
Being dedicated to the art of improving processes I took the liberty to identify useful needs and tiips and tricks for backpacking through Europe. Naturally many of these tips can be reused for other continents, i’m going to keep this post updated throughout my life travels and learn as I continue to see the world.
Things to Have:-
- Inflatable neck brace – amazing for long coach and train rides
- Walking boots – an absolute must, try and make them as fashionable as possible for club entry, Timberlands are good.
- Sunglasses/hats/gloves/thermals – weather dependant clothing is seriously important
- Sleeping bag - Required if you’re taking long coach and trains, helpful in any hostel.
- First aid kit - I travelled without one but even a little one would be helpful.
- 3 to 1 adapter - Power plug so all gadgets can be charged at one go.
- Plastic flip flops – Required for hostel showers and general hostel use.
- Bag for dirty clothes – Required to keep clean smelling clothes smelling clean in a bag
- 50% less clothes - You always need less, maximum one smart shirt and one other evening top, you can always wash when travelling.
- Special Towel – I’ll talk more about this later.
- N95 Phone – Amazing for access to the internet, GSP, access to travel plans e.t.c
- Breathable Underwear -
- Multi-purpose Cream – Absolute Requirement
- Waterproof Jacket – Try and make it stylist. A waterproof mac to get you around the city and allow entry to bars and clubs.
- Flask (hot/cold) – If you’re backpacking hydration is important. You can fill up at a hostel with hot or cold drinks, Have a good flask handy. If you know the climate will always be hot then a water bottle should suffice.
- Satchel – Keep your expensive stuff on your person at all times and helpful for carrying an umbrella.
- Umbrella – Put that in your Satchel, getting wet when backpacking is the ultimate sin. It feels horrible and will lead to cold and flu when you’re run down.
- Underarm Roller – I’ll talk more about this another time.
- Lunch box and Steel Spoon Cutlery - Save money by cooking in the hostel and preparing lunch. Naturally you want to experience the local cuisine BUT you don’t won’t to be paying crazy prices on a train for a coke.
- Ear Plugs and Eye Cover - Purely for hostel use, can be really helpful when someone has a 5am train to catch and hasn’t packed (usually me!)
General Travel Tips:-
- Eat DUO Spread/ Peanut Butter on long journeys. It’s not exactly healthy but it supresses your hunger and it’s easy to carry. Couple these spreads with a last minute purchase of huge amounts of bread and water and you have a mini detox.
- Download hostel directions and currency information directly to your phone before you reach the next country. You may have phone issues when you reach a new country. Perhaps you can download all this info before you even leave home?
- When on trains in Eastern Europe they have a tendancy to overheat, buy a cheap bottle of coke or water, drink it on the train and then stick it in the window, it keeps the room more airy. You’ll know what I mean when you see it.
- Miss a day hostel. Travel in the morning or evening and miss a day booking a hostel. You can successfully do this if your trip is 10 hours long. Hostels have no problem with you turning up at 5-6 am even if you have a midday check in. Usually you’ll be welcome to use all their facilities free of charge.
