If you’re unsure of what career to pursue after graduating Year 12, or you’re just wanting to take a break from studying for the past 6 consecutive high school years (because let’s face it, you deserve it) – then taking a gap year to travel is one of the most rewarding post-highschool experiences. So kudos to you if you’ve decided to embark on an exciting new chapter in your life, because travelling will be sure to motivate, inspire and change you in all of the best ways possible.
In fact, studies have found that travelling enhances your creativity and problem solving skills, broadens your perspectives, sharpens your mind, improves your interpersonal relations, opens you up to new experiences and reinventing yourself, and improves your overall wellbeing and life satisfaction.
However with the journey of travelling imminent, it’s important to prepare what you need to pack. So if you’re finding it particularly hard in trying to think of what to pack, then this is your comprehensive go-to list of gap year travel essentials! So don’t worry about a thing, because all the planning has been done for you.
Personal Essentials:
☐ Passport (make sure it’s valid for at least 6 months after you return back home)
☐ Passport photos
☐ Airfare tickets
☐ Travel wallet/passport holder (available at Officeworks or Typo)
☐ Travelling visa
☐ Emergency numbers (specific for the country you are travelling to)
☐ Prescription medication
☐ Eye glasses/contact lenses
☐ Student or concession cards (for tourist attractions that offer student discounts)
Important Documents:
☐ Accommodation bookings
☐ Travel and health insurance documents
☐ Immunisation Record
☐ Transport passes/receipts (if pre-booked transport)
☐ Transport numbers (specific to country you’re travelling to)
☐ Photocopies of your passport, flight tickets, birth certificate, university documents, or driving license
Money:
☐ Credit/Debit Card
☐ Money belt/bra
☐ Foreign exchanged money (local currency)
☐ At least $300 cash of your country of origin (in case money is required for border visas)
Flight Essentials:
☐ Carry on luggage/bag
☐ Small toiletry bag (travel towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balm, moisturiser)
☐ Foam neck pillow
☐ Travel eye mask
☐ Earphones
☐ Ear plugs
☐ Spare socks
☐ Light jacket/cardigan
☐ Journal and pen
☐ Reading books
Luggage Essentials:
☐ TSA Approved Travel Locks
☐ Travel packing cubes/compressor bags
☐ Plastic/Wash Bags (for wet/dirty clothes)
☐ Resealable bags
Clothing:
PRO TIP:
Depending on the season in which the country you’re travelling to will be in, it’s better to be cautious and prepared than regretting not packing enough of the proper clothes to adapt to any situation. It’s best to pack both summer and winter clothes just in case the country you’re visiting is experiencing monsoon season even though it’s a tropical country (eg. Philippines). If you’re going to be backpacking, it’s safe to not pack your entire wardrobe which you’ll be having to carry on your back. If you’re going to be staying in hostels or hotels then you can pack as much as you want (just don’t fill up 5 suitcases because you’re gonna have to haul that around each time you move). It’s also important to be mindful of cultural norms in certain countries that require you to be conservative in how you dress and present yourself. An example includes visiting a predominately muslim country (eg. Malaysia) where women can’t expose their shoulders, cleavage, or wear anything shorter than the knees. It’s important to carryout your own research about certain norms of the country you’re visiting, so you can dress appropriately and their culture and standard. Remember this list is only a general guideline which you can alter yourself and bring as many of whichever item of clothing you wish to pack.
General:
☐ Underwear
☐ Thermal underwear
☐ Singlet
☐ Tank tops
☐ Hoddies
☐ Jumpers/Sweaters
☐ Jackets (including waterproof) /coats
☐ Activewear
☐ Long sleeve shirts
☐ Short sleeve shirts
☐ Jeans
☐ Shorts
☐ Sandals/slippers
☐ Sneakers/runners
☐ Trekking shoes (for hiking or or treks)
☐ Swimwear
☐ Sleepwear
☐ Belt
☐ Scarf
☐ Beanie
☐ Gloves
☐ Hat
☐ Socks
☐ Sunglasses
For girls:
☐ Bras
☐ Crop tops
☐ Cami Tops
☐ Leggings
☐ Dresses
☐ Skirts
☐ Belt
☐ Swimwear
☐ Sarongs (for the beach)
For guys:
☐ Cap
☐ Ties
Toiletries:
General:
☐ Shower towel
☐Face towel
☐ Sunscreen
☐ Deodorant
☐ Wet wipes
☐ Laundry bag
☐ Toothbrush
☐ Toothpaste
☐ Dental Floss
☐ Teeth Retainers (for those who had Braces)
☐ Nail clipper
☐ Moisturiser
☐ Sunscreen
☐ Shampoo & Conditioner
☐ Shower gel/soap
☐ Hair Brush
☐ Cotton buds
☐ Tweezers
☐ Toilet Paper
☐ Pocket tissues
☐ Wet Wipes
☐ Hair products
☐ Mosquito repellent
☐ Laundry bag
For girls:
☐ Female sanitary pads/tampons
☐ Lip balm
☐ Beauty products
☐ Bobby Pin
☐ Hair ties
☐ Perfume
For guys:
☐ Shaving kit (razors, moistruisor/cream, shaving gel/foam, aftershave)
☐ Cologne
First Aid Kit:
☐ Essential Vitamins
☐ Medication for pain relief, motion sickness, cold/flu and period pain
☐ Anti-diarrheal pills/Oral rehydration sachets (Hydralyte)
☐ Anti-inflammatories
☐ Bandages
☐ Band aids
☐ Pocket knife
☐ Vaseline
☐ Antiseptic wipes, hand wash and cream
☐ Plasters and gauze
☐ Decongestants
☐ Antacids
☐ Eye drops
☐ Throat Lozenges
☐ Hayfever Tablets
☐ Asthma inhaler/puffer (if Asthmatic)
☐ Cotton swabs
☐ Plasters
☐ Antihistamine pills
☐ Anti-Malaria Medication (if applicable)
☐ Duct tape
☐ Safety pins
Electronics and Gadgets:
☐ Waterproof bag for electronics
☐ Mobile phone and charger
☐ Laptop and charger
☐ Universal travel adaptor (with USB port)
☐ Camera and accessories (camera bag, memory card, battery, charger, tripod)
☐ External hard drive (backing up photos)
☐ Flashdrive/usb
☐ Alarm clock
Night Essentials:
☐ Head lamp
☐ Small torch
☐ Sleeping bag
☐ Bed sheets
☐ Mosquito Nets
Day Essentials:
☐ Tote bag or backpack
☐ Cutlery set
☐ Travel money
☐ Waterproof watch
☐ Plastic bags
☐ Travel guides
☐ Language/phrase book guide
☐ Purse/wallet
Wishing you all the luck on your gap year of travel! May you expand your horizons, embrace new opportunities, and be inspired to dream big, explore and discover so many of life’s beautiful and amazing things it has yet to offer you!
Source: Pinterest.com
