World Traveler

If you are thinking of going back packing first you will need to research the country/countries that you are planning on going to so you know what to expect and it will also help you know what to bring with you. When I went back packing I bought the biggest backpack I could find, I was going for a year so I thought I would need it, and so I packed it full to the brim with clothes, first aid kits, hundreds of books - all the heavy stuff! Buying everything in the UK where I am from cost a fortune too. I should have just brought myself and bought everything in Thailand, where I was planning on going, as its much cheaper and I didn’t need half of the stuff I thought that I would. Travel light, you honestly don’t need much (unless your planning on camping, climbing lots of mountains etc) so pack as little as possible as lugging a huge backpack around all the time is pretty annoying and very stressful!

You may need injections, you don’t need to be overly cautions and get every injection ‘just in case’, plan where you are going and get the appropriate vaccinations. Malaria tablets can often make you photosensitive, so can be silly if you are going to a hot country or planning on sunbathing, they usually have pretty bad side effects so make sure that you really need them.

Travel insurance? I got travel insurance for a year and when my phone and iPod got stolen I tried to claim it but you have to report it to the police, however, no one spoke English and they had no idea what a crime reference number was so I couldn’t make a claim! It might be useful if you are in a country that you can easily communicate in, or for medical emergencies but I’m not going to bother next time I travel.

You will need a guide book, its handy even if you don’t follow it as it contains maps, advice, places to stay, prices to expect, addresses of consulates etc also lists places of interest and some local phrases so you can try and communicate in foreign speaking countries. Also, take some passport photos in case you need them for visas and a copy of your passport in case you lose it! If possible take spare bank cards as if you lose you bank card or it breaks your bank wont send another one abroad!

http://www.worldtravelerjournal.com/thinking-of-going-backpacking/