Ok…I’m on a lipgloss-a-day makeup habit…Does anyone pack makeup??

I just bring the basics: concelar (in a small tube), powder, eyeliner, and mascarra. This literally takes up less room than a pair of socks, and makes my pictures (that I will have to look at for the rest of my life) look that much better. If you are like me and feel like you need a little make-up to look alive, then by all means take the basics- you wont regret it!

Also- if you are going to a sunny place (Italy, Spain, Greece) bring sunblock- even if you don’t plan on visiting the beaches. Believe me- you will be greatfull you brought it. I got the worst sunburn ever in Rome- just from walking around. And I ended searching everywhere for sunblock (I don’t think the Italians really wear the stuff), and when I finally found it, I paid sooo much for it (I think I paid like 16 Euros for a small bottle). And it wasn’t even the stuff I’m used to in the US (they didn’t have high SPF’s, and it smelled herbal- not tropical like I’m used to). Moral of my long tangent: bring a small tube of sunblock- you may really need it!!!!

i really want to bring my computer with me overseas….any advice? i only need it to check my email and find things and places while im overseas….are there lots of internet cafes in europe that i could do this at? is there another kind of device that i could take that can do these same things?

There are many (many) cafe internets where you can do this. If this is your only reason for bringing a computer, then leave it home.

What does Bump and Up mean?
And Im having a little problem with figuring out how I am going to store money while Im in the UK from Canada. I dont want to carry around a couple thousand pounds with me while Im in a foreign country. I have a bank account, no credit card.. Im totally lost when it comes to this subject.. please tell me what I should do!

sup mate,

bump and up = keeping this topic on the first page of the packing area in this forum, if no 1 replys for a while it goes to page 2 or 3 and people cant be bothered looking for such an extencive post.

money problems = a money belt seems to be the thing for you troubles. im guessing its like a seperate belt that goes above your pants and underneath your shirt to stop easy pickpocketing. seems kindov girly but its supposed to be worth it.

other problems = i guess go to your local bank and get a credit card worked out, hell just abuse your right as a bank customer and get S#%T loads of advice on travelling with money, they will hook u up.

enjoy i hoped i helped in the slightest,

smile and peoples will smile with you, its a nice lil circle

…no regrets…

You can also get a debit card if you don’t like or can’t get a credit card. It works the same way except you are not getting worried about how much you’ll have to pay back home. You can use the debit card at an ATM or make reservations online as well, it has been one of the most useful things in my life.

I found this on the wrong spot, it should be up here…

up

BTTT

BTTT

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I was just kinda reading the list, its really good! once you have gone once though, like i have, i know exactly what to bring now, but i wish i would have read this a year ago! I will thank you Packer for everyone who reads this, its very good!

I was just kinda reading the list, its really good! once you have gone once though, like i have, i know exactly what to bring now, but i wish i would have read this a year ago! I will thank you Packer for everyone who reads this, its very good!
Swimer

Bump
 
Trying to make it sticky, but it pins EVERY post in this thread separately…and there are alot of good stuff on the pages here…..

awesome advice here thanks…but i was wondering if anyone brings carharts along?? i bought a pair about two months ago and have washed them only once, and have worn them often. i swear they are the most bulletproof pants u can buy. however, they are pretty heavy and i dont think they’d dry very easily.
also, i was wondering if anyone has used those bags which compress your clothes into a vaccum seal?? they look like they’d save a lot of space…

So most of you take your backpacks with you on the plane, right? My question is about the pocketknife and razor. Won’t those be confiscated if you try to take them on board with you? Can you pack them with your checked baggage?

yeah you can check them in, but once you check your baggage in it becomes a major hassle. they might loose it, you have to wait to get it back, etc. 

How many people only take a carry- on size backpack? It’s not only sharp objects that will likely be confiscated, but also anything liquid. I do like the challenge of only living out of a small bag for a month or so, and I’m a girl. Not sure if I’ll give it a try next time . What are other people’s experiences?

Alright, I’m going to be in Europe from March 20th-May 7th and I’m not sure what clothes are right for that time of year. I’ve seen summer and winter talked about but not spring. I think that I will be taking a couple of pairs of jeans and maybe one pair of khakis. A lot of people are saying that jeans do not dry very quickly which can be a problem, but I imaine jeans being warmer than other clothes for where I will be and when I will be there. What do you think I should do? So you have something to make your judements on I will be going to the following cities:
 
Doolin, Galway, London, Paris, Barcelona, Nice, Florence, Rome, Interlaken/Gimmelwald, Munich & Berlin.
 
This also leads me into another couple of questions. What do you usually do to clean your clothes? Do you clean them in a sink and hang them up to dry? Do people ever try to steal your clothes if you do this? Do a lot of hostels have washers & dryers that you can use? Do you bring laundry detergent with you or just use a bar of soap?
 
Thank you all!

Anyone?

I would bring two pairs of jeans and a pair of Khakis.  No point in shorts that time of year.  As far as shirts, I think I would bring two or three short sleeve shirts and maybe one long, bring a light windbreaker.  I would wash cloths at a laundromat, but if you do wash them at the hostel I wouldn’t worry too much about them getting stolen.  Nobody wants somebody elses damp cloths.  If they do take them, they probably need them way worse than you. 

ok, i have another question toadd to the list.

What is a realistic size to take the majority  of the stuff on that check list. I have a 40 l bag (which i had before the intention of going O/S) I decided to give it a shot and was suprise to see i got a lot of it in, admittley it was tight but i got a lot more than i thought in. So i want to know is it worth just buying a smaller pack (say 30L?) and use that as a day pack and  to  put  just a few clothes in if the othe rpack in a bit full?

And should I pack laundry detergent or will laundry places have it? I also have a bar of soap if I clean my clothes in the sink.

Great thread!

/bump

And bump again.

I am definetly an overpacker so I’ve set myself up for a challenge to pack my neccesities for a two week trip in a expandable carryon bag and if needed I would add a duffel bag. Is this still too much???
 
I plan for the worst when we go camping 1 hr. from civilization but then again there’s room to do that. I don’t want to bring a huge bag and then not use anything.
 
I know flip flops are a huge no no! so I’m buying comfortable walking sandals and my walking shoes.
 
But if I take 2 skirts, 1 capris, 1 pair of jeans, and a pair of khakhis is that too much???
 
I think I will buy the travel size toiltetries for Target so that I don’t take the huge bottles of everything I own.
 
Would the pond’s/olay pre moisented face wash cloths works as wipes too?
 
I’m leaving in 1 month.
 
 
 

Bump! Going in 10 days []

Bump

This is an awesome thread… very informative…
 
but does it really get awfully hot in the summer?  how hot are we talking?  i live in phoenix where it has been over 110 degrees F for 30 of the last 60 days, and i still wear jeans every single day. 
 
how cold does it get at night? cold enough for warm jackets? or is a sweatshirt good enough?
 
i am going next summer for 1-2 months (everywhere a rail global pass goes) and i really don’t want to pack a lot.  i only intend on bringing 2 pair of jeans, and one&nbspair of wrinkle-proof pants for places where jeans are taboo.  i do not wear shorts. they give you stupid tan lines… and they scream “tourist”   is it hard to find laundry places or am i going to be stuck washing clothes in sinks?
 
also, since i live in phx, i mostly own just tank tops… about 3 jillion of them.  do i need to worry about getting warmer shirts, or will layering with a zipup sweat shirt be ok?  
 
are flip flops really that bad? i walk miles in flip flops without problems… or is there a lot of nasty stuff on streets that i might not want to submit my (almost) bare feet to?
 
also, i was planning on just carrying on my backpack.  i have heard that if you don’t check luggage on overseas flights they get suspicious of you and give you a hard time.  has anyone had this happen?   
 
thanks for whatever help anyone can give me in answering these questions. 

hmmmm…
whats wrong with jeanssss???
 
i love them
+ you actually never have to wash them
 
to be honest i have a few pairs of jeans that i have never washed again after i bought them

bump

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Wow, you had a long yet  very detailed list.  It’s nice you paid attention to every tiniy detail. Will definitely keep these thing in mind.

Ok, I’ve heard a bunch of gripes about sandals…makes sense, you can’t do much trekking that way…but what about days spent on/near the beach?  There’s an awful lot of coastline I plan on taking advantage of.  Same goes for shorts being so “touristy”.  What do locals wear getting to/on the beach if not shorts and sandals?  I don’t really wanna dress to the nines while i tan…haha.

bump

ALWAYS PACK LIGHT AND ALWAYS PACK THOSE QUICK DRY STUFF.

i just created a blog posting about my trip to europe. im updating the stuff we’re bringing as we go along

Heres the link to the packing post:
http://elec0ne.com/b…

and the general blog:
http://elec0ne.com/b…

Well, I’m just preparing for a long weekend trip to Prague and Vienna and I must say all of the above was very helpful. Just two comments: a packet or two of extra strong mints. great for keeping the saliva going and also to combat ‘popping ears’ on flights landing and taking off. As regards film: I bought a digital camera recently, with a 2gig memory card, sufficient to hold up to 600 shots. The whole photography thing has been revolutionised by digital technology. For those who don’t do digital, I would recommend ‘disposable’ cameras. Theyre not very heavy and you could fit a half a dozen of them in your bag. The whole ‘list thing’ is very important. I’m a fisherman and have suffered the embarrassment of travelling for an hour to go fishing, only to realise I had left the rod or other essential, such as boat keys at home!

i just got back from a month in europe, and found myself wishing often I had a digital sound recorder, thankfully i had my point and shoot digital that did video.. but there are MANY MANY sounds of Europe from street people that you want to capture. Ex: harp player on steps of sacre couer in Paris, Walking through the Cathedral was beautiful prayer and music and no photography or video allowed, i stuck my camera in my pocket just to capture the sound.. but a sound recorder woudl ahve been nice, man playing glasses beautifuly in Salzburg, street musicians in barcelona….

i will def invest in a sound recorder for my next trip. But i was thankful i had a video camera built into my point and shoot.

Hi there! I really don’t understand why so many people do take so much stuff. It all really comes down to common sense really. Don’t people realize that half the stuff they want to take on their first trip is useless. I went to Europe for 2 months and this is all I took:

2 pair pants with zip-off legs so they become shorts
1 pair shorts
1 pair light capris
1 sweater
4 t-shirts
1 button up dress shirt
1 pair running shoes
1 pair canvas shoes (bought upon arrival)
swim suit
4 pairs socks
4 boxers
Point and shoot camera + memory cars (I am not a professional photographer)
Toothbrush + past + razor + soap
Tiny emergency aid kit + sewing kit
Notebook + pens

I know lots of people go to Europe just to have fun and do nothing else. But it is not hard to do things like laundry once every 2 or three days. and even if it is ‘work’ you will be happy because of the less wait you will take. Also if you plan to go during March from someplace cold like Canada or northern USA and only visiting the south of Europe take an old winter jacket and an old sweater when you leave. When you arrive in Europe toss them out. You may not need them later.

Anyways, happy travels

All Thank you for the wealth of information, especially “Packer”! I am planning a 6 month trip across europe, my first time! I land in the Netherlands on 17-Dec-2009 and Leave out of Prague 02-June-2009.

This is a hybrid of what I plan to back: Covering Winter & Spring & Summer

+ 2 or 3 pair of Blue Jeans
+ 2 Pairs Black Military Pants
+ 4 Pairs Boxer Briefs
+ 4 Pairs Smart wool hiking socks
+ 3 Short Sleeve Shirts
+ 3 Long Sleeve Shirts
+ 1 First Aid Kit (Band Aids, Moleskin, Antiseptic, etc)
+ 1 Sanitary Kit (Toothbrush, Paste, Soap)
+ 1 Beanie
+ 1 Pair Dress shoes (not sure: Clubbing Optional Attire)
+ 1 Pair of Gloves
+ 2 Pairs long underwear (Top & Bottom)
+ 2 Pairs light weight Hiking Shorts & Tops
+ 1 Pair of Flip Flops
+ 2 Fleece Linners
+ 1 Wool Jacket
+ 1 Military Rain Poncho

Is this too much for a 6 month trip, and did I forget anything?

Should I take some american cash to then switch over to Euros when I land in Denmark?

Interesting reads! Thanks for sharing your insights and questions! I’m concerned about charging my camera’s battery – it’s a cannon with a wall-plugin charger that the battery sits in separate from the camera. Any tips?

Agreed! Ziplocs are a must have in my experiences!

Hmmm… Ok so I’ve got a packing list that I’ve gone off for the past few trips. It varies by trip, but this is a lot of the stuff that I take. I’ll add a few things here, or take some things out depending on my trip. Most of the stuff is common sense, but I hate forgetting even the littlest stuff.

• address book – This is so I can send postcards to friends and family
• alarmclock – Gotta wake up on time to catch that early train
• ATM card
• babywipes – Good for when you’ve been out and just need to freshen up
• belt
• bennie hat
• bodyspray
• boots
• bug spray
• business cards – To hand out with your name and email address on them
• camera
• chewing gum
• coat
• comdoms
• converter – electricity
• credit card
• daypack / camera bag
• deck of cards – Always good for killing some time
• dental floss
• deodorant
• detergent – laundry – They sell single use liquid ones at the store now
• digital camera
• documents – photocopies
• dress shirt
• dryer sheets
• email passport info – Scan a copy of your passport and cards & email them to yourself… just in case of emergency
• flashlight
• flip flops – For walking around and going to the shower
• food / energy bars – Great for a quick snack while traveling
• guidebooks
• hair gel
• hat
• headphones
• hoodie
• ipod
• jeans x 2
• laptop & cables
• laundry bag
• lock
• luggage lock
• memory card
• moneybelt
• nose spray
• notebook – Keep a journal of all your adventures
• packing cubes – GREAT for packing… keeps your clothes neat and separated !!!!!!!
• passport
• pen
• pictures – family and friends
• razor
• shampoo
• shaving cream
• shoes
• shorts x 2
• soap – liquid
• socks x 6
• sunglasses
• telephone numbers
• tickets
• toiletpaper
• toothbrush
• toothpaste
• towel – The light travel ones that quick dry are worth the price
• t-shirt long
• t-shirt x 4
• underwear x 6
• vitamins
• watch
• wrinkle releaser – Take a small squirt bottle of it to get the wrinkles out of clothes
• ziploc bags

i laugh

I LOVE THIS LIST THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!!