The only comment I have, is that I hope you aren’t bring the $3,600 as cash. It’s unclear if that’s the case, or you mean you have that much in traveller’s checks or accessable by an ATM.

If it is cash, I think that’s a REALLY bad idea.

Thanks for your input. I am definitely not taking that much in cash. That would be absolutely ridiculous. I have an ATM card. (I’ve also checked with my bank regarding fraud, international use, etc.)

-C

I figured that was the case, but i just wanted to be sure.

Looking again, I would probably recommend a daypack of some kind. It’s usefull for carrying a jacket, lunch, camera, etc. instead of always lugging around you big backpack. Plus it’s nice to have if you want to take hikes…

Bring earplugs, you’ll be glad you did!

good call TOF, they can be an invaluable asset when you want to sleep with other people around

Notebook or journal. Opinions vary but I can’t imagine going without one.

Cara,
Your story sounds exactly like mine. 4 months ago I started looking for backpacking Europe and now I am in your same boat. I arrive June 2nd in London staying a "City of London" Hostel. I will then make a whirl wind tour for a month and a half and arrive back in London for my trip home. My son (9 years old) and I will be doing it together. One thing I do not see here is a small first aid kit. Nothing big, but something that will keep you going if a little illness sets in. I also bought a watch with a compass in it for reading the maps. Sometimes you get turned around easily. Then you also need to keep the train schedule sent with your railpass tickets.

What is the ISIC card? Is that the Hostel membership? I did that as well, but so far I do not think it was worth it.

quote: What is the ISIC card? Is that the Hostel membership? I did that as well, but so far I do not think it was worth it.

ISIC is the International Student Identity Card. With it there are some discounts you can get at certain locations and they can be used to get the student rate on admission fees and transportation. I’ve never tried using my own USA school ID, but the bugaboo (at least as put out by ISIC) is that some places won’t recognize the US school ID for student prices.

Thank you all again for your wonderful input.

I have a daypack thing (I forgot to mention, but I consider it more an element of my pack). It’s a cross between a daypack, messenger bag, and a fanny pack. I think it will be sufficient for any day traveling that I do. It attaches to my backpack, and I like the fact that it isn’t overwhelming large. The less I have the less worries I’ll have. If I find it will not suffice, I would be willing to invest in something else.

Earplugs: I think you’re definitely right about this. I’ll add it to the list. I can be a light sleeper in certain circumstances.

Good call on the notebook or journal as well. I haven’t purchased one yet, but I will add it to the list to make sure I do. I intend to keep a LiveJournal, so I am able to share some of my experiences with friends and family while I’m away, but I also find it quite valuable to keep a personal journal.

Brian, thanks for sharing your story with me. I’m sure you and your son will have a wonderful time together. I think the most exciting thing I did when I was 9 was went camping. Even that ignited a passion for travel inside me, so I can’t imagine what the experience will do for your son. You’re right about the first aid kit. I will add that to the list as well. Admittedly, I can be a bit clumsy, so it would be nice to have some bandaids and neosporin in a little kit. Good luck with your trip. I will be in London for four days in case you want to see a sight together.

Cara

I will also bring ear plug..I would have never thought of it. We will arrive at the City of London Hostel the same day as you. We plan on staying in the city for these days, see the British museum and hyde park. The Eye of London and London tower. We are going to do to Winsor on the return trip. If you are staying at the same hostel we should definately meet up. You are travelling with a group I hope?

Re. keeping a journal, just thought you might be interested: www.getjealous.com its a travel journal website and i think it is excellent!

Maybe 2-3 clothes pins – they working for a million different things and take up no space.

Good point on small First Aid kit, I’m prone to blisters on my heel,
so I always pack a small kit for that.

Small pack of Kleenex and Handwipes have saved me several times also not taking up much space.

Good variety of Ziploc bags for – food, wet items, to keep things dry etc.

Camera charger and adapter plugs

Good test: I packed my bag and walked to the post off about 8 blocks away, to see if I could handle what I put in my bag, I repacked it 2 times before I was happy with it. Once you are on your way is a bad time to find out something doesn’t work like you thought.

Safe & Happy Travels

Hello everyone,

Also, you might want to add a rainjacket or umbrella. My rainjacket was one of the most used items I bought with me last summer. For some reason, I hot alot of rainy weather through my travels and I would have been miserable had I been wet and touring the sites.

Happy travels!

P.S. One more thing, a coin purse. Those euros and pounds add up and can be annoying to carry so much loose change.

Buffy, thanks for the travel website, I will check this out. I like that it has the map feature.

Hasschen, you mentioned some very vital things I may have forgotten, but ziploc bags are a must! I use those almost every time I travel.

Funkyj, I don’t know if you’ll read this again, but was your jacket really jacket-like or was it more of a rain poncho? I will definitely pack an umbrella, but I’ve been at a loss for what I should pack as a rain/warmth garment. I certainly don’t want something large taking up a bunch of my room.

Thank you all again for this help. I promise I’ve used the search feature, but after you add 2 and 2 together, sometimes things just don’t quite add up to 4.

I’m down to two weeks. In two weeks, I’ll be on the plane to London after a pitstop in Canada.

hello Cara,

I actually had a packable ultra-light rainjacket (Northface). I think a rain poncho would be suffice though. Bringing a jacket can be annoying because it takes up room and you think to yourself "it’s summer, or it’s warm, so I won’t need one", but then when you have a cold night or a rainy and windy day, you say "thank god I bought my jacket". I also had a thermal long sleeve shirt with me and a lightweight zip hoodie sweater. ALL I used, primarily in the Scandinavian countries and in the western countries. Some people just bring travel umbrellas too.

Happy travels!