What would you pack?

I am working on setting up an 'interactive packing list' on this site and would like as much feedback from all you travellers out there. The goal is to have a form where people choose where they're going, what time of the year they're going, what type of travel they are embarking on, how long they will be away, their gender and perhaps other criteria also. After choosing this, you would be able to hit submit and a 'suggested packing list' would be created! This can be used to tick things off while preparing and may just remind someone to pack something in particular. Now, of course, I cannot anticipate what to pack for every country on the planet (app. 230 last count), so I would like every bit of feedback I can get out of you guys to make this work.
I am trying to keep this list a 'basic' list - ie..I don't want people to overpack because of it. I think travelling light is one of the keys to making a trip enjoyable and I want this list to reflect that.

Below is my 'basic packing list', which will be at the heart of any 'suggested packing list' - it would form the guts of the thing if you like. These are the essentials NO traveller can do without!

- Passport
- Tickets & Itinerary
- Toiletries (Soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb)
- Clean socks
- Clean underwear
- Clean change of clothes (depends on location & temp.)
- Address book (something with important contacts & emergency info)
- Currency (Travellers cheques, cash, credit)
- Backpack
- Pen/Pencil
- Camera/Film

I think that covers the VERY basic packing list.. please add anything you think absolutely vital to all travellers (or suggest that I take something off and tell me what it depends on).

As an example of destination/season specific additions/adjustments:
AUSTRALIA in January

- 2 pairs of shorts
- 3 pairs of t-shirts
- 2 pants
- 2 long sleeve shirts
- light jacket
- sunglasses
- sunscreen
- insect repellant
- hat
- swimwear
- 2 pairs of shoes

VOLTAGE: 230V
WEATHER (JAN): 10-45 deg Celsius / Dry

I think that covers the basics for Australia, but I may be missing things (I'm doing this off the top of my head without too much thought )

So, there you have it.. if you feel like adding a packing list for somewhere you have travelled or where you live, please add to this post - it will certainly come in handy in creating this feature.

Hey Pete,

Getting this to work out would be something impressive! What do I pack:

Insurance details are important
towels
music (cds-or else- and player)
Lonely Planet (or alike)
resume (if working)

Oh, and don't forget socks when in Australia Think you are very lightly packed with only three tees....you would smell!

Will try and think of some more, Luc has some of these lists already made up....will get him to post some of his great tips!

Cheers,

Sam

With the years, I came with my own essential list. this is more of a backpacker list than a 4 stars resort list...

- one long sleeve shirt (even if it is 42 degres everyday) You'll never know when you will be attacked by mosquitos or go in the jungle (or desert) and realise it goes to 18 degrees at night.

- A pillow bag (what protects your pillow). Having this in Asia can save your life: you can put clothes in it and make your own pillow or cover an existing dirty one.

- a mini-camera tripod (not more than 5-10cm long) when you see a beautiful sunrise, you always say: wish I had my camera or wish there could be more light. Tripod is the solution!

-Mosquito repellant (anywhere you go)

-A small map of the world (most guide books do not have a detailed/complete map of the world). Many people in Asia can't say where is Canada or never heard of Australia...

-Flashlight (ever been to India??)

- Alarmclock or watch (I don't wear a watch, so a clock is essential to see these beutiful sunrises...)

- Basic first aidkit (tweezers, scissors, gazes, tylenol etc.)

Cheers

If you wanna travel in Malaysia during monsoon season (November-February), don't forget to bring along a raincoat/poncho and a pair of strap sandal. Shoes are not much use. Will get wet very quickly.
During the rest; thin cotton shirts/ singlets, shorts, a pair of thin long pants, hat, swimwear, sunglasses (can become very hot sometimes) and your own padlock (some travellers lodge provide a "useless' padlock that can be pick easily by their staff).

A set of photocopy of all the necessary document, like your passport, license, passport photograph or any document related to your health and doctor's prescription. In case, you lost your documentation, there are back-ups that can be use as proof when you do a police report.

Just another comment to follow on from the idea of photocopying all of your documents - if you're travelling with someone else, it's a really good idea to swap copies of insurance policies/passports etc as well as leaving a copy at home. That way, should the worst happen and you discover that your backpack has been taken for a holiday without you and is conveniently still holding your insurance documents and tickets - your friend (hopefully still happily married to their bag) will have all of the necessary stuff for you to contact the insurers and the plane company. This may seem obvious, but it's amazing how many people don't bother - and trust me... it can come in VERY useful. If it hppens when you're alone - don't sit on the station platform crying, you'll only get red eyes.

How about batteries for the camera.... and what if it's a digital camera? Spare flash cards or memory sticks?

Ok, I have never packed this but some people love that soap that you just rub into your hands to kill all the bacterias....

Oh, and on the note of separating up your things. When you travel by yourself, I always keep one bank card (or credit or whatever) in my backpack and the other in my wallet. If either gets stolen (you feel like crap either way) at least you still have some opportunities to get out some money!

And another thing I was thinking of.... mobile phones. To be honest I think more and more people travel with these. Maybe you could add a function saying what phone works where Pete? That doesn't even exist as far as I know but then again I have never looked for it. So, say you are from Europe, then you know your mobile will also work in Australia or Hong Kong, but not in the US (unless you have a tri band). Anyway, that might all get a little much but it is just an idea. Especially business people (although the amount of backpackers showing up with them in Australia is also growing significantly) never leave home without them.....

Cheers and happy travels everyone!

Sam

Hi There,

Just a thought - medication. when you travel to places like africa you
need to have your malaria tablets with you. And if there is any other
medication for places.
And before you go make sure to get your shots and if your away for a
long time get what needs to be boosted boosted e.g. Hep A.

Alli

A simple cotton bandanna is my pick for #1 item to pack. It has so many
uses! It can protect your head from the sun, be used to wrap around a
wound, etc.
Also, though I'm not sure if airport security lets these through, a little
Swiss Army knife is a must.
For the girls, I suggest packing your preferred tampons/pads - you don't
know what may or may not be available somewhere.
Great idea to make this list, by the way!
-Jill