Work and Travel Packing List | For every climate & adventure

A work and travel stay is more than just a trip – it’s a real adventure that can change your life. But before you go with your backpack, you need one thing above all: a properly planned, individual Work and Travel Packing List. Because nothing is worse than on the big journey to realize that important things are missing – be it the right one Work shirt for your farm job, the right one Footwear Or the right ones. Hygiene products for on the road.

Therefore you will find here an extensive Packing List for Work and TravellerIt will perfectly prepare you for your ideal work and travel stay – whether you are travelling to countries such as Australia, New Zealand or other exciting destinations for weeks or months. From the right Backpacker equipment about the necessary Insurance documentswhich: Medical insurance abroad to the Travel visa: This list will help you pack your backpack so you are prepared for all situations.

Here you can download the Work and Travel Packing List as PDF

Here is the packing list for your work and travel adventure

Travel documents and documents

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• Visa / eTA (depending on the destination country)
• International driving license (if you want to rent a car)
• Flight tickets / booking confirmations (digital & printed)
• Vaccination passport
• Medical insurance abroad + emergency number
• Emergency contacts (digital & on paper)
• Passport photos (for SIM cards, visas etc.)
• Application documents (for jobs on site)
• Student/ISIC ID (for discounts)
• Always write down the number of the emergency call in the respective country

Money and Finance

• Credit card (ideally 2, e.g. Visa + MasterCard)
• Phone numbers for blocking the credit card
• EC card (optional, for local ATMs)
• Cash in national currency + reserve in euro or USD

Finances on the road

• Banking app (e.g. DKB, Revolut, N26)
• Exchange rate app (e.g. XE, Wise)
• Nest eggs in bar (e.g. 100) € hidden in the backpack

Technical equipment

• Smartphone + Charger + Powerbank
• Adaptor (universal plug)
• Laptop/tablet (optional, as needed)
• Camera / GoPro + memory card(s)
• USB stick or external hard drive
• Noise cancelling headphones
• E-readers (e.g. Kindle)
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Replacement charging cable/multi-cable

Clothing

• 5–7 T-shirts / Tops
• 2–3 long sleeve shirts / thin sweaters (also possible as a work shirt)
• 1–2 Hoodies or fleece jackets
• 1 rain jacket (breathable & waterproof)
• 1 lightweight, compressible down jacket
• 1–2 shorts / shorts
• 2–3 long trousers (jeans, fabric pants, functional pants)
• 1 comfortable jogging pants / leggings
• 1 swimwear / bikini / swimsuit
• Underwear for 7–10 days
• 5–7 pairs of socks (including hiking socks)
• 1–2 sports/functional shirts (for hikes, sports)
• 1 pajamas / comfortable night clothes
• 1 cap or sun hat / cap
• 1 thin cloth / multifunctional cloth (sun protection, scarf, headscarf)

Clothing for Farmjobs / Outdoorer

• 1–2 durable work pants (e.g. made of canvas or jeans)
• 2–4 insensitive T-shirts / Longsleeves (dark, durable)
• Work gloves (slip resistant, durable)
• Basecap / Sun hat (for field work)
• Fixed shoes

Keidung for gastro / kitchen / service

• 1–2 black fabric pants or jeans (depending on the dress code)
• 1–2 shirts or blouses (white or neutral)
• Slip-resistant shoes (important!)
• Hair rubber / hairnet (for long hair)

Clothing for office / customer contact

• 1 clean jeans or fabric pants
• 1–2 shirts / blouses / poloshirts
• 1 light sweater or blazer
• Neutral, well-groomed shoes (no sandals or sneakers)

Footwear

• Comfortable everyday shoes
• Hiking shoes or robust sneakers
• Flip-Flops (for beach & shower)
• Sandals

Tip: always put on the heaviest and biggest shoes during the trip, this sometimes annoys, but it saves space in the suitcase.

Hygiene and care

• Culture bag (hanging, compact)
• Toothbrush + toothpaste
• Shower gel + shampoo (best as a solid product)
• Razor/Razor planers
• Deo
• Nail shears/tweezers
• Sunscreen (high LSF)
• Insect spray (e.g. anti-buzz)
• Hygiene articles for women (cups, pads, tampons)
• Travel towel (fast-drying)
• Travel size (or solid washing lotion) detergents
• Hairbrush
• Jewellery / Make-up

Travel pharmacies

• Personal medications (with prescription if applicable)
• Pain medications (e.g. ibuprofen)
• Plasters and bladders
• Disinfectant / wound ointment
• Diarrhea/electrolytes
• Travel sickness tablets
• Allergy tablets
• Mosquito protection + after-bite
• Mini first aid kit

Backpacks and bags

• Travel backpack (60-80 liters) or suitcase
• Daypack (20–30 litres)
• Packing Cubes / Packing Cubes
• Laundry bags
• Drybags or zip bags (waterproof)

Sleeping and Camping

• Sleeping Bag (depending on climate)
• Cottage sleeping bag (for hostels)
• Isomat or inflatable mat (optional)
• Tent (if you are camping)
• Headlamp / Camping lamp
• Ear plug + sleep mask

Kitchen and food on the way

• Reusable water bottle (best with filter)
• Tupper can/Lunchbox
• Travel cutlery/travel pot
• Microfibre dish cloth
• Small camping cooker + cartridge can be purchased on site

Other & Useful

• Pocket knife / Multitool
• Carbine hooks
• Laundry line + small braces
• Sewing sets
• Notebook + Pen
• Playing cards / small game
• Books / Offline Entertainment
• Guidebook (digital or printed)

Packing is one thing – but how much budget do you actually need for your trip through Europe? In my article ["Work and Travel Europe: Costs & Budget Planning"] You will find all information about finances and savings tips.

Work & Travel Tips on site

• Job boards & platforms (e.g. WWOOF, HelpX, Workaway)
• Accommodation search (Hostels, Airbnb, Facebook groups)
• Recommended apps (e.g. Maps.me, Google Translate, XE, Trail Wallet)
• Local SIM card / eSIM
• Contact other local travelers / Join communities on Facebook

Work and Travel is more than a travel format – it is a way of life. How you really arrive on the road and make the world your home, you will find out in my article: Work and Travel | Make the world your home.

Clothing for different climates

Here’s a flexible list by destination & climate – just take that where you think you’ll really need it. Everything else can also be brought on site or can possibly be solved with already existing clothing.

🔥 Tropical / humid climate (e.g. Southeast Asia, North Australia)

• 5–7 breathable T-shirts or tank tops
• 2–3 thin, loose long sleeve shirts (against sun & mosquitoes)
• 1–2 shorts + 1–2 light fabric pants
• Fast-Drying Underwear & Socks
• Sun hat or cap
• Flip-flops / Sandals + Closed Shoes

❄️ Cold climate (e.g. New Zealand-South, Canada in autumn/winter)

• 2–3 thermal underwear (long)
• Fleece jacket or wool sweater
• Insulating jacket (down or synthetic)
• Cap, gloves, scarves
• Thick wool socks
• Winter suitable footwear / boots
• Heatable heat pads (optional)

🌤️ Temperate / changeable climate (e.g. Europe, South Island New Zealand)

• Clothing in onion look
• Rain jacket with ventilation
• Light insulation jacket
• Hat + sunglasses
• Waterproof shoes/sneakers
• Buff/Multifunctional cloth

You want to do Work and Travel, but prefer to start regionally? In ["Work and Travel": Germany offers more than you think!] Learn why you don’t have to travel far for your first adventure.

Here is again the Work and Travel Packlist as PDF for download

Did you know that you can also do Work and Travel in Europe? Doesn't sound exciting? Take a look at my article: Work and Travel: Experience Europe with your backpack!

Frequently Asked Questions about Work and Travel Packing List