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Gap Year Essentials

What to takeJust got an iPod or expensive digital camera for your birthday? Well, you might want to consider leaving them behind if you're going to be heading off on your gap travel. Here are some top tips on what to take with you when you head off on your gap travel:

THE ESSENTIALS:

  • Your passport - valid for at least six months beyond return date. More on passports can be found on our passports page
  • Insurance - comprehensive travel and medical insurance cover. To find out more about insurance click here
  • Immunisation booklet - with details of all the jabs you've had. For more on gap year health click here
  • Passport photos - take about six of these to be used as identification
  • Student cards - as identification and to get those handy student discounts!
  • List of emergency telephone numbers - to cancel/call- insurers, credit/debit cards
  • Tickets and itinerary
  • Photocopies of important documents
  • Different forms of currency - take a mixture of cash, travellers' cheques, credit and debit cards. Further information on currency can be found here
  • Head torch - LED are best
  • Whistle and/or rape alarm
  • Daysack - packed with everything you need for the day
  • Money belt - to conceal your money with crocodile type clip to secure it. To find out more about money click here
  • Medical pack / first aid kit. Visit our gap year health page for more
  • Sun cream- with a high UVA protection. More information on suncream can be found here
  • Condoms - with the UK Kitemark
  • Mosquito net
  • Malaria tablets if going to a country where you need protection
  • Water bottle - perhaps with a built-in filter
  • Water purification tablets
  • Insect repellent
  • Long sleeve shirts and long trousers/skirts - to protect against sun/mosquitoes and to visit religious sights
  • Sun hat
  • Small padlock with security code
  • List of useful contact numbers - such as British Consulate, insurance company and credit card 24 hour emergency telephone number
  • A good guide book - to give you a good understanding of local culture & religion. For more on local laws and customs click here
  • Driving licence and break-down kit

IT'S ALSO USEFUL TO PACK:

  • Mobile phone
  • Sun glasses
  • Sleeping liner
  • Sleeping bag
  • Water proof
  • Large plastic bag - to line inside of rucksack (waterproofing)
  • Rucksack - but no more than 65L in volume
  • Universal adaptor
  • Travel plug
  • Travel towel
  • Travel pillow
  • Wet wipes for hygiene
  • Lighter
  • Compass - especially if exploring
  • Duct tape - for fixing tears, hanging mosquito nets etc.
  • Travel sewing kit
  • Flip flops
  • Walking boots
  • Fleece
  • Camera

What to consider leaving behind:

  • Half the clothes you intended to take!
  • Attractive items such as iPods or disc-mans - if you take them don't be sentimental about losing them