How to Crack Hostel Living: 7 Packing Tips

 

I went to Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam in January, only to realize that my carry-on suitcase was not working out for me at all.

It wasn’t the suitcase itself that was the issue–well, not really. It was the way I packed. Toiletries were all over the place, way way way too many clothes, and I was missing basic things I needed for living in a hostel–locks, my own towel, etc. It made jumping from city to city for three weeks miserable.

So by the time I was packing for Japan, I decided no more–let’s do some research and get my shit together. And shit together, I had. Recently, a couple of friends have asked for my advice, so after much ado, here are my packing list and hostel tricks!



Navigation

First off–backpack or suitcase?

This is a common query and personally, I think it depends on where you’re going.

Are you marching up seventeen flights to get to your airbnb in Cinque Terra? Or taking a train to Osaka? Not to sound like a military cosplayer, but evaluate the likely terrain you’ll be heading into, and also consider your own physical needs–if you’ve got back problems, consider a backpack with a belt strap, a rolling backpack, or a rolling suitcase.

Personally, I really love the mobility of my backpack, the Osprey Fairview 40 S/M. 

This is built for petite people, which is great for me, because as a 5’2″ (157cm) person, I need a shorter length and narrower shoulder straps. It’s also got a belt strap which helps distribute the weight from my shoulders across my entire torso. That said, if I stuff it, it’s still huge on me, which can come across as comical.

the list

Let’s start with my basic list of what I take on any trip longer than a week:


Clothes:

  • 5 tops – 3 shirts, 1 t-shirt, 1 tank top

  • 4 bottoms – jean shorts, linen shorts, culottes, linen pants

  • 1 jumpsuit or dress – can be dressy

  • Scarf cover – for covering shoulders/if cold

  • 2 pajama bottoms, 3 pajama shirts

  • 8 pairs of underwear, 2 pairs of socks

  • Bralette

 

Toiletries:

  • Comb 

  • Moisturizer in tiny jar

  • Small shampoo and conditioner bottles

  • Disposable razor 

  • Sunscreen

  • BB cream

  • Eyebrow pencil

  • 2 lipsticks

  • Eyeliner

  • Eyeshadow + brush

Electronics:

  • 2 Cameras – Canon DSLR and Accura Zoom 80 film

  • 2 camera batteries 

  • 2 rolls of film

  • Battery charger

  • Plug converter

  • Power bank + cord

  • Phone charger 

  • Earbuds + phone dongle

 

Sleep kit: (kept in my backpack)

  • Sleep mask

  • Ear plugs

  • Kleenex

  • First aid kit

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Sports bra

  • Bra

  • Nike tennis shoes (wearing these)

  • Tevas

  • Baseball hat

  • Sunglasses

  • Shower shoes

 

  • Eyelash curler

  • Deodorant

  • Tooth brush

  • Pill case

  • Hair ties

  • Small microfiber towel

  • Nail clipper

 

Vital: (kept in my backpack)

  • Passport

  • Arc (South Korea Alien Resident Card)

  • Debit cards

  • Cash

  • Money belt – to carry all this safely under my clothes

  • Printed flight tickets, museum tickets, etc. 

 

Misc: (kept in my backpack)

  • Pen

  • Bag lock/locker lock 

  • Little electronic fan – if space

  • Snacks – tiny granola bars or something

  • Paperback book

  • Little notebook/itinerary check

  • Tiny umbrella/poncho

 

Now I’m not a total minimalist, but I’m definitely looking to wean it down, particularly when it comes to makeup and even clothes.

For week-long or more trips, I always plan to do laundry in the hostels while I’m there (and usually book hostels with laundry in mind; I don’t normally sink wash).

While all of this fits really well in my backpack and usually calls in at 8 kg, I’m in the process of trying to get clothes that pack down smaller and weigh less–Uniqlo’s Airism line, for example, and no more jeans. I want to get absolutely everything under 7 kg for when I’m flying budget airlines.

Also, this is built for warm weather, because that’s typically the weather where I travel. If I were to change this for winter, it’d be all about layers: undershirts, long sleeved shirts, leggings under pants, and one or two jackets I could layer.

Now let's get to my tips.

 

# 1. One utilities bag – no more

My #1 recommendation is to get a bag that will store all your toiletries. This might seem obvious, and if so, maybe I’m just thick in the head cause it took me my first big trip to realize it.

Anyway, it’s so much easier to grab one bag to take to the bathroom. As in, not just shampoo and conditioner (which, by the way, you can probably ditch–most hostels offer them, and you can always buy there).

Incheon Airport doesn’t usually require liquids to be in a clear bag, so I can often pack everything in this. But when flying from the US, I put all liquids in a clear plastic bag and then transfer to this bag when I’m at my destination.

It’s got different zippered sections, but it’s really large. I’m trying to minimize, so I’ve actually started taking this little make-up bag instead:

left: my toiletries bag; right: my “sleep pouch”

left: my toiletries bag; right: my “sleep pouch”

I suggest finding something with lining that can zip up, whatever size you think you’ll need. Again, the goal is you can take this to the bathroom and not need to run back.


#2 Rock n roll

Gonna smash two tips in here: Roll your clothes and get packing cubes. Rolling is, in my opinion, the superior method to folding. 

Here’s a youtube guide on rolling shirts, pants and jackets.

Here’re my favorite guides on rolling underwear and socks.

Also, keep in mind what clothes you have will roll and pack well–denim usually can roll, but it’s super bulky and takes up a lot of space. Consider if it’s worth it.

There’s a billion packing sets on Amazon, I used these, which aren’t the highest quality but get the job done. Packing cubes keep everything smushed and organized, and help me keep clean clothes separated from dirty ones.

#3. All the clothes -> halve it -> halve it again

This is an old packing rule, and I am by far from the first person to say it. But, my god, I wish I’d had this advice when I was packing for Southeast Asia.

It’s simple. Lay out all the clothes you want to take for your trip. Take half the clothes away. Reassess. Then halve it again.

You will not need as many clothes as you think. Hell, even the list I put above probably has too many clothes. Even if you’re backpacking for months, you do not need that much–you will do laundry, you will buy new things. It is so much better to need to buy a shirt than to having to lug around an extra one you wish you didn’t have.

#4. Locks n thangs

I love my backpack because both major sections have lockable zippers.

Whether you’re taking a backpack or suitcase, please please please consider your security options, whether that’s with a detachable lock or a PIN you can punch into your suitcase. When you leave for the day, either lock your bag’s sleeves or put it in a locker in the hostel.

You can normally rent locks at the front desk if you don’t have one, but I recommend bringing your own. I also recommend a cable lock if you want to attach your backpack to a rail on a train or bus, so no one can grab it.

This might all seem paranoid, but trust me, it’s not.

The second major security thing I would suggest is having a money belt. I have a little Rick Steves money belt (thanks grandma) that I use for my passport, credit card, and cash. It’s flat, so I can wear it under my clothes. Kinda sucks if I’m wearing a dress or jumpsuit though.

#5. A sleep pouch

This is my name for a little pouch or what-have-you that you can keep essential napping gear in. I got this idea from Unjaded Jade’s backpack video (which I generally recommend, though I think she overpacks).

Hostels, especially big, social ones or ones without curtains on the bunks, are going to be noisy and maybe bright. Ear plugs and a sleep mask are sleep-savers.

This also works for planes or trains or ferries or whatever you’re on, so I keep this in my backpack for easy access. Just like your utilities bag, the goal is to be able to grab this without having to dig around at 1am with the lights off because your bunkmate is snoring and you can’t sleep.

#6. Electronics

To laptop or not to laptop? That is the question. Some people love having their laptop, others think it’s ridiculous to take on a trip. I’ve heard both sides, but personally I prefer not having a laptop with me. If I had an ipad, I would maybe bring it…but generally, it’s just one less security concern for me. It would be nice to work on photos while I’m there, though.

As for cameras, I take my Canon Rebel Xti with only one lens–either my 35-80mm or my 50mm, and my Accura Zoom 80 film camera with a couple extra rolls of film. Bringing both my cameras adds considerable weight, especially since my DSLR requires batteries, a battery charger, etc. etc. But, for me, it’s worth it to get those sweet sweet photos.

My point here is that electronics will be highly personal to you. Do you need that laptop? Do you want two cameras or one, or three lenses or what? That’s up to you, my dude.

The only things I would 100% suggest is bringing a power bank to charge your phone.

#7. Shower shoes

I see people on backpacking subreddits/forums talk about leaving behind their shower shoes to help with weight. I just…I don’t know. I’d rather bring my tiny little flip-flops and deal with the .00000006 kg it adds than go without and have to shower in my tevas, or worse, get a foot fungus.

I’ve seen some nasty hostel showers.

I always bring a little shoe bag so I don’t worry about getting other stuff dirty.

Wrap-Up:

Figuring out your packing mojo often takes practice, I know it did for me. You don’t have to go super minimalist, but I know from my own experience I’d rather have too little than too much.

You can always pop in somewhere and grab shampoo, a jacket, or an umbrella. Depending on where you’re traveling, you can find this stuff for pretty cheap. Less feasible is lugging around five sweaters you won’t wear the entirety of your trip.

Electronics and vital documents are not as replaceable, so be sure to lock up your shit.

Oh, and try to keep bathroom or sleep gear in one spot so you can easily access it.

This is just one way of doing things, but after last two major trips, I really feel like I cracked what works for me. I hope this helped!




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