Bali in a Backpack- What I Packed for an 18-Day Trip Across the World

Bali has been at the top of the list for my best friend and me since high school, and it’s a trip that we are so excited to be leaving for in just a few days. While we are in Bali for 12 days, we have three days of travel on the way there and on the way back. Stops in San Francisco, Manila (twice), and Seoul make up another 4 full days of travel in addition to another 2 days of flight time.

We’ll need to access toiletries and clothes to change between legs at different airports and carry little enough that we can spend certain days taking our luggage with us (shout out to the Manila airport which apparently does not have luggage lockers.) It’s important to separate things you’ll absolutely need access to from the items that can packed in the bottom of your bag for those ‘just-in-case’ scenarios.

I’m a pretty meticulous packer, using lists to make sure I have what I need, because I will forget at least 5 things otherwise. Because I am also only taking a carry-on and personal item to Bali, having an idea of what should go where is crucial in making the most of the space that I’ve got.

I decided to share my list because packing for any trip, especially if its your first time alone or the trip is to somewhere farther than you’ve travelled before, can be a little stressful.

The Backpack to take on Bali

I am bringing the Osprey Fairview 55 backpack to Bali, which I bought after seeing a friend travel around the world and really maximize her space with it. The pack comes as a 24x14x7 large backpack with a detachable travel pack that is a typical medium-sized bag. 

The list below will include what essentials I have packed into each bag , and how I did so. I will also note all of the specifics in each category because I know things like ‘travel medicine in case it’s needed’ and ‘basic camera supplies’ can be vague.

So, without further adieu, my Bali packing list:

Packed in Small Backpack- For Airport

In Main Area

• Black Bodysuit* Forever 21
• Black tube top* H&MM
• Tan canvas pants* TJMaxx
• *Things to change into between our day in San Francisco, two flights, and our day in Manila.

• Mini contact solution- Biotrue 4 fl oz.
• Disposable film camera- Kodak 35mm
• Adapter/converter- TravelSmart by Conair
• Flashlight
• Skyroam WiFi hotspot
• Extra charger port
• Glasses in their case
• Phone and USB chargers
• Portable charger
• DSLR camera Nikon D3300

• Toiletry bag x3 (Lush shampoo/conditioner bars- Jason and the Argan Oil/Sugar Daddy-O, Intuition razor body, three shaving cream razor heads, mini contact solution-4 oz. Biotrue, Lush mouthwash and toothpaste tabs (packed in a contact case-good storage), mini floss pack, travel qtip pack, mini Advil, toothpaste .8 oz Pronamel, deodorant, toner- Neutrogena poured into 4 oz. bottle, moisturizer- Clean and Clear, toothbrush- Sandcloud bamboo, contact case, extra pair contacts, tampons 16 pocket size Tampax, 1.6 oz dry shampoo Batiste, mini clear plastic headbands, makeup-mascara Better Than Sex Waterproof (Too Faced), powder and eyebrow brush.)

In Front Pocket

• Mini tissue pack (2)
• Sunglasses
• Inhaler
• Mini qtips/cotton ball set from a hotel
• Chapstick (3)
• Tide stick
• Earplugs (3 pairs)
• 3 pens- 2 black, 1 light blue
• Headphones
• 1 month birth control
• Allergy medicine for seasonal allergies
• Passport
• Debit Cards
• ID

In Back Part

• Shout wipe (1)
• Mini first aid bag (~10 Bandaids, Neosporin, .7oz after-bite lotion, 2 natrapel bug wipes, 5 pack eye drops)
• Exfoliating face wipes for plane- Simple (25 pack)
• Neutrogena face and body sunscreen stick 70 spf
• Nail kit
• Black mini notebook Target
• Huggies wipes 16 pack (In case there is no toilet paper, you get hot and sweaty, or a table or chair needs wiped down.)
• 11 Larabars in different flavours

In Mesh Part

• Asthma’ Face mask (like the medical masks worn in some countries for smog or health purposes, but cloth material) Indy The Label
• Money belt
• Photocopied Passport

Outside Mesh Pocket

• Sleep mask

Packed in Big Backpack- For Bali

In Main Area

Clothes

• Black H&M cloth shorts*
• Hawaii surf school tshirt*
• B&K gray T-shirt*
• *Can be worn as pajamas mainly 

• Gray H&M tank
• Black maxi skirt
• Cropped black H&M cami
• Black and white flowy polka dot shorts
• Red and white scarf (Coverage for temples and other religious sites)
• Black Zaful ribbed dress
• Zip up Zaful black dress 
• White flowy Forever 21 shirt
• Button up white flowy Forever 21 shirt
• Burnt orange sweater tank H&M
• Basic black crop leggings Lululemon
• Jean shorts Old Navy
• Supreme T-shirt 
• Black spandex and criss cross sports bra
• Black cropped cami Forever 21
• Flip Flops tan/black 
• Black/cork Birkenstocks birko-flor style
• Green flowy pants
• Black and white patterned flowy pants
• Blue windbreaker (serves as rain jacket) Target

Every clothing item I am bringing will be worn at least two times- mixing and matching is a life saver. Bali is hot so thankfully not many layers are needed!

Laundry Detergent is essential to washing clothes in sinks and letting air dry when you don’t have access to a laundromat or similar facility- Brooke is bringing that.

Other

• Door Stopper- for any sketchy hotels
• Mini contact solution 4 oz. Biotrue
• Dry Shampoo 1.6 oz. Batiste
• Bottle of 15 malaria pills *in case
• Ziploc Bag- Bandaid pack, 5 natrapel bug wipes, 1.5 oz baby powder, 100 25mg Benadryl pills
• Mosquito netting for head (Brooke is bringing a large canopy-type mosquito net)
• Fanny pack (blue and pink glasses inside, camera stuff- mini ring light, battery charger, WiFi adapter- inside)
• Water shoes Dicks Sporting Goods
• Quick dry towel 
• Knee brace
• Bear Naked granola bites
• Dark chocolate banana bites

• Lifestraw
• 2 padlocks
• 30 set of Polaroid film (Brooke packed her Polaroid)
• 2 cool wrap towel things (get wet and they’ll be cool *if needed)
• 3 fujifilm disposables 35mm
• Zaful plastic shipping bag for dirty or wet items
• Sunscreen/face mask/liquids bag 1*
• *Includes: 3 oz. Sunbum 50 spf, 3 oz. Aveeno 50 spf, ~2 of a 4oz. Max Block 30 spf, 1.5 oz. Neutrogena face and body stick 70 spf, ecolips chapstick 50 spf, 2 oz. YesTo Tomatoes Detoxifying Mud Mask, 2 oz. YesTo Coconut Ultra Hydrating Face Mask), After Sun Lotion Banana Boat.
• Sunscreen/bug lotion/liquids bag 2*
• *Includes: Picardin Insect Repellent lotion, some random 1 oz. hand lotions, .5. oz anti fungal cream, 1 oz hydrocortisone cream, 1 oz Neosporin, 1 oz. Ichthammol ointment (drawing salve), Aloe Vera.

Medicine/First Aid Specific

• Blue Pencil Box of Meds/First Aid:
• 1 ProAir respiclick inhaler
• 5 individual saline eyedrops packs
• 6 pack azythromycin ‘Z Pack’ of antibiotics *in case
• ~30 bandaids
• 2 plan B
• Neutrogena oil free cleansing wipes (6 of 25 pack left)
• 24 ibuprofen
• 36 anti-diarrhea meds
• 6 anti-nausea meds (previously prescribed)
• Airborne
• 20 salon-pas pain relief patches (I hurt my knee this summer, so in case*)
• 10 mg Prednisilone (previously prescribed for asthma in case*)
• 2 contact cases
• 3 weeks worth of probiotics Dr. Ohirra’s Original Formula

In Mesh Area

• B&W striped sports bra Victoria’s Secret
• White bandeau Pacsun
• Blue Bralette Aerie
• 7 pairs of socks
• 11 pairs of underwear
• Black sports bra Calvin Klein
• Basic tan t-shirt bra
• Black high waisted/straight across top bikini Shein
• Purple bikini Shein
• Black bikini Shein
• Neon orange bikini 
• Snakeskin bikini Shein
• 16 hydration multiplier electrolyte drink mix

What I’m Wearing to the Airport

• Black Canvas Pants Old Navy
• Adidas Sneakers
• H&M high neck black cami
• Gray Urban Outfitters sweater 

San Francisco and the plane will be chilly so layers are good, then I can change when needed (probably during over layover in Seoul between long flights.)

Packing lists change for every person and every trip, but this should be a good place to start when looking at sizes, how to separate items, and general products that come in handy. A lot of the things I have packed will not be coming back with me. Things like sunscreen and toiletries, food, some clothing, and medicine will be used and discarded accordingly- giving me extra space to bring back things I get on my trip.

Here’s to taking on Bali in a backpack!

You can check out my guide on how to prepare for Semester at Sea for more packing tips and info!