Please note all the following items on this backpacker hostel packing list are suggestions based on my first-hand hostel experiences. All the items I mention, I found very useful (some not so) during my times staying at hostels. If you decide not to take the items with you, you can always buy them after you have arrived. But I have included many of them on the list also as some people prefer to leave home to travel (live and work abroad) with them.

Clothes

What I found with packing clothes for a hostel stay is that you need to consider the season you will be staying in the hostel. So read up on what the weather will be like and pack accordingly. Because packing for a hostel stay in Australia will be a little different to packing for a hostel stay in a Canada winter wonderland setting! Having lived through very cold winters in England, I did find packing clothes I could layer very useful.

Tip: Take enough clothes to cover you for your hostel stay.

Underwear
Thermals if visiting in the cold months
Shorts One or two pairs
T-shirts 
Dress/skirt
Shirts/Blouses
Swimwear For warmer months.
Sunglasses
Hat A very good idea if you plan to follow the sun.
Pants/Trousers/Jeans One or two pairs that you can dress up or down. Loose cotton with a drawstring/elastic waist is good for warmer weather. Jeans can be heavy to carry and take ages to dry.
Track pants/leggings One or two pairs.
Jumpers/Hoodie One or two; try to avoid bulky ones as they can be cumbersome. I find hoodies a very versatile clothes item. Apart from keeping you generally warm, the hood is great for warmth and can act as a shelter. They can be quite stylish to wear also. I always include one on my working holiday packing list.
Coat A good, light waterproof (then you don’t need a raincoat) and/or windproof jacket (preferably with a hood).
Gloves A necessity in the winter months.
Beanie to keep my head warm when its cold.
Thongs/jandals/flip-flops or sandals Very useful to wear to shower blocks in camping grounds and for walking in hot weather and/or down the beach or around the pool.
Joggers/hiking boots/walking shoes One pair with good thick soles. I do a lot of walking, either while sightseeing, hiking or getting to and from work.
Socks
‘Going out’ shoes One pair.
Sarong Very useful item which can be used as a skirt, beach mat, towel, sheet or scarf. It will provide instant modesty on beaches and in temples so you can adhere to religious requirements by covering your head.
Scarf great if you are visiting countries where you need to cover your head.

Documents

Your documents are very important for your travelling in general. Here’s the documents I suggest you include on your hostel packing list.

Passport with visas/entry clearances.
Airline ticket If you are seeking a great airfare check out Skyscanner.
Driving license home country and international.
Travel Insurance never leave home without travel insurance. I suggest you shop around and get a few quotes. I have purchased travel insurance from various organisations but mostly nowadays purchase it through World Nomads or Safety Wing.
Address book To keep in contact with friends and to add new ones.
Receipts showing when and where you bought your computer or audio equipment to certify that the equipment is for your own use. And that you will be taking it home with you when you leave. Sometimes officials at Immigration ask you!

When I pack for a holiday, I like to keep all my important documents in a Travel Wallet. This way I know where my important documents are. It fits all my cards and documents and isn’t too big and bulky.

Toiletries

Toiletries are such an individual thing, you know what you like, take what you like with you.

Toiletries Toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, shaver/razor, hairbrush and comb, tampons, contact lenses (disposable or back up). Buy travel-sized items, like roll-on deodorant instead of a large can or two-in-one shampoo and conditioner. You can always revert later once you have settled into accommodation.
Plug Not always provided in shower blocks. If you like to wash your face in a basin, take one.
Toilet roll Don’t laugh, you will notice that a lot of countries do not supply toilet paper in public toilets.
Condoms Better to be safe than sorry.
Medicines Brands can differ overseas so obtain a supply and a note from your doctor advising why you need the medication.
First aid kit Constipation, diarrhea and upset tummy tablets, bandaids (plasters), headache tablets, travel sickness tablets, etc.
Toiletry bag Preferably waterproof with a hook so you can hang it up in the shower.

Useful Items

As you travel, you will discover useful items that help you travel better and longer. The following items are the items I find really useful and the ones I am always using.

Sleeping bag Very handy for dossing on friends’ floors, travelling and staying at hostels (though most hostels provide sheets and blankets). 
Money belt A safe way to carry money, credit/debit card, tickets and other valuables. I found these uncomfortable to wear which is why I prefer my Travel Wallet.
Torch You will be surprised at how often a small one comes in handy. 
Travel clothes line and pegs It is hard to find a clothes hoist when you need one.
Washing powder Tubes of liquid wash are available from supermarkets and travel agents. Large hostels usually have washing facilities where you can purchase a cup of soap.
Plastic bags To hold dirty washing and stuff. Also for wearing over socks if ever caught without waterproof shoes.
Travel iron Handy if you take clothes that need ironing.
Camera or use your phone.
Travel clock You don’t want to be late for work do you? You can use the alarm on your electronic device.
Phone, Powerbank and/or other electronic devices and ear phones. I never go anywhere without my trusty powerbank – it keeps my devices charged when I cannot get to power.
Travel Adapter Plug and Powerboard. If you are taking a number of electrical goods with you such as phone, laptop, hairdryer, electric shaver, Powerbank, etc. having a universal travel adapter plug will come in very handy as not all power point plugs are the same. For instance electric items in Australia have 3 prongs while in the USA 2 prongs. 
Neck/head pillow For those long journeys when you might need to sleep sitting up.
Insect repellent
Towel/s A chamois towel rather than the traditional type may be useful and can take up less space.
Hand towel For long journeys when you need to freshen up. It feels much better than paper towelling or toilet paper.
Water bottle/water purifier/water purifying tablets Or drink bottled water.
Flag To take to sporting events.

Out of all of these useful items I would definitely invest in a power adapter plug with USB ports as well as plug ports, power board, Powerbank and a travel neck/head pillow (well my new twist memory foam travel pillow). And I like to keep all my electronic device accessories in an electronic device accessory bag.

Be an Organised Traveller

Call me crazy, like many do, but I just love having all my travel items organised. Being organised just makes my life easier when I am travelling. Knowing where all my items are is just one less worry for me. I rarely find myself searching through my luggage to find a particular item cause I know where that item should be. So to keep me organised I keep all my documents in a travel wallet, my toiletries in a toiletry bag, my electronic accessories in an electronic device bag and I classify my clothes in packing cubes. A toiletry bag with a hook is extremely useful in a hostel. This is because you can hang the toiletry bag up in the shower for use.

Suitcase vs Backpack – What to Pack In

One of the big travel questions, suitcase vs backpack, what do you choose for your travels? So should you take a backpack or a suitcase? Well I use both, I adapt my luggage to the type of travelling I will be doing. If I am going on a 2 week holiday at a beach resort I usually take a suitcase with wheels. While if I will be moving around a lot like on a trip through Europe and need to carry my luggage I will take my backpack. Then during the day I might only need to take my daypack or a smaller bag such as a messenger bag. So one of my tips for packing is to choose the luggage that suits your travel. If you want to know about choosing a backpack read my blog on 7 tips for choosing the perfect backpack.

These are my luggage choices: a suitcase on wheels, a backpack, my daypack which has a USB port so I can charge my phone as I’m walking around and my messenger bag / shoulder bag. I usually check in my luggage and take my daypack on my transport.

What to Leave Behind

There are some things you need to leave behind on this hostel packing list.

Copy of your itinerary, including flight details and booked accommodation
A copy of the important details in your passport
Credit and debit card numbers
Travel insurance details with family or a friend
Any contact details
Kitchen sink.

Get Ready to Pack for Your Hostel Stay

So there you have it, my suggestions of a packing list for a hostel stay. As you travel abroad you will find items to add or delete from the list. I hope you have a great time staying in hostels as you travel the world. If you have any suggestions to add to the list please let me know.

Happy Packing!