It can be difficult to read situations in another country, with its different languages and customs. Before you set out for the adventure of a lifetime, make sure you’re as prepared as possible with our what-to-bring checklist and vital safety information.

So you’ve got your tickets, passport and cash. But aside from those, what is essential and what is a space-waster? Travel as light as you can, but don’t skip these nifty travel lifesavers.

Backpacker Check-List

• Plasters – for mini first aid disasters, but also essential for blisters.

• A pocket knife – a great space saver, especially if it includes tools like a scissors, tin opener and corkscrew. But make sure you don’t put it in your hand luggage!

• A small water filter, tablets or drops – a must if you’re headed to a remote or exotic location where bottled water might be hard to find.

• A plastic sleeve with photocopies of your important documents, a few pages of useful contact information (like the British Embassy), proof of any vaccinations you have had and all your travel insurance information (make sure it covers you for any adventure activities you might try out). It’s also a good idea to include a couple of photocopied pages from a guidebook for planning and information and to remind you of the laws and customs of the places you’re going to.

• A padlock – necessary to lock your backpack or hostel lockers and for securing your bag to overhead rails of public transport. If you can also fit in a chain for this purpose, even better.

• Some basic eating utensils like a plastic plate, fork and cup are a good idea.

• If you need any vitamins or medications, make sure they are legal in the countries you will be visiting and keep them in your hand luggage.

• If you’re concerned about safety, consider carrying an intruder / rape alarm – they’re small and easy to carry around with you.

• Insect spray, especially if you’re headed to a tropical or malaria-infested area, where insect bites can give you diseases. Light long-sleeved clothing will also help.

• Sleeping bag – chances are you’ll need one. Invest in a lightweight one that folds up really small. If you’re going to a very hot destination, you could simply bring a sheet instead.

• Sunscreen – with a minimum factor of 15. There’s nothing worse than a bad sunburn to put you out of action, and it can happen even in cloudy weather.

• Toilet roll – an essential item you may not be able to buy just when you need it.

• Some bin liners – surprisingly useful, they come in handy as a groundsheet on wet ground, for carrying wet clothes and for waterproofing your backpack.

• Ear plugs – perfect for ensuring some sleep at a noisy hostel or on a bus.

• A towel, but get a small, super-absorbent one to save on space.

• A non-crease presentable outfit to get you into clubs or bars with smarter dress codes.

• A light, compact waterproof jacket.

• A torch – unless you’re absolutely sure you’ll be around city streetlights every night.

• A spare pair of shoes – there’s nothing worse than being forced to slurp around in wet footwear, especially if it’s cold!

• A lighter – for fires, cooking and emergencies.

• A book or Ipod to keep you amused while you’re travelling or waiting for transport.

Backpacker Safety tips

• Be prepared. Before you go, research the customs and laws of the countries you will be visiting and make sure you don’t break them as sentences can be much more scary abroad – carrying a couple of joints into Thailand can land you on death row, according to the Foreign and Consular Office.

• Learn a few basic language phrases, as there’s no guarantee that English will be spoken everywhere you go, especially in places like South America. If you’re going to several countries, Spanish is probably your best bet.

• Don’t draw attention to yourself by wearing expensive looking shoes, bags or jewellery. Women should be careful not to wear anything too revealing, especially in conservative countries where it could offend people.

• Keep your important documents and the majority of your money with you and concealed at all times, especially if you’re travelling alone – a money belt may be your best bet.

• You’ll be vulnerable when you arrive, so if you can, book accommodation beforehand and try to arrive before it gets too late. It’s best to plan ahead and book a reputable hostel recommended by other backpackers – but not by random strangers who accost you on public transport or the taxi driver – both are probably commissioned by the hostel, which is likely to be situated in a very dodgy area or to rip you off.

• Travelling with friends comes in handy – you can take it in turns to look after the group’s possessions while the others sleep / shower etc, and it’s safer to visit remote tourist attractions in groups. Again, someone you’ve just met doesn’t count here.

• Don’t walk back to the hostel alone after a big night out. A taxi is money well spent when your safety is at risk.

• In case of your documents being stolen, keep photocopies separately, and also scan and email important information like emergency numbers and visa, ticket and insurance details to your personal email account, which can be accessed at any time at an internet café.

• Keep your family and friends updated on your movements.

• If possible, use credit cards or traveller’s cheques – they prevent you carrying around large amounts of cash. If not, keep a few stashes of cash in different places in case you are mugged or pick-pocketed.

• If you’re arrested, don’t sign anything but be extremely polite about it. If you’re pretty sure you haven’t done anything wrong, they may just be after a bribe or a packet of cigarettes. Be warned, if you have done something wrong the British Consulate cannot get you out of jail.

• Never carry someone else’s packages through Customs, let someone else pack your baggage or even leave them alone with it, or cross a border in someone else’s vehicle – get out and walk. The mild embarrassment is not worth a life sentence.

• If you’re going to a crowded area, leave valuables in a safe at your accommodation – and get a receipt! If you have to leave your passport and credit card together, seal the credit card in an envelope and sign your signature over the flap so you know it hasn’t been used.

• Don’t hitchhike, or if you must don’t do it alone, and be prepared for your driver to demand payment. If you take a taxi, make sure it’s licensed and that the driver has official identification. Agree on a price before you get in to prevent the driver taking you in circles to up his profit.

• It’s easy to fall asleep on public transport, so it’s best to lock your bag and chain it to the overhead rails or put your legs through the strap. It’s also a good idea to do this when taking a photo or sitting at a café.

• Enjoy the friendly vibe at the hostel, but don’t be fooled – you could easily be robbed here if you are irresponsible with your possessions. If you don’t know someone very well, it may even be a good idea to keep your room number to yourself – arrange to meet them in a group area.

• Change your money only with authorised foreign exchange dealers – doing otherwise could be illegal and get you arrested, or you could end up with fake cash.

• Your mother was right when she told you not to accept food or drink from strangers – in several countries, thieves drug their victims before stealing from them.

• If the worst happens and you are violently mugged, just hand over the cash. Your life is worth more than money. You could even carry a decoy wallet in your pocket with a small amount of cash in it to give to an attacker – also a plus when buying things in markets and crowded places as it prevents people seeing you open and dig around in your money bag.

• Don’t buy wildlife souvenirs, even if sellers tell you they are legal – they may be confiscated or even get you an unlimited fine when you get to customs.

• Be warned that working illegally or outstaying your visa can get you fined, jailed, deported and banned from entering that country in the future.

• In an emergency, the British Consulate can issue replacement passports, provide assistance if you have been the victim of a crime or are in hospital, help you find a local lawyer, doctor or interpreter, contact your friends or family and will endeavour to contact you within 24 hours if you have been detained. But they can’t get you out of jail, prevent you from being charged or deported, interfere in a country’s immigration and visa policies, give you legal advice, get you preferential hospital or prison treatment, make your travel or accommodation arrangements or give you money.