Packing list for Canada

What things must you bring along when traveling to Canada? Here’s my packing list for Canada to help you pack!

Passport, eTA, Vaccinations and Travel Insurance

The following things must be on the top of your packing list for Canada!

Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months and must obtain one blank page.
eTA: Make sure to order your eTA in advance! If you don’t have it, you may not enter Canada. Always make sure to print out the e-mail you receive, just in case. Apply here. It costs CAD 7.
Vaccinations: Check your vaccinations, this is very important!
Travel insurance: Because I’m still depending on my parents, I am fully covered for having an accident or disease while traveling. Be sure to have insurance, it might come in handy!

Backpack or Luggage

Your backpack is also an important item on your packing list. Do you want a backpack or luggage?

Backpack: I invested in a good backpack during my past trips (Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Lisbon). I have an Osprey backpack of 40L. This one is perfect for a two-week trip, but it was just a bit small for a 3-week trip (I managed by rolling my clothes and using packing cubes). So maybe buy the 50L backpack if you plan on going away for more than 2 weeks. Also, bring along a day backpack. Comes in handy for your camera equipment, a bottle of water and other stuff. My day backpack is also an Osprey: Tempest 16.
Packing cubes: Bring packing cubes! This has been so easy for me! I have the compression packing cubes from Osprey. They are so easy to use and I can put in 14 pieces of clothing per bag (how? roll them!).
Bear Bell: Hang your bear bell on your day backpack!

Medicine and toiletries

Okay, so this one is actually the most important thing on my packing list now since I’ve had Salmonella.

Mosquito Repellent and Sunscreen: This is a must. We got stung during our hikes even when we sprayed.
First aid kit: Bandages will most definitely come in handy!
Diarrhea tablets: Just in case 😉
Quick drying towel: Invention of the year! Put your wet towel on a chair and it’s dry in an hour. It’s also not that thick as a normal towel, so it’s easy to pack.
Wet wipes: I always bring my wet wipes on my holidays. If you’re in a public toilet that’s dirty or where there is no toilet paper, wet wipes are a blessing.
Small bottles: I always pack small, reusable bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash. You save space and weight!
Lip balm: During the flight, my lips become very dry. I always pack my Buttercream lip balm and my lips are soft in no time!

Clothes

I don’t think anyone would forget to put these items on their packing list.

Clothes: You’ll be sweating, so try to pack linen clothing.
Sweater: Sometimes I find myself shivering in the airplane from the cold, that’s why I always pack my sweater. You can also use it as a pillow.
Travel pillow: I have a neck pillow that comes in handy for those long flights.
Washing powder: Washing time! If you pack light, then you must also wash your clothes from time to time.
- Tip: You can also wash your clothes with shampoo.
Rain jacket (foldable): This is so handy! You can hang it to your purse and have the purse filled with an umbrella and wallet.
- Tip: when folded, it can be used as a pillow!

Electronics

Camera and GoPro: Pack those babies for having HD photos and videos.
Chargers: We Europeans do need adapters!
Powerbank: Bring along a power bank! Our bedroom had almost no sockets (4 in total), so sometimes I had to charge my phone with the power bank.
Waterproof bag: I used a waterproof bag to put my power bank, smartphone and its chargers in. Everything is in one little bag, easy to find and protected from water, sunscreen, …
- Warning: Not protected from thieves

So this was my packing list for Canada! Did I forget something that you find important to bring along your travels? Let me know in the comments!