Preparations - What to take on a Camino

This section is about my tips (including some of my friend's, Ella's) on what to take on a Camino.

It's very important not to bring too much on your Camino, remember you'll have to carry it over hundreds of kilometres. Bring only what's necessary!

We all have that urge of 'you never know I'll might need a lemon squeezer on this trip, I better take it to be safe', but you really won't.

• Navigation (map or your smart phone with AlltlTrails downloaded)

• 2 litres of water

• Food and energy bars

• Blister plasters (absolute necessity, you'll thank me later) & normal plasters

• Good quality walking boots (that you have walked in already)

• Handwash powder to wash your clothes 

• Only a few t-shirts and work out leggings (maybe 2-3 max)

• Underwear

• Knee pads - your knees might hurt after carrying a lot of weight

• Sunscreen

• Wet wipes to clean hands before eating

• Raincoat and water resistant cover for your backpack

• Cash (euros)

• Phone charger

• Pyjamas (duh)

• Socks, socks, socks!

• 1 jumper (you won't need more)

• Painkillers

• Electrolytes

• Emergency blanket - absolute necessity on a Camino, in case you're stranded somewhere without shelter, this will help you not to freeze and it's tiny so you can easily squeeze it into your bag 
  
  Something like this...
  
  
  And the biggest tip of all. If you're flying to your Camino by one of the low-budget air companies (e.g. Ryanair, Wizz Air) and you don't want to spend a fortune on checked in luggage, try taking out the metal holder thingy that holds your backpack. This way you can fold your backpack very small to go as cabin luggage (for free). Warning: make sure your backpack fits the cabin luggage requirements to avoid paying a fine at boarding. Of course this method is a bit risky but it can save you €50-100.