Packing the right gear when traveling can make all the difference between an enjoyable vacation or journey and one fraught with stress. From adaptors and steamers, to universal adapters and travel mugs, here are 10 Essential Items You Should Always Bring When Traveling that will ensure a hassle-free journey.
1. Your Passport
Most countries require travelers to have valid passports. Even if your destination doesn’t mandate passports, it is always a good idea to bring along a photocopy in case your original gets misplaced or stolen.
Be sure to carry it on you at all times, ideally in an anti-theft pouch or money belt tucked safely under clothing to stay out of reach from pickpockets. While this might not be the most attractive way of traveling, it can be one of the safer options available.
Consider scanning both sides of your passport, along with any important travel documents, and emailing them directly to yourself so they’ll be easy to replace in case they go missing. Also be sure to carry copies of your insurance policy and contact details along.
2. Travel Documents
Packing for travel may differ depending on the nature of your journey, but certain essential items should always be included, such as a travel pillow and comfortable shoes – plus important documents like passports, ID cards and medical cards.
Make sure you bring a copy of your itinerary along with you to help avoid any mishaps on the road. You can do this digitally via an itinerary-storage website, or physically by keeping one tucked into your money belt.
If traveling internationally, it’s also wise to invest in some form of travel insurance coverage – evacuation and repatriation as well as medical and accident policies can all provide essential peace of mind during travel. Policies can be purchased either online or from travel agents.
3. Cash and Credit Cards
Even in today’s digital world, cash should always be carried as part of your travel itinerary. Wi-Fi could go out or certain places might not accept plastic payments (like street markets in Europe). Furthermore, having backup cards available just in case one becomes lost or stolen can come in handy too.
Notify your bank or credit card issuer before traveling abroad so they won’t mistakenly flag your first purchase as fraud. Doing this can reduce the chance that your first transaction abroad may be mistakenly flagged as such and delay potential complications with customs officials.
Consider applying for a credit card without foreign transaction fees so as to avoid incurring extra expenses that can quickly add up on your trip. NerdWallet provides a great tool that helps find cards without foreign transaction fees.
4. Extra Clothes
No matter if you’re an expert overpacker or simply trying to ensure you have enough clothing, having an extra outfit in your carry-on bag is always wise. There are retailers who specialize in creating reversible dresses and other garments specifically tailored for travelers; floral kimonos make the ideal beach cover-up or going-out dress.
Additionally, it’s always wise to have an emergency plan ready in case your luggage becomes lost or delayed (just make sure to save all important documents on your laptop or phone!) A spare pair of shoes and pajamas is always handy; lightweight but easy to pack away; they will provide comfort during long waits on public transit – which certainly adds up over time. A little extra comfort definitely pays dividends.
5. Sunscreen
No matter where your travels take you, sunscreen will provide essential UV ray protection as well as help prevent skin cancer.
Sunscreen can be packed in your carry-on luggage as long as it satisfies TSA’s 3-1-2-1 rule (3.4 ounce or 100 milliliter bottles, packaged together into one quart-sized clear, resealable plastic bag). However, larger spray bottles or aerosol sunscreen must be packed in checked luggage due to being considered flammable products.
Pack other useful items, including a small flashlight (for reading under your covers after lights out in a hostel or exploring castle dungeons) and comfortable slippers to wear during hotel layovers. Some travelers also swear by travel pillows – these fold-up cushions are highly portable yet comfy, and come in different shapes and sizes so you’re bound to find one suitable to your needs!
6. First-Aid Kit
No doubt about it: travel can be both thrilling and daunting, with essential items easily being forgotten before a trip starts. Therefore, always pack a first aid kit as protection from medical emergencies during your travels.
Before selecting items for your travel kit, take into account its length and whether there will be opportunities to resupply supplies during your journey. In addition, do some research about local healthcare infrastructure at your destination country – for example whether antibiotics would be necessary.
Eye drops (to combat the dryness caused by airplane’s re-circulated air) and foam earplugs can help alleviate noise pollution from other passengers, so pack some in your carry-on bag as these items usually take up minimal space.
7. Toiletries
Purchase essentials locally when possible to reduce luggage space and waste, however some items may be hard to come by or have higher prices than expected.
Packing toiletries can be challenging when trying to meet TSA regulations on liquids and gels (3.4 oz or less per container). Consider placing them into smaller travel tubes, pill boxes, or storage bottles – or consider products with dual functions, like this multi-use hand sanitizer that also acts as toothpaste!
Quick-dry towels are essential travel accessories that take up minimal space, while first aid kits from Raw Elements are lightweight enough to tuck into any dopp bag or carry-on easily – including CPR mask, tweezers and disinfectant wipes as well as CPR mask. Plus, Reef-Safe Sunscreen makes the ideal accessory for beach trips!
8. Camera
Cameras are one of the best tools to capture travel memories and can also serve as creative projects that showcase everything from ancient architecture to extraordinary people encountered during your travels.
Bring extra batteries and memory cards for your camera, along with a lens brush to keep it clean. Also consider investing in a waterproof bag specifically designed to carry photography gear, with padded dividers for organization and lightweight features.
Your gear shouldn’t get jostled around when traveling in your luggage or checked bag, and this step will also prevent you from accidentally packing an expensive piece that won’t serve its intended purpose – this is particularly important if traveling to remote destinations without easy access to replacements and repairs.
9. Entertainment
Flights can be long, so having something entertaining at hand for the duration can make the flight much more pleasant. Many flight attendants have told T+L they enjoy packing a small portable charger, book or magazine to read during layovers, headphones for entertainment purposes during flights.
Reusable water bottles (to help with any drinking restrictions at your destination) and socks may come in handy for keeping hydrated during travels, while keeping children entertained can be done using anything from simple paper with twistable crayons to sticker play sets that provide hours of entertainment.
Sanitizing wipes will come in handy to keep hands sanitary while traveling, and a travel adapter may be essential if traveling internationally. A small laundry bag might also prove helpful should anything become dirty during your journey.
10. Passport Holder
There’s nothing worse than discovering midway through your holiday that you forgot essential items to pack. With an effective checklist in hand, however, this travel disaster can be avoided by always packing these essentials when leaving home.
Reusable water bottles are essential, particularly in countries that prohibit plastic bags. Look for eco-friendly brands such as Frank Green, Keep Cup and Memobottle when purchasing options.
Pack a universal travel adapter so that you can access electrical outlets at your destination. Travel light whenever possible to save time at the airport, avoid check-in fees and ensure airlines won’t lose your bag; also walking up and down stairs is much simpler with less strain! Carry-on suitcases should always be included for this reason as this ensures everything needed for a smooth experience is with you at all times!
