So you’re finally taking that trip you’ve been talking about. Now that the time to pack comes, however, you realize that you have no idea of what to bring along. We’ve found some of the essentials that will make your trip easier and allow you to make the most of your journey. Here are the top 10 essentials while packing for a trip.
- Laundry Bag
If you’re going to be wearing much of the same clothing throughout the entirety of your trip, it pays to be organized. In this instance, you should be placing dirty clothing and your repugnant socks into this laundry bag. The bag should be placed in a compartment isolated from the rest of your clothing to prevent cross-contamination. A fancy bag is not required, as any old plastic bag can serve the purpose.
- Medication
If you’re going on an international trip, you may find that your everyday medications are unavailable or restricted in your destination. You should make sure to pack all prescription medications that are imperative, accompanied by a letter from your doctor for specialist medication. We also advise that you carry tablets for traveler’s diarrhea, antibacterial cream, painkillers, motion sickness tablets, and bandages.
- Spare Credit Card
You never want to place all your valuables in a single location, so it’s only natural that you’ll want to keep your money separated as well. Don’t pack only a single credit card, loosing it will leave you in a very difficult situation abroad. A great alternative to just carrying credit cards are travel money cards, as they give you the convenience of cash along with increased level of security. Travel cards permit you to convert your money into various other currencies to store on the card for usage abroad. Travel cards help in your purchases while travelling and keep your funds safe, which is why we view them as an overseas travel essential!
- Water Bottle
Reusable water bottles are absolutely invaluable when you travel. If you read our previous article on top ten travel hacks, you’ll understand the importance of a reusable water bottle, and how to get through TSA with one. If you find the water quality is lesser than you’re used to, an alternative is to simply purchase a large gallon of water, instead of carrying around various smaller bottles- saving you space. A reusable water bottle is much sturdier and leaks lesser than a convenience-store bottle. You may also want to consider obtaining a smaller water bottle that is capable of fitting easily into a backpack, purse, or tote bag. There are is an abundance of great options made out of aluminum, hard-plastic, and stainless-steel in the 12-ounce range. It’s a good idea to not skimp out on getting a quality bottle, to ensure that it lasts you for many trips to come.
- Hand Sanitizer
The CDC advises frequent hand washing to prevent illness and other contagious diseases. Hygiene standards vary greatly between destinations, and access to hand-washing stations is quite limited. Bringing along a hand sanitizer can prove to be incredibly useful. You should use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol for maximum effectiveness. Also note that hand sanitizer doesn’t remove visible dirt stains off your hands, but will also get rid of microbes and other potentially hazardous pathogens.
- Lip Balm
Even if you normally don’t get dry or cracked lips, it can still be very handy to have lip balm. A combination of the dry airplane air, the salty snacks the flight attendants distribute by the handful, and the sun’s gaze will ultimately lead to dehydration and chapped lips. Lip balm also has various other applications, such as cleaning up cuticles and releasing a stuck zipper on a jacket!
- Flip-Flops
Flip-flops may not necessarily be the finest piece of apparel, but they are very useful if you intend to head somewhere like a pool, spa, or anywhere moist for that matter. They prevent you from accumulating a whole host of nasty pathogens and discarded items on the underside of your foot.
- Stain Remover
Stain removers can take the shape of wipes and pens which occupy very little space while providing an immediate solution for messes, which is invaluable if you follow our advice of packing light. Bringing along a stain remover could possibly save you from having to walk around all day with a coffee stained shirt.
- Reusable Shopping Bag
A reusable shopping bag is easily foldable and can be toted around in your main bag, then taken out to hold the purchases you make throughout the day. Since reusable bags are often more durable than their disposable alternatives, they are incredibly useful for carrying heavier purchases, and can even double as a mat. It also prevents you from accumulating mountains of plastic bags.
- Emergency Snack
You never know what the food-situation on your next trip will be like, which is why it pays to always bring along a snack. Any non-perishable food makes a great travel snack. You should probably veer away from salty foods, however, as the airline will likely provide you with more than you know what to do with. Should you manage to get through your trip hassle-free, a nice snack is never unwelcome!
Make sure that you pack these 10 essentials the next time you go on a trip.
If you’d like more content and helpful information on traveling, make sure to check out our other great articles!
