Learning how to pack effectively when you travel is definitely a skill that you learn the more you travel. It can be difficult to know what to bring because there are so many factors: location, weather, local culture, planned activities, baggage allowance, laundry availability, etc. While I have picked up quite a few travel skills along the way (stay tuned for my Travel Tips blog post!), even I still get confused as to what I should pack sometimes. Regardless, there are 5 things I ALWAYS bring with me regardless of the destination. I think they are crucial to a successful trip and I hope you start packing them in your bags too!
1. Wet Wipes/Tissues
This is essential! Many foreign countries will not have toilet tissue in restrooms and there's nothing worse than finishing your business and discovering there aren't any. Some places I've gone will even charge you for a handful of tissues, so it's just best to bring your own. There are many travel size packs you can purchase and stick in your hand luggage. Also, wet wipes/tissues are multi-use! You can clean up a quick spill, wipe off dirty hands, blow your nose, move something dirty...honestly the possibilities are endless, so if you don't carry wet wipes or tissues in your travel baggages, you're doing it wrong.
My Picks:
I like Cottonelle Travel Pack Wet wipes and Kleenex Tissue Packs. I hate when my tissues are stiff and I never have that problem with Kleenex. They come in convenient travel packs and are soft and durable. Cott0nelle WetWipes come in flat, convenient packaging and are flushable, which expands their versatility. Of course, these are just my preferences, but any brand will do. You can find both of these at Target, CVS, Walgreens, and the like.
2. Fanny Pack/Bum Bag/Money Belt
It has many names, but regardless of what you call it, it is a life saver. I prefer a flat, concealable money belt to the fanny packs/bum bags so that I can keep my essentials close without letting the world know where I'm keeping them. However, waist packs are "in-style" these days, so it wouldn't hurt to use one. Use these to keep your extra money, a flat portable charger, your passport (always carry it with you, please), keys, phone, and whatever ever other small items you'd typically keep in your pocket. Pockets and bags are easy to steal out of and easy for things to fall out of. With a zip-able waist pack, you can ensure your items are safe and close to you without having to carry them in your hands. It is so freeing and makes traveling hassle-free.
My Pick:
I like my waist bag to be RFID Certified to protect my data. Outside of that, my criteria are two separate zipper pockets and an elastic waist. Anything that has those standard features will do for me. You can get them cheaply from Target and Amazon. Shop around for one that meets your standards. Currently, I'm using one from Venture 4th.
3. Lifestraw
Traveling anywhere in the world poses a risk for sickness from drinking local water. Even if locals can drink tap water, your gut is likely not used to its contents. Trust me, a sip of tap water is not worth being sick the rest of your holiday. Furthermore, bottled water adds a significant cost to your trip and it isn't sustainable to buy loads of plastic water bottles. Lastly, if you ever get lost or stranded (for my hikers and adventurers), a life straw ensure that as long as you can find a water source, you will have potable water. Life straws filter toxins out of your water and purify it as you drink. They are heavy-duty and reliable. Once you travel with one, you'll never go without it again.
My Pick:
There are many variations of this, but I love the LifeStraw brand. You can find it on Amazon or at L.L.Bean.
4. Portable Charger
In this day and age, this should go without saying, but you'd be surprised by how many people forget this crucial travel-must have. When you travel, you use your phone much more than you typically might. You're searching for places to visit and eat, you're using map applications for directions, and you're capturing moments with your camera. It's no wonder your phone battery will die quickly. You need to have a portable charger with you so you can keep enjoying those moments and exploring, but also for safety. If your phone dies and you are lost, it's not going to be pretty. Charge one portable charge per piece of baggage BEFORE you leave, so that you are ready to explore. When charger dies, you can charge while using the other pre-charged one you brought.
My Pick:
I have an iPhone and I love Mophie. It is flat, holds 2 full charges, and doesn't require me to carry around a charging cable. It's a bit pricey, but it's worth it. You can buy it a Best Buy.
5. Wireless Earphones
These are so helpful - I swear. Since movies and e-readers will dry out your eyes on planes (blog post coming soon on plane travel tips!), download music, audiobooks, and podcasts to your phone or tablet. Your eyes will thank me! Also, it's great to listen to things while you're exploring a new city. If you're like me, you love a good book in a park when you travel. Unfortunately, books take up luggage space and weight, but audiobooks beat that dilemma. Wireless earphones aren't clumsy or obvious, so they make for chic and efficient travel. However, the BEST use of them is for directions. If you use a map application like me to navigate new cities, you've probably gotten caught up staring at your phone and walking in circles making it obvious that you're a tourist. Or as you walk and the phone announces "In 200 meters, turn left", blowing your "I'm a local" cover. Well my dear readers, my solution for you is Wireless Earphones. Discreetly listen to directions as you walk with your phone in your pocket. You'll soon be navigating the street like a local and no one will be the wiser. It's safer, easier, and if I'm being honest, who doesn't look cool with wireless earphones. Do yourself a favor and invest in a pair.
My Pick:
I love Beats headphones and earphones. Their PowerBeats Pro are a new version of the wired PowerBeats, which deliver high quality sound without the hassle. I like them a bit more than the current AirPods craze because you can customize the buds to your ears and the earphone fits over your ear for a tighter hold. You can buy them from Apple and Best Buy.
