20 Things You're Going to Forget (But Shouldn't) to Pack
1. Medication
I need to take Sudafed ten days before flying, or I’ll wake up from my red eye flight somewhere else in the world with a clogged ear and no immediate way to fix it.
I also need to take Flonase right before take-off.
If you have medication that you think there’s even a slight chance you’ll need during your travels; take it with you – because you don’t know how hard it’s going to be to find it abroad, let alone, if it even exists where you’re going.
Don’t take any chances; take it with you.
2. Multi-vitamins
This might seem like a silly one, but when traveling – our diets change, right? We don’t eat all of the things we usually do, which is fine – trying new foods is a big part of traveling, but we could be lacking in a compulsory nutrient when we consume meals that are out of the ordinary.
Bringing some multi-vitamins with you will ensure boost your immune system and keep you going during your adventures around the world.
3. Band Aids
You could be laughing at this, thinking it’s intended for a family with a five-year-old – but you’ll thank me later.
I’ve been on tours with so many other travelers so any times where they’ve cut themselves and were in need of a band aid…
… and guess who was there to save the day?
Trust me, it’ll be nice to know that you have it on hand and that you won’t have to deal with the hassle of running to the nearest pharmacy.
4. Sewing kit
I once had my backpack break on me in London. Though a sewing kit wouldn’t have fixed it, I learned that it’s something smart to keep handy in the event I have a tear in a shirt and don’t want to drop my precious travel-spending-money on a new one.
5. Extra Contact Lenses
This one is huge. When I went swimming in the Great Barrier Reef with contact lenses on (which was a big mistake, by the way), they got so salty that they became impossible to put on… and I lost one in attempts of doing so.
If I didn’t have a backup pair with me, I would’ve had to wear glasses for the rest of the trip – which would’ve been an irritating inconvenience.
Bring two backups, and an extra contact lens case as well. Like medication, a prescription is a pain to refill overseas – so it’s better to be safe than sorry, with this one.
6. Student I.D.
I know what you’re thinking…
… Stephanie, I’m on vacation/holiday… school is the last thing on my mind.
Hear me out.
There have been too many times where I’ve been about to buy a ticket into a cathedral, or a museum, or an observation deck, or even just about to get on a bus where they’ve offered me a student discount…
… If I showed them my student I.D.
Even after five trips abroad, I still forget to bring the stupid thing with me every time!
Sometimes those prices are cut in half if you can just prove to them your pursuing a degree. Some places and people are kind enough to accept an electronic photo of your student I.D.
Even if you forget it, you should keep a picture of your student I.D. (or really, any I.D.) digitally accessible.
Taking a picture on your phone is better than nothing, and could save you some cash without a whole lot of effort!
7. Hair Ties
I keep a set of scrunchies (I’m not a 90s kid, but I do pretend to be) in my backpack at all times. In the midst of all the other crazy things that go on in my life before I take off, the odds of me remembering to pack a thin rubber band to put my hair up at the end of the day are slim.
8. Feminine Products
Ladies… alongside medication, and contact lenses… the same goes for feminine products.
It’s better to be safe than sorry.
You do not want that time of the month to roll around while you’re in Italy and waste your afternoon trying to decipher if the package says, “pads with wings” in Italian.
Even if you don’t think it’ll come while you’re away… just pack a few, anyways.
9. Your ATM card
Take it from someone who has traveled a lot…
… you always end up spending more money than you brought with you, and that’s okay! When you’re on vacation, you’re supposed to enjoy yourself. You worked hard for this!
Don’t let your fun stop just because you forgot your little piece of plastic that’ll grant you some more currency in the form of paper.
Be sure to call your bank to tell them you’ll be traveling abroad, too! The last thing you want to deal with while you’re soaking up the streets of Spain is supposed credit card theft.
10. Pen & Paper
I know, I know – you might be laughing at this one too, given we all live in the 21st century.
I recognize that not everyone is an old soul or a writer like I am, but there have been times traveling when I needed a lose sheet of paper and a pen on quick notice.
Some old habits die hard. This should, and will always be one of them, no matter how far we progress in the technological world.
11. A Cover Up
A scarf, a shawl, a sweater… if you’re going to a country where you intend to visit a lot of churches (especially in Europe), some won’t let you in if your knees and shoulders aren’t covered.
I keep one in my suitcase so I don’t even have to think about this one; because it’s easy to forget.
Don’t pay for overpriced sunscreen abroad when you could put that money to good use elsewhere.
13. Laundry Detergent Packets
When I travel, I usually end up handwashing things in the sink. Hotel shampoo or body wash usually does the trick, but when in hostels (sometimes, without an easily accessible laundry mat) there’s no such thing as complimentary toiletries.
One packet could save you and stretch out your clothes longer!
14. A Portable Battery
The first time I went abroad, I didn’t even think of this one.
Now, every time I travel, it’s the one thing that I literally couldn’t live without.
International data, maps, and constant picture + video taking is likely to drain your phone battery faster than it usually would.
When traveling, only two things really matter: your phone, and your passport.
You lose anything else; it’s replaceable.
If you’re traveling solo, and find yourself without a phone, well…
… bring a portable battery with you, so you never have to find out.
15. A World Travel Adapter
Again – I’ve been on tours with people who brought their American adapters thinking they would function abroad.
The reality is, very few hotels have USB chargers.
You can always rent them at the front desk, but if you have your own – it’s one less thing you’ll have to remember at check out.
16. A Travel Towel
If you’re planning on staying in hostels, this one is especially important.
Hostels can get stingy when it comes to towel rental…
They come in handy for other things too, like when you need a towel for the beach.
I used my microfiber towel on almost every beach I went to in Australia.
They’re great because the sand can’t stick to the fabric; and they are quick drying so you can hop from one city to the next.
17. Face Wipes
I don’t have the time or the resources to execute my entire skin care routine on a red-eye flight or before I land in a new city.
Face wipes are an easy shortcut to feeling a little fresher before you tackle the first day of your trip.
18. Hand Sanitizer
When out and about in the world, you never know what you’ll find… or what you’ll accidently touch.
Bringing hand sanitizer with you is a good way to prevent sickness and promote cleanliness.
19. Tissues
You know when you sneeze and it gets all gross, and gooey – and you have no tissue handy?
Yes, I know, that was a graphic description – but it forced you to play the scenario in your head and make you want to put a pack in your carry on, didn’t it?
20. Gum
If you have ear troubles like I do when you fly, having a packet of gum can be handy.
I’m usually to fixed on making sure I have the (obviously more important) medications with me, so this is something that I also make sure is in my backpack at all times in the event I want it while traveling.
If you’re looking for other travel tips, click here.