Whether you are the type of traveler who carefully lays out each item you plan to take with you and cross-check everything with a detailed list, or you just like to grab some things at the last minute and thrown them in a suitcase right before heading to the airport, there are certain things you should be sure make it into your bag. Traveling is never stress-free, so to make things a little easier on yourself, take along each of the items listed below:
Reading Materials
From paperbacks to magazines (or their digital versions on your tablet), an interesting read or two will keep you entertained when you have some down time on your trip, and having more than one option will let you read according to your mood. Reading is the perfect escape at the airport, on the plane, in a lounge chair by the pool or a hammock on the beach, to name a few.
Chargers for Electronics
If there is one thing that is sure to cause a meltdown while traveling, it’s discovering you have forgotten the charger to your beloved cell phone/ tablet/ laptop, etc. Finding a replacement can be difficult, expensive or both, so make sure these items are in your carry-on before leaving home.
Camera
Whether you like to snap selfies with your smartphone or you are a photography enthusiast with serious lenses and equipment, one of the best ways to keep your vacation memories alive is through pictures. From old-school prints carefully filed in photo albums, used in scrapbooks or printed and hung on the wall, to digital albums you can share on social media, photographs keep you connected to your trip long after you have returned home.
Medication
If you take any sort of prescription drugs, it is essential that you pack these and carry them on the plane with you. That way, in the off-chance your luggage is lost, you will still have them, as tracking down the correct medication in a foreign country can become a nightmare. You should also carry small amounts of some basic over-the-counter medications including pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, anti-diarrheal pills and allergy pills just in case you need them.
Cash and Cards
Especially when traveling out of your home country, make sure you take along several ways to pay for things. Cash is important to have on hand when you first arrive so that you’ll be able to pay for anything you need immediately, and you can exchange some if needed (rates are often better outside of airports). Credit and debit cards are handy because you don’t have to walk around with lots of cash on you, and if they are stolen and you report it right away, they are less risky than large sums of cash. It is a good idea to travel with more than just one card; in case you have issues with one, a backup card will be your saving grace. Make sure you notify your financial institutions prior to international travel so you can use your cards freely as soon as you arrive.
