When on a trip, have you had that oops-I-forgot-to-pack-that feeling?
I used to have that quite frequently and learning from my mistakes, I started making a packing list before trips. I start the list quite a few days before the trip and keep on adding to it as I remember stuff over the following days. That way, I am less likely to forget something.
With time, I’ve become quite the expert and I pack light but right!
It’s impossible to make a complete a packing list that fits everyone’s needs. In this post, I have put together ten things that everyone should carry with on any trip.
Here are 10 things you should always pack.
Windcheater-cum-raincoat: I am all for packing light and consequently, I always prefer things that serve more than one purpose and this one is quite the multipurpose product. I can use it if it’s a little chilly, I can use it when it’s raining a little. At night, I can make it into kind of a ball and use it as an improvised pillow!
Plastic bags: From protecting your gadgets from getting wet to saving your clothes from a leaking shampoo bottle, plastic bags can be of real help during a trip. I always carry some with me.
Rubber bands: You need rubber bands to seal the plastic bags. And they have a hundred other uses. Carry some!
Torch: Much like travel insurance, you never realise how important a torch is until everything around you is pitch-black and you can’t see a thing. Or, when you’re looking for a tiny something in a cluttered dark place and your phone screen light is just not enough!
Passport and visa photocopies: This tip of course is necessary only if you are going to a foreign country. And I hope you realise it makes zero sense if you keep them together with the originals.
Chain and lock: You can keep your bag locked to your seat or the luggage rack on the train. The lock can come handy elsewhere too and make you feel a little more secure.
Mug and spoon: Coffee, tea, booze and cereal are only four of the many ways you can use these. You will be surprised at how often you find them useful.
International adapter: In this age and time when gadgets have become such an important part of our lives, the international adapter has become all the more important when you are visiting a foreign country.
Toilet paper: It should be called all-purpose paper instead of toilet paper. Apart from the obvious use, you can blow your nose into it, wipe your face clean after splashing some water on it, use it to keep food on when there no dish around… and I could go on for ever.
Medicines: Don’t forget to pack some basic medicines for fever, allergies, cuts and bruises, indigestion and the like.
Sunscreen: I rarely used sunscreen till the summer of 2013. That’s when, during a whale-watching trip in Canada, my face, especially the nose, got horribly sun-burnt and beetroot-red. It’s a pretty pathetic sight when all the burnt skin peels off your face over the next few days.
November 17, 2014
During travels I ALWAYS say I should’ve brought either a knife, cup, or plate. And before packing for travels I NEVER remember to. You’ve got all the essentials down on the list Andy! I should set a reminder to look at this list whenever I’m about to start packing
November 19, 2014
I tend to forget the most important things too! So, now I always make a list of things to carry before any trip.
November 18, 2014
I’m thinking this is packing for backpacking? I’m lost. Maybe we’re just from different travel styles. LOL. When I go primitive hiking in the mountains I always pack toilet paper though haha!
November 19, 2014
You’re right, Christa. Travelandy is all about budget travel/backpacking.
November 19, 2014
Plastic bags are 100% I wrap dirty shoes in them too. But a mug and spoon..? My 5 star hotel usually has that covered 😛
November 20, 2014
Really great tips and I agree these are total essentials – we always try and pack as light as possible but always have these things – although sometimes use wipes instead of toliet paper as they pack down smaller
Laura x
November 20, 2014
I have a spork for camping and hiking trips – a spoon, fork and knife all in one. It comes everywhere with me! Toilet roll is something else that always gets packed in my bag because you just never know!
November 22, 2014
The spork sounds useful!
November 22, 2014
I keep a hand sanitiser in the same place I keep my toilet rolls.
Also, it is a good idea to keep a scanned copy of the essential documents (passport, visa, any other kind of personal ID like driving license, a recent passport size photo) either on your e-mail or on a cloud hosted domain (Google docs is great.) Preferably save and share these documents with someone you trust (family back home) so they too can access and if required, print and post to you.) Not really a good idea to share with someone in your travel destination, though, not unless you can really trust them.
November 24, 2014
Also, water purifying tablets or drops (like Zeoline or iodine tablets) are a must. You never have to buy water, no matter where you are, and it saves loads of cash (Ref, http://travelandy.com/how-to-save-on-food-on-the-road/) These take little space in your luggage but the benefit is immense on the journey. Wait for half hour after treatment to drink the water and it’ll not taste weird.
April 17, 2015
All the essentials! This should be my new go to packing list. I always forget sunscreen. -Dana