10 Things You Should Pack (But Probably Won't)
Airfarewatchblog
10 Things You Should Pack (But Probably Won't)
Posted by Christine Sarkis on Wednesday, September 3, 2014
(Photo: Woman Holding Orange Suitcase via Shutterstock)
Yes, your passport and wallet (and probably some clean underwear) deserve to be at the
top of your packing list. But in the rush to remember the essentials, travelers sometimes
underestimate the power of the nice-to-haves. Humble objects, ranging from an empty
reusable water bottle to bandages, can save time and money and go far toward boosting
the quality of your travels. Here are the items we often forget to pack—and always regret
not having in our suitcase.
(Photo: Water Bottles via Shutterstock)
Reusable Water Bottle
Reusable water bottles are worth their weight when you travel. Throw your
empty water bottle of choice into your carry-on, then fill it up post-security a
t the airport (if you prefer to avoid water fountains, just ask at a cafe or
restaurant) and you won't have to depend on the flight attendant to keep you
hydrated. When you arrive at your destination, your next refill is as close as
the tap, as long as the water is potable. Even if the water is questionable, you
can opt to purchase one large plastic jug of water instead of dozens of smaller
ones and just refill your reusable bottle as necessary.
Not only is a reusable water bottle sturdier (and it leaks less) than a convenience-
store bottle, it also keeps your water tasting more like water and less like hot
plastic. For travel, consider getting a slightly smaller water bottle that fits
easily in a purse or bag. There are plenty of aluminum, glass, stainless steel,
and hard-plastic options in the 12-ounce range.
(Photo: Plastic Bags via Shutterstock)
Laundry Bag
Suitcases are tight quarters. One dirty sock or wet bathing suit can turn an
entire vacation wardrobe into a dirt-smeared, olfactory mess. Don't make
your clean clothes rub elbows (or knees, or feet) with your dirties—pack a
small laundry bag that can contain wet, soiled, and smelly clothes. A
simple grocery bag will do, but if you want to get fancy you can also find
reusable options such as Flight 001's resin-coated Go Clean Wet Suit bag
or nylon Go Clean Laundry bag. And if you forget a bag, check the closet of
your hotel room; many still stock a plastic bag for in-hotel dry-cleaning services.
(Photo: Travel-Sized First Aid Kit via Shutterstock)
First Aid Supplies
Blisters happen. So do scrapes and scratches. Don't be that person who
ends up spending $7 on a pack of five bandages because you forgot to
throw a few in your bag when you were packing. In travel destinations,
basic first aid supplies tend to be overpriced, and it's not always
convenient to hobble to a store post-injury in search of emergency
supplies. Instead, make yourself a little first aid kit and keep it with
your toiletries. You don't need anything complicated, just a few
bandages, some antibiotic ointment (look for the individual-use
packs), and maybe some moleskin if you have a tendency to injure
yourself with your footwear.
(Photo: lululemon athletica via flickr/CC Attribution)
Reusable Shopping Bag
Do you chronically leave a stack of plastic or paper shopping bags
behind in your hotel room when you check out? Then you're the
perfect candidate for a reusable shopping bag that can be folded
up and stowed in your day bag, then whipped out to hold the day's
purchases. And since reusable bags tend to be tougher than their
disposable brethren, they are handy for heavier purchases and can
do double duty as picnic baskets and beach bags.
(Photo: Granola Bar Snacks via Shutterstock)
Emergency Snack
There are dozens of scenarios in which an emergency snack might
come in handy. You arrive late at a hotel with no room service. You
miss your train and find yourself stuck at a country rail station where
live pigeons are the only source of protein. Your late-night connection
is canceled and all the shops are closed at the airport. Protein bars,
nuts, and other items that don't get mushy or need to be refrigerated
are perfect snacks to keep stashed in your bag. And let's face it, an
on-the-go snack is never unwelcome, even if you sail through your trip
food-emergency free.
(Photo: Simon Yeo via flickr/CC Attribution)
Extra Memory Card
Two scenarios: In the first, you pack an extra memory card, and
when your first is full, you simply flip open your camera, swap in
the new one, and get on with your vacation. In the second, you
stop everything, have to ask the concierge where the nearest
electronics store is, figure out how to ask for the right one in
the local language, then pay the marked-up price. Play out these
two stories as you're packing your camera as a reminder of why
it's always worth it to bring an extra memory card.
(Photo: Andrew Braithwaite via flickr/CC Attribution)
Hand Sanitizer
The CDC recommends frequent hand washing to prevent illness.
Since hygiene standards vary among destinations, and because
the hand-washing trinity of water-soap-drying implement is not
always available, keeping a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your
day bag is your ace in the hole. Use an alcohol-based hand
sanitizer (containing at least 60 percent alcohol), rubbed on your
hands until they are dry. While hand sanitizers aren't as effective
when your hands are visibly dirty, they can be very handy when you're
on the go and need a quick clean.
(Photo: Lip Balm via Shutterstock)
Lip Balm
Even if you don't normally use lip balm, it can still be an important
item to pack. Breathing dry airplane air, being out in the sun,
ating salty foods in transit—travel inevitably leads to mild
dehydration and chapped lips. And there's something off-putting
and vaguely predatory about constantly licking your lips; it's
definitely not the way to make friends in an unfamiliar culture.
Lip balm can also be used to tame frizzy hair ends, soothe dry
cuticles, protect the skin from windburn, and even unstick a stubborn zipper.
(Photo: Traveler Holding Passport via Shutterstock)
Copies of Travel Documents
The last thing most people want to do when packing is scan and
print or photocopy their passport and other important documents.
However, in the unlikely but serious event that your passport or
visa is lost or stolen, it's a big help to have an extra copy on hand.
Stash the copies in a separate place from the actual documents,
so if you lose one, you'll likely still have the other. At the very least,
write down your passport number and email it to yourself or simply
email the scans of the documents. Losing your passport is
panic-inducing and can potentially ruin a vacation, so this is
one of those times when it pays to take a few extra just-in-case steps.
(Photo: Colorful Flip-Flops via Shutterstock)
More Good-to-Remember
The items that will go farthest toward making your trip easy are
going to vary based on your destination and style, but here are a
few more things we've found most useful on our journeys:
Flip-Flops: We're not suggesting flip-flops as a fashion statement,
but rather as a hygiene measure if you're headed to any spas,
pools, shared bathrooms, or other moist and warm environments
where a bit of extra foot protection might matter.
Stain Remover: Last year, editor Caroline Costello reviewed the
Tide to Go Stain Eraser and found that it saved her from walking
around all day with a giant coffee stain on her shirt. Stain-erasing
wipes and pens take up little space and offer quick fixes for
messes—a big plus for travelers with limited wardrobes.
Host Gifts: Whether you're visiting old friends, meeting business
associates, or will be invited into a home during your travels, it's
always nice to come prepared with a small gift. Gift-giving practices
vary by country, so before you choose a gift to pack, do a bit of
esearch to make sure it's an appropriate item.
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