Must-haves when traveling - Top 10 Items to Pack

Whether you are a seasoned traveler or it is your first trip, it’s always handy to have a plan as to which items you need to have with you when you travel. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a list of must-haves when traveling that you can refer to anytime you are ready to hit the road or visit another country?

You bet it does!

Besides, there is nothing worse than having to reach over other people’s heads inside the plane to haul out some necessities from the luggage compartment. You can save yourself the trouble by ensuring you keep all the must-haves when traveling on hand using a little tote.

Call it a care package if you will, so you can have everything you need for your trip or flight.

What if your luggage goes astray and you end up waiting a day or two before you are reunited with your precious belongings?

Can you see the importance of being ready to deal with anything your trip may throw at you, whether it be noisy neighbors on the plane, lost luggage, or any other unforeseen event?

Note that not all travel items they tell you to pack are necessary. While some of them may be cool, you won’t even use them half of the time away from home. It is a case of learning how to minimize your essential traveling gear. That is not to say you should forgo some luxury items.

Let us give careful consideration to the top 10 items to pack for your next trip away from home.

Your Must-Have Travel Packing List - Top 10 Items

Follow along as we provide a list of essentials you must have when traveling anywhere:

  • It is imperative to have an external power bank to help you charge any devices you have with you. After all, when traveling, you are constantly on the go and have very little time to charge the devices you need to record out of ordinary travel moments. You never know when you’ll need Google Maps to direct you, only to find your phone is flat. You may want to make use of three different power banks in different sizes to accommodate all sorts of situations.
  • When you travel via plane, the chances are good that you will experience jet lag, which can weigh you down and interfere with your plans. You may feel too bogged down to enjoy your first day or two. An excellent way to counteract feeling this way is to get yourself a natural jet lag preventative.
  • One way to kill time when flying is to sleep. To ensure you feel refreshed afterward, you should opt for a comfortable pillow. We are not talking about your regular airline pillow either. What comes to mind is an inflatable travel pillow as it scores high marks for portability, comfort, value, and durability.
  • In most cases, you’ll need to carry your passport and other important documents. Why not get yourself a durable pouch that will let you safeguard these, credit cards, and money? This is especially true in consideration of pickpockets you may encounter along the way. Rather, conceal these valuables under your shirt or blouse.
  • Have you heard of packing cubes? You’ll be glad you take note of these as they are very handy to have to keep your bag super organized. All your essentials will be compressed to allow you to pack a whole lot more than what you bargained for.
  • Do not forget to pack a high-quality rain jacket to help ward off the rain and cold weather outside of the airport. You may want to embark on a bit of sightseeing even while it's drizzling. This is one item that is very lightweight and easy to carry in your daypack.
  • What if you are allowed the opportunity to enjoy nightlife even when your original plan was to go on a casual trip? Be sure to pack one or two outfits that you will be confident in wearing on a night out. Consider something that doesn’t wrinkle easily.
  • Non-toxic and natural wipes are useful for times when you feel hot and muggy or when having to deal with accidental spillage. When out and about, the last thing you want is having to apply deodorant to your sweaty armpits. Simply make use of a wet wipe and you are good to go. These fit snugly in a daybag and will help you feel fresh whenever there is a need for it. This is one item that is worth its weight.
  • When you are seated on the plane having to cope with noisy neighbors, crying babies, or the roar of the engines, a set of high-quality earplugs will be extremely useful. You may not want to be seen wearing headphones. These are just as useful for sleeping to eliminate noise and reduce ear pain. Plus, you get some super comfortable earplugs that cancel out noise around you or on the airplane.
  • Regardless of where you travel to or what your plans are, you most certainly want some visual memories of your journey. What comes to mind is a top-quality camera that is both compact and affordable.

The list provided over here is by no means exhaustive, but, hopefully, we covered some of the most important items to have at hand to ensure a comfortable trip. It is just as important to keep enough snacks on hand in cases where you get hungry during delays. Also, do not forget to keep a big water bottle at hand to remain hydrated.

It is amazing how much of a difference a well-packed bag can make to your travel experience. You will save yourself a lot of time and headaches by packing the right gear. The 10 items we listed will ensure an enjoyable and hassle-free journey, whether it be on the road or by air.

There are stacks of information on the web for anything else you need to pack for your trip abroad. Some well-known resources even include a downloadable PDF version that has boxes you can check off.

Resources - Travel & Leisure, Asher Fergusson, Smarter Travel, The Planet