So much thought and preparation goes into every trip that sometimes it's hard to know where to start. Trying to figure out what you need and what you can leave behind can be an enormous headache, and many people end up taking far too much -- clothes they'll never wear, gadgets they're not likely to use and massive suitcases that are a burden to carry around.
The key to any smooth and hassle-free trip is to only take the travel essentials and leave everything else behind. But how do you know what to pack and what to leave behind? Let's take a look.
Travel Essentials Basics: Your Luggage
Transport, accommodation and a detailed itinerary are the basis of any excursion, and next comes what you're going to take and what you're going to take it in. Depending on the type of trip you're planning, you can choose from a backpack to a cabin-size suitcase on wheels and just a holdall if you're going on a weekend city break.
So if, for instance, you're going on a short vacation, leave the large suitcase behind and opt for something that will just hold a few changes of clothes and some other travel essentials. If you're flying, you can avoid those long, agonizing queues to check in large luggage, and you won't have a long wait when you get to your destination while your luggage is offloaded from the aircraft. You can simply breeze in and out of the airport and quickly get on with your travels.
Deciding on Your Clothing
What goes into your luggage is as important as the container itself. Start with your clothing and decide on the minimal amount you will need while away on your trip. Don't be tempted to take more -- and if you find that you do need additional clothing while on vacation, like a t-shirt or dress, you can always buy it when you’re there.
Check your destination weather forecast for the duration of your trip and select your clothing accordingly. Weather can change in an instant, and you might find that a sunny day has morphed to a mighty downpour, or it's blowing a gale, so you might want to bring a raincoat and something warm, like a sweater, for chillier evenings.
Lay out your clothes so you know exactly what you're taking and then pack it so it takes up as little space as possible. Do this by carefully rolling up each item and placing the heaviest items, like jackets and shoes, at the bottom, and the lightest at the top. This will ensure stability and will also keep your clothing free from wrinkles, so no need to waste time ironing at the other end.
Gadgets and Power
Next on our travel essentials list is connectivity, communications and powering your trip. You'll be taking your cell phone with you and possibly a laptop or tablet computer. And if you're heading out to remote areas -- perhaps for a hiking trip -- you may want to take additional electronics with you, like a handheld GPS device, so you know where you are at all times.
We all know how disappointing the batteries that power these devices are. It's vital you keep them regularly charged so you don't end up with a dead cell phone or GPS device when you need it at a critical moment -- like when you're trying to find your hotel or Airbnb or are lost and have no idea where you are. Packing a portable power plant will give you the peace of mind you need.
Explore options like the BLUETTI AC70, a small and sturdy power pack that rapidly charges and gives you enough juice so you never have to worry about your electronics dying. Or the BLUETTI AC180, for even more power while on the go and with output ports for up to nine devices.
Looking After Yourself on Your Trip
What else might you need in your list of travel essentials before you head off on another exciting adventure? A small first aid and health kit is a wise choice, especially with variants of the covid-19 virus still around. Pack facemasks and hand sanitizer as well as antiseptic wipes, bandages and aspirin or paracetamol.
You never know when you might fall ill, and if you wake up in a hotel room in the middle of the night with cold or flu symptoms, it’s best to have something to hand so you get instant relief. Equally, if you happen to trip or fall while out hiking or just walking city streets, tending to any injuries with your own kit will help you heal quicker and you may not have to see a doctor -- time and money potentially saved.
Approaching your next trip with care and attention, instead of rushing out the door with items you don’t need, will help to ensure you have a happy, carefree time. Bon voyage!
FAQs
What Is Essential When Traveling?
Make sure you have identity documents with you as well as any necessary paperwork, like visas and insurance. Don't count on getting any medications you might need at your destination -- they may not be available, so take them with you.
What Should I Pack for a 15-Day Trip?
Pack a change of clothes for every second day, including tops, bottoms and two or three pairs of shoes -- including sneakers and hiking boots if you're going trekking. Also, daily underwear and a hat and raincoat.
What Is the 3-1-1 Flight Rule?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says the 3-1-1 flight rule allows you to take a small bag of liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes through a checkpoint and they must be under 3.4 ounces, or 100 milliliters, each.
What Not to Bring When Traveling Internationally
If you're flying to another country, leave your valuables at home. That includes expensive watches, jewelry and other items -- if you do want to take them with you, don't pack them in your check-in luggage but keep them in your carry-on, so you know where they are at all times. Don't take all your bank cards with you, in case they get lost or stolen, just one or two main ones.