You’ve booked your dream vacation — or even your quick weekend getaway, and you are ready to pack. But what should you bring and what should you leave behind? Most importantly, what are the most important things to pack when traveling? We got you covered with these don’t-forget-to-pack-items.
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Most Important Things to Pack When Traveling
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Traveling should be fun, right? But seriously, the process leading up to arriving at your final destination, quite frankly, is exhausting. Whether business or leisure travel, we think these are some of the most important things to pack when traveling.
Pack a Spare Battery
While space might be limited, don’t forget to pack a fully charged spare battery. The spare battery will help you with your camera, your phone, and eliminate the stress of electronics with a dead battery.
Lithium batteries are a perfect choice because they work for so many different things that keep you going, whether it’s an indoor fan, Bluetooth speaker, or a lantern if you go camping. Having a 18650 battery with a 18650 battery charger can make a big difference. It’s those little things that provide comfort, which is why having a spare battery can really help.
Earplugs and Eye Mask
The best thing travelers can do, whether on a plane or in a strange hotel room, is to undertake some sensory deprivation. High-quality earplugs and an eye mask will take you away from whenever you are, eliminating or softening all the noise surrounding you.
Additionally, an eye mask is a great thing for jet lag as long as you get the right ones. If you’re looking for a high-quality sleep mask, this one could provide a solution.
Lock It Up
It sounds like a simple thing, but a small combination lock and a thin steel cable will come in handy in a lot of different situations.
If you need to lock your bag to something like a bus seat or a sink in a less than a savory hotel room, it’s a little lifesaver. When in locations where you feel out of your depth, you may want to clutch onto your suitcase for dear life.
Or perhaps you’re lounging on a beach, and just want to secure your personal belongings in case you fall asleep.
But just make sure that you lock it up somewhere can give you that extra peace of mind so you can unwind after a long trip in coach class.
Pack Sensibly
To keep comfortable, you may think you need to pack more, but the reality is that you do not need half the stuff you think you will.
Take a suitcase with one spare change of clothes, and make sure that your carry-on is only 50% full. Leave space for souvenirs and whatever fun stuff you find when traveling.
Consider packing cubes to keep your clothes separate from your underwear and your clean clothes separate from your dirty ones. These little zip bags make a big difference.
Bring Comfortable Pair of Shoes
You might not be walking much, especially if you are traveling for work, but a good pair of travel shoes that are lightweight, comfortable, and suits a number of uses are invaluable. You should have one good pair of travel shoes and one set of professional shoes. If you plan on exercising while you are staying in a hotel, a good pair of sneakers is also essential.
Read More: 6 Tips to Stay Healthy When Traveling
The Right Apps for You
These days, every hotel room has the internet, and if you are used to watching your favorite streaming service, taking a tablet or laptop makes things easier, but if you can get by just with your phone make sure you have all your logins available. Additionally, if you are finding yourself stressed when you are away from everything that you know, it’s worth having a few apps that can help you focus on your breathing and give you a little boost. Popular apps like Headspace are very popular but if you cannot afford a subscription, the app Reveri provides micro hypnosis sessions that last a maximum of 10 minutes, which can get you into the right frame of mind, especially if you are suffering the dreaded effects of jetlag.
Travel Pillows
One of the best investments for travelers is a comfortable travel pillow.
When on long international flights, this, in combination with the previously mentioned eye mask and earplugs will help you to instantly relax during long journeys.
Stay Hydrated
This is such a simple thing but will make a massive difference. While being on airplanes means incredibly dry air if you feel that you need a cup of coffee to perk you up, taking your own water bottle and pre-hydrating by drinking a liter of water with a sprinkle of seas salt can help hydrate really quickly.