Author: Maria Alfano
Ever go somewhere and forget your travel vacation essentials? It’s happened to so many of us. You are in good company! Travel experts everywhere make sure to always carry the necessities with them from home. I recall one vacation where I forgot my cough medicine and I thought I would easily find it in the local department store. Boy was I wrong. I tried so many other brands but none worked like mine did Needless to say, that vacation was stressful for me.
Whether you are going away for a long weekend to a spa or traveling halfway around the world, it pays to be prepared. Don’t be like me and regret not having a checklist of must-haves. Create your checklist once and use it for every travel vacation going forward.
Last-minute packing and rushing are to your detriment. Even if you want to leave the bag stuffing to the last minute, you can still plan what you need to take with you. PIle the essentials up in a corner of the bedroom or in a spare room in your house. Once you’re ready to put everything into the suitcase use your list to check off the essentials as they go into the luggage.
15 Travel Vacation Essentials You Need For All Trips
Why bother making a list? I used to chuckle when my hubby sat down before every trip to make a checklist of what he needed to take with him. That’s until I forgot my cough medicine and suffered for the whole vacation. I don’t chuckle anymore.
This post is all about travel vacation essentials you should consider taking with you to ensure your excursion is a great success!
Baggage – Travel Vacation Essentials
Packing cubes – you would be surprised how much more your luggage can fit when you pack using packing cubes. They are great for clothes, shoes, make-up, jewelry, and so much more. Packing cubes help protect your clothes from spills and your breakables from getting crushed.
Portable luggage scale – nothing is worse than getting to the airport and finding out your bag is too heavy. The hassle of unpacking and moving things into different bags or into your carry-on is not worth it. A portable luggage scale will let you know in advance how much it weighs so you can avoid the humiliation at the airport.
Extra bag – take with you an empty foldable bag that can lay flat in the bottom of your suitcase. It’s especially helpful if you tend to overbuy when on vacation and need extra room for those souvenirs that won’t fit into your suitcase.
Duct tape – I know this is a weird one but have you ever seen how the baggage handlers “handle” your baggage when loading/unloading the plane? Those bags get tossed around like rag dolls. If you have been lucky so far not to have a bag burst, that’s amazing! There is always a first time. Play it safe and take a roll of duct tape with you to hold your luggage together – just in case.
Clothes And Shoes
Slippers – personally I prefer not to walk barefoot on strange floors that I can’t confirm have been cleaned properly. Keep your feet and the rest of you healthy by wearing a pair of slippers. Frankly, I toss the slippers out when I am ready to come home.
Quick-dry underwear – space is a commodity when you’re packing for a trip. Travel underwear will lighten the load. You don’t need to pack as many. These wash easily and dry very quickly allowing you to take only a few pairs with you.
Sewing kit – another “just in case” travel vacation essential. You don’t want to get caught with a missing button, or a torn seam especially if you chose to pack lightly. Every garment in that bag is assigned to a particular date. The sewing kit will save your butt and your day.
On-the-go detergent – laundry and bleach pens fit into any small space in your bag. You can also pick up dry laundry sheets or laundry tablets so you can freshen up your wardrobe so that you can pack lightly.
Binder clips – I know what you’re thinking. You’re going on vacation not a trip to the office. Well, believe it or not, these little guys can serve as clothespins. Clip them onto the shower curtain or a towel bar. And, use them to insert a hanger and steam your clothes while you’re in the shower.
Healthcare Items
First aid kit – you can never be too careful. Either purchase a travel vacation first aid kit or make your own. Bandages, headache tablets. eye drops, cotton swabs all come in very handy on those blistered feet or unexpected cuts and scrapes.
Medications – whether you are like me and need to carry cough medicine or you use prescription meds, make sure you don’t forget to add these to your list. For prescription medications, many countries require that they are carried in their original pharmaceutical bottles. So, if you do need to take them with you, leave them in the bottles until you get to where you’re going to avoid any embarrassing questions from the customs officer.
Earplugs – if you’re accustomed to quiet when you sleep, earplugs will save you from a night of tossing and turning when the neighbors blast their TV.
Wet wipes – when water is not available to wash up, having wipes on hand will help reduce the germs on your hands and face. Also, they are really handy to clean surfaces before you touch them.
Miscellaneous Essentials
Portable phone charger – running out of battery on your phone can kill the mood for the day. There go all your pictures, video clips, and memories that can’t be captured. Portable phone chargers are cheap and light. Use them at home and on the go.
International power adapter – not all countries use the same electrical currency like the US or Canada. Having a power adapter handy will save your small appliances (blow dryer, curling iron, etc) because they convert the currency for you. And will allow you to plug them into the outlets.
In Summary
The above list of travel vacation essential items is what professionals take with them always. Take this list and add your own must-have items. Keep it with your passport or in your luggage so you always know where to find it.
We would love to hear from you. Which of these travel essentials do you always take with you? Do you have any we should be adding to the list?