Traveling gets significantly easier when you have the perfect item, travel hack, application or website at your disposal. This is not your typical packing list telling you everything you need to take. This is a list of the small things you don’t think about. These are ten things that you need to take on your next trip.
This is my list of items that have made my travels much easier and more stress free. Knowing the right things to pack (and not pack) while traveling take time an experience. I have tried a lot of different things and these are the things I now will never travel without. I’ll periodically update this list as I discover more gems. I have also made a list of useful applications here.
1. Spork – The Ultimate Snacking Tool
A spork, the ingenious combination of a spoon and a fork in one. A must have when traveling. Most sporks even come with a serrated edge that you can use to chop (hack) things. Just make sure get a plastic one so you can fly with it. It’s revolutionary, and here’s why.
When you have a sport it unlocks a world of possibilities in supermarkets which would otherwise be inaccessible. The spork provides you the ability to eat yogurt from the tub. You can use it to spread out peanut butter on a piece of bread. You can buy a pre-mixed salad, a can of tuna, mix them together and eat it.
Consider this scenario:
You’re walking past a supermarket, it’s lunch time and you have a craving for some yogurt.
No spork: You either have to buy a disposable spoon or use something else to scoop the yogurt up. I would recommend a banana.
With Spork: No problem. Enjoy that yogurt.
As someone who is motivated by food, the spork sits well and truly on my essential items list.
2. Packing Cubes – The Organisational Lifesaver
These things are a game changer for keeping things organised. I look back on the days I traveled without packing cubes and wander how I possibly managed. Without them the contents of your bag spread making finding a pair of socks a real challenge. Invest in at least two packing cube – one for clothes and one for underwear and socks. Your packing routine will never be the same again.
In summary:
No packing cubes: contents of bag is everywhere
Packing cubes: Things stay together
Really, it can’t get much more simple than that. They’re something I would never travel without.
3. Lightweight Day Pack – A Day Trip Necessity
A lightweight day pack is absolutely essential for day trips. Get one that is lightweight and packs down into your main bag without taking up much space. There is a lot of different options out there and you can’t really go wrong. It should have enough room for a bottle of water, a warm jacket or rain jacket and a towel.
Without a day pack you will likely have to use your full sized backpack and empty it out from everything you do not need for the day. A tote bag might work well in a pinch, but a proper day pack is more comfortable for a full day of exploring. I have this lightweight string bag and use it for multiple hikes.
4. Little Carabiners – Handy Attachments
Little Carabiners are invaluable to attach one thing to another. I have one which lives permanently on the outside of my backpack for convenience. Use it to attach shoes, wet clothes, your towel or whatever! Here’s a photo of me in the mountains with my shoes on the outside. While it doesn’t look cool, it’s very convenient. Consider getting at least two, it helps balance the load and you never know when you will need it.
5. Journal – Capture Your Travel Experiences
A journal is a great way to document your experience and keep track of your travels. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just get one which motivates you to write things down. Aside from keeping track of my travels, I also use it as a planning space for my next destination. I personally have a little A1 sized journal which has been great. It doesn’t take up too much room but has everything I need. If you that prefer a digital approach, check out Day One Journal. Also check out my list of essential applications.
6. Battery Pack – Stay Charged
A portable battery pack is absolutely essential for avoiding running out of battery. The reality is that most travel involves using your phone a lot. Phones are a do it all travel companion. Consequently, a battery pack is a life saver during long journeys. Especially if you have your tickets on your phone. Ensure is has decent capacity (around 10,000 mAh) to provide at least two charges. I find this size has a good balance between size/weight and number of charges. I goes most places with me, including hiking as I use my phone for maps.
7. A Pen – Back to Basics
This one might seem obvious (especially if you’re bringing item number 5). But there has been several times I have had to lend a pen to someone at immigration to fill out a form. While I was happy to lend the pen, I would not want to be on the other end. Save yourself the trouble and bring a pen, a regular old pen will do; you wont regret it. Just make sure it has a lid or retracts. Otherwise it will be drawing all over the inside of your bag.
8. Ear Plugs – Quality Sleep, Anywhere
Ear plugs are incredible for quality sleep during your travels. Whether it’s snoring neighbours, late-night arrivals, or early morning packers, ear plugs can make a significant difference. Choose wax ones for extra comfort and effectiveness.
When I first started traveling, I resisted getting ear plugs. I told myself I could sleep through anything, or that I would get used to it. I used a pair of old wired earbuds to drown out sounds instead. Eventually I tried a pair of the wax ear plugs and haven’t looked back since.
Bonus: If you’re an especially light sleeper consider getting an eye mask to block out unwanted light. I have been in hostels where people turn the light on at all hours.
9. Multiple Ways to Get Money – A Backup Plan
Ensure you have more than one way to access money while traveling. Two different bank cards from separate banks provide a safety net. Keep them separate to mitigate the risk of losing both your primary and backup options simultaneously.
There is a saying that as long as you have your passport, phone and a way to buy things you can go anywhere. Given just how critical it is to have a way of accessing cash and buying things, I always travel with a back-up. I have at least two different bank cards with two different banks. I use one as my primary day to day spending and the other one as a back up. I also keep them separate to avoid the risk of losing my wallet both cards with it.
10. Anti Diarrheal – Prepared for Anything
While it might not be the most pleasant topic, having anti diarrheal (anti poo) tables can be an absolute lifesaver. these tablets can provide confidence in unexpected situations.
Trying new foods is part of the adventure. The reality is that some new foods might not agree with your stomach. No one plans on having Diarrhea. But it is something you can plan for. There has been several times when I have needed to take a bus or flight where anti diarreals have saved me. It’s better to be prepared than to have to sprint to a pharmacy when you urgently need them.
Having the confidence to know you probably wont have an accident? Priceless.
Conclusion
Specific items makes traveling much easier, less stressful and more enjoyable. These ten essential items are things that I always take with me, regardless of the destination. They cover everything from practical needs to unexpected emergencies. What are you go-to travel items? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Happy Exploring!
Kieren