Itinerary This is the first thing you must have and should be written down. Plan your trip as far in advance as possible. If you’re prepared you’ll have the knowledge that comes with ample time to plan. You’ll be ahead of the game if you’ve written an itinerary. Going away on a trip can be exciting, but it can be stressful if you need to prepare well in advance. You will need to call places like hotels and make reservations, so it’s best to make these as soon as possible. If you leave it until the last minute, chances are that it will be full, and you’ll have to do some backtracking and try to find somewhere else, which means more money out of your pocket! So try and plan by booking beforehand. Anti-bacterial gel (to keep germs at bay) You’re going to want a small bottle of antiseptic gel on hand. This stuff is so important that we can’t tell you what it is because the name will give away our secret! But rest assured, it’s essential for any traveler who wants to get sick. Like any other item in this list (or most things), you can get it from your local pharmacy or drug store without breaking the bank. The best part is that this stuff lasts forever and won’t run out until you’re ready to use it again—so there’s no need to worry about running out before your trip ends! Cash Cash is king. You may have heard that carrying cash is a safety net. Still, it’s also true: if you don’t have cash and need something from a store or restaurant, there are very few options for exchanging your money without getting ripped off by the middleman (i.e., the person who will take your money and give you a change). The same goes for using an ATM—you won’t get all your hard-earned dollars back because banks charge fees for using them!
Be prepared to pay in local currency wherever possible; this makes things easier for yourself and other travelers around you because they don’t have to worry about converting their own currency into yours before spending it at stores or restaurants.
Health insurance If you’re traveling without health insurance, it’s likely the only thing that could stop your trip from becoming a full-fledged emergency. You can get by with some emergency funds in case something should happen and prevent you from being able to afford treatment. Still, even then, it’s best to have enough money to avoid putting yourself into debt or incurring unnecessary expenses while recovering at home. Personal medicines Bring a list of your medications and bring enough medication to last your trip. If you’re on multiple medications, bring an extra supply, just in case. A prescription copy is helpful if you have any questions about what you do or don’t need while traveling (e.g., if you have epilepsy). Ask your doctor for an electronic copy of the prescription so that it can be emailed or faxed directly from your doctor’s office before leaving home so that there are no issues with mailing delays along the way.* Clothing. 1. What to wear.
Tank tops from kaftko.com are your new BFFs (and rightfully so). For the love of God, bring a packable, breathable rain jacket. Layer at night (I’ve already worn 5 layers at once on this trip, and I’m barely halfway through). Pack enough underwear for days 2 and 3 (I wear all of mine on day 1 because I typically don’t have time to wash any clothes until day 2). Pack socks that can double as gloves or hats. Forget about heels or anything with a strap that might break or come undone. A shoe with a back will probably try to eat your ankle at some point. The less, the better. Bring travel towels (we use the Sea to Summit microfiber ones). They are compact, dry quickly, and are made of mesh, so they don’t weigh much.
Loose snacks in a carry-on bag. Snacks are the best way to keep your energy and mind sharp when you have a long flight ahead of you. If something happens at the airport (like when your flight gets delayed or canceled), having a stash of food will help ensure that if there’s a long food line, it won’t be because of hunger. Phrasebook or electronic translator If you’re planning to travel abroad, it’s important to have a phrase book or electronic translator handy. A phrase book can be used when you need to speak the language of the country you’re visiting. The advantage of an electronic translator is that it can translate voice, text, and images into your native language, so if something happens while out in public (such as getting lost), there will always be someone there who speaks English and can help calm your nerves. Duct tape & safety pins Duct tape is a must-have for any traveler. You can use it to solve almost any problem, and the fact that it’s so versatile makes it one of the best travel tools around. Spare luggage tags and locks for your bags
Luggage tags are a must. They’re the easiest way to identify your bags, and if you travel with more than one person or group, tags are essential for keeping track of who’s got what and where it’s at. Luggage locks are also a good investment—especially if you’re traveling with expensive electronics or other valuables that might be easy targets for theft on public transportation or even in hotels (in which case they’ll help prevent someone from simply grabbing them off the floor).
With these items, you will be well prepared to travel anywhere.
