Travel Essentials Checklist: 10 Items You Shouldn’t Forget to Pack

1. Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is not a physical item, but it is an essential thing to have when you travel. Indeed, travel insurance can cover you for unexpected events such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost or stolen luggage, or personal liability. You never know what might happen when you travel, so it’s better to be prepared and protected than sorry and regretful. You can compare different plans and prices online and choose the one that suits your needs and budget. Travel insurance can give you peace of mind and confidence when you travel.

2. Universal Power Adapter

A universal power adapter is one of the most important travel essentials that must be on your checklist. An international power adapter allows you to use your electronic devices and appliances in different countries that have different types of plugs and voltages. Without a power adapter, you might end up with a dead phone, a sleeping laptop, or a useless hairdryer. A universal power adapter can work in most countries and save you the hassle of buying multiple adapters. You can also look for one that has USB ports and surge protection for extra convenience and safety. Additionally, don’t forget to check the voltage and wattage of your devices before plugging them in, as some countries have higher or lower voltages than others.

3. First Aid Supplies

Some travelers mistakenly believe that first aid kits are necessary only in an adventure that requires high-intensity activities. Actually, no one can predict when you will need them, in space and time. Especially in a strange place, it will not be easy for you to immediately find a pharmacy or ask for first aid supplies from local people.

Therefore, you should always bring essential items such as medical cotton, wound dressings, and some common medications such as antiseptics, eye drops, stomachache medicine, and fever reducers. You should keep everything in a separate bag, not mixed with other items in the suitcase so that when you need it, you can find it immediately.

4. Travel Pillow

Your checklist of travel essentials is incomplete without a travel pillow. It can make a big difference in your comfort and sleep quality on your trip. A travel pillow supports your neck and head while you sleep on planes, buses, trains, or cars. It can also prevent you from getting neck pain, headaches, or stiffness after a long journey. There are many types of travel pillows to choose from, such as inflatable, memory foam, microbead, or neck wrap. You can also look for a removable cover, a snap button, or a pouch for easy storage and cleaning. A travel pillow can help you relax and rest better during your trip.

5. Packing Folder

A packing folder is a thin and lightweight organizer that helps you pack your clothes neatly and wrinkle-free. It usually comes with a folding board that shows you how to fold your clothes most efficiently. You can also use it to separate your clean clothes from your dirty ones or to sort your clothes by type or occasion. A packing folder can fit in any suitcase or backpack and save you space and time. It can also make it easier for you to find what you need without rummaging through your luggage. A packing folder is a great way to keep your clothes organized and tidy.

6. Toiletries Bag

Experienced travelers know they should bring their toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, and shower gel because many hotels now no longer provide these items for free. Nevertheless, how to arrange and preserve them so that they are neat, don’t get dirty on the suitcase, and avoid forgetting them when leaving the hotel?

Toiletries bags are the best solution. This type of bag is usually made from waterproof fabric, and designed with many compartments, zippers, and especially convenient hanging hooks. When you check in, hang it in the bathroom. Then, when you finish using the shower gel and shampoo, put it in your bag. Finally, when you check out, simply lift the toiletry bag off the hanger and put it in your suitcase.

7. A Pair of Slippers

In the past, most hotels and motels prepared slippers for guests. However, in many places around the world, you will not be able to find any slippers in the room. After a long day of moving around in restrictive shoes, you crave the feeling of freeing your feet so your body can relax. Then, a pair of slippers prepared in advance will make you much more comfortable. Buy super lightweight sandals, made of fabric or natural fibers, can be folded, and can also be washed after the trip.

8. Light Jacket and Rain Poncho

Before leaving home, travelers may check the forecast to choose a day with good weather. However, there are still countless unforeseen situations where you can get too hot, too cold, or get caught in the rain while traveling. Foldable windbreakers are indispensable companions for travelers even in the summer, especially when you travel by plane, train, or ship – a means of transport where the temperature in the cabin is often quite low and unchangeable as when traveling by private car. Besides that, you should bring a disposable rain poncho in case of bad weather. A disposable rain poncho is not only lightweight but also foldable so you can save space in your luggage. This item can also help you cover yourself or your luggage in places that are susceptible to water.

9. Shopping Bags, Scales, and Measuring Tape

Many tourists go out with the main spirit of entertainment, without intending to buy anything. But suddenly, you come across interesting items and want to bring them back as gifts or simply want to buy some fruits and food to use on the road.

Along with the trend of environmental protection, many places around the world no longer provide free shopping bags. Hence, a foldable bag should always be on your travel essentials checklist. You should also bring a hand-held scale and a small measuring tape. In case you want to buy something heavy or bulky, you can check to see if it meets the luggage standards of the airline or train company that you bought the ticket from. In this way, you will avoid having to throw away the items due to being overweight or oversized.

10. Coat Hangers and Clothes Bags

Everyone thinks that hotels and motels probably have coat hangers, so few people bring them. However, many accommodation establishments do not provide this item. At that time, visitors will be confused about where to hang their clothes, especially after ironing beautiful summer clothes, or when they want to store large winter coats.

There are also times when you need to dry clothes that are damp from the rain. Yet, without coat hangers and clothes bags, your room will become a “battlefield”. So, next time you travel, keep a few coat hangers and clothes bags in your suitcase, they will be very useful.