Traveling can sometimes be confusing, especially when deciding what to pack. We often end up packing things we don't need and leaving behind what we do. It's only when we reach our destination that we realize and regret our choices.
To help those who face this problem, this article will share a list of items we always bring when traveling. Maybe you'll find some of them useful for your next trip.
A travel adapter is essential for international trips. Different countries have different types of electrical sockets. Some are flat, others have three pins, and the variety can be overwhelming.
A travel adapter solves this problem. It lets you use your power cord in many kinds of sockets. You just need to plug the adapter into the socket and then connect your device to the adapter.
There are various travel adapters available. Some come with different plug types; others include USB ports. You can find them easily online.
I use a Baseus travel adapter. It comes with three plug types and two USB ports supporting Quick Charge 3.0, allowing me to charge two devices at once. It's very handy, as I don't need to carry multiple adapters.
Once, I stayed in a hotel with only one power outlet in the room. There were two of us, and we had to take turns charging our devices. We even unplugged the TV to use its outlet for our phones and power bank.
That's why I always pack an electrical outlet strip when I travel and stay in hotels. I prefer a cordless one as it's easier to carry and plugs directly into the wall.
Sometimes, I bring one with a cord. These are great because you can move them closer to your bed or anywhere else, which is handy if the hotel's outlets are in inconvenient places.
A power bank is a must-have. While traveling, I often spend the whole day out, rarely returning to the hotel. My phone's battery drains quickly, especially when I use it a lot for photos or videos.
But be cautious about air travel with power banks. You can only bring one in your carry-on luggage, and it must have a capacity of less than 160 wH.
You might wonder, how does 160 wH translate since power banks are measured in mAh, not wH? For clarity, please refer to the article I wrote about prohibited items in airplane cabins.
I usually bring a 10,000 mAh power bank. It's allowed in aircraft cabins and is smaller and lighter. It's sufficient for my wife and me to keep our phones charged while traveling.
One essential item we always pack is cutlery. This is really useful when buying ready-to-eat meals from convenience stores that don't provide utensils.
Also, using our own cutlery is cleaner and better for the environment, as it means we're not using disposable plastic spoons or forks. You can find many travel-friendly cutlery sets, which often include spoons, forks, and chopsticks.
We never forget to pack ziplock bags, whether we're traveling abroad or within our own country. These bags come in handy for a variety of needs.
They're available in different sizes, making them perfect for storing dirty laundry, shoes, sandals, and other items. This keeps them separate from the clean items in our suitcase.
We also use these bags to protect our passports from water damage in our bags. They're so useful and don't take up much space, so we always bring a few extra.
Carrying a travel health kit is important, especially when exploring new environments where catching a cold or other minor ailments is common. This kit isn't just for colds; it includes various over-the-counter medicines to handle unexpected health issues.
In our kit, we include items like vitamin C for daily health maintenance, pain relievers such as paracetamol for headaches or fevers, and antacids for stomach discomfort.
Being prepared with these medications ensures we can enjoy our travels without unnecessary interruptions due to minor health issues.
Wet wipes are an essential item for us, useful in so many situations, especially when traveling. They're great for cleaning hands and faces, wiping down cutlery, and sanitizing surfaces when water and soap are out of reach.
They're also a lifesaver in countries where toilets lack bidet showers, like Hong Kong and Singapore. We make sure to pack enough to cover all our needs throughout the trip.
Pens are surprisingly useful during travels. They are often needed for filling out forms at immigration, hotels, and other places.
For example, when we were in Hong Kong, we had to manually complete the Arrival Card on paper. Although it seems simple, a pen can be a crucial tool, so we always include it in our travel essentials.
Initially, we weren’t keen on using a passport wallet, but once we tried it, we found it quite handy. It’s specifically designed to hold passports.
These wallets are spacious enough for my wife and me to carry not just our passports, but also cash, coins, boarding passes, and pens. This keeps all our important items organized in one place.
Just a tip: when going through immigration, take your passport out of the wallet. This makes the process faster and smoother.
My first international trip included a visit to KFC, where I assumed the sauces would be like those in my home country, Indonesia. However, I quickly discovered they were quite different, especially in terms of spiciness.
Since then, I’ve started carrying sauce packets with me when traveling abroad. Not full bottles, just small sachets.
They come in handy when the local food is less spicy or needs a flavor boost. Sometimes, meals in other countries can taste a bit bland to us, maybe due to less seasoning.
An interesting incident occurred at Halal Ramen Ouka in Shinjuku, Tokyo. There was a sign, even in Indonesian, requesting diners not to add their own sauces or chili powder to the dishes. It seems many Indonesians travel with their own condiments!
The sign makes sense though – adding our own flavors can overshadow the authentic taste of the food.
So, that's our list of essentials for traveling. Do you have any unique items you take on trips? Let us know in the comments!
