Pick Or Pass On These Items To Design The Ultimate Travel Bag
- by Amber Winter
- – on
- in Lifestyle
Travelling is always such a fun experience to just unwind and have a relaxing time with friends and family. Whether it be a quick two night getaway somewhere close – such as a two hour drive to a cottage or a new city, or a fifteen hour flight to another continent. What both of these trips have in common is that a travel bag needs to be packed.
It of course all depends on the type of vacation that determines what items a person may or may not bring. For example, someone likely would choose to leave umbrella and rain boots at home if they’re travelling to a sunny beach or going on a cruise. The same can be said about swimwear for someone going on an Alaskan trip.
But clothing items aside, there are a number of items that might make it into the bag and might not. First aid kits, sewing kits, travel guides or appropriate currency. Choose to pack these items or leave them behind to discover which kind of trip is most suitable. Is it a short weekend getaway where there is minimal packing? Or instead, a highly planned out trip that can be anywhere from one week to a few depending on the preference.
Neck Pillow
Neck pillows are a must have for someone who has a long flight ahead of them (or even a long car ride). They’re super useful to prevent kricks in the neck because sitting for long hours and attempting to sleep can be quite painful without them. They might look awkward but they’re totally worth it!
Digital Camera
Digital cameras are always a fun thing to pack, especially when going on a vacation where there will be lots of opportunities to take pictures or video tape. However with all the new phones that come with cameras installed and take pretty high quality pictures, actual cameras are not really thought of.
Passport
Packing a passport is probably the easiest to say yes or no to because its either needed or not, depending on where the person is travelling to. If its outside of the country, then obviously it will need to be packed. If its more of a last minute trip somewhere in the country then its not necessary to pack.
Mini Toiletries
Mini toiletries are always something fun to pack, especially when organizing the little bottles into a waterproof bag. Unless the vacation involves a hotel of some kind, packing toiletries is a must because they will not be provided. Even if they are, the bottles are usually so tiny that one can only get a few hair washes out of the shampoo bottles.
Rolling Luggage
This is less about what to add to the bag, and more about what kind of bag would be more suitable for the trip. If its an overnight trip, or even a weekend trip, its less likely that a person will need a rolling luggage bag because there wont be a need for that much room.
Plug Adapters
Plug adapters are essentially little bricks that are considered to be universal for those who are frequent overseas travelers. Depending on what country a person is travelling to, the outlets can vary and thus charging electronics can become impossible. Unless a person has one of these adapters handy, they wont be able to recharge any of their batteries.
Eye Mask
Depending on where a person is travelling, an eye mask can be extremely useful. On a really long flight? Eye mask can help anyone sleep - especially if there is a time zone difference or the its a well-lit area. Even when not travelling by airplane, taking a power nap in a vehicle can be difficult when it is still daylight out.
First Aid Kit
Although a person should always consider having a first aid kit on hand when travelling, its actually quite common to forget. Most just throw a couple band-aids in their toiletry bag and call it a day. But, depending on where the vacation, or what type of vacation it is, a first aid kit might be a priority.
Laptop/Tablet
Laptops, tablets, e readers, and other fun electronics aren’t technically a necessity but are always nice to have on trips. Especially for those who perhaps work from home or might even be students still, doing a little bit of work here and there can put someone’s mind as ease. But they're also great tools for passing the time, for example on an eight hour flight.
Snacks
For some people they're a necessity to have when travelling, especially to those who have low blood sugar or other medical reasons. Allergies are another common reason people travel with their own food because they might not be able to eat the provided snacks. For others though, having a bag of chips or some fruit on a road trip is just easier than having to stop.
Cards/Portable Games
This is another one of those things that is not technically a necessity on everyone’s travel list, but it’s always a fun bonus item for extended trips. Even weekend getaways to a cabin a few board games can contribute to some fun memories. For the most part though, these small compact games are used for the in-between time getting to and from a destination.
Anti-Bacterial Wipes
Anti-bacterial wipes are one of those things that either don’t make it on the list or is forgotten when packing. And depending on what way a person is travelling - meaning not in their own vehicle, it can be a real let down to forget these at home. These wipes are handy for those who get sick often so they can clean their seating area.
Travel Guide/Map
Travel guides and maps can be a bit of a necessity depending on where a person is travelling for vacation. For example, for those who are staying in a foreign country, a map will be useful to have when visiting all of the different tourist locations that is on the itinerary.
Blanket/Pillow
This is different than the neck pillow that was mentioned earlier. A blanket and a pillow are usually on the bottom of a packing list because they take up a lot of space in a suitcase, and these things are normally provided wherever a person is staying. The rare case of course would be a camping/backpacking trip.
Multiple Clothing Options
It’s inevitable that most people over-pack when it comes to clothing. With unpredictable weather, it’s always just a safe option to pack one of everything, even if the trip is to a beach resort. It could rain, it could snow - who knows! Might as well fill the suitcase as full as it can be and be prepared.
Itinerary/Hotel Information
Printing out this things or having them ready on an electronic device can always make travelling easier. Especially when checking into a hotel or arriving at an excursion. Again, it all depends on the kind of trip. A weekend holiday at a family cottage wouldn't need either of these things.
Converted Cash
Depending on where someone is intending to travel, converting currency is necessary - especially for paying for meals, excursions, and whatever else might not be included in the trip. It’s always smart to do this ahead of time that way there is a set budget on how much spending money a person will have, and there won’t be crazy withdrawal fees either.
Luggage Travel Lock
Luggage travel locks are one of those things that a person might see on someone else’s bag but always forget to get themselves. They’re extremely useful for those who fly frequently, and are paranoid that their valuables might be lost or stolen. These locks essentially attach the two zippers so that the bag cannot be opened.
Flashlight
A flashlight is always handy to have whether on a vacation or not. Have a small one on a key chain, in the trunk of a vehicle, or stowed away in the bottom of a purse. In terms of packing for a holiday though, a flashlight would definitely come in handy for an outdoors vacation, such as spending time at a cottage or camping.
Additional Footwear
This is another one of those "luxury" items where they aren’t necessarily needed when packing a suitcase, but are always nice to have. It’s been said that if a person is travelling in a plane or some other mode of transportation where luggage space is limited, to wear the biggest, most bulky shoes and pack the slimmer footwear like sandals or flip-flops.
Sunglasses/Sunscreen
These two items are put together because they essentially do the same thing, which is protect a person from the sun. The glasses are probably something that wouldn’t necessarily be packed away - unless there is multiple pairs. They can just be worn instead. Sunscreen on the other hand would likely be packed with the other toiletries.
Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer has the same function as the anti-bacterial wipes. It is used to clean someone’s hands when travelling to prevent illnesses or the transfer of other bacteria from public areas. However, instead of the wipes which clean up the entire area, hand sanitizer is used only on the hands/arms of the person.
Reading Material
Reading material is one of the most common items a person will pack for a trip to make the time go by faster on flights or in the car. Whether it be a novel - paperback or on an e-reader, a magazine, newspaper, whatever a person desires. They’re usually lightweight and compact enough that they can fit into a backpack and don’t take up too much space.
Coat/Umbrella
This item is only a necessity depending on the travel location. If someone is planning a week long beach vacation, or even a cruise, the odds of them needing or packing these items is slim. But for those who are planning a trip in the cooler months or somewhere that is notorious for rainfall, then of course this will be on the list.
Small Sewing Kit
This item is also probably not on the top of everyone’s packing list. However, it’s always when it’s needed that a person never has one on hand. A button that has fallen off a coat, a small rip in pants or a seam has come loose on a sweater, all of these scenarios call for the handy work of a sewing kit.
Swiss Army Knife
This item might or not be available to pack depending on the kind of vacation a person is planning for. This multipurpose item might not be one that can go through airport security for example. However, it could definitely come in handy for a more rustic holiday like backpacking for a few days in the wilderness.
Travel Journal
This item is considered to be less of a necessity and more of a want. If it someone’s first time travelling to a new country, or maybe going on a big vacation at all, it’s fun to document all of the things seen and experienced. A travel journal is the perfect way to do that so nothing is left out.
Personal Hygiene Items
Personal hygiene items are normally at the top of everyone’s list, but of course someone always happens to be forgotten or gets lost. These items are different than the mini toiletries, which usually consist of shampoo and conditioner. Hygiene items are more like deodorant, toothpaste, feminine products, and body wash.
Laundry Bag
Laundry bags can be either a cloth or canvas tote bag which is intended for dirty laundry throughout a trip, or whatever other kind of bag a person can find because they’ve forgotten to pack one. Depending on how long the vacation is, a traveler might not have time or access to a washing machine, so instead the clothes have to be put aside.
Portable Power Bank
Similar to the plug adapter, a portable power bank is mostly used for those who either don’t own an adapter or aren’t looking to purchase one. With this they can just plug in all their electronics and have their devices with them wherever they go. They are definitely handy out in the woods where there aren’t any plugs.
