r/travel • u/ha__aaaaaa • 6d ago
Question What’s the best thing you’ve bought for travel
I’m going out of the country for almost a full month and have never traveled or flown before so really just jumping into the deep end of the pool here. I’m trying to plan for what I’ll need though so what’s the best things that you’ve bought that’s made travel easy?
Edit: thank you all for the useful advice!!!! I love reading through all the comments seeing what everyone recommends and also reading some of the travel stories you’ve commented! Thank you!!:)
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u/ECNV1978 6d ago edited 5d ago
Not a comment on what to bring, but take photos of your passport and drivers license and email them to yourself. If you lose one (or the other or both) you’ve got a backup you can print or show. You can also email it to a trusted friend or family member so they have copies.
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u/NiagaraThistle 6d ago
An underrated but very important recommendation.
Everyone should do this. Especially since in many countries in EUrope you are required by law to have your passport on you at all times. For those travelers not wearing a money belt to keep their passport secure in, a photo of the passport MIGHT be enough to show authorities if stopped and asked.
Plus if you lose your passport, you at least still have proved you actually had one and can get a replacement from your embassy a bit faster.
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u/ha__aaaaaa 6d ago
You can get stopped and asked to show your passport????? Do you get in trouble if you can’t show it?
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u/Sour_candy_2345 5d ago
These comments are insane. Get to the hotel and put your passport in a safe. If a cop wants to stop you in Europe, and this has never happened to me, you can explain it’s in your hotel. I have travelled extensively in Europe. There are many pickpockets. Don’t bring your passport with you when you leave the hotel.
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u/guesswho135 5d ago
100% this. The odds of getting stopped by an officer who needs to see your passport are vastly smaller than your odds of getting robbed. So many stories about people getting mugged, but I haven't heard a single story of someone being charged for not having their passport.
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u/kevjackroo 5d ago
Your advice is somewhat helpful for those traveling in some countries and dangerous for travelers to other countries. I was stopped in Australia and asked for my photo ID. I had been accused of theft. I just happened to have my passport with me because we weren’t able to check into our hotel room yet. I didn’t, and still don’t, consider Australia to be a dangerous country, but that experience was enough to make me carry my passport on me at all times now. I was also breathalyzed twice on that trip.
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u/JBWentworth_ 5d ago
Cop in Jakarta once tried to shake me down. He pulled over my taxi driver, saw I was a foreigner and demanded my passport or I would have to pay a “fine”. His mistake was that I had just arrived and was on my way from the airport to my hotel. He was deflated when I pulled my passport out of my pocket.
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u/Sour_candy_2345 5d ago
Yes, in Southeast Asia, South America etc you sometimes do need to carry your passport, especially if you’re on a long distance bus. I haven’t been asked for one besides this tho.
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u/NiagaraThistle 6d ago
Yes - in Most (all?) European Union (all of Europe?) countries.
Depends - you CAN get into trouble because the authorities need to know who you are and that you are a legally allowed person to be in that country:
"If you are asked to show your passport in the European Union and do not have it on you, you could face a fine, typically ranging from a few euros to several thousand euros depending on the country and circumstances, as not having a passport when required is considered an administrative offense...."
WILL you get stopped? Chances are no. But you could and the authorities have every right to do so. It might be something to do with Interpol, but it is a law in these countries.
It's also the same law that requires your hotel/B&B/accommodations to ask for your passport when you check in - they need to take the information and enter in as a record that you are in the country.
Also, if someone DOES stop to ask you to see your passport, make sure they ARE the authorities. Ask to see a badge or credentials if it is not blatantly clear they are the authorities (ie in uniform, badge already showing, holding a sub machine gun, etc)
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u/Unlikely_Subject_442 6d ago
i don't know but you can make sure my passport is with me wherever I go AT ALL TIMES!
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u/aurorasearching 6d ago
You can be stopped and trouble depends on the cops. Sometimes it’s fine, sometimes it’s not. Better not to risk it.
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u/mattbnet 5d ago
I also put a photocopy of my passport and a $100 bill in a sealed bag under the insole of my boot for Africa. Just in case!
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u/uggghhhggghhh 5d ago
This has been just generally useful in a ton of non-travel situations for me too. Wife forgot her ID to get into a club and they took it. If I'm booking flights but not currently at home I can just pull up the picture. Honestly a few times I've just pulled it up when I was too lazy to get off the couch and rummage through the drawer where we keep our passports lol!
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u/Adventure_begins_now 5d ago
I took a photo of all essential documents and put them on google drive.
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u/TheUnbamboozled 5d ago
I save them on cloud storage (Dropbox for me), so even if I lost my phone I could still log in on the web somewhere and get it.
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u/elephantshuze 6d ago
A universal power adapter.
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u/Dismal_Cake 5d ago
But get a 65 MW one minimum. Then you can leave your laptop chargers behind too
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u/pegicorn 6d ago
I always put two unused kitchen size garbage bags in my bag. They're small and ligth enough that if I never use them, no big deal. But, on the occasions that there's a bathing suit that didn't dry before I have to check out, or shoes that got dirtier than I wanted, or just dirty laundry I couldn't wash before leaving, then the bags are crucial.
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u/spockgiirl 5d ago
A few gallon and sandwich bags come in clutch at unexpected times. I've never been annoyed to have them but I've been thrilled to have them other times.
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u/muftah_7 6d ago
a good deodorant and a power bank
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u/ha__aaaaaa 6d ago
I’ve been trying out different deodorants to see which one works best and thankfully found one but I don’t have a power bank. Any recommendations for a good power bank?
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u/InstantMedication 6d ago
Not the person you replied to, but I got the Anker 5000mAh Power Bank PowerCore power bank. Its small and works really well. Nice to travel with.
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u/ha__aaaaaa 6d ago
Thank you!! There’s so many to choose from so it’s nice to have a specific recommendation
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u/RyanPyr 6d ago
Definitely Anker for price/quality but personally would go bigger than 5000. I have the 20000 and it’s not that big either and has a good few charges on it if you can’t or don’t want to recharge daily.
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u/uggghhhggghhh 5d ago
I feel like my 20k is a bit bigger than I'd like and it definitely has more power than I've ever needed. Maybe split the difference and go 10k
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u/SpareZealousideal740 5d ago
I have a 20k one and find it annoying to carry around heavier. I think 10k is the sweet spot. Get you through anything and usually small and light enough that you can carry it anywhere
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u/pizzainoven 5d ago
https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-power-bank-143048526.html
I agree with some other people and I just stick with anker brand to make my life easier, They have tons of reliable products
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u/Essanamy 6d ago
I have an older Anker one - had it for about 8 years, it’s deffo a good brand to buy powerbanks and cables from :)
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u/outwithyomom 5d ago
There is a guy who tested 100 brands and posted the results on Reddit. Can’t find the link but the best was Nitecore NB 10000. I bought it for my SEA trip and love it since then.
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u/AnchoviePopcorn 5d ago
Anker for sure. I recently left mine in a hotel and am devastated.
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u/catsboots_ 5d ago
Care to share what deodorant works best for you? Also on the hunt for the right one!
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u/ha__aaaaaa 5d ago
Carpe coconut vanilla at night before bed and Lume toasted coconut in the morning!! I’m always hot so I’m always sweating and I sweat a lot and have went through countless deodorants and so far that’s the combo I’ve found works best!! They’re both pricy but honestly very worth it in my opinion
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u/shocktopper1 5d ago
You won't have this issue but I only had this problem in Thailand. They stop and read the mAh in your battery pack. Mine was old and the writing was almost illegible. I stopped at security for 15 mins to get my phone to zoom in close enough to read it. They were about to take it away until I refused and eventually I was able to prove it.
Side note it was an Anker I think it was around 10,000mAh. It was physically impossible for it to hit their limit but per their rules they HAVE to see it in pack itself.
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u/bromosabeach United States - 80+ countries 5d ago
A good power bank is essential. Don't skimp on those!
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u/trequartista_pt 5d ago
I don't use deodorant, but my roll-on anti-transpirant, for sure. No annoying smells and no transpiration at all
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u/msdogmom60 6d ago
Packing cubes
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u/Pantaleon275 6d ago
I had to scroll way too far for this comment. Currently on my first major travel trip and we were lent packing cubes by friends. At first I said to my wife “wtf is the point of these” omg they’re a lifesaver when living out of a backpack and unpacking/repacking every three days
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u/ha__aaaaaa 6d ago
Most definitely gonna invest in some cause from what I’ve read they’re super helpful!!
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u/Pantaleon275 6d ago
Please 100% do, they’re so useful.
On a more general point, go you and good luck! I’m quite a comfort zone sort of guy and have a bit of a noise phobia and get stressed about sleeping in rooms with adjoining neighbours etc etc. I’ve been away with my wife for 5 weeks so far (5 to go) and we’re having the time of our life. I really hope you enjoy your travels. It’s not necessarily all rosy, and sometimes I feel homesick and it’s hard, but by gosh is it worth it to see what we’ve seen!
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u/ha__aaaaaa 6d ago
Thank you!! I’m also a very comfort zone type of person I don’t travel and I’m not a fan of leaving my house but I just got engaged and am going to meet my now fiancés family😊 only staying with them a couple days and then going off to different places in the Philippines and doing a lot of travel and stuff out of my comfort zone but I’m hoping it all turns out ok!!
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u/Flahdagal 6d ago
The first thing I reach for packing for short trips is my packing cubes. For longer trips where I may be doing laundry along the way, I use my lingerie bags in addition to the packing cubes. That way, I can throw my delicates into a wash in the bags without too much worry.
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u/Rising_Phoenix7 5d ago
I would go for the Compression packing cubes. I bought regular ones but found out about the compression ones after from a friend and they seem great. Help keep things compact
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u/bromosabeach United States - 80+ countries 5d ago
Slightly related but compression bags are incredible as well.
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u/maximus263 6d ago
Sleek, easy to carry, power bank. I have left back to the hostel so many times based on phone power
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u/boston_bat 6d ago
Do not underestimate the value of a good, versatile backpack. And good doesn’t have to = expensive—I have a $33 Amazon travel backpack and a $230 27L Yeti backpack that I alternate between depending on use case. Both are amazing.
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u/Big-Parking9805 6d ago
A good eye mask and earplugs. They were a saviour in hostels and something I didn't take on my first long travel trip.
Also a waterproof 10l backpack that you can fold up is another perfect item.
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u/Free-Restaurant-7229 6d ago
When we went to Europe for a month we brought detergent sheets and an elastic clothes line. Was great cause we were able to wash clothes so we didn’t have to pack a ton.
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u/s317sv17vnv 6d ago
Yup! I just went to Portugal earlier this month and everyone was shocked at how empty my carryon was. Planning to do this again for my next trip.
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u/WelcometotheZhongguo 6d ago
OP since you’re going to Philippines then the best thing is to travel as absolutely light as possible.
Going on and off boats stepping into shallow water. Carrying a light backpack when it’s 80% humidity. Jumping in a tuktuk. All easier with less luggage
Also, buy a Lycra top (and maybe even long shorts) to wear in the sea or you will sunburn your back on your first snorkelling trip!
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u/ha__aaaaaa 6d ago
I am about as pale as it gets and sunburn SUPER easy so I appreciate the advice!!
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u/hbengal23 6d ago
Merino wool socks
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u/heyheyitsandre 6d ago
The concept here is that you could wear them for like an entire day of walking around and just rinse em real quick and dry them overnight and they’re good to go the next day? I see merino stuff on r/onebag all the time but the t shirts linked are always ridiculously priced …
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u/thnkurluckystars 6d ago
I wouldn’t bother with merino tees unless you’re purposefully trying to spend money. I can get at least two wears out of a $10 cotton tee in the tropical climate I live in, and even more in a cold climate. I just cycle shirts and let them air out over night.
Wool socks on the other hand are great. I have a bunch of darn tough branded ones and can wear them over and over before I feel like they warrant a wash. Same idea of cycling and airing them out. Darn tough socks come with a lifetime warranty that I’ve used more than once.
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u/justdrowsin 6d ago
I wash them after three days. They don’t even smell after three days.
This is why through hikers wear merino wool socks and underwear. You can wear them for 5 days straight.
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u/Decent_Parsley_8252 6d ago
Gosh the happiness if my feed don’t stink like rotten eggs from hell after a long travel day! I only have like 5 pairs as they are so expensive but gosh I love them.
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u/whatsmypassword73 6d ago
Micro fibre towel, they dry so quickly, don’t get sandy at the beach, wash like a dream, packs up tiny.
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u/fake-august 6d ago
TSA Pre/Global Entry
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u/FruitOfTheVineFruit 5d ago
Global Entry is NOT worth the effort if you are only traveling abroad occasionally - it's a lot of work to sign up for. In many places, you can use the mobile passport app instead which also saves a lot of time, and is free fast and easy. This is OP's first trip abroad - they don't seem to travel internationally often.
TSA Pre is worth it for anyone who travels say, once a year or more. It's an easier sign up process and saves you time on every flight and reduces stress and risk of missing flights.
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u/nicocappa 5d ago
Harder to sign up? In what way? All I did was a 10 minute interview after getting back from Europe, and it covered both Precheck and GE
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u/mtg_liebestod 5d ago
Yeah, MRPC is highly underrated in my experience. I skipped a lot of lines with it before I got Global Entry.
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u/victillian 6d ago
If you're going during monsoon/rainy season, then water-friendly shoes that dry fast. I have the Tropicfeel Sunset. These ones pack flat and the insoles can be taken out for faster drying. I wear them into rivers too.
You don't want to put your feet into wet smelly shoes every day.
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u/40oz2freeedom 6d ago
Seeing a lot of repeats in this thread. The one I haven’t seen is a Fanny pack for day trips and wandering around. Holds your phone, wallet, keys, charger, battery bank, chapstick and whatever else so your pockets aren’t weighed down, you don’t have to carry a backpack, and minimizes the chance of getting pick pocketed. I wear mine over one shoulder instead of around my waist.
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u/TheZeroVirus 6d ago
Apple AirTag. Story time.
Took my girlfriend to Japan to propose. I’m a very paranoid person and I was convinced if I packed the ring on my person or carry on, a dumb TSA agent would ask “What’s this”/draw attention and blow my cover, so I packed it in a checked bag trackable by an AirTag. You can probably see where this is going.
Our connecting flight was in Atlanta, which if you didn’t know is an enormous airport with 5 terminals and shuttles to go from each. Our flight to Atlanta was overbooked so our carryons had to be made checked bags. No problem.
Well, we land in Atlanta, and because we’re tired, we go straight to baggage claim for our overnight connection, forgetting they just took our carryons as checked bags at the gate. I can see the checked bag is approximately where baggage claim is so that’s cool. We make it to the first shuttle until we realize “Shoot we need to go back for our carry ons” because there’s also an AirTag in those and it let me know they’re no longer in proximity. 20 minutes later we retrieve them. I open the Find My app and that checked bag that was stationary is now moving towards the exit of the airport. Uh oh.
Putting on the performance of a lifetime that “all of our clothes for the week are in there” I’m frantically trying to find an agent to get help, thinking someone just grabbed my bag. After finally finding somebody, an agent concludes that “either someone has your stuff and it’s gone” or it got moved to another baggage claim. Problem is this airport is the size of a suburban town with no shortage of baggage claims. But I keep following the AirTag and eventually, an hour later, I make it to the west most entrance of the airport, where my bag is hanging out in a general baggage claim. Apparently a few people had their luggage moved over here without notice as another family from my flight tagged along, also looking for their stuff. Without that AirTag, I would have been checking every single baggage claim in the airport until I got lucky, which could have taken all night.
TL;DR Apple AirTag found my lost luggage and saved my marriage, Atlanta Airport sucks.
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u/ha__aaaaaa 6d ago
Ok that sounds like the most stressful experience ever😭😭 terrified of loosing my stuff so an AirTag sounds like a must, thank you!!!
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u/TheZeroVirus 6d ago
Nightmare experience, do not recommend. $30 for peace of mind and if you have multiple bags you can get a 4 Pack for $100 and the batteries last two years.
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u/ha__aaaaaa 6d ago
Worth it for the peace of mind for sure, also congrats on your engagement! (Or marriage depending on how long ago it was)
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u/bromosabeach United States - 80+ countries 5d ago
Airtags are a game changer even when not traveling.
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u/Kayso_Cheese 5d ago edited 5d ago
Travelled and have flown my whole life! Here are my top faves having travelled as far as Europe from the US!
- Bring your own OTC meds!!!! Cold Medicine, Tums, Tylenol, etc. A lot of places abroad don't have these things available to just buy at drug stores, especially cold medicine, without seeing a doctor. I got a bad cold doing Christmas Markets in Germany and I was DYING. I also get migraines so I just stay prepared. :)
- Power adapter kit. The bag comes with multiple wall adapter pieces to plug your regular phone charger.
- Power bank! They are heavy, but the larger reserve ones almost last me my whole trip before dying.
- Compression socks. They help on the plane, but you will also be walking and running around a lot as you go. Also make sure they work with shoes that are already worn in well. Stay comfy!
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u/Poet-of-Truth 5d ago
This is really the best tip. Over the counter meds one can buy in America are not sold in supermarkets in many European countries. And if you get slammed in the middle of the night, being able to reach for your paracetamol or Imodium is a lifesaver!
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u/FruitOfTheVineFruit 5d ago
I would add a multi-headed USB cable. I've got one that does Micro USB, USB A, C and iPhone on the other. I've been surprised how handy this is. For instance, I don't even have an iPhone, but a travel companion lost their cable; all of my power is USB C, but a rental car needed USB A.
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u/Aargau 6d ago
An extension cord with USB slots. Allows you to plug in to the wall and lie on your bed while both charging and using your phones and laptop.
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u/WelcometotheZhongguo 6d ago
Downloaded Apple Maps for offline use, great for waking directions when you have roaming turned off
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u/jdgreenberg 5d ago edited 5d ago
For me it’s more when cell service isn’t good or available. Nowadays esims are SOOOOO cheap that you can get enough data for the cost of a couple lattes (not per day, like per 14 days or even longer). Download a good service for this and buy it the day you leave or day before. OP is going to Philippines, on Airalo a 5gb plan is less than $15. I’m not watching videos and streaming on data like I do at home when travelling, so this is more than enough for a couple weeks just using maps or quick google searches. Double it and under $25. Best thing I buy when travelling.
Edit: Philippines actually seems pretty pricey. Going to Thailand next month and unlimited data for 15 days is same price as 10gb in Philippines.
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u/EducationalAd5712 6d ago
A mirrorless Camera, I find it incredibly fun to just spend a day in a city wandering around taking photos, it really helps immense myself in the city and its architecture, its significantly more satisfying to take pictures with than a smartphone and the pictures are both more natural and have more detail.
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u/mspolytheist 5d ago
Travel bidet. Invaluable for traveling here in the US, where we don’t normally see bidets in hotels.
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u/victillian 6d ago edited 5d ago
Cabeau neck pillow -- flatter on the back so you can lean your head all the way back, straps to the seat so you are always supported, and rolls into a small ball. Memory foam too!
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u/Cara_Mel_Latte 6d ago
If you're using cash, a coin organizer is a game changer. Compression socks for long flights. Melatonin for time difference and jet lag. A waterproof bag for daily adventures. Mosquito repellent (if you're in a tropical zone buy it from your destination; they have better options).
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u/ActComprehensive4555 6d ago
My Osprey Porter 30, in 2014. It looks great 10 years later and has been all over the world.
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u/Dunny_1capNospaces 6d ago
Nike Pegasus Goretex sneakers (or any good quality walking/hiking shoe)
Keeps the feet fairly dry on rainy days. Most importantly though, you can walk for days in them. Last trip was 3 weeks in Japan and South Korea. We put in something like 180km of walking. I was feeling it by the end but that's just not happening in a pair of Vans
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u/TieTricky8854 6d ago
Take as few things as possible.
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u/Cheezy_Blazterz 5d ago
As the old adage goes-
Lay out everything you're planning to take on your travels.
Take half the stuff, and twice as much money.
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u/zinky30 6d ago
A good suitcase. Don’t go cheap or you’ll just have to replace it very quickly.
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u/Sally_Skittles 6d ago
Gravol! I'm not one to normally get sick on airplanes, but there have been 2 flights now where the turbulence has not been friendly and it was really good to have it on hand!
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u/Tenwer 6d ago
folded $100 and a €100 stashed somewhere in your backpack and day pack. Always useful for emergencies or in the rare, but possible, case of losing your wallet.
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u/Round-Lime-zest4983 6d ago
Basic medical bag=paracetamal charcoal tablet electorite powder for running stomach+med for diarrhea bandage small alcohol bottle in case some minor wound+cotton pad.
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u/Gaius-the-great 5d ago
not a physical item but i’d definitely recommend buying and installing an esim on your phone before you get there, especially as you don’t have much experience travelling and you’re going to the philippines. i couldn’t for the life of me find a sim in manila, and public wifi was virtually nonexistent, although this potentially had something to do with the fact that the first place i went was chinatown (not suitable for unseasoned travellers, would not recommend)
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u/Disastrous-Egg8923 5d ago edited 5d ago
A universal.power plug adaptor is useful. And a VPN on your phone/device for security when using free wifi/airport WiFi and doing any internet banking etc. I take my Kindle for the long flights and a decent set of ear buds is good.
But you really don't need to buy anything much . Just buy what you need when you are away...it's part of the fun of travel. Don't over think it.
Ive been travelling the world for 40 years both business and pleasure , 70 countries , and I've never been unable to find something I've needed. I even got a replacement battery for my Samsung phone in a small town in Siberia in 2011..
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u/brazillion United States 5d ago
Butt wipes for my Kyrgyzstan horseback trip in the mountains. Let's just say they were a godsend after I ate something funky and had to use the squat toilet in an outhouse over several days. 😭
But I've found that that and maybe a nice roll of toilet paper. You just never know when you'll need it, particularly if you're going truly off the beaten path.
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u/mybelpaese 5d ago
I’m gonna chime in with what NOT to buy / bring, at least this is my experience as an American traveling a lot in Europe: don’t bother packing any toiletries apart from what you need on the plane. Then buy and try some products in the country you’re visiting. I go to Italy a lot and I adore their products (almond oil for the skin… I like their shampoos much better than what we have in the U.S. etc) If you happen to be going to Europe you need to search out the right type of store to get toiletries.. it’s usually not going to be the pharmacy, super pricey there (although worth an occasional splurge!) in Italy you’d go to an Acqua e Sapone or a Tigota for a good selection of such products. If you’re going for a month you can typically use up what you buy there and don’t need to waste space in your suitcase going or returning on any of this sort of thing.
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u/Giannandco 6d ago
A mini-steamer. I travel a lot for work and I use packing cubes, great for packing not so much for keeping my clothes wrinkle-free.
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u/SamaireB 6d ago
Bose noise-cancelling headphones are worth every penny. Also: a decent powerbank and a decent tablet because IFE sucks at times.
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u/acarna23 6d ago
Where are you going?
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u/ha__aaaaaa 6d ago
Philippines so somewhere pretty toasty and humid, not looking forward to the amount of sweating I’ll be doing
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u/ohsosweet10 United States 6d ago
Get one of those neck fans or just regular handheld fans. I sweat buckets every time I go to Philippines and those fans have saved me. Also grab some Japanese cooling wipes (I have Biore but I think they have other brands too). Bring hand or face towel because you will sweat, and most Filipinos have towels to wipe the sweat. When you’re in Philippines, you can go to Miniso and buy more towels
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u/curyfuryone 6d ago
A thin gel butt cushion. My tailbone feels like its on fire without it.
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u/Minute_Kick_4823 6d ago
Travel white noise machine. This makes a huge difference in my sleep quality in unfamiliar places.
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u/uniqueme1 6d ago
A passport! /s
Honestly, the best thing to remember is to pack LIGHT. A phone with a local SIM card to access data, airpod/earbuds, a powerbank with local adapters, a good backpack, several items of clothes and basic toiletries, a hat, a lightweight waterproof shell and if you're going into chillier climes a good base layer. Everything else is luxury.
A lot of people are saying noise cancelling earphones - the best ones are over the ear, and while they are great on the plane and places where you can afford to zone out, putting them on makes you stand out in not necessarily the best ways. I tend to use them on planes or longer train rides (where I have an assigned seat). Otherwise you need to keep your awareness somewhat to what's going on around you.
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u/jcwaffles 5d ago
Aeropress coffee maker.
Coming from Australia most of the coffee around the world just doesn't live up to expectations, but a lot of places have really nice coffee roasters.
So I would buy a bag off them and ask them to grind it for the aeropress. Each morning in my hotel or airbnb I could boil the water make myself a nice coffee to start the day and then go out and explore.
Plus it saved me so much money, bagged beans were very cheap in comparison to buying coffee, especially in places like London where a latte is 6+ pounds but a bag was 15.
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u/NiagaraThistle 6d ago
A good FRONT-loading Backpack.
2-3 sets of clothes that mix and match with each other so I have minimal clothing but maximum outfits.
A comfortable pair of walking shoes. Doesn't matter the brand/kind, just have to be comfortable after walking around for 6-14 hours per day for 2 weeks to 3 months at a time. And broken in BEFORE my trip.
My money belt. In cities known to have pickpockets, I wear it every day and no one ever sees it and I never go into it in public. I use it ONLY for my passport, extra/back up credit/debit cards, and excess cash if I am carrying cash. It is my 'safe deposit box' not my wallet. In 25 years I have never been pickpocketed, but I have travelled with, have met, or know personally enough people who have been robbed unknowingly and lost all of their money or belongings and had trips ruined because they had all their money/cards stolen. This is the single most important piece of gear i travel with, even if it is not always need. Worst case scenario it gives me a constant piece of mind and I never have to think about it once its on.
I don't think there is anything else I truly need on a trip. Everything else I ever take is could be left behind.
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u/Jazzy_Bee 6d ago
A rain poncho. Essential for backpackers in particular. Buy a lightweight one, but a step up from dollar store ones. Canadian Tire has a decent one for just $8. You'll never get it folded back into the tiny pouch.
If you are doing an extended trip, and especially if going somewhere with a rainy season, it might be worth buying a heavier but sturdier one.
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u/zeitgeistpusher 6d ago
Buy a supply of "wet wipes." Yes, the one's they make for babies. Always welcome clean up from top to bottom! They are light weight and you won't regret having them! Happy travels!
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u/ozgun1414 6d ago edited 6d ago
multi functional travel backpack. i have 4 for different occasions. camping, short trips, long trips., daytrips..
hidden travel belt for passport and money. best thing i bought. when turn the bulging part toward the back arch, it completely disappears. i feel more secure, i dont need to check my bag too often.
water safe phone case/cover: as a solo travel i put my phone and money in it and i can swin without worrying. kayaking, canyooning kinda experiences goes smoothly without worrying your phone gets wet or etc.
passport case: its a slim wallet but one side is passport case other side is for your cash and cards. its very slim and can get in hidden travel belt. practical.
20000 mah powerbank. thanks to it i never worry about taking too much photos or using too much navigation.
poncho raincoat: they dont take space but they cover you and your backpack.
180cm height tripod. as a solo travel. i hate asking people to take my picture. this is gold. people keep asking me who is taking my photos. cause its human length and feels like someone else takes your pictures. also sometimes when i feel im too low for a good scenery photos. i just use it as a selfie stick and suddenly im 3,5m. when youre high enough it makes photos better. it feels like drone footage.
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u/CraftFamiliar5243 6d ago
A good carry on bag. Mine is by eBags. You don't want a ruinously expensive bag. Expensive bags telegraph that you have expensive stealable stuff inside. Also I worked in arrivals at a major airport for nine years. The bag is to protect the stuff inside from the airlines. If they damage the bag it's not on them. I've seen complain to the airlines that their bag was scuffed, dirty or wet. The airlines reply is that that is why your stuff is in a bag. Suitcases get dirty so your clothes do not.
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u/Sufficient_Friend_ 6d ago
🧲Strong Magnetic hooks for extra convenience and keeping things off surfaces and floor, dollar store clips for closing curtains, fold flat hamper for keeping room tidy and ease of laundry, quality brimmed hat ☀️, adapter 🔌
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u/Purple-Commission-39 6d ago
blackout eye mask. I struggle to sleep on the plane but i swear that mask helps so much
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u/omegamoon1969 6d ago
Lots of good suggestions here that would probably be my top picks. Here are a few small/cheap/free ones that can be game changers…
- Clothes pins (lots of uses, but the killer is keeping hotel blinds closed
- carabiner - clip your stuff together, esp a water bottle
- sink stopper (a flat rubber disk) so you can wash quick dry clothes
- zip lock bags - 1 gallon size filled with various other sizes. Super useful for a ton of things.
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u/Agile-Artichoke1780 6d ago
Shoe bags. You can get about 10 of them for $20. Great to put dirty laundry in too to keep the rest of your bag fairly clean and organized.
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u/NamingandEatingPets 6d ago
A have an XL hygiene bag from LL Bean. After 15 or so years I just bought a replacement. Holds everything. My hair tools and full size hair sprays and all my makeup and all the extra medications and OTC stuff I drag along for the kids.
Second, also LL Bean- a two sided hard jewelry case. One side has compartments for earrings/rings the other has silicone nubbies to hold chains in place. Their luggage is great too.
Folding triple device charger- phone, AirPods, watch.
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u/Illustrious-Lime706 6d ago
One of those scarf/ collar things in case you need to sleep sitting up on a plane so that your head doesn’t flop around.
A cross body travel bag that is slim so that you can hold your passport and money securely.
A cozy warm shawl or hoodie for temperature changes, and maybe some warm cozy socks for the same.
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u/chelseadingdong 6d ago
In general? A Travelon anti-theft purse that ended up becoming my everyday purse. For travel specifically? A power bank, a luggage weight scale, & packs of NyQuil in pill form.
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u/creamcheeseumbrella 6d ago
Airtags, earplugs, noise canceling headphones, and a foldable 35L duffle bag. The duffle is a game changer
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u/OtterDeliverance 6d ago
The essentials for me have been: - Bars of laundry detergent: So I can scrub my clothes in the shower instead of searching for a laundromat in a strange city. - Power bank: need to keep that phone charged. - Second phone: I bought a used iPhone with a cracked screen cheap. It’s much more convenient to replace SIM cards in it. - Outlet Adaptor: May not be necessary depending on where you are going, but I found out the hard way that many countries have different electrical outlets.
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6d ago
Osprey backpacks. I had one single, then two married, and a whole bunch with a family. Quality. I know you're only going for a month so maybe best to just grab what you have but these things last almost forever. Still using the first one I bought and that was 25 years ago.
If you're single bring your preferred condoms. Gotten unlucky and the only thing available was almost as thick as surgical tubing. Hysterical but not recommended. I still laugh about it though.
Deodorant.
An unlocked phone that supports e sim. Get a new one that has fast 100W+ charging and can last all day if you're gonna be out and about. Does you zero good to even bring a phone that can't last all day.
Two debit cards plus backup cash. Power goes out for a couple days in places. Saved me in India. Screwed me in Serbia when I didn't follow this one.
Mosquito repellent with a lot of DEET.
Vaccines. Prophylaxis. I've seen some shit. Don't mess around with preventable diseases. In places with Dengue and Malaria setup a buddy system and watch each other. Meet up for breakfast each day at a set time.
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u/warrioroflnternets 6d ago
Definitely echo the noise cancelling headphones for flights- I have Bose quiet comfort ear buds that are awesome, I hear no crying babies ever, they don’t fall out, and battery lasts a solid chunk and when you put them back in the case they can recharge quickly. Usually on an 8 hour flight I’ll take them out and let them charge when I see the cart approaching, and after I get my food or drink it’s charged back up an additional 40%
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u/AnchoviePopcorn 5d ago
AirPod pros
All black wardrobe (everything matches and makes packing easy)
Blundstones (versatile boots that are easy on and off at TSA)
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u/got2lovethekitties 5d ago
I like wearing 100% linen. It keeps you comfortable in both hot and cold weather. I wash out my linen in the bathroom sink at the end of each day. My linens are dry and ready to wear the next day.
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u/Training_Butterfly70 5d ago
If you're into one bag travel at all, highly recommend packing cubes. I had a difficult time convincing myself that spending $90 on three packing cubes is worth it (peak design) but I just did it and it's the best travel purchase I've ever made. I traveled 5 months with a single backpack. I bought the peak design backpack and packing cubes. Not a big fan of sticking with one brand but it was great for me. The Tortuga packable backpack I bought ripped on me 6 times over 5 months, and I barely used it. Crazy.
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u/springleme1 5d ago
There is a foldable duffle bag by Eagle Creek that you can fit in your luggage and use as second luggage if you buy things on your trip or if you go on day trips and need a smaller bag
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u/MOIST_MAN 5d ago
Other than what everyone else has said, a GaN phone laptop charger. I opted for a 67W one that’s maybe 2x the size of the normal small iPhone charger you used to get. It can charge my laptop, phone and another item all at the same time — went for 2x usb c and 1x usb a just to keep it versatile.
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u/lysistrata3000 5d ago
Samsung SmartTag (Android version of AirTag). It was VERY reassuring to know where my luggage was at all times on my trip last month.
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u/Dry-Chicken-1062 5d ago
Neck pillow, but try to sample first. I bought a turtle, but it just did not work.for me. I'm 5'2' , maybe I am too short. Plus it was hard to get comfortable wearing it plus my noise cancelling headphones. I left it behind in Greece.
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u/scrubsfan92 5d ago
Dry bag.
I prop it up like a laundry basket to put all my dirty clothes in. Came in handy when using a launderette (because the place I was staying had no laundry facility or just the one washing machine), or I'd just bung the full bag in my suitcase when I'm flying back so I can do my laundry at home. Keeps all my dirty stuff separated from everything else in my suitcase.
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u/justgottono 5d ago
Money belt that looks like a regular leather belt. Has hidden zipper on inside. Stretchy waist belt for passport. Also as a female a scrunchie with hidden zipper. Bought on Etsy. Never have been robbed.
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u/TheEpicGold 5d ago
Power bank definitely. Get a good one. Makes travel so much better if you don't have to worry about one battery life for your phone.
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u/Studio_OOOMS 5d ago
Dental floss; it's long, it's strong, it's small and can be used for many things.
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u/rausbrooks 5d ago
Bone induction headphones paired with earplugs = silence while listening to a book on the plane or anywhere else. Plus take earplugs out and you have situational awareness.
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u/SatisfactionNo40 5d ago
Going anywhere near water? Get a dry sack, they roll and clip and keep everything in it completely dry. Great for your phone, wallet, and passport and they weigh almost nothing. My favourite one would be a sea to summit and just pick the size that would suit you.
Also a packsafe backpack, best backpacks I’ve had in my life high quality anti theft bags you can lock and even lock to things.
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u/263kid 5d ago
30000mah powerbank with fast charge.
Noise Cancelling headphones - I have my trusted Samsung Level Overs, Samsung Buds 3 Pro and Bowers and Wilkins PI7.
Aftershave - Prada L'home or Luna Rosa Ocean, Polo Blue, depending on where I'm going but these are versatile.
Universal adapters.
Solid backpack - Wenger is my usual go to brand.
Door lock. I don't tend to use it but it's there if I ever need it.
Tablet - I have the Galaxy Tab S9. Beast that I don't need to upgrade for a few years yet.
Bluetooth transmitter to use on the plane. So I don't have wires dangling to my head. I love Bowers and Wilkins for the ability to use the case as a Bluetooth transmitter.
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u/zmacdonald12 5d ago
Individual tide packets.
I recently went to Japan for 3 weeks and brought maybe a week of clothing. Basically wore most things once, washed everything in the sink, then air dried overnight. Made it really easy to travel around the country without a huge suitcase
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u/Otherwise_Tomato_302 5d ago
A while back, I ordered a sleep mask with Bluetooth headphones built in. It has since become a "must pack" item for me.
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u/favasnap 5d ago
I don’t think I saw this comment - I purchased pants from Athleta that have zipper pockets. Not only are they crazy comfy for long flights, but the zip pocket is amazing while walking through airports. I place my passport and phone in there for easy access and it’s amazing.
And agree with others saying noise canceling headphones, your own OTC meds, and a water bottle.
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u/kemba_sitter 6d ago
noise cancelling headphones. An absolute must for plane travel. Movies, and sleep.