Since travel is off the table right now, it’s the perfect time to stock your travel bag for when you get out there again. I travel mostly the same way every time I go anywhere, no matter where I go. I have perfected my packing list and having a packing plan that works for me makes life so much easier. Part of my plan is taking the same things every trip, because it’s familiar and it works. Here are the things I’m always packing, wherever I go.
Ziploc bagsYou never know when you’ll need to separate something from something else, but also when you want to take a bag of cookies with you or keep your wet bathing suit from getting your rental car seats soggy or have an emergency diaper situation. I bring a handful of zipper bags with me anywhere I go. I’ve used them for snacks, for dirty clothes, for leftovers and for receipts and brochures. They are multipurpose and take up almost no room in your bag.
Back-up bagUsually when you go on a trip, you buy stuff. That means you may not have room to pack it on your way home. Well, I try not to overpack my carry-on, but it’s still just a carry-on. Because of that, I bring along a back-up bag to use for all my overage. I have this one and this one and they are both awesome. Just depends on how much you are willing to spend, but also how much you’re restricting yourself on souvenirs when you travel. Sometimes I know I will be buying gifts, so I bring a bigger bag than normal.
Mesh pop-up hamper (laundry detergent)
Whether or not I’m on a long trip, I don’t like living out of my suitcase and I don’t like mixing my clean and dirty clothes. I have a great pop-up hamper that also works as a laundry bag that I put in the corner of my room to throw all my dirties. Then, before I go home, I can schlep it to the laundry room (or just drag it to the washing machine). I always have a small bag of dry detergent and a stash of quarters, so I’m ready for whatever the situation calls for. I have this one, which has really sturdy handles and four pockets, so you can even take along a book or game to pass the time. It’s served me well for at least a decade so far.
Reusable grocery bag
I am a grocery shopper. I don’t go out for every meal if I can help it. I generally show up at my destination and take a trip to the store on the first day to shop for breakfast foods, because that’s the easiest meal to make and the least exciting to me to eat out. If you want to skip the back-up bag above, you can definitely use your grocery bag to bring back items from you trip. You can also use it as a laundry bag if you don’t have that much. I’ve used it for both of these things before, since they usually have sturdy handles and nice flat bottoms.
Packable rain jacket
One time I didn’t pack my rain jacket and it was a mistake. I’ve since learned that I should never leave it at home, even if I’m going to Vegas or Orlando. In fact, when it rains in places where it rarely rains, it often pours harder than you’re used to, which sucks hard. I know lots of people like to bring umbrellas, but I don’t, because a rain jacket is multipurpose. It doesn’t take up as much room as an umbrella, but you can pack it down into your day bag and also use it if you happen to get chilly. You never know when a cold snap will present itself, even when it comes in the form of really insistent air conditioning. This is also why I always bring a scarf or wrap with me on the plane.
Sunglasses
The sun can really wreak havoc on your eyes. Even when it’s not super sunny, you need protection from its rays. While you probably don’t forget the sunscreen, but make sure you don’t leave your sunglasses at home, because you don’t want to have to pay 3 times as much as usual by purchasing them at your destination, or looking squinty in all your pics.
Snacks
Do you get hangry? I know I do! I always have snacks in my bag, because sometimes things don’t go as planned and you aren’t always in a place where you can get into a restaurant to sate your hunger. Toss a couple of granola bars or a piece of fruit or a bag of trail mix into your bag, just in case. You’ll be happy if you have need it and sad if you do and didn’t pack it. I also suggest a reusable water bottle, which I also count as a snack. We use this one.
Compression socks
Walking is hard on your feet, not to mention your ankles and legs. Most of us walk a lot more on vacation than we do at home, which can make our ankles swell and really hurt us at the end of each day. I pack a really good pair of compression socks in my bag that I can either wear under pants during the day or put on the second I get back to the room. I’ve been known to sleep in them when I’ve had sad, swollen ankles, and they help immensely. I swear by these Zensah socks.
Tablet
I don’t always bring my laptop, and when I do, I only use it in my room. I always bring along my iPad Mini though, because I can read on it, take notes, listen to music and podcasts, play games and even check and answer emails. It’s perfect for finding directions for your sightseeing before you leave the hotel and great for watching Netflix when there’s nothing good on TV and you need to just unwind.
Back-up battery
Nothing sucks worse than when your phone battery dies as you’re trying to call the hotel or get an Uber or take a picture of something awesome. You need a back-up battery. I have this one that will recharge my phone 2 1/2 times before it needs to be recharged. We actually have two, and we each carry one. This way Eric can play games on his phone all day and I can take all the pics I want and text with my mom. Because I can use any cord with this one, I can also use it to charge my camera or share with someone else to charge both our devices at once.
There you have it. The 10 things I don’t leave on vacation without. I keep a lot of these things in my carry-on all the time, so my bag is halfway packed with all the things I know I’ll always need.
What do you never leave home without on your trips?
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