Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Top ten things not to forget on a trip
We all usually try to travel light, but when you succeed, do you feel a little nervous? I do. If I can lift my suitcase without grunting, I'm fairly certain I've forgotten something. Here's a list of the Top ten things not to forget on a trip -- hopefully both you and I can remember to check it next time we're about to head out of town!1. Cell Phone Charger. They've started carrying universal chargers (with multiple heads) at places like Walgreens, but that's $15 to $20 you really shouldn't have to spend.
2. Program Your Phone. Do you have the airline and hotel phone numbers in your phone? You should. It's also a good idea to list your destination's number for taxis, and someone with ICE (In Case of Emergency) before their name.
3. Passport and Tickets or Itinerary. You need some form of photo ID to travel even domestically, so don't forget it. The passport is obviously important for foreign travel, but make sure it isn't about to expire; many countries won't let you in with under six months left. Also, even if you booked all your travel online, customs will sometimes ask to see your full itinerary, so bring tickets or print it all out.
4. Socks and Accessories. We can usually remember our socks and underwear, but when you're heading somewhere warm, you probably throw your athletic shoes in the bag for touristy hikes and/or exercising; don't forget the socks -- or face the stinky consequences. There are other unisex items we often miss: belts, hats and scarves, and a good pair of walking or evening shoes. Men, did you remember your tie? Your cufflinks? Women, your jewelry? Hairbands? Bobby pins? Small purse?
5. A Book. Heaven forbid you should be trapped on a long flight with nothing to read but SkyMall or the newspaper. Don't forget your book, or at least bring a laptop and a dvd.
6. Meds and Potions. Now that you have to pack your lotions and creams and such separately from the rest of your carry-on, it's easy to forget them altogether. Also, don't forget your medications -- not just prescription. I never go anywhere without Advil, just in case. For your handy reference, TSA guidelines are here.
7. Pajamas. Once you painstakingly pick out clothes for every occasion, remember that you have to sleep in something, too.
8. Converters. Going somewhere foreign? Guess where you can use your electronics: Nowhere! Most good hotels will provide you with at least one power adapter, but I like to have more than that; otherwise I'm constantly switching from charging my phone to charging my computer, and once the razor or curling/straightening iron comes into play, it just gets messy.
9. Gifts. This is a big one for the holidays. Don't forget the presents! Also, if you're heading somewhere far away, it's easy to pack a couple simple things from home to give as thank yous, just in case.
10. Camera and Accessories. Forgetting your camera can all-out ruin your fun. What good is taking a vacation without the means to document it? All right, probably some good, but don't forget your camera. Disposables aren't the same and you probably don't want to buy a whole new one out of town. What's more, don't forget the battery charger and the memory card. It can be an expensive mistake!
Filed under: Gear, What's in Your Pack?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Abi Oct 20th 2009 11:31AM
I used to just say "money, tickets, passport" to myself as I left the house, working on the principle that I could replace anything else on the road if I realised I'd forgotten it.
Over the years, thanks to a number of disasters and a change in technology, it's now money, passport, hotel reservation details...
Oh, and contact lenses. I must be getting old ;)
http://www.cheap-weekend-breaks.com
Craig Oct 20th 2009 12:13PM
How about a packing list? Don't cross off an item until it is actually inside your pack. If you bring the list with you it will help you from leaving things behind in your hotel room. Keep the list online (on Google Docs, for example) so you can re-use it and tweak it for each successive trip.
gwenmccauley Oct 20th 2009 10:04PM
Packing lists are critical, I find. I give one to my clients that includes notes about quirks of place we're visiting.
Like you, I cross off things as they go into the bag.
I also create a separate To Do list each week before I travel with all the things I have to remember to do before I leave. Plus a separate "Don't Forget To" list ...put out garbage, cancel newspaper, turn off water, etc., etc.
Maybe because I'm a pretty loosey-goosey person in my day-to-day life I've found that these kinds of lists really have saved my bacon many, many times.
Gwen McCauley
LongHallOwl Oct 20th 2009 1:11PM
You might want to clear up converters vs. adapters. One actually steps up or down the voltage (converters), and the other just changes the shape of the prong (adapters). Unless you are bringing stuff like a razor or hair dryer or straightener, you probably only need an adapter.
For everything that has a 'brick' or transformer (either on the part that plugs in or along the cord itself), look on it and see if it says something like "110v-230v". If it does, all you need to do is use an adapter, which runs typically much cheaper than a converter, because the transformer will do the voltage conversion for you.
Fiznatty Oct 20th 2009 2:42PM
Two of the top things on my list are a watch and a headlamp or small flashlight.
I've missed an international flight before thanks to a faulty alarm in the room and the front desk forgetting to provide the requested wake-up call, and since I don't feel I can always rely on my cell phone, the watch is a must. I never wear it at home, only on the road.
The headlamp/flashlight (I often pack both) are usually more necessary in some of the more out-of-the-way places I travel, but something like that can come in handy even if you're just stumbling around in the dark in a hostel in Europe.
Max
Zach Oct 21st 2009 6:26PM
A U.S. passport and a credit card can fix anything.