When talking about essentials for international travel, there are two types of travelers – over-packers and under-packers. Both do not know which to bring and which not to. The difference between the two though is that an over-packer tends to bring too much and ends up bringing home a lot of unused clothes. On the other hand, under-packers tend to run out of clothes and toiletries during the trip.
Planning is an important aspect of traveling. Knowing what to use and bring and how many to bring will help you bring enough clothes and paraphernalia. For this, you should consider your travel itinerary and the length of the trip. For overnight trips or weekend getaways, opting for a small travel bag or even an oversize tote should suffice. On the other hand, long trips at multiple destinations call for large suitcases that are not only large enough to hold all of your belongings but also robust enough to handle different climates and modes of transportation. If you’re traveling for more than two weeks, consider taking a large durable suitcase that is designed to withstand wear and tear.
Things have also changed additionally since the covid pandemic hit as we are more cautious about traveling and what we use, when, and how? Here are some common dilemmas with suggestions and tips on how to resolve them with additional tips to have in mind during the pandemic.
How Many Sets of Clothes do I Bring?
This is the first dilemma that we have. The main thing here is to plan outfits every single day and add two extra ones. Over packers think about different weather conditions and they often pack a few outfits for each day depending on occasions and weather conditions.
Make sure to bring clothes that can be mixed and matched. Bring clothes that are less bulky, such as shorts or leggings over jeans. Make sure to also bring a dress and heels if you plan to go out. A jacket, a sweater, and swimwear may also be necessary. Check the weather and bring clothing for rainy weather but if you know the weather will be nice, there is no need to bring five different outfits for rainy days for a seven-day trip.
Covid tip: Don’t share your clothes with anyone. Don’t forget the mask.
How Many Shoes is Enough?
Women have this issue probably more than men but make sure you have enough shoes but not too many. Bring at least three pairs of footwear.
You can pick three pairs of comfortable footwear – a sandal, a slipper, and high heels if you plan to go out (and if you wear high heels). Shoes often will take too much space so be mindful that you don’t bring too much.
A Huge Shampoo Bottle, or a Few Small Ones?
When we travel, we would love to have everything on a trip that we have at home. All toiletries can be a full suitcase for some. When it comes to shampoo, it would be better to bring small bottles that are enough for the entire trip.
You can also use those small bottles given as complimentary toiletries in hotels. They can be refilled and brought to trips. Bringing the entire shampoo bottle would only add weight and extra baggage to bring as well as take home.
Covid tip: Don’t share your toiletries with anyone you are not close to.
Travelling is fun when planned properly
Don’t Forget About Your Documents
You don’t want to lose your passport while abroad. A passport holder can be a good idea. However, if you don’t have one, you can make use of a see-through zipper envelope that can fit his or her passport, boarding pass, tickets, baggage stubs, pen and paper, and other necessary documents. Another thing to consider is that passport sleeves are often asked to be taken off; thus, it is better not to use one to avoid messing your passport which might cause trouble with immigration.
Covid tip: some countries might request a document that you have been vaccinated. Find out before you book your trip.
Emergency Medicines: To Bring or to Buy on Trip?
It is better to bring your maintenance medicines and emergency medicines than to buy them.
There are countries that do not sell medicines without prescription and would cause too much hassle if you buy them in a different country. Also, there are non-English speaking countries that would make purchasing medicines tough. Furthermore, the availability of medicines in foreign countries cannot also be ascertained. It is better to save yourself from trouble.
Covid tip: Always bring your meditation with yourself. You never know how your body will react to something simple as aspirin from Spain if there are any additives that can’t be found in medications from your country.
Gadgets, Cords, and Chargers
Cords and chargers can be placed in airtight containers to keep your luggage organized. In addition to this, they can easily locate it when needed.
If you travel to different countries electricity outlets can be different, so make sure you are familiar with this. When it comes to electronics make sure you bring what you need, not every single gadget you have at home.
Covid tip: You don’t want to stay without your gadgets in a foreign country when you are away from your family and friends.
Two Wallets?
It is suggested that the everyday wallet should be brought when travelling but it is advised that another small wallet should be brought as well. Every time you go out the everyday wallet stays while only the small wallet is brought. A small wallet that can carry some cash, credit cards, room key card, and some ID. In this case, if you lose one, you will not lose everything.
Covid tip: With or without Covid, you need money and documentation on you at any time when you travel.
Shopping way too much
Shopping lovers should bring foldable bags and reinforcements where they can put the items they shopped for. These will help when a traveler’s gone shopping too much and would rather hand-carry the items on the plane than pay for overweight fees.
Covid tip: make sure you use a mask if you shop in malls or anywhere where there is a lot of people.
