With nearly 40 different countries under my belt—airport layovers not included—and lots of trial and error in the packing department along the way, I’ve developed a list of essential travel tips that will make your trip more enjoyable and equip you to deal with the unexpected.
1. As long as you have your passport/photo ID and a credit card, you’ll be fine.
With those two things, you can get to/from your destination and buy anything you’ve forgotten once you get there. Everything else is secondary. When going abroad, it’s a good idea to have contact information for your country’s embassy in case your passport gets stolen.
2. Don’t pack more in your suitcase(s) than you can carry yourself.
You never know when you’re going to have to run through the airport with all your luggage to make a connecting flight or haul your suitcase up the stairs in a quaint hotel with no elevator or porters. If you can’t lift the suitcase yourself, you’re taking too much.
3. Always carry some food with you, on your person, when you travel.
This tip has saved me more than once when transiting through airports in the middle of the night (no shops open) or during a long day of driving or hiking through the wilderness. I like trail mix, apples, cheese sticks, and whatever crackers I find in the local grocery store.
4. When going to a foreign country, always carry these essential medicines:
An antihistamine for unexpected allergic reactions, something to calm an upset stomach, and a general pain reliever. Yes, effective medicine exists in other countries, but when you’re sick is no time to start experimenting with drugs.
5. Pack your bulkiest clothes and shoes in your suitcase on your way to your destination, and wear them on your way home.
That way, you have room to bring back the souvenirs you pick up during the trip. I admit, I don’t follow this tip when my bulkiest item is hiking boots. Don’t want to wear those on an airplane or negotiate airport security with them.
6. Remember that zip-top bags are very handy.
I use them for spare toiletries, first aid supplies, and to store clothes I want to stay clean for the whole trip (see number 10, below). I’m sure you can come up with more uses too.
7. If you’re not sure whether to take that sweater/scarf/jacket, take it.
When it comes to preparing for variable weather, it’s better to have the warm item and not need it than the other way around. Not following this rule is how I ended up with a sweatshirt that says IRELAND in big green letters on the front, courtesy of a drizzly, blustery day at the Cliffs of Moher. And I was grateful every day that I had a pair of gloves during my last trip to Scotland, where the weather was unseasonable cold for August.
8. You don’t have to break the bank to have a good time when you travel, but don’t pinch pennies either.
Will you really be glad later that you saved that $25 on an entrance fee or once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience? When you get back, you’re more likely to think of the great memories of your experiences than the fact that you’re $15 down because of that one item. Put another way, it’s not worth it to share an ice cream cone just to save a few bucks when you’re traveling.
9. Enjoy the local cuisine, but don’t lose all self-control when it comes to what you eat.
Food is an integral part of the travel experience, but still fitting into your pants at the end of the trip is also very nice. You don’t want to look bloated in your vacation photos.
10. Take one item of clothing or outfit that you save to wear to dinner on your last day and/or on the plane ride home.
This is especially true for long and/or “outdoorsy” trips. You’ll feel better going out for that last hurrah or flying home in something clean and fresh.
What travel tips have you picked up over the years?
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