We love to travel, and over the years, we have discovered that there are some essentials you just can’t live without when you leave home. While in most places, of course, you can buy something you forget, it’s less convenient and more expensive than simply putting it in your bag in the first place. Packing doesn’t have to be stressful, and hopefully, these tips help you focus on the essentials.
Bring a Travel Pillow
You really don’t want to lay on those airplane pillows. There are so many reasons for it, but just take my word, and don’t do it. Instead, invest in a good travel pillow and make it one of your essentials to pack. A travel pillow is a must-have for every trip. The best travel pillows are comfortable, portable, and easy to wash. They can be used on planes, trains, and buses to help you sleep comfortably. A good travel pillow should be able to support your neck as well to ensure you are comfortable when you travel.
Your Favorite Pairs of Underwear
Before you go on a trip, make sure you do the laundry so that all your favorite pairs of underwear are clean. This goes for mens underwear as well as women’s. There is nothing more uncomfortable than wearing your bottom-of-the-barrel underwear when you go on a vacation. You’ll be picking out wedgies, pulling the waistband back up, and trying not to cry because they are cutting into your legs. However, when you pack your favorite undies, everything just feels better.
Refillable Water Bottle
Okay, even if you don’t bring a water bottle, make sure you get one on your trip. Staying hydrated can help you feel more energized, have fewer headaches, and help you enjoy your trip. It’s especially important to bring your own if you are heading to places like Disney World where a bottle of water can be ridiculously expensive.
Cash
Take some extra cash. There is always something that comes up on a trip where having cash is advantageous. I like to keep an extra $100 on hand in smaller bills. This can help with tipping valet, buying something without paying an extra credit card fee, and more.
Earplugs
Think about it, have your kids ever gotten so noisy, you wished you could dull the noise for a minute? Have you ever been to a hotel where there was night construction outside that you weren’t aware of in advance? What about the noise on an airplane? All of these are great reasons to keep earplugs on hand for everyone. You never know when they might come in handy. And they are so small that it’s easy to bring them with you and pack them in your bag whether you are going for a weekend away or a 2 week extended trip.
Duct Tape
Duct tape is the MacGyver of tape. You’re going to want to pack duct tape. Duct tape is a multi-purpose tool that can be used to repair clothing and gear, patch leaks in tents, create makeshift splints for an injured person, and much more. It’s a must-have when you travel because it’s so versatile. Plus, you never know when you could use it the most.
Hand Sanitizer
Sometimes you can’t wash your hands right away. This doesn’t mean you should never wash them, it simply means that until you can get to some clean running water and some soap, hand sanitizer is the next best thing. When traveling, it’s important to make sure you have hand sanitizer available. This is one of the most important things to bring on a trip. Whether you’re in a public place or in an unfamiliar home, having some way to clean your hands will help keep you healthy and prevent illnesses from spreading. If you’re traveling on an airplane, make sure that you only bring the small size so that you’ll get through security okay.
The key is that you need to be prepared for every trip. These 7 things can make your life a lot easier when you go out of town. Plus you’ll be prepared for emergencies that come your way with your duct tape and hand sanitizer.