15 Things No Traveler Should Leave Home Without

Whether your trip is a three hour ride to Dublin, OH or a 13 hour flight to Dublin, Ireland, there are certain items that every traveler should pack. This list doesn’t include those essential items – passports, money, ID, prescriptions, eyeglasses, contacts, hearing aids, etc. – that we’ll assume you’re smart enough to think of on your own. This list covers the things you might not think about, as well as some items that will just make any trip to anywhere a little more enjoyable.

1.) Travel plan – Unless you’re taking a packaged tour of some sort, you’re going to have to put some thought into your holiday. Now, you don’t have to lay out every second of every day, but having a general idea of what you’d like to do, places you’d like to visit, events you’d like to attend and activities you’d like to try once you get there will make the trip much less stressful and more relaxing.

2.) Maps and guides – These will help you execute your travel plan. You can locate the sights, navigate the streets, motor the roads – in short, organize your travel plans so that you don’t waste time, miss any important times or “must see” items on your itinerary.

3.) Camera – A good, lightweight, small digital is the way to go. Just remember to pack an extra card or two, and batteries. Nothing ruins that perfect sunset like not being able to capture it for posterity.

4.) Portable electronic translator – Learning the language is always the best route to go, but even the best language course may not cover everything a traveler needs to say. Do your homework, though, as this is one item that can be a pricey waste of time and money, especially if it doesn’t include the language you need or is too cumbersome to use.

5.) Digital voice recorder –You can use it for everything from remembering what time you need to be at the train station to which market stall had the best price on souvenir t-shirts. They come in handy for recording directions given by the concierge, the guy on the street or the cab driver, too.

6.) iPod, mp3 player, handheld video game, novels, puzzle books or other personal entertainments of your choice – From waiting at the airport or train station to avoiding talking to the guy next to you on the bus, these can make the time go by that much faster. Don’t forget to bring batteries, chargers and other necessities to make your electronic “toys” last the trip.

7.) Power converter kit – If you travel out of country to various destinations a great deal, one of the multi-unit kits would be your best option. Otherwise, you can just get the converters specific to your destination. There’s nothing like remembering the hair dryer, then not being able to use it.

8.) Snacks and water bottles – These aren’t just good for the airplane, train or bus. When that “great” little restaurant turns out to be a disappointment, or the rain ruins your planned day at the beach, having some comfort food from home can ease your pains. Traveling can be very dehydrating, too. Remember to drink adequate water.

9.) First Aid kit – You don’t have to be stuck in the wilds of Africa to need emergency medical supplies. Traveling can involve scrapes, sprains, headaches, dry eyes, chapped lips – you name it. Taking your own supplies can save you the trouble of finding what you need in a strange place when you’re not at your best.

10.) LED pen – These nifty little critters have many uses to the traveler. They are smaller and lighter than your average flashlight and don’t require batteries. They can illuminate your book on the plane so you don’t disturb your seatmate, light your way in an unfamiliar hotel room or ship cabin, or guide you down a dark beach path without worry.

11.) Microfiber wash cloth and towel – Lightweight and easy to roll or fold into compact sizes, these make an excellent addition to your carry on. Hotel towels can be scratchy or thin. You can avoid an unexpected allergy to foreign laundry soap. You can even enjoy a refreshing wash-up in a public washroom without having to worry about drip drying or using paper towels. Add a bottle of hand sanitizer or wet wipes to your carry on, too, just in case there’s no water available.

12.) Laundry wash kit and clothes pins – Several travel companies sell wash kits so you can hand wash your clothing and hang it up in your room to dry. Not only does this save on laundry service fees, but it allows you the luxury of packing less clothing for the trip. The clothes pins aren’t just for your socks, either. Hold curtains closed, clip receipts together, convert hangers for pants or skirts – you name it.

13.) Handle scale – While not as essential as some items, if you tend to over pack, or under pack and purchase items while you are traveling, one of these can really save you time and money. With the newer airline weight restrictions, paying $10 for a scale you attach to your luggage handle is certainly better than the $25 or $30 dollar fine for overweight bags.

14.) Travel alarm clock – Jet lag is no one’s friend, and oversleeping is always a possibility when your body is out of sync with the local time zone. Most of these cost less than $10, and some even have a snooze function, for when those 5 extra minutes make all the difference.

15.) Pen and journal – The low tech essential every traveler should include on their “must have” list. Don’t trust your memory to safe-guarding your holiday experiences. You don’t have to be Hemingway to jot down your impressions of a new sight, sound, taste or adventure, either. A few words a day can create a lasting memento no photo or postcard could ever match. 12-volt-Travel.com offers everything you could ever think of in travel needs. From the 12 volt lcd tv, jumpstart systems, flashlights & accessories. Visit us online.