It doesn’t matter whether you are spending a week in the Bahamas or six months in Europe. These are must-have items for any trip:
1. IDs (Passport, driver’s license, student ID, ISIC card)
This seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many first-time (or many time) travelers only bring their passports as forms of ID. Bring your passport, driver’s license (or regular ID if you do not have one), your student ID from your home university, and an ISIC Card.
It is not always safe to be carrying your passport with you everywhere you go, so bring a driver’s license as a source of identification with the locals. If you want to go clubbing, visit the bars, or go anywhere that has an age requirement, you’ll need it. Also, in many countries it is illegal to walk the streets without identification (so be mindful!).
You’ll want your student ID and ISIC card for discounts, insurance, and proof of study (if you are studying abroad). You also need those to get your student ID at your abroad university.
**Personal note: I highly recommend getting an ISIC card. When I got bronchitis abroad in Krakow, Poland, it refunded me all the medications I had to buy. It also paid for clothes I bought when I was stranded in Charlotte, North Carolina without luggage for a day.
2. Lipbalm
Bring it. Dry lips can really ruin a day. If needed, use for chapped hands.
3. Money (ATM/debit card, credit card, cash)
For the love of god, bring cash. You don’t have to bring a lot of it if you know you will have access to an ATM, but bring some. You can even exchange some to the currency of your foreign destination beforehand (just enough for the taxi from the airport). Think before you bring your credit card. Do you really need it? Sometimes bringing it can be more trouble than it’s worth. If you feel more secure, than by all means bring it, but be smart about it.
4. Medication (prescription & other)
Again, a seemingly obvious one. Bring as much of your prescription medication as you will need for your journey. This may require lots of paperwork to your insurance company, visiting doctors, and a couple weeks of waiting. Put these all in your carry on.
**BRING A COPY OF THE PRESCRIPTION WITH YOU. It is illegal to smuggle prescription drugs, so be prepared to be stopped at airports and asked why you are carrying so many drugs.
Also, bring whatever other medicines you think you would possibly need. Tylenol, Ibuprofen, motion sickness, Tums, anti-diarrhea, cough drops, etc. It can be more difficult to obtain these abroad, or they can be crazy expensive! Also, bring a first aid kit (many of these pills will come included).
5. Bags (laundry, Ziploc)
Bring a bag to separate your dirty clothes. You can find a cheap but durable laundry bag on Amazon for about $4. Nothing smells up a suitcase/backpack quicker than sweaty clothes.
Bring many Ziploc bags of all sizes for your medications, your phone, documents, and cosmetics. You don’t want rain or spills to ruin everything you brought.
6. Shoes
Clothes you can buy, shoes sometimes too. But I’m talking about comfy shoes here. If you’re deciding between another pair of cute sandals that are so-so or running shoes, bring the running shoes. No one wants to look like a tourist, but sometimes you really need to let your feet rest for a day or two. If you’re a big shoe person, you know you’re going to buy shoes abroad, so don’t bother bringing a bunch.
7. Smartphone
Almost everyone has one. Bring it even if you are going to an unsafe location or you don’t think you will use it. Your family and friends at home want to hear from you. In the case of emergencies (i.e. a terrorist attack), you’ll need it to contact authorities or check-in on Facebook to let everyone know you are okay.
8. Reusable water bottle
Surprise. You cannot drink the tap water in most places abroad like you can in the USA. So of course, you’ll have to buy bottled water most of the time or boil. If you’re a big water drinker like me, you’ll want to have a reusable bottle with you. On the off chance you find some filtered water, this water bottle could save your life. If you are worried about space, they now have those roll-up water bottles (or on Amazon). Bring water purifying pills or a filter if you are very worried.
*P.S. Pack your feminine hygiene products, even if you don’t think it’ll be your time of the month. You never know when Mother Nature will decide to surprise you.
Follow Karina’s journey in India on her blog and “like” her on Facebook for more Travel Tips and Tales!