We’re back with another themed week on the site: Travel Week. This semester, Her Campus FSU has created themed weeks dedicated to exclusive content we believe all of our readers should have access to. Keep up on the site for the next few days as we cover everything from the best places you need to roadtrip to before you graduate to the top eats across the pond (that’s London town, for those of you who haven’t brushed up on your British). We promise we’ll leave you wanderlusting for more. After all, summer vacation is just a few weeks away!
As summer approaches, most of us prepare for the most exciting time of the year – the time for travel. Whether you’re studying abroad, embarking on a cross-country road trip or flying out for a short trip, having the right travel accessories can make or break your experience. Even the most experienced travelers make the rookie mistake of forgetting their most essential tools. Add some of these to your list in order to make the most of your trip time, money and memories.
1. A Portable Charger
Courtesy: Amazon
Chances are you’ll be using your phone constantly. As much as we hate to admit it we can’t just “get lost” in a foreign destination. You’ll be using your cell phone for navigation, photography and social media. You will probably hate yourself if your phone dies while you’re trying to figure out the public transit schedule because you were killing time on Facebook, so invest in a portable charger – the smaller the better – to tote with you. (Just don’t forget to recharge it.)
2. A Reusable Water Bottle
Don’t waste money or resources on disposable water bottles; bring a reusable one. Depending on your destination, it may be helpful to select one that clips onto a bag or has a built-in water filter.
3. A Waterproof Bag and/or Micro Umbrella
Courtesy: Survival Camping Store
Speaking of water, the weather may not always be in your favor – don’t waste a day, instead play in the rain. Protect yourself and your belongings by packing a small umbrella and placing anything that is susceptible to water damage in a sealed water-resistant bag.
4. A Luggage Tag/Luggage Lock
Fortunately, there are kind souls in the world who would attempt to return your luggage to you if it turned up lost. Unfortunately, there are also not-so-kind souls who would like to rummage through the contents of your bag and play finders keepers. Prepare for the best and worst-case scenarios by attaching luggage tags and luggage locks to your bags.
5. A Journal
Courtesy: Women on the Road
You don’t need to be an avid writer to benefit from keeping a travel journal. Maybe you’ll keep your entries to yourself; maybe you’ll publish them. Regardless, you’ll be thankful to have a detailed account to jog your memory of the places, people and events you experienced on your journey. Plus, it’s a nice way to ditch your phone for a bit and really soak up the memories.
6. Headphones
Commuting gets boring, especially if you don’t have cell service. Put together a playlist to keep yourself entertained, and if you want to drown out the screaming babies that seem to be on every plane, invest in a nice soundproof pair of headphones.
7. A Portable Speaker
If you’re traveling with a group and planning on staying in hotels/hostels, visiting beaches, going on hikes, picnics, etc., it’s not a bad idea to bring a portable speaker along for hands-free listening that the whole group can enjoy.
8. TSA Approved Containers
Courtesy: TSA
Save yourself a headache in airport security and grab a few reusable 3.4-ounce containers. Maybe you put shampoo and body wash in them; maybe you fill them with a little something to mix into your complimentary beverage on the plane – I’ll leave that up to you.
9. An Electric Adapter
Courtesy: Amazon
If you’re heading overseas, you’ll likely need an adapter in order to use any electronics you bring along. You can find this adapter with several extensions if you’re travelling throughout Europe. These can make for a hefty investment on various sites, but there is one listed on Amazon for just $6 here.
10. UV Protection
Sunglasses are a must, not only to protect your eyes but they’re also handy for pulling an outfit together or covering up a hangover. If you’re a person who tends to lose nice things, I suggest bringing a couple of cheap pairs rather than your favorite Ray-Bans. And of course, don’t forget to bring a travel size bottle of sunscreen and keep it in a bag at all times.
11. A Scarf
Courtesy: Lulu Dharma
As odd as it may seem, a scarf could serve you very well, especially if you’re going abroad. You may need to cover up upon entering any religious/sacred buildings. It could even come in handy as a picnic blanket, or if it gets chilly in the evenings.
12. Sneakers
Courtesy: New Balance
Having a pair of sneakers with you that double as trendy and comfortable will help you pack lighter, and hopefully prevent you from lugging around several pairs of shoes for various occasions.
13. A Sturdy Backpack
Finding a backpack that is sturdy, well made and spacious will be necessary for most any trip. If you’re spending time backpacking, you’ll probably be investing in a pretty top-of-the-line bag, but you can also check a local army surplus store for a good deal.
14. A Travel Pill Case
Courtesy: Amazon
Traveling can make you sore, tired and sick. Keep any medicine you take regularly along with some Tylenol and vitamin C with you at all times without carting around the entire bottles.
15. A Fanny Pack
Courtesy: Urban Outfitters
Fanny packs have been making a comeback, and for good reasons. Traveling in cities, it’s important to keep your things close, and sometimes handbags are too easily pickpocketed. For hiking, if you only need a few items handy, ditch the backpack and give yourself more freedom to roam.
Bon voyage, Noles!