It’s always easy to forget stuff when you pack for a trip. If you’re heading to another country, here are some things you want to make sure are in your luggage before you leave for the airport. From health to keeping in touch, here are the most important items to pack when traveling abroad.
Important Items To Pack When Traveling Abroad
Visiting a new country is an exciting endeavor. You get to see new places, experience new cultures, make long-lasting memories, and often try delicious food. Unfortunately, it’s all too common to forget to pack certain things when you’re on a trip. Some of these things you might be able to grab when you arrive, but here are some of the most important items to pack when traveling abroad that you should take care not to forget that will save you both time and money.
Important Items To Pack When Traveling Abroad – Your Passport
While everything else on this list you could purchase when you hit your destination, heading to the airport with your passport will not only cost you time, you won’t be able to board. So, make it your first priority to pack your passport in a place that you’ll remember and can easily grab when you need it.
Important Items To Pack When Traveling Abroad – First Aid Kit
Any number of things can happen while you’re exploring a new country, and it’s always a good idea to have a small first aid kit on hand in the event of an emergency. Of course, you want to have the usual stuff like bandages, antiseptic, and instant ice packs. However, something that many people neglect to pack is things like motion sickness relief or antacids.
Sometimes our bodies have trouble adapting to the local cuisine, and no one wants to miss out on their precious vacation because their stomach hurts. Having a well-stocked first aid kit can help protect you from minor injuries or inconveniences that may otherwise put a damper on your trip.
Also to consider: If you’re traveling to a country you’ve never visited before, make sure to check if they carry personal supplies as some don’t sell what is offered in North America.
Important Items To Pack When Traveling Abroad – Chargers and Converters
Some of the most important items to pack when traveling abroad are your charger cables and any necessary converters that go along with them. Many countries operate on a different electrical frequency than you do back home. You don’t want to get stuck trying to use your hair straightener or laptop above or below 50 Hz, depending on the region (Europe has completely different electrical outs and plugs).
Outlet adaptors, chargers, and any converters can help minimize electrical problems when you’re overseas. Even if you’re visiting a country with the same electrical frequency that you have back home, you may need to bring an outlet converter to use them.
Important Items To Pack When Traveling Abroad – Sun Protection
Nobody wants to deal with a sunburn while they’re on vacation. A few unprotected hours in the sun can lead to days of painful red skin, gross peeling, photos that will need to be edited, and, the worst of all, long term skin issues including wrinkles and more.
Be sure to pack a strong sunscreen between 30 and 50 SPF and apply it regularly to avoid burning. It may also be a good idea to pack a wide-brimmed hat and try to stay in the shade. Even if you don’t burn, prolonged sun exposure can cause other problems and make you feel tired and lethargic.