Part of the nature of travelling is finding yourself in situations you were not necessarily anticipating. While often frustrating at the time, these situations can be character building as well as funny in hindsight.
Thankfully you can make your life easier when the world throws you a curve ball while travelling by packing the following items. Consider it your travel survival kit and thank us later!
1. A change of clothes, underwear, and key toiletries
Keep these in your carry on or travel bag to ensure you can still survive for a few days and at least smell nice and not deal with that furry teeth feeling if your luggage does not end up where you do.
2. Water and a snack
Pretty self-explanatory, but there’s nothing worse than being stuck without access to water or food. Hangry is a real emotion!
3. Your passport or some form of ID…
…and any other important documents relating to your trip.
4. Baby wipes
No shower? No problem.
5. Chargers and cords
Devices are completely useless with flat batteries. And sods law says your battery will die when you need it the most.
6. Local currency
Again, this may seem like a bit of a no-brainer, but don’t assume you will be able to find an ATM immediately upon your arrival, or that everywhere will accept cards. Carrying some local currency means you can at least catch a taxi or buy some water to tide you over until you can find an ATM.
7. A scarf
I will be advocating scarves until the day I die. They really are the fabric version of a lifesaver. With the ability to act as a blanket, pillow, towel, dress, sarong, it’s difficult to think of a situation when you wouldn’t be able to use a scarf.
8. An eye mask and ear plugs
You know what they say: see no evil, hear no evil. Crying baby? Pop in your earplugs and voila! They’re history.
9. Headphones
Preferably of the noise cancelling variety – see above. Also music can help to relax or calm you down in stressful situations. Meditation anyone?
10. A pen
My pen once gave up on me while I was midway through filling out my customs card at Guar De Nore. Clearly not the best timing – writing in blood is not really a good plan B.
11. Medication and prescriptions
Your health is not something to gamble with. Make sure you’re prepared for anything that could potentially put an abrupt end to your trip.
12. A good sense of humour and patience
Apparently it’s a virtue.
Remember, while it may be a pain in the A at the time, travel is all about the journey. Overcoming obstacles goes along with exploring new territories and escaping the ordinary. Often the worst scenarios while travelling make the best dinner table stories!
What is your saviour when it comes to travelling? Share your tips in the comments below.
Related articles:
10 things to always carry on
Knotty Turkish towel
Five flight survival tips
SJ is a regular travel contributor to YourLifeChoices. Her travel low point was buying a Beijing guidebook for her visit to Thailand in 2007. Thankfully her geography has improved since then.
