I used to be the world’s worst packer. For instance, when I visited NYC for a week in high school, I filled a big suitcase with completely different outfits and shoes for every day of the trip, plus an excessive number of toiletries that 15-year-old Claire definitely didn’t need. It wasn’t until I studied abroad that I finally got on board with packing light. When I traveled through Italy for three weeks, I brought only a small carry-on bag and repeated outfits as needed. But while I’ll forever prefer to pack light, there are a few travel essentials I always pack just in case. The following 10 items are packing essentials for me—you just never know when you’ll need them, so I always being them. I know 10 “just in case” items sounds like a lot, but most of these things are super small items you can easily squeeze in your toiletries bag.
Band-Aids
I never pack brand new shoes when I travel because I hate getting blisters. But even my favorite sandals can rub my foot the wrong way. My pain tolerance is in the negatives, and when I get a blister I want instant relief. I always carry a few Band-Aids in my purse, and a lot more in my suitcase. They take up no space, but they’re absolute lifesavers.
A Cozy Sweatshirt
My mom is always cold. Like, it could be a 90-degree day outside, and she’ll be inside in the AC wearing slippers, PJ pants, and a sweatshirt. Because of her, I never travel without a sweatshirt. Between planes, hotels, and chilly evenings, I always wind up using my sweatshirt during my travels. To save suitcase space, I recommend carrying your sweatshirt with you on the plane (you’ll likely use it on the plane anyway!).
Plastic Bag(s)
Plastic bags aren’t a glamorous travel essential, but they sure come in handy. No matter where I’m traveling, I like to bring a few plastic bags along for dirty shoes, wet clothing, or dirty underwear (I hate having dirty underwear touch my clean clothing). Grab a few extra plastic bags on your next grocery run and tuck them into your suitcase for future travels.
Tennis shoes
I’m not talking about fashionable tennis shoes like Keds. When I say tennis shoes, I mean tennis shoes. I always pack my Nikes just in case my feet start to hurt while I’m exploring. They’re not the most fashionable shoe choice, but when I travel I want to be comfy above all else. I usually wear my tennis shoes on the plane or train to save suitcase space (no one looks good on the plane, don’t worry). Tennis shoes also double as rain shoes for me while I’m traveling, so I don’t have to ruin my good shoes by getting them wet.
Sunscreen
I pack a little tube of sunscreen even in the dead of winter. UV rays don’t magically disappear when it’s cloudy or cold, so to be safe I always bring sunscreen with me. I consider it my skin insurance and like having it on hand just in case. I prefer Hawaiian Tropic sunscreens; they never break me out and they don’t rub off as easily as other sunscreen brands tend to do.
Pads & Tampons
Even if my period isn’t supposed to start during my trip, I always tuck a few pads or tampons into my bag. If I don’t use them, someone I’m traveling with might need them. Having just a few on hand is enough to tide you over until you find the nearest drugstore.
Spare contacts
Losing a contact is my worst fear when I travel. Overdramatic, I know, but I hate having to wear my glasses all day, especially in the summer. Contacts are the size of a penny, so putting a set in my toiletry bag is no skin off my back. It puts my mind at ease knowing I have a spare waiting for me in my room.
Cash
I never carry cash, but I like to have at least $50 on me when I’m traveling out of state. If I’m traveling internationally, I carry at least $200-worth of cash. This way, I have some funds on hand should my credit card be lost or my account frozen by the bank. Plus, cash is handy for tipping cab drivers.
Ibuprofen
I rarely get headaches, but public transportation can do a number on me. I carry a few ibuprofen in my bag so I can squash a headache as soon as it starts.
Mini hand sanitizer
I avoid hand sanitizer in my daily routine because it dries out my hands, but I have a little bottle of it in my purse at all times on vacation. Public transportation and restrooms aren’t always the cleanest, so I like having hand sanitizer with me to nuke any germs I come into contact with.
Another item I typically pack is a small umbrella, but if I can get away with a rain jacket I’ll pack that instead (I have a bad habit of leaving umbrellas places, so a jacket is usually a better travel option for me). Hopefully this list of “just in case” packing essentials helps you in future travels. As you’re packing your suitcase, grab these items first so you don’t forget them! Many of them are small, so it’s easy to overlook them.
Tell me: What’s one thing you always pack for vacation?
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