12 Things You Should Never Forget to Pack When Traveling

Many of us have taken a two-year hiatus from traveling while cases of COVID-19 soared across the globe. But if you’re like me, you’re itching to get back to exploring new places. Even though traveling is typically a fun and eye-opening experience, it can also be extremely stressful — especially when it comes to packing. 

Even though I’m a notorious over-packer and planner, I inevitably forget to pack something I need and am forced to buy whatever I left behind. (Don’t get me started on the trip where I forgot to pack socks and pajamas.) While you can usually find what you need at your destination, it’s easier to just pack what you need beforehand.

Considering it has been a while since many of us have traveled, a refresher on the items that are often forgotten seems necessary. You likely won’t forget pants or shoes, but what about the items you might not think about? Whether you already have your trip booked or you’re just planning in advance, these are the 12 things you should bring with you on your next vacation. (For more, check out our picks for the top cameras for summer travel and the best carry-on luggage). 

Read also: This Is the Best Way to Pack a Suitcase

1. A power strip

Throughout all of my travels, one thing I’ve discovered is that there’s never enough power outlets where I’m staying. It’s a tough task to choose between having a lamp or charging your phone, and this is only exasperated if you’re sharing a room with others. 

My solution: Bring your own power strip.

You don’t need to pack a full-size power strip either. Belkin, Philips and other companies offer power strips that are compact and built for travel. They turn one outlet into several and typically come with some USB ports built in, too. 

2. A reusable water bottle 

If you’re spending hours walking through city streets or going on a full-day hike in a National Park, you’re going to need to hydrate frequently. It’s not always easy to access water in certain destinations — not to mention how brutally hot or humid in can be in certain climates — so taking a refillable bottle with you is always helpful. 

Sure, you could rely on purchasing water bottles at your destination, but water is often expensive in popular tourist hubs or hotels, and grocery or convenient stores are not always nearby, especially in rural or woodland areas. 

Here’s a list of our favorite water bottles of the year. If your destination’s tap water isn’t drinkable, try a water bottle with a built-in filter. 

3. Portable power banks

When traveling, you’re likely going to be using your phone more — pulling up boarding passes, looking up places to go and directions to those places, keeping in touch with friends and family back home and taking hundreds of pictures. All of this drains your battery, and it can be frustrating to interrupt your busy itinerary of sight-seeing to charge your phone. Plus, access to power outlets is never guaranteed.

That’s why it’s always good to bring a portable power bank with you. Power banks put the power in your pocket for easy access and usually aren’t too expensive. I recommend in investing in one that’s not only reliable, but can also charge your phone multiple times before needing to be charged itself.

Read also: Must-Have Travel Gadgets to Make International Trips Stress-Free

4. Towelettes

While bus tours or subway rides can be super fun, they’re not always the most cleanly of places. During your travels, you’re likely going to have to grab “high-touch” objects like remote controls, light switches, telephones, doorknobs, faucet handles, etc. so it’s important to keep hygiene in mind to prevent illness. 

Washing your hands might not always be an immediate option so make sure to pack a few towelettes with you. Plus, small wipes should make it through security checkpoints without issue.

5. A quick-dry towel

Towels come in handy more often than not and you never know when one might save the day. Maybe you spilled on your outfit or got caught in a rainstorm and need to dry off quickly. Or maybe you arrived to your hotel or Airbnb only to find they didn’t provide towels.

Quick-drying towels are not the most luxurious option, but…