Table of Contents
OH NO! What Did You Forget To Pack?
We’ve all been there! Made it all the way to the airport or deadset into day one of our trip and beyond and then it hits us… Oh no! If only I’d packed “insert item”… I’ve done it myself on quite a few trips.
Depending on where you’re going and how long your trip is, you may need to pack extra or specific things. Here is a list of 10 things that may have totally slipped your mind and we are here to get you back on track with your organisational skills and maybe even add a few extra items you may not have considered.
Power Surge Protector
I have only recently found out about this one myself. As an Australian, we aren’t too concerned with the rare incidence of a power surge. In other countries, especially in Asia and places that are popular destinations to travel such as Bali, power surges are a BIG problem.
Imagine using your laptop and phone and happily having them charging only to get hit with a power surge and be stuck overseas with fried devices. In this day and age with all our banking and travel tickets online, this would be a nightmare. So add this first on your items “not to forget to pack”.
Everyone packs their international power sockets but just as important is a power surge protector to protect your devices while charging. They are fairly inexpensive and can be plugged into your international power socket.
Photographs For Visas & Passports
Depending on what country you are going to, you may need a passport photograph of yourself to get a visa on arrival. Regardless it’s good to have a passport formated photo in case you lose your passport or need it for any reason.
I know Loas and Cambodia require you to have passport photos. Yes, you can do them in the countries on arrival for a fee, but why not cut the cost and time of doing that by just bringing the spare ones you have anyway? They always come in handy and are quite cheap to have done at home if you don’t already have them from having your passport done in recent times.
Copies Of Documents
A big one not to forget to pack is copies! ALWAYS BRING COPIES! copies of your passport, copies of your travel insurance with insurance policy certificates, copies of important phone numbers you will need in case your phone goes for a swim.. just any document copies at all. Perhaps copies of accommodation bookings with addresses and phone numbers and VISAs too.
If you are travelling with more people than just yourself, don’t forget to pack everyone’s copies and put them in each persons luggage. That way if you lose a piece of luggage, someone else still has copies.
If you don’t want to carry this personal information on hand, another option is to create an email or photos folder with digital copies.
Spare Phone
Sometimes we have that old phone sitting at home that we upgraded from ages ago and in a drawer somewhere we never think about. Why not bring that on your next trip as a backup? There is nothing worse than being on a trip and being pickpocketed, losing or having your phone damaged.
Everyone is highly reliant on their phones these days and it is a big expense to rebuy on the spot. Let alone if you are in a place where buying phones isn’t super accessible.
So don’t forget to pack the spare phone. Don’t forget to pack the charger for it too, and be sure it actually works before you leave. Chuck it in the bottom of your hand luggage and just have it there as a backup.
It’s easy enough to buy a SIM card in the country you are in and at least you have stored numbers and app access. Better than having no phone at all.
First Aid Pack
I’ve been reluctant to pack a first aid kit in the past. My thinking was if I needed it I’ll just get it there. I don’t want “might use” items weighing down my luggage. Well, I’ve learned my lesson on that. Sometimes simple items are essential to have on hand.
Namely, items you might need quickly. Items I’ve forgotten to pack and then needed are bandaids, suncream and travel-size Detol.
Be sure if you are bringing any medications into a country you are visiting, that it’s legally ok to bring them through the borders. Visit the government information sites for reliable updated information on this like Smartraveller.
Shower Filter
I know I won’t forget to pack my shower filter again. The water in many countries can be hard and have lots of contaminants. I’m quite precious about my hair yes, but many people have lost chunks of hair and I’ve certainly experienced hair damage in under 2 weeks of travel with the change in quality of water.
Water filters can be inexpensive and save you lots of money on hair loss and damage to repair in the future. Most screw on to any type of shower and they are quick and easy to come on and off.
Tote Bag
This is an easy one! Tote bags have endless uses. A lot of places don’t give out plastic bags at the shops anymore. Don’t forget to pack your Tote Bag and bring it along to carry your souvenirs when buying, carry the kid’s hats or shove your dirty laundry in to take it to the laundromat. No one is ever going to regret taking a tote bag anywhere.
Extra Medication
If you are someone who needs to bring prescription medication with you, bring your doctor’s note that you medically are required to take the medication, but also bring extra. Split your storage in your hand luggage and suitcase luggage and don’t forget to pack a week’s extra supply.
Things get lost and damaged and sometimes flights get delayed. Bringing a little extra just gives you a buffer for mishap and if the unfortunate does occur, you will be glad you planned for the worst instead of scrambling for a prescription in a foreign country.
RDIF and Waterproof Protectors
Protect your cards, passport and anything that can be damaged by water with RDIF cases and waterproof equipment.
Even passports have chips now. Skimming cards and passports are big business and can wreck a vacation quick-smart. Protect yourself with RDIF card holders and passport covers.
Don’t risk damaging your expensive devices or passport with water. If there’s a water protector available, buy it, don’t forget to pack it and use it.
Download Apps
The final item is digital and one that lots of people forget. Don’t wait until you are in the country to download apps. Do it before you go.
Apps like local transport apps, which differ in different areas of the world. Apps like offline maps, google authenticator (to access your accounts with different sim cards in your phone), currency converters and travel card apps. Research what others are using in the country and get it ready to go!
Make sure you activate them through confirming your email before you go too, so you arent stuck on the spot or reliant on wifi at the airport in a new country.
I hope you enjoyed our list of 10 Annoying Things You Can Forget To Pack and that you have found it helpful.
For more travel stories and tips head to our other blogs or follow us on social media.
What is required to enter Bali from Australia?
5 amazing North Vietnam Tips for a great time
4 things you need to know about Sekumpul Waterfall for a great day!