In Bangkok airport the lady at the phone counter took my iPhone, took out my home country SIMcard and and inserted the Thailand SIM card for unlimited data and calls for the equivalent of $12 for 20 days and handed me back my phone, thai SIM packet with my India SIM neatly cello taped on it. It was so fast and efficient that I am mighty impressed by the Thailand tourism juggernaut
Fell for this once in BKK. 😜 I have a dual SIM phone, but the lady just replaced my home SIM instead of adding the new one. Found out when I returned to Europe and had no connection in Frankfurt. Cancelled my SIM before transfer using the free airport wi-fi, got a new one from the phone company on my way home from the airport, unpacked and found... my old SIM neatly cello taped on my dtac tourist SIM packet. It only happened once on the 7th of my dozen or so visits, but I still find it funny. And actually... you should get the Thai SIM in town, not at the airport. For a 30-day internet only SIM the price difference was just under 150% this January.
Bkk is convenient that way. However, nowadays eSims *can* be awfully convenient, especially after a long series of flights, particularly if you arrive late in the day.
A tip I was told years ago. After a trip, make three piles of items. 1st is items you took and used. 2nd is items you took and could have done without, 3rd is items you took but did not use. After repeating this for three or four trips, you will only ever pack items you really need plus maybe location, or time of year specific items, such as a a waterproof coat, warm hat or similar.
My specific What If I guess goes under prescription medicine, it's spare hearing-aids and batteries. Just spare disability living aids. Always a good thing to have. You can get a wheelchair because those shops exist, you can't get a specifically programmed hearing devices XD it's hard enough getting them here at home and they're free.
I don't travel a lot, so when I come home I make one neat pile of the stuff I took but didn't use, take a photo of it, and look back on those photos the next time I pack. It's frequently the same things.
*Travel Hack:* Pack a Turkish towel into a fillable neck pillow case, and VOILÀ! you get a 'non-stranger used towel' + a pillow packed neatly together, outside of a suitcase ... that doesn't count against the space or weight limit. 🧳
Hello from Finland. Good shoes are very important, as well as a windproof jacket, and a beanie and scarf if you are traveling in northern Europe or windy areas. Summer temperature can be about +10 C or colder, nights colder. Example, if is +6 C morning and wind, it almost feel +0 C. Use clothes with weather, not thinking June is summer. Leather gloves if it doesn't rain and waterproof gloves for rain are also important, if only 1 pair so warm water repellent. When the feet, hands and head are warm and you get warm food, then 95% of the day is "saved".
I travel a lot. The one thing I pack that I wish I felt comfortable NOT packing is my little ‘pharmacy’. I learned the hard way that meds in foreign countries aren’t the same and may not work for you. And sometimes you need stuff on the plane before you get to your destination. So I pack a kit. Unfortunately it takes up more room than I like even if I use travel size containers. But after experiencing what it’s like not to have it, I will live with the inconvenience.
I do the same *and* keep the most important medicine in the designated travel medicine bag when I'm home. That way I don't need to keep duplicates and the OTC pain relief (for example) is very easy to find. Same with cosmetics and I check occasionally for expired items
Always in my first aid kit: Anti-diarrhea meds are usually needed at a time it’s not convenient to find a store or pharmacy. Moleskin for blisters. Pesto Bismol or similar. A few bandaids. A sink stopper and a couple laundry detergent sheets. Benadryl, for the odd allergic reaction. Musinex cold medicine. Sting-ease, aloe or similar. Fits in a ziploc sandwich bag and used more often than Not.
Get your towel. Can find a lightweight one. For hygiene and dermatological reasons. You don’t need an itchy rash during your trip. Some hotels use harsh chemicals or don’t wash all the towels every time
Before I leave a hotel room I put all the towels in a pile on the counter - even the ones I didn't use. That way they have to wash them. I even get them a little damp.
Truth! If you have skin allergies. One time we stayed in a hotel due to a snow storm & unsafe roads. I developed a rash from the sheets. Good news is we had a sleeping bag in the van.
Im so glad you mentioned this. I bought one the other day in hopes of using it as a blanket/pillow on the plane, a potential bathing suit cover, and a beach towel. Thanks for validating me 💜
I use a stuffable travel pillow to avoid paying for extra baggage as I stuff it full of clothes. It’s been a game changer, Especially in discount airlines with carry on weight limits, since travel pillows are allowed as additional items for free. And if I don’t need it, it packs flat.
That's a clever idea! I travel on Spirit where you can only bring 1 personal item for free. I either wear a belt bag or a backsack under my jacket & it counts as clothing. You remove them to go through TSA & put them back on after.
That is genius, I'm gonna look into buying one and just stuff it with my underwear/socks and just travel with a backpack. Already done the backpack traveling and I am hooked after just one time. Merino wool shirts are a must for me now. One shirt can go for 3 days of warm/hot climate or longer before I need to wash it briefly.
I only wear merino socks. Even in summer. 👍🏼 I think a microfiber towel is a must. You can use it as a rolled up pillow or blanket on the plane. A beach towel. A yoga mat. (And takes up much less room than a yoga mat). An extra cover on you in bed at night if you need one. A picnic blanket. Also, just in case you stay at a hostel or airbnb that does not supply a towel. It is just immensely useful, and a microfiber towel takes up very little room.
100% agree on both towel and socks. A microfiber towel (terry or smooth - whatever your pref) is immensely useful. As you stated, it's a pillow, it's a blanket on the plane (or in the car). It's also a sun shade, an expedient dust mask, fold them flat, they take up negligible room. Roll them and they're padding... I could go on. To steal the HHGTG quote from another commenter, "If you're going to survive out there, you've really got to know where your towel is." As for cheap socks, life is too short for low quality socks if you walk a lot.
Only one item on that list have I EVER packed. Guidebooks. But I rip out the sections I need and reassemble it when I get home or discard them as we go. I still prefer to be able to flip back and forth through physical pages than on a phone.
I completely agree with Merino wool socks, I am on my feet all day at various construction sites and have been wearing them for years. I rarely have problems with my feet.
1- Rick Steve's guide books are made to rip out sections of the book you need. 2- I get cash before I leave for what I need for the trip and put them in different places and avoid getting scammed at ATMs. 3- I bring from home whatever I need for the trip rather than trying to buy them at the destination which would be a waste of time trying to find and going to those stores, and before you know it the morning is gone.
-I highly recommend a black and white wardrobe (or blue and tan), no need to worry about coordination. -Aim for carry on only, unless you’re getting a lot souvenirs, if you need anything while abroad (like a towel) you can buy it and leave it behind for a lot less than the cost of your baggage fees. Great advise re the e-SIM, I wish I knew about that sooner! Happy travels, everyone!
Microbiologist here. My motto is that it's not wise to be too clean in an unclean world. Exercise that immune system. It can literally save your life. Use the hotel towels. After all, you are sleeping on the sheets. But, don't drink the water. You can take that motto a little too far🤢.
I never bring a towel, but I do bring a large thin scarf. I use it for a lot of things. As a scarf, as a blanket for warmth or to sit on, to cover myself when I go into a mosque, as a bikini cover up, I used it ones as a sling or to create some shadow and sometimes I use it as a towel.
I always now travel with one too. I can lay on it, wrap up in it, use it as a makeshift towel, and so much more. And it takes up almost no room or weight.
I'm a dude but similarly, I have found that a super-size bandana can be a hand towel, wipe, or neck wrap in a chilly situation. Easy to wash & quick dry.
DarnTough socks are way better than smartwool. They are merino with Teflon and they are lifetime warrantied. Send ‘em back when they wear out for a new pair! And they are beautiful socks. Made in Vermont.
A friend buys her travel clothes BEFORE she leaves at a thrift store and donates them to her country of travel. Leaves room in her suitcase for souvenirs etc.
I do the same thing when I go to a place that I may need a special item. I go to a local thrift at the destination, buy what I need and donate it when I leave.
Disagree with your towel position. I always travel with some sort of a towel, whether it be a Turkish, microfiber , or one of those golf ones. Immensely useful. I’ll leave you with one of the best travel advice of all times: “A towel, [The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy] says, is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have. Partly it has great practical value. You can wrap it around you for warmth as you bound across the cold moons of Jaglan Beta; you can lie on it on the brilliant marble-sanded beaches of Santraginus V, inhaling the heady sea vapors; you can sleep under it beneath the stars which shine so redly on the desert world of Kakrafoon; use it to sail a miniraft down the slow heavy River Moth; wet it for use in hand-to-hand-combat; wrap it round your head to ward off noxious fumes or avoid the gaze of the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal (such a mind-boggingly stupid animal, it assumes that if you can't see it, it can't see you); you can wave your towel in emergencies as a distress signal, and of course dry yourself off with it if it still seems to be clean enough.” ~Douglas Adam, Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy.
Yes I agree completely - my main use is to refresh me when I sweat or want to feel fresh (especially in long rides or fligths). : I put a small towel in a plastic bag, half wet for refreshing, the rest for drying myself with. Plus sometimes private houses don't provide towels. In Antigua I had to buy ones for a week, the pension attached to a spanish schoo l didn't provide them. And in network like bewelcome, our Host specifies what to bring.
on a more down to earth less Douglas Adams spin I'll at least take a hand towel sized microfibre towel (right type you can actually dry your whole body) and a regular sized one can become an impromptu picnic blanket in a park in Salzburg or a make shift sunshade in Okinawa just to name a few uses I've put them to
I travel with a long, narrow microfiber towel for when I wash my hair. Packs small, even has a case. My husband brings a washcloth. When we were in India, most places didn't provide one. I had brought a thin one for my face and he ended up using it the whole trip.
Okay with the "what if" that can be easy to obtain or replace but I always travel with a second pair of glasses ... Bifocal very specific for me - I had to wait a few days with a prescription in my country (Belgium).
So glad I do this as well. On my last trip my regular glasses broke beyond repair. I was so grateful to have my backup pair. I also keep a wee repair kit in the case.
I always pack a travel laundry line and use that alot when washing underwear and lightweight tops. I also pack a small washcloth because some places we stayed at only provided towels. Marks & Spenser's used to sell amazing light wool-mix knit thermals for women. They took virtually no space in luggage, weighed next to nothing, and could easily fit under regular clothes. I even used them in Hawaii when we went up to the volcano and temps were 🥶. Wish I could find something like them again! In trips to warm climates my beach cover-up is multi-purposed. I stopped packing a swimsuit on my trips to Europe as never once did I use it; likewise with the travel iron was never used after my second trip. I bring three credit cards. One for my wallet, one stays in my money belt under my clothes along with a little spare cash and a copy of my ID info. I don't bring my regular debit card instead I use a third credit card that I preload with money before travel, and is not connected to any of my bank accounts.
I have a (slightly excessive?) utility kit. For trips over a week I include a few leaves of laundry soap, a 5L thin wall drysack, and a 30’ length of 1000# Kevlar kite string (
On a early December trip to Pairs, I packed 3 pairs of Merino wool socks for 9 days, best thing I ever did. Also, I only packed great walking Sneakers with galoshes. I only needed the galoshes for 4 of the 9 days but my feet and shoes were dry all 9 days. The other people on the trip had wet or damp shoes. Galoshes are great, they take up very little room and give great benefits. If you know, you are going where it is going to rain and be puddles, galoshes are the thing.
MY PRO TIP when going through the security checkpoint: For electronics like laptops Phones or cameras it is always better to send them last through the screening.. if you send them first before you clear the security.. you might give a chance to someone to pick your item and leave
I travel extensively for work, and I agree with this list 100%. I do need rugged clothing for the work I do, but I wear my heavy hiking boots, pants, and jacket on my flights. I still have to pack some, but it's my job. I don't take a towel. I do take a couple of sarongs. I use them for everything. They are fast-drying towels, cover-ups, makeshift backpacks, sunshield, etc. I never pack a hairdryer. If a place doesn't have one, I come up with a different option for my hair. Sometimes travel is about being flexible and spontaneous. International SIM cards are generally super inexpensive as are phone minutes. If you are going to a very remote location, contact supplies can be very hard to find. Sometimes certain feminine hygiene products can be as well so take what you will need.
Disagree regarding the luggage scales. I like buying many items on my travels (bottles of wine or local spirits, food, souvenirs, decoration items like vases, dishes, table towels). The luggage scale is small and help me balancing the weight our luggages before going to the airport. It also tells me if I can buy another bottle of that local beverage without going over my luggage weight limit.
Totally agree. In Europe, the luggage scale is a lifesaver as Flixbus drivers carry one and will charge you if your luggage exceeds 20 kilos, which is way below Asian airline baggage allowance 23-25 kilos per bag.
Always take pictures of meds in case you run out, I save clothes to be tossed, ie last go around for tees, pj's etc to toss making room for possible souvenirs, gifts, a pretty scarf can dress up a plain tee shirt and used as head covering for possible churches
It may not help since you are at the airport already, but most of the idle check-in counters at airports still have the scale on the baggage belt activated, and you can weigh your bag before the airline does, allowing you time to re-arrange items to meet individual bag limits at your leisure and without providing street entertainment for the check-in queue. 😄
my tip for avoiding over packing is i try to bring as many old clothes as i can and just donate or leave them. that way you have light luggage for your return home when you are more worn out or you have room for souvenirs.
I bought a collapsible soft body suitcase at Walmart (basically a duffel on wheels), which I pack inside my regular suitcase. Can be filled on the trip if I go shopping.
Unless you're super particular about things like face creams, even travel size toiletries can be a waste of space for most destinations. Basically don't pack anything that can just come from a grocery store or convenience store. I *LOVE* going to grocery stores when I travel. It's fun, and you can pick up regional products like jams, chocolates, etc. for significantly less than you can in a lot of touristy markets. The selection is frequently better too.
I'm curious how long you travel then? Because travel size items are usually boring generic things the same all over the world. But if you only travel for 2 weeks or so buying a whole big bottle of shampoo might be a waste especially if you only have hang luggage meaning you have to leave the rest behind. Also I wouldn't want to ruin my hair with possibly worse products if you can't read what's in them. Just curious how you do it and in what occasions.
43 mofo’s seem to know wtf a “dress sword” is but we do not. Please explain what you really meant …or who tf you’re dispatching with such sharp evening wear.
A SARONG•pareo - I can use it for around my shoulders on a bus/plane with A/C, to lay on at the beach or use as a towel, as a top sheet in a hot place & more I ONLY use BLOW UP neck pillows & I use them also for pillows where I'm staying if they're too big/firm.
Great video: here is what I always travel with: Laundry soap pods (6 +/-); Apple Air Tags; (2) multi prong (or universal) charging cables for electronics; small LED night light; USB battery pack; plastic bags to keep wet dirty clothes separated from clean; plastic shopping bags for (good quality walking) shoes so that they do not soil clothes; styptic pencil (for small cuts, etc.); wireless and minimum 3 types of wired earphones with 3.5 mm, USB-C, and lightening plugs for plane, phone, ipad, etc.; windbreaker that also doubles as a rain jacket; small sewing kit; I wear glasses so I also pack a small emergency eyeglass repair kit along with a spare pair of glasses. I use sunglass clip ons (Walmart $14) during day so no need for separate sunglasses. Convert money while in US before going overseas if you can.
Agree with everything you do EXCEPT exchanging currency before you leave. I used to do that too but the exchange rate is terrible. The best way to get foreign currency is to get it from a bank ATM at the airport and cities that you are visiting. Get a free bank account at Schwab and they waive all of the ATM withdrawal fees. I travel extensively and never exchange currency anymore, I just withdraw it from the local bank ATMs.
Best to use atm at a bank at your destination instead of converting currency at home before you leave. Capital One charges no foreign transaction fees or atm fees. You get a much better conversion price.
International traveler…..I pack all these! One swap…instead of laundry pods (which from personal experience, melt easier than you’d think) I now pack laundry sheets, similar in size to dryer sheets and can be cut down for hand laundry or smaller loads. I got mine on Amazon.
As an international wide body airline pilot for the past 28 yrs, I have learned and use most of these travel tips - same packing cubes, layering philosophy, even that exact same Patagonia shirt you’re wearing (my fave short sleeve shirt right now 😎👍🏻). I am usually on 8-12 day, around the world the trips. A couple extra things that I do are 1. antimicrobial underwear - usually lighter, can go a couple days with same pair, wash and dry easily in sinks. I never pack more than 2-3 pair of underwear and 2-3 undershirts (for under my uniform) - Exofficio are my go to. 2. Part of my layering routine includes lightweight sun shirts (like Columbia spf30), a light weight 1/4 zip, a lightweight packable parka and a packable rain jacket. Tons of combos with these, including for sub zero days walking around on my winter layovers in Alaska, S. Korea and Europe. 3. My go to pants are normally light weight Kuhl pants - rugged, stains/dirt clean easily, can pass as nice slacks if necessary. 4. I also carry 3-4 laundry pods (double ziplocked) in my toiletries, just in case. 5. Don’t forget shoe bag/packing cube for shoes (if you pack multiple shoes, which I do - dress shoes and running shoes). Keeps all, that crap you walked through during the day out of your bag and off your stuff. Excellent video, great suggestions, and again, great looking shirt. 😎👍🏻
@@carolinacarsolio5476 I don't like eye masks. The headlights of traffic still shine underneath them. Better o have window shutters and curtains all the way across both vertically and horizontally.
I had a trip in 2019 to Norway and Vietnam (it's a long story why it was those two countries). I did a great job packing. I had swim trunks, 2 shorts, 2 pants (1 that I wore on the plane). 5 dri-fit shirts, 2 of them had collars I was able wash the shirts in the sink overnight, and they were dry by morning.
I realised the same thing that when I go to South East Asia that I need drifit t-shirts that don't stay wet all day when you are sweaty, and I don't need more than 3 days of clothes when staying in a hostel because it's too smelly to have so much dirty clothes all the time even if it's stored in a plastic bag. I need better bag options probably? I had 10 days worth of clothes last time, it was too much. I'll also not take a laptop, just my phone and noise cancelling headphones that double as earplugs when people snore. I could use a Samsung tablet with Bluetooth keyboard which has amazing battery life and is essentially like a more capable Chromebook (a browser laptop with amazing battery life) if you don't need anything more than a browser and mobile apps.
DHC powdered face wash, Japanese in the blue bottle. Super gentle for my sensitive skin. Weighs nothing, and well not liquid. Lasts forever. I use this at home anyway, but it's seriously great for travel. ❤😊❤
Well done! As an international business and leisure traveller I fully agree. My one suggestion is about the no-towel recommendation. I have a Turkish ‘peshtamal’ towel in an interesting pattern. This is a flat towel (not a bulky terry one). The interesting pattern lets it work as a shawl, coverup, rolled as a neck support - and its absorbency and fast drying properties let it work as a towel if needed.
Seasoned traveller here, agree with the "what ifs" section but I will say that packing your fears can be smart in some cases for emergencies, like a relatively basic ifak, and some meds. When you're very sick at your accommodation, you won't feel like going out to get stuff.
Your list is sound. I also consider my destination and consider what might be available there that I don't have to pack and bring. For example I only packed one outfit for Hawaii and made one of my first stops Hilo Hattie's Factory. I lived in the mumus, skirts and shirts I got there and had great summerwear for when I got home. Basically when in doubt don't pack it, and if you need to buy it there, you get a story to tell too.
As a female, I disagree about the travel towel. The standard hotel sized towel is pretty small. I bring a nice microfiber body towel and use the small hotel towel for my hair. The microfiber towel can do double and triple duty. You can use it as an airplane blanket or lap blanket. You can also use it as a neck roll, beach towel, almost anything!
I sometimes travel with one of those synthetic (rayon?) sarongs. It can function as a shawl (on the plane, for example), a scarf or a beach towel and takes up very little space.
I agreed with basically everything on the list. Mix and match is key. And for shoes don't ever bring brand new, not yet broken in shoes. While packing for an upcoming trip, I very nearly committed that rookie mistake.
Get the shoes a month ahead, or go to styles and brands that don’t need breaking in. I’ve gone “barefoot shoes” and find they don’t need breaking in as they are a sole that attaches to my foot (some have boot like uppers, some are sandals). In the supportive shoe world, Chacos and Keens both do well day 2 and forward. Birkenstocks need a couple days of less walking (sub 20km), or gasp, socks.
Disagree on the towel. Depends on the destination, but in Italy a microfiber beach towel was invaluable when we went to a hot spring and I expect the same when we visit Spain in a few months and want to spend some time on the beach. Compact and lies flat in my rollaboard taking little room.
A hitchhiker is never without his towel. I’ll take a small towel I also take a bathing suit. Takes a very little space and what if? In the discount stores in the US they start at $60.
Turkish towel for the win! It's usually bigger than the microfiber 'quick dry' ones and is made of cotton instead of plastic but it doesn't take up much space. Great for the beach or poolside as well.
I’ve had for years an inflatable travel pillow with a velour cover that folds down to practically nothing, it’s very comfy and I can inflate it to whatever comfort level I need and when done packs easily in its little pouch, love it!
I pack 3… one to sit on, one for my lower back & one for any fragile items I may purchase. I’m from Australia & vertically challenged so every trip is at least 8 hours long. Having the two pillows makes flying more comfortable
I use an ultralight inflatable hiking pillow, and a neck buff. I can put the semi-inflated pillow under the buff to support my neck in various locations. And I can fully inflate the pillow to use on the tray table or as a lumbar pillow, or as a regular bed pillow should the need arise. In the last case I use the buff as a pillow case. I do sometimes carry the cloth cover from a neck pillow which I stuff with clothing to increase my cabin baggage.
Me too. Also take my neck pillow without the pillow. Once in the hotel I stuff the neck pillow case with a towel...boom. I have my neck pillow without the pillow.
Good points, except luggage scale, as airlines are SO strict. We have a small, ultra lite scale. Has saved huge headaches. As for travel guide books, l dont find digital versions that practical. I will photo copy important bits and discard as we go along.
That's what I started doing years ago before digital. It still is my preference. I segregate the photocopies according to where we are going chronologically, use highlighter on the really important parts, and discard a portion once we move on to the next area. I don't like relying completely on devices.
Keep the backup card in another bag or another location such as a vest or ankle wallet. Use a small wallet or cover with your metro card so you aren't getting your wallet out all the time. Carry a decoy wallet with a 10 dollar bill or local equivalent. You can show the money to the robber and give them this wallet while keeping your wallet with your cards and ID.
I was stuck at an Airbnb in London with no towel and had to walk a half hour to a Tesco where I bought a small one. Many things may not seem necessary until you need it. I’ll always pack a mid sized towel now. Always have flip flops and swim wear too.
In the UK, they often provide towels but not a washcloth/facecloth. I have a collection of washcloths I had to buy at Boots. Now I try to remember to pack one.
A what-if towel option that kicks butt is a tiny Tengui towel. Japanese towel cloths that dry faster than micro towels, pack smaller but are bigger than many bandanas. 12x32/36” typically. They look great, can be used for other things, weigh nothing but dry you efficiently.
As a black woman, I never travel without my hairdryer. Those hotel dryers never get hot enough to dry my hair. Also, never ever leave my Trtl travel pillow at home. Everything else-good tips.
Latina curly hair girl here. Me too!!! My hair laughs at those “dryers” LOL I found an inexpensive 1” barrel hair dryer brush and it’s hot enough and comes apart, so it doesn’t take up much room. I also never leave home w/out a travel towel set after a couple of bad experiences with Airbnb towels. 😅
I was wondering who the heck would pack a hair dryer. I had not considered different hair types. I have long, straight, thin hair. I'm 38 and haven't used a hair dryer in 25 years.
Note that CPAP machines should always be carry on. They are exempt from weight limits, as they are medical equipment. Make sure to take the adapter(s) you need. You will not need a voltage converter for CPAPs, mobile phones, and laptops (but you will need adapters).
Agree 100% with credit cards. I always bring 2. And bring 2 atm’s. I’ve had credit card fraud while I’ve been away, and had to cancel 1. Also have had ATM card eaten at a machine.
Brookstone inflatable Neck Pillow - so compact I often forget it at home. On toiletries, underscoring what was mentioned, you're typically going to places where people are, and they use the same things. I'd recommend packing the antiperspirant your body is accustomed to. I've had some rather uncomfortable reactions to local brands, and in some places they know not of the stuff. Finally, as a traveling field rep for 12 years, I would pack a polycarbonate drinking cup. In a foreign place it was nice to have something familiar for something so basic as drinking beverages in your room.
Me too on the towel. Specifically, the sponge chamois one. Hot water turns it into a warm towel for washing up or drying off. Roll it into wet clothes and squeeze out excess water. Dried, it weighs nothing and takes up little room.
Travel pillow: shove some clothing items in a pantyhose leg. These solutions are needed if you travel 3 months with a 7-kg carry-on only. Makes travel so much more enjoyable.
I buy new merino socks while travelling, this year in Queenstown, New Zealand, last year in Vilnius, Lithuania. Wool socks are usually the only souvenir I buy.
I've chosen to travel with a neck pillow on my Alaska to Rio trip (via Ushuaia) because I've had to take alot of night buses. I agree it wouldn't be worth it just for your flight but for night buses, it definitely helps.
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy says that the most important item is indeed a towel. How else could you flag down a space ship when you want to get off that weired planet?
you don't do that with your towel you do it with your electronic thumb device. Every interstellar traveller who has read the Hitchhiker's Guide knows that.
We're moderately experienced travelers. Agree on Guide Books BUT always get a good, waterproof map for each main city/area you're going to - do NOT rely on your GPS because you could get hit with roaming charges. Consider ripping some pages out of your guidebook if needed. TMobile has free data and messages in many places in the world and fairly cheap calls. While you generally don't need to pack a towel, you may need a washcloth if you're traveling in the UK. You're generally right about not needing "rugged gear" but when we went to Alaska, yes, we needed extra rain gear, including rain pants. My husband & I have chronically disagreed on how much stuff to bring. I got a smaller suitcase & put my stuff in it. He still brings a larger suitcase he has to check for longer trips. But what we tend to do is pack my suitcase for the first few days of our trip (since it fits in the overhead) & I'll put some of my stuff in his suitcase so if his large suitcase is mislaid, we still have enough clothes for a few days.
We decided to travel through Italy for 2 weeks with only 1 carry on bag each. Worked great! We moved around quickly and easily. We rented a smart car for Two that didn’t fit anything bigger.
I just got back from a trip where I realized when I landed that the cold weather clothing I had would not work with the -40 below temperatures I was dealing with. Easiest thing to do was to rent from a local business all the heavy boots, parkas, layers, mittens, that I needed and then turned them back in. My next stop was tropical, so I packed up the snow clothes that I took but didn't use and mailed them to myself. Donating items you are unlikely to use for years is also a good option.
i like the idea of posting the surplusback home to yourself! I've been thinking about posting boxed medical supplies 'in advance' but might be better just to check them in as 'hold' baggage.
Pack a pillowcase you can stuff a sweater or scarf in if you absolutely need a pillow. I have a cotton wrap that can double as a towel. I mostly use it for a cool evening wrap.
Excellent points in this video & info. in comments. Experience is a great teacher too. During & after every trip is a great opportunity to review what you packed & your status, go over lessons learned. I used to overpack terribly, not so much now. I’m a motorcycle traveler, travel internationally, I have heard pack your things, discard half, then discard half again. Be versatile. If you need something, usually can go shopping where you travel. Travel safely, watch out for pickpockets & scams.
I've been traveling domestically and internationally for decades. I agree with this list. The only one of these I still carry is my neck pillow. BUT! This is because I have learned how to tightly roll it and pack it. It fits in my carryon. And I actually use it in my final destination. It's more like a cervical brace than a pillow. This falls under the "if you have a specific reason to bring it". I've gotten to the Pro-Level where I can spend 10 days somewhere and travel just with a carry on.
The cell phone company we use was great for both Europe trips...inexpensive voice calls, cell data (though at lower speeds), unlimited messaging while overseas, used free wifi where we stayed. Agree with quality socks and comfortable street shoes good for walking... but this is true at home, not just while traveling. Agree also with fitting what you need in a single carry-on...it's amazing how little you really need for a vacation.
@@maril1379 Tmobile...we went in and arranged the overseas (pre covid) use before leaving and had to use messaging once just before leaving the country...worked out great...check what their rules are now.
The other thing he didn’t really cover properly is that yeah it’s $10 a day but it’s only for X number of days and then the rest of the month is covered. It’s not like it’s $300 a month.
Honestly, it is just plain stupid or lazy to use your US cell phone provider's international roaming plan. Get a travel eSIM. There are several companies that offer this service, like Holafly and Airalo. Get plenty of high-speed data no matter where you're at, no need to rely on risky free Wi-Fi, and all for the cost of one or two days of an "international" plan.
I used to not travel with a neck pillow but lately I've been going with one almost all the time. I still find it useful sleeping on a bed but also during times when i just wait for my flight or just sitting down somewhere.
Great video. Agree with all but I do bring a “J pillow” which personally I treasure - great for planes, trains, and bus rides. Also, it has saved me multiple times over the years when I got to a lodging and turned out that I really didn’t like the bed pillows - I can always shape the J pillow into something comfortable in a pinch so I sleep better and for sure have a much better travel experience when I do sleep well.
I'm trying a neck pillow that fits also under my chin to give me comfort when sleeping upright. Hate when I fall asleep & then wake myself up when my neck drops. Don't want to use my jacket under my chin & behind my head. Cool looking, compression socks to limit ankle swelling.
Great video. I would wear trail running shoes. They’re very versatile. You can wear them for walking, hiking, jogging or running. I wore a pair of all-black ASICS trail runners in seven European countries in 2021. It was a good investment.
Very interest9h and good advice. I took note of Holafly just in case. Our phones only work in the contiguous USA or Puerto Rica so we use WiFi to check internet and for WhatsApp. If you are retired, you do not need to be making calls all the time If I go home to Uk I have a UK phone. Same for Hong Kong. Easy for us old folks who travelled before mobile phones or Internet. In 1996 we were on Tibet! Have courage, switch off and enjoy getting away from it all.
I travel with a soft feather pillow that molds around your neck- hotel pillows or other peoples’ pillows are way overstuffed and are awful. But combined with a small moldable one that you can tuck in under your neck- priceless.
Mix 'n'' match clothes is a must. For longer holidays ('vacations') I've started taking less pants 'n' socks but making sure the apartment has a washing machine. *Don't Forget Your Charger* and associated cables. Also, my rucksack has a solar charge usb battery/speaker built in- handy for on the go charging better sound in more basic accommodation (no TV etc). Excellent point about the e-reader. they're thin and light and have all your books. Something I found handy was a smartphone with e-Ink or use your e-reader with google maps - so you can view your maps on the beach or in bright sunlight.
I always wear good fitting leather hikers wherever I’ve travelled (43 countries so far). They work everywhere - city sidewalks or rugged trails. ONE pair of nicely polished hard wearing shoes keeps the packing light.
On credit cards you really need to be careful which ones you bring. I've had trouble using mastercard in lots of south American countries and mostly used VISA.
Great video! I’m a life long over-packer and guilty of clothes not even worn or items used. This will help on my next trip to Europe this month. There are two things I’ll always bring. Two pairs of shoes, one for walking and one for dinner. Dinner is special and I’d like to wear better clothes. I mainly travel all over Italy and 99% of the time the wash cloths in the hotels are paper thin. I bring a wash cloth or exfoliating bath sponge so I feel clean….especially in the summer. I will try my best knowing it’s not quite warm yet.
We went camping in the Berkshires (Mass. US) one summer and it got really cold so we went to a thrift store and purchased winter jackets. Great advice!
Merino is not the best choice just for socks...underwear, base layers/T-shirts, and polo shirts are also a growing part of my travel wardrobe. In addition to the temperature aspect they are easy to wash dry quickly. Not inexpensive, but really reduces the amount of clothes that you need to pack. For a 17-day trip to Italy this easily fit in my rollaboard with plenty of room to spare.
Is there a good hypoallergenic, non-itchy alternative? My skin does NOT react well when covered by wool of any kind. A little wool at the edges is usually OK (scarves, overcoats, etc.), but even the thought of wearing unlined wool shirts makes my skin crawl.
@@jeburr24 I'm the same. I travel a great deal and my go-to next to skin layer is bamboo. Some of the thicker ones can take a while to dry, but there's many that are very easy for hand washing and overnight drying. (I never use laundries when travelling as I can't trust what products they're using)
Exactly right. I have made each one if these mistakes. 😂 Only pack things that you cannot get in your destination country. I have 2 ATM cards from different banks. This has saved me multiple times. Also ANYTHING that has a BATTERY in it should ALWAYS be packed in your CARRY ON. Good stuff.
You probably DO need a microfiber towel if you have long ethnic hair and/or swim a lot. I never travel without one--they pack down small and do not weigh much. Hiking boots would also be a yes for me if going anywhere in the Andes...you need shoes that can take rough conditions. I don't take hiking boots to Europe, but I have found that I need them in much of Latin America.
It takes a lot of time to shop for necessities in a foreign country and time in uninteresting spots to do laundry. I prefer to take what I need and spend my time enjoying my trip. Maybe I am just too old.
Totally agree with everything you say except my microfiber towel especially if going to beach destinations. I use it as a blanket on plane or roll up for my neck, at beaches as a towel and even as a blanket to sit on when needed and each kid and grandkid has there own they have to each carry themselves. Thanks for all your videos and advice
I agree with your list - For long term travel - I bought a phone with SIM card while I lived in India. No plan - just pay for SIM card reloads. I made the mistake of bringing heavy duty hiking shoes for some Himalaya mountain hiking. But that was only a small portion of the entire trip. They are so heavy and took up a lot of space - and they were too good for me to leave them there. Socks - Smart wool is one of my favorite brands of socks. On one trip that included Paris and painting instruction in Loire valley - I planned on buying things and leaving some clothing items there. (I only had a carry on and a backpack.) Great video
One thing I ALWAYS travel with is a compact but comprehensive sewing kit. I’ve lost count of the number of times it’s been my saviour! Split seam? No problem. Lost button? Fixed. Foot blister? Sterilise a pin, and have at it. Last clean sock worn through? Darn it! Shoes need insoles, or you buy something in a welded plastic blister pack? Scissors to the rescue for trimming and cutting into. Best thing is, the kit is compact, lightweight and inexpensive. Just make sure it has decent mercerised thread, not horrible cheap crap.
Absolutely! Takes up almost no space and can come in super handy. I’ve made my own tiny kit with a few different buttons, needles and black, gray and white threads. Stays in my toiletry bag all the time. Also in my bag is a pair of little kids “1st” scissors. Used those upteen times for a variety of things. And last, but not least… a small eyeglass repair kit especially if you wear prescription lenses.
@@bigwave_dave8468 Sure, but I don't use premium hotels. Generally, unless a client's paying, it's AirBnBs or mid-range. Turns out, I could buy a LOT of really good sewing kits for the price difference between mid- and top-range hotels, and all I need is somewhere clean to lay my head.
Used to never use the pillow but it’s a game changer at hotels and airports and with kids on buses and cars. Worth it to me to have the comfort of that for my body. Also I take a thin microfiber small towel - majority of international travel experiences I’ve needed it!
I will never not take a neck pillow on a plane. If I am driving I will take my full size cooling contoured pillow. My foam neck pillow is a compromise to not lug my full size pillow onto the plane😅 also, it snaps onto my luggage so it's not "taking up room"? I don't understand what he even means by that. 🤔 But I DO NOT trust hotel pillows. They're lumpy or don't support my neck or half the time have feathers (which I am allergic to and do not need it that close to my face). I have learned how to use my neck pillow at the hotel and had much better sleep with it than the pillows they provide.
Whenever I see a "What Not to Pack" video, neck pillow is almost always #1. If I think I'll need one, I bring an extra sweatshirt on the plane and use that as a neck pillow.
For the travel cushion, I take one that folds down to a small pillow shape then I use it at the hotel at night for when I want extra padding when sitting up or want to elevate my leg as I sleep for any reason (good tip if you’ve minor back issues like me)
During my travelz I kept a large heavy beach towel and it was the best decision! Towel for getting wet, could use it as a blanket if I felt chilly, neck pillow if I needed, and fow privacy if a had to change in a semi-public setting!
Sound advice! Agree about good socks and capsule wardrobe. I never take a hairdryer, if I take a towel it’s a microfibre one. Have been decanting toiletries for years (miss the 35 mm film containers which were perfect for this!) and using solid ones where possible and chuck out leftovers - hotels often have toiletries. Take medication out of boxes and if you don’t need 28 days cut the blister packs down, but take your NHS prescription list with you in case you forget anything or you’re questioned at customs/security, which has happened! Take things that can double up - sun cream is face moisturiser; use face wipes for cleansing hands and butt as well. The only issue is my mobile provider doesn’t provide data for some countries so I rely on WiFi and need to take a printed travel guidebook (I always check the weight before buying) The one thing I don’t cut out, unless it’s a short or city trip, is a camera. I have several to suit different kinds of tours
good points. in UK my provider still has EU 'roaming' so I can still use my inclusive data, but for travel to non-member countries (Egypt, Israel Jordan for example) then 'local' eSIM or dual SIM handsets is the way to go. eSIM ideal now for going UK/EU to USA/Canada
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I pack solid shampoo and conditioner. Very lightweight and no worries about spilling.
I know solid shampoo, but solid conditioner? Who makes this?
@@nathalierey7663I use Kitsch but several other brands have them as well.
@nathalierey7663 I order both shampoo and conditioner from the zero waste store but I think they are both available on Amazon as well.
Don't pack any, you can buy locally for next to nothing and bin it when you travel.
@@sheilaabrahams1322 I have used solids for years - currently using shampoo and conditioner from Kitsch.
I removed the foam from my neck pillow and stuff it with extra clothing 😊
Genius!
Brilliant!❤
Some airlines are now checking that and will charge you extra.
@@rM-xk9ob i doubt it, once you go through security the airline is not going to check
@@shelleylarose
They can and do make luggage checks at the gate while boarding
In Bangkok airport the lady at the phone counter took my iPhone, took out my home country SIMcard and and inserted the Thailand SIM card for unlimited data and calls for the equivalent of $12 for 20 days and handed me back my phone, thai SIM packet with my India SIM neatly cello taped on it. It was so fast and efficient that I am mighty impressed by the Thailand tourism juggernaut
I prefer to tape the sim to the inside of my phone case...or in the good old days, the inside of the battery cover. Harder to lose.
Fell for this once in BKK. 😜 I have a dual SIM phone, but the lady just replaced my home SIM instead of adding the new one. Found out when I returned to Europe and had no connection in Frankfurt.
Cancelled my SIM before transfer using the free airport wi-fi, got a new one from the phone company on my way home from the airport, unpacked and found... my old SIM neatly cello taped on my dtac tourist SIM packet.
It only happened once on the 7th of my dozen or so visits, but I still find it funny. And actually... you should get the Thai SIM in town, not at the airport. For a 30-day internet only SIM the price difference was just under 150% this January.
In the goo old days their wasn't any phones
Bkk is convenient that way. However, nowadays eSims *can* be awfully convenient, especially after a long series of flights, particularly if you arrive late in the day.
And you just allowed a stranger to just pick up your phone and do that? Could have had a virus nevermind she could have just kept it.
A tip I was told years ago. After a trip, make three piles of items. 1st is items you took and used. 2nd is items you took and could have done without, 3rd is items you took but did not use. After repeating this for three or four trips, you will only ever pack items you really need plus maybe location, or time of year specific items, such as a a waterproof coat, warm hat or similar.
My specific What If I guess goes under prescription medicine, it's spare hearing-aids and batteries. Just spare disability living aids. Always a good thing to have. You can get a wheelchair because those shops exist, you can't get a specifically programmed hearing devices XD it's hard enough getting them here at home and they're free.
@@Roadent1241 those are the types of things where its better safe than sorry, same goes for painkillers i would say
@@multifandomnerd1328 yeah, fair, you know what works for you.
I don't travel a lot, so when I come home I make one neat pile of the stuff I took but didn't use, take a photo of it, and look back on those photos the next time I pack. It's frequently the same things.
Yes, that works!
*Travel Hack:* Pack a Turkish towel into a fillable neck pillow case, and VOILÀ! you get a 'non-stranger used towel' + a pillow packed neatly together, outside of a suitcase ... that doesn't count against the space or weight limit. 🧳
Brilliant!
Consider it done! Great tip. I have both and they will now be BFF’s.
Hello from Finland. Good shoes are very important, as well as a windproof jacket, and a beanie and scarf if you are traveling in northern Europe or windy areas. Summer temperature can be about +10 C or colder, nights colder. Example, if is +6 C morning and wind, it almost feel +0 C. Use clothes with weather, not thinking June is summer.
Leather gloves if it doesn't rain and waterproof gloves for rain are also important, if only 1 pair so warm water repellent. When the feet, hands and head are warm and you get warm food, then 95% of the day is "saved".
That's a great phrase at the end!
Terveisiä Irlannista, olen täysin samaa mieltä!
I travel a lot. The one thing I pack that I wish I felt comfortable NOT packing is my little ‘pharmacy’. I learned the hard way that meds in foreign countries aren’t the same and may not work for you. And sometimes you need stuff on the plane before you get to your destination. So I pack a kit. Unfortunately it takes up more room than I like even if I use travel size containers. But after experiencing what it’s like not to have it, I will live with the inconvenience.
I do the same *and* keep the most important medicine in the designated travel medicine bag when I'm home. That way I don't need to keep duplicates and the OTC pain relief (for example) is very easy to find. Same with cosmetics and I check occasionally for expired items
I travel worldwide and I also pack my mini first aid kit. But I manage to stuff those things in a sandwich size zip bag.
Always in my first aid kit: Anti-diarrhea meds are usually needed at a time it’s not convenient to find a store or pharmacy. Moleskin for blisters. Pesto Bismol or similar. A few bandaids. A sink stopper and a couple laundry detergent sheets. Benadryl, for the odd allergic reaction. Musinex cold medicine. Sting-ease, aloe or similar. Fits in a ziploc sandwich bag and used more often than Not.
Absolutely! What if you can’t read foreign labels? You could end up taking the wrong thing!
Absolutely! Always.
Get your towel. Can find a lightweight one. For hygiene and dermatological reasons. You don’t need an itchy rash during your trip. Some hotels use harsh chemicals or don’t wash all the towels every time
Before I leave a hotel room I put all the towels in a pile on the counter - even the ones I didn't use. That way they have to wash them. I even get them a little damp.
Truth! If you have skin allergies. One time we stayed in a hotel due to a snow storm & unsafe roads. I developed a rash from the sheets. Good news is we had a sleeping bag in the van.
As a woman, I use a Turkish towel which has multiple uses including a sarong type skirt.
Yes. A Peshtemal (Turkish towel) or a sarong. Not both. Wildly useful!
Im so glad you mentioned this. I bought one the other day in hopes of using it as a blanket/pillow on the plane, a potential bathing suit cover, and a beach towel. Thanks for validating me 💜
I use a stuffable travel pillow to avoid paying for extra baggage as I stuff it full of clothes. It’s been a game changer,
Especially in discount airlines with carry on weight limits, since travel pillows are allowed as additional items for free. And if I don’t need it, it packs flat.
Where can we get one??
@@rasmitagubhaju9432Amazon. I use Cosy Collection
That's a clever idea! I travel on Spirit where you can only bring 1 personal item for free. I either wear a belt bag or a backsack under my jacket & it counts as clothing. You remove them to go through TSA & put them back on after.
@@rasmitagubhaju9432amazon
That is genius, I'm gonna look into buying one and just stuff it with my underwear/socks and just travel with a backpack. Already done the backpack traveling and I am hooked after just one time. Merino wool shirts are a must for me now. One shirt can go for 3 days of warm/hot climate or longer before I need to wash it briefly.
I like to use space bags. You can stuff your bulky coats & sweaters then compress the air out & have more bag space.
I only wear merino socks. Even in summer. 👍🏼
I think a microfiber towel is a must. You can use it as a rolled up pillow or blanket on the plane. A beach towel. A yoga mat. (And takes up much less room than a yoga mat). An extra cover on you in bed at night if you need one. A picnic blanket. Also, just in case you stay at a hostel or airbnb that does not supply a towel. It is just immensely useful, and a microfiber towel takes up very little room.
Always know where your towel is..
Also some gyms want you to cover seats & benches with a "towel" and a microfibre one does the job nicely.
100% agree on both towel and socks. A microfiber towel (terry or smooth - whatever your pref) is immensely useful. As you stated, it's a pillow, it's a blanket on the plane (or in the car). It's also a sun shade, an expedient dust mask, fold them flat, they take up negligible room. Roll them and they're padding... I could go on. To steal the HHGTG quote from another commenter, "If you're going to survive out there, you've really got to know where your towel is." As for cheap socks, life is too short for low quality socks if you walk a lot.
I live in AZ and agree with you on merino socks all the time
I use my towel to roll up clothing after I wash them in the sink. Helps them dry quicker.
Only one item on that list have I EVER packed. Guidebooks. But I rip out the sections I need and reassemble it when I get home or discard them as we go. I still prefer to be able to flip back and forth through physical pages than on a phone.
@@NostalgicPiano I prefer physical hard copies. Too old school, I guess.
as someone who travels internationally every other month, all of these tips were 100% spot on. you got a like and a subscription
Welcome! Thanks for watching!
I completely agree with Merino wool socks, I am on my feet all day at various construction sites and have been wearing them for years. I rarely have problems with my feet.
1- Rick Steve's guide books are made to rip out sections of the book you need. 2- I get cash before I leave for what I need for the trip and put them in different places and avoid getting scammed at ATMs. 3- I bring from home whatever I need for the trip rather than trying to buy them at the destination which would be a waste of time trying to find and going to those stores, and before you know it the morning is gone.
-I highly recommend a black and white wardrobe (or blue and tan), no need to worry about coordination.
-Aim for carry on only, unless you’re getting a lot souvenirs, if you need anything while abroad (like a towel) you can buy it and leave it behind for a lot less than the cost of your baggage fees.
Great advise re the e-SIM, I wish I knew about that sooner!
Happy travels, everyone!
totally!
Yep, buy and leave behind. How ecologically friendly we are pushed to be ....
yes, the people working in hotels for minimum wage are always very appreciative @@dmitripogosian5084
@@dmitripogosian5084 you can donate it to a local thrift store. No one said you have to throw the stuff away.
My spouse got spoiled by Tokyo. You're always 5 steps from a 7-11 and cheap umbrellas are everywhere!
Microbiologist here. My motto is that it's not wise to be too clean in an unclean world. Exercise that immune system. It can literally save your life. Use the hotel towels. After all, you are sleeping on the sheets. But, don't drink the water. You can take that motto a little too far🤢.
It depends on where you are. Water is safe to drink in Europe, generally.
Love it!
As Jim Gaffigan says; (Something like) Maybe the last guy used this on their elbow.
Thankyou.
All the Dr.'s I've know gave similar advice.
I never bring a towel, but I do bring a large thin scarf. I use it for a lot of things. As a scarf, as a blanket for warmth or to sit on, to cover myself when I go into a mosque, as a bikini cover up, I used it ones as a sling or to create some shadow and sometimes I use it as a towel.
Me too. A sarong is super useful.
I always now travel with one too. I can lay on it, wrap up in it, use it as a makeshift towel, and so much more. And it takes up almost no room or weight.
I do the same w my sarong!
I'm a dude but similarly, I have found that a super-size bandana can be a hand towel, wipe, or neck wrap in a chilly situation. Easy to wash & quick dry.
Microfiber towels are great for wrapping hand washed items and bathing suits and using as head scarfs and neck pillows.
DarnTough socks are way better than smartwool. They are merino with Teflon and they are lifetime warrantied. Send ‘em back when they wear out for a new pair! And they are beautiful socks. Made in Vermont.
Thanks! I agree - it seems smart wool socks do not last at all, at least for me. I'm trying the other brand!
Yes! Smartwool socks only seem to last me a year. Darn Tough are better.
I have both, and I greatly prefer Darn Tough over smartwool.
Darn Tough 💯💯💯
Another good thing about Darn Tough-they come in sizes. No longer do too long socks bunch up under my foot arch
A friend buys her travel clothes BEFORE she leaves at a thrift store and donates them to her country of travel. Leaves room in her suitcase for souvenirs etc.
I do the same thing when I go to a place that I may need a special item. I go to a local thrift at the destination, buy what I need and donate it when I leave.
Donate = leave the trash for someone else to clean up
Recycling- good idea!
People may appreciate and enjoy!
😉
Great idea!
I take my old that I plan on toss out. On motorcycle long rides, I ship a box of replacement clothing to the hotel and start again
Disagree with your towel position. I always travel with some sort of a towel, whether it be a Turkish, microfiber , or one of those golf ones. Immensely useful. I’ll leave you with one of the best travel advice of all times:
“A towel, [The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy] says, is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have. Partly it has great practical value. You can wrap it around you for warmth as you bound across the cold moons of Jaglan Beta; you can lie on it on the brilliant marble-sanded beaches of Santraginus V, inhaling the heady sea vapors; you can sleep under it beneath the stars which shine so redly on the desert world of Kakrafoon; use it to sail a miniraft down the slow heavy River Moth; wet it for use in hand-to-hand-combat; wrap it round your head to ward off noxious fumes or avoid the gaze of the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal (such a mind-boggingly stupid animal, it assumes that if you can't see it, it can't see you); you can wave your towel in emergencies as a distress signal, and of course dry yourself off with it if it still seems to be clean enough.” ~Douglas Adam, Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy.
Yes I agree completely - my main use is to refresh me when I sweat or want to feel fresh (especially in long rides or fligths). : I put a small towel in a plastic bag, half wet for refreshing, the rest for drying myself with. Plus sometimes private houses don't provide towels. In Antigua I had to buy ones for a week, the pension attached to a spanish schoo l didn't provide them. And in network like bewelcome, our Host specifies what to bring.
on a more down to earth less Douglas Adams spin I'll at least take a hand towel sized microfibre towel (right type you can actually dry your whole body) and a regular sized one can become an impromptu picnic blanket in a park in Salzburg or a make shift sunshade in Okinawa just to name a few uses I've put them to
I travel with a long, narrow microfiber towel for when I wash my hair. Packs small, even has a case. My husband brings a washcloth. When we were in India, most places didn't provide one. I had brought a thin one for my face and he ended up using it the whole trip.
It's only second to my request for a pangalactic gargle blaster
You are obviously one hoopy frood! 😀
Okay with the "what if" that can be easy to obtain or replace but I always travel with a second pair of glasses ... Bifocal very specific for me - I had to wait a few days with a prescription in my country (Belgium).
Good thinking! I don't blame you
Agree, as I have a tendency to lose my glasses and it’s definitely a disaster when that happens
This is something important!
Not the second extra pair of underwear. Clothes can be washed 👍
So glad I do this as well. On my last trip my regular glasses broke beyond repair. I was so grateful to have my backup pair. I also keep a wee repair kit in the case.
Yes! On a trip earlier this year, my glasses fell off my lap while I was napping, never to be found again. So glad I had a second pair!
I always pack a travel laundry line and use that alot when washing underwear and lightweight tops. I also pack a small washcloth because some places we stayed at only provided towels.
Marks & Spenser's used to sell amazing light wool-mix knit thermals for women. They took virtually no space in luggage, weighed next to nothing, and could easily fit under regular clothes. I even used them in Hawaii when we went up to the volcano and temps were 🥶. Wish I could find something like them again!
In trips to warm climates my beach cover-up is multi-purposed. I stopped packing a swimsuit on my trips to Europe as never once did I use it; likewise with the travel iron was never used after my second trip.
I bring three credit cards. One for my wallet, one stays in my money belt under my clothes along with a little spare cash and a copy of my ID info. I don't bring my regular debit card instead I use a third credit card that I preload with money before travel, and is not connected to any of my bank accounts.
I have a (slightly excessive?) utility kit. For trips over a week I include a few leaves of laundry soap, a 5L thin wall drysack, and a 30’ length of 1000# Kevlar kite string (
Excellent suggestions.
I would just lay the wet clothes on the shower door handle or something similar.
@@heythave Dude, the line is better, especially for a couple. I should know. :)
Spencer**
On a early December trip to Pairs, I packed 3 pairs of Merino wool socks for 9 days, best thing I ever did. Also, I only packed great walking Sneakers with galoshes. I only needed the galoshes for 4 of the 9 days but my feet and shoes were dry all 9 days. The other people on the trip had wet or damp shoes. Galoshes are great, they take up very little room and give great benefits. If you know, you are going where it is going to rain and be puddles, galoshes are the thing.
What do u mean by galoshes? Rubber overshoes? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galoshes
What the heck are galoshes? Lol
@@williamstuhldreher2466it’s probably the plastic shoe cover.
MY PRO TIP when going through the security checkpoint: For electronics like laptops Phones or cameras it is always better to send them last through the screening.. if you send them first before you clear the security.. you might give a chance to someone to pick your item and leave
I travel extensively for work, and I agree with this list 100%. I do need rugged clothing for the work I do, but I wear my heavy hiking boots, pants, and jacket on my flights. I still have to pack some, but it's my job. I don't take a towel. I do take a couple of sarongs. I use them for everything. They are fast-drying towels, cover-ups, makeshift backpacks, sunshield, etc. I never pack a hairdryer. If a place doesn't have one, I come up with a different option for my hair. Sometimes travel is about being flexible and spontaneous. International SIM cards are generally super inexpensive as are phone minutes. If you are going to a very remote location, contact supplies can be very hard to find. Sometimes certain feminine hygiene products can be as well so take what you will need.
I always pack my microfiber towel. It works as a towel, yoga mat, blanket, and scarf
And its lite, absorbent and small.
Same.
Disagree regarding the luggage scales.
I like buying many items on my travels (bottles of wine or local spirits, food, souvenirs, decoration items like vases, dishes, table towels). The luggage scale is small and help me balancing the weight our luggages before going to the airport. It also tells me if I can buy another bottle of that local beverage without going over my luggage weight limit.
Totally agree. In Europe, the luggage scale is a lifesaver as Flixbus drivers carry one and will charge you if your luggage exceeds 20 kilos, which is way below Asian airline baggage allowance 23-25 kilos per bag.
Always take pictures of meds in case you run out, I save clothes to be tossed, ie last go around for tees, pj's etc to toss making room for possible souvenirs, gifts, a pretty scarf can dress up a plain tee shirt and used as head covering for possible churches
It may not help since you are at the airport already, but most of the idle check-in counters at airports still have the scale on the baggage belt activated, and you can weigh your bag before the airline does, allowing you time to re-arrange items to meet individual bag limits at your leisure and without providing street entertainment for the check-in queue. 😄
I always take a very comfortable hoodie as my travel pillow. Roll it lengthwise and use the arms to tie it comfortably. So nice!
Great!
Good idea!!!
Like the tying aspect!
Yes, I have been doing that for years.
my tip for avoiding over packing is i try to bring as many old clothes as i can and just donate or leave them. that way you have light luggage for your return home when you are more worn out or you have room for souvenirs.
Me too.
Weird advice. How crappy do you want to look on vacation?
I have gotten additional sweaters to layer at a thrift store, and I've junked worn out shoes before going home.
I bought a collapsible soft body suitcase at Walmart (basically a duffel on wheels), which I pack inside my regular suitcase. Can be filled on the trip if I go shopping.
Unless you're super particular about things like face creams, even travel size toiletries can be a waste of space for most destinations. Basically don't pack anything that can just come from a grocery store or convenience store. I *LOVE* going to grocery stores when I travel. It's fun, and you can pick up regional products like jams, chocolates, etc. for significantly less than you can in a lot of touristy markets. The selection is frequently better too.
I'm curious how long you travel then? Because travel size items are usually boring generic things the same all over the world. But if you only travel for 2 weeks or so buying a whole big bottle of shampoo might be a waste especially if you only have hang luggage meaning you have to leave the rest behind. Also I wouldn't want to ruin my hair with possibly worse products if you can't read what's in them. Just curious how you do it and in what occasions.
I never travel with more than two dress swords. More would be ridiculous.
43 mofo’s seem to know wtf a “dress sword” is but we do not.
Please explain what you really meant …or who tf you’re dispatching with such sharp evening wear.
Dress swords 😂
What?!
TWO dress swords? How do you have room for a selection of Cravats, Mess Jacket, and a Cummerband or two?
@@mrskelington I keep them in my waxed canvas bath. Obviously!
A SARONG•pareo - I can use it for around my shoulders on a bus/plane with A/C, to lay on at the beach or use as a towel, as a top sheet in a hot place & more
I ONLY use BLOW UP neck pillows & I use them also for pillows where I'm staying if they're too big/firm.
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy states very firmly that you should always bring your towel!
Please explain why.
@@MJCarson103 'Why' is an Adverb "used in questions to ask the reason for or purpose of something".
_Oxford English Dictionary_
😉
Exactly what came to mind😅. I never forgot those words of advice.
@@MJCarson103 Because on many planets, there are no towels.
I came here to the comments say that. :D
I used to cut out pages from lonely planet books back in the day.
Europe on $5 a Day and a huge map of Europe I scavenged.
I’ll often just cut out a map to keep in my pocket - quicker and easier than my phone - and then toss it away before heading home.
I took copies of the pages at old times. When I was done In one place, I left the copies. Now, screen shorts are enough
@@angus7278Google maps can be downloaded and use offline. Everything is so easy nowadays. And you can always find wifi' s on cafes and so on.
Great video: here is what I always travel with: Laundry soap pods (6 +/-); Apple Air Tags; (2) multi prong (or universal) charging cables for electronics; small LED night light; USB battery pack; plastic bags to keep wet dirty clothes separated from clean; plastic shopping bags for (good quality walking) shoes so that they do not soil clothes; styptic pencil (for small cuts, etc.); wireless and minimum 3 types of wired earphones with 3.5 mm, USB-C, and lightening plugs for plane, phone, ipad, etc.; windbreaker that also doubles as a rain jacket; small sewing kit; I wear glasses so I also pack a small emergency eyeglass repair kit along with a spare pair of glasses. I use sunglass clip ons (Walmart $14) during day so no need for separate sunglasses. Convert money while in US before going overseas if you can.
Thanks!!!
Great tips!!!
Agree with everything you do EXCEPT exchanging currency before you leave. I used to do that too but the exchange rate is terrible. The best way to get foreign currency is to get it from a bank ATM at the airport and cities that you are visiting. Get a free bank account at Schwab and they waive all of the ATM withdrawal fees. I travel extensively and never exchange currency anymore, I just withdraw it from the local bank ATMs.
Best to use atm at a bank at your destination instead of converting currency at home before you leave. Capital One charges no foreign transaction fees or atm fees. You get a much better conversion price.
International traveler…..I pack all these! One swap…instead of laundry pods (which from personal experience, melt easier than you’d think) I now pack laundry sheets, similar in size to dryer sheets and can be cut down for hand laundry or smaller loads. I got mine on Amazon.
As an international wide body airline pilot for the past 28 yrs, I have learned and use most of these travel tips - same packing cubes, layering philosophy, even that exact same Patagonia shirt you’re wearing (my fave short sleeve shirt right now 😎👍🏻). I am usually on 8-12 day, around the world the trips. A couple extra things that I do are 1. antimicrobial underwear - usually lighter, can go a couple days with same pair, wash and dry easily in sinks. I never pack more than 2-3 pair of underwear and 2-3 undershirts (for under my uniform) - Exofficio are my go to. 2. Part of my layering routine includes lightweight sun shirts (like Columbia spf30), a light weight 1/4 zip, a lightweight packable parka and a packable rain jacket. Tons of combos with these, including for sub zero days walking around on my winter layovers in Alaska, S. Korea and Europe. 3. My go to pants are normally light weight Kuhl pants - rugged, stains/dirt clean easily, can pass as nice slacks if necessary. 4. I also carry 3-4 laundry pods (double ziplocked) in my toiletries, just in case. 5. Don’t forget shoe bag/packing cube for shoes (if you pack multiple shoes, which I do - dress shoes and running shoes). Keeps all, that crap you walked through during the day out of your bag and off your stuff.
Excellent video, great suggestions, and again, great looking shirt. 😎👍🏻
I don’t want to wear underpants two days in a row!
@@daisy8297 just wash and rinse in sink, dries in hours, anti-microbial
You might want to try using Tru Earth laundry strips instead of pods. They are flat, dry (no liquid to worry about) and better for the environment.
@@daisy8297 Why not wear them for a week and save laundry time?
@@daisy8297 Going command every other day is fine, I guess.
One medium thickness towel is useful to string up with dental floss to block excess neon and street light in the sleeping quarters.
Better an eye más?
@@carolinacarsolio5476 I don't like eye masks. The headlights of traffic still shine underneath them. Better o have window shutters and curtains all the way across both vertically and horizontally.
As I was an astronaut I have always believed in capsule wardrobes.
😂😂😂 I got the joke!
I had a trip in 2019 to Norway and Vietnam (it's a long story why it was those two countries). I did a great job packing. I had swim trunks, 2 shorts, 2 pants (1 that I wore on the plane). 5 dri-fit shirts, 2 of them had collars I was able wash the shirts in the sink overnight, and they were dry by morning.
I realised the same thing that when I go to South East Asia that I need drifit t-shirts that don't stay wet all day when you are sweaty, and I don't need more than 3 days of clothes when staying in a hostel because it's too smelly to have so much dirty clothes all the time even if it's stored in a plastic bag. I need better bag options probably? I had 10 days worth of clothes last time, it was too much.
I'll also not take a laptop, just my phone and noise cancelling headphones that double as earplugs when people snore. I could use a Samsung tablet with Bluetooth keyboard which has amazing battery life and is essentially like a more capable Chromebook (a browser laptop with amazing battery life) if you don't need anything more than a browser and mobile apps.
DHC powdered face wash, Japanese in the blue bottle. Super gentle for my sensitive skin. Weighs nothing, and well not liquid. Lasts forever. I use this at home anyway, but it's seriously great for travel. ❤😊❤
Well done! As an international business and leisure traveller I fully agree. My one suggestion is about the no-towel recommendation. I have a Turkish ‘peshtamal’ towel in an interesting pattern. This is a flat towel (not a bulky terry one). The interesting pattern lets it work as a shawl, coverup, rolled as a neck support - and its absorbency and fast drying properties let it work as a towel if needed.
Seasoned traveller here, agree with the "what ifs" section but I will say that packing your fears can be smart in some cases for emergencies, like a relatively basic ifak, and some meds. When you're very sick at your accommodation, you won't feel like going out to get stuff.
Your list is sound. I also consider my destination and consider what might be available there that I don't have to pack and bring. For example I only packed one outfit for Hawaii and made one of my first stops Hilo Hattie's Factory. I lived in the mumus, skirts and shirts I got there and had great summerwear for when I got home. Basically when in doubt don't pack it, and if you need to buy it there, you get a story to tell too.
For ladies get tops that can double as a dress or bathing suit cover. Multi functional pieces mean less to pack.
No, I don't think so. That's too multifunctional for many places.
As a female, I disagree about the travel towel. The standard hotel sized towel is pretty small. I bring a nice microfiber body towel and use the small hotel towel for my hair. The microfiber towel can do double and triple duty. You can use it as an airplane blanket or lap blanket. You can also use it as a neck roll, beach towel, almost anything!
And, they dry so quickly!
How are you washing it?
@@tusikk2081 In the washing machine.
I agree also alot of hotels only give you 1 towel per person too so I always bring a towel with me for my hair
I sometimes travel with one of those synthetic (rayon?) sarongs. It can function as a shawl (on the plane, for example), a scarf or a beach towel and takes up very little space.
I agreed with basically everything on the list. Mix and match is key. And for shoes don't ever bring brand new, not yet broken in shoes. While packing for an upcoming trip, I very nearly committed that rookie mistake.
Yup. Good advice. 👍💙
Get the shoes a month ahead, or go to styles and brands that don’t need breaking in.
I’ve gone “barefoot shoes” and find they don’t need breaking in as they are a sole that attaches to my foot (some have boot like uppers, some are sandals). In the supportive shoe world, Chacos and Keens both do well day 2 and forward. Birkenstocks need a couple days of less walking (sub 20km), or gasp, socks.
1. Neck pillows
2. Guide books
3. travel hair dryer
4. excess cash
5. expensive international phone plans
6. towel
7. luggage scale
8. rugged gear (shoes clothing) unless needed for trip
9. full sized toiletries
10. cheap socks
11. too many clothes
12. what-ifs
Disagree on the towel. Depends on the destination, but in Italy a microfiber beach towel was invaluable when we went to a hot spring and I expect the same when we visit Spain in a few months and want to spend some time on the beach. Compact and lies flat in my rollaboard taking little room.
I do have to say one of the meh videos out there. Glad you made this, tnx
A hitchhiker is never without his towel. I’ll take a small towel
I also take a bathing suit. Takes a very little space and what if?
In the discount stores in the US they start at $60.
Turkish towel for the win! It's usually bigger than the microfiber 'quick dry' ones and is made of cotton instead of plastic but it doesn't take up much space. Great for the beach or poolside as well.
@@calliopemuse6724 sure, but cotton can take forever to dry. Dragging a damp rag around doesn't sound appealing to me.
I’ve had for years an inflatable travel pillow with a velour cover that folds down to practically nothing, it’s very comfy and I can inflate it to whatever comfort level I need and when done packs easily in its little pouch, love it!
Yes. Got one of those. Cannot sleep sitting up so with the inflatable I am leaning forward over the top. Get a good sleep with it.
I pack 3… one to sit on, one for my lower back & one for any fragile items I may purchase. I’m from Australia & vertically challenged so every trip is at least 8 hours long. Having the two pillows makes flying more comfortable
I use an ultralight inflatable hiking pillow, and a neck buff. I can put the semi-inflated pillow under the buff to support my neck in various locations. And I can fully inflate the pillow to use on the tray table or as a lumbar pillow, or as a regular bed pillow should the need arise. In the last case I use the buff as a pillow case. I do sometimes carry the cloth cover from a neck pillow which I stuff with clothing to increase my cabin baggage.
What packing cube brand do you suggest?
Me too. Also take my neck pillow without the pillow. Once in the hotel I stuff the neck pillow case with a towel...boom. I have my neck pillow without the pillow.
Good points, except luggage scale, as airlines are SO strict. We have a small, ultra lite scale. Has saved huge headaches. As for travel guide books, l dont find digital versions that practical. I will photo copy important bits and discard as we go along.
That's what I started doing years ago before digital. It still is my preference. I segregate the photocopies according to where we are going chronologically, use highlighter on the really important parts, and discard a portion once we move on to the next area. I don't like relying completely on devices.
For sure! Digital stuff is tempting but not reliable and hard to use when trying to flip back and forth. Toss as you go rules. :--)
Keep the backup card in another bag or another location such as a vest or ankle wallet. Use a small wallet or cover with your metro card so you aren't getting your wallet out all the time. Carry a decoy wallet with a 10 dollar bill or local equivalent. You can show the money to the robber and give them this wallet while keeping your wallet with your cards and ID.
I was stuck at an Airbnb in London with no towel and had to walk a half hour to a Tesco where I bought a small one. Many things may not seem necessary until you need it. I’ll always pack a mid sized towel now. Always have flip flops and swim wear too.
What kind of Airbnb doesn't provide towels?! :o
In the UK, they often provide towels but not a washcloth/facecloth. I have a collection of washcloths I had to buy at Boots. Now I try to remember to pack one.
@@katzablot599can’t a towel be used as a temporary facecloth?
nahh, not gonna lug all kinds of things around just because one time I had to buy something
@@katzablot599Washcloths aren't generally a thing in Europe, unfortunately.
A what-if towel option that kicks butt is a tiny Tengui towel. Japanese towel cloths that dry faster than micro towels, pack smaller but are bigger than many bandanas. 12x32/36” typically. They look great, can be used for other things, weigh nothing but dry you efficiently.
As a black woman, I never travel without my hairdryer. Those hotel dryers never get hot enough to dry my hair. Also, never ever leave my Trtl travel pillow at home. Everything else-good tips.
Latina curly hair girl here. Me too!!! My hair laughs at those “dryers” LOL I found an inexpensive 1” barrel hair dryer brush and it’s hot enough and comes apart, so it doesn’t take up much room. I also never leave home w/out a travel towel set after a couple of bad experiences with Airbnb towels. 😅
What about the straightener? Wherever I go, she comes with me... in my hand luggage, just in case. 😃
I was wondering who the heck would pack a hair dryer. I had not considered different hair types. I have long, straight, thin hair. I'm 38 and haven't used a hair dryer in 25 years.
Note that CPAP machines should always be carry on. They are exempt from weight limits, as they are medical equipment. Make sure to take the adapter(s) you need. You will not need a voltage converter for CPAPs, mobile phones, and laptops (but you will need adapters).
Agree 100% with credit cards. I always bring 2. And bring 2 atm’s. I’ve had credit card fraud while I’ve been away, and had to cancel 1. Also have had ATM card eaten at a machine.
Brookstone inflatable Neck Pillow - so compact I often forget it at home. On toiletries, underscoring what was mentioned, you're typically going to places where people are, and they use the same things. I'd recommend packing the antiperspirant your body is accustomed to. I've had some rather uncomfortable reactions to local brands, and in some places they know not of the stuff. Finally, as a traveling field rep for 12 years, I would pack a polycarbonate drinking cup. In a foreign place it was nice to have something familiar for something so basic as drinking beverages in your room.
Me too on the towel. Specifically, the sponge chamois one. Hot water turns it into a warm towel for washing up or drying off. Roll it into wet clothes and squeeze out excess water. Dried, it weighs nothing and takes up little room.
I've never heard of them before.
@@katescarratt4267 Automotive department
Travel pillow: shove some clothing items in a pantyhose leg. These solutions are needed if you travel 3 months with a 7-kg carry-on only. Makes travel so much more enjoyable.
I buy new merino socks while travelling, this year in Queenstown, New Zealand, last year in Vilnius, Lithuania. Wool socks are usually the only souvenir I buy.
I've chosen to travel with a neck pillow on my Alaska to Rio trip (via Ushuaia) because I've had to take alot of night buses. I agree it wouldn't be worth it just for your flight but for night buses, it definitely helps.
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy says that the most important item is indeed a towel. How else could you flag down a space ship when you want to get off that weired planet?
you don't do that with your towel you do it with your electronic thumb device. Every interstellar traveller who has read the Hitchhiker's Guide knows that.
You will need one if you encounter The Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal.
Always know where your towel is. 🤙
And most importantly, stay hoopy
We're moderately experienced travelers. Agree on Guide Books BUT always get a good, waterproof map for each main city/area you're going to - do NOT rely on your GPS because you could get hit with roaming charges. Consider ripping some pages out of your guidebook if needed. TMobile has free data and messages in many places in the world and fairly cheap calls. While you generally don't need to pack a towel, you may need a washcloth if you're traveling in the UK. You're generally right about not needing "rugged gear" but when we went to Alaska, yes, we needed extra rain gear, including rain pants. My husband & I have chronically disagreed on how much stuff to bring. I got a smaller suitcase & put my stuff in it. He still brings a larger suitcase he has to check for longer trips. But what we tend to do is pack my suitcase for the first few days of our trip (since it fits in the overhead) & I'll put some of my stuff in his suitcase so if his large suitcase is mislaid, we still have enough clothes for a few days.
"If you're going to survive out there, you've really got to know where your towel is." 😁
Ayy, wise words from the The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy ❤
Buy one when you get to your destination.
Do this, and you'll be a real frood dude.
We decided to travel through Italy for 2 weeks with only 1 carry on bag each. Worked great! We moved around quickly and easily. We rented a smart car for Two that didn’t fit anything bigger.
I just got back from a trip where I realized when I landed that the cold weather clothing I had would not work with the -40 below temperatures I was dealing with. Easiest thing to do was to rent from a local business all the heavy boots, parkas, layers, mittens, that I needed and then turned them back in. My next stop was tropical, so I packed up the snow clothes that I took but didn't use and mailed them to myself. Donating items you are unlikely to use for years is also a good option.
did you use regular local post officer to send the clothes back home?
Yes to the Mailing stuff back home to yourself! In Italy 🇮🇹 the boxes were $60 for a large box 📦 their yellow 😮 lightened suitcase home was a luxury!
i like the idea of posting the surplusback home to yourself! I've been thinking about posting boxed medical supplies 'in advance' but might be better just to check them in as 'hold' baggage.
Yes ! 👍🧡🌱
Definitely when visiting Italy ended up packing and shipping a big container of fragile ceramics. So much easier.
Pack a pillowcase you can stuff a sweater or scarf in if you absolutely need a pillow.
I have a cotton wrap that can double as a towel. I mostly use it for a cool evening wrap.
Excellent points in this video & info. in comments. Experience is a great teacher too. During & after every trip is a great opportunity to review what you packed & your status, go over lessons learned. I used to overpack terribly, not so much now. I’m a motorcycle traveler, travel internationally, I have heard pack your things, discard half, then discard half again. Be versatile. If you need something, usually can go shopping where you travel. Travel safely, watch out for pickpockets & scams.
I've been traveling domestically and internationally for decades. I agree with this list.
The only one of these I still carry is my neck pillow. BUT! This is because I have learned how to tightly roll it and pack it. It fits in my carryon. And I actually use it in my final destination. It's more like a cervical brace than a pillow. This falls under the "if you have a specific reason to bring it".
I've gotten to the Pro-Level where I can spend 10 days somewhere and travel just with a carry on.
Along the lines of not bringing Full Size Toiletries: tiny, spill proof makeup containers are fantastic. I even use short handled brushes.
The cell phone company we use was great for both Europe trips...inexpensive voice calls, cell data (though at lower speeds), unlimited messaging while overseas, used free wifi where we stayed.
Agree with quality socks and comfortable street shoes good for walking... but this is true at home, not just while traveling. Agree also with fitting what you need in a single carry-on...it's amazing how little you really need for a vacation.
Name of company please
@@maril1379 Tmobile...we went in and arranged the overseas (pre covid) use before leaving and had to use messaging once just before leaving the country...worked out great...check what their rules are now.
The other thing he didn’t really cover properly is that yeah it’s $10 a day but it’s only for X number of days and then the rest of the month is covered. It’s not like it’s $300 a month.
Honestly, it is just plain stupid or lazy to use your US cell phone provider's international roaming plan. Get a travel eSIM. There are several companies that offer this service, like Holafly and Airalo. Get plenty of high-speed data no matter where you're at, no need to rely on risky free Wi-Fi, and all for the cost of one or two days of an "international" plan.
I used to not travel with a neck pillow but lately I've been going with one almost all the time. I still find it useful sleeping on a bed but also during times when i just wait for my flight or just sitting down somewhere.
Great video. Agree with all but I do bring a “J pillow” which personally I treasure - great for planes, trains, and bus rides. Also, it has saved me multiple times over the years when I got to a lodging and turned out that I really didn’t like the bed pillows - I can always shape the J pillow into something comfortable in a pinch so I sleep better and for sure have a much better travel experience when I do sleep well.
6:10 the only towels I bring are a microfiber hair wrap and a washcloth. Most places I’ve visited in Europe don’t have washcloths.
I take my swim chamois on my trips. Works better than hotel towels and is very compact.
I'm trying a neck pillow that fits also under my chin to give me comfort when sleeping upright. Hate when I fall asleep & then wake myself up when my neck drops. Don't want to use my jacket under my chin & behind my head.
Cool looking, compression socks to limit ankle swelling.
Great video. I would wear trail running shoes. They’re very versatile. You can wear them for walking, hiking, jogging or running. I wore a pair of all-black ASICS trail runners in seven European countries in 2021. It was a good investment.
I always pack my pillow case, towel, face cloth, Wander neck pillow. And Clorox wipes!
Very interest9h and good advice. I took note of Holafly just in case. Our phones only work in the contiguous USA or Puerto Rica so we use WiFi to check internet and for WhatsApp. If you are retired, you do not need to be making calls all the time If I go home to Uk I have a UK phone. Same for Hong Kong. Easy for us old folks who travelled before mobile phones or Internet. In 1996 we were on Tibet! Have courage, switch off and enjoy getting away from it all.
I travel with a soft feather pillow that molds around your neck- hotel pillows or other peoples’ pillows are way overstuffed and are awful. But combined with a small moldable one that you can tuck in under your neck- priceless.
Mix 'n'' match clothes is a must. For longer holidays ('vacations') I've started taking less pants 'n' socks but making sure the apartment has a washing machine.
*Don't Forget Your Charger* and associated cables. Also, my rucksack has a solar charge usb battery/speaker built in- handy for on the go charging better sound in more basic accommodation (no TV etc).
Excellent point about the e-reader. they're thin and light and have all your books. Something I found handy was a smartphone with e-Ink or use your e-reader with google maps - so you can view your maps on the beach or in bright sunlight.
I always wear good fitting leather hikers wherever I’ve travelled (43 countries so far). They work everywhere - city sidewalks or rugged trails. ONE pair of nicely polished hard wearing shoes keeps the packing light.
On credit cards you really need to be careful which ones you bring. I've had trouble using mastercard in lots of south American countries and mostly used VISA.
Great video! I’m a life long over-packer and guilty of clothes not even worn or items used. This will help on my next trip to Europe this month. There are two things I’ll always bring. Two pairs of shoes, one for walking and one for dinner. Dinner is special and I’d like to wear better clothes. I mainly travel all over Italy and 99% of the time the wash cloths in the hotels are paper thin. I bring a wash cloth or exfoliating bath sponge so I feel clean….especially in the summer. I will try my best knowing it’s not quite warm yet.
We went camping in the Berkshires (Mass. US) one summer and it got really cold so we went to a thrift store and purchased winter jackets. Great advice!
Merino is not the best choice just for socks...underwear, base layers/T-shirts, and polo shirts are also a growing part of my travel wardrobe. In addition to the temperature aspect they are easy to wash dry quickly. Not inexpensive, but really reduces the amount of clothes that you need to pack. For a 17-day trip to Italy this easily fit in my rollaboard with plenty of room to spare.
Nailed it!
I've tried that but no matter how soft they are, I find them scratchy. Lightweight bamboo is now my go-to base layer for wicking/ease of washing
Is there a good hypoallergenic, non-itchy alternative? My skin does NOT react well when covered by wool of any kind. A little wool at the edges is usually OK (scarves, overcoats, etc.), but even the thought of wearing unlined wool shirts makes my skin crawl.
@@jeburr24 have you tried merino? It is unlike any other wool and several people I know with sensitive skin have not had an issue with this.
@@jeburr24 I'm the same. I travel a great deal and my go-to next to skin layer is bamboo. Some of the thicker ones can take a while to dry, but there's many that are very easy for hand washing and overnight drying. (I never use laundries when travelling as I can't trust what products they're using)
Exactly right. I have made each one if these mistakes. 😂 Only pack things that you cannot get in your destination country. I have 2 ATM cards from different banks. This has saved me multiple times. Also ANYTHING that has a BATTERY in it should ALWAYS be packed in your CARRY ON. Good stuff.
I thought over the counter Prilosec or the generic would be available in the UK but it was only sold by prescription. Oh dear.
You probably DO need a microfiber towel if you have long ethnic hair and/or swim a lot. I never travel without one--they pack down small and do not weigh much. Hiking boots would also be a yes for me if going anywhere in the Andes...you need shoes that can take rough conditions. I don't take hiking boots to Europe, but I have found that I need them in much of Latin America.
It takes a lot of time to shop for necessities in a foreign country and time in uninteresting spots to do laundry. I prefer to take what I need and spend my time enjoying my trip. Maybe I am just too old.
Totally agree with everything you say except my microfiber towel especially if going to beach destinations. I use it as a blanket on plane or roll up for my neck, at beaches as a towel and even as a blanket to sit on when needed and each kid and grandkid has there own they have to each carry themselves. Thanks for all your videos and advice
I agree with your list - For long term travel - I bought a phone with SIM card while I lived in India. No plan - just pay for SIM card reloads. I made the mistake of bringing heavy duty hiking shoes for some Himalaya mountain hiking. But that was only a small portion of the entire trip. They are so heavy and took up a lot of space - and they were too good for me to leave them there. Socks - Smart wool is one of my favorite brands of socks. On one trip that included Paris and painting instruction in Loire valley - I planned on buying things and leaving some clothing items there. (I only had a carry on and a backpack.) Great video
I trekked in the Himalayas on 4 trips, and finding good shoes in Nepal 20 years ago was impossible. Agree on Smart Wool.
One thing I ALWAYS travel with is a compact but comprehensive sewing kit. I’ve lost count of the number of times it’s been my saviour!
Split seam? No problem. Lost button? Fixed. Foot blister? Sterilise a pin, and have at it. Last clean sock worn through? Darn it! Shoes need insoles, or you buy something in a welded plastic blister pack? Scissors to the rescue for trimming and cutting into. Best thing is, the kit is compact, lightweight and inexpensive. Just make sure it has decent mercerised thread, not horrible cheap crap.
Never had one, and never needed one in any of my trips
Absolutely! Takes up almost no space and can come in super handy. I’ve made my own tiny kit with a few different buttons, needles and black, gray and white threads. Stays in my toiletry bag all the time. Also in my bag is a pair of little kids “1st” scissors. Used those upteen times for a variety of things. And last, but not least… a small eyeglass repair kit especially if you wear prescription lenses.
never needed one, not gonna bother carrying it around
Almost every premium hotel will give you a sewing repair kit if you need it :-)
@@bigwave_dave8468 Sure, but I don't use premium hotels. Generally, unless a client's paying, it's AirBnBs or mid-range. Turns out, I could buy a LOT of really good sewing kits for the price difference between mid- and top-range hotels, and all I need is somewhere clean to lay my head.
Used to never use the pillow but it’s a game changer at hotels and airports and with kids on buses and cars. Worth it to me to have the comfort of that for my body. Also I take a thin microfiber small towel - majority of international travel experiences I’ve needed it!
I will never not take a neck pillow on a plane. If I am driving I will take my full size cooling contoured pillow. My foam neck pillow is a compromise to not lug my full size pillow onto the plane😅 also, it snaps onto my luggage so it's not "taking up room"? I don't understand what he even means by that. 🤔
But I DO NOT trust hotel pillows. They're lumpy or don't support my neck or half the time have feathers (which I am allergic to and do not need it that close to my face). I have learned how to use my neck pillow at the hotel and had much better sleep with it than the pillows they provide.
Whenever I see a "What Not to Pack" video, neck pillow is almost always #1. If I think I'll need one, I bring an extra sweatshirt on the plane and use that as a neck pillow.
I disagree with the presenter about the neck pillow. When I fly to India which is flying 3 hours+ 10 hours + 10 hours the neck pillow was a lifesaver.
For the travel cushion, I take one that folds down to a small pillow shape then I use it at the hotel at night for when I want extra padding when sitting up or want to elevate my leg as I sleep for any reason (good tip if you’ve minor back issues like me)
During my travelz I kept a large heavy beach towel and it was the best decision! Towel for getting wet, could use it as a blanket if I felt chilly, neck pillow if I needed, and fow privacy if a had to change in a semi-public setting!
Sound advice! Agree about good socks and capsule wardrobe. I never take a hairdryer, if I take a towel it’s a microfibre one. Have been decanting toiletries for years (miss the 35 mm film containers which were perfect for this!) and using solid ones where possible and chuck out leftovers - hotels often have toiletries. Take medication out of boxes and if you don’t need 28 days cut the blister packs down, but take your NHS prescription list with you in case you forget anything or you’re questioned at customs/security, which has happened! Take things that can double up - sun cream is face moisturiser; use face wipes for cleansing hands and butt as well. The only issue is my mobile provider doesn’t provide data for some countries so I rely on WiFi and need to take a printed travel guidebook (I always check the weight before buying) The one thing I don’t cut out, unless it’s a short or city trip, is a camera. I have several to suit different kinds of tours
good points. in UK my provider still has EU 'roaming' so I can still use my inclusive data, but for travel to non-member countries (Egypt, Israel Jordan for example) then 'local' eSIM or dual SIM handsets is the way to go. eSIM ideal now for going UK/EU to USA/Canada
We travel a LOT! A small luggage scale is vital especially if you like to shop. They are $10 on amzn and weight just a few ounces.