There are a lot of things you have to bring with you when you go on vacation. Unfortunately, with over 100 million visitors to Florida alone, and many hundreds of millions more traveling across the globe, many visitors end up forgetting items that are important to their comfort, health, and safety.
By all means, make a list to make sure you bring plenty of socks and underwear, but there are more important things you should add to your list first. After all, you can make due if you arrive at your destination and realize that you forgot your hair ties. You’ll be a lot more uncomfortable if you forget one or more of the items on this list.
( Also: Having your debit card is better than nothing, but it’s better to bring a credit card with you. Not only are you less likely to have to deal with foreign transaction fees, there are more protections for travelers on most credit cards compared to debit cards. If you use multiple cards, it might be wise to look into a credit card consolidation loan before you travel.)
Proper Identification
If you forget everything else, at least make sure you bring the right identification with you wherever you go. If you’re traveling abroad, you need to make sure you have your passport. To make sure you don’t end up in any trouble overseas, it’s also a good idea to bring a copy of your passport as well. That way, you can get the help you need even if your passport gets lost or stolen.
If you’re traveling closer to home, your regular ID should work just fine. Make sure you bring your license with you if you will be driving a rental car. It will ensure you get a car without any trouble.
Want to get on a plane? Make sure you have a REAL-ID compliant driver’s license come October 1, 2020. Otherwise, you won’t be allowed on the plane!
Medication
Many people have medications they take on a regular basis to stay healthy. You absolutely don’t want to leave any of these medications behind when you travel. If you do, you could find yourself on the phone with your doctor, your pharmacy, and the local pharmacy trying to get a prescription filled when you should be enjoying your vacation.
All essential medications should be packed in your carry-on bag. You may also want to consider other medications, like Dramamine or Benadryl. That way, you don’t have to worry about getting sick on the plane or suffering with allergies at your destination.
At Least One Credit Card
Cash is one of the easiest and safest ways to pay for things when you’re traveling. You don’t have to worry about whether they take debit or credit in some of the more far-flung areas of the world, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bring plastic at all. If your cash gets lost, stolen, or you simply spend it all, it’s good to make sure you have another way to pay for things.
Having your debit card is better than nothing, but it’s better to bring a credit card with you. Not only are you less likely to have to deal with foreign transaction fees, there are more protections for travelers on most credit cards compared to debit cards.
Proof of Insurance
Hopefully, everything goes smoothly while you’re on vacation and you can enjoy yourself as much as possible. Unfortunately, not all vacations go according to plan. You don’t want to find yourself in a car accident or in the hospital without proof of insurance.
Whether it’s medical insurance, car insurance, or travelers insurance, it’s important to make sure you have proof of travel insurance with you. That way, you can get the care and attention you need without having to worry about the bills that will arrive on your doorstep when you return home.
List of Emergency Contacts
Not all emergencies have to involve insurance. From running out of money to asking a neighbor if your home is secure, there are many people you may need to contact when you’re on vacation.
It’s important to collect a list of emergency contacts before you leave. Make sure everyone on the list is preprogrammed into your phone before you leave so you can easily get ahold of someone important while you’re gone.
The emergency contacts you’ll want to program into your phone include:
· Important family members
· Neighbors
· Doctors
· Local law enforcement
· Local cab companies
· US Embassy or Consulate
· Bank and/or credit providers
Adapters and Chargers
We rely on technology more than ever, especially while we’re on vacation. Your phone will hold all the emergency numbers you may need while you’re gone, but it can also help make sure you don’t get lost. It can be scary and potentially devastating if your phone dies and you have no way to charge it.
Make sure you have the right chargers to charge your devices so you don’t have to try and find one to buy when your phone dies. If you’re traveling abroad, you will also want to bring the right adapters. Otherwise, you may discover that you can’t plug your charger into the wall, even if you remembered to bring the right one!
Jacket or Sweatshirt
Although it’s not quite as important as some of the other items on this list, a jacket is something that many travelers don’t bring, especially if they are traveling somewhere tropical. However, no matter how hot it’s forecasted to be, you’re likely to wish you had a jacket or a sweatshirt at least once during your trip.
Airplanes can get chilly, and many destinations experience much lower temperatures in the evening. It’s also possible that temperatures may be lower than the average when you land. All these things can leave you feeling uncomfortable and scrambling to find a blanket or something else to keep you warm.
Bring a jacket or sweatshirt with you when you travel, no matter what your final destination. It doesn’t have to take up room in your bag either. Simply tie it around your waist when you board the plane!
It’s important to make sure you bring the right pants, shirts, and toiletries, but don’t get caught up in the smaller details and leave bigger things behind. Remember all the things on this list and you’ll stress less while you’re on vacation.
Leave a Reply