When I travel abroad I bring a single hiking backpack, a camera bag, and whatever I can attach to them with a carabiner. I’m known for “escaping,” as my family likes to call it, and I’ve never been one to pack any sooner than three days before my flight. However, there are certain things I find important enough to have gathered and ready to go weeks in advance. I’ve compiled a list of seven things that no one talks about but are crucial to pack.
“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.” – Susan Heller
1. Photocopy of your Passport
No one likes to consider the possibility of losing their passport—I, for one, would be in shambles if I ever did. Unfortunately, it does happen. The only thing that can make that bad situation maybe a tiny less bad, is having a photocopy of your passport.
2. Travelers Insurance
I’ve been on trips where I have never had to use my traveler’s insurance. I’ve also been on trips where it is required in order to enter the country, and I also ended up using it A LOT. Either way, it is critical to have. I recommend keeping an electronic version, as well as printing out a copy in case you find yourself without phone access. I use World Nomads for my insurance because they are easy to navigate.
3. Covid-19 Vaccine Card
(Don’t yell at me) I’m not implying that everyone has to get a Covid-19 vaccine—and I’m certainly not trying to make this political. However, some countries do currently require one to enter the country. Other countries may only recommend it, but having it makes your traveling life easier overall. If you do have a Covid vaccine, be sure to pack your card!
4. Negative Covid Test
This one is now mandatory in most, if not all, abroad situations. When I journeyed to Thailand, I had to have a negative Covid test before leaving the United States, when I landed, and after a week of being there. Like the majority of what I have mentioned, I recommend having an electronic version as well as a paper copy. If you have anxiety like me, you will make at least three copies.
5. Backup Money Source
My dad drilled this into my head, and it has quite literally saved me on one occasion. Always, ALWAYS prepare a secondary source for accessing your money. Debit cards are easily stolen; the physical card can be snatched—or in my case, the card number. In my head, I am still seventeen years old so I don’t have a credit card (embarrassing, I know). Instead, I use Wise as my fallback card. It is incredibly easy to transfer funds from your bank to your Wise card, and inexpensive to convert money to the local currency.
6. Extra Phone
*Cue the infamous rant about not having phones at my age.* Cell phones may be perceived as a luxury, but when traveling I view them as an important safety tool. Much like debit cards, phones can easily be stolen, lost, or broken. Blame it on my anxiety, but I like to keep a backup. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just an old one a friend or family member might have laying around.
7. A Birdie
I am not referring to a literal bird—although one would make a cute voyage partner—I am talking about a personal safety alarm. The Birdie is a simply designed tool intended for deterring attacks with a high-pitched sound and a strobe light. I have never had to use mine (thank God) but it works wonders for my anxiety alone.
