We’ve all been on a trip and realized that we’ve forgotten something important, socks, underwear, airline tickets. Here is a quick list of 9 essentials which will help make your next trip a good one.
 

1. A Phone That Works

We’ve all been on a trip and realized that we’ve forgotten something important, socks, underwear, airline tickets. Here is a quick list of 9 essentials which will help make your next trip a good one.
 

1. A Phone That Works

Some cell phones will not work outside of the US, which can pose a real communication problem for travelers. Research to make sure your phone will work upon arrival. In some places you can unlock your existing phone and it will work, for others you may need to find a new mobile. This is true whether you are headed to Canada or Tibet, (and even some places inside the states).

Frequent Traveler Tip – Make sure you choose an option that has an mp3 player and a camera – three gadgets in one saves space and weight.
 

2. Earth-Friendly Hydration

Whether you are hiking the Grand Canyon or wandering the streets of Paris, you need clean water. Don’t contribute to the bottled water industry, carry your own reusable water bottle to keep yourself hydrated. You’ll feel better and so will the planet.

Frequent Traveler Tip – Buy a bottle with a built in filter, they make water from almost anywhere safe to drink. Taking your own sanitation system with you everywhere you go eliminates potentially painful guesswork.
 

3. Light Reading

A long flight is a great place to catch up on all of those books you’ve been meaning to get to. The obvious drawback being the size and weight of the books themselves. An E-book reader is a great solution for those on the go, they are small and provide access to a multitude of reading options.

Frequent Traveler Tip – E-books readers are becoming more and more popular, so the availability of e-books is growing daily. Here are a few great sources:

ebooks
Free ebooks
e library
emagazine catalog

4. Rambo Camera

We’ve all dropped our camera, some of us into water, and known we had a 50/50 chance of saving our pictures. There are options out there that are waterproof and shockproof which will still do your vacation shots justice. Using a camera that could potentially survive Niagara Falls means you will never have to worry about loosing what’s on your camera.

Frequent Traveler Tip – Never travel anywhere without extra memory cards – this is a compact way to store data of all types, from mp3s to photos.
 

5. Earphone Management

Anyone with an MP3 player (which is everyone these days) has a pair of headphones or buds to use; and every single one of them gets frustrated by tangled cords. Finding a solution to this problem is handy during travel and beyond.

Frequent Traveler Tip – Buying headphones that cancel noise is worth the hefty investment involved. The ability to sleep and enjoy your flights peacefully helps to relieve the stress of travel.
 

6. Eco Batterys

It’s obvious we should all do our part to ease the waste on our planet. AA batteries are a staple for most of us, especially those with small travel-sized electronics. You are probably going to carry batteries anyway, why not carry some that you can re-charge when you need them?

Frequent Traveler Tip – Buying rechargable batteries has been made even better – save yourself the space of a recharge unit and get some you can charge via USB.
 

7. Portable Party

Part of a good trip is enjoying being away from home, without sacrificing any comforts – especially music. Carrying portable speakers with you (and raiding the minibar) can make a hotel room anywhere feel like Vegas.

Frequent Traveler Tip – For those who love the idea but don’t want the extra weight – music doesn’t have to stay home anymore. Speakers are getting smaller, and there are options designed for those who want to save space and the environment.
 

8. The Power of The World

Unfortunately the world can’t decide on one type of plug (or one voltage either) so traveling to different places requires keeping track of different plugs. Finding an all-in-one unit saves you the trouble of guesswork and the possibility of blown equipment.

Frequent Traveler Tip – Some of the higher end models include a usb connection which is a handy option.
 

9. Something to Hold It All

A good carry-on bag is perhaps one of the most important elements of enjoying a trip. Bag selection is a personal thing and every traveler has their own specific needs. There is enough selection out there to find something stylish enough for the streets of New York and durable enough for backpacking in New Zealand.

Frequent Traveler Tip – Backpacks are a good way to carry everything. However, always remember that when it’s on your back you can’t keep an eye on it.

Missed Anything?

Everyone has their own perspective on what is important when they travel. What are your 9 essentials?