Useful Things to Travel with - What are Yours?

[danceronice]

There must be. My sister left for a year in Taiwan a few months ago, and before she left our doctor prescribed her a general antibiotic for her to have in case she got sick and couldn't get to a doctor (she's in a small town quite a bit outside of Taipei; not exactly a thriving metropolis). I can't imagine carrying around something like that is a bad thing, as long as you're mindful to make sure it's not in extreme weather conditions and hasn't expired.

Well....sort of. There are some, usually the old-school ones or the nasty ones (I've had them try Cipro because my respiratory infections seem immune to everything else) that are BROAD-SPECTRUM antibiotics that work on common bacteria. But no antibiotic works on every bacteria, and it's important to remember they ONLY work on bacteria, they will do precisely squat against a viral infection so unless you can tell what you've got, taking them may do nothing, or it may make you sicker by wiping out the gut floral while you're dealing with a viral infection that isn't helped by giving yourself digestive problems. I can see having them if you're going to be in a third-world country or somewhere isolated, but it's not something I would carry around routinely in a situation where a doctor or NP is only an urgent-care clinic away.

I always have Benadryl (though that's a daily thing), aspirin, ibuprofen, Pamprin (which is not only good from its intended purpose), band-aids, spare soap and shampoo. If it's a sales trip (I do things like steampunk cons, street fairs, etc) pliers, packing tape, a multi-head screwdriver. When I have an active scrip for it, I carry prednisone.

[Jenny]

I bring a pashmina on a plane - it's often so drafty, and much better than those nasty blankets they give you, if they give you one at all. Bonus, it's stylish wrap if your destination is chilly

Also on the plane, lip balm (I addicted, so I'll have several amid my luggage) and hand cream because it's so dry. Helpful after you wash with whatever industrial soap they have in the bathroom, or if you use wipes/Purell.

I also have one of those multiplug units, always bring it with me just in case.

[Nan]

Unless I'm visiting family, I always make a "travel book." I use a small soft-sided "pocket" photo album, just big enough for about twenty photos or less, but instead of photos, I put all the information I need in the sleeves. Usually there is an itinerary, plane and hotel reservations (I reduce them on a copy machine to save space and bulk), any excursion vouchers or pre-paid transit tickets or receipts, addresses and sometimes maps to sights or restaurants I want to vist. I also include personal information, my name and address, emergency contact information, a list of medications I'm currently on, address and e-mail of people at home, and copies of my passport and credit card (I usually stick these last two behind something else). If I don't speak the language of the country I'm visiting, I include a couple of pages of key phrases. "Wo ist de Toilette?" came in very handy in Munich.

It's small enough to fit easily in my purse and all the information I need is in one handy spot. When the trip is over, it makes a cool little memento of the trip, too.

[PRlady]

My own microfleece blanket for the plane -- don't even touch the ones they provide you!

The world's best travel pants from anthropologie, they're attractive but have a non-mommish-elastic band around the middle for the inevitable bloat on long flights. They're sort of like these but linen, the elastic placket is the same color (grey) and they look elegant but feel like pajamas: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/...r/26316711.jsp

micro-somethingmiraculous medium sized towel which I use for my hair. Some of my more budget hotels are skimpy on the towels, and this fiber absorbs water fast.

spray evian water bottle for face and lots of hand cream.

shoes for the plane that expand -- my feet bloat too.

[Jenny]

shoes for the plane that expand -- my feet bloat too.

My husband always takes his off - I'd never get them back on! Although he's changed his habit since we had a very skary bout of turbulence over the north Pacific and he decided he didn't want to be a guy on the desert island without shoes

[Habs]

My husband always takes his off - I'd never get them back on! Although he's changed his habit since we had a very skary bout of turbulence over the north Pacific and he decided he didn't want to be a guy on the desert island without shoes

Haha! Mr. Habs said the same thing on a flight too.
Depending on where we're going and how long the flight is, I usually wear flip-flops (or tuck a pair into my carry-on bag) on the plane. I don't like being barefoot or in just socks on a plane, but I hate wearing shoes on a long flight as well.

[Jaana]

Where ever I travel, these items are always along: Earplugs, sleeping pills, eye mask and a small flashlight.

[skatingfan5]

Ear plugs and hand lotion!

[flyingsit]

Ear plugs.

iPad. The absolute best travel app is called TripIt. Since I started using it I don't bring paper copies of anything related to the trip. You set up an account at tripit.com and forward all of your confirmation emails, etc. to them... and it gets converted into a detailed itinerary which includes confirmation numbers, phone numbers, addresses, websites, maps, links to local weather forecasts, etc.

For long flights, this pillow/blanket set: http://www.containerstore.com/shop/t...10027914&N=257

And I scan my passport/credit card info etc. into an encrypted PDF file, and email it to myself so I can access it from anywhere just in case.

[cruisin]

Several sizes of empty zip-lock bags. Protects things and helps organize small items.

I pack all of my shoes in zip-lock bags. That way the bottoms don't touch my clothes. I also put delicate things in zip-lock bags, so they don't get snagged. Then I bring extra for dirty clothes, and wet/damp swim suits.

~ this really cool travel organizer -- insert your clothes in the shelves, collapse to pack into your suitcase, then when you get to your destination just lift out and hang (I just got this one recently and am looking forward to trying it out on my next trip -- got one as a present for my mother too)

Love that! But, I can't find anyplace in the US that sells it

I like to have a paper copy of all e-reservations and tickets. I keep them, in the order in which I will need them, in a thesis folder. I remove them from the folder as I go, so that when the folder is empty, (except for return flight info) it's time to go home!

I do that too. But I make 3 copies. One for my purse, one for my carry-on, and one that I pack. I know that's overkill, but it's the OCD thing

I make copies of my passport and put that in with my travel documents.
I bring meds I might need (in addition to prescriptions and vitamins) - laxatives/anti-diarrheal, Advil. I bring bandaids and blister pads, and Neosporin.
I bring Splenda, especially if I'm traveling out of the country. Artificial sweeteners are different in Europe.

[Evilynn]

I keep a folder with printouts of my reservations too (it also holds passport, money and EU medical insurance card until I get to my destination). Hand sanitizer + earplugs + books/Kindle are all musts and I tend to travel in leggings and dresses rather than pants to accomodate the long flight bloat (forgoing pockets, but I can live with that), as well as bring a thick-ish silk scarf for warmth (it takes up no space at all, but still provides enough warmth to keep me from having to use the airline blankets).

[Wiery]

Anti-nausea medication, diarrhea medication, tampons.

[smurfy]

I so agree with what has been posted...
-extra ziploc bags, and a couple larger plastic bags. I do not want my clean clothes to touch any dirty clothes!
-emaill all docs to self - also, I travel alone alot, so I provide to a family member - all details with reservations. Also I have paper copies on me.
-iPad - I so love it. smaller than a laptop, and I have lots of available reading material and internet access. Also I only buy 1 actual travel tour book to write in/rip out pages for the day, and then the rest is on the iPad. I also download all my photos, so have backup.
-mini packets of woolite
-mini first aid kit. always seem to need bandaids
-written out itinerary in a grid, with places in the first column and then 7 column headings for the days - boxes have times open. When you are in one place for a few days, good to know what is closed on a Monday etc, what is open first, closes earliest.
-duct tape
-pouch for all the electronic chargers. I am finding the minute I get into a hotel room, I want to be charging stuff and just grab the pouch
-toiletries - I now have 2 smaller pouches rather than 1 bigger. One with makeup and second one with shampoo, toothpaste etc. Easier to pack the smaller ones and seems more organized.

[Jenny]

What's with the duct tape that several of you have mentioned? In case your suitcase starts to fall apart?

[danceronice]

What's with the duct tape that several of you have mentioned? In case your suitcase starts to fall apart?

Don't laugh, I've had zippers rip out on bags. Duct tape will also hold together torn straps on shoulder bags, can cover a rip in a raincoat, you can use it as a lint brush...

[orbitz]

I only buy 1 actual travel tour book to write in/rip out pages for the day, and then the rest is on the iPad.

I also tear out all the pages for the city that I'm currently visiting. I do feel bad about ruining my guide book, but a guide book that cover an entire country, ie Lonely Planet, is just too darn big and clumsy to carry around with me all day when all I need to reference are the several pages for my current city.


- sunblock or moisturizer with sunblock in it.
-2 or more pairs of sunglasses from home. For some reason I always end up breaking my good pair of sunglass the first couple of days into my trip and then I have to spend money on the plastic, non-uv protected cheapos that are sold on the street.
- sandal or flip-flops. I simply cannot stand having my feet in closed shoes on long flights.

[Marge_Simpson]

A pillowcase.

[acraven]

What's with the duct tape that several of you have mentioned? In case your suitcase starts to fall apart?

I carry needles and thread (different weights of both) for the same reason. I once spent a good part of my first day in Europe (on a train) mending umbrella, raincoat, and suitcase. From that I learned to check for split seams, etc., before leaving home. But I still take the little sewing kit, with thread colors keyed to what I'm packing.

Also (in addition to my beloved Zip Lock bags):

Saline nasal mist, especially for air-travel days
Inflatable coat hangers (clothes dry faster and often with fewer wrinkles)
Small change purse for border-crossing days
Extra pair of eyeglasses since no one stocks my prescription
Hiker's eating utensils (heavy plastic or lightweight metal) for on-the-go snacks. Sometimes sturdy, disposable bowls.
Small fabric measuring tape in case I want to buy something like a T-shirt as a gift (I take measurements with me)
Local maps with locations of interesting restaurants marked

[Artemis@BC]

Just remembered another indispensable travel item: my Brita bottle. Doesn't disinfect water for travel to places like India or Africa, but it does get rid of the nasty chlorine/chemical taste when travelling to places where the water is otherwise potable. (I'm talking to you, Toronto and London!)

BTW, I've had a Brita bottle for about 20 years, but for some bizarre reason they took it off the market about 10 years ago. Luckily I was able to stock up on the filters at the time. But they've recently brought the product back, yay!!, and just in time as I was down to my last filter.

[Artemis@BC]

Love that! But, I can't find anyplace in the US that sells it

Odd, that -- I just assumed that Heys USA would have a similar same product as Heys Canada, but it doesn't look like they do.

I bought mine from The Shopping Channel in Canada, but I just checked and they don't ship to the US either.

BTW I filled mine last night in preparation for a weekend trip, and it is just as nifty as can be. My new favourite travel toy!