Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Padlock.
If you're staying in a hostel then you'll need a lock so you can secure your stuff in
the lockers.
Retractile cable lock.
Retractable cable locks are nice for securing your bag to your bunk
or a luggage rack. I mainly used mine on long train rides to secure my bag to the luggage rack.
They are not super heavy duty but they will deter a thief from running by and snatching your
bag.
Duct tape.
You never know when you'll need to patch something. A neat trick is to wrap
the tape around a pencil—which eliminates the need to bring a full roll.
Swiss-Army knife/multi-tool.
Assuming you'll check luggage or will always take the train,
a Swiss-Army knife is a handy tool to have while you travel. If you want something more ro-
bust then look at a multi-tool device.
Travel alarm clock.
An alarm clock (or a phone with an alarm function) is essential be-
cause you don't want to oversleep for those early morning flights and trains.
Digital luggage scale.
A digital luggage scale is great for avoiding those costly overweight
luggage fees.
Photocopies of important documents.
Make copies (physical and electronic) of your pass-
port and other important documents. I also recommend emailing them to yourself so you can
access them from any computer with Internet access.
Resealable plastic bags (multiple sizes).
Plastic bags are a great way to store your dirty or
wet socks/underwear so they don't get mixed with your clean clothes. It is important to store
any liquids in sealable plastic bags in case of leaks. In fact, double bag them. You don't want
to be one of the many travelers who discover shampoo covering all your clothes. For a bit of
extra protection, I recommend putting your important travel documents/passport in a plastic
bag. The large three-gallon bags are nice for storing shoes so you don't get your clothes dirty.
Money belt.
A money belt is worn under your clothes and it is a safe way to hide cash,
credit cards, and other valuable items from pickpockets. Personally, I don't really like money
belts because I find them uncomfortable, but a lot of people always wear one—it comes down
to personal preference.
Collapsible umbrella.
A quality packable umbrella is handy to have when traveling.
Plastic travel utensils.
A great way to save some money is to buy meals from the grocery
store but not all shops provide utensils.
Toothbrush cover.
I like a clean toothbrush . . . call me crazy. You can find cheap covers but
I like the Steripod Clip-on toothbrush sanitizer. It sanitizes the brush using voodoo science.
Yeah, science!
Lint roller.
Your clothes will pick up a lot of dust and lint—especially in hostels. A lint roller
is an easy way to help keep your clothes looking presentable.
Guide books and phrase books.
I always do a little research about the cities I'm visiting
before I go. A small phrase book is nice if you want to learn a bit of the local language.
