It's easy to get into a flap when you're about to embark on a trip. Have you packed everything you need? Have you arranged for someone to feed the cat? What if you lose your bag? To help me feel calmer, I usually start with a checklist of all the things I need and need to do, before I depart. Everyone's checklist will be unique, but here are some key points to get you started.
1. Documents
This is the number one thing you can't travel without. Check once, check twice, check a third time - have you got your passport? Designate a pocket for it, and make sure every time you take it out, you put it back in the same place - preferably on your person. This will make it easier to constantly check it's there, and you'll be less likely to lose it. When you arrive at your destination, either put it in the safe or keep it with you. Also, carry a photocopy, and scan it and upload it to a cloud service (or just email it to yourself).
Other documents you should carry (and upload) include travel insurance documents, booking confirmation and contact details for any hotels or bookings, a map or directions to where you need to go next, and a local taxi number. I usually put this all in an itinerary and keep a copy in my hand luggage, as well as a digital copy.
2. Travel insurance
Never travel without it! The most important thing to have on your insurance is good healthcare coverage, in case you fall ill or have an accident. Read your policy document carefully and make sure you know what to expect should the worst happen. Will your insurance pay up front, or reimburse you later? What kind of receipts do you need to collect? Will they help you get home? Check out this handy guide to travel insurance from Money Supermarket before you go.
3. Currency
What’s your budget, and how do you plan to carry it? Traveller’s cheques have gone out of fashion in favour of currency cards that can be loaded with cash and used like debit cards. Most countries you visit will have plenty of ATMs if you want to use your actual debit card – just make sure you tell your bank before you go, as foreign transactions are often flagged as suspicious, and you can end up with a suspended card. It’s always a good idea to have some local currency on you, even if you plan to use your card for the big things. This will come in handy for small buys like water and snacks, and also provide back-up in case anything goes wrong with your card.
Keep your cash on your person and safe while travelling, and if possible make use of a safe when you get to your accommodation. If no safe is available, you should split your cash and hide it in various spots (some examples: inside a pair of socks in a drawer, in the lining of your luggage, or in your washbag). That way if you do get robbed, you’re less likely to lose everything at once.
4. Luggage
There are so many luggage options available. The first things to consider are how long you’re travelling for, and whether you’ll be able (or willing) to do laundry when you get there. Secondly, you’ll need to manoeuvre your luggage by yourself. Wheels seem like a good idea on the tiled airport floor, but they might not work so well on cobbled streets or beachy islands.
Another thing to consider is how you’re going to access your things. Many backpackers favour front loading rucksacks so they can get to their belongings more easily, therefore requiring less unpacking and re-packing. If you’re going to be staying in one place, you might wish to unpack anyway – in which case, you’ll probably want a smaller bag to carry around daily essentials when you’re away from your accommodation.
5. Packing
My top tip for packing is: don’t panic. Unless you’re roughing it in the wild, it’s really unlikely you’re going to find yourself unable to purchase or borrow something you forgot. The most important things are your passport, travel documents and your money – everything else is extra.
That said, there are a few essentials that it’s good to have with you. A basic first aid kit with painkillers, plasters, antiseptic wipes and medication for an upset tummy is useful to have, in addition to plenty of any prescription medicine you need. Make sure you have any other safety items you might need – sunglasses and sun cream for a hot destination, or sturdy shoes if you’re planning to walk a long way. Look into any items that will be necessary for the area you’re visiting, like mosquito spray or a cover-up for modesty at temples or churches you might visit. Finally, don’t forget chargers and adaptors for all your gadgets, and extra memory for your camera!
