5 Things to Buy Before Going On Vacation

Going on vacation is one of the most exciting times of the year. It’s a time for forgetting about your responsibilities and replacing your work with relaxation.

As relaxing as vacations are once you’ve arrived at your destination, it can be stressful trying to pack everything before you set off. You don’t want to forget any essentials for your trip.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or you’re new to vacationing, it’s always helpful writing out an extensive list before you start packing. This will make your packing process quick and easy, and it reduces the chances of your forgetting something important.

From the toiletries to the change in clothes to the legal documentation, here is a list of five things to buy before your take your next trip.

Passport

Your ultimate travel packing list should always begin with your passport. It’s especially important to remember your passport if you’re traveling abroad. Without it, you’re not going to get very far! 

Your passport is a proof of identity and allows you to leave and re-enter your country. It proves that you are a legal resident of your home country. You will need to display it at the airport on the way to your destination and back.

Keep your passport somewhere that is easy to reach so that you don’t cause delays while going through customs at the airport. Ideally, keep it in your handbag or backpack. Don’t put it in your suitcase if you are checking it into airport storage!

To ensure your passport doesn’t get lost at the bottom of your bag, get yourself a passport wallet. Passport wallets come in a range of colors and designs. They will fit your passport in snuggly to keep it safe and secure so it won’t get damaged during your travels.

Portable Phone Charger

Your phone provides some much-needed entertainment when you’re traveling.

You can scroll on social media, watch your favorite TV show, or listen to a relaxing playlist while catching a flight or sitting in the passenger seat of the car. You might also want to use your phone to update your loved ones on the progress of your journey.

Constantly using apps or listening to music drains the batteries of most phones. So, if you’ve got a long journey ahead, your phone might quickly lose its charge.

It’s extremely inconvenient when your phone runs out of battery half way through your journey. Not to mention how boring traveling can be when you’re lacking digital entertainment.

When you’re traveling, you can’t always be sure that there will be a USB port to charge your phone. This is where packing a portable phone charger comes in handy. 

You can plug your phone and any other electronic devices you have into your portable charge to prevent them from dying on your journey. This gives you unlimited hours of screen time, making your journey much more bearable.

Travel Pillow

Comfort is key when you’re traveling. Having something comfortable to rest your neck on is a life-saver when you’re traveling on a long journey. Without proper support, you might spend the whole journey feeling uncomfortable and on edge. This will only make your traveling even more tedious. 

Travel pillows can act as headrests or armrests when you’re on a plane or in the car. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes so you can find an option that suits your needs perfectly.

Travel pillows are lightweight and portable, so they aren’t going to take up too much space in your travel bag. Many of them can be folded or deflated too, saving you even more room to fill your bags with your other vacation essentials!

Sleeping Mask and Earplugs

When you’re traveling overnight, you might want to squeeze in a few hours of sleep. Packing a sleeping mask and earplugs means you can block out the light and drown out the noise.

Even if you don’t have an overnight journey, keeping your eyes and ears covered can be beneficial. You can escape the world around you and drift off into a light sleep until you arrive safely at your destination.

We’ve all had those traveling experiences where there is a screaming baby or an arguing couple nearby, and this can make your journey feel never ending and often leaves you with a headache.

Your sleeping mask and earplugs can rescue you from these dire situations. They might be small items but they’re definitely essentials if you want don’t want to miss out on your beauty sleep (or your peace). They’re usually fairly inexpensive and are suitable for both adults and young children.

Snacks

Whether you are traveling in the car or on a plane, tucking into some delicious snacks can keep you going through a long journey. Snacking can break up several hours of travel time and provides a great distraction from the clock.

Even though you’re not physically expending very much energy, traveling can be tiring when you’re sat in the same position for long periods of time. Your snacks can give you a boost of energy when you’re started to feel sleepy.

Here are some great travel-friendly snacks to consider packing in your hand luggage. All of these can be eaten without cutlery too, so they’re perfect for quick ‘grab and go’ snacks when you’re traveling.

• Fruit
• Cookies
• Chips
• Sandwiches
• Crackers

Prepare a small hamper of snacks before you set off so you can quickly grab something to eat when you’re hungry. Make sure to properly wrap up your sandwiches and keep them at the top of your bag so they don’t get squashed! If you’re traveling with children, make sure to pack them some food too.

Alongside your snacks, make sure to stay hydrated on your journey. This is easier when you’re traveling in a car or on a bus because you won’t have to go through an extensive security check like you do before boarding a plane. However, most airports have cafés or shops where you can purchase bottles of water before you board.