There's no question:
over packing easily
heads the list of
biggest travel mistakes.
Thus this Web site,
offering exhaustive
(some might say
exhausting) detail
on the art of traveling
light, living for
an indefinite period
of time out of a
single (carryon-sized)
bag.
My own lifestyle
over the years
has always involved
a great deal of
travel, for both
business and pleasure.
Like most seasoned
travelers, I have
found that the
lighter my burden,
the more pleasant
my journey. Consequently
(and unsurprisingly,
given my scientific/engineering
background), I
have thought a
lot about the
subject, read
extensively on
the issues, even
attended seminars
on packing techniques.
Most important,
I have tried all
this stuff out,
experimenting
with a variety
of solutions in
many cases. This
Web site affords
me an opportunity
to share the resulting
opinions (and,
I hope, save you
a lot of trouble
repeating my mistakes).
-Why
Live Out of One Bag?
There
are many reasons
to "travel
light", the
principal ones being...
-Security:
By
not having to check
baggage (or otherwise
entrust it to the
care of others),
you are much less
likely to lose same
(or its contents)
to theft, damage,
or misrouting. Would
that peace of mind
was always so easily
acquired!
-Economy:
You
don't have to pay
porters and the
like to carry stuff
around for you.
You will be more
able to take public
transportation,
rather than taxis
and limos (where
you often pay extra
for luggage). You
can even walk. All
of which will also
bring you into more
intimate (and thus
rewarding) contact
with the people
and places you have
come to visit.
-Mobility:
You
needn't arrive at
airports as early.
You can board trains,
trams, and coaches
with alacrity. You
can more easily
deal with delayed
transportation and
missed connections
(because you can
choose alternatives
without worrying
about what will
happen to your belongings).
You can travel as
an air courier.
You can sell your
seat (by volunteering
to be "bumped")
on full flights.
You will be among
the first to leave
the airport for
your destination,
while others wait
for baggage delivery
and long customs
inspection queues.
And you won't feel
compelled to take
the first hotel
room offered; you
can easily walk
out when the reception
counter person quotes
an unreasonably
high price.
-What
to take (in your one
carryon-sized bag)
Arguably the most
important aspect
of intelligent traveling
is the issue of
what to take. This,
more than anything
else, will determine
the size of your
luggage, the weight
of your load, and
the state of your
happiness. Your
top priority, then,
should be the acquisition,
personalization,
and use of a good
packing list. "What
to take" is
far too important
to make up as you
go along!
The world is
awash with packing
lists. Dozens
have appeared
on the Internet,
and almost any
travel store will
happily supply
you with what
usually amounts
to a list of the
many things you
might buy from
them. And therein
lays the fault
of most lists:
they enumerate
the possibilities,
rather than eliminate
the liabilities.
A list of stuff
you might want
to take is very
different from
a list of things
you can't travel
(comfortably)
without. Even
the venerable
Universal Packing
List is intended
to be exhaustive;
author/maintainer
Mats Henricson
uses a much shorter
list for his actual
travels.
This Web page contains
an extensively annotated
copy of the packing
list I use, refined
over many years
(and many miles)
of travel,
both business and
pleasure; it's intended
to provide a convenient
starting point for
you to create a
customized list
of your own.
For actual use
while packing,
of course, a more
compact format
is preferable.
You can download
a copy of the
convenient checklist
version of my
list, provided
in Adobe portable
document format
(PDF) for printing
on a single letter-sized
page (which can
be printed on
both sides, then
cut in half to
make two smaller
copies; this also
works on A4 paper
with just a bit
of extra trimming).
The consistent
use of such a
checklist (keep
one in your bag,
or the room where
you regularly
pack) is the single
most important
step you can take
to lighten your
packing load.
It's not possible
to overstate the
importance of
actually creating
(or adopting)
a packing list,
and using it regularly.
This serves two
purposes. First,
it's a gentle
reminder that
if it's not on
your list, it
shouldn't be in
your bag (because
all the necessary
items are on your
list); this defends
against last-minute
attacks of "I
might need this."
Second, it helps
ensure that nothing
important will
be forgotten.
The go-light traveler
in particular
is only carrying
items that are
essential to the
journey, so forgetting
one of them can
be particularly
inconvenient.
I've used the
list on this site
for over a quarter
century of travel
around the world.
I could probably
reproduce it from
memory. Nonetheless,
I never fail to
check it on every
single trip of
more than a few
days. And, on
more occasions
than I like to
admit, I've been
reminded of items
like a belt that
I was forgetting
to pack for the
pair of trousers
in my bag. It's
no coincidence
that aircraft
pilots are required
to complete a
mandatory checklist
before being allowed
to fly the plane.
Eliminate items
from the list
whenever you can:
parkas aren't
necessary in North
Africa, nor are
shorts in the
Andes. For that
matter, shorts
are culturally
inappropriate
in many countries.
Add items if
you must, to address
your business
needs, hobbies,
personal interests,
etc., but resist
the temptation
to add non-essentials.
If you're thinking
"I might
need this",
you're likely
mistaken; if it's
"I can't
survive without
this", you
may be right.
But consider it
carefully and
dispassionately.
Will the joys
of listening to
Radio America
really warrant
lugging that short-wave
radio? Do you
truly need that
200mm lens? Perhaps,
though I have
yet to hear of
someone returning
from an extended
trip who vows
to take more stuff
the next time!
Smart
travelers plan to
wash clothes during
the trip, one of
the major secrets
to living out of
one small bag. This
is not as onerous
as it might sound,
if you carry the
right tools. Of
course, you could
take your laundry
to a local self-service
wash ("Laundromat",
"launderette"),
although that:
Assumes there is
a local one (improbable
in most locales),
Is likely to be
expensive outside
North America, and
Turns laundering
into a major (time-consuming)
event, when it can
be almost as easy
(and convenient)
as brushing one's
teeth before bedtime;
So one of your
evening chores
becomes doing
the day's laundry
(if you travel
with a partner,
each of you can
wash on alternate
days); Wash and
rinse the clothes
(these will often
be only socks
and undergarments)
in the sink of
your hotel or
B&B. [Scrubbing
difficult stains
out of socks?
Try slipping them
over your hands
like mittens.]
Rinsing can occasionally
be done more efficiently
in a shower than
in a sink. [Laundering
silk? Try an extra/final
rinse containing
some hair conditioner,
which (because
silk—like
hair—is
a protein) both
keeps the fabric
nice and lessens
wrinkles.] Rolling
wet clothes in
a towel, and wringing
the towel tightly
(with clothes
inside), is an
old traveler’s
trick to extract
water and thus
considerably speed
the drying process.
Then hang the
garments on your
travel clothesline
(described in
the following
list), and go
to bed.
If you're ready
to depart in the
morning, and some
item of clothing
isn't quite dry,
do as they do
in the army: put
it on anyway.
Though it might
feel a bit uncomfortable
at first, you'll
be surprised at
how quickly it
will dry next
to a warm body.
A better solution,
though, is to
choose traveling
clothes made of
quick-drying (and
wrinkle-free)
fabrics. A shirt
made of Coolmax®
(or some similar
fabric) will not
only dry quickly,
but will keep
you cooler in
summer and warmer
in winter than
one made of cotton.
If you're traveling
on business, of
course, you're
unlikely to want
to wash your dress
shirts in the
sink (though it's
nice to be able
to). On the other
hand, it's more
likely that someone
else is footing
the bill, so letting
the hotel do your
laundry is a more
acceptable option.
Be prepared for
occasional surprises
if you take this
route; the laundry
process in foreign
hotels can be
entertaining!
-Choosing
Clothing
Minimize
clothing by selecting
a uniform (one or
two) color scheme.
Choose fabrics carefully:
natural fabrics
can be cooler, but
wrinkle more easily,
dry more slowly,
and are generally
heavier than synthetics.
Knitted fabrics
are less prone to
creasing. In all
cases, the use of
"bundle
wrapping"
helps considerably,
by avoiding hard
creases.
Deal with temperature
variations by layering,
not by packing heavier
clothing; a set
of long underwear
(especially the
newer technical
varieties) is much
more weight/bulk-efficient
than a heavy coat.
The following list
offers 5-7 layers
of upper-body insulation,
enough for anything
short of an arctic
expedition.
Make sure that
the clothes you
choose will dry
out quickly. It's
not a bad idea
to test any new
item you are considering
by washing, rinsing,
and towel drying,
and hanging it
indoors overnight.
Anything not dry
by morning is
likely to prove
annoying on a
long trip (see
"Doing Laundry",
above).
Avoid military-styled
clothing, which
in some parts
of the world can
definitely send
the wrong message.
This includes
anything with
a camouflage pattern,
or colored green!
Sounds extreme,
but even green
backpacks were
once confiscated
in Nicaragua.
Pay particular
attention to underwear
and socks, especially
on longer trips.
They will have
a significant
effect on your
comfort, and likely
be much more difficult
(if not impossible)
to replace than
your outerwear,
especially in
third world countries,
or areas where
the local people
have body shapes
much different
than yours. It's
always possible
to purchase appropriate
outerwear locally
(it may well be
more appropriate
than what you
brought with you,
and often makes
for good souvenirs);
the same is not
true of undergarments.
Incidentally,
white socks and
underwear are
unlikely to remain
that way over
time, so unless
you prefer surprises,
start off with
a color choice
of your own!
Finally, be aware
of another useful
traveler’s
strategy: taking
along some older
clothes that you
plan to discard
anyway. Abandoning
them along the
way makes room
for souvenirs
(which, again,
might simply be
some local clothing).
If you do this,
don't just leave
clothes in your
hotel room, unless
you'd like them
returned home
at your expense!
Deposit them in
the trash, or
donate them to
the service staff.
An
old saying aptly
applies: take half
as many clothes
and twice as much
money; This is a
list of the maximum
amount of stuff
one should ever
need to cart around
(the suggested quantities
include those clothes
that you will be
wearing). It is
the list I actually
use, allowing me
to live more or
less indefinitely
out of a single
(carryon-sized)
bag.
-Wardrobe
Dressy
jacket a nice blazer
is ideal for almost
any dress-up occasion,
and companies like
Travel Smith make
them with fabrics
and pocket arrangements
that are specifically
designed for traveling.
Women who anticipate
more formal events
should consider
the merits of a
skirt and separate
top; the popular
"little black
dress" has
drawbacks for the
serious traveler
(black is much too
hot for many areas,
and the one-piece
nature of the outfit
makes it quite a
challenge to deal
with the security
pouch that you should
be wearing).
2 pairs trousers/skirts
(shorts?) Denim
jeans make poor
traveling clothes:
they're heavy, bulky,
and take forever
to dry. Several
companies now make
trousers with zip-off
legs (which convert
them to shorts),
a versatile solution
that may appeal
to you.
2-4 shirts Have
you ever noticed
that the traditional
garb in desert countries
is not the bikini?
Loose, light, long-sleeved
shirts will keep
you cooler than
T-shirts.
Swimsuit For males,
the right kind of
swim trunks can
double as shorts.
For women, a one-piece
in a silky fabric
substitutes for
a body suit under
a skirt and jacket.
Dark (cardigan)
sweater a nice cardigan
is an excellent
layering item, and
can also substitute
for a jacket when
a more formal appearance
is required.
If
you opt for a rain
jacket/coat instead
of an umbrella,
and expect a significant
amount of rain,
you might want to
think about a cover
for your luggage
as well. Camphor
carries these, but
an acceptable alternative
is to pack a couple
of heavy duty plastic
garbage bags; they
take up almost no
space, and can serve
other uses as well
(such as dust covers).
3+ pair’s
socks despite the
fact that it feels
nice and is a natural
fibre, cotton is
just about the worst
sock fabric available.
Walking experts
overwhelmingly recommend
socks made of synthetic
yarns (acrylic,
CoolMax, Capilene,
and PolarTec are
but a few) to keep
your feet comfortable
and dry. Blends
that add wool or
alpaca are also
acceptable, especially
in cooler weather;
they don't wear
as well, though.
The goal is to "wick"
(draw) moisture
away from the skin.
Cotton, unfortunately,
absorbs moisture,
leaving your feet
moist and more susceptible
to blisters, fungal
infection, and outdoor.
It is also notoriously
slow to dry, which
can interfere with
your laundry plans.
And finally, pay
attention to fit,
which is more important
that you may realize:
steer clear of tube
socks, one-size-fits-all
types (they don't),
stretch socks (too
tight), and those
with toe seams.
3+ pair’s
undergarments Once
again, look for
fast drying qualities.
Remember that nylon,
which doesn't breathe,
invites fungal infections
in the tropics.
long (lightweight)
underwear Stores
such as Camphor,
REI, and the Sierra
Trading Post sell
very high-tech,
lightweight underwear
(often made of polypropylene
to wick away moisture,
and speed drying),
that is ideal for
layering.
Long T-shirt or
sarong a multipurpose
item, this can function
as a cover-up (for
beach and bath)
and nightshirt.
In general, it's
a good idea to consider
what you will wear
for trips down the
hall to a shared
bathroom, or building
evacuations due
to fire alarms and
the like (both of
which are much more
common in the less-traveled
parts of the world).
Appropriate footwear
and clothes that
preserve some semblance
of modesty are the
prime requirements
An ideal solution
is the wonderfully
utilitarian sarong
(also known as a:
boubou, canga, kain,
kanga, kikepa, kikoi,
lap-lap, lapa, lava,
longyi, lungi, pagne,
pakome, pasin, pareo,
pareu, sulu, zulu,
etc.), the traditional
tropical garment
of Asia, the Pacific,
and east Africa
(and where one is
most easily acquired).
A length of thin
cotton cloth, roughly
1 x 2 (or 2.5) meters/yards,
traditionally with
a batik pattern,
it can be arranged
on the body in various
ways to form a dress,
a skirt, trousers,
shawl, and even
a hat. It also functions
as a sheet, beach/picnic/airline
blanket, towel,
tote/laundry bag,
shower/window curtain,
pillowcase, changing
room, tablecloth,
and more. There
are almost as many
ways to wear them
as there are Asian-Pacific
cultures; if you
see a style you
like, ask a local
to show you how
to tie it. When
buying a sarong,
ensure that it's
dyed all the way
through (not just
on one side); it's
advisable to set
the dye(s) by soaking
the garment in cold
water before you
use it the first
time.
Necktie, scarf,
hair band, bandannas
Accessorizing is
a good way to stretch
a wardrobe; for
women in particular,
a well-chosen scarf
can dramatically
alter the appearance
— and thus
multiply the utility
— of an outfit.
Costume jewelry
also works well
in this manner.
For men, consider
a bow tie; it not
only packs smaller,
lighter, & more
wrinkle-free, it
also transforms
a blazer into notably
more formal attire.
In colder weather,
a long woolen scarf
can be surprisingly
effective.
I've included bandannas
here, but as another
of the classic examples
of utilitarianism,
they could easily
be a section in
their own right.
A large cotton bandanna
can serve as a neck/head
scarf, headband,
hat (knot each of
the corners), halter
top (for the sufficiently
thin!), sun shade
(hung French Foreign
Legion style from
the crown of a hat,
or low over the
brow in front; also
from a rolled-up
car window as a
mini-curtain), napkin,
handkerchief, dust
mask, sun/sleep
mask, tablecloth,
seating mat, towel,
washcloth, scrub
rag, bandage, tourniquet,
hot pad, cold/wet
compress, short
cord, carry sack,
toothbrush, fly
swatter, etc. Sort
of a little cousin
to the sarong!
Gloves/mittens
sun hat / knitted
cap, hat clip Choose
a light, soft, floppy
sun hat over one
that's too stiff
to pack well; if
it doesn't have
tie-down strings,
buy (or make) a
hat clip (a short
cord connecting
two strong clips,
which fasten to
your hat and shirt
collar; Chums makes
one). If it's cold,
take a knitted cap
instead.
1 pair dressy shoes
(laces?) Don't break
in a new pair of
shoes on your trip.
1 pair walking shoes/boots
(laces?) ibid.
Thongs or sandals
Teva river sandals
(and similar brands)
are more versatile
than cheap flip-flops,
but the latter will
suffice for the
beach, or toilet/bath/shower
visits when at a
hostel or B&B.
In tropical areas,
these are pretty
much a necessity
to avoid fungal
infections.
Belt Make sure it
fits the loops of
all the trousers
you're taking. As
wet leather is very
prone to mold and
mildew, choose canvas
or nylon belts when
visiting humid regions.
Luggage (Use
the red bookmark
menu on the left
for other sections.)
Travel pack or
shoulder bag (&
luggage cart?)
This topic is
discussed at some
length in the
"What To
Take It In"
section.
Daypack (fanny
pack? purse?)
ibid.
lightweight duffel/laundry
bag A (light,
strong) nylon
bag will isolate
your dirty laundry
until the next
washing, and give
you a second bag
if you want to
bring extra stuff
on your final
flight home. Mine
(the Last Minute
Bag, from Easy
Going) weighs
about 3.5 ounces
(100g) and folds
into its own side
pocket, measuring
about 6 x 8 x
0.6 inches (15
x 20 x 1.5cm).
Luggage lock(s)
(cable?) Your
bag should have
zippers designed
to be locked with
a small padlock.
Which you should
use accordingly,
to keep the contents
from the prying
fingers of airport
angers-on and
street thieves,
not to mention
the curious eyes
of your B&B
host's children.
Make sure to lock
all entry points
to your bag, especially
in poorer countries
(many carriers
will not accept
bags as checked
luggage unless
all external openings
are locked). Use
combination locks,
rather than the
keyed variety.
Most locks sold
at travel stores
are very cheaply
made; search out
good quality ones
(I like the "Presto
lock" brand).
Casual pilferage
can often be avoided
by securing bag
openings with
nylon cable ties
(available from
electronic supply
stores), or even
dental floss,
but proper locks
are more convenient,
and more acceptable
to the airlines.
A locking cable
lets you secure
your bag to an
immovable object,
in case you need
to be apart from
it briefly (but
remember that
the bad guys carry
knives).
Alarm
clock/watch (batteries?);
flashlight, extra
batteries &
bulbs A flashlight
(torch) can be surprisingly
useful, for navigating
dark streets, late
night reading, finding
your way to the
toilet, or exploring
lava tubes in Hawai'i.
The Mini Maglite®
AA flashlight is
a particularly elegant
solution (especially
given the widespread
availability of
AA-sized batteries).
Should you feel
the need for (and
can afford) an even
brighter light,
look into Laser
Products' "Sure-Fire"
brand (especially
the 3P and 6P models),
available from Cutlery
Shoppe; if you go
this route, however,
make sure you pack
along a sufficient
quantity of the
necessary lithium
batteries, as they
may be hard to find
(and inordinately
expensive) when
you need them.
Avoid any light
with a simple sliding
on/off switch, or
you may arrive at
your destination
to discover that
shifting luggage
contents have turned
the switch on, and
you now have one
less set of batteries
than when you started
out. If your appliance
uses multiple batteries,
simply reversing
half of them while
in transit is a
useful precaution
against battery
drain.
Multipurpose tool
(e.g., Swiss Army
knife, Leather man
tool), scissors
the term "Swiss
Army knife"
has become part
of the language.
They are manufactured
by both Victorinox
and Wenger (I prefer
the former's quality).
In recent years,
their position has
been seriously challenged
by the Leatherman
tools, which are
extremely well made
and add a powerful
pair of pliers to
the toolset (and
have spawned numerous
lower-quality imitators);
this is what I now
prefer.
If you wear glasses,
make sure your chosen
multipurpose tool
can handle the associated
screws (or consider
carrying one of
the tiny eyeglass
repair kits, commonly
available at pharmacies).
Should your chosen
tool not include
them, add a pair
of compact, folding
scissors; you'll
be surprised at
how often you use
these.
Knives and Air Travel:
Over the years,
I have traveled
on countless planes
with either my Leatherman
tool or a Swiss
Army knife, and
never had a problem.
Since 11 September
2001, unfortunately,
knives and most
other tools, however
small, have been
banned from carryon
luggage (an exception
is scissors with
well-blunted tips).
The knife is probably
the most significant
loss, but luckily,
you can buy an inexpensive
kitchen knife just
about anywhere you
are likely to travel
(even a French Opinel
folding knife, a
travel design classic,
sells for well under
$10). A multipurpose
tool, however, is
more problematic.
What to do? If it's
a short trip, leave
the tool at home.
If you're heading
off for a round-the-world
experience (or even
a month in Europe),
you might consider
checking your bag:
most of your travels
will not be on planes
anyway, and risking
an occasional checked
bag might well be
worth the value
of having such a
tool with you.
Spoon (fork? chopsticks?),
(coffee tin lid)
plate One sure way
to reduce travel
expenses is to limit
the number of restaurant
meals. Breakfast
at your B&B
is one way. Picnics
are another. Cost
savings aside, a
lunch in the park,
with fresh bread,
cheese, yogurt,
and fruit from the
local shops, is
likely to be more
memorable than another
tourist trap pizza.
In addition to your
knife, you will
likely want a spoon;
a good (light, strong)
choice is one made
from Lexan polycarbonate.
These are available
from Camphor, and
likely a camping
store near you.
Here's an old traveller's
trick: the plastic
lids used to reseal
large coffee (and
other) tins make
great plates on
which to slice fruit,
etc.
-Compass
(whistle?)
Not
just for backcountry
hikers, a simple
compass can be invaluable
in helping you navigate
the urban mazes
of the world. When
you emerge from
the London subway
onto Oxford Street
for the first time,
how will you otherwise
know which direction
is which?
For those venturing
further a field,
a whistle helps
others find you
if you are lost
or hurt. Even the
urban traveler will
find a whistle helpful,
though; it can summon
taxis, deter muggers
& other unwanted
attention, and (as
one reader commented)
convince a doorman
to let you depart
a nightclub immediately,
rather than wait
around disputing
your bill. Get a
really loud one:
this would be the
famous "Storm"
whistle (available
at REI and Camphor).
If you'd prefer
something smaller,
get a "Windstorm"
or a "Fox Mini
40".
Inflatable travel
pillow these make
sleeping (or even
resting) on the
plane a lot more
pleasant, and may
augment your hotel
pillow as well.
They come in various
types and shapes;
I like the "hedbed",
depicted at right
(available at Campmor),
though many prefer
the collar style
that completely
encircles the neck.
Inflatable pillows
— which pack
flat — travel
better than those
filled with buckwheat
hulls (or whatever).
Be careful not to
over inflate them
on the ground, as
they can burst when
airborne (due to
reduced cabin air
pressure); slight
under inflation
makes them more
comfortable anyway.
The pillow should
have a comfortable,
removable, washable
cover.
Hostel sleep sack
(sleeping bag? bivouac
sack? blanket? tent?)
If you want to sleep
at a hostel, you
are required to
provide your own
"sleep sack"
(essentially a minimal
sleeping bag, made
from a folded sheet).
You can buy these
made from silk:
expensive (three
times the price
of the cotton ones),
but quite luxurious
(many people use
them in place of
what's provided
in their hotels
and B&BS), and
— most importantly
— extremely
lightweight and
space conserving.
Mine weighs 6.3
ounces (180g) and
measures (folded)
about 6 x 8 x 0.8
inches (15 x 20
x 2cm); it opens
to 86 x 35 inches
(220 x 90cm).
-Toiletries
Seek
out small, travel-sized
packages of toiletries,
etc. They're not
always readily available,
but the dedicated
traveler is ever
watchful (the "sample
sizes" display
at your pharmacy
is a good place
to check). Doctors
occasionally have
sample sizes of
such items as dental
floss. Be aware
that most travel-sized
containers can be
refilled; even a
small toothpaste
tube can generally
be reused (hold
it tightly mouth-to-mouth
with a larger tube,
and squeeze the
latter).
toothbrush, toothpaste,
floss In addition
to its intended
use, dental floss
can double as heavy-duty
thread for repair
work (make sure
you carry an appropriate
needle); the cutter
on the box is handy
for regular thread
as well. As tightly
knotted floss (especially
the waxed kind)
is generally very
difficult to untie,
it can also be used
as a temporary luggage
"lock",
to discourage pilferage.
Finally, if a dripping
faucet is keeping
you awake, tie one
end of a length
of floss around
the spout, put the
other end in the
drain, and arrange
the floss so that
the water flows
quietly along it,
rather than forming
drops!
Razor, blades, shaving
cream/oil some hardy
souls use soap,
but my skin demands
something with more
lubricate value.
An interesting alternative
to a (bulky, often
aerosol) container
of shaving cream
is shaving oil,
a tiny (smaller
than your thumb)
1/4-ounce plastic
bottle of which
will last for up
to 90 shaves. Sounds
unlikely, but it
works surprising
well, and also eliminates
the need for after-shave
lotions. This innovation
comes from England,
and one of the suppliers
(David Somerset)
makes it convenient
to purchase via
credit card and
the Internet.
Comb and/or hairbrush
shampoo Bottled
liquids of any kind
are leakage prone,
especially on airplanes
(it's surprising
what can be made
to leak under changing
air pressure conditions;
one helpful trick
is to squeeze the
container a little
before screwing
on the cap, thus
giving the contents
room to expand).
Bottles made by
Nalgene (especially
the narrow-mouth
variety) feature
very well-designed
caps, about as leak
proof as you're
likely to find (REI
and Campmor carry
these). Mine live
in Ziploc bags as
well, just to be
sure. Another solution
is the use of shampoos
that come in solid
form; these (as
well as hair conditioners)
are available from
the folks at LUSH.
Deodorant
Bar soap & container
you don't need much,
as soap is available
everywhere.
Nail clippers Try
to find stainless
steel ones (at good
cutlery stores)
if you're heading
for humid climates.
Mirror Avoid glass;
look for one made
of thin Plexiglas
or acrylic.
(Viscose) towel
another clever item
is the Viscose towel
(Packtowl® is
a popular brand).
They pack small,
yet are amazingly
absorbent. You might
want to cut one
into pieces the
size of washcloths,
which are much less
common outside of
North America. Another
washcloth alternative
is a palm-sized
synthetic "puff"
face sponge.
If you're inclined
to a more luxurious
lifestyle, you may
prefer something
a bit more "towel-like"
than the Viscose
approach. In that
case, consider the
MENDA Travel Towel,
a delightful Australian
product that is
softer than a conventional
towel, yet designed
to absorb efficiently
and dry rapidly.
You'll pay a price
in lost space (though
an included cinch
stap makes it a
lot smaller than
a regular towel),
but if you're not
regularly a guest
of hotels or B&BS,
you'll likely find
the trade-off acceptable.
Universal
(flat) sink stopper
you’ll often
encounter sinks
without drain stoppers.
As washing your
clothes is difficult
under such circumstances,
carry your own.
It can also substitute
as a jar opener
(and conversely,
a flat rubber jar
opener can be used
as a sink stopper).
Other drain-plugging
possibilities include
duct (or packing)
tape (if you dry
the flange first),
and a film-canister
cap. In lieu of
anything else, use
a rolled sock.
detergent, spot
remover I bow to
tradition here:
individual foil
packets of Woolite®
cold water laundry
detergent. I carry
them in doubled
Ziploc bags. There
are other options
(though I'd avoid
those that require
carrying bottled
liquids), but Woolite
has been the traveller's
standby for years,
and for good reason.
Should you take
along a conventional
detergent of some
sort, remember that
very little is required
to do a sinkful
of laundry... or
plan plenty of rinse
cycles! If you're
in Germany or Austria,
or live in a city
large enough to
support a good German
deli, try a tube
of Procter &
Gamble's Rei in
der Tube ("cleanliness
in a tube"),
a handy toothpaste-consistency
detergent. I also
pack a tube of StainEraser™
(which Magellan's
carries).
(surgical rubber
braid) clothesline
This is one of those
items so perfectly
designed for its
purpose that you
wonder why we're
not issued with
them at birth. If
you've never seen/used
a travel clothesline,
you're in for a
treat. The best
version ("Flexo-line®"
brand, available
from Magellan's)
is made from three
strands of surgical
rubber tubing, braided
to form a clothesline;
poor-quality copies
use simple twisted
strands, and don't
work nearly as well.
It packs small,
stretches l-o-n-g
(if you need it
to), and holds your
damp laundry all
by itself (you tuck
corners of the clothing
in between strands
of the braid). And
every laundry night,
you can exercise
your creativity
by discovering the
two optimal line
attachment locations!
Some people pack
these with their
medical supplies,
as they make ideal
tourniquets.
Inflatable hangers
these serve three
functions: they
augment what may
be a meager (or
nonexistent) supply
of clothes hangers
in your room, and
they provide another
way of hanging shirts
for drying. Less
obviously, you can
temporarily remove
the metal part (best
done at home prior
to your trip, as
the task will require
a pair of pliers
to "unbend"
the hook a bit),
and discover that
the remaining piece
serves as a fine
lumbar pillow to
support your back
on long flights;
the hook goes back
on easily once you
reach your destination.
The hangers pack
very small, so you
needn't feel guilty.
I carry two.
I'm
not qualified to
dispense medical
advice; what follows
is merely the product
of my personal experience.
For a much more
comprehensive and
authoritative view
of medical issues
as they pertain
to traveling, refer
to Dr. Stephen Bezruchka's
excellent (and wonderfully
portable) The Pocket
Doctor.
toilet paper, antibacterial
wipes You can't
depend on finding
toilet paper everywhere.
You can't even depend
on finding recognizable
toilets everywhere.
The minute you leave
"western"
civilization, you
will quickly discover
that considerably
more than half the
world uses some
variant of the squat
toilet. You will
find modern versions
of these in Japan,
and trenches in
China (when on safari
in some desert,
you likely won't
find toilets at
all). If you're
unfamiliar with
the use of squat
toilets, your first
encounter can be
a daunting one indeed!
Advance practice
is highly recommended.
Briefly, pants are
rolled up to the
knees, and the upper
part, along with
underpants, lowered
to the knees (you
don't want them
around your ankles!).
Items capable of
falling are best
removed beforehand;
retrieving them
will likely be impractical.
You squat by first
bending the upper
part of your body
forward (to maintain
balance), then lower
yourself by bending
your legs, coming
to rest quite naturally
(and comfortably)
on your haunches
and legs. Reverse
to rise. Aim is
more important in
squat toilets than
in sit toilets,
so don't fire indiscriminately.
Cleaning up is likely
not to involve toilet
paper, unless you
brought your own.
This is done using
a (probably nearby)
container to bring
water to your waiting
left hand, which
will splash it on
the appropriate
areas. Washing one's
hands when finished
takes on a new importance;
locals may well
do this with water
only, so you might
consider bringing
your own soap. Alternatives
to soap include
hand wipes treated
with antibacterial
solution (ensure
that "Ethyl
Alcohol 62%"
is one of the active
ingredients; one
good brand is Purell
Sanitizing Hand
Towels with Moisturizers),
and liquid antibacterial
cleansers (often
available in travel-sized
containers), though
the latter introduce
the challenge of
transporting liquids.
There is some dispute
among experts about
the long-term value
of antibacterial
products like these
(and none of them
work on viruses
anyway); all agree,
however, that frequent
washing is more
important than the
choice of ingredient
to abet same. Unfortunately,
most people wash
their hands in a
perfunctory fashion
that accomplishes
little. It should
be done, with soap
or the equivalent
(which suspends
the microbes such
that they can be
washed away), for
at least 15-20 seconds,
using warm (or cool,
but not hot) water,
and should include
the backs of the
hands, the wrists,
and under the fingernails.
And now you know
why the social use
of the left hand
is impolite in many
parts of the world
(it's also why punishment
in some countries
involves cutting
off the left hand).
If you do use paper,
do not deposit it
in the toilet (unless
there's no plumbing
involved), or you
will probably clog
the plumbing. There
is likely to be
a wastebasket handy:
the soiled paper
goes there. Yes,
really.
There's much more
to this topic than
mentioned here,
as there is truly
an amazing variety
of toilets to be
found in the world.
Read "Going
abroad" if
you really want
to expand your horizons.
(Chemical or mechanical)
water purifier If
you're traveling
anyplace where sanitation
is even the least
bit questionable,
this is a must.
The problem, and
its several solutions,
is too diverse to
cover here, but
you really should
learn about this
topic: Rob Sangster's
book is a reasonable
(and current) reference,
and Travel Medicine,
Inc. sells a variety
of purifiers. Bottled
water can be expensive,
and not always available
(or even trustworthy;
in this respect,
bottled carbonated
water is safer).
Chemical additives
taste bad, and may
have long-term health
implications. Mechanical
(filter) purifiers
are bulky, heavy,
and most don't remove
viruses.
Boiling water is
the best method
for eliminating
infectious agents.
There is some debate
about how long to
do this, but sustaining
a strong boil for
at least a minute
generally renders
it safe to drink.
The next best choice
is probably the
venerable 2-3 drops
of iodine in a liter
(quart) of water,
left to stand for
30 minutes. Yes,
there's a bit of
a chemical taste,
but there is with
chlorine-based additives
as well, and they
don't kill giardia.
You can pretty much
remove both the
taste and the colour
by adding 50 mg
of vitamin C (ascorbic
acid) to the water,
after it has stood
for the treatment
period; a flavored
beverage mix containing
vitamin C is fine
for this. Be aware
that iodine stains
terribly, and runs
like crazy to boot,
so pack it accordingly;
if your iodine container
ever leaks inside
your bag, you'll
never forget it!
You can find de-coloured
iodine in the U.S.
and some other places,
and the regular
stuff at pretty
much any pharmacy
in the known world.
Popular wisdom states
that iodine should
not be ingested
on a long-term basis
(more than six months),
but I have never
seen any reputable
data that confirms
this. On the contrary,
a study of the previously
healthy inmates
of three Florida
prisons who consumed
water disinfected
with 0.5 to 1.0
PPM iodine for 15
years showed no
effects on health
or thyroid function.
Of 101 infants born
to prisoners drinking
the water for 122-270
days, none showed
detectable thyroid
enlargement. Nonetheless,
those with thyroid
problems might consider
alternative solutions.
Two final comments:
avoid ice (which
cannot be assumed
sanitary) in questionable
environments, and
remember to use
safe water when
brushing your teeth!
Analgesic of choice
Aspirin, acetaminophen
[paracetamol], ibuprofen,
naproxen sodium,
ketoprofen, or whatever,
are best (though
not most efficiently)
carried in their
original packaging,
especially if you
look somewhat "counterculture",
and/or expect to
meet suspicious
border inspectors.
diarrhea treatment
(e.g., Lomotil and/or
Cipro) Studies show
that 35% of all
international travelers
(and 50% of those
visiting developing
countries in Latin
America, Africa,
the Middle East,
and Asia) develop
"traveller's
diarrhea" (TD).
So there's a pretty
good chance that
this will be a part
of your experience
at some point, making
it helpful to know
something about
its causes, prevention,
and treatment. Several
infectious agents,
including bacteria,
parasites, and viruses,
can cause TD. While
parasitic TD can
occur 7-14 days
after exposure,
most shows up some
time from a few
hours to three days.
In up to half of
all cases, the exact
cause is unknown.
The most common
bacterial cause
of TD (20-50% of
cases) is Escherichia
coli (E. coli),
found in soil, water,
and milk. Diarrhea
caused by E. coli
is generally explosive,
non-bloody, and
accompanied by nausea,
vomiting, cramps,
and fever. Shigella
is the next most
frequent (15% of
travellers) bacterial
cause of dysentery,
being common in
countries experiencing
natural disasters,
socioeconomic upheaval,
or other conditions
making it difficult
to procure sanitary
food and water.
Shigella infections
produce bloody and
mucus-laden diarrhea,
along with fever,
cramps, and exhaustion;
such severe consequences
are usually labelled
dysentery. Next
in line (2% of cases)
is TD caused by
the parasites Giardia
and Entamoeba histolytica,
found in contaminated
water. Giardia can
cause chronic diarrhea
lasting for several
weeks, along with
vague pain, weight
loss, bloating,
and fatigue. And
there are other
bacteria (Salmonella,
Campylobacter),
parasites (Cryptosporidiosis,
Cyclospora), and
(less commonly)
intestinal viruses
like rotavirus.
As you might imagine,
dealing effectively
with all these possibilities
is not an easy matter.
Prevention should
be the first line
of defense. Don't
ingest (or swim
in) contaminated
water; see the above
discussion of this
topic. With respect
to food, the traditional
traveller's adage
("If you can't
cook it, boil it,
or peel it, then
forget it!")
is still valid,
but doesn't go far
enough (in the light
of current research).
Heated food should
be hot to the touch,
and eaten promptly.
Be particularly
cautious of food
from street vendors.
Peel your own fresh
fruits and vegetables
(be especially wary
of things like lettuce
and sliced fruit,
which may have been
washed in contaminated
water). Avoid dairy
products and raw
or undercooked meat
and fish.
Pepto-Bismol (two
tablets four times
daily before and
during international
travel, but not
for more than three
weeks) can help
prevent many cases
of TD. In common
with aspirin (which
shares its active
ingredient salicylate),
its use should not
be indiscriminate:
many medications
interfere with salicylate;
pregnant women,
people allergic
to aspirin, and
those with ulcers,
other bleeding disorders,
or gout, should
first consult a
physician; children
under three, and
children and adolescents
with flu or chicken
pox, should not
take it. Possible
side effects of
Pepto-Bismol include
ringing in the ears,
and black stools
and tongue.
The two most popular
prescription drugs
for dealing with
TD are Lomotil [diphenoxylate
atrophine], which
essentially blocks
your plumbing for
a day or two, and
Cipro [ciprofloxacin
hydrochloride],
an antibiotic to
kill the bugs that
are causing the
problem. As with
any prescription
drug, discuss these
with your doctor
before taking them.
The indiscriminate
use of antibiotics
is causing a lot
of problems in the
world.
Be aware that antimotility
drugs such as Lomotil
(and Imodium [loperamide],
an over-the-counter
alternative that
works better for
some people) do
not prevent diarrhea
(in fact, they may
even increase the
risk for it), but
they provide prompt
though temporary
symptomatic relief
by reducing muscle
spasms in the gastrointestinal
tract. Don't use
them unless access
to a toilet is limited
(such as during
a long bus ride).
And never use them
for more than 48
hours.
As a rule, letting
nature take its
course is the preferred
approach, abetted
with plenty of fluid
replacement (drink
lots of pure water;
potassium, sodium,
and calcium supplementation
is also advisable).
Be aware that rice,
wheat, potatoes,
corn, and chicken
are foods known
to slow the effects
of TD. And understand
that the prevention
of dehydration is
the most important
consideration: in
severe cases, dehydration
can be life threatening,
particularly in
children. Agitation
may be an early
symptom; severe
indications include
listlessness and
a weak pulse, and
are causes for serious
concern.
Infection treatment
(e.g., Keflex)
another prescription
drug, Keflex [cephalexin]
is one of the
cephalosporin
antibiotics. It
can be used for
a wide variety
of bacterial infections,
including those
of the respiratory
tract, urinary
tract, skin, and
ear. Again, consult
your doctor for
details.
Malaria tablets
a must in many
parts of the world.
Insect repellent,
mosquito net Even
if you're not
trekking in the
bush, a lightweight,
over-the-head
mosquito net can
save you from
hotels whose ideas
of adequate screening
don't coincide
with your own.
In many areas
of the world,
you'll want a
net (such as those
available from
Long Road Travel
Supplies) large
enough to cover
your entire sleeping
area. Spraying
a net (and your
clothing, for
that matter) with
permethrin will
increase its bug
repelling effectiveness.
For your skin,
you need something
containing either
deet [n,n-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide]
or picaridin [(RS)-sec-butyl
2-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate];
the higher the
concentration,
the more effective.
Much enthusiastic
advertising to
the contrary,
these are the
only insect repellents
that have proven
effective in controlled,
objective tests.
Picaridin (also
called KBR3023,
Bayrepel, Hepidanin,
and Autan Repel)
is the most recent
development in
this field, and
is considered
less irritating
to the skin than
the time-honoured
deet, to which
it provides comparable
protection. Both
products are considered
safe to use, despite
the occasional
rumour to the
contrary, suggesting
that deet is scary
stuff (numerous
credible tests
have confirmed
that deet is safe
when used correctly,
even for children
and pregnant/lactating
women; some people
do, however, find
that it irritates
their skin, especially
eyes and mucous
membranes). Children
don't metabolize
chemicals the
way adults do,
so should use
no more than a
10% concentration;
those under six
months old shouldn't
use it at all.
Effective repellents
can be very hard
to find in many
places, so be
sure to bring
what you'll need;
it is the best
protection available
against insects
that transmit
serious diseases,
such as malaria,
Lyme disease,
and Rocky Mountain
spotted fever.
If you're concerned
about getting
bitten/stung by
any of the flying,
crawling, &
swimming creatures
capable of doing
so, you might
consider carrying
a small Aspivenin®
pump. Used by
the French Army,
Médicins
sans Frontières,
UNICEF, Wildlife
Conservation International,
etc., this clever
mechanical device
(developed by
André Emerit,
a French inventor
who died in 1997)
visibly extracts
venoms without
damaging the surrounding
skin. You can
learn more about
it, and order
one on-line for
about $20, from
Aspivenin (France)
or from Flairpath
Marketing (UK).
Sawyer Products
sells what appears
to be a cheaper
(in the U.S.)
copy of this device:
the Sawyer Extractor.
sunscreen, lip
balm (because
malignant melanoma
is so depressing)
Remember, sunscreens
work by penetrating
the skin to create
a barrier, while
insect repellents
work by evaporation,
so apply the sunscreen
first. Be aware
that sunscreens
more than 2-3
years old have
lost their effectiveness.
Decent lip balms
are hard to find
in most areas
of the world,
so bring enough
to last you.
-Bandages,
moleskin (other first
aid supplies?)
Lots
of walking can lead
to chafing, which
is easily remedied
if you have a bit
of moleskin, and
a potentially serious
problem otherwise.
In bandages, I like
the cloth butterfly-shaped
style (designed
for fingers/knuckles):
they can handle
surprisingly drastic
cuts, and are easily
trimmed down to
smaller sizes as
needed.
menstrual, contraceptive,
and/or prophylactic
supplies Women traveling
for extended periods
of time might want
to give thought
to alternative forms
of menstrual supplies.
Tampons, for example,
are difficult to
find in many countries,
and often prone
to be "toxic
shock" specials.
Travel- (and environment-)
friendly alternatives
include menstrual
cups (such as the
DivaCup, Keeper,
and Mooncup), which
sell for around
$35 and last for
ten years, and reusable
cotton pads (such
as GladRags and
Lunapads).
Condoms brought
from home are less
likely to break
(and more likely
to be available).
Remember, the diseases
most often caught
during foreign travels
are sexually transmitted
ones.
Vitamins, necessary
medications if you
need to carry any
prescription drug,
be sure to bring
along a copy of
the prescription,
both to replenish
your supply in an
emergency, and to
verify your need
for something that
might otherwise
be illegal in your
destination country.
The drug should
be listed by brand
and generic name,
and include the
dosage. If you have
a serious condition,
a letter from your
doctor (translated
into the local language)
is a wise precaution.
Carry more medicine
than you expect
to need, especially
if traveling somewhere
without Western
medical standards;
Have your prescription
filled in tablet
form when possible,
as capsules and
liquids are less
stable, particularly
in hot, humid climates.
Avoid buying prescription
medicines abroad,
especially in Third
World countries,
where local pharmacies
will compound drugs
themselves, perhaps
using something
like sulfa (to which
you may be allergic)
as a filler. Counterfeit
drugs are also a
problem (as are
expired drugs "dumped"
from the U.S.),
particularly in
Mexico, Thailand,
South America (except
Argentina &
Brazil), Africa,
and Hong Kong.
Plastic water bottle,
(folding) cup Drink
plenty of clean
water, like your
mom told you (or
should have). That's
not always easy,
depending on where
you are (like a
plane, or other
than an urban portion
of a developed country).
So carry your own,
in your daypack.
A recent innovation
is the Platypus®
collapsible water
bottle, which I
have found to be
surprisingly rugged.
Made by Cascade
Designs, and available
from REI and Campmor,
these solve a longstanding
problem of efficient
water storage. Magellan's
sells a nice, leakproof,
folding cup (which
can also be used
for cleansing purposes
in squat toilets);
if you're planning
to use an immersion
heater, though,
you'll want something
less likely to melt
(and also, alas,
heavier & bulkier).
Audiovisual (Use
the red bookmark
menu on the left
for other sections.)
dark glasses,
retainer, case
Sunglasses will
save your sight
for your retirement
years (get good
ones, with 100%
UVA and UVB protection).
The eyewear retainer
("Chums"
is a good brand)
and case may save
your glasses.
lens cleaning
cloth/supplies,
copy of prescription,
(spare glasses?)
If you wear prescription
lenses, and don't
carry spare spectacles
(or even if you
do), a copy of
your current prescription
could prove invaluable.
Cleaning supplies
are of particular
importance to
contact lens users.
earplugs (eye
mask?) Earplugs
can be extremely
useful, not only
at rock concerts
(to save your
hearing for your
retirement years),
but in situations
where you're trying
to get some sleep,
and the party
next door (or
on the street)
isn't. In noisy
third world cities,
these are pretty
much a necessity.
I like those that
you compress by
rolling between
your fingers (they
expand in your
ear canal). If
you're planning
to sleep on a
long flight, you
may also find
an eye mask helpful
(Eagle Creek's
"Comfort
Eye Shade"
is an effective
design that eliminates
pressure on your
eyelids).
Pens, small notebook,
and glue stick Most
journeys will yield
interesting items
of information along
the way (addresses
of people you meet,
the locations of
hotels, restaurants,
and other recommended
attractions, a record
of photographs taken,
even a trip diary);
make sure you bring
something in which
to write them down.
It can be as simple
as a small coil-bound
notebook, or elaborate
as a hardcover journal
into which you glue
the ticket stubs,
business cards,
and other memorabilia
that will recall
your adventures
in years to come.
Personal address
book (stamps?) Don't
forget to send postcards
to those stuck back
home; remember that
the stamps from
your home country
won't work in a
foreign one. Some
people like to carry
pre-addressed envelopes,
but I've always
preferred buying
postcards as I go.
Another solution
is to bring along
pre-printed address
labels for all your
intended missives,
and affix them to
cards or envelopes
as necessary (this
has the added benefit
of keeping track
of what you have
yet to send). Obviously,
all of this depends
on how much you
plan to write. Even
if you're not planning
to write to anyone,
it might be prudent
to have telephone
numbers (home numbers,
if possible) for
your doctor and
travel agent; they
just might help
avert a disaster.
maps, guidebooks,
phrase books, Post-it®
notes, restaurant
lists, membership
cards, business/calling
cards, telephone
access numbers These
can be important,
but also a challenge
to your "packing
light" goal.
Don't carry maps
that can easily
be acquired en route.
Instead of the whole
guidebook, perhaps
you can cut out
— or photocopy
— only the
section(s) pertinent
to your needs, discarding
no-longer-required
portions as you
travel. Or simply
summarize the pertinent
information in your
notebook. Consider
replacing a collection
of foreign phrasebooks
with a Kwikpoint
card, containing
over 600 universally
recognized symbols
designed to get
your message across.
And a pad of the
smallest Post-it
notes will serve
as excellent page
markers for your
guidebooks.
Another good reason
to use local maps
in place of those
you have brought
from home is that
the former will
have place names
in the local languages,
rather than "translated"
into English. This
is particularly
important if you
are touring by car,
as you are unlikely
to see Prague, Florence,
or Munich on road
signs (think Praha,
Firenze, & München).
Long distance
phone calls can
be expensive from
foreign countries
(for that matter,
any phone calls
made from a hotel
room are likely
to be very costly);
come prepared
with a list of
access numbers
to reduced cost
services. AT&T
provides a wallet-sized
card listing their
own such numbers
(in the U.S.,
call 1-800-331-1140
for a copy, or
print one from
their Web site).
Even better is
the use of international
phone cards (with
Personal Identification
Numbers), widely
available at newsstands
and the like in
industrialized
countries.
I use resources
such as VegDining.com
to compile a restaurant
list prior to
any sojourn into
unknown territory,
and carry my Ocean
Cruising Club
card, which gets
me into foreign
yacht clubs. Business/calling
cards are an ideal
way to leave your
address(es) with
newfound friends,
and are occasionally
useful for impressing
local officials.
Finally, consider
carrying a photo
or two of your
family & home,
and possibly a
few postcards
of your city;
these help establish
your identity
as a "real
person" to
those you meet
along the way.
reading material
If you're a reader,
travel prepared;
reasonably priced
books in your
preferred language
are not always
easy to come by
in foreign countries.
Choose paperbacks
with dense print;
discard (or trade!)
them as you go.
large envelopes
One way to keep
your bag light
as you travel
(especially on
longer trips)
is to mail accumulated
stuff home; having
a few large manila
envelopes (or
better, those
made from Tyvek®)
both aids and
encourages this.
Documents (Use
the red bookmark
menu on the left
for other sections.)
Passport, visas,
extra passport
photos, vaccination
certificates Take
what you need
(find out what
you need before
you go). The extra
photos are for
visas you might
decide to obtain
along the way.
Copies of important
documents If you
should manage
to lose your passport,
a photocopy of
the main page
will make replacing
it a lot easier.
Similarly for
prescriptions,
charge/ATM card
account numbers,
traveller's cheque
serial numbers,
etc. Of course
you'll carry the
copies separate
from the originals,
won't you? It's
also a good idea
to record the
special telephone
numbers necessary
to deal with the
loss of any charge/ATM
cards you carry;
leaving an additional
copy of all this
information with
a trusted friend
back home can
save you a lot
of long distance
calls in case
of disaster (many
800-type numbers
don't work very
far from home
in any case).
Companies like
Xdrive will provide
you with inexpensive
Web-accessible
storage, so it's
possible to store
important information
that can be accessed
from any Web browser.
Given the dramatic
rise in the availability
of Internet Cafés,
you may find this
a useful repository
for much of your
backup information.
(International?)
Driver’s
license, health
insurance information
In general, you'll
want to leave
at home most of
those cards you
carry around in
your wallet; leave
the wallet at
home too. But
there are exceptions.
Should you need
to drive, your
regular driver's
license (in conjunction
with your passport)
will almost certainly
be sufficient.
In theory, some
countries (particularly
those with non-Roman
alphabets) nominally
require "International
Driving Permits"
(IDPs), which
are simply translations
of your regular
license into ten
languages; in
practice, most
officials have
never heard of
them. If you're
unsure, though,
check with a local
authority (such
as the rental
agency you intend
to patronize).
The "International
Driving Licenses"
one hears about
(especially via
the Internet)
are essentially
a big scam; before
sending off your
money for one,
read this U.S.
Federal Trade
Commission report,
which also has
information about
to obtain a legitimate
IDP.
Travel tickets
(i.e., airline
tickets, rail
& bus passes,
hotel reservations,
etc.)
Charge & ATM
cards, cash, traveller's
cheque It used
to be that traveller's
cheque were the
preferred method
for carrying money;
this is no longer
the case. For
purchases, use
charge cards whenever
possible (in much
of Europe &
Asia, this includes
even taxis &
fast food outlets);
you'll get a much
better currency
conversion rate
(generally 1%
over the commercial
bank rate) than
by any other (legal)
means. You'll
also postpone
the final reckoning.
Make sure that
your cards have
sufficiently high
credit limits
to cover what
you'll need. It's
also advisable
to call your credit
card company prior
to travelling
far from home,
to let them know
your plans; this
will save you
the inconvenience
(and possible
embarrassment)
of having your
card refused because
the computer doesn't
know you're in
Bangkok.
Be aware that
some charge card
issuers (as distinct
from the networks,
such as Visa and
MasterCard, which
make their money
from the 1% mentioned
above) levy extra
fees (two to four
percent!) for
foreign currency
conversions. If
your card is one
of these (find
out before you
leave), change
cards (and let
them know why
you did). Really.
Alas, I don't
have any easier
way than you (by
phoning around)
to determine which
cards currently
levy extra charges.
I don't try to
keep track, as
it changes without
notice, and I'd
hate to be posting
obsolete information.
To obtain local
cash, use a bank
ATM card (make
sure yours is
part of of one
of the global
networks, like
Cirrus or Plus);
both MasterCard
and Visa have
Web-based ATM-finding
services. It's
better not to
use credit cards
for this, as you'll
incur a cash transaction
fee and begin
accumulating interest
immediately. Be
aware that 4-digit
Personal Identification
Numbers (PINs)
are standard in
most countries;
should yours be
longer, arrange
to get a new one.
If your bank levies
a charge for foreign
ATM transactions,
don't withdraw
$20 at a time.
Note that an American
Express card also
acts as a cheque
guarantee card,
allowing you to
cash a personal
cheque at any
American Express
office (making
this the best
non-ATM way to
transfer money
from home).
Yet another solution
allows you to
bypass most of
the charges that
are sometimes
attached to the
use of ATMs. This
is the so-called
stored value card,
available from
Visa and also
AAA. It's sort
of like a telephone
card: you load
it with money
and can then collect
that money from
ATMs along your
way, paying only
the local dispenser
fee.
If you do use
traveller's cheques,
bring more than
you think you'll
need, in both
large and small
denominations
(some currency
exchange places
charge by the
monetary amount
of the transaction,
some by the number
of cheques converted).
Stick with "major
labels" (e.g.,
American Express
or Thomas Cook).
As a rule, banks
(and American
Express offices)
will give you
a better deal
than the many
late-night bureaux
de change you
will encounter
(the "no
commission"
signs merely indicate
that their cut
is built into
the exchange rate;
conversely, good
exchange rates
imply high commissions).
Keep some cash
handy for essentials,
but any significant
amount safely
stored (see "security
pouch" below).
Pay attention
to your money.
Understand all
charges included
in any transaction
(ask to have bills
itemized). Particularly
in highly touristed
areas, assume
that you'll be
shortchanged;
always ask how
much, do your
own arithmetic,
and don't let
yourself be hurried.
Be friendly, but
vigilant.
If you're travelling
in third world
countries (where
traveller's cheques
and charge cards
are largely useless),
carry lots of
American one-dollar
bills; hegemonist
issues aside,
you will find
them to be the
closest approximation
to a universal
currency. A couple
of hundred bills
will not fit comfortably
in your security
pouch, so you
will have to secrete
most of them in
various places
about your pack
(don't fret excessively
about this; the
loss of your pack
will prove more
of a disaster
than the loss
of a couple of
hundred dollars).
2 personal cheques
You may not use
these, but they
take almost no
space, help establish
credibility, and
just might prove
invaluable. Bring
more on longer
trips, should
you plan to use
them to transfer
money from home
(as mentioned
under "charge
& ATM cards",
above).
security pouch
I can't overemphasize
the necessity
of this; it may
be the single
most important
item on this list.
Street crime is
rampant in most
parts of the world;
to compound the
problem, you will
usually find it
difficult to avoid
looking like a
tourist (read
"target").
So never, ever,
put any of the
items (except
document copies)
from this section
of the list anywhere
but in a security
pouch, worn under
your clothes (and
not accessed in
any public place).
These pouches
come in a variety
of styles; the
safest are those
worn around the
waist. The type
that loops around
your belt (assuming
you're wearing
one) and hangs
down inside your
pant leg, is almost
as safe, and somewhat
more convenient
and comfortable.
Look for light
weight, and sufficient
dimensions to
hold what's necessary.
Mine (the World
Class Passport
Carrier, from
Easy Going) even
has thin aircraft
cable sewn into
its belt loop
and waist strap
to foil the thief
who would cut
it off (though
you should wear
it under your
clothes anyway).
Get one of these,
and get used to
wearing it; it's
the cheapest insurance
you'll find.
If you need a
little more incentive
to use a security
pouch, you might
read Terry Jones'
illuminating Street
Scams of Barcelona.
Not to be viewed
as an indictment
of Barcelona,
it's typical of
the sort of activity
that abounds at
many heavily touristed
areas around the
world (some are
much worse!).
Finally, in these
days of increased
airport security,
with official/officious
folks checking
our identification/tickets/receipts/whatever
at every turn,
some travellers
have found it
helpful to wear
a handy neck pouch
to hold all of
these, making
them instantly
available when
necessary (and
recalling days
in kindergarten
when you wore
a name tag around
your neck). These
are not the equivalent
of a proper security
pouch, and should
not be used as
such, but they
can reduce one's
stress level when
en route via air.
Easy TravelAir
makes a very nice
version of this
device.
Items
in this section
definitely fall
into the "optional"
category, the need
for same being very
much a function
of one's personal
interests and the
nature of the trip.
This part of the
list could, of course,
be arbitrarily long;
I have restricted
it to the few items
that are of extremely
broad interest.
camera (lenses?
flash? tripod? film?
extra batteries?
charger?) I'd recommend
a state-of-the-art
"point and
shoot" camera,
unless you really
want to lug that
SLR around. Philip
Greenspun offers
an extended and
helpful discussion
of this topic.
If you're using
a film camera, be
aware that film
can be quite expensive
outside North America;
if you travel from
there, it's often
best to carry what
you think you'll
need. This decision,
however, must be
weighed against
the damage that
will be done to
that film by passing
it through airport
X-ray machines.
I know, they tell
you it won't damage
your film, but it
will. That damage
is unlikely to be
visible if you're
using slower speed
film (anything under
ASA 400), and the
film only suffers
a single exposure.
With higher speed
films, though, and/or
multiple X-ray exposures
(radiation damage
is cumulative),
you're taking a
chance. Ask for
hand inspection
of film, though
this request wil
not necessarily
be granted (especially
outside North America,
where the X-ray
dosage tends to
be higher as well).
Lead-lined bags
are available to
shield film, but
they're heavy and
space-consuming;
there's no easy
solution.
The digital camera
user is spared the
difficulty of coping
with film, but must
instead deal with
batteries. Choosing
a camera that uses
a standard battery
(especially the
ubiquitous AA size)
will help considerably,
as will the use
of high-efficiency
batteries and chargers
(unlike those that
are typically bundled
with the original
camera). Thomas
Distributing is
a good source of
such technology.
Consider also the
use of higher-capacity
memory cards; one
can capture a couple
of hundred photos
per 256MB card,
greatly reducing
(even eliminating)
the need for downloading
during your trip.
cellular telephone
(charger?) Travel
is often best accomplished
in the absence of
"instant telephony",
but for many, cell
phones are a business
trip necessity.
Before you depart,
ensure that the
phone's technology,
your calling plan,
and the battery
charger are all
compatible with
the area(s) you
intend to visit.
(solar) calculator
Depending on how
arithmetic-challenged
you are, one of
these might help
you with currency
conversion. Some
are available with
quite impressive
foreign language
dictionaries built
in. Get a solar-powered
design to reduce
the need for batteries.
gifts A final suggestion
is to think about
taking along some
small items that
you can present
to people you encounter
along the way, especially
the children (there
is no faster way
to endear yourself
to the families
you meet). The colourful
(economical, flat)
press-on stickers
you can generally
buy near gift wrapping
supplies are appropriate
for many ages. Another
good idea is to
carry a supply of
the balloons used
to make animals,
hats, and the like.
You've almost certainly
seen this done,
and perhaps never
realized how easy
a skill it is to
learn. T. Myers
Magic will provide
the instruction
(including how to
blow up the balloons
without popping
your eyeballs) and
the supplies; see
the resource section.
For adults in less
industrialized areas,
inexpensive (but
not cheap, throwaway)
ballpoint pens are
a good choice; they
also make good bargaining
chips at markets.
High quality fish
hooks will be very
scarce in poor fishing
communities, making
them excellent gifts
and trade goods
(especially for
fish!); make sure
you get the flat
variety. Bandannas,
not widely available
outside North America,
are another good
choice. Other adults
may appreciate a
souvenir (perhaps
a small flag pin)
of your home country;
as a Canadian, I
often carry some
of our $1 gold-coloured
"loonie"
coins (so named
for the loon pictured
on its reverse side).
A reminder... contact
information, when
available, is provided
for the various
products & manufacturers
mentioned here.
You'll find such
information on the
Resources page.
Perfection is attained,
not when there is
nothing more to
be added, but when
there is nothing
more to be taken
away.
In
the aftermath of
the World Trade
Center and Pentagon
attacks, the list
of items that may
not be brought into
aircraft cabins
has grown considerably
longer, and the
actions of security
personnel more zealous.
Although the Transportation
Security Administration
(part of the U.S.
Department of Transport)
publishes an official
list of both prohibited
and permitted items,
their existence
doesn't necessary
predict what will
happen at the airport,
where the personal
views of random
security personnel
may have a greater
impact on your travel
experience.
Nonetheless, you
should familiarize
yourself with the
official position,
to ensure that you
are not inadvertently
attempting to board
with something untoward.
It's also advisable
to revisit the list
occasionally, as
it changes from
time to time (nail
files, for example,
were not always
permitted). Finally,
appreciate that
the above list is
only definitive
for the United States;
other countries
may have their own
rules, which are
not necessarily
the same. Australia
forbids blunt-tipped
scissors, corkscrews,
and knitting needles,
for example, all
of which are allowed
in the U.S.
Things
that must be plugged
in are conspicuously
absent from this
packing list; they
add bulk and weight
rarely compensated
for by usefulness.
Try hard to eliminate
them. If, however,
you just can't live
without your electric
shaver (a small
bottle of shaving
oil and a razor
are much more appropriate),
or your hair dryer
(think about towel/air
drying, or even
a more travel-friendly
hair style), don't
forget that electrical
power varies throughout
the world. Most
countries use 220
volts at 50 Hertz,
though several (including
the U.S.A.) use
110 volts at 60
Hertz; moreover,
there are more than
a dozen styles of
wall socket, each
requiring a different
type of plug. You
also need to worry
about power (wattage)
ratings.
Plug adapters
and power converters
are available
for all of this,
of course (Magellan's
is a particularly
well-equipped
and helpful source;
also check the
"Useful Tools"
section of the
Travel inks page
for an excellent
information site),
and some products
are available
in compact travel
models with multi-voltage
settings (you'll
still need plug
adapters). Business
travelers (who
are likely to
be carrying laptops
and their attendant
power converters)
should know that
electrical items
such as battery
and cell-phone
chargers can be
obtained in USB-powered
versions, eliminating
the need to carry
additional (heavy,
bulky) converters.
But you can best
eliminate the
hassles by eliminating
the gadgets. Even
if a hair dryer
does make a good
sock dryer.
All of this
notwithstanding,
however, a simple
immersion heater
is one appliance
that many travelers
(especially those
on a limited budget,
trying to avoid
restaurant meals)
consider invaluable.
Place it in a
cup of water,
plug it in, and
in almost no time
you have boiling
water. This not
only kills all
disease organisms,
it also lets you
make a hot cup
of tea, coffee,
cocoa, soup, etc.
You can even cook
an egg (bring
the water to a
boil, remove the
heater, drop in
the egg, and wait
a few minutes).
Small, lightweight
immersion heaters
(such as the Franzus
IH100 model pictured
here) are inexpensive
and available
in dual voltages,
though you may
still need a plug
adapter (alternatively,
you can buy a
new one locally
in most developed
countries). Better-quality
versions of these
have thermostatic
shut-offs; with
cheaper ones,
be sure that the
coil is immersed
in liquid whenever
the unit is plugged
in!
I
know... children
aren't packing-list
items, but a lot
of people ask about
traveling light
with children in
tow. With toddlers
and smaller (who
will need diapers,
favorite toys, etc.)
it's a daunting
challenge. I suggest
renting a car. If
you have a choice
of destinations,
choose those where
you are likely to
want a vehicle anyway
(Ireland, say, or
the Provence region
of France, where
you will want to
visit areas not
well served by public
transportation).
Note that foreign
rental cars should,
if at all possible,
be booked in advance
(from home); doing
so after you arrive
can be much more
expensive. Your
chosen guide book
will often suggest
lower-cost local
alternatives to
the major auto rental
companies. Don't
assume that theft
and collision coverage
on rentals works
the same way as
at home; your own
policy is unlikely
to be valid in foreign
countries, and the
automatic coverage
provided by some
charge cards is
also very country-specific,
and should be verified
in advance.
If you are traveling
with young children
(even if only
to the local market),
you should know
about child carriers,
designed to comfortably
transport young
ones on your back.
If you lead any
kind of active
life whatsoever,
you'll never regret
acquiring one
of these. Several
companies make
them, but Tough
Traveler®
(pictured here)
is the brand to
beat (contact
information is,
as always, on
the Resources
page); they've
been building
them for over
20 years.
Once the children
are old enough
to keep up with
your walking plans,
they should of
course be introduced
to the joys (and
responsibilities)
of independent
travel. This means
they should have
bags of their
own, in which
to carry whatever
they choose to
bring along (in
practice, this
will primarily
be clothing, as
the accompanying
adults will already
be bringing all
the communal needs).
A modest daypack
should suffice
for this; if possible,
you should shop
for same with
its intended user...
not only will
s/he be involved
in the purchase,
but it can be
examined for proper
fit.
Finally, you'll
find lots of good
information and
products related
to traveling with
babies and toddlers
at BabyGoes2.
A Few Closing
Words...
People overpack
because of timidity
and fear of the
unknown, both
largely results
of inexperience.
I've written these
pages to provide
— in some
measure —
the benefits of
a not inconsiderable
amount of urban/rural
and business/tourist
travel experience.
How will you know
if your ultimate
choices are good
ones (preferably
prior to that
once-in-a-lifetime
trip)? Fortunately,
there's a simple
test...
Pack your chosen
bag with the items
you plan to take.
Put on the shoes
you plan to wear.
Then take a one-hour
walk around town,
preferably including
an ample assortment
of stairs, poor
roads, and the
like. If you're
still happy at
the end of your
excursion, make
your travel reservations.