Things you must pack when travelling abroad

I’ve traveled to over 50 countries around the world, so I’m a seasoned traveler.  Every time when I want to travel, I leave an open suit case in my solarium or somewhere that’s not in the way.  I do this about one week before my trip date.  I would throw items in the suit case as they come to mind.  Trust me, no matter how prepared you are, you will always forget something.  Thus, this is why I created this list.

Things you must pack for your trip :

Bath Bag

Bath Bag - Purchase a few nylon bags to hold all your bath items.  Make sure it's light and collapsible.
Floss - sure many countries have this.  But is this something you want to look for when arriving at 1am in the morning?

Electric toothbrush or regular toothbrush

Electric toothbrush charger – Most Asian countries uses 220V plugs.  Make sure that your charger supports this standard otherwise the fuse will blow.

Toothpaste – Make sure these are travel size toothpaste. You can purchase these at the dollar store.  Place them in your liquid zip lock bag before your flight.
Face wash – Everyone’s skin is different and thus everyone requires a particular face wash.  The last thing you want is to use the hotel soap as face wash.  Place them in your liquid zip lock bag before your flight.
Hair products - For the guys, hair wax or gel.  For the females, purchase small 4oz bottles and pour your favorite shampoo products in each.  Properly label each bottle.  Try to limit the number of bottles to four  - shampoo, conditioner, hair treatment, face wash.  Place them in your liquid zip lock bag before your flight.
Shaving Razor - If you're going to bring an electric shaver, be aware that most of the world uses 220V  electrical outlets.  Make sure your shaver supports this otherwise purchase a voltage adapter.
Shaving cream - Purchase a small bottle from the dollar store.  Place this in the liquid zip lock bag as well.

Q-tips – Hotel Q-tips never have enough cotton on them.  Bringing your own allows to clean your ears and great for removing nail polish.  Place this in a zip lock bag to prevent them from getting dirty.
Band-aids  - Bring about 50 bandages.  One cut goes through about 10 bandages before it heals.    Place this in the same zip lock bag as the Q-tips.  This will prevent them bandages from getting dirty.
Neosporin - This is a topical medication to prevent cuts from getting infected.  Place this in the same zip lock bag as the bandages.
Deodorant - You will be spending all day visiting various tourist attractions.  Don't forget to take care of your sweat.
Tweezers - Great for plucking unwanted eyebrows or nose hairs.  You can also use this to get rid of nasty splinters during your trip.

Contact solutions - (optional) This obviously only affects people wearing contacts.
Glasses - Your contacts may irritate your eyes during the trip. Make sure you bring a pair of glasses for backup.
Eye drops – There are times when allergy or dust gets in your eyes.  China is known for the poo air quality.  Purchase a trusted brand that works well with your eyes.
Eczema cream – If you normally have eczema, going to dry places (ie Middle East) will cause your skin to be more drier.  Finding eczema cream in a foreign land is a nightmare.  Place them in your liquid zip lock bag before your flight.

Condoms  (optional) – Don’t get caught without one when the right moment comes.  Plus, are you going to a trust a condom brand in some remote island?

Retainers (optional) - This obviously only affects people wearing retainers.
Suntan lotion – Check if the weather warrants for this.  Even on cloudy days, I would recommend wearing sun screen since you will be out and about for many hours. Place them in your liquid zip lock bag before your flight.

Mosquito  spray - Check if the city you're travelling to has a mosquito problem this time of year.  Make sure the spray is within 4oz.  Place them in your liquid zip lock bag before your flight.
Tampons and pads
Nail clippers – In dry areas, your skin will become dry and thus cause you to have hang nails.  Additionally, since airlines don’t allow you to bring scissors, you can also use nail clippers to cut off price tags.
Touch up nails polish – After one week of traveling, you are sure to chip your nail polish.  Bring a small bottle to touch up.  Place them in your liquid zip lock bag before your flight.

Alcoholic wipes - Use this to clean off your old nail polish.  It can also be used to disinfect cuts or scrapes.

Makeup - Bring only the necessary makeup that don't require much space.
Zip lock bags - purchase brand name zip lock bags that don't break easily every time you open it.  This is needed to pack all your liquids during the flight.  Place the zip lock full of liquids in your backpack so that it's easily accessible during the airline security checkpoint.

Pills

Pill Holder - purchase a pill holder from the dollar store.  Label each compartment with the pill's description.
Pepto Bismal - Get a big bottle of Pepto Bismal.  Place it in a zip lock bag and customs will normally let you go even though it's way beyond 4oz.  They prefer that you not throw up on the flight.
Naussea / Gas / Heartburn - Be prepared to get some stomach issues eating foreign food.
Pain medication - Asprin, IBprofen, Aleve, canker sore patches.
Pain patches / muscle rub - After a full day looking at tourist attractions, your feet will be sore.
Sleeping pills - Some people find this as a remedy for jet lag.

Altitude sickness - This is required if you're traveling to a high altitude location
Birth control - Make sure you have enough birth control pills during the entire trip including any flight delays. The last thing you want is a surprise 9 months from now.

Clothing Items

Socks and underwear – If you’re going for 7 days, bring 4 pairs.  Hand wash and dry them while you rotate through your pile.

Shorts – Make sure you have lots of pockets to carry stuff.

Shoes – Grab your most comfortable pair of walking shoes that matches most of your outfits.  It's best to stick with a dark colored shoe.

Jeans – I’d recommend bringing two pairs - one blue and one black.
Belt – Don’t forget your belt to hold up your pants.

Hooded Sweater – The hooded sweater could be used as a light jacket during cold flights and cold nights.
Jacket with hood – The hood will protect you from the wind or rain.

Money belt – A money belt is a belt you wear underneath your clothing.  You would place you valuables in the belt to protect it from thieves.  For any third world or dangerous countries, I’d recommend carrying a money belt.  The money belt should only include enough money for the night, a credit card, and your room key.

Scarf – Scarves are great to protect your neck during cold flights and cold nights.
Slippers - Flip flops are great for lounging around the hotel or beach
Umbrella / Hat – Umbrellas are really clunky to carry during a trip so I prefer wearing a hat.  Hats also shades you from the sun.  Only bring an umbrella along if there's a very high chance of rain.
Sunglasses - Everyone looks great in photos when they are wearing sunglasses.  Make sure you bring along a small hard case to protect the sunglasses during the flight.  During your travels, just carry it by hooking it onto the top of your shirt.  The ladies can also use it as a head band.

Dresses and dress shirts - for the fancy restaurant
Dress shoes or Heels – If you indend on going to fancy restaurants, check their dress code.  If  needed  bring a nice pair of dress shoes or heels.  Make sure they are comfortable heels.  You may want to wear it on regular days as well.  For the guys, if possible, try to get away with using black runners.  Shoes take up the most room in a luggage.
Purse - Bring a purse that is large enough for your sunglasses but small enough to fit your second carry on bag.

Electronics

Electric Plug convertors - Check which plugs adapter you require for your travels at this webpage : http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm
Smartphone - Load all the music but make sure you leave enough space for photos and videos you may take during the trip.
Ipad –  Download all your You tube videos you want to catch up on during your flight.  Use your iPad and download "MyTube for YouTube" app.  This app is free and will allow you to download any Youtube videos.
Ipad/Iphone chargers - Always bring a two chargers in case one breaks or gets lost.

Headphones – Bring two headphones just in case one breaks.  I'd recommend using ear buds over headphones.
GPS – If you’re renting a car, bring your own GPS to save some money.  Make sure the maps for the destination country is loaded onto the GPS.  For example, during long walks in Canada I use the GPS to find my location.  I can’t use Google maps on my iPhone since I don't have service in the country.
Camera / SD Card / Charger – Don’t forget to get a large enough SD card for all your videos.
Ipad SD Card Reader -If you're planning to take a lot of photos or video during your trip, you will run out of memory on your camera.  To resolve this, purchase an camera card reader for your iPad. Copy all the photos from your SD card onto your iPad.  From your iPad, you can back it up onto your iCloud or Dropbox account so that it's safe.  The SD card that I recommend is called a Sharkk 5 in 1 Card Reader.  Detailed instructions on how to set this up are located here : http://daily-life-tools.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-backup-your-photos-and-videos.html
Mini-tripod – When you don’t have anyone to take the photo, use the camera timer and place it on a tripod.  You will always get the shot that you want.

Airplane Items

Trip information - Print out your flights, hotels, tours and transportation information (car rental or hotel shuttle).
Carry-on Luggage - Make sure that it conforms to the airline's size guidelines.  If possible, do not check in any bags.  If there's a transfer between flights, and the transfer time is too short, your bags will not make it to the final destination.  This small problem can ruin your entire trip if you don't have your luggage with you.
Large backpack - Go out and find the largest back pack that you can get.  Most airlines are more concerned about the size of your carry-on luggage that they don't notice the size of your back pack.
Wallet – Take out any unnecessary items.  All you need is money, 2 credit card, 1 debit card, driver’s license, travel health insurance card, travel insurance information, and auto insurance card.
Money - Withdraw about $400 and hide $200 in one of your socks.  Hide that sock in your shoe.  Try to use your credit card as much as possible.   If you ever run out of money, use your debit card and withdraw more cash as needed. I don't recommend travel checks since it costs money and very hard to exchange.
Tip Money - Withdraw $20 worth of US one dollar bills.  This will be accepted anywhere in the world as tip money.  I once had to borrow a cell phone and luckily had some singles to tip the person.

Foreign currency – If possible, exchange your money before hand otherwise you will have to exchange your money at the airport.  This may be a problem because 1) Expensive fees 2) Require a minimum exchange amount 3) They might not be open if you land in the city late at night and require to pay for a taxi to the hotel.

Passport – Take a photo of your passport (the cover and information page).  Create a free Dropbox account and upload the photo onto drop box.  Download the Dropbox app onto your smartphone.  Log into your account and you will be able to access your passport information.  If you ever lose your passport, go to your country's embassy and show them the photo of your passport.  This will save a lot of processing time.

Travel insurance information – Make sure your traveling companion knows how to access this information in case you do end up in the hospital.

Magazines – Subscribe to a bunch of magazines using your spare air miles.  Accumulate them and read them during your trips.
Ear plugs – Purchase ear plugs if you have a long flight.  Sometimes there are renovations or construction around the hotel.  It's best to be prepared.
Pens - Some places require you to fill out customs form before entering their country.  Make sure you have a few pens easily accessible.

Neck pillow – Purchase an neck pillow for long flights.  Make sure it's inflatable so that it doesn't take up too much room in your luggage.  Make sure it there's a button to instantly deflate the pillow to save time.

Sleep Mask – Sometimes during flights, the person beside you turns on the light so they can read. Hotels facing east may have light curtains, allowing the morning sun to shine through.  Sleep masks are a great way to keep things dark during your sleep.

Napkins – Pocket size napkins during the flight to wipe your mouth or nose.
Filtered Water Bottle - Since airlines don't allow you to have water bottles, you can make your own filtered water.  I recommend using Rubbermaid 20oz filtration bottle.  It's great when you need filtered water in the middle of the night and don't want to crack open the hotel's $4 water bottle.

Packing Tips

Leave some space - Save some space in your luggage for items you may purchase during the trip.
Organize for airport security  - Place the zip lock bag full of liquids in your back pack close to your iPad or computer.
Packing list - Create your own packing list based on this list.  Remove or add any items on the list to fit your needs.  Leave a copy in your luggage so that you can go through this check list every time you travel.  If you don't need the item on a daily basis, leave it in the luggage.  This will prevent you from having to search for various items next time you travel.  Examples include neck pillows, small toothpaste, bath bag, small liquid bottles, etc.
Labels - Once everything is packed, print out two card that says :

        If lost, please contact
        sample@email.com
        (###) ###-####  --- For telephone number, you can setup a Google Voice telephone number and have that redirected to your cell phone.
Laminate the cards at Office Depot. I printed a bunch and laminated the cards using Scotch Self-Sealing Laminating Pouches.  Locate two locations on the luggage and attach the laminated card to your luggage and back pack using a zip tie.

Things to do the night before you trip

Flight Check in - Most flights allow you to check in 24 hours before the flight. 
Baggage Weight - Check the airline's baggage weight limit.  Use a regular scale and place a board on top of it. Weigh the board and then place the luggage on the board. Subtract the board's weight from the total weight.
Itinerary - E-mail a family or friend your itinerary so that they are aware of your whereabouts at any moment.
E-mail Out of Office - Set up your out-of-office reply for your e-mail.  Specify a person they can contact during your absence.
Voice Message - Update the voice mail for your cell phone and work number. Indicate in the message the duration of your trip and who they can contact during your absence.
Credit Card Companies - Contact your bank and credit card company that you will be using your credit and debit card abroad.  List all the countries you are visiting and their duration.
International Calls- Create an account with Skype. This allows you to make phone calls with your smartphone using any wifi internet connection.  This is much cheaper than using calling cards or the hotel telephone.  If you ever need to make a call, go to a coffee shop and you're smart phone can now make calls anywhere in the world for about 3 cents a minute.  Go here to view all the long distance rates : http://www.skype.com/en/rates/
Remote Computer Access - Go to Log me in and install their software. It's a free service that allows you to access and control your laptop from anywhere in the world using another computer or iPad. 
Fully charge your cell phone, iPad, and camera.  You want to have the maximum battery life during your long flights.
Food - Donate good food that will go bad once you come back.  Watermelon is a good example.
Mail - Contact the post office to hold your mail during the duration of your trip. 
Car - If you're planning to go on a trip for more than 2 weeks, give you car keys to a friend.  Every two weeks send them an e-mail to remind them to start up the car so that the battery doesn't get drained.
Flyers - Get a neighbor or friend to pick up any flyers in front of your home twice a week.  Burglars notices when unoccupied homes have fliers left on their doorsteps.
Transportation - Arrange transportation to the airport ahead of time so they can prepare their staff.  If you have a car, try using Greenbee Parking.  It gives you daily parking rates for hotels near the airport.  You will then drive you car to the hotel and park it there.  An airport shuttle will then drive you to the airport every half an hour. For example, daily parking in San Francisco airport is $30.  I got parking at a nearby hotel for only half the price.
Garbage - Throw out all your garbage so that it doesn't decompose.  If it's not garbage day, leave it in your back yard, otherwise you will come home to a nasty smell and fruit flies.
Wake up Alarm - Set up two alarms to wake you up.  Wake up at least 3.5 hours before your flight.
Last Minute Check List - Create a list of items you are still using but need to pack on the date.  Examples include toothbrush, cell phone, cell phone charger, hair gel, deodorant, etc
Flight Outfit - Prepare an outfit that you intend to wear on the day of your flight.  This includes your underwear, belts, bra, and jacket.  Find a jacket with lots of pocket and place these items in there :  wallet, passport, wedding ring, headphones, ear plugs, smartphone and pen.  These are items you need to have on you during your flight.

Things to do on the trip date

Last Minute Check List - Collect and perform all items on the last minute check list.
Water Tank Heater - Turn off the water tank heater so that it doesn't have to constantly heat up while you're gone.
House Alarm - Set your house alarm before you leave.
Security Checks - During security checks, place your iPad and the zip lock bag full of liquid onto the tray. Take off your belt, wallet, wedding ring, shoes, flight ticket and jacket and place it onto the tray as well.
Prepare Hotel Location -While you're waiting for your flight, find your hotel on Google maps.  Zoom in until you see the various streets names around the the hotel.  Keep the app open.  Once you land in the foreign land, go to the information desk and show them the hotel name.  The should be able to find the hotel just using the map's intersection.   The information desk will show you how to get there with various transportation methods.  Once you get off there, you will have to rely on this map since you don't have internet access on your smart phone.  If you cannot find your hotel, walk into any hotel and show them your Google map.  They should be able to point you to the right way.

---- That’s it!  You should be all set to travel to your location. Bon Voyage! ----

Written by : Johnson Huynh