Cutlery

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to wait or even rewash cutlery at a hostel or had to go back to a restaurant to get the single use plastic cutlery they had forgotten to put in the to-go bag. Since I started carrying my own reusable cutlery I’ve had no real problems except having to tell people that it was my personal cutlery, which is easy to prove since I’ve etched my initials into each piece of the set.

Tupperware

Being able meal prep is a big part of my life if I’m travelling or not. So, when I’m able to prepare a meal (or multiple meals) for future consumption it makes everything so easy for me, and that wouldn’t be possible without Tupperware. While at home I prefer the glass version, I travel with plastic as it tends to hold up better, but I do sometimes carry one or two oven friendly glass ones for longer trips.

A thermos/water bottle

Having a reusable bottle is important to me. The bottle I use also happens to be a thermos which can keep liquids hot for 12 hours or cold for 24 hours. It gives me the freedom to not only carry ice cold water on hikes but also to carry soup or cocoa in cooler climates without having to carry multiple bottles.

Reusable shopping bags

Year after Year, more countries are banning or restricting plastic bags, so it’s usually a good idea to bring a reusable bag. I usually travel with a fabric bag, so I can wash it with clothing if it gets dirty and so it doesn’t add more plastic than necessary to the environment once it’s life span has run out. Bringing them with you also saves you from having to potentially buying them when you get to a location that does not give out plastic bags at all and let’s be honest we all have a ton of these bags around the house, just throw a couple in with the travel gear you have so you don’t forget them next time!

First aid kit

If you bring only one thing from this list, bring this! A first aid kit is so essential for when you travel. I bring the usual bandages and cleaning wipes, but I also pack Polysporin to aid in healing and to avoid any infections, as well as things that might not be as readily available in other countries like allergy medication and headache pills (I usually use Tylenol). A perfect example of this is when I went to Australia and New Zealand the border officers asked why I was bringing Benadryl allergy pills and a travel size bottle of Tylenol, asking how many pills I had, if I had used them previously (if the seal was broken, which it was not) and if I planned to sell them or share with others, as the medication I was bringing we’re over the counter in Australia and New Zealand, compared to normal shelf stock in Canada, so make sure whatever you pack that it’s allowed where you plan to visit on your trip.

Battery pack

There’s nothing quite like your phone or camera battery dying during transit on some old bus or plane with no outlet to charge it, that’s why the battery pack will become your new best friend. I use them in my daily life when I know I’ll be on to go all day whether I’m travelling or just going out with friends. I try to get one that has a large charge capacity, so I won’t have to worry about it needing to be charged every single night.

Dryer sheets

I love putting dryer sheets in my bag. I put the in to make sure my laundry always smells nice both when I wash them and to keep the smell when they’re in my bag, they also work great for freshening up shoes, it’s also known to keep bugs like mosquito’s away because of a toxin found in lavender and basil as well as being known for keeping static cling at bay.

Snacks

I’m a picky eater, and I’m slightly on the frugal side, but I get hangry. I fully admit to it (if I’m not hungry that is!) So, I pack snacks. Usually something prepackaged that can get through security like Rice Krispies or Nature Valley Bars, because there’s nothing worse than being stuck in an airport with a long layover or even a delay without any access to food (like the second time I went to Cuba and our flight left 4 hours late). I always make sure to carry a few snacks with me just in case!

Small umbrella/compact rain gear

Getting caught in the rain is terrible, but what’s worse is being charged an arm and a leg for an umbrella that’s way too big to bring back home with you or for a single use poncho that probably get ripped as you opened the package because its that thin. Invest in a good compact umbrella or rain gear of some kind if you’re going to be in a wet and rainy environment.

Flip flops

Summer, Winter, Spring or Autumn, flip flops are something everyone should travel with. Walking barefoot on any strange carpet has always made me slightly uncomfortable, but the very thought of going in any shower (communal or not) sounds downright disgusting.

Other than the shower it’s nice to have an additional pair of foot gear so that my feet aren’t always in the same pair. I usually walk around in my room and around the property in a hostel situation as well as to the beach or lake, just make sure your feet don’t smell too much before you slap those bad boys on.