This is the list I’ve come up with after my many years of travel. It’s been a balance of comfort (having what you need) and light weight (not bringing what you don’t need, or can purchase as needed on the way):
- Bose headsets. I have a pair of the 1.5’s. I haven’t tested many others, so I don’t know how well they compare, but I like these. They are not rechargeable, so I don’t have to worry about keeping them charged. I just bring extra AAA batteries.
- IPod (for music)
- IPad (taking notes, watching movies, GPSMYCITY, etc)
- Power Bank. To recharge my devices if they run low.
- Sleep aids
- Eye shades. I use the light weight formed ones that give your eyelids room to open and close. My current favorites are: Mack’s Dreamweavers from Amazon.
- Ear plugs. Definitely, ear plugs. I like the foam ones you roll up and put into the ear, and have a cord so when they fall out you don’t lose them. I buy them in bulk.
- Hot Snapz Heating pads / headband. I get migraine headaches, so these are essential for immediate relief while I’m waiting for the medication to kick in. This brand is amazing, and the owner personally answers emails and offers support.
- Extra pair of glasses / sunglasses. In a protective case inside my suitcase.
- Pharmacy (Everything I think I’ll need, especially in countries where these items are not easy to come by)
- Around the neck pouch
- Holds my boarding tickets
- Passport
- A flat pen (to fill out customs and entry forms)
- My Priority Pass and United card
- Camera
North Faceduffle bag. I now carry an Eddie Bauer First Ascent Maximus 70L Bag. I would have replaced the North Face, since I was so pleased with it for about 16 years, but they removed the handle carrying straps, making it much less practical.- Small bottle of Purell hand sanitizer.
- Sanitation wipes. I’ve read the reports about the germs that are left behind from previous passengers, so I wipe everything off when I first sit down. Bring an extra one for the person sitting next to you… if you want to start a conversation.
- Pocket umbrella (if there is any chance of rain)
- Sun hat (if I’m going to a sunny climate)
- Zippered packing cube to hold the things I will need right away on the flight (my book, my headphones/iPod, etc.)
- Small zippered packing cube to hold my chargers, power adapters, and cables.
- Packing cubes for everything else.
- Throw-away socks (if I’m not traveling in business class). I like to remove my shoes and relax my feet when I am on longer flights. I then put an old pair of socks over my regular pair to keep my regular pair clean. I discard the outer pair when I arrive. The idea came from the business class amenity kit, which contains such a pair. When I travel business on shorter flights, I save the socks for a future flight.
- One good pair of shoes. I have a pair of Clarks shoes that I only wear when traveling. This keeps them in good shape, and I don’t have to choose a pair for each trip.
- Travel Guide – They don’t cover that many countries/cities, but when I can find a DK Eyewitness Travel guide for my destination, I usually buy it.
