Tips for the Solo Traveler
Whether you are a minimalist packer doing carryon only, or someone who brings a suitcase and a carryon, traveling alone or traveling with others, older or younger, first-time traveler or frequent flyer, remember these tips when you’re planning and packing:
Essentials No Matter Where You Are Headed
Buy both travel insurance and medical/emergency health insurance. The first is for interruptions or cancellations to the trip. The second is for medical emergencies. Many Americans are surprised that they aren’t covered outside the US for an emergency health condition. You can buy it online; choose something suitable to your location and activities and get coverage for the entire trip.
Photocopy your passport and driver’s license, laminate it and keep in your baggage (separate from your passport). When traveling around during the day, use it for identification (keep your passport in the hotel safe).
Cash for your destination and cash for your trip home. Many travelers recommend you carry a small amount of currency in your arrival country. Even more important is a small stash of your home currency. There’s nothing worse than being in transit and only having money from where you’ve just been, and having to find the currency exchange booth so you can buy a cup of coffee.
Your printed itinerary including hotel addresses and phone numbers, car rental reservations, emergency contact information, prescription medication list, health issues, credit card information. Take a photo of all of this and send yourself and your emergency contact an email so that it’s accessible if you lose your phone. You now have two backups to the printed versions.
Pack These Items to Ensure Stress-Free Travels
First-aid emergency kit. Include what you might actually need. Antihistamine tablets, anti-itch cream, Neosporin ointment packets, antibacterial wipes, bandaids, antacids, anti-diarrheal medication, Tylenol or Advil, cough drops. These items cover most of what you would need until you can get to a pharmacy.
Put a change of underwear and/or socks in a Ziploc bag, along with a toothbrush and toothpaste, comb or brush. Put it in your carryon or smaller backpack. Even if you are only taking carryon luggage, pull this out to refresh yourself upon landing, without having to dig through your entire suitcase.
Portable charger for your phone, camera, laptop. They range in size and weight. If you’re taking a lot of photos with your phone, or using it for GPS, the battery may need a boost in the middle of the day.
Water bottle. Carry it empty through security at the airport and then fill it with cold water. Many airports now have drinking fountains that allow you to fill the bottle. If not, go to a bar or café and ask someone to fill it. There are many types, including collapsible, foldable, and stainless steel or Nalgene.
Electrical converter/adapter. Most electronics don’t need a converter as they are international voltage. If you are traveling to many countries, get one that is adaptable to different plug-in styles. If you are going to just one place, just buy an adapter for that specific country (everything in the UK uses the same type).
Things That Are Nice to Have, but Not Essential
Power strip or multi-use outlet adapters. Multiply the number of items you can charge at once.
Flashlight or a nightlight – Multi-function flashlights can be a literal lifesaver. Nightlights are important in unfamiliar environments. Even better if it is a multi-function (night light, charger, adapter)
Mini-folding umbrella or a packable hat, or both.
Extra foldup tote bag or duffle bag. Use it to pack away your laundry, souvenirs, dirty hiking boots.
Foldable cooler or lunchbox – Serves multiple uses, including holding snacks or lunch on the plane, train, bus or in the car.
Plastic zip-lock baggies (small quart size and large gallon size) solve many problems, whether it’s that little wedge of cheese leftover from your picnic or your wet swimsuit that needs to be packed to get to your next destination.
Minimize your toiletries by using a tinted moisturizer with a sunscreen (SPF 30 or more). You’re combining three items into one and making room for other items. Use a cleansing conditioner rather than shampoo, combining both steps, or use a solid shampoo bar, eliminating the small bottles that ultimately end up in a landfill.
Laundry detergent sheets, not liquid or powder. Store a handful in a plastic baggie and tear off bits for hand washing or use a full sheet when there’s laundry available. Get some foldable plastic hangers for doing laundry or just hanging clothes wet from rain.
Dryer sheets or Lavender sachets (from Trader Joe’s) for your suitcase. Tuck them into your clothes or shoes.