10 Must-Have Travel Essentials in Your Packing List

The kids are out of school, and you're ready to spend the next few months shuttling them from summer camp to swim meets. In between, you’re planning to make good use of some of that PTO and take a much-needed vacation.

Whether you’re a family fun guy or a lone diva, you’ve got a lot riding on your summer vacation. You need relaxation, fun, and several essentials to make sure your trip is as close to perfect as possible.

The team at Pair is gearing up for vacation season, too. We compiled our list of the top X travel essentials you need no matter where your vacation destination may be.

Not only does our list include essentials, but also clever hacks that make traveling so much easier. So sit back with your favorite umbrella drink and get ready to add these travel must-haves to your shopping cart.

10 Travel Essentials for Summer Vacay

Each year Americans spend more money on vacation than they expected, and no, the money isn’t spent on thrill ride photos or themed souvenirs. Vacationers end up spending money on items they forgot to pack for their vacation and need while they are away from home.

According to experts, some of the most commonly forgotten items include:

• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Hair brushes and hair care items like shampoo and conditioner
• Phone and device chargers and adapters
• First aid kits
• Eyeglasses, contact lenses, and sunglasses
• Sunscreen and after-sun care products, like aloe vera lotion
• Lip balm
• Umbrellas
• Reusable water bottles

But it isn’t just toiletries that send us to the store while we should be lounging in the sun or exploring a new city. There are always unforeseen circumstances while traveling that can leave you wondering why you didn’t pack a particular item, or items that could have made your travel a little more stress-free.

If you’re looking for the savviest vacation packing list, we’ve got it. Here are our top 10 travel essentials to make sure your carry-on has everything you need for your getaway.

1. An Extra Bathing Suit

Your beach vacation is going swimmingly but, your swimsuit didn’t hold up to the waves, pool chemicals, or laundry service like you expected it too. If you’re headed to a warm climate destination with water, an extra bathing suit is an absolute must. Pack two you love so you don’t feel pressured to choose between one or the other.

The “extra” rule doesn’t simply apply to swimwear, it applies to all items that cost more than about $20 that you’d absolutely need to fully enjoy your vacation. Think hiking boots for a tour of national parks, polarized sunglasses for a fishing trip, or an extra sweater if you’re traveling to a cooler climate.

2. Your Identification

Sure, you applied for your passport in plenty of time and have had it in hand for months, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to forget your identification when you leave for a trip.

If you are traveling from state to state, you’ll need a valid state ID card for entrance to national parks (if you have a National Parks and Federal Recreational Land Pass. You’ll also need identification for hotel stays, vehicle rentals, water sports, and entrance to most theme parks.

If you’re traveling abroad, you’ll need even more identification. Your passport will, of course, be required, but you will likely also need your state-issued ID card if you plan to drive overseas, or for hotel rentals and some activities.

It’s a good idea to find out what to do if you lose your identification or your passport while you are traveling. In most cases, you’ll need to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy to find out how to get a temporary passport so you can travel home.

3. Credit Cards

Travel packing isn’t complete without bringing along your preferred method of payment, but if you typically use cash or your bank card, it’s beneficial to switch to a credit card for your travel purchases.

Credit cards are generally considered the safest way to spend money while you travel. Credit card companies take extra steps to ensure your purchases are protected, and to ensure you are the one making said purchases.

It’s a good idea to contact your credit card company prior to your trip to let them know you plan to be in a different city or country so that your account isn't automatically flagged the first time you make a purchase.

You can also request a spending cap to be placed on your credit card. This can usually be done per purchase, or per day, so that if your credit card is stolen, there is a limit to the amount of charges that can be made in a short span of time. It could also be useful if you want to ensure you stay within your own vacation budget.

4. A Beach Bag

It may seem obvious, but if you are traveling to a beach destination via plane or train, you may not think of packing an additional tote for carrying your beach and sand essentials to and from your room to your oceanside sanctuary.

Hard, waterproof beach totes are ideal, but it’s rare you’ll have the room to pack them unless you are traveling by car and have the extra space. Instead, opt for a beach bag that is waterproof and large enough to fit your flip-flops, beach towel, sarong, and sunscreen, but fits flat in your suitcase.

5. Insect Repellent

Going camping? You’re probably already thinking of sleeping under the stars and getting back to nature. What you might not be thinking of are insects, who make the outdoors (and arguably sometimes the indoors) their home.

Packing insect repellent should be at the top of your packing checklist. Not only can some insects (like ticks) transmit dangerous diseases, but if you are camping somewhere remote, there may not be a corner store available for you to purchase a can if you forget to pack one.

Many people don’t like the smell or feel of bug spray or don’t like the idea of spraying chemicals in the environment. If this is you, consider having your outdoor clothing treated with semi-permanent insect repellent.

Some companies offer clothing treatment services that allow you to mail in your outdoor clothing items to be treated with an environmentally safe repellent that lasts the lifetime of your clothing. It’s also possible to purchase pre-treated clothing.

6. Chargers

Whether it’s for your tablet, phone, or laptop, you’re going to need a few chargers. One pro tip? Consider purchasing a power bank charger to take in your carry-on. If your airplane doesn’t have personal power outlets (some ultra low cost carriers do not) and your phone loses charge, you’ll have a back up so you can still use your device in flight.

For international travel, you’ll need to know the type of plug and the voltage used by each country so you can purchase the correct type of adapter. This is essential for using your electric items (like chargers, hair styling tools, and electric razors) in a country that does not have electrical outlets that fit your plugs.

If your trip includes travel between different countries, consider purchasing an adapter that will fit numerous different outlets.

7. Lightweight Clothing

We all want to look great for those coveted, social media worthy vacation photos, but it’s more important to pack light than to pack for pictures. Technically, you can do both.

Pro travelers swear by packing cubes to ensure organized, air-tight packing that saves room and keeps your clothing safe. In addition, you can also plan to pack comfortable, lightweight clothing that still looks great.

T-shirts are an obvious solution for layering, and also double as a cover-up for days spent in bikinis or swim trunks. They’re also an easy go-to for sleeping and save you the space of packing a set of pajamas.

Tank tops are also ideal for warmer destinations because they allow for even more airflow on your body and layer like a pro. It’s also a great idea to opt for wrinkle-resistant clothing so you don’t need to iron anything upon arrival.

It can be difficult to determine how much of each item you’ll need. Consider using the 5-4-3-2-1 rule. For a week-long getaway, pack no more than:

• 5 pairs each of underwear and socks
• 4 tops
• 3 bottoms (including jeans, leggings, and shorts)
• 2 pairs of shoes (water shoes might be necessary for your destination)
• 1 hat (a sun hat with a wide brim for beach weather or a sports cap for hiking)

Once you arrive, you’ll probably realize you overpacked, rather than underpacked. Packing items that all coordinate with one another gives you countless outfit options and is a packing tip used by frequent travelers worldwide.

8. A Solid Carry-On Bag

Any frequent flyer will tell you that maintaining a carry-on bag of valuables and travel gear that you might need if your checked luggage gets lost is absolutely essential.

If you need to check luggage, be certain that your carry-on contains:

• Your travel documents, including your itinerary, travel insurance information, and identification

• Medications. Your daily medication should always be kept with you when you travel.

• Small toiletry bag. This bag will only include essentials like toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and possibly shower gel or soap.

• One change of clothes (lightweight).

• Any other important item that is not easily replaced or which you cannot go without for more than a day or two.

Consider that expensive vacation equipment like snorkel or scuba gear, rock climbing equipment, or the like should also be appropriately checked and insured so if it is lost it can be easily replaced.

9. White Noise

Many people sleep with the white noise of a ceiling fan or the low hum of the television. When traveling, it can be difficult to get a good rest if you hear people in adjoining rooms, or if you are staying in a busy city. Consider bringing a portable white noise gadget with you to provide ambient sound.

Alternatively, you can download white noise apps on your favorite device, which will also provide unidentifiable noise to help you sleep.

10. Eyewear

There’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination to realize you forgot your prescription sunglasses or your contact lenses.

At Pair, we make it fun and effortless to get the eyewear you love in the prescription you need.

The best part? You can fully customize your look by swapping your Top Frames to match your destination, mood, or activity. If you want to pack light, consider grabbing a Sun Top for your favorite Pair Frames and save yourself from packing more than one pair of glasses.

Pair offers a variety of Top Frames that offer both style and sun protection, so you can add style to your look while still keeping your eyes safe and your packing light.

Know Before You Go

Even the best, and most expertly crafted packing lists cannot predict the future, and can’t always ensure you’ll have everything you could possibly need on your vacation. However, there are a few travel tips that can help your trip run smoothly, even through unexpected events.

Get To Know Air Travel Rules

It can’t be overstated. If you are traveling by air, find out your airlines’ policies about bags, fees, cancellations, exit row seats, upgrades, and overbooking. You can save yourself a lot of anxiety and frustration by simply understanding how your airline operates and what to expect.

In addition, learn about the airports you’ll be flying in and out of. You can look up airport maps to locate essential spots like breastfeeding rooms, business centers, or food courts, and also learn about expected wait times for TSA screenings and passport control.

Speaking of TSA, it’s a good idea to study up on regulations for carry-on and checked items too. At the time of this writing, the 3-1-1 rule applies for liquids. This means you are permitted to bring 3 ounces of each liquid you need to carry with you, but all liquids must fit in one quart sized bag.

It’s also important to know what items are not allowable in your carry-on bag or in your checked bag to save yourself the headache and hassle in the security line.

Take Your Time

Getting to the airport, train station, or cruise ship early can alleviate stress and ensure you have plenty of time to get on board. If you are traveling with children or with adults that need assistance, getting there early is even more important.

Contact your travel authority and find out how many hours early they recommend you arrive to go through security and board.

During your trip, make an effort to arrive at your activities and events early to reduce stress and help ensure you don’t miss any important events. Nothing makes you feel less relaxed and less rested than being rushed and feeling as though you’re behind the clock.

Consider the Cost

When you’re packing, it can be tempting to leave a few items at home because they take up space, and you can probably buy them when you arrive at your destination. It may seem pointless to carry hand sanitizer or a bottle of body lotion with you — it takes up room in your suitcase, and there’s always the possibility they could damage other items in your bag.

However, you’ll need these items at your destination, and buying them from the resort or from a local market will likely cost you a lot more than if you had simply packed the items.

Packing travel-sized items is wise, but if you need larger items, just be sure you wrap them in a sealed plastic bag so that if they come undone they won’t spill onto your clothing.

Wear Your Bulky Clothing In Transit

We’ve all seen viral videos of people unpacking suitcases of clothing and placing all of IT on their bodies to avoid excess baggage fees. While we don’t recommend that particular travel “hack,” what we do recommend is wearing your bulky items while you’re traveling instead of packing them.

Summer travel doesn’t typically involve heavy coats, but if you are thinking of packing a thick sweater or sweatshirt, wear it while you travel and save room in your suitcase. Air travel is notoriously chilly, so you’ll likely need the heavier items in the air. The same goes for shoes. If you are packing hiking boots, wear them on the plane. You can always remove your shoes once you are in-flight to get comfy, and many long-haul flights offer slippers so you can protect your feet when you need to visit the lav.

Keep Your Gear Protected

Your favorite gadgets, jewelry, and eyewear can become damaged while you travel. Make sure you have the right cases and protection to keep these items safe even while they are in transit. When limited in space, use your clothing as a cushion to keep fragile items safe.

Another travel tip: If your bag is opened during TSA screening, it’s a good idea to recheck your bag when you reach your gate. Find a quiet corner and open your bag to make sure no liquids were loosened, and that your fragile items are still safe.

Pack a Positive, Sunny Attitude

The best and most important item to pack is your optimism. Perspective is a superpower, and can change the way you handle snafus that will definitely happen over the course of your vacation.

Expect the unexpected and make space for last-minute changes to your schedule, minor illnesses, and delays. If you expect these events, you’ll be less frustrated when they inevitably occur and still be able to enjoy every aspect of your vacation to the fullest.

Get Paired Up

We’re an eyewear company, of course we’re going to tell you to get your eyes checked before vacation. We don’t want you to miss out on any of the beauty your trip promises, and seeing the sights with crystal-clear vision is essential. Once you get the script for corrective lenses from your eye care professional, head over to our website to shop the latest in trendy eyewear.

At Pair, we promise to never be boring. When you choose a Base Frame, you’re choosing a shape you love that you can style with hundreds of different Top Frames, including frames that offer sun protection for your sunny destination.

This summer, be prepared for anything. Keep your eyes safe and stylish and your trips effortlessly fun. A little planning is all it takes to have a vacation you won’t forget.

Sources:

20 Most Commonly Forgotten Things to Pack: Items to Have for Guests | Host Tools

Entrance Passes | U.S. National Park Service

Lost or stolen passports | USAGov

What is mosquito- and tick-repellent clothing? | USA Today.com

Plug Voltage by Country | World Standards.eu

Travel Tips: 3-1-1 liquids rule | Transportation Security Administration