Ah, %&$#. Did you forget to pack these 7 things?

As a card-carrying over-packer, I don’t get the whole carry-on only, minimalist traveller thing. I love stuff! Why wouldn’t I want to take a bunch of it on holiday? But even the lightest of travellers will agree that some things are must-packs – and seriously annoying to replace if you forget them. Here are seven travel essentials that should ALWAYS be in your suitcase (and what to do if they go AWOL).

1. A photocopy of your passport

Losing your passport sucks. But you know what sucks even more? Losing it while you’re travelling AND not having a photocopy to easily get a replacement. A paper copy of all your important IDs and travel docs (like travel insurance) is a must-pack, even though you’ll probably never need it.

Replace it on the go: Okay, first take a deep breath. While losing your passport isn’t fun, there are plenty of awesome, sympathetic people ready to help you out. Ask your hotel to help you contact your nearest Australian embassy, high commission, or consulate – they’ll help you get an emergency passport and make sure you have everything you need to get home safely. If your hotel can’t help, check out SmartTraveller.com.au’s Lost and Stolen Passports page, or call the Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305.

2. Condoms

Yeah, I’m not screwing around with this list – and you might not be either if you forget to pack some of these. One of the most frequent requests hotel concierges get is for late-night, emergency condoms. But not all hotels have them on hand and an impromptu 7/11 run can be a biiit of a mood killer. Chuck ‘em in the bag.

Replace them on the go: Chemists, convenience stores, supermarkets, vending machines… Condoms aren’t exactly tricky to find, so you don’t really have an excuse for running out. Travel safe!

There’s nothing like travel to put you in the mood… 😏

3. Prescription meds

Ah, crap. Did you leave your pills on the bathroom sink? Or was it the kitchen counter? Wherever they are, they’re not in your bag, and that can be a problem…

Replace them on the go: Your hotel will be able to point you in the direction of the nearest pharmacy and/or GP, no prob, but is that really how you want to start your holiday? My tip: Refill your prescription a couple of days before you leave. You can pack the new meds for your trip and continue to use (and, if you’re like me, constantly misplace) your existing ones as usual.

4. Phone chargers

Hey, no biggie. You don’t need a phone. It’s not like we rely on them for everything we do…

Just kidding! A working, fully charged phone is a must when travelling. Double check that you’ve got both the USB cord *and* the wall plug before you zip up your bag.

Replace it on the go: Good news! If you’ve only forgotten the wall plug, you might not have any issues at all. These days, most hotel rooms have at least one USB outlet – check your TV for a start. But if you need to replace the lot, keep your eyes peeled for a Powerpod vending machine. They’re often at airports and train stations, making them super handy for replacing electrical essentials on-the-go.

Without your phone, how will you capture epic holiday snaps like these?

5. A badass tie/outfit-saving necklace

Going to a wedding? Or a super important meeting? Whether it’s an awesome tie, an amazing necklace, or something in between, we all have that one magic accessory that seems to pull any (and every) outfit together. Put it on your must-pack list.

Replace it on the go: You know what? Forgetting this one isn’t all bad. It’s an excuse to go shopping, which is always an adventure in a new destination. You might not find what you need, but you’ll definitely find lots of things you want 🛍️

6. An adaptor

Nooooo! This is one of the most annoying things to leave at home. Finding Aussie-to-wherever adaptors outside of Oz is really tricky, even at international airports. Put it in your bag now… right now!

Replace it on the go: If you’ve already left Oz, forget about trying to find an adaptor in a store. I’ve been there, done that, and can tell you it only ends in frustrated tears and consolation chocolate. Skip the angst and go straight to Amazon to order everything you need with next-day delivery to your hotel (or a convenient Amazon Pickup point).

Then treat yourself to some celebration chocolate 🍫

7. Cash

Wait, people still use that stuff? Yeah, they do, and you might need to too if you’re travelling. EFTPOS at every shop, restaurant, and bar isn’t a given everywhere in the world and banks sometimes freak out if they see your debit or credit card being used in a random new location (which is why you should always give them a heads-up before you go overseas). Pro travellers always land in a new destination with a few bucks in their pocket 😎

Get more on the go: Like most of life’s problems, this one can be solved with apps.
AroundMe is an awesome little free app that’ll point you in the direction of the nearest ATM (or restaurant, or cinema, or supermarket, or parking lot, or pharmacy, or… ) anywhere in the world. It’s available for iPhone and Android, so do Future You a favour and download it before you leave home. If you’ve found an ATM, but your card’s not working, call your bank – they can usually unfreeze your card in a couple of minutes. Check their website or the back of your ATM card for their international contact number.

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