Long term Travel Essentials No One Ever Thinks Of

There are a lot of lists out there that tell you what to pack for a long term trip abroad. They include what clothing works best, which toiletries you need, and a friendly reminder not to forget your phone.

While all of that is very helpful, there are some incredibly useful things to bring when you're traveling longterm, be it for practicality or even jut emotional support.

This article was written with 💜 by an American who has moved abroad 3 times - and traveled way more than that.

What to bring that's surprisingly useful

What is useful is subjective, and it also depends on where you are going and for how long, so take what is most relevant to you from this list.

A large USB/external hard drive. If you're like many travelers, you're going to take a lot of photos and videos while you're gone. Having a USB or external hard drive will help free up your phone so it can focus on other things - like taking even more photos.

Deodorant, but extra. If you're heading overseas (from the States), you may not be able to find deodorant that works as well as the deodorant back home.

A small cross-body bag/fanny pack. How useful could this be? Surprisingly, very. Some countries have very high rates of pickpocketing, so a small front bag is a must. Additionally, you will likely be walking a lot, so something small and light weight is way more practical when exploring different cities.

Spices from home. If you like to cook, it's worth it to bring a few spices from home. For example, finding Cajun, BBQ, and Mexican spice blends can be tricky in France. Even when you do find them, they're just not the same.

Sleep aids/nausea medications. If you're traveling abroad from the States and rely on OTC sleep aids or nausea medications, make sure to stock up before your trip, as your go-tos might not be sold in other countries.

Contraceptives/personal health items/pregnancy tests. Depending on how long you're traveling for, it can make sense to bring some of your go-to personal items with you, especially if you're heading internationally. Having items that you know how to use and feel comfortable with is important for your comfort and safety.

Multi-country plug adapter. Different countries have differently shaped electrical sockets, thus, you will need an adapter to plug in your electronics. Buying one that configures to multiple country-types can be a life saver, as you can use it every time you travel.

Tablespoons/cups. While you can find American baking supplies with American measurements online, it can be helpful to bring a set of tablespoons with you if you like to bake.

Something sentimental - but that you won't be completely heartbroken if it gets broken or lost. Traveling abroad for a long period of time can bring bouts of homesickness with it.

Solar powered portable battery. Yes, these exist - and they're amazing. They're particularly helpful if you like to spend a lot of time outdoors. Just place them under the daylight, and they'll recharge.

Ibuprofen. Particularly if you're going to Europe. Ibuprofen is very expensive in some European countries, sometimes costing 1 euro per pill. Plus, they're behind the pharmacy counter, so you have to ask for them. Spare yourself the hassle and expense and just bring a bottle.

An emergency card. You'll need to make one of these yourself, but it can be useful to carry a small emergency card with you during your travels. This can include the information most relevant to you. Some ideas are your phone number, emergency contact, email, any allergies you have, the local emergency number (including police), your doctor's number, the number of a local you trust, diseases or conditions you have, your travel insurance policy number and contact info, your local address if you have not memorized it yet. The kicker: This emergency card should be in both English and the local language. If your phone is stolen or you have an accident, this card may very well become essential.

Compression socks. If you have long flights ahead, they're worth the 20 bucks.

Blister care. Traveling usually means walking. A lot. It might also mean wearing different shoes than you're used to, especially if the climate is different or you're drastically altering your lifestyle. All of this blends into one unfortunate conclusion: blisters.

Small spray bottle. Having a small spray bottle with you is for comfort. Fill it up with water, and you can use it to spritz on your neck if you get too hot while traveling or on your face during a layover for just a quick freshen up. A little comfort goes a long way on travel days.

Enough for the first few days. When you are in a new place (particularly if you've never been there before), there might be a bit of shock when you first arrive. Having enough toiletries for the first few days (or even week) when you arrive can free up brain power to focus on other things, like visa requirements, living situations, and just getting settled.

A plastic bag. It seems silly, but you really never know when you're going to need another bag - and sometimes it's for soiled clothing, getting sick, or needing somewhere to put trash. That's why it's nice to have a disposable plastic one. Plus, they fold down very tiny, so they're easy to pack.

Most forgotten travel items

One way to make sure that you don't forget really important things is to learn what other people usually forget. Below are some of the most forgotten travel items. Right when you go to use them, it dawns on you that they're not there - and it's a painful realization.

• Tweezers. You don't need them until you need them.
• Nail clippers. A must for a broken nail or hang nail.
• Bandaids. Small scrapes and cuts happen. Having a couple of Band-Aids on hand is great - for pesky blisters, too.
• Makeup remover. Whether you use a facial cleanser, wipes, or a reusable cloth, don't forget your makeup remover!
• Glasses/Contacts - including cases, solution,n and wipes.
• Your phone charger. A devastating reality that none of us want to face.
• Prescriptions, but we don't mean the pills. If you're traveling long term, do not forget your actual prescriptions (including lens if applicable!). You may need them to refill your prescriptions abroad.
• Pajamas and loungewear. When packing, you're usually thinking about what you're going to need to live your life - but don't forget about sleeping. Since you're going to be traveling for an extended period of time, loungewear is essential.
• A SIM card or eSIM for data abroad. It's not exactly a thing you pack (unless you use a physical SIM), but it's extremely important unless you're hoping to go entirely off the grid #dontrecommend.
• Brush/comb
• Something to do. It's easy to imagine that your trip is going to be filled with back-to-back adventure, but in reality, there's still downtime to travel. Whether it's waiting at the gate, a long train ride, or just needing to rest your feet between excursions, make sure you have something to do. This can be a deck of cards, journal, a book, Sudoku - whatever will help you enjoy the moment.

Save travels!