top of page
Search

General Abroad Travel tips

Writer: danielleheinlein
danielleheinlein
1 hour ago
5 min read

Outlet Travel Adaptor: A quick Google search will tell you exactly which outlet you need for the country you are going to. Make sure you look up each country, because just within Europe it can widely vary. I recommend buying one adaptor with interchangeable outlets, that way you can use it for multiple countries. I loved having a large block that several items could plug into and I could share with Jason. However, it can be convenient to also have a small single outlet for using in the bathroom or if you plan to charge your phone at a cafe mid-day.

Products: Power Strip or Small Adaptor


Hair Tools: Don't forget to check the voltage requirements for your hair tools before traveling internationally! Not every straightener, curling iron, or blow dryer is dual voltage, and using the wrong voltage can permanently damage your device. For example, a U.S. Dyson Airwrap is not dual voltage, so plugging it into a standard outlet in most European countries (even with a simple plug adapter) can ruin it because Europe uses 220–240V electricity, while the U.S. uses 120V. On my trip, I packed my GHD straightener, a T3 curling wand, and a Conair mini travel blow dryer, all of which worked great. Hopefully what you have is universal, but if you're in the market to buy something new I love my products!


Magnetic Phone Wallet: These are handy to lighten your load and combine your wallet and phone. Jason really enjoyed having this to reduce the amount in his pockets. You just need to make sure you have a phone with a magnetic attachment option.

Amazon recommendations: Magnetic Wallet 


Compressible Backpack: I LOVED having this. I highly recommend the Sea to Summit backpack because it becomes so small and fit inside my 1L LuluLemon fanny pack along with my phone, wallet, and sunglasses. There are similar, cheaper options on Amazon, but I couldn't find one that packed down as small as the Sea to Summit. I bought this with me any time I thought we might be shopping because carrying a backpack is so much more comfortable than a bunch of shopping bags. Plus, if you don't end up buying anything, you just keep it nice and small in your purse.


Mini Compressible Water Bottle: I am a huge water drinker, especially when walking miles on miles in a new city. This little bottle compresses down and hardly takes space in my fanny pack or purse when empty or full. It only holds 8.5 oz, but I find that to usually be sufficient to get you from A to B until you refill it. The small size was worth being able to fit in in my small purse.


Baggage: My ideal travel bag setup: one large checked suitcase, a ~35L backpack as my carry-on, and a medium-sized crossbody bag.


I know some people prefer to travel with only a carry-on, but I personally like checking a large suitcase. It gives me plenty of packing space, I don't have to stress about fitting everything into a tiny bag, and, most importantly, I have room to bring home souvenirs! The tradeoff is that a larger suitcase can be heavier and a little less convenient to maneuver, but for me, the extra space is worth it.


For my carry-on, I use a ~35L backpack that's large enough to fit my medium sized crossbody bag inside. While I'm moving through the airport, everything stays consolidated in one backpack. Once I board the plane, I pull out my crossbody, which holds all of my in-flight essentials, and place it under the seat while my backpack goes in the overhead bin. This gives me easy access to everything I need without sacrificing valuable legroom.


Once I arrive at my destination, I switch to a smaller purse for daily exploring. Most days I wear my Lululemon belt bag across my chest, which comfortably holds my phone, wallet, lip balm, a packable backpack, and a collapsible water bottle. Wearing it across my chest also feels much more secure in busy areas. On days when I need to carry more—like for the beach, a long excursion, or shopping—I use my medium-sized crossbody instead.


Jason on the other hand is the lighter packer. He has a ~30 L backpack with a carry-on sized suitcase. He puts any check-only items in my large suitcase. When we went to Scotland, we knew we'd be bringing back whisky. We actually put a large duffle bag in my large suitcase. On our way home we were able to overflow into the duffle bag to fit all the whisky!


One final tip: no matter what luggage setup you choose, leave yourself a little extra space. You'll thank yourself when it's time to pack up souvenirs and those "I couldn't leave without it" purchases!


Scale: If you plan on checking a bag then a handheld scale is a must! Make sure you bring it on your trip too. This was critical trying to divvy out our things while adding in souvenirs before the flight home. You can purchase small ones that take up hardly any space in your luggage. Products: Handheld Scale


Anti-Chaffing Gel: Going somewhere warm? Going to wear shorts, a skirt, or dress? You need anti-chaffing gel. It's not talked about much, but it can be a real issue and ruin your day. I found a gel that comes in a small size that fits in my purse so I can re-apply if needed. 100% worth having.


Battery Pack: Sadly, my iPhone always dies. Blame Apple! With taking a million photos and using Google maps, my phone typically won't make it through a travel day. If your phone has the magnetic attachment option, then a magnetic battery pack is perfect! If your phone doesn't have this capability, there are similar battery packs that have cords to plug in.


AirTag: Please do yourself the favor of getting an AirTag for each piece of luggage! If you don't have an iPhone, there are similar products, but because I haven't used them I don't have one to recommend. We know a guy who lost his luggage and the airline had no idea where it went. They told him he was S-O-L. He was able to find the luggage because of his AirTag and notified the airline who contacted the airport. Jason and I put one in each suitcase, backpack, and purse.

Comments

IMG_9878.jpeg
bottom of page