5 things we wish someone had told us to travel with sooner

We’ve all had moments where we’ve found a life hack or a tool that has genuinely impacted our life in a positive way, sometimes it’s something that others have been doing for years! Travel hacks are no different, and I want to share with you some things that I wish I had learned to pack sooner.

Eye drops 

It is important to keep our eyes healthy to keep our eyesight strong and travelling doesn’t mean we have to neglect them. I recommend packing eye drops. Travelling exposes your eyes to irritants and allergens, so bringing some eye drops is always a good idea. It is critical to maintaining good eye health in order to maintain good vision, and travelling does not excuse us from doing so! If you or your kids spend a lot of time in pools and swimming at the beach, eye drops can be used to relieve irritation.

Adapter and extension cord

If there’s one certainty about travelling, it’s that you’ll never have enough sockets to charge all of your devices. Not only that but there are never enough travel adapters to go around!

That’s why item 2 is a travel extension cord. While you may be able to use one you have lying around the house, it will most likely be bulky and heavy, lacking useful features such as surge protection or USB sockets, and generally not the best tool for the job. Instead, consider purchasing a travel power strip that you can store in your suitcase and take with you wherever you go. They are inexpensive, take up far less valuable space and weight allowance, and are designed with travellers’ specific needs in mind.

Glasses/Contact Lenses/Contact Lenses Cleaner

Bringing your glasses or contact lenses with you may seem obvious, but one thing I always make sure I pack is a backup pair and making sure I bring a copy of my prescriptions handy in case of an emergency.

The numbers that appear on your prescriptions are recognized around the world, meaning you can order new contacts or glasses in Cornwall or Sydney! If you want to get some affordable lenses, I recommend Contact Lense UK. They are a great place to get contact lenses if you run out and need them delivered ASAP.  For those who need to wear glasses, the extra pair is so important in case anything goes wrong. Naturally, you’ll want to actually be able to see when you’re travelling even if something goes wrong. Put this on your priority packing list if you’re someone who wears glasses, just to really make sure you don’t forget.

Collapsible Water Bottle

Water bottles are a major contributor to plastic pollution. The impact of plastic on the oceans is enormous, affecting sea creatures as well as our own food. Not only that, but airport water is very expensive, and liquids are not permitted through security.

So, instead of using disposable bottles, invest in a collapsible water bottle. You will not only protect the environment, but you will also save money. It is much less expensive to buy once than to buy a new one every day. It can be washed and reused in the same way you would any other dish.

Stain remover pen

I do not travel now without a stain removal pen or wipe on my person. Whether it is in your pocket, bag, or weekender luggage you’ll always be ready for red wine spills on your clothes or coffee drips on your favourite white shirt. When unexpected spills occur, treat the stain as soon as possible with these little stain removers to increase the likelihood that you’ll be able to save the clothing once you’re able to give it a complete washing later. The best part about these inconspicuous stain removers is that you can swiftly use them anywhere, saving you from stress while relaxing on holiday. 

So there we have it! My top 5 secret must-haves when I go travelling. What are some of yours? Are there any items on this list you’ll try yourself? Let me know.