Top 5 Carry-On Items FOR Traveling | Nik Snacks
This is the FOURTH of FIVE posts featuring travel tips from me, Nik Snacks. Each post will have tips to help you live your best travel life with 0% hassle and 100% fun.
The worst part of travel is NOT the unpredictable weather, the flight plan or not being in control of the vehicle you're in--it's being out of your comfort zone and not having the comforts of home within arm's reach. While you can't hitch up your luggage to your house and drag it along, there are a few things you can do to reduce your discomfort and potential anxiety.
1. Flight Essentials
Most airlines allow one personal bag in addition to your carry-on and this is where you really get to shine.
Get yourself a water bottle: #StayHydrated! It's the best piece of advice and the best way to accomplish that is with a portable water bottle. There are collapsible water bottles for those who REALLY want to conserve space, but a simple Nalgene or branded water bottle from the company picnic will do. The circulated air on the plane is dry and the 6 oz. of drink during beverage service is not going to do anything for you.
2. Wipes
Any parent will tell you that baby wipes are basically a bath in a box and they are exactly right. Since you're an adult, upgrade your bath-in-a-box to facial wipes. Throw in some antibacterial wioes, too, for wiping down any surface youre going to touch: door handles, thermostats, table trays, seat belts, windows, etc.
Also, the dry air of the plane and the dirt of domestic travel will have you feening to freshen up pre-final descent. I chose to pull personal wipes out as a separate tip because when all of your chips are down and you just don't feel like a person anymore, if your face, hands and other places that house lymph nodes are clean, you may feel like a person again.
3. Snacks (including water enhancers)
I've already covered snacks in a whole other post of this five-part series, but I have to emphasize its importance by listing it here again.
Spend $60 for a day pass and reap the benefits of your airline's club. Snacks, drinks, alcoholic beverages, strong wi-fi, clean restrooms and in some cases, showers and live entertainment.
4. Toiletry bag
You don't want to be caught in the middle of nowhere looking like "Who shot John?" and the horse he rode in on. You want to be as liquored up and lacqured down as possible. These items are the absolute bare minimum that should be in your personal bag. Anything else is probably extra. Also, everyone's travel comfort level is different, so keep that in mind if you're packing for other passengers in your group.
- deodorant
- earphones
- device of choice (phone, Kindle, iPad)
- book, magazine, suduku/crossword
- writing implement
- international adaptor
- credit/atm/debit card
- passport/ID
- lotion/oil
- personal wipes
- a few dollars and some change
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| Be smiling when you land with all of the tips presentend here & throughout the 5-Part Nik Snacks Travel Series |
5. Flight outfit: pants/shorts, shoes, shirt, jacket WITH pockets
While you want to be comfortable, you also want to look as polished and put together as you can be. Because flight travel takes us out of our element and can potentially bring out the worst in us, looking the part can get us into the right frame of mind. Compression leggings and compression socks are becoming popular although their function transcends fashion. Prevent blood clots and DVT by wearing them.
BONUS TIP:
6. Money
Every bank, credit card company and other financial institution is different when it comes to traveling domestic and abroad. The first thing you should do is notify your card company that you will be traveling. Next, decide how you are going to get your money. If you need a substantial amount of cash to carry (less than $1,500) order foreign currency from your bank.
I like to wait until I'm in my host country and withdraw from a bank once I get there. The fees are usually low and it's best to have cash on you as well as your favorite bank/credit card while traveling.
Ways to keep that money safe:
- fanny pack (very fashionable, right now in the year of our Lord, 2018)
- neck wallet (keep it tucked in your jacket or your shirt)
- national titty bank of america (my favorite bank; everything is ALWAYS secure)
- wristlet (also fashion-forward, but not very safe)
- money alternatives (Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, GooglePay or ApplePay)
Next up: Top 5 Travel Tips HOW TO BOOK TRAVEL
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About the author
Nikki Miller-Ka
Ms. Miller-Ka is a classically trained chef with a BA in English from East Carolina University and a Culinary Arts Associate Degree from Le Cordon Bleu-Miami.
Formerly, she’s worked as a researcher, an editorial assistant, reporter and guest blogger for various publications and outlets in the Southeast. She has also worked as a catering chef, a pastry chef, a butcher, a baker, and a biscuit-maker. Presently, she is a food editor, freelance food writer, and a tour guide for Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours.
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