[Phoenix]

There are only 3 travel essentials:
- A valid passport.
- Permission to enter the country.
- Money.

As long as you have those 3, you are fine. Everything else depends on your personal wants and needs for that trip.

Phone/internet is easier to get on arrival. Don't bother with roaming. In most countries you can get a SIM with data upon landing. Even in Japan I think you can now (but it's data only), and if you can't they mail it to you in a couple of days.

One thing I've kind of accumulated is a bag of medicine. I have a bit of everything in there, to the extent that sometimes I've been asked 'do you have something for X?' like I'm a doctor .

Also I used to carry stuff to do my own washing (a laundry soap, bin bags, and an elastic washing line), but I don't bother anymore unless there is a really high chance I won't be able to find laundry services because it's too much work. The elastic washing line is a really useful thing to own though.

(01-04-2017 09:39 AM)monerap Wrote:  

Pack these!

http://i.imgur.com/Reay4Z6.jpg

If you pack all that you will be straight up fucking depressed within 24 hours of starting your trip.

[_GQ_]

Whiskey, viagra, test, and bologna.

[Schlep]

3 in 1 instant coffee mix potches. Coffee, sugar and cream all ready to go. Instant iced tea and lemonade packets. These do not take up much room in your suitcase.

[aeroektar]

(01-10-2017 05:10 AM)Orson Wrote:  

(01-07-2017 10:57 PM)scrambled Wrote:  

http://www.onebag.com

Scrambled deserves an award for posting a link to THE single most effective website for bag selection serving everyone's individual needs! It's quite AWESOME.

The author, Doug, says he has kept is non-commercial and asks for donations, or a speaker invite, etc, in order to keep it so in the future.

Personally, I can only add that I favor convertible bags, especially from the Osprey line (google it at Amazon). Doug's take is concise and suggests two from bottom of-the-line bags as examples to consider. (SEE here http://www.onebag.com/leisure-bags.html) Still, his preference remains consistent with his philosophy favoring "cube" shaped travel storage as the most desirable.

I don't see this serving the convertible (and detachable) segment well, however. In this category, non-cube shapes are better because they are more versatile.

I just went through researching and buying a bag for my trip (I'm doing the one bag thing, carry on only). I wanted the Osprey farpoint 40 which looks like the best bag, the porter 46 also looks good with a bit more space but it has a worse suspension system.

I kept my eye on holiday sales and when the farpoint 40 was marked down from 160 to 110 I bought it on Amazon but a couple days later I got a message saying the order was cancel because it was out of stock. I was passed.

I ended up going with the campmor essential carry on because its highly recommended for onebag travel and it was substantially cheaper then anything else at $29. It's lighter then anything else at 1lb 12oz but its a very basic bag with no bells and whistles and no padding so I'll have to organize the bag in a way that gives it structure and protects electronics.

[Mentavious]

condoms

[Phoenix]

(01-10-2017 11:11 AM)Mentavious Wrote:  

condoms

Lol, just the condoms? Like you drop a strap of them on the immigration officer's counter, and look at him like "you know what I'm here to do". And he just knods you through

[Prof. Ligate]

Kindle and a few prepaid visas so I'm not carrying too much cash

[Jack Of All Trades]

Prepaid visas rape you on fees, it's better to just get a travel credit card. If it gets stolen or swiped you can always contest it and travel credit cards usually have lower fees in general.

Paying 10$ just to purchase the damn thing is a hassle in of itself.

[BallsDeep]

https://www.amazon.com/sleep-mask-plugs-...B01L9RPV4M

Super soft and blocks all light, and unlike other sleep masks it covers your ears which is helpful when you stay in hotels in busy areas and there's loud cars passing by at 6am.

[Phoenix]

(01-10-2017 05:16 PM)Jack Of All Trades Wrote:  

Prepaid visas rape you on fees

Seconded, except to add everybody rapes you on fees unless it's a good travel credit card. The rates your local bank, or some fancy travel money card, or the travelex at the airport give you are an outright scam frankly. Classic preying on the uneducated.

I find it comical that they get away with claiming "no currency exchange fees" when they have a 10+% spread. It doesn't matter what you call it Travelex & Co: if the market rate for 1AUD is 75JPY, and you only give me 65JPY, you're taking a fat cut of my money.

[Jack Of All Trades]

Ya it's ridiculous the best rates are always on the ground I've found. Fees can take a huge chunk out of your budget the USA is relatively good and has competitive banking systems with regards to fees. Sadly it's not always like that in the rest of the Anglo sphere countries.

[Kissinger2014]

(01-03-2017 07:28 AM)zanetti Wrote:  

I recently bought the latest Bose noise cancelling headphones. I've used them twice so far on long-haul flights and highly recommend them!

Before spending a few hundred dollars on noise canceling headphones, I recommend trying them out a store for a few minutes. I bought a pair a few years ago off Amazon, and they made me nauseous. I then did some Internet search and found out that these headphones negatively effect like 5% of the population, and cause some inner ear thing. And since I was traveling I never never returned them.

[Jackdarabbit]

I want to add to this list nail scissors and comfortable pair of shoes.

[LarryDallas]

I saw the Osprey Far Point 40 mentioned earlier so just wanted to sing its praises here.



I picked this up for a Philippines and Bali trip I did in January. The bag is great, its carry on compatible with most airlines and has convinced me to never again check baggage, well at least for trip under a month or so. I've seen it come in at varying prices, but you should be able to nab it for under $160US.

Its surprising how much it carries and there is nothing like hopping off the plane and heading straight to customs while everyone else is waiting for their bags to show up on the conveyer belt. Also, if your stuck in a location with time to kill before hitting the airport or any other mode of transport its easy to get around with this versus lugging a suitcase or duffle.

You do have to be careful your dopp kit has no liquids greater than 100ml or you'll be handing them over to the screening agents. It makes you think about your clothing needs for your trip and prevents you from packing items that never get used your whole trip. Obviously this isn't going to work for the international playboy that wants to pack his suits and sport coats, but with careful planning there is plenty of room to pack several decent outfits that work together and will get you through most holiday requirements.

I highly recommend this bag and carry on travel itself. Once you do it successfully you'll never want to check luggage ever again.

[BrewDog]

If you're going to the third world, you should carry a travel pack of toilet paper with you at all times. Bathroom options aren't always good, and if you do find a bathroom, they likely won't have paper.

I always take imodium, too. I'll take one a couple of hours before getting on a busride. You don't wanna get the runs on the bus.

EDIT: And notify your bank the countries you'll visit and the dates. The US banks have a fraud block on cards. Not sure about other countries' banks. You don't wanna arrive late at night and then find out you have no way of withdrawing money.

[Drazen]

(03-16-2017 11:52 AM)LarryDallas Wrote:  

I saw the Osprey Far Point 40 mentioned earlier so just wanted to sing its praises here.



I picked this up for a Philippines and Bali trip I did in January. The bag is great, its carry on compatible with most airlines and has convinced me to never again check baggage, well at least for trip under a month or so. I've seen it come in at varying prices, but you should be able to nab it for under $160US.

Its surprising how much it carries and there is nothing like hopping off the plane and heading straight to customs while everyone else is waiting for their bags to show up on the conveyer belt. Also, if your stuck in a location with time to kill before hitting the airport or any other mode of transport its easy to get around with this versus lugging a suitcase or duffle.

You do have to be careful your dopp kit has no liquids greater than 100ml or you'll be handing them over to the screening agents. It makes you think about your clothing needs for your trip and prevents you from packing items that never get used your whole trip. Obviously this isn't going to work for the international playboy that wants to pack his suits and sport coats, but with careful planning there is plenty of room to pack several decent outfits that work together and will get you through most holiday requirements.

I highly recommend this bag and carry on travel itself. Once you do it successfully you'll never want to check luggage ever again.

Is this the only bag you carry or do you also bring another bag with you?

[BrewDog]

I have this pack and took it to S. America with me. Love the thing. Fits nicely and holds a lot of stuff and it's cheap. It's sturdy and nicely built.

https://www.amazon.com/Discovery-Interna...scovery+80

[LarryDallas]

[/quote]

Is this the only bag you carry or do you also bring another bag with you?
[/quote]

This is all I used for 2.5 weeks in SE Asia. On the way home I did also have a plastic bag with gifts in it I worried may get damaged zipped into the Osprey. It really is liberating to travel carry on only.

It held my ipad, three pants, three button ups, 4 shorts, 7-10 tees, 3 swim trunks, a weeks worth of socks and underwear, and beach flip flops with room to spare.

As I was checking out of the New World Makati in the Phils the bellman even stopped me and said: "sir that is a nice looking bag, you must do a lot of travel." It just looks practical and classy and like you have your shit together when it comes to travel.

Brew Dog, with all due respect, that bag looks too backpacker'ish...

[BrewDog]

(03-16-2017 02:54 PM)LarryDallas Wrote:  

Brew Dog, with all due respect, that bag looks too backpacker'ish...

Yeah it does. But I carried a black bag full of shit all over Ecuador and Colombia for 6 months, and I decided that I should stop making fun of the backpackers and just get one. I was so much happier this last trip.

I made fun of the backpackers for not even backpacking. They get out of their taxis and just walk into the hotel and drop their bag. But then I discovered that I was hauling a heavy ass bag over my shoulder to get from one bus stop to another and shit like that. I got sick of carrying that fucker.

[Drazen]

Quote:

This is all I used for 2.5 weeks in SE Asia. On the way home I did also have a plastic bag with gifts in it I worried may get damaged zipped into the Osprey. It really is liberating to travel carry on only.

It held my ipad, three pants, three button ups, 4 shorts, 7-10 tees, 3 swim trunks, a weeks worth of socks and underwear, and beach flip flops with room to spare.

As I was checking out of the New World Makati in the Phils the bellman even stopped me and said: "sir that is a nice looking bag, you must do a lot of travel." It just looks practical and classy and like you have your shit together when it comes to travel.

Brew Dog, with all due respect, that bag looks too backpacker'ish...

I love that. I use a Patagonia MLC bag sometimes if I want to "one-bag" it.

This is a good site: http://www.onebag.com/

I eventually want to get a GoRuck GR-1 bag. The main thing I want is it to fit underneath the seat in front of me on a plane.

http://www.goruck.com/gr1-explained

[Drazen]

I like these "Dude Wipes". For airplane trips, its a great way to get refreshed, use on your face, your ass, whatever.
https://www.dudeproducts.com/

Dr. Bronner's Liquid Soap is also very clutch. Shave, shampoo, soap, hell..even toothpaste if your in a pinch.
I find a good Talcum powder pretty essential as well if you're going somewhere humid.