You’ve surely been here before: in the airport, excited to start your trip, but then you remember… you’ve forgotten to pack something you desperately need. You can’t continue your trip without it, and figuring out how to purchase this item at your destination will be such a pain. To prevent you from having this moment ever again, here is my list of non-negotiables for backpacking and beyond. Let’s dive in!

A converter for my chargers. Most of Europe and Central Asia uses the same type of plugs, but this type is different from US and UK plugs, among others. Getting an international converter which can change between 3-4 types, or a set of converter blocks will save you from relying solely on power banks and USB ports. You also don’t want to worry about searching for converters at your destination! Take care of it before you leave for your trip, and you can keep using it for many trips to come.

And on that note, a power bank! You never know when you’ll visit a location without plugs at all, or when you’ll be out in the city all day, so save yourself from getting lost and bring a reliable, charged power bank.

An eye mask and earplugs. As is the case in most hostels, people will be coming and going at unpredictable hours. They might have an early flight to catch, or be out partying until the early daylight hours. Prevent multiple wakeups by using an eye mask to block light, and if you wake up easily from noises, bring earplugs. Maybe bring a few pairs in case you lose one of the plugs (worst situation to be in)! You can also use these on planes, trains, and any other mode of transportation you happen to find yourself using.

A microfiber towel. This has saved me more times than I can count when the hostel up charges for towels, when I want to take a quick dip on a hike, or when the weather is so nice I just need to lay on some grass in the sun. These towels fold up small and are light, and they dry fast so you can use them multiple times per day! Most full-size towels also come with a smaller towel that you can use to wash your face or wash dishes.

Some cash in the local currency. While some people might warn you away from exchanging money at the airport, there are many countries that still heavily rely on cash. Leaving the airport with at least $50 in local currency can save you the headache of wandering around a new city looking for ATMs, and you can always use this money for souvenirs if you find that credit cards are accepted at most places.

A physical sim card or esim. This is one of those items that you can take care of in country, but if your phone is newer you can purchase an ESIM before you even leave for your trip. I like Airalo because they have multi-country packages with easy top-ups if you use all the data, but there are many options out there! (You can use my referral code FELICI1911 to get money off your Airalo ESIM purchase if you decide to go with that company)

Thanks for reading! Did I mention everything you thought I would? Let me know your travel non-negotiables down in the comments.