Wish to stay your finest – and best – journey life? Hostelworld’s Senior Copywriter, Jenny, has been to 48 international locations and is a self-proclaimed packing and journey prep professional🧳Listed below are the issues she by no means travels with out…
Credit score: Picture by Anete Lūsiņa on Unsplash
1️⃣ An eSIM
I’ve solely not too long ago began utilizing eSIMs, however OMG are they a game-changer! My UK cell knowledge supplier has a fairly beneficiant abroad roaming package deal, nevertheless it doesn’t prolong to Morocco and Singapore, each of which I went to not too long ago. Contemplating how a lot I exploit maps (zero sense of course), the chat operate within the Hostelworld app (I do know I *have* to fly the Hostelworld flag however I genuinely do use it!) and Instagram (spotlight reels = core recollections) once I’m out travelling, it was a no brainer to spend a number of kilos on an eSIM. It was past helpful accessing all the things as typical, and I’d extremely advocate them 🙌
Get 10% off an Airalo eSIM with code HOSTEL10
2️⃣ An *truly* respectable maps app
Google Maps has its perks, and more often than not it really works fairly effectively. Nonetheless, should you are likely to stroll quite a bit – whether or not that’s exploring a metropolis or getting out into nature – undoubtedly obtain Natural Maps earlier than you go. It’s free, works offline, and is aware of all of the shortcuts! 👣
3️⃣ A conveyable cellphone charger
We’re all so reliant on our telephones lately that operating out of battery primarily classifies as an emergency. Do your self a favour and purchase an influence financial institution that has numerous juice – not less than 2 fees, extra if potential (particularly if there are a number of USB ports and a couple of of you’ll be utilizing it, or should you received’t essentially have entry to a plug level each evening to cost it) 📱
📢 Good to know: should you’re flying, energy banks have to be carried in hand baggage because of fireplace threat. Some airways impose limits on Wh capability, so double verify before you purchase and produce onboard. Some airways, like Scoot and Singapore Airways amongst others, are banning using energy banks onboard from 1 April 2025 (you’ll be able to nonetheless pack them, you simply can’t use them in-flight).
4️⃣ Laundry color catchers
Color catchers are white sheets that you simply put within the laundry together with your garments to cease color bleeding. That is SO useful you probably have a mixture of whites and colors however don’t need to spend cash or time on operating two separate hundreds 🫧
5️⃣ Noise-cancelling headphones
And earplugs for dorms obvs, though some hostels present them without spending a dime. However significantly, I might by no means return to life earlier than noise-cancelling headphones, particularly once I fly. There’s nothing higher than drowning out the sound of roaring engines and bawling infants and having fun with a pleasant quiet journey. Shield your peace! 🎧
6️⃣ Compression packing cubes
If you cba to pay for checked baggage? Compression packing cubes. These have further zips to smoosh all the things down, and don’t crumple your garments like vacuum sealed baggage (you’d additionally must pack a pump for these to suck all of the air out).
7️⃣ A neck pillow – with a twist
I extremely advocate shopping for certainly one of these – not only for the consolation side should you’ve obtained an extended aircraft/practice/bus journey however as a result of they double up as further baggage area. Purchase one with a zipper, take away the froth and stuff it with t-shirts as an alternative 👕 Positive, you’ll have to hold it round with you however for me, it’s value it (though I stay in concern of forgetting it and dropping half my wardrobe!).
💡 Bonus hand baggage hack: I’ve discovered that I can get away with taking a backpack, neck pillow AND a bum bag onto flights, even with finances airways. Bum baggage are simple to cover underneath a jumper and are nice for issues like your cellphone, passport, boarding passes and many others👍
8️⃣ A microfibre towel
Free hostel towels are all the time the aim, but when not, microfibre towels are the place it’s at. They’re light-weight, compact, quick-drying, and simple to shake sand off. PLUS, they double up as a curtain in case your bunk doesn’t have one!
9️⃣ Zip-lock moist baggage
In the event you’re going someplace beachy or on any sort of water-based journey, waterproof baggage on your swimmers are every kind of helpful to cease the contents of your suitcase or backpack getting damp. Subsequent time you order a swimwear haul from Shein, don’t throw the baggage away – maintain them on standby for your next trip 👙
