20 Things You're Going to Forget (But Shouldn't) to Pack
In the rush of planning to leave for the airport, train station, or even to just get in your car – odds are that you may feel like you’ve forgotten to pack something – and there’s a good chance that you have.
As a seasoned traveler from road trips across the U.S., riding through trains for days in Europe, or jetting off to Asia – I’m going to share with you small but possibly important things you might have forgotten to pack.
20 common Forgotten Things to Pack before your next vacation
Your flights and hotel may be booked and ready to go, but is your luggage?
Review this pro-traveler packing list to make sure you have everything you need before leaving on holiday!
1. Medication
I need to take Sudafed ten days before flying, or I’ll wake up from my red eye flight somewhere else in the world with a clogged ear and no immediate way to fix it.
I also need to take Flonase right before take-off.
If you have medication that you think there’s even a slight chance you’ll need during your travels; take it with you – because you don’t know how hard it’s going to be to find your medication abroad, let alone, if it even exists where you’re going.
Don’t take any chances; take it with you.
Sudafed PE for sinus congestion can be used prior to flying to prevent clogged ears
2. Multi-vitamins & Supplements
This might seem like a silly one, but when traveling – our diets change, right?
We don’t eat all of the things we usually do, which is fine – trying new foods is a big part of traveling, but we could be lacking in a compulsory nutrient when we consume meals that are out of the ordinary.
Bringing some multi-vitamins with you will ensure boost your immune system and keep you going during your adventures around the world. This is especially important if your doctor has recommended you to take specific supplements, to ensure you keep up with your regimen while traveling – or if you’re vegan or vegetarian like me and rely on your multivitamins and supplements to meet all your daily intake needs.
I always try to bring my multivitamin and omega-3 with me when traveling
3. Band Aids
You could be laughing at this, thinking it’s intended for a family with a five-year-old – but you’ll thank me later.
I’ve been on tours with so many other travelers so any times where they’ve cut themselves and were in need of a band aid…
… and guess who was there to save the day?
Trust me, it’ll be nice to know that you have it on hand and that you won’t have to deal with the hassle of running to the nearest pharmacy.
You’d be surprised how many people forget to pack band-aids when traveling!
4. Sewing kit
I once had my backpack break on me in London. Though a sewing kit wouldn’t have fixed it, I learned that it’s something smart to keep handy in the event I have a tear in a shirt and don’t want to drop my precious travel-spending-money on a new one.
A small sewing kit can come in handy for travel!
5. Extra Contact Lenses
This one is huge. When I went swimming in the Great Barrier Reef with contact lenses on (which was a big mistake, by the way), they got so salty that they became impossible to put on… and I lost one in attempts of doing so.
If I didn’t have a backup pair with me, I would’ve had to wear glasses for the rest of the trip – which would’ve been an irritating inconvenience.
Should I Bring Extra Contact Lenses When I Travel?
Yes, you should always bring extra content lenses with you when you travel – as it could be challenging to refill your eye prescription abroad. Bring two backups, and an extra contact lens case as well. Like medication, a prescription is a pain to refill overseas – so it’s better to be safe than sorry, with this one.
Always better to be safe than sorry. Opt to bring several backup pairs of contact lenses, whether you wear dailies or monthlies.
6. Student I.D.
I know what you’re thinking…
… Stephanie, I’m on vacation/holiday… school is the last thing on my mind.
Hear me out.
Why Should I Bring My Student I.D. When Traveling Abroad?
You’ll be eligible for reduced or even free fares to enter museums, observation decks, and more – even abroad! There have been too many times where I’ve been about to buy a ticket into a cathedral, or a museum, or an observation deck, or even just about to get on a bus where they’ve offered me a student discount…
… If I showed them my student I.D.
Even after five trips abroad, I still forget to bring the stupid thing with me every time!
Sometimes those prices are cut in half if you can just prove to them your pursuing a degree. Some places and people are kind enough to accept an electronic photo of your student I.D.
Even if you forget it, you should keep a picture of your student I.D. (or really, any I.D.) digitally accessible.
Taking a picture on your phone is better than nothing, and could save you some cash without a whole lot of effort!
7. Hair Ties
I keep a set of scrunchies (I’m not a 90s kid, but I do pretend to be) in my backpack at all times.
In the midst of all the other crazy things that go on in my life before I take off, the odds of me remembering to pack a thin rubber band to put my hair up at the end of the day are slim.
Plus, hair ties are one of the things bound to get lost when traveling – as they’re small and you could easily leave it in the bathroom on a train or beside your nightstand at the hostel. Keep an extra set of them handy, especially for summer travel – and you’ll be thankful, later!
My friend gifted me these hair ties for travel one year!
8. Feminine Products
Ladies… alongside medication, and contact lenses… the same goes for feminine products.
It’s better to be safe than sorry.
You do not want that time of the month to roll around while you’re in Italy and waste your afternoon trying to decipher if the package says, “pads with wings” in Italian.
Even if you don’t think it’ll come while you’re away… just pack a few, anyways.
9. Your ATM card
Take it from someone who has traveled a lot…
… you always end up spending more money than you brought with you, and that’s okay! When you’re on vacation, you’re supposed to enjoy yourself. You worked hard for this!
Don’t let your fun stop just because you forgot your little piece of plastic that’ll grant you some more currency in the form of paper.
Be sure to call your bank to tell them you’ll be traveling abroad, too! The last thing you want to deal with while you’re soaking up the streets of Spain is supposed credit card theft.
10. Pen & Paper
I know, I know – you might be laughing at this one too, given we all live in the 21st century.
I recognize that not everyone is an old soul or a writer like I am, but there have been times traveling when I needed a lose sheet of paper and a pen on quick notice.
Some old habits die hard. This should, and will always be one of them, no matter how far we progress in the technological world.
Writing in my journal at a vegan tapas bar in Granada, Spain; December 2023
11. A Cover Up
A scarf, a shawl, a sweater… if you’re going to a country where you intend to visit a lot of churches (especially in Europe), some won’t let you in if your knees and shoulders aren’t covered.
I keep one in my suitcase so I don’t even have to think about this one; because it’s easy to forget.
I keep this cover up I bought in Milan with me in my suitcase in case I need it for a trip abroad.
12. Sunscreen
Talking to all of you future Spain, Italy, Greece, and Australia travelers here. I know you’re thinking that you won’t possibly forget this one, but it happens.
I also a travel size sunscreen in my suitcase so no matter where in the world I go, I don’t have to worry about a possible sunburn.
Don’t pay for overpriced sunscreen abroad when you could put that money to good use elsewhere.
Suncreen is something that is somehow always forgotten to be packed!
13. Laundry Detergent Packets
When I travel, I usually end up handwashing things in the sink. Hotel shampoo or body wash usually does the trick, but when in hostels (sometimes, without an easily accessible laundry mat) there’s no such thing as complimentary toiletries.
One packet could save you and stretch out your clothes longer!
14. A Portable Battery
The first time I went abroad, I didn’t even think of this one – but now, I never travel anywhere without my favorite portable battery.
Is It Worth Buying A Portable Battery For Traveling?
Yes, having a portable battery, especially as a solo female traveler – is essential. Now, every time I travel, it’s the one thing that I literally couldn’t live without.
It’s important to have a portable battery when traveling because international data, maps, and constant picture and video taking is likely to drain your phone battery faster than it usually would.
When traveling, only two things really matter: your phone, and your passport.
You lose anything else; it’s replaceable.
If you’re traveling solo, and find yourself without a phone, well…
… bring a portable battery with you, so you never have to find out.
15. A World Travel Adapter
Again – I’ve been on tours with people who brought their American adapters thinking they would function abroad.
The reality is, very few hotels have USB chargers – meaning investing in a world travel adapter is worthwhile if you plan on trotting the globe long-term.
You can always try to rent them at the front desk, but if you have your own – it’s one less thing you’ll have to remember at check out.
If you travel often, it’s worth investing in a travel adapter
16. A Travel Towel
If you’re planning on staying in hostels, this one is especially important.
Hostels can get stingy when it comes to towel rental…
They come in handy for other things too, like when you need a towel for the beach.
I used my microfiber towel on almost every beach I went to in Australia.
They’re great because the sand can’t stick to the fabric; and they are quick drying so you can hop from one city to the next.
This little towel has come in handy many times when staying in hostels!
17. Face Wipes
I don’t have the time or the resources to execute my entire skin care routine on a red-eye flight or before I land in a new city.
Face wipes are an easy shortcut to feeling a little fresher before you tackle the first day of your trip.
18. Hand Sanitizer
When out and about in the world, you never know what you’ll find… or what you’ll accidentally touch.
Bringing hand sanitizer with you is a good way to prevent sickness and promote cleanliness.
19. Tissues
You know when you sneeze and it gets all gross, and gooey – and you have no tissue handy?
Yes, I know, that was a graphic description – but it forced you to play the scenario in your head and make you want to put a pack in your carry on, didn’t it?
It never hurts to pack a small packet of tissues
20. Gum
If you have ear troubles like I do when you fly, having a packet of gum can be handy.
I’m usually to fixed on making sure I have the (obviously more important) medications with me, so this is something that I also make sure is in my backpack at all times in the event I want it while traveling.
Want to see my packing in action? Check out my video below where I show you everything that goes in my suitcase!
If you’re looking for other travel tips, click here.
Last updated: June 7, 2025