With the June holidays in full swing, many families have planned short getaways. But whether you’re going out of the country for a few days or a few weeks, there are some essentials you must not miss in your packing list.
Ahem, for those of you doing last-minute packing right now, we hope this helps!
1. Power banks
Yes, this is incredibly basic. But you don’t want to be the guy that rushes out of the house, travels all the way to the airport, boards the plane, then realises you forgot to bring a portable charger for your 10-day trip.
You’ve worked hard to earn your holiday; don’t waste your first spending at your destination on unnecessary items you could have prepared prior. Also, if you’re bringing power banks, remember that you can now only bring a maximum of two on flights departing from Singapore.
They must also be placed in your carry-on baggage, and cannot be checked in at the airport. You are also not allowed to use or charge your power banks during your flight. Lastly, if you’re flying to China, only power banks with the China Compulsory Certification (CCC) mark are allowed.
2. eSIM
This is usually the item many travellers think about last, or only when it hits them that they can’t access the Internet at their holiday destination. However, having mobile data is so important in our ever-connected world.
Many of the services we need to access through our phone during our travels also require mobile data. So don’t leave it to the last minute; purchase an eSIM before you fly and simply activate it when you land. That’s one thing less to worry about.
If you need recommendations for a good eSIM, we have found Airalo to be reliable and fuss-free. Download the Airalo app on the App Store or Google Play, and you’ll be able to browse eSIM packages that cover more than 200 countries worldwide.
The data roaming plans range from 1GB to unlimited data and are available in 3-day packages all the way up to 30-day packages. The package prices are also reasonable, especially considering how simple Airalo is to use.
In fact, we currently have a couple of promo codes that will get you 16% off (Code: CGNEW) if you’re a new user, and 12% off (Code: CGALL) if you’re not. Simply click the respective links, purchase your eSIM, and make sure the codes are applied at checkout.
If you’re ever in doubt about how Airalo works, don’t worry. Upon your purchase, you will also receive clear and straightforward instructions for quick installation. Just make sure your device supports eSIM installation and that your Data Roaming option is turned on in the eSIM settings after activating it at your destination. You’ll be good to go in no time!
3. Travel adapters
Before heading to the country of your choice, make sure to do some research on its standard wall sockets. Then, before your trip, purchase the travel adapters you will need to plug in your chargers to those power sources.
Just like power banks, bringing along the right adapters will ensure your devices are charged up for the day. In fact, you need these to charge your power banks too! So, don’t forget to pack one for your trip, or a few if you want to be a great travel companion.
Speaking from personal experience — you never know who else on your trip might need it.
4. Vacuum compression bags
This is a real travel hack — especially for those of you constantly struggling with luggage space. We are all too familiar with that feeling of starting a vacation with relatively light luggage, but ending with one that is bursting at the seams.
Most of the time, this is the result of all your used clothes packed into plastic bags, plus all the goodies and souvenirs you got during the trip. Vacuum compression bags (paired with good packing skills) are a lifesaver that helps to alleviate this issue.
These bags usually come with a pump that sucks out all excess air, ensuring that your packed clothes take up as little volume as possible. They come in different sizes and can also be purchased at quite an affordable cost, depending on where you buy them from.
5. The right clothing
This one’s a given, and most of you are probably over-prepared in this department. But it never hurts to have a friendly reminder, right? If you’re heading somewhere cold, pack something warm. And if you’re heading somewhere warm, pack something cooling.
Singaporean guys, this is your time to shine with your UNIQLO wardrobe too. Show them the power of AIRism and HEATTECH. Just make sure you grab the right piece for the right climate. And bringing along a windbreaker or waterproof jacket will never be a bad choice.
6. Camera (with sufficient storage)
What’s a holiday if you can’t keep the memories? If you didn’t take a photo, did it really happen? For those of you who own a camera, now is the time to sharpen those photography skills and take vibey pictures of your trip and of your friends.
But even if you don’t have a dedicated camera, we all have cameras in our pockets these days. Yes, I am talking about your iPhones and your Samsung Galaxies. Smartphone cameras have come a long way since their initial inception.
With the right lighting and editing, photos taken on your phone can even compare to shots taken on digital cameras. The most important thing, no matter which you use, is to make sure you clear up space for all the new photos you’re going to take.
You don’t want to have to stand in the middle of a public space, clearing your iPhone storage, just so you can continue taking photos of the scenery in front of you (speaking from personal experience again).
7. Headphones
This seems like common sense, but we’ve all left home without our headphones or earbuds before. Going on a train ride without music is already a pain sometimes, but imagine a long flight where you can’t tune out of your surroundings just because you forgot to bring along your audio devices.
If you’re someone who plans to listen to music or watch your downloaded Netflix shows on the plane, remember to pack your in-ears or headsets!
8. Small bag (to keep valuables close)
No matter where you’re travelling to, and for how long, one thing you will always need is a small bag. This could come in the form of a crossbody bag, a sling bag, or even a tiny backpack.
Having one allows you to navigate the airport and explore your destination comfortably without extra weight, while still carrying your passport, boarding passes, cash, and other valuables safely.
If you can, definitely invest in an anti-theft bag, which will usually feature cut-resistant fabric and lockable zippers.
If you found this list useful, make sure to bookmark this article and check back before your next holiday!
For more lifestyle updates like this, subscribe to our Telegram channel at @confirmgood.
This post contains partial sponsorship.
