Summer Travel Packing Essentials (2023)

After years of occasionally having the opportunity to hit the road, I have finally honed my packing skills to slight perfection. Recently, my four-day weekend summer trip to Budapest put my expertise to the test, and I am proud to say that I can now effortlessly pack my essentials within more or less half an hour. For posterity, I want to list some details of my traveling essentials, carefully tailored for a four-day trip to Hungary involving city exploration and indulging in the rejuvenating thermal baths. While these items cater to this particular trip, they closely resemble the basics I bring on any summer travel. The best part? All of these items fit snugly into my personal item bag and occupy only half of our very limited check-in luggage allowance (10kg). Although low-cost flights can be restrictive (we were flying Wizz Air), if we were not constrained, all these items would easily fit within the personal allocation of a carry-on bag.

Documents

I often tell my friends, I can forget everything except these. These are the first items I ensure I’ve prepared for a smooth and stress-free journey, I carefully safeguard the following identification documents:

• Passport: My valid passport is securely stowed and easily accessible in my trusty crossbody bag, as it is a crucial requirement for international travel.

• Residence permit: My passport is not so powerful to be enough on its own. I ensure to carry my valid residence permit, completing my documentation.

• Boarding pass: How else can I get into my flights? In Europe’s low-cost carrier flights, a digital copy is usually enough.

Daily Essentials

For my day-to-day comfort and convenience, I make sure to have the following items readily accessible. They are optional but good to have:

• Rubbing alcohol: This multipurpose item comes in handy for sanitizing hands or disinfecting surfaces. Okay, truth be told, I have this with me all the time, even pre-pandemic. I will be that one person who will always, always have a hand sanitizer dangling on my crossbody pack.

• Mini pack of tissue: Always useful for unexpected spills, quick clean-ups, or public restroom visits.

• Mini pack of wet wipes: These versatile wipes come in handy for freshening up or cleaning surfaces.

• Sunglasses: I find that as I grow older, I become less tolerant to the beaming rays of the sun and I often have my sole pair of sunglasses along with me so I can enjoy the view even in broad daylight

• Fan: A compact handheld fan provides refreshing relief during hot summer days, ensuring comfort while wandering the city.

• Refillable water bottle: Staying hydrated is crucial, and carrying a refillable water bottle allows me to have water readily available throughout the day.

Hygiene Essentials

Sometimes, things can get a little too intense. Next to identification, maintaining hygiene and preparedness is paramount during my travels, and I include the following items:

• Backup face masks: Post-pandemic, it is essential to have a backup supply of face masks for both personal protection and adherence to local regulations.

• First aid kit: I carry a compact first aid kit containing essential items such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any necessary personal medications, ensuring preparedness for minor ailments or injuries that may occur during my journey.

• UV Sanitizer Wand: After I got rashes from a one-day stay at a cheap hostel in Vilnius, I made sure I procured myself one of these. I’ve seen my mommy friends bring one to prepare their babies’ beds whenever they go on family trips and I found it really handy to disinfect any areas, especially the bed.

Toiletries

Related to hygiene, toiletries! As they say, cleanliness is next to godliness. I have found that most European hotels are less generous in their toiletry provision than those in the Philippines so I’ve managed to bring a part of my bathroom with me. Maintaining my skincare routine and personal hygiene is crucial, and I ensure to pack the following essential toiletries:

• Cleanser: A gentle cleanser suited to my skin type helps refresh and cleanse my face during the trip.

• Serum: I include a hydrating and rejuvenating serum to nourish and revitalize my skin, combating any effects of travel fatigue.

• Moisturizer: To prevent dryness and keep my skin hydrated, I pack a moisturizer suitable for changing weather conditions.

• Lip balm: A nourishing lip balm protects my lips from dryness and chapping, especially during the summer months.

• Lotion: I carry a lightweight body lotion to ensure my skin remains smooth and moisturized throughout the journey.

• Sunscreen: Protecting my skin from the harmful effects of UV rays is essential, particularly when engaging in outdoor activities or sightseeing.

• Retinol: Part of my night skincare routine

• Deodorant: Staying fresh and confident is effortless with a travel-sized deodorant conveniently tucked into my toiletry bag.

• Toothbrush and toothpaste: I prioritize oral hygiene by carrying a compact toothbrush and toothpaste, ensuring a fresh smile throughout the trip.

• Mosquito repellent: As Budapest's summers can attract mosquitoes, packing a suitable repellent ensures peaceful and comfortable nights.

Clothing Essentials

For a quick trip to Budapest, where versatility and comfort are key, I carefully select the following clothes:

• Pair of pants with multiple pockets: I bring along one lightweight and versatile pair of pants that can be effortlessly dressed up or down for different occasions.

• Extra pair of shorts: It's always wise to have a backup option in case of spills or unforeseen circumstances, ensuring a stress-free journey.

• Four tops: To maximize outfit options, I pack four tops that can be mixed and matched to create various stylish ensembles throughout the trip.

• Four pairs of underwear: Having four pairs of fresh underwear ensures optimal comfort and cleanliness for the duration of the journey.

• Four pairs of socks: Depending on the planned activities and personal preference, I include four pairs of socks suitable for walking or athletic pursuits.

• A pair of comfortable walking shoes: Which I won’t be packing as I will be using them while on the run

Swimwear

Given Budapest's reputation for its inviting thermal baths, I consider the following essentials:

• Bathing suit: To fully experience and enjoy the city's renowned thermal baths, I make sure to pack suitable swimwear.

• Outerwear: I bring along a lightweight button-down shirt that can be easily layered for when I want to wander around the thermal baths and take a break from the water

• Towel: A compact and quick-drying towel is indispensable in thermal baths.

• Tote bag: A versatile and spacious tote bag is perfect for carrying bathing essentials

• Slippers: I pack a pair of comfortable and easily portable slippers, ensuring both comfort and hygiene while visiting the thermal baths.

Electronics

Most of the documents I need or the passes we purchased are electronically available. So I make sure I have these:

• Chargers: I pack the necessary chargers to keep my devices powered up throughout the trip.

• Phone: My trusty smartphone serves as my primary means of communication, navigation, and capturing memorable moments.

• Dji gimbal camera: To document my journey with high-quality photos and videos, I bring along my compact Dji gimbal camera.

• iPad: I include my iPad for entertainment during transit or relaxation times.

• Earphones: these allow me to immerse myself in my favorite music, podcasts, or audiobooks while on the move.

The four-day weekend summer trip to Budapest was a testament to my finely honed packing skills. With careful selection and efficient organization, I successfully packed all my essentials within half an hour, ensuring I had everything I needed for roaming around the city and indulging in the relaxing thermal baths. Clothing, toiletries, makeup, electronics, identification, daily essentials, and hygiene supplies - every item served a purpose in enhancing my comfort, convenience, and enjoyment during the trip. While low-cost flights may present restrictions, I am confident that all these items would easily fit within a small bag offering even greater flexibility for adventures. Knowing my bare essentials and mastering the art of efficient packing, I am able to go through any journey with less stress and more confidence, feeling prepared enough for new experiences and new memories.

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