There are a lot of guides out there giving packing advice for young travelers. Many explain the same golden rules: make sure to not over pack, pack sensible shoes, and always have your hands on a converter for your gadgets. However, in my experience, I have found that there is not a lot of advice on packing for day trips while traveling. I ran into this problem during a tour of Ireland I took last summer, ranging from Kinvara, to the Cliffs of Moher, to Bunratty Castle, and then back to Dublin. The bus ride was long, and we spent a lot of time hopping on and off to explore the many facets of countryside life Ireland had to offer. Here is a short list of things that I had in my day pack that made the trip all the more pleasant:

Headphones

Yes, while some like to listen to the thick accent of their corny tour guides narrating the day long bus tour, I found that my own soundtrack from my Spotify playlists while I rolled through the green hills of Ireland was very important in contributing to my own personal experience of the beauty around me. Remember to download your music when you have WiFi available so that you’re not streaming any music and using up expensive cellular data.

A sweater

Whether or not it is supposed to be warm or cold outside, having a sweater or raincoat of some kind at all times is very useful. If you end up getting sleepy during the homestretch of the bus ride, your jacket can ball up as a pretty good pillow. They also come in handy if you are entering a church as a female, as some churches have dress codes where women cannot show their shoulders. There is also just the factor of the unpredictable weather and being prepared for rain if you are out all day can never hurt.

Phone charger

This may seem obvious and many intend to not use their phone’s data messaging while abroad.  However, in today’s world our phones are also our cameras, maps, and who knows what else, and bringing a portable charger with you can prevent your “camera” from dying and you potentially missing out on capturing some pretty cool memories.

Camera

If you’re choosing not to use your cell phone, bring some type of camera to capture your travels. I brought my GoPro around Europe with me and caught not only some amazing photos but also candid footage of my trip for great videos to share with family and friends.

Tour book

I brought a small booklet from my hostel that provided some historical background into the places that I was visiting that day. Knowing this information made me more curious and appreciative of the places that I was seeing and it also provided some entertainment on the bus ride.

Water bottle and granola bar

I am a big advocate of making sure you have a refillable water bottle with you at all times. Often this is because you can avoid the prices of water in Europe by using a public drinking fountain but also just because you can avoid headaches or other impairments by staying hydrated throughout the day. This goes with having some type of nourishment as well. Eating an apple or granola bar can help you avoid hunger pangs and focus on the amazing sights around you.

photo credit: Wendy Cooper My Go Bag via photopin (license)

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Anna Redington is a current Strategic Communications and Professional Writing double major at Miami University (of Ohio). She has had the great privilege to travel the world with her family and enjoys many cultures and languages. Some of her favorite places she has been are Venice, Copenhagen, and Salzburg, Austria. She loves books, dogs, music, and the outdoors. She is also an avid supporter of the Cincinnati Reds.

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