You need a great day bag when you are out exploring the sites. A bag that has all of your tourist bag essentials but doesn’t weigh you down.
Here’s a breakdown of my list of tourist bag essentials. I’m a worrier and a planner, so I have fine-tuned these contents to suit my needs and my family’s needs. I hope this list helps you and inspires you to travel more.
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Tourist Essentials Bag – Staying Healthy
I like staying organized, so I start with a wet bag/zipper pouch. It will keep the contents dry, is adorable, and keeps my bag organized. I add everything below to this zipper pouch. In fact, I have gotten one of these wet bags for each family member in a design that suits their personality.
- Medicine Organizer – I started taking this little kit on cruises, but it’s so handy I carry it in my purse now at home. I organize each slot with medicine we may need and label accordingly: allergy, heartburn, tummy, Ibuprophen, etc.
TIP: Grab one of these daily pill organizers from your local Dollar Store. They are much more expensive at a pharmacy. I used to carry a small first aid kit as well, but now I tuck a few bandages along with the medicine organizer in this little pouch. Bandages are great for blisters, too! - Antibacterial wipes – Yes, I do buy these in bulk. Don’t judge! 😉 For cruises, I purchase this Sono brand. Learn more about my cruise prep here.
- Tissues – Again, multi-use. The obvious running nose, but you’d be surprised how many public restrooms do not have toilet tissue. I’ve discovered that warm water and soap are rare, so the tissues and antibacterial wipes may be your new BFF.
- Sunscreen – I encourage you to always protect your skin AND our oceans by using reef-safe and biodegradable sunscreen. You may also want to take along some insect repellant. These are great for travel.
- Water Bottle – Tucks perfectly in the side pouch! I love that this one has a secure lid to prevent leaks.
Tourist Bag Essentials – Electronics
- Phone/Charger – The world’s multi-tool…smartphones. I use mine to take pictures for maps…oh, and I’m not sure my husband could survive downtime without one of his game apps.
- Backup Charger – critical if you are out exploring all day.
- Camera – (if you are not lazy like me and you use a “real” camera and not just your phone) make sure you bring an extra battery and SD card(s)
- Ear Buds – Why? Let’s say you’re touring a cathedral with an audio tour available. What if you are on a tour bus, and the sweet person next to you is smacking their gum LOUDLY? I bet you didn’t realize that earbuds could save a life. 😉
Tourist Bag Essentials – A Few Items for Comfort
- Sunglasses – Protect those peepers people! I have really sensitive eyes, so I always try to choose a polarized option. You’ll be more comfortable if you aren’t squinty all day!
- Hat – A hat can really save you on a super hot day. It also comes in handy for that unexpected light rain. Snapback caps can easily be hooked on a bag, making them easy to manage.
- Wrap – I always travel with my wrap on planes and cruises. But, it’s great to have with you while sightseeing as well. Are you getting too much sun? Is the restaurant or tour bus a little chilly? Wearing a tank top and the cathedral you want to tour has a covered shoulder requirement? You can also tie the wrap around your waste when your knees must be covered.
Great travel items are multi-purpose! - Flip Flops – When we are out exploring, we prefer sneakers for better walkability. But I almost always tuck my flip-flops in my day bag. There have been at least 3 sightseeing times when we have still walked by the water, and I was glad I had them. Even when we are not by the ocean or a pool, sometimes it’s nice just to be able to switch it up. Plus, they are lightweight and don’t take up a lot of room. I’m bringing them!
Tourist Bag Essentials- Documents & Spending Money
- Identification/Passport – Depending on where you are traveling, you may or may not need your passport. If you do, it’s a good idea to keep a copy of it in a second location, just in case. You may not be able to travel home with the copy, but you can enter a U.S. Embassy with a copy and work on getting your proper documentation.
I like to use personal passport holders so that everyone can quickly identify their passports when repacking or organizing. If you don’t need your passport, it’s still important that you carry identification. - Money – I use a credit card when I travel, but small bills are also necessary to have on hand. I like to divide any cash between my husband and myself, and it’s a good idea to keep it in separate locations, such as some in a pouch/wallet and a portion in a secure pocket.
- Confirmations/tour information, etc. – Tip: if you can, take a screenshot of confirmation numbers, phone numbers, addresses, etc., on your phone. This allows you to access the information without worrying about all that paperwork. Remember always to have name and contact information for your hotels, tours, etc.
Tourist Bag Essentials – Newest Addition
My most recent addition to my tourist essentials bag is the pack towel. It clips via a carabiner onto my backpack and has so many uses. I would bring the larger sizes if we were having a beach day. They are so compact, lightweight, and dry fast! It’s much easier to take along than bulky beach towels.
If you are just headed to the pool or visiting the beach, a beach towel is the way to go. But, if you are on a day-long adventure, try these quick dry-pack towels.
Tourist Bag Essentials – I Choose a Backpack over a Tote
This is a personal preference, and I have a lot of experience with backpacks and tote bags. I always carry a backpack on our travel days. But, I found that when we were headed to the beach or out on a port visit, I would switch to a beach tote. I have recently decided that was a bad idea.
In my experience, when I carry a tote…it becomes the carry-all for everyone. “Hey, Mom, can you carry my water bottle?” “Hey babe, is there room for my wallet?” Then, when your little lovelies want their items…guess who is digging for them?
As the day goes on, the tote gets heavy, rubs on my shoulders, and starts to hurt. NO FUN! So, for this reason, I have started carrying a backpack…even to the beach. Plus, I like that I can pick up things, move, and bend without a tote falling off of my shoulder.
Now, if we are at a resort or on a cruise and we are just walking down to the pool, I will carry a beach tote. But, for all-day outings – a backpack is the best choice for me. I love this Calia one. It is super lightweight and has tons of pockets.
On our most recent trip, My husband said to me…”Hey, maybe I need to carry a little backpack or something.” GREAT IDEA! Moms need a vacation, too! How about everyone carries their own stuff? Each family member can have a small backpack that they manage. Start them early, my friends and everyone will have a good time. And…everyone will have room for their own souvenirs! 🙂
Want to learn more? See what I pack in my cruise embarkation day bag here.
Do you have a different item on your list of tourist bag essentials? Share it below!
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Happy Travels!
Jillian
I always bring ziplock bags. They are easy to carry and have come in handy SO many times!
I agree! Very handy. Thanks for reading the post and for your comment Julie.
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I believe that just only one professional tourist can understand the value of bag or backpack. I always love to read travel repleted blog and today find few important tips in your blog. Thanks for sharing with us.
Thank YOU for reading and commenting. It’s a rough time for travel bloggers and I sincerely appreciate you reading my blog and commenting. Stay healthy and safe Sarah.
Travel sites like Magellan carry compressed rolls of TP that are priceless! We discovered them after an unfortunate experience we had in Moscow, where the attendant was over-rationing the supply. Smaller than your sunglasses case, they tuck into your day back so easily. I’ve even found them at Target! And “seat covers” are also a necessary nicety. Charmin makes a little 5 or 10-count day pack that’s smaller than your tissues. (That said, if you are traveling in certain less developed or more impoverished parts of the globe, it pays to Google some info on proper use of the alternative toilet options – be prepared!)
Yes! You would probably laugh at the time I spend worrying about toilet situations when we travel. I haven’t been to Moscow but I would love to someday. Thank you so much for sharing!
Sunscreen is an extra must for me because without it I might just turn into a lobster. I’ll be sending this post on to some of my traveler friends!
Yes! It’s so important. Thank you so much for reading and sharing my blog with others. It means a lot to me. Have a great weekend!
I love reading other peoples travel essentials!! Gives me ideas for my own!
Thanks, Tif! Feel free to add your own at any time. I love hearing what others pack as well!
I’ve never thought of making a copy of my passport. That’s a great one! I’ll admit I don’t do a lot of international travel. But I’ll for sure do that next tine I go abroad.
Thanks, Erica for reading my post! I hope it was helpful.
Great list! I always forgot something to bring with me, and I always make a list haha. It happens when you’re clumsy I believe
You sound very human. I make lists all of the time and then I make notes while I’m traveling with adjustments for next time.
Chargers and more chargers. This always seems to be the thing that catches me out! I carry a backup battery pack now.
Yes! Especially if you have teenagers!
Great list! I’m with you on everyone having their own little bag, especially if they are old enough to not put it down and misplace it 🙂 And definitely a backpack is my go to although I’ve been debating on experimenting with a crossbody bag that can convert into a belt bag, if it had enough space.
Thank you! I have a trip to Europe planned next summer and backpacks are discouraged for many of the tours. I guess I need to start researching crossbody bags, too.
this is great, i am going to hawaii next week and this has been helpful to prepare! 🙂
Thanks for reading! I’m so glad that you found it helpful. Enjoy Hawaii!
When we go on little trips I always pack my 3 girls their own little backpack. They love it!
Thanks for sharing Lauren! Isn’t it great when they carry their own bag?
I love the idea of writing on your pill organizer. I take a lot of vitamins and I always get them mixed up when I travel!
Thanks, Alayna! I hope it is helpful. I have really found it to be convenient.
I also take lots of vitamins and have buy little pill bags to put them into for traveling. They are about 2”x2” in size and you can find them at most US drug stores or Amazon. I write “am” and “pm” on the bags with a sharpie and take along just what I need for that day.
At home I have one of the largest size pill organizers, but don’t want to take that along on trips in case it opens up, and it’s jisy so big.
I love the idea of the small pill organizer for the other things I want to bring along but don’t take regularly.
That’s a great idea Debbie! Thanks for sharing.