I spent 6 weeks traveling alone in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark from the end of March until May of 2023.  Most of my previous overseas travel was before the pandemic, although I did travel with my children to Barcelona and Bordeaux in August of 2022. Things have changed, and will continue to, but I have to say that with some of these items, traveling alone is much easier than five years ago. 

Here are my 6 must have items for overseas travel:

A Portable Charger.  I have an iPhone 11 that’s about 4 years old and the battery, especially when taking pictures, is easily depleted.  I bought a portable charger about 7 years ago and, while I know there are lighter, more efficient chargers on the market, my current charger can recharge my phone at least three times before being depleted. I would carry the charger everywhere with me, whether on a plane, bus or walking the streets.  Sometimes in my jacket pocket and sometimes in my backpack.  There were several all-day tours I went on like the highlands of Scotland, that I know I would have lost the charge on my phone without it.  Without a charge on my phone, I would have been lost (sometimes literally).

iWatch.  I’ve had an iWatch for over 7 years and have come to depend on it especially when walking in unknown areas (like the streets of Dublin or Copenhagen).  One of the great features of the iWatch is that it will give you turn by turn directions on foot if you have put your destination on your Maps application on your phone.  This was critical when, while in southern England, I was walking two miles to the train station with my luggage.  No need to juggle getting out my phone, I could just look at my watch and it would tell me how many feet to my next turn and the street name (did I mention it was about to rain?).  It saved time and would vibrate in advance of my next turn.

Google Maps.  Google Maps is a game changer in Europe.  When I wanted to walk to my ancestral home in Walberton England, I wasn’t sure if there was a walkway (the roads in England are tiny!). I could look at the entire route and could see a picture (yes, photo) of each turn and see if there was a pedestrian walkway.  I’m not sure I would have taken the pilgrimage without google maps.  In addition, when I was in Wallingford, England trying to get to Oxford on a bus, they had recently changed the bus schedule to eliminate some of the time slots.  Apple Maps was not up to date, but Google Maps could tell me where the next bus was and when it was going to arrive.  I helped a woman with a small child in a stroller by keeping her up to date as to where the bus was (it ended up being 25 minutes late). In both Apple Maps and Google Maps, you need to select mass transit instead of driving directions and it will give you a plethora of options.

Packable Backpack.  I bought a 16 Liter packable backpack several years ago and it’s been awesome. It comes with a small wallet size bag that it packs into which takes up less space in my luggage.  I had a carry-on suitcase and larger laptop carrying backpack to take on the plane and didn’t carry a purse or fanny pack.  I kept my passport and phone in my pocket. When I would arrive at a location, I would take out the backpack and be able to put in my portable charger and sunglasses, umbrella, water, jacket or other essentials for a day long tour.

Air Tags.  I watched several YouTube Videos about overseas travel before embarking on my trip and several folks suggested air tags.  Air tags are a small disk the size of a quarter that you can slide into anything to keep track of them.  They send a signal as to where they are located. Air tags saved my butt at the Copenhagen airport. I had slid one tag in my laptop backpack and one in my roller bag.  I ended up checking my roller bag from London to Copenhagen.  When I arrived, I had to go through customs so by the time I got to baggage claim, I had no idea what carousel the bag was on (it was not clear and certainly not in English).  Sure enough, I opened my ”Find My Tag App” on my phone and the suitcase sent out a signal that it was close by.  I turned my head and there was my bag coming down the carousel. It would also send me a reminder when I left my Airbnb for the day that my bags were left behind.

Food Basics.  I packed instant coffee packets, decaf tea bags and oatmeal packets before leaving the United States.  I always assume that something will go wrong or there won’t be a grocery store close by when I first arrive to a destination.  The last thing I want to do after an 8-hour red eye is go find a grocery store.  I took about 10 coffee packets, 10 tea bags and 6 oatmeal packets.  As I got the lay of the land, I would replenish my supplies or use what was available in the Airbnb I was staying at (most had tea bags but not coffee).  Yes, I missed a good old cup of brewed coffee but instant will work in a pinch.  I also kept one packable microwavable meal and used it my last night in Copenhagen before returning home. I have to say that I slept better knowing that I would at least have breakfast in the morning before heading out to wander.

There are a few more items that made my trip easier, an International Travel Adapter that had usb plugs as well as electrical plugs all in one.  I bought a carry-on bag with four spinning wheels which was a game changer walking down cobblestone streets.  I also invested in packing cubes which kept me organized and able to pick up some gifts on my trip.  I didn’t think they would make a difference but they really reduced the space my clothes took up in my suitcase. So, there you have my list with 3 bonus items to help keep your world traveling more enjoyable.  What are your overseas travel must haves?