What to take overseas
 

Here is my list of what to take when going overseas (especially for senior traveler):

passport
credit cards
driver's license (for ID)
photocopies of above plus airline tickets
travel alarm clock
eye shade
ear plugs
kleenex & handiwpes
washcloth
clothesline
laundry soap
neck or waste money belt
small flashlight
Swiss knife (not in carry on)
nail clippers (ditto)
bandaids
prescriptions (with copies)
antiacids
motrin
other medicines
cosmetics/personal items
thermometer
witchhazel for tired feet
sun glasses
eye glass tightener
umbrella
jacket and/or sweater
swim suit
notebook/diary
pens/pencils
guidebooks, city maps (of course)
language/phrase book
trip insurance
calculator (figuring currency rates)
coin purse/wallet/money clip
$1 bills for tips
email & postal addresses, phone numbers
tote bag
water bottle/holder
tape recorder & cassettes
camera, film, batteries (or memory sticks)
plastic bags (for shoes, gifts, food, etc)
snacks for plane
duct tape & rubber bands
luggage cart (especially for older folks)
sport coat or dress clothes if opera bound

You might leave out a few items but on our recent Central Europe trip we or friends used every one. Anything left out?
I'd leave passport, tickets, big money, etc. in a hotel safe except for daily needs in money pouch.

Ozarksbill

Don't forget your ATM card, health insurance card and electric adapter.

I didn't find a need for everything on your list, but it's nice to have a nice long list to check off.

denture cream & Bengay and the eyesight to tell which is which

You tip oversees with one dollar bills? Imagine how inconvenient it would be if someone gave you a one euro coin.

Re the eyeshades, it depends on which airline you're flying. BA hands out eyeshades in its little toiletry pack even in economy, so you may not need that.
Kleenex (or local equivalent) and handwipes are readily available in western Europe. It's nice to take a small notebook if you like, but I prefer to buy one en route (usually from a museum)--it doubles as both a diary and souvenir.
$1 bills will not be appreciated as tips in western Europe--local currency would be much better. A tape recorder and cassettes are fine, but you save space if you get a small digital recorder. We don't bring a water bottle anywhere--we simply buy a small bottle of water and refill as we go along.
One suggestion of yours I liked is the eyeglass tightener. It's small and useful.
I would bring the Swiss knife only if it came with a bottle/can opener and corkscrew attachment.
If you use them, bring a pair of Tweezerman tweezers. They are much better than the tweezers I've found in Europe.
If you plan to bring or rent a cell phone in Europe, you don't need the travel clock--the phones have an alarm setting.

maybe he means for the skycap, taxi, etc before he leaves the US and on arrival back home. give him the benefit of the doubt.

clothes, shoes, kitchen sink....

I liked the idea of a small tape recorder & cassettes. Good way to capture your thoughts and feelings.

I can't imagine taking anywhere near half these things away with me. I am a younger traveller - I say that since you specifically mention "senior traveller" in your post so do you take more stuff with you for that reason?

How about "a new back" for the senior traveler to carry all that?

"waste money" belt! I think I even use those at home!

my suggestions--
Clothesline not necessary, just drape wet things over the shower head or by using a hanger

Laundry soap not necessary assuming you are washing only small things in the sink, use shampoo

Western European countries have plenty of OTC remedies available, I bring with me only a couple of tablets of a couple of things for use in middle-of-the-night distress
Europe also has opticians.

What's the thermometer for?

Instead of witchhazel, make do with cool water in the tub.

Dollar bills for tips in what country?
If you mean the USA, great. If you mean Europe, I see that as condescending.
Do you know how much 'the natives' will lose on trying to exchange a dollar for local currency? Why not tip with local currency?

How big was your bag?You could always you the clothesline if things are going so good.

Except for the few items that elaine highlighted, the list looks pretty good.

Individually-wrapped Shout wipes for small spills on your otherwise clean clothing. You can get an extra wear that way.

if you often use certain OTC drugs, i would bring them instead of buying them as suggested. there is differing availability and travelling is not the time to experiment. Tablets don't take much room and they are generally cheaper in the US (OTC that is).

The Shout wipes are great; I always stash one or two in my tiny laundry kit. My laundry kit is in a very small mesh zipper bag and has a blow-up hanger, a mini-needle and thread set with a few safety pins; Shout wipes and a small can of wrinkle spray. I love that stuff. Sometimes I have a mini bottle of Woolite, but use soap or shampoo when I don't.

The one thing I always have are those blister pads that come like band aids in paper strip covers. Love them.

Someone asked about "senior" packing. I have to say that I bring less clothing and more comfort products these dcays; less make up and more remedies, too.

I've never done duct tape or rubber bands, but watch, and I'll end up needing them soon.

I can't imagine toting along all that stuff. No wonder you need a luggage cart -LOL.

What I do NOT take that is on your list includes:
driver's license
travel alarm clock
eye shade
ear plugs
handiwpes
washcloth
clothesline
laundry soap
neck or waste money belt
bandaids
antiacids
motrin
other medicines
thermometer
witchhazel for tired feet
eye glass tightener
umbrella
notebook/diary
guidebooks, city maps
trip insurance
calculator
coin purse/wallet/money clip
$1 bills for tips
water bottle/holder
tape recorder & cassettes
plastic bags
duct tape & rubber bands
luggage cart

Reasons not: I tip in the currency of the country not in US $1 bills. My small suitcase has wheels so I don't need an additional cart. When I do laundry I use hotel shampoo and hang over a towel rod to dry. Passport is sufficient for ID you don't need a drivers license. I do research ahead but leave guidebooks at home & pick up a free city map and free entertainment guides upon arrival in a new city. Etc. etc.

I don't know how old you are but I don't need anything more when I travel then I did 20 years ago (oops one thing, I do wear glasses now).

Your list is a great one for a guideline, don't get me wrong. And could be very helpful for 1st time travelers. But it is simply way too much stuff. I only take one 22" suitcase, if I packed all these gadgets I'd have no room for my shoes and clothes!!

kindly, s.

We take our TV so we can get American shows in English. Especially Matlock and Barnaby Jones. We really don't like Matlock's voice in the German and Spanish dubbings.

I take many, though not all, of those things and still manage to pack light. Many of them are quite small: my tiny flashlight, ear plugs, medications, a couple of bandaids, etc., all fit into a zip bag that's only about 3 x 6 inches. And these things have all come in quite handy. It's not the number of things you bring that determines whether you're overloaded -- it's their size and weight.

It depends where you are going and the form of accommodations, but there are several things on your list that I never take and have never needed. A lot of this is really overplanning and for folks like that anal-retentive chef on Sat Night Live (who giftwrapped the garbage). I mean, would it kill someone to be without a handiwipe all of a sudden.

If you are renting an apt. and want supplies like that eventually, I can understand it, and even packing them if you are certain you want them and have the space so you won't need to shop right away.

But, I would never take a clothesline as I only handwash a few small items (underwear, socks and maybe lightweight tank or Tshirt). These can be dried by hanging on the towel ranks or something (or laying on a towel over chairback). I do take most of the other things and think it's a good idea for any OTC med. you use often and like the brand. I always take Pepto Bismol, for example, and some aspirin and ibuprofin. It's easy and small (a few packets) and I don't want to spend time buying it if I have a headache.

I don't take US$1 for tips, that's for sure, and have never taken a Swiss army knife, nor have needed one; no duct tape (?) and I wouldn't take bulky liquids that can spill and weight a lot (ie, witch hazel which I've never heard of for feet, isn't it alcohol?). I would never pack a water bottle when you buy water on most street corners (in plastic bottles you can keep and refill if you want).

I hate those old luggage carts, was so glad when they invented the wheeled suitcases. They were really unwieldly and didn't work that well. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.

I do agree with taking a driver's license for ID (and I'd have to have mine anyway, as I drive to the airport). I've used mine for that (you have to leave deposit ID in some places as security, and it can be used as ID if you don't want to carry your passport around). Also, if there are strikes or something, one could have to rent a car unexpectedly. It's just a small piece of plastic, I can't imagine leaving it out of one's wallet even if you don't drive to the airport. I have unexpectedly had to drive home from the airport, also, when weather and other transportation failed.

The older I get, the shorter my shoes/clothing list gets.

But the items dropped on the above list get rapidly replaced by medications.

So, the suitcase size is still the same. Sigh...

Some of the things I choose to buy after I arrive (rather than pack) because they make great souveniers... a corkscrew or small notebook for instance.

Comments from ozarksbill...thanks for feed back. So you want me to admit I'm over 70? Yes, this list is tilted toward the older travelers. I know it seems a bit much. And yes, I do think older folks may add a few things. Many would leave out items and add their own as you-all have done. Most items are small so it really isn't that much "stuff."

As for the $1 bills, yes mostly for in transit tips, but if with a conducted American tour they can be used for local guides, believe it or not. Of course, ATM card (which I meant with credit cards).

As for the tape recorder or whatever, as I type up my notes it is really a help because not only do I record words from guides but also add my own comments. Also like to hear some of the music and concerts to add flavor.

I know...I'm maybe over planning!
Bill
[email protected]

Ozarksbill,
When my kids went on camping trips, the duct tape was recommended as a useful item to bring along. It has hundreds of uses (including as a cover up for blisters). However, rather than bringing the whole roll, all they did was wrap some around a pencil and they were good for the trip. Unless you are camping as they were, you can always purchase more in the local store.

Rufus, good tip on taking the US TV to get US programs. How long is the extension cord? And do you keep it connected to your cable at home so you get extended channels?

Forgive me for asking, but what is witchhazel?
The only other time I've ever heard this word was on an old episode of Andy Griffith when Floyd the barber asked a customer if he wanted witchhazel.

No one pack light slippers? I could not bring myself to step bare foot on the floor/carpet of hotel room, and my luggage is 18inch (for 1-6 weeks).

Without itemizing, our list was much shorter, but as walkers, we carried a compass and used it quite often.

I always want slippers and the one time I forgot them bought some at the grocery store! I take most of these things and they really don't take up much room. Nothing like waking up with heartburn in the middle of the night in France and knowing that you have some Tums handy! I take the OTC meds out of the box if they're in blister packs and just take a few.
Funny note: duct tape in the stores in Italy is called "American Tape"!

With the exception of few items, my list looks pretty much like this one and can be packed lightly.
The clothesline is nice so your clothes dry faster and don't fall into the tub.
Witch hazel is great for insect bites and sunburns. I'd never thought of it for feet.
I wouldn't think of going anywhere with without my drivers license. It's such a small thing that can be so useful.
I also carry a compass and a pair of rubber shoes that double for room slippers and aqua shoes.
Good list, I think.

Very good list. My wife packs her curling iron and a travel iron (dual voltage). Many of the items are small and light weight. If weight is a consideration lay out everything and eliminate heavy items. USA Dollar stores can supply many suggested items. A fisherman's vest can be used to carry items and provide ready access. A daily purge of paper, etc., will simplify finding needed materials.