Travel Tip 150

How to pack for long layovers

Here’s my top three tips for what to take if you have a layover that’s more than a few hours and you know you won’t have access to your checked luggage. If you have a very short layover and are worried you won’t make your connection, this advice is also for you.

Some international airports are starting to install plugs for what people really need to charge: their cell phones.

1. Chargers & power bank

Make sure you can charge all your electronics and don’t count on there always being a convenient place to charge them. I always have a fully charged power bank with me.

Most airports in the US now have easy places to fill water bottles.

2. Food & water

Bring something healthy because most airports only have junk food. You’ll need a water bottle if you don’t want to pay $8 or something equally outrageous for a bottle of water.

If you need to change in an airport, look for a family bathroom, which are much easier to change in than the average bathroom stall.

3. Clean clothes

You might not need a full outfit but at least bring socks. If I’m stuck in an airport overnight or have a red eye flight, I always want to change my socks. If I’m packing light, I bring panty liners instead of clean underwear. It’s easy to change socks in an airport but not as easy to change underwear in a bathroom stall.

New blog post: What to pack for Peru?

Here’s my recommendations for what to bring for a trip to Peru, whether you’re going to the coast, mountains, jungle or even just Machu Picchu.