What is it like to travel around the world with only 1 suitcase, a backpack and a handbag while staying connected? The first 2 weeks have gone quite well, but technology and great accessories have definitely made things easier. Continue reading to learn about the electronics gear I have used the most during my first 2 weeks of travel. Whether you are going on a 2-week or 6-month trip, these items are absolutely essential.
As you can imagine, staying connected has been a huge priority for me so that I can stay connected with my loved ones and assure them of my safety. I never want them to worry about whether or not I am okay so I have made it a priority to stay on the grid for my 6-month travel journey. The first few gadgets are must haves for staying powered on and connected.
Swiss Gear Power Adapter
We all know that we can’t use our beloved electronics without power. If you are new to traveling internationally, you may not know that different countries use different electrical plugs and wall outlets. If you do not want to land in another country and be distraught because you can’t charge your dying iPhone, I suggest you research the type of adapter you need for the country and buy an adapter ahead of time. The adapter above is great because it can be used in different countries across North and South America, Australia, Europe, Asia, and Africa. It also has a USB port that can be used to charge additional items using a lightning cable. I also want to point out that an adapter like this one can also be used with your US plugs that have 3 pins like the one for my laptop computer. Without this adapter, I would not be able to get power to my 2 iPhones, my laptop, my watch, my flatiron or anything requiring power! Oh, how dependent we are on electronics.
Portable Power Bank
Like power adapters, portable power banks are necessary when keeping electronics powered on while on the go. Since I am using my phone as a camera, navigation device, phone, computer and more, I need to keep it charged at all times. Location services for Google Maps, internet searches, Facetime, photo/video capture, etc. all drain your phone’s battery. When you are away all day from your accommodation exploring the area on your own or with tour groups, you will want to have a way to give your electronics a recharge so they can last all day. Trust me. You do not want to get to the main attraction of a tour and realize you can’t take any photos because your battery died or even worse, spend a great night out partying and having fun only to go into panic mode because your phone is dead and you don’t have a great way to navigate back to your accommodation or request an Uber.
Multi-port USB Hub
The multi-port USB hub is another great way to power all of your devices. Imagine you have multiple electronic devices (a phone, a computer, a couple power banks, etc.) Without the USB hub, you would only be able to charge or power 1-2 devices at a time. I usually maximize my ability to charge multiple devices by plugging the USB hub directly into the power adapter or by plugging the hub into my computer while I am working on my computer. Once it’s connected to power, I am able to connect multiple devices to the hub.
Charging Cables
I have multiple charging cables (3-4) so that I can charge many devices at once and I have a few back-ups. It may seem a little excessive, but again you do not want to be in a situation where you cannot charge your devices. I recommend keeping at least 1 or 2 cables in your everyday handbag so you do not have to remember to bring cables with you each time you leave your accommodation.
Luggage scale
Last but definitely not least is a unique tool that has kept me out of trouble at the airline ticket counter when checking my bags for flights. I chose to book each of my flights for my 6 month journey individually so I have had to deal with different airline carriers. Different airlines have different baggage weight restrictions so having a scale has been absolutely critical to making sure I am within the weight limits for each airline company. For example, one flight allowed 10kg for hand luggage. Another airline only allowed 7 or 8kg so I had to put more items in my checked bag in order to be compliant. I researched this ahead of time so I could pack my bags accordingly and weigh them before going to the airport. European airlines are much more strict about hand luggage/carry-on luggage weight so make sure all of your bags are within the weight limits listed on each carrier’s site. The scale measures in kg and lbs so there is no need to convert from one unit to the other. Another bonus of this scale is that it shows temperature in Fahrenheit and Celsius.
What electronics accessories do you use most? I would love to hear your feedback so please leave a comment!
