There is great satisfaction in knowing you are secure and well-prepared when you’re about to embark on a journey. I’m usually not the most forgetful person when it comes to packing, although I know I’ve experienced incidents where I’ve forgotten a thing or two. To help with all the forgetfulness and make travel a whole lot easier for the everyday Muslim traveler, here’s a list of some of the travel essentials that help me travel with peace of mind.
- Travel prayer mat
- Dua & prayer app
- Portable ablution bottle
- Toiletries & Toiletry Bag
- Disposable Face Masks
- Comfortable clothing & shoes
- Snacks
- Travel Yoga Mat
- Water bottle
- Medication
- Photocopies of essential documents & travel information
- Notebook
- Travel Pillow
- International adapter
- Portable charger
- Headphones
- Camera
Travel prayer mat
First and foremost, as Muslims, we all know how essential it is to pray 5 times daily. It’s nice to have a designated mat/surface you can use specifically to fulfill your prayers, and that’s easily accessible at all times.
Dua & prayer app
Some of the things that come to mind when traveling are prayer times and duas (supplications/prayers) for a safe journey. The two apps that have really helped me are Athan by Islamic Finder and Dua & Azkar. The Athan app offers information on prayer times, qibla, and Quran, while the Dua & Azkar app offers duas for any occasion.
Portable ablution bottle
Hygiene made simple and on the go! And if you need to go, don’t worry this portable and foldable water bottle will do the trick.
Toiletries & Toiletry Bag
My toiletry bag usually takes up the majority of my luggage space, but for all the good reasons. Keeping up with your self-care routine even when traveling is essential, and that also means making sure you look and feel good inside and out. A typical list of my travel-sized items and essentials I keep distributed between my toiletry bag and backpack are:
- toothpaste
- toothbrush
- retainer
- floss
- deodorant
- feminine-hygeine products
- body spray
- wet wipes
- napkins
- hand sanitizer
- razor
- q-tips
- nail clipper/filer
- chapstick
- face wash
- face towel
- sheet mask
- moisturizer
- sunscreen
- vaseline #noashyelbows
- shampoo/conditioner
- oil/cream
- aloe vera gel
- bonnet
- silk pillowcase
Disposable Face Masks
If you dare think you’re going anywhere without a face mask, think again. Thank you Rona for implementing this, and for exposing how nasty we were all living!
Comfortable clothing & shoes
What you pack can really determine how comfortable you feel throughout your trip. Always pack accordingly, and with the reminder to not pack items that will be of no use or even physically constrict you in any way. This can mean, packing lightly, preparing for any weather changes, clothes that may not be convenient for certain activities, etc. A reasonable list of clothing items to pack for any duration is:
- (3) scarves
- long prayer scarf or abaya
- (2) bras (1 sport + 1 normal)
- (3) long sleeve shirts (2 blouses + 1 plain)
- (2) dresses (1 long + 1 short)
- underwear (depending on # of days staying +2)
- (1) jeans
- (2) pants (1 exercise pants + 1 gaucho)
- (1) leggings
- (1) pajama
- (1) swimwear
- (1) rain poncho or waterproof jacket
- (1) sandals
- (1) sneakers
Snacks
When it comes to traveling, always have snacks in case of emergencies, lack of choices, not wanting to pay for expensive snacks at the airport, food restrictions, and of course for comfort duh. My go-to travel snacks are:
- snack mixes: mixed nuts, dates, and raisins
- dried fruits or covered fresh fruits
- sandwiches, muffins, or homemade breads
- chocolate
- protein powder
- vitamin C powder
- tea bags
Travel Yoga Mat
A game-changer. Though I always get a good workout while traveling simply from walking, it’s been a game-changer to have a mat to stretch on in the mornings. I can easily carry it anywhere I go and even substitute it as a prayer mat if I need to. Win-win.
Water bottle
I drink a lot of hot water even when the weather is hot, so having a water bottle that stores both hot and cold beverages are a must for me. Planning a trip anywhere, it’s always nice to have a reusable bottle that only needs to be refilled, plus you save money and help the environment in the long run.
Medication
Food poisoning, PMS, traveler’s diarrhea, need I say more. I don’t think I’ve ever not had these problems while traveling. To always be safe, I remember to carry Tylenol or any kind of medication that will help relieve the pain. The last thing anyone wants to do is feel and be sick while trying to enjoy their vacation.
Photocopies of essential documents & travel information
Carrying all essential documents such as your identity card, passport, visa, accommodation address, receipt, and flight confirmation is all-important, whether a digital photocopy or physical copy or even both for the sake of any emergencies that may come up. I never put much thought into this even after living abroad for a couple of months, until I realized I needed to change my approach for my own security and for smoother travel experiences.
Notebook
I try to always take my journal with me wherever I go to document my experiences and things I need to take notes on. Keeping a journal helps me process what I’m going through and can function as a resource for others who may be looking to travel to the same destination. And if you prefer to use your phone to take notes, then hey you’ve saved yourself some more space.
Travel Pillow
It’s not always likely you’ll be blessed with the window seat, and some airlines make you pay for pillows. And now that Rona has changed the way travel will proceed, the best option is to have a pillow ready and handy.
International adapter
Not all countries have the same power outlet, and for this reason, always come prepared with an international adapter.
Portable charger
For the sake of not being stranded in a different country with a dead phone.
I don’t recall a time my phone ever died, although I know it’s come close to dying and it’s a frightening feeling. To be safe, always make sure to charge everything before you go to bed, including your portable charger!
Luckily, here in China, we’re blessed with portable chargers you can rent everywhere!
Headphones
A good set of headphones, and possibly ones that block most if not all noise. Sometimes I even keep them on to keep my ears warm. Or for something less bulky and small the HSPRO T16 Bluetooth headphones are also a reliable option.
Camera
I’ll admit, I’m not the best photographer and I’m not the most consistent with taking photos, although I don’t know what I’d do without my camera. I mean, what’s a travel blog without photos?
For documenting my travels, I started off using my phone, eventually bought a Canon Powershot sx730, and I recently upgraded to a Sony a6500. And I absolutely love it!!!
What’s a travel essential that helps you travel with ease?
