Buy before departure: documents and specific needs
Passport or ID, personal medication, glasses/contacts, required adapter, medical equipment and specialist clothing should not depend on finding a shop after arrival.
Prepare before departure: what determines baggage
A correctly sized bag, permitted power bank, essential chargers and weather-appropriate clothing should be checked before travel.
Can often wait: everyday products
Shampoo, soap, snacks, a reusable bottle if you already own one, or emergency basics are usually easy to find. Avoid buying travel miniatures just because they look travel-specific.
Compare purchase price with transport constraint
A cheap item can become expensive if it triggers extra baggage. Conversely, buying everything at destination can cost more in tourist areas.
Do not buy a solution to a problem you do not have
Travel pillows, anti-theft gadgets, organisers, photo or tech accessories: buy them when your use justifies the function, not because a checklist calls them essential.
Our three questions
Is it essential on arrival? Is it difficult or risky to replace? Will I use it after this trip? Three ‘no’ answers usually mean the purchase can wait.
How we work
We verify information, cite sources where relevant and date our updates. Prices, availability and rules that may change should always be checked again with the relevant source or service.
Read our full method →