No one expects their next flight to be delayed or canceled, but the reality is, it happens all the time.
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When I returned from Japan in 2013, my flight was delayed for 14 hours. At the time, I was short on cash and couldn’t afford to leave the airport and book a hotel. I needed to stay connected and powered up in the terminal to keep up with loved ones and stave off boredom. With the right gear in my carry-on, the whole ordeal would have been a lot less stressful.
These gadgets have served me well on all kinds of travels over the years. I’ve been a digital nomad for 8 years and travel all year round. With the right technology, I can stay entertained, informed, and get work done wherever I am in the world. I’ve used gadgets on trains in Japan, on ships in Greece, on planes in South America, on buses in Africa, and in cars in Europe.
A recent survey found that 25% of Americans are planning to travel internationally this summer. If you’re one of them, make sure you pack one or more of these items in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience if an unexpected delay occurs.
One thing I’ve learned through my travels is that you can’t always rely on the Wi-Fi network wherever you’re staying.
In Kenya, where my family is from, the Airbnb network never worked, so I had to tether my phone, and I’ve stayed in plenty of hotels with horribly slow Wi-Fi.
Having a mobile Wi-Fi device can help you avoid surprises while traveling. We like the RoamWiFi 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot Router because it is fast, has great range, and can connect to a variety of devices to provide Wi-Fi coverage. Although it is an investment, if internet connectivity is essential while traveling, consider making a hotspot router a priority.
Over the years, international adapters have become smaller and more versatile, and can now fit in a backpack.
I travel with an EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter because it has multiple port types and is a convenient all-in-one option. Whatever adapter you bring, be sure to check that it is compatible with the country you’re visiting.
This Anker cord has both a regular power outlet and a USB port, is small enough to fit in your carry-on, and can charge 11 devices simultaneously if needed, making it perfect for those Airbnbs that look great but don’t have actual wall outlets.
Extension cords also have surge protection, which is important because other countries may have different power regulations. Plugging the extension cord into an international adapter means you only need one adapter when traveling.
I spend a lot of time on the go, but rarely have a chance to power up my electronics. A power bank is a lifesaver on planes, trains, buses and in the car.
I use an Anker MagGo Power Bank to charge my primary electronics, including my iPhone, iPad, Bose headphones, and MacBook Pro. It’s small enough to fit in my carry-on luggage, but durable enough to meet my power needs in the unlikely event of a power outage at my Airbnb or hotel (which I’ve experienced before).
You never know when you might get stranded somewhere while traveling, and keeping your devices powered can help in an emergency and give you peace of mind.
I work remotely, so I have to do a lot of work on my laptop when I travel. Typing that much on a laptop keyboard can really hurt your wrists. In Colombia, my wrists hurt so much I ended up in the hospital. So now I carry a laptop stand with me everywhere I go.
The Tonmom Laptop Stand is adjustable to various heights, easy to assemble, and small enough to fit in a laptop bag. It’s a wrist-friendly stand. The laptop stand is also good for your device because the height provides more space for the ventilation fan to blast heat away.
The right gear makes traveling easier
You never know what’s going to happen when you travel, but having the right gadgets can help you prepare for the unexpected. Consider your upcoming trip and see if any of these gadgets could make your journey easier.