Equipment, devices, and more—if you pack it, it's travel gear.
19
votes
7answers
797 views
Are there cheap GPS or other navigator devices with downloadable maps for the whole world?
I don't need a recommendation or a list but my knowledge of GPS and "navi"s and the differences between them is an utter mystery to me.
But often I'm lost in backstreets in random countries where ...
19
votes
2answers
760 views
What's the name for the “blocking” stickers used on car headlights?
I'll be driving my car from Belgium to the UK, with plans to then drive around the country.
Like most cars in the European mainland, my car's headlights/headlamps are slightly adjusted to the right ...
18
votes
3answers
652 views
How can I protect camera equipment in checked baggage?
While I usually take my camera equipment in a carry-on when I fly (within the US), that's not always an option (small plane where no carry-on other than my purse is allowed, travelling with too much ...
17
votes
7answers
2k views
Using an Amazon Kindle onboard a flight?
Airlines don't let you use electronic devices when the plane is taking off/landing. Let's suppose I have a Kindle 3, and I have turned off wireless (i.e. both Wifi and GSM/3G is off).
Since you ...
17
votes
6answers
783 views
Alarm Clock without Noise? To wake up in common sleeping rooms and airports without noise?
When I am sleeping in certain locations, for example waiting for a vehicle in a sleeping room or airports, I want to make no noise to wake up to my alarm bell. There is a dilemma because the alarm ...
17
votes
5answers
728 views
Is there a powerstrip which accomodates most if not all AC power plugs?
You can buy travel adapters for AC power plugs, but do powerstrips exist that accomodate different international power plugs in one unit? When travelling and collaborating in an international ...
16
votes
3answers
1k views
“Flight mode” phone use banned on Ryanair. Is this a worldwide phenomenon?
On a couple of recent flights with Ryanair I've noticed that they require phones to be turned off during the whole flight even if they are in the "flight mode". Pretty annoying that you can not use ...
15
votes
2answers
2k views
Is the TSA Lock acceptable in European Airports?
I understand if you travelling in or to the US, you can lock your luggage using the TSA Luggage Lock. (Immigration is still able to open your luggage using their own special keys)
How about Europe? ...
14
votes
3answers
473 views
Do hostels provide toiletries?
From my experiences at hotels, I'm used to toiletries (soap, shampoo, etc.) being provided.
Do hostels also provide these, or do I need to bring my own? Do hostels provide towels as well, or will I ...
14
votes
3answers
2k views
Are parachutes allowed on airplanes as cabin baggage?
On the Ryanair website, I came across an FAQ entry on whether parachutes are allowed on planes. (So I presume it must be asked frequently enough to be added to the FAQ page of a major low-cost ...
13
votes
7answers
32k views
What kind of plug adapter should I pack for India?
I'm travelling around a few cities in India, from Delhi to Bangalore. What type of plug adapter should I pack?
13
votes
6answers
894 views
Key vs. combo lock security for international travel
I leave on my trip next month, and I wanted to buy locks for my backpack since I'll certainly be passing through crowded areas of the city where it may be difficult for me to notice a pickpocket ...
13
votes
3answers
321 views
What is a good hydration system for hiking Kilimanjaro?
I am attempting a summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro (Africa) later in the year. I have most of my gear, however the one thing I am unsure of is the best way to hydrate and store/carry my water. I am also ...
13
votes
2answers
610 views
Bringing a camping knife to Japan
And before you ask, YES, it is for camping.
I have travelled to Japan a couple times and enjoyed it. I know Japan law allows knifes of a certain size (under 6cm the last time I checked, but I'll look ...
12
votes
7answers
392 views
How best to prevent data loss while travelling?
For my next long holidays I have some massive travel plans. I'll spend some months in remote areas and I plan to take a lot of pictures with my digital camera. Although my SD card is kinda big, I ...
12
votes
3answers
1k views
Is there a standard power adaptor to use on airplanes?
For international flights of 12-15+ hours, do the planes usually have AC power available in Economy? If not, is there a standard "airplane power adaptor" that can convert the DC into AC to power a ...
12
votes
3answers
463 views
Why exactly is it so important not to forget my towel when hitchhiking?
As everybody knows,
“A towel ... is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitch hiker can have.”
But what about us terrestrial travellers?
Personally I recently found these ...
12
votes
4answers
971 views
Avoiding the traveller's 'fanny pack' / money-belt
A friend insists on wearing a moneybelt while travelling. Some prefer (shudder) 'fanny-packs' .
I can't be bothered, frankly, I used to when I was 20 (have a money belt), but these days it's a ...
11
votes
3answers
1k views
How can I fly with a guitar?
During my upcoming holiday to the USA I'm thinking about buying a new guitar as the exchange rate is extremely favorable. Excuse my naivety but I have never flown with a guitar before. What is a ...
11
votes
1answer
746 views
What's a good substitute for a pocket knife that can be carried on-board a plane?
I always used to pack a pocket knife in my checked luggage when travelling, but now that I'm travelling with carry-on bags only, security restrictions prevent me from bringing a pocket knife.
Is ...
11
votes
1answer
354 views
Tent in hand luggage?
Can I carry a tent in hand luggage on a flight?
Do poles/pegs present a threat? I mean, they could but they're going to be tightly packed and actually attempting to get them out would draw a lot of ...
10
votes
2answers
127 views
What equipment should I travel with to increase the odds of good internet and phone connectivity?
Getting decent internet and telephone coverage while traveling is not a given. I find that outside of urban areas many places I stay when traveling have unreliable internet connectivity, if any. ...
10
votes
6answers
907 views
What equipment do you need for a skiing trip?
I'm preparing for a skiing trip in the Alps with my colleagues (around one week). I have very little experience in this, so I wonder what equipment you should bring. While I understand that you can ...
10
votes
3answers
356 views
How to cope with dry hands and cracking skin when travelling in cold locations?
So I'm from a pretty warm country, Australia but now I've spent my first month in cold Tbilisi Georgia and I lack the local know-how and intuition of how to cope with some aspects of cold winters. I ...
10
votes
5answers
589 views
Is it possible to buy outdoor clothing in Northern India/Nepal
Another shopping question, but I do think it is on topic!
I will soon travel to India, the first few months I will spend in the south and lower parts of the country where it will be warm and hot. As ...
10
votes
4answers
432 views
Traveling to USA with tripod attached to my camera bag
I like to travel with my DSLR and I have nice slingshot bag for it which I can take with me on the plane along with my carry on. This picture shows what I want to do while boarding the plane. Would it ...
10
votes
4answers
151 views
Is there camping gear specifically designed to fit modern air traveling?
I have done it before, bringing my camping gear as luggage on a flight. In those days I was usually traveling alone, and I was able to bring my tent as a separate piece of luggage. These days airlines ...
10
votes
2answers
509 views
How useful or necessary is a pacsafe for your backpack?
I will be taking a backpacking trip through SE Asia, South Africa and South America for an extended period of time.
I am taking a 36L backpack, and trying to bring as few things as possible. However, ...
10
votes
3answers
205 views
Do I need sunglasses in the Dolomites?
I was recommended to have sunglasses when hiking in the Dolomites, as the surfaces are of rather light color and reflect a lot of light.
I was hiking in other areas of the Alps and cross-country ...
10
votes
2answers
595 views
Do microfibre towels dry quicker and absorb more water?
I am going to be doing a tour of Europe, visiting like 20 countries in 49 days and staying in hostels and cheap hotels. Given all this travelling, I think it is possible that my towel may not always ...
10
votes
1answer
155 views
Supplies and support on a long-distance walk
I've travelled long distances, but I've always had my backpack and used transport, and can get by that way fairly easily in general.
I've been reading about long-distance walkers - people who walk ...
9
votes
2answers
147 views
What's a good way to generate solar electricity while driving?
I'm driving cross country and back this summer, and will be baking in the sun for most of it. So I'm looking for recommendations for gear and/or strategies for harnessing some of it to make ...
8
votes
4answers
784 views
What are some good shoe options for a RTW trip?
It seems that everyone I have read about taking a round-the-world backpacking trip wears some type of shoe that looks like this:
They are like a hiking shoe/sandal hybrid, made by Keen, or Merrell ...
8
votes
2answers
159 views
Preventing Smash and Grab Theft while Travelling
A piece on Slashdot asks a question that seems pertinent to this site. What measures can be taken to prevent 'smash and grab' - from your car, when your valuable stuff is inside the car.
Aside ...
8
votes
2answers
102 views
Are there any good radiation measurement devices to recommend when traveling to places with high radiation?
Are there any good radiation measurement devices to recommend to bring along when traveling to places that have radiation level that is not suitable for a 8 hour or longer stay?
8
votes
2answers
182 views
How to make ear plugs work in the tropics
To get a decent sleep I nearly always use foam ear plugs when I travel, as I wake up to easily from any noise. I have a preferred brand and they work pretty well. You roll them between your fingers to ...
7
votes
2answers
143 views
Is it important to wear a necklace with medical history for people with medical conditions while traveling?
Is it advised for people with chronic medical condition (diabetes, asthma, allergies, etc.) to wear necklaces with medical history when travelling? Is it a worldwide thing to check people's necklaces ...
7
votes
4answers
189 views
Items to keep warm while out in the cold
I am looking for an exhaustive and light set of items to pack when travelling to places characterized by cold weather for the purpose of keeping warm when outside.
By light I mean light packing, one ...
7
votes
2answers
148 views
Climbing Adam's peak (Sri Pada) in Sri-Lanka
I'm planning to climb the Adam's peak in March. What kind of trekking gear in terms of footwear etc. should be used for this trek ?
7
votes
3answers
1k views
What kind of plug adapter should I use when traveling in Indonesia?
How would I charge, say, an iPad with the standard U.S. adapter and cable?
(Asked on behalf of a twitterer.)
7
votes
1answer
159 views
What type of writing pen is suited for travelling?
I like carrying a notepad and a pen wherever I go. However, the ones I've used so far are either:
hard to write with - the ink won't hit the paper
leak ink after a month or so - maybe because of ...
6
votes
3answers
120 views
What meteorological conditions do I need to consider when travelling to a new place?
It's always difficult to decide what clothes to take with you when you go to a new place. Usually I check Wikipedia to get an idea of approximate climate and weather conditions, but it often doesn't ...
6
votes
4answers
238 views
Travelling with a laptop
What are some tips/suggestions for travelling with a laptop through a region like South East Asia? More specifically, Thailand / Laos / Malaysia. But again, also just looking for general tips/advice.
...
6
votes
3answers
329 views
External hard drive for storing photo backups whilst travelling
Can anyone recommend a sturdy external hard drive specifically designed for travelling that I can back up photos and videos on?
6
votes
1answer
241 views
How can I travel with a double bass?
I need to travel among several eastern US cities to auditions and must bring along my instrument: a (huge) double bass.
What is the best way to travel, given that I do not drive, but that most of the ...
5
votes
1answer
169 views
Picture cards for common tourist needs to avoid the language barrier?
I will be traveling around several countries (in southeastern europe) later this year. And I'm worried about the language barrier.
It occured to me, that it would be cool if I had a collection of ...
5
votes
2answers
113 views
What kind of bag can I use to travel with a baby car seat?
I need to carry a baby car seat on an international air trip. The car seat's dimensions are 28.5 x 17.5 x 30.9 inches and it looks like this:
I'm having trouble finding an appropriate bag for ...
5
votes
2answers
127 views
What knives can I take with me when going into Georgia?
What kind of knives can I take with me (by plane) when travelling into Georgia?
Will the small tourist knife be legal? What about survival-like military knives?
I think I would need a knife that ...
5
votes
1answer
116 views
Is it easier and/or cheaper to replace my lost tent in Albania or Greece?
When travel.SE was shiny and new I asked a very similar question which became a point of controversy but in the end it has remained open and thought to be on-topic under the circumstances.
Sadly I ...
4
votes
1answer
283 views
Lightweight travel power adaptor for laptops
I am not sure if this is the right question for this site, but I don't know any better place...
Many people travel with their laptops these days, I have one of the small and light models. However, ...
