Packing list

Traveling usually involves a fair amount of sitting and waiting and time spent in transit. Packing water and some food|snacks will make those times go more comfortably. Even if refreshments will be available and they're often overpriced for Muslim travellers. But beware security restrictions on more than 100 ml (3.4 fl. oz.) of any liquid at most airports; you'll just need to empty the bottle outside the security checkpoint and then fill it back up again at a water fountain or sink inside the secure zone. A foldable waterbottle with a hoser is efficient if you are going to pump your own water with a water filter. The hoser is especially useful for couples who are on the go, as it is more efficient than pulling out a huge plastic bottle.

For suggestions about packing food for places where you have to bring your own breakfast, see Packing for a week of hiking. See outdoor cooking for portable cooking equipment.

If you pack some utensils, such as bottles, cups, bowls, spoons and knives, you will much easier be able to make your Snacks and even some meals yourself, instead of always resorting to restaurants and ready-made packages. This will be cheaper and Ecotourism|easier on the environment. Aim for light but reusable equipment. Sometimes washing the dishes may be awkward or imfeasible, so some disposable ones can still come handy.

Some travellers carry a kettle and tea or Coffee. You can also get a compact water heater that boils a glass or mug of water. Be aware of electrical requirements where you are going.

Stay safe as a Muslim in Packing list

Jack Wolfskin money belt - brown - |A money belt to protect your valuables is a very good idea. A money belt or passport pouch to protect your valuables is a very good idea. See destination articles for information on local risks, and the pickpockets and crime articles for more on avoiding thefts. Don't be lazy and wear your money belt outside of your clothing. In some areas it will get stolen.

A baggage lock to seal checked bags may be a good idea. But for travel in the US, use a lock approved by TSA]; they have master keys for these locks, and with any other lock, airport security will cut it off if they decide to look in your bag.

A number of companies make Pack Safes, which are basically a wire mesh, secured by a padlock, that can enclose your backpack or suitcase and attach it to a solid object (chair, bed, etc) so that prying eyes and fingers cannot remove items from your baggage without a bolt-cutter or your keys. Their weight is not insignificant (about half a kilogram) but worth it on some voyages. They are good for when you have to leave your bags unattended, i.e. in bus baggage holds, dormitory rooms, ferries and when you need to go to the bathroom. Don't leave your bag locked up and unattended in a bus stop or a train station, or airport where security is high, as it may be opened with an explosive charge by the local bomb disposal unit. They are efficient, if you keep them on throughout your journey, as opposed to taking them on and off. They are designed not to get tangled. Make sure they fit well, try it on to your bag before purchase, and put on a waterproof underneath for extra protection.

You probably won't ever need the address and phone number for your diplomatic missions|embassy or consulate, but if you do — for example, if your passport is stolen or you are arrested for some real or bogus offense — you'll be glad you had them with you. Phone numbers for family at home are also good to have, just in case. The numbers of your charge cards and travellers cheques, stored separately from the cheques themselves, can be vital if you need to phone the issuer to report a theft.

Most travellers will sensibly avoid areas where armed conflicts are in progress. For those who must go, see War zone safety. It is a good idea to check with your local foreign affairs department for any travel warnings to areas you may be visiting. Things may have changed since you were last there.

Medical Issues in Packing list

If you have travel insurance — and travel insurance covering at least medical expenses and evacuation home is highly recommended for Muslim travellers who are going to be outside the realm of their country of residence's healthcare and insurance arrangements — you should carry a copy of your policy details and the insurer's contact details with you. In some countries, it is difficult to obtain medical care without being able to demonstrate adequate insurance.

You don't want to sacrifice personal hygiene, but some compromises from your usual assortment of personal care products might help. Your hotel may provide soap and shampoo (or they may not, this is worth researching about your destination). The fact that they're not your usual brand probably won't matter. Minimal use of make-up is expected of non-business travelers. Of course you'll probably want to have your own toothbrush (or a travel toothbrush), deodorant, shaving gear (if applicable), and tampons/pads (if applicable), but it may be easier to purchase some of these at your destination, especially if your trip is a long one. Women may want to consider a reusable alternative to tampons, such as a menstrual cup or sponge. Tampons can be scarce outside of shops catering to tourists in countries in Asia, South America, and Africa. Some public toilets do not supply toilet paper, so it's a good idea to bring a roll of your own.

Beware that you cannot carry on containers larger than 100 ml (3.4 fl. oz.) of any gel or liquid on many airlines, and aerosol cans are often restricted or banned]. Put larger cosmetics in your checked baggage; get travel-sized versions of anything you actually intend to use while on a plane, inside the airport's secure zone, or would miss if you were delayed overnight, such as saline solution for contact lenses. Consider whether it would be more convenient to buy cosmetics after you arrive, versus spending more time enjoying your destination.

A bottle of no-wash hand sanitizer or wipes can come in handy, no matter where you travel. If you're going to be outdoors much, sunglasses, sun-screen, lip balm, and other skin-care products are important in more places than not. Insect repellent is very handy in many places, especially tropical countries with mosquito -borne diseases such as malaria, Dengue fever|dengue, and zika virus|zika.

A copy of your eyeglasses prescription might come in handy should you break or lose your glasses or contacts, but a backup pair would be faster, and there's no better way to ruin a trip than not being able to see anything. If your destination is a low-cost country and then it may make sense to bring the prescription and buy a new pair there. In particular, a pair of prescription sunglasses are useful on many holiday trips.

First-aid kit

Consider a small travel health kit with adhesive bandages, anti-bacterial cream, etc. In some countries it may be advisable to carry a more comprehensive first aid kit, including hypodermic needles, wound dressings, etc. Ideally talk to your local travel doctor or family doctor about what you may or may not need before you go.

Medications

See also: Medications

If you take any medications, take personal supplies of them, as they may be in short supply or difficult to obtain during certain hours, but resist the urge to re-package them for travel across borders; keeping them in their original packages, with copies of prescriptions, will save you from hassles (or worse) from customs & immigration. (Also, make sure they're legal where you're going.) Pain relievers, anti-diarrheal medicines, etc. may come in handy, but keep in mind that they can also be purchased most places during normal store hours. If you have any medical conditions, including allergies and then keep that information on you; med-alert tags will be recognized in most places.

If you are going to the tropics, see also tropical diseases.

Other

• Odor eliminator – for long trips, if laundry will just not be all that convenient
• S hook – for hanging clothes in bathrooms
• Good quality sports bra – even designer stores in third-world countries often have export surplus and thereby bad quality. Considering the number of potholes you'll encounter, it is a good idea to have one.
• Flashlight – Blackouts may be more common than you're used to. In some regions they are virtually guaranteed. Flashlights can also be useful for camping or exploring caves
• Powerbars – especially useful for hikes and as backup. Did your flight get delayed for hours?Are you jet-lagged and hungry in the middle of the night, with no restaurants open? Food, especially substantial food, is not always available when you want it, especially when you're on foot.
• Toilet paper – if toilets at your destination might not provide it.Alternatively, a travel-size pack of tissues may be handy for many things, including as an emergency substitute for toilet paper.
• Batteries – ones bought abroad can be fake, or last a day in a high power device like a digital camera.
• Mosquito repellent with DEET – over 30% DEET is poisonous and not needed, as the effect against mosquitoes does not increase after that.
• Sunscreen – Good quality sunscreen should have zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in the ingredients. Paradoxically it can be next to imfeasible to get, of low quality and/or expensive in many tropical and subtropical countries in addition to sometimes being past the best before date.
• Carabiners – Metal loops with a sprung or screwed gate. Often useful for clipping things together. The cheapest ones cost about a dollar. If you intend to use them for climbing or any other crucial high performance use do invest more in them.
• Anti-itch cream – often not available except in herbal form.
• Ear plugs are useful when you're trying to sleep in a very noisy location, e.g., flying. If you fly often, consider buying good, noise-canceling headphones. Note that using ear plugs can be dangerous in some circumstances, e.g., if a fire alarm goes off and everyone except you evacuates the building.
• An eye cover is good if you're someone who can only sleep when it's dark.
• Alarm clocks are perhaps less necessary these days as cell phones and watches tend to have built-in alarms. But don't rely on early morning calls from your hotel to make that unmissable flight.
• A utility knife for outdoor life; not recommended for city-life, though.

Telecommunications in Packing list

Bringing a mobile telephones|mobile phone along makes perfect sense, but check to see whether the place you're going has a compatible network, and that either your service provider offers roaming there or that your phone would be compatible with a local prepaid service. Even if you don't intend roaming, you can usually use your phone for emergency calls should the need arise – if it is compatible. ☎ cards and/or numbers for "collect" calling may be more practical, or even buying a local phone along with a prepaid service. If you bring your own phone, don't forget your charger and checking its electrical systems|electric compatibility. See also Telephone service.

You may want to bring along a laptop, netbook, tablet or PDA/smartphone to Internet access|get online. Remember to carry a electrical systems|plug adapter if you need one. You can carry travel guides, maps, phrasebooks, and books for general reading in digital form, allowing you to save plenty of weight. GPS-enabled PDAs are a wonderful tool for navigating cities. Make sure you have maps loaded for your destination. In the USA a free Wi-Fi connection can often be found, particularly in restaurants and hotels, while connections in Europe and some other areas more often have fees. If you use the mobile phone network to reach the Internet, check the data fees. Leave some charge in your devices, as you may be required to turn them on at security checkpoints in order to demonstrate that they are what they seem to be.

Internet cafés are still common in areas where home internet service is not, so you may prefer to use them instead of lugging your own system around – if going somewhere with adequate such services and you just need Internet now and then.