Minimal Stuff

I totally see your point, but for a trip, I still prefer to pack a bit more. After all, many items aren't universally compatible. For example, when I traveled to China, the voltage was 220V; and when I visited Southeast Asia, getting an International Driving Permit translation was essential for renting a car. Additionally, I always adjust my luggage based on the purpose of my trip, whether it's hiking, camping, or cycling. Within my capacity, I like to bring a few necessary things. Sure that money can buy something, but some replacement costs are just too high, right? XD

If you’ve already got your return ticket, you don’t even need money. Just walk to the airport and fly home.

I think some would need to add critical prescriptions...but that depends on medical history and length of transit home.
Also, you don't say how long between stuff being gone and flight home. Hours or days?

I have actually thought about this since you first posted the topic. My current plan, as a result, is to keep my phone with ID, virtual cards, a few bills in local currency, and my passport on my person at all times when traveling and touring. I could get anywhere and out of almost any jam with those items.

To get home, I agree that all you would need is a passport and some money. I would amend money to a phone, as I use Apple Wallet to pay for just about anything in Europe.

Medications are important, but with your phone, you could contact your pharmacy back home and have them ready for you when you get there. There's nothing I'm taking that wouldn't be too serious if I missed a day or two. Obviously, that could be different for others.

We, or least I have thought about this scenario. My husband never worries about anything. Anyway, I always carry our passports, some cash, and credit cards on me. Also, I carry a very small double sided pill case with my husband’s morning and evening pills. This is precisely because of any reason we could not get back to our hotel for the evening or permanently. I won’t list the various reasons that I have thought up, you get the idea. If we had to wait or leave suddenly, at least I know he’d be okay for another 24 hours.

PS, I took pictures of his prescription bottles so I could show a pharmacist if necessary.

don't forget your towel.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Towel_Day

My essentials are passport, phone with ApplePay, my prescriptions (one I must take each day), and my reading glasses. And part of the essentials would be a calm attitude & a bit of humor - both would be used. : )

Pretty much what Jean said - passport, phone with CC and debit in Wallet and essential medications. Now I’m thinking when I’m out and about while traveling, I might keep a days supply of meds on my person, just in case. I too require some meds daily.

FrankII are you bored today?

I say a passport and some money. With those you could cross borders, buy any supplies--clothes, toiletries, etc--you might need, and a ticket home.

You would be functioning at about the same level as a jobless, homeless person in NYC. But yes, at that level, it’s enough. Throw in a cell phone and charger and you kick it up by a very large margin.

I don’t carry a whole lot more. Meds of course and the phone because it makes reservations and holds copies of the reservations and boarding passes and tickets and it’s the source of money and the bank and credit cards. You do not have to do it that way, but it’s becoming impractical to do it the old way.

Luggage is a carry-on hard sided spinner and an under the seat backpack. I can go sightseeing and fly fishing for two weeks with that combo. Longer actually, but I just don’t like trips longer than two weeks. And I even switched to a smaller Ryanair size spinner about 2 years ago. I don’t do it to prove a point or because I am part of some Travelers Cult, I just detest waiting in line at the airport to check a bag. I love showing up and going straight through security and boarding my flight. Maybe that’s why flying is always viewed as a hassle by so many, they do it in a way that is harder than it needs to be?

I love the freedom of not being restrained by rail tracks; being able eat breakfast at The Lions Locker across the street from the flat in the morning and dinner at the Dukley Seafront Restaurant on the Adriatic for the cost of a taxi and a $75 flight.

I, too, will add a day's worth of my necessary meds to my cross-body. Thanks.

I’m on the team carrying my passport, second credit card(different bank account to the first cc.), travel insurance and medical info and E100 note in my money belt at all times.
(I’m always in Europe on my trips.)
I could get by, get home, or lie low for a couple of days with just these things.
Good point about carrying a few extra meds if you take any regularly.

This sounds like a stressful situation. I would need my peanut M&M’s (or similar) and tea. Perhaps, some anxiocalm as well. Now, I can deal with everything else.

This sounds like a stressful situation. I would need my peanut M&M’s (or similar) and tea.

Haha, SunBaked! Good thinking!