List of addresses and important phone numbers: what is it, and should you take it on a trip or while backpacking?

What is a list of addresses and important phone numbers?

• You might think: “I have everything in my phone.” Great. Until you accidentally drop your phone in the toilet on a bumpy bus ride between Nairobi and Naivasha. Or your battery dies just when you need help. These are usually addresses and numbers that you never ask your phone for until you lose it. Think of:
• Address of your accommodation.
• Emergency number of your insurance.
• Number of your mother (or your favorite cat sitter).
• Address of the embassy of your country of residence.
• Contact details of your bank.
• You can of course also take addresses from home with you, so that you can send a nostalgic card during your trip instead of a dutiful text message.

What can you use addresses or a phone list for when traveling and backpacking?

• An old-fashioned list of emergency numbers, addresses, contacts and locations is almost as valuable as your passport, because it can help you get help if you don't have access to your phone. For example, write them down in a notebook for in your daypack.
• Take a screenshot on your e-reader or tablet.
• Print a list.
• E-mail them to yourself and put them in an “emergency” folder.

When do you take a list of addresses or important phone numbers with you on a trip or while backpacking?

• Always. Seriously. ALWAYS.
• But especially if you:
  • Are traveling in areas with poor internet.
  • Are traveling alone.
  • Do not always have a power bank at hand.
  • Are in countries where not everything goes smoothly.
  • If you want a bit more peace of mind.

Where can you also find addresses and important phone numbers locally?

• At the reception of your accommodation, ask for a business card!
• In the travel guide, yep, they still exist – and they are offline!
• On a flyer or poster at a local tourist office.
• With local guides or fellow travelers ("Oh, you had that doctor's office with wifi, didn't you?")
• On the website of your embassy of residence information.