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Packing list

Even the most experienced travellers tend to leave something they need behind every trip. On the other hand, people often carry too much. A packing list can help make sure you have everything you will need while you are travelling and at your destination. It can also be a reassuring checklist just prior to departing, and if you are missing anything you will need, you can figure that out while you still have time to buy it.

Understand
A single list can apply to many trips; when you make one, keep a copy of it for your next trip. Add the stuff you forgot when you get home, and delete the stuff that you took and never used. You can end up with a useful personalized document that will save you time and stress when you need it most.

If you need to make an insurance claim for lost luggage, then the packing list can remind you of what you took, and what you need to claim for.

This article will walk through the process of building your own packing lists for your own travel plans, hopefully with useful suggestions for things you might not have thought of.

Getting started
Understand your destination, and focus on what you will need and what not to take. Do you really need an umbrella? Would a broad-brimmed hat do as well? What does the umbrella weigh, how much space does it take up, will it be a problem at airport security, and could you just buy one at your destination if it rains?

Will you be shopping? If it's likely, consider packing a duffel or folding bag. Use it as carry-on on your return flight for purchases or for holding what's displaced in your checked baggage by purchases. You might also want a compact, re-usable shopping bag, as shopping bags are not free in many places, and may not be available at all in some settings.

It can also help to specify which bag each item will go in, to better judge whether you'll be able to pack everything in the bags you plan to use. If you're traveling by air, this will also help you think about what you want to carry on board and what you want to check.

It's easy to overpack and lug around items you don't need, while underestimating how much money it takes to live, shop, and eat away from home. One common bit of advice, perhaps a bit over-stated but with at least a grain of truth:
 * When packing, figure out what clothes and money you expect to need.
 * Then take half the clothes and twice the money.

If you're planning a major trip, especially one a bit off the beaten path, it's worth taking an hour or two to browse at an expedition store or website, just seeing what's available. Even though their main goal is to sell you things whether you need them or not, it will at least give you some idea of what (some) others are buying for their travels.

Understand the weight and size restrictions on the various forms of transport you are using. Trains, buses and ships are usually more generous than aircraft (see flight baggage), but they may still charge fees based on weight or size. Plane excess baggage fees can be very steep, or they can even refuse to carry your baggage on that flight. If you have to pack wet towels or jeans and you are on the weight threshold, these can easily push you over the limit. Allow just a little headroom.

Check restrictions for all legs of your journey. They vary between companies, and small aircraft may have different rules than the same company's long-haul ones.

If you have your own car or boat, their luggage capacity may seem nearly limitless, but depending on the size of your party and the length of your trip, you might in fact need every cubic inch of space you can get and you might wish to consider whether space to stretch out or more luggage is more of a priority for you. Limiting yourself also forces you to think about every item, which often means you know what you have and where to find it; packing anything you might need may result in your not using half of them and your using more time to search for things packed away somewhere.

Many consumables are sold at sizes much larger than you'd need on a one-week voyage. Reserve a toothpaste tube, a toilet paper roll, etc., that have a suitable amount left, instead of buying and packing a full one. You may have travel-sized bottles and boxes for shampoo, soap and detergent, which may come handy if you aren't staying in proper hotels and using laundry services.

In addition to restrictions on how much you can carry, there are things you may not carry at all, or with severe specific restrictions. Liquids and batteries are treated very seriously when flying, products that may carry invasive species or diseases are often restricted at borders and pets, products from endangered species, antiques, drugs and weapons are other examples. See Border crossing, Shopping and the country articles for some discussion.

Baggage
Choosing a suitcase, backpack or some other bag is a decision in itself, see Baggage for a discussion.

Adding labels inside and outside of luggage can help you identify your luggage at baggage claim and can help if the luggage is lost in transit. Adding something unique to the outside of the bag (e.g. an accessory) can help distinguish common looking luggage when retrieving it from baggage claim.

Organizing items in baggage
Use packing cubes or bags to make packing easier, especially if you are backpacking or going to multiple destinations, and have to re-pack constantly. They can be labeled, and they are often color-coded, so different items can go in and out of different sacks (sleepwear, hiking boots, swimwear, or clothes for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday). Packing in cubes or bags is easier and more organized than stuffing everything into your main bag. Also on a long trip, these sacks will keep odor, dust, and damp from spreading to all your stuff. 3–5 plastic bags that hold about 4 L (1 US gallon) each typify what's usable. Another version of these is the compressible air-tight sacks, from which one can squeeze all the air from clothing items. These use less space (not less weight).

Pack expecting complications
Recognize that if you take transport and have to check baggage in, it may be delayed or may not reach your destination at all. Identify what you can least afford to lose or not have when you arrive, and carry that with you on rather than checking it in. Things that are high priority to keep with you include:

 * Identification
 * Means of purchasing (cash, credit card)
 * Medicines and medical devices (including corrective eyewear)
 * Electronics
 * Clothing you need before you can reach a shop (especially if going to a climate where what you are wearing isn't adequate)

Tickets and itinerary
If you're traveling by plane, train, bus or ferry, then don't forget to bring your tickets, or organize e-tickets.

A printed copy of your itinerary is useful both for your personal reference and to confirm to officials that your stated travel plans are legit.

Identity documents
If you're leaving your home country, there's a good chance you'll need to bring your passport or at least some government-issued proof of your identity and citizenship. For some countries, you will need to obtain a visa in advance. Extra passport-style photos may come in handy for documents or passes you may purchase along the way.

If you are younger and planning to go into clubs or bars or to buy tobacco, then ID may be required in some countries. Bringing your driver's license minimizes the need to carry your passport, and therefore reduces the potential for theft or loss. Beware that in some countries, such as New Zealand, only specified forms of ID can be used as proof of age, and your international driver's license may not cut it.

If you are travelling internationally, immigration officials will sometimes want to check the legitimacy of your plans. If you're paying for accommodation, make sure you have made a reservation for at least your first night and carry contact details for your place of accommodation. If staying in a private home, have the name, address and phone number of your hosts, and make sure that they are aware of your name and your exact date of arrival, because immigration officials may call them if they doubt your plans. If you can't provide details of where you're staying or your host isn't aware that you're coming, you may be refused entry to some countries. Some travellers may also need a letter of invitation to present to officials; check with the issuer of your visa, if any.

If you are entering another country as a visitor on a visa that forbids you to seek employment, then leave out anything that might make it look like you want to find a new job. For example, leave your appointment diary at home if you would be embarrassed for the immigration authorities to read it. If you are traveling for business purposes, then take what you need for work, but be prepared to explain that you are traveling for your existing job (e.g., for a sales meeting) rather than seeking work.

If you are traveling with a child, you may need additional documentation to prove that you're their legal guardian, such as their birth certificate. If the other parent isn't traveling with you (and especially if you and the child have different last names), authorities might suspect that you're trying to take the child out of the country without authorization; proof of custody and written permission from any other legal guardians may help you avoid a hassle. See also Travelling with children for children's documentation requirements.

Membership cards can be useful: e.g. International Student Identification Card, Hosteling International, your automobile club; frequent-flyer, hotel, car rental or other "loyalty" cards.

It's a good idea to have copies of all important documents in case of loss. You can carry photocopies (separately of course) and/or keep electronic copies in your webmail account inbox, in an online storage folder, or in a pocket memory stick, to print if needed. It is also advisable to leave copies with someone responsible at home, just in case you lose everything.

Driver license
If you're planning to drive at your destination, a driver's license will be needed and you may need an international driving permit as well. If you are bringing your own vehicle, you may need a Carnet de Passage to get it through customs. Both the IDP and the carnet are obtained from the automobile association in your own country.

Guidebooks
The most adventurous free spirits may eschew them, but odds are if you're reading this, you're the sort who values a guidebook. To bring down the weight, instead of carrying dead tree, you might want to download digital versions. Wikivoyage articles can be downloaded as such, as PDF, combined to a PDF book or downloaded through a tailored app. Options for the latter include the Kiwix's free Wikivoyage offline app or the paid OsmAnd app.

A less storage intensive option is to use the web browser on your smartphone, but this means you have downloaded the pages in advance, have access to Wi-Fi or can afford using mobile data. Some web browsers (including Firefox) can be used in off-line mode, still giving access to pages in the cache when tell them not to fetch anything.

If you're already bringing a laptop, saving pages and maps to your hard drive (in case you lose power) won't add any weight, but can be a convenient way to find pre-screened attractions and services on the fly. Alternatively, just read it as needed in Internet cafés, and perhaps add your new discoveries to Wikivoyage while you're there.

Smartphone apps
Being able to determine where you are and where you are going are critical when traveling somewhere that you are not very familiar with. It can also help to verify that a hired ride is taking you in the most efficient way to your destination.

Most smartphones include some form of GPS and enough space to download some form of map (options include an OpenStreetMap-based app, such as the free Maps.me app or the paid OsmAnd app, or an app such as Google Maps). Saving an offline copy of maps on the device before departure saves on mobile data use while traveling and avoids losing map access in areas without mobile coverage. Be sure to review your data plan before you leave (in case you need to change it to avoid ridiculous pricing), and be aware of the limitations of the web browsers in non-smartphones: some feature phones are pretty much limited to "mobile" versions of web sites, and might not display graphics.

If you're using a commercially printed book, cutting out the pages for the places you'll be going cuts down on the size and weight. You may be able to buy maps more easily when you get to your destination, but if you don't read the local script, it's probably best to buy one at home.

Other navigation tools
Consider bringing a compass, or even a GPS receiver, especially if you're going someplace without a grid of city streets. Find a compass suitable to your destination's latitude. Most manufacturers balance their compass needles for one of five zones (ranging from Zone 1, covering most of the Northern Hemisphere, to Zone 5, covering Australia and the southern oceans). The needle may drag or stick on other zones. There are also more expensive multi-zone or global compasses that function correctly everywhere.

Ride hailing
If you plan on using ride hailing services, identify which apps service your destination, and download those before traveling to that destination. Check for updates shortly before departure.

Flashlight
A keychain-size flashlight (torch) can be handy, or an app that turns your smartphone into a surrogate. Flashlights can also be useful when camping – or just to find your bed: blackouts may be more common than you're used to. In some regions, they are virtually guaranteed.

However, your smartphone battery isn't made to provide flashlight power and may be drained rapidly. If you need the light more than sporadically, a real flashlight may be better.

Battery backup
If you expect to be heavily using your smartphone during your trip without being able to regularly plug it in to an electrical outlet, consider bringing a power bank that will allow you to charge your smartphone and other devices. For extended voyages, you may want to also consider solar power or a dynamo. Check the capacity of whatever you plan on carrying: most easily carried solar panels (despite the nominal figures perhaps telling otherwise) will suffice only for very modest device use, and small power banks have less capacity than your device's own battery. If you are planning to fly with one or more of these, make sure that none of them exceed battery capacity limits (usually around 100 Watt-hours) and only pack them into carry-ons. An overheating battery that catches fire may be terrifying in the cabin, but even more so when it is out of sight in the baggage hold. Remember where you put them, in case you're asked to gate-check that bag.

Talk
Being able to communicate is critical when you are in foreign language where the locals do not speak your language, whether it is to ask for directions, to ask for something, or to make a booking.

Studying the language can be a great use of your time during transportation and may attract the sympathy of local passengers. Popular flashcards apps have decks for all major languages, including pronunciation. You may also want to bring physical flashcards, a travel dictionary or whatever helps you. If you know the basics, comics or an easily-read (light) book may be useful. The Adventures of Asterix by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, the most widely translated comic book, is available in more than 100 languages. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince, A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh, and many fairy tales are also widely available and don't use too many specialized words (unlike, say, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, which is also available in dozens of languages).

Learning in advance
If you know that the trip is coming up months before your departure, try to learn a little of the local language. Even as little as being able to say "thank you" and to read simple signs saying "enter" or "exit" will help. You may be able to find a class at your local college or community program. Your local public library should either have books and other resources, especially if you are interested in a popular language like Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, or German, or they should be able to tell you where to look next.

Apps such as Duolingo, Babbel, and Rosetta Stone are popular, and some are free. They may be easier for people who are brushing up on a rusty language than for someone starting on their first-ever foreign language.

Translation apps
If you have a smartphone, downloading a translation app will likely be the easiest way to overcome communication challenges, unless you start to learn the local language. As you may be roaming with your smartphone, before traveling to your destination, it is best to download an offline copy of the local language(s), if available for your app. Google Translate and Apple's Translate (iOS only) for some languages, allow downloading options to allow offline translation of some language (Google Translate for many more languages than Apple's Translate). With a translate app, you can enter in what you want to say, and as necessary, you can arrange for whom you are speaking to provide more complex replies by typing in their response in your smartphone.

The above apps also work with your phone's camera: if you take a photo of the text to translate, the app will instantly translate any text it can detect.

The quality of the translation varies between languages, and even for well-supported languages, the translation is sometimes messed up. At times it will just be funny or unintelligible, but sometimes it may be seriously misleading. You can reduce this problem by using short, simple sentences. Make sure that the other person understands the context and try to confirm critical answers by using different synonymous wordings.

Phrasebook
If you do not speak the language, a phrasebook may range from essential to a nice courtesy. Even if you're sure that someone there will understand you, they'll appreciate you if you take the trouble to use some of their language. The pronunciation of some languages can also be learned pretty fast, and will help you understand whether you are in the right bus, or whether that dish is the one you ordered. If the language is in an unfamiliar script or if pronunciation follows some logic notably different from the one you are used to (highly likely if you are an English speaker), try to at least learn the basic rules for the most critical elements. In many languages that would be vowels and most common consonants, but e.g. for Arabic, the consonants matter more, and for Chinese you should learn the tones. Having a clearer relation between what is on paper and what can be heard not only eases understanding and communication, it is also inherently satisfying. Unfortunately, for many languages, phrasebooks aren't readily available.

Payment methods
The three main options for carrying money are cash, credit cards and ATM cards. Travelers cheques used to be one main option, but nowadays it may be hard to find places where they are accepted. The best way to access cash is usually through an ATM, but make sure to take some spare cash, also in small denominations. Coins may be necessary for e.g. laundry machines. How much cash to carry depends on the country; in some countries nearly all payments can be done by card.

Consider having two or more debit or credit cards, so that if one is lost or stolen, or stops working, you still have access to payment. Don't carry them in the same wallet. You may also want to have a separate purse or wallet for ordinary shopping, to avoid showing your large bills and to minimise damage if it gets stolen.

Segregating your methods of payment will protect you should you be robbed. The bulk of your cash and methods of payment should be stored in a concealed, safe location, such as a money belt tucked fully underneath your pants, or tucked away in your first aid kit, toiletry bag or in a hidden pocket in your baggage. Avoid having a bulge show where your currency is.

Keep a credit card, ATM card or sufficient cash readily accessible, such as in a front pocket, which is closed by button or preferably with a zipper. Your means of payment should be kept small to avoid potential thieves from seeing a bulge showing where your currency is.

Gifts
In some situations, gifts, especially gifts that are characteristic of your home, may be more useful than money. In some cultures, the exchange of gifts is an important part of business relationships. Small gifts or candy may be a good way to show your appreciation to a host, or as a friendly overture to the locals.

Smartphone apps
Having a currency conversion smartphone app or a separate calculator helps to get a sense of whether a quoted price in a foreign currency is reasonable and within your budget. The conversion apps often have additional features, such as graphs showing the conversion rate trend. They may be useful for some, but most will want the currency conversion functionality to be as straightforward as possible. Depending on the conversion rate and how used you are to doing maths in your head, the calculator may be needed only in special situations (such as when doing expensive purchases).

Luggage allowance considerations
Leave some room and weight allowance for things you buy when abroad. If you plan a lot of shopping, consider packing one or two folding duffels. You can then put purchases in returning, checked baggage, and soft items displaced by purchases in duffels for carry-on.

Wear
Clothes typically make up most of travellers' baggage. Your strategy depends upon your method of travel. If you're going car camping in a large caravan, then you probably have room to take a few extras; if you're hitchhiking or backpacking, then you need to be ruthless about eliminating unnecessary items of clothing. Your purpose in travelling also matters. A business traveller to Asia will probably need multiple dressy outfits, but a young person with the cheapest European train pass and a list of hostels probably won't need any.

The strategies of layering and versatility are essential for wilderness travel, and they're useful for other kinds as well. Items that you can mix and match and wear in various combinations for various levels of formality and/or warmth are best. For example, khaki slacks can be worn with a dress shirt and jacket for semi-formal situations, or with a t-shirt for sightseeing. A t-shirt, a long-sleeved shirt, and a sweater can be worn individually for hot-to-cool situations, or combined for cold weather. Especially for women, accessories such as scarves or wraps can turn one outfit into two or three. A sarong can do multiple duties as clothing, beach towel, extra blanket, etc.

What you wear may also have an impact on how readily thieves may target you for pick pocketing, which is a consideration in higher crime areas. For instance, if you have pockets that are button closed, or preferably zipper closed, this can make it more challenging for thieves to retrieve valuables from your pockets.

The question of "how many?" is a complex formula of how much you want to be prepared vs. how much you want to carry. The more you can determine ahead of time what the weather will be like, where you'll be going, and what you'll be doing, the less "just in case" packing you'll be inclined to do. Factor in (air) travel time and time zones when calculating how much to carry on shorter trips. Packing a tuxedo or gown because you're not sure if you'll be going to a formal dinner or not, generally signals that you're over-packing. On the other hand, if there's a pool or beach, you may end up kicking yourself for not bringing a swimsuit.

Footwear
Shoes are a bulky nuisance to pack, but make sure you bring at least one pair that you'd be comfortable walking around in all day. A pair of slippers, sandals or flip-flops provide something else to wear if your shoes start to hurt or get wet. They can also be quite useful for going to and from shared showers, or shared bathrooms in the middle of the night in cheaper accommodation.

Tips for packing clothes
Both packing too much, and packing too little, can ruin your trip. Make sure you double, triple check the weather, hotel services (i.e. washing clothes, free clothing per room like bathrobe) and your list. Make a list about two weeks in advance because then you have a set plan instead of last-minute frantic packing. If you will have more than one bag, then think about what items will go in which bags. For example, many experienced air travellers carry all essential medications and also a T-shirt and underwear in their carry-on baggage, in case their checked baggage gets delayed or a cup of coffee gets spilled on the clothes they're wearing during an unexpected moment of air turbulence.

Laundering clothes
Consider whether you'll be able to do laundry while there. This can save you from the urge to pack 14 pairs of underwear and socks for a two-week trip. Bring a universal sink stopper and you can do your washing in your bathroom sink if necessary. Keep in mind the type of clothing material you wear can also affect frequency of washes. For instance, wool clothes are odour resistant, which makes it possible to wear clothes such as socks and shirts for two days without laundering being needed to control odour. Airing wool clothes also does wonders.

If you have sensitive skin and expect to find a coin-operated washing machine, then consider taking a few portions of your favorite laundry detergent. Liquid and powder detergents can be sealed in bottles like other toiletries, and laundry pods can be secured in a rigid container, such as a screw-top jar or a box inside a zip lock bag. Laundry detergent sheets are a very compact and light way of washing small amounts of laundry, such as in a sink or during camping. Alternatively, single-use sachets of laundry liquid are often sold at corner stores in developing countries. The resulting rubbish is a significant environmental problem but the cheap single-serves are very convenient for travellers!

Insect protection
Consider applying waterproofing compound, and/or permethrin against insects and ticks, to clothing or baggage before you leave. In general, you should not carry these; aerosols are not allowed on planes, and you don't want extra weight. However, blasting your hat, jacket or canvas baggage before going may be quite helpful.

Extra lightweight
Sometimes buying new clothes can be cheaper and easier than laundry. Find any clothing you have that is almost worn out, wear it to start your journey, and discard it when it gets dirty.

If you don't need to look nice or plan to do anything wet or dirty, then a four-week trip can be managed with two pairs of jeans, discarding the old pair and wearing the new after two weeks. If the climate isn't too muggy, then T-shirts, thin socks, and underwear can be rinsed at night and put back on just slightly damp the next morning. Some companies make extended-wear underwear, which is good for the long-term traveller. You only have to buy one or two, and then wash them in the sink every night – they are quick to dry and antimicrobial, so you'll save a lot of room and stench. Put socks on around 20 minutes before your shoes to give them a chance to dry fully from body heat. Pajamas are optional if you're not staying in dorm rooms. Even if you need clothes to sleep in for warmth or modesty, you can sleep in a T-shirt and comfortable shorts or pants, rather than bringing something that can only be worn to bed (in cold climates with cool bedrooms, use long underwear instead). It really is possible to travel with nothing but the clothes on your back if you want, and it opens up a whole new world of travel, particularly at a destination where it isn't too cold. No need to find lockers, and sightseeing right from the bus station or airport. Walking and the local bus become easy options. Just be prepared for some quizzical looks at customs and immigration.

Workwear
If you travel for work and will be wearing (something akin to) a uniform, ask yourself how much time you'll actually spend out of uniform and limit your personal clothes accordingly.

Power supplies
Bring battery chargers and travel power adapters for any electrical device you may use. Be sure to check the correct voltage and frequency is available in your destination. If you are driving, bring a power adapter that plugs into the car's cigarette lighter socket. Adapters providing USB power outlets are small and lightweight.

Photography and videos
You'll probably want to bring a camera, along with sufficient storage and batteries. See Travel photography for more on this topic.

Consider whether you are willing to take the risk losing your photos and videos, such as due to theft or damage to electronics. Risk of losing these recordings of your trip can be reduce by bringing backup up storage media or setting up for your photos and videos to be automatically uploaded to a cloud service.

Other gear to pack
Beyond that, what other kind of gear you'll need to pack depends on where you're going and what you're doing there. Snorkel and flippers? Caribiners and rope? Golf clubs? Snow skis? If your trip is focused on an equipment heavy activity like skiing or scuba diving, you may want to take your own equipment along, or depending on your destination and facilities there, have no choice about bringing it along. Finding an activity specific packing list and using it as a reference is a good way to make sure that you don't forget something crucial. For some activities you may even want to pack spares of some equipment: scuba divers sometimes prepare a "save a dive" kit with spare masks and fin straps so that the failure of a small bit of equipment doesn't mean skipping a day's diving.

Pack gear or rent it?
Depending on the activity and your destination, the alternative may be to use hire equipment. The decision to hire or buy depends partly on your activity: hiking boots and wetsuits, for example, often need to fit their wearer well to be effective. It's also partly based on expense and convenience. Buying equipment is typically a big one-off cost and ongoing maintenance might be required. However, renting is usually more expensive over the long run if you are a regular participant. The final consideration is the size and weight of your baggage, particularly if you are flying. Packing both your equipment and day-to-day essentials might put you over the airlines' free baggage limit, fragile equipment can be damaged when transported in baggage holds and sometimes there is a separate surcharge for either sporting equipment or large and difficult to handle baggage.

See the various articles under Travel activities for more about this.

Time fillers
Bring some amusements for long waits and journeys. Bring stuff you enjoy, that passes the time, or that helps you get to sleep. Load up your phone with music before you go travelling. Streaming services like Spotify or Netflix allow you to download music and movies to watch offline. You may prefer to bring cheap corded headphones instead of expensive and easily-lost wireless headphones.

Books and magazines never run out of battery, and are great entertainment on buses, planes, boats and lazy days. But they are heavier than an mp3 player. For long trips, pick ones you won't mind giving away when you finish them. You can swap them with other travellers, "leave one, take one" at a hostel or B&B, or even stop by a used book store along the way.

An e-book reader (e.g. Kindle, Nook) lets you bring your entire library, provided you can charge it every other week.

Electronic games, can amuse kids or adults for hours. Bring along a pack of cards for when the batteries are dead, and all else fails. Some board games are available in special travel editions adapted to be played in close quarters or on moving vehicles.

Eat and drink
Traveling usually involves a fair amount of sitting and waiting and time spent in transit. Packing water and some snacks will make those times go more comfortably. Even if refreshments will be available, they're often overpriced for travelers.

At airports
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, then fill it back up again at a water fountain or sink airside. A foldable waterbottle is considered by many to be a worthwhile purchase.

Other considerations
Some travelers 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.

Crossing borders
Keep in mind that if traveling internationally, some snacks may not be permitted by the country that you are entering, such as fruits, seeds, and meats. In some countries, such as Australia there are also restrictions on taking certain types of fresh fruit between certain states.

Other considerations
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.

Utensils and other supplies
If traveling to developing countries, consider bringing re-usable utensils, as those might not be provided at some places, such as if you are buying street food.

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 easier on the environment. Aim for light but reusable equipment. Sometimes washing the dishes may be awkward or impossible, so some disposable ones can still come handy.

Stay safe
A money belt or passport pouch to protect your valuables is a very good idea, ideally with RFID blocking built in to prevent identify theft. 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 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 travelers 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.

Stay healthy
If you have travel insurance — and travel insurance covering at least medical expenses and evacuation home is highly recommended for travelers 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 or may not provide soap and shampoo. 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. A travel-sized roll-on deodorant is very useful. If you bring toothpaste, shampoo etc., bring a smaller package or one half-empty. Think about what items can be shared within your party.

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 keep tissues on you at all times.

Beware that you cannot carry on containers larger than 100 ml (3.4 fl. oz.) of any gel or liquid on many airlines and there is a limit to the total volume of those containers that are allowed, such as in Canada, where all of those gels and liquid containers must fit in a single transparent bag capable of holding 1 litre size bag (such bags will are unable to hold anywhere near 10 items of 100 ml size). 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, and zika.

Some countries require face masks to be worn when traveling on some modes of transportation within the country or internationally.

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, 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
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, then keep that information on you; med-alert tags will be recognized in most places.

If you are traveling to any developing countries, obtaining antibiotics to take with you on the trip may be helpful in the event you develop significant food poisoning.

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
 * Portable clothesline – for drying 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.
 * Energy bars – 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 – prefer brand name alkaline batteries. Cheap or fake batteries are often carbon-zinc and do not last long.
 * 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 impossible 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, but do not use these cheapies for actual mountain climbing!
 * 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 mask is good for those who need darkness to sleep
 * 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.

Connect
Bringing a 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. Obtaining a local mobile phone plan in the country where you are traveling may save you for exorbitant charges that may be charged for roaming using your country's mobile phone service provider. Even if you don't intend roaming, you can usually use your phone for emergency calls should the need arise – if it is compatible. Phone 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 electric compatibility. See also Telephone service.

You may want to bring along a laptop or tablet to get online. Remember to carry a plug adapter if you need one. Free wifi is common in hotels, cafes, shopping centres and even on the street in major cities.

title: Packing list


text:
Padang

Padang is the capital city of West Sumatra, Indonesia. It is mostly used by tourists as an access point to Bungus Bay, the surfing sites of the Mentawai Islands, the inland hills of Bukittinggi, and the Kerinci Seblat National Park.

Understand
The city is very pleasant with a nice promenade along the beach, distinctive Padang architecture and wonderfully friendly people. The city is also the home of the delicious Padang food and the town is stuffed with restaurants and street stalls. The locally available guidebook 'Sozzie Sumatra' can be referred to on arrival for upcoming local events and a current 'what to do' section.

Padang is a considered to be the main centre of Minangkabau culture. Unusually among the world's Muslim peoples, the Minangkabau are matriarchal, with husbands moving into their wives' homes after marriage, and with family possessions being passed from mother to daughter rather than father to son.

By plane

From the airport, the cheapest way to get into the city is by Minangkabau Express Airport Train, for a fare of Rp 10,000 per person, departs only five times a day, due to the single-track railway operation.

Damri bus also connects the airport with the city for a fare of Rp 25,000 per person. Its route passes by the coast and major hotels in Padang, to end in the Imam Bonjol terminal. The bus departs the city every hour from 04:30 and the last one at 18:00. The trip takes roughly 45 minutes depending on the traffic.

Taxis and rental cars are also available at the airport.

By train
Rail transport to Padang are limited, the only passenger trains running is a service from Pariaman several times per day. This connection can be quite useful if traveling from Jakarta overland. The main station is, located just off Jl. Dalam Gadung road.

By bus
There are many luxury buses from Java to Padang, mostly from Jakarta and Bandung. It is a good option for the budget if you don't mind being on the road for two to three days, since flight tickets can cost more than three times of their normal price, especially during Eid Al-Fitr season.

From Bukittinggi, minibus Rp20,000, duration ~2h.

From Harau Valley, minibus from shop/loket 'Pt.Ricky RA. Transport', near an AgenBRILink, Rp30,000, duration ~5h. Likely to drop around Basko grand mall. Take an orange angkot to reach the Plaza Andalas mall in the centre for Rp5,000.

Get around
Crazily-decorated angkots run along the two main roads. Prices for a trip are approximately Rp 2,000. You can get taxis from the Minangkabau International Airport to town for less than Rp 50,000 if you speak the language.

If you are obviously foreign, Minang people are well known to be good business people and are quite skilled at making you pay a few extra thousand rupiahs. But don't bother squabbling over 50 cents here or there.

There are several alternatives that you can choose for transportation in Padang, such as bus kota (for city bus transportation), angkutan kota (for transportation in the city), taxi, and car rental. Most public transportation is not safe and clean by international standards. During rush hour, the buses are overcrowded. Be careful with your valuables, although pickpocketing is very rare.

If you're looking to spend a few days in Padang, car rental is the preferred way to go around. All car rentals include the driver, who can also act as your guide. It's not recommended for tourists to self-drive, because road signs are not followed by the locals and courtesy while driving is virtually nonexistent in Indonesia.

If you need a taxi, Argo, Blue Bird Taxi and Grab Taxi apps can be downloaded for free. Fill the departure and arrival points and Google Maps will show the map and the taxis and also estimate the cost in a range. Taxis arrive within 5 minutes after being summoned. Only qualified taxis and qualified drivers can join the apps. The service is available in Bukittinggi and Payakumbuh as well.

See

 * You go down the south of Teluk Bayur, up and through steep hills (don't try to take a bus, there is an [Angkot] that goes all the way).
 * You go down the south of Teluk Bayur, up and through steep hills (don't try to take a bus, there is an [Angkot] that goes all the way).
 * You go down the south of Teluk Bayur, up and through steep hills (don't try to take a bus, there is an [Angkot] that goes all the way).
 * You go down the south of Teluk Bayur, up and through steep hills (don't try to take a bus, there is an [Angkot] that goes all the way).
 * You go down the south of Teluk Bayur, up and through steep hills (don't try to take a bus, there is an [Angkot] that goes all the way).
 * You go down the south of Teluk Bayur, up and through steep hills (don't try to take a bus, there is an [Angkot] that goes all the way).
 * You go down the south of Teluk Bayur, up and through steep hills (don't try to take a bus, there is an [Angkot] that goes all the way).
 * You go down the south of Teluk Bayur, up and through steep hills (don't try to take a bus, there is an [Angkot] that goes all the way).
 * You go down the south of Teluk Bayur, up and through steep hills (don't try to take a bus, there is an [Angkot] that goes all the way).

Do
Relaxing is the main thing to do here. This is a mainly administrative city. Honestly, there isn't too much to do downtown. But if you go uptown, some interesting spots await to be explored. These include Sikuai Island, Lubuk Minturun river (a 'natural jacuzzi') and Bungus Bay (crystal water river), all in southern Padang.

Pool/Billiard is a popular sport to play and there are a few places dotted around.

The nightlife is relatively dull because Padang is a minor city and a rather devout Muslim community. Bars are available at some hotels but don't expect alcohol.

If you can find your way down to Chinatown and get some kripik Padang (crackers, available in two flavours: spicy and sweet), that could be a good idea, too. In Chinatown, you also can explore the mixture of Minang-Chinese food.

Surfing

 * Pantai Air Manis (Sweet Water Beach) This a very good surf spot fort beginners with a beach break and not to big waves. It is working during low season, too, but waves can be inconsistent. A few options for renting surfboards along the beach. Price around Rp 50,000/per board/per day. Direction: Angkot from the market to the beach, fare Rp 5000, last trip at 17:00.

Buy
There are a lot of stores on the side of the road, much like anywhere else in Indonesia. There are two malls, Minang Plaza, which is smaller and better for your more supermarket and basic clothing needs. There is a bit of Western Food at Plaza Andalas in the form of Papa Ron's Pizza.

Shopping at Andalas is a little bit better, but at this point in time, the malls are more downscale, mainly local products and local shops. No big retailers here. Brand names aren't really easy to find. You could find a few surfing items at Andalas plaza - but that's about it.

There is a Gramedia across the road from Andalas Plaza also.

Eat
Padang is famed throughout Indonesia for spicy Padang food (masakan Padang). Ordering at a Padang restaurant couldn't be easier: just sit down at a table, and watch the dishes pile up. Eat what you like, as you'll only pay for dishes you've actually consumed. Famous dishes include:

 * Beef Rendang, spicy curried beef cooked until the sauce is dry.
 * Soto Padang, crispy beef in spicy clear soup.
 * Ayam Pop, chicken that has been boiled in coconut juice and then fried for a short time.
 * Sate Padang, beef satay in curry sauce, served with ketupat (Indonesian rice cakes).

Padang dishes can use rather unusual ingredients though, including internal organs like hearts, lungs and even brains. One notable dish is Gulai Tambusu, which consists of cooked egg wrapped in cow intestines and served with a curry. All Padang/Minang dishes are Halal due to the Islamic roots of Minang people.

Along Jalan Ahmad Yani, you can find a few international fast food chain restaurants, including Pizza Hut, KFC, and McDonald's. Some local Westerner-friendly restaurants:

If Travelling during Ramadan, bakery nihon no pan (attached to an hotel, 10–20k), Hoya Bakery & Resto and Restoran Sari Raso (meal 29k, drink 7–15k) are opened for lunch (and breakfast for bakeries). Other places may be but with a closed-like front door so need to pay attention to find them.

Drink
The only real bars you will find are at the major hotels. This is a very Islamic community and therefore the influence of alcohol is minimal. That being said, beer is for sale at the major supermarkets. Bintang is about all you will find. If you are feeling game, the traditional market could be something you might want to visit, as hard liquor such as Johnny Walker may be available there.

Hard liquor is also available at several warungs (small shops on the side of the road) and it is quite easy to obtain cheap vodka, whisky or rum. The going rate for a 250-ml bottle of spirits is Rp 23,000.

The best nightclubs in Padang are Hotel Pangeran Beach, Rocky Hotel, Ambacang hotel (the newest hotel) and Queen.

Sleep
There are many type of accommodations that can be chosen by people if they are in Padang. Such as:

Stay safe
Padang lies right on a fault line and is frequently hit by earthquakes. The last one, in September 2009, killed over 1,100 people, and destroyed many buildings.

Go next

 * Bukittinggi : Rp 20,000, 2 hours.
 * Bungus Bay
 * Kerinci Seblat National Park - one of the largest in Indonesia
 * Mentawai Islands - surfer paradise
 * Nagari Sungai Pinang
 * Padang Panjang
 * Lake Toba : catch a bus from the A.L.S. bus station (5 km from the city centre) to Parapat overnight, from Rp 120,000 to Rp 200,000. There is one leaving at 14:00.
 * Medan : catch an overnight bus from the A.L.S. bus station (5 km from the city centre), from Rp 120,000 to Rp 200,000. There is one leaving at 14:00.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Padang


text:
Padang (disambiguation)

There's more than one place called Padang:

Indonesia

 * Padang - the capital city of West Sumatra
 * Padang (Karimata Island) - the largest village on the island of Karimata, one of the Karimata Islands in the Karimata Strait off the west coast of West Kalimantan
 * Padang Bai - a small town on the east coast of Bali

Malaysia

 * Padang Besar (Malaysia) - a border town in the north of Perlis, opposite the Thai border town of the same name
 * Padang Serai - a town in the south of Kedah

Thailand

 * Padang Besar (Thailand) - a border town in the south of Songkhla (province), opposite the Malaysian border town of the same name

title: Padang (disambiguation)


text:
Padang Bai

Padang Bai (also Padangbai and Padang Bay) is a small port town in East Bali.

Understand
Most visitors to Padang Bai are there to catch a boat to Lombok. However, it is a charming little place in its own right and many people cancel their trip in order to spend more time in this lovely village. Spending a night or two here will certainly not be time wasted.

There is good diving and snorkeling in the immediate area, and a number of operators are present to cater for those activities. This is also a fairly convenient base from which to explore some of the wider attractions of East Bali. Accommodation tends to be quite basic and aimed at the backpacker market, although 3 stars villa is also available. The serenity of Padang Bai is suitable for old citizens or who want quiet place, no nightlife here.

By car
If you don't want to go to Lombok, rental car maybe is the best option. Rental car can be reserved online and picked up and returned at Ngurah Rai International Airport. Many rental cars now use Low Cost Green Car for Rp 150,000-175,000 per day with capacity maximum for 4 passengers including driver seats. The car Daihatsu Ayla and Toyota Agya is suitable for 2 persons with maximum 170 cm height and 2 children. Indonesia fuel price is relatively cheap and the cars run 15 to 20 km/L.

By taxi
Padang Bai is about 90 minutes by taxi from Ngurah Rai International Airport and a pre-paid coupon costs Rp 400,000.

Padang Bai is 54 km east from Denpasar and takes about 1 hour to 90 minutes to drive from the southern tourist areas of Kuta and Legian.

By bemo
Bemos may ply the main east coast route between Klungkung, Padang Bai and Candidasa. Bemos routed through Padang Bai leave from Batubulan terminal in Denpasar.

Bemos and minibuses arrive at, and depart from, the port entrance; orange bemos from Amlapura (25 km, Rp 30,000) via Candidasa, blue or white bemos from Klungkung and pale-brown minibuses for Amlapura or Batubulan terminal in Denpasar.

As of June 2024, it is more difficult to get one. If you try, be patient and have a fallback (hitchhike - lots of traffic on the main road, mostly trucks and tourist cars, or taxi/grab/gojek).

By boat
There are slow public ferries from Lembar (Lombok) every hour, 24 hours a day. The trip normally takes four hours (but it can be considerably longer in poor weather) and costs Rp 36,000. Ferry staff often offer their private room to tourists for an extra Rp 50,000. The room is clean and comfortable with 2 or 3 beds. It should be understood that this ferry has a poor safety record. There is a ticket office, waiting area and small cafe adjacent to the pier.

There are fast boat services from the Gili Islands via Teluk Kode (Lombok) to Padang Bai. Operators have been coming and going, but one constant has been the Gili Cat service for Rp 660,000 one way. Travel time is 2 hours. Gili Cat leaves Padang Bai daily at 09:00 and arrives at Teluk Kode (Lombok) at 10:00 and at Gili Trawangan Harbour at 10:30. In high season there's also a departure at 14:00.

There is another boat service from Sampalan at Nusa Penida to Padang Bai. Travel time is about one hour.

Get around
Everything in town is within walking distance (1-2 km). If you want to explore the surrounding area, motorbike rental and car rental are widely available. You can go on a one day tour to Candidasa, Tirta Gangga, Taman Ujung (Edge Sukasada Park), and see sunset at Lempuyang Temple.

Go next
Padang Bai functions as the gateway to Lombok and the Gilis for those traveling by boat.

Public ferry
Slow ferries go to Lembar on Lombok (Rp 40,000) and Nusa Penida (Rp 36,000). Book at the larger pier inside the harbor.

Fast boat
Virtually everyone in town will try and sell you fast boat tickets. During low season (Oct 2014) pricing appears to be extremely flexible. Posted prices can be up to Rp 660,000 for a one-way trip to the Gilis, but you may be able to negotiate open-ended return trip tickets for Rp 333,333. Prices during high season are likely much less negotiable.

Combined bus & boat tickets
Many operators offer combined tickets including both the slow ferry to Lembar and a follow up bus transfer on Lombok, e.g. to Senggigi (Rp 100,000) or Kuta Lombok (Rp 200,000). Such combined Tickets are also a cheap alternative to the fast but expensive speed boats to Gili (ferry to Lembar, bus transfer to Bangsal, ferry to Gili Air/Meno/Trawangan; Rp 150,000).

Beaches
The main beach is generally awash with colorful double outrigger fishing boats in the shape of a marlin. The front of the boat is shaped with the point of its mouth open wide and large eyes looking to the heavens. Either side of the main beach are two other hidden coves with nice, quiet white sand beaches.

Temples
If you need a break from the beaches, there are some temples to discover. Although not particularly famous, these temples are nevertheless worth a visit. Padang Bai has five major temples: Pura Dalem, downtown, Pura Segara, next to the beach in between town and the main beach, Pura Telagamas, Pura Silayukti and Pura Tanjungsari in the eastern end of Padang Bai. Don't forget to bring a sarong and a sash.

Do
Ocean activities are the way to go. There is good snorkeling in the bay, though the snorkeling at the Blue Lagoon is even better. Many of the local dive operators organize trips to this spot but you can easily walk to your destination. If the waves are large, don't bother snorkeling as the visibility will be minimal. On a calm day, expect great visibility and lots of fish. Buoys mark the farthest point snorkelers should go. For even better snorkeling you can charter a boat.

Diving
Padangbai is noted for its diving, and the friendly dive centers are right on the beach with their own bars for after-diving refreshments.

Buy
There are many ATMs in Padang Bai: BRI bank 100m away the police station (doesn't always function, gives a maximum of Rp 500,000 and does not accept Visa cards), Bank Mandiri 200 m from the harbour along the beach road (accepts Visa cards and gives a maximum of Rp 2,500,000), BCA and Danamon on the main road next to the Police station.

Eat
Padang Bai restaurants feature good-priced seafood and the usual travellers' fare.

Drink
There are plenty of bars and small cafes to choose from along the beach in the village. On entering Padang Bai, head over to the left of the bay, keeping the ferry jetty to your right. The road here runs along the beach and is full of activity, dive shops, bars and small home stays.

Sleep
A wide choice of budget-leaning accommodation is available in the village, and along the road behind the beach. Upstairs rooms in the village places, especially up on the hill, catch the breeze and have fine views.

Stay safe
There are reports of cases involving aggressive porters at the dock demanding excessive payments when you are waiting to board the ferry. To be safe, do not allow anyone else to carry your luggage.

There have also been cases with local taxi drivers/touts becoming extremely aggressive and threatening violence if they learn you are going to use Uber/Grab taxi/go-jek. Reports of locals ganging together and opening doors, shouting and dragging bags out of the cars to prevent you using the taxi apps. Be careful as it is extremely intimidating.

Go next

 * Easy drive or bus transfer to the popular East Bali areas of Candidasa, Mount Agung and Amed.
 * By ferry to Lembar (Lombok).
 * Gili Cat and Perama operate boat services from Padang Bai to the Gili Islands.

title: Padang Bai


text:
Padang Besar (Malaysia)

Padang Besar is a border town in the north of Perlis, the northern-most state in Malaysia.

The Padang Besar border crossing is the only direct rail link between Malaysia and Thailand, and a quieter and less direct road crossing than Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah. The town on the Thai side of the border, in Songkhla province, is also called Padang Besar - however Malaysians differentiate between the two by calling the Thai town "Pekan Siam" or "Siamese Town". Much more tame and sanitized than its Thai counterpart, Malaysia's Padang Besar still attracts many Malaysians who come to shop for items imported from Thailand which are available in abundance at lower prices.

Get in
See Malaysia | Get In for details of Malaysian immigration requirements. The Malaysian immigration/customs checkpoint is situated near the town centre and is several hundred metres from the actual border and the Thai immigration complex.

By train
KTMB (Malaysian Railways) operates Komuter trains between Padang Besar and Butterworth, and ETS trains further south to Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and Gemas. Komuter trains are non-reserved, air conditioned trains but do not have toilets. Travel time is just under 2 hours and costs RM11.40 (approx 90THB) to cover the 158km distance to Butterworth. ETS Gold/Platinum trains are with all-reserved seats and travel up to 160km/hr. Refer to Train36 website for Komuter train schedule.

SRT (State Railway of Thailand) operates twice daily shuttle trains between Hat Yai and Padang Besar using diesel A/C trains. The journey takes about 1 hour and costs 80THB. The outbound trains leave Hat Yai twice daily at 7:30 and 13:05, and the inbound trains leave Padang Besar at 8:55 and 14:40 (Thai time). Tickets for these trains are sold one hour before departure and cannot be reserved advance, but tickets do not sell out. For up-to date schedule refer to The State Railway of Thailand.

There is also one daily direct sleeper train to/from Bangkok. Special Express train number 46 leaves Padang Besar at 18:00 (Malaysian time) and arrives in Bangkok at 12:05 (Thai time), and train 45 leaves Bangkok at 15:10 (Thai time) and arrives at Padang Besar at 9:53 (Malaysian time). This train is only with second class A/C berth and costs 958/868THB lower/upper berth. Book this train online directly at the SRT website as KTMB (Malaysian railways) does not sell tickets for this train. Note that it is very expensive if you take this train just to Hat Yai (approx. 400THB) as you need to pay for the berth ticket. Take the shuttle trains at 7:30 or 13:05 instead.

Both Thai and Malaysian immigration inside the train stations open one hour before departure of Thai trains.

Note Malaysian time is one hour ahead of Thai time (e.g. noon in Thailand is 1PM in Malaysia). When connecting trains in Padang Besar, be sure to check if the departure time is in Malaysian or Thai. There is also no ATM or official currency exchange in Padang Besar station. It is advised to exchange enough money to buy the onward ticket before heading there.

By bus
Direct express buses linking Padang Besar directly with Kuala Lumpur. You can take a bus from Penang or Butterworth too but the train is cheaper, faster, and more comfortable. Express buses depart from Jalan Masjid in Padang Besar. Maraliner local buses connect Padang Besar and Kangar. The bus stop is opposite and 100 meters to the south of the KFC (marked on OpenStreetMap). It's not easy to find because there is only a timetable sign there.

By taxi
Taxi parking lot is right to the north of the 7-Eleven store. RM40 to Kangar (45 min), RM60 to Kuala Perlis (1 hour).

By road
Padang Besar is about 35km north of Kangar, the capital of Perlis. Federal Route 7 links Kangar with Padang Besar and driving time is about half hour to 40 minutes.

To Thailand
The Malaysian immigration checkpoint is located at the edge of town. It is quite easy to drive from Thailand into Malaysia or vice-versa. Just make sure your insurance is in order. There is a distance of several hundred metres between the Malaysian and Thai checkpoints, with a duty free shopping complex in Malaysian territory in between. Most people do not walk but catch motorcycle taxis (RM3) which can be found in abundance in town and will bring you through the two checkpoints into the centre of Thai Padang Besar.

See the page for the Thai town of Padang Besar for details on how to cross the border from the Thai side.

Get around
Padang Besar town is small enough to get around on foot.

Buy
Near the fire department there is the Padang Bazaar where you can shop duty free.

Eat
After the roundabout there are several eateries on each side of the main street.

Go next

 * Padang Besar (Thailand)
 * Kangar
 * Kuala Perlis

title: Padang Besar (Malaysia)


text:
Padang Besar (Thailand)

Padang Besa or Padang Besar (ปาดังเบซาร์). (Also spelled Padangbesar, Padangbezar and Padangbasar) is a border town in Southern Thailand.

Understand
Padang Besa is the only direct rail link between Malaysia and Thailand. It also has a road crossing between the two countries which is a lot less busy than the more direct Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam crossing.

The town on the Malaysian side of the border, in Perlis, is also called Padang Besar. Malaysians usually refer to the town on the Thai side as "Pekan Siam" or "Siamese Town".

Slightly bigger and a lot more ramshackle than its Malaysian counterpart, Thailand's Padang Besar is often busy with Malaysians crossing the border for shopping and to indulge in the freewheeling entertainment for which Thai border towns are infamous.

Visa
For more information on visa requirements for Thailand, see Thailand | Get in.

By train
The Thai side of Padang Besar has a small railway station which should not be confused with the Padang Besar station on the Malaysian side where all Thai and Malaysian immigration formalities are carried out. The station is on the right side of the road leaving town towards Hat Yai.

There are shuttle trains twice daily between Hat Yai and Padang Besar, Malaysia, as well as a daily special express train between Bangkok and Padang Besar. Refer to the State Railways of Thailand's website for schedule and booking.

Malaysia is one hour ahead of Thailand. When it is noon in Thailand, it is 13:00 in Malaysia.

By bus
Bus to/from Hat Yai: Regular local bus and minivans link Padang Besar and Hat Yai via Sadao. Journey time is about one hour and half. Red coloured local buses leave from the main town square (Clock Tower) every half an hour or so, and can be boarded from bus stops along Phet Kasen Rd and Kanjanavanich Rd ((Hwy 407) as well as at the train station before getting to the Clock Tower. Minivans leave from the main bus terminal (platform 24) when they get full. As of 2020 the price is 50 baht. If you are just heading to Malaysia, ask driver to drop you off at the border as they continue to go into the town center. On the other direction from the border, the bus and minivan (if not full) can be caught on the main road across from the Thai immigration complex, although mototaxis try to take you to the town center. Cross the road on the pedestrian overpass and wait for Hat Yai-bound buses. Local buses will stop at bus terminal and train station (but not the other direction), and minivans just go to the bus terminal. Buses stop running around 18:00, so it is advisable to check.

Bus to/from Malaysia: There are no direct buses. From Hat Yai, get off the bus at the Thai immigration complex and walk or take a motorcycle taxi (20 baht or RM2 should be enough). If you choose to walk, remember that the two immigration checkpoints are several hundred metres apart. There is a duty free shopping complex in between the checkpoints on Malaysian territory.

By car
Padang Besar is about 50 km south of Hat Yai. Coming from Hat Yai, you will have to turn right (west) at Sadao. To get to the Malaysian town of Padang Besar, leave town on the road to Hat Yai and the Thai immigration checkpoint is about 1 km away on the right.

The border crossing is open 05:00-23:00 Thai time (06:00-midnight Malaysian time).

Go next
Trains go direct to Hat Yai.

If travelling into Malaysia, trains from the Malaysian side go directly to Alor Setar, Sungai Petani, and Butterworth for George Town.

title: Padang Besar (Thailand)


text:
Padang Panjang

Padang Panjang (or Padangpanjang) is a town in West Sumatra, Indonesia.

Understand
Padang Panjang is in the highlands of West Sumatra, along the main road from the provincial capital Padang to the informal capital of the highlands Bukittinggi.

Do
Padangpanjang is a university town and houses the high profile and growing Arts Academy STSI, and there are often performers rehearsing or who know of late night village gigs you can find out about if you hook up with some of the local or foreign students there. Either contemporary or traditional performing arts not on the tourist books. If you are around for a while you might even do a deal on some flute or drum lessons. Be sure to cross their palm with silver for their efforts - they are struggling professional artists and students with exams and festival commitments. The tiny cafes around the campus can sometimes prove fruitful for meeting artists. There is also a private library/drop-in centre for performing arts resources if you have such an interest, on Jl Puti Bungsu, where Indra Utama will be able to direct you to more cultural resources.

 * Scenic Tours by horse and cart if you go to Padangpanjang market you can charter a horse and cart called a bendi (in other parts of Indonesia these are often poor runty ponies but some of the horses used here are racing horses working between seasons so you can and should choose a strong well-fed beast to lug your great body around!)

So, either work out a fee for a period of time (eg: "satu jam" means 1 hour; satu-setengah jam means 1 and a half)or just wing it and ask the driver to take you round-about mau jalan-jalan keliling. Ke mana he will say (where) and just say ke sana (there) and then just point as you go - its a slow pace great way to look at life in the region - you can go out to Batipuh for example, spend about half your time and then get him to take you back to the market. It's relatively cheap and you don't really have to know where you are going. You can do the same anywhere of course, for example, from Bukittinggi charter a whole day and go down into ngarai sianok. Don't expect them to go down the main highway though. If you want a faster pace charter an ojek motorbike taxi. Some are students and may speak a little English. They charge a lot more though cover more territory and you are probably in bit too close proximity to the driver if you are a woman. They have strict rules on gender protocols and hence will take a mile if a situation gives them an inch. Beware.

 * Swim in a beautiful water hole Get on a bus from Bukittinggi to Padang and get off at Simpang Lubuk Bunta between Kayu Tanam and Sicincin about 1 hour and a bit down the road. At the turn off there is a bamboo shelter. pick up an ojek there and for a small fee equivalent to a dollar (they are unlikely to rip you off there) they will take you to the water hole lubuk bunta. This spring is the site for the local bottled spring water one of few clean bathing spots with a little waterfall and is a favorite among locals not tourists so please respect that. it is polite to approach someone there to "ask permission" even if they too are visitors. It acts as an introduction. They will be surprised you knew where to come. This is spot where male and female bathe together recreationally (most bathing spots are used in segregation to wash oneself rather than swim). Either way please don't strip off, you can swim in a sarong or shorts and t-shirt over swimmers, take your cue from other bathers.
 * Shadowboxing On your way you will pass a village called Tarok which has an interesting triple slatted bamboo stage called a laga-laga where on certain nights the men gather to practice a high art of Ulu'ambek an esoteric non-contact spirit form of martial art. If you are interested you would have to ask in the local cafe nearby for Pak (Mr) Mak Yan and mention "ulu'ambek" or "randai". These activities are seasonal and unpredictable but you might get lucky. Gigs or rehearsal always happen after nine at night so plan to come back with a chartered car or motorbike if you want to see this.

Buy

 * Market Padangpanjang is a great alternative market if you find Bukittinggi too intense and huge to navigate in. Sunday is the big market day. Find the aisle in the main undercover building where rows of women dish up dollops of sweet pudding of many varieties. The seated women, each one a matriarch with warmth and goodwill, offer a little respite from the market buzz and sell sell sell while eating these pudding pots, find a stool to park your bum in mama's circle. Each one has only one combo to serve so just nod and point - most ingredients are the same just configured differently - glutinous rice or rice flour and coconut milk and sugar, coconut flesh or maybe banana or other toppings and red palm sugar syrup - very cheap, and comforting. Stay until you feel ready to face the frenzy again.

Eat

 * If you depart from Padang from PadangPanjang (or on the way back to Padang), it's recommended to stop by at one of the local Sate restaurants: Mak Syukur or Saiyo. The sate is a similar to Sate Padang, but the cool temperature makes it nice to eat the spicy sauce. Sate is usually eaten with rice cubes, bull's rinds/cracklings, and the spicy sauce. Besides meat, they usually also serve other organs such as intestines, liver, etc.
 * Durian Kayu Tanam and Sicincin are famous for their durian sellers so if you want to sample this famously smelly fruit the most engaging way, pooter past on a vesper after dark, (you will see stalls along the side of the main highway lit up of an evening in high season) and ask for one durian to be opened and "eaten in" with pulut or puluik in Minangkabau dialect. Eat it with your fingers with a friend.
 * Teh talua...and if you've chosen a more set up cafe stall ask for a teh talua. Don't grimace - bitter black tea poured over whipped egg and sugar creates a custardy flavoured "cappuccino froth" on your tea. The best has a squeeze of lime. Try Desy's cafe in Jl Pasar Baru I, in Central Padang behind the main market, but more specifically for navigating there, behind the Balai Kota (Town Hall) and Police Station ("Belakang Benteng" is a really clear instruction to a driver). The tiny cafe is where police staff eat and Desyeni the proprietor has a solid lineage of culinary expertise behind her. All food guaranteed clean and superb and absolutely local.

title: Padang Panjang


text:
Padang Sidempuan

Padang Sidempuan is a city in North Sumatra, Indonesia.

Understand
Padang Sidempuan is the only major city in the southern part of North Sumatra. It is also known as Salak City, because salak fruit is the major commodity produced by most farmers in the area.

By land
The Trans-Sumatran Highway (middle section) runs through the city. Buses are available from major cities in North Sumatra.

Get around
The most common way to get around in Padang Sidempuan is by becak motor. Becak motor is a motorized trishaw similar to a cycle rickshaw.

Go next

 * Nias island
 * Sibolga
 * Padang

title: Padang Sidempuan


text:
Paddington

There's more than one place called Paddington:

Australia

 * Paddington - a suburb of Sydney in City East.

United Kingdom

 * Paddington - a train station and area to the west of central London

title: Paddington


text:
Paderborn

Paderborn is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

By car
Paderborn is on the Autobahn A33.

Get around
Foot, bus or bicycle

Do

 * Football: SC Paderborn 07 play soccer in 2. Bundesliga, Germany's second tier. Their home ground is the Benteler-Arena, capacity 15,000, two km northwest of city centre on Paderborner Strasse near the autobahn junction.
 * Football: SC Paderborn 07 play soccer in 2. Bundesliga, Germany's second tier. Their home ground is the Benteler-Arena, capacity 15,000, two km northwest of city centre on Paderborner Strasse near the autobahn junction.
 * Football: SC Paderborn 07 play soccer in 2. Bundesliga, Germany's second tier. Their home ground is the Benteler-Arena, capacity 15,000, two km northwest of city centre on Paderborner Strasse near the autobahn junction.
 * Football: SC Paderborn 07 play soccer in 2. Bundesliga, Germany's second tier. Their home ground is the Benteler-Arena, capacity 15,000, two km northwest of city centre on Paderborner Strasse near the autobahn junction.
 * Football: SC Paderborn 07 play soccer in 2. Bundesliga, Germany's second tier. Their home ground is the Benteler-Arena, capacity 15,000, two km northwest of city centre on Paderborner Strasse near the autobahn junction.

Events

 * Libori - the annual fair in the city center (1 week)
 * Frühlingsfest - annual spring party with live music
 * Herbstlibori - as above, but smaller

Buy
Great downtown area. Libori Galeri and Suedring are local shopping locations. Check out the street "Die Grube" between Cathedral and "Kamp".

Eat
Sunday Brunch is a must while in Germany. There are plenty of restaurants along Kamp within which one may find time well spent.

Drink
Paderborner Beer.

Go next

 * Bielefeld
 * Kassel
 * Detmold
 * Rheda-Wiedenbrück
 * Lippstadt

title: Paderborn


text:
Paderno Dugnano

Paderno Dugnano is a town in the province of Milan, in the Lombardy region of Italy.

By plane
Paderno Dugnano has no airports in the city. The nearest ones are: Linate airport and Malpensa airport, located respectively in Milan and Varese.

By train
There are two railway stations in the city: The lines are:
 * Paderno Dugnano railway station;
 * Palazzolo Milanese railway station.
 * S2 line Milano S2.svg (Milano Rogoredo – Seveso)
 * S4 line Milano S4.svg (Milano Cadorna – Camnago, in Lentate sul Seveso).

title: Paderno Dugnano


text:
Padua

Padua (Italian: Padova, Venetian: Pàdova) is a city in north eastern Italy, and the capital of the province of the same name. It is located centrally in the Veneto region, between Venice on one side and Vicenza and Verona on the other. The city itself has 210,821 inhabitants (2001), with about 350,000 inhabitants in the wider metropolitan area.

By train
Padua is a central railway node in the Veneto area. Many lines converge into the city central station, notably from:

 * Venezia (Venice, Trieste, and points East) - Venice is only a 30-minute ride away
 * Bologna (Bologna, Ferrara, Rovigo, Rome, Florence) one hour and half ride
 * Milano (Milan, Brescia, Verona, Vicenza) two hours and half minute ride
 * Castelfranco (Belluno, Calalzo, Feltre) 45 minute ride

All kinds of trains pass through Padua: Eurostar, InterCity, EuroCity, InterRegionale, Regionale, InterCityNight, EuroNight, Espresso. More info is available on the Trenitalia website.

By plane

However, there are three international airports nearby:

 * Venezia Marco Polo, 50 km, lot of destinations throughout Europe.
 * by bus: direct and frequent connections to Padua, 1h
 * by train: bus to Venezia Mestre station, then train.
 * Treviso, 42 km, low-cost airport with Ryanair and other carriers. Destinations: Dublin, London, Frankfurt, Brussels, Barcelona, Paris
 * by bus: direct and frequent connections to Padua, 1h10 - see SITA website - choose Linee Regionale, then Veneto, then Orari Linee Veneto; last bus leaves airport around 20.00 or 20.25 depending on day of week.
 * Verona Valerio Catullo, 88 km, many domestic flights and some international destinations (also low-cost)
 * by train + bus

Other options further afield include:
 * Brescia Gabriele D'Annunzio, 130 km
 * Bergamo Orio al Serio, 190 km, many low-cost flights
 * Bologna Guglielmo Marconi, 120 km

By car
Padova is connected through the national highway network

 * Autostrada A4 Italia.svg A4 - Turin-Milan-Venice-Trieste
 * Autostrada A13 Italia.svg A13 - Bologna-Padua

Many national/regional roads originate in or pass through the city:

 * SS11 Padana Superiore
 * SS16 Adriatica
 * SS47 Valsugana
 * SR516 Piovese
 * SR307 del Santo

On foot
Discovering the city on foot is very easy. The historic center is not very big, so you can go around in the narrow streets.

By bicycle
Padua, luckily, is quite a flat city. Apart from the few roman bridges and some -not very steep- streets, you will not find any hills to hike! Especially in the city center, most of the streets are narrow and quiet and the terrain is sometimes made of pavé or cobblestones. In some areas, the cobbling is such that it would be unsuitable for standard road bicycles. Outside the narrow streets, a bike lane is sometimes available. In the near Riviera del Brenta you can hire bikes at local shops, with free delivery services at your hotel, for make excursions in Padova region.

By tram
APS Mobilità (ex-ACAP, call center: +39 049 20111) runs the only tramway line of the city, based on the rubber-tired TransLohr vehicle.

The line SIR1, entered service with passengers on March, 24th 2007. The route is Stazione F.S. (Piazzale Stazione) - Trieste - Eremitani - Ponti Romani - Tito Livio - Santo - Prato della Valle - Cavalletto DX - Diaz - Santa Croce - Cavallotti - Bassanello - Sacchetti/Assunta - Cuoco - Guizza - Capolinea Sud.

This line is very useful for tourists because it stops near various monuments, museums and local landmarks like Santo Basilica, Eremitani Civic Museums, Cappella degli Scrovegni, Prato della Valle, Santa Giustina Basilica, Botanic Garden, central squares. (The stops for each of these are in bold above.)

The line is northbound-southbound, travel time 22 minutes from terminus to terminus. The tram runs every 8 minutes during weekdays daytime, 10 at early evening, 30 at late evening, every 20–15 minutes on Sundays from 7.07 till 0.20.

By bus
APS Mobilità (ex-ACAP, call center: +39 049 20111) runs a network of local transport that covers the main areas of the city as well as some suburbs.

 * lines with numbers are urban and sub-urban, as well as Minibus (Diretto Piazze-Diretto Duomo-Circolare Antenore) and LIS
 * lines with letters A-M-T-AM-AT are connecting Padova to the Abano Terme and Montegrotto Terme Spa area.

Many lines run on the two main axes in the centre: North-South and east–west. Many of them terminate at the train station, which is also the main node of the bus network. Apart from the tramway, the most frequent are lines 10 and 3.

By car
Getting around by car in the city center can be very difficult. During peak hours traffic jams are frequent. And if you want to see the city center, apart from the narrow streets and pedestrian zones, a traffic limited zone has been established from 8AM till 8PM and cameras on several entrance points control the access: those who are not authorized will get a fine. It is useful to park your car in one of several parking lots or on the park areas on the streets, then take a bus or walk from there. More info can be found (in Italian) on APSParcheggi website.

See
The Padua Card allows you to visit most churches and all museums as well as to use the public transport for €16.

Landmarks

 * Notice: Reserve your ticket/timeslot in advance or go very early. In the off-season, the wait from purchase to first available timeslot is about 4 hours unless you arrive before the hordes; in summer it's probably even longer. When you are admitted, you will be held for 15 minutes in a antechamber to lower body humidity which would otherwise damage the frescoes. During this time, you'll see a documentary presenting the chapel and its history. Then you will be allowed 15 minutes to see the frescoes before being shepherded out.
 * Notice: Reserve your ticket/timeslot in advance or go very early. In the off-season, the wait from purchase to first available timeslot is about 4 hours unless you arrive before the hordes; in summer it's probably even longer. When you are admitted, you will be held for 15 minutes in a antechamber to lower body humidity which would otherwise damage the frescoes. During this time, you'll see a documentary presenting the chapel and its history. Then you will be allowed 15 minutes to see the frescoes before being shepherded out.
 * Notice: Reserve your ticket/timeslot in advance or go very early. In the off-season, the wait from purchase to first available timeslot is about 4 hours unless you arrive before the hordes; in summer it's probably even longer. When you are admitted, you will be held for 15 minutes in a antechamber to lower body humidity which would otherwise damage the frescoes. During this time, you'll see a documentary presenting the chapel and its history. Then you will be allowed 15 minutes to see the frescoes before being shepherded out.
 * Notice: Reserve your ticket/timeslot in advance or go very early. In the off-season, the wait from purchase to first available timeslot is about 4 hours unless you arrive before the hordes; in summer it's probably even longer. When you are admitted, you will be held for 15 minutes in a antechamber to lower body humidity which would otherwise damage the frescoes. During this time, you'll see a documentary presenting the chapel and its history. Then you will be allowed 15 minutes to see the frescoes before being shepherded out.

 * At 90.000 square meters, Prato della Valle is the biggest square in Italy, and probably one of the most beautiful in the world. Historically a Roman theater and later a fairground, it was redone in 1775 to the present layout: a large central grassy area, surrounded by a statue-lined canal, then a broad expanse of flagstones before a couple lanes of traffic are allowed to trickle around it in the distance. Saturdays the square hosts a giant market. Other large events occur frequently (concerts, fairs, etc.). The area around the canal is well-used by joggers, bikers, and rollerbladers. The square is also a great place to sit in the evening, relaxing and watching the world go by. The statues appear to have been placed precisely to be good backrests.

 * Santa Giustina Basilica is along one side of Prato della Valle. When you visit, don't miss the Martyr's Hallway off of the right-front corner of the basilica.
 * Roman ruins, including an Arena. The Arena is smaller and less impressive than those in Verona or Rome, but well-located in a lovely and well-maintained park. About three quarters of the Arena walls remain; the rest were removed to make way for the Scrovegni Chapel and Scrovegni Palace (the latter now long gone). In summertime, open-air movies are shown in the Arena.
 * The Duomo, or cathedral, is smaller than the two basilicas but not by much - don't be misled by the relatively small façade on Piazza del Duomo. Michaelangelo was involved in the cathedral's design. Inside, there are some surprisingly modern touches among the statues and artwork. The duomo is mostly known for its baptistry which is filled with frescoes in late medieval style.
 * The Duomo, or cathedral, is smaller than the two basilicas but not by much - don't be misled by the relatively small façade on Piazza del Duomo. Michaelangelo was involved in the cathedral's design. Inside, there are some surprisingly modern touches among the statues and artwork. The duomo is mostly known for its baptistry which is filled with frescoes in late medieval style.

 * Note: The cathedral closes during lunch, with no visible hours posted beside the doors. If they're closed, try again later.

 * Next door to the cathedral is the Baptistry, with impressive frescos by Giusto de Menabuoi.
 * Most of the City walls of Padua have been made into the borders of people's back yards, but you can still roughly follow their route. At the northern gates leading towards the train station is a terraced garden leading up to the old water tower.
 * If you have extra time before your bus or train, visit Tempio Antonio della Pace, the large brick church a few minutes' walk away. The interior is light and airy - very appropriate for a place dedicated to Peace - and the walls are a subtle but moving memorial to the 5401 WWI soldiers and 989 civilian victims of WWII who are buried there.
 * In 2021, Padua got another entry on the UNESCO World Heritage List; named Padua's fourteenth-century fresco cycles. It's made up of the Scrovegni Chapel Church of the Eremitani, the Palazzo de la Ragione Chapel of the Cararesi Palace Cathedral Baptistery, the Basilica and Monastery of St. Anthony Oratory of St. George and the Oratory of St. Michael, or more specifically, the beautiful frescoes these building house.
 * In 2021, Padua got another entry on the UNESCO World Heritage List; named Padua's fourteenth-century fresco cycles. It's made up of the Scrovegni Chapel Church of the Eremitani, the Palazzo de la Ragione Chapel of the Cararesi Palace Cathedral Baptistery, the Basilica and Monastery of St. Anthony Oratory of St. George and the Oratory of St. Michael, or more specifically, the beautiful frescoes these building house.

Do

 * A pleasant local tradition is the spritz or aperitif in one of the central piazzas (Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza della Frutta or Piazza dei Signori), starting between 7 and 8 in the evening. There are lots of students and young people, which makes for a very pleasant atmosphere.
 * Many young folk, particularly students, converge on the Prato della Valle to eat their lunch, either on the central grass, or leaning against the statues that line the water. In fine weather you will generally find people ensconced against these statues for the afternoon.  It is one of the nicest places to rest, write, or watch the world go by in Padova.
 * Rugby Union: Petraca Rugby play in Serie A Elite, the top domestic tier. Their home ground Stadio Plebiscito (capacity 9000) is in the sports complex 4 km northeast of town centre; the national team also sometimes play here.
 * Sherwood Festival is between mid-June and mid-July in the outside garden of the main soccer stadium of Padua. It hosts Italian and international bands every weekend. It is easy to reach from the city center by bike in 20 minutes.

Learn
The Rolling Pin Cooking School - hands-on cooking classes in the center of Padua, about the art of Italian Gastronomy and Cooking.

Buy
Padua has two major markets. The older, much larger market fills the Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta, lying to the north and south of a grand, arcaded stone building, the Palazzo della Ragione. The open passages of the Palazzo house the butchers, cheese vendors, fishmongers, and fresh pasta shops. The Piazza delle Erbe to the south is mostly fruits and vegetables; the Piazza dei Frutti to the north is about half fruits and vegetables and half bric-à-brac and clothing. These markets are open all day every weekday plus Saturday.

On Saturdays, the Prato della Valle is filled with a giant market selling clothing, household goods, plants, and antiques. A small fruit and vegetable market has opened weekday mornings as well, though it is incomparably smaller than the offerings at the Palazzo della Ragione.

The old stone streets and piazzas to the southeast of the Piazza delle Erbe are pedestrianized and form the shopping center of the town.

Eat

 * For a light lunch, stop into any cafe for tramezzini - small sandwiches that come with a variety of fillings, and are usually cheap.

Cope

 * Bring your Italian phrasebook and study up - a little Italian goes a long way in Padua, especially in the low season.
 * The Padova Card offers free entrance to several key attractions, discounts at others, free parking, and free travel on buses. It's valid for 48 hours from the time you buy it.  At €14, it's worth having even if you only use it for the Scrovegni Chapel and one or two other sites or bus rides.
 * There are many students that can speak in English in Padua and many foreign students too, so the best way to find particular hints or suggestions is to go to one of the 3 piazzas around the Palazzo della Ragione during "aperitivo" time (19-23 hrs) and ask people there! They are usually really friendly and helpful.

Go next

 * The Colli Euganei are low hills to the west of town with some nice trails to hike on, and other equally nice restaurants to eat at after a day of walking.
 * Abano Terme is a small resort town especially popular with elderly German tourists based on the thermal spas in the area.
 * Arqua Petrarca is a beautifully preserved medieval town nestled in the hills, which is probably best known for being the final resting place of the Italian poet Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch).
 * Venice is not far at all. If you're in Padua, chances are you've already been to Venice or are on your way there.  But if not, it's definitely worth a day trip (or two!).
 * Villa di Teolo is a town on the Colli Euganei.

title: Padua


text:
Padova (province)

Padua or Province of Padua (Italian: Provincia di Padova) is in the Veneto region of Italy.

title: Padova (province)


text:
Padre Island National Seashore

Padre Island National Seashore is a park in Texas, United States of America. Located along the south Texas coast, Padre Island National Seashore protects the longest undeveloped stretch of barrier island in the world. Here, you can enjoy of sandy beaches, wind-carved dunes, vast grasslands, fragile tidal flats, and warm, nearshore waters.

History
Padre Island has remained a wilderness for most of its existence. From the time of the earliest Amerindians to the present day, development has never really touched the barrier island, except within the last 100 years. The island has been claimed by four flags: Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and the United States. The island's grasslands made it a very popular grazing ground for local ranchers.

In 1962, the federal government set aside a 70-mile length of the barrier island as a protected area, especially for rare species such as Kemp's ridley sea turtle, one of the rarest sea turtle species in the world.

Visitor information

 * Park website

By car
From Corpus Christi, take the John F. Kennedy Memorial Causeway to Padre Island and then follow Texas Park Road 22 south to the park entrance.

Fees and permits
The park entrance fee is $15 per vehicle (for that day), or $25 for 7 days. An annual park pass may be obtained for $40, and is valid for a year after the day of purchase. Please note that this is a pass to Padre Island National Seashore only.

Get around
The roads are simple. There's only 3. Beach Access is in two places: - North: usually ok for 2wd. Smaller section of beach, but it's before the park entry station so people often opt for this. - South: on the south side of the Malaquite Visitors Center, Park Road 22 runs into the beach. The first few miles are usually ok for 2wd; 4wd or AWD is recommended for anything past mile 5.

No driving on the beach area between North and South Access points. This includes the beach in front of Malaquite Visitors Center.

Buy
Malaquite Visitors Center is open daily 9-5. Selection is limited. Operated by Western National Parks Association (WNPA).

Sleep
Note that no reservations are taken for camping. Call Malaquite Visitor Center at +1 361 949-8068 to check on availability in the campgrounds. Space is almost always available on the beaches, unless they are closed due to unusually high tides.

Go next

 * South Padre Island, a small resort town on the southern tip of Padre Island

title: Padre Island National Seashore