Packing for a trip can be a lot. I know for me there’s always a bunch of questions running through my mind about weather, where I’m going, and what I’m doing whenever I’m packing. If you’re anything like me, you might even tend to overpack because you just don’t want to forget anything. You certainly don’t need to pack that much but to make sure that you are bringing all the essentials, here are all 19 travel accessories that I will always bring to help me feel prepared for my travels.
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1. Portable Phone Battery
I don’t know about you but I rely heavily on my phone while traveling.
From Google Maps to snapping a pic with the camera app to having Spotify open 24/7, my phone battery is usually drained by the end of the day.
With the long hours of travel, I really can’t afford to have a dead phone or to go out of my way to find an outlet to charge up so having a portable phone battery on me is a must.
It just makes things so much easier and gives me that reassurance that my phone will never go dead on me.
2. Tote Bag
Who knew tote bags could be so handy while traveling? Aside from just being a cute accessory to carry, they’re also super functional and helpful to have on hand.
A tote bag, specifically a packable tote bag, was actually one of my absolute essentials for when we walked the Camino de Santiago. During that trip, we used our tote bag nearly every single day to carry the groceries we bought for our meals.
It’s also nice to have a tote bag on hand if you plan on doing laundry. Whether you go to the local laundromat or if your accommodation has public laundry facilities, it just makes it so much easier to have a bag to carry all those clothes from one place to another.
3. Universal Adapter
The first time I went to London, I forgot to do my research and did not realize that the outlets would be different from the ones I was used to in America. Smh.
For international travel, I now always carry a universal adapter so I don’t have to scramble to buy an iPhone charger that has the right outlet plug.
This adapter has everything you could need. It has the 4 types of plugs: Australian, European, British, and American and extra USB ports so you can charge more than one device.
4. Reusable Utensil Kit
In the past I would have never thought to pack a reusable utensil kit, but now I don’t think I can travel without one!
To keep my travels budget friendly, I usually try to cook some of my own meals. Since a lot of the utensils in a hostel kitchen are shared with everyone, I like to just have my own set of utensils so that I don’t have to worry about whether they’ve been cleaned or not. Call me a germaphobe lol.
A reusable set of utensils also comes in so much handy when you pickup takeout and forget to grab a set of disposable utensils on the way out.
5. Packing Cubes / Compression Bags
A classic essential for travelers.
Packing cubes and compression bags really help to maximize the storage space and organization of your luggage. I usually like using packing cubes over compression bags because I find it easier to access but that’s just personal preference. Both honestly work great.
6. Travel First Aid Kit
This one is pretty self-explanatory.
It’s always good to have a travel first aid kit on you in the case that a small injury comes up. This first aid kit comes with plenty of bandages, wipes, and even an emergency blanket. I also make sure to bring a tube of Neosporin since it works so well on literally everything.
7. Reusable Water Bottle
We all know that staying hydrated is super important, especially when traveling.
I always bring a reusable water bottle so that I can avoid buying plastic water bottles. Usually, I opt for an insulated stainless steel bottle, like my Hydroflask or YETI tumbler, because it’s able to keep my water super cold and super hot (perfect for making instant ramen while camping lol!).
When filling up your water bottle, just make sure to check that the country’s tap water is safe to drink. You can usually find out via a simple Google search or double check with the front desk receptionist at your accommodation.
Another great resource to refer to for information on drinking water quality is the CDC’s Travel Health Tool. Just type in the name of the country you’re traveling to and it’ll give you a whole list of health and safety related information.
In most Western European countries, the tap water is perfectly safe to drink, albeit taste can vary depending on where you are, but in some Asian countries, it’s recommended that you find a drinking water dispenser or buy water.
8. Earplugs
Another one of those things that I used to never pack with me but now will never travel without.
Getting some good rest is super important especially with how much can happen in one day of travel. Having a good set of earplugs can make all the difference if you’re trying to catch some sleep on the plane and especially if you’re trying to get a good night’s rest at a hostel.
I’m not a huge fan of the foam earplugs so lately I’ve been exploring some different options like these loop earplugs.
Having a set of earplugs on hand are also great when going out to parties, clubs, or concerts where they have the music turned way up. It protects your hearing while still letting you hear the music and have a good time. I’ve found that these concert earplugs are quite popular.
9. Tripod
If you’re into photography and video creation like me, a reliable tripod is an essential especially when solo traveling.
I try to look for a tripod that’s sturdy and can also pack away easily. I’ll switch up the tripod I use depending on what I’m shooting with. If I’m shooting with my iPhone, I use this tripod and if I’m shooting with my DSLR, I use this tripod.
10. Portable Laundry Wash Bag
If I had to do laundry on the go, I would usually just scrub up the clothing in the bathroom sink, hang it up, and call it a day. I had no idea portable laundry wash bags existed until I saw a TikTok of this product.
It’s basically an upgraded alternative to hand washing your clothes in the sink. Just throw your clothes in the bag, fill it with water and some detergent, roll it up, shake it around and voila! Clean clothes that can be thrown on a line to dry.
The wash bag also rolls up small so once you’re done with it, you can stash it away in the corner of your bag.
11. Wipes + Hand Sanitizer
Let’s face it. Travel can get pretty gross.
From door handles to subway turnstiles, there’s a lot of public surfaces you’re going to be touching on your adventures. Because of that, I like to keep a pack of wipes and a bottle of hand sanitizer easily accessible so that I can make sure that I’m keeping my hands clean.
12. Hanging Toiletry Bag
A hanging toiletry bag is so great for keeping organized and being able to easily grab items.
Since it can also hang up, these toiletry bags are especially handy in hostels where the shower space may not have a place to put your things.
13. Mini Travel Umbrella
On those less adventurous days where you may just be going on a walk around the city, it’s nice to have a mini travel umbrella instead of having to put on all the rain gear.
14. Microfiber Travel Towel
Always bring a towel with you! Especially a microfiber one.
Having your own towel is great for when you’re staying in hostels (most will not provide towels) or need something for after a swim at the beach. I would specifically bring a microfiber towel because it dries super fast which is perfect for when you’re ready to pack it away.
15. Packable Jacket
I try to pack pieces of clothing that can roll up super tiny because of how much space it saves me. Jackets, however, are usually that one piece of clothing that I really struggle with. No matter how I fold them, they seem to always take up half the space in my luggage.
Because of this, I try to bring packable jackets over normal jackets to save space. As long as you’re not traveling to a place that is insanely cold, then you can usually get away with being warm enough with a packable jacket.
16. Lock
This one is a must especially if you plan on staying in a hostel.
Some hostels will have lockers that have a keypad or lock installed on them, but a majority of hostels still rely on the good old fashioned master lock system. Because of this, it’s always a good idea to just bring your own lock so that you can keep your belongings safe and not to have to purchase a new lock.
I usually opt for a lock with a key because I find it’s so much easier to access than a combination lock but either way honestly works fine. I bought my lock at the hostel but these are also pretty similar.
17. Cold Relief Powder + Herbal Teas
It happens to the best of us. When you’re traveling for a few months on end through a bunch of unfamiliar places, you may find yourself getting that annoying cold.
While walking the Camino de Santiago, I got a cold and did not like it at all. It was one night while resting in the albergue that one of my Irish friends, that I made along the Camino, gave me a packet of Lemsip and that completely changed the game. After a cup of Lemsip and a good night’s rest, I was ready to go again. Unfortunately, we don’t have Lemsip here in the US but there are other over-the-counter alternatives like Theraflu and Emergen-C.
Pair that with a good cup of herbal tea each night and you’ll be over that cold in no time.
18. Travel Backpack
Lately I’ve been loving travel backpacks over rolling carry on suitcases. With a travel backpack, I’m able to be hands free and not have to worry about stairs, cobblestones, or any rough terrain that I’m walking across. On top of that, I find that a travel backpack is able to fit everything I would have packed in a carry on suitcase.
I loved browsing travel backpacks and all their features so I had a bit of hard time deciding on one! I recently wrote a post comparing all the backpack options I was considering before finally deciding on the Osprey Sirrus 36L Womens.
19. Solid lotion stick
My hands get super dry, super easily.
Combine that with traveling to cold places or being stuck in a plane where the air is super dry, my skin gets absolutely dehydrated to say the least. I usually bring a small tube of lotion with me so I actually haven’t tried a solid lotion stick.
It’s a recommendation I read about from the blog Like Where You’re Going. Aly points out that the lotion stick works just like lotion without having to worry about the liquid requirements or mess. That alone has convinced me to give it a try for my next trip.
And that’s my list of travel essentials that I will always pack with me on every trip! I hope you found that helpful and were able to get some new ideas for your own packing list.