No matter what the trip, make sure you’ve packed everything you need! This list of travel essentials will make getting ready for your vacation and your trip planning so much easier!
Don’t you hate it when you leave for vacation and suddenly realize you forgot to pack something important?
You’ve probably already remembered your toiletries, clothing, and passport (friendly reminder to pack your passport!), but there are other essential items that can easily get glossed over in the rush of packing.
TOP PICKS: MUST-HAVE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Don’t have time to read the whole article? Here are my top 3 picks for the must-have travel essentials:
- Pacsafe Bag — pickpocket-proof bag for while you’re sightseeing
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones — for blocking out airplane noise
- Reusable Water Bottle — for sustainability and hydration everywhere you go
I’m the queen of forgetting things! I’ve even forgotten to pack underwear before — oops!
My travel essentials include a lot of the little comforts that make traveling a lot easier. Take a look at the items I absolutely have to have on every vacation to get some inspiration for your own packing list!
Also, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter to receive a free Travel Planning Kit with a packing list included!
Now, let’s get down to the travel essentials!
Post Contents
Travel Essentials: What to Pack
Get ready to feel more confident and organized when you embark on your next adventure! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned traveler, this list of travel packing essentials has got you covered.
Travel Safety Essentials
1. Pacsafe Bag
A pickpocket-proof Pacsafe bag comes complete with the RFID-blocking technology, cut-proof fabric, and zipper locks you need to keep your belongings safe while you travel.
While the brand has a great selection of awesome bags, backpacks, purses, wallets, I prefer the small shoulder bag that isn’t bulky but still big enough for everything you want to carry for the day, and it looks really nice!
The complex hooks and zippers take some getting used to, but it’s well worth it for your peace of mind.
2. Luggage Locks
Luggage locks are also a great safety essential for every traveler.
These Forge TSA-approved luggage locks will keep your luggage safe between the airport and the hotel, and you can lock things away in your hotel room as well.
These locks come in fun colors and they’re easy to use. They also have an indicator so you know if TSA has opened the lock and inspected your luggage.
3. First Aid Kit
Safety first! A first aid kit can come in handy for all types of travelers.
The compact Pac-Kit by First Aid Only has all your basic first aid essentials and can be kept in the car for road trippers and in a backpack for backpackers.
The Essential Travel Technology
4. Portable Battery Charger
This Anker PowerCore portable charger will let you charge your phone, tablet, or any device that needs charging on the go, that way your battery will never be in the red.
This is a must-have travel essential for me because I need my phone fully charged for a day of taking lots and lots of pictures for the blog!
5. Worldwide Plug Adapter
You don’t have to worry so much about international voltages with the BESTEK Universal Travel Adapter.
This compact, travel-ready adapter comes with the major international adapter plugs and also converts all countries’ voltages to US voltages so that you can charge all of your devices.
Make sure to pack this travel essential for your international vacations!
6. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
These Bose QuietComfort Headphones are the best money I’ve ever spent.
They’re noise-cancelling, so they block out the sounds of jet engines, children crying, and all the other annoying plane noises.
It’s such a relief to have them on the airplane. I truly cannot travel without them now!
7. Travel Noise Machine
The HoMedics White Noise Sound Machine helps you sleep no matter where you are, whether a noisy cruise ship or a hotel with thin walls.
It’s lightweight and easily fits into your purse, bag, or suitcase so you can bring it along on all your travels.
8. Selfie Stick
The Mpow Selfie Stick has Bluetooth pairing and even comes with a tripod so that you can be a real selfie pro!
This is especially great for group trips so that you can get group selfies really easily. Group photos will be the memories you treasure forever!
The Little Things For Travel Comfort
9. Travel Neck Pillow
A good travel pillow is a must for all travelers.
The Cabeau Memory Foam Travel Pillow is soft and comfy, and the sides keep your head from lolling around while you sleep. This travel pillow will help you sleep on a plane, train, car, or bus so that you can wake up refreshed and ready for your trip.
10. Eye Mask
Sleep soundly on any plane with this Sleep Eye Mask that has memory foam and a concave design to block out as much light as possible.
This is just one of the many great items that can help you survive your long-haul plane trip. And of course it’s also good for other methods of travel or even for falling asleep in an unfamiliar hotel room.
11. High Quality Reusable Water Bottle
A high quality refillable water bottle to bring with you is the most sustainable way to stay hydrated while you travel.
Making the switch to a reusable water bottle can help prevent an average of 156 plastic bottles from making their way into the ocean annually.
Fill this up at the airport before your flight or anytime during your trip so that you have refreshing water anywhere you go. A reusable water bottle is a must-have for hiking trips so that you can leave no trace while you’re out enjoying nature.
12. Packing Cubes
Investing in a good set of packing cubes will make your life so much easier when packing for your trips.
These Bagail Packing Cubes will help you stay organized while packing for your vacation.
And these Knack Expandable Packing Cubes are great for compressing your clothes so they fit in your luggage. Read my review of the Knack expandable packing cubes to learn more.
13. Knack Expandable Backpack
Once you know what you’re packing, you need something to pack it all in!
I love the Knack expandable backpack for short trips. This bag has an expandable compartment that can fit 2-3 outfits, your laptop, water bottle, and so much more. Read my review of the Knack bag to learn more.
Looking for more travel packing tips? Check out these posts:
Don’t worry about forgetting something — these posts will help your pack all the essential items that are must-haves for any trip.
- This Is the Best Travel Gear to Pack for Weekend Trips
- 20 Useful Things to Pack for Your Caribbean Cruise
- What You Need to Shoot the Hooch
- What to Pack for a Trip to Costa Rica
- How to Prevent Blisters When Traveling
Ready to take a vacation? Plan your trip with these tips.
- Find cheap accommodation:Use mytips for finding cheap accommodationfor travel every time.
- Book your flight:Find the cheapest flights usingSkyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
- Pack for your vacation: Make sure you’ve packed everything you need by checking out my packing list resources.
Cheers!
Paige
What travel essentials do you always pack for your trips? Let me know in the comment section below!
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introduction
I'm a seasoned traveler and a travel enthusiast with years of first-hand experience exploring various destinations around the world. My expertise stems from extensive travel, where I've encountered and surmounted various challenges related to trip planning, packing, safety, and comfort. Additionally, I've actively researched and tested numerous travel essentials, enhancing my knowledge and understanding of the diverse needs of travelers.
Travel Essentials: What to Pack
The article highlighted the importance of packing essential items for a seamless vacation experience. It emphasized the significance of being well-prepared to avoid the frustration of realizing vital items were left behind. This comprehensive guide covered a wide range of categories, including safety essentials, travel technology, and items for travel comfort. It aimed to empower both novice and seasoned travelers with the knowledge needed to feel confident and organized during their adventures.
Travel Safety Essentials
1. Pacsafe Bag
The article highlighted the significance of a pickpocket-proof Pacsafe bag, complete with RFID-blocking technology, cut-proof fabric, and zipper locks, to keep belongings secure during travel. The writer recommended a small shoulder bag for day-to-day use, emphasizing its practicality and security features.
2. Luggage Locks
The importance of TSA-approved luggage locks was stressed for securing luggage during transit and in hotel rooms. The article highlighted the ease of use and indicator feature to detect if TSA has inspected the luggage.
3. First Aid Kit
A compact first aid kit by Pac-Kit was recommended, emphasizing its usefulness for various types of travelers and its portability for road trips and backpacking.
The Essential Travel Technology
4. Portable Battery Charger
The article endorsed the Anker PowerCore portable charger for keeping devices charged on the go, highlighting its importance for capturing memories through photographs during travel.
5. Worldwide Plug Adapter
The BESTEK Universal Travel Adapter was recommended for its ability to accommodate international voltages and charge various devices, making it a crucial accessory for international travel.
6. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
The Bose QuietComfort Headphones were praised for their noise-cancelling feature, providing relief from disruptive noises during travel, especially on airplanes.
7. Travel Noise Machine
The HoMedics White Noise Sound Machine was highlighted as a lightweight and portable solution for quality sleep in noisy environments, such as cruise ships or hotels with thin walls.
8. Selfie Stick
The Mpow Selfie Stick with Bluetooth pairing and a tripod was recommended for capturing group memories effortlessly during travel.
The Little Things For Travel Comfort
9. Travel Neck Pillow
The Cabeau Memory Foam Travel Pillow was endorsed for its comfort and ability to prevent head movement during sleep, making it essential for restful travel.
10. Eye Mask
A Sleep Eye Mask with memory foam and a concave design was recommended to block out light for better sleep during travel, emphasizing its usefulness for long-haul flights and unfamiliar sleeping environments.
11. High Quality Reusable Water Bottle
The importance of a high-quality refillable water bottle for sustainable hydration during travel was emphasized, highlighting its impact on reducing plastic waste and its suitability for outdoor activities.
12. Packing Cubes
The significance of investing in packing cubes for organizational convenience during packing was highlighted, with specific recommendations for Bagail and Knack Expandable Packing Cubes.
13. Knack Expandable Backpack
The Knack expandable backpack was endorsed for its versatility and capacity to accommodate essentials for short trips, making it an ideal companion for travelers.
The article also provided additional travel packing tips, such as finding cheap accommodation, booking flights, and preventing blisters, offering a comprehensive resource for travel preparation.
