10 Must-Have Travel Essentials You Need For Your Next Trip!
As a self-proclaimed chronic over packer, I’ve learned a thing or two while travelling the world. Through trial and error (a lot of error), I’ve slowly discovered the smartest ways to travel, and more importantly the most practical travel necessities that will help me to maximize luggage space and cut down weight. So without further ado, here are my ride or die 10 must-have travel essentials for a fool-proof packing and travel experience!
Luggage
First, and arguably most important on your must-have travel essentials checklist is your suitcase. Investing in a good quality bag is key, but here are a few other important qualities you should look for when purchasing a suitcase:
I love that this particular suitcase comes in a variety of sizes and colors. I also appreciate the side compartment that pops open. This makes it easy to remove electronics when going through TSA. There’s no worse feeling than rushing to rummage through your bag to locate your electronics.
While it’s true you can definitely carry your electronics on your back, I prefer not to lug around my laptop in my backpack, so having this option is ideal for me.
Personal Item
When I travel, I want something that is going to not only fit all my carry-on needs, but also be comfortable. I’ve found that the most functional personal item is a multi-functional one.
This backpack is perfect because it has enough space for a laptop and other electronics, multiple compartments including an anti-theft compartment, a USB charging port, and even a shoe compartment. It also has cushy straps and a support strap.
We like to do a lot of day trips within our vacations, so it’s important that my personal item also doubles as a hiking pack and an overnight bag.
Compression Packing Cubes
One of the most slept on travel accessories are packing cubes. Not just any packing cubes, but compression packing cubes.
These are honestly a game changer for organization and maximizing space in your luggage. Simply pack your clothes in their designated cube, zip up, and finish with the second compression zipper to flatten it right out.
This 4-pack offers a variety of sizes to accommodate all your packing needs, and you have several color options to choose from. The material is smooth, and feels very high quality. I promise once you try these you will never go back.
Toiletries Bag
I’ve tried MANY toiletry bags over the years, and this one is by far the best. It has multiple compartments, and it unzips and folds out so you can hang it up and see all your items.
It also has space for all my makeup and makeup brushes, so it removes the need for a separate makeup bag.
Gadgets & Electronics
This digital hanging luggage scale has saved us on more than one occasion from having to pay an overweight baggage fee. It has unit conversions for both pounds and kilograms, and can weigh up to 110lb bags.
Once you’ve finished packing, all you have to do is attach the strap to the side handle of your luggage, and lift it into the air.
There is nothing worse (or more embarrassing) than being at baggage drop off, realizing your suitcase is overweight, and having to unzip and rifle through it to try to distribute the weight to your other bags.
Thanks to this device, I will never have to do that ever again! This should definitely be on your list of must-have travel essentials.
We’ve all heard the countless recent horror stories of airlines losing luggage, which is what prompted us to purchase a Tile tracker. Note: If you have an Apple device, purchase the Airtag instead.
The Tile tracker uses Bluetooth to connect to your phone, which allows you to keep tabs on your luggage. It also works for car keys, and pretty much anything else you want to attach it to.
Not within range? No worries, you can use Tile’s Community Find feature to help you locate your item. Otherwise it will show you the last known location.
We’ve since purchased several more Tile trackers. We have one for our keys, and I keep one in my purse, gym bag, carry-on, and main luggage.
This cable and electronics organizer is perfect for keeping all your cords, battery devices, and headphones in one place.
There is nothing more annoying that rummaging around in the bottom of your bag trying to locate your headphones or charging cable.
This makes it super easy and convenient, and is just big enough to fit your phone in too if you wish. It comes in a variety of colors if pink isn’t your style.
We always travel with a lot of electronics, and having an all-in-one storage pouch like this has been so beneficial.
I think we can all agree that there is nothing worse than getting to your hotel or Airbnb, and realizing there is only one outlet, and it’s on the other side of the room.
This is a pet peeve of mine, and the reason I purchased a travel power strip. It features 3 outlets and 3 USB ports, and meets most of my travel needs.
I like that it’s small and not bulky, and fits easily in my carry-on or purse.
A travel sized steamer may seem like an odd must-have travel essentials item, but trust me it is life changing.
How many times have you gotten to your hotel, unpacked your clothes, and realized they were wrinkly or creased? Then went to look for the iron only to find that there isn’t one. Even when there is one, let’s face is, irons are a giant pain.
Once you try a steamer, you will never go back to a traditional iron, I promise you. This steamer heats up in 30 seconds, and immediately gets even the toughest creased out of your clothes.
No matter how nice your outfit might be, wrinkles in your clothes automatically downgrade your look. This is why I never go anywhere without my steamer, and I use it on every single trip without fail.
Never underestimate the need for a portable battery when travelling. When we travel and connect to new networks or don’t have the option of WIFI, our batteries drain pretty quickly.
I always carry a portable battery with me when I travel, because chances are, I’m taking lots of photos and videos and draining my battery. Also I never want to be in an emergency situation where my phone is dead.
This portable battery is great because it has multiple cables and ports, to meet most of your charging needs. When the battery runs low, simply plug it into the wall to charge it back up.
It works for both Android and iPhone, and can charge other devices such as Kindles. It’s small and compact which makes it easy to fit into my purse or backpack when I’m on the go.
In conclusion, these are the bare-bone necessities for my top 10 must-have travel essentials. Ever since implementing these items into my life, travel has been much smoother and hassle free, so I definitely recommend you try a few of these out for yourself! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Still looking for more? Check out my Ultimate Greece Holiday Packing Guide!
Wow!! Again amazing extremely useful information!’ You’ve done it again Alya!! Thanks ! 🙏
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!