The Ultimate List of Must Have Travel Items
If you’re looking for some must have travel items for your upcoming trip, you’ve come to the right place.
Table of Contents
When you get started with traveling, it can feel a bit overwhelming trying to figure out what you need to bring with you, and what you should leave at home. You won’t want to pack too heavy, but you’re nervous about the potential of forgetting to pack something important.
Well I’m here to help! This is the ultimate list of must have travel items as well as unique travel accessories!
These items are great for showing you some international travel must haves, as well as items that can work on a weekend staycation!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure for further information.
Are you interested in traveling with just a carry on to avoid checked baggage fees and unnecessary struggle? Click here to get my free carry on travel checklist!
Travel Laptop Backpack
Having a backpack that’s well suited for travel is really important. It’s best if you can find a backpack like this where there are two zippers on a track that you can attach a lock to, for extra safety against theft. Also if you travel with your laptop, finding a bag with a protective laptop pocket in the bag is a bonus!
Travel Pillow
Traveling with a supportive travel pillow is great if you find you could use a bit of extra support on longer trips. A memory foam pillow could be just what you need to give you the best support to help you catch some sleep on your commute.
Microfiber Towel
A microfiber towel is great if you think you’ll need a towel on your travels. They’re small and light which makes them great for travel, but they also dry super fast, so you don’t have to wait for hours while it dries before you pack it up again.
Packing Cubes
If you ask almost any seasoned traveler, they’ll likely tell you that packing cubes are a necessity! Packing cubes are a must have travel item because they keep your luggage organized and help with saving space so you can fit more in!
TSA Approved Luggage Lock
A TSA approved luggage lock is of course a must. A lot of luggage now comes with a built in TSA lock, but for luggage that doesn’t have that, or for other luggage like backpacks, having a TSA approved lock is great for keeping your belongings safe.
Sunglasses
If you usually find that you need sunglasses at home, then you should be sure to bring sunglasses on your trip. It’s better to be ready than to be struggling to see your surroundings!
Travel Day Bag
Having a day bag for travel is great, especially when it can attach easily to your luggage. It’s so handy to have the extra space as well for extra things you might want to pack, and it’s easy enough to bring around with you day to day if you find you need more room.
Universal Travel Adaptor
One of the biggest must have travel items is a universal travel adaptor! This is absolutely essential if you’re traveling to a part of the world where electricity ports are different than where you live. If you aren’t prepared with proper means of charging, you’ll find yourself with dying electronics! You definitely need to have this with you!
First Aid Kit
Having some sort of a first aid kit with you when you’re traveling is a good idea. You never know when something is going to happen, so it’s best to always be safe rather than sorry. You can buy a pre made first aid kit like this one here, or you can make up your own with supplies that you think you’d be most likely to need.
Leggings
Leggings are such an essential for female travel! Of course mind the rules of the country you’re visiting because some countries don’t welcome leggings, but in countries where they’re acceptable, they are so great to have! Leggings are especially great for staying comfortable during long flights!
Tide To Go Pen
If you’re a hot mess like I am, then you might find that carrying a Tide To Go pen during your travels can be a lifesaver for keeping your clothes in their best condition.
Wifi Hotspot
A wifi hotspot can be a great device if you feel you need to be more connected when you’re on the go, especially if you think you’ll need to use GPS to get around.
Power Bank Portable Charger
Having a portable power bank with you on your travels is fantastic to have as a back up power source if you find yourself running out of cellphone battery through out the day. It’s always best to be safe than sorry and end up stranded with no cell phone charge!
Collapsible Water Bottle
A collapsible water bottle is a great addition to have for your travels. Since it can collapse, it takes up next to no room in your luggage. It can be a great money saver so you don’t have to go around buying water bottles when you travel (not to mention a great help to the environment)!
Travel Tripod
If you’re into travel photography, or if you’re traveling solo and don’t want to rely on strangers taking pictures of you, you can always bring along a travel tripod. A tripod like this one is great because not only is it lightweight, it can also fold up small enough to fit into a carry on piece of luggage.
Travel Umbrella
Having rain while traveling can be a bummer, but it doesn’t have to keep you cooped up all day long. Bringing a small travel umbrella can help get you out and about. Having one like this is great for travel because it’s so small, and comes with its own travel case!
Travel Scarf With Hidden Pockets
Traveling with a scarf like this is great for solo female travelers. Keeping things like your money and passport safe and close to you, wearing a scarf like this is such a simple way to keep your most important items safe.
Headphones
Headphones are an essential for travel. Whether your style is more the smaller ear buds, or if you want to dive right into noise cancelling headphones, there is nothing better than being able to get into the zone and ignore the world around you while you’re commuting on a plane, train, bus etc.
LifeProof Phone Case
Traveling can be messy, and when you’re on the go it can make it more likely that your belongings will be bumped around a bit, including your phone! Protecting your cellphone with a case like LifeProof is a good way to not have to worry too much if you end up dropping your phone.
Digital Luggage Scale
Having a digital luggage scale was a game changer for me and my travels. I remember when I was younger using an analog body weight scale to weigh my bags and it was a nightmare. Having a digital luggage scale is so simple. You just hook it on the top of your case and lift the case and the scale will tell you the exact weight while the bag is dangling on it. Seriously couldn’t travel without this now!
Travel Wallet
Using a travel wallet is a great way to keep all of your travel documents together so you don’t lose track of anything. Getting a long one like this one is great for printed boarding passes, passports, local currency, and debit/credit cards and even your phone!
Camera
If you want something more powerful than just your phone camera, investing in a handheld camera is a great idea. There are so many great camera options these days now that mirrorless cameras like this are on the scene. They take incredible pictures, but aren’t as big and heavy as the DSLR cameras making them an optimal travel companion.
Apple iPad
Traveling with an iPad is amazing. It’s light and slim so it hardly takes up any room in your luggage, and it can keep you entertained for hours. You’re able to download some shows and movies from streaming services such as Netflix, and you can play games and download books and magazines too. Plus the battery life is pretty good so you can also use it for music without worrying about your battery dying as quick as it would on your phone. Some airlines are even taking out televisions from their seat backs, but you can download the airline app ahead of time to watch their entertainment selection from your tablet.
Travel Sized Face/Makeup Wipes
I know that individually wrapped face wipes have been seen as controversial to some, but I actually think they’re a good option for when you’re on the road. They don’t take up a lot of room and are great to store in your purse so you can wipe your face down before landing to feel a bit more fresh. I wouldn’t use them for daily use, but I think they’re handy for travel!
Travel Clothing Steamer
If you bring clothing with you that is prone to wrinkling, it could be worth it for you to bring along a travel steamer. It’s small and compact making it a great way to keep your outfits looking great while traveling.
I hope this list was helpful for you and will help you with packing for your upcoming travels. Don’t forget to download the free checklist for carry on travel if that’s something you’re interested in!
Related Posts
The Best Traveling Purse For Europe And Beyond
Clean Hotel Rooms: How To Disinfect Your Hotel Room
How To Travel Alone For The First Time: Tips For Solo Female Travelers
Traveling With Your Period: How To Travel During Your Period
Best Travel Towels: Quick Dry Travel Towels (2020)
