60+ Essential Travel Items for Your Next Trip

Booties to sleep in and duffels to bring on. Noise-canceling headphones and pillows to dream on. Backpacks that carry all that your day brings. These are a few of my favorite things…when traveling!

Did you know that when I was little my mom and I would watch The Sound of Music once a week? I’m really good at “The Lonely Goatherd,” too.

Back on topic, there’s travel stuff and then there’s travel stuff that just makes your life better. Below you’ll find some essential travel items and some of my favorite things, whether you’re in the air or back on land. This is your ultimate packing list.

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, including links through the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. At no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I won’t recommend something I have not used/would not use myself, and any income earned supports the upkeep of this site.

Essential Travel Items in the Air

Long-haul flights are hard. Make them a little bit easier with these essential travel items in the air.

Acne Spot Treatment

My skin really goes through it when I’m traveling, which means I always pack some kind of acne spot treatment to deal with breakouts out on the road. My skin is a fun mix of oily and dry, so trial and error has landed me with Clinique for spot treatments. Just make sure that you choose something that’s travel-sized to avoid it getting taken away by overzealous TSA staff.

Adult Coloring Book

If you haven’t gotten into the adult coloring book trend, you’re not living your life correctly. It’s a great way to pass some time while you’re flying, so it’s a great one to add to your plane essentials. Etsy has all kinds of options for you, including the soothing botanical options from MollySuzanneCo pictured above.

Audio Splitter

If I’m traveling with Brian, we load up whatever device we’re bringing with downloaded Netflix content to watch on the airplane in case the in-flight entertainment is lacking. Whether you’re traveling throughout the United States or abroad, if you’re watching content at the same time, you’ll need a splitter. A basic one will do. I have a Belkin splitter pictured above. Now you can laugh and cry together!

Blanket Scarf

If you’re traveling in the cooler months, a comfy blanket scarf will make your life so cozy when you’re sipping on some mulled wine at your final destination. It’s also a great alternative to cozy up to than those airplane blankets they pass out at the start of every long-haul flight. Seriously, where have those scratchy things been? Blegh.

Body Wipes

You know the feeling. You’ve been on an airplane for 13 hours, and you’ve got at least six hours of sightseeing ahead before your room is ready and you can take a proper shower. Body wipes to the rescue! There are lots of options as far as scents that don’t leave you smelling like a dentist’s office to combat those not-so-fresh feelings.

Cocktail Kit

I’m not usually bringing along a first aid kid outside of bandaids for blisters, but this kit is more intriguing than that. I’ve seen versions of travel cocktail kits in hipster stores for a lot more money than what Etsy sellers carry, even falling into that trap when I was gift-shopping for a traveler friend’s birthday one year.

There are a variety of options depending on what you’re picking for your poison. The one pictured above is for the old-fashioned amongst you. That means you’ll be able to fashion an old fashioned from this kit. Imagine how extra you’ll look on that plane pulling out one of these!

Compression Socks

Compression socks aren’t the sexiest travel essential on the list, but they just may prevent a blood clot on your next long-haul flight. That’s pretty sexy, actually. On top of stimulating circulation in your legs, they also provide some comfort and reduce swelling while you’re in the air. If you already suffer from varicose veins, they’re a no-brainer for travel.

Disinfecting Wipes

Once you’ve lived through a pandemic, travel starts to hit different. These days, I never leave the house without a little bottle of sand hanitizer and some travel-sized disinfecting wipes. You’ll want to start with the dirtiest parts of the airplane. That’s the tray tables, headrests, and seatback pockets. Just go to town on your entire seat. Seriously.

Emergen-C

I’ll admit some of it may be a placedo effect, but I just feel better knowing that I’m sipping on something that has a boatload of Vitamin C to offer me when I’m traveling. I started bringing a couple packets of Emergen-C along on every trip when I noticed that I’d start feeling crummy around the third day.

Now that we’re no longer living in masks, it’s all the more important to give your body an immune system boost whenever you can.

eReader

Gone are the days when I’m packing a bunch of hardcovers in my carry-on. I just don’t have the space (because snacks), and I’m getting too old to be carrying around all that extra baggage, literally and figuratively. Enter: eReaders.

I can’t quit Kindle. A Paperwhite should suit you just fine if you’re just reading eBooks, but if you want the capabilities of a tablet, upgrade to a Kindle Fire.

Eye Drops

I wear contact lenses, so usually just throw on my glasses when I travel. I’m still not immune to dry eyes in the skies, though. If that’s you, bring along eye drops to return moisture to your eyes, whether you’re on a red-eye flight or not. Get it?

Laundry Bag

You can do as I used to do and just throw your dirty laundry in a garbage bag, or you can travel with a dedicated laundry bag to keep the rest of your clean clothes fresh. If you’re planning on laundry at your destination, a mesh bag for your delicates is a good idea, too.

Lip Balm

It’s so simple and yet so clutch. A little lip balm or Vaseline will keep your lips nice and soft over the course of your journey. I like something with an SPF to keep them protected from sun exposure while I’m at it. I’ve learned the hard way that a sunburn on your lips is one of the worst things ever.

Mobile Hotspot

I’m all about disconnecting when I can while I’m traveling, but I’m also about working from everywhere these days. That means I need access to the internet no matter where I’m at, even if that somewhere is the middle of nowhere. I promise I still have a good time.

Pick up a mobile hotspot if you’re in the same boat as I am to stay connected when you need to. You can always shut the thing off when you want to disconnect, too.

Noise-Cancelling Headphones

If you’re a light sleeper like I am, you hear every little noise around you on an airplane, and there are plenty. There’s the drink cart clanging down the aisle, the snoring guy next to you, and that little girl who only knows the “E-I-E-I-O” part of “Old MacDonald had a Farm.”

If you want to tune out most of that (and I say most because I haven’t met a pair of headphones that truly drown EVERYTHING out), a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones are a must-have amongst all other essential travel accessories. They’re an investment in your sanity.

Brian and I both have wireless Bose headphones. These are real treat yo’ self headphones, but I promise you, they’re worth it. (I haven’t tried Apple AirPods just yet because I have a tendency to lose items that small.)

Portable Charger

You don’t want to be getting ready to post that envy-inducing beach photo to your social media and lose power because your phone battery died. How will your exes know that you’re better off without them?

Let the rage posting begin with a portable charger or power bank, one of my top travel items. Budget-friendly options are just fine for short trips.

Sleep Mask

You’ve wrapped your pillow around your head and have your noise-cancelling headphones on, but the snoring dude next to you is up now and needs to turn his overhead reading light on for some light reading of J. R. R. Tolkien.

If you have a sleep mask on, you won’t be disturbed. A good eye mask is also a crucial thing to have if you need to catch some shut-eye when it’s still looking like daylight out there.

Slipper Socks

I don’t trust anything that comes in those airplane plastic bags, including those socks. I bring my own slipper socks, or “slipper booties,” as I like to call them around the house when “winter” is coming. (We lived in San Diego for a while where 60 degrees and under was “winter.”) My slipper booties give me joy.

Travel Games

Travel games are a good idea no matter who you’re with, but they’re especially helpful on long-haul flights with kids. If you’re looking for some printables, subscribe in the upcoming box below and I’ll send you a set of puzzles and games created by yours truly! You likely won’t regret it.

Travel Pillow

Travel pillows are not all made equally, yet they’re considered essential travel gear. After creaking our necks on the usual neck pillows one may find at the airport (because we’d always be forgetting our travel pillow at home), we found the Infinity Pillow. We both have one, and it’s become not just our favorite travel pillow, but one of our must-have travel essentials.

There’s a couple different ways to wrap it around your head to make the squish just so and to your liking. If you’re in the middle seat, it’ll allow your head to rest on its side without making the old man next to you uncomfortable. If you’re the lucky ducky in the window seat, you’ll have a much softer natural headrest.

I wax on more about why this pillow is awesome if you’d like to check it out.

Travel-Sized Toiletries

It doesn’t matter who you are. You can’t travel with bottles that hold more than 3.4 ounces of liquid. TSA doesn’t care how much you paid for that fancy hand cream. It’s 3.4 ounces or it’s in the trash. If you have a favorite product, pick up travel-sized bottles that you can fill and refill to your heart’s content.

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Essential Travel Items On Land: Anytime

Check out these vacation essentials for your anytime travel so you’re good to go no matter the season and no matter the reason.

Binoculars

If you’re planning on any hiking or nature-spotting on your vacation, bring a compact pair of binoculars so you don’t miss out on anything. I have terrible vision on a good day, so they can be a lifesaver. You can also use them for the nose-bleed seats you got for Hamilton. These travel necessities are multi-purpose.

Backpack Bag/Larger Purse

I’ve been through a few bucket bags and backpack purses since I’ve started traveling more regularly, and whatever is on my shoulder is typically my go-to purse these days. It’s this backpack bag currently, as it hurts my aging shoulders less. I can fit all I need inside, including the light jacket Brian brought with him but doesn’t want to carry around anymore.

Bring along something big enough that it holds all your stuff but small enough that it still counts as a purse where the air travel police are concerned. Shoving it into a larger backpack works, too.

Camera

I had the same Canon PowerShot for years and it served me well. I’ll admit I stick to my smartphone these days, but you’ll want something with a decent optical zoom if you plan on doing any kind of wildlife photography. My nieces and nephew inherited my old camera, but if I ever decide on an upgrade in this area, I’ll let you know!

Comfortable Shoes

I don’t spend much time in places where people around me are wearing high heels. No matter where I’m going, I’m bringing comfortable shoes, a must-have travel item on your travel packing lists no matter where you’re going, too. I’ve gone through several pairs of Keds up to this point — the ones in the photo above are the exact pair I currently own — and I’m certainly not stopping now. I love them without apology.

Earplugs

You’ve heard all about my love for noise-cancelling headphones. If you want something less heavy-duty for noise while you’re trying to get to sleep, I’ve found the first pair of earplugs that don’t pop right out of my tiny ear holes.

If you have a similar problem, pick up the Loop Quiet Noise Reduction variety. They come in a few different sizes with each order, so you can test which size works best for your ear canal. Seriously, I can’t buy any others. They just pop right out, or they hurt, or they just don’t work.

Hard-Side Luggage

Somehow the adorable and purple soft-sided carry-on I got for myself is too tall to pass muster at most airlines, so there it sits as storage, full of shoes. My Samsonite replacement is still adorable, just orange and hard-sided.

I know you’re probably worried about the size constraints with a hard-side suitcase, but fear not. This one’s got all kinds of compartments that appear when you open the thing up. You won’t even need packing cubes for this one, especially if you’ve learned the military roll method of folding clothes. Check out more fun and affordable Samsonite options for your carry-on.

Herschel Travel Backpack

Whereas Brian looks for pure function in his choice of travel backpack, I’m usually looking for a bit of pizzazz. Luckily, I didn’t have to sacrifice function to get a bit of said pizzazz with Herschel. You know you’ve seen ’em around. They come in all kinds of patterns and colors. I have the classic size, and it’s plenty big for use as a carry-on bag on long-haul flights.

Hiking Backpack

Brian and I both sport Osprey hiking backpacks when we’re exploring our national parks. I have the Daylite version, which has plenty of storage for my purposes. (My purposes are a bottle of water, jerky, and whatever layers I’m going to shove inside when I start sweating up an incline.)

In order to scam Brian into hauling more gear on his back, he has the Talon version, which you can even attach poles to if you’re doing something super aggressive. That one’s got even more room for your gear, e.g. more jerky, perhaps some gummy bears, and a compass if I knew how to use one. What’s north even mean? I would not survive alone in the woods.

Hiking Leggings

I don’t need to buy bulky hiking pants to know that they’re not going to be flattering on my body shape. I’ve got hips and a booty and I need some stretch out on the trails. Hiking leggings are it for me if I want to feel comfortable and supported, whether we’re hitting a long day hike or short urban trails.

I have no less than four pairs of the leggings in the photo above. They have pockets, people. While my butt doesn’t look like the model’s, my phone does, all nestled in that side pocket.

Hiking Shoes

If you’re going anywhere and hoping to do some hiking, you’ll need a good pair of hiking shoes to do that. You’ll want a lightweight pair with some traction that will withstand mud if conditions are right for that, whether that’s a sandal or something more versatile, like a traditional hiking shoe for all of the elements.

Pack something more weather-proof if you’re doing some hiking during the rainy season. I’ve been a big fan of my Altra Lone Peak shoes pictured above. They’re waterproof and not as bulky as a traditional hiking boot. Brian has been buying the Brooks brand Cascadia trail runners for as long as I can remember.

Money Belt

I just read a dig at money belts on some travel blog and got a little annoyed. When you’ve experienced theft abroad as we have, something as cheap and simple as a money belt is an easy get when you’re traveling to crowded places.

Brian wears his right under his shirt when we’re going to a crowded city center and it’s undetectable. It’s big enough for some cash and credit cards, and you’ll get over the slight awkwardness of getting at it when all your valuables are safe and sound.

Rain Boots

No matter the season, you may come across some rain wherever you are. Pack a cute pair of comfortable booties to face any weather challenges. I’m a nerd for all things Keds, so purchased the Keds you see above in navy for all of my rainy adventuring.

Rain Jacket

No matter where you’re going and when, you may encounter some wind and rain on your vacay. If you’re prepared, it’ll all be OK, I promise. Pack something lightweight that you can throw on if you encounter some inclement weather to let the fun times roll!

RFID-Blocking Wallet

It was about time I purchased a wallet with RFID-blocking capabilities for our trips. Now both of us carry wallets that block electronic credit card theft, or e-skimming. (I actually owned the exact wallet pictured above until I spilled cough syrup all over it.)

They’re also a common item on wallet shelves — for those who still actually department stores — as travelers just have security on the brain these days. We’ve encountered theft abroad, so better safe than sorry.

Soft Duffel Bag

We’re typically bringing along our hard-case luggage as our carry-on bags for most of our travel, but I wanted to include soft duffel bags that we had to get for our trip to South Africa. If you’re visiting a few camps or staying off the beaten path, your roller bags may be too large for the transportation options (e.g. propeller planes, transport vans) you’ll encounter.

Don’t be that person shoving their stupid giant bag where it doesn’t fit and then delaying everyone’s travels around you.

Timbuk2 Travel Backpack

When Brian was ready to replace his 20-year-old JanSport, he set his eyes on a Timbuk2 because of its lightweight, padded laptop area and many pockets for all his special travel items. It’s his go-to pack when we’re sightseeing and walking around the city.

Travel Detergent

When airlines have lost your luggage several times in the same part of the world, it makes you want to avoid checking a bag whenever possible. On longer trips, that means laundry at your destination. In many countries, the cheap cost of a laundry service is well worth it. If you’re in Europe or the United States, it’s best to just handle it yourself.

SinkSuds work in both the literal sink and regular washers. You just may need more than one packet if you’re doing a full load.

Travel Towel

We’re not hostel people, but if you are, a travel towel is an important add-on to an essential packing list. We purchased a pair from Rainleaf’s microfiber options anyway to take with us to Iceland for use in the hot lagoons. Travel towels are super absorbent and quick to dry, and even the larger sizes won’t take up too much space in your luggage.

Travel Umbrella

It’s a boring travel item to talk about until you’re caught in a downpour on your vacation. There will come a time when you’re happy you brought along a small, collapsible travel umbrella. That time could be your next trip. These are the kinds of travel tips you’re here for, right?

Universal Adapter

This is one of those things to pack for a trip that you should really write down so you don’t forget it. You’ll want to charge your electronics while you’re abroad, right? Do your research on the kinds of outlets you’ll encounter at your chosen destination and invest in a universal adapter.

Water Storage

If we’re just taking an urban hike and know we’ll be done in a couple of hours, we’ll bring water bottles in our packs and call that sufficient. When we’re being more intense about our travel and doing longer day hikes as we did at Glacier or Yellowstone national parks, we bring the water bladders.

You don’t want to be stuck out there in the wilderness with nothing but your bear spray and nerves keeping you company. You’ve got to hydrate. I like to keep to one brand if only to ensure my water bladder fits my pack, so use an Osprey version that holds 1.5 liters. Brian uses a Gregory water bladder that holds 2 liters as he sweats more…and he can carry more water for me when I run out.

White Noise Machine

If you’re a light sleeper or just like white noise while you slumber, a white noise machine is a portable option to make your nights more comfortable. I’d highly recommend something travel-sized, or ear plugs, or noise-canceling headphones, or all of the above if you’re staying anywhere in Manhattan, by the way.

A good night’s sleep is worth adding a few items here and there to your essential travel products.

Essential Travel Items On Land: Summer Packing

I’m not usually one for laidback beach vacations, but I do love summertime travel. Check out what I bring along on summer trips so that you’re ready for some fun in the sun.

Flip-Flops

You’ll need some flip-flops —or thongs if you’re in different parts of the world — if you’re having yourself some terrific beach times in the summertime. No matter what brand you choose and how much you spend, you’ll need to break them in both before your trip.

I’m a Havaianas girl, by the way, even though I still haven’t figured out how to pronounce it. Brian likes his Rainbows.

Mosquito Repellent

If you’re traveling anywhere lush in the summer, it’s a good idea to bring mosquito repellant. If you’re a camper, I’m proud of you, but also, it’ll be that much more prudent for you to bring something to ward off the bugs. Bring along a travel-sized bottle or mosquito repellant bracelets or both. Bracelets are a good option for squirmy kids and adults.

A repellent with DEET is best if you’re in tick country, so don’t believe the myths about how it’s harmful. (You’re not drinking it, right?) Brian’s had a battle Lyme disease and it is no joke.

Reef-Safe Sunscreen

If you’re going on any kind of water-heavy vacation, e.g. Australia, Belize, or anywhere in the Caribbean, you’re going to need reef-safe sunscreen if you’re planning on diving amongst the reefs. Having gone on multiple diving trips to the Great Barrier Reef, coral bleaching is no joke.

It’s hecka hard to rub in, but knowing you’re doing your part makes up for a bit of inconvenience. No one’s looking at you, anyway, and you’ll burn some calories doing all that rubbing. There are turtles down there! Bring along a travel-sized kind if you’re not wanting to check your bags.

Sanuk Yoga Sling Sandals

I needed a pair of sandals I could easily slide on and off during our visit to Thailand and all of its beautiful wats, or temples, and the flip-flops I use at home cause blisters for anything beyond a mile. I literally had to watch a YouTube video about getting these sandals on my feet, but once I figured that out, I was all kinds of comfy walking through Bangkok and beyond.

Sun Hat

Ooh la la! Look at you, sunning yourself on the beautiful French Riviera, the beaches of Australia’s Gold Coast, or whatever yacht you scammed yourself in on. Bring along something to cover your face if you’re doing some beach time in the summer months.

No one will take you seriously when you’re hitting the town looking like a lobster, and sun hats are cute.

Swimsuit Coverup

If you’re visiting any beaches in the summertime, you’re going to need to drape yourself in something when it’s time to leave the beach. A good swimsuit coverup (or two) is essential if you’re a lady about town. Just get one that’s actually covering something up. You know what I’m talking about.

Wet Bag

I got one of these wet bags to keep our bathing suits from getting everything wet after our lagoon visits in Iceland, but I plan on bringing it along for any beachy vacations. You don’t always have access to laundry on trips, and you shouldn’t have to worry about bringing home funky mildew smells.

Essential Travel Items On Land: Winter Packing

I promise you can still bring just a carry-on bag for your winter trips. Check out my essential travel items for winter travel so that you’re all warm and toasty no matter the temperatures.

Fleece-Lined Leggings

I lived in fleece-lined leggings on our trip to Iceland and now bring them along on any snowy adventures. These could work with a long sweater over if it’s not below freezing or as a layer underneath another pair of pants in chillier temps. They’re also have pockets and are super slimming. That’s important during waterfall fashion shoots.

Fleece-Lined Tights

Fleece-lined tights are thin enough that you can wear them underneath a pair of hiking pants or looser jeans and thick enough that they’ll withstand a decent Scandinavian breeze. Stay warm and toasty no matter where you’re traveling in the winter.

Gloves

As with your feet, if your hands are cold, everything’s cold. You need a decent pair of winter gloves to protect your fingers from the elements. You don’t need anything fancy, and some pairs are even touch-screen compatible these days. That means you’ll still be able to take all of those adorable selfies of your wind-whipped face wherever you are. Mittens are cute, too.

Heavy Winter Coat

If you’re going anywhere in the late fall to winter months where temps fall to below freezing, you’ll need to bring a heavy winter coat, no matter the layers you’re packing underneath your jacket. This will be particularly important if you’re doing much after the sun goes down, like chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland or riding dog sleds in Finland.

Layered Shell

If you’re not sure whether your light jacket is enough for your autumnal exploits, you can opt for a shell rather than a heavy parka. Most of the good brands like Patagonia offer excellent protection from wind, rain, and any other elements you may encounter. Fleece-lined barriers at your neck and other extremities offer some extra protection.

Long Underwear

Ladies, is this image too much for you? Apologies. Women will be fine packing fleece-lined tights and fleece-lined leggings, but men will want some long underwear if you’re heading somewhere snowy. Bring a few pairs of tops and bottoms, as you’ll be living in your thermals once you’re there.

Sweaters

If you’re traveling on those on-the-cusp months where average temperatures may be around the 50s during your trip, you’re going to need to pack some sweaters for your trip. Why not make those sweaters adorable? Perhaps something oversized is up your alley? Men, sweaters are sexy. I’m not forgetting about you.

Thermal Tops

You’ll want at least two thermal tops that are easy layers underneath a shell or sweater if you’re traveling anywhere snowy in the winter months. You don’t need anything too heavy duty. These are for layering, after all, so don’t worry a ton about the style.

Winter Boots

For more winter adventures, you won’t need more than a winter bootie to keep your feet warm and dry. Choose a pair that offers good traction when you’re hiking around. I’ve had the Sorels above as my go-to bootie for slush and snow for the last few years, which probably tells you how often I choose to see slush and snow.

Winter Hat

Sometimes you’ve got to treat yourself to an adorable winter hat. Luckily, they’re also there to keep your head warm. Heat escapes through your head, I’ve heard. Keep that noggin covered and warm on your winter adventures. I have the hat above, which has a detachable pom if you’re not feeling super whimsical.

Wool Socks

A pair (or three) of wool socks will keep your toes toasty when you’re out in the elements, and there’s something about Merino wool that keeps your feet from getting too sweaty, too. Both Brian and I are big fans of the Smartwool brand as our favorite hiking sock, too.

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