10 Helpful Travel Accessories for the Savvy Traveler
Whether you’re an expert traveler or you’re just getting started, you’ll find specific items that just make the journey more enjoyable. Travel gear or travel accessories, whichever you call it, I’ve rounded up my favorite travel tools that I bring with me on just about every trip. I reference these items as the things that I can’t travel without, or my must have travel gear.
My travel style is some where between budget travel and luxury travel. Some people refer to it as flash packing — like backpacking but a little more elevated. I try to be more sustainable, and I also like to be as prepared as possible but without overpacking. The items on this list fit that lifestyle. Again, the goal is that these travel accessories make your travel days easier and your time away from home comfortable.
Don’t think you need all of these from the start to have a good vacation. I added these items to my travel packing list over time and as needed. Try a couple of these travel accessories, upgrade what you might have already, or just see what works for you. Share your must have travel gear in the comments below.
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Water bottle by Swell: Carrying your own water bottle saves on buying water, and it’s also the more sustainable travel choice. There are thousands of different types of water bottles to choose from, and I continue to come back to this one time and agin. I love this Swell water bottle for traveling because the size is compact, it’s easy to clean, and it’s insulated so it has stayed cool even in the hottest environments. I even brought it into a sauna, and it still kept the water cool.
Packable shopping bag by RuMe: Another sustainable travel recommendation, bringing your own bag limits the number of single use plastic or paper bags you get from stores. It folds down small enough to easily fit in a backpack or handbag, and it can carry some serious weight. It’s been tested to carry up to 50 lbs in weight! We used it when we buy groceries, move from place to place with whatever we don’t feel like packing, or even to transport laundry. This bag is a must on every trip, big or small!
Packing Cubes: I can’t imagine travel without this piece of travel gear. I have two brands that I travel with: Eagle Creek and Muji. I love both, and I couldn’t imagine my suitcase without either. The Eagle Creek ones are incredibly high quality and impressive with how much they can store. I bought a set of three: shoe bag, small compression bag, and a medium two sided clothing bag. In any case, you can’t go wrong with whichever you choose.
Compression bags for travel: These have come in handy many times. Often, I use these in addition to the packing cubes. I see them as an extra helping hand for things like extra items that don’t fit in the cubes, for bigger items I’m using often like a sweater or towel, or even to store our laundry in when traveling. I also love these because they push air out just by rolling once it’s sealed (and no vacuum needed!). In the past, I used the kinds where they empty from the opening at the top, and I like these so much more. They have a one directional valve at the bottom that allows you to seal it up and then push the air out.
Apple AirTags: We each have one and have placed them in our suitcase basically this whole year. A very simple description, it’s a small disc that you can track from your phone, so you can track whatever you put it in. We put them in our luggage to be able to track it down if it got lost. Luckily, we haven’t had any lost luggage this year, but at the very least it has given us peace of mind to see our luggage make it to the intended destination even before disembarking the plane. AirTags are intended for iPhone users, but Tile is something similar for other device types.
Sony noise canceling headphones: After reading countless reviews of these noise cancelling headphones, I bought them in 2020 and have never looked back. I liked them so much I bought the husbadn a pair. I swear by them, and they make a plane ride such a quiet experience. I have the version 3, and Alex has the version 4. They came out with a new design for version 5, but they don’t seem as durable. Handsdown some of the best noise cancelling headphones for travel.
Travel Sleep Mask: I travel everywhere with this travel sleep mask. When staying away from home, I never know what the lighting situation will be. Even better, if I’m on a plane, and I want to close your eyes a bit but windows are open or lights are on, this is a lifesaver. I like this one in particular because it leaves room for your eyes and it blocks out a lot of light comfortably.
Kindle: I couldn’t imagine traveling without it. Whether it’s a short or long trip, having multiple books in a small device makes reading on the go so easy. I’m still a fan of a traditional hardback or paperback, but I can’t carry them all around with me. Even better, you can get a membership to your local library and get access to their ebooks for free!
Travel Power Bank by Anker: These travel back up chargers can be a lifesaver whether you’re on the go or out on a hike. If you device starts to lose its your charge, and you have no where to plug in, having a trusty power bank is so helpful. We have a few from Anker, and they are the best we’ve used.
Travel hair turban: This is another item I can’t travel without. It may sound silly or overly simple, some say I could just use a towel, but being able to tie my hair up with a hair turban and let it dry that way, makes life so much easier. Seriously. Try it for yourself and thank me later.