Travel essentials is always such a fun and everchanging topic! Whether you are going backpacking in Patagonia, or on a culture tour of Southeast Asia, your travel essentials should always stay the same. While I am a SUPER minimalist in life, I do love finding new little tools and helpful items for travel. Big BONUS if that item is multifunctional!
We have travelled all over the world and tried tons of the “popular travel gadgets”. Some of them we end up ditching immediately because they are much more of a burden than they are useful (travelers, you get me). Through trial and plenty of error, we have come up with the perfect list of “essentials” (and yes, I mean essentials) that we never travel without!
Contents
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Organization
Carry on Backpack
Having a well-designed carry on bag can make or break your whole trip. This Cotopaxi Allpa pack is hands down the BEST travel pack to use for carry on travel. It opens like a suitcase and has tons of pockets for organization. It’s super durable, water resistant, and genuinely feels like a black hole when you’re packing! We prefer carry on travel when possible and this Cotapaxi Allpa bag is our go-to for all of our adventures!
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes will help you keep your clothes organized and keep you sane! We love these from REI, but there are also tons of other options out there to choose from!
The Ultimate Carabiner
This is one of our favorite travel accessories on the market. It’s called an “S-Biner” which is essentially the same thing as a carabiner, but with two spring-loaded gates instead of one, forming an “S” shape. It’s a super handy tool for attaching, securing, and organizing things- whether to the outside of your bag or even to your belt loop! You can clip one side to a fixed point and use the other side to attach or detach items easily. We LOVE these and can’t imagine traveling without at least a couple of them with us.
Daily Hip Pack
A sling bag is the ULTIMATE international travel essential! It keeps your daily essentials secure, accessible, and comfortable to carry and the cross body sling makes it a lot harder for pickpockets to snatch compared to a backpack or tote. I use the Cotopaxi 3L version, but they also have a more profile 1.5L sling bag that a lot of my friends love too!
Shower Roll
A shower roll is a total lifesaver for international travel because it keeps all your toiletries organized, easy to grab, and not exploding all over your bag. It rolls up super compact, so it doesn’t take up much space, and most have a hook so you can hang it on a shower rod or towel rack—perfect for tiny hotel bathrooms or sketchy hostel showers.
Electronics
Travel Adapter
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY TRAVEL ADAPTERS OUT THERE IN THE WORLD? It’s honestly frustrating that there are so many options, and each option works for *specific* countries only… I finally found this absolute powerhouse of a travel adapter and it works anywhere you plan to go! If you want to get one with lightning charging capabilities, you’ll want to go with this version! Its more expensive but worth it for how fast it charges your devices.
Power Bank
You should always be carrying a power bank with you. It’s inevitable that at least once during your travels, your phone will die at the most inopportune time. Insert power bank to the rescue! Biolite makes the best and most reliable power bank out there! The one we use is pretty beefy but will charge your electronics multiple times before dying. Plus it complies with even the strictest airlines requirements.
Airpods
Hear me out… I used to be super anti airpods. I have very sensitive ears/head/motion sickness sensitivity/etc.? Basically, every time I would put the pods in noise cancellation mode, I would get super nauseous and have the worst headache. AND THEN one day apple came out with the 2nd generation of airpods pro. That “problem” is fixed and none of those terrible side effects happen when I use them. I AM A AIRPODS PRO CONVERT!! They are so worth it, especially when flying! I recommend the 2nd generation to everyone.
Airfly Bluetooth Transmitter
“Airfly Pro lets you use AirPods or Beats wireless headphones with in-flight entertainment or in the health club or other situations where there’s a wired jack and no Bluetooth connectivity” – apple.com
THIS. IS. THE. ULTIMATE. GAME. CHANGER. How many times have you had to use those shitty headphones that the flight passes out to listen to your in-flight tv? This tiny little device is the piece you need to connect your airpods to the tv! We NEVER travel without it.
Sleep
Blow Up Pillow
When deflated, this ultralight travel pillow is the size of my palm! So tiny and yet so affective when needed! I am always catching up on sleep any chance I can get whether that be a flight, train, van ride, uber, taxi, etc.
Loop Noise Reducing Earplugs
These loop ear plugs are a must-have for international travel. They are the best ear plugs on the market and help block out annoying travel noises like crying babies and engine noise so you can actually get some sleep on planes! Also they’re great for when you stay in a hostel or hotel with thin walls because they help drown out snoring roommates or street noise.
Hygiene
Portable Wash Bag
The Scrubba Wash Bag is basically a portable washing machine you can use anywhere that you have access to water. Its super simple- just add water, soap, and scrub and is the perfect way to wash undies or some of your daily wear items on the go.
Hand Sanitizer
You should never travel without hand sanitizer. Travelling is fun until you get sick… and then it’s miserable. Always keep sanitizer on you! We absolutely love this eco-friendly one:
Filter Bottle
A filter bottle is a necessity when traveling. This Grayl GeoPress water filter and purifier bottle removes Protozoa, Bacteria And Viruses. A filter bottle can help you save money, travel sustainably and never buy single-use bottled water again! Some people LOVE the LifeStraw version, but I found it a little more difficult to drink through… personal preference though, they’re both great!
Face Wipes
I guess this isn’t REALLY an “essential”, but on long travel days having something to wipe down with is so nice. These are cooling and cleansing wipes that have what they call “arctic crystals” imbedded in them that help wipe the grime/sweat/grease away. I absolutely LOVE them.
Travel Towel
A packable + quick dry towel is something that you don’t realize you need until you REALLY need it. In some budget accommodations, they will not give you a towel and you’ll be silently wishing you had brought this tiny packable towel.
Safety
Lightweight Luggage Locks
A necessity for checked luggage, but also for locking things up in your accommodation when you leave for the day.
Door Lock
THIS IS MY FAVORITE TRAVEL ACCESSORY!! This door lock is an extra layer of security and peace of mind. We use this everywhere we travel, even in the US.
Other
Wrinkle Release
Magic in a bottle. This wrinkle release helps rid of those folded lines you get from stuffing your clothes in a bag all the time.
2 thoughts on “Must Have Travel Essentials for International Travel”
This list of must-have travel essentials for international travel is fantastic! I always find myself scrambling to remember important items, but your comprehensive guide has covered all the bases. I especially appreciate the suggestions for items like a universal adapter and travel insurance those are often overlooked but so crucial. Your insights have made my planning process much smoother and more organized. Thank you for putting this together; it’s going to make my next international trip so much easier!
Yay!! I’m so glad you found it helpful! Safe travels!