My Top 11 Travel Essentials I Never Leave Home Without

Everyone has their own travel essentials, but my my list of travel must haves includes both the necessities but also some unique items that you may have never thought of bringing.

These items also change throughout the years, I know it has for me. When I was younger, I didn’t care if I even had clothes to wear as long as my favourite stuffed animal was packed and ready to go! Oh, how things have changed!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

My Top 11 Travel Essentials

These are my top 11 travel necessities that I never leave home without!

Of course, I didn’t include some travel must have like your passport on this list – that ones just obvious to bring with you (or should be anyway!)… If you’re interested in packing a bit lighter on your next trip, check out my travel gadgets for packing less. And so you really don’t forget anything, print out my packing guide.

1. A Carryon Suitcase – Travelpro Maxlite 5

A good suitcase is travel essential number one!

I obviously can’t travel anywhere without my suitcase! If I’m travelling for anytime up to two weeks, I always pack in my TravelPro Maxlite carryon, see it on Amazon. P.S. Wondering how I pack in a carryon for so long? Read my tricks of the trade!

The TravelPro Maxlite is my carryon of choice for a few reasons. I love that it’s lightweight, has a soft shell, and only has two wheels. I’m not into the fancy gadgets, just practicality and durability.

Read my full review of what I look for in a good suitcase to better understand why I chose the Travelpro Maxlite 5.

2. Travel Necessities: Osprey Packable Duffel

The Osprey packable duffel bag has saved me on many occasions and is one of the best travel essentials I pack. This is a lightweight duffel bag that packs up into itself when it’s not in use. But when you need it really comes in handy!

I always pack it as an “extra” in my suitcase, and more often than not I always use it for extra space on my way home. I always put on a few extra pounds during my travels, and now I have an entire second suitcase to use. It’s hard sometimes not to over indulge on souvenir shopping, or I just can’t pack everything back in the same way. Whatever the reason, this duffel is my backup plan.

You can either check your carryon suitcase and use the Osprey duffel as your carryon. Or, some airlines let you have two carryons. So if I had a knapsack before as my second carryon, I’ll just pack it in the Osprey. This becomes my second carryon that goes under the seat.

The Osprey Packable duffel is sturdy and hella light weight. But the reason I chose it over others is because of the shoulder pad. If you do have to carry it for a while (like walking through the airport), this extra support can go a long way.

I also love buying Osprey because they have a lifetime guarantee, if anything should happen, I know I’m covered.

P.S. I also pack a smaller packable tote (like this one on Amazon) that I carry with me everyday just in case I need a larger bag in the middle of the day.

3. Packing Cubes Are Travel Must Haves

Packing cubes are very common travel necessities these days – and for good reason! Not only do they compress what you’re packing (and allow you to pack more), they also help you stay organized.

I like to have a few different sizes of packing cubes to fit the different clothing items. Now when I’m looking for something specific to wear I know where to look, I don’t have to destroy my entire suitcase to find it. I never end up with a giant mess on the second day on the road.

I like Eagle Creek packing cubes on Amazon here, or this set from the MEC.

Read more: 7 Tips On How To Pack Your Suitcase Like A Pro

4. Reusable Water Bottle

These days, you can’t travel without a reusable water bottle. I researched A LOT of water bottles before settling on a collapsible water bottle. I wanted a collapsible one because they’re usually lighter, and I thought I would want to be able to collapse it when I wasn’t using it.

As it turns out, I actually never use the collapsible feature. But, it did come in handy in ways I could never have expected. While travelling across Europe for 4 months in the fall, I ended up with a few injuries from time to time. This water bottle was a life saver.

I was able to fill it up with boiling water and actually re-purpose it as a heating pad or freeze water in it and it became an ice pack. It was my saving grace. 

I’ve had to retire my Nomader, but I’ve replaced it with my Thermoflask water bottle. It’s not collapsible, but it keeps my water cold – which is perfect for warmer destinations.

5. Photo Gear For Travel

I cannot go on vacation without any photography gear! Of course, my main camera of choice is my Nikon DSLR. I love it for my serious photography of landscapes and cities that I want to edit later. 

But it’s pretty heavy to carry around all the time. So, for the quick pics (and especially the night time shots) and to give me shoulder a break, I love my Google Pixel 5A (now upgraded to a 9Pro!). It takes AMAZING PHOTOS!

I also use my phone for any group photos on vacation with some handy add ons! I have this set from JOBY, which comes with a flexible tripod, phone mount, and remote shutter. This is my secret weapon to the best group travel photos! This way I avoid having to ask anyone, and taking selfies!

Read more: 7 Creative (& Affordable) Ways To Display Travel Photos

6. GoTravel Clip

The GoTravel clip is the travel item I never realized I needed but now I can never leave home without! I even use it at home when I’m not travelling – it’s that useful!

I don’t know about you, but I hate having to lug around a huge bag to put any extra belongings in throughout the day. The weather can change drastically throughout the day, especially if you leave early in the morning and only arrive back later at night.

You’ll want a few extra layers for the morning and evening, but what do you do with that sweater in the middle of the day? This is where the GoTravel clip comes in, see it on Amazon!

It easily attaches to any bag where you can clip in anything you want. You don’t just have to use it for sweaters or jackets when you’re not wearing them either, I’ve attached hats, gloves, a water bottle …etc. Anything that I didn’t want to carry or wear in the moment.

7. Lululemon On The Fly Pants – Women’s Travel Essentials

These are my all-time favourite travel pants! That’s because they aren’t just good for travel, I wear them all year round, whatever the occasion.

I love the versatility of these pants. I swear, I can go from wearing them on the plane (so comfortable, has pockets, and keeps me warm!) straight to an evening out to a bar or fancier dinner. No one would ever know! I’ve worn these pants to work and gotten compliments on them.

They’ve changed the style over the years, but you still have the same quality in Lululemon pants. Most of their pants come in a few different fabrics, styles, and colours. I personally avoid the woven fabric, I find it thinner and can become quite cold (especially on the plane).

8. Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag – Women’s Travel Essentials

Coming in at number eight on my travel essentials list is a fanny pack. The fanny pack is the greatest invention that unfortunately goes out of style every once in a while.

But, fashion aside, a fanny pack while travelling hands down the most practical item.

It’s perfect for the airport or even road trips. I’m able to keep everything directly on me (in front of me) and it’s easily accessible at all times. I keep passports in here, medication, earphones…anything I need quick access to.

My fanny of choice is the Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag. You can wear it like a fanny pack, but I choose to actually wear it cross body. You’d be surprised at how much you can fit in here.

Plus, attach your GoTravel clip and the possibilities are endless!

9. Cute Pill Case

I won’t lie, I’ve been teased as being a grandmother for having this, but it’s just so convenient and saves so much space.

Everyone travels with medications, whether it’s prescribed or just the basics, and can agree pill bottles take up a lot of room. It’s especially annoying for the basic meds, that are for the most part just in case items (like Tylenol, Advil, allergy medications..).

They’re something you want on you at all times, but you can’t carry all these pill bottles in your day bag – unless you have a very big bag! I don’t know about you, but I never ended up having the medications on me when I needed them, they’d always be back in the hotel for this reason.

That’s where a small pill case comes in handy. You can carry all those basic medications with you at all times without needing a bigger bag! 

I actually found mine at an antique shop in Belgium and bought it because I loved the design. My original intent for it was to re-purpose it and use the cover, but then I thought, why not use it for what it’s actually meant for?

I was able to carry a few pills on me at all times. Now instead, when I would get a headache, I had medication and it wasn’t sitting back at the hotel in my suitcase.

I also fill a larger travel pill case to keep in the hotel with more pills – see it on Amazon.

10. Earphone Splitter

I’ve been bringing an earphone splitter on my travels ever since I could remember, and I always end up using it. But this travel essential works best for couples travelling together, it won’t be useful if you’re solo.

Essentially, you plug the earphone splitter into your device and now you can plug in two sets of earphones instead of one! Of course, you have to also bring your own earphones to use it.

I’ve used it to watch a movie on long layovers in the airport with my friends, or listen to podcasts together on train rides…etc.

But, there’s another very handy use for this apparatus that most people don’t know about. If you like getting audio guides at museums, sometimes they charge extra for them. The cost of audio guides can really add up. So, my partner and I will pay for one and use the handy earphone splitter!

P.S. read more of my money saving hacks for couples while travelling.

11. Microfiber (Face) Towel

A microfiber towel is another one of those travel essentials that I always pack because it doesn’t take up a lot of room but I’m always happy when I have it!

I started packing a microfiber quick drying towel because I was staying at hostels that offered towels for an additional charge. A microfiber towel is very thin so typically dries quickly and doesn’t take up a lot of space in your luggage.

Lately, however, I was happy to have them even when recently booking some Airbnbs. I find in Europe, a lot of apartments don’t have dryers, so the towels can be quite stiff. I don’t know about you, but I like drying off with a nice and soft towel.

I always have a small microfiber face towel on me just in case. It’s so small, it can fit anywhere, and now at least I know that no matter the towel situation, my face will be nice and dry! I even pack this with me on the plane now!

New! Phone Rope

Since my trip to Japan, I now always travel with a phone rope. This is so convenient for always having my phone with me ready to snap a quick picture. As a woman, who doesn’t have pockets that will fit a phone, it’s very annoying to always have to take it out and put it back in my bag.

On top of that, I feel so much more comfortable taking out my phone if I’m close to water (like walking over a bridge), or high up. I’m a bit of a klutz with my phone, so I like knowing my phone is at least attached to me and there’s no risk of loosing it if I drop it.

You do have to watch out for thieves depending on where you’re visiting. If I’m walking through a busy area, I will just hold my phone as well as having it around my neck.

New! Fjallraven Kånken Mini

If I need a bit more space than just a belt bag, my new favourite travel bag is the Kånken Mini. I will admit, the cost doesn’t make sense – it’s not that much cheaper than the regular size but trust me this will fit everything you need.

The Kånken mini is really the perfect travel bag. It lies completely flat in my luggage, which makes it great for packing. And I can fit everything I need in it for a day trip, or a day exploring a city. The only annoying part is that a water bottle doesn’t fit in the outside pockets (but I can fit my umbrella there!).

Read more: 10 Useful Travel Gadgets To Help You Pack Light

Of Course I Also Always Pack Tea

So, this isn’t exactly one of the main travel essentials, but it is my travel essential. I cannot leave my house without at least a few tea bags.

Tea isn’t like coffee, not every Airbnb or hotel will provide. So I bring a few tea bags with me to get me through the first few days at least.

Plus there are a few teas that are perfect for travelling that everyone should pack!

My Amazon Travel Favourites

My travel packing essentials, I always pack in my Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carryon (I prefer the 2-wheeled for more packing space!). To stay organized in my suitcase, I use MEC packing cubes. To save space on medication, I like using these pill organizers. And to make sure I don’t lose any loose belongings, I always have a Go Travel Cary Clip.

To take my best family photos, I use this Joby Gorillapod with remote shutter. This way, no one is left out from travel photos. And I always travel with a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated – I like my Thermoflask because it’s easy to carry and keeps my water cold!

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