As a travel advisor, here are my favorite travel essentials!
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My job is to make traveling easier, and we all know packing is a pain. First thing you can do is download my free packing guide here:
Okay, now that you have the list, it's time to purchase anything you don't already have. Here are my recommendations, so there's no need to spend hours scrolling through Amazon.
Luggage and Bags
Let's start here, because well, everyone needs a bag to travel. I love these sets from Amazon. They come in cute colors (the pink blush if my favorite) and have three different sizes to choose from. And while you're at it, grab this cup holder for your carry on. I like this one in particular because it has a zip pocket in the front that's perfect for your passport, and a pocket on the back for your phone. I usually travel alone and trying to hold all these things at once is stressful. Especially true when you have to go to the bathroom, like where am I putting this stuff??
Now, let's talk about the essentials for inside your luggage. I love organizing my clothes with packing cubes. I usually use a packing cube for each "type" of clothing. I'll have one for shirts, one for bathing suits, etc. It helps me stay organized when I'm at the hotel too. This past trip to Belize, I was moving to a different hotel every few days, so it was pointless to unpack. I just kept everything in my cubes.
I'm not the biggest fan of bringing jewelry on vacation, but if you are, you definitely need this jewelry case to keep everything organized. I hate having to untangle necklaces, and why am I so bad at it too? Anyway, this one will keep your necklaces tangle free and also comes in that soft pink that I love. There are two other bags I never travel without- a waterproof bag and a laundry bag. The waterproof bag can come in handy in so many scenarios. I use it when I'm going on any water activity like snorkeling, diving, etc. It's also great if you need to pack any wet bathing suits. I like this one in particular because there's a bunch of size options (the larger ones are backpack style), and it comes with a waterproof phone case too. The phone case is great for tubing, water parks, the beach, etc. Now let's talk laundry... there's nothing worse than putting your dirty clothes with your clean clothes. I need to make sure that smell is closed up. These ones are a good size, and they come in some cute designs. I, of course, love the sun one the most.
Lastly, you need a good backpack when traveling. I used this one on my last trip, and it worked out perfectly. My favorite part is the "hidden" zipper pocket in the back that's perfect for your passport and some cash. I also travel with my tablet, and it has the padded sleeve inside. If you have a larger laptop, there is a larger size available with a standalone compartment that might be better for larger devices. I'm not trying to kill my back, so I usually just bring a tablet with a portable keyboard/mouse. I like to watch TV on it when I'm relaxing in the hotel at night, and then if I have to do some work, I just add on the keyboard. Oh and the backpack has the strap on the back so you can attach it to your suitcase handle (very handy).
Airport Necessities
What's important for the airport/flight really depends on the length of your flight, but let's start with what I bring on all types of trips. First, myportable fan is a LIFESAVER. I also use this in normal life because I'm always so hot (I'm sure other women can relate here). This little guy is compact and efficient. I have the pink one of course, but it comes in a few colors.
My other lifesaver is my water bottle. It drives me crazy that we can't bring drinks through security, but what are you gunna do. What you can do is bring ice through security, and then use the water fill stations on the other side. It's important to note that the stations are an American thing- you most likely won't find them on your return flight. Either way, I'll buy a drink and still pour it into the water bottle that I brought. It keeps it colder longer, and I know it's not going to leak or spill. I like this one in particular because it has a built in straw which is great because I'm spastic and most likely will spill on myself otherwise.
Now I'm not a germaphobe, but people are nasty. I always make sure I travel with WetWipes and hand sanitizer. When I first get on the plane, I'll use a wipe to clean my seat and tray table (FYI they are not cleaned very often). These also come in handy for things like the remote in the hotel room (which are also cleaned rarely). The WetWipes I linked are my favorite scent they make- Tropical Splash. Now for hand sanny, I know there are a lot of options, but the ones I linked above smell so good!
Alright, now for those long haul flights. A good neck pillowis KEY. I used this one when I took a red eye to Spain this past summer, and I highly recommend. It really keeps your neck in one place and feels cozy. I didn't use the eye mask and ear plugs that it comes with, but I know that would be helpful for some of ya'll. It also comes with a case and clip, so I usually just clip it onto my backpack. The same is true for this blanket/pillow combo. I almost always travel with a blanket because I like being cozy. What I like about the one I linked is that it can clip onto your backpack or sit on top of your roller bag (and it comes in pink, lol). My last recommendation for the plane is for my shorties (like me). This foot hammock allowed me to get way more comfortable on that flight to Spain. I was able to put my "feet up."
Toiletries
I feel like toiletries are where people start to stress out a little bit. They really don't want to forget something- I totally get it, especially if you're traveling to a place where they aren't easily accessible. No worries! Just follow my packing guide, and you'll be all set.
Step one is finding a toiletry bag that you like. I HIGHLY recommend getting one that's lined so you don't end up with liquids on your clothes. I like this one for women because all the pockets are lined and it has a hanger (which can be a huge space saver in a small bathroom, especially for cruises). And I like this one for men. You can also hang this one, and I really like how it has a large opening for easy access. I don't know how people use those ones with one zipper. I'd be digging for days trying to find what I need. Now gender doesn't really matter- it more depends on what shape and size will work best for what you need to bring.
Okay, now for the stuff that goes inside. Most important to me is sunscreen. I'm super pale, so I feel like I'm an expert in this area. My two favorite sunscreen brands are Hawaiian Tropic and Supergoop. For HT, I prefer the lotion over the spray, although I typically buy both. I'll put the lotion on before going out, and then I'll bring the spray to reapply (because I can't handle the feeling of lotion and sand touching). Now Supergoop I really love, but it's a more expensive brand. I particularly love their facial products- one that has a tint and then the normal one. The tint one is great for me because I don't wear makeup, but this gives my skin a great look without looking weirdly dark. If I need to reapply through out the day, they make a face mist (which you can also use over makeup) that works great. Then for my body, I'll use their "play" lotion. I first tried their products when a friend bought me their starter kit (yes, that's what people buy us pale folk). It's a great option if you want to try their products without spending a lot of money. It seems like everyone has been raving about Sun Bum products lately, but I'm honestly not a big fan. Anyone else??
Next, I want to share with you some items you might not have thought to bring. First isinsect repellent, which really depends on your destination. I boughtthis one recently for my trip to Belize, and I liked it (as much as someone can love bug spray). It wasn't super greasy like some of the other brands I've tried. For us people that get motion sick, I prefer Bonineover Dramamine. It doesn't make me feel as drowsy. I don't always get sea sick, but I take Bonine when I cruise anyway because no one wants to feel like crap on vacation. Also, I would definitely take one for the hopper plane if I fly in one in the future. I was really feeling it there. Lastly, and this one is especially important if you're traveling with others, is some poo-pourri. You don't want your whole hotel room getting stinky. Just trust me on this one.
Electronics
Most importantly, you don't want to be caught with a dead electronic, so make sure you have a good battery packwith you. And always check what type of plugs will be at your destination (I'll do this for ya if you're one of my clients). This plug adapter is what I used for Europe. I like that it has plugs, USB, and C options.
I'm going to be honest, I'm an e-Reader convert. I was always against them. But for traveling, you can't beat the convenience and weight. No one wants to be carrying multiple books in their bag. The Kindleis great because its lightweight, has a long battery life, and doesn't glare when you're at the beach.
One item I'll never go on a plane without is noise cancelling headphones. Even if I'm trying to sleep, I will just have the noise cancelling function on without any audio. Also, for us folk that get overstimulated, it can be helpful to wear them throughout the airport. If you're willing to spend a little more, I'd recommend the Bose Quiet Comfort, otherwise I would go with these SoundCore ones.
Miscellaneous
These items didn't fit into any of the categories, but can come in handy, so I wanted to make sure I shared them with you. First is a good travel umbrella. No one wants to be stuck inside on vacation because you don't have an umbrella. A rain jacket wouldn't hurt either, but I'll have to make a different post for clothing recommendations.
This one isn't always necessary, but I know it was helpful for me to have on my last trip to Belize. I had a rental car, so I was able to explore and make stops where I liked. I did stop at a waterfall, and it was handy to have my towel with me. I highly recommend getting a microfiber one as they are smaller and lighter to travel with (and dry out faster).
Now I'm all for saving the turtles, but man I hate a paper straw. They make portable straws you can bring now, and I would highly recommend getting one if you're going on a cruise or traveling somewhere in the Caribbean. Also helpful for these type of trips are towel bands. You slip it over your chair and towel to keep your towel from blowing away. I used to us towel clips, but the bands are lighter and easier to pack.
If you've used any of these products, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Also, if you have any other recommendations, I'd love to hear about those too! I'm always looking for the best products to recommend to my clients.
I'm Kelsey, a travel advisor specializing in adults only vacations. I'm located in Baltimore, MD, but I service clients virtually nationwide. If you'd like to set up a complimentary consultation to chat about your next trip, you can grab a time on my calendar below.