Updated December 2024

Having travel to 60 countries (if you want the complete list, take a look HERE for everywhere I have been!) there are items that I never leave home without. These make travelling, whether it is long term or a city break, so much easier.

I want to share my list with you, so you can add them to your travel packing essential list. Save space, save time and so convenient!

Complete list of travel packing essentials!

Technology

International Adaptor

Never risk not being able to charge your phone, camera, watch, power bank or laptop again! This international adaptor works in all countries, so you don’t have to worry about which one to take for which trip. It also has multiple ports for both USB and USB-C so you can charge more than one device at any time. Saving space in your luggage for the number of plugs you need to pack.

AirTag

The best way to keep your mind at ease when checking in luggage. Slip an AirTag into your bag to know when your bag has arrived, that it has been loaded onto a bus or, worst case, you can track it if it does go missing. I have one in my backpack, and also one in my passport holder – as I seem to be forever misplacing it. They are also talking about using this technology to help track down missing luggage, so it is worth investing.

USB to USB C Adaptors

Small, but game changers. With an ever growing amount of electronic devices to charge, you might not always have the right port available. These small adaptors slip onto USB-C cables to be able to charge in a USB port. Even more handy as a lot of public transport, planes, buses etc, often have USB ports – so you can still charge on the go.

AirFly

Transforming in-flight entertainment! This compact device plugs into the headphone jack, allowing you to connect your own headphones via Bluetooth and enjoy movies from the plane’s entertainment system with complete convenience. Not having to use the wired, provided, headphones gives such freedom – you won’t look back.

Kindle

This really is a game changer for travel. It took me a long time to get there, but as someone who loves to read the convenience that a Kindle provides is a no brainer. Not only for flights, and long journeys, but when you are on a city break. You can easily slip this lightweight device into the smallest of bags and have books to enjoy while sipping on a coffee. I swore I would never get one of these, and I haven’t looked back since I did!

SD card reader

I have had one of these gadgets for years and it is so useful. With a simple move of putting your SD from your camera into the reader, your photos appear on your iPhone / iPad. Even if a camera has WiFi capabilities this is still far easier and more efficient to use. From your phone then upload the cloud or dropbox, to make sure you never lose them!

GorillaPod Tripod

This is super useful not only when travelling solo, but also to take on holidays with friends if you want to take a photo together. If you aren’t ready to go down the road of full tripod yet, this is a good starting place. It has a spirit level so you know the camera is straight and the legs can be bent to grip things. It is small and compact, so can fit into any luggage. Perfect for the solo travel pic!

Packing

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes have made a huge difference to my packing. I still don’t use them for all of my clothes – I find having a few loose bits to stuff in gaps maximises my space. However, they are game changing for keeping things organised.

Cable Organiser

With an ever increasing amount of cables and chargers needed to get all my devices charged. This cable organiser has made sure things are organised and don’t get lost in my bag.

Wash Bags

A variety of sizes of wash bags to keep dirty clothes separate from the clean ones.

Backpack Cover

If your backpack doesn’t have a zip to tuck your straps away, this really helps. A lot of airlines will request that backpacks go to oversize luggage, so this prevents this. As well as keeping your bag damage free. It is also waterproof if you need to travel when it is raining. This one is really handy, as once it is on – you can unzip the back so that you can still use the straps and wear it.

Pill Organiser

Another super handy little box to keep small things safe. I don’t use it just for tablets – but also for USB to USB-C adaptors, hair ties, spare ear plugs, and even sim card removal tool. It is perfect for keeping all those little items that just don’t seem to have a home together.

Toiletries

Silicone bottles

These are not only great for travelling hand luggage only, but also when travelling with checked in baggage, to take them to save space. Decanting most of my liquids into these to travel to keep space down. The pots are great for adding moisturiser too.

Quick dry towel

These towels are such a packing essential! Mostly useful when staying in hostels, and you don’t want to have to pay extra for a musty towel. Always travel with two – one for showering and one for the beach. There is nothing worse than having to use your clean towel and get it covered in sand.

Shampoo Bar bag case

Travelling with shampoo bars is a game changer in itself – less liquid, they last longer and they are eco friendly. However the tins are bulky which is annoying when they are getting smaller. These bag cases have been a real find, so useful. They are much more compact, the suction means you don’t have to put them on the floor in questionable showers, and you can put them back in damp and they dry in the bag. Meaning you don’t end up with them going soft.

Make up brush holder

This silicone makeup brush holder keeps brushes clean and separate when travelling. I also add my eye pencils in, as it helps them avoid getting damaged.

Hanging toiletry bag

An excellent size – not too big, but has plenty of compartments to keep things organised. The hook is so useful for hanging up in hotel bathrooms and hostel showers.

Clear travel toiletry bag

The perfect accessory to slip into your hand luggage to keep things organised. I use this for all my travel essentials – my pill organiser, eye mask, daily moisturiser and anything small I want to keep to hand while travelling. The two sides and clear front make it really easy to find things and stay organised.

4-in-1 make up brush

A real gem of a find! This make up brush takes up the same space as one would, but has 4 brushes hidden within it – for blusher, powder, eyeshadow and concealer.

Bottle Covers

If you are keen to avoid the dreaded shampoo explosion, these are incredibly useful. Even more so for longer term travel, when you might have larger bottles with you. They fit snuggly over the top of any liquid bottle, meaning they don’t leak in your bag. Equally useful if the seal of a bottle breaks slightly and you don’t want to have to throw out the bottle.

Best of the rest!

Eye mask and ear plugs

Not just for when you are staying in hostels. For early morning flights, long haul flights, when the curtains in the hotel aren’t very good, when your room is next to a road, when sharing a hotel room anyone who snores, or if they are loud children around! The eye mask and ear plugs are used all the time and could not travel without them.

Wash and wear laundry bag

The easiest way I have found to keep small items neatly packed, and then separate when they need washing. Mine was a gift from a friend, and it has been invaluable! It saves on space, keeps things tidy, plus is so much better for the environment than using a plastic carrier bag for your washing.

Collapsible Water bottle

This silicone water bottle folds up incomprehensibly small, so when you have finished your water you don’t have to carry around an empty bottle. It holds 500ml of water, so great for a day. Much better than using plastic bottles.

Travel coffee cup

Do not travel without one. I have used this again and again and again. Every morning before a travel day, and in places where there aren’t mugs to use. It is completely leak proof, I am able to throw it in my bag full without leaking while I get on buses etc.

Neck pillow

Give yourself a fighting chance of sleeping on a plane by using a neck pillow. This one folds up small, and comes with a bag so that it is protected from germs if you need to have it on the outside of your bag to carry around.

Combination padlock

Useful for your luggage when it is in transit, for if you are storing bags in lockers in hotels before or after check out, and for lockers in hostels. A combination means you never need to worry about losing a key. And the cable means that it can be used in every locker. Sometimes the fixed locks one don’t fit around awkward hostel locks.

Head torch

If you are camping then this is a non negotiable. Trying to find the toilet blocks and then your tent in the dark, less than fun. Having a head torch keeps your hands free for anything you need to do! Equally useful if you want to read a book in a hostel. This rechargeable one means you don’t need to worry about batteries dying on you.

Silk sleeping bag liner

Small and compact, but something you will be so pleased to have when you need it. Multiple uses – if the bedding on a sleeper train or in a hostel doesn’t look the most appealing you can sleep in this instead. If you want to keep your sleeping bag clean, or if it is too hot for a full bag then you can just use this. The pocket for the pillow means you can fix it around any pillow to stop having to sleep on those as well. It might seem pricey, but definitely worth investing in a silk one for quality.

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All products are linked on my Amazon Storefront for everything in one easy location!

Travelling soon? Save this list for reference so you don’t forget all the essentials!