FAVORITES · TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Travel Essentials I Actually Use.
After visiting over 30 countries, I know which things I reach for trip after trip. These are the essentials that keep my suitcase organized, make long flights more comfortable, and let me do my makeup without occupying the only bathroom. There’s also a foldable tote for when my shopping exceeds my original packing plan. It has happened more than once.
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Packing & Organization
Samsonite Luggage
I have three sizes of Samsonite luggage, and I choose based on how many outfits I’m taking and how bulky they are. Mine are lightweight and have survived the treatment we all know luggage gets while being loaded onto a plane.
Packing Cubes
I use packing cubes to organize my clothes and compress them so they take up less space. Everything has its place, which makes finding what I need much easier.
Shoe Bags
My shoes have been everywhere. That doesn’t mean the rest of my suitcase needs to know. I keep them in separate bags to protect my clothes from dirty soles.
Foldable Tote
This stays folded until my shopping exceeds my suitcase space. I carry my purse during the day; the tote comes out for the final packing negotiations.
Personal-Item Bag 1
Luka Duffel – Surprisingly spacious, easy to clean, and water resistant. I don’t have to baby it on the plane or panic if a drink spills on it. It’s a practical bag that can handle being treated like one.
Personal-Item Bag 2
Lululemon Multi-Pocket Tote – A little more stylish, with a passport holder included. If I’m traveling with just a personal item, this is the bag I choose. I still want to pack light, but I’d like to look put together doing it.
Toiletries & Getting Ready
Hanging Toiletry Bag
I like a long toiletry bag that hangs up, so I can see what I packed without taking over the bathroom counter. When you’re sharing one bathroom, every bit of space counts.
Makeup Bag
Mine has a separate compartment for brushes and enough room for the essentials. Give me a bigger bag and I will fill it, so this one keeps me contained.
Lighted Travel Mirror
My rechargeable mirror lets me do my makeup anywhere in the room while someone else uses the bathroom. It’s lightweight, has its own light, and saves me from relying on whatever lighting the hotel considers sufficient.
Travel Containers
I decant shampoo, soap, and other toiletries into smaller containers. I want enough for the trip without bringing full-size bottles that take up half the bag.
Flight Comfort
Neck Pillow
I use a soft neck pillow. Anything too stiff ends up hurting, which defeats the entire purpose of bringing it. Comfort matters more to me than how structured it looks.
Blackout Eye Mask
Mine blocks out the light completely. I use it on flights and in rooms where the curtains aren’t doing their job, especially when the days are much longer than I’m used to.
Compression Socks
Once we’re settled in the air, my shoes come off and my compression socks go on. They’re part of my routine for getting comfortable on a long flight.
AirPods Pro
I use Apple AirPods Pro because they’re small, charge quickly, and don’t take up much room in my bag. I also pack wired headphones as a backup. A long flight is a terrible time to be without either.
Tech & Taking Photos
Power Bank
Mine is small, charges quickly, and has built-in cables, so there’s one less thing to dig around for. A full battery gives me multiple charges, which comes in handy on long days away from an outlet.
Travel Adapter
I use an adapter with several ports so I can charge multiple devices at once. Different plug options make it useful across destinations, and I don’t have to take turns charging everything overnight.
Octobuddy
I use mine for outfit photos, sticking my phone to a window or another smooth surface that holds it securely. It takes up almost no space and lets me get in the picture without recruiting a stranger.
Compact Magnetic Tripod
Mine folds down small, fits easily in my bag, and has a little light. I’m not carrying a full production setup. I just want pretty pictures for my Instagram, and yes, I’m willing to be a little extra for them.
Small Things That Save the Day
Pill Organizer
I keep pain relief, allergy medicine, anti nausea, and something for heartburn in separate compartments. It saves me from packing several bottles or searching for a pharmacy when I’d rather be enjoying my trip.
Tide Pen
Coffee spills, wine splashes, even bird poop. This little pen has come to the rescue more times than I can count, especially when I planned to wear that outfit again.
20 oz Water Bottle
I take my 20 oz Owala. A 40 oz bottle sounds useful until I’m carrying it around all day. The smaller size is easier to pack and lighter to carry, and I can refill it along the way.
Compact Umbrella
Mine folds down small and comes with me for rainy days and very sunny ones. I use it for both, so it earns its space in my bag.
A Few Little Extras
- Wet wipes: For planes, trains, and a quick cleanup.
- Pocket tissues: Small enough to keep in my purse.
- Safety pins: For shirts that need a little help staying where they belong.
- Razor cover: To keep the blade covered in my toiletry bag.
- An empty grocery bag: My very uncomplicated solution for dirty laundry
- Something to keep you entertained: A book, a Kindle, or an iPad. I use the Kindle app on my iPad, so I can bring my reading without packing physical books.