14 Travel Items You Didn't Know you Needed - But Won't Ever Travel Without Again
Packing can be tough, and it is WAY more than just packing your clothes. As a matter of fact, the other things you need may be more important than what you wear. We recently did a three-week trip to Europe (3 countries) and then straight to South America (also three countries) with just one medium suitcase and one backpack.
Here's 14 Travel Essentials We Never Leave Home Without
These are the tried-and-true items that have earned a permanent spot in our suitcases. Whether you’re packing for a long-haul flight or a weekend getaway, these travel must-haves solve problems, save space, and make your trip smoother from start to finish.
1. Carabiner Clip for Our Water Bottle
If you want to keep water at hand on your flight, but you're tired of chasing your water bottle down the airplane aisle? A simple carabiner clips your bottle to the seat pocket or your bag strap, keeping it handy, secure, and off the floor.
2. Reusable Travel Face Washcloth
Hotels rarely provide a cloth that’s gentle enough for your face - if there's one at all (looking at you Italy). Pack your own reusable washcloth for a consistent skincare routine that doesn’t rely on hotel amenities.
3. Compression Packing Cubes
These are our absolutely essential item for staying organized and maximizing space in your suitcase. Use them to separate clean clothes from dirty ones and keep your outfits easy to find throughout your trip.
4. Foldable Tote Bag or Packable Daypack
A lightweight, collapsible bag is perfect for beach days, local markets, or as an extra carry-on for souvenirs. It takes up minimal space but adds major flexibility. This came in clutch when my flight out of Barcelona was delayed and I was going to have to get a hotel in Sao Paolo - I still needed my toiletries and a change of clothes, and this was perfect.
5. Power Strip with USB Ports
Never have enough outlets when traveling? Hotel rooms and cruise cabins never have enough, and you want to make sure your phone, watch, extra battery pack, Kindle, and everything else you need are charged. A compact power strip lets you charge multiple devices at once, without taking turns or hunting behind the furniture.
6. Travel Tech Organizer Bag
Keeps all your cords, plugs, and chargers in one place. We keep ours fully stocked so it’s ready to grab and go for every trip—no more last-minute cable scrambling.
7. All-in-One Charger for iPhone, Apple Watch & AirPods
This is a game changer, and we keep ours packed in our travel bag. Consolidate your tech with a 3-in-1 charger that powers your phone, watch, and earbuds overnight. It saves space, reduces clutter, and ensures everything’s charged and ready to go.
8. Silicone Travel Bottles with Suction Cups
These leak-proof bottles adhere securely to the shower wall, making them ideal for small or shared bathrooms. No more leaving your shampoo on the floor or balancing it on a tiny ledge.
9. Organizer Bag for Flights
We use the same one as our tech pouch and pack it with essentials like AirPods, Kindle, sleep mask, and sanitizer. It fits perfectly in the seatback pocket for easy access during the flight.
10. Jet Lag Support Kit (FlyKitt)
This is our number-one travel hack. FlyKitt helps your body adjust to new time zones and minimizes the foggy, sluggish feeling that comes with long-haul flights. It truly changes how you start your trip.
11. Shower Caps to Cover the Bottom of Your Shoes
Don’t pack dirty soles next to your clean clothes. Slip a hotel shower cap over each shoe to keep everything in your suitcase clean and separated.
12. Portable Battery Pack
A reliable external battery is a must-have for charging on the go, especially on long travel days. Choose one that holds multiple charges and is approved for air travel. Don't get caught with a dead phone battery when you want to take photos and videos of your trip, get directions, access your documents, use a ride share app or need your apple or google wallet. This is a must have for us on the go!
13. iFly Bluetooth Adapter for In-Flight Entertainment
Use your AirPods or wireless headphones with airplane seatback screens. This adapter plugs into the headphone jack and connects your Bluetooth headphones so you can ditch the airline earbuds.
14. PopSocket Wallet for Your Phone
This clever phone accessory doubles as a cardholder and grip, making it easier to carry your ID, credit card, or hotel key—all without needing a separate wallet. I actually use this ALL the time, traveling or not. It makes it easy to grip my phone for photos and videos, and then I always have an ID and a way to pay. Yes, we have the mag-safe one so we can easily pop it off to use the charger above. I pair it with this case.
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Packing smarter means choosing items that solve real problems. These 14 essentials aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’ve become non-negotiables in our travel routine. Add a few of these to your next trip and see what a difference they make.
