Knowing what to bring when traveling can be a lot of work. There are so many opinions on what you need to have when traveling that it can be overwhelming. Throughout my travels the last 10 years I’ve figured out what works best for me and hopefully it will help you too. Throughout this post I go through everything that makes traveling an easier and more stress free experience for me. So check out my travel essentials below!
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First things first, Tech
- Noise Canceling Headphones
- I can get so overstimulated during travel days, especially during longer trips so having noise canceling headphones has saved my life. It’s perfect for when I want to block out the chaos at the airport or on the plane.
- I use the Airpod Pro’s. They’re great but I’ve been looking into buying over the ear headphones for comfort. I don’t love having it in my ear for a whole flight. I’ll link the one’s I use, the one’s I’m wanting to get below, and some other great options I’ve found.
- Wired Headphones
- Along with noise canceling headphones I like to bring a few other pairs, it might be excessive but to me it’s a necessity.
- I pack an additional pair of wired headphones that work with a traditional aux. Plus a pair of wired headphones that work with an iphone.
- There’s nothing worse than getting on a plane and realizing you don’t have headphones to watch the movies that the airline provides. Some airlines give out free ones, especially on international flights but you never know and I’d rather be safe than sorry.
- AirFly
- If you’re not a wired headphone user, there are also connectors that link to your bluetooth headphones that work really well.
- Chargers/Adapters
- Okay, I have a tendency to forget my phone charger but this is crucial. I make sure to bring one with a USB port just in case.
- When flying internationally you’ll need an adapter. I’ve used a couple and for the most part anyone you pick will be great. Just double check the reviews before buying one.
- Don’t forget a portable charger. When you’re out all day using your gps, taking pics and videos, etc, your battery can drain quicker than usual. Having a charger with you at all times to keep your phone charged will relieve a lot of stress. You can check out some of my faves below.
- Kindle
- This one is for my readers, a kindle is crucial if you’ve got a lot of travel ahead of you. The fact that it packs so nicely and doesn’t take up a ton of room is the best part, highly recommend.
Luggage
- Backpack
- The most important travel essential on a long flight because it holds basically everything you need to survive.
- I love a cute aesthetic luggage moment but I also think any backpack you have will work. If I were to buy a backpack to take with me on my next flight the ones linked below are the ones I would choose. They have lots of compartments and zippers to help keep things organized which I love.
- Carry-on Suitcase
- Not all carry-on’s are created equal, mostly in size, I have a very small carry-on suitcase and a bigger one. You can always double check the airlines sizes and standards but for the most part, if it’s labeled and sold as a carry-on it should meet the requirements.
- Cross body bag
- I love a good cross body bag when traveling. It keeps everything close to you at all times so you never have to worry. When packing for my flight I make sure everything I need easy access to is in my bag like, my ID/passport, cash/credit cards, and phone.
- Organization
- A little bit of organization goes a long way especially when traveling for long periods of time. I wasn’t a huge fan of packing cubes when I first started using them but after a couple of times they won me over. They are great for keeping like items together and staying organized throughout the trip.
- Toiletry bags are great for toiletries but also other things as well, sometimes I like toiletry bags for some clothing items like swimsuits or underwear and socks. There are really cute options that just make me even happier to get into my suitcase.
- Also! A cord organizer has been so nice to have on my recent travels. Things can get messy and lost when traveling so having a designated spot for cords and chargers brings me so much peace of mind.
Comfort
- Travel Blanket
- No matter where or when I’m traveling I bring a travel blanket. Airplanes, trains, and airports can get super cold. Having the extra layer when needed is so nice especially when trying to get comfy on a long flight.
- Neck Pillow
- Again, we’re striving for the most comfort and the easiest way to sleep on a long flight, a neck pillow can definitely help with that. I prefer a traditional neck pillow but find one that works best for you.
- Eye Mask
- I often forget or overlook this one and regret it when I’m on the plane. They do turn the lights down during long flights but having that extra level of darkness has helped me sleep better on some of my overnight flights to Europe, this is something I would highly recommend getting.
- Socks
- For me, I’m usually wearing socks already with the shoes I wear on the plane but if you’re bold and like to wear sandals or flip flops I would pack an extra pair in your personal item in case you get cold.
- Sweater/Sweatshirt
- In case you haven’t noticed a theme, I am a very cold traveler so another travel essential for me is a sweater or sweatshirt. I won’t travel without one, even if I’m going to Cancun in July. It’s a necessity.
Overall, it’s important to keep comfort and necessity in mind. These are the things that help traveling a little less stressful for me. I hope you’ve found some items that you can use on your next flight. Let me know where you’re traveling to next! And if you want outfit inspo for traveling this fall check out my post here for what I plan to wear to London this fall.