Having travelled to over 60 countries, I have learned from trial and error what essential items I need for every trip. I have many times forgotten items and that’s why I have made a comprehensive packing list that I always refer to before leaving on a trip.
To help you avoid all the trial and error, I have made this post with all of my favorite travel essentials that can be easily found on Amazon.
In creating this list, I am hoping to provide you with a stress-free traveling experience. No matter the length of the trip, these travel essentials will make your packing and trip easy and comfortable.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through my link it will send a bit extra my way… at no extra cost to you!
Carry-on Luggage
What better place to start off than the main item you will need for your travels? No matter where I’m going, I always travel with a carry-on. This is to save me time, avoids baggage fees, and prevent my luggage from getting lost or left behind.
Amazon has a great selection of durable, lightweight carry-ons that you can choose from. Here are a few of my favorites.
Packing Cubes
For the next step of packing, I highly recommend using packing cubes. They are affordable and really help in organizing items in your bag, and saving space when packing. Since discovering these, I never travel without them! There are various styles but the compression ones are my favorite and they really help with saving space.
Travel Bottles for Toiletries
Travelling with a carry-on becomes easier when you invest in travel bottles. Bottles that are 100 mL are a great way to bring your favorite shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, or even sunscreen. These refillable travel bottles are leak-proof and will prevent you from packing full-sized containers that are heavy and take a lot of space.
Toiletry Bags
Having a durable and lightweight toiletry bag (or organizer) will help you in the packing process. There are various sizes and styles you can choose from depending on what items you want to pack. I usually choose ones that are more flexible, compact, yet spacious. Here are some of my favorite ones that you can choose from.
Travel Pillows
For those long, and especially overnight flights, an inflatable travel pillow is a must. A good pillow with good support for your neck and head will help you rest more comfortably when sleeping in a cramped airplane seat. I also like to bring an inflatable foot rest pillow with me. This was for sure a gamechanger when I discovered it. The best part of these is that they can be deflated and packed down small, so they hardly take up any space in your bag. This can make a big difference in how rested you feel when you arrive.
Tech & Electronics
Of course staying charged and connected is an important part of any trip – for most! Travel adapters and power banks are one of the essential tech items that I ensure I pack for each trip to have my devices work wherever you go.
Another item that can make travelling more relaxing is noise-canceling headphones. They can help block out noisy planes or cities, and some people cannot travel without them. while cable organizers prevent frustrating tangles. Tech tools help you stay productive, entertained, and in control.
An AirTag is also a great travel item because it adds a layer of peace of mind and security to your trip. When placed inside your luggage, backpack, or even attached to your keychain or wallet, it allows you to track the item’s location in real time using the Find My app on your iPhone. I find this especially helpful if your luggage is delayed or lost by the airline, where you can see the location and perhaps aid in the recuperation process.
To really stay connected, think about getting an eSIM. This is another great travel item because it lets you instantly connect to local networks without needing a physical SIM card or visiting a store. There are multiple eSIM providers but I usually use Airalo and I definitely recommend it. They offer affordable, short-term data plans tailored to travelers.
Health & Safety
There are some basic items that I ensure I pack – in case. It’s always a good idea to have a mini first-aid kit, travel-sized versions of cold, flu, allergy, and digestive remedies, and other medication depending on where you are travelling to.
Depending on where I’m going, I might also include motion sickness tablets or insect repellent. Having these items on hand brings peace of mind—especially when traveling to countries where you’re unfamiliar with the local pharmacies or language.
Below is a list of the go-to items I pack for every trip.
Garment Care
Keeping your clothes looking fresh was one of the biggest challenges I had, espcially since I have to fit everything into a compression bag and a carry on. I decided to invest in a travel sized steamer and it has been a game changer. This is especially useful for business trips, events, or photo-heavy vacations. To ensure freshness of clothes, I also bring a lightweight laundry bag and some shoe bags to separate worn/dirty items from clean ones, which helps keep everything organized and odor-free. These small additions make a big difference in feeling put-together and comfortable throughout your trip.
Beach Vacation
Make sure you have the most fun beach vacation by bringing all the essential items. I always pack a quick-dry towel, a wide-brim hat, and plenty of sunscreen to stay protected under the sun. A good pair of water shoes will also help a lot depending on your destination. For example for the rocky beaches in Europe, I found them very helpful. Don’t forget a swimsuit (or two), a cover-up, and a beach bag to carry your items. Whether you’re lounging or adventuring, these items help you enjoy the beach without hassle.
Photography
For those of you who love take photos or are creating content, then these items will be very helpful to pack. I always bring extra memory cards, and a portable SSD is also essential for backing up photos daily running out of storage mid-adventure is the worst! Trust me, I have been through it and it’s best to avoid this from happening, especially when you don’t have a good connection. And don’t forget a compact travel tripod, which will be great for those not travelling in groups to have someone take pictures of you.
I hope you find this list useful. Let me know if there are essentials items you pack that are not on the list. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Looking for more? Check out my Amazon storefront for additional travel finds I personally recommend.
Want to book the perfect trip? Use the tools below for the to plan a perfect trip!
Book hotels: booking.com
Book Flights: kayak.com | skyscanner.com | cheapoair.com
Car rental: rentalcars.com
Montreal Tours: viator.com | getyourguide.com
Digital & Printable Travel Planners: Pack and Jet shop on Etsy
