Helpful and Handy Travel Items
As the weather gets warmer in the Northeast, it typically means we are entering true travel season for many. I have always loved travel, I get that from my parents. And over the years between personal travel and business travel I have come to depend on many useful travel accessories. The list does change from time-to-time but currently these are 10 of the travel accessories I am depending on.
DISCLAIMER: This post contains some affiliate links. The author may receive a small commission for purchases made via this blog post. Your cost for the item is not impacted.
Useful Packing Accessories
Having lost luggage on more than one occasion, the invention of the air tag is a beyond useful travel accessory. While it won’t prevent your bag from being lost, it definitely can help you locate it much easier. And give guidance to airline or hotel personnel based on the information you will have on where the bag is.
Air tags obviously have a lot of great uses, but as a travel item I believe these are going to be invaluable moving forward.
My mother turned me on to the idea of packing cubes years ago. But I have to say, it took me awhile to really find a set that I like. For me, the cubes that allow you to compress them are really the ones that are worth it as they help with space as well as organization.
One of the nice parts of using cubes is to better organize your items, especially if you are sharing a suitcase between kids or with a partner. I also find that it makes it easier to unpack at your destination as many items (like underwear or bathing suits) I will leave in the cubes and just place the cube in the drawers.
It may take some trial and error to find the set you like, but I linked one set that I find great.
Clear Toiletry Bags – TSA Approved Size
Whether I am checking a bag or not, I still love to use clear, toiletry bags to organize my tote and suitcase. I think of them as another form of packing cube. And by using clear ones, you can easily see what it in what pouch when you are looking to find that specific item.
I use one for typical toiletries. One for makeup and other personal items. One for chargers, headphones, electronic items. Another can hold keys and other general items. They are a great way to stay organized when on the road.
I will do a separate blog on my favorite carry-on bags. That is not what I am referring to here (although I am linking one that works as a carryon itself). This is referring to packing a folded-up tote or bag that you can pull out if needed. Many places now don’t offer bags in stores (no worries, you have one with you). Or you purchase more than you planned on a trip and now need to figure out how to get it home. Or you are doing an excursion and want a different tote to bring.
There are so many reasons why having a spare tote with you will come in clutch. Trust me it is better to pack a small, foldable one that have to go and buy one while you are away. The spare bag has really become one of my most useful travel accessories.
Refillable Travel Toiletry Bottles
As often as we can, we try to carry-on everything. Obviously for longer trips that might not be possible, but for anything under a week, we are carry-on people. That means packing travel size liquids and creams. These days a lot of travel size items are available. I personally love to cruise down the travel aisle at Target. But there are always those products that you really love and just don’t come in the travel size option.
That is why it is important to find refillable bottles that you like and can depend on. I have tried a lot of different ones, and still am looking for my go-to. But these are a cute set that I will be giving a try on my next trip. Comment below if you have a brand that is worth a try.
Accessories for the Trip and Just in Case
Non-Surge Power Strip for Travel
With our reliance on technology, are there ever enough outlets in a hotel room? Especially when you are more than one person travelling. That is why this past Christmas I gifted all the travelers I know a non-surge power strip. I suggest non-surge protection because cruise ships don’t allow surge protector strip (they will get confiscated). And really you are bringing it for the extra outlets not the surge protection so it isn’t really needed in most cases. (And if you are planning a cruise check out this recent blogpost.)
These days there are tons of small options for easy packing that still offer traditional outlets and USB ports to charge to your hearts content!
Traveling somewhere where you will be spending time at a beach, on a boat, in water? Then a waterproof phone pouch is a must. You can find various sizes and even large waterproof bags for snorkeling trips or kayaking type excursions. I suggest having at least a small one for key electronic items. It is better to be safe than sorry, especially on vacation. So it is worth the small cost to protect you items from an untimely end because something is dropped or falls into the water.
Charging Bank / Backup Charger
Similar to the power strip for your room, having a back-up charger for when you are on the go is a great “just in case” item to bring. I am sure you have experienced those airplane outlets that aren’t working or that excursion that goes longer than planned and you phone is about to die. It’s always a good plan to have a backup power source. Especially if you are relying on your phone for directions which always drains the battery. You will be thankful to have the spare charging bank, trust me.
Safety first! I put this is the category of why have to go racing around to find a drug store in an emergency. There are so many small first aid kits options that are also TSA approved. It is again worth that purchase and space in the bag just to know you are prepared for anything. I am one that has had to buy band-aids randomly because of a blister or small cut when it is so much easier to just have a kit in your bag.
Cold planes, windy days, drafty hotels – you never know what you are going to encounter when you are on the go. That is why I always travel with an oversized shawl. They can be used as a blanket, scarf, or even replace a light jacket. I have a variety of colors and sizes in my closet and grab the one that goes with more of what I am packing. That way I have it not just for the travel portion but also as an additional accessory for the whole trip.
Final Thoughts on Useful Travel Accessories
It is easy to buy a lot of random travel gadgets. And from time to time, I find some handy ones. This list is my current “must bring” items. If I am going internationally the one addition would be some outlet adapters for plugs. But otherwise, this is the current list regardless of where I am going. I hope you find this helpful and feel free to suggest other items in the comments!
For more travel tips and tricks, check back often or follow my Pinterest board.
DISCLAIMER: As stated up front, this post contains some affiliate links. The author may receive a small commission for purchases made via this blog post. Your cost for the item is not impacted.
4 Comments
Love these travel essentials, thanks!
Great ideas. Especially air tags, clear cosmetic bags and the power strip!
I love this list of useful and necessary travel accessories. I especially like the bags where we can put our toiletries since that makes it much easier to get through security!
These are fantastic ideas! And I am finding them right before a heavy travel season, so perfect timing.
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