11 Travel Accessories You Should Never Leave Home Without

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Written By Jessie Beck

These small essentials will make your trip easier.

I’ve tested a lot of gear over my 10+ years as a travel writer. And, to be honest, there are a lot of things that seem useful at first glance, but typically just end up sitting in your suitcase for the whole of your trip. Usually, those are the accessories I never end up writing about or packing on a future trip.

But then: there are those things you really should pack, every single time. Whether you’re shopping for travel gear that does more and will help you pack lighter, or you just want to be more prepared next time you hit the road, here are some of the travel accessories that I never leave home without.

1. A good travel wallet

I spent a lot of time searching for the perfect travel wallet: something small, compact, stylish, and with a zip-up closure so I could still carry some coins—all for under $100. The Folio Mini wallet by Bellroy delivered on all of this in a timeless, and simple leather design. It also has a tiny pocket to hold SIM cards if you’re switching them out while traveling internationally (which isn’t very necessary these days, but still). I’ve had it for nearly a year and it’s still in near perfect condition, a testament to its quality.

Packing for a trip + need something, quick? Shop my Amazon storefront.

2. Compression socks

If you’re over 30, you should be wearing compression socks when you fly to help reduce achy legs, risk of blood clots, and improve circulation. Since that includes me (hey there, fellow 80s babies 😉) I always pack a pair for flights longer than 3 hours. There are several good brands on the market for compression socks, but I use the merino wool compression socks by Comrad. I like these specifically because of the merino wool material, which is a naturally odor-resistant and temperature regulating fabric. Bombas also makes a comparably good pair of compression socks, including versions with merino wool.

3. Headphones and Airfly by Apple

Never travel without headphones. As an ultra-light packer, I personally prefer the Apple’s Airpod Pros. They’re pocket-sized and therefore much more portable than an over-ear headphone, yet still have some powerful noise cancellation capabilities, especially for their size. One downside to traveling with wireless, bluetooth headphones is that you can’t plug them into your personal entertainment device on airplanes (though this is changing). To solve for this, I’ve started traveling with the Twelve South AirFly Pro Bluetooth Transmitter, which connects bluetooth headphones to any device with a headphone jack—including TVs on airplanes.

4. Eye mask

Whether you’re sensitive to light and unsure how good those hotel curtains or going to be, or just trying to sleep on a long-haul flight, a good eye mask is a must. I use one I bought from a local boutique in San Francisco called Kim + Ono, but I also like the silk eye mask by Brooklinen. The Brooklinen mask is soft and cool on my face at night. It feels super luxurious but, at just over $20, affordable luxury. Plus: it’s machine washable.

5. Small tote

I usually throw a small tote from Baggu in my pack, and I’m always surprised by how often it comes in handy: buying groceries or a to-go meal at the airport before a flight; carting laundry from my hotel room to a laundry area; or even just an extra layer of protection between my purse and the airplane floor…

6. Reusable toiletry bottles

The older I get, the more I want specific products when I travel, which is why reusable toiletry bottles are a must in my travel kit (bonus: they’re also more eco-friendly and to save money in the long run). I’ve tested a lot of different ones on the market and my favorites are:

I always pull out my hand lotion, hand sanitizer, and ibuprofen from my toiletry kit and have it on-hand in my carry-on on travel days.

Looking for more travel gear recs? Read my review of my go-to travel backpack.

7. Travel adaptor

For international trips at least, a travel adaptor is a must. I prefer owning a set of adaptors, rather than a universal one since it allows me to just toss in the one or two adaptors I’ll need for my trip and save a little space. There are many options out there but I use this affordable set by Ceptics International and it does the trick.

8. Power bank + chargers

I use my phone a lot more when I’m on the road versus at home. It’s my boarding pass, in-flight entertainment, map, guidebook, and camera—so having a full battery is essential. I always have my regular charger on hand, plus a lightweight powerbank. Anker is probably the best brand on the market for this (even if it’s a little more expensive, the quality makes it worthwhile). Since I’m mostly just charging my phone, I’ve been using the Anker MagGo series, which is pretty powerful for its size.

9. Water bottle

These days, a reusable water bottle is a must for any trip. We all likely own one (or many) already, so while I personally use the 500ml “milk bottle” water bottle by Japanese outdoor brand, Snow Peak, the best water bottle for your trip is going to be the you already have.

10. Passport cover

Passport covers may feel like a nice to have, non-essential item but it’s actually pretty important to keep your passport from getting damaged by water spills, tears, and more. According to the U.S. State Department, your passport could be rejected or deemed unusable if it’s too damaged. I’ve been using a vintage, leather purse I found at a flea market for the past decade or so (I love buying secondhand when I can!) but have heard great things about the passport covers by Bellroy and Smythson from fellow travel industry friends.

11. Instant coffee

I don’t always use the instant coffee I pack, but when I need it, I’m happy I have it. Generally, this ends up being in situations where I’m waking up at 5am (either because I’m jetlagged or making an early flight) and no nearby coffee shops are open. Starbucks Via is a solid and easy to find option for Instant Coffee, but I prefer Verve or Waka. They taste better, in my opinion.

This post was originally published in March 2024 and is regularly updated to include current information.

Jessie Beck

Jessie Beck is a travel writer, video creator, and SEO professional. She’s originally from Washington D.C., but has called California home for over 11 years. She’s passionate about sharing lesser-known places to travel and unique hotels in California and beyond at wheresjessieb.com. Her work can also be found on Afar, 7x7, and Carryology.

https://wheresjessieb.com
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