TRAVEL ESSENTIALS YOU NEED
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This post is about the travel essentials you need in your life
The practical little things that make travel easier, lighter, and far less chaotic
If there’s one thing travel keeps teaching me, it’s this:
The smallest things in your bag often make the biggest difference.
Not the dramatic “must-have” items.
Not the expensive gadgets.
Just the simple, practical things that make a trip smoother, easier, and a lot less stressful.
Lately, I’ve been trying to travel lighter, stay more organised, and stop spending money on things I definitely should have packed before I left (you know the ones).
So I thought I’d share a few travel essentials I keep reaching for lately — the kind of things that genuinely make travel easier, whether you’re heading off for a weekend city break, a longer adventure, or somewhere in between.
Planning your trip? Use my favourite resources!
🏨 Accommodation : I recommend Booking.com
✈️ Flights : for the cheapest flights, I use Skyscanner
🚗 Rental Car : I recommend Rental Cars
🛡️ Travel Insurance : for the best deals I rely on HeyMondo
NO TIME TO READ NOW? 📍PIN FOR LATER
LIGHTWEIGHT DAY BAG
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If I had to choose just one “always worth packing” item, it would probably be a lightweight day bag.
It’s one of those things that doesn’t seem exciting… until you’re out all day walking around a new city and realise you need somewhere to throw:
snacks,
random receipts,
and the cardigan you definitely didn’t need at breakfast but absolutely need now.
A good travel day bag should be:
lightweight,
easy to carry,
secure,
roomy without being bulky,
and simple enough to go with everything.
What I look for
Adjustable straps
Zipped compartments
Lightweight material
Easy to fold or pack into a suitcase
Comfortable enough for long walking days
🛍️ My current favourite day bags : Waterfly Sling Bag Backpack
PACKING CUBES
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Packing cubes are one of those things I resisted for far too long because they seemed… unnecessary.
Then I used them once and immediately understood the hype.
They make it so much easier to:
keep outfits together,
separate clean and worn clothes,
avoid rummaging through your suitcase every morning,
and unpack/repack much faster when you’re moving around.
They’re especially useful if you:
like staying organised,
tend to overpack,
or hate opening your suitcase and seeing instant chaos.
How I use mine
I usually split mine into:
tops
bottoms
underwear / socks
“just in case” extras
tech / cables (if the set includes small pouches)
It’s not glamorous, but it genuinely makes travel feel more manageable.
🛍️ Recommended Product: Compression Packing Cubes
READ MORE : Best travel insurance for solo travelers
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PORTABLE CHARGER
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There are very few travel lies greater than:
“I’ll only use my phone for a couple of minutes.”
Because somehow “a couple of minutes” turns into:
checking maps,
translating menus,
finding train times,
looking up opening hours,
taking 47 photos,
and then trying to book something while sitting on 12% battery.
A portable charger is one of the most practical travel essentials you can own — especially if you rely on your phone for navigation and bookings.
Why it’s worth bringing
Saves stress when you’re out all day
Useful for airports, trains, and delays
Great for long travel days
Means less hunting for sockets in cafés
What to look for
Compact size
Fast charging
Enough battery for at least 1–2 full charges
Lightweight enough to carry daily
🛍️ Recommended Product: Anker Portable Charger
Check out my top rated travel toiletries that I take on every trip.
REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE
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This one is simple, but honestly so worth it.
A reusable water bottle saves money, cuts down on waste, and stops you constantly buying overpriced bottled water in airports, stations, and tourist areas.
It’s one of those items that’s easy to forget — and always annoying to replace once you’re already away.
Why I always pack one
Easy to refill before flights or train journeys
Saves money over time
Better than carrying multiple plastic bottles
Handy for long sightseeing days
Bonus points if it’s…
leakproof,
lightweight,
easy to clean,
and fits in a side pocket or bag compartment
🛍️ Recommended Product: HydraMate Collapsible Water Bottle
TRAVEL DOCUMENT ORGANISER
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This is one of those “quietly useful” items that makes everything feel less chaotic.
A travel document organiser is ideal if you like having all your important bits in one place, such as:
passport,
boarding passes,
booking confirmations,
cards,
travel insurance details,
and any printed travel info.
You absolutely can travel without one.
But if you’re someone who likes to feel prepared, they’re incredibly handy.
Why I love one
Keeps everything together
Great for airports and travel days
Helps avoid the “where did I put that?” panic
Makes planning feel easier before you even leave
🛍️ Recommended Product: Travel document organiser
A FEW EXTRA TRAVEL BITS I RECOMMEND
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Depending on the kind of trip I’m taking, a few other little extras often come with me too:
Noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs
A foldable tote bag
A pen for customs forms (surprisingly useful)
If you’re in full planning mode, these are the little things that often make travel feel much smoother.
👉 Browse more of my travel favourites:
Travel Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that travel feels easier when you’ve packed for comfort, convenience, and less stress — not just for the photos.
A few simple essentials can make a huge difference:
less rummaging,
less buying things you forgot,
less stress on travel days,
and more time actually enjoying where you are.
And honestly, that’s the goal.
Before You Go…
If you’re getting ready for a trip, I’ve also got a few travel-themed bits in my Etsy shop that are perfect for helping you stay organised before you go.
And if you’re planning your next adventure, keep an eye out — I’ll be sharing more travel tips, packing ideas, and useful finds soon.
🛍️ Want to grab these travel essentials? Check out my Amazon Travel Shop for more solo travel must-haves! Browse a curated list of TSA-friendly gear to make your next airport experience a breeze.
📌 Save this post for later on Pinterest! Pin it now so you’ll have these travel tips handy before your next trip.
More Information About Solo Travel
If you still thinking about if you should travel solo check out these other solo travel guides and blog posts :
Destination Solo Travel Guides
Solo womans guide to Copenhagen, Denmark
Solo womans guide to Dubrovnik, Croatia
Solo travel tips and advice
How to research solo travel destinations
Best travel products for solo travel
Must have long haul flight essentials
Solo female travellers guide to safety
Read all of my articles about solo travel in the solo travel posts.
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Planning a trip? Here are some of the resources and tools I personally use to organise my travel plans to anywhere in world.
FLIGHTS : Find the best deals on flights using Skyscanner.
VISAS : Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for wherever you’re going to and apply for an expedited visa online. Use OneWayFly to obtain proof of onward travel/hotel reservation for your visa application if needed.
TRAVEL INSURANCE : Insure your trip with my preferred insurance for single trip and annual cover HeyMondo
AIRPORT TRANSFER : Pre-book your hotel transfers from the airport.
ACCOMMODATION : Find the best hotel deals on Booking.com.
DAY TRIPS : Find the best city tours and day excursions on your travels on Viator or Get Your Guide.
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