25 Must Have Travel Items and Accessories – Cafes and Getaways

Travel Tips

25 Must Have Travel Items and Accessories

Last Modified: October 22, 2023

Although there are plenty of essential travel items for all trips, it is important to consider where you will be, the potential weather, and the activities you will be experiencing before packing additional items. 

Traveling during the winter months in a large city will require completely different travel gear than relaxing beachfront on the Mediterranean. In addition, the region you are traveling to also requires some additional thought. For example, if you visit the U.K., expect overcast skies and rain no matter what time of year. 

Another factor to take into account is access to a washing machine. Some hotels and vacation rentals will have access to laundry services, but only sometimes. If you will not have the ability to wash your clothes while traveling, that means you will have to pack more.

To cut back, research the facilities of your accommodations. Many come supplied with basic personal items such as hair dryers, irons, shampoo, and soap. These few essential items can save you a lot of room in your suitcase. 

I highly recommend the following list of items, no matter what international destination you are visiting. I’ve also included some general clothing and personal care item guides and a few extra things you may want to bring.

Packing cubes may be one item that many may think is an unneeded expense, but they truly are worth the investment. One of the best luggage organizer sets is by Eagle Creek. The pack-it collection come in an assortment of different sizes to help organize all your items.

For even more storage, the company offers a line of compression cubes. All products are water resistant, machine washable, and come with a lifetime warranty. 

Another popular and more affordable set is the 6 piece set by BAGAIL which come in 20 different colors and three different sizes. Most sets come with a mesh front makes it easy to locate things, and the line also comes with compression cube options.

Having separate storage compartments keeps your luggage from becoming cluttered and unorganized. If you’re like me, your suitcase probably looks like a disaster after day two!

Packing cubes allow you to stay organized, especially for longer trips or ones where you are traveling to multiple locations. These save a lot of time!

Another thing I like about using packing cubes is that I can organize my outfits and keep my dirty clothes separate from the ones I have yet to wear. These have been quite helpful with staying organized during my trips and even allowed me to pack more!

Ever pack a cream or liquid in your suitcase just for it to explode all over? I have! I’ve tried inexpensive alternatives like ziplock bags to place all my cosmetics and creams in, but that does not always work the best, either.  

Travel capsules were the best solution to the problem. Not only do they take up little space, but they help you organize your makeup and skincare products and protect them. In addition, the thickness of the cases helps protect your items from both leaking and breaking.

Cadence Capsules are small half ounce magnetic containers that can be purchased in signals, or sets of 6 or 12. Each capsule can be personalized with individual labels, with certain icon proceeded going to non-profit organizations.  From creams, vitamins, and makeup, you can organize all your personal items easily.

What I really like about this brand is the importance they place on sustainability and the environment. Each capsule is made with reusable materials and they partner with organization in order to combat plastic waste around the world. 

Headphones come in especially handy for traveling to destinations. They cancel out surrounding noise and allow you to focus on a show you are watching or the music you are listening to.

Apple Airpods are a popular choice because they are wireless, compact, and hold a charge for 24 hours. Best of all, they work with all apple devices. Once you are done, just pop them into their charging case and pack them in your bag for later.

For a cheaper option, the Soundcore Noise Canceling Headphone is an excellent alternative. These headphones are larger than the Airpods, but have over 40 hours of wireless playtime and work wonders for canceling out noise. 

One thing you want to think about is the capacity of your headphones to plug into devices. Some apple products have a different plugs that may not work with other devices, so you may need a 3.5mm plug adaptor to use them.

Bottled water can be expensive, especially in tourist shops and airports. Having your own reusable water bottle is both an economical and environmental benefit. 

It also keeps water cooler than a standard plastic bottle, which is handy in summer. Some places, such as Rome, have an amazing free water system throughout the city. In addition, there are clean drinking fountains all over the city that you can fill up at.

Hydro Flask has a large line of water bottles for all travel needs. The Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Bottle come in three different sizes and over 20 different colors. Each is leak proof and features Tempshield insulation that keeps your water cold for up to 24 hours. 

Each comes with a handle, and being made of pro-grade stainless steel make it perfect for both travel and day-to-day activities. 

For even more eco-friendly solutions, you may want a collapsable water bottle from Nomader instead. They are as easy to use but take up much less space and can be rolled up when you’re finished using them.

Each water bottle can also hold hot drinks, and are made with durable, food-grade material that is both dishwasher safe and leakproof. These are great if you are backpacking or traveling light.

Taking photos of your travels is a great way to remember all the wonderful places you’ve visited. The newest phones have developed some fantastic cameras that are sufficient for most. However, if you’re looking for even better quality photos, then investing in a camera is an important purchase.  

The Canon EOS Rebel T7 is a great starter camera at a reasonable price range. If you are ready to take your photography to the next level, invest in the Sony A7III. It is our most recent purchase, and we are so happy with the quality of photos and variety of settings that come with this camera.

If you plan on using your camera a lot, you will also need a couple of memory cards and an extra battery with you. If space is not a problem, tripods are extremely helpful for taking pictures, especially if you are trying to get one of yourself. Some tripods come with a wireless remote. If they don’t, you will want to purchase one.

It is a good idea to have a travel bag with you instead of carrying a purse around at all times. These a larger and can fit more in them. They can also be included with your carry-on luggage in addition to a small suitcase.

Travel bags are useful for carrying items with you while traveling, but they can also be helpful once you get to your destination. I love my Longchamp Shoulder Bag. It is my go-to bag for long trips, weekend getaways, and days at the beach. Not only does it have a lot or room, it has both a zipper and button for security, and is easy to style with your outfit. 

A small purse is also a good thing to have once you have reached your destination. It is small and portable and perfect for holding a few essential things. When picking purses to bring with you, check to make sure they are secure in case you run across pickpockets.  

BOOK YOUR FLIGHT | Skyscanner is the top search engine for finding and booking flights. They price check over 1,200 travel sites to help you find the best prices. 

VIEW ACCOMMODATIONS | For booking hotels and vacation rentals Booking.com is a top resource . They offer some of the cheapest rates and different payment options.

PLAN TRANSPORTATION | Discover Cars is my go-to site when booking rentals. They work with hundreds of companies worldwide to help you find the best car for your needs and budget.

SCHEDULE YOUR TOURS | There are many top companies available in Europe. Get Your Guide is one of the best sites for tours, excursions, and activities. Viator is another terrific website for all types of experiences.

GET TRAVEL INSURANCE | Having travel insurance is always a good idea. World Nomads is one of the top travel insurance companies.  It will cover you if you must cancel your trip or if something unexpected happens. 

Check out the resource page for additional travel planning resources.

Hey, I’m Ally! Welcome to Cafes and Getaways. I’ll be sharing details on my latest travel destinations, as well as tips and tricks to help you plan your next adventure.

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