Top 20 Must Have Travel Items for Your Next Trip

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Are you getting ready for your next big trip and struggling to get organized? Over the last ten years, I’ve perfected the ultimate travel list, so you don’t have to. These 20 Amazon travel must-haves are sure to save you time and make traveling so much easier.

Having an external battery pack while traveling is a must. Whether it’s during a short flight, on a bus ride or during an all-day excursion – I always find this battery pack to get me through! At 36,800mAh, this battery lasts multiple days between charges. It features 3 USB ports for external charging, which allows me to charge my phone, Go-Pro and iPad all at once! To charge the power bank, simply use the USB-C or Micro USB port.

If you’re anything like me, you don’t like having multiple sounds being thrown at you at once. Having noise-canceling headphones is key to my travel sanity. These Sony Headphones are hands down the best quality and a bang for your buck. They are noise canceling, wireless, and have a built-in microphone for on-the-go phone calls. I love that they’re padded for a comfy fit and can hold a charge for up to 35 hours.

Packing Cubes have been an absolute godsend for me when I’m traveling. I often travel with a large backpack, and there’s nothing worse than pulling everything out just for one item. I’m not kidding when I say I probably spent an hour each day reorganizing my bags before I found packing cubes. This pack comes with six different-sized high-quality cubes. I like to group some items together. For example, I use the large pack to store all of my shorts and tank tops. Just trust me, you’ll never pack without them again!

I recently switched to an inflatable neck pillow and will never look back. This neck pillow is incredibly soft and fits my neck perfectly. I store it in my carry-on bag or clip it to the outside for extra space. It’s super easy to inflate and deflate. One of the things I love most about it is the removable cover which makes it super easy to keep clean.

I’ve had a bad back for as long as I can remember, and since hitting 30, it’s only getting worse. Before my most recent trip to Asia, I set up an appointment with a bodywork specialist. After she worked her magic on my back, I asked her what she recommended for traveling. She suggested a Lacrosse Ball, and oh my god, was she right! Sure, it’s not the most compact item, but it’s small enough to throw in your carry-on, and I can guarantee you won’t regret losing a little space in exchange for feeling good. Just prop the ball between your back and a hard surface like a wall or the back of your airplane seat and let the magic happen.

I’ll admit that I was skeptical about this lightweight pack, but I was pleasantly surprised upon its arrival. I went with the 24L option, which is about the size of your standard school backpack. The material feels thin to the initial touch, but it lasted me three months in SouthEast Asia and didn’t rip once! The pack folds into a small bag that ends up being so compact that it fits in the palm of your hand. I wouldn’t necessarily want to use this for hiking long distances, but it was perfect for the beach and short hikes or day trips. I should also mention it’s large enough to store a lap-top for quick trips to the cafe! 

Even if I don’t think I’ll use them, I always bring travel locks with me when I’m on the go. There are a few different things to think about when picking out travel locks. You’ll want to pay attention to the size of the lock, whether or not a key is needed and how thick the lock is. These locks use a cable system which is excellent for locking larger and bulkier bags. I found them particularly useful for public lockers at hostels, day clubs, and spa venues. If you’re looking to lock zippers or smaller items, I’d suggest looking for a smaller safety lock.

When it comes to traveling, I always look for multi-purpose items. I recently went on a three-month solo trip and needed to learn how to become my own photographer without lugging around my usual camera gear. I found this selfie stick and tripod combo a week before my trip, and it saved me! It’s lightweight and compact (13.46 x 4.25 x 2.4 inches), so it’s easy to pack. You can adjust the height up to 62” and adjust the leg width to achieve perfect balance. Inside the package you’ll also receive attachments for your iphone/samsung device, GoPro and camera. The tripod uses a universal ¼” screw mount which will allow you to expand the functionality to other devices. Most importantly, the phone adaptor rotates 360 degrees and comes with a Bluetooth remote that works for photos, videos, and social media!

If you’re prone to losing things, it’s okay. You’re not alone. Thankfully, incredible products like Apple AirTags help us keep things on track. In 2016 I misplaced my debit card halfway into a three-month trip, which was an absolute disaster. Determined to never make that mistake again, I purchased a four-pack of Apple AirTags and some waterproof AirTag keychains. I felt so much more relieved knowing if I accidentally left my bag somewhere, I would be able to track it down quickly. I attached one to my main bag, my laptop bag/carry-on, my Go-Pro, and last but not least, my wallet.

This one seems a bit obvious, but you’ll need a power adapter to charge things abroad. I had to carry multiple adapters in the past, and it was such a pain! Thankfully they now have all-in-one universal power adapters. I found this one great because it has three USB ports and one USB-C port to charge multiple devices simultaneously.

The portable phone mount is a fairly new addition to my list of travel favorites. Since most of my flights are international, I always assumed there would be free movies. For the most part, there are, but there are a few exceptions, such as short flights, buses, and trains. I finally picked one of these up, and it’s perfect. I used it to watch movies on 12-hour bus rides through Vietnam and on short flights between surrounding countries. You can mount it on a seat-back or prop it up on a desk, tray table, luggage handle, bed, and just about anywhere else you can think of.

12. Air Fly

Let’s face it, nobody likes using airplane headphones. The Air Fly is a small portable device that allows you to transmit audio to your wireless headphones. It works great for using wireless headphones on in-flight entertainment or gaming systems. All you have to do is plug the Air Fly into a 3.5 audio jack, pair it to your headphones and enjoy listening for up to 16 hours. You can also use the Air Fly in rental cars or boats without Bluetooth to transmit music from your phone.

I don’t care how much money you have; paying $5 for a water bottle in the airport is insane. I love to take these collapsable water bottles with me on trips. They’re great for fill-up stations in airports or hotels to save a few extra bucks. You can also use them for hiking, camping, or throw them in your daypack for a day of adventuring. Plus, you’re helping save the environment!

When traveling abroad, it’s crucial to be aware of your valuables. When I was in Bangkok, a guy at my hostel got his whole backpack stolen, including his laptop, passport, and cell phone. Theft is one of the things you think won’t happen to you, and when it does, you kick yourself for not taking better precautions. This Anti-Theft backpack is cut-proof with lockable zippers, making it excellent for traveling. It also has an RFID-blocking pocket to protect your ID, credit cards, and passport identification from being stolen. This one is large enough for a 13” laptop, so I like to use it as my flight carry-on bag.

If you’re looking for a smaller Anti-Theft bag – this crossbody bag is for you. When I first started traveling, I used money belts but found them quite uncomfortable to wear under clothes, especially in the heat. Instead, I use this crossbody bag as my daily purse. It sits on your right shoulder and drapes across your left side. It’s lightweight and fits snugly to your body, so you can keep an eye on your belongings. It’s perfect for my passport, cell phone, iPad, and wallet. Did I mention it’s also waterproof?

You’re seriously missing out if you don’t have a microfiber towel for traveling. I have been using these towels since my first trip in 2014, and to this day, they amaze me. Not only are they compact, but they’re super soft, quick-drying, and don’t cling to water and sand like ordinary towels do. I use them as beach towels, sitting blankets, and sometimes in place of my regular shower towel.

I first saw these portable door lock’s on TikTok and immediately knew I had to have one. When I travel abroad, I often stay at hostels and guest houses that are relatively open to the public. Locking my door with this helps me sleep better at night, especially solo.

If you love traveling in tropical places, this product is for you. Whether you’re on a boat trip, headed snorkeling or maybe taking the kayak out for the day – having a dry pack is essential. Most excursion companies will have them available for purchase on the spot for a steep markup. Avoid extra costs by coming prepared and keeping your items safe. This dry pack comes in five different sizes and eight colors with an adjustable shoulder strap. In addition, you’ll get a waterproof iPhone case.

Compression bags are a great alternative to packing cubes. They’re a little less pretty, but you will probably get away with packing more. If you really want to get fancy, you can use both! First, compress your clothes in the roll-up bags, then place them in the appropriate packing cubes for the ultimate organization.

There’s nothing worse than checking in for your flight and being asked to pay an additional $200 to check your bag. You can double-check your bag’s weight before departure and during travels by carrying a portable luggage scale. If you like to buy souvenirs but are worried about extra fees, it might be cheaper to check a second bag than to pay for overweight luggage. The Etekcity Luggage Scale weighs up to 110lbs/50kg and is the perfect size for traveling.

Now that you’re well versed in the ultimate travel items, leave a comment and let me know what you would like to know more about! 

Picture of Cydney Nelson

Cydney Nelson

Cydney Nelson is the Founder, CEO and Creative Director of Departed Creature. With a passion for authentic storytelling, Cydney shares her journey through mental health, pregnancy, travel and more. Her mission is to break stigmas, inspire and create a safe space where everyone can belong.

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Picture of Cydney Nelson

Cydney Nelson

Cydney Nelson is the Founder, CEO and Creative Director of Departed Creature. With a passion for authentic storytelling, Cydney shares her journey through mental health, pregnancy, travel and more. Her mission is to break stigmas, inspire and create a safe space where everyone can belong.

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