No matter how often you travel, leaving the comfort of home is always a stress-inducing experience. As a travel writer, I face the brunt of this anxiety on a roughly bi-monthly basis while traveling for work. Of course, the more often you travel, the more routine your packing regimen becomes, adding its own weird sort of comfort to an often uncomfortable experience.
In 2024 alone, I’ve taken nine trips ranging from three days to two weeks in frigid winter weather and scorching tropical temperatures — all with just a carry-on in tow. While the outfits might change with the seasons, there are a few essentials that I’ve learned to never travel without. Now, I’m not talking about my toothbrush, deodorant, or any other basics you’d bring on an overnight trip. I mean those little after-thought extras that can make traveling just a little less stressful.
These are the 14 essential items you’ll always find in my luggage.
1. Hand Sanitizer
Call it a Covid hangover or just becoming more of a germaphobe as I get older, but I always have hand sanitizer on me when I hit the road. You never know when you’re going to run afoul of a dirty bathroom or have the opportunity to milk a goat. Either way, you’re going to want to wash your hands immediately after and, take it from me, a fully stocked bathroom is not always within arm’s reach.
I’m a fan of Trader Joe’s hand sanitizer spray for a few reasons. Firstly, the spritz of the spray just feels cleaner than a clump of gel. Secondly, it’s much less catastrophic if this bottle spills in my purse — not that that’s ever happened.
2. Wired Headphones
Am I old-school? Maybe, but I’ve had too many embarrassing Bluetooth moments to rely on wireless headphones in a pinch. I keep a set of wire earbuds in my travel backpack at all times, packed in a bright red pouch with extra earbuds and an adaptable dongle that lets me connect to my phone (and because “dongle” is a fun word to say).
This way, I never have to worry about the sound cutting out on Zoom or not being able to connect to Delta’s in-flight entertainment.
3. Charged Battery Pack
As a freelancer, I’m always connected on the go, be it email, text, social…call me, beep me, if you want to reach me, I’ve got to be available. That puts a major strain on my phone battery, especially if I’m out and about all day taking photos, notes, and Googling things so that I don’t forget about them later.
Keeping a charged battery pack in my bag is the easiest way to ensure that my phone stays juiced all day long. More often than not, I don’t actually need it. It just brings me peace of mind to know that if my battery is running low, I won’t be stranded.
4. Air Tag
Anyone who’s traveled with me within the last year knows that I keep an Air Tag on me. While it can be annoying to hear people constantly ask “Does someone have an Air Tag?” when the tracking notification inevitably pops up on their phone (Air Tags alert all devices within reach that an unidentified tag is traveling with them), it also provides an extra sense of security to know that my bag is safe and sound.
Plenty of travel writers have been singing the praises of Air Tags as a tool to help them track checked luggage. Now, I don’t normally check my bag, but if I were forced to gate check, I would absolutely throw my Air Tag into my luggage. This little gesture can be the difference between a lost and “misplaced” suitcase.
5. Universal Power Adapter
When traveling abroad, the change in voltage is one of those things you tend to forget about until you go to charge your phone at night and realize that you don’t have the right adapter. The easiest way that I’ve found to avoid this issue is to always travel with a universal power adapter.
The one I have includes a regular U.S. standard 120V plug and two USB outlets, so I don’t have to rely on my hotel room having a USB-adaptable wall outlet for charging. I just leave it in my backpack for peace of mind no matter where I go.
6. Extra Chargers
This one probably goes without saying, but I always bring an extra phone charger with me on the road. Typically, I leave one plugged in in my room and bring the spare along with my charged battery pack for use in an emergency. More often than not, this move earns me the name of “trip mom” on organized press trips, but I wear that moniker (along with my high-waisted skinny jeans) with a badge of honor.
7. Tide To-Go Pen
Accidents happen and when you don’t have time for or access to laundry facilities, a Tide To-Go Pen is the next best thing. I carry one in my purse, even at home, so that when I inevitably spill something brown or red on my white shirt (when will I learn?), I can clean it up quickly and quietly, and even wear the shirt again before the end of the trip.
8. Mega Babe Thigh Rescue Anti-Friction Stick
Anyone familiar with the phrase “chub-rub” should add this one to their list — this post isn’t sponsored, I just really love this product.
Basically a natural deodorant for your thighs, Mega Babe’s Thigh Rescue makes wearing shorts or dresses on hot days an enjoyable experience instead of a disaster waiting to happen. And as someone with extra sensitive skin, I can assure you that it won’t irritate your inner thighs. In fact, it actually might leave them silky smooth thanks to the aloe, grapeseed, and pomegranate oil blend.
9. Electrolyte Packs
Regardless of our best intentions, the vast majority of us don’t drink enough water on a daily basis, let alone when we travel. From increased activity to changes in elevation or climate, there are any number of reasons you could end up feeling the effects of dehydration on the road. That’s why I always stash a few electrolyte packs, like Liquid I.V., in my luggage to give my water an extra boost.
10. Floss Sticks
Flossing may not be an overnight essential for everyone (don’t lie, you know you don’t floss every night), but having a few floss sticks on hand when traveling can be a game-changer. Think about how many times you’ve left the table after finishing a salad or burrito bowl and found something dark and embarrassing hiding between your teeth for all to see. A quick pick with a floss stick and you’re home free, faux pas avoided.
11. Gum
As someone with super-sensitive ears, I never get on a plane without gum. The act of chewing helps my ears to pop, which doesn’t always happen on its own. I even keep gum in my purse if I’m heading somewhere with intense elevation gain, like the Rocky Mountains or the Alps. Even if you don’t suffer the same ear maladies that I do, gum is just a good tool to have on hand for anxious fliers or those with a fear of having bad breath.
12. Stomach Meds
If there are two things I’ve added to my travel essentials list since my 30th birthday, it’s chewable Pepto Bismol and non-drowsy Dramamine. You will never catch me without at least these two meds on my person at all times when traveling, because you truthfully never know what might upset your stomach on any given day.
Better to err on the side of caution than be caught out with digestive issues in a foreign country — trust me, that’s not somewhere you want to be.
13. Tissues
Am I slowly turning into my grandmother? Maybe, but the woman knew what she was doing when she stuffed a few extra tissues up her sleeve. Tissues are the perfect example of a travel essential you don't think about until it's too late -- a messy sneeze on a train, a leaky nose faucet situation in a crowded market, or when you find yourself in a poorly equipped bathroom (Bonus travel tip: NEVER assume a public bathroom is stocked with toilet paper. You will be disappointed). A pack of tissues is an easy extra to add to your purse, pocket, or carry-on bag, and one you're unlikely to regret packing.
14. Fabreze
When you're living out of a suitcase, sometimes you can't help packing sweaty clothes with your yet-to-be-worn outfit of the day. In such close quarters, smells start to mingle, and otherwise clean garments can be left smelling stale. Instead of panicking, just toss a travel-size bottle of Fabreze into your carry-on.
Give your clothes a spritz or two before wearing (or even better, spritz them the night before and leave them hanging overnight) and no one will be the wiser. Bonus: Fabreze helps you get an extra day's use out of your favorite travel staples like dresses and linen pants.
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