Traveling abroad or just taking a quick weekend getaway? Be sure to pack these 15 travel essentials! These items will make your travels easier, stress free, and more enjoyable.

Packing Cubes:

Picture from rei.com

Packing cubes are my favorite travel item ever! They come in different sizes and you can organize all of your clothes. One cube for socks, one for underwear, one for t-shirts, etc. The cubes are amazing because your clothes don’t get mixed together and you can easily find what you are looking for! It keeps your suitcase or backpacks more organized, efficient, and allows you to fit more.

Backpack: 

Wearing my Pacsafe backpack on a hike in Norway!

Since I have a camera, I needed a backpack that I could use as a camera bag along with a good carry-on. I went with a Pacsafe backpack and I won’t go back. This backpack is anti-theft, has a protective laptop sleeve, a side access camera insert with padded dividers, plus plenty of room for your other belongings. It is not bulky, but it holds a lot which is one of my favorite things about it. Pacsafe has tons of travel items to fit your needs!

Passport Wallet:

Picture from rei.com

If you want to keep your valuables safe, then a passport wallet is a must. Find one that is RFID blocking which prevents electronic-scanning theft. I also love the ones that have a slot for your passport, credit cards, and a spot for your cash. Be sure the wallet zips shut for extra protection. Most travel wallets will even have an attached lanyard, so you can keep it on your body at all times. I highly recommend the Pacsafe RFIDsafe V150 RFID-Blocking Compact Organizer.

Multiclava:

Wearing my multiclava as a neck gaiter in Scotland!

A multiclava is a must when traveling! It is multi-purpose and can be used in so many different ways. It can be worn as a cap, a neck gaiter, a face mask, a headband, and more! There are even different types of multiclavas for a variety of weather conditions. They are my favorite to use for hiking!

Travel Laundry Wash: 

Picture from rei.com

If you are going on a longer trip and will need to do laundry, don’t forget your travel laundry wash! This small bottle will fit anywhere and a little bit goes a long way. This travel wash is concentrated and only requires two full caps to do an average load of laundry. Plus, it is TSA approved if you have to fly!

Multi Towel:

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No one likes packing bulky towels that take up lots of room for your trip, and if you aren’t staying in a hotel, you may be in need of a towel! Having a multi towel is beneficial as they are absorbent, thin material, are light weight, and compact. These towels also dry fairly quickly which is a plus!

Camera + Tripod:

Using my camera in Venice, Italy!

So I am fairly new to the photography world and before I left for my trip I wanted to buy a good camera, but also one that isn’t extremely complicated to learn. I ended up with the Canon EOS Rebel T6i and I LOVE it! It takes great pictures and is perfect for a new photographer. I now have thousands of pictures to remember my trip by because of my camera! A tripod can also be helpful especially for night photography and for taking pictures of yourself using the camera’s timer! I recommend a tripod that is smaller and compact that will easily fit in your luggage.

Dry Sacks:

Our dry sack keeping our valuables safe while we swim in Switzerland!

Dry sacks are a must, especially when traveling near any body of  water. They are great for putting your valuables in and the bag keeps them safe and dry! Plus, if you fill the bag with air and shut it, it will float so if you drop it in the water, your belongings won’t sink. I used my bag every time we went to the beach and when going on scuba diving trips. There are different sizes and you can fit a lot in one bag!

Ear plugs:

I’m not going to lie, I never thought I would like using ear plugs and was against them until one night I was sleeping in a hostel and I had not one, but TWO snoring people in my room. Needless to say I didn’t sleep that night and ever since then I swear by ear plugs. They are lovely when sleeping in hostels, on trains, buses, or planes.

Portable phone charger: 

Having a portable phone charger is a life saver when traveling! Between taking pictures, googling places to see, and using a GPS to find where you are going, your phone can lose battery quickly. Having a portable phone charger will put your mind at ease as you won’t have to worry about trying to save battery, plus if there is an emergency you won’t have to worry about having a dead phone. The portable charger we have is solar powered which is great as we can charge it as we are exploring outside!

Travel Pillow:

Picture from rei.com

Do you like your sleep? So do I! And sometimes with travel you end up on an overnight flight, a night train, or a late bus ride. Travel pillows come in handy when you need a snooze. I’m all about efficiency and recommend buying the travel pillows that deflate and fit in to a small bag. This way it is compact and can fit anywhere!

Reusable water bottle:

You have to stay hydrated when exploring a new place, so may as well be eco-friendly about it! Buy a reusable water bottle so you can fill it up whenever needed! Plus having a reusable water bottle is a huge money saver when traveling because you won’t have to buy those expensive plastic water bottles or wait until you get to a restaurant to get water. Some great companies for water bottles that are durable and will keep your water cold for longer are YETI, Hydro Flask, and S’well.

International travel adapter:

Picture from amazon.com

If you travel out of your home country often, then a international travel adapter is the way to go! There are many different travel adapters, but I prefer the ones that are universal and all-in-one. Some even have USB outlets so you can charge more than one electronic at once and you don’t have to worry about juggling multiple plugs!

Sleeping bag liner:

Staying in Airbnbs or hostels? Camping? If your answer is yes, then I suggest getting a sleeping bag liner! You can use them as an additional sheet when in hostels, hotels, or Airbnbs. When camping it adds an extra layer of warmth on those chilly nights. I personally used mine for extra warmth when not camping because I am always cold!

When packing, don’t forget these top travel essentials. You won’t regret packing these items because they make traveling a piece of cake! I would be lost without having these things packed when on my trips.