9 Must-Have Items for Every Type of Traveler

Speaking from personal experience, these are the absolute must-have items that I believe every traveler should have– simply because they make your life so much easier!

What travel items do I need?

Don’t be that person that runs to the nearest store and grabs everything in the travel section. It’s overpriced and usually not great quality! Plan in advance what to bring that you can efficiently manage space and convenience.

These are the items that I will never travel without!

1. Neck pillow

This one is obvious but it’s true! Try to invest in a great neck pillow for those long-haul flights. I normally opt for memory foam over the microbeads, simply because it gives you more cushion. I also look for one that isn’t too bulky behind the neck so I can lean back more easily, or even twist it around to the front.

I’ve also used a different kind of neck pillow and it worked GREAT. This one wraps around your neck, and have a soft wire on the inside for you to rest your chin on. No more readjusting the neck pillow every five minutes!

BUT! Sometimes you just think, “Ugh do I absolutely need a neck pillow?? They take up so much space!” I’ve even gone on trips where I just threw the neck pillow away because I didn’t have room in my bag.

In this case, FlightFillow has come up with the ultimate packable travel pillow. Basically, it’s a sleeve/pocket where you insert your sweater/jacket/whatever and it converts it into a pillow. It’s super handy and fairly comfortable! If you use my code TEJANA you can also get a 10% discount! Get it here

2. Packable towel

To save space and money, find a nice microfiber towel. I use this one because it dries quickly, packs easily, and is great for beach or just around the room. Hostels will usually ask you to pay a few dollars when you borrow a towel from them. This may not seem like much, but a few dollars here and there quickly adds up! I have the body size one which is great, but I would even recommend going a size bigger to beach size if you can afford it. I did my research when buying this towel and this brand has proven to be the best based on repelling sand, drying quickly, and being packable.

3. Packing cubes

Packing cubes like these are the best because they compress your stuff inside so that they can hold more! Most ones you find in stores are just flat and not built for optimum space.

I also use packing cubes as a way of organizing my swimsuits, socks, and underwear, so they aren’t floating all around my bag. Although these packing cubes may be a bit more expensive, you pay for the quality. The regular, Amazon basic ones aren’t going to do anything about compressing your things.

4. Luggage Strap/hook

You probably won’t see this item on many other lists but I swear by it! This strap/hook thingies are amazing. You simply attach it to your main bag, and you now have an extra way of carrying another bag, carrying an extra pair of shoes, or if you’re like me, a way of placing your jacket out of the way when you’re sprinting through the hot airport. An absolute MUST. Why have more people not discovered these?!

5. Toiletry Organizer

It’s important to find a toiletry organizer that fits a lot, but isn’t bulky. This gets rid of the need to place all your liquids in a plastic bag when you fly.

Pro tip: When you pack your bag, be sure to place your toiletry bag at the top so you’re not digging around to grab your liquids in the airport security line.

6. Silicone travel-size bottles

Along the line of a toiletry organizer, be sure to get some travel-size bottles that you can actually squeeze. Don’t go and buy the cheap plastic ones at Walmart, Target, or Primark. The plastic bottles make it harder to squeeze the liquid out and harder to clean once it’s empty.

7. Travel adapter

Something I ALWAYS forget. It’s very important because not every country has the same plugs! You can have a big universal adapter that lets you switch out depending on the country. For me though, I prefer to use smaller, individual ones instead of carrying around a big block. It’s all up to you!

8. Power bank

I’ve never used power banks as much as I do when I travel. Not every train/bus/airplane has a charger, so when you’re taking a 12 hour long night bus, you’re gonna want some backup battery for maps, movies, and music.

9. Hair clips

Okay, okay hear me out: Hair clips are great for clipping your hair back in general right? But they also have a ton of other great uses! I use hair clips to hang my packable towel up over my hostel bunk, so I can have a bit more privacy. If I open a bag of chips and don’t finish, I can use my hair clip to seal the bag up again. I can also use the hair clip to keep curtains closed if I don’t want the sunlight waking me up in the morning. They’re seriously a lifesaver!

These are my top 9 picks for must-have items. What is something that you bring for every trip?

Be sure and check out my other post on the Best Gifts for the Traveler in Your Life for other must-have items when traveling