The Essential Accessories for Traveling

What is the list of accessories to plan for going on a trip, whether for the short or long term? Based on my experience as a great traveler for several years, here are my essentials, which I always take with me to the end of the world… These accessories can make our life easier when traveling.

Accessories for transporting and storing your belongings

I never leave without my protective cover for my backpack: Osprey Airporter medium. Its primary function is to protect the backpack when flying and to prevent the straps and shoulder straps from being damaged or torn during transport. But it works for any type of transport, and it allows you to avoid getting your bag dirty in the holds of buses which are often very dirty, especially in Asia. In addition, it is a cover that can be closed with a padlock, so it is additional security against theft because it is complicated to secure all the openings of a backpack. For returning mother daughter trips in US, it’s also very practical to come back more loaded than to go once the backpack is in the cover, you can slip a lot of extra stuff inside and this is often how I bring back my travel souvenirs. In general, I don’t have the space to put everything inside the backpack. Finally,

Storage pockets

To store your belongings in a backpack or suitcase, you must always provide storage pockets. This allows you to separate your underwear, T-shirts, and other clothes, and to store the chargers for your electronic equipment, medicines, and other accessories separately… This does not prevent you from providing a few plastic bags or tote -bags to put dirty laundry or pairs of shoes.

A shoulder bag

To carry my identity documents, my bank card, and my money I always have a shoulder bag. I think it’s the safest way because that way you can’t have it ripped off like a handbag that you carry on your side, and you have quick access to the important things.

The first time I carried a waterproof bag to go on a trip, was when I went camping in Iceland for two months in the summer of 2016. I wanted to be sure that my laptop and my camera remained dry in the tent, even in the event of heavy rain. But since then, I take it on all my mother daughter trips! It’s essential when doing nautical activities like canoeing or even just a boat trip: that way I’m sure that my electronic equipment like a phone or camera is well protected. The same when I found myself in torrential rains in the Caribbean or during the monsoon in Asia… It’s very light and doesn’t take up any space! Another bonus use: I use it when I want to carry a bottle of wine or other alcohol in my backpack. At least that way I’m sure that even in case of breakage during transport, my things will stay dry! I use the 13-liter model, which is enough to hold a Mac Book Pro and a small SLR.

Zipped freezer bags

I always carry at least 5 or 6 freezer bags in my luggage: it allows me to protect my identity papers, my medication, if necessary, to put my beauty products in my cabin luggage if I take the plane… C is always useful, and it doesn’t take up space!

Electronic Equipment Travel Accessories

This is of course the accessory to never forget! The universal adapter! So, it’s true that there are countries where you don’t need it, but you never know… You really must take one with at least one USB port to be able to charge your phone in addition to another device. The model that I propose to you has two! It can often happen to have only one outlet in a hotel room and there hello the hassle of loading all your equipment.

An external battery

With the extremely restricted lifespan of smartphone batteries, you may no longer go without an exterior battery, whether to recharge throughout the day or in the late afternoon when you do not have access to a power outlet. In addition, for my part, it is typically the kind of object that I have lost several times because forgotten in the morning by leaving it to charge in my hotel room. I always find myself running to the stores to buy one along the way.

A headphone

I’ve traveled a long time with basic earbuds to listen to my music, but that was before I tried the super high-tech Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II headphones. Since then, it’s been very simple: I can’t leave without it! The sound quality is great and above all, I’m a big fan of the noise reduction function: it’s not just headphones, it’s real noise-canceling headphones that completely isolate external noise pollution. By plane or in noisy transport, it’s simply stunning and I’m no longer bothered by the crying of children or the conversations of neighbors. For those who would like a less bulky headset, there are also wireless headphones that can be put in the ear (on the right in the photo above), also with a noise-canceling function.

Hygiene and health travel accessories

You might think that any type of toiletry bag is suitable for traveling, but not necessarily. For my part, I advise you to take a model with a hook that allows you to hang it somewhere. We quite often find ourselves in bathrooms that are not very clean with nothing at all to put our things in, not to mention the shared shower rooms in youth hostels… I like the large-capacity models because I take a lot of products with me.

An emergency kit

Of course, it’s the kind of kit you can put together yourself by buying the products one by one, but I find it more practical to buy a ready-made first aid kit at the start. Then, as the journeys progress, we replace what we have used or what has expired. In the event of a minor ailment, it’s always much more practical to have everything on hand rather than having to rush to a pharmacy. Before leaving, it’s also a good idea to carefully study the contents because it is sometimes necessary to supplement, with an antiseptic spray. It’s not first aid, but don’t forget to take mosquito repellent either.

A microfiber bath towel

If you plan to sleep all the time in hotels, it’s not necessarily worth it, but if you’re thinking of spending a few nights in a youth hostel or camping, it’s essential to take a special microfiber travel towel. The advantage of these towels is that they dry quickly and do not take up too much space in the luggage. I also recommend taking a model large enough to wrap yourself in to go and come back from the shower, especially when you sleep in youth hostels. We often find ourselves in completely soaked bathrooms where we don’t want to get dressed because otherwise, we get our clothes wet.

Travel accessories for food

A Swiss knife

The Swiss army knife is one of the old travel essentials, but it’s still relevant. Even if you don’t go hiking in nature, you still need a knife for a picnic or a snack, a corkscrew to uncork a bottle of wine, or a can opener to open a tin can. Be careful not to leave it in your hand luggage when you take the plane Traveling, otherwise, you will find yourself having to abandon it at the security check. Ditto when you go to visit great monuments or museums: it is better not to have a knife in your belongings to pass the security checks.

A mug and cutlery

I don’t go camping often, but I still pack a mini-dish set with a lightweight travel mug and a two-in-one fork spoon. It doesn’t take up much space and is very useful when you want to eat on the go.

A filter bottle for drinking water

Being able to drink drinking water while traveling without having to buy plastic bottles every day is a real topic. The ideal solution is to buy a filter bottle. It screens germs and protozoa, which can make you ill if you have tap water. In addition, this model has a carbon filter that eliminates bad odors and organic chemical substances. Its capacity is 65 ml. LifeStraw filters up to 1000l of water, on the other hand Traveling, the carbon filter, only 100l: so, depending on the duration of the trip, you may need to bring a carbon capsule of substitution. You just must get used to sucking up the water, rather than drinking it normally as you are used to, but otherwise, it’s a great solution to save the purchase of bottled water and pollute less.

Travel accessories for comfort

A sheet to sleep on

When I go on a trip, I don’t take a sleeping bag with me. It’s too bulky and it’s rarely used, except if I know I’ve planned to sleep in a tent. Instead Traveling, I bring a sleeping sheet. You can slip into it when you sleep in a somewhat shabby hotel. With not very clean bedding or any other not very clean place to sleep. It’s super light and it helps well!

A travel pillow

The travel pillow is the essential accessory for long journeys by plane or bus. For my part, my neck and back are a little fragile. So I quickly catch torticollis if I don’t have one. I also often use it in hotels. When the pillow is too big or too hard (which can often be the case when traveling to budget hotels). I don’t really like inflatable models, which are not very comfortable. I prefer the foam ones: it’s bulkier but much better for sleeping.

A sleep mask and earplugs

Whether it’s to sleep in transport (plane, bus, or other) or a hotel room with too much light. It’s super useful to provide a sleep mask. There are many countries where it gets light very early and the accommodations. Are not always equipped with curtains or shutters. For those who are light sleepers or have trouble falling asleep in a noisy environment, I highly recommend bringing earplugs Traveling. Question of habit, I largely prefer those in foam rather than earplugs in wax. It is necessary to provide several pairs in any case because it is easy to lose one behind. A bed and after a few uses they are dirty, and it is better to change them regularly.

Travel accessories for security

Padlocks and a cable

This is also valid to avoid being robbed in transport such as night buses or when waiting in a station. I always have at least two padlocks (with a code I prefer. It avoids losing the key and with four digits. It’s safer than three) and a cable to be able to attach my backpack somewhere. It is particularly essential on night buses in Asia. If you have a small backpack with your valuable equipment under your seat. You absolutely must attach your bag! The safety instructions depend of course on the countries Traveling. Where you are traveling, and you will need them much less in Japan than in Brazil or Thailand. But hey, you never know, there are still thefts. Even in the safest countries.

A wallet or a money-hiding belt

I talked about it a little earlier in this article. I don’t use this accessory much and I prefer to put my valuables in a pouch slung over my clothes. But some may feel safer with an under-the-clothing pouch or a belly fan. It is up to everyone to make their own choices. According to the level of security of the countries where they are traveling.

A front flashlight

I didn’t know in which category to put the flashlight, so I put it here… Sometimes with smartphones, you think you don’t need to go with them anymore. But that’s not counting you can often find yourself running out of battery. In addition. To be free to move if you need to look for something Traveling in the middle of the night without light. A headlamp is very practical! There are rechargeable models with a USB socket, but I recommend taking a battery-powered model instead. As this is the kind of object you may need during a trek in the middle of nature. You won’t necessarily be able to easily recharge it…

Here, I think I have pretty much covered all the accessories I take with me on my travels… You can get them by clicking on the links in this article or on the photos. These are affiliate links, which means that thanks to your purchase. I receive a small commission which allows me to continue to make this travel blog live. Thank you in advance for your support! Do not hesitate to suggest to me in the comment if you have. Other accessories that I would have forgotten and that I would not know to recommend. To complete, here is my article if you are looking for a gift idea for travelers.