This post is all about the best travel essentials for international flights every frequent/first-time traveler should have.
Packing can be tedious and can even seem like a chore. Being prepared for your travels is helpful, but having specific travel essentials that will make your life easier can minimize your stress and make traveling even more exciting. I’ve provided this travel essentials list in hopes that it will help you be organized, stress-free, and comfortable during your adventures.
Your Ultimate Travel Essentials Checklist: Top 15 Travel Essentials For International Flights
1. Travel plug adapter
If you travel abroad often, a plug adapter is a MUST. This universal plug adapter has all the plugins you need when traveling to different countries. It saves you the hassle of figuring out which country uses which adapter. Highly recommend getting them all in one plug in!
2. Portable charger
When traveling, your phone becomes the most used device, whether you’re taking photos or looking for directions. Therefore, phone batteries are crucial to always keep them full, a portable charger with different cords to charge any device comes in handy! I highly recommend taking one on your adventures as it will keep your devices on full battery at all times.
3. Apple Air Tag
Now this is something you’d like to purchase if you check in your luggage. If your luggage ever gets lost (let’s hope it never does) the Apple Air Tag will come in handy and will locate your luggage anywhere in the world. With airlines losing luggage, you want to be on the safe side and invest in an Apple Air Tag to keep all your belongings safe and know where they are at all times. This can even be used with purses/ wallets especially when traveling in Europe where pickpocketing is common.
https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-airtag/airtag
4. Airfly Bluetooth
This travel essential is useful for in-flight entertainment. This device helps connect to Bluetooth so that you can pair your wireless headphones to watch in-flight entertainment. This device simplifies your flying experience without having to deal with the cord or uncomfortable airline headphones.
5. Compression socks
If you are taking a long-haul flight, traveling with compression socks can be more beneficial than you think! Sitting for long periods during a flight can lead to poor blood circulation, especially in the legs. Compression socks apply gentle pressure to the legs, which helps to promote blood flow back to the heart. Extended periods of immobility can also cause swelling in the feet and ankles due to fluid retention. Compression socks help to minimize swelling by preventing fluid buildup in the legs. Told you compression socks are helpful!
6. Passport holder
Passport holders can help protect your passport from any wear and tear, spills, or any potential damage. They also have additional slots and pockets to store any other travel documents such as boarding passes, travel itineraries, credit cards, and or currency. With a passport holder, you ensure that your passport is safely stored which makes it easier to locate in your bag. This is the one I use, you can also get some on Etsy that are customizable.
7. Fanny pack
Traveling with a fanny pack makes retrieving any important items you need when flying. I usually keep my passport holder, phone, hand sanitizer, AirPods, wallet, and portable charger all in my fanny pack for easy access. Especially when I need to have my passport/ phone close to me rather than reaching over my backpack or carrying on to fish for my things. It makes getting in and out of airports more efficient. I like the Lululemon one but you can find more affordable ones on Amazon as well.
8. Packing cubes/compression packing cubes
Packing cubes are such a game-changer for me! It keeps all your clothes organized and if you’re like me and plan out every outfit for your trip then packing cubes makes it even easier to store away your fits in an organized manner. If you are trying to conserve space in your luggage, and are willing to splurge a bit more, compression packing cubes will be your best friend. They eliminate extra bulk by compressing the air out and eliminating wasted space. Packing cubes along with compression packing cubes can make all the difference when packing for a long trip!
9. Jewelry organizer
Having a designated jewelry compartment to store all your jewelry is helpful to keep it from tangling or getting lost. I HIGHLY recommend having one of these, especially if you love to travel with all kinds of jewelry like me.
10. Tech case
Traveling with lots of devices means carrying a lot of cords and chargers which can get messy when putting them away in your luggage. A tech case keeps all your chargers in one place and prevents your cords from getting tangled or taking up unnecessary space. I would highly recommend a tech case to store your charges, or any other tech accessories to keep your items organized, safe, and accessible for when you need them.
11. Travel bottles – for liquids/toiletries
Travel bottles are a must-travel essential if you often travel with just a carry-on and need to bring any liquid such as shampoo, conditioner, and any other skin care products. Reminnder that they need to be limited to 3.4 ounces (1OO mL). Here are some travel bottles that can surpass TSA’s liquid rule.
12. Reusable water bottle
I always like to travel with a water bottle to avoid overpaying for water at the airport. Most airports (depending on the country) will have water fountains for you to fill up, I suggest always having one in hand to stay hydrated and save a couple of dollars. You can opt out for a collapsible water bottle to save space or a filtered water bottle. In many countries, it isn’t safe to drink tap water, and having a filtered water bottle may come in handy in said countries!
13. Ear plugs/headphones
If you are a light sleeper like me, earplugs can help you have a better night’s sleep to block out any noise. This especially comes in handy if you are staying in hostels where you may share a room with up to 10 other people. Headphones and AirPods are a must to keep you sane on long flights! I often think that ear plugs are slept on and can be very useful to have better sleep and avoid uncomfortable pressure build-up while flying aswell.
14. Lock
If you are staying in hostels or in communal accommodations, you will want to pack a lock to keep your belongings safe. Hostels often provide lockers or a place to store your luggage; however, you need to have a lock so that no one can get a hold of them. I suggest getting a lock with a code rather than a key; because if you lose the key, well good luck!
15. Portable light mirror
While you can do your makeup in any mirror, a portable light mirror allows you to do your makeup in just about anywhere with adjustable brightness levels, allowing you to customize the lighting to your preference. This is useful if you are staying in accommodations with limited lighting and allows you to do your makeup on the go! Consider factors such as size, weight, power source, and any additional features that may suit your specific needs while traveling. And yes mirrors are allowed on carry-ons!
Final Thoughts
I hope this list of my top 15 travel essentials helps you fly/ travel in the best most efficient way possible. Traveling can be stressful and even nerve-racking but with these travel essentials, I hope it will make traveling pleasant and practical.