Top 5 Essential Travel Items

Knowing what travel gadgets to buy is difficult. Which ones are a waste of money and which ones are worth it?

9.19.2023

Everyone has their priorities and preferences. So your list might be different from mine. But this is a good place to start.

1. Reusable items

Reusable water bottles can save you a fortune when you travel. This is especially true if you’re planning on spending a lot of time in airports.

For locations that might not have the cleanest tap water, you can buy a reusable water bottle with a filtration system built-in. Just make sure that you do your research on what it filters out. Some can’t filter out diseases. I also prefer a water bottle that keeps my drink cool for hours on end and doesn’t sweat.

A reusable fork, knife, spoon and chopsticks help cut down on the amount of plastic you use while traveling. Bringing your own means you can use utensils you are comfortable with even if they are not provided, and can be environmentally conscious at the same time. The same goes for carrying a reusable straw. Cut down on the environmental impact of your travel while still enjoying yourself.

Here are some options:

In someone’s home, of course, be wise. You don’t want to come across as overly independent or mistrustful.

2. Noise-canceling headphones

Airplanes are loud. You’ve probably never noticed how much noise there is until you’ve put on noise-canceling headphones. These allow for blissful silence (and sleep!) even with a snorer, sneezer and crier in close proximity.

They’re great if you plan on working while traveling, too. Cutting out the background noise may help you be more productive and get back to having fun and being present with other people, sooner.

Before buying a pair, check to see if they use Bluetooth or are compatible with your phone and read the reviews. Also look into buying older, lightly used models of well-known brands. You might get a good deal.

3. Portable charger

Imagine your flight is delayed, and you realize the TV show you’ve been streaming for the past three hours has drained your battery. You scan for open outlets only to find them all taken. Your only boarding pass is on your phone and youh ave two extra hours to kill. What do you do?

If you’re a seasoned traveler, you can happily pull out the portable charger you keep on you to charge your phone up to ten times. Don’t be stuck in a train station or airport with a dead phone.

4. Money belt

If you’re traveling with a significant amount of cash and/or your passport, you might want a money belt. It can be worn through security without any issues and keep items you would hate to lose safe and close to you.

5. Tactical flashlight

You may not be able to travel with pepper spray or a knife, but that doesn’t mean you have to rely on your fist-fighting skills to stay safe.

If you (or your parents) are concerned about safety, pick up a tactical flashlight. A good one should be rechargeable and have a dual switch as well as a one-touch strobe that will temporarily disorient someone. It may also have an SOS setting that will help send a signal if you’re in distress.

Want more information on how to pack your wardrobe? Check out this blog post:

Packing for a Trip

Find details on how to pack for an international flight:

How to Pack for an International Flight

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