25 Best Travel Accessories I Never Travel Without

July 5, 2018

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One of my most frequently asked questions is about what goes into my bag when I start packing for an adventure! Below I’ve outlined the 25 best travel accessories that I absolutely never travel without!

The Best Travel Accessories

Carry-on Suitcase

The first thing to know about me is that I’m a carry-on only kind of girl! I grew up flying standby, so checking luggage was usually not an option. Because of this I’ve gotten very good at shoving as much stuff as possible into my favorite Kipling DARCEY Hand Luggage. This soft bag is super light weight and easy use, with it’s four wheel design. This is my go-to option for any trip under 2 weeks!

Whenever I travel with this suitcase I pair it with my simple, black Jansport Backpack. It’s small enough to be considered a personal item on most airlines, but large enough to fit all of my electronics (laptop, camera, kindle, etc).

Large Backpack

There are some occasions that call for more that a tiny roller board. For my long-term trips I love my Osprey Packs Women’s Ariel AG 75 Backpack. This is my “I need to fit my life in my backpack” bag! I always feel a bit like Mary Poppins when I travel with it because the amount of stuff that I can fit inside is truly incredible!

Sony Camera

One of the questions that I get the most is about what type of camera I travel with, if any at all. For the past few years I’ve been shooting with a Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Camera and I absolutely love it! I pretty much have it on me at all times when I’m traveling – including throughout my two week Myanmar travel itinerary, exploring the Bali waterfalls, and more! It’s relatively affordable, lightweight, built-in WiFi feature, and take high quality photos!

Camera Accessories + Electronics

I also love that you can charge it on the go with a Anker Power Bank. This guy is my lifesaver – it holds a powerful enough charger to keep my electronics going for days!

And make sure that you always pack an extra SanDisk 64GB Ultra SD! I’ve been stuck buying one in a foreign country at the last minute for a ridiculous price! And then nothing is worse than the alternative of wasting time having to delete photos each day.

If you’re traveling solo, then I definitely recommend packing a lightweight tripod. This is great for capturing photos on your camera, without having to rely on anyone else. If you’re planning to take photos with only your phone, then packing a selfie stick could be a good option!

USB Charger

If you’ve ever stayed at a hostel then you know that outlets aren’t always readily available. If you’re lucky, you’ll get one private outlet to use. This Travel Wall Charger USB Plug is the best solution to making sure you can charge all of your electronics at the same time with only one outlet!

E-Reader

As much as I’m a sucker for a paperback, there is no denying the convenience of the Kindle, especially when traveling! I use my Kindle Paperwhite E-reader ALL the time, whether I am traveling or commuting locally in New York City. The Paperwhite is affordable, lightweight, and holds a charge for multiple weeks! It’s especially great for reading on the beach, whether I’m lounging on the beaches in Nusa Penida or exploring in Tulum.

BioClarity Face Products

I love BioClarity and have been using their products for over a year now. It’s a great skincare that’s loaded with natural plant extracts, plus it’s vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free. The best part? All of their products are carry-on friendly for your next adventure! Use code TAVERNA for an extra 15% off your order!

Travel Water Bottle

I rave about the Vapur Element Bottle so often that you’d think I was sponsored! In reality, I tried this bottle for the first time in 2015 while hiking Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal, and I’ve been hooked every since! I love that it folds down to practically nothing! Traveling with your own water bottle is better for the environment and your wallet!

Pixie Cup

This one is for the ladies, so gentlemen, feel free to skip. Using a menstrual cup, such as Pixie Cup is one of the best sustainable travel and life switches that you can make. I have been using one for about two years now, and it has saved me so much money on tampons. Plus, it is a much better user experience overall. Using Pixie Cup makes it so much easier to travel during that time of the month.

Combination Lock

If you’re going to be staying in hostels then a lock is an absolute must! I love the 4 Digit Combination Padlock because nothing is worse than having to carry around another set up keys to potentially lose.

Gallon-sized Ziploc Bags

This might seem like an odd addition, however I never travel without Ziploc Storage Bags. When traveling with a backpack I use these baggies as a sort of vacuum-sealed packing cube, separating my various clothing items into bags. This really helps me to stay organized!

These gallon sized bags are also great when heading to the beach (or really anywhere involving water). I once broke my cellphone when an elephant sprayed it.. so you never know when it might come in handy!

Foldable Tote Bag

A day on the beach, spontaneous shopping around town, a Foldable Shopping Tote Bag is always a good idea! It takes up practically no room and is always there when you need a little extra space!

Shoes

When I travel I always try to keep my shoes to a MAX of four pairs, three if possible. The packing list is pretty much always the same for me:

• cheap Flip Flops
• a cute pair of Sandals
• a cute walking sneaker (my personal favorite are White Converse)
• a pair of Nike Sneakers for hiking or working out

A Cover Up

No matter where I’m going you’ll always find at least one (if not five) Sarong in my bag! They are so convenient and versatile! I use mine as a blanket on an overnight bus, a scarf on a cold airplane, a towel for showers or on the beach.. the list is endless! I bought mine in on a beach in Canggu, however you can find them on amazon here as well!

Eye Mask

Unless you’re able to sleep with the lights on, you’re going to want to make sure to pack an
Eye Mask! I find my eye mask to be super useful for flights, long bus rides, and disrespectful hostel roommates.

Shampoo and Conditioner Bars

It was only recently on my 5 month trip backpacking Asia in 2017 that I made the switch to shampoo and conditioner bars. I purchased a few LUSH Shampoo and Conditioner Bars and I think it’s safe to say that I fell in love! These bars are super easy to pack AND they last such a long time! I found that one bar typically lasts me 2 months of daily washes. My favorites are the Montalbano Shampoo Bar ($10.95/bar) and the Jungle Conditioner Bar ($11.95/bar).

Wipes

There are inevitably going to be occasions during travel, especially long-term travel, when the proper facilities aren’t available. This could be anything from an overnight bus to a long day(s) of hiking. For this reason I always travel with both Facial Cleansing Wipes and Baby Wipes. Trust me, after a few days without a proper shower in Myanmar, on the Kalaw to Inle Lake trek, and little wipe down felt like luxury! One of the absolute best travel accessories.

Sunscreen

It is so important to make sure that you are protecting your skin all the time! I love this Neutrogena Sunscreen because it has a powerful 45 SPF and it is small enough to fit in my carry-on luggage!

Western Medicine (Best Travel Accessories)

Every country is going to be different! That is why I always make sure to stock up on the basics. In my travel medicine kit you’ll usually find

• Advil – For the every day aches and pains (or perhaps a margarita induced hangover..)
• Sudafed Sinus Relief  – When flying with a cold (aka always for me)
• Melatonin – To help adjust to the time change
• Benadryl – Because you never know! I recently had a serious allergic reaction to food that I didn’t know that I was allergic to!

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