We’ve all been there: you’re halfway through a flight and realize you forgot something important. Your neck is stiff, your phone battery is low, and you still have hours to go. As full-time travelers who’ve flown to over 40 countries, we’ve learned the hard way what makes or breaks a travel experience.
When you’re constantly dealing with airline luggage weight limits, you can’t bring everything. You have to be picky and mindful of every item you bring. A little preparation goes a long way. Having the right essentials packed in your carry-on can turn any flight into a more comfortable and stress-free experience. Over the years, we’ve fine-tuned our packing list to include only the items that truly matter. Whether you’re heading out on your first trip or you’re a seasoned traveler looking to upgrade your packing game, these are the 25 must-have items we never fly without.
Looking for camera gear essentials? Check out our Camera Gear blog for all the products we use to capture our short-form and long-form travel content!
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Overview
- 🧳 Luggage & Travel Bags
- 💻 Tech & Entertainment
- ✈️ In-Flight Comfort
- 👜 Organization & Packing
- 🧴 Personal Care & Grooming
- 🩹 Health & Safety
🧳 Luggage & Travel Bags
1. Samsonite 2-Piece Luggage Set
Durability tops our list after years of traveling with so many broken bags. This luggage has been with us through it all and still goes strong! It comes as a set of a carry-on and a checked bag for full travel coverage.
- Hard shell is durable and protects your belongings from rough handling
- Expandable design gives you extra space when you need it for all your shopping
- TSA-approved lock adds peace of mind at security checkpoints
2. Nordace Siena Smart Backpack
A must-have for travelers who work on the go. We use this as a carry-on backpack on every flight; it keeps all our tech safe and organized and fits perfectly under the seat.
- Dedicated organizers for laptops, tablets, and other tech
- Tons of pockets mean everything from passports to chargers has its own place
3. Brevite Backpack
Another standard travel setup for creators or photographers who travel with cameras. It keeps everything organized without feeling bulky or overwhelming.
- Padded dividers keep camera gear organized and protected
- Comfortable to wear all day while exploring
4. Travelon Anti-Theft Metro Bag
This bag is all about peace of mind, especially in busy cities. Having essentials close and secure makes it easier to enjoy exploring without constantly checking your belongings.
- Keeps your belongings in front of you for better security
- Can be worn around your waist or as a crossbody
- Zippers have built-in clips that lock together, making it harder for pickpockets
💻 Tech & Entertainment
5. Apple AirPods Pro 3
These have saved us on so many overnight flights. They instantly make flights feel quieter and more personal, especially when the cabin gets loud.
- Strong noise cancellation blocks out loud plane engines and crying babies
- Perfect for music, movies, podcasts, and staying focused
- Compact and easy to travel with, fitting in even the smallest bag pockets
6. Anker MagGo Power Bank
Having reliable backup power is non-negotiable, especially now that our phones handle everything from boarding passes to maps and in-flight entertainment.
- 10,000 mAh battery charges your phone to full up to two times on long travel days
- MagSafe compatible, so you don’t need to carry extra cables
- Built-in stand lets you prop your phone up for hands-free entertainment
7. Apple AirTag 4 Pack or Single Apple AirTag
It’s one of those small items that you hope you never need, but you’re very glad to have when things don’t go as planned. It adds a lot of reassurance when checking luggage or bags get lost!
- Track your luggage, backpacks, and bags in real time through your phone
- Helps locate bags quickly if they’re delayed, lost, or sent to the wrong city
- Huge peace-of-mind item, especially on international flights
8. EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter
This travel adapter comes with us on almost every international trip and makes charging our devices easy anywhere we go. It simplifies international travel by removing the guesswork around outlets.
- Works with outlets in over 200 countries across Europe, Asia, and beyond
- Can charge up to 6 devices at once, perfect for creators, couples, and families
- One adapter replaces multiple plugs, saving precious space in your bag
9. Twelve South AirFly Pro: Bluetooth Wireless Transmitter/Receiver Adapter for 2 Headphones
This tiny device upgrades the entire in-flight experience, especially for long-haul trips.
- Lets you connect your wireless headphones to airplane TV screens seamlessly
- Works with two headphones at once, so you and your travel partner can watch together
- No more dealing with cords or those airplane headphones that barely work
✈️ In-Flight Comfort
10. MLVOC Memory Foam Travel Pillow
This pillow made overnight flights much more tolerable for us. We actually arrive with our necks feeling less stiff and sore.
- Supportive and comfortable, even on the longest red-eye flights
- Helps keep your neck in a better position while sleeping upright
- Removable cover makes it easy to wash between trips
11. MZOO Luxury Sleep Eye Mask
This eye mask helps block out the world when you really need rest. It’s become a staple for long flights and time-zone changes.
- Blocks out light completely for better sleep on bright daytime flights
- Soft and comfortable on your face, even for side sleepers
- Contoured design means no pressure on your eyes
12. Airplane and Car Foot Hammock
It doesn’t look like much, but it adds a surprising amount of comfort on long trips where you’re sitting for hours. Your legs will thank you on those 10+ hour flights.
- Helps reduce leg and lower back discomfort on long flights or road trips
- Attaches easily to the seat tray or glovebox in front of you
- Lightweight and packs down small, taking up little space
13. Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs
These are great to have on hand when you want complete quiet, especially when you’re ready to sleep.
- Super comfortable, even for extended wear during long-haul flights
- Excellent noise reduction for blocking out engine noise and chatty passengers
- Perfect backup if you don’t want to wear headphones the entire flight
14. Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray
Small enough to pack, but surprisingly useful in shared travel spaces.
- Traps odors before they start, not after
- Perfect for airplanes, hotels, and shared bathrooms where privacy is limited
- The best one we’ve tried so far, and it actually works
👜 Organization & Packing
15. BAGAIL Compression Packing Cubes
These helped us pack smarter and stay organized throughout the trip instead of living out of a messy suitcase.
- Compress clothing to save space with an extra zipper that flattens everything
- Keeps your suitcase organized so you can find things without unpacking completely
- Makes packing and unpacking way faster, especially for multi-city trips
16. Travel Inspira Luggage Scale
This scale takes the stress out of checking bags. We like knowing our luggage isn’t overweight before heading to the airport.
- Helps you avoid overweight luggage fees at check-in
- Easy to use before heading to the airport
- Measures in both lbs and kgs for international travel
- Max capacity is up to 110lbs or 50kg, even for overweight bags
17. 2 Pcs JHX Travel Laundry Bags
These bags are handy if you plan on doing laundry mid-trip, especially for long trips.
- Two roomy laundry bags keep dirty clothes separate from clean ones
- An easy way to split light and dark clothing while traveling
- Built-in handles make carrying to the laundry room simple
18. Travel Bottles for Toiletries
We switched to these after too many leaks and never looked back. Packing toiletries feels much safer now.
- Leak-proof bottles that are the only ones we’ve had that haven’t spilled in our luggage
- Perfect for shampoo, conditioner, and skincare products
- TSA-approved 3oz size for carry-on travel
19. TSA Approved Cable Luggage Locks
A small extra layer of security that helps us feel more comfortable when traveling with our bags.
- Secures zippers on luggage and backpacks for added security
- TSA-approved, so agents can inspect your bag without breaking the lock
- Extra layer of protection for your belongings
🧴 Personal Care & Grooming
20. Jack & Rose Travel Steamer
This steamer helps clothes look presentable right after unpacking, which is great when plans start immediately after arrival.
- Compact and easy to pack without taking up much space
- Quickly removes wrinkles and works as both a steamer and an iron
- Great for dresses, shirts, and nicer outfits for business trips or special occasions
- Automatically adapts to 100V-220V, suitable for most international travel
21. Mocado Travel Makeup Mirror with Light
This mirror makes getting ready much easier when hotel lighting isn’t ideal.
- Foldable and adjustable height for the perfect angle
- Built-in light provides better visibility in dimly lit hotel rooms
- Makes getting ready in hotel bathrooms so much easier
22. Mbzoey Electric Foil Shavers for Men
Convenient for staying fresh during long trips without needing to find outlets constantly.
- Compact and rechargeable, no need to pack extra batteries
- Good battery life for travel and displays battery percentage clearly
- Makes easy grooming on the go simple and quick
23. Tru Earth Compact Dry Laundry Detergent
These sheets are so convenient and flexible. We can pack light and do laundry anywhere.
- Dry and compact detergent sheets that are perfect for travel laundry
- No spills or leaks in your luggage, like liquid detergents
- Perfect for washing clothes in laundromats or hotel sinks for quick rinses
🩹 Health & Safety
24. Welly First Aid Kit
Better to have it and not need it. This has come in handy more times than we can count.
- Durable and travel-friendly compact size
- Includes bandages, tape, pain relievers, and ointments for common issues
- Good to have for small emergencies like blisters or headaches
25. Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent
Not the most exciting item on the list, but definitely one of the more useful ones. It’s a simple way to avoid unnecessary discomfort during the trip.
- Helps keep mosquitoes and bugs away during outdoor adventures
- Plant-based option that’s gentler on skin
- Especially useful in tropical areas or anywhere with lots of insects
Final Thoughts
Traveling doesn’t have to be stressful or uncomfortable. With the right essentials packed in your bag, travel becomes smoother, more organized, and far less chaotic. These 25 items have made our travels smoother, more organized, and way less chaotic over the years.
Whether you’re heading out on a quick weekend trip or embarking on a months-long adventure, having these travel essentials on hand will help you feel prepared and ready for anything. Start with the items that matter most to your travel style, and build from there.
Safe travels, and don’t forget to save this list for your next trip!
– Angelia & Chris
