Top 5 Essential Travel Items

Everyone has their priorities and preferences. What do you think is essential? Here’s a good place to start.

Water bottles and utensils

Reusable water bottles can save you a lot of money when you travel. This is especially true if you’re planning to spend a lot of time in airports.

For locations that may not have the cleanest tap water, you can purchase a reusable water bottle with a built-in filtration system. Just make sure to research 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.

Reusable forks, knives, spoons, and chopsticks help reduce the amount of plastic you use while traveling and provide a convenient solution when utensils are not provided. The same goes for carrying a reusable straw.

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

Noise-canceling headphones

Airplanes are noisy. You probably never realize how loud they are until you wear noise-canceling headphones. These let you enjoy complete silence (and sleep!) even if there’s a snorer, sneezer or crier nearby.

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. Consider purchasing older, lightly used models of well-known brands. You might get a good deal.

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 you have two extra hours to kill. What do you do?

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

Money belt

If you’re traveling with a large amount of cash and/or your passport, consider using a money belt. It can be worn through security easily and helps keep valuable items safe and close to you.

Tactical flashlight

You might not be able to carry pepper spray or a knife, but that doesn’t mean you have to depend on fistfights to stay safe.

If you (or your loved ones) are concerned about safety, consider investing in 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.

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