Ever went: “Fuckkk I forgot to pack it!” during your travels?
Avoid that shitty situation with my list of 101 best travel accessories and travel essentials! It’s a perfect guide for your travels or if you’re looking for travel gifts for your loved ones.
Check out the travel accessories and travel essentials by categories:
In-Flight
1. Ballpoint pen
WTF really? Yeah really! You know why? It’s a pain in the ass AND a waste of time filling in your customs form in the immigration hall of the airport. Remember to bring a pen with you so you can fill in the customs form on the plane instead. And remember, use a ballpoint pen instead of a gel pen to avoid smudges.
- Get this Xiaomi ballpoint pen for RM23 on Lazada Malaysia if you’re feeling fancy~
2. Compression socks or tights for flight
Sitting on a plane for hours on end can be uncomfortable. So wear compression socks or compression tights during your flight to help increase blood circulation and reduce the risk of swelling or and clotting.
Tip: Don’t wear and remove compression socks before and right after your flight to give your body time to adapt to the change.
3. Face mist
The low humidity in an airplane makes your skin dry and oily (’cause your skin overcompensates for the dryness). So don’t forget to bring an under 100ml face mist with you on the plane. It’ll keep your face hydrated and refreshed.
4. Foot hammock
If wearing compression socks on the plane isn’t your thing, use a foot hammock or foot rest instead to help improve blood circulation, ease aches and pains, as well as stiffness or swelling.
5. Lip balm
Cracked lips after a flight aren’t cute. Keep your puckers moisturised with a good lip balm that you can keep in your bag.
6. Moisturiser
Combat dry skin during a flight with a lightweight moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated. Use it on your face, neck, hands, and elbows.
7. Neck pillow/travel pillow
Keep neck pain away with a neck pillow. I “borrowed” my sister’s J-Pillow travel pillow, which is really comfy, but you can always just get an inflated one for easier storage.
8. Portable 4-in-1 travel dispenser
Don’t have enough space in your carry-on? Use a 4-in-1 travel dispenser so you can have all the beauty stuff you need in one cute, convenient bottle.
9. Travel cleansing water and makeup remover
Fancy-ass water for a fancy-ass face. This two-in-one travel-sized beauty product is great for the plane. Bioderma’s Sensibio H2O micellar water is perfect for cleansing your face and removing your makeup on the plane.
10. Travel rollerball perfume
Ugh airplane smell, amirite? Bring a travel rollerball perfume with you to keep smelling daisy fresh.
11. Travel wallet
Do you misplace your items easily? Use a travel wallet to keep all your important travel documents, flight tickets, passes, passport, and so on in one place.
Electronics & Gadgets
12. Battery-operated or rechargeable handheld fan
A mini handheld fan is a life-saver, especially when you travel to a hot destination.
13. Charging cable
Gotta juice up your phone and stuff, eh? Don’t forget to bring your charging cable! Better yet, bring a 3-in-1 charging cable if you have multiple gadgets with different connector requirements like:
- Apple – Lightning
- Android – micro USB
- Android – Type C
14. Ear phones
Nothing says don’t talk to me like a good pair of ear phones.
15. Ear plugs
Do you suffer from ear pain due to air pressure difference when flying? Use ear plugs! They’ll even help drown out noise on the plane.
16. Extended phone battery case
Don’t wanna carry your powerbank around? Use an extended phone battery case instead!
17. Extension cord
An extension cord is especially helpful when you have a ton of electronic devices you want to charge at the end of your day.
18. GoPro
A GoPro’s a sweet compact camera that’s great for when you’re travelling. I used my HERO 7 when I was travelling in Seoul, Korea, and when I went to Redang this year. It’s durable, waterproof, and small.
19. Gorilla tripod
20. International adapter
Did you know that the world uses 11 types of power sockets?! Ugh. I don’t know why we can’t all just use one or maybe 2 – 3 universal power sockets. Ah well, that’s what international power adapters are for, so don’t forget to bring one (or two) with you when you go overseas.
21. Multicharger
22. Pocket WiFi
This is amazing! It’s cheaper than data roaming and it’s more convenient than connecting to WiFi networks when you’re on the go.
23. Powerbank
Keep your phone powered all day so you can keep feeding your ‘gram.
24. Anti-chafe balm/thigh band
Do your thighs chafe when you walk a lot during your travels? Mine do, and my skin really hurts after! But not to worry, you can avoid the redness, irritation, and pain with an anti-chafing balm or thigh bands. Get the balm if you want to avoid blisters.
25. Blister bandage
You’re bound to get blisters if you keep walking. Keep your feet happy with blister shields!
26. Charcoal pills
Good for when you have mild stomach discomfort. Apparently it can help with grassiness too, but that’s not been scientifically proven.
27. Compact powder and mirror
28. Eye drops
Getting dry eyes on a long flight is common because of the air pressure and temperature. Bring eye drops onboard the plane to keep your eyes from discomfort.
29. Eye mask
30. Hair tie
31. Facial cleansing pad/face wipe
32. Hairbrush
33. Melatonin
34. Peptobismal
35. Redoxon vitamin C
36. Sunblock
37. Vitamins
Personal Hygiene
38. Body wipes
Body wipes are great for when you’re on-the-go and feeling dirty or sweaty. I personally suggest getting Biore’sBiore SaraSara Body Powder Sheets (can’t seem to find them in Malaysia though) because they’re formulated with fine powder so they don’t leave you with that sticky feeling that wet wipes do.
39. Deodorant
You’re gonna get sweaty during your travels so prepare your pits for the sake of humanity.
40. Foot spray
You’re bound to get stanky feet if you wear sneakers and walk around all day. So trust me, foot spray helps, especially if you’re only gonna bring one pair of kicks with you for a long trip.
41. Q tips
42. Razor
43. Shampoo bar
A bar of solid shampoo is perfect for when you travel. It’s a concentrated puck of shampoo, so you don’t have to worry about liquid spillage. I love LUSH’s shampoo bars. They have so many to choose from, and they all smell and look so goooood!
44. Soap sheets
Ah, another winner when it comes to travel. Wanna wash your hands or take a shower? Just take a sheet, wet it, and you’re good to scrub-a-dub-dub!
45. Toothpaste tablets
I love solid toothpaste tablets! You just chew one to break it and brush your teeth as usual. I love LUSH’s toothy tabs. They’re super lightweight and they leave me with clean teeth and minty fresh breath.
46. Wet wipes
Safety
47. Antitheft bag
48. Bag bungee
49. First aid kit
Getting sick or hurt when you’re overseas sucks. Be prepared for it with a first aid kit so you can patch up minor boo boos or sickness.
50. Flashlight
Bring a flashlight with you just in case of an emergency or a blackout.
51. Money belt
I’ve heard a bunch of pickpocketing horror stories from friends over the years. And the one same piece of advice they all give is to wear a money belt under your clothes to keep your money safe from thieves. It may not be the most glamorous thing on Earth, but safety first, eh?
52. Padlock
53. Personal safety alarm
54. Security camera
Cleanliness
55. Bed bug spray
56. Disinfecting wipes
57. Hand sanitizer
58. Microfibre towel
Different from normal towels cause they’re thin yet high absorbent.
59. Shoe bag
60. Slippers
Bring along a pair of flip flops/slippers/feet buns/whatever you call ’em to wear if you wanna free your feet or if you injure your feet/ankles.
61. Stain remover
Bring a stain remover so you look good even after a minor spaghetti sauce explosion on your clothes.
62. Toilet seat cover
Emergency? Gotta use a questionable toilet ASAP? Then cover that nasty lookin’ toilet seat with a toilet seat cover (and then hover just in case).
63. Travel detergent
Get the kind with a hook so you can hang, especially if you’re staying in hostels which usually only have simple shower stalls with little space
Smart Uses
64. Binder clip
65. Collapsible water bottle
Save space with a collapsible water bottle that you can bring with you everywhere you go.
66. Digital luggage scale
67. Dryer sheet
Use this to put in your shoes to remove odour.
68. Foldable jacket
Uniqlo has some great options to choose from.
69. Foldable reusable bag
70. Foldable indoor slippers
Not all floors are clean, so it’s best to bring a pair of foldable indoor slippers that you can wear in your Airbnb or hostel.
71. Hanger
72. Insurance info
73. Laundry bag
74. Luggage cover
Protect your luggage from scratches and the rain with a cute luggage cover.
75. Luggage tag
Hang a bright and bold luggage tag so you can easily spot your luggage bag when it’s on the conveyor belt at the baggage claim area.
76. Mouthwash tablet
If you love your mouthwash but don’t have enough room in your luggage, worry no more! Bring mouthwash tablets like LUSH’s mouthwash tabs with you instead.
77. Mini steam iron
78. Mosquito repellant
Going to a tropical country or to a jungle? Don’t forget to bring mosquito repellant! Choose between the spray or sticker versions.
79. Packing cubes
Packing cubes are great travel organisers, which keep your items neat and organised. You don’t have to worry about a tsunami of stuff exploding out of your luggage bag when you open it after a bumpy flight.
80. Pillow spray
I’m not sure about you, but I have a hard time sleeping in an unfamiliar place. I find that using a pillow spray helps me relax and go to sleep fast.
81. Raincoat
82. Scrubba wash bag
83. Sewing kit
84. Small coin pouch
85. Snacks
Snacks are important when you travel. You never know when you might get hungry. Pack stuff that lasts long and doesn’t make a mess if you spill it. Nuts and dried fruits are a great option.
86. Spork
A spork is what happens when a spoon and a fork make a baby. I have a pair and it actually came in handy when I was travelling in Japan. Good for people who are gonna go camping or who are Joey Tribbianis.
87. Straw
88. Sunglassses
Hide your tired eyes from the world.
89. Toiletry bag
I’d recommend getting a hanging toiletry bag. It’ll come in handy especially if you’re gonna stay in a hostel or a place with a shared bathroom.
90. Travel bag
91. Travel bag organiser
92. Traveller icon T-shirt
93. Twist ties
Keep your cords managed during your travels to avoid opening your bag to a tangled mess of frustration.
94. Umbrella
95. Utility knife
96. Vacuum bag
97. Vaseline
This multi-purpose petroleum jelly helps moisturise dry skin, smooth and soothe skin, prevents thigh chafing, makes stain removal easier, lubricates luggage wheels, and more. Probably a better travel buddy than your human travel partner.
98. Waterproof phone case bag
Great if you’re gonna be on the beach on or on a boat. I bought this along with me when I went diving in Krabi and my phone was safe and sound the whole time.
99. Ziplock plastic bag
Ladies Only
100. Female urination device
This is essential a pee funnel for women. Sounds weird, but it comes in handy when you’re in a sticky situation like a yucky rave festival portapotty. When you gotta go, you gotta go.
101. Menstrual cup
It sucks when you get your period during your travels. I try and time my trips according to my cycle, but mother nature isn’t always punctual. A menstrual cup is great when you’re travelling ’cause you won’t get the wet feeling that pads give you, and it’s easy to clean.
Aaaaaand that’s the end of my list. I hope you find these travel essentials and travel accessories useful for your or your loved ones’ trip!
Let me know in the comment section below if you have any other travel must-have suggestions.
