Jet Setter’s Essentials: Must-Have Travel Products for Your Next Budget Adventure
Written by Kali Todd
December 9, 2023
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Preparing for your next travel escapade can be both thrilling and overwhelming, especially when it comes to ensuring you have all the necessary tools and gear for a seamless journey. Whether planning a spontaneous weekend getaway or an extended international expedition, having the right travel products can make all the difference. From safety and security to convenience and comfort, I’ve curated a list of must-have travel essentials that will enhance your travel experience.
Before I was able to visit these beautiful places above, I had to make sure I had everything I needed for the trip. As you embark on your next adventure, check out these top-notch travel products that should find a place in every wanderer’s suitcase. These budget-friendly products have been handpicked for their practicality and usefulness.
Tables of Contents Safety |
Safety
My very first adventure overseas was a solo one, and I made it a mission to find the best safety tools that I could take on the plane with me. It was tricky because the go-to options for many women, like mace and a handheld taser, weren’t allowed on flights. So, I had to get a little creative.
→ She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm for Women
This personal alarm is an absolute must for every woman. Just pull the pin and a very loud siren (130dB) and strobe light will sound. The easy-to-use keychain allows you to have this close by for use at any time. Use while traveling and at home – from walking a new city to walking the dog, this personal safety alarm can create a needed diversion to deter an attack. I’ve never had to use mine but it is nice to know that in a split second, I’d be able to get the attention of passersby with the loud alarm.
→ Flashlight
A flashlight not only helps when you’re staying in the countryside but also walking through older cities that may not have street lights. I recently had this happen in Bergamo, Italy, and would it have not been for the flashlight I had, I would’ve had to navigate through the dark because my phone flashlight was not cutting it. Having a flashlight can also come in handy if you are in a situation that you need to get away from. It can be used to temporarily blind someone else with how bright it is, especially if using the flashing SOS function.
→ Apple Airtag
An Apple Airtag can be super useful, especially if you check your bags when flying. Adding one of these to your bag makes it so you can easily locate your bag if you make it to your destination but your bag does not. It can also aid in finding things that are lost or stolen such as a purse or backpack. It uses Bluetooth technology to connect to nearby Apple users to pinpoint the location of the Airtag.
If Airtags were out when I went on my first solo international trip, I would’ve loved this as a way for my family to check on me because I did not have cell phone service. I was only able to check in when I had Wi-Fi, which was not every day. This would allow my family to check my location and make sure I’m still in the area that I had planned on my itinerary.
Backpacks, Suitcases, Bags
→ Loowoko 50L Hiking Backpack with Rain Cover
I personally used a large hiking backpack as my carry-on for international travel for years. It is fantastic having the ability to quickly move around and not have the wheels of a suitcase getting stuck around every turn in a city. With the rain cover, you don’t have to worry if you hit some wet weather and the waist strap gives you extra support to keep your back happy when walking longer distances.
→ ebags Mother Lode Travel Backpack (Carry On)
If you enjoy a traditional suitcase but want the freedom of a backpack, you will not be disappointed with the ebags Mother Lode Travel Backpack. I absolutely love this bag for 3-5 day trips because I can open it up just like a suitcase, making it easy to pack and unpack. This backpack has so much room and is the perfect carry-on at 22″ X 14″ X 9″.
→ American Tourister Expandable Hardside Carry-On Luggage
I’ve had my American Tourister suitcase for several international trips now and although the description states it’s perfect for a 1-3 day trip, I’ve traveled for 2-4 weeks with this gem! It’s held up great and has given no issues with international flights from the US and flights across the UK and EU. It’s the perfect carry-on size at 15 x 9.5 x 22 inches.
→ Telena Sling Crossbody Fanny Pack
With the viral ‘attention pickpocket’ videos coming from Italy, more light has been shed on pickpockets and the need to keep your valuables safe. This bag keeps everything in front of you, sitting perfectly on your chest. It’s the perfect bag to go exploring the city with!
→ Muzee Crossbody Sling Bag
A great unisex option for those wanting something less like a purse. This bag is larger, measuring 10.6 x 7.4 x 2.4 inch.
Packing Accessories
→ Travel Compression Roll Up Bags
If anything, this should be at the top of your list for any future travel! You can stuff these bags full, zip them closed, and push the air out by rolling up the bag. You don’t need a vacuum and it saves so much space! Along with the space saver in your bag, your clothes are protected from any rain you may encounter, especially if you are traveling with only a large backpack.
→ Anker Portable Charger
A portable charger is an indispensable travel accessory, ensuring your electronics remain charged and accessible even on the longest day out. The Anker Portable Charger can charge your cell phone about 5x over and offers several ports for multi-device charging. Add this to your packing list for a sense of security and convenience on your next trip.
→ FYY Travel Electronics Organizer Pouch
This lightweight cable storage travel case is waterproof and easy to carry, making it the perfect addition to your carry-on bag. This travel case can easily fit phone cords, headphones, and other charging cords.
→ EPICKA Travel Adapter
If traveling outside the US, it’s likely that where you are going will not have the same plug type. A travel adapter is an absolute must if you need to charge any electronic. This international wall charger works in over 150 countries and has 4 USB ports, a Type C port, and a traditional wall socket in one block for simultaneous charging of up to 6 devices.
→ Super Sparrow Sports Water Bottle 32oz
Honestly, I am a nervous person if I am somewhere new and don’t have water handy. So I went on the search for a large, lightweight water bottle that I could travel with. I came across this 32oz water bottle with a handy strap and it is my go-to for travel now. It is skinny enough to fit in the smallest backpack side pockets and its attached strap makes it easy to carry around if you don’t want to lug around a bag. I paired this with the Telena Crossbody Bag and it worked perfectly.
Health
→ First Aid Kit
A first aid kit is a must when traveling away from home. It’s not until you’re quite literally in the middle of nowhere that disasters seem to happen. Having some medical supplies handy is highly recommended! This kit can easily fit into any carry-on bag.
→ Dr. Frederick’s Original Blister Pack
I thought I had the perfect hiking boots for my trip. I had worn them before but quickly realized that I hadn’t worn them for the distances I was walking on my trip. I ended up with some pretty gnarly blisters and only bandaids to help. I’ll give you a heads-up, bandaids do absolutely nothing for blisters. I now carry a pack of blister bandages on every trip!
→ Mary Ruth’s Women’s Multivitamin
This year I started taking a liquid multivitamin from Mary Ruth’s and it’s made a huge difference. I feel great and my energy level is so much higher. Because I can’t take the liquid bottle on a plane with me, I opted for the gummy multivitamin to make sure my body was getting all the necessary vitamins it needs, especially with the inconsistent schedule and diet travel brings.
→ Mary Ruth’s Adult Multivitamin
I opted for the women’s multivitamin but the adult (age 14+) multivitamin gummy is a great option for those wanting to ensure they’re getting a wide array of necessary vitamins. This contains Vitamin A, C, D3, a blend of B Vitamins, iodine, zinc, and more!
Laundry
→ Polecasa Laundry Bags
If you’re going on a longer trip or just want to pack lighter and do laundry a few times, these bags will keep all your items together in the wash! At the end of each day, I’d place my dirty laundry in one of these bags and then toss it in the washer at the end of the week. These bags make it easy to keep track of dirty laundry. I don’t have to worry about that one sock that always seems to go missing or the chance that something might snag on the inside of the washer.
→ Flowcheer Laundry Detergent
This is hands down the easiest way to do laundry while traveling. Instead of purchasing liquid detergent on the road just to end up dumping half of it because it’s not allowed on the plane or packing an interesting-looking bag of powdered detergent that might have TSA do a double-take, you can pack a few of these laundry sheets that you simply toss straight into the washer.
→ Tekeviss Travel Clothesline
If you’ve traveled outside the US before, you might have noticed that dryers are few and far between. I brought a clothesline with me on my most recent adventure and likely would’ve been stuck with soaking wet clothes if it wasn’t for this clothesline!
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Thanks for including safety items for women traveling alone.
Thank you for this list! Happy traveling everyone and keep safe!
these are great products for travelling!
So many great items. I really need to get a travel clothesline. On longer trips I like to still pack light and wash some items in the hotel sink. Always have to get creative with hanging them up to dry.
I would agree that many are essentials for travel—airtags and a portable charger for starters.
Great ideas!
Very useful ideas! Thank you! The portable battery is a must, but the portable compression bags, I didn’t know! So thank you for including that!
I will check out your other posts since my daughter and I are travelers, and we are thinking of going to Europe next year :).
I am curious about your other posts about travelling.
I’ve never seen the personal safety alarm. I’ll have to get one of those!
Thanks for sharing! Great list and good advice, especially the one about the air tag – hadn’t thought about that.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Kali! I hear everyone talking about an Apple Airtag, I think it’s a sign I should buy it eventually!
I love these ideas! I just bought the Birdie safety alarms and they really do make me feel so much safer!