My Travel Essentials: What I Always Pack
My brother taking a photo of the gorgeous Wyoming landscape during our cross-country trip
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I caught the travel bug back in 2009 when I traveled cross-country with my brother, and I haven’t stopped traveling since. Over the years, I’ve honed my packing skills and learned what to pack versus what to leave behind, and in this post, I’m going to share my base packing list with you. What follows are the items that I always pack, regardless of the destination or season.
Luggage and Personal Items
First things first, let’s talk luggage, specifically carry-on suitcases and personal items. As a rule of thumb, I try to avoid checking luggage whenever possible and pack what I need into a carry-on roller suitcase. Why? Lines for baggage check can be quite long, especially for budget airlines. Plus, I once checked my suitcase only for it to end up lost, and when it eventually turned up (a couple of weeks later), several of the items inside were broken. Besides my roller suitcase, I also bring a backpack and purse, which I store inside the former.
Samsonite Elevation Plus Softside Global Carry-On Spinner
When it comes to a carry-on, you don’t need one of those fancy suitcases with a charging block and USB ports; a basic one will do. My carry-on is a hand-me-down Samsonite from my dad, and it has been rolling down the jetways since George W. Bush was president. While the exact Samsonite model I own is no longer made, this one is similar.
Compression Packing Cubes
To keep everything organized inside my carry-on, I use compression packing cubes. They also help me to eke out a bit more space.
Apple AirTag
I also always keep an AirTag inside my carry-on suitcase on the off chance that the overhead bin space fills up, forcing me to check my bag. If this were to happen, the AirTag would allow me to track my suitcase and see if it made it onto the plane with me.
Fjällräven Kånken
For my personal item, I like to bring either this backpack or the Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe (see below). I then store any items that I’ll need to access during the flight (e.g., my iPad, headphones, and book) in it. The nice thing about the Kånken is that it comes in a variety of colors.
© Timbuk2
Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe
If I’m traveling with my laptop or simply want a tad more space than the Kånken provides, I’ll bring this backpack.
Arden Cove Crissy Full Crossbody with Locking Clasps Strap
I bought the Crissy Full Crossbody intending to just use it as a travel purse, but it is so stylish and functional that it has become my everyday purse. Its slash-resistant straps and lining as well as locking clasps give me peace of mind when traveling. I also love that it is water-resistant and has an RFID-blocking wallet.
Since you are only allowed one personal item on a flight, I store my Crissy purse inside my backpack.
Electronics
Every trip always has some downtime, whether it's on the plane or back at the hotel. To keep myself entertained during these moments, I bring several electronics.
iPad Pro 11-Inch
My iPad serves as both my entertainment console and work station during flights. If I feel like working, I can pull up and edit documents on it. If I feel like spacing out and watching mindless television, I can open up one of my streaming apps.
Pro tip: Many streaming apps, including Netflix, have the option to download episodes and/or movies to your iPad. If you plan on watching content on the plane, I highly recommend taking advantage of this feature, as you may not have Wi-Fi access onboard.
Nintendo Switch – OLED Model
Sometimes, particularly if I am on a long-haul flight, I will pack my Nintendo Switch. I can then pass the hours playing such cozy games as Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing, or if I’m feeling more adventurous, I can pop in my Zelda cartridge.
A newer version of the Switch with the apropos name Switch 2 is currently available, but as of the writing of this post, it can be hard to find in stock.
© Bose
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Whereas my Switch sometimes stays home when I travel, my Bose noise-cancelling headphones always come with me. Why? They help to dampen the noise within a plane, allowing me to enjoy a quieter flight.
© Roku
Roku Streaming Stick
Traveling with a Roku Streaming Stick has been a game-changer. Instead of praying that our accommodation would include a complimentary Netflix account, we now have access to all of our streaming apps. We simply plug the Roku Streaming Stick into the TV, and voila, we have thousands of shows and movies at our fingertips.
Kindle
Similar to the Switch, I don’t always pack my Kindle. Sometimes, I prefer to bring a physical book (or books). If, however, I am running low on room in my backpack or am reading a chunky book, I opt for my Kindle.
When purchasing the Kindle, you have the option to pay extra for “without lockscreen ads.” I recommend paying the extra fee because otherwise, your Kindle will display ads anytime the screen is locked.
Charging Cables and Plugs (to Charge All of Those Electronics)
I have what I like to call a charging kit: a case filled with every charging cable that I could possibly need. I bring this kit with me anytime I go on a trip. When I’m traveling abroad, I also make sure to pack a plug adapter because the charging cables are no good if I can’t plug them into an electrical outlet.
Bevegekos Travel Tech Organizer
This is the case I use to hold all of my charging cables. With its many pockets, it keeps everything beautifully organized and tangle-free.
Anker USB-C and USB-A Dual Charger Block
This handy charger block from Anker features both USB-C and USB-A ports, allowing you to charge two devices at the same time. Plus, the plug folds down, making it fairly compact.
Anker USB-A To USB-C Cable
This is the first of several different cable types in my charging kit. This cable comes in multiple lengths (3, 6, or 10 feet) and colors (silver, black, or red).
Anker USB-C to USB-C Cable
The next cable type: USB-C to USB-C. Similar to the previous cable, this one comes in different lengths and colors.
Ugreen USB-A to Micro-USB Cable
Up next: USB-A to Micro-USB. I primarily use this cable to charge my Kindle.
Anker USB-A to Lightning Cable
I still have Apple devices that require a Lightning cable, and if you do too, make sure you have one of these in your charging kit.
Apple EarPods Headphones with 3.5mm Plug
In addition to cables, I like to keep a pair of wired EarPods in my charging kit. If I forget to pack my noise-cancelling headphones (or if my husband forgets to pack his), we can still listen to our shows and movies on the plane.
Apple USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter
I like to bring this adapter so that if I need to use the EarPods, I can use them with a variety of devices, including my phone and iPad.
Unidapt Universal Travel Adapter
As I mentioned earlier, your charging cables and blocks mean nothing if you can’t plug them into an outlet. That’s why I always pack this travel adapter: it features plug adapters for the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States.
This travel adapter will not fit in the tech organizer case, so you’ll have to pack it separately.
Other Odds and Ends
There are several other items that I always pack, which don’t neatly fit into a category, so I’m lumping them all together in this section.
American Giant Midweight Full-Zip Sweatshirt
Even if I’m headed to the tropics, I pack a sweatshirt. Why? Because plane cabins can get quite chilly. Lately, I’ve been bringing my American Giant midweight full-zip sweatshirt. It is just thick enough to keep me warm without making me sweat, and its full-zip design makes it easy to take on and off. Plus, it’s made here in America, out in Los Angeles.
The image and button link to the women’s midweight full-zip; a men’s version is also available.
Nalgene 32-oz Wide-Mouth Water Bottle
Don’t overpay for bottled water at the airport; bring an empty water bottle with you. Many (but not all) airports have complimentary water bottle refill stations, allowing you to fill up your water bottle for free. These refill stations are usually located near the bathrooms.
This Nalgene water bottle is my go-to. It is durable, holds a good amount of water, and comes in a variety of colors (a very important feature).
Leuchtturm 1917 Medium A5 Notebook
One of the best decisions I ever made was to start documenting my trips, writing down what I did and saw at the end of each day. These travel diaries enable me to relive any trip with the flip of a few pages. This Leuchtturm notebook is my favorite; the paper has a nice weight and feel to it. Plus, it comes in a variety of colors and several different styles (dotted, plain, ruled, or squared).
Uni-Ball One Pen
What’s a notebook without a pen? This is my new favorite pen. It writes beautifully and is wonderfully compact, making it an ideal travel pen.
And that does it for my base packing list. I hope that this helps you when packing for your next trip, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section below.
Happy travels!
-Julia
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