A Complete List of Must-Have Traveling Necessities
It’s funny to me how much I blog about traveling, especially since I did almost none until I was 50. Talk about a late bloomer! Recently I’ve posted about packing for the lake, colorful resort wear, and what to wear in Mexico. Who even am I?? lol. Maybe it’s the fact that we couldn’t travel just a few years ago, but now I’ve caught the bug. So today I’m sharing my must-have traveling necessities. (Not sure how to pack? Don’t worry, I did a whole video about it! I told you I’ve got the travel bug.)
I saw a meme the other day where a person at the airport was asking for the TSA lane for people who’d actually been to an airport before. I laughed because I have been there! The first time I flew in 2021, it was like I’d forgotten all of the rules. Get your license out, take off your shoes, empty those pockets; there’s so much to remember. Here are a few tips from the TSA about what is allowed in your carry-on.
- Liquids, gels and aerosols packed in carry-on:
- 3.4 ounces or less per container
- 1-quart size, clear, plastic, zip-top bag (all liquids must fit in the bag)
- 1 bag per passenger
- If purchasing a baggage lock, be sure to look for those that are TSA recognized.
Must Have Travel Necessities – Luggage and Bags
The last thing you want to do when running through a busy airport is find that your luggage has broken a wheel or has a handle that won’t retract. I think this is very classy, and the whole set is under $200 dollars.
This is perfect for a weekend getaway, and at $22.00 dollars it won’t break the bank! I love that it has the trolly sleeve, so you can throw it over another piece of wheeled luggage and save your shoulder. It comes in a bunch of fun colors, too.
I’m not sure where you’re traveling, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. This backpack is great for walking around the city. It has an anti-theft back pocket, room for your laptop and other goodies, and it even has a USB connection to keep your phone charged! You’ll need a power bank for that, but I’ve included one in today’s post.
No, I don’t think you gurls are out on dangerous, adventures instead of luxury vacations, but the truth is theft can happen anywhere. It’s always a good idea to keep your money close to you. This cross-body bag has locking straps and RFID blocking.
Must-Have Travel Necessities -Easy Packing
What did we all do before compression bags? I guess that’s why the old movies show people traveling with steamer trunks! The more luggage you take, the more you have to pay in airport fees. These compression bags are great at saving room so that you can get all of your items into one suitcase. There are 10 in a pack and are less than $15.00 dollars. Totally worth it!
These are great for keeping your shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, etc. out of your main luggage compartment. If you’ve ever had your shampoo lose its top in flight, you know how necessary these are! This one is very pretty and holds a lot of different, full-sized bottles. Just remember that if you’re flying, the large bottles would have to be in your checked luggage.
TSA Approved Travel Containers
If you are traveling with only a carry-on, these you’ll need to either buy small travel-sized shampoos, etc., or these. I use these because I don’t always like what they have available in the travel size section. Am I the only one who has to buy these over and over?! I don’t know what I’m doing with them all.
The one thing I forget more than others is my razor. Maybe it’s because it’s always in my shower, but it gets left behind a lot. These mini travel razors are perfect. They won’t take up much space, and I can leave them in my toiletry bag for my next vacation.
Reusable Make-up Removing Cloths
I like traveling with these because it means you can leave the bottle of makeup remover at home. Just add warm water and gently wash your face. Plus, they are reusable. Anything that cuts down on waste is a win for me.
I think I’m going to order this for my daughter. Let’s just say her packing skills leave a bit to be desired. Instead of a travel organizer, she just puts her flat iron inside her shoes! Unlike her tennis shoes, this organizer is heat resistant so you don’t have to wait until it’s completely cooled down to pack and go.
I saw this set, and it reminded me of a story my sister told me. She and her husband took their daughter on a big trip a few years ago to celebrate their anniversary. They went to Paris, London, and India! When they landed in Paris, her husband complained of a hang nail. For several days, he kept asking for some nail clippers, but they’d left them at home. As they were arriving in India, security stopped their daughter. Imagine his face when they pulled nail clippers out of her carry-on. Proof that teenagers pay no attention to what their parents are saying. lol
As someone who just spent a week on a houseboat, I can attest that these are a Must-Have. Instead of cramming all of my dirty laundry back in my bag, or in a grocery bag, I use these so that as soon as I come home, I can throw it into the utility room. Nothing says Welcome Home like doing a bag full of dirty laundry.
Must-Have Travel Necessities – Electronic Care
It’s kind of nuts when you think of all of the electronics we need when we’re on vacation. A phone, charging lines, headphones, portable charger, etc. all fit in this and keep them all organized. If you’ve ever been digging around in a large tote looking for your earbuds, this is for you! It would also make a great gift for the man in your life who travels with a ton of electronics.
This may not be on everyone’s Must-Have Travel Necessities list, but like the organizer above, this is a biggie if you travel for work. Or if you’re like me, work while on vacation. These keep all of the cords – laptop, hairdryer, curling iron, flat iron, etc. coiled up nice and tight. Saves room and you can reuse them.
I have two of these – one I keep on a charger and the other in my purse. I’m always taking photos and videos for the blog, and it runs down my battery pretty quickly. When I’m traveling, I don’t always have the luxury of going inside to charge my phone again. These aren’t just super handy, but necessary if you can’t miss a call while away. But, guess who forgot it on her trip to Atlanta? Everyone’s phone was dying, and we had to borrow a charger from our stylist. Lol!
I am on the road a lot going to see my parents, and Joe asked me to get one of these “just in case.” Of course, we had to try it, and it is LOUD. I guess that’s the point, lol. Not only would it draw attention if you’re in an unsafe situation, you could use it to get attention during a medical emergency.
This would have come in so handy on the houseboat! We had a “phone overboard” moment. One second it’s there, and the next, it’s falling under the houseboat in 15 feet of water. We actually had to call a diver to come and retrieve it for us. Believe it or not, it worked! This $14 dollar pouch would have been much better than the $150 we had to spend on the diver. If you’re traveling to the beach, the lake, or even visiting a water park, get this pouch for peace of mind.
Must-Have Travel Necessities – Self Care
Instead of packing large bottles of sunscreen, throw these packets into your bag. My grandkids were visiting, and I threw a few of these in my purse for when we were at the park. So much easier than carrying around a large bottle all day.
I don’t travel ANYWHERE without my sleep mask. When Joe and I were in Mexico, we were trying to nap in the room. It wasn’t very dark, and he reluctantly tried my mask. The next day I had to order him his own! At less than $10 dollars, there’s no reason not to have one.
While I like traveling, everyone who knows me knows that I do NOT like flying. My perfect flight is one where I get on the plane and go straight to sleep. This one is flexible so it can be adjusted to your neck. The one thing about travel pillows is everyone has their own preferences. This one has a free replacement or money-back guarantee if you send it back within 30 Days.
This is much better than traveling with a ton of pills or vitamin bottles! The plastic pill organizers aren’t much better. They can open easily, and while they may be practical, they are not stylish. lol. Did you know pill organizers can be stylish? I like that this doesn’t scream “PILLS” too.
Must-Have Travel Necessities – Clothing and Accessories
I’ve been known to travel with WAY too many shoes. When I have to cut it down due to space or weight, I always take a pair of white sneakers. These go with a lot of things – jeans, shorts, and even dresses! I also bought these in green, and I LOVE them! They run TTS.
Y’all know I love a denim jacket! I’ve worn this one in several posts. They are perfect for taking along on trips when you need a little something for cool evenings or freezing cold restaurants. I always take a lightweight jacket on plane trips, too.
Trendy and Affordable Sunglasses
Sunglasses are a must-have, but when I’m getting off and on airport shuttles, or getting in and out of an UBER, the last thing I want is to leave my expensive sunglasses behind. These are only $17.00 dollars, so if they get left behind on the plane, I won’t cry all the way home.
Must-Have Travel Necessities – Luggage Scale
Finally, if you’re going to put all of these things in your bags, you better weigh them! Yes, I’ve been that gurl – opening my luggage and frantically rearranging things so that I can get one bag to weigh under $50 pounds. Until I bought this, I would stand on the scale, then have someone hand me my bags and try to peer over it and see how much the difference was. Yeah, this is much simpler!
What about you gurls? What do you positively, absolutely never leave home without?
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Verse Of The Day
Isaiah 26:7
7 The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth.
This has so many great items for traveling. Some I never would have thought about using. I especially like the hair tool holder. Thank you!
Thanks so much for this list Tania. I LOVE getting little travel size items..the razors are just too stinkin cute. I picked up a couple things too.
I also loved your post for plus girls dresses; I finally got a dress that is flattering after avoiding them with a passion.
Any suggestions for a nice eye liner for older women that doesn’t pull the skin? I’m not a fan of liquid and used to be a Clinique user but it seems to pull the skin now.
Thanks also for your R & F incentives!!!
Was this enough for one reply post??? 🤣
Lori, I think you outdid yourself on replies! I use Essence, and it doesn’t tug at all.
Great ideas, Tania!! Since I don’t use a sleep mask at home, I always forget to take one with me, and have regretted that. About a month ago, we escaped our hot, hot house during a week-long power outage to spend a couple of nights in a local hotel. Oh my goodness!! There was a light on the TV and a light on the carbon monoxide detector and light coming under the door and light peeking around the curtains – the list goes on and on. I’m getting up from this computer right now and putting my sleep mask with my travel makeup bag!
Amen sister!! Cannot sleep with any light showing.
Great, helpful post!
Great Suggestions! I had never thought about sunscreen packets. Also, the safety keychain. Those are going on my list. My next trip will be better organized.
Fabulous post! So many great suggestions. Thanks Tania!
The only thing that I would have like to have seen is a whole travel outfit. I like to wear leggings, a tee shirt and a cardigan or hoodie sweatshirt; something to keep me warmer then a jean jacket would. I recently wore that type of outfit on a plane trip; black leggings, oversized white tee, and a black hoodie sweatshirt and sneakers. I didn’t feel very put together, although I was comfortable. One time I wore a Barefoot Dreams sweater, got off the plane and my son said he thought I had a robe on! Lol. Oh well! So styling for a plane trip is not my strong suit! I’d love to see what you’d wear, especially in the summer time, where leggings can be hot outside the plane,(depending on where you’re going) but great on the plane.
Nancy, your leggings outfit sounds exactly like something I would wear. Lol!
All of these items would be so helpful traveling. When my sister in law told me she goes to Hawaii for three weeks and only carries on a bag,,, I started to reevaluate what I pack. I tried it last trip… it works if you plan right.
I added the safety keychain to my list. Tania I have a question. Would you be able to travel abroad for 10 days with just a carry-on and personal bag like Jo-,Lynn is doing? There’s no way I could but I was wondering about you. I admire anyone who can.
I can’t imagine doing that. The reason she is able to is because she is only taking dresses. That’s only one item instead of 2, so that cuts down in space. A jumpsuit or romper would also work.
I have been traveling / flying a lot lately and there is two things I forget every time. My toothbrush luckily Resorts have them and toothpaste for people like me. And the other is my razor and then you’re having to run to the nearest store and buy a pack when you only need one. Oh and the travel cell phone charger case it a long with the razor are on there way. Had to have them Thanks for sharing
I love so many of these items, I need to plan a trip.
Cariuma
Gotta love auto correct!
Ordered the Carmine sneakers in sand. Love the whole idea of this company! 💚🌱
These are great items. I think you posted before and I got my sob and grandson the waterproof phone pouch. They love them really useful at the lake.
Hi Tania, love all these travel suggestions. The mini silicone zip ties are genius!!
Wow! What a value packed list of cool travel products. Saw a couple of items that would be so useful… zip ties and phone chargers. A lot of thought and work went into this Tania. Thank you.
I ALWAYS have to buy more travel containers, I have no idea what keeps happening to them! LOL
this post has been so helpful, thank you!
I was kinda proud of this post for that reason! Lol!
Great post, Tania! I especially love the mini razors and waterproof phone case! Hadn’t seen those. My husband and I haven’t decided exactly where we are taking our next vacation but most likely it will be by motorcycle or car. Of course traveling by bike is always super limited in what I can pack but your post has a few things to consider. If we go by bike and we head south from New York maybe we’ll run into Joe on his bike! 😉 My husband and him could definitely talk plenty of bike talk!🤪
Nancy, I hate riding on the interstate on a motorcycle! I make Joe stick to the backroads so we can putter and look at the scenery. I don’t see a long road trip in our future. Lol!!!