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It’s easy to get carried away and overpack your bags, so it’s important for you to know how to pack lightly by understanding what is essential to pack.
Carrying lot of baggage is never a good idea, especially if you are looking to not only see the world but also save a dollar.
Baggage fees can quickly stack up, and one of the major ways to avoid baggage fees is to travel light.
This article goes over the top essential travel items that are easy to pack, and whether you’re a beginner traveler or been around the world a couple times, this is the ultimate guide to help your packing process. These are the items that should never be left at home!
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The most essential item when traveling is obviously your bag! It’s one of the first ways you can start saving money on travel. When you have an exceptional carry-on travel bag, it can help you avoid baggage fees.
You’re going to need ways to organize your carry-on bag for ease of use, and a reliable day bag to carry some of your daily essentials in.
We’ve got you all the way covered in this section with the best of the best travel bags and easy-to-pack organizers that we love to vacation with.
This bag is a hybrid between a backpack and a duffel bag. It has a lay flat clamshell opening that allows for unzipping down the middle and quickly gives you access to the many compartments it contains.
There is a dirty clothes pocket, so you don’t have to worry about your dirty clothes accidentally intermingling with your clean clothes. It also comes equipped with mesh internal dividers to separate your clothing.
When it’s time to capture the best shots, you won’t have to fumble through your backpack looking for your camera because this bag has a quickdraw dual side access that will allow you to easily retrieve your cameras.
There is a discreet passport pocket, and padded laptop sleeve that can fit up to a Macbook Pro 16”, and the high-quality zippers can be color coded, so you know exactly which compartment you are going into.
It is comfortable to wear, weather-resistant and durable no matter what journey you are about to venture on.
It is a 45-liter bag with dimensions of 9” H x 14” W x 22” L which is the size of a carry-on, but as long as we have worn it on our backs as a backpack, it has passed as a personal item on several of our trips. (Even flying with Spirit Airlines!)
We even packed for a 3-week honeymoon in Southeast Asia using this Wandrd Hexad Access duffel backpack, and it can easily fit all 40+ essential items that are included in this article.
Also, it comes with a lifetime warranty which is a huge bonus. Get yours here.
The Baboon to the Moon Go Bag comes in exclusive bright colors and limited-run prints. This bag not only looks good but it is extremely functional.
It has two internal mesh pockets, an internal organization, and an external zip stash pocket. It is incredibly easy to organize your packing with features like these.
The Go Bag is comfortable to wear with adjustable straps and comes in different sizes.
- The Mini is a TSA approved personal item (32 liters with dimensions of H 9.5” x W 18.5” x D 12”).
- The Small is the size of a carry-on bag (40 liters with dimensions of H 10.5” x W 20.5” x D 12.5”) but we have used it as our personal item on several flights as long as it was worn as a backpack. This is our personal favorite size.
- The Big is too large to carry on and will need to be checked. (60 liters with dimensions of H 12.5” x W 21.5” x D14”).
The outer shell is weatherproof, and it is easy to clean. The Go Bag has a lockable zipperhead closure that will keep all your items safe and secure. The lifetime warranty is also a huge bonus that comes with this bag. Buy yours here.
This is a lightweight, waterproof crossbody bag. There is enough space to hold most of your electronics (see how we do it in this video demonstration.) The bag dimensions are 6.7” L x 3.2” W x 13.4” H.
You can comfortably wear it to the back, or to the front to keep pick pocketers away. However, this particular day bag also comes equipped with a lock that will keep your items secure no matter how you decide to wear it. It’s very simple to customize your own code on the anti-theft lock.
There’s a secret anti-theft pocket that is hidden on the back of the day bag where you can safely store some of your valuables. It also conveniently allows you to charge your electronics hands-free with its built in USB port.
Buy your anti-theft day bag here.
This super lightweight, waterproof pouch with an adjustable waist strap is easy to wear while swimming, snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, and any other water activity you can imagine.
All you need to do is triple seal it with its 3 zipper locks and it will keep all your personal items inside of it nice and dry. It is waterproof underwater up to 10 meters for an hour, and it even floats.
This waterproof fanny pack comes in different transparent colors and is touch screen friendly in all colors (except for the black version) so you can still use your phone while it is protected inside of this fanny pack. Buy yours here.
The Wandrd Hexad Access Duffel Backpack comes with built-in internal dividers which is truly a game changer.
But let’s say the Baboon to the Moon Go bag is more your style, you will want to optimize your space by using separate packing cubes to neatly fit your clothes. You can buy packing cubes here.
This jewelry organizer from Amazon is compact and foldable, so it hardly takes up any space in your carry-on bag. It has 5 different zones for different categories of jewelry.
There is a band for rings, an earrings grid, a strap for necklaces, an interlayer zip pouch that you can see through, and a long zip pocket that can fit your watch.
Once you’ve organized your jewelry for your trip in this jewelry case, fold it up, and close it with its secure magnetic closure.
Last but not least, you will need a multi-purpose toiletry bag. The clear design ensures security can check the items quickly, and it is easy to clean.
You can store cosmetics, shaving kits, soaps and more. (More on what toiletries to pack below!) Buy your clear toiletry bag here.
ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TOILETRIES
Toiletries are essential to every trip. These are the items that keep you fresh, keep the bugs away, and allow you to have a moisturized, smooth, and organized appearance.
This next section is dedicated to all things essential to your morning routine on vacation.
The whipped mango butter by Flourish Natural Hair Care moisturizes your hair and skin to perfection. It feels so buttery smooth in your hands and is very lightly scented.
On top of that, it’s a solid. Solid toiletry means you’re not confined to the TSA liquid carry-on limit and this 8 fluid ounce container becomes the perfect 2-in-1 product to travel with for hair and body.
Chew Tip: If you travel somewhere with a really hot climate and your mango butter does end up melting, just pop it in the fridge the night before your flight so passing through TSA will be a breeze without having to check a bag.
Support this Black woman-owned business and buy yours here!
The whipped mango butter by Flourish Natural Hair Care adds so much softness to your hair and skin that it will likely become a daily essential, even when you’re not traveling.
So now that your skin is moisturized with Flourish whipped mango butter, it’s important to maintain that glow and prevent burning.
Sun protection is extremely important, and the Black Girl Sunscreen will easily become your all-time favorite because it doesn’t leave any white casts.
It is water-resistant and fragrance free. Additionally, it comes in different versions depending on your skin type: original, matte, and hybrid.
There is also a Black Girl Sunscreen kids version with similar ingredients, a higher SPF, and costs less than the others. Buy yours here.
The Color Street lip balm is made of a blend of 12 vitamins that give your lips the ultimate hydration.
This lip balm also adds just the right touch of sheer color to your vacation look. It’s easy to apply and won’t take up too much room in your fanny pack or day bag.
UrbanSkin Rx facial cleansing bars are solid, so you don’t have to worry about going over TSA travel liquid limits with this one. It comes with a pad to wash your face with, or you could use a facial cleansing brush if you want to up your face-washing experience.
There is an even-tone version if you have normal to dry skin, and a clear-skin version if you have more oily skin. You also have the option of purchasing a cleansing bar formulated for combination skin.
Each formulation works well and is carefully formulated as a 3-in-1 treatment to improve the appearance of uneven skin tone.
This toothbrush is a step above your average travel toothbrush. It uses micro vibrations to clean your teeth and has a 2-minute timer.
It is battery-powered with AAA batteries included. The matching travel case is sleek, lightweight, and simple to pack. This toothbrush comes in several colors and you can buy yours here.
Using the Crush & Brush toothpaste tablets that come in a glass container is one way to reduce your use of plastics. They are mess-free, portable, and leave your mouth feeling clean and fresh.
You just chew the tablet, wet your toothbrush, and brush just as you would with traditional toothpaste.
These toothpaste tablets are obviously not liquid, so no need to worry about exceeding the TSA liquid limit with these. Buy yours here.
In the case that you didn’t go for that wax, it’s essential that you pack a razor if you want to be hairless on vacation.
The Gillette Venus mini will have you extra smooth even in hard to shave areas. It comes with a compact case that makes it very easy to pack. Buy yours here.
This mosquito repellent is a plant-based product that really does the trick to keep the mosquitoes off you with the specific strain of citronella that is mixed into this product.
The specific strain of citronella works magic and smells of fresh citrus and vanilla scent. You would never guess that a mosquito repellent could leave you feeling uplifted and rejuvenated. Buy yours here.
These travel containers are magnetic, leakproof, BPA-free and non-leaching. Each capsule holds 0.56 ounces which makes them great for short trips if you’re putting hair products in them. But they can also nicely hold your face moisturizers and serums.
You can also conveniently pack your vitamins or other medications in these easily organizable capsule containers.
You can customize the tile labels, and even mix and match colors depending on what you put inside the capsule containers. Buy yours here.
The Ries travel bottle comes in a larger size than the Cadence travel capsule containers, so it is a good alternative to hold hair products on trips that are a bit longer than just your weekend getaway.
This travel bottle holds 3.4 ounces which meets TSA liquid requirements and can be packed in a carry-on bag.
It is leakproof, airtight, silicone-free and can come pre-labeled. It’s also simple to use and re-fill by resetting the airless pump.
Support this Black woman-owned business and get your essential Ries travel bottle here.
For anyone who can’t be without their signature fragrance on vacation, the portable mini perfume atomizer bottle from Amazon is essential for you. This refillable perfume spray bottle holds 5 mL and comes as a multicolor 4-piece set.
This little travel perfume bottle came in handy when I wanted to pack my wedding day scent, Mon Guerlain, to wear throughout my honeymoon. It is lightweight, durable, and doesn’t leak. Buy yours here.
ESSENTIAL TRAVEL WEAR
Before going on a trip, you should have an understanding of what the trip entails. Are you hiking, are you swimming, are you partying? This way, you know what attire you’ll need to pack.
But, if all else fails, pack travel wear that is versatile! This section includes the best travel pants, travel shoes, and so much more that will have you set for wherever your travels land you.
Ron Rose Detachable Track Pants
You can’t have a conversation about versatile clothing without bring up the Ron Rose detachable track pants. These pants are everything!
They zip off to become shorts, making it easy for you to go from the airport to your tropical beach vacation. They were made with the traveler in mind.
There isn’t a trip that we go on without them. These pants are really that essential. Buy yours here and check out their Instagram (@ronrose.co).
The Tropicfeel NS40 jacket was made with hybrid design technology that makes it waterproof, windproof and thermoregulated.
Let me tell you, it really is all the above. Tropicfeel is highly reliable and does what it says it will do when it comes to this jacket. Its self-packable design is a plus. Buy yours here.
The Tropicfeel Jungle sneaker is a water friendly shoe that dries quickly, is lightweight and easy to slip on. It’s vegan friendly, comfortable and extremely versatile. These work well as a water shoe and a hiking shoe.
They flatten nicely in your carry-on bag, making them easy to pack. But you’re more than likely going to be wearing them all the time anyway. Buy yours here.
These sporty sandals are designed with a dual density soft foam under the feet that are perfect for any adventure you go on.
They work as water shoes and also warm-weather hiking shoes. If you’re an adventurous traveler or just someone who likes comfortable footwear, these are the perfect versatile sandals to pack.
The water sports shoes from Amazon slip on like socks and are lightweight and flexible. The soles of these shoes are made of a non-slip rubber that protects your feet from the ground.
These water shoes dry quickly and can take you from surfing to yoga. Buy yours here.
This t-shirt is anti-oil, stain resistant, and waterproof. We have a demonstration on how it works in this video below (Spoil alert: we threw ketchup all over the Fioboc Staingo T-shirt and it didn’t stain!)
It is made out of recyclable and degradable fibers, and the technology used helps keep your clothing odor free since your sweat will evaporate through the breathable fabric. For 15% off the Fioboc Staingo T-shirt, use the code: CTE15
They also have a stain resistant waterproof sweatshirt and a sky blue pullover (pictured below) to bring along your trip if you’re traveling somewhere that is not so warm, and it is a comfortable, cozy option for you to wear in the airport.
Fresh Clean Threads was formerly known as Fresh Clean Tees. They have the best fitting t-shirts for men that are super soft.
The t-shirts are made of breathable fabric and come in lots of colors. Best of all, a percentage of every sale they make goes toward ocean preservation efforts.
Although it is not always required to wear a mask, we never know what is on the plane that we are boarding.
Afterall, we can’t see the germs with our bare eyes, but we do hear you coughing loud and clear a few rows ahead of us, and we don’t want parts of that.
If you want to protect yourself by wearing a mask while you travel, I have the perfect option for you.
The Henry travel mask is different from other masks because it is comfortable to wear since it does not tug at the back of your ears. The Henry mask fits comfortably over your head, and protects you and others from whatever is floating around in the air. Plus, they come in great designs and colors. Buy yours here.
The Color Street Dry Polish is essential for all my travelers who love gel manicures because there is no dry time, but also don’t love the damage gel manicures leave on your nails.
Color Street dry polish strips are very easy to apply and come in so many colors and designs.
ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ELECTRONICS & ACCESSORIES
If you’re into content creation (beginner, expert, or somewhere in between), this section goes into some of the best electronics to meet your needs of capturing all the best moments on your travels.
We also get into some of the other essential electronics like the best universal chargers, and trackers that can help you find your lost items abroad.
The DJI Pocket 2 camera is tiny and portable so you can vlog discreetly in 4K anywhere. As the name implies, it is pocket-sized so you can bring it along all your adventures without it being cumbersome.
It stabilizes movement and has an active track feature that will follow you in the shot no matter where you go. The DJI Pocket 2 comes with time lapse, hyperlapse, and motion lapse features to enhance the cinematic effects of the videos you capture.
It also takes high-quality photos, as well. Buy yours here.
The DJI Action 2 camera is lightweight, ultra durable, and has a super-wide frame of view with limited image distortion. Its magnetic locking design allows you to switch between accessories, such as the magnetic headband or magnetic lanyard.
These accessories really allow you to capture a uniquely cool first person view. Also, the DJI Action 2 is waterproof up to 10 meters.
The GoPro Max 360 Camera has maximum stabilization and is waterproof up to 16 feet. Additionally, it has a dual lense 360 degree feature that allows you to capture everything around you at any moment. Buy your 360 camera here.
Drones allow you to capture new vantage points and landscapes that would never be possible with just your average camera that can’t fly. DJI has a variety of drones and our favorites are the ones that are most portable like the DJI Mini SE, DJI Mini 2, and DJI Mini 3 Pro.
We have used each of the above DJI drones to capture incredible visuals all around the world, as featured on our ChewsToExplore Youtube channel.
The Go Nimble travel bank has ports for UsbC and UsbA, and is smaller than other portable charging power banks which makes it easier to pack.
It comes in plastic-free packaging and is made out of recycled materials. Plus this power bank was designed to last for years to come, so it comes with a 2 year warranty. Buy yours here.
The Minix 66 watt portable charger comes with travel adapters for different countries! The travel adapter pieces are easy to slide on and convert to the appropriate outlet depending on which country you are in.
This charger features UsbC and UsbA ports with fast charge capabilities so you can charge your laptop and phone quickly!
Similar to the Minix charger, this international travel adapter has UsbC and UsbA ports, but additionally has a port capable of holding a standard plug, as well.
You can simultaneously charge 5 devices. So if you can’t be without your electronics, don’t go without this travel adapter. Buy yours here.
The Apple Airpods Pro’s noise cancellation feature is essential for loud plane rides. The high sound quality puts you in the zone of your favorite music playlist.
Let’s say you brought your Airpods along for the flight, but they are not compatible with the in-flight entertainment on the aircraft.
The Twelve South Airfly Pro is the perfect fix because they pair with your favorite wireless headphones to plug into the airplane’s earphone jack. Buy yours here.
The best thing you can do is place a Tile in your bag especially now when everybody’s luggage is getting lost in the airports! This way, you won’t be stranded without your luggage.
The Tile comes in different sizes to help you find your bag, wallet, or even keys. You wouldn’t want to be without any of these items during your vacation, but it happens. Having a Tile is the easiest way to find whatever it is that you lost.
You can use the free Tile app, tap “find” and the Tile on your item will ring. You can also see its most recent location on the app which is a cool feature. Buy your Tile here.
Having a waterproof phone case that you can wear around your neck allows you to be hands-free during water activities and still have your phone easily accessible on vacation.
This phone case is clear so you can still use your phone to record and take photos. You can also touch the buttons on your phone through the case to send texts or use other apps. Buy your waterproof phone case here.
ESSENTIAL AIRPORT TRAVEL ITEMS
The following items are essential while you’re in the airport and on your flight. Some of these you’ll want to use even when you get off the plane.
We all know buying anything in the airport is expensive. God forbid you become thirsty while waiting for your flight in the airport and need to buy a beverage; you’re going to be spending about twice as much as you would outside of the airport. Let’s not do this. See the world and save a dollar is the idea.
Chew Tip: Bring your own empty water bottle to the airport so you can fill it up after security.
Related article: 20 Key Airport Tips to Make Travel Easier
But what’s better than just your regular empty water bottle? A COLLAPSIBLE water bottle.
This way, it takes up even less space in your carry-on, or even none at all since it can clip onto the outside of your bag. Buy your collapsible water bottle from Meko Pak here and check them out on instagram (@travelmekopak).
Meko Pak also has this microfiber towel that is very soft and smooth. It is water-resistant and sand-resistant. You can use it whether you are laying out on the beach or getting out of the pool, and it is extremely fast-drying.
Plus, it can double as an airplane blanket on those cold flights. Buy yours here and follow them on Instagram (@travelmekopak).
This is an essential accessory to have with you on your next trip. Its compact size makes it easy to carry. It features multiple slots so you can have your passport, vaccine card, credit cards, and more all in one safe spot.
It is waterproof so your documents are protected, and it is easy to clean. Buy yours here.
We’ve given you many tips on how to avoid baggage fees by packing light, and this Black woman-owned neck pillow by Cosy Collection is essential to that cause.
It looks and acts like a neck pillow, but it’s more than that! You can pack some of your essential items inside of this neck pillow, freeing up even more space in your carry-on!
The best part is that it doesn’t count as a carry on or a personal item. It’s literally your new favorite neck pillow! Buy yours here and get 10% off your entire order when you use code CHEWSTOEXPLORE
The MZOO sleep eye mask is an essential travel companion that will block out light and help you relax on your flight.
It’s comfortable to wear since it is created with memory foam that doesn’t place any pressure on the eyes, and is easily adjustable. Buy yours here.
Planes can be dirty, so it’s always a good idea to sanitize your area. Disinfecting wipes don’t take up much space in your carry on bag and don’t count as a liquid item. Buy yours here.
Hand sanitizer will kill most common germs and when you’re in the airport and airplanes, you’re exposed to many germs.
Long story short, you don’t want to be reaching for your favorite in-flight snack with hands that aren’t sanitized. Afterall, you are going on vacation to enjoy, not end up sick. Come prepared with hand sanitizer by buying some here.
ESSENTIAL TRAVEL SAFETY ITEMS
This section goes over a couple of items that are essential to your safety when traveling. Keep reading for the details.
This reinforcement lock is especially useful for solo travelers or anyone who wants an added sense of security in their accommodation. It serves as an additional lock that will prevent intruders from getting through your door.
We include a demonstration on how it works in this video on our ChewsToExplore Youtube channel. Buy the reinforcement lock featured in that video here.
Most injuries are not planned, especially while you’re on vacation.
It comes in handy to have a pocket-size first aid kit that is durable, lightweight, and complete with essential supplies for a minor emergency that can easily fit in your day bag.
Buy your essential travel size first aid kit here.
Not every destination that you travel to will have drinkable water. The Lifestraw is your personal filtered straw that protects against bacteria, parasites, and microplastics.
It’s essential for you to come prepared with this light-weight, easy-to-clean Lifestraw while you’re exploring the world.
RELATED ARTICLE: 14 Common Travel Mistakes (& How to Avoid Them At All Costs!)
You're Ready to Start Packing Your Travel Essentials!
There you have it, over 40 travel essential items that every traveler should own! They are all really useful when traveling, easy to pack, and all linked throughout this article.
Check out our ChewsToExplore Youtube channel for more travel tips that will help you plan, budget, and pack for your next vacation.
We create budget travel vlogs that include price breakdowns on everything we do on each trip.
We also create budget travel tip videos that are helpful for anyone looking to save money on their travels. Every week there is a new video released on our channel that will help you on your budget travel journey, so be sure to SUBSCRIBE!!
The most comprehensive list of travel essentials I’ve ever seen! Thank you for doing the research for us!
I appreciate you for checking it out!
Most informative travel essential list i have ever seen . Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much, I appreciate you checking it out!