You’ve booked your trip and marked the dates on your calendar — now it’s time to start thinking about what to pack. No matter where you’re off to, whether a domestic weekend away or an international adventure abroad, here are the travel essentials for women that should always go in your bag.
Luggage and bags
Everyone needs sturdy, spacious bags to get them from A to B, carrying all the items on this list. And they’ll also need bags for everyday use on the trip, too. Here are my luggage and bag recommendations.
Suitcases and personal items
Carry-on or checked bag? I won’t choose for you, but I’ll let you know what I like to use. Away’s The Carry-On is my go-to for in-cabin baggage, as it fits most international airlines’ size requirements. And for a checked bag, I’ll pick the Away’s The Medium or The Large, depending on how much space I need.
I love Away’s limited lifetime warranty, which has replaced not only specific damaged parts on my existing bags, but entire suitcases that have eventually broken over years of use. And I mean years! My bags travel hundreds of thousands of miles a year, and it usually takes at least five years before I need to repair them, if at all.
As for a personal item, I usually choose one of two bags. For my more adventurous trips, I use the Bagsmart Blast Quick Travel Backpack, as it’s super lightweight, has tons of pockets and is expandable if I need extra room. For business trips, I go with the Lo & Sons O.G. 2, a sleek yet spacious nylon bag.
Packable Bags
I always toss a packable bag or two into my suitcase, as you never know when you’ll need an extra bag on your travels. What’s great about packable bags is that they take up barely any space, but they can provide plenty of additional space when expanded.
For hiking trips, I’ll always use a daypack like the Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable Backpack. For grab-and-go use, I use the Nanobag Standard Bag. If I plan on doing a little shopping, I’ll pack something like the Paravel Fold-Up Bag, so I can check my carry-on suitcase and use this as a carry-on instead.
Cross-Body or Belt Bag
A small cross-body or belt bag like the Hobo Fern Slim Belt Bag has multiple uses. On a travel day, I use it to stash my passport, phone charger and headphones. Then at my destination, it doubles as a purse.
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are key to being as efficient as possible with your suitcase space. Choose ones that compress, like Bagsmart’s Compression Packing Cubes, for additional packing power. I also use my packing cubes to separate dirty and clean laundry, eliminating the need for a separate laundry bag.
Tracking Tags
Apple AirTags or Tile Mate trackers give travelers peace of mind about the whereabouts of their suitcases. When I made a tight connection but my bag didn’t, I was able to see its location throughout its journey home and verify that the airline’s tracking system was accurate.
Universal Travel Adapter
I travel with the Epicka Universal Travel Adapter all over the world — it works with just about every type of power source. I even travel with it domestically, as its various charging ports (both USB-A and USB-C, plus a standard AC outlet) allow me to charge multiple devices at once.
Extra-Long Charging Cord
Speaking of charging, I typically pack one extra-long charging cable for my phone. While I think every hotel should have an outlet or USB port by the bed, that’s not always the case. This can also come in handy at airports, when the nearest outlet is a few seats away from you.
With an extra-long cord, I can usually make any outlet situation work! To save space, consider buying a retractable cord. That way, it won’t get tangled up in your bag, as cords often do.
Portable Battery
For situations when there’s no outlet or USB port available, such as on long bus rides or older planes, I carry a portable battery with me. In fact, I almost always carry two portable batteries with me.
The first one is the TG90° Power Bank Portable Phone Charger, which is pretty much as small as they come. This goes in my cross-body or belt bag on travel days, as it’s fairly lightweight. I love that it has a plug for charging and built-in charging cables — no additional cords needed!
As for my second portable battery, I opt for a larger capacity model with the same features: a plug for charging and built-in cables. This I toss into my personal item as a back-up charging option.
Headphones
Most travelers go for over-ear noise-cancelling headphones, and I can’t blame them. It’s a delight to drown out the noise around you, whether that’s a jet engine or a talkative neighbor. I personally wear an old-school pair of wired headphones because I don’t like having to charge them! No matter what you choose, headphones are a must on travels, both for listening to music or podcasts and making phone calls in public places.
Tablet or e-reader
Never rely on in-flight entertainment systems for entertainment! They often break, so it’s best to keep a tablet loaded with movies and shows or an e-reader on hand as an alternative. Plus, they come in handy on journeys without any provided entertainment, such as train or bus rides.
Portable water bottle
Hydration is key, so carrying a portable water bottle allows you to quench your thirst anywhere you go. I’m partial to collapsible water bottles, since they can save quite a bit of space when they’re not in use. If you’re traveling off the grid, consider buying a water bottle that has a filtration system, so you can refill at any water source without fear of contamination.
Eye mask and ear plugs
While I’m one of the lucky few who can sleep just about anywhere, that’s not the case for many travelers. Since you can’t always control the lights or sounds around you, it’s a good idea to travel with an eye mask and ear plugs to help you get some rest.
Scarf or travel wrap
A big, flowy scarf should always go in a female traveler’s bag — but not only for fashion reasons. Scarfs can work as travel blankets on cold planes, modesty garments at sites of worship and even eye masks if folded just right.
Scarfs and travel wraps come in all sorts of materials, from ultra-soft and warm cashmere to lightweight linen to stretchy quick-dry synthetics. Pick the one that best suits your body’s natural thermoregulation and the climate of your destination.
Tennis ball
Even if you’re not a tennis player, it’s a great idea to toss a tennis ball in your travel bag. Why? For massaging out knots in your back or achy feet! I always carry one with me, and it’s come in handy more times than I can count.
Personal pharmacy
I tend to travel to remote destinations where pharmacies aren’t always readily available, so I always carry with me a stash of pharmaceutical necessities. For me, that includes painkillers, Pepto-Bismol, allergy medication and generic cold medication.
Choose the right combination that suits your needs, and don’t forget to check expiration dates! Also, keep in mind that some over-the-counter medications are banned in certain destinations. Many over-the-counter cold medicines like Nyquil and Sudafed, for instance, are banned in Japan. Always consult the national health agency of your destination to learn about prohibited substances.
Wipes
Bring all the wipes! Pack antibacterial wipes for your hands, which you can also use on surfaces around you. I also like to travel with alcohol wipes for more intense disinfecting — as well as to treat mosquito bites.
Make-up wipes always make an appearance in my bag, too, even if I’m not wearing make-up. I use them to feel a little refreshed during a long travel day! And, of course, they do help with getting make-up off when I do put it on.
First-aid kit
Bandages, gauze and an antiseptic spray or ointment are helpful for many run-of-the-mill injuries on the road. I tend to need them for blisters and scratches. It’s easier to have them on hand than to have to go search for them while you’re injured!
