8 Travel Accessories You Need to Make Your Next Trip a Breeze
Planning your next trip, whether it’s out of town or just to the grocery store, can be stressful and time-consuming. But if you have the right travel accessories, it doesn’t have to be. These travel accessories will make your next trip easier and more efficient, which will reduce your stress levels and help you enjoy your trip even more!
1) A bag organizer
Packing for an international trip can be stressful, especially if you have limited luggage space. There are travel organizers made of mesh fabric and they can help compress your clothing and keep everything in place. Not only will it make packing easier, but it’ll also speed up airport security checkups. This bag organizer from E-Bags ($38) is compact enough that you can bring it on most flights with you as a carry-on item, so you won’t have to worry about lugging your stuff through baggage claim or schlepping them over to your hotel room.
2) An adapter set
When traveling abroad, you’ll need an adapter set. This is especially important if you want to charge multiple devices at once and you want all of them ready to go when you wake up. (Don’t end up scrambling in your hotel room because your phone is dead.) The good news? Adapter sets are cheap and easy to use. However, it’s still important that you read your device’s instruction manual so that you know exactly what types of adapters work with it. Otherwise, things could get… interesting.
3) A mini-fan (for hot countries)
Air conditioners aren’t always available or dependable in tropical countries. Bringing along a small, battery-operated personal fan will keep you from overheating on long bus rides and provide you with some relief during hot nights when all you can do is lie in bed (this happened to me don’t let it happen to you!). The fans I recommend are both mini and inexpensive, but they get five stars for durability: Sea Breeze 12V Mini Personal Fan and APlus Portable USB Rechargeable Mini Fan.
4) A travel pillow
Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, you’ll want to make sure you’re comfortable on your trip. A travel pillow can help with that by giving your neck and head support without taking up too much space. Not all travel pillows are created equal; look for one with multiple inflatable options so that you can adjust it based on how much air is in it. That way, whether you want it super soft or extra firm, you’ll be able to have it exactly how you want it. Plus, an inflatable pillow is easy to pack and won’t take up too much room in your luggage! Just be sure not to overinflate you don’t want anything popping at an inopportune time!
5) A portable power bank
Packing power is key when traveling, especially if you are going overseas. Power banks enable you to charge your cell phone and other devices in an instant (and with no outlet!) whether that’s at 30,000 feet or in some far-off locale where they don’t even use electricity. For some great options, check out Anker, RAVPower, and Zendure. Packing power is key when traveling, especially if you are going overseas. Power banks enable you to charge your cell phone and other devices in an instant (and with no outlet!) whether that’s at 30,000 feet or in some far-off locale where they don’t even use electricity.
6) An eye mask
The list of international travel destinations includes different parts of Asia, and when you’re spending 12 hours on an overnight flight, every second counts. An eye mask can help you fall asleep in even your brightest cabins. Plus, if you want to catch some shut-eye at your hotel or airport terminal before your next flight, an eye mask will ensure that bright lights won’t disturb your sleep cycle giving you more time to recover from jet lag.
7) One pair of earplugs
If you’re staying in hotels, hostels, or Airbnb apartments, earplugs can save your sanity. The next time there’s a noisy drunk patron, or your roomie is snoring like an elephant, slip on some noise-canceling plugs. They cost $10-15 and they’ll block out most sounds so you can get some shut-eye. Once you have them in your bag you won’t ever leave home without them again!
8) An inflatable neck pillow
Traveling across multiple time zones, especially in different countries, can wreak havoc on your body. An inflatable neck pillow is not only comfortable but allows you to rest anywhere without feeling awkward or taking up too much space. Many stores like Ross and T.J. Maxx sell good-quality travel pillows for less than $10. You can also check out your local dollar store; they often have options that feel just as soft and make it easy to travel with a single pillow instead of packing one for every day of your trip (which also saves money!). If you’re traveling internationally and worried about germs, consider purchasing an inflatable neck pillow made from memory foam, which doesn’t absorb odor or bacteria easily.
Wrapping Up
When it comes to vacations, more planning equals fewer hassles. For example, one of your travel accessories should be a solid travel itinerary. Before you book your trip and start booking accommodations, make sure you’ve finalized where you want to go and how long you’ll be staying at each place. This will eliminate last-minute scrambling at home (and in your destination city), as well as help, reduce stress when traveling internationally. Additionally, if you know exactly where you want to go and how long you plan on staying in each place then researching and booking transportation becomes that much easier!
