It’s no secret that I love to travel. No matter where your destination is, traveling is an eye-opening experience. One way to ensure you have a total blast, regardless of where you are, is to have everything you need. The last thing you want is to arrive at your destination, only to realize you have forgotten an essential item. The worst!
Something else that isn’t much of a secret: women have a unique set of needs when it comes to travel essentials. To make sure you don’t forget the most important things the next time you prepare for a trip, I’m sharing a round up of travel essentials that you’ll find useful wherever you’re headed.
18 Travel Essentials For Women
Tote Bag
A tote bag deserves to be at the top of my list of travel essentials simply because of its versatility. It’s like THE must-have female travel companion. A good tote bag makes it easy to carry around your most important things without looking like a total mess. My Tory Burch tote bag is one of my favorites because it transitions from day to night effortlessly.
A high quality tote bag also makes a great carry on bag.
Headphones Or Earbuds
Noise canceling headphones are a great idea if you’re sensitive to noise. They’re also great for helping you fall asleep during your flight. But even if you don’t exactly need the noise-canceling benefit of headphones, earbuds are still an essential travel item you don’t want to forget. Otherwise, how would you listen to your favorite podcast or catch up on the newest binge-worthy Netflix series when you’re surrounded by other travelers?
Day Bag
A tote bag is great for traveling but I also like to pack an additional bag to use during the day. One of my favorite day bags is my mini belt bag. It’s just big enough to hold everything I want to have on me throughout the day. Plus, it’s super cute and can be styled with just about anything. And because it can be worn across your chest, it makes for a great anti-theft option if you’re worried about that while you explore your destination!
Cashmere Sweater
I consider a cashmere sweater to be travel essential for several reasons. A cashmere sweater is a classic wardrobe staple that goes with practically anything. Quality cashmere sweaters are also super comfortable. Plus, it’s perfect for layering. You can wear it while traveling and not have to worry about being too hot or too cold.
Leggings
You’re probably not too surprised to see leggings on this list. But you also can’t deny that they are a very important part of any comfortable travel outfit. If you’re planning to catch the red eye flight or spend hours curled up in the car, you can’t go wrong with leggings.
Two Piece Sets
Don’t get me wrong, I love traveling in leggings, but I might love traveling in two piece sets just as much. There’s just something about an outfit, like this airport outfit, that looks super stylish and trendy, but feels like you’re wearing pajamas. Plus, a matching two-piece set lets you pull off the jumpsuit look without all the trouble of wearing a one-piece.
Selfie Stick
I take a lot of pictures and videos when I travel. I also like to be IN the content I take while traveling. Hence the need for a selfie stick. But not just any selfie stick… this selfie stick tripod is definitely a travel essential for me. It allows me to take just about any picture and video I want, from just the right angle, without relying on someone else to take it for me.
Hand Sanitizer
OK so the “why” for this one is kind-of obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning. Even before COVID, there were enough germs everywhere to warrant using hand sanitizer frequently. Have you ever actually thought about the number of surfaces you touch while traveling? If you haven’t, don’t start now. Just use hand sanitizer frequently.
Toiletries Bag
A toiletries bag is an essential travel item for women because it contains everything you could need for a long trip or overnight travel. I like to use one that is large enough to hold travel size bottles of shampoo and conditioner as well as other important items like my toothbrush, toothpaste, feminine products, etc. Using travel size products ensures that you can keep your toiletries bag in your carry on luggage for an overnight flight.
Moisturizer
You’d be surprised by how much traveling can affect your skin. A good moisturizer helps me avoid looking as tired as I am. It also keeps my skin from looking super dull and dry. It’s amazing how much of a difference just a little moisturizer can make, which is why I consider it a travel essential for all women.
Sunscreen
Speaking of caring for your skin, in my opinion, sunscreen is just as important, if not more important, than moisturizer. Whether you’re heading somewhere tropical or not, you want to make sure you have sunscreen on you. Grab a travel size bottle or travel packs and keep them in your day bag. Your skin will thank you!
Makeup Wipes
Whether you’re trying to get comfortable on an overnight flight or you need to clean up a bit after an hours-long road trip, makeup wipes are great to have on hand when you travel. There are so many great, portable options that can easily fit inside your purse or travel bag. Pair a pack of makeup removing wipes with this Makeup Removing Balm from Tula and you’re set.
Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is important for so many reasons, but it’s crucial when traveling. Rather than trying to find something to drink wherever you go, I like to keep a reusable water bottle with me.
The LARQ Bottle PureVis is one of my favorite reusable water bottles. It makes a great luxury gift for travelers.
Power Bank
A power bank or portable charger is a must-have for travel. Of course, you’ll want to bring your phone charger as well, but there’s no guarantee that you’ll have access to an outlet to use it. A power bank allows you to charge your phone and other devices even when an outlet is nowhere to be found. Just make sure you charge the power bank before you go!
Travel Pillow
No matter how ridiculous you think you might look, a good travel pillow is absolutely essential for travel. Whether you’re traveling by plane, car, bus, or train, a travel pillow makes it so much easier to catch some Zzz’s. Actually, it makes it easy to get comfortable, even if you’re not sleeping. Plus, you can just throw it around your neck or the handle of your suitcase as you lug everything else around.
Comfortable Shoes
Comfortable shoes are another travel essential that a lot of people tend to overlook. But until you’ve tried to walk a figurative mile in a pair of uncomfortable ones, you don’t really appreciate just how much of a difference wearing comfortable shoes can make. I like to travel in sneakers, flats, or sandals to ensure that not only am I comfy the entire time, but I can quickly and easily make it through airport security.
Passport Holder
A passport holder is essential for women who often travel internationally. I like this rfid blocking one because it not only keeps my passport in good shape through all my trips, but it keeps my personal info safe. Win-win!
Kindle
There’s nothing like getting lost in a good book to make your travel time fly by. But who wants to tote around bulky novels everywhere they go? That’s where the Kindle comes in. I love mine and I take it on just about every trip!
What are your must-have items for travel?
I hope that this list of travel essentials for women helps you ensure you’ve got everything you need to make your next trip a blast! Did all your travel essentials make it on this list? If not, drop your travel essentials below. For more on all things travel, fashion, and lifestyle, head on over to the blog.