What accessories I use for travelling!
I have a love/hate relationship with packing. But once it’s done I feel very accomplished. I’m a list lady, so yes I have packing lists for different destinations. Please don’t hold that against me, but I never forget anything. My hubby is like ‘we can always buy what we need when we get there’. That’s just not me.
Last year, saw us embarking on our first big Europe holiday since before Covid. 4 weeks, 7 countries, planes, trains, car hire and ferry rides but wow what a holiday it was. I always wanted to be a travel agent (the wanderlust of travelling) appealed to me but for some reason or another, it didn’t happen. But I have always been a big hotel reviewer and book most parts of our holidays with great accommodation and experiences. In Europe, if you want to see the main attractions, they need to be booked in advance. But the main reason for this blog is to share the main accessories I take with me when travelling. Next will be the ideal clothes packing list.
Eiffel Tower at dusk 2023
Items that are always in my long haul Hand Luggage
Travelling on the plane for long distance flights, I will always take a pair of slides in my hand luggage. As I will wear my sneakers onto the plane, this make going to the toilet so much easier. My favourite slides are the Freedom Moses Slides, which I then use while on holidays. https://www.theiconic.com.au/slides-unisex-1144934.htm
A good pair of noise cancelling headphones are a must (for so many different reasons 😆) I’ve been really happy with my Bose https://www.bose.com.au/en_au/products/headphones/noise_cancelling_headphones/quietcomfort-headphones-se.html?mc=20_PS_NC_PL_00_GO_&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqdqvBhCPARIsANrmZhOCrIIr1QhZJhH7Sjr7tUnj4X9xUnWi8AEHLu1tNB4-64sBiR3lYNEaAhzkEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#v=qc_se_black
You can sleep with your headphones on but they may be a bit uncomfortable if you have a neck pillow. So I have the Loop Earplugs - Quiet and they have different ear size pieces. And are great for sleeping with, when you get to your destination or have a snoring partner. https://au.loopearplugs.com/products/quiet
Empty water bottle, as you can refill it as many times as you like, without having too press the button for the air stewardess. Staying hydrated is so important on long haul flights.
I go from hot to cold on a plane every two seconds, so I like a lightweight jacket, that I can then roll up easily and doesn’t take much room in my hand luggage. My favourite on my last long trip was the Black Lululemon Define jacket, it was used when the weather was cooler in some of the places that we visited. https://www.lululemon.com.au/en-au/p/define-hooded-jacket-nulu/prod11500122.html?dwvar_prod11500122_color=0001
Packing cubes - I am officially converted to using them now. So much easier to pack your clothes and know where everything is. I’ve also found I’m not over packing as much (yes I’m a just in case person). I also use a compression packing cube with a set of clothing and extra underwear and put this in my hand luggage, for just in case 😂 your luggage doesn’t arrive. I have multiple sets now. Cheaper option are from Amazon, they are ok, but split easily at the seams if you overpack them. https://www.amazon.com.au/Gautio-Organizers-Accessories-Cosmetics-Toiletries/dp/B0B88T8V14/ref=asc_df_B0B88T8V14/?tag=googleshopdsk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=463861021914&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16206056728032516399&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9070547&hvtargid=pla-1878729065250&mcid=358ac9214c6a36e0ab7a918cbd7a6b7d&th=1
Better quality ones and you can compress them (ideal for hand luggage) they do weigh a little more though, due to the fabric and compression zips https://www.zoomlite.com.au/collections/compression-packing-cubes/products/compression-packing-cubes-3piece-set
I take all my chargers and leads in my hand luggage. I put them all in a travel organiser bag, my looks like this: https://www.amazon.com.au/Electronic-Organizer-Accessories-Waterproof-Earphones/dp/B08YZ633BY/ref=asc_df_B08YZ633BY/?tag=googleshopdsk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=588511659086&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5211122230258668191&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9070547&hvtargid=pla-1656085203966&mcid=8f031b068e14357b9b891ef2b5af8dcd&th=1
With that I also have a portable charger and universal travel adapters https://www.amazon.com.au/HEYMIX-International-Universal-European-Countries/dp/B0BC1P6ZH1/ref=sr_1_3_pp?crid=3NHC76IOIQOHJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.StlZ5gVG0MS15AtkS5LQWtniVvw4UcsM7XXjpfg8QHMEwspl5K3Zcy6EWRcaYObUe5jSgnyphWqvL5Xj2WvLs89HMy4YAuR-kxHgs_hnblszr7UiOQcgF28RlSZUjFCXyVCiLTtmAegt0CVLPENUUIdENLVJjGRPtAAjXqg_iuveqJ6VJxTdvDqGpsJlml_ArYMuav9H7ZcIuHT9NnXENMeWD6s_9ojJb3Vrzl5PMlY.6P2CiUctHOrhFhU28SLsl5i3cQThnSD6FFtha0USeMI&dib_tag=se&keywords=travel+adapter&qid=1710724393&s=home-improvement&sprefix=travel+adap%2Chome-improvement%2C393&sr=1-3
Other essentials that are always in my hand luggage are: Hand wipes, hand gel, tissues, gum, mask, eye mask, neck pillow,Kindle (pre load lots of books) laptop, all my medication, anything valuable.
What I pack in my Checked in Suitcase
By the way are you are hard case or soft case person? In the comments, let me know why you prefer your case.
Air Tags, I purchased a family set of 4 from Amazon also with coloured cases, it was a easy way of tracking our bags and hoping they all arrived at their destination 😁 https://www.google.com/search?q=air+tags+amazon&oq=air+tags+amazon&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgBEAAYgAQyBwgCEAAYgAQyCAgDEAAYFhgeMgoIBBAAGAoYFhgeMggIBRAAGBYYHjIICAYQABgWGB4yCAgHEAAYFhgeMg0ICBAAGIYDGIAEGIoFMg0ICRAAGIYDGIAEGIoF0gEJNDAxNWowajE1qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
I can’t stand my shoes touching my clothes, especially after wearing them on holidays. So I use Ikea large snaplock bags for all my shoes, they come in different sizes.
Travel raincoat, as we got caught out in London and had to purchase Ponchos (left ours in the hotel) as the rain was not stopping us sightseeing 😂. Love mine, as it’s a small pack it style one from Anaconda https://www.anacondastores.com/clothing/mens-clothing/mens-jackets-outerwear/cape-adults-pack-it-rain-jacket/BP90031043002-black
Now we all love washing our underwear in the bathroom sink, but hanging them to dry is the hardest place, so I take this clothesline along with me. It was used so much over the 4 weeks, its a beauty as the pegs are attached ready to go. https://www.amazon.com.au/Retractable-Portable-Clothesline-Travel%EF%BC%8CClothing-Accessories/dp/B09XPWGFTV/ref=asc_df_B09XPWGFTV/?tag=googleshopdsk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=649975737750&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7386448718776049442&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9070547&hvtargid=pla-1667748007588&psc=1&mcid=0f600f9595c13bf8ab37cc23c1eea152
Loving my new makeup bag from Charlotte Tilbury (birthday gift) fits just what I need makeup wise https://www.charlottetilbury.com/au/product/pillow-talk-makeup-bag
I have condensed my main toiletries bag now, as I use travel size creams etc. Sephora is great for small size items. Even my shampoo and conditioner goes into dispensers for short trips. Another birthday gift and it’s perfect and light is my bag from Bon Maxie https://www.bonmaxie.com.au/products/bon-voyage-travel-toiletry-bag-black-gingham
I hope that some of these travel items are something you can use on your next overseas trip or even small getaways.
Love for you to leave me some comments on items you can’t leave home without.
Cath x
