Travel
The 20 best travel essentials to pack like a pro
Every getaway has its own vibe – and its own gear. While we try to bring as few bags as possible, packing the essentials can help make your trip worry-free and so much more enjoyable.
By Robyn Peña-Lopez
There’s no feeling quite like the thrill of travelling to new places and it’s certainly one of life’s great pleasures. Whether you’re in for a short trip or a 24-hour flight, what you pack in your suitcase can be a total game-changer.
From one traveller to another, here are my favourite travel picks from Amazon to make the most out of every adventure – I think you’ll love them too.
Next time you pack, be sure to tuck in these ultimate travel essentials. Many you may not have thought of before, but trust me, pack them once and you’ll never want to leave them home again.
Increase your comfort
1. Travelrest ultimate pillow
⭐ Recommended for short and long trips
This all-in-one pillow provides superior comfort for both road and air travel, making its mark as the best travel pillow according to CNN. What makes this ergonomic pillow even more excellent is its full lateral support for easy relaxation and sleeping. It is also easily inflated and deflated to minimise packing space.
2. Comfy shawl wrap
⭐ Recommended for year-round travel
Going somewhere sunny or chilly – or maybe both? This lightweight shawl wrap is built for all seasons. Its soft cashmere quality material has a UPF 50+ rating, which provides excellent protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays. And if you ever feel cold on a plane or bus ride, you can easily use it as a blanket.
Bonus: it comes in minimalist colour options to match your chic outfits!
3. Compression socks
⭐ Recommended for long-haul flights or walking holidays
Sitting for too long on a long-haul flight or a road trip can bring extreme discomfort. But thanks to these high quality compression socks, you’ll help reduce swelling and cramping during travel and feel more comfy.
Do you find walking therapeutic? Discover 5 great walking holidays.
4. Blackout sleep masks
⭐ Recommended to avoid jet lag
If you already have a sleep mask, it might be time for a premium upgrade. This 3D sleep mask is an absolute must-have for all travellers, particularly if you’re about to go on a long-haul flight.
Unlike other sleep masks, it stays in place comfortably while blocking out 100% of light to help you sleep better. It’s also a plus for women who want to keep their eyelash extensions on fleek while sleeping. Whether you’re travelling or lounging at home, this sleep mask works its magic.
5. Earplugs
⭐ Recommended for peace of mind
Mack’s ultra soft earplugs are designed to slowly equalize pressure in your eardrums and are suitable for flights, train travel, and even cruising.
They’re great for when you want to get to sleep, but you can also wear them to block background noise to increase your focus. Keep them protected with a Giantree earplug case.
Keep yourself organised
6. Crossbody sling bag
⭐ Recommended for travelling in crowded areas
One of the tried-and-tested essentials that kept my belongings safe when I travelled to a crowded market in Bangkok was a crossbody sling bag. Passport, plane ticket, phone, cash – check! If you’re going to a particular touristy area, having easy access to your personal belongings is not just convenient, but a must.
This bag may look small in size, but wait til you see how much you can fit into it. The Waterfly has large capacity with multiple pockets, so it’s great for everyday use.
7. Packing cubes
⭐ Recommended to maximise space
If you’ve never done your packing with the help of a set of packing cubes, you’re in for a treat. Not only do they separate clothing and make items easier to find, they also protect your clothes from wrinkles and stains.
This 8-pack set of cubes is made of premium nylon fabric with a firm bandage and double zips for your clothes, cosmetics, undies, laundry, and shoes. Feel like a set of 8 is not enough? You might also want to consider the pack of 10.
8. Toiletry bag
⭐ Recommended to avoid leaks and spills
This next-level toiletry bag from Vaschy has a wet separation front pocket – making it a perfect companion for travel, swimming or working out in the gym. It has 4 zippered compartments with elastic bands to keep your travel set toiletries in place, plus plenty of space to toss other items such as skin care products and makeup.
9. Compact pill case
⭐ Recommended when you need to take medication
Why bring the entire medicine bottle when you only need to bring what you need? This compact pill case stands out with its sleek and pocket-sized design perfect for travel. It features six compartments to keep your medications secure while on the move.
If you’re looking for something a little more compact (and even cuter), try the Nipichsha pill box.
10. Jewellery case
⭐ Recommended to keep trinkets tangle-free
This lightweight and stylish jewellery organiser from Becko is designed to keep your accessories neatly organised while you travel. Its compact size has dedicated sections for rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets.
Stay healthy and well
11. Electrolytes
⭐Recommended for warmer climates
Busy travel days can leave you feeling drained, especially on hot days. Pack some Nuun sport tablets to help keep you feeling refreshed and energised. There are various flavours to choose from and they’re pre-packaged in a travel-friendly compact tube.
12. Collapsible water bottle
⭐ Recommended for travel, camping and hiking
A portable collapsible water bottle is perfect for all kinds of travel – especially camping and hiking (and handy for airport security, too!).
It’s versatile for both hot and cold beverages, leak-proof and ready to go when you are. Plus, it makes a great gift choice for fellow travellers.
Pro tip: If you’re travelling with pets, you might also want to look at Iesotc’s pet water bottle.
13. Tray table cover
⭐ Recommended for a tidy flight
Frequent travellers (who are also neat freaks like me) would agree that a table cloth can come in handy for the dirty surfaces of airplanes and buses. Yes, less is more when travelling… but this airplane tray table cover is as light as a feather and foldable, so it hardly takes up any space in your bag when you’re not using it. Plus, it’s got a handy 4-pockets when the tray is folded, which is so handy for keeping your other flight essentials neatly within reach.
14. Hydrating skincare products
⭐Recommended for hydrated skin during flights
The Holy Hydration! by e.l.f SKIN range is highly recommended to help hydrate and plump the skin while you’re in the air. This pack comes with travel-friendly sizes of a face cream, deep cleanser, eye cream, booster drops and cleansing balm.
Remember that sticking to healthy skin care habits is more important than you might think.
15. Hand and surface spray
⭐Recommended for staying clean
This plant-based hand spray not only works wonders for sanitising but its earthy aroma is also incredibly relaxing. It comes in 2 scents: rosalina & peppermint and tea tree & lemon.
Planning to bring this on a plane? You can opt to decant it into one of these chic TSA approved travel size containers.
Tech-savvy on the road
16. Portable charger
⭐ Recommended for long-haul travel
If you’re going on a long journey or off-grid, having a power bank in your carry-on luggage can help keep you connected. And this foldable (yes, foldable!) 3-in-1 wireless charging pad powers all your Apple devices: your iPhone, watch and airpods.
The laser dual portable charger is also an ideal option for both iPhone and Android users. Both are compact and can charge 3 devices simultaneously!
17. Universal travel adapter
⭐Recommended for international travel
Ensuring that you have a universal travel adapter means you can take your favourite Aussie tech abroad. This adapter works on any country’s appliances to fit another country’s power – making it a perfect fit when travelling abroad.
18. Wireless headphones
⭐Recommended for peace and quiet
Ranked among the best 2025 travel headphones in Tech Radar’s annual list, Bose QuietComfort ultra headphones can completely change your travel experience. Sure, they’re pricey, but this set’s exceptional comfort and immersive sound makes it a top-tier choice for every kind of traveller.
If you prefer the space-saver wireless earbuds, check out the Bose earbuds.
19. Luggage scale
⭐Recommended for shopping lovers
Don’t you just hate paying for extra baggage? I know I do! If you like to shop for souvenirs without worrying about overweight baggage charge, then Qwork’s portable digital luggage scale is a must.
This scale is easy to read (even in the dark) and can measure up to 50kg – so don’t hold back on the shopping!
20. Slim Airtag card
⭐Recommended for added security
This smart tracker card for iOS systems is like a slim-fit, lightweight AirTag, so it’s ideal for your wallet. The card is rechargeable (excellent battery life allows standby for 6 months on a single charge) and waterproof. If you’d rather stick to AirTags, you can find them here.
If you’re an Android user, try the KZO Bluetooth Air Tracker.
Citro is an Amazon affiliate partner and may earn a small commission when you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Feature image: Canva/Rockaa. All other images sourced from Amazon, used with permission
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