If you’re reading this, I hope you know that I hate you. Okay, hate is a strong word, but I envy you and your need for last-minute travel essentials in copious amounts. While you get to jet off on a dreamy European summer, tropical vacation, Japan trip or party in the USA, I’m shivering in my 15 million layers, suffering in the thick of Melbourne’s winter.
However, I’m a shopping editor. I have a job to fulfill, and wisdom to impart. I spent six weeks travelling the sun-soaked Mediterranean last year, and picked up some pretty cool travel essentials I never would’ve considered pre-long haul flight.
From do-it-all chargers to skincare for the plane, there are some bits and bobs that’ll make your travel days a world more comfortable — especially if you’re kicking it in economy.
1. Luggage That Charges Your Phone
Okay, in my mind, this is a travel essential, even if it’s just down to the sheer ease of use. How many times have you needed something on your phone, it’s died, and you’re left to frantically dig through your bag to find your portable charger and cord? Smart luggage is here to save the day, a type of carry-on suitcase that comes with an ejectable battery. I love this one from July, because it’s approved for any flight worldwide, and it comes with USB-C docks that charge both your phone and your laptop.
2. A Good Travel Hairdryer
I got this ghd travel hairdryer a year ago and it’s become a must-take when travelling. Most travel hairdryers have terrible power, but this does a brilliant job, PLUS it’s lightweight and folds away nice and tiny. It’s worth every penny.
3. A Durable Toiletries Bag
It’s time to bin that disgusting toiletries bag that’s covered in toothpaste and years of grot, and buy yourself a sleek new one that’ll put up with being tossed around and shoved in your suitcase in a last-minute panic to check out on time. You could go with a tough constructed one like this Country Road cosmetic case, or if you want to easily spot everything you’ve brought with you, this Prene clear case set should do the trick.
4. A Toothbrush Lid or Cover
Your toothbrush is one of the last few things you pack before heading away on a trip, and odds are, you’ve just thrown it in your toiletries bag because you’ve been in a rush, gathering all your last-minute necessities. To that, I say gross. Put a cover on your teeth scrubber. Amazon has a bunch of ‘em, from lids for just the tip (hehe) to complete protector covers.
5. A Light-But-Tough Suitcase
One thing we all dread when we go travelling is how heavy our suitcase is going to end up being when we bring it to the check-in counter. I honestly find it crazy how heavy some suitcases are — they can take up over a quarter of the precious allocated allowance you’re given. I swear by my American Tourister Airconic, it’s incredibly lightweight at only 3.2kgs but doesn’t compromise on quality. If you want to go even lighter, Samsonite has a check-in suitcase that’s only 2.5kgs!
6. A Laptop Sleeve
I will never, ever, ever carry a laptop bag onto a plane – simply because I already have a handbag and carry on to wrangle through customs and that tiny aisle. I’m not adding another thing. This year, I’m going to buy a good laptop sleeve like Orbit Key’s, which doubles as a portable desk mat and mouse pad once it’s unfolded.
7. A Hydrating Face Mask
Thank God TikTok brought plane skincare routines to my For You Page, because before that, I was raw-dogging flights without skincare and wondering why my skin barrier was all messed up for weeks afterwards. Now, I always bring a sheet mask or two on my flight, so whoever I’m sitting next to can get an irl skincare routine. My two go-tos are Go-To (viral for a reason), as well as Conserving Beauty’s sheet mask that you dissolve under water after using (an environmentally-friendly icon).
8. A Silk Eye Mask
I hated sleeping masks until I tried a 100% silk one – it sounds silly but don’t knock it ’til you try it. The silk is gentle on your sensitive eye area, and cool on the skin while still blocking out pesky reading lights from people sitting next to you on long haul flights.
9. Packing Cubes
I never thought I’d be a packing cubes gal — I’m usually a throw-it-in-and-go type beat. However, I succumbed to the movement for my Europe trip last year, and I will never look back. I absolutely loved using La Poche’s small garment cubes for my tops, medium garment cubes for my shorts and skirt, and used the larger luggage organisers for my dresses (as well as a separate cube in my carry-on for emergency clothes). They all slotted into my check-in neatly and kept me so organised when I was in a flurry. My partner, on the other hand, loved how these compression packing cubes from Amazon smushed everything down and gave him a tad extra room.
10. A Travel Charger That Can Do It All
Oh how I wish I had this with me when I was travelling Europe last year. I got it shortly after I came back, and it’s changed my life. This isn’t just a portable charger, but an all-rounder power bank that I think I’m in love with. It’s magsafe, has a USB port and USB-C port, as well as built-in Apple Lightning and USB-C cables (and yes, you can use all of them at once).
It also plugs into the wall, with interchangeable AU, EU, UK, US, & Asia adapters. Bye bye cords, hello organisation! Did I forget to mention it has an in-built phone stand? She’s exxy, but worth every single dollar.
11. Airplane Phone Mount
You could be like my boyfriend, who crafts a makeshift phone mount out of the in-flight menu to slot into the tray table holder… which inevitably falls out 20 minutes later. Or, you could buy a nifty little phone holder from Amazon, which will keep your Netflix-binging session upright all flight.
12. An E-Reader
I used to be an e-reader hater until my besties got me a Kindle for my birthday. From that moment on, everything changed. It physically pains me to see my paperback books get damaged as I bring them along on my travels with me, plus they take up an unfortunate amount of room in my suitcase. With an e-reader, you can bring as many books as you want all on one lightweight device.
The Kindle is great because it’s simple and straightforward — I love it. However, I also got the Kobo Libra Colour recently, and it’s amazing for different reasons. You can see your book in colour, can annotate, and also can use it as a notebook if you have the stylus. They’re both incredible.
13. A Handheld Fan
Whether you’re going to Europe, Asia or anywhere else in the northern hemisphere this mid-winter, odds are, it’s bloody boiling. Invest in a handheld fan now and thank me later. My arms get tired after about two-minutes of manual fanning, so I always bring a rechargeable automatic fan with me and it does the trick.
14. A Rain Poncho
It’s better to be safe than sorry. These rain ponchos take up next-to-no space, and are easy to whip out when the weather takes a turn.
15. A Waterproof Phone Pouch
If you’re planning on spending time on a boat, nearby water, or want to get some cool under-the-sea snaps, you better get a waterproof phone bag. Even if you plan on keeping your phone above board at all times, you never know what accidents might happen. Be a dag. Buy the phone pouch.
16. Avantree Relay Airplane Bluetooth 5.3 Adapter
Airplane earphones suck. They’re either weirdly too big or too small, and the headphones are just plain uncomfy. This adapter lets you connect not one, but two headphones to your in-flight entertainment, so you and your travel buddy can watch the same movie with ease! Total gamechanger.
Now you’ve got your last-minute travel essentials packed and ready, read our tips on how to stretch your holiday that little bit longer.
ImageC Credit: Pinterest / La Poche
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