10 Travel Essentials We Don’t Travel Without

Everyone loves a “what’s in my bag” post, and this one is “packed” with the Top 10 Travel Essentials that we don’t leave home without! A long-haul flight may require a lot more to keep you comfortable, entertained, and sane than a short flight or train ride, but these are the items we’ll be packing no matter the trip. If you catch us at the airport, here’s what you’ll find in our bags…

10 Travel Essentials: all the gear and goodies we never leave home without - www.AFriendAfar.com

Meagan’s 10 Travel Essentials

  1. Noise-Canceling Headphones – My Dad, who traveled often for work, bought these for me a long time ago. They are game changers.
  2. Moisturizer – Since airplane air conditioning really dries your skin out, I like to fly fresh faced and use my ultra moisturizing night cream. I love this cream from Boots No7. It’s really moisturizing without clogging my pores, and since it contains witch hazel, it fights breakouts, too. It’s a mini facial for your flight, and you know you need all the pampering you can get back in Economy…
  3. Chapstick – can you tell I’m not a fan of airplane air?
  4. MagazinesDarling, Afar, Wherever, National Geographic Traveler, and Monocle are my go-to reads, and I love the opportunity to disconnect from the internet and just read the printed word while on flights.
  5. Tiny Baggu Bag – I tend to keep one of these in my bag at all times already, but if I’m grabbing some magazines and snacks at the airport, the train station, or before I buckle up for a long road trip, this keeps my shopping a little more compact than a messy and tearing plastic bag.
  6. Tablet/Laptop – But of course!
  7. Samsung Galaxy s6 – I love this phone, especially the camera!
  8. Tiny Toothbrush and a Tiny ToothpasteBrushing your teeth is the easiest and fastest way to freshen up no matter how long the flight.
  9. Hand Lotion – Airplane air really dries your skin out, but nothing fixes it like L’Occitane’s shea butter hand creme. And be sure to corral all those tiny toiletries in a clear zipper case!
  10. Compression Socks These help promote circulation, and that really plays a roll in comfort on a long-haul flight!

Bonus: If I’m on an international flight, you know I’ll have my passport in an organized case! I’ve really been loving safari-chic and more ‘traditionally masculine’ leather details lately, so I’ve been eyeing this one from J.Crew. Be sure to slip a pen in there so you can easily fill out your customs forms.

Meagan’s typically carrying the Everlane Tote. She’s had her eye on Madewell’s Transport Tote lately now that it has a zipper.

Shop Our Travel Essentials

Stephanie’s 10 Travel Essentials

  1. Eye Mask and Earplugs – These are my two sleep essentials! If you’re trying to get a little shut eye on a flight, definitely bring a nice, plush eye mask to block out the light and TV screen glare. Earplugs are also a life saver to me so I can enjoy soothing white noise while napping. While airlines will give you both, I prefer to bring my own so I know the quality is up to par!
  2. Kindle – Though I do love reading paper books, the Kindle or other e-reader is a game changer for travel in my humble opinion. Often times I load guidebooks, travel memoirs, and other novels on it so I have plenty of reading options on hand.
  3. Rifle Paper Co. Journal While we’re so digital these days, nothing beats a good old-fashioned paper and pen to me for jotting down notes, ideas, and memories. I love Rifle Paper anything and especially enjoy dreaming up trips in it!
  4. Toiletry Bag –  Filled with all my travel essentials including my favorite EOS Organic Lip Balm Spherehand sanitizer, and other basics.
  5. Portable Charger While many planes have charging capabilities built in, I still bring along my portable charger on the plane just in case my iPhone or Kindle needs a boost.
  6. Burt’s Bees Sensitive Facial Cleansing Towelettes – These are the best way to get cleaned up and comfortable – both before a long flight or right after you land. I always feel refreshed when I pack these!
  7. Business Card Holder We’re obsessed with our new business cards! You never know who you’ll meet on the plane so always be prepared to network.
  8. Water Bottle – Hydration is so important while flying, and I love having my own water bottle handy. I usually keep it in the pocket in front of me so I remember to drink- and I usually have to get an aisle seat because of this fact on long flights even though I really love the window seat!
  9. Comfy Shoes – I try to wear slip on shoes for going through security but if it’s not possible for whatever reason (sometimes you need boots but they’re not super packable) I bring comfy shoes for the plane. Classic TOMS are my go to. Warm socks to go with them are also a must!
  10. Scarf – No matter the season I always bring a scarf because planes are usually freezing to me!

Bonus: Snacks! You don’t want to see me hangry on a flight so I usually have granola bars, nuts, dried fruit and other nibbles on hand to stave off hunger.

Stephanie carries the Lo & Sons O.M.G. bag to and from work as well as her favorite destinations.

What about you? What are your travel essentials? We’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments!

10 Travel Essentials - www.AFriendAfar.com

Meagan grew up in the North Georgia Mountains and spent her first trip abroad in Italy. She’s been traveling all over the world ever since, learning Spanish, Japanese, and Thai. She travels for the food, the culture, and the history.

27 thoughts on “10 Travel Essentials We Don’t Travel Without

  1. Miriam says:

    What a great list, I even got inspired to pack something for my next trip which I hadn’t thought of before! Personally I always bring hand sanitizer & lip balm. Eye mask for long flights is also a must!

  2. Jo says:

    This is perfect – I carry all of those and more – and I thought I traveled light haha. Mine usually include a fold able beach bag and a multi purpose sarong along with flip flops – Well, considering most of my vacations have a beach/water/sea element .

  3. GlobalMary says:

    I can totally relate to all kinds of moisturisers! So, in addition to them I have mi iPhone, a laptop, a pair of headphones, snacks (I am also always hungry!), an airplane pillow and a book.

  4. Sally says:

    A Kindle is my lifesaver when travelling!! And a water bottle because dehydration is horrid on a plane. Still need to get some noise cancelling headphones though!!

  5. Assi / Global Afterparty says:

    My list would probably be almost identical! No magazines though, usually the airlines provide enough for me. 🙂 I’ve tried carrying books on longer flights but I never get around reading them and reading from a screen isn’t my thing either… which is funny because I still might end up playing around with my phone or laptop!
    Moisturisers, water and a scarf are defs lifesavers for me too!

  6. Tamason Gamble says:

    There are some great must-haves here. Personally I don’t go anywhere without my e-reader, and I mean even out to the shops – you never know when you might get a moment to read a few pages!!! 🙂

  7. Taylor says:

    I travel with almost all of these, but instead of compression socks I have a good old pair of wool socks since I tend to get so cold on planes! And a scarf is always my number one thing to pack because it usually doubles as my pillow!

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