Through my previous travels I have created a list of things I have brought along with me that have allowed my plane rides and trips to run smoother. Here I will go over the essentials to bring along with you on your plane ride, and while traveling.
Some of these items may be a no brainer for you, while some may not. Whether it is your first trip or your thirtieth trip – I hope this list guides you or inspires you to bring items that may not have crossed your mind but can enhance the experience of your travels and future adventures.
Disclaimer – This blog post is not sponsored, though it does contain some affiliate links. This means I get a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Backpacking Carry on Bag
First and foremost you need a travel bag to pack all of your essentials – whether it be a luggage, a carry on, or a backpacking bag carry on. I find a backpacking carry on bag to be essential, depending how long you are going for.
Less is more. When traveling I always try and travel with only a carry on. My carry on is always this large backpacking backpack – it never fails me.
Especially if you are visiting multiple countries, it is easier to hop on and off of flights without the pain of having to check in a bag or wait for your bag upon arrival to the country.
But just remember, if you are only traveling with a carry on you probably wont have much room to bring back souvenirs. I am not one for souvenirs so this backpack was perfect for my month and a half trip around Europe.
Tip: instead of purchasing souvenirs you can create your own souvenirs in the form of journal entries, photos, and notes from people you meet a long the way.
Travel Journal & Pen
A must have for travel, and a time capsule into past adventures. Whenever I travel I always bring a journal with me and every time I look back at these journals I can’t help but smile.
Travel journals are also helpful to remember names of restaurants you went to, places you have visited, and routes you might want to remember. You can also read back your travel journals and share your writing with friends and family – if you’re feeling open.
I like to keep the journals simple and let the travel stories tell it’s story, check out this one from Amazon!
Wipes
It is useful to carry wipes with you while traveling because it is a quick and easy way to to reduce the risk of germs. Especially on the airplane, when you don’t have an aisle seat and cannot go to the bathroom every time you eat something – these definitely come in handy!
You can click the photo to purchase these from Amazon or you can get them from your local Walmart or Dollarstore.
Bed Cover/Sleeping Bed Liner
This one is essential especially if you plan on staying in hostels on your travels. You never know how clean hostel or hotel sheets are so it’s always good to bring bed covers and put them over top of the sheets you are provided with.
It is light weight, small enough to pack and takes less than two minutes to put it on the bed – so why not!
Money Belt
Money belts are great to keep your money and passport safe while still being accessible tucked underneath your clothing! Keep it on you throughout all of your travels and you will reduce your risk of losing any important documents. For all of the flights I have been on, I do not take it off until I land in the country and arrive at my place of stay.
This money belt saved me when I went to Japan. I lost my purse on my way to Japan and because I had all my important documents in my money belt instead of my purse, I only lost a few of my cards. I was able to continue on my trip because I had my most important documents and valuables in my money belt.
Copies of Your Passport
One of the most important things to bring while traveling. It is useful to bring copies of your passport in case you lose your passport. I like to print out two copies of my passport and leave them in different bags – this way, if one bag gets lost I still have another copy in another bag.
If you ever happen to lose your passport (which I truly hope you don’t), you won’t have to go through as much documentation in getting a new one. The process will be a little bit smoother.
Face Cream
Who else feels dry whenever they are flying? Look, the airplane air is dry and makes your face especially dry. Face cream helps with this and it’s helpful to bring it with you in your carry on instead of a checked bag so you can apply it on the airplane.
So don’t forget to pack your favorite face cream. CeraVe is low cost for a big container, and it is dermatologist recommended.
I have been using this for the past couple months and it has worked very well. CeraVe cream is not oily, and nicely moisturizes my skin – but definitely look further into it if it is right for your skin.
Camera
One of the best light and compact cameras, my personal favorite to bring for traveling! I like the Fujifilm X-T30 Mirrorless Camera because unlike clunky DSLR’s, this fits into smaller bags and does not take up your whole carry on bag.
I also specifically purchased this camera because I did a lot of research before hand and it is one of the top mirrorless cameras – along with it’s competitor Sony a7 III. Both are amazing cameras, but, if you want a smaller compact one with a vintage vibe, then the Fujifilm X-T30 is more fitting.
Disposable Camera or Rolls of Film
Whether you’re a professional photographer or just shooting for fun, disposable camera’s and film photography are always captivating for traveling, and they are perfect for exploring new places.
It is always exciting developing your film and waiting to see all the photos you have taken.
I bring disposable cameras every trip I go on, and there are always some classic gems that get developed. Often times some of my favourite photos come from disposable cameras or film cameras!
A Good Book or a Podcast
Nothing like a good book to bring while traveling. If you’re like me and you are not one to sleep on flights then packing a book can be the best decision. It’s nice to bring a fresh book (it’s also just satisfying opening a new book) so you can get through the whole thing on your travels.
An alternative to a book, is podcasts. There are so many podcasts you can listen to while traveling – and the plane ride is the perfect time! But don’t forget to download your podcasts so you can listen to them offline because there is sometimes no access to internet on certain airlines.
My favorite podcasts to listen to while traveling are:
- On Purpose by Jay Shetty (self-improvement, lifestyle, spirituality)
- The Minimalists by Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus (minimal living, conscious living, self-improvement)
- Here’s the Thing by Alex Baldwin (He chats with interesting individuals, including policy makers, artists and performers)
Snack on Snacks on Snacks
One of the best parts about flying is all the snacking. Packaged snacks are usually allowed past security on most airlines; so it is a safe option to stick with packaged snacks to avoid getting your food taken away.
Note: airlines will usually take away meat, open food, and sometimes fruit.
My favorite snacks to bring while traveling are:
- Cliff Bars
- Miss Vickey Chips – Jalapeno is the best flavour in my opinion, and you can find these at your local grocery store
- Raw Almonds
- Goldfish – yes I still eat Goldfish, and yes they are still my favorite snack
If you’re a lover of travel, you can find more travel guides and fun adventures & destinations here.
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