Travel Essentials For Every Trip

Every summer brings the excitement of traveling, whether it's a three-day getaway or a two week stay abroad. No matter where in the world you are going, there are some travel essentials that you need to bring with you.

From bags to toiletries, we're going to cover the travel packing list you need to save time and frustration for your next journey.

Travel bags for all situations

Seasoned travelers know that keeping luggage tidy is essential. The best way to do this is to make sure that everything has its place. With travel totes, purses, makeup bags, and more, you can spend less time searching for what you need, and more time exploring your destination.

Besides your suitcase, it's helpful to have a travel tote or backpack (the carry on), and a travel purse, or fanny pack (a.k.a. banana bag).

Organizing your bags

Your suitcase is where you keep your clothes, shoes, and non-essential personal items. The tote or backpack is for your reusable water bottle, book, an extra clothing layer, electronic devices, medication, and earplugs or eye masks. The fanny pack is for your money, phone, passport or ID, and phone charger.

Inside the suitcase, the more you can package things up into bags, the better. Think of Dopp kits like the one from Lady Alamo shown above, as well as makeup bags, laundry bags, and compression bags for your clothes.

One last travel bag essential: Most countries use coins frequently. Carrying a coin purse like the one shown below from Laarni and Tita will save you loads of trouble if you travel outside the United States, where coins aren't as popular for everyday use.

Clothing

It's tempting to bring clothes for every situation imaginable, but it will only weigh you down. If you are traveling to a sunny climate, the best thing to do is to have two pairs of pants, one pair of shorts, and one dress or skirt with four to six matching tops in addition to swimwear, socks, and underwear.

If you are traveling abroad, keep in mind that it is customary to dress more conservatively in many countries. Entering places of worship such as temples, you will be required to have shoulders and knees covered, and in some places, women need to cover their heads. Bring a scarf to cover up, and make sure your skirt/shorts/pants combinations cover those body parts.

For sunny climates, light colored fabrics are best, as are lightweight fabrics such as cotton and linen. Hats are also one of those travel essentials you don't want to skimp out on. This keeps your scalp from burning and the blazing sun out of your eyes.

For winter climates, bring layers. Make sure that everything you bring can match with everything else, because winter or cold weather destinations will force you to bring more bulky clothes.

Shoes also add a lot of weight and bulk, and it is recommended you bring one comfortable pair of walking sneakers, one pair of walking sandals, and one pair of other shoes for dressier conditions. You will want to be able to switch between your walking shoes regularly to support your feet, so again make sure these mix and match with your clothes.

For cold weather climates, it is important to bring boots that are already broken in. You don't want to get blisters when you are on vacation!

Toiletries

The lighter you can travel, the better. Dragging a heavy suitcase across cobblestone streets is never fun. Ever.

One way to cut down on weight is to use solid toiletries instead of liquids. Think shampoo, soap, and lotion such as this unscented lotion bar from Seattle Sundries.

You may be surprised how well these perform against their liquid counterparts, and you don't have to worry about the fluid amounts for these when going through security check.

It is tempting to bring every toiletry you use at home, but you will likely find that the bare minimum is all you need to have a fun trip. Suggested items are dental care, eye care, deodorant, minimal makeup, sunblock, and a razor if you shave.

Other travel essentials

Depending on the length and type of travel, you may need to bring a few extra items. This can include a Turkish towel for parks or the beach and to double as a scarf or wrap, extra contact lenses or glasses, a stash of bandages, aspirin, bug spray, some antibiotic cream, as well as any over the counter medications you take regularly at home. 

Unless you are in a remote village far from civilization, you will likely be able to find anything you need where you are going, so don't stress this one too much. Additionally, pharmacies are often staffed with people who speak English, so there is bound to be someone who can help you if you are distressed.

Travel opens you up to new flavors, sights, experiences, and people. Pack only the essentials, bring comfortable clothes and shoes, and don't forget to pack a journal like the one above from Bumble and Birch, so you can capture thoughts of your time away.

Happy travels!