What I Pack for Every Trip
After nearly a decade spent travelling as often as I can, I’ve narrowed down my list of must-pack travel items through my fair share of trial and error and “oh, I wish I packed that” moments. Below are the things I pack for every trip, with some links to a few of my favourite products — all tried and tested by yours truly.
Kindle (or any e-reader) — I held off on joining the e-reader family forever, but I am fully converted. Don’t get me wrong, I still love my physical books (you cannot beat the smell of a fresh book), but when it comes to travelling, my Kindle is the obvious choice. Tyson uses a Fire Tablet which links to the Kindle account. The battery life isn’t as good, but it’s a great option if you’re not fully sold on the e-reader idea!
Camera — I used to buy a disposable camera for every trip I went on — they’re more spontaneous, more in-the-moment, and it’s fun getting them developed to see what photos you took — but they get to be expensive and quite wasteful… especially if you use them often. Last year I switch to a Camp Snap. No screen, holds hundreds of photos, long battery life (only charge it every couple of months), and connects directly to your phone to upload. To say I love it would be an understatement.
Over-ear headphones— with a cord/adapter for plane in-flight entertainment systems. Some planes now have Bluetooth connection options, but not all, bring the cable just in case. Bonus points if you get ones that are noise cancelling — key for those long-haul flights. I use these Sony ones, they’re comfy enough to wear from take-off to landing!
Power bank — not all portable chargers are made the same, find one that’s compact and holds enough charge to get you through the day. Especially if your phone is being used as a camera and map!
Chromecast — so useful when you travel a lot. Just don’t forget it when you’re packing up! This little gadget saves you from having to log in and out of your streaming services at every place you stay. The Amazon Fire Stick and Roku Streaming Stick are other options with similar functions.
Universal adapter — sure, you can buy one specifically for the destination you’re headed to, but then you’ll need to buy another one when you head somewhere new. Universal adapters are the one-size-fits-all approach, and worth spending a little more than you would on a single location one.
Some of my favourite things
Water bottle — leave your Stanley at home and go for something more compact that fits easily in your day bag. In a lot of Europe, you’ll find tons of potable water fountains to refill at.
Crossbody/belt bag — perfect for carrying your valuables around and so useful when navigating the airport for easy access to your documents while keeping your hands free. I love mine from Uniqlo, it’s cute enough for everyday use and has plenty of space for all the daily essentials. Tys grabbed this MEC one that also has a water bottle holder.
Tote bag — I always try to remember to bring along a tote bag. Nothing fancy, but they’re perfect for days spent exploring a new city and handy if you want to pick something up while you do. Many places (like parts of Europe and New Zealand) have completely removed plastic bags. Avoid having to buy a reusable bag by bringing your own.
Makeup Eraser — I love this makeup-removing cloth, I only use a small corner of it daily, so it lasts me a few days between washes and it’s so much more sustainable than buying makeup wipes. I’ve had mine for over 5 years and it will last me a while longer I’m sure.
— Use code MUE10 for 10% off your order. —
DIY first aid kit — get yourself a pill organizer filled with painkillers, allergy meds, anti-nausea, etc, and stock up on a few good bandages (blister and otherwise). These little extras will save you from avoidable miserable days!
Electrolyte crystals — hiking, beach days, or even just long travel days, they’re essential for helping you stay hydrated.
Detergent sheets — for longer trips these are the best, rather than having to buy detergent every place you need to do laundry. They take up almost no room and get the job done! I’ve been using the Tru Earth ones for a few years and I love them.
Tide To Go — a lifesaver for a chronic spiller like me! I always pack at least one.
Lip balm — I feel like my lips are always chapped and having an effective lip balm handy is a must. Even better if you have something with SPF for days when you’re out and about in the sun.
Nail clippers/file — mandatory if you’re like me and can’t stand when your nail snags on something. A small clipper/file in your bag is always a good idea.
