34 Simple Bag Essentials For The Minimalist Traveler
Are you about to go on a trip? If so, congratulations! You are about to embark on a journey that will be filled with adventure and new experiences. Whether it’s your first time traveling or you’ve been around the world 100 times over, there is always something new to learn. That’s why we put together this list of 34 Essentials You Should Not Leave Home Without: Travel Edition. Before we get into our list, let’s discuss…
What Makes a Great and Cool Travel Bag?
A good travel bag is an investment. Especially if you’re traveling often for work, or regularly with your family on vacation. It’s important to get the right size and shape of bag so that everything can fit in it nicely without being squeezed or too much room left over.
A bag that is too small means items will be crammed in and have to take turns being put into the main compartment. Items can easily get lost or damaged from rubbing against one another during transit, especially if you’re using a backpack with no compartments inside.
Likewise, a bag that’s too big leaves excess space for things like dirty laundry or shoes while not having enough room for other travel essentials like cosmetics, medication… so on. This type of overstuffed suitcase also has an increased chance of getting lost in baggage claim areas because it looks so “full”.
How to Effectively Pack For Minimalist Packing?
Packing for a trip can be challenging. It’s important to pack for the weather, but also to ensure that your luggage is light and easy to carry. For those with minimalism in mind, it becomes even more difficult as you try and fit everything into just one suitcase or backpack.
Be realistic about what you’ll actually need on your trip, and don’t bring big, bulky items unless you absolutely need them.
1. Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is a must when you’re traveling. Whether it’s for your own personal hygiene or to avoid getting sick, this should always be at the top of your list.
Make sure that it contains alcohol and not just lotion. A good way to make sure you have enough in case there isn’t any is by packing travel size bottles and refills. They are usually cheaper than buying at an airport kiosk or gift shop too!
2. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Noise-canceling headphones are a must. Whether you’re trying to sleep on the plane, read, or just want some peace and quiet from an obnoxious passenger next to you, these will do wonders for your sanity! If you have sensitive hearing, then make sure that they also block outside noise passively. Otherwise, it defeats their purpose if they only cancel out sound waves when powered on.
3. Portable Luggage Scale
A portable luggage scale is another must-have for those who want to avoid paying the overweight fee. You may not be able to weigh your bag at check-in, but you can start by weighing it before you go through security. Then if it’s heavier than 60 lbs., then consider rearranging items in your suitcase and removing items until weight falls below that limit or buying a new one altogether.
4. An iPad or Other Tablet
Some travelers will argue that a tablet is not essential, but I disagree. They are perfect for travel reading and watching movies on the go without being too bulky or heavy to carry with you during your trip. You can also use it as a wifi hotspot if you don’t want to pay exorbitant roaming charges from hotel providers. And they come in handy when traveling domestically as well – we know how hard it can be to find something interesting to do at home!
5. Comfortable Shoes
Comfortable shoes are a must. You’ll be walking through airport terminals and city streets, so make sure your feet will feel good at the end of the day. Choose sneakers if you’re traveling in cold weather or flats for warmer climates. No matter what type of shoe you choose to wear, pack an extra pair just in case!
6. Slippers Or Flip Flops
Slippers during travel are a must. They can be used to keep your feet warm on cold nights and they’ll protect you from the dirty floors of a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb when you’re walking around in bare feet. Pack some other essentials like shower slippers for bathrooms that don’t have any mats for standing-room-only showers!
7. Cosmetic Bag Full of Medicine
It’s always a good idea to pack some medicine for yourself. Pack up any prescriptions you may need from your doctor as well as painkillers, cold medicines, antihistamines, and stomach remedies! It’s also important to bring along things like decongestants (for when the airplane cabin is too dry), eye drops (another symptom of an overly dry environment), or lip balm with SPF. Add in some antacids if you’re prone to heartburn – that flight food will be tough on your stomach after all!
8. Travel Charger
One of the worst feelings is when you’re boarding a plane and realize your phone isn’t charged. Bring along an external battery pack charger for all your devices so it doesn’t happen to you! There’s nothing worse than being stuck on a long flight without any way to power up. Invest in one with at least two ports if possible, and never forget about them after getting off the plane either – there are usually outlets available near baggage claim areas that can be used as well.
9. Travel Adapter
Traveling to another country or region? Make sure you have the appropriate adapter for your plug so that you don’t blow out your laptop, phone, tablet – anything. Invest in a universal adapter that will work with what you need so there’s no conflict. For example, if you’re in the UK, your adapter should have three prongs to plug into an outlet.
10. Power Strip
It’s a good idea to have one handy in your carry-on bags because the likelihood of finding an outlet on planes is slim. Invest in a power strip with at least two plugs and pack it up just like any other travel essential you may need. If you forget your charger for whatever reason, there are usually outlets available near baggage claim areas that can be used as well!
11. Earplugs
Earplugs are essential when you’re traveling on an airplane. The engine noise and the people sleeping next to you will be enough to keep anyone awake, but these can help as well! Noise-canceling earplugs work best because they block out that extra sound so all you’ll hear is a low hum of silence – it’s like your own personal little cocoon.
12. Wet Wipes
For most people, a travel essential is something you should not leave home without. This includes wet wipes! They are handy to clean off your hands or face and they make everything feel so fresh and new again. You’ll want them for the airplane because that recycled air gets icky after a while and no one likes sitting in their own sweat all day long. And finally, these can be used as an emergency toilet paper substitute when there’s nothing else around – it doesn’t get much more necessary than this!
13. Emergency Contact Information
One of the most important travel essentials you should never leave home without is a list of emergency contact numbers. You’re going to be all over the place, and if something bad happens, this information can help those around you who are trying to find out more about your family or you. Include any allergies that might complicate things for first responders – just make sure they know exactly what’s up when it comes to medication!
14. Copies of Documents
If you’re an international traveler, one big travel essential to pack is copies of your passport and other important documents! This way if something happens while abroad all the information needed will be available. You might also want a copy of any rewards cards that provide you with perks when traveling – they can come in handy when booking hotels or flights for example.
15. Compression Socks
Make your long-distance flight more comfortable with compression socks! Compression socks are tight, but not too tight that they restrict blood flow and circulation. These will help prevent swelling in the legs during a prolonged sitting period. They can be worn for several hours at a time so you don’t have to take them off – just make sure you’re getting up every hour or two to walk around the cabin!
16. Eye Drops
Eye drops are for when you’re going to be traveling a lot and don’t have time to stop at the eye doctor. You’ll want to make sure your eyes stay hydrated during long flights by carrying along some extra protection against dryness, irritation, or itchiness that can lead to infection. Bring an eyedropper with sterile saline solution in it so you can refill the small travel-sized bottles of eye drops as needed – this will help prevent contamination from bacteria or viruses each time you need more!
17. Small Spray Bottle
A small spray bottle is a must-have for travelers! Whether you’re trying to keep your hands clean from eating or just want to keep the communal areas of the airplane bathroom cleaner, this little travel-size item should come with you on any trip. You can fill it up at home and use it throughout your travels without having to worry about running out of cleaning products! Just make sure that whatever liquid you put in isn’t corrosive or otherwise hazardous before using it – bleach would be dangerous if spritzed around an airport terminal!
18. Portable Hotspot
A portable hotspot is one of the most important travel items for modern-day travelers. A lot of people have cell phones, but many have only Wi-Fi on their phone and no data plan to connect outside of a single day or maybe a week.
There are also some countries that don’t offer any free wifi at all! This means you either need another device with mobile service (such as an international SIM card) or your own personal hotspot – which will allow up to five devices online simultaneously so everyone in your party can stay connected without paying extra fees from carriers like AT&T.
It usually costs about $40 per month, but it’s worth every penny if there is no internet connection available where you’re going!
19. Face Washcloths
A face washcloth is an essential item that is light and easy to pack with other necessities. They are not too expensive either so it would be best to buy them when needed rather than wait until the last minute and risk forgetting one at home or having to spend more money later. Face washcloths can be found anywhere from Amazon to your local grocery store and are worth adding to your travel checklist.
20. Umbrella
An umbrella is one of the items on this travel checklist that should not be left at home. It can protect you and your luggage from getting wet when it’s raining outside. If it’s not raining, an umbrella will provide a little shade in the hot sun.
21. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is the perfect item to have when you’re traveling. You want to make sure your skin has enough protection against UV rays and this cream will do just that! It’s a must-have on any trip, but especially in the summer when it’s more likely to be sunny outside.
22. Water Bottle
It’s important to stay hydrated when you’re traveling. This is a perfect item to place on your travel checklist because it fits in most of the bags that we carry around with us and helps cut down on how often you have to buy water from a vending machine. This can be a big-time cost saver when traveling!
23. Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is an important item to have on your travel checklist. This is especially true if you’re traveling internationally or abroad and want peace of mind in knowing that anything can happen while you are away from home. The most common reason travelers buy this coverage for their trip is because they fear a lost baggage claim, so it’s worth having just in case!
24. Travel Organizer
A travel organizer is also essential to have on your checklist when traveling. Travel organizers are available in many different shapes and sizes, so you really need to do some research into which one will best suit your needs before buying it! It’s a good idea for travelers who want their luggage or bags well organized and easy to find a specific item in them.
25. Daypack
One thing that you should not leave the house without when traveling are a daypack. This is especially true if you’re backpacking and will be on your feet for long periods of time, carrying all of your belongings in one bag with no relief from this weight! Daypacks offer great solutions to these problems as they can carry heavy loads while being comfortable enough to wear during an entire day’s worth of travel.
26. First-Aid Kit
Another important item to have on hand when you’re traveling is a first-aid kit. This should include bandages, pain relievers, antihistamines, and other necessary items for minor injuries that may arise during your trip. You can purchase these in advance or make one of your own depending on the length of your travel itinerary and what you think would be best suited for it!
27. Packing Cubes
Packing cubes help to keep you organized when packing, as they can store smaller items like socks and underwear in one cube while larger clothes go into a separate cube. This is especially useful for people with more than just a carry-on bag on their travels.
28. Travel Pillow
A travel pillow is a must-have for long flights or car rides! They are compact enough that you can easily store it in your carry-on bag and they’re usually inflatable so they fit comfortably on the neck, around the chin, over the head, etc. There are many different types of travel pillows out there too with various shapes which may be more comfortable for certain people.
29. Binder Clips
Binder clips are a good idea to keep your clothes from wrinkling while you’re on the go. They can also be used for other things like keeping all of your chargers together in one place or clipping loose cables and cords that might get tangled up with everything else!
30. Small, Battery-Operated Fan
A small, battery-operated fan is a perfect way to stay cool when you’re traveling in hot weather! These can often be found at convenience stores and also keep your phone or tablet from overheating. There are various sizes of these types of fans out there too so make sure that they’ll fit in whatever bag you take with you on the plane.
31. Eye Mask or Sleep Cap
An eye mask is one thing we don’t think about often but it’s actually an essential travel item for many people because being able to sleep on planes or trains helps us feel refreshed once we arrive at our destination. A sleep cap doesn’t offer as much protection against the light but does help block any noises which might disturb someone trying to get some rest.
32. Portable Mattress Pad
A portable mattress pad is great for those who want a little more comfort when sleeping on the go. A mattress pad can be folded up and tucked into any bag so it’s easy to travel with, plus they are typically cheaper than buying an air bed or something similar.
33. Lightweight Hair Dryer
The best travel hair dryer is the one you can pack easily in your carry-on bag without adding too much weight to it. Plus, most of them are small and lightweight so they will take up minimal space when packing for a trip. We recommend investing in an ionic hair dryer which does not use any heat but instead uses high-frequency waves that help reduce frizz and flyaways while drying your locks quickly. This makes blow drying easier and perfects the natural texture of your tresses with less work needed from you at home or abroad.
34. A Mini Steamer