Discover the top 10 travel essentials for abroad trips. Stay comfortable, organized, and prepared with must-have items for every adventure.
I have had the fortune of embarking on several trips overseas. This has allowed me the opportunity to cultivate the perfect list of items to make traveling overseas as easy as possible. The essentials I detail in this article will ensure that you are prepared without being bogged down.
Whether you’re exploring Europe or Asia, these essentials will change the way you travel.
Top 10 Travel Essentials for Your Trip Abroad
- Portable Charger
- Universal Travel Adapter
- Earbuds
- Compact Tripod
- eSIM
- E-Reader
- Airtags
- Crossbody
- Passport
- Credit Cards
After reading this article you need more travel essentials? Check out my essentials for long-haul flights!
Portable Charger
I never travel without a portable charger fully charged and ready-to-go. It is an absolute life-saver when you are travelling overseas when days are long and filled with walking. Keeping one of these tucked in your day pack will prevent you from having to scramble and find a place to plug in your phone.
Universal Travel Adapter
When travelling abroad, it is crucial that you have the ability to plug in your devices. Make sure you pack a universal travel adapter so that you can plug in and keep your items charged on your trip.
Earbuds
I always pack my Airpods to block airplane noise and listen to podcasts or movies. Personally, I recommend earbuds over noise-cancelling headphones because headphones are bulky and take up a lot of space, whereas earbuds are easy to tuck into your crossbody or backpack for quick access on the plane.
Compact Tripod
One of my longest standing travel essentials is a travel tripod. My favorite is about a foot tall with legs that can bend, which is perfect for taking pictures anywhere. I started travelling with a compact tripod about six years ago when I travelled abroad on my own for about six weeks. I was able to capture so many memories by having a tripod so that I did not always have to ask a stranger to take one for me. Now that I travel with my husband, it is the perfect way to ensure we do not return from our trip with solely a collection of selfies. Rather, we have a variety of pictures of us together easily taken using the tripod.
We took this beautiful picture using a travel tripod. I absolutely adore this picture and it is a great example of the power that a tripod can bring in aiding you to elevate your photography game!
eSIM
An eSIM is extremely handy when travelling abroad. Paying daily international rates through your phone plan can really add up, especially if you are travelling on a long trip. I highly recommend purchasing an eSIM plan for the country (or countries) you are travelling to because it is much cheaper than paying through your phone company and is very easy.
E-Reader
I recently fell back in love with reading again so I purchased a Kindle at the start of the year. Buying it was the best decision I have made! While I am a huge fan of movies, on a long-haul flight it can get tiresome watching movie after movie. Therefore, throwing a book into the mix makes the time pass much faster and the compactness of an e-reader is perfect so you can access a variety of options on your journey
Airtags
If you take one thing away from this article it is this: buy a bunch of airtags and stuff them in every bag you are bringing on your trip. This has saved us countless times when the airlines misplace your luggage. I also like the security of knowing there is a way to track my bags, even my crossbody, just in case there is a mishap on a train or while walking through the city.
Crossbody
A crossbody is a key travel staple. It is the perfect item to ensure that all of your most valuable possessions are close to your body and protected. My favorite is a leather crossbody from Quince that has been an essential for every trip I’ve taken in the last two years.
The reason I adore this one so much is it can function as both a crossbody and a fanny pack. This can really come in handy if you need to mix up your look or generally feel like you need a break from having something on your shoulder. To be clear, I have never had any issues with comfort regarding this crossbody, but it is nice to have a bag that allows for some flexibility.
Passport
This one is self-explanatory, but necessary to be stated!
Credit Cards
Again, self-explanatory but a necessity for travel! I also recommend bringing your debit card to get cash when you arrive at your destination.
BONUS Item 11: Mini S-Clips
My husband and I first purchased these for our trip to Italy in response to the horror stories we heard about pickpockets on the trains. While truly the best way to not become the target of a pickpocket is by being highly aware of your surroundings, small deterrents, such as s-clips, can be a great way to prevent theft in busy, tourist-dense areas. These mini s-clips clips are perfect for attaching to the zippers of your bags and latching to the strap of your bag. One fair warning – these do not work with every single bag type. However, they work perfectly with the crossbody I mentioned above. My husband has also used a Brixley crossbody bag, with which the s-clips are also compatible.
Another BONUS Item 12: TSA-Approved Locks
We also bought these locks in preparation for our trip to Italy and have been a key part of our travel essentials ever since. Anything that can serve as a deterrent for a pickpocket and keep your items safe while traveling is necessary for peace of mind and safety.
The Wrap Up
Everything that I have listed in this article are essentials that I have consistently packed on every overseas trip I have been on in the last several years. This carefully cultivated list of travel essentials for abroad trips will set you up for success as you embark on your trip overseas.
What are some of your favorite travel essentials? Let me know in the comments!