My Top Travel Essentials – Travel Must Haves For The Plane And On Holiday
From travel clothes to cabin baggage, powerbanks to packing cubes, these are my top recommended travel essentials.
Since my recommendation for a cabin bag went viral last year, I’ve been regularly asked for a list of my top things to take while travelling. So I created a list of travel essentials that I use on a regular basis below. Some of these I wouldn’t travel without, others I have just started using recently, but all are recommended for travelling.
Travel Essentials – Must Haves for the Plane
1. Cabin Bag – Ryanair Size
If you have been following me for a while, the chances are you have this travel bag already. If you don’t and you travel regularly with Ryanair, then you can’t afford NOT to have this bag!
This is made just under the exact measurements (40x20x25cm) to fit under the seat in front of you. The maximum allowed is (40x20x30cm) and is therefore completely free to bring on board as your personal item.
The size it looks online is deceptive, trust me it holds so much! I find this bag the best way to pack light especially for warm climates. It also has ample space for items like a reusable water bottle, hand sanitiser, and a plastic bag for liquids.
I love the water repellent fabric and the number of separate compartments, there is even space for a laptop should you need to work abroad. I have used this bag many times and all of us in our family have them now. They are ideal if you want to travel overnight without paying for any baggage, or they can be used in addition to checked baggage.
2. Cabin 10kg Suitcase
I can not stress how important it is to have good quality, light-weight carry-on luggage. I use the Samsonite lite-shock cases, but a word of warning, they are expensive – I justify the expense because of how much I travel!
I love how flexible they are, they hold much more than other suitcases of similar size because they are made with Curv material. They have a 10 year global warranty but thankfully I have never had to use it, as they are extremely durable.
If you want to invest in good luggage for the long haul ( excuse the pun ), then these are some the best in my opinion.
However, if you are looking for a more affordable carry-on bags, the top-rated Coolife cases are hard to beat. They are strong, lightweight, scratch resistant and come in a range of colours, such as the cream and brown above and the vibrant yellow below.
They have many sizes too, so make sure to check the size required for the airline you are travelling with before you purchase. Note the maximum size for Ryanair and Aer Lingus cabin baggage ( 10kg ) is 55x40x20cm – which is the size I have linked below and in the picture above.
Note: Both of these suitcase brands offer matching check-in luggage in larger sizes too.
3. Travel Pillows
Travel pillows are one of the top travel essentials for international travel, but its not a case that one size fits all – believe me I know! I have purchased numerous travel pillows over the years and tried all the most recommended ones. I have narrowed my preferences down to two!
Buying the right supportive neck pillow for you depends on whether your head tends to fall forward when you sleep, or to the side. Unlike most travel pillows the Bcozzy provides double support to the head, neck and chin. You can adjust the pillow to suit your position, it even folds in half if you are a side sleeper or want to rest your head against the airplane window – I particularly like this.
It is lightweight, machine washable, made with hypoallergenic fabric and stores in a handy pouch. Could this be the best travel pillow on the market? It is certainly the one that suits me the most.
Note: For long-haul flight essentials, consider adding compression socks and noise-canceling headphones for extra comfort.
The other travel pillow that is popular with many travellers is the Trtle. There is an internal support system that allows you to rest your head to one side. Unfortunately this doesn’t suit me as my head tends to fall forward when I sleep, but it is a super pillow if you tend to sleep to the side, and is one of the best travel pillows on the market. It is also machine washable, and made from hypoallergenic fleece and foam.
4. Eye Mask
Dore and Rose have the best eye masks hands down, however they are about €45. I found a super dupe on Amazon for €19, made with the same luxurious material, and I love it!
It not only feels super soft, but it is a larger size than most sleep masks and keeps more light out. It is made from mulberry silk which protects your skin and hair from friction. I also prefer the adjustable velcro strap, it is more comfortable than elasticated bands.
Eye masks are one of my top travel essentials for the plane, but they can also be handy if there are no black out curtains in your hotel. I am also a fan of Irish designer Jo Browne’s travel gift set of a bamboo eyemask and pillow case. Bamboo fabric is hypoallergenic and breathable, making it cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
5. Passport Holder
Passport holders may not be something that single travellers use much, but if you are travelling with kids, and are responsible for many passports, that can be a very handy gadget to have.
Most are similar in size but this one will hold 5 passports as well as credit cards, cash, tickets, and other travel documents. It also has a security RFID blocker which protects your information from being scanned.
Note: Make sure to keep your travel insurance details, important documents and emergency phone numbers in your passport holder or wallet.
6. Packing Cubes
I must confess I was late to the party when it comes to packing cubes. I never really saw the benefit until I found these compression packing cubes. I bought them because I loved the same company’s toilet bag (see below) and assumed they must be good quality – I was right!
The difference between these packing cubes is they have a vacuum seal. When your clothes are packed you can use the compression zipper to flatten them and expel excess air saving up to 60% storage space. 60% may sound unlikely, but I believe it could be true with ski gear. Use packing cubes like these to maximize your space and stay organized on the go.
These bags are high quality with strong zips and a handy mesh so you can see what clothes are in each bag. If you like regular packing cubes, you will love these!
7. Ear Buds & AirFly for Long Haul Travel
If you are travelling on a long flight and own ear buds or air pods then I highly recommend investing in an Air Fly. Instead of using the uncomfortable ear phones that are given out free by airlines, you can connect your air pods wirelessly via bluetooth to the Air Fly and watch movies more comfortably.
Travel Essentials for Women
8. Naya Travel Pants
I bought my first pair of travel pants from the Irish brand Naya five years ago, and I have them in four colours now! They are non-iron, light-weight, and are extremely comfortable with an elasticated waist – I suggest you size down if between sizes.
I have worn mine hundreds of times and they are still perfect! I have recommended these trousers for many years and have got great feedback from anyone who has purchased them.
Of course I don’t only wear them travelling, they are great for every day wear in summer or winter, and I love the new Khaki colour too! They’re the perfect example of versatile clothing that works just as well on a plane as it does at your destination.
8. Grecerelle Non Iron Maxi Dress
This is another travel essential that I have in three colours, navy, khaki and denim blue, and I have to thank Yvonne Melinn, AKA YStyle, for the recommendation. This is also non-iron and it is very comfortable to wear day or night, at home or abroad.
I love the weight in the fabric, it doesn’t stick to you, and the cap sleeves and discreet underarm are ideal for anyone conscious of that area. And, it has pockets and a side slits!
It is quite long, but at only €29 you can afford to get it taken up if you want a shorter length!
9. Crossbody Bag
A crossbody bag is one of the top travel essentials for women. I usually put mine inside my cabin bag for easy access when boarding, but use it throughout my holiday for my personal belongings.
I don’t have one linked here because it really doesn’t matter which one you choose, but I find them invaluable for travelling, for safety and convenience, and they will take you from day to night.
10. Expandable Toilet Bag
I never go anywhere without this travel toiletry bag. It is extremely compact yet holds so much, and the hanger saves valuable counter space in your hotel bathroom.
The separate compartments are extremely handy and the clear pouches allow you to see all of your toiletries easily. The inner pockets have elastic straps to hold bottles upright and the material is water resistant.
11. Jewellery Case
Tangled jewellery was a common occurrence for me until I purchased a jewellery organiser. This travel jewellery case will fit a selection of rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets, and is one of the best travel accessories for women. It’s a great option compared to a traditional jewellery box, as it’s compact, lightweight, and designed specifically for travel.
Must Have Travel Essentials – Gadgets
11. Portable Charger
A portable power bank is one of the top travel must-haves and to be fair most are good quality now. I do like the INIU Power Bank best because not only is it slim, lightweight and fast charging, but it offers a 3 year warranty, and has USB C In and Out.
13. Selfie Stick / Tripod
A selfie stick may not be a travel essential for many of you, but if you happen to be travelling solo and want to be able to take photos, this selfie stick with tripod is a Godsend. This is a high strength tripod that has extendable legs and a remote control, and comes with a handy carry case too.
14. Universal Travel Adapter
Adapters are essential travel items but sometimes it can get confusing wondering which one to bring with you, especially if travelling outside the EU or going on a cruise ship. I like to bring a universal adapter so there can be no confusion and this one has 2 USB-C and 2 USB Ports too.
15. Air Tag
It’s a good idea to invest in a tracker for your luggage. Losing your luggage is rare, but having an AirTag provides peace of mind during international trips. The Apple AirTag, which resembles a large coin, can be placed in your suitcase or backpack when you travel. It lets you track your luggage at all times through the Find My Network app
Priced at just €34 for one coin, and €115 for a pack of four, these are a good investment if you are concerned about lost luggage. Samsung have a similar device called a Smart Tag, and Tile is another alternative that works with any mobile device, but does not have the same precision finding as the AirTag
I hope my travel essentials list will help you jet off on your next trip in style! While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, descriptions are subject to change. Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links, where I receive a small commission if a purchase is made, but at no additional cost to you.
