When I reflect on when I first started traveling, I bust out laughing thinking about how bad of a packer I was! While preparing for my first international trip to study in South Africa, I asked one of my close friends to come over and help me figure out what I really needed. Even after consulting with her, while in South Africa I didn’t use half of the things I brought with me! It took some time, but over the years I have refined my packing system. I use 95% of the stuff I bring and the remaining 5% are items I bring for emergencies that thankfully I don’t have to use every time.Â
No matter where I travel in the world, here are the travel items I never leave the house without:
Travel Backpack
In my travel backpack, I have the following items:
Snacks: Because being hangry ruins lives!
Compartmental Toiletry Organizer: I absolutely love my toiletry organizer! It has 4 removable compartments that rolls up into a cube (which saves a lot of space). It also nice to be able to hang it up.
First Aid Pouch: I’m a big fan of pouches. I’ve accumulated a lot over the years that I put to good use. My first aid pouch consists of Dramamine, anti-diarrheal medication, pain killers, band aids and anti-bacterial cream. Also, I recently added essential oils to my first aid kit.
Electronics Pouch: This stores my power adapter convertor, my portable charger, and Ipad charger.
Ipad
Hand sanitizer
Journal
Book
Cross-Body Satchel
A Cross-body satchel is my bag of choice when I travel overseas. It’s the best bag to protect yourself against pickpocketing and thieves. I keep my most important items closest to me.
Passport: While traveling I keep my passport handy, but once I reach my destination, I travel locally with copies of my passport.
Cell phone & charger
Headphones
Pen: Comes in handy especially when signing custom papers.
My Life-saving medication: Benedryl, Epi-pen, & Albuterol.
Hand sanitizer: You can never have too much of this!
Chapstick
On My Body
Blanket Scarf: I’m usually cold and airports tend to be iceboxes.
Travel pillow: Great on a long-haul flight or road trips.
Am I missing something? What are some travel items you don’t leave the house without? Let me know in the comments!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you click a link and purchase something. I don’t promote items I don’t like, therefore if I am recommending a product/service it is because I truly like it and believe my readers will benefit from it.Â
This Post Has 15 Comments
Love that backpack. Its adorable. Where is it from?
This list looks fairly similar to my list of what I bring too!
Thank you! I got it at the Old Biscuit Mill Market in Cape Town. The designers’ company name is Woody. <3
Some great tips here! I also love travelling with a blanket shawl – cosy on flights and elegant at your destination!
Thank you!! Yup, my blanket shawl is everything to me!
I have a similar list although because I’m a nurse practitioner, I travel with an extensive pharmacy. LOL
lol yes!!! It’s good to be prepared!
Nice list – I’m with you on the hand sanitizer. I also stick an extra pair of socks and panties in my travel backpack because if a bag is ever lost… ick. Good reminder on the passport copies – I’ve been lax on that!
That’s a good idea about the extra pair of socks and panties in the backpack!!
Great list! You can never have too many bandaids and hand sani!
Thank you!! And absolutely!!
I think of myself the same way when I look back on how I used to pack when I first started traveling!
So happy for growth!
I think of myself the same way when I look back on how I used to pack when I first started traveling!
This list looks similar to my list.
Great minds think alike!