“Hey guys! Today I have to tell you about these ahhh-maaazing new products that are perfect for traveling.” Haha I’m kidding, this is not a #sponsored post.

I think of traveling like a hobby, and like any new activity, there are some items that genuinely make your life better. In 2026, I am making this a series, so I will list essentials for different types of travel. Backpacking for six weeks requires different items than a quick weekend getaway or even a longer beach vacation. Please take what is useful from this list. I wrote out the brands as a reference, but I love a great dupe or sale as much as the next gal. So, in honor of the New Year, here are my regular travel essentials (think a week visiting family/friends on the other side of the country). For as many of the items as I can, I am going to add proof of life photos so you can see the gear that I use (the trickiest part of this post is getting quality lighting during the Seattle winter).

Overall Organization:

• 1L Lululemon Belt Bag: I wear this across my chest so that I can deal with luggage, doors, and extra bags more easily.
• Water Bottle: We love a sustainable king/queen. I can’t tell you how many dollars I have saved by bringing my reusable bottle on trips with me.
• Medicine Bag: On top of essential medication, I always travel with painkillers, Band-Aids, motion sickness tablets, and electrolyte powder.
• Hand Sanitizer: I’m that person who always has hand sanitizer. When you are traveling, you never know when a bathroom is going to run out of soap or you will touch a suspiciously sticky surface.
• Pen: Whether you are journaling, filling out customs forms, or signing for the bill, a pen (I love the G2 ballpoint pens in black) will always come in handy. I always keep one in my backpack and one in my purse/belt bag.

Packing:

• Beis Suitcase: I was #influenced when this bag first launched years ago (who didn’t love Pretty Little Liars growing up). But I have to say, I really love my Beis suitcase. I am hard on all of my travel gear – I mean dragging up stairs and knocking into every sharp corner TSA can provide. The suitcase is always reliable.
• Backpack: For years, I used the Everlane ReNew Transit backpack in black when traveling. This bag was my school backpack from 2015–2023 and trusty carry-on backpack until it was eventually retired. For backpacks, whatever you have on hand is perfect for a regular trip.
• Tote Bag: I am a big, big believer in always packing a tote bag with you. Quick grocery trip? Check. Shopping for souvenirs? Check. This is the kind of item that takes up no space, and you don’t realize it is missing from your packing list until you’re already on vacation.

Electronics:

• Portable Charger (plus connecting cable): One of my traveling fears is being in a new place with a dead phone. So, I always have a brick of a charger and cords that connect to my phone on hand.
• Universal Adapter: Any Lego-looking block off the internet will do. I would select a universal adapter so that it works beyond one trip. The last thing you want is to realize the plug sockets are different in Italy vs. France, requiring a frantic trip to the electronics stores and a mental breakdown when Google isn’t translating “voltage” fast enough.  
• Headphones (multiple types): I love wireless headphones, but honestly, they only hold on to charge for so long. For me, corded headphones are essential on any longer trip. An overstimulating travel day without music is my personal hell.

Beauty Essentials:

• Hair Ties: Not only does my lucky scrunchie come on every trip, but I also like to bring a handful of hair ties and clips. For me, unless a hair tie is taking up wrist real estate, they will disappear. One is never going to cut it for a trip.
• Beauty Tools (nail clipper, nail file, lip balm, etc.): You can define beauty tools based on your routine but think about the items that might not be essential day-to-day, but you use each week. For example, I almost never forget lip balm, it’s a daily essential. But how many times have I left a nail file at home? Now imagine your nail breaks on Day 2 of your trip. Now you have a week of a sharp, jagged pointer finger.
• Sunglasses: I go blind in the sun. To me, sunglasses are a necessity and I have one durable pair for traveling. (I got them with allowance money from Aeropostale circa 2012. I have serious respect for their tenure).
• Makeup Bag: When I travel, I have one bag that is always dedicated to makeup. Velvet green, this pouch always catches my eye so that I never leave it behind.

Items to Feel Cozy and Grounded: 

• Good Luck Charms/Emotional Support Items: I know travel can be stressful, and I love bringing an emotional support item to keep calm. For me, that is my lucky scrunchie, a favorite water bottle, and my favorite necklace.
• Fuzzy Socks: At the end of a long travel day, I like to put on my fuzzy socks. For me, I feel grounded, comfortable, and I don’t have to touch the hotel floor with bare feet.
• Flip-flops: Depending on where you are traveling, flip-flops might be essential for a pool, or a common shower. For me, they also act as “indoor shoes.” If I am not wearing fuzzy socks in a hotel room, I am using my flip-flops.
• Pillowcase: At certain hotel chains, I have an allergic reaction to the laundry detergent used. Rather than waking up with a swollen face, I now travel with a pillowcase that I lay on top of the hotel’s pillows.
• Jewelry Case: If I bring jewelry on a trip, I want to make sure it comes home. For me, that means having one dedicated area to store jewelry. Earrings and bracelets always go in the case at the end of each day.
• Baseball Cap: When I travel, bringing a favorite baseball cap with me feels like a piece of home. It’s great for sun and rain protection or adding that street style je ne sais quoi to your outfit. With a baseball cap, you can pretend to be an incognito celebrity at the airport; how fun is that?  

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