Perfect Accessories for Travelers

Hello! A new year has begun—2020 is already well underway—and for my first post of the year, I’d like to share a list of must-have accessories for travelers. During this holiday season, these can be a great gift idea for that friend or family member who loves to travel—or, why not, for ourselves!

Plus, with the start of the year, we’re back to being allowed three shipments through customs, so it’s a great time to add some of these accessories to our list :)

For each item, I’ve included the corresponding link on Amazon—that’s the one I bought and have been using.

Headphones

Essential for flights, since airlines are giving them away less and less often—and when they do, they’re usually very poor quality. Although I have a pair of headphones with better noise cancellation—they’re larger, “headband-style” ones—lately I’ve been prioritizing traveling lighter, so I decided to switch back to smaller headphones while still trying not to sacrifice too much sound quality.

The ones I chose are super compact, come with a very handy little case, have great sound quality, are comfortable, and come with several different ear tips to use as needed. And they cost $49 (I even got them cheaper thanks to a Black Friday deal).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0133ACED4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cable Organizer

Another must-have for storing all the cables and accessories we carry with us these days. This is especially true if we travel for work: mouse, VGA-to-HDMI adapter, USB cable, power bank, USB-C-to-USB adapter, flash drive, cables, and more cables!

With this organizer, everything stays neatly stored and organized. I always carry it in my backpack, so we have everything on hand whenever we need it!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075954DNY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

"Handheld" scale

Essential for organizing our luggage and staying within the weight limit. Airlines are getting stricter and stricter about weight limits, and having a scale like this lets us distribute the weight among our bags and avoid those “wonderful” scenes with bags open on the floor at the check-in counter...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O9R7DIW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Universal Adapter

One of the best purchases! With this adapter, you can travel to any country knowing you’ll have the right plug for that country. Plus, it comes with a USB port, so you can plug in two devices at the same time. For me, it’s another must-have when traveling!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F8YPZMQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Power bank

It doesn’t need much of an introduction—we all travel with phones, cameras, Kindles, etc.—and having a power bank can save the day on more than one occasion.

Personally, I have one I bought in 2018 at a Miniso store in Shanghai (and it was very, very cheap), but there are plenty of options in different sizes, designs, prices, and capacities.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MS1B8KQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1M7ERC2HR5N5V&psc=1

Kindle

It’s not necessarily a gift for “travelers,” but for those who travel frequently and are avid readers, a Kindle is the perfect gift!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CXG6C9W/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Packing Cubes

If you’re #TeamCarryOn, packing cubes will be your best allies for organizing your suitcase. This set comes in 4 sizes. Personally, when I travel with a carry-on, I don’t use the largest one and manage to fit all my clothes into the two medium-sized ones. In the second-largest one, I put pants, dresses, and jackets. In the next-largest one, I store blouses, tank tops, and T-shirts. And in the smallest one, I keep underwear, bikinis, socks, belts, and pashminas.

I’ve used the largest one when checking a suitcase, to store heavier clothes like wool sweaters or warmer pants.

In any case, it lets you quickly organize your clothes and accessories, helping you pack your suitcase more efficiently.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014VBH9T8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Toiletry bag with 100ml bottles

Another must-have for #TeamCarryOn, since you can’t bring liquids exceeding 100ml onto the plane, and they must be stored in a clear toiletry bag or a Ziploc-style bag.

In my case, I use a set my mom gave me, but it’s very similar to the one in the Amazon link: it contains 4 small bottles with different dispensers and 3 “little jars.” I usually pack the following: one small bottle of my shampoo and another of conditioner because, generally speaking, I don’t like the ones provided by hotels; another small bottle of Bucoglobin (because I’m very prone to sore throats when the weather changes); a small jar of body lotion; and another small jar of my face cream. In the “liquids” category, I also always bring a perfume; right now I have a sample I got at a duty-free shop, and I’m traveling with that.

I think the main advantage of these kinds of sets is that they let us travel with those little things that mean we don’t have to give up the products we use every day. Especially when we travel for work—when we generally don’t have much time—it’s important to me to stay comfortable and keep using the products we use every day; it’s like maintaining part of our routine even when we’re traveling and far from home.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T9DQ8RF/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2I03Z3D5V06EJ&psc=1

Document Holder

When we travel, we need to keep our documents easily accessible so we can handle various formalities quickly and, above all, avoid losing them.

It’s very annoying when, for example, in immigration lines, we see people rummaging through their suitcases looking for their passport or other documents. It wastes time and also creates a stressful situation that’s completely avoidable if everything is well organized.

There are several options for organizing our documents and papers: clear plastic envelopes, neoprene organizers, etc. After looking into alternatives, I decided on this type of document holder. What do I keep in here? My passport, yellow fever vaccination card, credit card (just one), some cash in dollars, my Priority Pass card, a pen, and, of course, my boarding passes.

This way, we have all the documents we’ll need during the trip readily accessible and safe from getting lost.

Once I arrive at my destination, I always leave this same document holder at the hotel—either in the safe or in my locked suitcase. Especially my passport and cards—that way, there’s no risk of theft or loss!

The only things I don’t keep there are my credit card and some of my cash. While I’m at my destination, I use a smaller wallet with my ID, credit card, and cash.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018AHB8O6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mini Wallet with RFID Protection

I usually carry this wallet with me when I’m at my destination. In it, I keep my Uruguayan ID card (for identification purposes), my credit card (I always avoid using my debit card), and a little cash—very little, and less and less each time. The big advantage is that it’s very compact, and I can even carry it in a fanny pack or in the pocket of my jeans or jacket.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MD7HCLZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Luggage tags

They’re a little “gimmick” that helps add a bit of fun to our suitcases. There are different styles and designs—something for everyone!

If you check your suitcase, these are perfect for preventing someone from accidentally taking your luggage. You should always mark your suitcases in some way—whether with a colorful scarf, a cover, or one of these tags.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JHK716M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Rocketbook

Another very practical accessory for travel—and for general use at work or school.

The Rocketbook is a notebook where you can write, easily scan your notes, upload them to Google Drive or Dropbox, or share them via email or WhatsApp, and then erase them to reuse the notebook.

It’s ideal for quickly “uploading” your notes to Google Drive (where you can organize them into various folders) and ensuring that all your notes are backed up and protected against loss or theft.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HMNLJYP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You need to use a Pilot Frixion pen, which is included, but you can buy an additional pack to have pens in various colors.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009QYH644/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Travel Pillows

For those who have trouble sleeping on planes, these are the perfect gift! They help us get more comfortable in our seats and sleep better.

In my case, I’m lucky enough to fall asleep very, very easily, so I only bring one on very long trips. I bought mine several years ago at an airport I can’t remember now, but there are plenty of options to choose from on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L5GGSRJ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1J6G81LV8GYZO&psc=1

Eye Mask and Earplugs

Along with the travel pillow, these are must-have items for getting a little more sleep on the flight. I don’t really need them to sleep, but for many travelers, they’re essential!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V84DRJ6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1PR33ROJ1G0VB&psc=1

Backpacks

After trying to travel with handbags, crossbody bags, large purses, etc., I think the simplest and most comfortable option is to travel with a backpack. These days, I have three Herschel backpacks that cover almost all my needs while traveling.

After doing a lot of research, I chose the Herschel brand because their products are high-quality, practical, and feature multiple pockets. Plus, I really like their design, and there are so many colors to choose from!

Herschel Mid Volume

This is the one I use when I travel for work and need to carry my 15-inch work laptop. It has a laptop compartment, plus an internal pocket where I usually keep my earbuds case and a small notebook. In the outer pocket, I keep my must-have lip balm (my lips get really dry) and my cell phone.

It fits perfectly under the seat on the plane, and since it’s adjustable, it can hold quite a bit. Ideal for storing jackets, sweatshirts, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078J28618/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Herschel Small

This is the backpack I use when I don’t need to carry my 15-inch laptop. My 13-inch laptop fits perfectly, and it has an exterior zippered pocket that’s ideal for my phone, headphones, etc.

It’s also super practical for getting around your destination, since it comfortably holds a water bottle, a light jacket, an umbrella, and more.

If you don’t need to carry a “big” laptop, I think this is the ideal size! And it’s really cute, too :)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N1GBTTO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Herschel Mini

This is the backpack/bag I use every day, even when I’m not traveling and don’t need to dress too formally. It’s small but easily fits a 600ml water bottle, a small umbrella, a light jacket, and so on.

I use it to go to work, go out, go to the beach, or when we go for a bike ride. When I travel, if I’m taking my larger backpack, I pack this one in my suitcase (it folds up compactly and takes up almost no space), and I use it when I go out for a walk or dinner and don’t need to carry my laptop.

I bought it in light blue, but I was waiting for 2020 to arrive (because I’d used up my duty-free allowance) so I could buy it in black as well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078J15MZ9/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Compact Blanket

If we’re traveling on vacation and plan to spend time at the beach or exploring the city, a compact blanket is perfect for sitting comfortably anywhere.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DTH13DH/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2OX4XKL108010&psc=1

And that wraps up this list of travel accessories! I’ll keep updating it with new ideas as they come up. All suggestions are welcome :)

See you next time!