10 Must-Pack Travel Items Beyond the Essentials

When it comes to perfecting the art of packing for travel, Wacky Travel has gathered sage advice from ten seasoned travelers.

Whether you’re taking off on a day trip or going away for weeks on end, you’re likely packing something. For just about all of us, we’re bringing things like IDs (passports), phones, credit cards, toiletries, and the like. It would be pretty silly to leave those at home—they’re essential to getting around. Beyond those, what are the must-pack travel items?

When it comes to perfecting the art of packing for travel, Wacky Travel has gathered sage advice from ten seasoned travelers. From the necessity of a power bank to the practicality of packing cubes and seasonal gear for Ireland, check out the unique items these experts never leave behind.

  • Always Pack a Power Bank
  • Bring Your Own Pillow
  • Neck Pillow for Restful Travel
  • Back Support and Pain Relief Essentials
  • Cashmere Blanket for Comfort
  • Journal for Reflection and Memories
  • Organizational Packing Cubes and Fan
  • Universal Adapters for Device Charging
  • Packing Cubes and Seasonal Gear for Ireland
  • Unconventional Items for Smart Packing

Always Pack a Power Bank

When I travel, the portable power bank is one item I always ensure to pack. This is because running a business on the move requires a reliable alternative for charging accessories such as a mobile phone, tablet, or laptop. It means that carrying along the power bank will enable me to be in touch, tackle emergencies, and obtain vital information even if I’m traveling or in places where there are not enough sources of power. This little tool makes my trips more enjoyable and productive.

Khurram Mir, Founder, Kualitee

Bring Your Own Pillow

This might sound unconventional, but I pack my cervical pillow and a few pillow covers. That’s the only pillow I sleep on, and as we know, sleep is fundamental for good health and overall well-being. It takes up one-quarter of my luggage, but I’d rather have less space for clothes than more neck pain.

As for the extra pillow cover sets, call me particular, but I like to sleep on a fresh pillow cover every night. It’s not only a great feeling, but it also helps keep my skin looking its best.

Alessia Spampinato, Content Strategist, Italy Expert, AS

Neck Pillow for Restful Travel

My neck pillow is always with me when I travel. This might look trivial, but it is a game-changer during long trips. I learned that the hard way a few years ago when I had an extremely grueling journey.

From Vancouver to New Delhi, I flew on a plane with a long layover in San Francisco. After traversing the bustling airport, I found myself with several hours to kill before my next flight.

Exhausted and unable to find a comfortable spot in the crowded terminal, I pulled out my trusty neck pillow, hoping it would at least make the wait a bit more bearable.

I did not expect what happened next. In one of the corners, all wrapped up around my neck like some scarf, I fell fast asleep and was out cold as if nothing had happened.

This short nap was just enough for me to get energized for the other parts of the trip. When I eventually got on board for my flight, all thanks to this little pillow, I was refreshed and good to go.

Ever since then, I have never embarked on any journey without it. It doesn’t matter whether I am traveling by plane, train, or even waiting; if there is one thing that makes me rest comfortably wherever I’m at, it’s having a neck pillow.

In case you haven’t added a neck pillow to your travel set yet, you should consider doing so. This small purchase will significantly improve your comfort, especially during those long trips. You can believe me; your neck will be grateful!

Soubhik Chakrabarti, CEO, Icy Tales

Back Support and Pain Relief Essentials

Because my lower back occasionally goes out of alignment, a must-pack travel item is my 3M Futuro Adjustable Comfort Fit Back Compression Support, a.k.a. an elastic back brace.

In fact, last fall, we were in Moneglia, a small town near Cinque Terre. My wife “slept funny” and woke up one morning with severe back pain, so we had limited options for pain relief. She wrapped herself in my back brace and started limping towards a nearby pharmacy.

Fortunately, they stocked Voltaren Emulgel in the 2.32% formula, which is more than twice as strong as what you can buy in the U.S. After just a few days of using this extra-strength gel and wearing the brace, she was back to normal, so this is another must-pack travel item for us now.

Ironically, I had asked my doctor for a prescription for this stronger version of Voltaren just before we left for that month in Italy. CVS wanted $1,800 (not a typo) for a tube of it because it was not covered by my insurance, but it was only 17 Euros (approximately $19 U.S.) there.

Gil Zeimer, Travel Writer, Zeimer’s Advertising Shoppe

Cashmere Blanket for Comfort

I absolutely must have my cashmere blanket with me. I bought this warm, cozy, and light blanket in Kathmandu, Nepal. It has traveled with me to 16 countries since I purchased it in 2018.

You’ll discover, as you travel, that you want to be warm on cold flights, and those plane blankets are not good enough. Or clean, either. 

If you’re feeling cozy on the plane or at your hotel or apartment, you’ll sleep better! Take it from me, who has traveled and lived in 34 countries.

Mary Bartnikowski, Award Winning Photographer, Author, and Retreat Leader, Mary Bartnikowski

Journal for Reflection and Memories

Traveling often forces us to confront what truly matters, both in our luggage and in life. The one item I always make sure to pack when I travel is my journal. At 62, having navigated the challenges of breast cancer and a stroke, I’ve learned that the most important item to pack is not a gadget or a piece of clothing but the importance of reflection and self-expression. 

When I travel, my journal becomes a safe space where I can document my thoughts, feelings, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. It’s a way to process my journey and celebrate the small victories. Each page holds memories of laughter, struggles, and the beauty of resilience. 

Writing helps me stay grounded, especially during times of uncertainty. And let’s not forget the joy of coming home to my kitten, who reminds me daily of the simple pleasures in life. Of course, I bring the essentials: physical items, my phone, and medications.

Franne McNeal, President, Significant Business Results LLC

Organizational Packing Cubes and Fan

Among the things that my husband and I always pack when we travel, which we have grown to not be able to live without, are our packing cubes to stay organized on the go and a handheld motorized fan if we’re traveling somewhere warm. They’re must-haves for improved travel experiences.

Mikkel Woodruff, Co-owner and Editor, Sometimes Sailing

Universal Adapters for Device Charging

In my travels, I always ensure I carry universal adapters. It is a very simple object, yet it is very important to me because it allows me to charge my gadgets at any particular location possible. As much as it may sound cliché, the ability to safely charge a device during travel and avoid the stress of not being able to use electronics is important.

Mohd Rizwan, Director, Travelosei

Packing Cubes and Seasonal Gear for Ireland

Packing cubes are a must-have for me wherever I travel in the world. They’re also one of the tips I like to give my followers when they plan on traveling to Ireland, whether it’s for the first time or they are returning to the Emerald Isle after multiple trips there. Specific to Ireland, I’d also recommend packing a light rain jacket for spring and summer travel, along with something heavier for the fall and winter seasons. Packing clothing that can be layered is essential for those who intend to visit Ireland, where the weather tends to change multiple times a day.

Colette Connolly, Founder, Ireland on a Budget

Unconventional Items for Smart Packing

When I travel, which is frequently worldwide, I pack several unconventional items alongside the essentials. Beyond my phone and medications, a critical inclusion is laundry soap sheets from Earth Breeze. These compact, mess-free sheets are versatile and perfect for doing laundry or cleaning sneakers on the go.

Another essential in my travel kit is a clean water filter bottle. Having learned the hard way, I ensure access to safe drinking water to avoid illnesses from parasites or contaminants, especially when visiting different countries. Additionally, I always carry my passport for immediate emergency access. Many travelers leave their passports in a hotel safe, but in an urgent situation, what good is your passport if it’s locked away? I also keep a copy in my suitcase as a backup.

My packing list also includes items that might seem more suited to an adventure expedition than a vacation: a Swiss Army knife, a small handheld fan, a flashlight, and a solar-powered external battery charger. While this might seem like over-preparation, these tools have proven invaluable in unexpected situations, turning potential hassles into manageable incidents.

Packing smart isn’t just about remembering the essentials. It’s about anticipating potential needs and ensuring comfort, safety, and convenience, no matter where your travels take you. This approach has significantly enhanced my travel experiences, allowing me to navigate from minor inconveniences to more severe challenges quickly and confidently.

Tammy Levent, Founder & CEO, Elite Travel Management Group, Inc.

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