My name is Annie and I’m a travel addict.
I love packing for a trip. The whole process takes me a couple of weeks. I love setting out my clothes, picturing myself strolling on the Champs-Élysees in my carefully planned outfit. Since I always travel carry-on only, it is a fun challenge to determine “what makes the cut”.
There are certain things that go with me on every trip, no matter where I’m going. They are my “must have” non-clothing travel items.
These are great gifts for anyone who travels. Hint, hint.
A Very Light Weight Carry-On
Ideal Carry-On:
Under 5 lbs or 2.3k
Dimensions within 22”x14”x9” or 56 cm x 35 cm x 23 cm
Soft sided (much more flexible if you have to cram it into a tight space) but I do understand the love for the hard sided ones.
I love Little Blue, my carry-on. (Yes I named my carry-on) Unfortunately, the model has been discontinued (why do they do that with the good products??). I bought my grand kids these and they are gorgeous. They are 5.49 lbs. I try to keep mine under 5 lbs. This one by the same company is just under 5 lbs.
Here is a list of carry-on luggage around 5 lbs. Be sure to keep the dimensions within 22”x14”9”.
A Very Light Weight, Inexpensive Backpack
My personal item is a very inexpensive 35l backpack. It’s light and can fold into a little pouch. It must be washable (think about where this thing has been!) I buy them on Amazon. The brands keep changing but the backpacks are basically the same. Here’s one very similar to mine.
Tip: Most international airlines don’t care that your personal item is the correct size, they care about the weight. If your backpack is jammed with heavy items, you could be asked to “lighten your load” before they will allow you on the plane. Weigh your personal item AND your carry-on before you leave for the airport. Follow your airline specifications, even a few ounces over can cost you.
Apple AirTags or Dupes
A tracker for my luggage and backpack is essential. Even though I carry on my luggage, I never know if I will be forced to check my bag. Once it is out of my hands I want to know exactly where it is. I have one in my backpack in case I leave it somewhere or someone picks it up when I’m not looking.
I keep an AirTag in my purse even when I’m not traveling.
I have an iPhone so this works for me. If you don’t have an iPhone, there are other brands of trackers, such as Tile.
Apple AirTags are around $20-30 a piece. Amazon often has them on sale $79 for 4.
Suggestion: Buy the four pack and give some to your travel buddies.
Apple AirTags, set of 4
NUGGET ALERT! My daughter found these dupes for the Apple ones. They are Apple MFi Certified & IP67 Waterproof! They work great and were only $20 US for 4! What a bargain! They link to the Find My app and work just like the Apple ones.
Mini Handheld Fan
This little gadget is one of my favorite items for travel! I have given a number of them for gifts. I keep mine next to my bed in the hotel, or in my tote for long, hot sightseeing days. It’s such a great nugget for less than $10. I buy my mini handheld fan on Amazon.
Hand held fan
USB Travel Adapter
I have tried many travel adapters in many hotel rooms. I like this one because it has 4 USB ports and easily converts from American to a European (or other foreign) plug. There is no need for separate European plugs, one plug gives you 4 ports. If you need a USB C port, the power bank (see below) has one. You can buy the USB Travel Adaptor on Amazon.
Power Bank Charger
This Power Bank Charger has several ports for charging different devices. It’s rather heavy, so I don’t carry it with me. I keep it charged in the hotel room during the day. It comes with 2 chargers for less than $20!
Keep in mind that new FCC rules require you to pack your power bank in your purse or under seat item on an airplane. It is not allowed to go in your luggage or the overhead bins.
Here’s my nugget for keeping your devices charged and easily accessible while traveling…
Keep the Power Bank Charger in your hotel room. Charge it during the day using the USB Travel Adapter. At night, charge your phone (and any other devices you use during the day) using the Power Bank Charger, instead of the USB Travel Adapter. This way, you are not dependent on where the outlets are in your room. Often they are in inconvenient spots behind furniture. If you keep the Power Bank Charger plugged in to the USB Travel Adapter during the day, you will always have enough power to fully charge your phone while it sits conveniently next to your bed.
Mini Power Bank
If you asked me what is the one travel gadget I can’t live without, it would be this little power bank! It is about the size of 2 lipsticks and easily fits in my tiny purse. It even has a great little “kickstand” for holding up your phone when reading on the plane! I keep it with me at all times. It has saved countless phones from dying while out exploring. I have found them with a built in Lightning plug for older phones, and USB-C plugs for newer phones. This Mini Power Bank USB-C is super cheap and so valuable!
Tiny power bank for charging phones
Water Flosser
Even though I pack light I always pack my portable water flosser. It’s important to me that my teeth feel clean. I can use the base of the flosser as a bathroom cup or to hold my toothbrush off of the sink. I’ve used this water flosser for a few years now and it’s still going strong. It’s very small and comes with a pouch.
Small travel water flosser
Battery Toothbrush
I use an electric toothbrush at home, but its too big to take on the road. I started using a battery toothbrush while traveling, and although not as good as an electric toothbrush, it’s better than a regular toothbrush. Keep in mind the regulations about lithium batteries when choosing an electric toothbrush for travel. That’s why I use this one that comes with old fashioned batteries.
Travel battery operated toothbrush
Bluetooth Transmitter for Airplane Jack to AirPods or Headphones
I didn’t know I needed this until I used one. I paired it with my AirPods (easy), plugged it into the headphone jack on the entertainment center of the airplane, and bingo, I could watch movies using my AirPods! This gadget takes very little room and has made watching movies so very much more enjoyable than using the cheap headphone that the airlines provide. (Be sure to order one that will pair with your model of AirPods, I have the AirPod Pro and some transmitters don’t work with them.) Here is the one I have: Bluetooth Transmitter
I have provided links to make it easier for you to get more information or buy the products if you choose. I do not make a commission and I am not an affiliate. I use and love the products I write about and enjoy passing good “nuggets” on to you. So feel free to buy wherever you find the best price!
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Thanks for this list, Annie. We have moost everything, but it was great to disccover that there are now travel sized water piks as I was not wanting to leave home w/o one, but didn’t reaally want to take my reegular size one.
Hi Victoria
I love my travel water pik. I actually have two. I can also use the base as a water glass in the bathroom.
Annie
I really want to stay at least one night at Hotel Esmeralda. I’ve seen reports of bedbugs but it’s such a gem I’m willing to take my chances. Any thoughts on that? Reviews are very mixed
Have you visited Hotel Esmeralda? Everyone has different opinions about what is a “gem”. Hotel Esmeralda is a hard pass for me, bed bugs or no bed bugs.
I took it on my last trip but the entertainment system didn’t have a jack to plug it into. I used the headphones the airlines provided. It would be nice to connect it via Bluetooth to my AirPods. I’ve not heard of that.
Annie, are you still using the Bluetooth transmitter? Some of the new planes say you can connect your AirPods but you need an engineering degree to get that to work.