Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re sharing tips for making travel easier. I want to share the six small travel essentials that I throw in my carryon bag for every trip I take. Whether it’s a long international flight or a quick regional trip across the state, I never leave home without these six carry on essentials. They can really have a big impact on your trip!
Power Bank
These days, everything we travel with is electronic. All those photos, videos, and online guidebooks can really drain your battery. A lot of long-haul flights have chargers built into the seats, but not all of them do! You can’t count on being able to charge your devices, so packing a power bank is the best way to ensure you’re not facing a dead battery halfway through your trip. Don’t forget to make sure your power bank is charged, or this long flight essential will be dead weight in your carryon!
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TSA Approved Travel Lock
A small luggage lock hardly takes up any room but can be a real lifesaver when traveling. Maybe you’re staying in a hostel and need to lock a locker. Or perhaps you arrive at a hotel before check-in and want to leave your luggage at the front desk while you go sightseeing. If you’re in a particularly high-crime, densely populated area, you might even lock the backpack you are carrying on your back. I prefer the combination locks over those with a key, as it’s one less thing you have to keep track of.
Flashlight
I started carrying these when staying in hostels many years ago. Having a flashlight is a nice alternative to turning on all the lights and waking up your bunkmates in the middle of the night. A flashlight can also come in handy when reading at night. Even though we mostly stay in hotels now, it’s still handy to have a flashlight. You never know when the power is going to go out and a flashlight can really save the day!
Bottle Opener
While many bottles in the US and Canada have a twist top, that’s not the case for some of the best beers around the world. A bottle opener is one of those things you never think you’ll need, but you’d be surprised. Whoever brings the bottle opener is the lifesaver of the party!
Deck of Cards
Packing a deck of cards, or a card game is a great way to make new friends while traveling abroad. UNO is a great game for international trips as you don’t have to worry about language barriers; anyone can play. When we travel as a family, a card game is a great way to pass the time on a long train ride or flight.
Fingernail Clippers
This one catches a lot of travelers by surprise. You won’t think you need them until you’ve been on a trip where your fingernails got too long and started to irritate you. It’s always nice to keep your fingernails and toenails nice and trimmed while traveling. If you are doing a lot of walking, long toenails can really interfere with your walking ability! Just make sure you buy a simple set that is TSA-approved; some have a small knife included that will surely get confiscated by airport security.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
These are just six simple travel essentials that I always throw in my backpack before leaving on a trip. They are all small, cheap, and easy to find and they make my trips more comfortable and more fun! Looking for more tips on family travel and packing essentials? Check out some of our other blog posts: