Top 10 Essentials You Need on Your Next International Trip

Jun 04, 2024 | 0 comments

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Traveling abroad can be an exciting and formative experience of a lifetime. As avid travelers, we know that international trips can be exciting, adventurous, and sometimes challenging. From language barriers to unfamiliar environments, there are various obstacles that travelers may encounter. But don’t fret! With the right essentials, you can make your trip smoother, more convenient, and enjoyable. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 travel essentials you need on your next international trip to enhance your travel experience.

Anti-theft Bag

Me strutting in my Travelon backpack in Lisbon

This one is huge. I find that I feel much safer traveling with an anti-theft backpack or fanny pack, especially when going to high traffic areas where crimes like pickpocketing are popular. Some of my favorite brands are Pacsafe and Travelon. If you are someone like me who prioritizes security but does not like to sacrifice style, then both of these brands would be great options for you. You can find my detailed product review for both of these brands here. I personally purchased the Sling from Pacsafe, and I loved how stylish, durable, and most importantly safe this sling made me feel during my trip to Lisbon. Some of the safety features include zip pullers to deter pick pocketers, RFID blocking pocket to protect your credit card information, ID and passport information from unauthorized scans, and an anti-theft dual release buckle strap. A bonus is that the sling itself is made from recycled polyester leading to a smaller environmental footprint! Similarily, I felt amazing in my Travelon backpack as it is the cutest mini backpack that surprisingly has a TON of space! We love an efficient and safe saving backpack. Some of the safety features of the Travelon backpack are slash resistant mesh body pannels and straps, locking compartments and RFID blocking interior pockets.

Universal Adapter

This is a gadget that I swear by. One of the single most important gadgets you'll need is a universal adapter. This device allows you to charge your electronic devices in any country by plugging them into different types of power outlets. A lot of people are surprised to find that their U.S. chargers will not fit into the differently shaped outlets you’ll find in Europe in Asia. Save yourself the stress and prevent a dead phone or camera by investing in a Universal Adapter. I’ve found this adapter by Saunorch is versatile, compact, and portable, and has outlets made for every continent. You can purchase this adapter from Amazon through the link below. I recommend it for anyone traveling internationally.

Portable Charger

Another essential gadget is a portable charger. When you're traveling, you don't always have access to a power outlet, so having a portable charger can be a lifesaver. You can charge your phone or other devices on the go, ensuring you're never without a means of communication, and can access important apps on your devices such as GPS and your emails. I recommend the portable charger by INIU. This portable charger is an absolute godsend ensuring that all of your electronic devices are fully powered and ready to support you for the day!

Digital Print Camera

No international trip is complete without a camera to capture your memories. Whether you prefer a DSLR or a compact point-and-shoot, having a camera on hand allows you to document your experiences and share them with others. One of my favorite things to do when I travel is collect digital prints for scrapbooking. This is a great way to make dedicated collages of your trip that allow you to relive your peak travel moments over and over again. My personal favorite is the Fuji Film Instax Digital Camera for its ease of use, portability, and aesthetic, but the Polaroid is a popular one too.

Anti-microbial towel

Here’s one I’m sure you haven’t thought of. An antimicrobial towel is a towel that has silver weaved into the material which prevents bacteria growth. This is especially important for those that will be doing a lot of outdoor activities such as hiking or camping. The brand that I’ve used that I highly recommend is the Youphoria Microfiber Travel Towel. Their towels come in a wide range of sizes such as 12"x24" (X-Small) and 36"x 78" (X-Large) and come with a travel bag for your convenience! These towels are fast-drying and super delicate to the skin.

Brita Water Filter Bottle

This List wouldn’t be complete without a solid mention of the Brita Filtering Water Bottle. Brita water bottles are a fantastic solution for travelers who are concerned about the quality of the water they drink. These bottles come with a built-in filter that removes impurities and chemicals from tap water, providing you with fresh and clean drinking water no matter where you go. By investing in a Brita water bottle, you can save money on bottled water while also reducing your environmental impact. Plus, with their compact and portable design, these bottles are the perfect travel companion for anyone on the go. So, be sure to add a Brita water bottle to your packing list!

Luggage Tracker

Losing your luggage is every traveler's nightmare, but a luggage tracker can help prevent that from happening. These devices can be attached to your luggage and provide real-time updates on its location, so you can track it down if it gets lost. A great way to track your luggage is to use an Airtag.

Pro Tip: When you are going luggage shopping, be sure to select luggage that has a safety pin. In this case of luggage theft, the contents of your luggage are locked and secured, making it difficult and even possibly preventing the contents of your luggage being stolen. This is important and I cannot recommend this enough!

Noise-Canceling Headphones

Okay, this one is a favorite of mine. Long flights can be tiring, and the humdrum noise of the airplane engine can get annoying after a while (or relaxing for some?), but noise-canceling headphones can make a big difference. I personally love my Airpod Pro’s for this reason, as the noise cancelling feature helps to drown out the airplane noise and drift off into relaxing sleep for those 8+ hour flights. They can also help you relax and drown out the noise of other travelers, which contributes to more shuteye. Pro Tip: Noise cancelling headphones are great if you ever find yourself in a situation where you have noisy neighbors in your hotel stay, or if you are sleeping in a location that is busy such as downtown/city center locations with high foot traffic. Having noise-cancelling headphones has been a HUGE contributing factor to me getting sleep adequate sleep at night while traveling.

E-Reader

If you're an avid reader, an e-reader is a must-have gadget for your next international trip. You can store thousands of books on one device, which saves space in your luggage. Sometimes if we’re having trouble sleeping or staying entertained on the plane, having a kindle or similar e-reader is a great way to get some fiction reading in, while saving your phone’s battery. It's an excellent way to keep yourself entertained during long flights or downtime.

Travel Router

A travel router is a useful gadget if you need to stay connected while traveling. It allows you to create a secure Wi-Fi network wherever you go, so you don't have to rely on public Wi-Fi or worry about security concerns. Pro Tip: I usually recommend using a VPN for added protection when traveling, this may be adequate for security purposes. However, be sure to do research on your destination as in some countries it is illegal to use a VPN on your device.

BONUS: Translation Apps

Finally, a translation app can be a game-changer if you're traveling to a country where you speak the language minimally, or don’t speak the language at all. These devices can translate speech or text in real-time, making it easier to communicate with locals and navigate your way around.

Pro Tip: Create a shortcut on your phone for your translation app for quick and easy access in the case of emergency or asking for help/directions. It saves everyone time, especially in cases where timing is critical. You don’t want to miss that train just because you couldn’t pull up the app fast enough! Some great translation apps are Google Translate and the iOS translate app.

Traveling can seem stressful at first, but having the right essentials can make all the difference. Whether you're looking for ways to stay connected, keep yourself entertained, or document your experiences, there's an essential out there that can help. By investing in these top ten essentials, you'll be well-prepared for your next international trip!

blog tags: gadgets international travel solo travel technology travel hacks travel tips