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Has your Instagram feed been filled with sponsored posts about “Shop My Top Travel Picks” or “20 Travel Finds I Won’t Leave Home Without”? Admittedly as a somewhat professional traveler, I keep clicking them, hoping to discover some cool new can’t-live-without travel product. So the algorithm knows exactly where to find me!
However, as someone who averages around 12 long-haul international flights per year and God only knows how many domestic flights, I am normally left scratching my head wondering if these people have ever flown, let alone fly regularly? They all recommend loads of unnecessary, space consuming items – it makes no sense.
When you are flying, be it domestic or international, the key is to minimize how much junk you are bringing with you, and to decrease the volume of stuff in your bag, be it carry on or checked luggage. With that in mind I want to give you a simple list of essential items to pack. Today we are focusing on electronic items you must have for international travel, along with a few must-have extra items:
A Converter Adaptor
You always need a travel adaptor and converter when traveling overseas. The adaptor part lets you plug a device into the wall – you can see the main adaptor shapes and sizes for other countries in the photo above.
In the U.S. electronics use 110 volts, while most other countries use 220, 230 or 240 volts. If you plug a U.S electronic, like a hair dryer, curling iron, charger etc into an overseas wall socket without a converter, your electronics will fry instantly. So that’s why we need a unit that both converts the electricity to the right voltage and works with any wall socket around the world. I use this adaptor converter from Doace, available on Amazon. Check price here.
A Handheld Mini Fan
Not so long ago I would have thought this silly, but lately the summers have been hotter than ever, so I’ve changed my mind. I first saw this Jisulife Mini Fan when one of my Glam Italia Tour travelers had one with her a few years back. This little fan is a lifesaver! It is USB charged, so you don’t need batteries, and the charge lasts for days on end. It even has a little flashlight in the end, which I have never used. The fan is surprisingly powerful while also being compact – it slips in your handbag and takes up no space.
My advice is to take this onboard the plane in your handbag. If you have ever be stuck on the tarmac with a delayed departure, you’ll know just how hot the inside of a plane can get. This fan has saved me twice on recent flights where we’ve sat for over an hour with no A/C. You’ll be glad you listened to me! Check price on Amazon here.
Apple AirTags
Apple AirTags are so effective that multiple major international airlines are now integrating Apple AirTag technology into their baggage tracking systems. Should your suitcase not arrive to the same airport you do, your AirTag can be located within minutes. Even if you are in Bali and your bag is in Dubai.
AirTags use a combination of Bluetooth signals and Apples “Find My” network to locate lost items. They send out a secure bluetooth signal that gets picked up by other devices nearby that are in the Find My network, which then send the device location to iCloud. Within seconds your luggage location shows up on the app. I’ve had it be so specific as to tell me which carousel my bag is on, and to tell me it is 3 feet to my left. Basically this technology works way more efficiently and quickly than the airlines own baggage tracking systems. (Hence more than 15 major airlines now use it.)
I keep an AirTag in my suitcase, another in my carry on bag and another in my handbag. Check the price here on Amazon.
A Portable Charger
A portable charger is essential. Keep it packed in your cabin bag, and then take it with you everywhere in your handbag while traveling. Your phone will run out of charge extra fast while traveling, as you’ll be taking way more photos and videos. Your in-flight charging port won’t necessarily be working – I get a good one around every other flight. So half the flights I take either have non-functioning USB ports, or under functioning ports.
AirFly Bluetooth Earbud Adaptor
Have you ever had to use crappy airline throwaway earphones to watch an inflight movie?? I had to recently because I left my AirFly adaptor at home. Not only were the airline headphones really uncomfortable, they also had really shitty sound. On top of that, part way through the movie the left ear cut out completely. Life is too short for bad audio. This device plugs into the airplane headset socket then Bluetooths into your earbuds. You get fabulous audio and your ears are comfortable. Win/win.
Bagsmart Electronics Travel Case
This one is a must-have item. Pack all your computer cables, phone chargers and cables, power banks etc into this somewhat slimline travel bag. This is the Bagsmart Electronics Travel case I travel with. It is slim enough to slip in my cabin bag for easy access to everything from charging cables, my AirFly headphone adaptor, earbuds and any other small electronics I may need during the flight. (I also keep my Jisulife fan in here) Check it out here on Amazon. While writing this post the Bagsmart case is 35% off.
HUGE TIP: Don’t get black. I actually have it in this pink shade, but regardless of which color you choose, don’t choose black. This is my motto for anything I’ll take out of it too, from earbuds to phone chargers to cables. Black items are easy to overlook and leave behind on the plane/train/boat. White or colored items are easier to spot.
A Kindle (Or E-Reader)
Not gonna lie – I was really late to this particular party! For several years I read e-books on the Kindle App on my iPad. Eventually I gave in and bought a Kindle Paperwhite in 2019. I have never looked back. This is the traveler’s best friend both for reading regular fiction and non fiction, plus for storing all the bulky travel guides you want to bring with you. (Including my books!)
There are plenty of newer models out, but as mine is still going strong after 6 years, I figure why bother upgrading? It’s slimline so can fit in my handbag, holds more than 5000 books, and does some cool trick with the light where you can read it in bold sunlight, like in the pool, or in a darkened airplane without bugging the person next to you. Have you ever tried to sleep on a plane when the person next to you has their reading light on?? Check Price on Amazon.
Curvd Silicone Earplugs
Curved silicone earplugs block out unwanted noise. Ergonomically designed to fit comfortably into the ear they are hypoallergenic and come with 4 sets of ultra soft ear canal tips and a cool slimline case. They also come in multiple colors, in case mint green isn’t your thing.
Babyliss Nano Titanium Travel Hairdryer
I also bought my Babyliss Nano Titanium Travel Hairdryer in 2019, and it too is still going strong. I travel all the time, so this hair dryer has not only been infuse for 6 years, it has been in constant use for 6 years and has never broken down.
Don’t be put off by the tiny size – it’s about the size of your hand. I have masses of very thick hair yet this dryer blows it out as effectively as a traditional full sized hair dryer. The Nano Titanium part of tis dryer is key. This technology not only dries your hair more quickly, it also helps keep the cuticle smooth so you get a glossy, shiny, smooth blow out. If you’ve ever used a hotel hair dryer you’ll know how horrific travel dryers normally are. I give this one 10/10
The Conair Travel Steamer
If you’ve been following me for a while or if you belong to my monthly newsletter you’ll already know that for the past 2 years this travel steamer has been my MVP travel gadget. Compact but super efficient, this steamer has kept my linen lovely and de-wrinkled all my travel clothes while I’ve been on the road. Game changer.
Small and lightweight, it doesn’t take up much space in your suitcase. If you’re travel more than just a few days, it also helps you refresh clothes that have been living in a suitcase. TIP: I always throw a couple of Bounce dryer sheets in my suitcase to help ward off any suitcase smells. Apparently bedbugs don’t like the smell and supposedly will stay away from your bag if you have dryer sheets in there. This could be myth – I’ve thankfully not encountered bedbugs on my travels, but I like the idea that this might work.
The Newbealer Travel Iron
I would go either / or on this one. Either bring a steamer or a travel iron, but not both. This little travel iron is the hottest new thing (no pun intended.) It weights less than a pound, has dual global voltage, and a ceramic non-stick plate that lets it glide across silk, linen, and delicate fabrics. It comes in its own little travel pouch with a travel sized spritz bottle and a heat resistant silicone mat. And it looks chic.
Kidde Travel Carbon Monoxide Alarm
I don’t personally have one of these as I haven’t heard of carbon monoxide problems in Italy, however there are plenty of places I would take one to. There have been non-stop news article about people traveling to Dominican, Costa Rica, Belize, Mexico – even big tourism places like Tulum and Cancun, and dying from carbon monoxide poisoning. ‘Were I traveling to any of these places I would take one of these carbon monoxide alarms with me.
Powered by 2 AA batteries (I would also pack extra batteries in case) this alarm is designed for travel to anywhere and you are not reliant on a steady electricity connection.
Not Electronic But Still Necessary Items
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are game changers. They help you keep your travel clothing organized, and fit into your suitcase interlocking like a game of Tetris. I have two types of packing cubes for you, The first are compression packing cubes. These not only keep you organized but also squish down (compress) so you have more room in your suitcase. The downside is your clothes get a bit more wrinkled. The upside is you really do get way more room in your suitcase.
The other option is regular (non compression) packing cubes like these from Bagail. Either option is great. Both these sets are made by the same company and each have an amazing 24,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. What’s not to love?
Travel Hangers
This one tends not to be so much of a problem at hotels but frequently drives me mad in airbnb situations. I hate pulling out my clothes to hang and finding there are no hangers/not enough hangers/no clip hangers. I probably wouldn’t bring all 12 hangers in this set with me, but for sure would pack 6 of them.
You can see in the image above you have two sizes you can make them (I would only use the big size) but also you can turn them into clip hangers for skirts and pants. They also come with a travel clothes line if you need to hang items to dry. These are really tremendous.
Travel Toiletry Containers
There are a couple I like here. These color coded jars secure your lotions and creams and are TSA approved. They come in a variety of color combos. See here on Amazon.
I also love this set. It is a 16 piece set with 4 travel jars, 2 spray bottles as well as bottles, and has funnels and cleaning brush too. The bottles are great for shampoo and conditioner, body lotion etc. See here on Amazon
Silicone Bottle Covers
If you find yourself traveling in either direction with full or medium sized bottles of sunscreen, after sun lotions, or anything really, these brightly colored silicon bottle covers are a lifesaver.
Venus Mini Razor
OK, to be fair a regular razor takes up zero space in your toiletry bag, but I just like the look of this mini travel sized razor with its travel case. Check Price On Amazon
Bright Colored Luggage Straps
So let me give you another HUGE travel tip. There are a million suitcases that look identical to yours. I travel with a sand colored Away Medium suitcase, which I thought was more unusual until a man tried to walk off with it at New Orleans airport. Turns out he had the identical one.
I always like to use a luggage strap just in case my luggage were to burst open. When the Denver airport opened there were hilarious videos of luggage flying out of chutes and bursting open. Hilarious except to anyone flying through Denver. I always have a luggage strap around my suitcase and I make sure it’s a bright color. This wards off anyone who may accidentally walk off with your bag.
Waterproof Phone Pouch
This one is cool especially if your trip is taking you near water. For example going boating, a beach day, a poolside event. We all use our phones as cameras, video cams, GPS units and telephones, and most of us would be lost if our phones suffered water damage. These are super inexpensive and you can still use the functions of your phone while it is secured in the pouch. Win/win.
Reusable Wine Bags
This is another MVP product – the Angel Reusable Wine Bags. Even though I have a home in Italy, these wine bags go back and forth with me every trip. Now that these stupid tariffs are happening they’re even more pertinent. Whether you’re slipping a bottle of wine, olive oil or Aperol into your suitcase, you want it inside one of these bags. (My last trip back to the U.S had 3 of these, 1x olive oil and 2x wine)
These bubble wrap filled bottle bags have a zipper enclosure that then velcro’s back on itself, so they are watertight and well protected. They also can be used over and over – mine have been in use for 2 or 3 years now.
The Trump Tariffs may take away the option of shipping back cases of wine, making the customs duty upon entry just unmanageable. With that in mind the ability to have a few bottle in your suitcase will be the only realistic way for most of us to bring goods back in.
*** it hasn’t been announced yet, but most countries who have customs duties on products your bring back from your travels allow 3 bottles of wine free of duty. Who knows what the U.S will do? Regardless, I will always bring back fresh, local, single source extra virgin olive oil. Aperol in the U.S pre-tariffs cost $26 in the U.S but only €12 in my Tuscan supermarket. I don’t buy duty free at the airport as I always have a connecting domestic flight in the U.S, so anything over 3 oz/100ml that I’m bringing back has to be safely ensconced in my checked luggage.
****As the Trump Tariffs move forward you will have to pay attention to how much of any consumer good you are allowed to bring back into the U.S.
Remember when buying items for travel and especially for international travel, space and weight are everything. You ideally want to travel with fewer things and a lighter suitcase. I am a huge advocate of packing well and of having AirTags in each bag.
As the new laws, rules and regulations are announced re tariffs and international travel, I will be posting the information in my monthly newsletter. If you don’t yet belong to the newsletter you can join the tens of thousands of members around the world here.
I hope this list helps you plan and perfect the trip of a lifetime!
Ciao!
