When you are packing for your trip you probably have looked up a travel essentials list that tells travellers everything they need to pack for their trip. But there are a few things that you do not need to pack but will make your travel experience better.
I am a budget backpacker who often does not have much space in my bags, I am trying to save money whenever possible, and just have an amazing trip and these are things that I bring that help me do that. This travel gear is not necessary to get for your travels but may make it a better experience.
This post is all about travel non-essentials that feel essential.
1. Journal
When travelling it is always nice to have a small journal to write in. I have brought a journal on my last three big trips and wrote daily entries on what I got up to that day. It is a great way to remember your trip and it’s fun looking back on years later and remembering the great memories you made throughout your travels. If you do not already bring a travel journal you need to start.
2. LifeStraw water bottle
A LifeStraw water bottle is a water bottle that has a built-in water filter. This comes in handy when travelling to places that do not have clean drinking water. The filter catches bacteria, parasites, and dirt to make unsafe water safe to drink. This water bottle saves you money and helps save the planet as it allows travellers to not have to purchase bottled water that is safe to drink reducing the number of plastic bottles being disposed of.
If you are looking to purchase a LifeStraw water bottle check out LifeStraws website or Amazon.
3. E-reader
An e-reader is another thing to bring travelling that saves space while packing and makes travelling a bit easier. E-readers like a Kindle are super small, light, and compact which is much different than a hard copy book. It will save you room and weight in your bag and you can have as many books as you want in one small device. Also, an e-reader makes it easier to bring your book out and about on your travel days if you end up at a park, a beach, or even a restaurant and want to read a bit of your book.
There are lots of e-readers out of their Kindle, Kobo, and more. You can find them on Amazon, Best Buy, or on the company’s website.
4. Compression Packing Cubes
Compression packing cubes is something else that makes packing easier, especially if you are backpacking with a smaller backpack. Packing cubes help organize your clothes to make the packing and unpacking easier throughout your trip. Compression packing cubes remove the air and extra room in the cube to make it smaller allowing you to have more room in your bag.
I purchased my compression packing cubes on Amazon and they have been a game changer for packing.
5. Document Holder
A document holder helps keep all your important paperwork in one place. Your passport, copy of passport, insurance paperwork, travel itinerary information, plane tickets, cards/ cash, and even your sim card can all fit in the document holder. Having one place where all your important things go can help minimize the risk of losing something. A document holder may not be necessary for your trip but can help you stay organized and lower your stress so you can enjoy your trip.
There are lots of travel document holders on Amazon if you are interested in getting one.
6. Cord Organizer
I’m not sure about you but I have tons of cords that I bring while travelling, I have my phone charger, e-reader charger, watch charger, and more. A cord organizer helps keep them detangled and organized. The cord organizer I have has room for my cords, headphones, and even a portable charger. Before getting a cord organizer I would put all of my cords in a plastic ziplock bag and it was a tangled mess! It was a game changer when I got the organizer.
I got my cord organizer as a gift so I am not sure where it is from but I am sure you can find something similar on Amazon.
7. Detergent Sheets
Detergent sheets are super helpful if you are a budget backpacker who is travelling for long periods of time. Hostels often have washing machines but make you pay for detergent so if you have your own you can clean your clothes easily. Also if there are no washing machines and you end up washing your clothes in the sink (which I have done many times throughout my travels) you can throw a sheet in the water.
I know I am saying this about almost all the products but I got these laundry detergent sheets on Amazon.
8. Protein Bars (or any snacks)
Protein Bars or other snacks are always nice to have in case you are hungry and can’t find food or it’s not available. There have been many situations where protein bars have come in handy during my travels, like being on a super long flight, bus or train or getting into a new place late at night when everything is closed. So I highly recommend you find a snack you enjoy and bring some on your trip with you.
9. Electrolytes/ Emergen-c
Electrolytes and Emergen-c often come in handy during trips. Electrolytes are helpful when travelling to a hot location where you are sweating a lot to replenish your salts. Emergen-c helps your immune system to try and avoid getting sick because nobody likes getting sick while travelling. These are not necessary for your trip but may be very helpful to have.
I hope this list of 9 travel non-essentials that feel essential was helpful for anyone planning a trip soon and looking for packing tips. Like I said these are things that are not necessary to get but may make your packing and travelling process easier.
