Packing is often the least enjoyable part of preparing to travel, but after packing many times for various kinds of trips, I’ve learned to make the best of it.
I’ve made my fair share of packing (and not packing) mistakes, and now I confidently know how to pack for any trip.
I’m sharing my favorite women’s travel essentials with you so you too can pack with ease and leave your stress at the door.
While you don’t need every single one of the travel essentials for women, they’re all useful in their own way. Browse below and see what might help you on your future travels!
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Go-To Travel Essentials for Women
Bags
Weekend Bag
Let’s start with where you’ll put all of your travel goodies, your bag. Different trips require different sized bags, so it’s best to have a variety to choose from.
One bag I couldn’t travel without is my favorite weekender bag. It’s perfect for those 1 to 3-day getaways that you don’t need a whole suitcase for.
Travel Backpack
If you’re an adventurous traveler who wants to backpack or live minimally while on the road, a travel backpack is a great option when it comes to luggage.
I have traveled all over with my Osprey Kyte 46 and I have no complaints. It’s small enough to be a carry-on yet, I fit everything I needed in it for a month in Italy.
Carry-On Suitcase
For those times you don’t want to lug a backpack around, opt for a trusty rolling suitcase instead. This rolling carry-on suitcase has a convenient front pocket for a laptop, book, etc. There are two main compartments inside as well as a few smaller pockets to keep you organized.
Day Backpack
Heading out to explore all day on your trip? Sometimes you need to carry a few things with you like a water bottle, or you know you’ll need room for souvenirs. I’ve taken this anti-theft backpack on several trips with me now, and I highly recommend it as a day backpack.
Packing Cubes
These are a game changer. I recommend you never pack for a trip without packing cubes from now on. With these compression packing cubes, which I love, you can fit so much more in your bag than without them.
They also help you keep clothes organized by type (tops, bottoms, etc.), and you can throw an extra one in your bag to use as a laundry bag.
Waist Pack
My go-to small bag is this waist pack that comes in a variety of colors. If I don’t need to carry any large items with me, I prefer only carrying something small like this. It’s perfect for a day out in Los Angeles or roaming the streets of Chicago.
Toiletries
Toiletry Bag
Keep all of your toiletries organized in one place. I love that this toiletry bag hangs so it doesn’t take up all the counter space. All the different pockets are great for organizing as well. You don’t have to spend minutes searching for something with how organized it is!
Make-Up Bag
For makeup wearers, keep all of your makeup organized with this multi-pocket makeup bag. I love that the brush pocket helps keep your brushes from getting crushed. I can fit all my makeup essentials in here, but it doesn’t take up too much space in my bag.
Travel-Size Bottles
If you want to bring any of your own toiletries, like shampoo, face wash, etc. on the plane, make sure you put them all in travel size containers. Or maybe you just want to save space in your bag even if you’re not flying! These will help with that too.
Menstrual Disc
Bringing enough pads and tampons to cover your needs might take up way more space than you like. I recently switched to using a menstrual disc, and I highly recommend investing in one.
They’re much easier to use than a period cup and they take up way less space than bulky pads and tampons as they’re reusable. I do recommend trying it at home before jetting off having never used a period disc.
Skin Care
You don’t have to stop caring for your skin just because you’re not at home! These face care products are my go-to, they come with me on every trip.
Toner: Thayers has a convenient travel-size bottle of witch hazel toner. I use it every night, occasionally by itself as a light face cleanse.
Face Wash: My favorite face wash is the Mario Badescu enzyme cleansing gel.
Sunscreen: Another must when you’re traveling (or at home) is sunscreen. Protect your skin and use a moisturizer with SPF.
Eye Serum: One more skincare item I always travel with is the Ordinary eye serum.
Earplugs
Earplugs come in handy when traveling. From tuning out loud neighbors on planes to trying to sleep in a hotel with thin walls. Pack a pair of reusable earplugs; they hardly take up any space, but will help keep you rested and happy when on the go.
Emergen-C
Boost your immune system with Emergen-C when you travel. Planes, trains, Ubers, etc. are all great ways to travel, but they’re also dirty. Add this on top of being tired or stressed from traveling, and you’re much more likely to get sick.
To boost your immune system on the road, bring Emergen-C packets with you! They’re loaded with Vitamin C and other great vitamins.
READ NEXT: 5 Tips for Minimalist Packing for Travel
Clothing
Cardigan
I don’t travel anywhere without a cardigan anymore. They’re the perfect lightweight jacket option and you can dress them up or keep it casual in a cardigan. I’ve had many beloved cardigans travel with me over the years, but my favorite is this cardigan with pockets and buttons.
Jacket
Even if you’re traveling in the summer, always, always bring a jacket with you. Weather constantly changes; you never know if the temperature will drop at night or if the Broadway show you’re seeing in New York City will be in a freezing theater. This mid-weight jacket is compact, yet warm enough to wear in snow.
Comfortable Shoes
Shoes are so important to think about when packing. There’s a good chance you’ll be walking when you travel, whether it be at the airport or in the new city you’re visiting, like Chicago. My favorite shoe brand is Allbirds; they have so many options in many different colors and all their shoes are machine washable.
Loungewear
Long flights are less enjoyable when you’re wearing stiff clothing. Always pack an outfit or two for travel days. I recommend these joggers as they’re super lightweight and comfortable, can double as hiking pants for my adventurous travelers, and are cute enough to dress up as a nice outfit. Feeling more cozy? Check out my favorite loungewear set.
Travel Blanket
If you’ve ever been on a plane you know the temperature is never stable. It may start off hot, but a couple of hours in you’ll find yourself freezing. Stay prepared with this travel blanket that you can wear as a scarf on colder days or use as a shawl for breezy nights out on the town.
Miscellaneous
RFID Covers
If you’re going on an international trip (or anywhere with your passport), keep your passport protected with an RFID-blocking cover. They stop scammers from being able to scan your passport and credit cards (even through a bag). This pack comes with RFID-blocking passport and credit card covers.
Passport Cover
A fun way to add a touch of personality to your boring passport is to keep it in a passport cover. There are many passport covers as well as fun ones with designs. The extra pockets are nice to keep any other IDs or credit cards in so you have all your important things in one place.
Money Belt
Something especially useful when traveling somewhere where petty crime is common is a money belt. You wear it under your shirt as it’s very flat and keep all your important things like your passport and money in it. Because it’s under your clothes, people are less likely to know where your belongings are.
Water Bottle
Stay hydrated ladies! I always travel with a reusable water bottle to make sure I stay hydrated and so I can save money by not buying plastic water bottles everywhere I go. This reusable water bottle is the best; it stays cold for 24 hours and hot for 12. You’ll have ice water available all day long with one!
Sunglasses
I don’t recommend bringing your favorite pair of expensive sunglasses when you travel unless you’re okay with losing them. Instead, bring a couple of pairs of cute, cheap sunglasses! They still look great, but you don’t have to worry about losing money on your favorite nice pair if they get lost somehow.
Mini Jewelry Organizer
If you’re like me and love to change your earrings daily or add a special touch to an outfit with a nice necklace or ring, you need a mini jewelry organizer to bring on your travels! I’ve found this compact jewelry organizer to fit all the pieces I want while on the road, but it doesn’t take up too much space. But if you want something really small, check out this extra small jewelry organizer!
Electronics
Kindle
Calling all book lovers! Has anyone been guilty of stuffing as many books as they can into their carry-on (yes, I’m raising my hand)? Do yourself a favor and use a Kindle for traveling! You can hold as many books as you want on it, but it only takes up a fraction of the space. The battery is long-lasting, and it allows you to check off your reading list no matter where you are!
Portable Charger
Keep your phone or camera charged all day with a portable charger. If you’re going out to explore all day, you don’t want to risk your phone dying in case you need directions or want to take amazing travel photos. This portable charger is small and lightweight, yet it holds enough power to completely recharge your phone.
Phone Tripod
If you enjoy documenting your adventures with photos, throw this small phone tripod into your bag the next time you travel. It’s lightweight and adjustable so you can capture amazing travel photos even if you’re going solo! Goodbye selfies (let’s be real, I still love taking a selfie or two).
Laptop Case
Okay, this isn’t essential, but if you too have to work remotely or don’t go anywhere without your laptop, this faux leather laptop case will help keep it safe. Plus, it’s available in multiple colors and doubles as a small laptop stand.
Electronics Organizer
Keeping chargers and cords organized at home is hard enough. Make it easier for yourself while on the go with an electronics organizer! No more tangled cords or rubber band ties. Keep all your electronics like phone chargers, portable chargers, SD cards, etc. in one convenient bag.
Universal Adapter
This is essential when traveling internationally. Rather than buying adapters for every country you want to go to, keep it simple (and cheap) with one universal adapter. It has multiple charging ports and can be used in more than 150 countries.
Wireless Earbuds
I never travel without headphones, and my favorite pair are these wireless earbuds. They’re small so they don’t take up much space, and they’re perfect for listening to music on train rides, watching movies on the plane, or talking to family while I’m out exploring a city. Plus, they have adaptive noise canceling and come in different colors!
Tile Tracker
Checked luggage is becoming more of a worry with airlines losing bags more frequently. Keep track of your belongings with a Tile tracker; it’s small and you use an app to locate it. Put it in your checked luggage, purse, etc., and have peace of mind while on the go.
Where are you traveling to next? I hope these women’s travel essentials help you make the most out of all your trips. It’s time to make packing a fun part of preparing to travel! Or at least make it easier.
Now you know what you need to enjoy your trips to the max. Share this list of women’s travel essentials with a friend who needs packing tips for travel. Let’s help make packing more enjoyable for all women!
