The travel items I haven't been able to live without on my European holiday
Travel packing tips are everywhere you turn, especially if you've been searching for advice. Next minute, you're getting targeted ads on Instagram for backpacks and packing cubes and noticing how many suitcases are conveniently positioned at the front of luggage stores, right where you'll spot them.
Well, I have the best travel packing tips, and I'll tell you why – because I am currently on holiday in Europe, I'm on a budget which means plenty of Italian Airbnbs with 450 stairs and clunky airport transfers where I'm frantically running through the terminal, and I also bought a lot of TikTok-viral travelling items, so I know what you'll actually use, and what will remain relegated to the bottom of your suitcase.
Essentially, I am living it right now, and I've definitely got a few favourites. Here are the items I honestly think I'd cry if I lost.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
A portable charger
I have never used my phone to the point of needing a portable charger…. until this trip. I had forgotten how often you are on your phone, especially on transit days. Think about it – you're using maps, watching downloaded shows, messaging home, Googling everything. It takes its toll, and often you can't just find a power plug and charge it on the go.
My pick:
Charmast Mini Power Bank
What I love about this miniature power bank is it plugs in without adding a whole other item to carry around with you, so you can use your phone as usual while it charges. "With almost no battery, this charger can charge my phone up to 100 per cent twice. Really great product for the price," one buyer raves.
Packing cubes
I recently converted to packing cubes, and I'll never look back. Storing your personal items into defined cubes means that when you're packing and unpacking, you aren't rummaging through piles of previously folded tops and skirts just to find that one dress you were after. Plus, it means a dedicated bag for dirty laundry.
My picks:
Globite Voyager Packing Cubes, 4 pieces
You can get really cheap packing cubes, but in my experience, you at least want ones that are made of sturdy, lightweight material with strong zips so you're not breaking them within a week. These Globite cubes do the job well.
Bagail Compression Packing Cubes, 4 pieces
Another option if you're an over-packer is compression cubes, which work like packing cubes but feature a secondary zip that compresses your clothing so it fits into smaller spaces. These are great if you need to load up your carry-on!
A light, easy-to-roll suitcase
The lighter your suitcase, the more you can pack into it – and since most of us haven't travelled in years, you're probably due for an upgrade. Hard cases are a plus because usually, with longer holidays, you're sending it through the airport system over and again, and you're less likely to sustain damage with a sturdy, hard case. But most crucially, buy one that rolls every which way! Zooming through crowded airports has been a breeze with this feature.
My pick:
American Tourister Curio 2 Spinner Suitcase
I have this suitcase, which is so smooth and easy to maneuver. It also packs a lot (including all of my, ahem, overseas shopping) without feeling really massive to transport around. The exterior is super tough, too.
A backpack-suitcase hybrid bag
Alternatively, if you're travel plans are more backpacker-style, but you don't want always to carry luggage on your back, a hybrid backpack-suitcase is the key. These have wheels and a handle but also have hidden straps, so if you need to, you can convert your luggage into a backpack.
My pick:
High Sierra Composite v4 Wheeled Duffel
This is precisely the kind of hybrid backpack that you need if you're doing some more intense travelling. You can wheel it through an airport, but if you've got to climb many stairs or hike to get to accommodation, it quickly switches to a supportive backpack with padded straps and support clasps.
A roomy tote bag with pockets
Even if you're the world's lightest packer, at some point, you'll need a carry-on bag to fit extra holiday purchases in. The best kind, I have found, is a large tote bag that's lightweight and can be rolled up into checked baggage initially but holds plenty of items and – crucially – zips closed so nothing falls out, with pockets to stash items you want in easy reach.
My pick:
Typo Wellness Tote
I bought this tote bag last summer as a beach bag, but it's been perfect for travelling. It zips closed, the canvas material is sturdy but still looks stylish, and it has multiple pockets that also close with zips. The dual handles to carry it on your shoulder or loop around your suitcase handle are an extra benefit.
A complex backpack
I was never a backpack person, but I've become a convert on this trip thanks to an Amazon backpack I purchased with many functional compartments. Throwing your heaviest carry-on onto your back saves a lot of pain, and one with pockets and nifty spaces means you can organise everything so what you need most is easily accessible.
My pick:
WONHOX Large Backpack
This is the internet-viral backpack I (and everyone else jetting off on holiday) bought in 2023. It did not disappoint – the laptop sleeve is very padded and secure, it can fit plenty of clothing in the middle compartment, and there is a waterproof section and many more beneficial pockets and gadgets, including a plug for a portable charger.
Read my gushing review here: I've never had a travel backpack as useful as this one
A belt or cross-body bag
It is so not my style to wear a cross-body or belt bag, but I've become codependent with mine on this trip! I stash all my valuables in it, and that makes me feel secure even when rushing through crowds or other scenarios where pickpocketing would be easy.
My pick:
Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
This is one of the most popular belt bags in the market right now, and the reviews speak for themselves. "I am in love with this bag, now I get all the hype," one buyer says, "It's easy to carry, holds a decent amount and is cute and comfy."
A hanging toiletry bag
I love skincare, but for this trip, I tried to pack light (more on that later). Still, I found myself with many products – shampoo, conditioner, body moisturiser, various face creams, sunscreen… it really adds up. In the past, I'd throw it all into a large toiletry case and be on my way. But for this trip, I knew I was jumping around a lot and wanted something a bit more organised. Enter the hanging toiletry bag. It has honestly been a godsend, not just from an organisational point of view, but because so many bathrooms in Europe are tiny, and hanging it on the wall for easy shower access has made life much easier.
My pick:
MOTYYA Hanging Toiletry Bag
This is the exact size of the one I own – it has four compartments, with the two central ones big enough to hold your more oversized items and the top and bottom compartments perfect for smaller ones. I use the top for my toothbrush, toothpaste and floss, the middle ones for all my products, and the bottom for all the little things you need on a long trip – hair ties, clips, tweezers, nail clippers and so on.
Silicone squeezable travel bottles
Forget the old plastic travel bottles of yore – the larger, silicone style not only holds more product but also makes it way easier to get it out. I didn't have the weight capacity to bring anything full-sized on my trip, but I bought a set of silicone squeezable travel bottles and have found they fit more than enough of the essentials for a two-month trip.
4-Pack Portable Travel Bottles
These travel bottles are 100mL each and have great reviews on Amazon. "Great little bottles in a sturdy plastic case," one buyer writes. "Bottles are soft, and you can squeeze them to get thick contents out easily. They have a large opening for filling and then a cap with a small opening. They appear to be leakproof, even when upside down. Very happy!"
Noise-cancelling headphones
Planes are noisy. Ferries are noisy. Trains are noisy (unless you score a quiet carriage). Basically, you'll encounter plenty of scenarios when travelling where you'll be sleep-deprived, exhausted, and want peace and quiet but can't find it. You won't regret investing in noise-cancelling headphones – treat them well, and you'll have them for years to come.
My pick:
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
Bose's 700 headphones are on the pricier side, but you can often find them on sale on Amazon, now costing $399.95. They really are worth the money – they feature three noise-cancelling options, with level 10 offering a significantly reduced exterior sound level. They're also comfortable on the ears and deliver excellent audio quality.
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