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Travel Earplugs – An Absolute Travel Essential

Travel Earplugs – Don’t Go Anywhere Without Them!

Looking to find some great travel earplugs?

I’ve tested loads and they are an absolute essential when I travel.

Check out my recommended travel earplugs below!


As a Tour Manager I have come to appreciate and need my sleep much more over the years as I grow a bit older. Gone are the days when I could party all night, nip back for a shower and then go out on tour for the day!


Now one of my travel essentials are travel earplugs because hotels can be surprisingly noisy places.

Noise can be caused by other guests, many of whom seem incapable of shutting a door quietly or insist on having loud conversations in the corridor. Noise can also be caused by nearby buildings, streets, function rooms and much more besides.


Tour Managers and drivers are often allocated rooms that hotels wouldn’t normally give to guests. These can be staff rooms, small rooms, noisy rooms, rooms located next to the kitchens, laundry etc. Whilst I understand this rationale I still find it infuriating when I am trying to get to sleep at night and can’t because of noise and disturbance.


Over the years I have moved rooms many times because of noise and I always request a quiet room whether travelling on my own or whether travelling for work. 

Having a good night’s sleep is generally good whether you are travelling for work or leisure. In a hotel guest complaints survey noise was the 2nd most complained about problem experienced in hotels.

travel earplugs can't sleep the professional traveller

Travel Earplugs I Have Tried!


I have tried all sorts of travel earplugs during my time travelling. I used the foam ones that you squish down and they pop out in your ear but these often fell out in the night. This meant my first job in the morning was to get up and search the bed for them, or just buy lots of them because I knew they would disappear.


I have also tried the bluetooth headband which is very comfortable and great for listening to a meditation app but not ideal for all night use.

Finally after much experimentation someone, who is a member of a gun club which requires ear plugs, suggested the ones that you squish into your ear. After a bit of searching I found them at an airport shop and tried them out whilst away on a training course.


They were amazing. Infact they were so good I was worried I wouldn’t wake up at all!


The earplugs for sleeping I have are gel and rather than going into the ear canal, which I was never keen on because I suffer from vertigo, they squish over the opening of the ear.


They give a much better result and block out much more noise.


The only issue with them is if you have longer hair. Sometimes it gets stuck in the gel and you have to pull it out of the gel in the morning. Other than that they are great and I know take them with me wherever I travel.


They really are an essential bit of travel gear for me.


I am sharing the earplugs for sleeping that I have got, use and travel with – silicone gel ear plugs.


Let me know how you get on with them if you try them out or if you have any other earplugs that you would recommend.

My Recommended Travel Earplugs for Great Sleep

Further Reading

If you have found my travel earplugs article useful then check out my other some of my other essential travel items.

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travel earplugs the professional traveller