My Must Have Travel Essentials After +37 Years of Travel

Travel gear and equipment has changed so much over the nearly 4 decades I have been travelling. We didn’t even have wheeled suitcases when I first travelled!

If you are looking for tried, tested recommendations from someone who has tried pretty much every travel gadget going over the years then look no further.

I am sharing everything I genuinely use on every trip I take so you can travel like a professional too.

I’ve Spent So Much On Travel Gear!

I have lost count of the amount of travel gear and gadgets I have tried after nearly 4 decades of travelling for work.

When I travel I am working so I need to be organised. I don’t have time waste trying to buy something I missed or need. I also don’t have time to spend hours packing and unpacking every time I go somewhere either – as a Tour Manager I am usually the last in and the first out!

I need to pack right, first time, all the time and these essentials help me do just that

💡 If you’re packing for your next trip, these essentials will save you space, stress, and money.

• 🌍 Before You Travel – Travel insurance to suit your travel & needs
• 🧳 Luggage & Packing – My favourite cases, packing cubes, hanging washbag
• 🔌 Power and Electrical – 3m long power lead, travel adapter
• 😴 Sleep and Comfort Essentials – sleep mask, silicone ear plugs
• ✈ Flight Essentials – flight bag, book light
• 🤮 Travel/Motion Sickness Essentials – ginger sweets, ginger tablets, travel fan
• 💊 Travel Health Essentials – Probiotics, first aid kit
• 📱Apps & Digital Tools – AroundMe, Calm

Short on Time?

Here’s my quick list of everything I use regularly when travelling;

• 🌍 Compare over 200 providers to find the best deal at Compare Your Travel Insurance
• 🌍 Compare over 200 specialist medical providers at Medical Travel Compared
• 🌍 Compare specialist cruise insurance at Compare Your Cruise Insurance
• 🧳 45x36x20 Underseat Case by Aerolite
• 🧳 55x35x25 Overhead Locker Size Case by Aerolite
• 🧳 Hanging Washbag
• 🧳 Compression Packing Cubes
• 🔌 3m Long Power Cable
• 🔌 Worldwide Travel Adapter
• ✈ Priority Pass Airport Lounge Membership Deals
• ✈ Flight Bag
• ✈ Chewing Gum
• 🤮 Travel Fan
• 🤮 Ginger Sweets
• 🤮 Ginger Tablets
• 💊 First Aid Kit
• 💊 Travel Probiotics

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Before You Book Travel

Travel Essentials

🌍 Great Travel Insurance 🌍

My Annual Policy Means I Am Covered No Matter Where I Travel, When or How Often

📝 Why I Love It:
I’ve helped people who have had accidents and illnesses all over the world. I have seen how valuable it is when things go wrong – I couldn’t travel without it.

💡 Pro Travel Tip:
Declare absolutely everything when you take out your insurance and update of any changes tha that happen between taking out cover and your trip. This ensures full coverage if you need it.

✔️ Quick Overview:

• Taking out travel insurance before you book travel generally means you have some cancellation cover (levels vary depending on the policy)
• You can get one off cover, annual policies, policies just for Europe or worldwide cover
• For travellers with more health issues specialist medical travel insurance is generally a better value option
• If you are taking a cruise then specialist cruise insurance is best given the high repatriation costs from a cruise ship to land
• River cruise insurance is much cheaper than ocean cruise insurance!

🔗 Compare over 200 providers to find the best deal at Compare Your Travel Insurance

🔗 Compare over 200 specialist medical providers at Medical Travel Compared

🔗 Compare specialist cruise insurance at Compare Your Cruise Insurance

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🧳Luggage & Packing 🧳

Travel Essentials

45x36x20 Underseat Case – Easyjet, BA, Wizz, Aer Lingus

📝 Why I Love It:
I love this case because it is big enough for 3-6 days travelling and there is no need to pay luggage fees on most budget airlines!

💡 Pro Travel Tip:
Use compression packing cubes to maximise interior space

✔️ Quick Overview:

• This is one of my most used cases because I frequently travel on budget airlines
• Using this case means I have everything I need with no need to worry about overhead luggage space or wait and pay for checked luggage
• I’ve never been stopped at the gate with this case either
• Outside pockets mean I can reach all the things I need during my flight easily
• This case is ideal for shorter trips
• I like the zipped interior pocket for toilets as extra protection in case of leakage
• It has 28 litres of storage and weighs just 2.12kg

❌ The Honest Bit

• This case isn’t waterproof but given it won’t be sitting on luggage truck that’s fine

🔗 See Details on Aerolite

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rated 5 stars from 210 reviews

45x36x20 Underseat FAQs

Ready to Travel Without Paying Luggage Fees?

Add this underseat case to your travel gear and you will be grinning as you slide your luggage in by our feat and plan what you will spend the money you saved on luggage fees on

• ✓ Made by Aerolite
• ✓ Comes with a 5 Year Guarantee
• ✓ Trusted by a Professional Tour Manager (that’s me!)

Travel Essentials

55x35x25 Hard Sided Case (Overhead Locker Size)

📝 Why I Love It:
It’s hard sided to it protects everything inside no matter how rough the handling and how bad the weather, plus it’s really light too

💡 Pro Travel Tip:
Use compression packing cubes to maximise interior space

✔️ Quick Overview:

• This case has been to Shetland with me over 30 times and been jammed full of stuff!
• It’s kept all my electronics, paperwork and other tour stuff safe throughout
• I’ve been able to take all the layers needed for Shetland for 6 night trips with this case
• This case is ideal for trips of 5-8 days depending how you pack
• The handle is ideal for slipping a flight bag over the top of when you are in the airport
• This 4 wheels make moving it around easy peasy
• It has 42 litres of storage and weighs just 2.7kg

❌ The Honest Bit

• You need to be able to lift this case into the overhead locker

🔗 See Details on Amazon

+50 Bought on Amazon in the Last Month

55x35x20 Case FAQs

Ready to Travel Without No Checked Luggage?

This case is the perfect overhead cabin locker size meaning no waiting on arrival – just grab and go

• ✓ Made by Aerolite
• ✓ Comes with a 5 Year Guarantee
• ✓ Trusted by a Professional Tour Manager (that’s me!)

Hanging Washbag

📝 Why I Love It:
This saves so much time because you don’t need to pack or unpack your toiletries – just unzip and hang up and you are good to go

💡 Pro Travel Tip:
The hanging hook means you can easily hang this from shower screens if there aren’t many hooks in the bathroom

✔️ Quick Overview:

• This has been one of my travel essentials for years now
• I never unpack this – just hang it up after one trip, top it up if needed and grab and go for the next trip
• I like the zipped sections and pockets so I can keep medication, toiletries and earrings organised
• This washbag also stops my toiletries and toothbrush getting covering in harmful cleaning chemicals from housekeeping staff

❌ The Honest Bit

• If you have lots of make up and jewellery you might need a bigger bag

🔗 See Details on Amazon

+100 Bought on Amazon in the Last Month

Hanging Washbag FAQs

Ready to Travel Without Having to Unpack Toiletries?

Just hang up this washbag and you have everything you need – all organised and ready to use

• ✓ Trusted by a Professional Tour Manager (that’s me!)

Compression Packing Cubes

📝 Why I Love Them:
I love these packing cubes because they have a see through top section so you can see what’s in them easily – seems obvious but many don’t have this!

💡 Pro Travel Tip:
Compression packing cubes really help maximise your space – I use them if I am only taking a backpack

✔️ Quick Overview:

• There are 6 compression cubes included in this pack – 2 large, 2 medium and 2 small
• The packing cubes are breathable
• Each of the packing cubes has a handle and a see through top section
• I leave my electricals in the smaller cube and leave it hanging up ready to grab for my next trip
• The double zip means it is fairly easy to compress what’s inside the case

❌ The Honest Bit

• You need to unzip both zips when packing or repacking this case otherwise it won’t compress properly

🔗 See Details on Amazon

+Made by Aerolite

Compression Packing Cube FAQs

Ready to Unpack Within Seconds?

Grab each packing cube out of the case and you are done – everything is where you need it and neatly organised

• ✓ Made by Aerolite
• ✓ Trusted by a Professional Tour Manager (that’s me!)

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💤 Sleep & Comfort Essentials 💤

Sleep Mask

📝 Why I Love It:
This sleep mask helps me sleep no matter how light it is or what time of day it is – that’s vital when I am travelling for work. I take it on every trip even if just one night.

💡 Pro Travel Tip:
This sleep mask is great for naps and if you want to sleep on a plane as well

✔️ Quick Overview:

• Soft cotton so feels very light on the eyes
• Lightweight elastic band means it doesn’t feel tight on your head
• Adjustable noseband stops light seeping up the inside the eye mask
• It’s super light and small so it fits in any bag easily
• It stays put even for a restless side sleeper like me
• Carry case keeps it clean when travelling

❌ The Honest Bit

• If you have longer hair the elastic strap might be an issue – I am not sure as I have short hair

🔗 See Details on Amazon

+1k bought on Amazon in the last month

Sleep Mask FAQs

Ready to Sleep Well No Matter How Light It Is?

This sleep mask will help you nap and sleep no matter where you are, what time it is and how light it is

Silicone Earplugs

📝 Why I Love Them:
This earplugs help me sleep, which helps me work, no matter how noisy it is inside or outside the hotel

💡 Pro Travel Tip:
These pair with the sleep mask really well

✔️ Quick Overview:

• These earplugs were recommended to me by someone from a gun club!
• They fit over the entrance to your ear canal – they don’t go in your ear
• They don’t fall out of your ear in the night
• There is no poking anything inside your ear which means there is none of that uncomfortable feeling from pressure inside your ear
• You can reuse these earplugs several times before replacing
• They are extremely effective

❌ The Honest Bit

• Sometimes hair can get stuck in them which requires gentle pulling out in the morning – if you have longer hair this might be more of an issue
• These work so well that if I have a really early flight to catch I don’t put them in as I might not hear the alarm!

🔗 See Details on Amazon

+800 bought on Amazon last month

Silicone Earplugs FAQs

Ready to Sleep Well No Matter How Noisy It Is?

These silicone earplugs help you enjoy peace no matter how loud the heating, air conditioning, corridor or outside is

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🔌Tech and Power 🔌

Travel Essentials

3M Long Fast Charging Power Cable

📝 Why I Love It:
When I am travelling I am often on call so I need my phone nearby. This 3m long cable means no matter what crazy location the power outlet is in my phone can be next to me

💡 Pro Travel Tip:
This works wells with the USB travel adapter

✔️ Quick Overview:

• I have used this power cable on every trip for the last 3 years and it’s still like new
• The braided cable means you can roll this cable up and it doesn’t break
• The fast charging cable is ideal if you rely on your electronics
• There are two included in this pack making them great value
• I use this at home and when I travel

❌ The Honest Bit

• This is quite a lot of cable but if you travel regularly you will know the frustration of finding one power outlet on the other side of the room

🔗 See Details on Amazon

+800 bought on Amazon last month

3M Long Power Cable FAQs

Ready to Have You Electronics Nearby When Travelling?

There are shorter power leads available but this 3m one has always been spot on when power sockets have been under desks or behind curtains

Ready to Keep Everything Charged Wherever You Go?

This adapter works in over 150 countries and the smart charging chip keeps your electronics safe and protected

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✈ Flight Essentials ✈

Travel Essentials

Airport Lounge Access

My Annual Membership Means I Can Access Airport Lounges Wherever I Travel

📝 Why I Love It:
I love the calming and more comfortable environment of an airport lounge. It’s an upgrade for my whole airport experience.

💡 Pro Travel Tip:
If you are travelling more than 3 times a year airport lounge membership is better value than pay as you go.

✔️ Quick Overview:

• Airports can be noisy and overwhelming places, made worse at peak times and if there are delays.
• An airport lounge offers a quieter environment, with good WIFI, comfier seats and unlimited snacks and drinks (there are sometimes extra charges for alcohol).
• For those of us that are nervous flyers an airport lounge turns the airport experience into a more relaxing start to the flight. It’s harder to worry about the flight when you are enjoying cakes and treats!

Get 10-30% Off With My Exclusive Discount

Travel Essentials

Flight Bag

Ready to Keep Everything Handy When You Travel?

This robust flight bag will ensure your essentials are right by you during a long haul flight – no need to worry about overhead locker space

Book Light For Travelling

Ready to Read Easily Wherever You Travel?

This book light is ideal for those of us who still like to read books, magazines or papers when travelling

Travel Essentials

Chewing Gum for Flights

Want To Stop Your Ears Popping on Flights?

This chewing gum really helps relieve ear pressure and it also helps with anxiety too

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🤮 Travel Sickness Essentials 🤮

Travel Essentials

Travel Fan

Want To Stay Cooler When Travelling?

This fan is so small it’s great for travelling wherever you are going and also good for helping with hot flashes

Travel Essentials

Ginger Sweets

Want To Keep Travel Sickness at Bay?

These sweets are great for keeping low level travel sickness at bay – I use them when taking journeys in other people’s cars or on coaches

Travel Essentials

Ginger Tablets

Want To Prevent Travel Sickness?

I have taken these tablets when I know I am going to be travelling on particularly winding roads or taking any boat trips and I haven’t been sick on any of them

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💊 Travel Health Essentials 💊

Travel Essentials

First Aid Kit

Want To Be Prepared in Case of Emergency?

This kit has the essentials you are likely to need in case of an emergency when travelling in a small pouch

Probiotics

Want To Worry Less About Eating Locally?

These probiotics have helped me stay well when working abroad and leading tours, no matter what I have eaten

Travel Essentials

Medicines in Original Boxes (Or Just the Info Leaflets)

Travel Essentials

Sleeping Tablets

📝 Why I Love Them:
These help me get a good nights sleep when I first travel which sets me up for the rest of the trip

💡 Pro Travel Tip:
Using these on the first night or two of travelling can help you adjust to a new timezone

✔️ Quick Overview:

• A guest of mine who was a doctor told me about taking sleeping tablets on the first night or two of a trip
• I used sleeping tablets very sparingly – when I have a ridiculously early start and would stay awake all night worrying about it or on the first night somewhere for example
• I just use the basic over the counter tablets to minimise any risks

❌ The Honest Bit

• Sleeping tablets can be habit forming to use them very sparingly and not all if you think you might get addicted

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📱Travel Apps and Digital Tools 📱

Travel Essentials

AroundMe App

📝 Why I Love It:
This has helped me find an ATM, a supermarket and a cinema in all sorts of places when I have been travelling

💡 Pro Travel Tip:
The app also gives you a little bit of history and local information about where you are too

✔️ Quick Overview:

• This app has been on my phone for years now
• It is ideal for finding local restaurants, bars, supermarkets, ATMs, cinemas, theatres and more
• I just use the basic over the counter tablets to minimise any risks
• It has worked everywhere I have been so far
• It is free

Find out more on AroundMe

Travel Essentials

Calm Sleep App

📝 Why I Love It:
I love drifting off to sleep dreaming of adventures to new places and remembering trips that I enjoyed

💡 Pro Travel Tip:
The app is great for getting some travel inspiration!

✔️ Quick Overview:

• This app has so many sleep stories – the hardest thing is to find one to listen to
• There is a whole section of travel related stories
• There are celebrity voices as well as some very easy listening voices to enjoy
• I have found some of the short programs very useful such as dealing with grief
• It seems quite pricey but it’s well worth it for a great sleep

Find out more on Calm

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