10 Travel Essentials I Actually Use & Recommend After Years of Traveling
After years of traveling, including several years of full-time travel and now living abroad in Spain, I’ve tried A LOT of travel products. And if I’m being real, not everything marketed as a “travel essential” is actually essential.
Over time, I’ve narrowed things down to the products and services that genuinely make traveling easier for me. Some help me pack lighter, others keep me connected while I’m abroad, and a few have saved my sanity on noisy flights, in hotels, and even while sleeping in my own apartment.
So instead of giving you another massive list of 50+ travel products you probably don’t need, these are the travel essentials I personally use and actually recommend.
Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them at no additional cost to you. As always, everything included here is something I’ve personally used and recommend.
My Travel Essentials at a Glance
If you don’t feel like scrolling through the entire list, here’s a quick look at the travel essentials I personally use and recommend. I’ve included everything from the eSIMs I use to stay connected abroad to the gadgets that make packing and long travel days a little easier.
| Travel Essential | Why I Use It | Best For |
| eSIM | Staying connected abroad | International travel |
| SomniPods 3 | Blocking noise and better sleep | Flights & noisy stays |
| OneSnap Charger | Fewer charging cords | Packing lighter |
| ClassPass | Gyms + Spas around the world | People who like classes |
| Portable Luggage Scale | Knowing my bag weight before getting to the airport | Avoiding overweight baggage |
| Fanny Pack | Keeping my passport, cards and essentials easy to reach | Travel days & sightseeing |
| Travel Insurance | Extra protection when something unexpected happens | International trips |
| Portable Power Bank | Keeping my phone charged while I’m out all day | Long sightseeing/travel days |
| Universal Travel Adapter | Using my electronics in different countries | International travel |
| Small Umbrella/Rain Jacket | Being prepared for unpredictable weather | City trips & outdoor adventures |
1. An eSIM for Staying Connected Abroad
This one is absolutely essential for me.
As someone who travels internationally so often, having data as soon as I arrive in a new country makes everything easier. I use it to order rides, pull up directions, translate things, access bookings, message people, post content and, perhaps most importantly, figure out where I’m going when I’ve inevitably arrived somewhere with no idea which direction to walk.
I’ve personally used several different eSIM providers over the years, and these are the ones I’d recommend looking into:
+ Roamless
Best for: Frequent travelers and digital nomads visiting multiple countries.
I only recently discovered Roamless through another digital nomad friend, and honestly, I think the concept is brilliant. Instead of constantly buying and installing a new eSIM every time you travel somewhere, you can have one eSIM that works across 200+ destinations.
I personally like the pay-as-you-go option because I can keep money in my Roamless wallet and use the same eSIM whenever I arrive in a new country, rather than setting everything up again. They also offer destination-specific plans if you prefer to purchase a set amount of data for a particular trip. As someone who travels between countries pretty frequently, having one eSIM already installed on my phone just makes things SO much easier.
+ Holafly
Best for: Travelers who don’t want to worry about running out of data.
I’ve also personally used Holafly on several trips, and one of the biggest reasons I like it is the availability of unlimited data plans in many destinations.
I use my phone constantly when I travel, Google Maps, social media, uploading content, messaging, researching places while I’m out — so it’s nice not having to constantly check how many GB of data I have left.
One thing to keep in mind is that even though many Holafly plans are advertised as unlimited, fair-use policies can apply, so speeds may be reduced after particularly heavy usage. Still, if you’re someone who uses a LOT of data while traveling, I think it’s a convenient option.
👉Check Holafly eSIM plans – Use code C80VCTVNG977 for 10% off!!
+ Klook eSIMs
Best for: Finding affordable destination-specific and unlimited-data eSIM options.
You probably know Klook for booking tours and activities, and even hotels, if you didn’t know! But they also have a surprisingly good selection of eSIMs around the world.
I’ve personally booked eSIMs through Klook when I’ve wanted an unlimited-data option, and I’ve found some really good rates compared with dedicated eSIM companies. The plans vary depending on the destination and provider, but I especially like checking Klook when I’m traveling somewhere where the other unlimited options are more expensive.
Since I already use Klook pretty regularly for my trips anyway, it’s become another place I check before deciding which eSIM to buy.
+ Airalo
Best for: Travelers looking for a well-established eSIM provider with coverage across a huge number of destinations.
Airalo was basically my OG eSIM. I started using it years ago when there weren’t nearly as many eSIM options around, and I’ve used it successfully in plenty of countries since.
These days, however, it’s usually not my first choice simply because I’ve often found better value through some of the other options above. I normally compare Roamless, Klook and Holafly first and then check Airalo before deciding.
That said, I’ve personally used Airalo many times and found it reliable, so I still think it’s a solid option, especially if you find a plan that works well for your particular destination.
2. Fitnexa SomniPods 3 Sleep Earbuds
These have become one of those products I didn’t realize I needed until I actually started using them.
I live right in Málaga city center, so let’s just say… quiet nights aren’t exactly guaranteed. I’ve been using my Fitnexa SomniPods 3 to help block out outside noise at home, but they’ve become even more useful while traveling. I’ve used them while sleeping next to a friend who snores, on airplanes with noisy passengers and crying kids, and anytime I just want to tune everything out and relax. For me, they work like a charm.
One of my favorite things about them is the fit. They’re small enough that they sit comfortably in my ears while I’m sleeping and don’t constantly fall out. That’s a HUGE deal for me because regular earbuds aren’t exactly designed for lying on your side.
I also love being able to use the Fitnexa app to play calming sounds and review my sleep afterward. And the battery life has genuinely surprised me, I’ve used these quite a bit and have only had to charge the case a handful of times.
The SomniPods 3 are specifically designed with a low-profile shape for sleeping and offer hybrid active noise cancellation of up to 42 dB. Fitnexa says they can last up to 12 hours without ANC, while the charging case provides up to 48 hours of total playback.
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3. Footnote Accessories OneSnap 3-in-1 Wireless Charger
Anything that helps me pack fewer cords is automatically a win.
I’ve been using the OneSnap 3-in-1 Wireless Charger from Footnote Accessories while traveling, and I love how easy it makes charging multiple devices without having to pack separate chargers and cables for everything.
I’ve used it for my iPhone and AirPods, which means fewer loose cords taking up space in my bag, and fewer things for me to inevitably leave behind in a hotel room. It’s especially convenient when you’re constantly moving between hotels, Airbnbs and different destinations because I can set up one charging station rather than having electronics plugged into random outlets all over the room.
And with Apple changing the charging connections on newer devices over the years, you can easily end up traveling with different cables for different products. With the OneSnap, I don’t have to worry about packing a separate charging cable for each compatible device, which makes things SO much easier.
You can shop it here, and if you use code FANCYNANCISTA you can get 10% your whole purchase!
4. ClassPass
Best for: Full-time travelers, digital nomads and anyone who wants access to fitness and wellness experiences whether you’re traveling or not.
This might be a slightly different kind of travel essential, but ClassPass has become one of my favorite apps to use while traveling full-time.
Instead of having a membership at one specific gym, I can use my ClassPass credits to book workouts in different cities around the world. I’ve used it for everything from gym sessions and Pilates classes to wellness and spa treatments, which makes it SO convenient when I’m constantly traveling and don’t have access to the same gym every week.
I especially love being able to open the app when I arrive somewhere new, see what’s available nearby and book something that fits my schedule. It also gives me an excuse to try different studios and workouts I probably wouldn’t have discovered otherwise.
For anyone who travels frequently but still wants to keep up with their fitness and wellness routine, this has genuinely been one of the most useful memberships I’ve had.
👉Try ClassPass here and get 2 weeks FREE!
5. A Portable Luggage Scale
THIS THING. A small digital luggage scale is probably one of the least exciting things on this list, but it’s also one of the things I bring practically everywhere.
If you’re someone who spends the night before a flight wondering Is my suitcase 19 kg or secretly 27 kg?, buy one. Being able to weigh my luggage before heading to the airport takes so much stress out of traveling. I know whether I’m within my airline’s allowance before I leave, and if I’m overweight, I can reorganize everything at home instead of opening my suitcase on the airport floor while everyone watches.
They’re also tiny, so there’s really no reason for me not to bring one.
6. My augustnoa Fanny Pack
Love, love, LOVE this bag.
My black augustnoa fanny pack has basically become my travel uniform because I can keep everything I need immediate access to right in front of me, passport, cards/money, lip balm and other little essentials, without constantly digging through my backpack. I also really like that it doesn’t look like some bulky travel security bag. It’s cute enough that I genuinely want to wear it, and they have several other chic colors if black isn’t your thing.
Functionally, it’s really well thought out too. There’s a back zipper pocket, an interior zipper pocket, card slots and even an elastic compartment that works perfectly for something like lip gloss or ChapStick. The exterior zipper also has an anti-theft elastic designed to make your valuables more secure (which is a NEED especially in places like Barcelona).
I love the sustainability focus: augustnoa crafts the bag’s interior and exterior fabric entirely from four recycled plastic bottles. It’s that rare travel find where style and function seamlessly meet, which, honestly, is all I ask for.
7. Travel Insurance
Travel insurance isn’t technically something I pack, but it’s definitely something I consider a travel essential, especially with how frequently I’m abroad. You never really know what’s going to happen while traveling. Flights can get canceled or delayed, luggage can go missing, you can get sick, or something completely unexpected can throw off your plans.
Thankfully, I haven’t personally had to file a claim with either of these providers, and hopefully I won’t have to anytime soon, but I’ve traveled with coverage because I like having that extra layer of protection when I’m away from home.
Two travel insurance options I’ve personally used are Genki and SafetyWing! Always check the current policy details, exclusions and coverage for your specific trip before purchasing.
8. A Portable Power Bank
This is an absolute MUST for me, or really anyone who’s constantly on the go and using their phone.
Think about how much we rely on our phones while traveling: Google Maps, translations, taking photos and videos, checking reservations, ordering rides, messaging people and probably scrolling social media somewhere in between.
If you’re out exploring all day, eventually that battery is going to start disappearing. Having a handy portable power bank means I can charge my phone while I’m walking around or sitting at a café instead of having to hunt down an outlet or head back to my hotel.
Here are a few portable power banks I love:
9. A Universal Travel Adapter
This might seem like an obvious travel essential, but you’d be surprised by how many travelers I’ve met who didn’t even think about bringing one.
Since I frequently travel between Europe, the UK, Asia and the U.S., having a universal travel adapter is a MUST for me. Different countries use different outlets, and the last thing you want is to arrive at your hotel with a dead phone only to realize your charger doesn’t fit the wall.
I actually like traveling with more than one adapter when I have room. That way, I can have multiple devices plugged in at the same time instead of constantly switching everything around.
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10. A Small Umbrella or Rain Jacket
If traveling has taught me anything, it’s that the weather does NOT care what the forecast said when you packed. I’ve been caught in unexpected rain so many times, even during summer, that I now try to keep either a small umbrella or lightweight rain jacket with me whenever there’s even a slight chance of bad weather.
A compact umbrella is especially useful because you can easily throw it into your day bag without taking up much room. A lightweight rain jacket or poncho is another great option if you’re going somewhere outdoorsy or don’t want to carry an umbrella around all day. There have been SO many trips where I’ve been very happy I packed one.
Shop some favorites:
Travel Essentials That Actually Make My Life Easier
After years of traveling, I’ve learned that you really don’t need every single travel gadget you see online. Trust me, I’ve tried enough of them.
For me, the best travel essentials are the things that solve an actual problem, whether that’s keeping my phone charged while I’m exploring all day, knowing exactly how much my suitcase weighs before heading to the airport, getting some sleep on a noisy flight, or simply having reliable data as soon as I land in a new country.
Everything on this list is something I’ve personally used and found genuinely helpful during my travels. Of course, everyone’s travel style is different, but hopefully a few of these make your next trip a little easier too! And as I continue traveling and discovering products I genuinely love, I’ll keep updating this guide with new finds.
Have a travel product you absolutely swear by? Let me know in the comments, I’m always down to discover something that makes traveling easier!
