“Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.” - Sam Cooke

Hey Wanderlusters!

If you're anything like me, the mere thought of embarking on a new adventure sends shivers of excitement down your spine. Whether you're a seasoned globetrotter or just catching the travel bug, having the right gear can make all the difference in turning your trip into an unforgettable experience. So hold on to your butts as we delve into the 20 must-have travel essentials for the ultimate jet-setting journey!

1. Versatile Backpack: Invest in a backpack that's not only stylish but can also transform into a mini storage unit for all your travel needs. Extra points if it has secret pockets for snacks! A travel safe bag never hurts to bring either. What makes a bag travel safe? It can have a whole variety of safety features, RFID blocking, slash proof, locking zippers and hidden pockets. All are handy, here are some of my favorites!

2. Travel Pillow: Bid farewell to awkward neck positions and hello to a comfortable nap on the go. A good travel pillow is a game-changer for long flights or road trips. My favorite is from Trtle. It's compact so you don't lose much space or have to carry it around when you aren't wearing it, gives me better support (for me anyways), and comes in red! Which automatically makes me like it all the more 😉

3. Portable Charger: Keep your gadgets alive and Instagram stories flowing with a trusty portable charger. These come in all shapes and sizes, you can even get them to charge your laptop like the Anker listed below!

4. Headphones/Earplugs: Tune in or tune out – the choice is yours. Noise-canceling headphones or earplugs can be a lifesaver, especially when serenity is a rare commodity. I was recently on a flight to Denver and the engines had a very loud high pitch sound, let me tell you, I've never been so thankful for noise cancelling in my life. Personally I'm rocking the Bose Quiet Comfort earbuds, and I think they're the bees knees- they fit my small ears and have a great clear sound with good bass, but there's tons of options out there. Find what's right for you!

5. Packing Cubes: Organization enthusiasts, rejoice! These nifty cubes help keep your clothes neatly packed, making unpacking a breeze and minimizing the chaos in your suitcase. Personally I have the national park set from Tripped, because why have boring ones if I can have fun ones? The compression is fantastic and doesn't leave everything wrinkled. My one gripe with them is the shoe bag is slightly too small for some of my shoes, but I wear a women's 10, so as long as you have smaller feet then me you're good. The Taskin ones are pretty amazing though as they have a clean and a dirty side, honestly, had I known about these before I'm not sure which I would have gotten.

6. Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated and eco-friendly with a reusable water bottle. Many airports now have refill stations, saving you money and reducing single-use plastic waste. Can't find it? check the water fountain, it's usually an all in one. I won't go anywhere without one of my Hydroflasks, personally I don't think the quality can be beat and there's never been a lead scare like certain other brands. Their constant new colors will be my wallet's undoing though! You can even get them personalized if you order through their website. Plus the company is from Oregon, which means they are a local company for me, and personally I try and support local whenever possible. They've recently come out with a trail line which is lighter weight for hiking but just as reliable as you would expect from the company. Rumor has it that right now you can get it for 30% off too.

7. TSA Friendly Toiletries: Mini shampoos, conditioners, and toothpaste are your best friends. Say goodbye to spills and the hassle of carrying full-sized products. Bar shampoos and conditioners are also wonderful. Ethique makes some pretty fantastic ones and you can try pretty much everything out in mini form. Since they are solid you don't have to worry about having any issues with security. I also have some fantastic travel toiletry sets, I like the wide mouth on these as I can get everything into the bottle when I fill it without issue and they are SO easy to get all of the product out of to avoid waste and keep clean after your trip. If disposable is more your thing I have that covered too ❤️

8. Universal Adapter: Power up your devices in any corner of the world with a universal adapter. No more desperate searches for the right outlet shape! We pay a lot of money for our devices, I remember when $200 was a lot for a phone, now they average $1000-$1500. Don't risk destroying your items because you purchased a cheap adapter, they don't have to be expensive but this is one of the places you do NOT want to skimp on.

9. Travel-sized First Aid Kit: Be your own superhero with a compact first aid kit. It's always better to be safe than sorry, especially when you're far from home. And don't forget to keep some medications on you too! There's been too many times I've been traveling and scrambling to find something I need or paid way more for ibuprofen than I should.

10. Luggage: Its kind of impossible to pack these must haves without something to put them in, am I right?

11. Travel Planner: Keep all of your travel plans in one spot and don't get stuck without needed info! Did you know when you enter some countries you have to have the address of where you will be staying? Yup, it's true. Don't be that person holding everyone up scrambling to find the info. What about when you are picking up your rental car and your phone dies? Trust me, all of these things can and will happen at some point. So keep all of your info in one place and avoid as many issues as possible. Better yet get a printable one that you can reuse for every trip to come. The Dirty Tourist Trip Planner is perfect for this. After discussing with my closest friends I combined the best of everything we want or need to avoid stress when planning/traveling in one place, and yes it's printable so re-use as much as you want. You can put all booking info, hotel, car rental etc. but in addition to this you can also write down all of the places you want to see and do while you're there. No more spending hours on pinterest saving things and then forgetting what you saved in the first place. Write that shit down guys ❤️ There's even the ultimate packing list to ensure nothing gets left behind or forgotten.

12. Sunglasses: Not just a style statement – protect your eyes from the sun's rays and look effortlessly cool while doing it. I'm generally not someone who cares about brands or brand names, if I like it and it does that job I'm good to go. But when it comes to my glasses it's the one time I'm a bit of a snob.

Let's put it this way, has anyone ever told you that you get what you pay for? Well it's true. Prior to needing prescription glasses if I got cheap sunglasses they'd break or scratch very easily, since investing in good ones I don't have this issue. Plus I can't see if they aren't prescription so there's also that....Anywho, my sunglasses of choice are Raybans. Let's face it, this company is a classic for a reason. My favorite is the New Wayfarer, slightly smaller frame then the OG that looks better on my chipmunk cheeks. Plus I can find them in just the right color for my personality.. Plus I got the last pair of red frames in the US 🙌🏻

13. Comfy Walking Shoes: Whether you're exploring ancient ruins or bustling city streets, a pair of comfortable shoes will be your best companion. Your feet will thank you later. I work at a shoe store for people with issues with their feet, don't be one of them. Trust me, it's not worth it. Not sure if your shoes will cut the mustard? Wear them everywhere for a week and take several hour+ walks. Here are some of my go to's that all come in a variety of colors:

14. Snack Stash: Combat hanger (hunger-induced anger) with a snack stash. Granola bars, nuts, or your favorite local treats – keep them close for emergency munchies. My favorites for planes are pretzels, but you do you.

15. Travel Insurance: Better safe than sorry! Ensure a worry-free journey by investing in comprehensive travel insurance. It's your safety net in case the unexpected happens. Personally I don't have a specific company to recommend, I'm still doing my due diligence to find what works best for me.

16. Collapsible Travel Umbrella: Don't let unexpected rain dampen your spirits. A compact umbrella is a small investment for staying dry and stylish. This is my favorite hands down. It can take a beating and keep on ticking. Repel also offers a lifetime guarantee, and personally I'm a fan of only buying something one time. I went with the yellow one, but they have a color or design for everyone 😊

17. Travel Wallet: Keep your important documents in one secure place. RFID-blocking features are a bonus to protect against electronic pickpocketing. I'm a big fan of Travelon if you want something that will hold your passport and other cards/money. Personally my every day wallet is RFID blocking so I never change my wallet out. Fossil is my wallet of choice.

18. Camera or GoPro: Capture the essence of your travels with a compact camera or GoPro. No adventure is complete without stunning visuals to share with your audience. I collect vintage cameras (only if they are still usable) and I always try and bring at least one with me on my travels. There's something special about taking the time to truly capture an image, and film cameras make you think about it, no deleting the image if it's not good enough. My Kodak Duaflex ii is my favorite, but the film and developing is expensive so a 35mm is also great. If I'm bringing a digital I pack the big guns. My Canon 5D, which had been my dream camera for almost 20 years, and I finally was able to upgrade to it in the Fall of 2022, most people are going with the new mirrorless cameras, but I love the sound of a more conventional style camera. Find something that works for you, I challenge you to get out of your box and not to strictly rely on your phone for images. Ok, I'll stop geeking out over cameras now.

19. A City Pass: I love a city pass. What is it? Short version a way to see everything you want to see without spending as much money. Are you intrigued? I do a deeper dive in my blog What The Heck Is A City Pass? The London Pass is my favorite so far but I can't wait to try it out in more cities!

20. Sense of Adventure: Last but certainly not least, pack your sense of adventure! Embrace the unknown, try new things, and savor every moment of your journey.

There you have it, fellow adventurers! Arm yourself with these 20 travel essentials, and you'll be well-equipped to conquer any destination with flair and fun. Safe travels and may your wanderlust lead you to the most extraordinary experiences!

Stay tuned for more tips and tricks! I'm constantly keeping an eye out for more adventures to have and ways to save money when possible! And trust me, as I find them I'll keep you updated. Want to be the first in the know when this happens? Sign up as a Dirty Tourist, my VIP email list! You can sign up here!

Hey fellow dirty tourists!

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Rest assured, I only recommend stuff I genuinely think is worth your time, money, and maybe even a chuckle or two. But hey, if you're not vibing with it, that's totally cool too! You do you, and I'll keep the fun travel tips coming your way.

Happy travels ❤️

-Sarah