11 Travel Must Haves I Don’t Leave Home Without

There’s nothing like the thrill of packing for a big trip—until you realize you’ve packed 14 scarves and forgot your underwear. (Ask me how I know.)

As a woman who started traveling more in my 50s, I know the feeling of standing in an airport thinking, Did I pack what I actually need? Over the years (and plenty of trial and error), I’ve found a handful of items that I now refuse to leave home without. Whether you’re heading out on your first solo adventure or your fifth, these are the travel must haves that have truly earned their place in my bag—and might just become your go-to’s too.

Here are my tried-and-true travel essentials that help me feel more confident, prepared, and comfortable wherever I go.

1) Tripped DayPack

The Tripped DayPack folds down smaller than a (thick) magazine (seriously—10x8x1 inches!) so it tucks right into your carry-on. Once you arrive, it pops open into a roomy pack with pockets galore—including one that’s felt-lined for your sunglasses, so you’re not digging around next to your snack crumbs trying to find them. The Pack is water-resistant (not waterproof), so if you get caught in a glamorous Parisian spring shower you’ll be good.

I took this to the beach last month and managed to fit:

• My Glam Italia book (because I’m always dreaming of Italy)
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm
• Water bottle
• Phone charger
• Wallet
• Snacks (plural)
• Reading glasses
• Weird towel I got in Cinque Terre!

There was still room to spare for souvenirs or a sweater. It comes in five colors—so if you like to match your bag to your mood (or your shoes), you’re covered.

2) Adjustable Laptop Stand

3) Wireless Keyboard & Mouse

Let’s be honest—hotel desks weren’t exactly designed with posture (or comfort) in mind. After one too many trips ending in sore shoulders and what I now call “tech neck,” I finally tried this laptop stand combo. Total game-changer.

The adjustable laptop stand is sturdy, lightweight, and folds down into its own pouch like a neat little travel ninja. It raises your screen to eye level so you’re not hunching over like Gollum trying to send an email. Bonus: It actually makes you look put-together in Zoom calls, even if you’re still wearing pajama pants.

Pair it with the Logi wireless keyboard and mouse, and suddenly your cramped hotel setup feels like a real workspace. The keyboard has a surprisingly lovely typing feel (important for long journaling sessions or travel blogs), and you can switch between your laptop, tablet, or phone at the press of a button—no tech meltdown required.

4) Folding Keyboard

If you’re looking for an even smaller keyboard, check out the iClever Folding Keyboard. It’s got that tilted ergonomic dessign to save your wrists. You can connect via Bluetooth to a laptop, tablet or even a phone! It only weighs 6.17 ounces, which is about the weigh of 1 large grape!

5) Travel Door Lock

This pink portable door lock fits into the slot of your door lock and prevents anyone from opening the door from the outside, even if they have a key! It’s only 6 inches long x 1.65 inches wide and comes in it’s own pink pouch. Its so small it’s easy to just keep in the pocket of your suitcase just incase you’re staying someplace that feels just a bit dodgy! I used it recently in an older hotel in L.A. where the front desk gave me vibes like “you’ll be fiiiiiine,” and I slept like a baby knowing no one was getting in uninvited.

It’s discreet, lightweight, and honestly just makes me feel safer. And as someone who travels solo a lot, that feeling is priceless.

You can read more of my solo travel safety tips here, but spoiler alert: this lock makes the list every time.

6) Packing Cubes

This set of 6 Packing Cubes has been awesome for organized and stress-free packing! I have 2 sets of 6 so I have lots of flexibility depending on the length / packing needs of my trip. I roll my clothes, organize them by type (tops, bottoms, socks/underwear, sweaters, shoes, etc). I love being able to “unpack” my suitcase in literally 5 seconds when I arrive at my destination! There are 13 different colors to choose from.

Be sure to check out these posts: Packing for a Month in Europe, Follow Up: Packing for a month in Europe…How did it actually go?, and A Downloadable Packing List

7) The Best Sunhat

I am always on the lookout for a good sunhat. With my white-as-a-sheet Irish skin I am obsessive about trying to stay covered! This one has been the best I’ve found! Keeps its shape really well even after being packed (I don’t crush it flat when packed, but fill it in with other items). I love that it has a drawstring strap to keep it on in the wind. It’s also eco-friendly, made from recycled paper. Comes in 8 different colors and different sizes. (The Large-XLarge size even fits my huge head! 😀 )

8) Glam Italia! 101 Fabulous Things to Do in Rome

9) Glam Italia! 101 Fabulous Things to Do in Venice

These books are like having your fabulous, well-traveled friend whisper insider secrets into your ear. Written by Corinna Cooke, a guide and expert on all things Italy, these Glam Italia guides go way beyond the usual “go see the Colosseum” tourist checklist. They’re packed with personal stories, secret spots, and cultural context that make you feel more like a glamourous explorer than a confused visitor holding a map upside down.

When I read them, I found myself highlighting half the pages and whispering “Ooooh, I want to do that” every five minutes. They’re beautifully written, deeply researched, and filled with ideas that are perfect for someone who wants to travel meaningfully—not just check off landmarks.

If Rome or Venice are on your dream list (or you just want to pretend it is while drinking wine at home), these are must-reads.

10) Luggage Scale

Believe me, you don’t want to get to the airport and find out your suitcase has exceeded the weight limit! (Ahhh, brings back memories of the time I thought it would be a great idea to bring home bottles of coconut syrup from Hawaii for all of my coworkers, friends, and family. Luckily, I was traveling with others and was able to spread the coconut syrup out between all of us!)

This digital luggage scale is now my secret weapon. It’s compact, rechargeable (I’ve had mine for 3+ years and haven’t recharged it yet—magic?), and comes with a little tape measure so you can check both weight and size before heading to the airport.

Just loop it through your bag handle, lift, and voila—no more guessing if you’re under the limit or doing airport-floor repacking yoga in front of strangers.

If you like to come home with treasures, wine, or… liquid gifts from Hawaii, this tool will save you from those awkward “repack at gate” moments.

11) Twist Memory Foam Pillow

On a long flight, this silly-looking memory foam pillow is a lifesaver! You can twist it whichever way you want. It has a snap at the ends to hold it together. I love the washable, super-soft velour cover. It comes in a drawstring bag you can hang from your backpack or carry-on to make transporting it easy.

What’s On Your Must-Have List?

These are the travel must-haves I personally swear by after plenty of trial, error, and TSA pat-downs. They’ve helped me feel safer in hotels, comfier on long flights, and way more organized when I land.

I’d love to know—what are your go-to travel essentials? Drop a comment or send me a note. And if you found something here that’ll make your next adventure easier, I’m thrilled to have helped. Safe travels, friend—and may your suitcase always weigh under 50 pounds.