Travelling is an exciting and enriching experience, but packing for it can be pretty daunting, constantly wondering if you’ve forgotten anything important. Choosing the right outfits, toiletries and tech can be overwhelming, which is why having a checklist of travel essentials for women is crucial to ensure that you have everything you need for a comfortable and stress-free trip.
In this blog post, I’ve listed 33 of my must-have travel essentials for women you simply can’t forget to pack. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or planning your first trip, this guide will help you pack smarter and travel with confidence.
Bags & Organisers
1. Smart Travel Backpack
The Nordace Siena II Smart Travel Backpack is the travel bag to rule them all. It’s water-resistant and features a built-in USB charging port, RFID blocker, more pockets than you can count and it slides over the handle of your suitcase for convenience. This right here is top of my list of travel essentials for women.
2. Anti-Theft Messenger Bag
The Travelon Women’s Anti-Theft Classic Messenger Bag is both stylish and practical, featuring slash-resistant body panels and straps, locking compartments, and RFID-blocking technology to prevent electronic theft. Plus it’s water-resistant and easy to clean, making it a must-have in our list of travel essentials for women.
3. Packing Cubes & Organisers
Packing cubes are an efficient and convenient way to keep your luggage organised and maximise your suitcase space. This 8-pack from BAGAIL comes with 3 different mesh clothing bags, underwear and sock bags, a cosmetics case, drawstring and shoe bags. If you want even more space, check out these compression cubes by BAGAIL which can save you an additional 60% space using compression zipper technology.
4. Hanging Toiletries Bag plus Clear Carry-On Bag
A hanging toiletries bag is a game changer in cramped bathrooms with little to no shelf space – you can hang it from a towel rack, shower curtain rod or door handle. And this BAGSMART one comes with a TSA-approved transparent bag for your carry-on toiletries. Talk about 2 for 1 travel essentials for women!
Travel Essentials for Women
READ: Backpacking Women
Click here for travel tips & safety advice for women travellers.
Sleep & Comfort
5. Memory Foam Travel Pillow
Long travel usually means sleeping wherever and whenever you can – be it on planes, trains, buses or boats. A good travel pillow makes all the difference when you’re forced to sleep sitting upright.
6. Sleeping Mask
Turn daylight into midnight on the go with this comfortable, light-blocking sleeping mask designed to take the pressure off your eyelids and not mess up your eyelash extensions (IYKYK).
7. Travel Blanket
Freeze on flights no more with this trusty travel blanket, designed to fold up and fit into a convenient case that can be attached to your suitcase using a carabiner clip or luggage sleeve.
Travel Essentials for Women
Sustainability & Convenience
8. Filtered Water Bottle
Get clean water anywhere with the LARQ purifying insulated water bottle which eliminates bacteria and viruses, turning unsafe tap water into perfectly fine drinking water. Tried and tested by yours truly for over 3 years now.
9. Collapsible Travel Cup
The STOJO Collapsible Travel Cup is a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to single-use cups. It collapses into a compact size when not in use, making it easy to carry in your bag throughout your travels.
10. Portable Charger
A portable charger is a must-have to keep you connected during your travels and long days out. Not just so you can post on the gram, but for your safety and security.
11. Universal Travel Adapter
Gone are the days of buying a country-specific adapter for each and every trip you take. Explore the world with one convenient universal travel adapter.
12. 2-in-1 Travel Straightener & Curler
The L’ANGE HAIR Le Duo 360° Airflow Styler straightens, curls, and adds volume minus the heat damage using its 360-degree airflow design. It’s compact and lightweight making it the perfect hair styling tool for your travels.
13. Microfibre Towel
Stay beach, bath and exercise ready with a convenient and packable microfibre towel. These Rainleaf towels come in a variety of sizes and can be packed down into a mesh bag to save on space or attach to the outside of your bag if it’s still drying.
READ: How To Pack A Backpack
Click here to read How To Pack A Backpack
Clothing & Footwear
14. Comfortable Shoes
The Akk Women’s Walking Tennis Shoes (aka the perfect travel shoes) are ultra-comfortable and lightweight sneakers, featuring memory foam insoles for added comfort and slip-on design for easy on-and-off convenience.
15. Waterproof Slides
As much as I love my Birks, I don’t travel with them anymore. Why? Because the last time I brought them a squirrel literally ate the straps. Now I swap my Birks for these lightweight & waterproof lookalikes and leave my real ones safe at home.
16. Hiking Shoes
If you’re planning on hitting some hikes during your travels, comfortable footwear makes all the difference. Teva sandals are an absolute classic, and for good reason – they’re comfy, cute and quality.
17. Rain Jacket
Prepare for wet and wild weather with a lightweight rain jacket. The Columbia Women’s Arcadia II Jacket features air-permeable protection that’s waterproof and breathable to shield you from drizzle to downpour.
18. Lightweight Jacket
Even if you’re headed to the tropics, icy aircon or a freak cold day will be sure to catch you off-guard… unless you pack a lightweight and packable water-resistant puffer jacket!
19. Shawl/Coverup
A versatile shawl is a must-have travel essential for women planning on visiting any religious or sacred sites or conservative countries. Keep one handy to cover your shoulders or wrap around your waist if your outfit isn’t acceptable. It’ll save you a rental fee.
Travel Essentials for Women
Toiletries
20. Travel Toothbrush
Leave the clunky charging station at home – the Philips One is the travel toothbrush of your dreams. It has up to 30 days battery life, a convenient USB-C charging cable and a sleek travel case. You’re welcome.
21. Refillable Travel Bottles
Stock up on all your favourite toiletries from home with TSA-approved refillable travel bottles. These Valourgo bottles are under 100ml so you can pack them in your carry-on and they’re made from BPA-free, food-grade silicone. Double win.
22. Dry Shampoo
After days on end of travelling, it’s super nice to be able to get another day or two between washes with trusty dry shampoo. These mini cans from Batiste are also flight-friendly, making them the ultimate travel essential for women.
23. Makeup Removing Cloth
Freshen up after a long flight or late night with a makeup-removing cloth. They’re eco-friendly, gentle on your face, and can even remove waterproof mascara. But don’t ask me how – they just do.
24. SPF & After-Sun Care
No matter where you are in the world, the sun does damage. This handy pack from Sun Bum includes a travel-sized SPF 30 sunscreen, SPF 30 lip balm and soothing cool-down lotion for when you forget to put your SPF on – because you know you will.
25. Lanolin Ointment
SPF by day, Lanolips by night – words to live by. This magical 101 Ointment by Lanolips not only restores moisture to cracked lips, but can also be used for cuticles, dry skin, tattoo aftercare and nipple cream.
26. Soap Bar
Leave your body wash behind – soap bars are the way to go when travelling. They don’t count as a liquid, they last forever and they’re kinder on the environment. The MVP of travel essentials for women.
28. First Aid Kit
We women like be prepared for everything, so make like Meredith Grey and have a first aid kit at the ready. This kit by Protect Life was designed by doctors, EMTs and CPR instructors, and has all the things you could need in a sticky situation.
29. Menstrual Cup
If you haven’t already made the switch to menstrual cups, your next trip is as good a time as any. No more running out of pads or tampons at the most inopportune moments. Plus, you get to lessen your mark on the planet. Win-win for you and Mother Nature. If you’re looking for a good portable cleaner to go with your cup, check out this one by Rosa Rugosa.
READ: Long Flight Essentials
Click here to read our 24 must-have long flight essentials
Safety & Security
30. Personal Safety Alarm
You never want to find yourself in a situation to have to use one, but a personal safety alarm is one of the most important travel essentials for women. If there’s one thing you don’t leave home without, let it be the She’s Birdie safety alarm.
31. Portable Door Lock
Call me paranoid but I just don’t trust hotel doors – maybe because I worked in hotels. Double down on doors with a portable door lock tool, one of those travel essentials for women you might not have thought of but definitely want to consider.
32. Pepper Spray
I hate that I even have to write this, but until women can walk down the street and not have to look over their shoulders, I’ll be including pepper spray on this list of travel essentials for women. This discreet but easy-to-use keychain pepper spray would look great next to your Birdie.
33. Travel Insurance
Last but not least we have the most boring but most important travel essential for women, and men, and everyone – travel insurance. After years of travelling full-time, SafetyWing Nomad Insurance is by far the best option for young travellers, be it for a week or a year.
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