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Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
TravelFEB 4, 2025

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items

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Traveling: it’s all fun and games until you’re that person fumbling with tangled headphones at airport security or realizing you forgot to pack your toothbrush for a week-long adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or just trying to get through your vacation without losing your luggage (or sanity), there’s always something that can make the journey a little smoother.
So when someone online asked what other netizens had to have when traveling, it led to a thread where 41 netizens shared their must-have travel items that help avoid meltdowns and chaotic moments on the road.
More info: Reddit

#1

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
“Oh S**t” kit with OTC meds we use most often (ibuprofen, Pepto, allergy pills, DayQuil/NyQuil, etc.) in a small pill case or blister pack, Band-Aids with Neosporin, alcohol prep pads, gauze strip, and a tampon/panty liner. In my normal toiletry bag, I also have nail clippers and tweezers, to round it out.

It fits into a little pouch slightly larger than a credit card (but fatter) and saved our asses this summer when we got COVID while traveling and during another trip where someone cut themselves.

There is only small amounts of each item, but it gets you through the initial “oh s**t” moment.
16points

#2

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
Dental floss (or Dento-tape) and a sturdy needle. For flossing, sure, but it also makes a fantastic thread if you need to repair clothes, bags, shoes.
14points

#3

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
Sort of a weird essential, I know, but I usually pack a small pouch of goodies for rainy days: card games, a Bluetooth speaker, and a candle. I’m an active traveler and tend to go to remote locations, so it’s great to have after a long day of hiking or on an actual rainy day. Once I was doing a farm stay in Costa Rica, and when I brought out a deck of Phase10 my hosts flipped out! They were big fans of the game and called a few of their neighbors over to play. They were also fans of 80s music, so the Bluetooth speaker came in handy. Despite it getting competitive at times, it turned into as super fun night and one of my favorite travel memories.

Another item I like to bring along are those hydration packets you can add to water. They help with everything from recovery from an active day, a bad case of food poisoning or upset stomach, a hangover from partying too much, dealing with high altitudes, jet lag, and just making the water taste a little better.
13points

Travel Daily Media explain that comfort is usually most important in a successful trip. In fact, they state that 74% of passengers value comfort, well over value for money and efficiency.

They go on to state that passengers value comfort so much that most will actually pay for extras in an attempt to gain it. Most in demand for extras, in first and second position, respectively, are access to an airport lounge and increased legroom in the plane.

#4

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
I have a power strip with 220110V conversion, multiple adapters, USB A and C outlets. Never go to any hotel without it, fits in a nice little case.
12points

#5

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
Reusable water bottle. For countries with non-potable tap water, buy a gallon at the supermarket to refill.
12points

#6

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
Got to be an eSIM for mobile data. I don't need to buy local SIM cards anymore and don't worry about running up large bills. I use BreatheSIM and I just buy data through their app for the country or region I'm going to. I traveled around Europe with the family this Summer and we bought a 10GB plan which lasted us for the whole trip - navigation, streaming music, finding places to stay and eat in cities and the odd episode of Paw Patrol for the kids. Buying a Europe package also meant we didn't have to worry when moving between countries in Europe as well. Worked a treat.
10points

Carryology acknowledges that as exciting as traveling it, reality sets in when one spends several hours, sometimes even a full day, in an airplane especially as fatigue, disorientation, and discomfort often await on the other side of these extended flights.

Therefore, travel essentials always come in handy. These essential items usually make flights smoother, helping reduce jet lag and discomfort.

#7

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
A half roll of toilet paper (min), just in case.
10points

#8

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
Multivitamin packets, electrolyte powders, band-aids, ziplocs, and earplugs top my extensive list!
10points

#9

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
My microfiber towel is probably the best thing I have ever purchased. I love that thing, so useful for traveling!
10points

Learning how to pack smart will not only save your time and your energy but will make your trip much better overall. No matter whether one is an experienced traveler or not, the first step to having a smooth travel is learning to pack effectively.

Lonely Planet highlights some necessary essentials for travelers as these things typically make traveling a lot easier. According to them, items like "cash, credit cards, passports, first aid kits, headphones, chargers, adapters, earplugs, and travel neck pillows" among other things should always be taken along when traveling.

#10

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
Assuming you are going overseas and you have your regular travel essentials; power adapter/converter, small amount of cash, and no foreign transaction fee credit card.

Make sure you are aware of your mobile roaming fees, credit card fees, healthcare coverage, and insurance coverage related to international travel.
9points

#11

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
Lots of good suggestions. One thing I always carry that o haven't seen listed is carabiner clips. I always have a few clips to my bag. Great for a keychain (for the rare place that still uses physical keys) or just to clip your coffee mug, water bottle, etc to yourself. I have one that also has a bottle opener on it that's been going with me for years.
9points

#12

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
Waterproof bags or a handful of zip lock bags. Keep passport and vital docs in one.

And a sandwich sized tuperware/Lock & Lock food storage to store for and anything else you need to.
9points

Fit For Travel suggests that of utmost importance when traveling is a first aid kit. They explain that accessing medical care in a country can at times be a problem, and it is best, therefore, to have proper first aid kits with one.

In their opinion, a proper first aid kit can allow one to treat minor medical ailments and prevent buying possibly dangerous drugs in a foreign country. The contents of your first aid kit will have to be geared to your specific itinerary, taking into consideration the type of trip, its location, duration and any medical conditions that may already be existing.

#13

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
A book and noise-canceling headphones.
8points

#14

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
Silly thing, but I always travel with tea bags. They always have hot water on planes but have a low-quality tea. Bringing my own means I can have a delicious cozy beverage in the air
7points

#15

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
Portable weight scale. I usually go with 2 backpacks but each flight has its weight requirement and when a cabin baggage must be say 7kg instead of 9 I just move things to the personal items bag. Sure you can do that at check-in but its easier to prepare in the room and the scale is the size of a couple of pens
7points

Of course, everyone is a little different when it comes to traveling. Some prefer to go lightly and wing it, and then there are those who swear by a full carry-on bag in case of any and all eventualities.

Regardless of your style, one thing is for certain: having your must-haves in tow can make a whole lot of difference between a disorganized trip and a trip that glides effortlessly. So, what are your must-brings?

#16

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
When I took students on tours I advised each of them to take a plastic grocery store bag in case they had to vomit. Came in handy more times than I'd like to admit. And if you don't need it, put your dirty items in it on the way home.
6points

#17

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
At least 2 credit cards. One stored in the wallet and one with the luggage. One time the atm at Hong Kong airport decided not to spit out my card fortunately I had a backup card.
Padlocks for all bags (yes that includes locking bags when Im out of the hotel/airbnb).
Power adaptor.
I am happy that my phone has a second sim slot so that I can use the local sim card.
À backpack. Its my carry on but use it when sight seeing.

Yes as someone else mentioned. Travel insurance is essential.
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5points

#18

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
My yoga mat to stretch out after a long flight, and My thermos w/tea bags & miso soup mix because you never know when you’re going to wake up starving at 3am due to jet lag or you just need a cup of tea. (I always ask for an electric tea kettle for my room. ).
5points

#19

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
I put shower caps over the soles of my shoes so they don't dirty up the suitcase or anything else inside my suitcase.
5points

#20

Netizens Share Their 41 “Must-Haves” For Travelling, From The Obvious To Super Specific Items
A pack of instant noodles against hangryness. A life saver when arriving in the middle of the night to random airbnb's after a long flight . Even in the event that, fo some reason, no hot water is not available, one can eat them uncooked.
5points
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