5 Travel Essentials You'll Wish You Packed For Your Trip

Whether you're someone who prefers to stick to a bare-bones packing list for your vacation or a fashion lover who isn't afraid to check a bag (or three), there are a few essentials that most travelers agree you should bring with you on any trip, including toiletries, clothes you actually like, sleep comforts, a first-aid kit, and electronics.

There are two types of travelers: overpackers and underpackers. Packing the perfect amount of items for a particular trip seems to be an impossible task for everyone except seasoned travel professionals. Overpackers end up lugging around multiple suitcases, which can be super frustrating when moving between planes, trains, and automobiles. Oftentimes they return home having not used half of the items they brought. Underpackers attempt to stick to an ultra-minimalist packing list so that they can fit all of their belongings in a single carry-on suitcase or even a travel backpack — but they sometimes end up in sticky situations without the essential clothing or accessories to keep themselves comfortable. Although it is totally possible to purchase most things you might need when you arrive at your destination, spending your time searching for that much-needed item you forget can cause you to miss out on more rewarding travel experiences.

There's no need to invest in a brand new wardrobe before your vacation, but you also shouldn't pack so minimally that you make yourself suffer. We read through hundreds of tips from real travelers to bring you a list of travel essentials that you'll probably wish you had packed. Do yourself a favor, and save some room for these crucial items so that you can have the best vacation possible.

Some travelers love collecting the complimentary mini shampoos, conditioners, and hand soaps from hotel rooms around the world, but you should still bring most of your personal care products with you. Toiletries were some of the most frequently mentioned items that travelers regret not packing, according to multiple Reddit forums. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and other basic items are readily available at grocery stores and pharmacies worldwide, but if you have sensitive skin or use specialty products for your hair, you should definitely bring those items with you to look and feel your best. There's a good chance you might not be able to find exactly what you're looking for while on vacation. "I'm black and when I was in Sweden for 5 months, they didn't really have what I needed so a family friend mailed some to me in a care package," u/newtothegame wrote on Reddit in regards to their hair care products.

Stock your toiletry kit with personal care essentials like fingernail clippers and tweezers. "They are easy to buy, but it can be annoying to have to wait until stores open and I will definitely have just ripped the hangnail off by then," Redditor u/am-i-a-possum wrote. Oral hygiene products like a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss are also essential. I once forgot my toothbrush on a trip to Europe and spent my first morning in Paris searching for a pharmacy so that I could brush my teeth.

Sunscreen is another essential item multiple travelers mentioned that they regrettably forgot. "Not a giant regret but sunscreen is always stupidly expensive when I buy it outside of home (United States)," one Reddit user wrote.

There are so many clothing items and accessories that are marketed as being travel-friendly, and it can be tempting to purchase a new travel capsule wardrobe when you embark on a big trip. Travel can feel like an excuse to reinvent yourself, but you should also make sure that you pack things you will actually feel comfortable wearing as you explore a new place. Stick to tried and true options that you already love. That cute cozy sweater that you wear three times a week is exactly what you're going to feel best in while sightseeing. 

Include a few essentials even if you don't think you'll need them. Lightweight layers and a sturdy pair of walking shoes are two things that Rick Steves never forgets to pack for a trip. Prepare for rain even if the weather forecast looks good. "I wish I bought an ultralight packable rain jacket before I left. Plus can be used as another layer for warmth," u/Flippinflags commented on a Reddit thread. 

Don't forget to pack a swimsuit. You never know when you might end up staying in a hotel with a spa or pool. Sometimes travel plans change and your mountain getaway turns into a spontaneous road trip to the beach with new friends you met at a hostel. If you are traveling somewhere where you might swim, travelers suggest bringing at least two swimsuits so that one can dry while you're wearing the other because "it's hard to get into a wet suit (unless you have access to a dryer)," u/mangosago explained.

Traveling has all kinds of bizzare effects on the human body. When you change time zones, you may experience the dreaded phenomena known as jet lag. Jet lag can wreck your sleep schedule and leave you feeling exhausted when you arrive at your destination — especially if you traveled on a red-eye or had a long layover. During many of my trips overseas I have struggled for days to recover and felt exhausted all day long, only to feel wired and unable to go to bed at night. If you're only traveling for a week and you spend two days of the trip catching up on sleep, it can be a real bummer. Make sure that you pack essentials to help yourself get quality rest on your trip.

Multiple travelers who chimed in on various travel-related Reddit threads suggested packing noise-canceling headphones or earbuds. If you're trying to take a nap on a noisy train or sleep through the night in a crowded hostel, they can be a lifesaver. Similarly, a sleep mask is a good essential to have on hand. Not all hotels have room-darkening curtains, and a bright streetlight positioned outside your room can make falling asleep even more difficult.

Some travelers also suggest packing some melatonin, which may help with falling asleep and staying asleep. Chamomile tea is a gentle option that can help you relax. Most hotels have a kettle for coffee, so I always pack a few chamomile tea bags to help me fall asleep while I'm abroad. Always check with your doctor before starting a new supplement.

Across multiple Reddit forums, travelers suggested packing a travel first aid kit with medicine that might come in handy while you're away. "Don't skimp on your medicine bag and first aid kit," wrote  u/Cr1zzl. "Take everything you think you might need, even if it's just a couple pills from a pill container that you only use once or twice a year. (Think about what will happen if you get an allergic reaction, a really bad headache, a stomach bug, etc)."

Other travelers suggested bringing things like Pepto-Bismol, Benadryl, antibiotic creams, bandaids, cold medicine, and electrolytes. "On my last trip to a tropical place I forgot to bring indigestion meds like Pepto. I was SO sick (maybe due to drinking tap water) and Pepto would've at least given me enough relief to get back to the hotel," u/cadmiumhoney shared. Having a few medical essentials on hand will help you get back to feeling your best as quickly as possible so that you can enjoy the rest of your trip. Plus, you won't have to worry about making your way to a pharmacy when you're sick or injured.

"I don't know how this slipped by, but it would have been so easy to throw in some medicine or throat lozenges into my pack!" wrote one traveler on the r/solotravel Reddit forum. "Luckily someone in the hostel had some, and obviously there were pharmacies/apothecaries nearby, but let me tell you, when all you want to do is lay in bed and recover, the last thing you feel like doing is walking around town trying to find drugs, explain your symptoms, and trust that the label (which you can't read) doesn't have any warnings you should heed."

Going analog on your next vacation could be a wonderful experience, but most of us are pretty reliant on modern technology throughout our trips. Many travelers rely on electronic devices to store their itineraries, plane tickets, and hotel reservations. When you need to call for an Uber or find out when the next train is departing, you'll definitely want to make sure you can hop online. Plus, having your cell phone handy can help you feel safer when traveling. Ensuring that electronic devices work properly while traveling abroad is crucial, so make sure you pack the appropriate travel essentials.

Frequent travelers swear by keeping a portable charger with them at all times, because it isn't always easy to find somewhere to plug in when you're on the go. You may want to choose one that can charge multiple devices at once. It doesn't hurt to throw an extra power cord in your bag, just in case you leave one plugged in at an airport or a cafe.

It's also a good idea to invest in a universal power adapter if you're traveling abroad, according to travelers' advice on Reddit — especially if you plan on visiting multiple countries. Electrical outlets can look quite different than you're used to, and if you don't have the right power adapter, you may not be able to plug in. A universal power adapter purchased in your home country will ensure that you can use all of your electronics regardless of where your journey takes you.

In order to formulate our list of five travel essentials you'll wish you had packed for your next trip, we turned to real travelers for advice. We identified several forums on Reddit that discussed packing for trips and read through hundreds of comments from travelers to discover which items they most regretted not packing for their vacations. We identified several categories of travel essentials and included specific items that were mentioned multiple times by different travelers. We also included some suggestions from top travel experts, like Rick Steves. For more help packing for your next trip check out our complete guide to packing light.