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12 Must-Have Travel Essentials for Women (I Personally Use)

travel essentials for women
I love planning my outfits for my travels.

When it comes to travel and exploring the world, it's important you're never stranded without your favorite items. I love planning ahead and coordinating my outfits as well.

Whether you're planning a local weekend getaway, a road trip around Portugal or Iceland, an island-hopping adventure in Thailand, or a month-long European vacation, my packing list of the 12 must-have travel essentials for women will ensure you're ready for your trip. I use all these myself!

Travel Essentials for Women You Won’t Want to Leave Without

1. TRTL Travel Pillow

TRTL travel pillow

The truth is most neck pillows suck. We've all experienced discomfort and disappointment with traditional options. So I recently trialed the popular TRTL Travel Pillow, and it is a game-changer in the world of travel neck pillows!

Unlike your traditional U-shaped pillows that often provide inadequate support and are simply so bulky, the TRTL Pillow features an innovative design that wraps around your neck and provides ergonomic support.

I like the soft fleece material and while at first I wasn't too sure about the internal support structure, I can confirm, it does hold your neck in a comfortable position. I am yet to try it on a longer journey and will report back then.

The compact and lightweight design of the TRTL Pillow makes it convenient to carry and can be used on planes, trains, or even during road trips. Check out and compare the Original TRTL Travel Pillow online.

2. Functional Travel Luggage

For the jet-setting fashionista, chic and versatile travel luggage not only adds style but also enhances functionality.

When selecting your travel luggage, consider factors such as the duration of your trip, required storage space, durable construction, and convenient features like wheels and handles for easy maneuverability.

Whether you opt for a sleek carry-on suitcase, a stylish backpack with organizational compartments, or a trendy duffel bag, choosing the right luggage ensures a seamless and fashionable travel experience.

Day Packs

Day packs are great for carrying essentials during day trips and hiking adventures when you need cold drinks. I personally like anti-theft backpacks that go across the body and provide added security for your personal items.

cross body bags for travel
I love a good crossbody bag for traveling.

Lastly, a functional tote bag or lightweight canvas bag is a must-have travel essential for any woman on the go, suitable for shopping trips and doubling as carry-on luggage.

Being lightweight, they won't take up much luggage space or weight, making them a versatile item that you likely use throughout your entire trip, regardless of your destination.

3. Quick Dry, Sand Free Towel

cutest travel towel by Breathing Travel
I pack this cute travel towel and take it on literally every trip.

Have you ever made it to a new destination just to be caught out without a towel? It used to happen to me all the time when going to the beach in a new country.

For me, a stylish travel towel that doubles as a beach towel is one of the genius women's travel essentials. But not any old towel will do!

A few of the things I love about the Breathing Travel Towel is that, firstly, it's sand resistant, which works magic for my personal needs! Trust me, there is nothing worse, especially as I am someone who literally attracts sand EVERYWHERE.

Plus, it's super lightweight and quick drying. As well as being aesthetically pleasing, the towel is made of recycled fabrics, making it look good and feel-good travel essential. It also comes with its own carry case, so I can pop it in my beach bag alongside my reusable water bottle, lip balm, book and makeup and still be left with loads of room.

4. Travel-Friendly Personal Care Products

When it comes to jet-setting, every savvy traveler knows that being prepared is the key to a smooth and enjoyable journey.

And what better way to ensure you're always looking and feeling your best than by packing travel-friendly personal care products in your hanging toiletry bag?

I never leave home without:

  • Travel-sized skincare sets including cleansers and moisturizers
  • Dry shampoo and my favorite hair products in travel size
  • Hair ties
  • Sunscreen
  • Female products including period cup (often not available in all countries!)
  • Make up and make up remover
  • Collapsible or travel-sized hair tools

Another one of my most recommended personal care items is a product that's often forgotten about until it's too late! Make My Shave is an Australian brand that provides sustainable body care products, including their iconic women's razor. Not only does this stunning shaver leave your skin silky-smooth and bump-free, but the handy travel bag means this shave set can go anywhere with you, including in your hand luggage or carry-on bag.

If, like me, you've ever been caught out when you realize you forgot to shave your bikini line (whoops!) and you don't want the hassle of having to find a razor or buy a new one, taking your Make My Shave on holiday is an absolute lifesaver. Purchase your Make My Shave Starter Kit online.

Make My Shave Women's Razor & Travel Bag

But let's not stop there. Hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes are ideal items to carry in your hand luggage, allowing you to sanitize your area wherever you are.

Additionally, consider using multipurpose products to save space and streamline your beauty routine. Biodegradable wet wipes always come in handy for experienced female travelers.

5. Clothing Essentials

As a female traveler who values packing light yet being prepared for various climates, my packing list varies depending on the destination, be it warm or cold, but certain essentials remain constant.

One such staple is a wind and waterproof jacket that offers protection against showers, which you'll frequently encounter in Southeast Asia, a destination I travel to a lot.

I always pack versatile t-shirts that can be layered for warmth or worn alone in hotter climates. Cheap sunglasses are a must-have in my bag in case they get lost or I misplace them.

Additionally, I carry a cozy blanket scarf that serves multiple purposes, from keeping me warm during chilly plane rides to covering up when visiting religious sites such as temples that require covering up. This will save extra cost as in many places you have to pay a small fee to rent or buy a sarong or similar.

blanket scarf to cover up
Blanket scarf to cover up while visiting the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.

To keep my belongings organized, I always use packing cubes in a variety of sizes. I also include a lightweight laundry bag that helps separate clean clothes from used ones during the trip.

6. Comfortable and Stylish Footwear

Exploring new destinations often involves a lot of walking, so comfortable footwear is a clothing essential you won't want to travel without. Consider it a non-negotiable and one of the most important travel essentials for women.

Add comfortable walking shoes that can be versatile, such as supportive sneakers or stylish sandals, to your packing list. As a female, I try and pack footwear that matches different outfits and can handle various terrains all while making sure the shoes are light enough but can still double as moderate hiking or workout shoes if needed.

clothing essentials for women
I pack lightweight sneakers for warm countries as they double for walking and working out.

If you decide one pair just isn't enough, packing cubes can be extremely useful. Plus, you can stuff extra socks, valuables or delicate items inside your shoes to save space in your carry-on bags or larger luggage.

7. Portable Charger and Power Bank

If you like to be organized, especially for a long-haul flight, a phone charger and power bank can be especially useful and don't take up too much space. They can also be used at your final destination, making sure that your phone is charged to stay connected

travel accessories

8. Noice Cancelling Headphones and Apple Watch

More handy travel tips include packing essential tech accessories like a universal adapter and noise-canceling headphones. Eliminating as much noise as you can during long-haul flights can be considered one of the best essentials for women.

I personally use Apple Air Pods and have been for years, the noise cancellation in them is great and they are so small that you can sleep easily without having a bulk set of noise-cancelling headphones on.

Getting sleep during long flights can make a world of difference to how you feel at the start of your holiday. Headphones can also be useful for dulling sounds from a noisy hotel room, which is helpful if you have a layover or quick sleep stop during your journey.

Bringing your Apple Watch is another essential. As an invaluable travel companion for women, its got plenty of features like GPS tracking, notifications, and health monitoring, all in a compact and elegant design.

9. Travel Jewelry Organizer

I love jewelry and travel with selected essential pieces that I can style with multiple outfits. To keep organised, I use a travel jewelry organizer. It's compact with multiple compartments and slots designed to store any jewelry from earrings to necklaces and rings.

Plus it's got a secure closure to keep items in place during travel, and even built-in mirrors for when I take off jewelry in places like on the plane. I always keep my jewelry organizer with me in my hand luggage, never check it in just in case!

10. First Aid kit

A compact first-aid kit is an essential item that every female traveler should have in their luggage.

It's handy for both a weekend getaway or a longer trip as it provides peace of mind. My kit has items such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, adhesive tape, motion sickness tablets, painkillers, and other basic medical supplies.

Having a first-aid kit ensures quick access to necessary items in case of emergencies, no matter if it's a small cut, blister or mosquito bite.

11. Safety Gear for Female Travelers

Taking some sort of safety gear is crucial for me and I recommend it for any female travel. Although I've been fortunate to avoid scary situations during my travels, it's always wise to take precautions and be prepared.

Among the essential safety items, I consider pepper spray as its compact yet effective tool for self-defense in unexpected situations. If you're planning to explore more adventure destinations, e.g. hiking Bali's volcanoes at night or camping across Canada, an overhead light is another valuable addition. It could prove useful during power outages on a tropical island and offers illumination and safety for nighttime activities in general.

When planning a summer trip to Europe and expecting to visit crowded locations, consider buying an anti-theft travel purse equipped with features such as slash-resistant straps. And never keep all your money in one place, I always spread cash and cards across various places in my luggage as well as on my body.

12. Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is something I never go without! It's an invaluable investment offering essential protection and peace of mind no matter how far you travel. Select a travel insurance provider based on the specific destinations you plan to visit and ensure that adventurous activities such as diving, skiing, or skydiving are also included in the coverage if you engage in them.

Numerous travel insurance providers offer coverage for unexpected events like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost or delayed luggage, and various other situations, make sure you read the small print!

Travel Essentials for Women – Final Words

Finally, with these essential travel items, you'll be well-prepared and ready to take off on your next adventure with confidence and style. Remember to pack important documents like your passport and credit cards, and make sure you have travel insurance and a travel purse.

Stay hydrated while travelling by making sure you pack a collapsible or reusable water bottle and make your journey extra comfortable by packing a neck pillow into your hand luggage.

Whatever you do, don't forget to leave room for spontaneity and souvenirs, as travel is all about discovering new experiences and creating lifelong memories. Bon voyage!

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