Travel Essentials Lists and Tips: Advice on Packing, Getting Rest, & The Best Travel Themed Gifts

Hey there jet-setter! If you’re anything like us, travel is an essential part of life. It’s what gets you excited, inspires you, and drives you. That’s why we’re bringing you the ultimate travel essentials list, so we can make your favorite pastime so much easier. ✈️🚢🚊🧳🚁 Whether you're preparing for a 10-day adventure, a relaxing beach vacation, or simply figuring out how to fit everything into your carry-on, this guide ensures you’ll be well-prepared for any kind of trip. We’ll share advice on best ways to pack, essentials you should take along, and how to maintain comfort and get rest during your travels. As a bonus we’ll also tell you about our favorite picks for thoughtful gifts you can give to your friends and family members who also love to explore the world! As always, we’ve got you covered 😉. In this article, you will learn: How to Pack Efficiently What to Pack for Different Types of Trips Tips for Staying Comfortable and Getting Rest When Traveling Gift Ideas for Travelers At the end of each section, you will find a handy travel essentials list for quick reference when planning your next trip or shopping for a travel themed gift. How to Pack Efficiently No one wants to start their vacation off by lugging around bags and bags of heavy luggage through the airport - or even worse - having to pay extra for an over-packed bag. Could never be us! Here are some tips and products to include in your travel essentials list that will make packing so much easier. A good way to stay organized when packing is to make a list of everything you need. Start with the absolute necessities like Passport, ID, tickets, toothbrush, pajamas, etc., and go from there. Making a list ensures that you won’t forget anything and won’t overpack with unnecessary items. Plus, how good does it feel to check something off a list?! ✅ Space Saving Packing Cubes One of the most important packing tips is to use space efficiently. A great way to do this is to make use of packing cubes! These not only keep your suitcase organized, but also do a great job of using up every inch of space. This set from BEIS is super chic and convenient. We love an organized queen! 👑 Cute Customizable Toiletry Bottles Another great way to make use of space is to use toiletry bottles. Bringing full-sized products takes up tons of valuable space and runs the risk of spillage, but obvi we can’t take any time off from our skincare routine! That’s why we love these Cadence capsules; they offer customizable colors, sizes, and labels so you can take your whole routine with you. They are definitely worth the investment! Plus they’re super durable, environmentally friendly, 100% leak proof, and, of course, TSA-compliant. Not to mention they're adorable. Chic and Versatile Toiletry Bags It’s also super helpful to bring a toiletry bag to keep your toiletry bottles, toothbrush, and any other toiletries in. These Incidental Bags from APD are super lightweight and durable, water resistant, and come in so many different fun patterns! And, the bag is not limited to just toiletries. Use it for snacks, makeup, underwear, jewelry, or anything else that fits! Chicness and convenience? Yes please!! Pre-Planned Outfits A trick we love to use to not overpack is to plan outfits out ahead of time. Instead of just throwing together random pieces you like, try to plan full outfits. This makes packing easier, and makes it so easy and quick to get dressed once you’re on the trip. Bonus points if you try on the outfits beforehand and take pics so you can reference them on the trip! Carry-On Luggage for Things You Can’t Afford to Lose Not sure what to pack in your suitcase vs. carry-on? Our advice is to think about what’s really important for you to have on hand. It's good to bring toiletries, jewelry, and any important outfits that you can’t afford to lose. For example, if you’re traveling for a wedding or special event, it’s always good to keep the outfit and accessories you’ll be wearing in your carry-on. You could also bring a steamer in your carry-on, plus a pair of socks, underwear, and pajamas! A general rule of thumb is; If you can’t get through a few days without it, or if it’s too valuable to lose, pack it in your carry-on! This way, you’ll never be caught unprepared. Travel Essentials List for Packing Efficiently Packing list of necessities such as passport, ID, tickets, toothbrush, pajamas, etc. Packing cubes Compact and customizable toiletry bottles Multi-use toiletry bag for toiletries, snacks, makeup, etc. Pre-planned full outfits and photos to remember how to put them together Carry-on bag for essentials and valuables that you can’t afford to lose such as jewelry, important outfits, spare underwear and socks etc. What To Pack for Different Types of Trips While each trip requires different things to bring along, there are definitely some essentials that are important to have for any type of trip! Lightweight Trench Coat with Big Pockets Weather can be unpredictable so it’s important to be ready for anything! Versatile clothing pieces can make traveling so much easier. We’re obsessed with this APD trench coat for travel. It’s super lightweight which makes it easy to pack and suitable for different types of weather. It can also be worn multiple different ways (even as a dress). Did we mention it has HUGE pockets so you don't have to carry a bag? Plus it's soo chic and comfortable. You can even use it to cover a seat or as a blanket on an airplane! It makes it so easy to look put-together while traveling. We LOVE a good airport look! 🧥 Comfy Fashionable Pajamas No matter if your travels are activity based or relaxation based, you’re gonna wanna be well-rested. That’s why it’s important to bring a comfy pair of pajamas that will ensure a good night's sleep, no matter where you are! We love Olivia Von Halle for PJs. They’re 100% silk and come in tons of super stylish colors and prints. You’ll be the most fashionable person around, even when it’s bedtime! 💤 Portable Travel Size Clothing Steamer Another travel staple that’s important to have for any destination is a travel steamer. Your clothes are bound to get wrinkled from your suitcase, so it’s important to get them looking crisp and nice again! Not every stay offers an iron, plus steamers are much more convenient and easy to use than an iron. This steamer is compact, great for traveling, and can even double as an iron! Just don't forget to bring outlet adapters if you’re traveling internationally. If you don’t want to use a steamer, wrinkle spray is a great alternative! You can get it on Amazon or from most markets in the laundry section. There’s no excuse for wrinkled clothing around here! We want you to look your best. 🖤 Travel Essentials List for Any Type of Trip Versatile clothing for various weather such as a trench coat with pockets Comfortable, breathable pajamas Portable steamer Tips for Comfort and Getting Rest When Traveling Traveling can be hard on your body, so it’s necessary to take care of yourself and make sure you’re well-rested. We know it can be a struggle to sleep on airplanes so here are some steps to make it easier, plus how to stay healthy while traveling. Cozy Loose Clothing One of our #1 tips when traveling is to dress in comfy, loose clothes. If you’re at all uncomfortable, you probably won’t be able to rest. And you know you need your beauty sleep! Airplanes can get pretty cold so bring a sweatshirt and some fluffy socks or slippers for maximum comfort. You’ll be sleeping like a baby in no time! Sleep Mask Another trick is to use a sleep mask to help block out any unnecessary light or distractions. We love to use a silk one like this to add an extra layer of comfort and luxe. 💅🏻 Noise-Canceling Headphones Noise-canceling headphones can be a lifesaver on noisy transportation, especially airplanes. These Apple AirPods are a fan favorite for keeping things quiet. If you’re still struggling to sleep, try playing white noise. This is one of our favorite tricks for falling asleep! It shuts your brain right down and blocks out the noise around you. 🔇 Water Bottle with a Filter It’s important to stay hydrated while traveling, but it’s so easy to get busy and forget. We recommend taking a refillable water bottle with you so you always have easy access to water. 🚰 We know some places can be stingy when it comes to giving you water (we’re looking at you Europe 👀). Bonus points if it has a filter like this one! Healthy Snacks and Vitamins When you’re on vacation, it’s easy to throw healthy eating habits out the window. It’s ok to indulge, but make sure you’re still getting in your fruits, veggies, and protein! You can even bring along some vitamins to make sure you’re in tiptop shape. Not sure what to take? Some favorites for staying healthy are Magnesium, Zinc, and Beta Glucan. Or, go with a trusted multivitamin! Staying healthy is so in right now. 🥦🥕🥒🥗🫑🍅🥬 Packing List for Staying Comfortable & Getting Rest Comfortable clothing you can layer such as a t-shirt, sweatshirt, cozy socks and slippers etc. Sleep mask Noise-canceling headphones Refillable water bottle, ideally with a filter Healthy snacks Vitamins Best Gift Ideas for Friends and Family Who Love to Travel We all have that friend or family member who loves to travel (or maybe it's you). Here are some thoughtful gifts that will be perfect for them…or yourself. We won’t tell 😉. Monogrammed Passport Cover We absolutely adore this passport cover! It’s so adorable and we love that you can put initials on it. Get it monogrammed in their favorite color for a personal and useful gift that they will just love! Multi-Purpose Scarf Like we said, versatile clothing is so important to have when traveling. That’s why we’re beyond obsessed with this APD scarf!🧣It’s reversible, doubles as a hood, and has a zipper pocket that can carry your phone, wallet, lip gloss, or whatever else fits! Plus it's a custom and exclusive APD print and 100% cotton. It also comes in a couple different pattern variations. Yes, please! Monogrammed Luggage Tag Another great gift for travelers is a monogrammed luggage tag. Not only is it stylish, it makes it so much easier to find your luggage when it comes off the plane and ensures you can be contacted if it gets lost! This luggage tag is super chic and has tons of design options for colors and monograms. Now that’s how you travel in style! 🧳 Secure Jewelry Case This jewelry case is perfect for a traveler. Traveling with jewelry can be risky so it’s important to make sure it’s secure. 💎 This case is compact, has multiple compartments, and fun color variations, plus you can get it monogrammed with their initials. So cute! Portable Charger If you love to travel, chances are you’re not spending too much time in your hotel room. That’s why it’s important to have a portable charger to ensure your phone stays charged so you can stay in contact with others, call rides, get directions, and document the trip! 🤳🏼 This charger is super fast and can charge 2 devices at once. How convenient! Apple AirTags If you’re a frequent flier, things are bound to get lost in the process. Apple AirTags are a perfect way to keep track of all your belongings, no matter where you are! Travel Journal, Sudoku and Crossword Puzzles A travel journal is a super sentimental gift that encourages you to keep track of your travels in a more traditional way. In a world oversaturated with technology, it can feel really refreshing and relaxing to have a pencil in hand. It’s a great way to keep track of what you’ve done, write down advice to give yourself in future travels, and remember all the precious memories you’ll want to look back on! BRB while we go buy one. 📔 Speaking of a pencil, an old school Sudoku or crossword puzzle would make a great gift too! Thoughtful Travel Essentials for Gift Giving Personalized passport cover Multi-purpose scarf such as the APD scarf Monogrammed luggage tags Jewelry case Portable charger Apple AirTags Travel journal Sudoku and crossword puzzles Ready, Set, Jet: Travel Smart, Pack Light, Explore More Ready to start packing? With these travel essentials and tips, you’re all set for any adventure ahead. Whether it's mastering the art of efficient packing, staying comfortable during long flights, or finding the perfect gift for your fellow travel enthusiasts, we hope this guide adds a bit of ease and joy to your journeys. After all, travel should be about discovering new places, not stressing over what’s in your bag. So, here’s to smooth travels, unforgettable memories, and, of course, a little extra room in your carry-on! Safe travels, jet-setter! ✈️🌍 Did you enjoy this blog? 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