Let's face it, travel can be super stressful sometimes. Luckily, there are a few tools available to us nowadays that can make the process a whole lot smoother and help us stay sane on hectic travel days. Let's chat about a few of my personal favorites that I simply cannot travel without!
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Google Maps
Honestly what did we even do before the days of Google Maps? Anyone here remember using paper maps, or being the designated written directions reader? Google Maps has made my life in general so much easier, and when I'm traveling, it's an absolute must for me. Did you know there's even a feature that allows you to download a section of the map while you're on wifi that you can use later while you're offline? This is such a game-changer for those moments when you have low or no phone service. Not to mention, I still find Google Maps to be the best way for me to find local vegan restaurants. I love that I can see the menu, reviews and photos of the restaurant itself before I decide if it's worth checking out.
My Mini First Aid Kit
Things happen, and it's always a good idea to be prepared. That's why on every trip, I always bring my mini first aid kit. It's honestly just an old zip-lock baggie with various supplies in it, including band-aids, alcohol pads, extra face masks, ibuprofen and pepto bismol. I also like to carry a pair of mini tweezers in there, which did come in super handy one time when my friend stepped on a bee at the beach and we needed to remove the stinger. Just trust me on this one!
Travel Medical Insurance
This may seem like just another expense, but for me, having it gives me so much more peace of mind. Especially when I'm being just a little more adventurous during my travels than I normally would be at home. I've been using SafetyWing Nomad Insurance for years now, I love that the price is affordable and it's easy to sign up for, even if you're already abroad. You have medical, car and maybe even life insurance at home, so why not travel medical insurance while you're on your next adventure? And while honestly I have yet to need to use my travel medical insurance from SafetyWing, I've heard other travelers say how grateful they were to have it during an unexpected incident. So, I'd recommend it for being on the safe side and having some extra peace of mind for your next trip, it's a non-negotiable for me, personally.
Earplugs
If you're a light sleeper like me, this one is an absolute must. Especially if you're planning on staying in shared spaces like hostels or capsule hotels. I usually just grab a pack of them from my local drugstore, so I don't have to worry about loosing them. But there are higher quality ones out there as well. Getting enough rest is so important to me, so I can fully enjoy my travels and stay alert enough to stay safe while I'm solo traveling.
My Passport Card
This may not be available in every country, but I always bring my passport card with me when I travel. If you don't know what a passport card is, it's basically an identification card that you can get when you order a new passport. And while you usually cannot travel with your passport card alone, I like to always bring mine with me on my trips. I personally use mine in place of an I.D. card while I'm out and about, such as if I may be going to a bar or club, instead of my U.S. driver's license or passport. This is mainly in case my bag or wallet gets lost or stolen, I'll at least still have my passport safely back at my hotel.
An E-Sim Card
It's 2024, and in this day and age, there's no reason we should have to go without cell phone service while we're traveling, especially if you're going solo. Even less than a year ago, I used to try and rely on wifi alone to keep me connected, which was not a good move. Finally, I decided to try out using an e-sim for the first time when I went to Southeast Asia last fall, and I will never travel without one ever again. The one that I used is from the app Airalo. I love that it allows me to have service in so many countries around the world, without the hassle of having to change physical sim cards. Being able to do things like stay in contact with my family and find my accommodations, even without access to wifi, is a must for me.
Vitamins
I'm the type of person who takes vitamins when I'm home, so of course I like to bring ones for my travels as well. If your trip is only a few days long, I'd recommend putting your vitamins into a pill organizer, instead of bringing the entire bottle. However if you are going for a longer trip, I'd opt for vitamin bottles on the smaller side, that you can always refill with your favorite vitamins at home. Being sick while you're traveling sucks, and can keep you from enjoying your trip fully. That's why I always like to bring along some vitamins to help me, and others, stay healthy.
A Travel Journal
This one might not exactly be a necessity, but I do think it's nice to have. You never know when you might want to write something important down, or just let your thoughts flow onto paper during your adventures. I'm the type of person who usually journals in my regular life, so I love bringing a journal along with me to write out my thoughts and feelings while I'm on my journeys. Be sure to check out my Etsy shop for cute journals with designs inspired by my travels!
I'm all for convincing more people to spend more of their time traveling and discovering this big beautiful world. But I get that sometimes, it can all feel a bit intimidating, especially if you're planning on going alone. So I hope this list has been helpful to you and please always feel free to reach out to me on social media with any other travel related questions or for advice. Thank you for reading!
