10 Travel Essentials We Never Go Without

This guest post is an amazingly helpful guide on travel essentials written by 100daysaway travel blog.

Over the course of 100 days traveling through Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, we quickly learned that a few key items can make family travel so much smoother.

Taking our family on a sabbatical was incredible, but it also meant long flights, train rides, hikes, and exploring new cities and landscapes. Over time, we discovered a set of essentials that we wouldn’t go anywhere without – items that keep us organized, comfortable, and ready for any adventure.

Here are the 10 travel essentials we always pack:

Want some inspiration to travel the world? Check out this 100 days travelling through Asia, Australia and New Zealand: Our Family Sabbatical: Our Plan to Travel the World for 100 Days

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1. Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are a lifesaver for keeping clothes organized and maximizing space in a backpack.

On long trips, it’s easy for clothes to get jumbled and for dirty laundry to mix with clean items. Using packing cubes keeps everything separated, organized and easy to find.

Pro tip: You can either select different colors for tops, bottoms, and underwear, or use different-sized cubes to distinguish between clothing types and assign colors for each person. This is especially useful if adults are carrying bags with kids’ clothing in them – it keeps everything organized and easy to access.

2. Travel-Friendly Backpack

A comfortable, well-fitted backpack is essential, especially when you’re carrying everything for a day of exploring with the family.

It was so important for us to get packs that fit properly, especially for the girls, that we went into physical stores so they could try different options. Make sure the backpack is appropriate for kids age and size, as too big or too heavy can make walking uncomfortable and slow everyone down, or mean adults have to carry extra bags!

A well-fitting pack with padded straps, a ventilated back, and multiple compartments keeps everyone comfortable and makes it easy to access snacks, water bottles, and small items throughout the day.

3. Portable First Aid Kit

A small first aid kit is non-negotiable for us. Bandages, antiseptic wipes, painkillers, blister pads, and any personal medications – this kit has saved us more than once.

As a family with kids, we are accustomed to plenty of scrapes and bumps from hiking, mosquito bites, and minor cuts while traveling around Asia. We’ve also come across others that have needed assistance and we have been in a position to help. Having a first aid kit on hand made all those small emergencies much easier to manage!

You can find out exactly what we carry in our first aid kit for travel with kids.

4. Travel Wash Line

A lightweight, portable wash line is perfect for drying clothes anywhere – whether in a hotel room or over a balcony railing.

We used ours countless times on our 100-day trip, as there were plenty of occasions when we either couldn’t or didn’t have time to find a laundrette. It was a simple and effective way to dry underwear and other basics quickly, keeping our packing light and our days on the move stress-free.This was the one we used from MEC. Sea To Summit 3.5m Clothesline | MEC (I do not have any affiliate programs but if you do, feel free to use)

5. Quick-Dry Travel Clothes

On the subject of washing, quick-dry clothes that are comfortable, versatile, and fast-drying were a total game changer for our family.

Quick-dry t-shirts, for example, dried overnight with no fuss, whereas cotton t-shirts often took much longer. Packing these made laundry on the go so much easier, kept our kids comfortable, and meant we could wash clothes anywhere without worrying about them staying damp.

6. Reusable Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is essential, and a reusable water bottle helps cut down on plastic waste.

I always carry one and it’s perfect for countries where tap water isn’t safe, like in many parts of Asia. Many hotels also have water fountains where you can fill up for the day, which makes it super convenient. Plus, it saves money on bottled water during long days of travel and keeps our kids hydrated on the go.

7. Hangable Toiletry Bag

A toiletry bag that hangs anywhere is incredibly practical and honestly one of the biggest surprises we discovered on our trip. It keeps items off counters, organized, and easy to access.

We used ours in hotels and Airbnb bathrooms – everything stays visible and ready to go, which makes morning routines with our kids much smoother.

8. Turkish Towel

A quick-drying, compact towel is another must-have. Whether we’re at a beach, hiking, or staying in a hotel, it’s lightweight and dries fast.

We’ve used ours countless times when hiking to a swimming hole. It’s easy to pack, and we never had to worry about packing wet clothes, which made life on the road much easier with our kids.

9. Universal Travel Adapter

A universal travel adapter is essential when traveling abroad.

I’ve learned the hard way that you never know what plugs or voltages a country uses. One adapter covers all your devices safely, saves a lot of last-minute stress, and is small enough to pack in your day bag.

10. Portable Charger / Power Bank

Airports, long bus rides, or hikes with our kids mean devices can run out of battery fast. If you’re using your phone to navigate with Google Maps, batteries can drain quickly—and the last thing you want is to get lost with no way to charge.

A portable charger keeps phones, cameras, and tablets powered so we don’t miss capturing any memories – or getting directions when we need them.

Final Thoughts

Over the years, I’ve learned that packing smart and bringing the right gear can make a huge difference on family trips. These 10 essentials save time, stress, and money, and help make every trip more enjoyable.

For more family-friendly tips and all things family travel visit www.100daysaway.com.