From portable chargers and travel money cards to maps and handy travel hacks, these travel essentials will make your trip a breeze.
As someone who travels for a living, there are certain things I never leave home without. And no, I’m not talking about a neck pillow or one of those giant wallets that promise to keep your entire life organised! They are definitely not in my travel bag.
Over the years, I’ve developed my own list of travel essentials that make getting from home to holiday mode that bit easier. Some are obvious, like my passport and phone, while others are things I’ve learned to pack after making mistakes on previous trips. From downloading maps before I fly, to always having a backup way of paying, these are the things I do before heading abroad.
The Ultimate Packing List
Passport and Travel Documents
Yes, it’s obvious, but it’s also one you can easily leave in a drawer or cupboard and forget about! I always check the expiry date well before a trip, rather than assuming it’s fine. I also keep a scan of my passport, travel insurance and important booking details on my phone, just in case.
One little habit I’ve got into is taking screenshots of anything I might need when I’m offline. I save things like boarding passes, hotel addresses, airport transfer details and train tickets to my phone. It takes a few minutes and means I’m not frantically trying to find a confirmation email when I’m standing in an airport queue without strong Wi-Fi.
I also check entry requirements before every trip, even if I’ve visited the destination before. Rules can change, and it’s one of those boring jobs that is much easier to sort out before you leave home than panicking at the airport.
My Phone and an eSIM
My phone is my most used travel tool. I use it for everything from checking directions and finding restaurants to translating information and keeping in touch with people. Roaming is often expensive, so I usually arrange an eSIM before I leave. That way, I can land, switch on my data and be connected immediately.
I also download anything I’ll need offline. Google Maps is an obvious one, but I like to have restaurant bookings, tickets and hotel information available without relying on a signal. I still remember being stuck in an airport in Florida, where the Wi-Fi didn’t work, my phone wouldn’t connect to data, and I was so grateful I’d downloaded some information before I left.
A Universal Travel Adapter
If you don’t own one yet, buy a universal travel adapter before your holiday. There are several great options that have multiple USB and USB-C slots, as well as fitting a standard plug. I’ve had enough moments of arriving somewhere and discovering that the plug sockets aren’t what I expected!
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is another thing I sort out before every trip. You might think you’ll be fine, but honestly, it’s relatively inexpensive and in my opinion, it’s just not worth the risk. I take out an annual policy, so I can book all my adventures with no worries.
It’s worth taking a good look at what’s included rather than simply buying the cheapest policy. They really vary, with different levels of cover for medical expenses, cancellations, baggage and sports activities.
My other tip is to save the policy details somewhere on your phone. If something does go wrong, the last thing you want to be doing is searching through old emails trying to find your policy number. I save important personal details on my phone such as key documents and insurance details.
A Travel Money Card
I used to be more casual about how I managed my money abroad. I’d take my normal bank card, withdraw some cash when I arrived and hope for the best. Then I’d get home and be shocked by the unexpected fees I’d incurred and how bad the exchange rate was! Now, I prefer to have a dedicated way of spending money when I’m travelling, particularly when I’m visiting somewhere that uses a different currency.
Having a travel money card means I can keep my holiday spending separate and have a little more control over what I’m spending. I also always make sure I have a backup payment method, because relying on a single card while travelling is asking for trouble. The ZEN.COM Travel Money Card is ideal for travel. It supports 35 currencies and works in more than 180 countries, so you can use the same card when travelling to different destinations, rather than having to think about a separate payment method for every currency.
The ZEN.COM app lets you exchange money between supported currencies before you travel, which I find useful for getting organised ahead of time. I like knowing roughly how much I have available for a trip rather than having everything mixed in with my everyday spending.
I also always pay attention when I’m using an ATM or card machine abroad. If the machine asks whether I want to be charged in pounds or the local currency, I choose the local currency. This allows the card to use the matching balance or convert the available funds, rather than accepting whatever conversion terms the merchant or ATM offers.
Another thing that’s great is you don’t have to wait for a physical card. You can download your virtual ZEN Travel Card straight away, and add it to Apple Pay, Google Pay, Xiaomi Pay or Garmin Pay, so you can make digital payments straight away.
My own travel rule is to never put all my eggs in one basket when it comes to money. I’ll keep my physical card somewhere separate from my phone and make sure I have another way of accessing money if something happens to either one. It’s a tiny bit of extra preparation that can save a lot of stress.
Downloaded Maps
I honestly don’t know how people travelled before Google Maps! I always download an offline map of the area I’m visiting before I leave. Even if I expect to have mobile data, it’s useful to have a backup for those moments when you’re underground, somewhere remote or when I have terrible reception.
I also save places I want to visit before I go. Restaurants, cafés, attractions and supermarkets get starred on my map, so I can spend less time on my phone once I arrive.
Portable Power Bank
Finally, I usually pack a portable charger if I’ve got a long travel day or I’ll be out sightseeing for a long time. It’s nervy-wracking when you’re trying to take photos, look at maps or contact someone and watching the battery go below 10%. With a portable charger, you’ll always be able to top it up on the go.
I’ve definitely become better at preparing for trips without trying to plan every single minute. I like having the important things sorted before I leave, such as documents, insurance, phone data, money and maps, so that I can relax when I arrive. But there will always be some curveball moments!
Travel is often unpredictable, but that’s the beauty of it! Some of my favourite travel memories have come from changing plans, finding somewhere interesting while wandering around or deciding to spend an extra afternoon somewhere I hadn’t originally planned to visit.
I hope this guide helps you with your trip planning. Let me know if there are any travel essentials I’ve missed!