Useful travel items that make short and long haul holidays easier

[Missohnoyoubetterdont]

Does anyone have any tips for really useful things to take away with them when travelling. It’s just a short haul trip bit long haul too? Things that have made life easier. I have just discovered packing cubes…but late to the game but have really organised my suitcase!

I take a lot of stuff already mentioned plus a power bank, a small bottle of squash (those tiny ones). A pouch with everyday medicines.

If you are travelling with small children, a pack of balloons. Lots of play time and games you can have with them, they are small and weight almost nothing.

A sarong. It has multiple uses...as a beach sarong obviously. Also, as a wrap after getting out of the shower (instead of a dressing gown), as a thin cover for hot nights or to wrap up with when travelling. As a scarf or wrap around the shoulders. As a towel if needed.. I wouldn't be without one.

I always take laundry leaves (like ocean saver) and wash my clothes as I go (especially if hand luggage only) dissolve quickly, wash well and smell lovely. Shampoo and conditioner bars. Power bank/International plug and flat charger all in one. Combo make-up (lip/cheek colour & eyebrow/eyeliner/shadow and mascara) and perfume atomiser. I have finally come round to the idea of a capsule wardrobe that I think about in advance - only a few clothes but they all go with each other. Know what outfits I have so don't have to think about it.

A sturdy little rubber door stop, extra peace of mind when travelling alone.

Also thought of something else...always travel with a pack of cards on family holidays. Loads of games - take up no room

I haven't used this myself but saw it recommended recently
Mrat Women's Hoodie with Eye Mask Built In Ladies Soft Airplane Mode Travel Hidden Pockets Sweatshirt Plain Pullover Tops Wearable Blanket Adults Men Gym Athletic Running Sportswear S M L XL 2XL 3XL : Amazon.co.uk: Fashion

Most of mine are clothing: raffia hat that can roll up. A shoulder bag that converts to a rucksack. Woollen clothing that doesn’t crease, and is very light weight. 100% cotton dresses for heat. Walking sandals I can go for miles in. A light pashmina shawl/scarf/blanket/bag in a pinch. Zip off trousers that convert to shorts, and dry in 30 mins.

Samsonite luggage - very light, uses every cm of the space allowance. Bonairest travel pillow/eye mask that holds your head up. Perfume pod atomiser

I love packing cubes for easy organisation but just the light weight ones. I’m not keen on the compression ones which just squeeze the edges and bulge in the middle (maybe I’m missing something?).

I’ve done that a few times, works really well

Any really good packing cubes? I have 2 sets and they are a bit rubbish

Eagle creek toilet bag. My husband had one when we met in 1997 and I thought it was great so I bought one around 2007. We are both still using the original ones they are brilliant. I have seen others with hangers now but this was the first one with a hanger I had come across, was particularly good when we were camping when kids were young.

Packing cubes are cute. A spare phone charger in your carry-on and the willpower to ignore duty-free? That's survival. Also, wet wipes. You'll thank me

You call yourself JillThePlantKiller, but you're actually JillTheTravelPro. A raffia hat that rolls up, wool that doesn't crease, a pashmina that doubles as a blanket AND a bag? You're not going on holiday — you're flexing on everyone who still packs a separate outfit for each meal xD

Yep they lather up like soap. Either rub directly on your head or lather up in your hands and rub your hands on your head.

popup laundry basket. I have one that folds away really small.

Bluetooth speaker.

3-in-1 folding wireless charger that charges iPhone/Apple Watch/airpod

Travel plug that has ports for usb and usb-c

English breakfast teabags. You can’t always get a decent cuppa abroad.

I have recently discovered a usb charger for my electric toothbrush rather than needing an adaptor for the uk plug.

i like to get mini versions of nice skin care e.g. Sunday Riley, skin rocks etc. for birthday/Christmas that I can then use on holiday.

I love packing cubes for sorting different clothes. We all have our own colour, and if taking a couple of of check in bags, I put one or two packing cubes for each person in each case in case one gets lots. On the return journey I sort clothes by wash in the packing cubes - whites, colours etc. so they can be decanted straight into the washing machine without sorting them into multiple piles first.

Hammam towels are handy if you are going somewhere you might need to take a towel.

if staying in self-catered accommodation where it’s warm and I can dry outdoors, I will try and do a few loads of laundry before I leave to reduce the washing when we get home.

Salt, pepper, and herbs! We usually Airbnb/self-cater for part of our holiday, and I don’t like using the house salt and pepper, or - worse - having to buy locally. I bring Schwartz sachets of Italian herbs. It’s the little things …

A tube of travel wash, to wash swimwear / clothes. Pegs. Medicine bag. Large mugs

I backpack and move around a lot, so packing cubes have transformed my life. They basically become little drawers. I arrive somewhere for a couple of days, take out the cubes and lie them on the floor, then take things out just as i would if I had my chest of drawers. When it's time to leave I just zip then up and put them back in the backpack. No more losing stuff or rummaging through my pack for stuff, and trying to shove it back in again.

Ok might try one

i just don't get packing cubes. i can back 25kg of clothes just fine without them and not one item will need ironing at the other end.. No way in hell i am squishing anything into a bag then having to iron it when i get to the hotel.

Fairly solid packing cubes that I take out of suitcase, open, and put in the drawer and keep them like that.
Sachets of washing liquid or powder.
Sachets in general!
Sachets of collagen.
Clear transparent sponge bags
Plugs with swop out attachments for different countries.
Large fold up bag, for dirty washing but also the beach, shopping etc with a detachable shoulder strap.
Small light backpack that packs into nothing.
Pill boxes.
Travel containers with an airlock so you’re never pumping nothing. Use for hair oil, face cream, conditioner. Use solid shampoo.
Microfibre towels
Light second screen for my laptop
Virtual sims
Flipflops to use as slippers.
Muji elastic hair turban
Super Sparrow water bottles
Peak Design suitcases & Rucksacks

I travel a lot and think about it carefully.

I agree. I just don’t see the point of them unless you are going travelling maybe? When I pack, I lay each item in the case without folding. Then, when everything is in, I fold in the arms/legs/sides etc over each other, so nothing has hard creases. I also take hangers, as hotels never have enough, and I detest the ones that have to attach to metal things on the rail, rather than a hanger with its own hook. I like a hanger for each item.

I also take a little gadget with 6 arms with clips on the end for washing undies. It collapses and takes up very little space. Also, a Bluetooth speaker.

A drawer at home for all our travel stuff including prepacked cable pouches.

A universal plug for those countries that don't use plugs and you need to wadh a few clothes. But swimming costumed and underwear I rinse/wash while I shower.

We buy Ikea ziplock food bags specifically for packing. The larger ones are brilliant for wet/damp swimwear or handwashing if you are moving between hotels regularly or heading home. They are also useful for USB cables, electronics and tablet blister packs etc because the plastic is tough enough not to split.