So, you’ve got tickets for your next trip, and the departure date is getting closer and closer. Now, it’s time to get packing! But once you open your suitcase, you might wonder: Where the heck do I start? What should I pack? And what if I forget something important?
Lucky for you, I’m a seasoned traveler, so I’ll let you in on travel essentials for women you absolutely shouldn’t forget! Simply tick off every item in this list one by one, and you’ll be fully prepared for anything the trip has to throw at you. So, without further ado, here are the travel essentials for women.
Psst! If you’re a man, check out our travel essentials for men.
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Travel Essentials for Women You Mustn’t Forget
Must-Have Travel Essentials for Every Woman
Let’s start off with the absolute basics. These are travel items that women should 100% carry or have, regardless of the destination.
Passport
If there’s one thing you can’t forget on this list, it’s your passport! After all, if you lost or forgot literally every other item on this, it would majorly suck, but you could technically still go on your trip. The same can’t be said for your passport.
Other Documents
Depending on your destination and your passport, you may need to show other documents, such as visas, proof of funds, and/or proof of onward travel. Make sure you have these documents printed or ready to display on your phone.
Phone
Of course, another absolute essential you cannot forget on your trip is your phone! You’ll need your phone to communicate, pull up bookings, plan your itinerary, take photos, and check in back at home.
Phone Charger
You’ll also need to bring your phone charger so that you can keep your phone charged at all times. While it would definitely be a bit of a pain if you forgot your charger, don’t worry if you do, as you can easily buy one anywhere.
Travel Adaptor
Likely, depending on your home country and where you’re traveling to, you may need a travel adaptor in order to use your electronics. Many hotels and hostels in some countries have universal sockets, but this may not always be the case, so be prepared!
Power Bank
There will undoubtedly be some long travel days when you are unable to head back to your accommodation for a wee break to charge your devices, notably your phone. This is where your power bank will come in handy. I always carry a power bank with me in my day bag when I know I’m going to be out all day. It’s useful in your carry-on as well, as not all airlines can charge phones while in the air.
Hand Sanitizer
I never leave the house when traveling without hand sanitizer. You never know what you may touch or the standard of the bathrooms you may come across. I’ve ended up in one too many bathrooms without any soap while traveling!
Travel Insurance
You should never travel without travel insurance! Even if you’re the healthiest person in the world, the reality is that (god forbid) something could happen at any point. Always take out travel insurance, just in case!
I personally use SafetyWing, since it’s cheap, easy-to-use, and covers all of my basic needs.
eSIM
Another must-have is an eSIM. I only recently discovered eSIMs, but they have made my travel life so much easier. Instead of wasting the first day looking for a local SIM or simply relying on free WiFi, I am instantly connected the moment I land in the country! You definitely can’t beat the convenience of having an eSIM.
If you’re not sure what eSIM to get, I highly recommend Airalo. I found it to be more affordable than other options, and it works incredibly well!
Water Bottle
Always carry a water bottle with you when traveling. You’ll have some pretty long days simply exploring the area, and there’s nothing worse than being thirsty!
Noise-Canceling Headphones
I can’t count how many times my noise-canceling headphones have saved my trip! This is especially the case if you are planning to be on long-haul flights or shared rooms, like a hostel dorm. Actually, my noise-canceling headphones also came in handy in certain hotel rooms with thin walls.
Plus, you get the added benefit of being able to listen to music and watch your favorite shows without disturbing anyone around you.
Compression Socks
One of my most recent additions to my travel essentials list for women (and men for that matter!) is compression socks. They have made flights so much more comfortable since they prevent blood from accumulating and prevent swelling and aching.
Kindle
Nothing beats a gorgeous paperback or hardcover book when you’re relaxing at a beach destination or when winding down before you go to sleep. But there’s really no point in traveling with all that extra weight when you could just travel with a Kindle.
Prescription Medication
If you have any prescription medicine, don’t forget to pack it! It might also be worth bringing some other handy travel medication as well, including pain relievers, motion sickness medicine, and diarrhea medicine.
Travel Pillow
To make your journey more comfortable, I recommend traveling with a travel pillow. You’ll find that you’ll be able to sleep much more soundly on transportation. And this is coming from someone who used to NEVER be able to sleep on planes!
Silk Eye Mask
Another item you will thank yourself for having with you on the flight is an eye mask. Or better yet, get a silk eye mask for ultimate comfort! An eye mask can also come in handy when you want to take a nap and your accommodation’s blinds or curtains don’t seem to do the trick.
Travel Lock
I always travel with a TSA-approved lock on my suitcase. I’ve heard one too many horror stories of items being stolen en-route. Plus, I’ve then used my lock to keep my belongings safe in my accommodation.
Portable Door Lock
One item you should travel with to keep you safe, especially if you are a solo female traveler, is a portable door lock. You can easily find one on Amazon for under $20, like this one.
Toiletry Travel Essentials for Women
You definitely won’t want to forget your toiletries when traveling! Here’s what you’ll need to pack:
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
After all the drinks, sweets, and sheer amount of food you’ll be ingesting during your trip, you’ll want to take special care of your oral health. Don’t forget your toothbrush and toothpaste!
Floss
Floss is another absolute essential you shouldn’t forget. Just ask your dentist. They will tell you how important it is!
Face Wash
After slathering on sunscreen and makeup and potentially sweating all day, the first thing you’re going to want to do when you arrive back at your accommodation is to wash your face. I always travel with a small version of my face wash in my carry-on as well in order to freshen up on long-haul flights!
Makeup Remover and Cotton Pads
Face wash by itself can only do so much when you wear makeup, so don’t forget to pack your makeup remover as well. On top of the remover, bring any cotton pads or other tools you’ll need to actually remove your makeup.
Deodorant
Even if you’re heading to a cooler destination, you’re going to want your deodorant to keep you smelling fresh even after an entire day of exploration.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is one of the most important things you can do to protect and take care of your skin. At the very least, bring face sunscreen, but if you’re in a hot destination, you should bring body sunscreen as well. You might be surprised by the prices of sunscreen in certain destinations, like South East Asia so I always make sure to bring some from home before a trip.
Moisturizer
An essential skincare product you should always travel with is moisturizer. Traveling can be harsh on the skin, so it’s important to take care of it with gentle and nourishing products like a moisturizer.
Lip Balm
I always carry lip balm with me whenever I travel. There’s nothing worse than chapped lips when you’re traveling!
Makeup
If you’re a big makeup girlie, try to bring the bare minimum makeup you think you’ll need. I personally don’t travel with anything more than the basics, but bring whatever you think will make you feel good!
Period Products
If you expect to get a period at some point during your trip, you want to be prepared. So, pack some tampons, pads, period cups, panties, panty liners… whatever you need!
Travel Organization Essentials for Women
Now that you’ve got all the basics and toiletries ready to be packed, it’s time to sort out all the travel organization essentials you need!
Suitcase
Of course, first things first, you’ll need a suitcase. My recommendation is the Beis 29” Large Check-in Roller, but any one will do! This suitcase will be checked, so don’t put in any valuables or things you may need while on the flight.
Carry-On Bag
I always carry a carry-on bag as well. I have been using the Osprey Fairview 55L for about a year now (check out our Osprey Farpoint/Fairview review here!), and I’m pretty happy with it. It’s the perfect carry-on backpack size and makes it easier to lug around my suitcase instead of trying to maneuver two suitcases at the same time!
Fanny Pack
All my absolute essentials go in my fanny pack. This includes my passport, travel documents, wallet, and products I think I’ll need on the plane and on the go (such as motion sickness medicine and lip balm).
Day Bag
One reason I love my 55 liter Osprey Fairview is that it comes with a detachable day pack. A day pack is a travel essential for any woman, as you’ll need it for those longer days exploring your destination. If not a backpack, you should at least have a tote bag you can carry around with you.
Makeup Bag
This is where you’ll put all your makeup so that you can find everything without digging around in your luggage.
Toiletries Bag
Place your toiletries separately from your makeup in a different bag. This is where you’ll put your toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, moisturizer, and other necessities.
Laundry Bag
Whether you’re going on a shorter trip or a longer trip, one organization essential that I cannot travel without is a laundry bag. This way, you can separate your dirty clothes from your clean clothes. And if you plan to do laundry while you travel, you can easily transport all your dirty clothes to get them cleaned.
Shoe Bag
I am personally not a huge fan of dirty shoes sitting on top of my nice vacation clothes, so I always make sure to put them in a shoe bag. Pack multiple shoe bags for multiple shoes!
Compression Packing Cubes
Compression packing cubes are a game-changer when it comes to packing. You’ll absolutely need them to pack more clothes than you think you’ll be able to fit! But more than that, packing cubes also make your life easier, as you’ll have better and faster access to all your clothes without having to dig through every item in your suitcase!
Travel Jewelry Case
Keep all of your jewelry safe in a study jewelry case. Make sure to keep your valuables on your carry-on, and do not place this case in your checked bag!
Sunglasses Case
Similarly, you’ll want to keep your nice sunnies safe from getting jostled around while in transport, so don’t forget to bring your sunglasses case!
Must-Have Travel Clothes and Accessories for Women
And finally, you’ll need to pack all your clothes and accessories! While I can’t give too much guidance on exactly what clothes to bring (as it depends on your personal taste, destination, climate, and season), this is a great base to get you started.
Clothes
The important thing about clothes is that you should bring items of clothing that can mix well to create multiple outfits. So, this means bringing a variety of tops and bottoms. But you can also mix a couple of nice dresses into the mix as well! I recommend bringing at least 8 days worth of clothes. Don’t forget to pack some jewelry to match too!
Underwear
Bring a couple of different bras and pack enough underwear for 8 days or to last you your entire trip.
Swimwear
Depending on your destination, you might want to pack a couple of bikinis or swimsuits. Even if you are heading somewhere cold, it may be worth bringing one, as you never know if you’ll come across a hot tub!
Comfortable Shoes
While you should bring a pair of nice heels if you think you’ll wear them, a pair of comfortable shoes will be much more important for your trip! After all, you’ll likely be walking and exploring A LOT.
Check out our list of the best travel shoes for more!
Rain Jacket or Poncho
Even if I’m heading to a warm destination, I always make sure to pack a rain jacket or poncho to keep me dry in the case of a random downpour (which has honestly happened one too many times!).
Light Scarf
A light scarf can come in handy for multiple reasons when traveling. It’s a great beach cover-up, you can cover your shoulders when entering holy or religious places, and it’s a great accessory for your outfit!
Hat
Whether you pack a large beach hat or a baseball cap is totally up to you, but always bring a hat when you travel. I personally never go anywhere without my cap, as I like to wear it on the plane and at sunny destinations to protect my face from the intense sun.
Sunglasses
Another travel essential you should pack to protect yourself from the sun is a pair of sunglasses! You’ll be able to better appreciate your holiday surroundings if you can actually see instead of having to squint your way around.
Get Packing These Travel Essentials for Women!
With this list of travel essentials for women, you should be able to pack for your trip stress-free.
Are you a digital nomad? Head over to our list of digital nomad essentials, perfect for long-term travelers.
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