Are you ready to plan your next trip?
Preparation in your planning and packing can go a long way in making your vacation a success.
I’m sharing some of my favorite travel gear and travel tips to help you for your next getaway.
This article contains affiliate links.
Compare Flight Prices
When researching flights, I search Google Flights and then go to other airline websites directly because many budget carriers aren’t listed there.
If you have flexibility in your travel dates and destination, use the explore tab in Google Flights to find the best deals.
Take a Picture of Your Luggage at the Airport
If you’ve ever had your luggage delayed or lost at the airport you know how hard it can be to describe your suitcase by memory.
Even better if you take a picture of your suitcase on the luggage scale so you remember how much it weighed.
I also always recommend travel insurance for every trip. I’ve had to use it for delayed luggage more than once.
How to Save on Accommodations
For hotels or vacation rentals, I regularly use Booking.com because I can cancel most reservations without a fee within a window of time if I find something I like better.
I also use points from some of my credit cards for redeeming hotel stays.
Compare Car Rental Prices
We typically book our rental cars through the Costco Travel portal because it allows me to easily compare prices at multiple locations.
A second drive is included at no additional cost and you aren’t charged if you need to cancel your rental before your reservation.
*FYI- If you reserved a car via the phone and it is a prepaid rate you may be subject to a cancelation fee.
I compare prices on Expedia for car rentals. There can be even greater savings if you bundle your car rental with other flights or accommodations.
I prefer minivans over SUVs because they have more space for luggage, additional legroom for taller family members, versatility, and better gas mileage.
Don’t Forget Your Trip Essentials with a Packing List
If you are a list maker…or need to be a list maker because you constantly forget SOMETHING on every trip, you will find the “Knock Knock Pack This! Pad” very useful.
The packing list helps you think through your whole trip by addressing the weather forecast and special events during the trip, you’ll need to plan for each activity. (ex. hiking, kayaking, nice dinner, etc)
I’ve also learned to delegate and have my kids responsible for packing their luggage using these lists.
I still do a final inspection because it’s better to inspect than discover they are missing key items on your trip.
It saved me a lot of time and allowed me to get more sleep because I used to pack everyone else first and then start my packing which would take FOREVER and keep me up super late.
Keep Your Valuables Nearby With a Portable Travel Safe
I have found the FlexSafe to be extremely useful during trips to the hotel pool, water park, or the beach where you want to keep your phone and valuables nearby but don’t want to leave them unsecured.
FlexSafe is a portable safe that can be attached to your beach chair or you can use it in your hotel room and hang it on the bar in your closet if you don’t have a room safe.
For me, it’s peace of mind when I’m at an amusement park, pool, or the beach and I still want to swim or have my phone around to get the perfect shot. I’ve put 3 cell phones in the bag along with a wallet.
Hands-Free Cellphone Holder for Planes
I fly pretty often and I’m typically on airplanes that don’t have a screen for watching movies. Instead, I watch movies on my phone which is why I love this hands-free cellphone holder from Perilogics.
You can adjust the clamp onto the edge of a tray or into multiple positions for your preferred viewing.
If you have a window seat you can adjust the clamp on your armrest or on your tray table and it folds down small for easy storing in your bag.
Save Space and Keep Organized With Compression Packing Cubes
I’m a habitual over-packer because I love to bring items “just in case.”
I’ve found that traveling with compression packing cubes helps me gain more space in my suitcase and create outfits quickly. They also keep my luggage organized in the hotel, especially if staying in more than one hotel during the trip.
I like to organize my packing cubes by categories. I put tops in one, bottoms in the other, and socks, underwear, bras, and swimsuits together in another packing cube depending on how many I have.
You can choose to roll your clothes or fold them flat. It comes down to preference and if you are really pressed for space you can always experiment with which method gives you more room in your cube.
My other tip is to bring a few extra empty packing cubes to separate dirty laundry.
These packing cubes have a small viewing window where you can slide a card to identify the contents inside the cube.
Laptop Backpack as Your Personal Item
Finding a laptop backpack that’s both stylish and functional can be a challenge. I love this VANKEAN laptop backpack because it has plenty of room for my laptop including other travel essentials for a flight.
The bag is water resistant and has a USB Port and RFID pockets to protect your credit cards,
There are side pockets for water bottles and multiple pockets on the front.
Function Meets Form – Hair Tie Bracelets
You’ll love the function and form of a hair tie bracelet if you’ve ever lost circulation on your wrist from wearing a hair band, “just in case.”
If you have longer hair you know it’s always good to keep hair ties handy.
K’lani hair tie bracelets have a soft elastic that doesn’t tug your hair and can be worn stacked together on your arm or singularly.
Stay Charged On the Go With a Portable Charger With Built-In Cords
Cell phones can lose battery power quickly especially if you’re taking pictures or watching videos on your phone.
I always keep a portable charger with me anticipating when my cell phone battery is low.
The Charmast portable charger also has 6 output ports and 3 output cables built-in (USB-C, micro-USB, and Lightning) to make it easy to charge more than one device at once.
The power bank is lightweight and slim, easily fitting in a pocket.
It also has an LED screen that displays the battery life on the power bank and the device can be recharged using one of the built-in cables. Z
Curl and Go With a Heat Resistant Silicone Mat
A heat-resistant silicone mat is perfect for traveling with a curling iron or other heated styling tools.
If you place your curling iron inside the pouch you don’t have to wait for your styling tool to cool down before packing it.
The silicone mat also works great for resting your styling tool if you don’t have a surface you can leave your styling tool on.
Keep your phone handsfree with a BANDI
The BANDI large pocket belt can hold your passport and cell phone without the bulk.
I’ve used my Bandi for hiking, walks in the neighborhood, at the beach, amusement parks, and the gym.
I like that it still allows me to keep my phone and keys handy when I’m not wearing pockets and it lays flat, unlike a fanny pack.
It ranges in colors and patterns, but in my opinion, you can’t go wrong with black because you can wear it with anything.
Don’t Pay Overage Fees With a Portable Luggage Scale
My digital luggage scale has saved me a lot of money and stress.
It’s good to gauge how much your luggage weighs before you go. The digital scale can be attached to the handle of your suitcase and has a maximum weight limit reading of 110 pounds.
That also lets you know how much room you have for more souvenirs on the way back.
I pack it with me so I know if I need to make adjustments between my bags.
Secure Belongings With Double Small Carabiner Clips for Zippers
Double small carabiner clips help keep zippers secure and are a great theft deterrent.
You can easily secure them in purses, backpacks, luggage, and more.
These can also help repair a broken zipper pull on luggage.
Multi-Purpose in a Pinch – Carabiner Clips
Carabiner Clips are a great way to attach multiple bags, secure water bottles to a backpack, or attach a dry bag to a kayak or paddleboard, securing zippers on larger suitcases or as a keychain.
Multi-Uses For Dry Bags
I primarily use my dry bags when I’m kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding.
Dry bags are also great for dirty clothes or storing wet swimsuits if you don’t have time to dry your swimsuit before you go.
Another practical use for a dry bag is storing liquids you don’t want to leak onto the rest of your luggage.
Worry-Free Water Time With a Floating Cell Phone Case
I’ve used my floating cell phone case in several scenarios including by the pool, at the beach, rafting, kayaking, ziplining, and more.
This floating cell phone case keeps your phone free of water and can float if you accidentally drop it.
What Are Your Favorite Travel Essentials?
Let me know your favorite items for travel in the comments below.
