Travel season has arrived! Personally, I am happy to travel any time of the year. However, I feel like spring and summer are the most popular travel seasons due to kids’ school schedules. This spring break, we are heading to Nevis for the third time, and I can’t wait! While I have previously shared my travel favorites, my personal travel tips, and my 2024 spring break packing list, today’s post is a bit different. I’m going to highlight 14 favorite travel essentials for women. These are items I always pack for a trip, whether I’m traveling as a family or by myself.
Packing for a Vacation
The entire process of packing can be a little (or a lot) overwhelming. I have been traveling ever since I was a young child, and I love that I now get to share these experiences with my own children. We have had the opportunity to visit some amazing destinations including tropical islands, Exuma, Bahamas, and Paris, among others. Over the years, I have learned so much about traveling including tricks for traveling with kids, credit card rewards tips, how to plan for a successful vacation, and more. So after you pack up these women’s travel essentials, be sure to check out my personal travel tips for full details about all of these!
Women’s Travel Essentials
One of the aspects of traveling that I’ve finally got down to a science is packing. While the clothing, shoes, and activity-specific items are constantly changing, these necessities always stay the same.
Today I’m going to break down my travel essentials for women into five main categories: safety, comfort, technology, wardrobe, and toiletries. Some of these might overlap with my general travel favorites, but others are geared towards women.
Travel Essentials for Women: Safety Items
It goes without saying, safety is always the top priority, not just for women, but for everyone. I always like to be extra safe, especially if I’m traveling solo. These two travel essentials for women help me move safely and seamlessly through the airport, in an Uber, on a crowded street, etc.
The Birdie
The Birdie is such a great little device to keep close by, in your purse. It’s like having a fire alarm at your fingertips, just in case. I always feel more comfortable on the streets, at the airport, or in an Uber alone if I have this device. It’s also a good idea to share your location with friends and family via your phone before you leave for a trip.
Belt Bag
I like to wear this women’s travel essential as a sling bag, for quick and easy access. Inside, I pack travel necessities including cash, my passport, chapstick, an iPhone power bank, etc. I do try to be mindful not to weight this down too much. This way I stay comfortable and I don’t have to dig through a ton of “stuff” to get to what I need.
Travel Essentials for Women: Comfort is Key
Airplanes are by no means the most comfortable place to spend time. There’s a lack of space, you can’t control the temperature, and the seats don’t have any type of cushion. However, there are a few travel essentials for women that I always pack to help make travel days a little comfier.
Cashmere Wrap
I’ve had this cashmere wrap for several years, and it still looks brand new! This piece always comes along with me on trips, quickly becoming a blanket when I need it to. It’s a blend of merino and cashmere, and it’s oh-so-cozy.
Eye Mask
Eye masks on the plane and at the destination are a must for me. Sleep is so important, especially when traveling! This eye mask from Amazon is my favorite. It keeps all of the light out, and it’s incredibly soft.
Compression Socks
Tell me you’re getting old, without telling me you’re getting old! But really, these compression socks are great for preventing the swelling or aching that comes from sitting, or even standing, too long. Plus, if blood clots are a worry, these help prevent them on long flights.
Travel Essentials for Women: Tech favorites
When it comes to women’s travel essentials, there are quite a few tech options to choose from. While many of them are great, it can be a bit difficult to sort through which are truly necessary and also which are quality products. I’ve narrowed it down to my top four tech items below. These are all ones that I own and love!
Clutch Power Bank
This phone power bank battery is one of my most recently purchased women’s travel essential. The design is wonderful. It is so slim and lightweight that it can even fit into an evening purse! Plus, it’s magnetic and can attach to the back of your phone, saving space and preventing you from having to dig around for it. I always have one of these charged and ready to go on a flight or a long sightseeing day.
Mini Portable Fan
This mini fan has been at the top of my travel list for years. I never leave home without this little guy! It’s one of the first things I set up when we get into our room.
Tech Organizer
This bag is the travel essential for women that you didn’t even know you needed, until you see it! This bag organizes all of your tech cords including headphones, cables, and chargers. It’s so nice to have these all in one place, and for them to not be tangled up! I actually like to keep this bag stocked at all times. This way the chargers and headphones at my house don’t get moved around.
Portable Power Strip
This $10 travel essential may seem a bit unnecessary, but when you think about it, and especially after you use it, you will realize how great it is! It’s such a pain to have phones, laptops, etc. plugged in all around a room, especially if you’re trying to access them from your bed. This little power strip allows you to charge five gadgets all at once!
Travel Essentials for Women: For Your Wardrobe
Choosing vacation outfits is one of my favorite parts of traveling. There’s something so fun about wearing a special piece while exploring a new destination! If you’re traveling somewhere warm this year, you’ll find lots of great outfit ideas for the whole family in my spring break packing list. Alternatively, if you’re heading to the slopes, my cold weather favorites can be found in my ski trip packing list. In addition to the specific clothing and accessories I select for each trip, there are two travel essentials for women that always come along with me.
Packing Cubes
If you haven’t tried packing cubes yet, you’re missing out! Not only are they helpful for packing and making the most space of your luggage, but they’re also great for keeping your clothes organized once you arrive. This specific set is wonderful. The sizes are great for different items, it’s excellent quality, and it comes in lots of different colors and pattern options.
Travel Steamer
No matter how tight of a squeeze it might be, I always make room for this women’s travel essential. This travel steamer works great, has the ability to both steam and iron, and it’s dual voltage, allowing you to use it overseas.
Travel Essentials for Women: Toiletries
Okay, let’s be honest…when it comes to travel essentials for women, the list of toiletries can be quite robust. We are who we are! However, since I’ve previously shared a post on what I pack in my toiletry bag, I am going keep it simple in today’s article and highlight two toiletry must-haves that I never jet set without.
Clear Liquids Bag
I’ve learned that traveling with a durable clear liquids bag like this one is much better than using a ziplock for liquids. While ziplocks are fine to use inside of this bag, if used alone, they are prone to tearing, spilling, etc. And this clear cosmetics case is perfect for flying through TSA. Inside, I like to carry cadence capsules filled with my liquid essentials (shampoo, lotion, etc). Before your departure, be sure to familiarize yourself with all of the current requirements for traveling, which can be found here.
Lip Moisturizer
I swear by this nighttime lip mask, not just for traveling, but for everyday use. Simply apply it at night, and wake up to soft, hydrated lips! I also recommend drinking way more water than you normally do when traveling and also reapplying moisturizers often. Airplanes, sun, and alcohol can all be so dehydrating.
Favorite Destinations
Now that I’ve shared my favorite travel essentials for women, I thought I would also share a few favorite destinations. I go into details about lodging, dining, and activities in each of the individual posts, but if you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out via DM or email!
The Most Beautiful Tropical Islands
Travel Favorites for Women
If you have an upcoming getaway, I hope you’ve found this list of women’s travel essentials to be helpful! To complete your trip planning and preparation, be sure to also check out my general packing favorites, my personal travel tips, and my 2024 spring break packing list. Safe travels, friends!
