Have you ever set out on a trip only to realize that you forgot some pretty essential things? Don’t worry because I’ve been there too. I went to Ireland from Spain and mistakenly thought that they have the same outlets, I was wrong. To make sure you have everything you need, I put together this list of travel essentials ideas for women.
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The Travel Essentials
Menstrual Cup
A menstrual cup is my absolute fav and must have when I go anywhere. I stopped using tampons and pads years ago when I found out about this for a few different reasons.
- I can carry one thing instead of carrying a whole box. I used to use 12-16 tampons and about 5 pads which is a lot to carry in a backpack or carry-on.
- Using one item for years cuts down on costs heavily! I recently bought a cup after 5 years of having my previous one and it cost me under $22. A box of tampons a month would cost about $20.
- It’s better for your body. Not to say there probably aren’t some chemicals in menstrual cups that may not be the greatest, but I always opt for colorless and odorless to minimize additional chemicals. Research shows that tampons and pads have certain carcinogens which could have lots of negative effects long term.
Reusable cotton pads
These are life changing honestly. I use cotton pads daily as part of my skincare routine, but I noticed I was going through so many a week. It wasn’t cost effective nor good for the planet. That’s when I discovered reusable cotton pads! There are loads of brands out there, I currently use these and was recently gifted these during the Women’s Travel Fest. They’re perfect for travel as you can wash them and let them dry overnight then you’re good to go for the next few days.
Tripod with remote
As a solo traveler and content creator, taking photos and videos are musts for my business. But traveling alone means I don’t have a professional photographer accompanying me so I need to get creative.
I have propped my phone up against my water bottle, my backpack or even balancing it on a tree branch. My phone case has a great kickstand which has helped me out countless times. Even though I’ve been successful and gotten good shots, I do get stressed thinking my phone will fall or crack.
The fix for this is using a tripod with a remote! You can get higher angles and not depend on your surroundings. The Bluetooth remote lets you step farther away and take multiple shots without running back and forth turning on the timer.
Universal travel adapter
Other countries do not use the same outlets as we do in the US. So it’s important to be aware of which you’ll need when traveling. I’ve made the mistake of assuming all of Europe uses the same one, they don’t. A universal travel adapter is perfect for anywhere that you might go. This way you only take one instead of multiple.
Hair ties
This is for my long haired girlies. Keeping our hair up and out of our face can sometimes be a challenge. Terra Ties gifted me their hair ties and I love them! They’re thick and hold my hair in place unlike other thinner ties that don’t support my hair and easily break. I thought I wouldn’t like the ties once I got them because they were rather thick. Once I started using them I saw that I never had to adjust my hair. It just stayed up after that one time.
External battery
Staying charged while on the go is necessary as a traveler. You never want to be out and about without power when you really need it. It’s also important to make sure you keep your external battery charged so you can use it when needed. I always make sure to keep one with me when traveling so I never have an issue.
Key and lock
Most people suggest this for those staying in hostels, but I think everyone should carry a lock and key. You never know when you may want to leave your things at a train or bus station and a key and lock may come in handy. If you’re planning to take a nap in the airport or anywhere then locking up your carry on or backpack will keep people out. I always think it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Phone case
Phone cases can be super helpful in different situations. Some have plastic covers that easily come on and off to put a credit card or ID behind. Other phone cases come with a cord or one that could be bought additionally to hang around your neck. The phone case I currently use has a kickstand that can hold up to 4 credit cards, ID, or cash. The kickstand is great to keep the phone up to take photos or watch videos.
Door stopper
If private rooms or hotels are your thing, then you need a door stopper. I haven’t traveled with one before but if I was ever in a room whether solo or with someone I would put something up against the door. From a door to a suitcase or a nightstand, anything to keep the door blocked.
Period underwear
Another alternative to tampons and pads is period underwear. You’ll already be taking underwear with you on your trip, so why not take the kind you can use during that time of the month. Period underwear will take up the same amount of space in your suitcase as it is. As I don’t currently own any pair of these, I’m not sure how they fully feel. Drying time may take a bit longer than others as they hold more liquid with no issue. In recent months, some period companies have gotten negative press due to chemicals found in them. Do your research and make sure you are buying the right pair for you and your needs.
Waterproof case
Anytime I’m going somewhere with water nearby I make sure to have a waterproof phone case in my suitcase. It’s great for taking photos and videos under or near water without worrying about your phone getting messed up. Make sure to not put it against something that could scratch it or your images won’t come out too clear and you’ll need to replace it more often. This also really comes in handy at the beach if you don’t want to leave your credit cards or phone on the sand while you’re out in the water. You can relax and enjoy your time in peace.
These are just some travel essentials for women that I’ve found helpful over my 15+ years of travel. If there’s something that I didn’t include in this list, please let me know in the comments so I can add it!
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This is a brilliant list and I love the addition of the menstrual cup as it makes sense to carry less for our periods when out travelling! Thanks for this; I’ll remember this post when I need to pack for a trip.
Thank you! I’ve been using a menstrual cup for almost a decade. It has saved me so much in packing space and money over the years. Glad it could come of help 🙂
Thanks for sharing your list, most of these are great ideas to pack in your bag, it also depends on where you are going, I packed a mini tripod on a trip and did not use in the end, so I have think what I’m going to use on the trip 🙂