Whether you are a seasoned globetrotter or planning your first big adventure, having the right travel accessories can make all the difference between a stressful experience and an enjoyable one. With language barriers, flights to catch and unfamiliar destinations, travelling can quickly become overwhelming. The most popular travel accessories are those that blend practicality, comfort and clever design to enhance your experience. From smart luggage and noise-cancelling headphones to compact organisers and portable chargers, these essentials help travellers stay organised, relaxed and ready for anything the road (or sky) brings.
Our Guide to the Most Popular Travel Accessories Every Regular Traveller Needs Right Now
Power Bank
If there had to be a number one travel accessory, there is no doubt that it should be a power bank. A power bank is the ultimate accessory that no explorer should travel without. Thanks to modern technology, everything we need is kept inside of one little device from our camera to our map. Storing boarding passes, snapping photographs and navigating new cities depletes batteries much quicker than the standard daily use and a power bank is a quick, portable and efficient way to restore it. So much more than staying up to date with social media and ensuring you can keep taking pictures, a power bank is also an essential safety tool that keeps you connected and ensures you can always find where you are.
Apple AirTag
A traveller’s favourite invention, the Air Tag allows you to keep track of your belongings, wherever they are in the world. From being able to locate a suitcase that has not arrived with you on your flight to knowing that your personal belongings are secure when exploring a new city, Air Tag’s provide a lot of peace of mind when travelling. Able to connect to your device and pinpoint your item’s location, it is easy to find and retrieve missing items. Due to the success of Air Tags, multiple airlines worldwide have started to implement systems where they can use Air Tag data to locate and reunite baggage with their owners, enhancing the customer experience.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Even on their loudest volume, headphones can still be difficult to hear if there is a lot of background noise. Planes and city transportation have a big impact due to engine rumble, traffic noise or even just background chatter, and noise-cancelling headphones are able to reduce the external noise levels. Not only do noise-cancelling headphones enhance your listening experience, but they are also great for aiding sleep. With some adventures, rest needs to be taken wherever you can get it, and noise-cancelling headphones can help dull the noise of your surroundings for a more restful slumber. Only needing a low volume to hear clearly, they also have the added bonus of protecting your hearing with less exposure to loud noise.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones - 2nd Gen, Wireless Headphones (White Smoke)
Hand Sanitiser
Hand sanitiser should be an essential for every traveller. Dirt and germs linger everywhere, often unseen, and it is important to stay clean and protected. Public transportation, particularly planes, have some of the highest levels of bacteria and having sanitiser to hand ensures you can kill off bacteria without needing to find a bathroom constantly. For general wellness whilst travelling, hand sanitiser is a must.
Bone Conducting Headphones
In contrast to noise-cancelling headphones, bone-conducting headphones are now almost as popular. Instead of reducing background noise, bone-conducting headphones let you hear it by sitting outside of your ears and transmitting vibrations through your skull to the inner ear. With safety as a priority, these headphones let you stay connected to your surroundings without compromising on your listening. Perfect for solo travellers or anyone adventuring in an unfamiliar destination, they allow you to listen to audio and stay fully aware of external factors.
Ear Plugs
While we are talking about audio, another great travel accessory that has become extremely popular is Loop earplugs. Travelling can be an overstimulating experience with excessive noise in airports, on public transportation or whilst exploring cities. With the slogan ‘your life, your volume’, there are multiple Loop options, catering to your personal needs and experience. Whether you want to dull the sounds of a city, concentrate on work as a digital nomad or enhance your sleep, there is a Loop set for you.
Packing Cubes
The rising popularity of packing cubes has made them one of the most popular travel accessories. A simple way to pack, organise and unpack, packing cubes are also a great space saver. Ideal if you are sharing suitcases or want to separate and organise your own belongings, packing cubes are an excellent way to locate what you need at a glance without needing to unpack all your luggage. Plus, they are one of the best ways to keep clean and dirty laundry separate when on the road whilst also protecting your other belongings from toiletries that have a tendency to spill during transportation.
eSIM
An eSIM (embedded SIM) has quickly become one of the most useful travel accessories for modern travellers, particularly when planning an international trip. Unlike a traditional physical SIM card, an eSIM is built directly into your smartphone or device, allowing you to download and activate a mobile data plan digitally. This makes it an ideal solution for staying connected while travelling abroad, alongside other essentials featured in our guide to the most popular travel accessories.
One of the biggest advantages of using an eSIM when travelling is instant connectivity. You can set up your eSIM before you leave home, meaning your mobile data works as soon as you land. This is especially useful when navigating a new destination, booking transport, or accessing directions to your accommodation — something we also recommend planning in advance using our travel planning tips.
eSIMs also help travellers avoid expensive roaming charges. Instead of paying high fees through your home network, you can choose affordable local, regional, or global data plans tailored to your destination. This is particularly valuable when visiting Europe or island destinations such as the Channel Islands, where reliable mobile data can enhance your experience of exploring local attractions and activities.
Saily eSIM
Amazon Kindle
For book fanatics who love to travel, a Kindle is a no brainer. A portable tech accessory that allows you to travel with an endless collection of books and download more at a moment’s notice, a Kindle is a convenient and compact entertainment system that lets you read wherever you are. No need to take up space in your suitcase or bump up your luggage weight with physical books, a Kindle can slip into your carry-on easily and allows you to crack open a phenomenal story at any point during your travel experience.
Portable Steamer
There are many tricks and tips for keeping clothing crease-free whilst travelling, from choosing specific materials to rolling your items. However, the compact size of today’s portable steamers makes it easy just to take one on the road with you. No more hoping that the hotel has an iron or walking round the city in creased clothing, a portable steamer quickly and easily smoothes your clothing, ensuring you look your best.
Universal Travel Adaptor
A useful accessory for everyone, but particularly those on a round-the-world trip, a worldwide adapter eliminates the need for a different adapter for each destination. Featuring multiple outlet adaptors and numerous USB ports, you can use and charge your own electronics without needing to travel with a collection or buy a new one every time you visit a new continent.
Compression Eye Mask
Any traveller knows that an eye mask is one of the most valuable travel accessories, especially when you need to catch shuteye on the go. An essential for reducing light when trying to sleep on a plane, train or somewhere else with excessive light, an eye mask is a simple but effective way to enhance your sleep. A compression eye mask is the next level up, reducing almost all light and providing light compression which improves sleep, relaxation and even reduces headaches.
Neck Pillow
It is almost impossible to get sleep on a plane without the comfort of a travel pillow. For frequent flyers, a travel pillow is practically an essential but unless you have a window seat to lean up against, a travel pillow may still not get the job done. A neck pillow with inner neck support such as the Trtl Travel Pillow ensures you can sleep comfortably even if you are in a middle or aisle sleep. Allowing you to sleep upright and eliminating neck cricks, this type of neck pillow is a popular travel accessory for globetrotters.
Air Fly
A special Bluetooth audio transmitter designed specifically for travel, Air Fly has become a popular travel accessory. Solving many annoyances that travellers can face, the Air Fly device plugs into any AUX output and sends the audio wirelessly to your own headphones via Bluetooth. You no longer need to use the cheap and uncomfortable headphones airlines give you, enjoy your in-flight entertainment through your own headphones. Explore museums with an audio tour that is connected to your personal earbuds. Plus, many Air Fly devices can connect more than one set of headphones allowing you to share your listening experience with another. Although not a travel essential, the small investment in Air Fly can dramatically improve the comfort and quality of your audio experience.
Reusable Water Bottle
A good reusable water bottle is a traveller’s top tool to save money. Avoid buying overpriced bottles in the airport or having to seek out a store while travelling, a reusable water bottle cuts costs and ensures you can always stay hydrated. A good insulated and leakproof bottle allows you to always have cool water on hand.
Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Straw - BPA-Free (Multiple Colours)
Fold Up Bag
An extra bag will always come in handy while travelling, so ensuring you have a compact, fold-up bag tucked away is essential. You will likely need to grab something from a store or have an excess of souvenirs to take home; therefore, a lightweight bag is a smart and practical addition to your packing list. Even if you do not need it, it is handy to have it in case you do, eliminating the need to purchase extra luggage or waste money on non-reusable store carriers.
