MUST-HAVE Travel Essentials for Women in 2023

Must-Have Travel Essentials for Women (for every trip)

RFID Passport Holder

An RFID passport wallet is an essential travel accessory due to its ability to protect your sensitive information and prevent identity theft. With the advancement of technology, passports and credit cards now come with embedded RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chips that can be scanned wirelessly. This leaves travelers vulnerable to potential hackers or thieves who can easily access personal data.

An RFID passport wallet acts as a shield, using special materials that block the radio signals and prevent unauthorized scanning. By investing in a RFID passport wallet, you can travel with peace of mind, knowing that your passport, credit cards, and other important documents are secure and protected from digital theft.

This one is made of genuine leather and comes in over 20 different colors. Click here to find the perfect shade to match your luggage!

Travel Wallet / Travel Organizer

A travel wallet or travel organizer pouch is an essential companion for travel as it provides a secure and organized way to store your cards, cash, and important documents. With multiple compartments and slots, it allows you to keep everything in one place, making it easier to access and locate your essentials while on the go. And keeps them protected from loss, damage, or theft with its RFID-blocking technology.

This one comes in black or pink and has an additional neckstrap for hands-free/easy access on the go.

First Aid Kit

Even if you are trying to pack extra light, never scrimp on your first aid kit, it’s just not worth it! You can pick up a ready-stocked travel first aid kit / medical kits that will contain all the self care travel essentials from bandages to antibacterial wipes but we would also recommend adding some if not all of the following… just in case!

• Hand sanitizer (more below)
• Throat lozenges
• Pain relief tablets
• Muscle relief cream
• Diarrhea relief tablets
• Mosquito repellent and bite relief spray (bugs love me and so I never leave home without these!)
• Glucose or other sugar to treat hypoglycemia (essential items for backpacking if planning a trip in extreme conditions)
• Oral rehydration salts (essential if traveling in extreme conditions or have a jam-packed itinerary)
• A half roll of toilet paper (possibly with the tube removed for space) – just in case you ever get caught short.

You may not need these women travel essentials but if you do, you will thank us:

• Travel sickness tablets
• Antacid tablets
• Allergy tablets (particularly if you suffer from hay fever)
• Biodegradable Soap

Collapsible Water Bottle

A foldable water bottle is such an awesome accessory to have. Water is always expensive in airports – and sometimes not free on the plane(!) – this little beauty lets you through security with an empty bottle that can then be filled up at the water fountains which are airside. It’s also great to carry around when you’re out and about on your adventures and folds up small when not in use.

Check out the best water bottles for travel and find your perfect drinking buddy!

Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer was always a good idea, even before the pandemo. Now, it’s even more essential. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to be stylish. These refillable containers each have their own colorful clip and tassel which you can match to your bag.

Silk Eye Mask / Sleep Mask

In the interest of being comfortable – especially on the long haul, late night or early morning flights where you may want to grab a bit of shut-eye, a silk sleep mask is a luxurious addition to any traveler’s kit. This one comes with double straps to help keep it secure for even the most fidgety sleeper.

Power Bank

If you’re flying on one of the premium airlines, in-seat power is usually a given – however, budget airlines are well, budget. Having your own little power bank means you’ll never run out of power, and is great for popping in your handbag when you are out and about exploring to make sure your phone or camera never runs out of battery. Perfect for those who like to take a million photos (I mean, who doesn’t?!) and for using maps to help you get around an unfamiliar city.

Compression Socks

Compression socks are an essential travel item for women as they promote circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots and swelling during long flights or journeys. They provide comfort and support, preventing leg fatigue and discomfort, and can help you feel more refreshed and ready to go on arrival at your destination.

TSA-Approved Travel Lock

If your bags are going to be out of your sight for any amount of time (plane, train, ferry, etc) – or even if they are not and you are just on public transport – making sure they are locked can be enough to deter any would-be thieves. (Even if professional thieves won’t care at all). Luggage locks will stop opportunist thieves and can also double as locker locks (in hostels, gyms or luggage lockers, etc)

We recommend these ones with a flexible wire locking mechanism, over a solid locking loop as they are more versatile.

Makeup & Personal Hygiene Products

• Lip Balm – it’s always a good idea keep your lips hydrated. Nobody wants uncomfortable cracked lips while traveling.
• (Minimal) Make Up – You probably won’t end up wearing most of it anyway, but it’s nice to have the basics on hand.
• Make Up Remover Wipes – To remove the above.
• Travel Mirror with adjustable lights – To apply the above.
• Ear Plugs – For public transport, noisy hotels or just dimming the hum of a busy city if you are feeling overwhelmed. They also come in their own mini-travel case and are easily cleaned for continuous use.
• Travel Razor – This mini safety razor with its own travel case and 4 spare blades is a great addition to your travel kit.
• Tangle Teezer – If you’ve been around a while, you know that I swear by this compact travel hairbrush.
• Medications (and copies of relevant prescriptions)
• Tweezers, Nail Clippers & Nail File.

Kindle

Back onto the keeping you entertained front, a Kindle is (and has been for years) a great alternative to lugging heavy paperback books around. Now I know some people just love the feel of a book in their hands, and the ability to trade or swap with other travelers in hotel or hostel libraries, but if you are short on space (or weight) a Kindle is the way to go. (And is the eco-conscious choice too!

Personal Alarm

A personal alarm is a small, portable device that makes a loud noise when activated. It can be used to attract attention and deter attackers or other dangers. Many personal alarms also have a built-in flashlight, which can be helpful in low-light situations, and mean that you are not using your phone and potentially making yourself an easy target for would-be theives.

In case of an emergency, a personal alarm can be a quick and easy way to call for help. The loud noise can alert nearby people to your situation and potentially scare off an attacker and can give women travelers an added layer of protection and peace of mind when traveling or walking alone.

*Note* While we understand pepper spray can also be handy to carry, depending on where you are traveling to, you may not be able to take it into the country – especially if you are only traveling with a carry-on, so a physical alarm, on a keychain for example, is a great go-anywhere investment.

Antitheft Travel Purse

When it comes to a good day bag, an easy to carry, crossbody, anti-theft travel purse with multiple pockets and lockable zips is a great investment. This one from Travelon also has a slash-proof base panel, and sturdy strap clips which you can also clip your hand sanitizer to!

Compression Packing Cubes

If you’re a traveler, you probably know all about packing cubes. But not all packing cubes are created equal, and what most people leave out when recommending them is the ‘compression’ part. Compression packing cubes do exactly what they say on the tin, allowing you to compress or ‘shrink’ your clothes and so allow you to pack more than you ordinarily could.

Cosmetic Bag / Cosmetic Pouch

I love that this one has a large capacity and fully opens giving you access to everything in all the pockets and corners. But if you can fit everything into your hanging toiletry bag (below) – you can skip the cosmetics bag altogether!

Hanging Toiletry Bag

With multiple waterproof pockets that fold down when using the built in clip, you have access to everything you could possibly need in the bathroom. And it is quite compact when zipped up. Perfect.

Laundry Bag

Believe me. This flimsy bit of fabric is a must-have travel essential. Put simply, it’s an easy way to keep the dirty clothes away from the clean ones, in a bag that can just be emptied into a washing machine when you get home (or whatever place you plan on washing).

Reusable Shopping Bag

A foldable reusable shopping bag is great to have in your day pack. Perfect for carrying the souvenirs you bought, whatever treasures you found at the local thrift or artisan market, or basic groceries from the supermarket.

Essential Travel Clothing & Accessories for Women

Sunglasses

I never leave home without these mirrored, blue lens, polarized sunglasses. Not only do they do their job of protecting your eyes from the sun, but are also great for hiding your eyes to avoid unwanted eye contact while you are traveling. These simple frames are available with multiple different colored lenses too, perfect for personalizing to suit your style.

They are reasonably priced too, so it’s not the end of the world if they get lost or stolen (although that would be mighty inconvenient, and as I love these, devastating for me!)

Travel Jewellery Organizer

We always recommend taking travel friendly jewellery (i.e. not your best stuff – you don’t want to lose it or become a target for pickpockets, or worse). But whatever you are taking, you’ll want to keep it organised and not all in a wrapped up tangled mess. Enter this flat jewelry pouch – flexible and soft with a deceptively large capacity.

Reusable Lint Roller

This compact, washable, reusable lint roller is one of my new favorite travel possessions. Small and cute, it fits seamlessly into my toiletry bag and is perfect for de-fluffing clothes on the go. And just a quick rinse later and it’s clean and just like new again. No more ripping sheets off a plastic stick like the old rollers. This washable reusable, super cute lint roller is an absolute travel essential for women.

Packable Waterproof Jacket

While we all dream of sunny skies and warm weather on our travels, sometimes the rain sneaks in and tries to spoil all the fun. But not when you have a packable rain jacket. Taking up minimal space in your case, and small enough to carry in your daypack, be prepared for that surprise shower, no matter where you are. (And this one comes in a variety of colors!)

Travel Laundry Detergent

Whether you need to do a quick wash of small pieces or are changing your hotel bathroom (and anywhere else you can hang things to dry!) into a full-scale laundry, having some travel sized laundry detergent in a handy pack will be a lifesaver.

Travel-Sized Sewing Kit

For those quick fixes on the go.

Travel Steamer

Keep your clothes looking fresh and freshly pressed – without paying for hotel laundry services – with a mini travel steamer. This one is lightweight, comes in its own travel bag with a foldable clothes hanger, and heats up in seconds. PerIt’s perfect if you travel with linen clothes or those that are easy to crease.

Hidden Pocket Infinity Scarf

I’ve always loved a scarf on my travels – they’re great for a bit of extra warmth on the plane, for modesty reasons at religious sites, and can elevate any outfit. But this hidden pocket infinity scarf has been a game-changer for the past few years. It’s a discreet way to carry important documents or other bits and pieces, while still providing all the original benefits. This one also converts to a regular scarf or a blanket – still with hidden pockets!