Essential Travel Items for Modern Travelers

What essential travel items are modern travelers using? This guide can help answer that question.

Hello, traveler! Gearing up for your next adventure? Well, you’ve landed in the right place. Welcome to “Essential Travel Items for Modern Travelers” your guide for staying connected, organized, and entertained throughout all of your travels. Modern travel is buzzing with tech-savvy innovations designed to make your trips easier, safer, and much more fun. Let’s dive in!

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Essential Gadgets for All Travelers

Portable Chargers

Running out of battery while far away from your lodging can be nerve-racking. I don’t leave wherever I’m staying without one in my travel bag. Anker PowerCore and Mophie Powerstation are compact yet powerful portable chargers that can keep your devices charged up all day. Some even offer multiple ports to charge several devices at once.

Other Recommendations:

Tip: Invest in a high-capacity power bank (10,000mAh or more) for longer trips where charging opportunities may be scarce.

Noise-Canceling Headphones

Believe me, a 6-hour flight with a crying baby in the seat in front of you can be a nightmare. But not when you have noise-canceling headphones. I don’t travel anywhere without them and for good reason. Bose and Sony are two of the most trusted and quality brands available. Their noise-canceling capability is amazing and they offer excellent sound quality for music and movies which is a must-have for long flights or train rides. However, if you’re on a budget, you can’t beat the quality-to-price ratio of Soundcore. Here are a few recommendations for models we like. I personally use Soundcore and love them. But, if I was going to dish out the money for quality, Bose or Sony would be my go-to.

Best Bose Noise-canceling: Bose QuietComfort
Best Sony Noise-canceling: Sony WH-1000XM4
Best Budget Noise-canceling Headphones: Soundcore Q30

Travel Adapters

Different countries have different plugs. Universal travel adapters like the Epicka Universal Travel Adapter ensure you can charge your devices without issue. Look for one with USB ports so you can charge multiple devices.

E-Readers

If you’re like me, you enjoy reading during your travels. But it’s not practical to carry multiple books due to bag space. An e-reader like the Amazon Kindle or the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is a must-have. I personally use the Paperwhite and love it. Nothing more relaxing than taking a walk to a local park and whipping out the Kindle for an hour or two.

Staying Connected on the Go

Mobile Hotspots

Mobile hotspots such as Solis and GlocalMe allow you to stay connected with portable wi-fi. These handy devices can provide reliable Wi-Fi in over 100 countries, so you can browse the web, upload photos, and stay in touch with loved ones without racking up exorbitant roaming fees.

Recommendations:

Tip: Compare data plans and choose one that fits your usage needs. Some providers offer unlimited data options.

VPN Services

Protecting your online privacy with VPN services like NordVPN and ExpressVPN while you’re traveling is highly recommended. Joining random wi-fi networks while traveling around is risky and can be costly if your information is stolen. VPN services encrypt your internet connection, making it safer to use both private and public Wi-Fi networks at airports, hotels, and cafes. I personally use Nord. I’ve had zero issues and have been very happy with the speed and performance. Use our code to receive a discount on your order and a free eSIM included with your purchase: NordVPN Promo.

Tip: Always connect to your VPN before accessing sensitive information, such as online banking or personal emails.

eSIM and Local SIM Cards

For both short and long stays, consider buying an eSIM or local SIM card. Companies like TravelSIM and OneSimCard offer international SIM cards that can save you money on data and call charges.

eSIMs are a much more convenient and cheaper way to stay connected. Companies like Saily and Airalo are affordable and reliable brands that provide good coverage wherever you are in the world. If you have a newer phone, eSIMs can be an affordable and convenient option since don’t need an actual physical SIM card to get service. If you want to learn more about eSIMs, here is a helpful guide. A good place to compare a bunch of different eSIMs is eSIMDB. Here, you can compare based on location, price, and size.

Tip: Unlock your phone before you travel to ensure it can accept eSIMs and SIM cards from other countries.

An eSIM is an essential piece of travel tech for a modern traveler.

Entertainment on the Go

Streaming Services

Make those long flights a bit more bearable with streaming services like Prime Video, Disney+, and Spotify. Make sure to download your favorite shows, movies, and playlists before your trip so you can enjoy them offline.

Portable Speakers

What beach day is complete without good music? Bring your tunes with you wherever you go with waterproof Bluetooth speakers like these:

These speakers are portable, compact, durable, and deliver great sound quality.

E-Book and Audiobook Apps

Apps like Kindle and Audible are perfect for book lovers. Download a few books or audiobooks before your trip and enjoy them on the plane, at the beach, or during downtime.

Create Travel Plans with Apps

All-in-One Travel Planners

Let’s kick things off with travel planners. The days of juggling multiple printouts and spreadsheets are gone. Apps like TripIt and Google Travel consolidate all your travel details into one easy-to-navigate platform. You simply forward your booking emails to these apps and they will create a detailed itinerary for you. Best of all, you can access it offline.

Tip: Always download your itinerary before you leave. You never know when Wi-Fi might be spotty. I learned this the hard way.

Navigating Like a Pro

Lost in translation or just plain lost? Don’t worry. Apps like Google Maps and Citymapper are your best friends. Google Maps is great for international travel, offering offline maps, public transportation routes, and even restaurant reviews. I used Google Maps extensively while traveling around Japan. It made navigating Tokyo’s public transportation system incredibly easy. Citymapper, on the other hand, is fantastic for city-specific navigation, providing real-time transit updates and walking routes.

Tip: Download offline maps of your destination on Google Maps to save data and stay on track even without internet.

Language Translation

Traveling to a country where you don’t speak the language? Translator apps are essential then. Both Google Translate and DeepL are must-haves. These apps allow you to translate text, speech, and even images instantly. I can’t tell you how many menus I’ve translated by taking a picture with DeepL. Google Translate can also download languages for offline use, so you’re never left in an awkward situation.

Tip: Use the camera translation feature for reading signs, menus, or instructions in foreign languages.

Currency Converters

Worried about getting the best exchange rates? XE Currency and Currency Converter Plus are two good options. They provide up-to-date exchange rates and can even function offline, ensuring you always know how much you’re spending.

Tip: Update the app regularly to get the latest exchange rates before you go shopping.

Health and Safety

Travel Insurance and Apps

Travel insurance is crucial wherever you go. Believe me, having to go to a hospital in a foreign country can be a stressful experience. However, knowing that you won’t have to pay an unexpected and unwanted expense out of pocket really helps to ease your mind. Companies like EKTA, Safety Wing (for extended travel), and Berkshire Travel are three great choices. Their websites and apps make it easy to manage your policy, file claims, and access emergency assistance right from your phone.

Tip: Get a few different quotes from multiple travel insurance companies. Different companies offer different protections at different prices. Use an aggregate insurance quoter like TravelInsurance.com to save time by getting multiple quotes from different companies all at once.

Safety Gadgets

Personal safety gadgets like the She’s Birdie Safety Alarm and LifeStraw are great additions to your travel kit. The personal alarm can deter potential threats with a loud siren. Highly recommended for solo female travelers for extra peace of mind, although any and everyone can benefit from a safety alarm. LifeStraw provides safe drinking water by filtering out bacteria and parasites. It’s not likely you’ll be using it but it’s way better to be over-prepared than underprepared when you’re far away from home.

Capturing Memories with Technology

High-Quality Cameras

Smartphone cameras have advanced a hell of a lot in the past 10 years and can take amazing pictures, however, if you prefer an actual legitimate camera, consider something fun and compact such as this TEBNGIHNM 4K Compact Camera or something much more heavy-duty and quality such as the Canon EOS Rebel. Both of these cameras offer superior image quality and more creative control over your shots compared to a smartphone.

Action Cameras

For thrill seekers, an action camera like the GoPro HERO12 is a must. It’s waterproof, durable, and perfect for capturing high-energy activities like diving, hiking, or skiing.

Drones

Drones have become popular in recent years. You can get phenomenal shots of a cityscape or landmarks that you would otherwise never be able to get with the help of a drone. Something like the DJI Mini 3 is a fantastic choice to achieve this. They’re compact, easy to fly, and deliver quality aerial shots. Just make sure to check local regulations regarding drone usage.

Tip: Practice flying your drone before your trip to avoid mishaps and get the best shots.

Mobile Photography Accessories

Enhance your smartphone photography with accessories like the Moment lenses or the DJI Osmo Mobile gimbal. These tools can help you capture professional-quality photos and videos without carrying bulky equipment.

Tips for Using Travel Tech Wisely

Keep Your Devices Charged

Be sure to always keep your devices charged. Have a portable charger with you at all times and consider a power strip if you have multiple gadgets. This way, you can charge everything at once in your hotel room.

Secure Your Data

Always protect your devices with strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication for important accounts. Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi networks to keep your data secure. Nobody wants their data stolen.

Be Mindful of Screen Time

It’s easy to get lost in your devices, something I’m guilty of myself, but remember to put them down and enjoy the moment. Take a break from screens to fully immerse yourself in your new environment.

Back-Up Your Data

Try to regularly back up your photos and important documents to the cloud or an external drive such as a Toshiba 2TB Portable HDD or SanDisk 1TB Portable SSD. This way, you won’t lose anything important if something unfortunate happens to your device.

FAQ

Q: What are the best travel apps for planning a trip?

A: TripIt and Google Travel are excellent for organizing itineraries, while Google Maps and Citymapper are great for navigation.

Q: How can I stay connected while traveling abroad?

A: Use mobile hotspots, local SIM cards, and eSIMs, or consider international data plans from your mobile provider.

Q: Are noise-canceling headphones worth it for travel?

A: Definitely! They block out unwanted noise, making flights and train rides much more comfortable.

Q: How do I keep my data safe on public Wi-Fi?

A: Use a VPN service like NordVPN or ExpressVPN to encrypt your connection and protect your data.

Q: What’s the best way to capture travel memories?

A: A combination of a high-quality camera or smartphone, action cameras like GoPro, and drones can help you capture stunning photos and videos.

Ready to Travel?

Travel tech is a game-changer, allowing a convenience that was unimaginable a few decades ago. It makes your travels more convenient, enjoyable, and safe. From essential apps to must-have gadgets, there’s something here for every traveler. Embrace these tools and elevate your travel experience. Now that you’re equipped with your essential travel items, check out some of our posts for destination-specific information, travel guides, and much much more. Happy and safe travels friends! 🌍