I've previously shared with you my list of 12 things you probably DON'T need to pack when you travel. So I figured it was time to write the opposite list, highlighting some of the things that you'll rarely find me traveling without.

When it comes to luggage and travel clothing and camera gear, a lot of it comes down to personal preference and where/when you're traveling. But I'm going to share some of my must-haves with you anyway! Here are all the things that I consider to be essentials for almost any trip!

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13 things I always pack for travel

1. Packing cubes

If all my other packing lists haven't been a dead giveaway, I'm a huge fan of packing cubes. Like, HUGE. I take them on every single trip with me, using them to organize whatever bag I'm taking, be it a carry-on-sized backpack or a larger suitcase.

On shorter trips, I often use just 1-2 cubes – sometimes pairing all my outfits together to make them easy to just grab and put on. On longer trips, I usually use about 3-4 cubes: one for tops, one for bottoms, one for miscellaneous things like sweaters or dresses, and another for under-things and pajamas. The cubes help me keep my bags organized, which is absolutely crucial when I'm on really long trips!

And while there used to be just one type of packing cube to choose from, the packing cube market has really expanded in recent years. Now you can also find compression cubes, which are perfect for winter trips, or anytime you're packing bulky items, and even double-sided cubes like these from Biaggi that could allow you to pack everything for a short trip in one cube!

>> Buy packing cubes on Amazon. <<

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2. Columbia rain coat

One thing you can never control when you travel is the weather. But I really do agree with the saying that “there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” So I now always travel with my Columbia Arcadia raincoat.

The Columbia Arcadia II is lined on the inside with mesh (which helps it breathe better) and comes in a wide range of bright colors (perfect for those Instagram shots!). I actually have this in three colors (a hot pink, mustard yellow, and bright teal), and my husband Elliot has the men's version of this exact same coat in blue.

These coats last for years, and don't take up a ton of room in a suitcase.

>> Buy this coat from Columbia or Buy from Amazon. <<

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3. Good shoes

Good travel shoes are SO important – if your feet are unhappy, chances are you will be, too. I love to walk when I'm in a new place, so packing shoes that are comfortable and functional is always top of mind for me.

I've tried a lot of different shoes over the years, always looking to find something supportive enough for miles of walking each day, but also cute and versatile enough to be appropriate with most outfits I'll be packing.

Some of my go-to travel shoes right now include:

Walking sandals

My Teva Verra walking sandals have been to so many countries with me. They are comfortable and supportive, with a grippy sole that can tackle everything from city walking to light hiking. But they don't *look* like hiking sandals, and so I can get away with wearing them with everything from jeans to dresses.

I also have some Teva Hurricane sandals that I love for travel. They have thicker soles that are great for walking and even some moderate hiking, though they aren't quite as dainty on your feet. (But they are SO comfy.)

Light sneakers

After trying a few different lightweight sneakers, I've fallen in love with the knit shoes made by SUAVS. These shoes weigh nothing (and therefore take up almost zero room in a suitcase), are super breathable, and can be thrown in the washing machine after every trip. I sometimes put my own insoles into these, and Elliot and I both have more than one pair.

For trips when my SUAVS aren't really appropriate (like any trip that might be cold and/or wet), I have a couple pairs of white leather sneakers that I rotate through. My favorites are actually these hands-free sneakers by Orthofeet (they are wide and SO comfy), but I also have a pair of these Reeboks, and these Dr. Scholl's sneakers are also a fan favorite.

If you want both lightweight AND waterproof without buying a leather shoe, I also have some of these Weekend sneakers by Vessi and really like them!

A pair of flats

For years, my go-to travel flats were actually Crocs! But sadly Crocs doesn't make the shoes I love any longer, so I've had to try to find something new. My current favorites are these Vessi Market Flats that have some cushion and look so cute with jeans (AND they're waterproof!)

I also have some Rothy's Square Mary Janes. These are super cute and fit my borderline wide feet, but they don't have any cushion or arch support, so I save these for instances where I won't have to do a ton of walking in them.

And for other shoe recommendations (like for hiking shoes and winter boots), check out my travel shoe guide.

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4. Compression socks

Since we're talking shoes, we should also talk socks! Specifically, compression socks, which I wear on any travel days where I expect to be sitting for hours at a time.

Compression socks are great for promoting good circulation even when you're sitting for a long period of time – like on a long flight! I have friends who have developed blood clots while traveling, and want to make sure I do whatever I can to prevent that for myself.

Compression socks can also be great if you're spending a lot of time on your feet, or to help with recovery after hiking/running. My sister swears by them to help with feet swelling whenever she travels, too.

>> Buy compression socks on Amazon. <<

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5. Pacsafe convertible backpack

I've now been using this Pacsafe Citysafe CX Convertible Backpack for a couple of years, and I'm still in love with it. Not only is it incredibly sturdy (like most of Pacsafe's products), but it's also really functional for travel.

This particular bag goes from a handy little daypack to an over-the-shoulder purse in no time, making it essentially two bags in one! And I'm a big fan of travel gear that can serve more than one purpose.

This bag has many of the standard safety features I've come to expect from Pacsafe (durable material, slash-proof straps, and zippers that can be secured), AND is actually quite attractive, too.

>> Buy direct from Pacsafe or Buy on Amazon<<

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6. Phone lanyard

With phone theft on the rise in major European cities (and because I generally just like not having to stress about dropping or misplacing my phone when there's so much else going on), I've started traveling with a lanyard strap for my phone. I first used one on a trip to Iceland in 2022 for horseback riding, and immediately kicked myself for not catching on to this sooner.

Here are two lanyard options: this inexpensive one that comes in several colors, and this fancier leather one with a built-in wallet with card slots. (For the record, I own both of these! The Bandolier one is the one in the above photo.)

RELATED: How to Keep Your Money and Valuables Safe on Your Travels

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7. Sun protection

Sun protection is no joke, and you should always travel prepared to protect yourself from those rays! Even on cloudy days you can get a sunburn.

A few sun-blocking things I like to pack include:

• Reef-safe sunscreen – Sunscreen is a must! Even on days when I don't plan on spending much time in the sun, I use a moisturizer with sunscreen in it. And on days I DO plan on being in the sun, I go for ocean-friendly sunscreen like this mineral sunscreen, or this sunscreen stick. And don't forget to protect your scalp, too!
• Sunhat – I've been on a quest for the past couple of years to find a packable sun hat that I love. And I've finally found some! I really love the hats made by the Wallaroo Hat Company, which are not only cute sun hats, but also effective – many of them have UPF protection built right in. I so far have the Victoria Fedora and the Naples Fedora, and love them both.
• UPF clothing – They make lots of clothing now that can block the harmful rays of the sun. I have this long-sleeved quick-dry top that's UPF 50+, this breezy top from Columbia, and there are also companies that make full swim leggings these days!

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8. Reusable water bottle

Tap water in many countries is actually safe to drink. So instead of spending money on single-use plastic water bottles, I travel instead with a reusable water bottle that you can fill up from any tap.

I like the CamelBak Chute, and have purchased many different versions of this bottle over the years. It's still my go-to favorite in my cupboard full of water bottles.

>> Buy this water bottle on Amazon. <<

I also have some smaller Nalgene bottles (like this 16oz one) that I take with me on city break trips, as this size of bottle fits perfectly into my purse or backpack.

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9. Packable day pack/hip pack

Having carry-on-sized luggage is great, but sometimes you need something even smaller for a day trip or active tour. I have a decent-sized purse that I take with me when I travel, but it's not appropriate for things like boat tours or short hikes where I might need to carry a bottle of water, sunscreen, an extra layer, and maybe a snack in addition to my camera gear.

I have this lightweight day pack that takes up virtually no room in my luggage (it folds up into its own pocket!), and yet is perfect for the times when my purse just won't cut it.

I've also started traveling with a packable hip pack, which I like being able to grab for quick hikes. I have this little Columbia one, and this Pacsafe one that's a bit roomier.

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10. My own power strip

One of my (many) hotel pet peeves is how inconvenient many wall outlets are placed in a hotel room. Sometimes you have one right above a nightstand. But other times you have to move furniture around to be able to charge your phone next to the bed.

So I've started traveling with this small power strip by Anker. It has 2 AC outlets you can plug directly into, plus 1 USB-A port and 2 USB-C ports. It's cord is the perfect length for a hotel room, and is meant to be wrapped around the strip for travel.

Using this also means I only need one wall adapter when I'm traveling abroad, since I can charge all my electronics using this one power strip. It's become a must-pack for me!

>> Buy one on Amazon. <<

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11. Power bank

Speaking of power, I'm always guzzling the battery on my phone when I'm traveling, between using Google Maps for navigation and taking tons of photos and videos. So traveling with a small power bank for my phone is an absolute must.

Anker makes, hands-down, the best little power banks for travel. I've tried several over the years, and my current favorites are this one and this one. Both have built-in charging cords (USB-C), and can fully charge most phones up to 2 times. They are also FAST, and are relatively small – perfect to throw into a purse or backpack.

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12. Small first aid kit

I was never a Girl Scout as a kid, but I've still learned to always be prepared. I always travel with a small first aid kit that has all sorts of odds and ends in it that I've ended up needing on my travels.

You can purchase first aid kits online, but honestly I've found it a lot easier to build my own in a little pouch I already have.

Things that you can always find inside my first aid kit include:

• Bandages of all shapes and sizes
• Antiseptic wipes
• Antibacterial cream
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Allergy pills like Benadryl
• Pain relievers
• Motion sickness tablets
• Chewable Pepto Bismol
• Imodium
• Rehydration salts or other electrolytes
• Tweezers
• Nail clippers/file

I also sometimes might add things to my kit depending on where I'm going (like maybe some probiotics, some aloe for sunburn relief, eye drops for my dry eyes, etc.), but these are the basics.

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13. Comfort items

Lastly, there are some items I pack for nearly every trip that I just deem my “comfort items.” These are things that probably aren't necessary for other people, but that help me enjoy my travels just a little bit more. Little luxuries, if you will!

Things like:

• A handheld fan – I overheat very easily these days and have always been a pretty sweaty person. Therefore, I don't go ANYwhere now without my little handheld electric fan. Concerts, subway rides, hikes, beach sunsets… I've used my little fan through it all, and constantly say this was the best $16 I've ever spent.
• Slippers – I have weird sensory issues when it comes to being barefoot on hotel room floors, especially when they are carpet. So I started traveling with my own slippers, and wow it's been a game-changer! They don't have to be fancy; just something I can slip my feet into and pad around a hotel room in.
• A robe – In the last couple years, I've done a lot of traveling with friends and family members where I'm sharing small hotel room spaces with them. Between me easily overheating and hotel room towels that usually never fully wrap around my size 14/16 body, I've started packing a lightweight robe to put on after a shower. Again, just a nice little comfort item that I've come to love.

READ NEXT: 12 Things You Probably Never Need to Pack

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And there you have it! The 13 things I never really travel without. My packing lists can vary a bit from trip to trip, but chances are you'll always find these items in my suitcase.

What are some of YOUR packing must-haves?