Looking for the best travel essentials for women?
The overwhelm of deciding what to take and knowing how much to pack can be a bit anxiety-inducing.
Along my travels, over the years I’ve found what works and put together a list to make it easy for you.
When it comes to travel essentials for women, I’m a fan of things that are practical, affordable, durable and cute.
Let me make it easy so you don’t have to spend 85 days packing, forgetting things, or finding yourself lugging around everything but the kitchen sink!
Here is the ultimate list of travel essentials for women.
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The Quick Women’s Travel Essentials List
Ok, so let’s start with the bare-bones basic must have travel essentials, and then we’ll jump into the fun stuff.
Here is your travel essentials list for women:
1.Passport
2.Suitcase
3.Backpack
6.Toothbrush & Toothpaste
8.Travel Visas
10.Tampons/Diva Cup
11.Water Bottle
12.Cash
13.Sunglasses
14.Razor/wax strips/tweezers
15.Hairbrush
16.Lip balm
By the way, these lip balms should definitely be on your list of purse essentials for travel, and they are 100% carry on essentials for girls.
To make sure I remember to bring all the traveling must haves, I love to use a handy travel checklist like this one. It’s editable, pretty and organized.
In A Hurry? Here Are My Top 3 Travel Must Haves For Women:
1.Wrangler Smart Luggage Set
Your bags can either help or hinder your travels, so they are a must have travel consideration to get right.
It may be a boring, but they are essentials for travelling.
A great item for your womens holiday packing list would be this sturdy, lightweight luggage set that fits everything you need. It has a USB port so you can charge your phone on the go, no more flat battery while waiting at the airport!
This set is affordable, and also has a cup and handbag holder for hands-free traveling. Hello to less stress and more money for shopping and good food!
2.Cashmere Shawl
I love this multi-use beauty, it is on my list of plane essentials for girls. It keeps you comfortable and warm, and you can use it as a scarf, a cover-up, a blanket or even a makeshift travel pillow.
Being made from cashmere, it is lightweight, warm, soft, breathable, and folds up small for easy travel. It’s one of the best travel items for women.
3.Apple Air Tag
A must have for your travel list essentials. Never worry about your bags going missing or being stolen with one of these in your luggage.
They use Bluetooth and wifi and have a long battery life. Keep track of your room keys or put them in your pocket when out with friends for safety.
They’re always a top recommendation for travel stuff for women.
Now for the full list! The top travel essentials for women:
Bags
First up on the travel necessities list: bags!
They are very important for keeping all your essential travel items safe and organized. Below are a few great options to help you decide what will suit you best.
Long Vacation Softshell Travel Set
These are a premium quality (but still affordable) set with multiple size options; must haves for traveling. They have soft shells which are lightweight, making them easier to transport and pack into car boots.
I love that they’re durable, look good, and are easy to wheel. If you’re in the market for a new suitcase, I’d consider adding these to your travel essentials list.
Lily Bloom Luggage Bag
As we know, great bags are must haves for travelling. This case comes in beautiful bright colors, making it easier to keep track of at airports.
Its wheels swivel 360 degrees which really helps keep the mad dash running smoothly between destinations. It’s expandable to fit all your must have flight essentials.
Travelers Club Richmond Spinner
This is a super durable (and super cute) travel essentials bag that’s at an affordable price point. I love that while it’s durable and will protect my stuff, it’s also lightweight, making it easy to lift, carry and travel with. It is one of my travel necessities.
Backpacks
Lovevook All-In-One Backpack
These bags are great carry on essentials for women. They’re also great for day trips or if you’re traveling with tech. It is practical, durable, comfy and convenient.
Fully charged phones are travelling necessities, and this option has a USB charging port, as well as a password-protected anti-theft pocket.
Handbags and Purses
Here are some additional important traveling essentials for women:
Travelon Anti-Theft Mini Shoulder Bag
This is a great everyday handbag that will keep your travel purse essentials safe with its lockdown straps and anti-theft RFID Technology. It’s a stylish design and keeps everything organized while on the go.
Anti-Theft Travel Purse
This travel purse is another I also consider on my list of road trip essentials for women. It has an anti-theft design, is waterproof and has multiple internal pockets for all your traveling essentials.
I love the adjustable straps so they can be worn over the shoulder or as a backpack.
Tote Bag
Keep one of these on your travel packing list for women. They’re lightweight and fold up small in the suitcase. This one will get you straight into the holiday vibes with its summery design. It’s perfect for shopping, markets, beach days or days by the pool.
Keeping Organized!
Some of the best travel essentials help you to keep all of your travel size necessities accessible, neat and tidy.
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes, like this set of 8, make travel so much easier. They keep everything in order, reduce wrinkles in clothes and maximize space in the suitcase. I love that you can see through the tops of the bags and easily find what you need.
Travel containers
I try to leave spillable items like shampoo and soap at home since you can often buy them at the destination or make use of the ones offered in hotels; if it’s free, it’s for me! 😉 Travel containers are a must for the creams and things I can’t do without.
Hanging toiletry bag
This handy hanging toiletry bag makes packing and getting ready a breeze. The hanger swivels 360 degrees so it can be hung from anywhere. It has multiple zippered pockets with elastic bands to keep things organized and is compact enough to fit in a carry-on.
Clothing And Accessories
Of course we can’t forget about the travel essentials clothes. These are all widely considered to be travelers essentials.
Lightweight Rain Jacket
A lightweight jacket is on my list of travel essentials for women. I love this jacket. It’s high quality, practical, waterproof, lightweight, rolls up small for packing, and the fact that it’s a flattering fit is a really nice bonus!
Scarf
A scarf is a versatile travel addition and falls under essential travel clothes for me. It can keep you warm, help you cover up when needed, or be used as a travel pillow. This scarf is classic black that goes with everything, and the material is so soft.
I love scarves as they are so versatile. They are definitely essentials when travelling.
Sneakers
These sneakers are SO comfortable, and they don’t even need to be broken in. Lightweight and stylish, they’ll take you from the airport, to shopping trips, to your outdoor adventures.
These are women travel essentials that you’ll find yourself wearing most days.
Hiking boots
If you’re an adventurous type like me who will be hiking a lot, a good quality pair of hiking boots like these are highly recommended.
They’re comfortable, breathable, durable and lightweight – perfect for on-the-go adventures.
P.S. If you’re not sure if hiking boots are travel essentials clothing, the info here and here may help you decide what are, and what are not, essentials when traveling.
Wedge/sandals:
A pair of wedges or sandals allow for a versatile day-to-night look. They can be dressed up or dressed down, and being wedges, they are much more comfortable than regular heels.
Travel items must have comfort and versatility. Uncomfortable shoes are not travelling essentials, they won’t get worn and will waste precious space in your suitcase.
Sleepwear
Multi-use items are handy things to have when travelling. A sleepwear set like this is a travel must have because it’s mega comfortable with soft, breathable material, but also doubles up as cute loungewear!
Hat (Cap)
Another on the list of travellers essentials is sun protection. A lightweight cap is definitely a women’s travel essential for outdoor adventures, and this one is lightweight, easy-care and comes in black and a really nice shade of pink.
Sun Hat:
More summer essentials for a trip; A high-quality sun hat that’s stylish, has UV 50+ protection from harmful rays, and is packable, adjustable, lightweight and comfy – yes, please! A definite on the list of summer vacation must haves.
Sunglasses
These sunglasses are an excellent addition to your travel essentials for girls. They’re must haves for travel; they are very lightweight, sturdy and compact enough to fit in my pocket or purse.
They’re also a more affordable alternative (yet just as stylish) as some of the higher-end brands, reducing risk of damage while traveling.
Long dress/skirt
A comfortable, convenient, and flattering long dress like this one is a one of many travelling must haves. It’s another item that can be dressed up or down for a more casual look and layered when transitioning between climates.
Definitely add one of these to your list of vacation essentials.
A jacket that goes with everything
Another must-have for travel essentials for women is a jacket that will go with everything. This one is comfy, a great fit, and is good for layering, a must have for travelers.
Activewear
If you like to keep fit and active while traveling, packing some activewear fashion travel essentials is always a good choice, especially since it can also double as a regular daily outfit.
Look for activewear that’s comfy, breathable and practical, like this set of travel must-haves.
Beauty And Hygiene
When it comes to travel products for women, these options tick all the boxes. Read on for some must have women’s travel accessories.
Mini cordless hair straightener
A mini cordless hair straightener like this means you can be put together without sacrificing too much space in your bags. Being cordless, you don’t have to worry about power outlets either. I wouldn’t be without this on my travel essentials for women list.
Mini hairbrush
Mini sized essentials are travelers must haves. Small, space-saving, and brilliant at detangling, these brushes are great travel accessories for girls. These are one of my go-to ladies travel accessories.
Ethique Solid Shampoo Bar
This shampoo bar is a recent thing I’ve added to my necessities for traveling. It’s solid so it won’t spill. Its compact size saves space, and its natural ingredients will keep hair healthy and fresh.
Being a vegan and eco-friendly product, it’s also cruelty-free and environmentally friendly. This is another one for the toiletries list for ladies.
Perfume Containers:
You can still take your favorite womens travel accessories like perfumes with you on your travels with these perfume containers. They are cute, compact, and leak-free and saves you from having to bring larger original bottles with you.
Safety
Safety is important when considering travel gear for women. Below are some solo female travel essentials:
She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm
Personal safety alarms have become essential travelling items these days.
These personal alarms are essential travel accessories women have to keep safe. They are easy to carry and use, and have a loud siren offering safety, protection and peace of mind while traveling.
It’s also designed by women, for women and the brand donates a percentage of each sale to a women’s safety charity. I recommend adding this to your travellers essentials list.
Room Alarm:
Another of my female travel essentials is a portable room alarm. This can help with safety and peace of mind when traveling solo. These have strong adhesive and are very loud. They can be used for windows or doors.
They are so simple and easy to use, and are fast becoming essential items for traveling.
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Travel Insurance:
Having travel insurance is an essential for traveling.
It gives you peace of mind that you’ll be covered in the event of unforeseen health, medical or emergencies during your travels.
Check out companies like Safety Wing that offer great, flexible and affordable coverage, definite essentials for travel.
First aid kit:
First aid kits are essentials while travelling. This one has everything you need in a lightweight, compact travel pack.
Tech
When looking at tech and travel gadgets for women, I recommend the following:
Google Maps Saved Places:
This allows you to create lists of places. It’s helpful whether you’re wanting to share your itinerary with others, use it as a safety feature, or for brainstorming and logging your favorite places.
Travel itenerary share app:
Use Tripadvisor to plan, create and share your itineraries, and to check out reviews of accommodation, places and restaurants all around the world. This site is high on my list of travel essentials for international travel.
E-reader:
Next up on my list of essential travel items for women, is the Kindle! Using an e-reader like the Kindle means you can take a whole bunch of books with you on the go, without having to lug them around. This is a travelling essential I get a lot of use out of.
Portable charger:
One of the best women’s travel accessories is a portable charger. You don’t want to have to worry about your phone battery running out while out exploring the world, all kinds of things could go wrong if that were to happen!
This one is an affordable, effective and compact option, perfect for travel. This is a no-brainer on my list of traveling essentials for women.
Find out more info here on choosing the best portable charger/power bank for traveling
Other Considerations
Why Having a Go-To List Of Essentials Is Important:
It’s important to have a list of ladies travel essentials. This reduces stress, keeps me organized, makes for faster packing, reduces procrastination and anxiety, minimizes the chance of forgetting things, and means that I won’t overpack and will be well prepared.
Mix And Match
When packing travel essentials for women, one of the best essentials for traveling tips I received was to pack neutral-colored clothes and shoes; they go with everything!
How much do I really need to pack?
If you need some help with sticking to the necessities on your vacation packing list for women, here is a list of exactly how many of each item you’ll generally need.
Stick to the travel essentials; the number one rule is to not overpack! Introducing the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 method, pack:
- 5 Sets of socks and underwear
- 4 Tops
- 3 Bottoms
- 2 Pairs of shoes
- 1 Hat
FAQs on Travel Essentials For Women
Are you after some more information on the best ladies travelling necessities? When it comes to womens travel essentials, you’ll hopefully find the answers to all your questions in the below travel must haves.
What Should Girls Bring On A Trip?
- Outfits For Each Day
- Water And Snacks
- A Reusable Water Bottle
- Camera For Memories
- Travel Documents, Passport, ID And Visa
- Hand Sanitizer
What Should A Woman Pack On A 10 Day Trip?
- Feel free to pack a couple of extra t-shirts, but try to stick to 3 to 5 shirts.
- 2 to 3 bottoms which can include pants or shorts
- 3 dresses or skirts
- 1 to 2 lightweight jackets
- Try to stick to less than 7 accessories
- 2 to 3 pairs of shoes – think practical
- 1 small bag
What Should I Pack For A 7 Day Trip?
- Phone, camera, computer, ipad
- Adapters and chargers
- Portable power bank
- Reusable water bottle
- Tote bag
- Food and snacks
- Prescription glasses and sunglasses
- Noise canceling earphones
What Should You Not Forget On Vacation?
- Important travel documents!
- Definitely bring snacks
- Hand sanitizer and masks
- First aid kit and medications
- Beauty products and toiletries
- Headphones, chargers, e-reader, iPad
What Should You Not Bring While Travelling?
To help you pack light, here is a list of non travelling essentials for women
- Any valuables like jewelry
- Large heavy camera equipment
- Too many toiletries
- Overpacking clothes
- More than two pairs of jeans
- Uncomfortable shoes
- Hiking Boots if you are not hiking
- Multiple heavy jackets
What Should I Gift My Friend On A Trip?
Best Gifts and travel essentials for her
- Safety trackers like Apple Air Tags
- Phone Grip and Expandable Stand
- Travel adapters are a great idea
- Luggage scales
- Cute carry-on luggage bag
- UV Toothbrush Sanitizer
- Flight Flap – Phone and Tablet Holder
- Airplane Moisturizing Kit
Conclusion
My aim is for travel to be as stress-free as possible for all who want to explore the world. I’ve found these travel essentials for women tick all the boxes: safe, affordable, durable, practical and stylish.
I would love to hear what your must-have women’s travel necessities are, please share below.
Sandy (my cat) did say to include a 5-star room for the cat on my essentials list, but I think that needs a dedicated article of its own.
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