Is there anything more exciting than an upcoming trip to a dream destination?
Don’t let the stress of packing and prepping take the fun out of your travels.
Stay organised and ready for take off with our curation the best travel accessories – your must-have travel essentials!
1. UNIVERSAL POWER ADAPTER
ONE WORLD PD – ALL-IN-ONE WORLD ADAPTER WITH USB-C & USB-A CHARGER
This adapter has it all! It works in over 150 countries, can charge up to five devices simultaneously and is considered one of the safest on the market, thanks to its fully grounded connection, minimising the risk of any shocks.
SHOP One World PD one of the best travel accessories.
2. FILM CAMERA
Creating memories is one of the most invaluable aspects of travel, but sometimes you want a tactile version to take home with you or share with friends. Make your adventures analogue with a fun film camera.
LOMOGRAPHY DIANA F+ WITH FLASH
- Best for: the surprise of what you captured on film, once it’s been processed by a professional
- Embrace your creativity with Lomography’s fan-favourite ‘experimental’ camera, the Diana F+
- Available in the classic black with aqua, and sometimes available in limited edition colours and prints too
- Compatible film (just one example of compatible film, there’s a number of options out there). SHOP it now
SHOP Lomography one of the best travel accessories.
FUJIFILM INSTAX SQUARE SQ6 INSTANT FILM CAMERA
- Best for: instant gratification
- Available in multiple colours
- Compatible film. SHOP it now
SHOP FujiFilm one of the best travel accessories.
3. MULTIPURPOSE SCARF
Besides being a chic accessory that immediately elevates any outfit, the humble scarf also comes in handy when travelling. Some destinations and places of worship (like St Peters Basilica in Vatican City) can have more modest dress requirements than you might be used to (we’re looking at you, covered shoulders), regardless of any toasty summer temperatures. Keeping a scarf at the ready is a simple solve to ensure you can always respect any local customs or dress codes. You don’t want to be denied entry to an historical site over a dress code miss!
Scarves also double as a light layer or blanket when you’re on a flight with the air conditioning cranked up too high, or you simply just need a little warmth but don’t want to lug your jumper around all day.
To save your scarf from getting snagged or tumbling out of your bag, keep it compactly folded in a mesh zip pouch (see below!).
- For warmer climates, stick with a lightweight fabric such as silk or cotton (or a blend of both, like the Silk Cotton Scarf from DVF).
- For chillier climates, go for a wool scarf or an oversized cashmere wrap.
SHOP J.Crew for their cashmere wrap, one of the best travel accessories.
4. HYDRATING LIP BALM
OLIO E OSSO LIP BALM
It’s no secret that flying or visiting different climates can wreak havoc with our skin’s hydration and leave us with chapped lips. Keep those lips nourished with our go-to travel balm from Portland-based Olio E Osso. Their small batch, plant-based No.1 Clear balm is super versatile – use it as more than just a lip balm when needed, and tend to those cuticles, dry elbows and put stray hairs back in their place!
We also love Olio E Osso’s tinted colour balms for its double duty as a lip balm and cheek tint.
SHOP Olio E Osso one of the best travel accessories.
5. SUN SMART ESSENTIALS
Whether you’re off to a sunny destination or one that’s more grey, nothing is hotter than staying sun smart year-round.
Cover up with:
- A high SPF sunscreen; we love Supergoop!, Ilia Beauty or Mecca Cosmetica. Most offer a range of sizes, including carry-on approved for countries with 100ml or less requirements. Don’t forget to reapply often!
SUPERGOOP! PLAY
Supergoop! PLAY is a fab everyday option for face and body that doesn’t leave a white cast so it’s great for all skin tones.
SHOP Supergoop one of the best travel accessories.
ILIA BEAUTY
Ilia Beauty is known for serving up high quality, clean beauty products. The Super Serum Skin Tint with SPF 40 is a go-to for those wanting a clean tinted face product without having to sacrifice decent sun protection.
SHOP Ilia Beauty one of the best travel accessories.
MECCA COSMETICA
For our Aussie and NZ friends, if your face can be sensitive to some sunscreens, try Mecca Cosmetica’s cruelty-free, sulphate-free and vegan formula, ‘To Save Face’.
SHOP Mecca one of the best travel accessories.
- A statement hat; go with a lightweight, wide-brimmed option for day trips and beach adventures, opt for a more sporty look with a baseball hat, or find middle ground with a visor. And yes, it seems the crochet bucket hat trend is sticking around this summer!
6. SILK PILLOWCASE
MYK SILK PILLOWCASE
Take your ‘beauty sleep’ to the next level. Silk tends to be soft and smooth, and when used as a pillowcase, it interferes less with your hair and skin while you sleep.
A few reasons why we love travelling with a silk pillowcase:
- Silk pillowcases cause less hair frizz and breakage so your holiday locks will stay looking fresh for longer (particularly great if you’ve invested in a pre-trip blowout!).
- In this pandemic era, it can be extra comforting to use your own pillowcase when you travel. In addition to peace of mind from a hygiene perspective, it also adds a familiar, personal touch to your room to aid better (beauty) sleep.
MYK Silk offers several great options to suit varying budgets, including a single-sided silk option (it has cotton on the underside) and up to limited edition lux versions.
- Most budget friendly: natural silk pillowcase with cotton underside
- New-to-trying silk pillowcases: double-sided silk pillowcase
- Luxury option: luxury silk pillowcase
- The limited edition lux version is currently sold out
- MYK Silk amazon store
Also love MYK’s simple guide on selecting the perfect pillowcase.
SHOP MYK Silk one of the best travel accessories.
Our top tip: if you’re travelling with a silk pillowcase – buy a bright, standout colour to help you remember to pack it before you check out of the room!
7. PERSONAL ALARM
SHE’S BIRDIE
A personal alarm is especially great for solo travellers for use as a deterrent in situations where your personal safety feels compromised or threatened. The small and sleek She’s Birdie alarm sounds loudly when triggered, and also features a flashing strobe-like light.
Keep it readily accessible when on the go (easy to do, thanks to the attached brass keychain). In the US, it’s TSA approved so you can keep it in your carry-on bag when flying. Available in a variety of colours.
SHOP She’s Birdie one of the best travel accessories.
8. MESH ZIP POUCHES
Why fish around your carry-on bag looking for smaller items when you can stash them in easy-to-find mesh zip pouches? The open weave of the mesh makes it easy to spot what’s inside each one when you’re in a rush. Storing items this way also makes it easier to switch between bags during your trip and not leave any handbag essentials behind.
We love separating the small, but important, items in zip pouches. Consider splitting yours up in any combo of these categories:
- Chargers, cords and adapters (and your new She’s Birdie alarm when in transit)
- Personal supplies (think hand sanitiser, cleansing wipes, bug spray, Panadol, Band-Aids, tissues, tampons)
- Important documents like your passport, travel visa(s), vaccination record(s)
- Wardrobe extras such as a scarf, beanie, gloves, headband or hair tie
If you’re worried about any in-bag spills, try a water-resistant style instead. A great bonus use is keeping your wet bathing suit separate to the rest of your bag’s dry contents.
SHOP Amazon for mesh zip pouches, a must-have travel accessory.
9. JEWELLERY CASE
WOLF
Keep jewellery protected and tangle-free with a dedicated case. The Sophia Round Zip Case by Wolf is thoughtfully constructed with a compartment for bracelets or watches, along with a lidded well for smaller items like rings or earrings. Multiple colours and other styles also available.
SHOP Wolf one of the best travel accessories.
10. FLEX DEVICE HOLDER
AIRGLO FLEX FLAP
There’s nothing more painful than straining your neck or holding your device to watch your favourite series while travelling. Having a flexible, folding device holder can save you from that. It folds at varying angles to prop up your phone or iPad on a tray table, over the back of a seat pocket, or wherever you need it.
Since it stores flat, you can slide it in neatly into your carry-on without it occupying an awkward space.
SHOP Airglow Flex Flap one of the best travel accessories.
Now to remember your AirPods Pro!
11. PACKING CUBES
MUJI
Banish suitcase chaos with a mix of packing cubes from Japanese retailer, Muji. Separate your items by function or silhouette, keep accessories grouped together (hats, scarves and gloves), or use them to separate dirty laundry from the rest of your case. By grouping like items together and compartmenting in your packing, these cubes can also save you from entirely disrupting your neatly-folded case when you’re rifling through trying to find that one item.
Each cube has a mesh top so you can quickly see what’s inside. When not in use, these cases fold down to a compact size. We love the Recycled Nylon Gusset Case and the Recycled Nylon Gusset Case Double. Multiple sizes and colours available.
SHOP Muji one of the best travel accessories.
12. COLLAPSIBLE WATER BOTTLE
QUE
You want an alternative to plastic water bottles when travelling, but carrying your own water bottle can be cumbersome… cue the Que Collapsible Bottle. The Que silicon bottle is lightweight and when it’s not full, you can collapse it down to half the size to save space in your bag. Simply refill and go!
An added bonus of travelling with a refillable bottle is saving money on buying water, especially at airports where filtered water stations are becoming more and more common!
SHOP Que one of the best travel accessories.
13. BLANK CARDS
We’re guessing the majority of us love to receive cards, be it for a milestone, congratulations or just a simple thank you. Giving cards is even more joy-inducing, and we make sure we travel with at least a few in case in case we can make someone’s day with a card. Simple blank cards like these from Etsy should have you covered for any surprise situation. Forgot someone’s birthday, no problem! Need to say thanks, done!
One travel trend that we love right now, is to write a thank you card to your flight crew (provided it is a positive onboard experience, of course!). It’s been an especially rough couple of years for airline staff in particular, from job furloughs to the significant rise in incidents of on-the-job abuse. For people whose job it is to keep us safe in the skies, a small note of recognition and thanks can mean a great deal!
SHOP Etsy for bank cards, a must-have travel accessory.
14. STORAGE BOXES FOR AT HOME
Make packing for future trips a breeze by keeping all your travel essentials together in a storage basket or box. If you’re short on storage space, under bed boxes are great, as is keeping everything in a bag inside your suitcase. We recommend: Open style, Lid option, Under bed box.
SHOP the Container Store for storage baskets, one of the travel accessories for in-between trips.
Our Best Travel Accessories – Your Must-Have Travel Essentials was curated by the travel experts at bespoke atlas.
bespoke atlas offers personalised travel advice and itinerary curation. They do the research and apply their expertise to create a custom itinerary that’s based entirely on your preferences. Whether you’re looking to travel overseas with friends or dreaming of the perfect national park trip for one, bespoke atlas can craft the plan and chart a course for you to book and enjoy the perfect getaway.
Learn more about bespoke atlas’ range of services at bespokeatlas.com or follow them on Instagram @bespokeatlas for travel ideas and inspiration.
For itinerary curation, drop them an email: [email protected]
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