My favorite travel accessories

I often travel with friends and notice that I am lending things to them to use for the trip or that I've had something that makes my life so much easier while traveling. I love when my stuff can be useful for more than just me so I don't mind when they borrow things but I find myself always recommending a few great products that have made my life traveling so much easier. I've compiled a list of the 10 things I can't leave for the airport or coach station without! Let me know if you've found a better brand of any of these products or if there's something that you just cannot live without while traveling...

Bonus: always take something close to your heart, mine is my wanderlust friendship bracelet

1. Luggage organizing sets (bonus: this one comes with refillable liquid bottles)

I have loved using these cubes for packing massive amounts of stuff into small spaces. I was skeptical about investing in slightly more expensive ones because I wasn't sure how I would like it but I find my cheap ones breaking now. I use them on most trips and they're also really good at keeping organized when hopping from hostel to hostel. I also swear by refillable liquid bottles so it's a plus that this set includes them all!
Luggage Organizing set from Amazon





2. Universal adapter

I absolutely LOVE this product. It has Europe, the UK, the US, and Australian compatible converters all in one. And one of the best things for me (traveling with a few Aussies and Brits) has been that there are multiple USB outlets AND outlets for any of those countries plugs as well. You can charge up to three devices at one on this and it works all over Europe and is small enough to just throw in your purse or carry-on luggage. Another perk: no interchanging parts so no possibility of loosing pieces!
Worldwide Adapter, Amazon




3. Portable Charger

A portable charger is a must for any college student regardless of whether you'll be traveling a lot or not. The Anker portable charger is so reliable and worth buying for the brand name. I've had some really cheap portable chargers in the past that fail on you so quickly and you definitely don't want when you're traveling.
Anker Power Bank, Amazon







4. Coin Purse

We Americans often forget how many coins they use in Europe. My current wallet was not up to the challenge of holding all the coins so I bought this coin purse in Paris and have been using it ever since!
Le Pliage Coin Purse, Longchamp


5. Travel Shawl

I don't have this shawl in particular but I have heard great things about it. I have a cheap black one from Uniqlo and I got my mom a wool one in Scotland! I highly recommend getting one they are perfect as scarves or blankets and always good to add a bit of comfort.
Alpaca Shawl from Samantha Holmes


6. Luggage Locks

So essential for whenever your bag will not be by your side. Hostels, airports, luggage storage, anywhere you won't have your belongings with you lock them up.
Luggage Locks from Amazon









7. Luggage scale

This option is a bit fancy for me, I have a simple Sharper Image scale from T.J. Maxx but any kind works. Always good to check how much your luggage weighs, especially if you're checking in bags. Airlines will use any excuse to get you to pay more so avoid the trouble and weigh your luggage before you leave!
Luggage Scale from Sharper Image




8. Travel Pillow

I don't love travel pillows for shorter journeys they just seem to get in the way, but any trip longer than 8 hours when you need to get some rest I would never go without it. I have a Sharper Image memory foam one with a removable cover from T.J. Maxx that I love but this one is very similar. It is a life saver when you're traveling on a student budget and find yourself on a 20hour bus journey to Germany and you have to start being a tourist first thing when you arrive!
Travel Pillow, Amazon



9. Travel Liquid Bag

This is actually one of my favorite accessories and it is SO affordable (under $5). This bag looks small but is actually pretty flexible and holds all the toiletries you need for a short trip. This is also great for the many airports that have specific liquid bag requirements and make you take out all of your liquids and fit them into a small plastic bag. You get to skip that line because there is never an issue with this bag!
Sephora Make-up bag


10.  Reusable Water Bottle

This is a double win, always be hydrated and environmentally friendly! I traveled with a big Nalegene water bottle last semester and as much as I loved it it did get in the way. I think the HydroFlasks are the perfect size and you can get them in virtually any style or size you want!
HydroFlask on Amazon