My Travel Essentials: A Travel Advisor's Packing List
Updated: 6 days ago
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People ask me two travel questions more than any others. Where should I go? And what should I pack? The first one is my whole job. The second one is this post.
I've carried on for two weeks in Europe with five pairs of shoes. I've slept through hotels that were louder and brighter than advertised. I've survived a bachelorette trip with 15 women in a three-bedroom flat (I was not the one who booked it). Everything below earned its spot in my bag through real trips, real mistakes, and one ziplock bag era I'm not proud of.
The short list of women's travel essentials
If you only read one section, make it this one. These are the 16 travel essentials I pack for nearly every trip:
Item | Why I pack it | Best for | Shop |
Compression packing cubes | Carry-on only, even for two weeks | Every trip | |
Hat holder | No more crushed sun hats | Beach and warm-weather trips | |
Cosmetic bag | See everything without digging | Every trip | |
Pill organizer | Supplements and meds, sorted | Every trip | |
Satin eye mask | Deep eye cups protect lashes | Flights and light sleepers | |
Earplugs for smaller ears | Actually fit, actually stay in | Light sleepers | |
AirPods Pro | Noise cancellation from takeoff | Flights | |
Waterboy electrolytes | Wine tonight, no regrets tomorrow | Wine trips, girls' trips | |
OUAI travel shampoo set | Salon hair in carry-on sizes | Every trip | |
COOLA sunscreen travel kit | Full sun routine, TSA-friendly | Beach trips, gifting | |
Dual voltage hair dryer | Works safely in Europe | International trips | |
Dual voltage straightener | Good hair days abroad | International trips | |
EU plug adapter | Fits continental European outlets | Europe | |
MagSafe charger | One less cable to untangle | iPhone users | |
Small power bank | Full battery on long days out | Sightseeing days | |
Compact travel umbrella | Fits in a cross-body bag | Europe, shoulder season |
Pack it all in a carry-on
I always try to carry on. No waiting at baggage claim, no lost-luggage spiral, and nothing stopping me from walking straight out of the airport and into my first espresso. These four make it possible.
Compression packing cubes
Why I pack them: These are how I fit two weeks in Europe, and five pairs of shoes, into a carry-on. The compression zipper squeezes out the extra air, so a cube of sweaters ends up the size of a cube of T-shirts.
Pro tip: Roll your clothes before they go into the cubes. Rolling instead of folding fits more in each cube and leaves fewer wrinkles.
Hat holder
Why I pack it: A good hat is non-negotiable for a beach or warm-weather trip, and nothing ruins one faster than a suitcase. This holder keeps my hats in shape from my closet to the cabana, and I use it on every sunny trip.
Cosmetic bag
Why I pack it: It's all about the way it opens. Everything is laid out where I can see it, so I can grab my mascara without unpacking the whole bag on a tiny hotel vanity.
Pill organizer
Why I pack it: All my supplements and meds, sorted by day, in one slim case. This replaced the ziplock bag I used to toss everything into. Yes, that's embarrassing. Yes, I've grown.
Sleep well anywhere
I'm a light sleeper, and you never know how bright or noisy a hotel or villa is going to be until you're lying there at midnight. Even the most beautiful room is useless if you can't sleep in it. This is my sleep kit, and it goes everywhere.
Satin eye mask
Why I pack it: The deep, contoured eye cups mean nothing presses on my eyes or lashes, so I wake up with my lashes (and mascara) intact. Soft satin, total blackout, and no creases on my face in the morning.
Earplugs for smaller ears
Why I pack them: I have smaller ears, and most earplugs either pop out or hurt by 2 a.m. These are sized for women, so they stay put all night. They're how I make sure I get a good night's sleep, even when the street below has other plans.
AirPods Pro
Why I pack them: These are a no-brainer. Noise cancellation goes on the second I sit down on the plane, the engine hum fades, and I can finally relax and get into my book. My vacation starts at the gate, not the hotel.
Beauty that travels well
Travel sizes are the move for a carry-on, but they shouldn't mean settling for hotel shampoo or a sunscreen you don't love.
OUAI travel shampoo set
Why I pack it: It's a shampoo I love at home, in a size the TSA approves of. My hair looks like me on vacation, not like I lost a fight with a hotel mini bottle.
COOLA sunscreen travel kit
Why I pack it: Every sunscreen essential, all in travel sizes. It's also my go-to birthday gift for girls' trips. When we're heading to Cabo or the Bahamas for someone's birthday, this kit is the gift that actually gets used.
Dual voltage hair dryer
Why I pack it: Let me tell you a story. I once went on a bachelorette trip in Europe where 15 of us shared a three-bedroom flat. That's not a joke, and no, I didn't book it. Not everyone got the memo on voltage, and we blew out a lot of adapters (and a few hair tools) before the weekend was over.
Do yourself a favor and invest in dual voltage hair tools. You'll use them for years, and you'll save yourself a lot of stress and bad hair days in Europe.
Pro tip: A plug adapter changes the shape of the plug. It doesn't change the voltage. The US runs on 120 volts and most of Europe runs on 220 to 240, so a US-only hair tool can overheat or burn out even with an adapter. Dual voltage tools handle both. Some need you to flip a small switch first, so check before you plug in.
Dual voltage hair straightener
Why I pack it: Same logic, same bachelorette trauma. A dual voltage flat iron means sleek hair in Paris without a fried outlet.
Stay charged
EU plug adapter
Why I pack it: Pair it with your dual voltage tools and you're set. Most of continental Europe, including France, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands, uses the round two-pin plugs this adapter fits.
Good to know: The UK and Ireland use a different plug (three rectangular pins), so if your trip includes London or Dublin, ask me and I'll tell you exactly what to bring.
MagSafe charger
Why I pack it: One charger, zero tangled cables in my bag. I set my phone down on the nightstand and it's charged by morning.
Small power bank
Why I pack it: Maps, photos, and dinner reservations all live on my phone, and a full day of sightseeing drains the battery fast. This one is small enough for a cross-body bag, so I never have to cut a day short to go back and charge.
Good to know: Power banks always go in your carry-on, never in checked luggage. That's an FAA rule, not a suggestion.
The morning after (and the rainy afternoon)
Waterboy electrolytes
Why I pack it: I love a good glass of wine (or five), and I don't want a headache holding me back the next morning. Waterboy has more electrolytes than the other mixes I've tried, plus ingredients meant to help you bounce back. It's a must on every wine trip and girls' trip.
Compact travel umbrella
Why I pack it: This umbrella has come with me to France, Belgium, Portugal, and the Netherlands. It's durable and the perfect size for a cross-body bag, because no one wants to buy the plastic poncho from the souvenir shop when it suddenly starts pouring. (If you're planning a fall trip to Lisbon, trust me on this one. Read about my Portugal trip here.)
The bag is the easy part
A great packing list gets you out the door. A great trip takes more than that: the room where you actually sleep well, the restaurant you'd never find on your own, and someone who already knows which outlets you'll find when you land.
That's where I come in. As a Virtuoso travel advisor, I plan trips made entirely for you, whether you're going solo, with the girls, with a plus-one, or with the dog. You bring the packing cubes. I'll handle everything else.
Traveling with a four-legged plus-one? My Chief Trip Companion, Lady Beefcake, has her own list. Shop Lady Beefcake's travel favorites →
Frequently asked questions
What are the must-have travel essentials for women? My essentials are compression packing cubes, a satin eye mask, earplugs sized for smaller ears, noise-canceling earbuds, a cosmetic bag that opens flat, a pill organizer, travel-size hair care and sunscreen, dual voltage hair tools for international trips, a plug adapter, a small power bank, and a compact umbrella.
How do you pack for two weeks in Europe in a carry-on? Use compression packing cubes and roll your clothes inside them. Rolling fits more in each cube and cuts down on wrinkles. Wear your bulkiest shoes and jacket on the plane, and stick to travel-size toiletries.
Do I need a voltage converter for Europe? Not if your hair tools and electronics are dual voltage. Most phones, laptops, and chargers already are. US-only hair dryers and straighteners are not, and they can burn out on Europe's 220 to 240 volt current even with a plug adapter. Dual voltage hair tools are the easiest fix.
What plug adapter do I need for Europe? Most of continental Europe uses Type C and Type F outlets, which take round two-pin plugs. The UK and Ireland use Type G, with three rectangular pins. Check each country on your itinerary before you pack.
Can you bring a power bank on a plane? Yes, in your carry-on only. The FAA does not allow spare lithium batteries, including power banks, in checked bags. Most small power banks are well under the 100 watt-hour limit.
What's the best travel eye mask for protecting your lashes? Look for a contoured mask with deep eye cups, so the fabric never presses on your lashes. A satin finish is also gentler on your skin and hair than cotton.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Product details and prices are set by the retailer and may change.
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