10 Travel Accessories You Should Pack Before Going Overseas

These 10 travel accessories are so essential they should come free with every round-the-world ticket. Most are bought in a desperate hurry by stressed travellers somewhere between the baggage scanner and the boarding gate, so grab them before you leave and pat yourself on the back for planning ahead.

1. Multi-plug adaptor

One of the best and most commonly used travel accessories is a multi-plug adaptor. Cabeau’s 4-in-1 universal travel adaptor is good for the budget-minded. It’s narrow, lightweight and cheap. Slightly more expensive but sturdier is the Flight 001 4-in-1 travel adapter. Until the world adopts a global standard these are your best bets. For travellers looking for integrated USB ports, the Satechi Travel Router can’t be beaten. You might consider taking a power board, allowing you to charge all your devices from the one power point – some hotels and hostels can have minimal options, particularly when you’re sharing with the entire dorm.

2. Stay Connected

Any city can turn into a confusing labyrinth of streets in the blink of an eye, or simply look different after the sun sets. No matter how much you may have researched or planned, sometimes you just need online maps to find your way. With the Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard you can have access to free global Wi-Fi, from any of our one million hotspots worldwide. Plus, avoid those data roaming charges that aren’t helping your travel money and make sure to turn off ‘data roaming’ in your settings. If all else fails, ask a local!

3. Makeup and hair samples

Toiletries can add some hefty weight to your suitcase. Gather all those samples you’ve collected and never used, and give yourself more room for shopping…and avoid any nasty burst-bottle incidents.

4. Bluetooth Sleep Phones

Not only does this recently invented cross between a pair of headphones and a sleep mask let you can block out all distracting sound and light, but you can also control what you listen to via MP3. Perfect for peace and quiet on long-haul flights.

5. A camera bag both stylish and secure

The last thing you want while travelling is to have your DSLR camera damaged or broken, ruining not just your day but potentially the memories you’ve captured. You don’t have to resort to using a large, padded, and let’s be honest, unfashionable camera carry bag just for peace of mind. Lo and Sons have created ‘The Claremont’, a leather cross-body bag specifically designed to protect DSLR cameras, and it’s stylish. Its features include internal padding, SD memory card pockets, a zipped back pocket for your daily essentials like credit cards, phone or passport, and an adjustable strap. The chic exterior will allow you to explore cities on trend, and prevent drawing extra attention to a valuable camera.

6. Reusable water bottle

Empty it out before you get to the airport, fill it up once you’re there. Brands like Cheeki and Biome offer reusable water bottles that are better for your health and won’t wind up in the recycling bin.

7. An E-reader

Don’t weigh yourself down with travel guides and books when you can pack them all into a tablet. While there are a lot of options out there, the Amazon Kindle E-reader is the most travel friendly at just 130 grams and, with a battery that can go for months between charging, it’s tough to beat.

8. A compact stroller

Travelling with a baby presents enough problems for the seasoned or novice traveller, but one of those problems just got a lot smaller. Designers GB Pockit recently broke the Guinness World Record for the world’s smallest portable stroller. Super handy, robust and able to carry up to 30kg without a fuss, just like the ideal travel partner.

9. An automatic translator

Perhaps not something you can grab right now, but before too long this will be essential. iLi caused a big fuss a few months ago when they debuted their instant translation device that functions without internet connection. Currently able to translate English, Chinese and Japanese in real time, iLi is matched by another company called Pilot that offer the same live service via an earpiece.

10. A good pair of walking shoes

Your best friend when you’re travelling the globe. Italy’s Superga walking shoes are a comfortable, stylish and durable option, and they would suit almost everything in your wardrobe.