Okay, so picture this: I’m sitting on a flight to Tenerife last summer, super excited about my holiday, when I suddenly realise I forgot to pack ANY adapters for my electronics. None. Zero. And of course, I had my tablet and most importantly my phone which you know by now don’t even last a day without having to plug them in. This rookie mistake ended up me having to pay premium at the airport for an adapter.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone! Apparently, about 68% of us forget at least one super important thing when we go on vacation. So I figured I’d put together this guide to help you (and honestly, future me) remember all the essential stuff for your 2025 trips.
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Keeping Your Important Stuff Safe and Organised
A Good Passport Holder (Seriously, Get One)
You know what it’s like, you check the pocket/bag the passport is in over and over again. I do this all the time, my passport goes into a zipped pocket but still check to see it’s there constantly. Doing this and having to take it out to present to security and flight crew and putting it back, I ended up crumpling pages of my passport. This could really have damaged my passport and I definitely didn’t want any issues because my passport was damaged.
This is where a decent passport holder would have helped as after presenting the passport it would have gone back into the holder and the pages would have remained nice and crips instead of become wrinkled and possibly damaged.
Back That Important Stuff Up!
Sometimes technology can fail or break, and God forbid your phone gets stolen. All your booking confirmations boarding passes itinerary plans gone. To be prepared, upload all documents to the cloud. I’d also recommend getting a USB flash drive so you have them incase you can’t get an internet signal. Having paper copies of all the important stuff is also recommended so get everything printed out in case you need them.
Travel Apps That Actually Help
Even though I’ve suggested to print out your important documents, you really only want to have them as a fail safe. Referring to confirmation emails and itinerary plans you can find some apps to help you with that. Just pop onto the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store to find apps to keep everything in one place. Another app to consider is a language translation app to help you ask the basic yet sometimes very import questions. If you prefer to have a physical devices for your translation then these both are rated very highly on Amazon. The translator ear buds or you can get a device which can also transcribe the audio so you can also read the translation.
RFID-Blocking Wallets
Digital pickpocketing is actually a thing now! Due to contactless payments, thieves can scan your credit cards without you even realising. RFID-blocking wallets protect against this. My money is always in a zipped pocket and all cards in a RFID-blocking wallet. I have a Secrid leather brown RFID card wallet, there are many other to also choose from however. If you also want a digital virtual card for your travels getting a Revolut card could be an idea, again what I use when on holiday and the exchange rate was very competitive.
Travel Insurance (Boring, But Necessary)
Travel Insurance is something you should always get hoping you never need to use. Here are some things having travel insurance can help with and much more:
- Fracture, sprain, bruise
- Food poisoning
- Calling a doctor or ambulance
- Lost luggage
- Flight cancellation
- Forced observation 14 days
When you get your travel insurance you want to keep digital AND paper copies of your policy info just in case.
Tech Stuff That Makes Travel Way Better
Universal Adapters That Actually Work
In 2025, look for adapters with USB-C ports, wireless charging, and surge protection just like this one. You don’t want to fry any of your devices while you’re away.
Power Banks
Nothing causes more travel anxiety than watching your phone battery drain when you’re using Google Maps in a foreign city! A good power bank is essential. I recommend getting one that can charge your phone at least 3-4 times. They’re getting smaller and lighter too, which is great because nobody wants to carry around a brick.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
Honestly, these might be an underrated travel essential. If you end up on a flight with babies on board or a rowdy crowd that has started their holiday on the plane, good noise-canceling headphones help you arrive less stressed and more rested. Plus, they’re the universal signal for “please don’t talk to me right now.”
Camera Stuff Worth Packing
Phone cameras are great, but if you still want to bring your compact digital camera for special trips. So if you need to pack your camera this case will keep your gear protected on your travels.
E-Readers
Want to read on the plane or poolside and you love to read, an e-reader for your holidays is the best hack. The battery lasts forever, you can read in bright sunlight, and you can bring 50 books without the weight.
Clothes That Actually Make Sense for Traveling
Wrinkle-Resistant Stuff That Doesn’t Look Like Travel Clothes
Don’t arrive looking like you’ve slept in your clothes even if you did doze off on the plane. Check out the wrinkle resistant clothes you can get for men and women. An extra tip is to focus on pieces that can go from day to night with just a change of accessories.
Quick-Dry Fabrics Are Your Friend
After getting caught in an unexpected downpour, then having to wear damp jeans for the rest of the day, quick-dry fabrics will help you avoid that. Plus you can wash stuff in your hotel sink if needed, and because you have quick dry fabrics you don’t need to pack as much because you’ll be able to wear items again the same day or next day if needed.
Compression Socks (Not Just for Old People!)
Help circulation in your legs on long haul flights or just any flight for that matter. This pair has over 1900 reviews with a 4.5 start rating.
Shoes That Don’t Destroy Your Feet
Nothing ruins a trip faster than painful feet. Nothing. For some reason on holiday I tend to forget taxis and public transport exist. I end up walking everywhere. You’ll probably walk 3-5 miles daily while sightseeing, so check these out.
Rain Gear That Doesn’t Make You Look Like a Tourist
Weather apps aren’t perfect, and getting stuck in the rain sucks. Even though rain isn’t expected here are a couple of lightweight rain jackets for men and women that look great and will be easy to pack.
Health Stuff You’ll Be Glad You Packed
DIY First-Aid Kit
Keep the essentials to hand just in case. This travel first-aid kit will be small enough to pack to take with you on holiday.
Sun Cream And After Sun That Makes Sense for Your Destination
Don’t make the mistake of bringing regular SPF 15 to the Caribbean. Different places need different protection! And what works at home might not cut it elsewhere. Getting a bad sunburn ruins your trip AND your photos. If you’re heading to a beach destination, get reef-safe sun cream too – let’s not kill the coral!
Sleep Helpers
Neck pillows and eye masks will help you rest during your flights. The difference between showing up exhausted versus somewhat functional changes your whole trip. These things take up minimal space but may make a massive difference.
Sanitising Stuff (Because Germs Are Everywhere)
Hand sanitiser, disinfectant wipes for tray tables and hotel remotes (when do you think room service last cleaned a remote?), and even a mini air purifier for questionable hotel rooms. Is it overkill? Maybe but getting sick on holiday isn’t fun at all!
Water Purification Options
Buying bottled water everywhere is expensive and terrible for the environment. You can get a water bottle with a built-in filter. Even in places with decent tap water, different minerals can upset your stomach. Stay properly hydrated using your own water bottle.
Packing Hacks That Actually Work
Compression Packing Cubes (Simple But Very Effective)
Simple fabric boxes have completely changed how you can pack. They compress your clothes while keeping everything organised. No more digging through your whole suitcase to find a pair of socks!
Smart Luggage That’s Worth the Money
Quality luggage is an investment. Look for features like built-in scales (no more overweight surprises!) or you can get separate scales and tracking devices. Good luggage isn’t cheap, but replacing crappy suitcases every year isn’t either.
Anti-Theft Bags That Don’t Scream “Tourist”
Start using anti-theft bags with hidden zippers and slash-proof materials. The peace of mind will let you actually enjoy the destination instead of constantly checking your bag.
Waterproof Protection for Electronics
Even “water-resistant” bags can fail in heavy rain or if you drop your phone in the pool. You can get dedicated waterproof cases for your phone, camera, and important documents, perfect for the water park. Cheap insurance against a very expensive problem!
Collapsible Everything
Space is precious when traveling! These collapsible items like water bottles, food containers, and laundry bags and water bowls for pets that take up minimal space when not in use and easier to pack.
Stuff You Might Not Think About Until It’s Too Late
Climate-Specific Gear
Do your homework on the typical weather for your destination during your travel dates! Items like thermal layers for cold places or cooling towels for tropical destinations make a huge difference in comfort. There’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing!
Culturally Appropriate Stuff
This is so important! Many religious sites have strict dress codes if you decide to visit them – You don’t want to get turned away because your shorts are considered too short. Pack a lightweight scarf to cover your shoulders or head, and maybe those zip-off pants that can transform from shorts to long pants or a sarong. These take up almost no space but can save you from major disappointment.
Cash, Card or Both
Different places have wildly different approaches to payment. In some European countries, contactless cards worked everywhere. In parts of the world it may be cash or nothing. Do your research and prepare appropriate payment methods, including some local currency and multiple backup options. Your card may get frozen for “suspicious activity” as an example and a back up may be needed until you contact your bank.
Bug Protection That Actually Works
Bug sprays are not all the same. Again based on your destination, do your research on specialised repellent for the destination you’re visiting. Different regions have different bugs that require specific ingredients for protection. In some places, it’s just about comfort; in others, it’s about preventing serious diseases. Do your homework!
Eco-Friendly Travel Stuff (Because Let’s Not Trash the Places We Visit)
Better Toiletries
Mini hotel toiletries are handy but so wasteful! You can use refillable containers for regular products now. There are more earth-friendly options like biodegradable soaps and shampoo bars, which are awesome for travel and as a bonus they don’t count as liquids! Win-win.
I know this isn’t something you physically pack, but it’s worth mentioning! You can offset your flights carbon emissions if you feel inclined too. A search online will no doubt provide you with solutions.
Solar Chargers
These have gotten so much better in recent years! A solar charger will be the perfect item if you find yourself no where near a plug socket and or in a power outage if you’re visiting a remote area for example. They’re especially great for outdoor adventures or anywhere with unreliable electricity.
Final Thought
So there you have it – the not-so-brief guide to packing for your 2025 trips! The key is to gather these things well before your trip. Nothing worse than trying to find specific travel gear the night before your flight, even though we all know this is exactly what you’ll do 🙂
