Unexpected Travel Essentials You’ll Be Glad You Packed
(AKA: Stuff you don’t know you need… until you do)
When you’re travelling long-term or even just heading out on a short family trip there are always those little things that make a massive difference. They’re not on every packing list, and they definitely don’t take up much space, but they’re the real MVPs of travel sanity.
Here’s a list of random-but-brilliant travel items we’re packing (or adding to our kit ASAP)
1. Motion Sensor Light Pucks
These tiny battery-powered lights are game changers for middle-of-the-night bathroom runs in unfamiliar places. Stick or hang one on a bedside table, door, or bunk rail. No more phone flashlight fumbles or waking up the whole room.
✅ You can buy here
2. Ziploc Bags (All Sizes)
They weigh nothing, take up no space, and end up being used for everything.
Toiletries
Snacks
“Ice bucket” using bottled water
Storing loose items in hotel safes (like keys and SIM cards) so you don’t forget anything
Pro tip: bring a few extras, you’ll always find a use.
✅ You can buy here
3. Rubber Bands
Yes, really. Tiny heroes of organisation. Use them to:
Seal up coffee/snack packs
Keep rolled clothing compressed
Bundle currency (especially if you’re managing multiple currencies)
Improvise fixes in a pinch
✅ You can buy here
4. Velcro Straps
We didn’t realise how useful these are until we started prepping properly.
Strap loose shopping bags or gear together
Keep luggage grouped in crowded stations
Use them to attach stuff to the outside of your backpack when needed
✅ You can buy here
5. Portable Fan / Flashlight / Power Bank Combo
You can get these as a single device—and yes, they are absolutely worth it.
Keeps you cool in hot, stuffy rooms, works as a torch, and doubles as backup power. Great for long travel days, emergency use, or kids melting down in the heat.
✅ You can buy here
6. Strong Suction Hooks
Sounds random, but these make small bathrooms 100x more functional.
Stick them to glass or tile for extra towel space, to hang toiletry bags, or to dry out wet clothes. Great in Airbnb bathrooms with zero hooks.
✅ You can buy here
7. Turkish Towel
This gets bonus points for being the most versatile thing we own:
Beach towel
Sarong
Picnic blanket
Emergency kid cover-up
Scarf or shawl
Roll it up and use as a neck pillow
They dry fast, pack down small, and look better than a regular towel.
✅ You can buy here
8. Mini Toilet Spray (Yes, Really)
Not glamorous, but if you’re sharing a hotel room, small Airbnb, or hostel… it’s a relationship saver.
Go for one that neutralises odour, not just masks it. Thank us later.
✅ You can buy here
9. Dry Bags
Great for:
Keeping electronics or documents dry in your day bag
Throwing in wet swimsuits
Separating dirty laundry
Collapsing flat when not in use
Bring a couple. They’re featherlight but seriously useful.
✅ You can buy here
10. Mesh Laundry Sack or Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are the go-to for most travellers, but breathable mesh sacks deserve more love—especially for:
Separating clean/damp/dirty clothes
Airing out things without fully unpacking
Compressing bulky stuff like jackets or towels
✅ You can buy here
Final Thought
Most of these items weigh next to nothing but they’ll save your sanity, keep you organised, and help you feel like a travel wizard when something inevitably goes sideways.
Got your own underrated travel MVP? Drop it in the comments we’re building our packing list for August!
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