If you’ve ever searched for essential travel items, you’re likely to be bombarded with a million convivence items that are not necessary. You’re also likely to come across some great ideas that you didn’t think of. Here is my list of travel items that are NOT essential.
Related: How To Make Traveling With A Toddler Easier
Passport Cover
While a passport cover looks pretty, it can be cumbersome and may need to be removed when going through TSA.
Sleep Mask
For me, a sleep mask is just uncomfortable and an extra thing. If having something to cover your eyes helps you sleep on a plane go for it, but if you aren’t use to it and have small children, skip adding this item to your bag.
Make Up
Some people can’t live without their makeup . I don’t wear makeup so this is easily a pass for me.
Ear Plugs
Ear plugs are uncomfortable for me, again if they help you get sleep on the plane- go for it. If you don’t usually use ear plugs, they may just be an extra thing to dig through to get to what you want.
Neck Pillow
Neck pillows are bulky and for me they are uncomfortable. I wouldn’t waste my money buying a neck pillow that is just an extra thing to keep track of on a flight.
Perfume
While you may be concerned about your smell for whoever is sitting next to you on the plane, perfume can be overpowering to those with sensitive noses. It’s also typically expensive and if it’s over the TSA limit of liquids it can be taken away at security.
Pill Organizer
While a small pill organizer sounds amazing for compact packing, if you’re traveling internationally, it’s probably best to have the pills in their original boxes. A pill organizer is definitely not essential
Hat Hook/ Clip
Okay, so we bought a set of these. It was great at keeping my hat on my bag, but I’m not a hat person and unless we are frequently traveling to a warm sunny place where I use a sun hat, It wasn’t really worth it. If you are a hat person and bring an extra hat or two, go for it.
Luggage Tags
Having nice luggage tags with your name and information on them can be helpful, but it’s a waste of money and time when you can easily attach the free ones at the airport.
Fancy Bags
Having an expensive bag isn’t worth the hype, you can get a great $30-$50 backpack that has all the pockets and bells and whistles you can think of. My husband wants to spend $200 on a fancy backpack.
Phone/ Tablet Stand
A stand for your phone or tablet is ridiculous. Use your hands. It’s not worth the money, especially if it’s one designed only for an airplane.
Headphones & Ear Buds
You don’t need headphones and ear buds, just choose one! My husband brought 3 pairs of headphones on our trip and it was insane. Having both ear buds and headphones on one trip is not essential.
Jewelry
When you’re traveling it’s a time to not dress to the 9’s. Instead skip the jewelry and accessories.
Scarf
Unless scarfs are your thing or you’re going somewhere really cold, they aren’t necessary. They may be stylish, but they’re something you can skip purchasing just for a trip.
Hair Dryer, Curling Iron, & Flat Iron
Any kind of hair styling tool is extra and unnecessary. Most hotels and Airbnb’s have a hair dryer and a curling iron and flat iron are not necessary.
