Travel Accessories:
The Kipling Guide

Whether you're going on a weekend getaway, a two-month backpacking trip, a staycation, or a jungle voyage, travel accessories are a must. These small items, which can sometimes feel like an afterthought, can make or break your trip.

Imagine, for instance, that you’re out until 2 am in a foreign city. You’ve had fun getting some drinks, and now it’s time to return to the hotel. You realize that your phone battery is at 5%. Not only do you not know the way back to the hotel, but you don’t even remember the address without your phone. In that case, a portable charger could have saved the day.

So before you go out on your next vacation, we’ve compiled a list of the best travel accessories you should always pack.

What accessories to pack in your small travel bag

A small travel bag or carry-on luggage, is a bag of specific dimensions you can take on a plane. Each airline has its measurements for this type of bag, as well as a weight limit. Check the airline’s website to ensure your carry-on will fit in the overhead compartment.

A carry-on can be a backpack, duffle, rolling luggage, or tote, as long as it meets the restrictions. This type of bag is an excellent place to pack all the essentials you need for the airport. Sometimes, since checking a suitcase can cost extra, people use it as their only form of luggage.

Travel Accessories:
The Kipling Guide

Whether you're going on a weekend getaway, a two-month backpacking trip, a staycation, or a jungle voyage, travel accessories are a must. These small items, which can sometimes feel like an afterthought, can make or break your trip.

Imagine, for instance, that you’re out until 2 am in a foreign city. You’ve had fun getting some drinks, and now it’s time to return to the hotel. You realize that your phone battery is at 5%. Not only do you not know the way back to the hotel, but you don’t even remember the address without your phone. In that case, a portable charger could have saved the day.

So before you go out on your next vacation, we’ve compiled a list of the best travel accessories you should always pack.

What accessories to pack in your small travel bag

A small travel bag or carry-on luggage, is a bag of specific dimensions you can take on a plane. Each airline has its measurements for this type of bag, as well as a weight limit. Check the airline’s website to ensure your carry-on will fit in the overhead compartment.

A carry-on can be a backpack, duffle, rolling luggage, or tote, as long as it meets the restrictions. This type of bag is an excellent place to pack all the essentials you need for the airport. Sometimes, since checking a suitcase can cost extra, people use it as their only form of luggage.

Eye mask

You should take advantage of every chance you get to rest while traveling. Even if you’re not going somewhere where you’ll suffer from jetlag, traveling itself is exhausting enough. A good eye mask can help you block the light and get some shut-eye on the plane or during a layover.

Noise-canceling headphones

If this were an article from the last century, we’d likely recommend earplugs. But let’s be honest; noise-canceling headphones are so much better. Not only will they block out any screaming babies on the flight, but they’ll also allow you to watch pre-downloaded movies on your tablet in complete silence.

Portable Charger

Nowadays, phones are our lifelines. You’ll use your cell phone to book an Uber to the airport, pay for a snack pre-boarding, and even store your boarding pass. A portable charger will ensure you get through your entire journey without the anxiety of your phone battery draining.

Plus, you won’t have to rely on the airport plugs, which are always occupied and in weird locations.

A sweater or blanket

It doesn’t matter where you’re traveling to, airports, trains, and planes always tend to be chilly. So even if you’re headed to a tropical vacation, you want to ensure you don’t freeze on the way. Your sweater or blanket can also double as a neck pillow in a pinch.

Reusable water bottle

Not only is this good for the environment, but it’s good for your pocket. Food and drinks in the airport tend to cost an arm and a leg, but most restaurants will be happy to fill your water bottle for free or you can fill it at a water fountain.

Accessories that go inside your big luggage

Everything that you pack in your carry-on bag can come in handy during your trip as well. Accessories help organize everything inside and allow you to grab things and put them away quickly.

Power adapter

Every country has its unique power plugs with different voltages. If you travel from the US to Europe, you won’t be able to use your regular charger, as it won’t fit. It can also destroy your devices. Invest in a universal adapter, with several ports and USB connections, so you can use it in the future and charge multiple devices at the same time.

Toiletry bag

Any makeup and shampoo bottles run the risk of spilling inside your bag, making a big mess. But a good, water-resistant toiletry bag can help prevent that. More than that, it can help you stay organized in the mornings with all your essentials on the bathroom counter.

Packing cubes

Speaking of keeping things organized, packing cubes take organization to the next level. You can put a different outfit in each cube, use them to separate the clean from dirty clothes, and they save so much room.

Luggage tags

These are important, especially for the bags you don’t take on the plane. There’s always a chance that someone will pick your bag up by mistake, so having your contact details on a tag can help rectify the situation.

Accessories that go inside your big luggage

Everything that you pack in your carry-on bag can come in handy during your trip as well. Accessories help organize everything inside and allow you to grab things and put them away quickly.

Power adapter

Every country has its unique power plugs with different voltages. If you travel from the US to Europe, you won’t be able to use your regular charger, as it won’t fit. It can also destroy your devices. Invest in a universal adapter, with several ports and USB connections, so you can use it in the future and charge multiple devices at the same time.

Toiletry bag

Any makeup and shampoo bottles run the risk of spilling inside your bag, making a big mess. But a good, water-resistant toiletry bag can help prevent that. More than that, it can help you stay organized in the mornings with all your essentials on the bathroom counter.

Packing cubes

Speaking of keeping things organized, packing cubes take organization to the next level. You can put a different outfit in each cube, use them to separate the clean from dirty clothes, and they save so much room.

Luggage tags

These are important, especially for the bags you don’t take on the plane. There’s always a chance that someone will pick your bag up by mistake, so having your contact details on a tag can help rectify the situation.

How to pick the best travel accessory bag

When it comes to a good accessory bag for travel, there are plenty of options to choose from. It all depends on how you’re going to use it during your trip:

  • A travel backpack is a good choice if you plan on taking a laptop or a tablet with you. Most travel backpacks have a protective laptop sleeve to keep them safe. It is also the perfect carry-on size and can double as a day bag, whether you plan to hike or walk around the city.
  • A tote bag is flexible and can fit under the seat on the plane with no problems. It can also later fold to fit inside your suitcase if you don’t need to use it anymore.
  • A fanny pack is a good option if you only want to carry the essentials on the plane. It will fit your passport, a small wallet, phone, and charger with no issues. It will also keep you safe in places with a high theft rate.

Get ready for your next adventure

At the end of the day, what you choose to pack is up to you. Travel accessories that seem essential to one person could be different for another. We hope we helped you at least narrow down your options. And when it comes to choosing a small travel bag, don’t forget to look for comfort as well as usability.