This page features a step-by-step guide on my must-have essentials travel kit so your trip goes as smoothly as possible.
Below features a few of my favorite travel providers and I only put the ones I think are the very best. I make a small commission off of purchases you make on this page at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting The Wandering Girl.
My Essentials Travel Kit
1. WHERE TO VISIT
This is the most exciting part of the planning travel process which is why it’s listed first on my travel essentials kit. Whether you feel like going to a scenic place, a place with city views, or an area to explore more cultural experiences, there’s a destination for everyone.
Explore these destinations to use as inspiration for your next trip!
2. TRAVEL VISAS
Prior to traveling, definitely check the entry visa requirements for the country you want to travel to. Check to see if you don’t need a visa to travel to that country here.
3. HEALTH/COVID RESTRICTIONS
Some countries may require you to have certain vaccinations. I recommend using the CDC’s Travelers Health website to get up-to-date information on health information including vaccinations, COVID quarantine rules, and health precautions.
Since the pandemic started, I’ve been more cautious about this so this is a recent addition to my essentials travel kit.
4. BOOK FLIGHTS
Now that more countries are opening up, flights are getting so expensive. But I’ve actually found that if I look around at different airlines and dates, I can find some pretty good deals.
That takes a while so I like to use WayAway because it is essentially a flight aggregator that provides the best flight rates and compares airfares offered by major US global airlines. Saves me so much time.
They also offer cashback on flights and I love saving money whenever possible.
5. TRAVEL ACCOMMODATIONS
I tend to gravitate towards Booking.com when booking hotels. I find that their site consistently has the most competitive prices and has a simple interface for easy navigation. It’s even better if you’re traveling abroad because they have the most amount of accommodations for different countries.
If you’re searching for vacation rentals, I recommend VRBO. All of their properties have gone through a thorough fraud screening process.
6. CAR RENTAL
If I’m traveling to a place that is not walkable, getting a car is a must-have on my essentials travel kit. If you are traveling to a walkable city, I highly recommend getting familiar with the city’s metro system or taking a ride share like Uber.
Car rental companies are notorious for having hidden fees. That’s why I like rentalcars.com. The interface is very easy to use and displays prices for all major rental car companies. They clearly list all fees so there are no surprises!
7. TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is not a requirement on my essentials travel kit but definitely make sure you have medical insurance. Without medical insurance, healthcare can be very expensive. Before purchasing travel insurance, be sure to check if your credit card already comes with it. I recommend SafetyWing if you’re purchasing a single-trip policy for its reliability and ease of use. SafetyWing is also great for digital nomads who need travel insurance for an extended period of time.
8. LOCAL EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
The best part about traveling to another location is to be immersed in the culture and the environment of that place. What better way to do that than to experience that through tours, attractions, events, and activities? Getyourguide.com is by far the most complete site for purchasing all of these experiences. They have a ton of customer reviews and once you make a purchase, the tickets are immediately sent to your phone.
The last time I was in Paris, I booked some of my favorite activities like the Seine River Cruise using getyourguide.com.
9. WEATHER
It’s highly important to check the weather. Not only will this give you guidance on what clothes to bring but also to know if it’s a good idea to rearrange your itinerary. The weather is most accurate when checked a week to two before.
10. CURRENCY
If you’re traveling to another country, have some cash on hand in that foreign currency. Depending on where you’re going, some places may only accept cash. The best place to exchange currency is at the ATM at your destination. They charge the current exchange rate at that time. Even if there is a transaction fee, the exchange rate is still usually the best.
10. TRAVEL ADAPTER
A travel adapter is absolutely necessary if you’re in another country in order to charge your devices. Here’s the one I’m using.
11. CREDIT CARD WITH NO FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE
Foreign transaction fees on credit cards are 1-5% so it can really add up. So I recommend getting yourself a credit card with no foreign transaction fee. My favorite and the one I’m using right now is the Chase Sapphire Preferred. You also get a generous welcome bonus.
12. PET SITTER
If you have pets at home, you want to feel peace of mind that they are safe and cared for while you’re on vacation. I recommend TrustedHouseSitters.com for its consistent quality service and for making sure your pets are in good hands.
