These are the top 10 essential items I recommend bringing with you when you travel. These items will save you money, time and help you avoid lots of inconveniences. I personally use these products EVERYDAY of backpacking. I have included links for where you can purchase them or get more information. If you have any questions or have personal recommendations, feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below or send me a private message through my Contact Me page. 🙂 Good luck and safe travels!

*This article is no sponsored by anyone or any company. These are the products that have withstood the test of time on my one year backpacking adventure around the world. 

An Account to Avoid ATM Fees

(Americans Only) Do yourself a favor and open a Charles Schwab checking account so you never have to worry about paying for ATM fees OR foreign transaction fees. You can use your debit card anywhere in the world, any ATM fees charged to your card will be refunded to you at the end of the month AUTOMATICALLY. You can take out money as often as you want without have to worry about paying $2-$5 USD every time.

Cost: Free, YES IT’S FREE!

Period Management: The Diva Cup & IUD

The Diva Cup (or any menstrual cup) can save you lots of money and headache while traveling. Click “HERE” for more information. YouTube has great information on menstrual cups as well. They can last years and my travel girlfriends swear by it. They change it once in the morning and once at night and are good-to-go for the day while they travel.

Cost: Approx. $30 USD and above depending on the brand

The IUD is a form of contraception that is inserted into the uterus by a gynecologist and after 3-6 months, most women experience little to no bleeding during each monthly cycle. The IUD can last from 3 – 10 years depending on the brand you get. The body still releases the egg but the uteran wall does no thicken and therefore during the time of the period, there is minimal to zero blood.  Since getting my IUD, I no longer plan activities around my period, wear granny-panties on those bad days, need to remember to take my daily contraception, or have a crime scene in my pants. While this has been a game changer for me, IUDs ARE NOT FOR EVERYONE. CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR AND EDUCATE YOURSELF ON ALL RISKS BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY DECISIONS. YOUR BODY IS YOUR TEMPLE, TREAT IT WITH THE RESPECT.

Cost: Depends on your country of residence and/or insurance

Travel Insurance

Get it. It is better to be safe than sorry. I never thought I would need to use it because I rarely use my regular insurance for anything other than the routine stuff. I’ve had to use it a few times during my travels for random situations that have come up and the insurance has made all the difference. There are many companies available that offer travel insurance. I personally use WorldNomad.

Cost: Depends on the company usually cost a few hundred dollars a month and above depending on how fancy you want to get. I recommend getting something that will cover at least $100,000 and covers evacuation in emergency situations.

Universal Adapter

This is a no-brainer. You are going to need this for international travel. This is the one I use.

Cost: $29.99 USD

External Battery

Charge your phone and your external battery at night, pack both into your bag in the morning and you won’t have to worry about running out of charge on your phone all day. I have two Anker brand batteries. One, I leave charging at the hostel, the other, I carry the with me. Especially if you are traveling internationally, you will be using a lot of wifi, pre-loaded google maps and photos.

Cost: $17.99 USD

Long Charging Cable

You are welcome. This is smartest purchase you will ever make. My 10 ft (3 meter) charging wire lets me charge my phone when the outlet is on the other side of the room or in a busy corner. I can even plug my phone into the other side of a room, lay comfortably in my bed in any position and be on the phone at the same time. Other travelers are constantly asking where I bought my charger and regret not buying one themselves.

Cost: $10.99 USD

Extra Camera Batteries

This is an absolute essential, charge your phone and your external battery at night, pack both into your bag in the morning and you won’t have to worry about running out of battery all day. I have three and have never had to think twice about running out of power. “Crap, my camera is out of batteries”, said me never.

Cost: Depends on your camera

Microfiber Travel Towel

Won’t take up half of your suitcase, large enough to cover your whole body, it’s light-weight, easy to wash, dries really fast and soaks up water better than a regular towel.

Cost: $13.39 USD

A Multipurpose Bag

Because hostel bathrooms tend to be separate from the rooms, this is a convenient way to carry all your toiletries to the bathroom in hostels (especially when the showers don’t have enough hooks to hang your stuff). It can double as a beach bag and is also very useful for dirty laundry. You probably already have one laying around somewhere, use an eco-friendly reusable grocery bag or buy a cheap one online.

Cost: Free – However much you want to spend

 Flip Flops

Get yourself some cheap and comfy flip flops, maybe even two. You are going to need these for the bathrooms, showers and day to day walking around. I usually get the $2.5 flip flops from Old Navy or buy while I travel after one wears out. Ladies, if you have a show size of 7 US or smaller, Old Navy has really cute printed flip flops in the kids section. Mine are blue with pink flamingos.

Cost: $2.5 – $5 USD or splurge on a pair of Haviannas

– Agi