Last Updated on April 13, 2022
Being over-prepared is in my genes. I’m typically the one that people ask if they are in need of something, knowing that I will probably have it on hand. Here is what goes into my travel emergency & essentials kit:
My everyday travel essentials
I keep all of these in a separate make-up bag that is easy to access and keep in one place.
- Band-aids
- Lotion
- Disinfectant wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Kleenex
- Charger / Portable charger
- Emergen-C / Vitamin C / Airborne
- Ibuprofen
- Tums
- Eyedrops
- Gum
- Hair ties
- Floss picks
- Tampons / pads
My in-flight add-on essentials
These items I will stick in a separate plastic bag but also keep accessible in flight with me. These are just items that I most likely won’t need on the day-to-day basis while I’m out exploring.
- Melatonin
- Facial moisturizer
- Cleansing wipes
- Travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste
- Travel-sized deodorant
- Earplugs
What to consider when building your own kit
- Think about what you use on a daily basis. Most likely you will need that while traveling. A few days before packing, start jotting down or setting aside these items.
- Can you purchase these items in travel-size?
- Can you make these items travel-sized if you can’t buy them that way?
- Get creative and venture outside of the travel section when looking for containers. Go to Hobby Lobby and explore their aisles. I love their painting and sewing sections where you can get tiny containers meant for paint or buttons which are perfect for travel-sized items. I love using the plastic bags meant for buttons to separate pills and medications.
- If you were trapped in the window seat on an airplane and both people next to you were asleep, what is it that you wish you would always have access to just in case? Tissue? Gum? Lotion? Make sure to pack these things in your in-flight emergency kit in case this scenario happens. Remember to keep this kit under your seat and not in the overhead bin.
- Make sure you only pack the essentials for one or two time usage. You don’t want to pack too much, you can always pack refills in your checked or carry-on bag.
- This kit should go with you everywhere once you arrive to your destination. Make sure it is small and light enough to not become a nuisance.
