20 Must Have Minimalist Travel Accessories (2022)

As people who travel with only a a carry on and a backpack, paying attention to what we carry with us is important. Here are 20 must have minimalist travel accessories that will fit in your bag and make travel so much better!

Here’s what this list doesn’t have – a bunch of useless things that make your bag heavier. Having the right travel accessories on the plane and on your trip can make all the difference. It’s all about comfort on long haul flights and trips. There are some great items here that will make you look and feel like a travel pro.

Must Have Minimalist Travel Accessories

Lightweight Travel Scarf

You will get more year round use out of a lightweight linen travel scarf than anything else. It’s the perfect travel accessory for keeping your neck warn on the plane to wearing at the beach for a cover up. It’s also great for countries where you need a head covering to go into churches and temples.

The gauze linen fabric is soft and luxurious. You will not believe how nice it is for such a low price. It’s such a great deal that you can easily throw a few different colors into your bag to wear with multiple outfits.

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Compression Socks

Check Price: Amazon

I always take socks on long flights because my feet get cold. A few years ago, I switched out normal socks for these compression socks and I am a total convert. If you’ve never used them before, you will not believe how much of a difference they make in your comfort level both on the plane and days afterward.

Recently off a flight to Portugal, I noticed a bunch of people in the customs line with swollen ankles. Swelling on the plane happens to all ages.

I’ve tried multiple brands of compression socks and these are the best I’ve found that really work. They are not medical grade so it’s not for people with a serious medical condition. But for the average person on a long haul flight, they are amazing. Great for lots of walking, exercise, or long car rides too.

I am insane for these and I tell EVERYONE about them. They come in multiple colors and patterns. If you’re an athlete, you’re probably already using compression sports socks in your workouts. You can use those on the plane too but the knee high variety is even better when you’re stuck sitting for so long.

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Travel Pillow

Check Price: Amazon

Travel pillows are a love, hate kind of thing, at least for me. I am not going to lug around some donut shaped pillow that is bulky, heavy and doesn’t even make me very comfortable. For a travel pillow to win a spot on this list, it has to be easy to carry, comfortable and it has to be washable.

This travel pillow is actually an ingenious flexible plastic wedge that wraps in a soft, machine washable cover. It provides terrific neck support. You can either attach it to the outside of your bag or pack around it. It won’t take up any space if packed well and it only weighs 5 oz..

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Travel Blanket Poncho

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The day that the Cathay Pacific flight attendant told me that the airline folded the blankets and put them in a plastic bag without washing them was a sad day. Gross, right! Who knows if they are better now but it’s still best to bring your own.

This poncho blanket is great because it’ll keep you covered and won’t keep sliding off while you are asleep. It even has a little zippered compartment where you can put things if you know you’ll be falling asleep. It comes in it’s own carrying pouch and is machine washable.

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External Portable Power Charger

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A power bank is the most important of travel accessories. On a trip to Cuba, the power went out for almost a day and I had no back up power. I’ll never make that mistake again. This slim portable charger will give you a week of power with ultra fast 3 charging ports.

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iDiskk 128GB iPhone Flash Drive

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This iPhone flash drive is one of those travel accessories that will give you peace of mind. The main benefit is photo storage and back up. I can’t be the only person who gets the message that my iCloud back up is full every time I go on a trip. This external flash drive easily plugs into the jack on your iPhone or iPad and lets you move photos or videos off your phone so you have more storage available. You can also use it to store movies to watch on your trip. It can hold more than 80 movies that you can just plug into your phone to watch.

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Foval International Travel Adapter

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When we travel, there are a lot of things that need to be plugged in at night. I used to use a international plug adapter but we switched to a step down voltage converter, which is safer for your electronics. A voltage converter adjusts the voltage instead of just making the plug fit the socket making it safe for computers and phones. It works in 150 countries and has 2 plugs and 4 USB ports to charge everything at once.

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iPhone Ring

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Never let your phone slip out of your hand again! This cell phone ring adheres securely to the back of your phone and adds so much functionality. It lets you get a safe grip on your phone for selfies or just holding your phone in general. It will also has a kick stand feature to prop up for photos, making a video, watching movies or for cooking a recipe.

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RFID Travel Wallet

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When you are in and out of airports and places with a lot of people, it’s good to protect your financial information with an RFID Blocking Wallet. This bifold wallet comes in 32 colors, has space for your credit cards, zippered pockets to hold international currency, and even space to hold your cell phone.

Most importantly, you won’t have to worry about anyone being able to scan your information or theft while you’re on your trip.

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Windproof Travel Umbrella

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I can’t even count the amount of times I’ve traveled and forgot an umbrella or remembered and brought an umbrella that broke. This windproof travel umbrella will fit into your suitcase or backpack and it’s really sturdy. It comes in black or a variety of colors if you want a cute photo prop.

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UV Blocking Ultra Light Sun Umbrella

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If you are heading somewhere hot with lots of unshaded sightseeing, a UV blocking sun umbrella will be your new best friend. It will protect you from sunburn and it actually makes it cooler. It comes in 5 colors. We bought white and black underneath and found the black to help with glare and shade better.

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Travel Camera Backpack

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This travel camera backpack is pretty close to perfect. It has a protected, adjustable area for camera equipment that doesn’t take up the whole backpack to you can use it as your carry-on bag.

It holds a laptop from an outside pocket that is at the back side of the pack so it’s easy to get to but well protected. There are organizational pockets for cords, chargers, water bottle and a tripod. Best of all is the price. The backpack is water resistant and comes with a waterproof cover.

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Travel Cord Organizer

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Keeping all the cords organized seems to be a bigger and bigger challenge. Having a travel cord organizer means that everything will be in one place. So many organizers are too small. This one is compact, inexpensive, zips up and literally holds everything.

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Compression Packing Cubes

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Packing cubes make it much easier to stay organized and find things in your suitcase. Now you can take it to the next level with compression packing cubes that allow you to pack more clothes in the same suitcase. If you haven’t tried them yet – you really should. You will totally be a convert!

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Cool Life Luggage Set

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A year ago, I bought a luggage set that was all over Instagram. It literally came off the first flight with only 3 wheels! A serious bummer on a trip. This hardshell spinner luggage set, half the price, has now been to more than 10 countries and is still going strong. It’s lightweight and a 4 wheel spinner. The set includes 3 sizes – carry on, midsize and large. They nest together for easy storage. TSA Lock built in that works easily.

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TSA Cable Luggage Locks

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If you already have luggage that you like but it doesn’t have a lock, these TSA cable locks are great for suitcases and backpacks. I see people do things that are unfriendly for the planet like get their suitcase wrapped in plastic. These locks are definitely better for the planet and provide and extra layer of protection for your things.

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Nomader Collapsible Water Bottle

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Always in search of the perfect water bottle, I love this food grade, silicone collapsible water bottle because it’s just like a normal water bottle when it’s filled but it packs so small when it’s empty. It has a leak proof cap and it’s BPA free. You can feel good that you’re doing your part to cut back on plastic bottles.

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Travel Sanitizing Wipes

Check Price: Amazon

With many people resuming travel, minimizing germs from plane flights is important. According to scientists, the germs on the tray table are 8 times higher than the toilet flush button. Just be smart and thoroughly clean your area the minute you get on the plane.

Use travel sanitizing wipes to wipe down everything starting with the tray table. Clean the latch, the seatbelt buckle, the seatbelt itself, the armrests including all buttons, the window cover, the air vent that is touched by almost every passenger, You get the picture.

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Revitalizing 24K Gold Under Eye Mask

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These gold eye gel masks feel so soothing and moisturizing. Whether you wear them on the plane or each morning of your trip, you will look refreshed and love this little indulgence. Put them in the hotel refrigerator for a cool compress first thing in case you wake up with puffy eyes. Another easy travel beauty product is a sheet face mask.

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Instant Coffee Packets

Check Price: Amazon

Most people wouldn’t consider coffee packets in their minimalist travel accessories list, especially when traveling to a country with great espresso, but… if you’re like me, you want a fresh cup before peeling yourself out of bed. Have you ever gone to a hotel that has terrible in-room coffee?

Don’t answer that, of course you have! Consider Starbucks Via Coffee packets a type of insurance so you NEVER have to wake up to terrible coffee again!

Bonus – This Blanket Makes My Road Trip Minimalist Packing List

I also love this super soft travel blanket that I take with me on all road trips. You can buy it on it’s own or in a set with a sleep mask. I don’t take it on the plane because I don’t want it to get dirty. But road trips are a different story. It actually packs pretty small and it’s such a luxury to cuddle up with.

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Now that you’re ready with great travel accessories, pick a destination and enjoy your trip. If there are any travel accessories you absolutely love, please share them in the comments. Use our tips for great flight deals to travel more.

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