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Susan Heinrich leans against the side of a small 6-seater airplane while on safari in Botswana. She wears a beige linen shorts romper and is holding a hat.

Travel Essentials for Women

TRAVEL PLANNING

The indispensable items I pack for every trip 

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I used to approach packing travel essentials by bringing anything and everything I might need in any possible scenario. Unfortunately, this leads to overpacking. And I’ve learned that managing extraneous stuff weighs me down, literally and figuratively. 

And so, with some recent globetrotting trial and error, I’ve come up with a list of the important items I now take on every trip. I hope my list sparks some new ideas and helps you plan a collection of travel essentials all your own.

✨ If you’re shopping for comfortable clothes to wear on long flights, I’ve just shared an article with some of my most-worn favorites: Athleta Travel Clothes.

Susan Heinrich at Denver Union Station with Monos travel products: the Monos Check-In Medium roller bag in desert taupe and the Metro backpack in black. Monos luggage is featured in her guide, gifts for travel lovers.

The Travel Essentials

Flight Essentials

  • ID & Travel Documents
  • Warm scarf/wrap
  • Compression Socks
  • Water bottle
  • E-reader
  • Pillow and/or eye mask
  • Headphones
  • Chargers
  • Glasses Case
  • Prescription Medication

Toiletry Essentials

  • Toothbrush & Toothpaste
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Hand Cream
  • Face wash
  • Moisturizer with SPF
  • Deodorant
  • Small hairbrush
  • Shampoo & Conditioner

Vacation Essentials

  • Clothes that combine into multiple outfits
  • Walking Shoes
  • Hat & Sunglasses
  • Light scarf
  • Crossbody bag/tote
  • Travel insurance
  • Customized Google map
  • Curiosity

Flight Essentials

Travel days can be long and uncomfortable. Delays happen and much is out of our control. What I can control is how I pack my carry-on bag, and the travel essentials I bring to keep me comfortable and entertained on my flight. 

A woman is pictured in a train station holding the handle of a suitcase and looking off to the side, smiling. She has long blonde hair and is wearing black leggings, and a brown sweater open at the front. A light brown tank is visible underneath. She is wearing sneakers.

A Cozy Sweater/Wrap

My flight MVP is the Pranayama Restore Wrap by Athleta. It keeps me cozy on long flights and is a versatile layer to wear on vacation. I take a wrap like this on every trip I take, year-round. Even in warm climates the air conditioning can be chilly. It comes in 20+ colors and sizes XXS to 3X. I am wearing the color truffle, (above). It’s a generous cut so you may want to size down. I am 5’6″ and wearing XS instead of my usual small. 

view over the rocky mountains from an airplane

Compression Socks for Long Flights

Compression socks are an important travel essential for long flights. Sitting for long periods can put us at risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) so my doctor recommended knee-high compression socks for all my long-haul trips. The compression squeezes the legs to increase blood flow back towards your heart. I now pack them for every trip. 

Disclaimer: do check with your doctor if you have any questions about buying and wearing compression socks. 

A pair of lower legs and feet are pictured wearing rose colored compression socks. The feet are resting on a carry-on bag in an airport.
A hand holds a pair of compression socks for travel. They are blue and pink and folded inside a cardboard sleeve with the brand name Bombas on it.
Compression socks for travel by Bombas

I’ve tried several brands and my favorite are the compression socks from Bombas, Women’s Performance Compression Sock (20-30mmHg compression level). They are a very soft, mid-weight poly blend with a nice stretch and arch support. I wore them on my recent 11-hour flight from Athens, Greece to Atlanta, Georgia and completely forgot I had them on. 

I also like Wellow. I wore them on the 16-hour flight between Africa and the U.S. They were soft and comfy, and not too tight which I found with some of the others. They come with a medium level of compression (18-25 mmHg), the range typically recommended for travel. They also have wide-calf options. 

A long-tail boat is pictured on the Mekong River in Luang Prabang, Laos. A pink reusable water bottle is pictured in the foreground and a guide is standing in the water holding the tip of the boat.
Mekong River, Laos. My reusable water bottle has traveled around the world with me.

A Reusable Water Bottle

I am not sure what is more essential than staying hydrated, and I drink more water on my travel days when I bring a reusable water bottle. At airports, I fill up my bottle as soon as I am through security, so I don’t have to rely on a flight attendant coming around with a tiny plastic glass of water, an hour into the flight. By bringing my own bottle I can avoid buying single-use plastics on vacation. The last thing I want to do as a visitor to a new place, is contribute to their plastics problem. 

I personally love water bottles by Swell; they make great gifts (from $25). And the classic stainless bottle by New Wave Enviro ($11) has been all over the world with me. 

Susan Heinrich reads her Kindle E-reader in a pool in Maui
Enjoying my waterproof Kindle E-reader in Maui

More Carry-On Bag Essentials

I love reading physical books at home but always travel with a Kindle e-reader (I have the waterproof Oasis) because it’s lightweight. I also pack headphones for listening to music or podcasts. I have learned the hard way to bring both wired and wireless headphones for overnight flights. It’s easy to lose a wireless airpod in a dark plane at night, and if you have my luck, you won’t find it. I travel with these ones as they are less expensive than airpods, and they work great! 

I’ve also started traveling with a blackout eye mask which allows me to sleep on the flight. It’s so comfy and works so well I also now use it at home. It’s this one, by Mzoo!

On overnight flights, I also carry a glasses case with me, for the glasses I am wearing. (I take them off to go to sleep). My prescription sunglasses are also in my carry-on, in their own case. 

Susan Heinrich rides in a safari jeep with green Warby Parker sunglasses on.
Wearing my Warby Parker sunglasses in Africa.

I don’t always want to wear contact lenses on vacation.  So I purchased a pair of prescription sunglasses from Warby Parker for a recent trip to Africa. I bought the Beale style in the color Rosemary Crystal — it’s a very pretty green.  

affordable clean skincare products for travel

Toiletry Bag Essentials

Depending on whether I am checking a bag, I will bring some or all of my toiletries on the flight, in my personal bag. If I am traveling carry-on only, I put liquids in this clear 3-1-1 travel toiletry bag that meets TSA security screening requirements but is sturdier than a plastic baggie. 

For an overnight or long flight, my toiletry essentials for the plane are: hand sanitizer, hand cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, eye makeup remover (my favorite is Cetaphil; I buy the full size and put some in a small container) and I do the same with my face wash.

For the next morning I also have my deodorant and a face moisturizer with SPF.  Did you know more than 50% of the sun’s UVA rays can penetrate windows and cause skin damage and premature aging. I wear moisturizer with SPF every day.

I also carry a small travel hairbrush, lip balm with SPF and my favorite mascara.

Susan Heinrich wears a brown utility dress and holds a glass of white wine in an open grass area of Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.
For a long trip, I always bring extra presciption medication

Extra Prescription Medication

And last but most important is my prescription medication. I keep enough for the trip in my carry-on toiletry bag, and then I pack extra in another bag.

Flight cancellations, illness, a medical emergency—you never know what might delay your trip. I once had an offer to stay in Mexico an extra 4 days, all expenses paid, because the charter company had overbooked its flights. I wouldn’t have been able to if I didn’t have extra prescription medication with me. It’s also possible to misplace medication, so I keep the extra separate from the bottle which I access daily.

Susan Heinrich stands with her camera with the sunset beyond while on safari in Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. She wears part of her safari wardrobe: rust shorts and a beige linen utility jacket.
On an African safari I carried a portable charger with me in my backpack

Portable Charger & Tech Organizer

I don’t know about you but my phone feels more and more like my most used travel essential!

I use it for my boarding pass, airline apps, taking photos and videos, translation, navigation on google maps, and for podcasts about the destination (I like Rick Steves for Europe).

I’ve noticed that many museums and attractions now have guides you can download to your phone. With all of that, my phone battery runs down quickly. Add to that the unexpected—flight delays or bus or boat trips without charging access.

Luckily, there is a simple solution, a portable battery pack which I bring with me on every trip. This small, travel essential is easy to carry and allows you to charge as you go. Make sure you buy one that is compatible with your current phone type. Travel and Leisure recommends this Anker brand for iphone 15s and 16s. 

A tech organizer is also great for keeping your charger, charger cords, headphones, etc. neat and easily accessible during a flight. I recently purchased one and I am so much more organized. 

Two packing cubes of different sizes are packed with clothing items. And a laundry bag is pictured above. They are laid flat on a patterned blanket.
A carry on roller bag is open and packed on one side with two packing cubes and a brown swearer wrap.

Packing Essentials

If I will be staying in multiple hotels on a trip, I typically use packing cubes. They help me stay organized and pack up quickly when it’s a travel day. 

My budget friendly favorite are the Well Traveled Packing Cubes (pictured above; I used them on a recent trip to Canada). I have the 8-piece Set and they are affordable, zip easily, expand (or compress) and come in several colors. The 8-piece set includes three cube sizes, two accessory cases, a laundry bag and a storage case,u so they tuck neatly away. The 4-piece set is less than $30! 

If you prefer something with a mesh top (it is handy being able to glimpse the contents of each cube) AWAY has a nice 4-piece set that comes in multiple colors. 

Essentials onVacation

A woman's mid bosy is visible with a rectangualr green crossbody bag across her body with a black strip. She is wearing a navy blazer and jeans.
In Paris with my Essential Sling by Grams28. I love a crossbody bag for travel. It's more secure than a shoulder bag and my hands are free.

Crossbody Bag (plus Tote or Backpack as needed)

The right bag for the trip makes all of the difference. Think about what you will want with you as you tour each and plan accordingly.

I love crossbody bags and my current favorite is the Essential Sling by Grams28. It’s large enough to hold my wallet, phone, sunglasses and a small sunscreen. And it’s small enough that it can double as an evening bag. The wide strap makes it especially comfortable for wearing all day. Grams28 is a luxury goods company, so this is a little pricey but the quality is excellent.

I also love this one by Rothy’s. The size is similar and it comes in several colors. A smaller option at a lower price point is Athleta’s Crossbody Belt Bag. 

If I will be walking a lot, I also carry a tote bag where I keep non valuables such as a scarf, an umbrella and my water bottle. And if I want to bring a larger camera, I bring a backpack. 

Susan Heinrich at Denver Union Station with Monos travel products: the Monos Check-In Medium roller bag in desert taupe and the Metro backpack in black. Monos luggage is featured in her guide, gifts for travel lovers.
This Monos Metro Bacpack is great for travel days and for siteseeing when I have more to carry, such as my DSLR camera.
A blonde woman stands in a store with a navy tote bag over her shoulder withe the letters A.P.C. She also holds a small floral shopping bag
I often carry a tote bag for my water bottle, an extra layer and small purchases.
A woman puts a passport inside a hidden zipper pocket inside a blue and white scarf that is around her neck. Travel scarf by Waypoint Goods.

Lightweight Travel Scarf

Light scarves are one of my favorite travel essentials. They shelter you from a breeze or hot sun or cover your shoulders as you tour a church or monument that requires you do so. They’ve saved my hair from an unexpected downpour and add a fun hit of color to a neutral outfit. (They can be an ideal compliment to an otherwise neutral capsule wardrobe.)

You can choose a scarf specifically designed for travel, such as the one pictured above from Waypoint Goods. It comes with a hidden zipper pocket for storing valuables. 

Susan Heinrich sits on a terrace on the Greek island of Hydronetta, with stunning view of the Hydra coast beyond

Hats for Travel

A hat is another of my favorite travel essentials. Wide-brimmed hats for summer — I like this packable one from Jenni Kayne, Cotton Canvas Sun Hat. For a budget pick, consider Anthropologie’s Cotton Sun Hat. It comes in 8 pretty colors. 

I will take a cute baseball hat like these cashmere caps from Quince for spring and fall, depending on where I am traveling and the weather. I have had a basal cell carcinoma on my forehead (skin cancer) so I have to be especially careful about sun exposure. And of course cozy wool hats are essential for winter.

A hat is easy to carry and can make a difference between being comfortable while you explore and getting chilled, or too much sun. A hat can also add flare to an outfit. 

Susan Heinrich stands on a Paris street next to a Metro station entrance in late summer. She is wearing black short and tank top and Paris walking shoes, blue sandal slides by Rothys. She is also wearing a white fedora-style hat and sunglasses.
A cute fedora in Paris
Susan Heinrich wears the Isla Straw Fedora by Gigi Pip
The Isla Fedora by Gigi Pip has a wide-brim

A hat may not be a travel essential for every woman, but I encourage you to at least consider one for your next trip. I love the selection of hats by  Tommy Bahama.  I took the Laguna Drover Hat on a recent trip to Africa. 

I also love the hats at Gigi Pip. They are an investment but so well made. I am wearing the Isla Fedora above which I’ve taken on multiple trips. The Ozzy Lifeguard is similar. 

A blonde woman wearing black pants and a beige trench coat and sunglasses sits on a green bench with a statue partially visible above her. She is holding the extended handle of a black carry-on roller bag.

Walking Shoes

If our feet aren’t happy, we aren’t happy. Shoes for travel should be comfortable, versatile and practical. The right pair will depend on where you are going and what you will be doing (cobblestones aren’t especially forgiving for any sort of heel, for example).  

My basic rules of thumb is no more than three pairs of shoes on any trip and two of those should  be shoes I can comfortably wear all day. I say two because even the comfiest shoes can give you blisters if you walk in them long enough (I was recently reminded of this in Paris) and so you need a second pair to alternate. A third pair can be more dressy, say for evenings. The shoes, or boots, will change with the seasons, destination  and events during your trip. 

A woman's feet pictured in black French-style loafers on a tiled floor with the words: Monoprix Champs Élysées in decorative tile. Visible are her legs with blue denim and a beige trench coat. She is in Paris.

Current Favorite Shoes for Travel

I love loafers because they are practical and versatile and go with so many different outfits. Quince has a cute, affordable lookalike to Gucci’s Horsebit loafer. 

For a waterproof sneaker option, I love my TRVL Lite Runner from TOMS. I took them to Europe in fall and they were great—comfy, stylish and quick drying when I spilled wine all over them.  Another favorite sneaker for travel are my AllBirds Wool Runners. They are very comfy, lightweight, and washable. I chose the color Dapple Grey because they work with almost anything I wear. 

A sandal with some arch support is my go-to essential for warm-weather trips. I like travel sandals that can be worn with shorts, pants and dresses. My recent favorite travel sandals are the Flatform by Nisolo (they run small so I sized up half a size.) I have them in almond.

In winter your most important shoe will be a pair of waterproof booties like these from Blondo. 

Momcation - Susan sitting at the leheyria spring gate, at city palace jaipur

Travel Medical Insurance

Don’t leave home without this essential. “Travel medical” is insurance that will cover your medical expenses in the event that you become injured or sick during your international travels. This is not insurance in the event of trip cancellation; that is separate but can often be a part of the same policy.

Travel medical is intended to cover the costs of an unexpected health emergency. It can also include coverage of trip interruption due to contracting Covid-19. For an in-depth explanation of what to look for in a policy and how to purchase travel medical insurance I suggest you read: How to Buy Insurance.

If you are located in the US, I can recommend the company I have used for my last few trips to Europe: Wanderwell. Their Trip Protection plans (cancellation policies) can include travel medical insurance or you have the option to buy travel medical only.

A Google Map Customized for Your Vacation

Creating a google map specifically for your trip, with all you want to see, do, eat etc. makes navigating a new place much easier. If you are going somewhere like Paris for example, you might want to save restaurants you hope to try, or perhaps a map with Where to Find the Best Views of the Eiffel Tower. Creating maps is fairly straightforward; if you would like to try it this link explains the steps.  Creating Custom Google Maps.  You will need an account with google, which you will already have if you have a “gmail”.

Susan Heinrich exploring the Preah Ko temple in Siem Reap Cambodia. She is pictured walking in profile in front of three temples that date to the 9th century.
Susan exploring the Preah Ko Temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Curiosity

Travel brings the opportunity to experience new places and and meet new people. Depending how far afield you venture you may be visiting a destination within your own country or a new culture on the other side of the world. Things that are different, such as unfamiliar foods, languages or customs, can sometimes cause anxiety. By approaching these experiences with a sense of curiosity it can allow us to be intrigued by and ultimately appreciate these differences. 

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading “Travel Essentials for Women.” What do you always take on your travels? Please share your favorite travel essential in the comments below. 

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Susan Heinrich stands in front of a mirror, wearing a beret, at one of her favorite Paris restaurants: La Sens Unique. Authentic French food with a quaint atmosphere, near the Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

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3 Responses

  1. I always travel with my Monastery face oil from San Francisco as my face gets so dry on long flights… Although it’s technically “cleansing oil” I use it daily in lieu of moisterizer.

    Reply

  2. What a great guide! My husband and I are headed on our first international trip together this summer and I’m hoping I can pack as well as you do.

    Reply

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About - Midlife Globetrotter

Hey there,

I’m glad you’re here. Can we talk about midlife? I reached my late 40’s, realized my kids were growing up, and adventure began calling in a new way: big travel adventures as well as everyday ones. I want Midlife Globetrotter to be a place where we explore how to add a sense of fun, freedom and meaning to these precious years. Let’s celebrate how far we’ve come, and all that’s ahead.

Susan

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Susan Heinrich sits typing on a laptop and overlooking the Pacific Coast in L.A.

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