Everyone is a traveler nowadays. Whether it is for business or leisure, traveling can become very hectic very quickly. If you are an entrepreneur or social influencer, you are probably traveling even more as part of your business. We’ve crafted a list of travel essentials that will make constant travel a bit easier. While creating this list of tools, we wanted to keep in mind: price, size, weight, available options and gear it towards a wide audience.

1. Compressed Mini Towels

Mini towels that expand when you add water is a great addition to your travel essentials. Long flights can really put a toll on your body. If you are traveling to a business meeting or have a reunion once you getting off your flight, you want to look and feel refreshed. Keep a couple of compressed towels, like the ones from Prospector Co., in your bag and quickly run to the restroom after your flight to wash your face. There are so many possible uses for these towels. Going on a hike? Coming up to a river, stream or a body of water, expand one of these towels to wipe yourself down a bit. Camping? Now you have dish towels.

2. Social Influencers on a Budget

Visuals are so important nowadays. For many travelers, pictures are a way to capture moments to reminisce on further down the line. For social influencers, these pictures are a way of sharing a place, history or culture that will captivate others to visit a location or try a new dish. Photography gear can get quite expensive and heavy to carry around. A mini camera that prints pictures instantly can capture moments as they happen. The Instax SQ10 is perfect for the traveling artist. The pictures have a retro look that differentiates from your average photo.

3. Mini Tripod

Small and lightweight, this item can be tossed into your backpack without you even knowing that it is there. When it is time for a group or solo picture, quickly attach your phone or small camera, set the timer and RUN! Have some fun with the group with pictures that will bring back fun memories. It is also easier and more comfortable to hold the legs of a mini tripod when taking videos while walking than it is to hold onto the device. Starting at around $10 on Amazon, there are many options of mini tripods to add into your travel essentials. Ones with legs that expand, ones with legs that can bend in all sorts of ways and even ones with magnetic legs.

4. Phone Camera Lens

Not everyone wants to carry around an extra camera while travel but most people do have a smartphone. These iPhone lenses are small enough to fit in your pocket and are quick and easy to attach to your phone. Most sets only comes with three types of lens: macro, wide and fisheye. Attach the wide angle lens to capture more of the landscape or fit more people into your group selfies. Attach the macro or fisheye lens to get a bit artsy. A quick search on Amazon will return many lens options starting at around $20.

5. Pocket Wi-Fi

Sometimes, public Wi-Fi just doesn’t cut it. You may be working on your next big project and need to make sure your data is secure. Invest in a pocket Wi-Fi like the Hippocket to get connected wherever, whenever. This is also great to add to your travel essentials if you are traveling to a remote location with limited access to your cellular data plan or Wi-Fi. There are many options for a pocket Wi-Fi. Ones with daily payments for a certain number of data, others that only charge for what you use, international ones, etc. Do some research and analyze your own data usage to figure out which one is best for you.

6. Multi Port USB Wall Charger

Most of us carry multiple devices that needs charging at the end of the day: phone, tablet, battery pack, GoPro, etc. Don’t go unplugging lamps in hotel rooms looking for an extra wall outlet. Many of these multi port USB chargers, like the Moshi Wall Charging Kit allows you to charge up to several devices at a time. You also won’t have to run around the room collecting your devices in the morning.

7. Hanging Toiletry Bag

Perfect for those who are constantly traveling for business or a quick weekend trip. This handy tool will keep you organized. Hang this bag from a hook, towel rack, or even the doorknob in the bathroom to avoid having to whip out your essentials every time you have wet countertop. Counter space is often limited, especially if you are sharing a bathroom with someone. Keep your essentials in a hanging toiletry bag out of the way and well organized. There are many styles to choose from for these bags. Do some research to find out what your preference is but keeping in mind: weight, size, durability, compartments and the size of the hook. You will want something with a big enough loop to hang on thicker objects.

8. Quick Dry Towel

Whether it is because you do not like to use the hotel’s towel or want to be able to shower in the morning before moving on to your next destination, a quick dry towel is a great option to add to your travel essentials. Most dry in less than half the time of a regular towel and is much more compact. Great for traveling light and when you are quickly moving from location to location without much time in between to wait for your towel to dry before packing it back in your luggage. It is also a good choice for days when you are going on a water excursion. You can dry off quickly after your activity and wrap it around you without feeling like you are wrapped in a wet blanket.

9. Emergency Laundry Kit

You packed just enough clothes for your trip but you accidentally spilled something on yourself or sat on something wet. With the laundry kit, plug the sink, throw in a couple of laundry sheets, do some washing, and you are all set! Nice and clean. An emergency laundry kit is a must-have for your travel essentials. 

10. Wi-Fi Locator in Apps

Recently, Facebook rolled out a feature to find wifi spots near you. This is a great feature for those who are running low on data, digital nomads who need to get some work done, or travelers who wants to find the next place to eat or visit. If you are not on Facebook, there are plenty of other apps that will help you find free wi-fi. For example: TWC Wi-Fi Finder and Wi-Fi Map are highly reviewed apps.

11. Google My Maps

Most of us use Google Maps while traveling. If you like to plan before a trip, you can easily create, organize, share, and collaborate using My Maps. With the option for creating layers, you can organize where to eat, sleep and see into separate layers or organize by different days of the trip.

12. Facebook Travel/Blogger Groups

Instead of the same must see places you find in most travel lists, ask fellow travelers specific questions about their personal experiences. Many of these groups include travel bloggers who have lots of experience, resources, and knowledge they would love to share. It is free to join the groups, but if invest some time, you may really grow a connection with people from around the world. Maybe even make new friends to show you are ready when you visit their city. Here are a few active groups to start with:
Ultimate Travel Group
Nomads
Travel Advice by Travel Bloggers
Travel Bloggers United