Travel Must-haves for My Purse — Kate's Corner Blog

Having traveled pretty regularly over the past few years, I quickly began to notice what items made all the difference during my trips. These things aren’t necessarily special or expensive and can pretty much be found anywhere. They've become essential to the success of my travels and I'd recommend them to everyone.

A Collapsible umbrella

What a godsend. The collapsible umbrella might be the second best invention, next to chocolate fountains. I bought a cheap umbrella a few years back that got little to no use in my everyday life but, since I've started travelling more often, it's been such a great addition to my packing list. The one I have is small enough to just toss in my purse or backpack without taking up too much space but it can expand into a full umbrella that is the perfect shield against the rain. I found one that is similar and will work just as well as the one I have. For locations that you know are likely to have inclement weather, this is a must-have packing item.

Travel-size tissues

Gotta get that bulk pack of travel tissues!

You always think "Nah, I won't need those" when you pass them in the grocery store but, honestly, they're probably one of the most important things to take with you when you go on a trip. There's nothing worse than getting a sudden runny nose and having to resort to using your sleeve as a tissue (gross, I know, but we've all done it). They also fit perfectly in your purse, coat pocket, or backpack so you can bring them anywhere with little to no hassle.

This is an especially fundamental packing item when you’re visiting areas prone to inclement weather, such as Europe during winter. I know I always go through these things at an alarming rate as soon as the temp drops.

Headphones

I never leave the house without my headphones. Whether I'm listening to music or need an excuse to look standoffish to street peddlers, my headphones are the perfect go-to choice. They're also a quite handy alternative to using the speaker on my phone for when I’m staying in a hostel and don't want to wake my roommates.

Until recently, I had been using the basic, run-of-the-mill cord headphones that plug into the port on my phone. However, the one issue with the cord is that it can oftentimes be an annoyance when you’re trying to put your bags on or take them off for security purposes. Entanglement ensues. As such, I would recommend looking into wireless headphones. I’m on the hunt for the perfect pair as we speak and have tested out a few duds already.

It’s just a matter of finding the right ones that fit your ears well and pair nicely with your phone. Although I haven’t found the holy grail of headphones yet, the ones I have tested have proven to be much easier to maneuver than my classic cord earplugs.

Coin purse

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I mentioned in my London City Guide how a coin purse is such a necessity while travelling in Europe. I would say that the majority of the currency is coinage. It takes quite an adjustment period getting used to not paying with paper dollars, but it grows on you pretty fast, especially when you notice the five pounds worth of change collecting at the bottom of your bag. That’s why it's such a convenience having a little purse (or “murse” for all the guys out there) on me that I can just throw my change into.

If the amount of coins becomes insurmountable and overwhelming and you think you can’t possibly spend it as fast as you’re collecting it, there are oftentimes ATM depositories where you can go trade in your change for cash. I’ve had to do so on several occasions due to my coin purse nearly bursting at the seams. You can usually check online for local ATMs that have this change-for-cash capacity.

Portable charger

You know, I almost didn't buy a portable charger before going abroad but, now, I can't imagine my life without it. Although my Samsung S7 is pretty great with battery life, there has not been one day that I haven't needed to use my portable charger on a trip. Between taking photos and navigating destinations, my phone's battery alone doesn't stand a chance.

I’ve tried out a couple portable chargers and settled on the Anker PowerCore. It’s a robust little machine and packs a punch with battery life. I can usually get 5-6 full charges out of it before having to re-charge it. It’s an absolute necessity and I’d hate to think of where I’d be without it when my phone dies and I’m in the middle of a foreign land that I know nothing about.