8 Helpful Items To Take When Travelling

Solo travel is an amazing opportunity. After being on a few solo trips, I can honestly say it is my preferred way of travel. I’ve made unforgettable memories, formed strong friendships with some amazing people, and have an insane number of beautiful sunrise photos on my phone!

This post is especially for first time solo-travellers who may want some guidance on items that will keep their trip safe, stress-free and enjoyable. Helpful items include:

• Phone camera remote

• Safety alarm

• Entertainment

• Portable phone charger

• Baggage tracker

• Hidden money wallet

• Universal travel adapter

• Multi-currency cards

Phone camera remote:

One of the main things I noticed when travelling alone is how difficult it can be to get good pictures of yourself. This is where a phone camera remote comes in handy.

Simply set up your phone, pose, and click the remote button!

Safety alarm:

Travelling alone is perfect for de-stressing, but you still need to stay safe.

Consider buying a personal safety alarm. Most products have an alarm and bright light for distraction and attracting attention from people who could help. Some also send a notification to a trusted contact when the alarm is used.

Entertainment:

Whilst most of your time will likely be spent exploring, testing out local cuisine, and snapping photos of the views, there will be moments where you might need some entertainment.

We all enjoy different things, but on my trips I make sure to take a book(s), paint by numbers set, puzzle book (word-searches or sudoku) and a journal.

You might also consider taking a sketch book, colouring books, and headphones for listening to music and/or audiobooks.

Portable phone charger:

One of the worst (and most annoying) things you could probably do is be stuck somewhere without battery in your phone. It’s always a good idea to keep your phone charged up.

A portable phone charger ensures that even if your phone does run out of battery, you can charge it without rushing back to your hotel room, so you can spend a little bit more time sitting back and soaking up the views!

Baggage tracker:

These are great for reducing anxiety about lost baggage. Most of us have likely heard a story where someone has landed, watched everyone else collect their luggage, only to discover theirs never made it.

Having a baggage tracker makes sure you can always track your luggage. I tend to use multiple: one in my suitcase, carry on bag, and handbag so I can track all my important pieces of luggage.

Hidden money wallet:

Keeping money safe when travelling alone can feel pressurising. You may wonder where to store your money to keep it as safe as possible, especially if your accommodation doesn’t offer (or charges for using) a safe.

A little hack for keeping money hidden, whether you are taking it out with you or leaving it in the room, is a hidden money wallet. These can come in many forms such as hairbrushes, hair ties, wrist bands and more.

Universal travel adapter:

Having a universal travel adapter keeps you covered wherever you travel to. They can be used around the world and mean you don’t have to worry about finding out which plugs are used in the country you are visiting.

They’re also good to keep for your next trip. Having a ‘one-size-fits-all’ option saves money in the long-term!

Multi-Currency Cards:

Multi-currency cards are a great option for getting the best exchange rates, exchanging across multiple currencies, and keeping your holiday spending separate from your normal bank card.

You can transfer as you go when on holiday so if you lose the card, it isn't the end of the world. Some cards, such as Wise (the multi-currency card I use), allow you to set up your own 'money banks'. Not only does this allow you to create separate funds spaces for your holidays, it also means that the money in these 'banks' cannot be spent until transferred into your main account.

Check here for some of the best rated multi-currency cards and if you'd like to learn more about how these cards work, click here.

And there it is - some of the best, and most helpful items, to take on your travels. These are all especially handy for those solo trips to help keep yourself safe and happy throughout your holiday.

What non-negotiable items do you always take away with you?