I couldn’t have written this post at a better time. My sister is preparing for a trip to Kenya with her university, and it’s such an exciting milestone for her! Aside from a trip to Paris we took with our brother last year, this is her first real long-haul flight—and to a completely new continent. As I let her borrow my suitcase and packing cubes, I realized it was time to share my go-to travel essentials with you all. Don’t worry, I’ll link everything for easy access!

1. Portable Charger

The first item you absolutely need is a portable charger, like this one here. I’ve bought it twice already (one in pink!) and it’s hands-down my favorite. If you’re anything like me, you have a different charger for your phone, AirPods, iPad, and headphones which is basically everything I need to charge ever. I love this charger because the cables are built-in, so you never have to worry about forgetting or losing them. Nomelina approved! https://amzn.to/4gvLydU

2. Packing Cubes

Let’s talk about packing cubes. I’ve seen way too many TikToks of “Get ready with me to go to the airport, I leave in 30 minutes” videos where people just ball up their clothes and shut the suitcase like nothing. Watching that gives me anxiety. Trust me, it’s so worth it to have all your pants in one section, your pajamas in another, and everything neatly organized. When you finally arrive at your hotel after a long day of travel, you’ll thank yourself for making unpacking a breeze. Nomelina approved! https://amzn.to/49BEY37

3. Neck Pillow

For long flights, a good neck pillow is essential. I know the airlines give you those dainty pillows with barely any stuffing, but trust me—nothing beats wrapping a neck pillow around your neck and snuggling into it. You’ll knock out in no time, and your neck will thank you later. Quick tip, put it on the front of your neck not that back! That way your head can fall to the side comfortably. Nomelina approved! https://amzn.to/4iBboif

4. Noise-Cancelling Headphones

These will be more of an investment, I'm not going to lie, but this one comes down to personal preference. I like to use these headphones on the plane because they are noise cancelling and you're really in your own world. Again, it's personal preference, but I've found normal headphones (like AirPods or wired headphones) hurt my ears after a while and you can hear the noise around you. Nomelina approved! https://amzn.to/3Do9voX

5. AirTag

If you were to only buy one thing from this list - make it this one I beg you. An AirTag. Let me tell you, over the summer, Iberia Airlines didn’t load my suitcase onto my final destination flight. I was standing at the luggage belt in Tangier, waiting and waiting for a suitcase that never arrived. Thanks to the AirTag, I could see it was still sitting in Madrid. While the airline claimed they’d bring it the next day, I didn’t actually get it back for 10 days. I had to buy entirely new clothes - thanks Iberia. Knowing where my suitcase was gave me peace of mind during an otherwise stressful situation. Trust me, this is a lifesaver! Nomelina approved! https://amzn.to/4gnQuRY

There's many more I can add to the list, including beauty must-haves I will write about, but these are the items I swear by. I've seen long lists that include compression socks, black out masks, even umbrellas. but don't worry we kept it short and sweet here with items I personally use and love. Thanks for reading :)