Milesopedia Team’s Favourite Travel Accessories

Updated Nov 29, 2024
Fact checked by
Alexandrine Bertrand
Alexandrine Bertrand

Alexandrine Bertrand

Alexandrine Bertrand
An avid solo traveller, Alexandrine is an expert on loyalty programmes such as Aeroplan, Avios, AIR MILES, Flying Blue and Marriott Bonvoy. With a budget-conscious approach, she helps travellers make the most of their points and miles to experience affordable, off-the-beaten-path getaways. She also shares a love of gastronomy and enjoys exploring local flavours and culinary traditions.
All posts by Alexandrine Bertrand
Valise Accessoires de voyage
To the point I asked my team members what they absolutely must take with them when they travel. Here are our essential travel accessories, from luggage to electronics, for traveling alone or with family.

Getting the right gear sets you up for success when travelling, but it’s often hard to know what to bring until you’ve gone through some trial and error. After travelling around the world, the Milesopedia team members have several essential accessories to share with you that have been tested and approved: plug adapters, bag organizers, children’s accessories, and much more!

Travel Accessories - Suitcases, Bags and Airplane Luggage

Because you obviously need to start with a suitcase, choosing your luggage will depend on many factors, such as:

  • the duration of your trip and what you need to bring,
  • your destination and transportation from one place to another,
  • whether or not you wish to travel with checked baggage,
  • what you want to bring back as souvenirs, etc.

Within the team, we tend to favour carry-on luggage that allows us to save on airfare and save precious time at the airport, enabling us to enjoy more of the VIP lounges or simply arrive at our destination faster.

Suitcases and Luggage

As a digital nomad, I love my Osprey 46 L backpack which is both ergonomic and very spacious; just make sure not to overfill it to comply with carry-on luggage dimensions.

For my longer trips that require checked luggage, I use my TravelPro suitcase which I got at a discounted price thanks to an Amex online offer combined with the retailer’s ongoing promotion.

If you prefer a sturdy wheeled option, Alexandrine recommends the Samsonite Outline Pro carry-on suitcase with an integrated lock and USB-C port.

  • For a higher end suitcase we recommend Away, Monos, or naturally the timeless Rimowa.

Personal Items

The possibilities are endless for personal items that are both practical and stylish. Personally, I love my lululemon backpack, which is durable, spacious, and versatile. As a carry-on, Alexandrine never travels without her colourful Cotopaxi backpack which offers enough space for a laptop, headphones, and all the electronic cables and accessories.

Emmanuelle ensures she complies with dimensions on all flights thanks to her Decathlon backpack. Finally, for business travellers, Monos offers very elegant tote bags and backpacks that comply with airline regulations. To check that you also comply with the rules, read our guide on luggage dimensions.

Organization Kit and Other Luggage Accessories

Being organized with your luggage allows for easier navigation through airport security, prevents lost items, and maximizes your time to explore your destination. Here are travel accessories that save us space, time, and enhance our experience.

  • Packing cubes to organize your luggage well, a suggestion from Aline.
  • AirTags to track our suitcases; especially since it will soon be possible to share an AirTag’s location with third parties, such as airlines like Air Canada, thanks to a new Apple feature. No more lost luggage!
  • The famous freezer Ziploc bags are not only versatile but can turn any bag into a cooler for day trips, using the hotel’s ice machine.
  • These foldable travel hangers can be very handy for drying clothes while on the go, in the car after a day at the beach, for example.
  • And because no one is immune to water damage… this waterproof bag recommended by Alexandrine will protect your valuable items (passport, electronics, etc.) during your many water adventures.
amazon cubes rangement

I intend to buy these compression packing cubes to save some space in my suitcase on my next trip… I’ll keep you posted!

Travel Pouches

As a small bag, we have this unisex “fanny pack” which is a must-have for carrying essentials: wallets, travel documents like passports, phones, and more. Here are several versions:

amazon belt bag

Travel Accessories - Toiletry Bag and Essentials

Finally, I adopted these 100 ml bottles during my last trip. Easy to fill and use and they prevent spills.

100ml bottles

Travel Items - Essential Electronic Accessories

For All Trips

These electronics are universally loved; see if you can benefit from them on your next trips.

An E-reader to carry your favourite books with you while saving space

  • This Bluetooth transmitter allows you to watch movies on the plane with your own Bluetooth headphones instead of the lower-quality ones often provided by the airline.
  • I carry this plug adapter with various USB ports everywhere.
  • A portable battery for long days on the road. Our favourites are this one or the one from Skullcandy
  • A headphone splitter to watch a movie with your travel partner (approved by Aline)
  • A wireless phone charger, for when you’ve used your phone underwater and need to charge it soon after. I like this magnetic version even more, which allows me to charge my phone on the go.
  • For noise-canceling headphones, we recommend these, and Jean-Maximilien recommends the Beats Fit Pro, which can be worn for work as well as for running.
Accessoires Voyage Adapteur

Essentials for Working

Remote work while travelling requires compact and lifestyle-adapted accessories that also allow you to create an ergonomic workspace anywhere. Here are my essentials after nearly four years of remote work for several months a year.

Accessoires voyage écran portable

Sometimes, the simplest accessories make all the difference. For me, these USB cables with three different ends have greatly simplified my life for charging all my devices with a single cable.

Accessories for Family Travel

Make the most of it when travelling with your kids. These games and accessories will keep them entertained (and maybe even quiet!) and won’t take up too much space in your luggage. These items have been tested and approved by several members of our team like Marie-Claude and Aline who regularly travel with young children.

Are you planning to visit one of the Disney theme parks around the world? To avoid the exorbitant prices of official souvenirs, Caroline recommends these mouse ears in the style of Mickey Mouse for you and your travel companions.

amazon disney mouse ears

Bottom Line

Whether it’s for you or to give as a gift, we know from experience that these items can enhance your travel experience to help you get more out of your precious time exploring the four corners of the earth. If you are interested in any of these items, don’t forget to use the gift card trick before you check out.

To find all our best travel tips in one place, check out our ultimate list for travelers. And to earn more points on your online travel accessory purchases, check out our guide on shopping portals.

What are the best stores for cheap travel accessories?

It all depends on your needs. We especially recommend taking advantage of promotional periods (such as Black Friday offers) and the gift card trick, don’t forget to use online shopping portals to earn more points and save money.

What practical travel accessories do you need?

Popular travel essentials include travel pillows, adapters, packing cubes, earplugs and much more.

What to give as a travel accessory?

We invite you to consult our gift guide for the traveller in your life. Otherwise, all items in this article have been tested and approved by the Milesopedia team.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Marie-Ève Leclerc

Marie-Ève Leclerc

Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève, Web Director at Milesopedia, is an expert in budget travel and a slow travel enthusiast. Specializing in Aeroplan, Scene+, and Marriott Bonvoy programs, she spends nearly six months a year abroad, making travel her way of life. Constantly seeking the best waves to surf, excellent coffee, and strategies to extend her travels, she is often found in coworking spaces with fellow digital nomads or by the sea, watching the sunset.
All posts by Marie-Ève Leclerc

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