gear + stuff

click here for all my travel essentials on amazon

(anything linked in the storefront is something i actually purchased and actually use and love. i wouldn’t try to sell you shit, promise. i am eligible to earn money if you use the link above which you def don’t have to do but would be appreciated<3)

travel credit card

My #1 rec is to GET A GOOD TRAVEL CARD. it pays for itself with points. I’m a big chase sapphire girl and have been for 8 years. the extra percentage on point redemption through chase and 3x points on travel + dining are the biggest perks for me. I’ve flown all over the world for free with these points. plus, their customer experience has been v helpful. if i’ve convinced you, apply here

I recently got the capital one venture and i like it so far! definitely higher annual fees BUT you get a $300 travel credit for their travel portal which makes it instantly worth it. plus double points on everything else, precheck + global entry credits, and lounge access (but be aware, the lounges are mostly only located overseas or in international terminals). use my referral link & i’ll love u forever

favorite travel pants

I rarely spend over $100 on a single clothing item but these pants are the best purchase of my life. I have them in two colors and I wear them on every single long travel day and for every flight I take. They are soft, stretchy, durable, and have tons of pockets including hidden zip-up ones. The waistband is nice and wide and never digs in. They look cute and flattering with any crop top. I have fallen while hiking and scraped my knee but the pants weren’t even scratched. My only complaint is that they are a little thick and don’t dry quickly, so they aren’t ideal for hot weather.

suitcase

I’m obsessed with my monos medium size check-in suitcase. It was perfect for traveling around asia and staying under the 20kg weight limit, and enough space to carry 4 months of clothes. If I have a full size large suitcase, I will stuff it until it is overweight 100% of the time. This suitcase is the perfect size, very durable, has plenty of internal pockets, and rolls sooooo smoothly.

airalo app

If you’re traveling internationally and need a local sim card, this app is a super easy way to get one and top up data as you go. All you need is wifi when you land to get it ready. With an iPhone you can swap between which number you’re using so you can still facetime/text with iMessage and use the local number for data.

travel backpack

This backpack is great for a short/weekend trip. It opens flat like a suitcase so you can access everything without having to empty the entire bag. There’s a laptop sleeve in the back. Plus, Cotopaxi uses repurposed and leftover materials to make these bags, so they are ethically made, sustainable, and each one is unique. The biggest issue I have is that it doesn’t have a water bottle holder.

crossbody bags

This little amazon bag is great for traveling around. With the adjustable strap and buckle it’s easy to wear like a purse or a fanny pack. It has just enough space for your wallet, phone, and a pack of gum. I love that there is a small external pocket on the side closes to your body – I found this the perfect spot to keep cash.

The other bag I love is the very popular uniqlo round shoulder bag. It is super adjustable and holds sooooo much for a tiny bag. You can easily fit a water bottle in here, or literally like anything you need. I only wish it had more internal pockets or a smaller zip pocket somewhere.

lensbuddy — self timer app

This app is SO helpful when you’re traveling alone and want pics but don’t want to ask a stranger, or for when you’re trying to get group pics. You can select how many photos you want it to take, at what interval, and then go through and export only the ones you want to keep after. For a little tripod, I’ve used a cheap one from amazon (not linked bc i don’t recommend it) and found it totally fine and easy to carry, but it doesn’t work well in wind and isn’t perfect. I’ll be looking for a sturdier one in the near future.

noise cancelling headphones

If you’re flying often you neeeeeed over-ear noise cancelling headphones. Not just airpod pros, I mean it. I use these bose ones and love them. They are so comfortable and last forever, plus they come with an aux cord you can use to connect to the plane TVs (don’t forget it!)