I've traveled solo for years. My travel essentials include a holy-grail combo for sleeping anywhere and a $5 organizer.

I've spent years going on solo trips without suitcases. I pack essentials like umbrellas to make travel easy and my eye mask helps me sleep anywhere.

Mar 24, 2025 - 17:38

I've traveled solo for years. My travel essentials include a holy-grail combo for sleeping anywhere and a $5 organizer.

Author Alison Van Glad carrying backpack, smiling, leaning on walking stick in nature — I've been traveling solo for years, and I pack a few essentials on every trip that I wish I'd known about sooner.
Allison Van Glad

I've spent years going on solo trips and have discovered my top packing essentials along the way.
I never travel without my portable umbrella, earplugs, and sleep mask.
My microfiber towel, travel pill organizer, and packing cubes have become essentials for me.

In 2016, I packed my bags for my first solo trip — and nine years later, I've traveled alone to six countries with no idea how much I'd learn along the way.

Since then, I have settled into my travel style and become confident in the gadgets and essentials that have earned a permanent spot on my packing list.

These items often make my trips easier, and I'd recommend them whether you're a first-time traveler or a seasoned backpacker.

Here are a few of my travel essentials I wish I'd bought sooner.

Traveling with a backpack makes life much easier.

Large backpack with hat clipped onto it — My backpack makes it easier for me to travel.
Allison Van Glad

I avoid checking luggage, instead bringing just my backpack.

Shortly after my first solo trip, I went to my local outdoor shop and got fitted for a backpack. I purchased a 40-liter pack with padded shoulder and waist straps and a clamshell zipper, making it easy to pack like a suitcase.

The best part is a backpack this size meets most airline carry-on size limits, so I can keep my belongings with me at all times.

Plus, carrying my stuff on my back is way easier than wheeling a suitcase through uneven cobblestone streets and steep staircases.

My holy-grail combo is my earplugs and eye mask that help me sleep anywhere, anytime.

Earplugs and eye mask on purple backdrop — You won't find me traveling without my dynamic duo: my earplugs and sleep mask.
Allison Van Glad

I don't travel without my earplugs and sleep mask. Recently, I even upgraded to silicone noise-reducing earplugs.

A sleep mask helps block out late-night hostel lights, early morning sun, and bright airplane cabins. I like that my mask has eye indents to reduce lid pressure.

In 2023, I slept like a baby the entire 2-½ -hour trip on the Eurostar from Paris to London with this duo.

My $10 microfiber towel takes up almost no space and dries in 15 minutes.

Microfiber towel in hand next to one drying on tree branch — I love my quick-dry microfiber towel that takes up almost no space in my bag.
Allison Van Glad

Five years ago, I switched from a regular towel to a microfiber one to cut down on bulk in my bag.

The microfiber material makes it quick-dry, so I can use it for showering in the morning, and it's dry by the time I need to pack in the afternoon.

The one I have from Arnuwa also rolls up to about the size of a water bottle, which makes it a great option for travelers.

Plus, the towel has proved its worth in other ways. During a two-week trek in 2024, I used it to provide extra padding on my hips between my backpack and lower back.

Packing cubes are the best way to maximize space and stay organized while traveling.

Backpack with packing cubes next to it — I stay organized with packing cubes.
Allison Van Glad

Packing cubes have transformed my packing game by keeping me organized. Plus, some cubes can help maximize packing space by compressing air and reducing bulk.

I use mine to separate daily clothing, delicates, and tech items. I even keep an empty cube to separate my dirty laundry from clean clothes.

With these, there's no need to dig through my bag at midnight to find my toothbrush — everything has its place.

I love my travel pill organizer so much that I use it in my day-to-day life.

Travel pill organizer with stickers on it on pink background — My travel pill organizer helps keep my medications and vitamins neatly stored and easy to access.
Allison Van Glad

My travel pill organizer is one of my most-used travel items under $5.

I cannot recommend this case enough to keep medications and vitamins neatly organized, easy to access, and secure.

I stock mine with allergy medication, Pepto Bismol, ibuprofen, assorted supplements, and other common medications I may need.

To keep it extra sorted, I cut out dosage info and labels from the original bottles and tape them to the corresponding compartments.

I love physical books, but an e-reader makes reading on the go way easier.

Latte next to e-reader on table — I switched to an e-reader for travel, and I will never go back to physical books.
Allison Van Glad

I love to read while I travel, but physical books add weight to my bag and take up space. Three years ago, I purchased my Kindle, and I haven't looked back.

The e-reader fits into most small bags and doesn't take up much space. Before a trip I download multiple e-books from my local library so that I have plenty of options later.

The best part is its battery life can last for weeks at a time, making it one less thing to charge at night.

A compact umbrella could save my day and my outfit.

Patterned umbrella on colorful backdrop. — I never get caught in the rain without my travel-sized umbrella
Allison Van Glad

I've never regretted packing my umbrella, even if I didn't end up using it. I can't tell you how many times I didn't pack one and ended up overpaying for a flimsy street umbrella that inevitably failed me.

Now, I always carry my compact umbrella because I never know when I'll need it.

My umbrella folds down to 6 inches, so I slip it into the side pocket of my backpack or tuck it into a small day bag.

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