Travel Accessories You Don’t Want to Go Without

E-Reader

If you are a reader, there is nothing worse than having to haul around a heavy book-filled backpack that hogs valuable trunk or carry-on space. Reading material is a must for the hours upon hours you spend sitting during travel, but there is a much easier, lighter, and smaller way to bring your library along with you.

Until recently, I was that person who had a carry-on full of heavy books. But on my most recent trip from Michigan to Taiwan, I just packed up my little iPad Mini, which was stocked with some books downloaded to the Kindle app, and found myself with a whole new world of extra room in my carry-on! While it's a bit of an investment, you won't regret it. Many e-readers also allow web browsing and have thousands of apps to keep you entertained as well.

Top Choices: iPad Mini, Kindle, and Nook.

Luggage Scale

Airlines have really been tightening up and cracking down on weight restrictions for checked luggage. In most cases, 50 lb. is the maximum weight (some discount airlines are going down to 40 lb., and first-class is often 70 lb.). Overweight fees can be upwards of $200, so these limits are not messing around! Don't get stuck paying these ridiculous fees and don't put yourself through the stress of just guessing. Pop one of these little luggage scales in your carry-on to make sure you're safely under the weight limit on both ends of your trip.

Top Choices: EatSmart Precision Voyager digital luggage scale and Davidsbeenhere Digital Luggage Scale.

Reusable Water Bottle

The worst thing you can do while traveling long distances is let yourself get dehydrated! Bringing along a good water bottle will help remind you to put some water in your system and will also save money (and the environment). If you are on a road trip, fill up at every stop—yes, the amount of stops you make may increase with increased water consumption, but it's much better than a pounding dehydration headache! If you are flying, remember to empty your water bottle before going through security or it will be confiscated. Then fill it up again before your flight. If you are in another country, make sure to find out if the tap water is safe before drinking it.

Top Choices: Camelbak and Nalgene.

Sleep Aids

If you are traveling for longer than the waking hours of a day, you are going to want to sleep! And if you're anything like me, sleeping anywhere but a bed is a struggle. Airplane seats are the opposite of comfortable! For long flights in particular, ask your doctor for a prescription sleep aid before hitting the runway. Most doctors will have no problem prescribing a small supply. There are also some over-the-counter options that can be good for both en route assistance and fighting jet lag during your first few nights.

Top Choices: Prescription Ambien (try this out before traveling, as it has been known to cause hallucinations!) and Lunesta, and over-the-counter melatonin and ZzzQuil.

Quality Luggage Set

Investing in a good luggage set can be expensive, but if you travel a lot, you won't regret it. For one thing, it's nice to have luggage pieces that fit inside of each other for easy storage. It's also nice to have luggage that is distinct enough to easily spot on a carousel. And, in general, you'll want to have something that will hold up throughout the roughhousing of airport transfers and last through many, many trips! If you buy luggage as a set, it will be cheaper than buying the pieces separately.

Top Choices: Traveler's Choice and Rockland.

Phone with SIM Card

Most phones that operate via U.S. service providers will become useless once you cross the border, especially if you hop the pond. If you will be abroad for an extended period of time, you probably will want some type of cell phone service, and if you don't want to invest in a whole new phone, you can just buy a SIM card and get service from a local provider. It will probably save you money in the long run (especially if you are a smartphone lover) to invest in a phone that has a SIM card slot rather than to buy a new phone everywhere you go.

Top Choices: iPhone and Samsung Galaxy.

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