Packing for a holiday can be tedious, with random items being thrown in with clothes and cables.
Within the chaos there are a group of travel hacks items that you might not know about, but will change the travel game forever!
Below are 15 unexpected travel hacks items that you NEED to pack for your next holiday.
You’ve packed the basics. Now it’s time for the travel items must have that seasoned travellers swear by.
1. Bulldog Clips
This common house-hold item is the most versatile item on the list, with many uses over the course of your trip. The clips can be used to keep stiff curtains closed at your accommodation and organise cables that have been shoved into in your luggage. They can hold your toothbrush off the dirty hotel bathroom basins and act as a phone stand for the plane/train/bus so you can watch your favourite shows hands-free.
2. Instant Stain Remover Pen
Toddlers aren’t the only ones who get food all over themselves (guilty as charged)! Stain remover pens are perfect for on the go spills and messes, especially on a full tourist day or during a work trip. You may not always have access to a laundry while away, and this small item may turn a one wear skirt into a three wear one!
3. Travel Laundry Detergent Sheets
When accommodation laundries are too expensive, and your jam-packed vacation days leave no time for washing what is the other option? Laundry detergent sheets make washing in the sink easy, dissolving in the water. They are less hassle and a much cleaner travel buddy with no risk of liquids spilling through bags.
4. AirFly
Airfly is a gamechanger for inflight listening. This device plugs into a traditional headphone jack and allows Bluetooth connection to your personal headphones. Wireless headphones and airpods can now be used instead of the old, wired headphones given to you on planes (or sometimes have to be bought). This is also useful for coaches or trains that also have transport provided entertainment.
5. Fashion Tape
Double sided fashion tape is perfect for those fashion emergencies when you are away. No back up outfits or sewing kit on hand? No stress! Along with the initial purpose of sticking tops and dresses to your body with no stress of slip ups, tailoring is made easy with fashion tape. It can be used to help close gaping shirts and fix loose hems.
6. Lint Roller
Compact lint rollers are so helpful, especially for business trips! A compact lint roller is so small it can fit in your handbag and can be used at any time of the day! There is nothing like a quick freshen up before heading into another meeting or a quick clean-up of business attire before the next day.
7. Portable Door Lock
We can often feel quite unsafe and unsettled when sleeping in an odd place. This product will provide peace of mind and another added safety feature, especially for women travelling alone. This product does not mean paranoia, it is a proactive measure to allow you to get a full nights sleep knowing you are protected.
8. Apple AirTags
Air tags are another peace of mind purchase so that you can track where your luggage is at all times! This is helpful when you are travelling on multiple forms of public transport, and especially in crowds. You can put them in handbags, carry-on luggage, suitcases and travel backpack – and some people even put them in their kids shoes!
9. Microfiber Towels
Towels are bulky, slow to dry, and nobody wants to shove a damp one back in their bag. Microfibre towels solve everything, they’re compact, quick-drying, and perfect for the beach, pool, or even replacing hotel towels. Plus, they’re antibacterial, so they stay fresh and odour-free throughout your trip.
10. Dry Shampoo
Washing your hair on holiday can be a hassle - especially when you’re swimming most days. Who has time for a full wash every night? Dry shampoo is a total time-saver, giving your hair a quick refresh between washes or on busy travel days.
11. Portable Fan
If you’ve ever taken public transport in Europe during summer, you know how unbearably hot it can get. That’s where portable fans come in, an absolute must-have for staying cool on the go. They’re affordable, compact enough to slip into your bag, and rechargeable neck fans make hands-free cooling even easier.
12. Water-proof Phone Protector and Lanyard
One of the biggest travel worries is losing or damaging your phone - your lifeline for maps, photos, and contact with home. A phone lanyard and waterproof pouch keep it safe, dry, and always within reach, so you can capture every moment without the stress.
13. Wrinkle Release Spray
Irons aren’t always guaranteed when you travel, and shared hotel ones aren’t always convenient. Wrinkle-release spray is the quick fix you didn’t know you needed. Perfect for busy mornings before a conference or freshening up between sightseeing and a night out.
14. Hero Clip
The Hero Clip is the ultimate multitasking travel gadget. Use it to hang your bag off a restroom door instead of the floor, link your carry-on to your suitcase, or secure your bag to a chair or table to keep it safe. Small, sturdy, and endlessly useful, it’s the kind of tool you’ll wonder how you ever travelled without.
15. Wet Bag
No one likes tossing wet swimmers into their bag after a beach day, they soak everything and start to smell fast. Wet bags are the perfect solution. Compact and waterproof, they keep damp items separate from the rest of your gear, plus, they come in plenty of fun colours and designs!
How do you pack smarter for travel?
Packing light doesn’t mean leaving essentials behind, it’s about packing smarter. Knowing how to pack for travel can make every trip smoother from start to finish. Here’s how to make it all fit:
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Use packing cubes and pouches. Separate your items by category (tech, hygiene, safety) to stay organised.
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Go vertical. Stack items upright so you can see everything at a glance.
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Keep quick-grabs handy. Store your go-to items like AirTags, wrinkle spray, and lint roller in an easy-access pocket.
Travel bags that make life easier
No matter where you’re headed, a road trip up the coast, a Bali break, or a business hop, the right bag brings it all together.
Tottie’s Travel Collection is made for real travellers:
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Durable materials that handle long hauls.
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Spacious interiors that keep things neat.
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Elegant, minimal design that fits any destination.
Pair these clever travel hacks with a Tottie Travel Bag or Bum Bag, every trip becomes smoother, lighter, and infinitely easier.
