Let’s face it: Travel always looks glamorous on Instagram. But behind those perfect shots of cherry blossoms in Seoul or moody café corners in Berlin? There’s usually a story involving a dead phone battery, a sore neck, or trying to connect to dodgy Wi-Fi for the fifth time. Enter: 11 travel essentials you need in 2025!
Whether you’re jetting off to South Korea to hunt down the best street food, or soaking up (expat) life in Germany (hello, endless bureaucracy), there’s one thing you can control: how prepared you are.
So I’ve put together a list of my absolute favorite travel essentials. These aren’t gimmicky gadgets you’ll use once and forget. Nope! These are tried, tested, and live in my backpack. They’ve been my faithful companions during my various workations in South Korea and Japan. And yeah, a few affiliate links are sprinkled in (because why not fund the occasional overpriced airport coffee?), but I only recommend what I genuinely swear by. Seriously.
Let’s jump in.
Best Travel Essentials 2025: What’s Always in My Backpack
1. The Travel Neck Pillow That Has Your Back (And Neck) 💤
Why you need it:
Long-haul flights from Frankfurt to Incheon? Brutal. Budget Ryanair flights hopping around Europe? Somehow even more brutal.
Enter: the travel neck pillow that actually supports your head without making you look like you’re wearing a flotation device.
After trying too many sad, floppy options, I found this pillow*. Memory foam, packs down small, and doesn’t leave you with a crick in your neck the size of the Berlin TV Tower. Bonus: no awkward drooling mid-flight.
2. Foldable Laptop Stand = Workation Game-Changer 💻
Why you need it:
If you’re the type to squeeze in a little work while sipping coffee in a Seoul café or chilling in a German co-working space, listen up. Hunching over your laptop = back pain. And let’s be real, a chiropractor’s not on the itinerary.
This foldable laptop stand* is super lightweight, folds flatter than your passport, and keeps your posture in check whether you’re in a hotel room, hostel common area, or some cute Airbnb. I literally don’t leave for a trip without it anymore. And as an added bonus, your laptop camera angle in calls will be more flattering!^^
3. VPN = Staying safe online wherever you are 🌐
Okay, technically this isn’t a physical gadget—but it’s an absolute must-have if you’re spending a lot of time on the road.
Why you need it:
Whether you’re working from a cozy café in Berlin or quickly checking restaurant reviews on Seoul’s subway, public Wi-Fi networks = super convenient but not always super secure. A VPN keeps your data safe from prying eyes (because who knows who else is connected to that café’s Wi-Fi…).
And the second big bonus? Streaming!
Ever sat down in a hotel, ready to binge your favorite show, only to find out it’s not available in your country? A VPN gets around those annoying geo-blocks and lets you browse like you’re chilling on your own couch at home.
I’ve personally been using NordVPN* for ages. Super easy to set up on both phone and laptop, and it quietly protects you in the background without any fuss.
Not the flashiest item in your travel kit, but honestly, one of the most useful!
4. Universal Travel Adapter (with USB-C, please, we’re in 2025) 🔌
Why you need it:
First rookie mistake: landing in a country and realizing your charger doesn’t fit.
Second rookie mistake: having five different adapters for every trip.
Skip the nonsense and grab a universal travel adapter*. One adapter covers over 200 countries, including South Korea, Germany, and wherever else your wanderlust takes you.
Bonus points if it’s got USB-C ports (because who’s carrying around six charging bricks anymore?). Compact, efficient, and future-proof. A real travel essential for 2025.
5. Portable Power Bank (Because Google Maps Eats Battery for Breakfast) 🔋
Why you need it:
Picture this: You’re wandering through Myeongdong’s neon-lit maze, trying to find that one Tteokbokki stall everyone on TikTok raves about… when your phone hits 5%.
Or maybe you’re navigating Berlin’s endless U-Bahn system and realize you’ve got no juice left for your ticket app.
Enter: the trusty portable power bank*.
Look for one that hits that sweet spot—lightweight but powerful (20,000mAh or more keeps you going all day). Bonus if it’s fast-charging, because no one has time to wait.
Your phone, AirPods, Kindle, camera? They all stay alive. Crisis averted.
6. Noise-Canceling Earbuds = Sanity Saver 🎧
Why you need it:
Airplane babies. Loud subway announcements. Your hostel neighbor’s snoring symphony.
Traveling = noise, and sometimes you need a little peace to survive.Instead of lugging around chunky headphones, I swear by Samsung compact noise-canceling earbuds*. Because I’m an Android girly. 😉 AirPods? Can’t relate.
They’re pocket-sized, block out chaos, and double as your soundtrack buddy for city strolls or café work sessions. Trust me, your sanity (and ears) will thank you.
You just want quiet without the music? I also always carry a pair of Loop earplugs to wear at night. I have to admit: The ads are not lying. It perfectly blocks out any snoring and other annoying noises.
7. Compact Reusable Tote Bag (For Grocery Runs & Street Food Hauls) 🛍️
Why you need it:
Fun fact: Germany expects you to BYOB (bring your own bag) at supermarkets. South Korea? They charge you extra for plastic bags.
Plus, when you’re grabbing snacks at convenience stores or suddenly hit up a Seoul street market, having a tote bag in your pocket saves the day. I always carry one of my foldable, reusable totes I bought in Korea. They scrunch down tiny, hold a ton, and come in way cuter patterns than you’d expect. Eco-friendly and practical? Win-win.
8. Mini First Aid & Skincare Kit (Jet Lag = Pimples + Headaches) 🩹
Why you need it:
You never think you’ll need it… until you do.
A couple of blister plasters (for when you decide to walk 25k steps in Seoul), some ibuprofen (after a Berlin beer garden night), and lip balm + eye drops (plane air is not your friend) = total lifesavers.
You can DIY your kit or grab a pre-packed travel-friendly one*.
Also, pro tip: Toss in a sheet mask or two. Nothing like arriving jet-lagged and throwing one on to feel semi-human again.
9. Collapsible Water Bottle (Save Money, Save Planet) 💦
Why you need it:
Quick reality check:
- Germany = tap water is clean but you’ll never get it for free in restaurants.
- Korea = convenience stores everywhere, but plastic bottles galore.
Solution? This collapsible, leak-proof water bottle*.
Folds up when empty, saves you money, keeps you hydrated, and cuts down on single-use plastic waste.
Tip: Fill it up after going through security at the airport and you’ll have fresh water while waiting at the gate and all flight long!
Small thing, big impact.
10. Phone Tripod / Holder (For Perfect Solo Travel Shots) 📸
Why you need it:
Traveling solo? Great for self-discovery. Personally, I’m a big fan of it. But: Not so great for getting decent photos without begging a stranger or balancing your phone on a trash can.
Solution? A lightweight phone tripod with Bluetooth remote*.
Packs down small, sets up in seconds, and gives you freedom to snap your own shots—whether it’s a dramatic pose at Gyeongbokgung Palace or a chill café moment in Kreuzberg.
Bonus: doubles as a selfie stick when you need it.
11. Bluetooth Adapter for Plane TVs (Because We’re Done With Tangled Wires) 🎧
Why you need it:
It’s 2025. You’ve got fancy wireless earbuds.
And yet… every plane still hands you those flimsy wired headphones with sound quality straight out of 2004.The fix? A Bluetooth audio transmitter*.
Plug it into the airplane seat’s headphone jack, sync your wireless earbuds, and enjoy your inflight binge-watch session without wires tangled around your neck.
Tiny, simple, and life-changing. Also, the linked model allows you to link two pairs of headphones to it, so you can even watch a movie together with your airplane seat buddy.
Famous Last Words
And there you have it: 11 game-changing travel essentials for 2025 that’ll have you looking and feeling like an absolute pro, no matter where you’re headed. From avoiding neck pain and Wi-Fi woes to capturing solo travel memories without the awkwardness, these items have seriously leveled up my trips.
Again, feel free to check any of them out via the links if you’re prepping for your next adventure (affiliate links = more caffeine-fueled blog posts, just saying). 😉
Have your own secret weapon travel item? Let me know in the comments. I love adding new gear to my packing list!
Oh, and if you’re heading to South Korea, you can find a dedicated blog post with a travel prep checklist here.
Interested in learning more about Korean culture? Check out my blog posts about Dancheong, making your own DIY souvenirs, Korean Culture with a Twist, Lotus Lantern Festival, and Traditional Children’s Games as seen on Squid Game.
Are you traveling to South Korea?
Get your eSIM via Saily* to have unlimited data while on vacation and check out NordVPN* to stay protected online or watch your Netflix shows available in your home country. 😉
*Affiliate link: I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. 🙂
