Over the past few years I’ve collected what I now consider to be a few travel essentials. These are items that have made traveling easier, more comfortable, and sometimes much more convenient. Hopefully some of these items can help you out during your travels.

Travel Docket
It’s basically a big wallet for your passport, travel documents, credit cards, etc. Having done three international trips with one I can’t imagine going without. If you’re the type of person who just puts your passport in a money belt or backpack pocket you should think about converting. If you can remember to always put your important information in the docket you’ll never panic and search through pockets again. I also keep my main stash of cash in my docket. That way I’m able to just throw my docket in the hotel/hostel safe or make sure it’s with me.

Currently I’m using the Blurr Travel Docket - Available at MEC

Pen
Don’t laugh. Next time they pass out border crossing/immigration cards on the plane watch how many people do not have a pen. I keep my pen attached to the pen loop in my docket. This allows me to always have it with me when I need it and when my wife and I travel we both carry one. By having your own pen handy you are never stuck waiting at those little tables that have two pens on them for an entire airplane load of passengers. By carrying your own pen you’ll often be one of the first people through customs.

Fake Wallet
This is perhaps the wackiest of essentials. When traveling I always carry a small fake wallet with old expired credit cards, my old university student ID, some local money (just enough for the day's activities). What is this fake wallet for? If I'm mugged/robbed I will gladly hand it over. There is enough content that it would look real. All I would lose is the day's worth of cash. If I have to carry more than a days worth (or carry an activated VISA, I carry those loose in my front pockets. I'm hoping that if I'm mugged and hand over my fake wallet the thief will assume that is all I have on me.

Watch
I only wear a watch during two activities: Hiking & traveling. I use a Timex Expedition. One of the features I like most is that I can set a traveling time and a home time. One button press and I can see what time it is back home. Make sure you keep track of daylight savings. In Portugal this year we missed a bus because the time had jumped ahead without us realizing it. It’s also used regularly as an alarm clock

Headlamp or Small Flashlight
This may seem silly but you would be surprised how often you’ll find yourself using this. If you stay in a hostel room shared with strangers you’ll appreciate the discreteness of being able to get up in the dark and use the light to find your way. If you are dong any sort of travel to a third world country you’ll find that sometimes (depending on location) the power goes off. Headlamps and flashlights are much easier to manage than candles. If you’re doing any sort of adventure travel you’ll need a headlamp for sure. Make sure your choice is an LED based light. It will last much longer on one set of batteries.

Currently I use the Petzl Tikka XP - available at MEC

Noise Cancellation Headphones
This falls into the luxury department. When on a multi-hour flight you will appreciate the escape from the drone of the plane. If you’ve never had a part of noise cancellation headphones on during a flight you don’t know what you’re missing! I currently use a pair of older and cheap Aiwa NC headphones. I’ve tried the Bose Quiet Comforts and they are worth the extra money. Some prefer the in-ear method of noise cancellation for headphones. I’ve never tried them but all initial reports are positive.

Airplane Headphone Adapter
Most travel headphones/noise cancellation headphones now come with one by default. If you don’t have one I’m sure you can get one at an electronics store. This little two dollar gem will allow you to enjoy the in flight entertainment with your own headphones.

Rain Jacket
A light rain jacket goes a long way to improving your travel comfort. It makes dashes to cabs, waiting for trains, and standing in line outdoors manageable. With a good quality jacket you can stay dry in the elements while everyone else runs for cover. There is no better way to get ahead of a large throng or see a place without crowds if you go or stay in the rain!

Currently I use the MEC Targa. An expensive Gore-Tex jacket from MEC. Much cheaper alternatives will serve you just as well.

Lonely Planet Phrasebooks
Are you going to a country or place that you are unfamiliar with the language? We’ve found the Lonely Planet phrasebooks to be the best quick references. Even if most of the people you come across during your travels speak English it is fun to learn a new language and locals truly do appreciate the effort. Our phrasebooks have also gotten us through situations where otherwise communication would have been impossible.

Carry-On Only Bag
This is more of a philosophy than a travel essential. My wife and I now travel carry-on only. Once you switch over you’ll never go back. With only carry on you’re the first through customs. You never worry about losing your bag, and the simplicity of only having one bag makes traveling much more comfortable. Traveling is already full of choice and stress. We’ve found that having more “stuff” with you only amplifies this. By not checking bags you are also free to switch flights without hassle. Current airline rules & laws do not allow you travel on a different plane than your checked baggage. With just carry-on you are free to try and get a better route, make tighter connections, and run like heck through airports!

My current, and the absolute best I’ve found, travel bag is the Osprey Porter 46. It just barely passes most airlines carry-on size limitations. It also is built to take a beating. You won’t go wrong with this bag.

Airport/Maple Leaf Lounge Access
Airports are not nice places to be. They are designed for people to flow through, not spend time in. Lounges are places that are built to spend time in. It costs a little extra but it’s worth it. We’ve been in Air Canada lounges in Europe and Canada and have nothing but good things to say about them. Free food, free drinks, free Internet, comfortable chairs/couches/washrooms, and in international arrival lounges you can have a shower and get an entire large bathroom to yourself. While they are expensive you need to take into account how much you spend on airport food and entertainment. As in the lounges all food and entertainment (free tv, free magazines, etc) is free it starts to look much more economical. We also raid the drinks fridge and stock our bags with bottles of water and juice before we leave. As airports seem to charge four times the regular world price for these things it’s worth it.

The icing on the cake is that the airport public intercom does not transmit into lounges. Peace and quiet.

Sleeping Pills
Probably the most controversial item in the list. We often use these on overnight flights that precede a full day of more travel or activity. There is nothing quite like wanting desperately to fall asleep but because of noise, temperature, excitement, or that annoying kid who keeps kicking the back of your seat, you can’t. By knocking ourselves out we usually awake rested and ready for another full day of fun. Combine this with a shower and breakfast in an arrival lounge after a red-eye and you are all set.

We use generic diphenhydramine (Benadryl).