The travel accessories market in India is still in a very nascent stage. We usually search the internet thoroughly for multi-functional or utility-driven travel products and end up on US web stores. It is quite frustrating. However, we have been noticing that some such travel products are slowly becoming available online in India. We are so excited to share some must-have travel products and some unique travel accessories with you that might just be exactly what you were looking for, help reduce single-use plastic waste or make your travels more comfortable.
1. Foldable Travel Pillow
The issue with travel pillows is that they can be really bulky. The inflatable ones save space but are uncomfortable. So, try a cloth one or a foldable one. By a cloth one, I mean a travel pillow that isn’t bulky like a typical pillow but has structural support within. We use the TRTL pillow but it is not available in India. We got the Cabeau Evolution Travel Neck Pillow too recently and are pretty surprised by its comfort. It can be strapped to your flight seat too! When not in use, fold it into the provided cover and strap it to a bag. However, it is a tad bit expensive (we got ours for less than half the price on CRED), so here is a budget-friendly option.
Buy the Cabeau Evolution Travel Neck Pillow
2. Travel Blanket cum Cushion
Cabeau Microfibre Fold ‘n Go Travel Blanket is again a super cool travel accessory in India that serves a dual purpose. It comes folded and packed in a soft fleece case that can be used as a pillow, cushion or lumbar support. Unpacking the cover reveals a soft blanket. After using the banket, just fold it, put it inside the cover and keep it in your bag. The bag doesn’t have space? No problem. Strap it to the outside of your bag instead.
Buy the Cabeau Microfibre Fold ‘n Go Travel Blanket
3. Foldable Water Bottle
Foldable water bottles are amazing because they become so compact whenever not filled up, plus they weigh next to nothing. We use this Platypus Collapsible Softbottle purchased from the USA and found a very similar one, the Vapur Bottle, that delivers in India. I can’t find cheaper options to recommend but you could have a look at these foldable bottles on Amazon and see if you like any.
Buy the Vapur Collapsible Bottle
4. Filter Water Bottle
Honestly, we had been eyeing this for a while and are so happy this unique travel accessory is finally available in India. If you’re travelling to a country where drinking tap water is unsafe or you’re going camping, the Lifestraw Bottles and Straws will be a lifesaver. It’ll help cut down on the monetary and environmental cost of buying bottled water at your destination and make access to drinking water during camping that much easier.
Buy the Lifestraw Go Personal Water Purifier Bottle
5. Portable Cutlery
Back to the impact of using single-use plastic. Don’t! It’s bad for the environment. Carry your own cutlery in your day bag. Whenever you’re being served food with plastic cutlery, ask them not to give it to you. Instead, use your own. Your travel cutlery will also be super useful on road trips, picnics, train journies, camping, etc.
We currently have the first one – a 3 in 1 tool with a spoon, fork and knife that can be separated and used in one go. It comes in a cloth pouch. We like the second one- the pocket utensil set – because it’s compact and comes in a washable box. The third one by Rusabl also has a straw which comes very handy while travelling! We use the Rusabl Straws every day at home and highly recommend them.
Buy the 3 in 1 Tool | Buy the Pocket Utensil Set
6. Eye mask and Ear Plugs
Okay, by now, you must have realised that we love Cabeau. The reason being – they know what they’re doing! All their products are specially designed for travel, super comfortable, and adjustable. The Cabeau Midnight Magic Adjustable Sleep Mask can be adjusted to fit your face properly, relieves pressure against eyelids, prevents make-up smudges and comes with earplugs that have their own stow slot. No more losing earplugs.
A cheaper option is the Travel360 Degree Mulberry Silk Eye Mask and these reusable earplugs. You’ll get plenty of disposable earplugs too, but it’s just better to use reusable items and help reduce waste.
Buy the Cabeau Sleep Mask with Earplugs
7. Foldable Backpack
Foldable Backpacks are great because they can be used as a day bag, beach bag, shopping bag, snack bag or a just-in-case bag while travelling. We never travel without one or sometimes even two, the second one being a tote or duffel!
8. Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are the best travel accessories. You can section your clothes and accessories in cubes that make packing, unpacking, and locating items much easier. They also help compress clothes to fit more! Read our post on travel packing tips for packing hacks and to learn how to pack in cubes.
9. Apple Airtag
Scared about losing your check-in luggage? Or are you worried about the theft of your day bag while exploring? Don’t worry, the Apple AirTag has got you. You can use the Find My Phone App to locate your items provided they have the Airtag inside them or attached to them. When not travelling, use the Airtag as a keychain so you never lose your keys (the Airtag can make a sound by clicking a button in your Find My Phone App). The applications are limitless. The pack of four comes out to be cheaper compared to getting just one and can be used inside all your bags when travelling, for peace of mind.
There are two points to note:
1. It will only be able to find luggage when another iPhone is nearby. The iPhone ecosystem is pretty good so it shouldn’t be much of a problem except in rural areas.
2. You need to have an Apple product with an Apple ID to be able to use the AirTag. If you have a Samsung Galaxy Phone, try the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag. If you have another brand’s android phone, try Tile Mate. But be warned that while Tile products work great abroad they don’t work so well in India. This is so because, like Apple AirTags, the system relies on lost items coming in close contact with another Tile user to show up on a map. Since we don’t have enough Tile users in India, the system doesn’t work well enough.
Buy the Apple Airtag | Buy the Airtag Keychain
10. International Travel adaptor
This is another one of those travel products that are so basic but so important to remember if you’re travelling abroad. Do not, we repeat, do not forget to carry a power adapter. There are at least 15 different types of electrical outlets in the world and you’d rather be prepared. Imagine not being able to charge your gadgets!
Buy an International Power Adaptor
11. Multi USB Charger
You might also consider carrying a multi-USB charger or a portable power strip if you have a lot of gadgets to charge. These have seriously helped us keep all our devices charge on the go.
12. Power Bank
We use our phones for everything these days – photos, videos, calling, message, social media, notes, editing and more – so obviously the battery runs out pretty quick. I know this one’s quite obvious, but just to re-iterate – carry a portable charger always so that your phone is always working and you never feel handicapped. This URBN power bank is an ultra-compact one (it is seriously very tiny) and weighs only 180 gm.
Buy the URBN Ultra Compact Power Bank
13. Fingerprint Locks
Theft during travel is becoming more and more common, especially when travelling in Europe. Using this fingerprint lock will dissuade thieves from picking your backpack, plus it won’t make it too inconvenient for you to access it compared to regular locks.
14. Portable Fan
I never thought this would make it to the list but after having travelled to Europe in the summer months, I think portable fans are super helpful. Lots of places in Europe like churches, restaurants, etc do not have air conditioning so have a
15. Document Organiser
Organisers such as these keep passports, tickets, boarding passes, visa documents, sim cards, debit/credit cards, money, pens, etc. in one place and are easy to carry around.
16. Vaccuum Bags
Vaccum bags are a great help for packing bulky winter wear in a small space—a must for winter trips.
17. Compression socks
Have you ever landed after a long flight and discovered your ankles have swollen or it hurts to walk. Well, not moving for a long time can take a toll on your blood circulation. That’s where compression socks come in. They increase blood circulation and reduce the risk of swelling, deep vein thrombosis, and blood clotting! Don’t buy extremely tight ones; remember that your calves should feel a bit compressed not strangled. You could also wear these during hikes and sports and long days of walking as they help alleviate pain.
18. Toiletry Bottles
Most of us go for short vacations and yet carry huge bottles or end up buying travel-sized versions of products we don’t even use normally. Best to just fill your daily products in small bottles and boxes such as these and reuse them time and again.
The Miniso Travel Bottles (left) set has pump, spray and press bottles with a funnel to help transfer liquids without spilling. The Orical Bottle Set (right) also has small boxes which I personally find very helpful. The little boxes are best for things like foundation and face cream.
Buy the Miniso Bottles | Buy the Orical Bottles
19. Toiletry Kit
If you like to carry a lot of toiletries or full-sized products when you travel, or if you’re travelling for more than a week, this type of bag is a good option. Try the House of Quirk Toiletry Bag if you’d like better side compartments that open fully and have loops inside to hold things in place. I would prefer the House of Quirk one solely for this reason.
However, if you’re a light traveller and carry only necessary toiletries in small travel-sized containers or are going on a short trip, then go for the Travalate Toiletry Bag instead. It is durable and water-resistant, but you won’t get the advantage of having a hook to hang the bag. Women can keep a little make-up in the front zip and toiletries in the main pocket.
Buy the House of Quirk Toiletry Bag | Buy the Travalate Toiletry Bag
20. Waterproof Wet Bag
Say no to single-use plastic and instead get one or more waterproof wet bags/pouches in which you can keep any wet clothes while travelling, swimming costumes and towels, or even use it to protect your belongings from water at a beach.
21. Digital luggage scale
Avoid paying excess baggage fee at airports. Instead, get a Digital Luggage Scale and weigh your luggage beforehand. When not travelling, this can also be used around the kitchen.
22. Multi-Purpose Tool
Multi-purpose tools are a lifesaver on trips, as they have tools like knives, scissors, corkscrews, bottle opener, can opener, screwdrivers, tweezers, toothpicks, mini-saws, hooks, hole punchers, etc. A swiss knife like the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife is perfect for such things.
That said, the Swiss knife cannot be carried in a wallet or in a carry-on bag on a flight. In such cases, the iNinja Tools Swiss Army Knife Card comes in handy. It has screwdrivers, a bottle opener, a can opener, a box opener, a ruler, a cellphone stand, and a peeler. While it doesn’t perform all functions very well and can be inconvenient to use sometimes, we think it is still a good tool to have in your wallet for emergency purposes.
Buy the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife | Buy the iNinja Tools Swiss Army Knife Card
23. Female urination device
If you’re a woman, you know how difficult it can be to pee in public toilets. Also, dirty toilets can lead to UTIs. With this urination device, you’ll no longer have to squat, balance, crouch, wipe, or sanitise when going to a public toilet while travelling or otherwise. Get a PeeBuddy Reusable Urination Device so you can stand and pee. Why should only men have it so easy? Practice beforehand to get a hang of it and carry it on your travels. We always encourage using reusable items, but if you’re too disgusted and would like disposable ones, try the PeeBuddy Disposable Female Urination Device instead.
If you aren’t sold on the ‘peeing while standing’ concept, you could also sanitize your seat using the PEESAFE Toilet Seat Sanitizer Spray.
Buy Peebuddy Reusable Device | Buy Peebuddy Disposable Device
24. Toilet Bidet Spray
This is a must-have when travelling to western countries, especially if you just cannot get used to using toilet paper. This bidet is perfect as it is small enough to be handheld, light-weight, and doesn’t require batteries.
Buy a Portable Handheld Travel Bidet Spray
25. Waterproof Mobile Pouch or Case
A touch-friendly waterproof pouch or a sturdy case gives a lot of peace of mind when taking cell phones into the water. You can use this pouch to hang around your neck and use your phone to click pictures and videos when in any water body.
Buy a Waterproof Mobile Pouch
Hope you liked this list and found something of interest. We will continue adding more travel products as they become available in India.
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This is so useful. Didn’t know many of these things even existed. There is going to be a huge list in my Amazon cart now.
Haha! That’s great to hear. Glad you found it useful.
Very nice, love the article. Please share more stuff like these.
Glad you love it. Will do 🙂
Very nice article, thanks for posting such kind of information.
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