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13 travel essentials we'd never go on holiday without
From kid-friendly activity books to headphones that block out excess noise, these are the holiday essentials we always leave room in our suitcase for
From toddler tantrums at take-off to noisy neighbours in your hotel, holidays might not always go to plan.
While you can't pack for every eventuality, we've spoken to our in-house experts and rounded up products that have performed well in our testing to help ease some of the turbulence from your next trip.
Whether it's a weekend minibreak or a longer odyssey abroad, our list has got entertainment and essentials for all. And while we would never recommend a dud product, you'll need to sign in or sign up to see just how well these products fared in our rigorous testing.
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Wipe-down activity books are great, as you can reuse them. Plus, the sticker books go down well with my four-year-old – they're a must have for my family vacations.
Naomi LeachWhich? Travel Editor
We like: Wide variety of themes and activities
Watch out for: loose pieces
If you're traveling with little ones, activity books are a great way to keep them entertained during longer journeys.
There are endless options to choose from, including filling in sticker books to complete a story, combining magnets to dress up historical characters, dry-erase sketchbooks to practice drawing, and more.
There are plenty of affordable options out there, often starting at less than £5.
Which? Travel editor Naomi Leach recommends the First Sticker Books 'Airport' – which are SQUIRREL_TEXT_50014363 – and activity books from Kidly.
Alpine SleepDeep Ear Plugs
Silicone-free thermoplastic
Claimed noise reduction: 27dB
Storage case included
We like: Reusable
We don't like: Will need to be cleaned often
If there was anything our experts almost unanimously agreed on, it was packing ear plugs. A decent pair can block out late-night revellers, traffic and other bumps in the night to ensure that you sleep as soundly as if you were in your own bed.
Alpine SleepDeep ear plugs come with a storage case, meaning they won't get squished in your bag. These weren't the cheapest earplugs we tested, costing around £15 but they are reusable.
I tend to get aches, pains and swollen joints on long-haul flights due to sitting down for so long. I recently bought a pair of travel socks (also called flight socks) for a trip to Japan and felt distinctly less sore after being in the air for more than 14 hours. It's really easy to pick up a pair online – but I particularly like TRTL Travel's brightly coloured socks, which are named after various destinations.
Faith StricklandWhich? Senior Editor
We like: Colourful
Watch out for: Lots of options not currently in stock
Travel socks compress your legs slightly to improve your blood circulation. This can help prevent blood clots and your legs swelling during long periods of sitting.
We liked these socks from TRTL because they come in a variety of sizes to prevent the compression from feeling too tight. Plus, there are several colours and patterns available.
Travel socks are widely available, including the above mentioned at TRTL.
Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow
Inflatable
Adjustable strap
Optional cover not included
We like: Big pillow that folds down to be compact
We don't like: A bit long, which could bump into others
While it looks a bit like an inner tube, this wrap-around pillow can be blown-up without a pump quickly, meaning you head won't loll onto your neighbour during long-haul flights.
Worn a little like a seatbelt, this inflatable pillow can be deflated and packed away for speedy disembarkation.
You can also make it easier to clean by adding a machine washable cover – it's sold separately, though.
Read our full verdict in our guide on the best travel pillowsto see how 'ultimate' this travel pillow really is. You can compare prices below:
Anker 525 PowerCore Essential 20K power bank
20,000mAh battery
Weight: 356g
15.6cm x 7.4cm x 2cm (H x W x D)
We like: High capacity, and can charge two devices at once
We don't like: Bulky, no pass-through charging
Most long journeys are made infinitely easier with fully charged batteries to ensure your devices don't crash out halfway through a new series.
This power bank will keep your phone, tablet, and other devices topped up during you travels when there aren't any outlets around. Its high capacity means you should be able to charge some laptop models through USB-C, too.
It's compatible with most devices, and it charges them through the USB-A and USB-C ports on the battery. Anker claims it has a capacity of 20,000mAh, but our lab testing found different results.
The high capacity means a bigger size, but it should fit easily into a carry-on or suitcase.
A clothes steamer is far less faff to use than an iron on holidays. I also don't need to find out if there's a board where I'm staying - just hang up the item or put it on the bed and steam it. I love that the Fridja can be used with a water bottle as a reservoir instead, making it even lighter to transport. Last year when travelling across Spain and Portugal I forgot the attachment and I was SO annoyed with myself. This year, I'll be setting a reminder.
Daniella Delaney MendesWhich? Senior Editor
We like: Can leave the water reservoir at home
We don't like: Accessories aren't the easiest to use
Creased skirts and shirts are a thing of the past with a clothes steamer.
This portable option has an adaptor so you can use a regular plastic water bottle with it instead of the included tank. This means you'll be able to pack it easily and it won't be useless if you accidentally misplace the tank.
You'll also be getting a collar press, folding hanger, and fabric guard, too. Fridja claims it can heat up in 45 seconds, but you'll need to read our review to find out if that stands up.
We like: One of the largest-capacity backpacks we tested
We don't like: Lacks smaller pockets
Forget lugging wheeled suitcases over cobblestones, this Osprey option combines the size of larger luggage with the ease of carrying a backpack.
You can zip away the handles and straps if you want to convert it into a suitcase and there's a laptop sleeve and a few smaller pockets.
This backpack is marketed as a 'men's-fit' backpack, but you can also pick up a women's-fit version – the Fairview 40. We'd recommend going for whichever is cheapest though, as we didn't spot many differences when we tested the best backpacks.
We don't like: Harness height adjustment is fiddly
If you have young kids or babies, holidays can be trickier with a difficult-to-pack pushchair. Luckily, we've tested loads of that you can easily take on holiday – including this one from Hauck.
Weighing 6.6kg, this pushchair can be folded up to be very compact with a one-hand fold. It's excellent for public transport, should fit in most overhead compartments, and won't take up much boot space either.
Parents should watch out for the finger trap underneath the leg rest. There's nothing like an injury to spoil a holiday, so be mindful when closing.
I always take sunglasses, swimwear, and a sundress in my carry-on so I can go straight to the beach even if my luggage gets lost. I like Cubitts sunglasses, especially the polarised ones as it helps reduce glare when looking at water.
We haven't tested any sunglasses, but our experts liked the ones they had from Cubitts. They have a wide variety of frames and colours available, plus you can choose your lens colour and get it in your glasses prescription for no additional cost.
Most pairs cost £150. You can also get polarisation, it'll typically cost an extra £50 though.
You can browse Cubitts' selection of polarised sunglasses from their website.
Kindle Paperwhite (2021 model)
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
I don’t go anywhere without my Kindle Paperwhite, loaded with new books. It’s great for flights and long train journeys, or sleepless nights when you’re adjusting to a new time zone. The back light means you don't disturb your room buddy.
Jo RhodesWhich? Senior Researcher and Writer
We like: Audiobook support
We don't like: Built-in web browser isn't that useful
This 6.8-inch e-reader is a great choice if you're looking to read books on the beach or in the sun. It has an anti-glare display and you can put dozens of books and audiobooks on it without having to pack any heavy hardbacks.
You can set the tone of the light between a bluer white to a warm amber.
Forgetting your travel insurance could prove much more expensive than forgetting your passport – if you get injured abroad, medical bills could add up to the hundreds of thousands of pounds. Even travelling in Europe with the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC – the successor to the EHIC) you may still have to pay some costs, and it doesn't cover your trip being cancelled, or lost belongings, like a good travel insurance policy should.
Sam RichardsonWhich? Money Editor
We like: Policies can cover missed flights, cancellations, lost baggage, medical expenses, and more
We don't like: Not loads of Best Buy policies out of the 160 we checked out
It won't stop anything from going wrong on your holiday, but travel insurance may help your finances in case something does. It's especially useful if you're heading abroad, where medical costs can quickly become expensive for a non-resident.
Many policies cover whole families and if you travel frequently abroad, it may be worth looking into annual coverage.
We looked at 56 travel insurance companies and compared 160 plans so you can get the best policies when you travel. Read our guide on the best travel insurance policies.
Compare travel insurance deals
Check Which? insurance ratings and compare deals using the service provided by Confused.com
We like: MagSafe charging with Find My app support for earbuds and case
We don't like: Compatibility limitsfor Android users
From blocking out plane engines, the rowdy group across the aisle, or that podcast your partner is so adamant on listening to – noise cancelling headphones can create a bubble of serenity.
The Apple AirPods Pro are small enough to slip into your pocket, so they won't take up too much bag space. They've got IPX4 water resistance, too. This means they can be splashed by water, but you shouldn't head for a dip into the hotel pool wearing them.
If you're using an Android, you can still use these headphones, but a lot of features are iOS-exclusive only. We'd recommend taking a look at our guide on the best wireless earbuds for something that will work better instead.
Find over-ear headphones more comfortable? Read our headphone reviews to find the best pair for you.
Nintendo Switch OLED
My partner and I love to play Mario Kart together on holiday – it's great for long train journeys and a Switch doesn't take up too much bag space. The Switch OLED is especially good for gaming on the go, and you can get third-party dongles to hook it up to the TV without packing the bulky charging dock. We like to bring an extra Joy-Con so we can play four-player games with friends or family on any surprise rainy evenings.
Lars StannardWhich? Writer
We like: Super simple on-the-go multiplayer
Watch out for: Hardware can struggle with demanding games
Handheld devices have long kept kids (and adults) entertained on the go, from Game Boys to Nokia's Snake. The latest and most popular iteration is the Nintendo Switch.
It's got detachable controllers that can serve as one full-sized controller, or two separate controllers in certain games. This means you can play four-player games with only two full-sized controllers, which is great for saving space in luggage.
The OLED model is particularly well-suited for travel gaming, as it has a more sturdy kickstand and upgraded screen from the original Switch model.
If you're wanting to play games on a longer journey, you might want to invest in a high capacity power bank to keep playing.
We haven't reviewed the Switch OLED, but if you're looking for a bargain on one we've covered the best Nintendo Switch OLED deals for money off consoles and games.
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