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My 13 Favourite Minimalist Travel Accessories (2024)
Minimalist traveling isn’t about depriving yourself of essentials, it’s about the liberation of traveling lighter, smarter, more sustainably and about leaving unnecessary items behind.
Trust me, once you’ve embraced this travel style, you’ll not want to go back to logging around heavy luggage!
But what does a minimalist traveler pack? I’m very excited to share some of my favorite minimalist travel accessories that have made my travel experience even better. I can’t imagine travelling without them any more.
Minimalist Travel
Embracing a minimalist approach to travel isn’t just about packing light, it’s about making the most of what you already own. I really believe you don’t need to get new things to start travelling as a minimalist, just use the items you already have.
So, before you rush to purchase the latest travel accessories, take a moment to consider what you already have. You’d be surprised at how multipurpose many everyday items can be!
If you need some inspiration, I’ve got an article on minimalist packing that’ll provide you with some great minimalist packing tips and tricks. I also created the best minimalist packing checklist as a PDF so you can always have it with you and tick off what you already packed.
But back to minimalist travel essentials, let’s face it, sometimes things break or wear out and need to be replaced. When that happens, investing in high-quality minimalist travel accessories can really make a difference in your travels.
Now, let’s delve into some of my favourite accessories that have earned a permanent spot in my luggage.
Best Minimalist Travel Accessories
1. Reusable Water Bottle
A reusable water bottle is an absolute must-have on my list of compact travel accessories. Not only is it eco-friendly, reducing single-use plastic waste, but it also saves you money on purchasing water frequently while on the go.
I’ve found it to be especially handy during long flights, hikes, and even city explorations where it’s essential to stay hydrated. One very memorable trip was when I visited Budapest where the tap water is perfectly safe to drink, I constantly filled up my bottle!
Plus, there are so many stylish and lightweight designs out there now, that it’s easy to find one that matches your style and needs.
I have the Urban Bottle from 24Bottle, their lightweight model which doesn’t keep the content cold or hot because for me it’s more important to carry as little weight as possible than to have a cool drink.
š¤© Check Prices and Availability!
2. Barefoot Shoes
A pair of shoes, while essential, can be some of the bulkiest items you have with you.
You might say, that you’ll just always wear your bulky shoes and they don’t have to fit into your small carry-on bag, but let me tell you, it’s nice to have the option to pack away the shoes and wear flip-flops instead.
That’s why I’ve fallen in love with my new barefoot shoes. They’re incredibly lightweight and versatile, and they take up minimal space in my luggage. And the best part is they are even water-resistant, so the perfect shoe all year round.
However, I have to admit for my minimalist winter travels I swap barefoot sneakers for barefoot boots, since my feet get cold very easily.
I usually don’t bring any other pairs of shoes, except the barefoot travel shoes I’m wearing and some flip-flops.
š¤© I love these barefoot shoes because they are stylish and water-repellend!
3. Foldable Lunch Box
Another minimalist accessory I absolutely love is my foldable lunch box from Sea to Summit.
As someone who enjoys exploring all the vegan restaurants in a new city, I often find myself with leftovers. Instead of asking for a single-use plastic box, I whip out my foldable lunch box.
It’s eco-friendly, easy to carry, and collapses to a slim profile when not in use, making it a perfect fit for my minimalist travel lifestyle. Not to mention, it’s a great way to save money on meals, allowing me to enjoy my leftovers later.
š¤© Check Prices on Amazon or the official Sea to Summit webpage!
4. Eco-friendly Electric Toothbrush with Travel Case
It took me a little while to find the best eco-friendly electric toothbrush, but I finally did it: the SURI toothbrush.
This toothbrush is very durable with an aluminium handle and in case there ever is a problem, it’s easily repairable because of its modular design.
Up until I got this toothbrush I had always carried my toothbrush in my normal toiletry bag and to be honest, it just didn’t seem like the most hygienic thing to do. That’s where the travel case for the SURI toothbrush comes in.
The toothbrush stays clean and hygienic in the travel case while travelling and the best part is that the case has a UV-light cleaner. This cleaning light only takes one minute and kills 99.9% of harmful bacteria on the toothbrush. I don’t travel without it anymore!
š¤© Check Prices and Availability!
5. Bag for Solid Shampoo
I’ve been using solid shampoo bars for years and I’ve tried and tested various travel containers. Yet, none have come close to the efficiency and convenience of this ingenious bag.
It’s designed with a water-resistant rolltop and welded seams, it’s perfect for letting your soap or shampoo bar dry out while ensuring nothing wet escapes.
Gone are the days of fumbling with damp, slippery containers. I can just pop my bar into the bag, roll it up, and voila! Everything stays dry and mess-free in my travel carry-on.
š¤© Check Prices and Availability!
6. E-Book Reader
I love reading books and it took me a while to switch from physical books to an e-book reader but now there’s no going back, I love my e-book-reader!
It allows me to carry hundreds of books in the palm of my hand, all without adding any extra weight to my luggage.
I love that I can get a new book while travelling at any time just at the click of a button. Whether I’m waiting at the airport, relaxing in my hotel room, or soaking up some sun on a beautiful beach or park, my e-book reader ensures that I always have a great book at hand.
It’s not just about the convenience, though. The adjustable light feature allows me to read comfortably in any lighting condition without straining my eyes.
If you love books like me and want to keep your luggage light, an e-book reader is the perfect minimalist travel accessory for you.
š¤© Check Prices and Availability!
7. Travel Adapter
A travel adapter is another must-have for all minimalist travelers. The beauty of this compact device is that it not only allows you to charge your electronic devices in countries with different plugs but it also offers the additional perk of multiple ports.
I can vouch for its usefulness from my own experience. On a recent trip to New Zealand with my friends, we did van life for 3 weeks. Our van was only equipped with two plugs.
Instead of arguing over who got to charge their device first, we simply plugged everything into my adapter. It was efficient, hassle-free, and allowed us to keep all of our devices up and running.
š¤© Check Prices and Availability!
8. Power Bank
If you’re anything like me you’ll take your smartphone for everything during your trip, to take pictures, to navigate, to keep all your tickets at hand and maybe even to pay with it. That all takes a lot out of the battery.
That’s why it’s a good idea to bring a power bank. This compact device has saved me from numerous ‘low battery’ alerts when I’ve been on the move and away from a power source.
It’s slim, lightweight, and packs enough power to charge my phone multiple times over, one of the best minimalist travel gadgets.
š¤© Check Prices and Availability!
9. Minimalist Wallet
One of the vegan travel essentials I’ve only recently added to my essential items is my new wallet. On a recent trip to Lisbon, Portugal, I stumbled upon a market where Oakwall, a local company, was selling handmade wallets.
I decided to take a closer look and found my perfect minimalist wallet. It’s made entirely out of cork and I love the colour splash! This not only made them lightweight and durable, but also incredibly unique and eco-friendly.
Despite its slim profile, the wallet has extra space for cash and coins, and not just credit cards, debit cards or whatever cards you want to bring. Most minimalist wallets I’ve come across tend to focus solely on card storage, but this one offered the best of both worlds.
It’s now a constant travel companion, proving that sometimes, the most important travel accessories are those that seamlessly blend functionality, sustainability, and local charm.
10. Rain Jacket
One of the lightweight travel accessories in my minimalist travel gear is my reliable rain jacket from Cotopaxi. It’s very lightweight and folds up very small.
The jacket is crafted from recycled materials, making it not only a champion in durability but also an eco-conscious choice. Moreover, its exceptional breathability ensures that rainstorms don’t translate into personal saunas.
I’ve tested the jacket in different climates and weathers and I love it. Whether it’s a sudden drizzle in the streets of London or a heavy downpour in New Zealand, my Cotopaxi rain jacket has kept me dry and comfortable.
In the spirit of minimalism, it’s worth mentioning that you don’t need to invest in a whole new travel wardrobe when you begin your minimalist travel journey. The key is to make the most of what you already own, choosing versatile items that can be mixed and matched to create diverse looks.
š¤© Check Prices and Availability on the official Cotopaxi Shop!
11. Packing Cubes
I must confess, I used to think packing cubes were an unnecessary addition to my travel gear. My boyfriend kept raving about them for ages but it took me quite a bit to give them a chance. Now, I love them!
These days, I can’t imagine packing my backpack without them. Packing cubes have transformed my travel experience by bringing a whole new level of organization to my luggage.
They help me keep my clothes neat, compact, and most importantly, easy to find. With packing cubes, everything has its place, making my travel experience smoother and more enjoyable.
Unfortunately, the model I have is no longer available, but I found a good alternative. The important thing is, that the packing cubes are light and I like a handle on the side.
š¤© Check Prices and Availability!
12. Day bag
The day bag is another minimalist travel accessory I swear by. It’s compact and lightweight, yet spacious enough to carry all my daily minimalist essentials like a water bottle, power bank, a camera, and a thin jacket.
But here’s the real game-changer: it can easily transform into a handbag. So, you can use it as a small backpack on days out and as a handbag while you travel with your normal backpack.
My amazing day bag is from GaryMash, a vegan and fair-trade company from Austria, my home country. It’s a foldable day-pack, so you can also keep it in your minimalist travel bag.
I bought my first day bag from them in 2018 I think, and I used it a lot and I washed it in the washing machine numerous times. When it eventually broke, I got a new one.
The new one is even more stylish but on second thought the cork in the front wasn’t the best choice because now I’m worried about washing it. So, if you want to use it A LOT, I don’t recommend choosing the cork material.
13. Backpack
I don’t know if a backpack counts as a travel accessory but having a bag is the first step to starting your ultralight travel.
One of my minimalist travel tips is to just use any small bag you already have, you don’t need to get a new one. I used my old school bag for years for traveling, even on my long-term travel to New Zealand and Australia.
When it finally broke, I looked at the best travel backpacks and decided to buy a Cotopaxi backpack. But I soon realized that a 35L backpack is way too big for minimalist traveling, so I switched to the Patagonia Black Hole 25L.
If you’re still looking for the right backpack, I asked frequent travelers for their favorite travel backpacks. You might be able to find the right one for you on this list.
š¤© Check the prices and colors of my Patagonia backpack!
Final Thoughts: Minimalist Travel Essentials
Embracing minimalism in travel doesn’t mean compromising on comfort or necessity. Quite the opposite, it’s about finding those perfect, multi-functional items that meet your needs so you can bring less stuff, save space and reducing clutter.
It’s so freeing to leave the heavy suitcase behind and to travel with just one smaller bag. Just try it on your next trip!
I hope sharing my favorite minimalist accessories has given you inspiration for your own travel bag. But remember, the journey to minimalism is personal, and what works for one person may not work for another. The key is to find what works best for you.
So, ready to take the leap into minimalist travel? Get my detailed, carefully curated minimalist travel packing list to ensure you’re packing light, but right! Embark on your journey with everything you need and nothing you don’t.
š Share your must have travel items in my Minimalist Travel Facebook Group!
Read More:
- Minimalist Packing Checklist for Women
- Ultimate Minimalist Packing List For Women
- 13 Easy Minimalist Packing Tips for Travel
- Minimalist Packing For Winter For Women
- Best Tips for Minimalist Toiletries for Travelling
- My 13 Favourite Minimalist Travel Accessories
- Best Minimalist Shoes for Travel: Comfortable & Stylish
- Best Minimalist Backpacks for Travel (Carry-On Size)
- Packing List for Europe in Spring (Carry-On Bag Only)
- Honest TrustedHousesitters Review + Tips & Discount Code
- An Honest Suri Toothbrush Review
- Can I Bring A Water Bottle On A Plane? Bring a Reusable One!
- Can You Take an Electric Toothbrush on a Plane? Yes!
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