11 Best (And Affordable) Must-Haves For City Travel

Let’s face it. Over the years and many travels, we go through several “essentials”, some of which just don’t hold up. I know that this has been the case for me, so I’ve compiled a roundup of my favourite, essential products for city travel so you don’t have to!

 

1. White Sketchers Sneakers

Of all the walking/running shoes I’ve ever purchased, my Sketchers are by far my favourite, and the first pair of shoes I reach for when I’m packing to travel. Comfortable walking shoes are a must in all types of travel. They are especially important for city travel where you know you’ll be navigating your destination for the most part on foot, and these shoes keep my feet alive on day-long walking expeditions. You obviously don’t have to get white shoes, but these are my favourite because they go with everything!

2. 17oz Manna Stainless Steel Reusable Water Bottle

Let’s be honest: keeping a mind for sustainability while travelling can sometimes be difficult. This stainless steel reusable water bottle by Manna is an eco-friendly alternative to those plastic bottles we buy while we’re out exploring and taking in new sights. The stainless steel keeps your water cold all day, and it comes in a variety of sizes suitable for backpacks or smaller bags. If you tend to travel with a smaller purse, they have a 9oz size bottle too!

3. Set of Reusable Utensils and Reusable Straws

While we’re on the topic of sustainability and travel, packing a set of reusable utensils and reusable straws is a must for any type of city travel. Many cities and airlines around the world are making efforts to reduce single-use plastics like utensils and straws, so having your own set will not only be convenient in times where they are not being offered by restaurants or airlines, but will reduce your environmental footprint in your destination, which is ultimately our responsibility as travellers! My reusable utensil set is by OLA Bamboo, a Canadian eco-friendly company that donates a portion of each sale to Compensation CO2 to plant trees in Canada, and my straws are a silicon set by Chic and Tonic, which comes with a straw cleaner and a carrying case, making them super handy for travelling!

For more eco-friendly travel tips see this post!

4. Calpak Packing Cubes

For many travellers, packing is a painful part of the experience. As much as we try, things never seem to be as organized as we like, and for someone who thrives on organization, I find this bit particularly frustrating. Packing cubes are now a must-have for my travel needs whether I’m travelling with a suitcase or a backpack. You can separate your packing essentials into groups, things stay put (and compact – which means more space), and if you’re planning on unpacking during your trip, these packing cubes fit easily into dresser drawers. They are certainly a travel must-have for me, and I definitely recommend giving these a try for your next trip – you won’t be disappointed!

5. Mountaintop Hiking Backpack

This backpack is technically and traditionally suited for hiking or backpacking trips, but hear me out! Depending on how I’m travelling, I actually prefer to travel with a backpack as opposed to a large suitcase. I like to keep my luggage close by, so if I’m travelling by bus or train, backpacks are easier to fit in an overhead compartment or under your seat. The model that I bought several years ago is no longer available on Amazon, so I’ve linked the newer model above. The new model is 5L bigger, and still has several pockets and compartments and is very classic looking. This bag got me through three weeks of backpacking alone through Costa Rica, and through trips to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Quebec City, and it has held up super well!

6. Hard Shell Suitcase

Okay so before you say “but Amanda, you JUST said you prefer backpacks to suitcases when you travel”, let me explaaaiiiiin. I do love a good backpack, but if you’re more of a suitcase traveller, this is my suggestion: get yourself a solid hard shell suitcase.

They are much more durable than their softer, fabric counterparts, and are a thousand times easier to clean. I personally don’t  love dragging a suitcase around the streets of New York or any given European city with cobblestone streets, but if you’re planning an extended stay, a suitcase is likely unavoidable. Mine is a blush coloured carry-on size by Cosmopolitan (alternate colour linked above). The collection also has a sizeable purse (I have this one and it’s so pretty!), duffle bag and backpack if you want a stylish set! They are so cute!

7. Anker Portable Phone Charger

Let’s be honest. When travelling through a new city, our phones bare the brunt of our photography, navigation and social media needs. Charging stations may not always be readily available when you’re travelling, and having a fully charged phone is not only more convenient, but safer when you’re in an unfamiliar place. I’ve had this portable charger for several years, and it still charges my phone great and fits easily into any bag I’m travelling with. This model is on the smaller side (lipstick sized), with Anker offering stronger and larger chargers like this one, should you need it.

8. EZ-Traveler Money Belt

If you’ve done a bit of city travel, you’ll know that pickpockets pray on visitors and are skilled at taking advantage of a moment where you’re not paying attention to your belongings. A money belt is always a good thing to travel with, as you can tie it around your waist and hide it under a shirt or the top of your pants, keeping your valuables safe from pickpockets. I wasn’t able to find mine online (it’s very old), but this EZ-Traveller money belt is highly rated on Amazon and has several pockets to fit your money, cards, and passport. They aren’t at all expensive (about $15-$20) and are well worth it!

9. Natural Deodorant by Native

Okay so this one makes me giggle. It’s obviously less of a travel accessory and more of a personal hygiene product, but it’s still an essential, especially for city travel where you are likely to be around people all day. I always advocate for natural deodorants over chemical deodorants, as they are much safer for you, and better for the environment.

Many companies are on board the aluminum free deodorant train, and out of the ones I’ve tried, my personal favourite is my Native deodorant for sensitive skin. They have several scents (they even have seasonal scents!), all of which smell ah-mazing, they last all day and they are free of aluminum and harsh chemicals. Their sensitive collection is also free of baking soda (which my skin doesn’t love) so I was SUPER happy to find this brand. Bonus: they also just came out with a plastic-free deodorant and plan to go completely plastic free by 2023!!!

10. Hand Sanitizer

Let’s face it: cities are a breeding ground for germs, and so are airplanes and airports. As strong as the cleaning efforts may be, it’s always a good idea to travel with hand sanitizer to protect yourself. This hand sanitizer from Yves Rocher is as natural as hand sanitizer can get, is only $5 CAD and is 100ml, the maximum size for a carry-on during air travel. If you’re looking for a smaller size, Bath and Body Works has some mini sizes are are super affordable and smell great.

11. Aerie Leggings

I’ve saved these for last because they truly are the BEST ending to this list. I am obsessed with these leggings. They are super affordable, come in several colours and sizes, are super high-waisted AND they are the most durable leggings I’ve ever had. I first saw these featured on an instagram story by my favourite lifestyle and fashion blogger Holly @teachmestyle and she has determined that she likes these leggings better than Lulu Lemon’s Align leggings, which is a hell of an endorsement. These are my go-to leggings for every day wear, workout wear, and for travel. They are extremely comfortable and stretchy, making them great for long haul flights or drives, and hold up all day while you’re galavanting around and experiencing new places. I cannot say enough good things about these leggings, and American Eagle in general.

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