7 Essential Items for the Unluckiest Traveler
I’m fluent in terrible travel situations. Just recently I was stranded for several days and my bags are still missing.
I’ve been stranded in Tennessee during a nationwide Delta meltdown, left in Europe for two weeks with no bags, and most recently snowed into groundhogs day during a mega blizzard. So yeah, I’ve collected a few survival strategies.
Here are my top 7 must-haves for your carry-on or personal item to survive any travel disaster:
1. Prescription Medications – ON YOU, always.
Never, ever check them.
Trying to get a temporary refill while traveling is a nightmare - expensive, time-consuming, and sometimes dangerous (hi, brain zaps). Keep your meds in your personal item or literally on your body. No exceptions.
2. Febreze Wrinkle Releaser Spray
Between hot terminals, close quarters, and multiple travel days, clothes can get rough. This little spray not only smooths wrinkles for when you DO have your luggage, but also keeps you smelling fresh when you’re stuck in the same outfit longer than you’d like due to delayed or missing luggage.
3. Power Bank
Airport outlets are a lie. Power banks are truth.
A solid one will save you when your phone hits 4% while navigating a foreign city, calling a rideshare, or pulling up an e-ticket. Get a sturdy one - it’s worth the peace of mind.
4. Spare Set of Underwear
Laugh all you want - until you’re on day three of an unexpected delay. A clean pair of underwear is a small comfort that makes a huge difference when you’re stranded or waiting on lost luggage. It’s a simple sanity-saver.
5. Separate Form of Payment
Hide a spare debit or credit card somewhere else — your carry-on, toiletry bag, even your shoe. If your wallet or phone is lost, you’ve still got options. A little emergency cash helps too, especially in places that still run on cash-only systems.
6. A Big. Ass. Scarf.
It’s a blanket, a pillow, a shawl, a hair cover, a fashion piece, and a comfort object all in one. Travel throws a lot at you — be ready for drafty planes, unexpected naps, or questionable headrests. A big scarf has saved me more times than I can count. My current favorite is one I picked up in Guatemala, it's a beautiful blue, thick, and sturdy.
7. Your Favorite Distraction
Delays and cancellations are inevitable. Pack something you actually enjoy — a great book, a journal, a puzzle, a sketchpad. It gives your brain a break from the chaos and helps you stay calm when everything around you isn’t.
These are my go-to travel essentials after years of chaos and canceled flights. What’s something you never board a plane without?