10 Travel Tech Essentials You Didn’t Know You Needed

Travelling used to mean grabbing your passport, stuffing a backpack, and hoping for the best. These days? A few clever bits of kit can seriously level up your trip—making everything from airport layovers to off-grid adventures smoother, safer, and surprisingly more fun.

Whether you're a digital nomad juggling work from beach cafés, a backpacker bouncing between hostels, or a weekend city-hopper, the right tech can be the difference between a breeze and a breakdown. We’re not talking about your phone or camera here—these are the unsung heroes. The kind of gadgets you didn’t know you needed until you're stranded without Wi-Fi in rural Mexico or trying to charge three devices from a single plug in Rome.

From portable door locks that give you peace of mind to genius little gadgets that turn your hostel bunk into a cosy workspace, here’s our curated list of travel tech essentials that deserve a spot in every traveller’s bag.

Universal Travel Tech Hacks That Save the Day

Portable door lock or travel lockbox

There’s nothing quite like the uneasy click of a flimsy door in a budget guesthouse to remind you you’re far from home. That’s where a portable door lock comes in—it’s a pocket-sized device that you slot into the strike plate of a door, making it impossible to open from the outside. No tools or permanent fittings needed. Ideal for solo travellers, it adds instant security in private rooms or Airbnbs. Alternatively, a travel lockbox lets you stash valuables discreetly when there’s no safe in sight—handy for beach huts or hostel dorms.

International SIM or eSIM

Still queuing at airport kiosks to get a local SIM? There’s a better way. With eSIMs from providers like Airalo, Nomad, or Holafly, you can activate mobile data before your plane even touches down. It’s especially helpful for quick trips or multi-country itineraries—just switch profiles in your phone settings. No physical SIM cards, no waiting, no stress. If your phone isn’t eSIM-compatible, many companies still offer physical international SIMs that work across dozens of countries at a time.

Multi-USB charging hub

You’ve finally found a plug socket at the hostel—and now it’s a game of musical chairs between your phone, Kindle, AirPods, and camera. A multi-USB hub turns one socket into four or five, letting you charge all your gadgets at once. Look for one with fast-charging capability (USB-C is a bonus), and don’t forget to check the voltage compatibility if you’re travelling long-haul. Ideal for couples or digital nomads sharing limited power access.

Retractable or flat-pack power strip

A lifesaver in hotel rooms with hidden or limited outlets, this compact strip gives you multiple sockets and USB ports in one. The retractable cord versions keep things tidy in your luggage, while the flat-pack styles take up virtually no space at all. Some also come with built-in surge protection, protecting your tech from dodgy electrical grids—especially useful in older buildings or countries with unreliable infrastructure.

Travel router or hotspot device

Wi-Fi that only works in one corner of your room? We've all been there. A travel router can amplify weak signals, turn a wired Ethernet connection into Wi-Fi, or even create your own private network for extra security (helpful in shared hostels or cafés). If you’re going somewhere more remote, consider a mobile hotspot device like the Solís, Skyroam, or a local MiFi unit. It runs on SIM-based mobile data, giving you connectivity where public Wi-Fi fails—great for road trippers, overlanders, or anyone working on the move.

Tech to Boost Comfort and Convenience

Bluetooth audio adapter for planes

You’ve got your sleek wireless headphones, but the plane’s entertainment system still needs a wired jack. Enter the Bluetooth audio adapter: a tiny plug-in device that lets you connect Bluetooth headphones to any standard 3.5mm audio output—perfect for long-haul flights. No more untangling airline earbuds or sacrificing sound quality. Some even come with dual jacks for older aircraft, or the ability to sync two pairs of headphones if you're travelling with a buddy.

Kindle or lightweight e-reader

Travelling light doesn’t have to mean skipping your reading list. A Kindle (or other e-reader) weighs next to nothing and can store thousands of books—ideal for beach holidays, overnight trains, or lazy café days. Opt for a waterproof model if you’re heading poolside, and download a few guidebooks or phrasebooks in advance for offline access. Bonus: no harsh backlight, so you can read on a red-eye flight without keeping your seatmate up.

Noise-cancelling earbuds

Not just for drowning out screaming babies on planes—these little marvels are great in noisy hostels, crowded buses, or when you're trying to work from a café. Unlike bulky over-ear headphones, earbuds are space-saving and discreet. Brands like Sony, Bose, and Anker Soundcore make high-quality options with impressive battery life and adaptive noise filtering. Some even double as sleep buds to help block out snoring dorm-mates.

Smart luggage tracker

Lost luggage is one of those nightmare scenarios that’s more common than you’d think—especially with multiple stopovers or chaotic airlines. A smart luggage tracker like Apple AirTag, Tile, or Chipolo lets you track your bag’s location via your phone. Pop it in your checked bag or backpack and get instant peace of mind. It won’t stop your bag from going AWOL, but you’ll at least know where it ended up—and that’s half the battle.

Foldable phone stand or travel tripod

This little multitasker barely takes up space but can transform how you use your phone while travelling. Prop it up for hands-free video calls, shoot content without awkward angles, or use it as a mini nightstand screen in cramped hotel rooms. Some models double as lightweight tripods, making them perfect for solo travellers or content creators wanting steady shots without packing bulky gear. Look for ones with adjustable angles and compatibility with both phones and small cameras.

Bonus Tools for Organisation and Safety

Digital luggage scale

It’s the night before your flight, you’re trying to guess your bag’s weight by lifting it awkwardly in one hand—and the dread sets in. Skip the stress with a mini digital luggage scale. Clip it onto your bag, lift, and get an instant readout. It’s a lifesaver when flying with budget airlines that love to slap on surprise excess baggage fees. Lightweight and compact, it earns its place in any frequent flyer’s kit.

Password manager app

Travelling means logging into all sorts of things: airline apps, hostel bookings, banking, travel insurance portals. A password manager like 1Password, Bitwarden, or LastPass keeps all your credentials safe and encrypted in one place. You only need to remember one master password, and you can securely access the rest—even offline if needed. Bonus: most apps can auto-fill logins, saving you time (and typos) when your brain’s jetlagged.

Mini UV steriliser or sanitiser spray

Not every destination comes with clean water and spotless surfaces. A pocket-sized UV steriliser can sanitise cutlery, toothbrushes, or even your phone. Ideal for remote or rural travel, where you might be filling bottles from questionable taps. Alternatively, a refillable sanitiser spray bottle (with alcohol-based solution) is a simple way to wipe down tray tables, light switches or hostel kitchens without the bulk of wet wipes.

What Not to Pack

Not all travel tech is created equal—and overpacking gear you never use just adds weight, clutter, and stress. Here are a few gadgets we’d leave behind:

Full-size tripod

Unless you’re a pro photographer, these are bulky and rarely worth the space. Opt for a compact travel tripod or a foldable phone stand instead.

Selfie stick

These days, they’re banned in many major attractions and often scream “tourist.” A mini tripod with Bluetooth remote gives you more flexibility and subtlety.

Bulky power banks

It’s tempting to bring a 30,000mAh brick, but remember: many airlines restrict large-capacity power banks in hand luggage. A slim, airline-safe charger (10,000–20,000mAh) is usually more than enough.

Multipurpose travel tools with blades

Swiss army knives and multitools are great—but not in your carry-on. If you’re not checking a bag, skip anything with blades or scissors to avoid losing it at security.

Excess travel adapters

One universal adapter with USB ports does the job for most trips. There’s no need to carry multiple bulky plugs unless you’re travelling as a group or going somewhere especially remote.

You don’t need to be a gadget geek to travel smarter—you just need the right tools. Whether it’s a pocket-sized router that rescues you from dodgy Wi-Fi, or a portable lock that gives you peace of mind in a new city, the right travel tech doesn’t just take up space—it adds real value.

But don’t overdo it. The smartest packers aren’t the ones with the most gear—they’re the ones who know what not to pack. So before your next adventure, take a minute to audit your travel kit. Ditch the gimmicks, upgrade where it counts, and make space for the gadgets that’ll actually make your journey smoother, safer, and a whole lot easier.