One of the things I enjoy doing most with my family is traveling. Annually, we go on two or three domestic trips (at least one of them to Hawaii to visit relatives). We try to go on an international trip every 18 months or so. Our most recent trip abroad was to South Africa in 2024, and we’re heading to Iceland this August. Then there are weekends away a few times a year.
Every great trip requires planning, whether it’s an overnight stay an hour away from home or a grand vacation in a country I’ve never visited before. Besides all the travel logistics (that my wife handles), there’s the tech you need to bring, which is my responsibility in my household.
Over the years, I’ve figured out what tech I absolutely need to take with me. There’s an art to figuring out what to bring. You don’t want to overdo it, because you’ll end up lugging around stuff you aren’t using. But you don’t want to be left without that thing you absolutely need and don’t really have a means of obtaining that item where you are.
While I now rely on my iPhone for all the photos and videos I shoot, I need other items to ensure a successful and enjoyable trip. Here’s a list of the gear I bring with me on my trips. This is the stuff I almost always bring no matter where I’m going. Hopefully, you can use this list to help you figure out what you need to bring on your next trip. If you have suggestions, drop me a line at rloyola@macworld.com. (Note: Prices stated here are MSRPs, but Amazon often runs sales and discounts on many of them.)
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Britta O’Boyle
There was a time when I would bring separate video and still cameras on every trip, but the iPhone has gotten so good, I don’t need any other camera. With some practice and knowledge of iOS’s features and settings, or with third-party camera apps, you can replicate the capabilities of cameras that cost hundreds more. Before the iPhone 17 Pro Max, I used an iPhone 16 Plus, but I really prefer to the Pro’s telephoto lens.
MacBook Neo
Eugen Wegmann
On longer trips where I’ll shoot a lot of photos and video, I bring a MacBook so I can browse and manage my shots after each day is done. I used to bring an extremely old MacBook Pro instead of the MacBook Pro that I use daily, so if it was lost, stolen, or damaged on the trip, I wouldn’t sweat it that much. But it’s also extremely slow and heavy. Even with a recent $100 price hike, the MacBook Neo is such a delight–lightweight, fast, and durable. And as I point out in my review, it doesn’t need to be a secondary machine—the Neo is extremely capable of being a daily-use Mac.
Saily for international eSIMs
Foundry
My carrier offers international connectivity by partnering with carriers in other countries. I’ve mostly had success with it, but sometimes there are gaps in coverage or the speeds are slow. On my last trip abroad, I tried a different approach: I took advantage of the iPhone’s dual eSIM and used Saily to get a second eSIM for the country I was visiting. With a second eSIM, I switched between it and my carrier’s offering to get the best possible connection. Overseas eSIMs are affordable–sometimes they’re really cheap, making it worth a try. Learn more about using an eSIM when traveling and about using two eSIMs in an iPhone.
Anker Nano Travel Adapter
Foundry
More and more hotels, especially those that cater to international clientele, are starting to install wall outlets that can be used with the different types of power plugs. Hotels are also starting to have USB charging ports next to those wall outlets. But they’re not everywhere, so when you travel outside of the country, it’s good to have a power outlet adapter. The $26 Anker Nano Travel Adapter works in over 200 countries (it is not a voltage converter), and it can charge five devices at once.
Coiled USB Charging Cables
Cable Matters
I try to rely on wireless connectivity/charging when I travel, but at some point, a cable is needed. I like bringing coiled cables because I find them easier to manage, especially when I have to connect a few phones for several people in my travel party who need to charge. I have a USB-C cable ($14.99 two-pack), but I also pack a USB-A to USB-C cable ($14.99 two-pack) because I’ve yet to be on a plane with USB-C ports. And I pack a USB-A to Lightning cable ($16 two-pack), because people I travel with have older iPhones.
UGreen Nexode 65W GaN USB C Wall Charger
Foundry
It’s not difficult to find smaller, more capable chargers than the ones Apple sells. The $40 UGreen Nexode 65W GaN USB-C Wall Charger can charge three devices at once. See more chargers in our USB-C charger guide.
UGreen Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 100W
Foundry
You know what sucks? When you’re on a transcontinental flight and the outlets near your seat don’t work. That’s one of the reasons why I got the UGreen Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 100W power bank. I’ve used it countless times when I couldn’t find a working outlet. It has enough juice to charge a laptop, and its 72-watt-hour capacity falls under the airline limits, so you can take it on a plane. Check out Macworld’s best laptop power banks for MacBooks for more options.
UGreen Magnetic Power Bank
Ugreen
I keep a MagSafe battery with me when I’m out exploring, just in case. This Ugreen model (I’m a fan, if you haven’t noticed) supports MagSafe and USB-C 20W charging, but I mostly stick it to the back of my iPhone with MagSafe. Read Macworld’s best picks for magnetic power banks and MagSafe portable chargers for iPhone if you want something with more juice.
Apple AirPods Pro
Andreas Bergsman
I prefer the $249 AirPods Pro 3 over the $179 AirPods 4 with ANC because the Pro’s in-ear fit seals out more noise and makes for a more comfortable trip on an airplane. AirPods go on sale often on Amazon, so look out for discounted prices. You can check out our AirPods Pro 3 review for in-depth testing, but you already know how great they are.
Sony MDR-EX15LP wired earphones
Sony
I usually watch something on my iPhone during long flights, but sometimes the in-flight entertainment has something good. When I can, I plug in my own wired earphones to the airplane’s jack–I only use the ones the airline provides if the plane uses a two-prong audio jack. These Sony earphones with a 3.5mm connector are decent for the price ($10 on Amazon), and if I lose them, it’s not a big deal.
Moft Trackable Snap-on Phone Stand & Wallet
Moft
This $50 wallet doubles as a stand–one item to carry instead of two? Say less. It is also trackable with the Find My app, which I haven’t had to resort to, thankfully, but is very nice to have and props up the iPhone at a perfect angle for watching videos. Plus, this wallet holds two cards, just enough for an ID and a hotel room key.
Scosche WatchIt Keychain
Scosche
I’m not good about remembering to wear my Apple Watch every day, but I always take it when I travel, mostly because I use its remote trigger for the iPhone camera. I like this $35 Apple Watch charger because it’s small, even though the built-in USB-C port makes connecting it to a charger kind of tricky. But you can easily connect it to an iPhone or MacBook for a quick fill-up. See our other best Apple Watch Charger recommendations.
Pelican PX18 Aegis Backpack
Pelican
I actually use an older Pelican backpack–it’s been with me for over 10 years now, and it’s the most durable backpack I’ve ever owned. But Pelican no longer makes it, and I’m eyeing the $200 Aegis to eventually replace it (if it ever wears out). It’s also available in a bigger 25-liter model. See Macworld’s best picks for MacBook backpacks, bags, cases and sleeves.
Lee Men’s Extreme Motion Canvas Cargo Pant
Lee
Before you write to me that Macworld isn’t in a position to give fashion advice, let me be clear: These pants are practical, not fashionable. Cargo pants are ideal for carrying the things I need while seeing the sites. No, I’m not wearing them to a formal dinner. I’m not that gauche. These $42 Lee cargo pants are comfortable, and they don’t have the cargo pocket flaps that I find get in the way.