Packing for a trip isn't just about clothes any more. These days we all travel with a phone, headphones, a smartwatch, maybe a tablet or laptop, portable chargers, cameras, and enough charging cables to power a small village.

I've learned the hard way that forgetting even one small item can turn into an expensive and frustrating exercise. The last thing I want to do on holiday is spend hours wandering around looking for a charger, batteries or the right cable.

(Unless I'm in Yodobashi Camera in Japan... then I could happily spend hours there!)

Over the years I've settled on a system that works brilliantly for me. I actually have three dedicated travel tech kits that stay packed and ready to go all year round. Whether I'm travelling for work, heading overseas with the family, or simply catching a flight interstate, I know I've got everything I need.

It saves time, reduces stress, and means I'm not scrambling to pack the night before every trip.

Here's the travel tech I never leave home without

How Travel Has Changed

I've been travelling internationally since the late 1990s, and believe me, things have become a whole lot easier.

Back then, travelling with technology meant carrying separate cameras, film, spare batteries, bulky chargers, travel guides, paper maps, and enough adapters to power a small country. There were no smartphones, no Google Maps, no portable batteries, and certainly no USB-C cables.

Here's a photo of my travel setup from 1996.

Thankfully, we've come a long way since then!

These days I can carry everything I need in a couple of compact organisers, and that's exactly why I've spent years refining my own travel kits.

Build Your Personal Travel Tech Kit

One of the best investments I've made is keeping all my electronics organised. Rather than throwing cables and chargers into random pockets of my suitcase, everything has its own place.

For hotel stays, I use the Atlas & Cook JetStream Pro Tech Organiser. It has plenty of storage for chargers, cables, power banks, travel adapters and all those little accessories that somehow disappear inside your luggage. When I arrive at the hotel, I simply take the organiser out and everything I need is in one place.

For flights, I keep things even simpler. The Atlas & Cook JetStream Go Travel Pouch stays with me in the cabin and holds all the items I want close at hand, including my passport, boarding pass, phone charger, earbuds and anything else I don't want buried in my carry-on bag.

I also never travel without my Atlas & Cook Navigator 6-in-1 Pen. You'll be surprised how often a pen comes in handy while travelling, whether you're filling out customs forms, writing luggage tags or jotting down directions. It's one of those small items that weighs next to nothing but always seems to earn its place in my bag.

If you're travelling light, our Atlas & Cook Passport Wallets are another fantastic option. There's enough room for your passport, travel documents, a charging cable and a pair of wireless earbuds, making them perfect for minimalist travellers.

Universal Travel Adapters

A good travel adapter is worth every cent.

Rather than buying individual adapters for every destination, invest in a quality universal travel adapter that supports multiple plug types and includes several USB-A and USB-C charging ports.

Hotel rooms never seem to have enough power points, especially when you're travelling as a family. Having one adapter that can charge several devices at once keeps everything neat and avoids carrying multiple chargers.

I personally recommend choosing something that's small, lightweight and versatile. One good adapter is far better than carrying a collection of different chargers.

I'll include links to a few of my favourite Amazon recommendations below.

Not sure what plug you'll need? Before you travel, check this excellent guide to electrical plug types around the world:

👉 https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/

It covers virtually every country and can save you from buying the wrong adapter before you leave.

Portable Power Banks

Never pack your power bank in checked luggage. Airlines require lithium battery packs to travel in your carry-on baggage.

One of my habits is plugging my phone into my power bank as soon as I board the aircraft. By the time I land, my phone is back to 100%, ready for navigating a new city, booking transport, finding my accommodation or calling an Uber.

There's nothing worse than arriving at your destination with a flat phone battery.

Before you fly, I also recommend downloading anything you'll need offline, including Google Maps, boarding passes, hotel confirmations and important travel documents.

If you're travelling to China, don't forget to read our guide to China's CCC certification requirements, along with a few other tips that will help you prepare before you leave home.

Bluetooth Transmitters & Headphones

One of my favourite travel gadgets is a Bluetooth transmitter.

Many airlines still use wired headphone sockets for their in-flight entertainment systems. A Bluetooth transmitter allows you to connect your own wireless headphones, giving you far better comfort and sound quality throughout the flight.

I personally use the Atlas & Cook AirLink Bluetooth Transmitter, and now I wouldn't fly without it.  It's also great for when the kids want to watch something on the same device!  

Pair it with a good set of noise-cancelling headphones and those long-haul flights become much more enjoyable.

Another item I always carry is a pair of inexpensive lavalier microphones. They take up almost no space, but they're brilliant for recording family memories, travel vlogs or simply capturing much better audio than your phone's built-in microphone.

The kids love commentating on the airline food and the whole flying experience. Remember, your holiday starts the moment you board the plane, so capture those little memories—you won't regret it.

Multi-Port Charging Cables

If you've ever packed five different charging cables, you'll appreciate how much space a quality multi-port cable saves.

The Atlas & Cook 5-in-1 Charging Cable is one of those products that has become a permanent part of my travel kit. It handles virtually every device I'll travel with, reducing clutter and making charging much simpler.

I also recommend packing at least one extra-long charging cable (around three metres). Hotel rooms have an amazing ability to place power points in the least convenient locations, and a longer cable means you can comfortably charge your phone beside your bed overnight instead of leaving it across the room.

I'll also include a few Amazon recommendations for longer charging cables.

Electronic Luggage Scales

If there's one item that's paid for itself many times over, it's a set of electronic luggage scales.

Nothing ruins the end of a holiday faster than discovering your suitcase is overweight at the airport check-in counter.

A compact digital luggage scale weighs almost nothing, takes up virtually no room, and lets you check your bags before leaving the hotel.

It only takes one avoided excess baggage fee for these little scales to pay for themselves.

Don't Forget the Trackers

If you've ever stood at a baggage carousel wondering where your suitcase ended up, you'll understand why I never travel without luggage trackers.

Whether you use an Apple AirTag, Samsung SmartTag or another Bluetooth tracker, they're inexpensive insurance against lost luggage. They're also great for backpacks, camera bags and even your passport wallet.

Knowing exactly where your bag is can remove a lot of stress from travelling.

It's the Little Things That Make Travel Easier

Travel is stressful enough without worrying about flat batteries, forgotten chargers or searching for an adapter in a city you've just arrived in.

Spend a little time putting together your own travel kit before your next holiday and leave it packed between trips. You'll save time, reduce stress, and you'll never again find yourself buying an overpriced charging cable at the airport.

It's one of those small things that makes a surprisingly big difference.

At Atlas & Cook, we've designed our travel accessories with exactly that goal in mind—to help you stay organised, travel lighter, and spend less time worrying about your gear and more time enjoying the journey.

Safe travels!