The top travel essentials you should NEVER go on vacation without, according to 13 experts

BEFORE you pack your bags to go on vacation, listen to the experts as they reveal the things they never travel without.

Here are 13 Escape experts on the failsafe things to always pack before you travel.

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Dilvin Yasa, Contributor

I always carry a light Uniqlo jacket that folds into the palm of my hand, a scarf to drape around my shoulders or to cover my hair if needed, and a rubber doorstop for extra security in the hotel room.

Samantha Stewart, staff writer

My solution to post-flight puffiness, which I unfortunately get more often, is a cooling gel eye mask. As soon as I get to my hotel room, I stick it in the fridge.

David Smiedt, list editor

I never travel without an audio translation app on my phone to help overcome language barriers, a Hunter travel candle, and a little koala to give to tour guides (in addition to a tip, of course).

Alexandra Carlton, Contributor

Bare underwear, especially if you are traveling to a hot or tropical location.

You will never forget that once you forgot them and were forced to wear your see-through white linen shorts and floaty sundresses with your sensible black and high-vis bonds.

Jana Frawley, Content Director

I haven’t swung a putter since 1999, but that doesn’t stop me from packing a golf ball when I travel.

After a day of hiking or sightseeing in a big city, I kick off my shoes and roll my trusty Titleist on the soles of my feet. It’s an instant massage and rejuvenates me for another day of hiking.

Susan Bugg, Print Editor

I use ordinary but nice tea bags (preferably Yorkshire or Twinings) because you can’t guarantee what (or how many) you’ll find at your accommodation, whether it’s a country motel or a big chain in America.

Rowena Ryan, digital editor

I always pack an empty water bottle. Once you’ve cleared airport security, you can fill it up at the many water bubblers. And on the plane, ask the flight attendants to fill it up.

It not only saves you the exorbitant water prices at the airport – it keeps you hydrated during the flight and helps against the dreaded jet lag.

Kelli Armstrong, Editor-in-Chief

No matter what, I’ll take an eye mask to turn off all those annoying lights in hotel rooms like digital clock, smoke detector, refrigerator, TV, etc!

Simone Mitchell, Associate Digital Editor

When I was travelling, I was saved so many times by a pack of makeup remover wipes. Whether it’s cleaning white sneakers after a long day, removing a stain from a t-shirt, or cleaning sticky fingers after eating donuts on a car trip, these are often the MVP in my travel bag.

Andrea Black, Contributor

I’m a coffee fanatic and can’t function properly without a morning cup, so take a portable coffee maker and coffee on the road in case I happen to be at a hotel or on a ship where the good stuff is. not available.

I have a collapsible pour over coffee maker and just upgraded to a Wacaco mini espresso press. Maximum caffeine!

John Burfitt, Contributor

Two things – putty-like silicone ear plug and an updated white noise app on my phone.

The combination of putty-style silicone ear tips with the White Noise app playing loudly and repeatedly drowns out all outside noise throughout the night, guaranteeing a good night’s sleep.

Amanda Woods, Contributor

I like to carry a bamboo cutlery set so I can say no to single-use plastic on the go, along with a ziplock bag of soap from a previous hotel.

And while it doesn’t go on every trip, I’ve been known to travel with a handy immersion heater so I know I’ll definitely have hot water for my tea – and it’s not coming from one Kettle that someone boiled his underwear in.

Mercedes Maguire, Staff – Escape

I never go anywhere without my clip-on book light. I use it on planes, ships, hotels, buses – you name it. It’s perfect for those nights when jet lag has set in and you don’t want to wake up the room with a big overhead light.

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A version of this was originally published by escape.com.au and has been reproduced with permission