The Top 10 Must Have Travel Accessories for 2025

Travel in 2025 looks a little different. The pandemic made us smarter, the tech world made us savvier, and South Africans — well, we’ve always been resourceful. Whether you’re heading to a beach holiday in Sodwana, a quick work trip to Joburg, or a bus journey home for the long weekend, the right accessories can make or break the trip.

Forget stuffing your bag with random “just-in-case” items. These are the 10 must-have travel accessories for 2025 that will keep you comfortable, connected, and one step ahead of the queues.

Lost luggage is a traveller’s horror story — but in 2025, it’s a problem of the past. Smart suitcases now come with built-in GPS, meaning you can track your bag on an app and know exactly if it’s still in Cape Town while you’ve already landed in Durban. Some even have digital locks and USB charging ports. Consider it the James Bond of travel gear.

If 2024 was the year of “load-shedding-proof” travel, then 2025 is the year we level up. A power bank is still non-negotiable, but solar-powered ones mean you can charge on the go — whether you’re waiting at a bus station or lounging on the beach. Never again will your phone die at 3% just as you need to show your e-ticket.

A crying baby on a flight? A seatmate snoring on the bus? That one guy playing amapiano at full blast? Enter noise-cancelling headphones. Compact, wireless, and sleek, they let you control your own travel soundtrack. Bonus: they also double as a polite way of ignoring chatty neighbours.

It’s 2025 — we’re eco-conscious now, remember? A collapsible, BPA-free water bottle saves space when not in use, and keeps you hydrated without buying a dozen single-use bottles. Many versions even clip onto your bag for easy access. Just don’t forget to empty it before airport security unless you enjoy chugging two litres of water in 30 seconds.

Gone are the days of sad, lumpy U-shaped pillows. The new generation of travel pillows is designed with memory foam, ergonomic neck support, and even cooling fabrics. Some come with hoods or built-in eye masks for the ultimate travel nap. Because there’s no dignity in drooling on your seatmate’s shoulder.

South Africans know the pain of mismatched plugs. A universal adapter is a lifesaver if you’re travelling abroad, and in 2025, USB-C rules the game. The latest adapters can handle laptops, phones, tablets, and cameras all at once. One plug to rule them all.

Books are wonderful, but no one wants to carry five of them in a backpack. An e-reader or tablet is your mobile library, streaming device, and entertainment hub all rolled into one. Load it up with books, games, and downloaded Netflix series, and suddenly that eight-hour bus ride feels shorter.

Crowded airports, festivals, and city streets are not the place for flimsy zippers. An anti-theft backpack with hidden compartments, cut-proof straps, and sleek design keeps your essentials safe. Many are water-resistant too, which is handy when Joburg decides to thunderstorm on your walk from the Gautrain.

Travel teaches you that blisters, headaches, and stomach bugs wait for no one. A small, organised kit with painkillers, plasters, hydration tablets, and hand sanitiser is invaluable. In 2025, some kits even include smart thermometers and refillable pill containers. Think of it as your personal “just in case” hero.

Data roaming costs are still a nightmare, but 2025 gives us better solutions. Portable Wi-Fi hotspots let you connect multiple devices at once, while eSIMs allow you to buy local data plans instantly without swapping cards. No more hunting for Wi-Fi passwords in dodgy cafés — you’re connected anywhere, anytime.

Travel is smoother when you’re prepared, and these 10 accessories prove that small gadgets can make a big difference. From smart luggage that keeps tabs on your bag to earbuds that block out the chaos, these are the 2025 must-haves that every South African traveller should add to their packing list.

Because let’s be honest: a long trip without a power bank, water bottle, or travel pillow is basically an extreme sport.