One can get crazy before a trip. Whatever the duration, the days leading up to the trip are filled with thoughts about what to pack. As a seasoned traveller, I have collected a couple of travel essentials over the years that I would not want to miss.
Basics
Passport and money are really the only thing you need to think of. Anything else can be picked up on the way. To make my trip more comfortable, better organised or just cheaper – these are the things I pack:
Sarong
Sarongs are the most versatile thing there is. Use it as a scarf on the way to the airport and as a blanket on the plane. At my destination I then use it as a towel, linen, skirt or to protect myself from the sun. I normally bring between two and three sarongs along.
Of course, you can buy them almost everywhere and they make nice souvenirs.
Scrubba
This is a fairly recent find. After 6 months and three trips I was hooked. Although I have always loved to have my laundry done by someone else for little money, it is just not possible everywhere and I recently had to turn to hand washing my stuff when I was a bit further off the beaten track. And hand washing your stuff is more efficient and fun with “The Scrubba“.
Pegless Washing Line
Over the years 
Swiss Army Knife
This is an obvious one that doesn’t need much reasoning. A pocket knife is one of the handiest tools when travelling (as well as in regular life). As a Swiss, I actually carry a couple of small ones in addition to the one I use as I have found them to be great give-aways for tour guides and fellow travellers.
Packing Cubes
* I did not receive any advantage (monetary or other) to list the travel essentials above. I will, however, receive a small commission from Amazon if you happen to order them through the provided links.