Travel defined 2019 for me: I spent two months trekking through India in January and February, exploring Slovenia and Northern Italy in June, and venturing into wine country in Ontario.

Having spent significant time on planes, trains and cars, I picked up a few tips along the way that made lengthier trips a little more tolerable. 

Remote charger

None of us are going anywhere anymore without a smartphone, laptop or tablet.

When I first arrived in India, I didn't have a remote charger, not taking into account the many 20+ hour train rides we took.

Downloading shows or movies to binge on these lengthy rides saved me, but I'd often have to wait my turn to use the outlet to recharge my devices which were annoying and inconvenient.

Not to mention, foraying through remote India with a low battery wasn't the smartest idea either.

A few weeks into my trip, I purchased a remote charger that I kept on me at all times, in the event my phone battery dipped to dangerously low levels. 

Neck Pillow + Yak Blanket

I'm not sure how I ever survived long haul flights before bringing a neck pillow and my own blanket.

You've probably heard the horror stories from friends who work for airlines about the blankets and pillows never getting washed – they're not lying.

Not to mention those miniature pillows providing no neck support. Purchase an inflatable neck pillow that you can store in your carry on for all future flights. 

My Mother in Law is a magician at giving gifts and the Yak blanket she gave me last Christmas was no different.

It doubled as a super chic oversized scarf if I was cold during early morning travel or hikes, as a blanket for long haul flights or to replace questionable bedding when we cheaped out on hostels or did some camping under the stars.

Slippers

I know, sounds weird, but you'll thank me for this tip. Inevitably you're not going to keep your shoes on for 12+ hours especially if you're headed somewhere super remote.

But, you also probably don't want to be walking around a plane barefoot with all the questionable, and abundant bacteria. Plus, if you like to stay in hostels or homestays, slippers are ideal for spending time in common areas when you want to relax. 

Noise-cancelling headphones 

These are a game-changer.

I used to rely solely on the headphones airlines provided, only to be annoyed hours later into the flight when my ears became sore.

Thankfully, you can find a wide spectrum of quality when it comes to noise-cancelling headphones with plenty of decent options that won't break the bank. Mostly, I use these for sleep as they block out all ambient noise. 

Baby wipes 

I went to South East Asia in 2016 and spent the night at a friend's place prior to leaving. On the morning of my departure, she handed me a Ziploc bag of baby wipes and said: "you'll thank me later".

I was so glad she had thought ahead and provided me with such a seemingly small gesture. I used them to wash my hands, face, and to wipe down bacteria-laden surfaces. They also saved me on so many bus rides in remote areas when running water was non-existent. 

What are you must bring items for long haul travel?