Do you think AI has was it takes to travel smart? Today, I asked ChatGPT to give me its top 10 AI travel must haves. Here, I’m going to tell you what those travel must haves are and whether or not they’re actually essential for your next trip.
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AI Travel Must Haves Prompt
First, here’s the exact prompt I used when I asked ChatGPT. “Give me a list of your top 10 travel must haves that include a mix of traditional travel must haves and unique under-the-radar travel must haves that are helpful and worth buying.” I made sure to ask for under-the-radar travel essentials so that it didn’t only respond with the basics, such as a neck pillow and headphones. I wanted to test AI’s limits a little more. Here’s what ChatGPT came up with.
Quality Carry-On Backpack
ChatGPT: “A durable, well-organized backpack (e.g., 30–40 L) that fits airline carry-on limits and keeps everything accessible in flight, on trains, or on day trips.
My response: Instead of using a backpack as a carry-on, I recommend using a backpack as your personal item. This will allow you to pack carry-on only way more easily, as you’ll be able to pack a full-size carry-on suitcase as well as a large backpack. As long as the backpack can fit underneath the airplane seat in front of you, it can count as a personal item. You can read more about my favorite carry-on luggage here and check out my favorite travel backpack here.
Universal Travel Adapter With USB Ports
ChatGPT: “A compact adapter that works in multiple regions plus USB-A/USB-C charging — so you don’t need extra chargers for phones, earbuds, or cameras.”
My response: I mostly agree with this AI travel must have. Purchasing a universal travel adapter like this one will save you money in the long run, if you plan to travel internationally to multiple countries in the future, as opposed to buying a new adapter for every country. The universal adapter adapts to multiple country outlets. Plus, I love that ChatGPT specifically recommended an adapter with both USB-A and USB-C charging ports. This will make it a lot easier to charge multiple electronics at the same time in your destination. Although, you’ll still need to pack the charging cords. So, to clarify what ChatGPT said, you won’t need extra charging blocks. But, you will still need to pack cords.
Comfortable Noise-Canceling Earbuds Or Headphones
ChatGPT: “Blocks cabin/hostel noise and improves focus on music, podcasts, or language learning. Great for flights and noisy accommodations.”
My response: Comfortable noise-canceling earbuds or headphones are definitely essential for plane travel. Being able to block out the loud engine noises on flights protects your ears, allows you to hear your music/podcast/movie so much better, and helps you sleep more on red-eyes. I love my Apple AirPods Max. The Bose QC35 headphones are a great cheaper option too. Although, I am curious about trying the new noise-canceling Apple AirPods Pro 3 earbuds with live translation because they are so much more packable and lightweight. I’ve never heard of someone recommending noise-canceling headphones for the sole purpose of language learning, but that’s not to say you can’t use them for language learning.
Set Of 3-5 Packing Cubes
ChatGPT: “Traditional but indispensable — keeps clothes organized, compresses volume, and makes it easy to find what you need without unpacking everything.”
My response: I love packing cubes. I use these packing cubes for every trip in combination with my day-by-day packing list to pack lightly and efficiently. I usually use four packing cubes when I’m packing: two large packing cubes for my outfits and two small packing cubes for my underwear, socks, swimsuits and pajamas. Plus, I use a laundry bag to pack my shoes in my suitcase. My husband also uses several packing cubes for every trip. For this reason, we have and use at least 10-15 packing cubes in our home between the two of us. I think a set of at least 5 packing cubes per person is probably ideal.
Travel Laundry Kit
ChatGPT: “A small bottle of concentrated detergent, a portable clothesline, and a few sink laundry tools let you wash basics on-the-go — perfect for long trips or light packing.”
My response: I think this AI travel must have is interesting, and I have an arguably better alternative. I often have to do laundry on longer trips because I almost always pack carry-on only. Instead of a small bottle of liquid detergent, I recommend packing laundry powder (I use this Molly’s Suds detergent) because it won’t count toward your liquid allowance. A portable clothesline would be nice, but I’ve made do with hanging my wet clothes around my hotel rooms just fine in the past. If you’re doing laundry for more than two people, then you’ll probably want a portable clothesline. In terms of “sink laundry tools,” I swear by our Scrubba portable laundry machine (gifted). We fill it up in the hotel room shower with our powder laundry detergent, and it works great.
Compact UV Light Sanitizer Wand
ChatGPT: “Under-the-radar tool for quickly disinfecting hotel remotes, tray tables, door handles, or shared gear — adds a layer of hygiene, especially in high-traffic areas.”
My response: I’ve never heard of this AI travel must have, but I am certainly curious about it. As a certified germaphobe (cough, cough, a traveler with diagnosed OCD), the sound of traveling with a compact UV light sanitizer wand sounds appealing. But, based on my quick research, I don’t think it sounds worthwhile. First of all, the wand needs to emit UV-C light, not UV light. Second of all, the US Food And Drug Administration warns against these wands, saying that some emit harmful levels of UV radiation. I would personally skip this AI travel essential.
Portable Offline Navigation + Phrase Cards
ChatGPT: “A small booklet of key phrases + offline GPS app/maps on your phone keeps you oriented and communicating even without service.”
My response: I’m slightly confused about how AI paired these two travel must haves as one, as they serve very different purposes. It honestly kind of makes me laugh! Portable offline navigation is important when you are hiking or traveling in the backcountry. For this, I recommend the offline AllTrails+ subscription plus a Garmin InReach Mini 2. When navigating transportation through cities, I think it’s definitely worth paying for an eSIM card (I’ve used Airalo without issues) to have mobile internet access. I suppose phrase cards can be useful when traveling in the city without internet, but I think this travel must have is pretty outdated, especially when you have eSIM internet and Google Translate at your finger tips.
Mini First Aid + Repair Kit
ChatGPT: “A slim kit with blister plasters, pain relievers, scissors, safety pins, and a few sewing needles — plus a multi-tool sewing patch or duct tape snippets for quick gear fixes.”
My response: I do like traveling with a mini first aid kit. In fact, I pack my mini first aid kit on every single hiking trip. However, if you’re flying carry-on only, remember to remove the scissors or anything else sharp from your first aid kit before going through security. A repair kit may be necessary depending on the type of trip you’re taking (e.g. a backpacking pack repair kit, road trip tire patch kit, or business attire sewing kit). But, most of the time, you can probably skip packing a repair kit.
Ultralight Travel Blanket Or Scarf
ChatGPT: “Dual-purpose: warmth on flights, a picnic spread, sunshade, or modesty cover in places of worship. Much more versatile than a heavy blanket.”
My response: When I have the luggage space, I do like traveling with a lightweight blanket or scarf. Key phrase: when I have the luggage space. A scarf is definitely necessary when visiting places of worship in some destinations. For example, women have to cover their shoulders or head before entering some places of worship. But, you’ll know whether or not you’ll need a scarf when you’re doing your trip research before you go. Additionally, I love having an extra blanket on flights and in my hotel room. But, again, I usually consider this a luxury if-I-have-space item.
Portable Power Bank With High Output
ChatGPT: “A high-capacity (20 000 mAh+) power bank that can fast-charge phones/tablets and, ideally, support pass-through charging so you can power devices while refilling the bank itself.”
My response: This AI travel must have gets my stamp of approval! A fast-charging power bank like this one is definitely helpful on trips. I didn’t even know pass-through charging was a thing. But, it’s a good perk, especially when charging multiple devices, such as a phone, laptop and camera batteries, on your trip. I personally have a cheap two-pack of portable chargers from Amazon, though, and it gets the job done.
More Travel Must Haves
10 Overrated Travel Essentials Not To Waste Your Money On
Best Travel Essentials: Top 10 To Never Leave Without
13 Travel Essentials To Make Carry-On Only Packing A Breeze
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