Travelling is fun, but it’s also a bit of a challenge: you have to navigate strange landscapes, negotiate with strangers and even choose a place to eat every now and then. Thankfully, we have a useful companion in all of this: our trusty phones, tablets and computers… or at least we do until their batteries run dry. In this article, we’ll show you the best accessory to keep your gadgets ticking, plus four more accessories that will make travelling in Europe easier.
1. Portable charger
The number one accessory of choice has to be a power bank, also known as a portable charger – something you can rely on to keep your phone going for days at a time if power points are few and far between. The larger your charger (and the more you spend), the higher capacity you can expect and the longer you can go. Of course, you can also find portable chargers with other nice features, like integrated charging cables, LED lights, multiple outputs and more rapid charging. I recommend the Aukey Quick Charge 2.0 power bank for micro USB phones and the LinearFlux LithiumCard for iPhones, but there are many other fine options. See our entire range of portable chargers here.
2. Noise-cancelling headphones
Travelling can be a noisy affair, particularly on packed trains or buses. A good set of noise cancelling headphones can be essential for blocking out the outside world, and letting you get on with your work (or the next level in Candy Crush). You can get wired or wireless versions, but for travelling I prefer the dependability of the wired option: nothing to charge, just a simple 3.5mm cable to your smartphone. I’m a fan of Sony’s noise-cancelling in-ear headphones, but there are many good alternatives to consider. Choose a price point, and try to find a model from an established brand without too many unnecessary design flourishes or gimmicks.
3. European USB adapter (and your choice of USB cables)
Much of Western Europe utilises a power connector with two round prongs, and an optional ground between and above these two. Picking up a compact European mains to USB adapter is a better choice than trying to pair your existing adapter with a bulky plug converter. As well as being less to carry, it prevents awkward situations where you have the right plug but your adapter is too big to fit into the space available. This simple European USB adapter from Samsung is a good choice for micro USB phones, but there are many other options.
4. Portable 3G hotspot
Another useful inclusion is a portable 3G hotspot. This little dongle sits in your bag or pocket, and turns a 3G or 4G cellular signal into a wireless network that you can easily connect to with all of your devices – phones, tablets and computers. Combined with a low-cost data SIM card for the country in which you’re staying, and you’ll have a dependable solution that is far cheaper than roaming internationally. It requires a little forward planning to find a suitable SIM deal – and often you’ll have to buy it in your host country or ask a friend there to get it for you – but you’ll be rewarded with a much cheaper deal. I quite like ZTE’s 4G dongle, but there are other good ones on the market. You can also sometimes have added features, like portable charging, that can lower the number of gadgets you’re bringing with you. See our portable hotspots here.
5. Desk stand
Our final recommended accessory is the underappreciated desk stand. This tiny folding accessory props up your phone or tablet, letting you watch a video or read a book without holding it up yourself the entire time. There is a wide range of desk stands available, but I prefer options that fold down to a small size, work in portrait and landscape mode, and still offer a very sturdy and secure platform. One example of a desk stand that combines most of these attributes is the £10 Funlounger; for tablets the sturdier PadPivot is also a long-time favourite of mine. Have a look at our full range of desk stands here, too.
Bonus: Choosing a phone case
But wait – there’s one essential accessory that I haven’t mentioned yet. That’s a phone case. I’m not going to recommend a specific model as there are different “best cases” for different phones and different people. However, I will say that some particular abilities are handier than others when you’re traveling in Europe.
For example, if you’re often swapping between SIM cards, why not pick up a case with built-in SIM card storage? Or more generally, a wallet case that lets you keep important travel documents handy at all times? Another strong choice is a battery case, letting you go longer without recharges without adding a wholly new accessory to your limited bag space. Finally, a really solid protective case can be a sound investment as well. Waterproof cases are more situational – some travels they make sense, others they’d be a waste of money – but a durable case with a military rating to resist drops and falls will save you many times over if you’re sometimes clumsy with your phone.
Type in the name of your phone and “tough case” into our site and see what options are available.
Conclusion
Thanks for taking a look at my recommendations. Now it’s your turn – let me know your most important travel essentials in the comments below. You can also share your opinion on the selections that I’ve made if you like. Thanks again and enjoy your travels!