The 10 Best London Travel Essentials From Amazon

It doesn’t matter where I’m headed in the world, I always have two non-negotiables when traveling somewhere new: I have to show up to the airport hours in advance (even with TSA pre-check) and I have to overpack — shocking, I know, but I never want to be without something important. So before embarking on my first trip to London, England, I knew there was only one place to find everything I’d need for a successful week-long adventure across the pond: Amazon. 

From leisurely strolling through Notting Hill and admiring the bundles of blooms at Columbia Road Flower Market to reenacting The Beatles’ iconic “Abbey Road” album cover, these 10 Amazon finds made my holiday go as smoothly as possible. My curated list of travel essentials includes a range of items, like comfortable sneakers, portable chargers, and crossbody bags. After all, it’s my job as an Amazon shopping writer to know where the retailer’s best travel accessories are. Keep scrolling to see what made my London packing list. 

Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag

The Airbnb I stayed at was a 30-minute Tube ride to central London, so I knew the only times I would be there was when I woke up in the morning and went to sleep at night. Because of this, I brought a spacious bag that could not only carry all of my belongings, but also be a fun accessory to add to my outfits. This Baggu crescent bag checked off both boxes thanks to its sleek exterior, roomy interior, and adjustable strap that I could wear around my shoulder, or across my chest. And, it’s made with a nylon material that’s machine washable, so I didn’t have to worry about it getting dirty throughout the day. 

Anrabess Two-piece Lounge Set

With a seven-hour plane ride to Heathrow and another seven-hour trip back to NYC, comfort was at the top of my mind for my travel outfits. This is why I opted for a two-piece lounge set to keep me cozy from checking into my flight to checking into my Airbnb. This soft and stretchy set comes with a quarter-zip top that you can easily throw over a T-shirt, and drawstring pants that you can tighten or loosen as needed. Plus, there are 21 colors to choose from, including fun neutrals like apricot beige, caramel brown, and sky blue. 

Apple AirTag

We’ve all heard horror stories of someone’s checked luggage not making it to their final destination, and they have no way of finding its location. So this wouldn’t be the case for me during my vacation, I grabbed a flight attendant-trusted Apple AirTag to stick in every bag I brought. The gadget comes with a built-in tracker that connects to the Find My App on my iPhone so I can see its location in real-time. And if your belongings do get lost, there’s an option to ping the AirTag to sound an alert or set it in lost mode until it’s found. 

Reebok Club C 85 Vintage Walking Shoes

Like any major city, London calls for a lot of walking. And since I already get an above-average step count living in New York City, I brought my tried and true Reebok sneakers. The classic shoes feature white leather exteriors that match everything, and they’re extremely comfortable thanks to their supportive insoles. I’ve been through a lot of shoes that leave my feet and heels with blisters, but never with these shoes. You’ll definitely want to snag a pair while they’re on sale. 

Bagail Eight-piece Packing Cube Set

I outed myself earlier, but it’s true. I’m guilty of overpacking. I wanted to make the most of my luggage space for this trip since I was traveling for a full week, so I snagged a set of packing cubes to help keep me organized. The handy eight-piece set came with various bags in different sizes to separate my clothing, undergarments shoes, and makeup. It made it so easy to keep my bag organized throughout the week, and for once, I didn’t have to sit on my suitcase to get it to zip shut.

Iniu Portable Charger

Between using Google Maps to figure out where I was going, my camera to take photos, and Apple Pay to quickly buy things, I was constantly using my phone in London. I knew I needed a portable charger with how long I’d be out during the day, and the ones I already owned rarely lasted long enough to produce even half a charge. So after glimpsing through the 77,000 five-star reviews of this best-selling portable charger, I decided to give it a try. The charger lasted for days on one single charge and recharged my phone fast. I 10/10 recommend this for anyone traveling this summer. 

Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Speaking of staying out and about all day, I wanted to make sure I had a reusable bottle of water on me to stay hydrated. And even though I have plenty of options on deck at home, my favorite as of late for on-the-go travel has been the best-selling Owala bottle. Made with an insulated design, the stainless steel bottle keeps my water ice cold for hours. And, it comes with a covered lid that locks into place so there are no potential leaks or spills. Choose from 16- to 40-ounce options, and 22 vibrant colors. 

Columbia Arcadia II Jacket

In case you didn’t already know, London is notorious for rainy weather. Since I didn’t have room to pack an umbrella, I made sure to bring a waterproof jacket. This Columbia rain jacket is made with a lightweight fabric that is easy to layer over a shirt without getting hot, and its compact design makes it a breeze to pack into your suitcase — and in a tote when you’re on the go. Plus, it features a drawstring hood, built-in pockets, and a zipper to ensure you stay dry.

Mrsdry Silicone Travel Bottles

I’m pretty particular when it comes to using provided hotel toiletries, Certain items just don’t work with my sensitive skin or fine hair, so I’ve been adding my favorite moisturizers, body washes, and conditioners to this set of travel bottles for some time now. The four bottles are designed with a silicone material and a lid that locks into place, so you don’t have to worry about unwanted leaks. Each bottle is 3 ounces in size and comes with a clear bag so you meet all TSA guidelines. 

European Travel Plug Adapter

Last but certainly not least, this travel plug adapter kept my phone, headphones, and smartwatch running throughout the entire week. If you’re headed to Europe anytime soon, you’ll quickly learn that they don’t use the same outlets as we do in America, so it’s essential to bring an adapter if you plan on using any electronics. This popular pick came with three plug-ins in one, so I could charge multiple devices at once. I truly wouldn’t have made it through my trip without this.

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