Travel router. I can plug it in to a router (if available) and instantly have a network all my devices connect to automatically that can either connect to a commercial VPN or my home VPN. Works to rebroadcast a WiFi network as well. If you have to pay for WiFi, you can pay for one device and clone the MAC onto the router and rebroadcast a signal all your devices can use. Works on planes, hotels, you name it. I have a gl.inet but there are a few.

My proudest script kiddy achievement was at hotel that had paid WiFi and a free tier. I clicked the free tier but it wasn’t very good and there was no way to upgrade to paid, even after changing MAC and deleting cookies etc. I found a piece of gym equipment that used internet in the hotel gym, cloned its MAC address onto the device, unplugged the gym equipment and boom I had full speed internet as it was on the network’s whitelist with no throttle.

Binder clips to bind the curtains together. Sometimes hotels have hangers with pants clips on them, for everywhere else? Binder clips.

Ziploc bags, they weigh nothing, but grest way to separate snacks and other stuff. I use them to store used underwear and socks if I’m on a short trip.

Tea. A lot of hotels have tea and coffee making facilities, but a horrible selection of teas.

What out companies founder took along in his hotel bag had been interesting, too. He always had a 100W light bulb (back when they were common), as hotels used crappy, low wattage bulbs in the room. He just switched them for his own 100W bulb so he could actually see something. He switched it back when he left. The other important thing was a set of plumbing tools, so he could remove the pressure reduction from the showers.

I bring my headlamp with me almost everywhere. It’s crazy how often you need a flashlight at the most random times, and the best flashlight is one you don’t need to hold.

Probably not the most unusual, except for how I never see any other adults with theirs if they have one probably because of how embarrassed they might be, but definitely my favorite stuffed animal. Gotta have some sort of comfort object. Especially in a hotel, if there are no bed bugs.

A small Brita filter helps with getting nice clean drinking water. A 20 foot Hdmi cable to connect my laptop to the tv. A universal remote since not all tv’s allow you to switch the inputs. Also a powerbar, which can also be used as an extension cord.

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Vaseline. Is that non-standard? It doubles as lip balm and for those really dry patches of skin that come around (currently in Japan and it’s been dry af). Or even for small cuts, or used as hand cream.

Also can be used as a fire starter (for camping, just to clarify!).

Sketchbook. On work trips, I always finish one drawing every night as a way to get out of a work headspace.

A duffle bag that folds up to be very small. That way, I fly out with only carryons and have a laundry bag that acts as a carry on bag in case I buy too much on vacation and can’t fit everything back in my luggage.

Someone else mentioned a walking around backpack separate from my flying/train riding backpack.

Travel wallet with Passport ID card. That way I’m carrying valid ID and some cash but not all my ID’s and cash.

Water bottles with integrated Britta filters.

Salt. I really, really enjoy salt on my fries. I have a few paper bags of salt in my purse at all times, so when I get a bag of take away fries and they forgot to put salt on it (which happens a LOT where I live) I can add my own salt! Saved me from disappointment many times.

I’ve recently started to throw a mini screwdriver set into my laptop bag. I can even fit a small pocket knife and a bit of soldering tin into its case. Obviously not a good idea for flying, but it has been useful a few times.

I also keep some crappy headphones in that bag. Priceless if someone around you in public transport is being annoying.

Universal diffuser for hotel hair dryer.

A roll of ‘for rectal use only’ stickers.