Travel compresses your privacy decisions into a few high-exposure moments: the airport line, the rideshare, the hotel network, the seat next to a stranger. You do not need to treat every trip like an operation. You do need a short, honest checklist.
Start with a threat model
Ask who could plausibly see your screen, touch your devices, or sit on the same network — and what it would cost you. A tourist and a journalist carrying source material have very different answers. Buy for your answer, not for the worst case in a product description.
USB data blockers
Public charging ports can, in theory, carry data as well as power. A data blocker passes power and physically omits the data pins, so a compromised port cannot talk to your device. They are inexpensive and unobtrusive. The simpler move is to carry your own wall adapter and cable.
Travel routers
A small travel router lets you connect once to a hotel network and route your devices through your own segment, often with a VPN. It reduces exposure on shared networks and simplifies device setup. For most travelers a trusted VPN on each device is enough; a router earns its place if you carry several devices or work from untrusted networks often.
Privacy screens
A privacy filter narrows your screen's viewing angle so the person beside you sees a darkened display. On a plane or in a lounge, this is the most practical privacy tool you can carry — visual eavesdropping is the threat you will actually encounter.
Secure storage
For passports, cards, and small electronics, shielded or signal-isolating storage keeps them quiet and together. Keep the threat realistic: the goal is reducing casual exposure, not defeating a determined adversary with physical access.
Pack the two or three items that match your real exposure. The rest is theater.