28 Travel Items That'll Come In Handy On Both Big And Small Vacations In 2025

Buzz Feed

15-04-2025

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Shopping
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Including a Bluetooth-enabled eye mask I *personally* can't travel without.
1. A pair of machine-washable "flat socks" which create a moisture-wicking barrier between your foot and your shoe's insole so you don't end up with stinky, sweaty dogs. If your travel plans include a day at Disney, walking 30,000 steps in a new-to-you city, or people-mover-ing a mile from airport security to your terminal, these bad boys will come in handy.
Promising review: "I came across these flat socks at CVS and was curious. I placed them in a pair of old Adidas that I was about to toss from the stink. I removed the liners of the old socks and replaced them with flat socks. I did not wear socks with them after I installed them. The shoes no longer smell! It's amazing! I ordered three more pairs on Amazon. Goodbye, socks! When I fear they may start to smell — I just remove them and toss them in the wash. If you can't afford them for every pair of sockless shoes, they are easily moveable from shoe to another. I highly recommend these washable insoles!" — Kindle Customer
Get them from Amazon for $9.41+ (available in two sizes and seven designs).
2. A travel version of Mouthwatchers' ever-popular "flossing toothbrush" with two layers of bristles. One layer being regular firm ones, and the other being longer ones that are 10 times thinner and mimic floss as they get between your teeth but are gentle on your gums.
Amazon
Mouthwatchers is a small business established by Ronald Plotka, DDS, that specializes in antimicrobial toothbrushes designed to get deeper cleans even patients with "great" dental hygiene might miss with traditional brush and floss routines.
Promising review: "This toothbrush is a new staple item for my on-the-go Invisalign bag. When I need to brush my teeth and don't have time to floss before putting my aligners back in, this brush makes sure my teeth and mouth feel clean and removes debris in between my teeth. The bristles are soft, this toothbrush is sturdy, and the different lengths of bristles help remove debris or help floss your teeth on the go. This brush also dries very fast in between uses." — V. Brown
Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.99.
3. An AirFly Pro wireless transmitter so you can use your Bluetooth headphones to watch all the movies you didn't feel like paying $15 to see in theaters.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:" If you have a wireless earpiece and fly frequently, this is a must-have. Most newer planes have a monitor on the seat backs that enables you to watch movies, etc. This unit enables you to do it using your wireless earpiece. Connection is simple and automatic once you have initially paired your device or devices. It's convenient. I'm happy with the purchase." — JCE
Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in four configurations).
4. A garment duffel bag sure to come in clutch if you're traveling for business, a wedding, or another event where showing up a wrinkled mess wouldn't be a great option.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Beauty Goodies is a small business that specializes in chic storage and travel accessories.
Promising review: "This garment bag is an exceptional value for the money. Well built, top quality materials, including 'beefy' zippers, should hold up well for airline travel. Minimal wrinkles if any in garments, and a cavernous bag for storing shoes and other items for a trip. Added bonus, it fits easily in the plane overhead storage, similar in size to a standard roller bag. I highly recommend this product." — Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $42.99+ (available in two colors).
5. An I Dew Care "Tap Secret" mattifying powder shampoo that eliminates grease at your roots and keeps your scalp nice and healthy with antioxidant-rich black ginseng and nourishing biotin.
Amazon
The powder-based dry shampoo works just like spray formulas — apply to the area you're looking to refresh and then shake out excess powder with your fingertips or a brush. The OG formula is suitable for all hair types, but there are also options specifically for blonde, brown, and black hair.
Promising review: "After searching far and wide, this is the only dry shampoo that I will ever use! I've tried countless brands and spent so much money searching for the perfect dry shampoo. This one has the least harmful ingredients and the most noticeable results! I apply it at my roots and brush through right before going to bed. In the morning, my hair doesn't look oily at all! By the third day, there is a noticeable texture from the product, but that personally helps me style my hair to stay in a cute messy bun. This is the only dry shampoo I will ever recommend!" — Brenda Spinache
Get it from Amazon for $12.59 (available in seven colors).
6. An Alleyoop all-in-one razor — a TSA-approved gadget with a refillable spray bottle, shea butter moisturizing bar, and two triple-blade razor cartridges. The design is genius, but even better, the moisturizing bar won't melt.
Amazon
Promising review: "This is too fabulous! Especially for a mere $15. It has this tiny squirt bottle for filling with water, there's a moisture bar, and two razor blades. Just for kicks, I shaved my legs watching TV. It does a great job! Perfect for travel, the gym, your BFF's house, the movies, etc. I love it." — Xine
Get it from Amazon for $20 (available in two colors).
7. A Bluetooth-enabled mask if falling asleep on vacation is not your forte. Slip this baby on, turn on your favorite thunderstorm simulator, and it's like you never left home.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
After a bout of pandemic-induced insomnia I picked up one of these USB-chargeable masks and can honestly say it was LIFE changing. If you're sensitive to light or sound, this mask is where it's at. The contoured, cool-to-the-touch eye pads are super cozy and extra padding on the bridge of the nose ensures no light seeps in. I was concerned about feeling the headphones through the mask and not being able to sleep in my usual position (mountain climber, hand's down the comfiest position), but they really are unnoticeable. I can sleep through the night with it on and the Velcro straps have never once gotten stuck in my hair. The battery also lasts for a full 10 hours, so I don't have to worry about my audio going out right as I'm dozing off.
Promising review: " This is the best thing I have ordered in a long time! I work nights and recently took a travel position. Staying in hotels is fun until your neighbor is loud or the highway traffic is horrible. The speakers on this are quality! The only thing I heard was the rain and thunder from my app. The rain was so clear sounding I could easily visualize each drop hitting the ground. I was about to fall asleep when the thunder kicked in and seriously scared me to pieces! Highly recommend!" — Dana Harris
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in four colors).
8. A set of Avarelle rounded or extra-large hydrocolloid patches that can suck all the gunk out of your whiteheads while you sleep. Idk about you, but my skin INSTANTLY knows when I'm away from home and acts up like nobody's business.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I've been experimenting with these for the last month and a half, and I am in love. They are really thin and blend into my highly freckled face incredibly well...I have gone out in public twice with them on, because when I did my last second mirror check before I got out of the car, I didn't notice I had them on! While they absolutely help clean out the skin underneath, the biggest thing it does for me is stops me from touching my face. When I'm stressed out, I will absentmindedly touch/run my hands along my face and jaw constantly. Now, when I notice I'm doing that, I run into the bathroom and put these on any spots I have. Since they are thin and stick really well, I am able to leave them alone and stop touching my face." — MelsBells
Get a box of 40 round patches for $8.49 and a box of 8 extra-large patches for $8.99, both from Amazon.
To learn more, check out our Avarelle pimple patch deep dive.
9. A padded tank that 1) looks incredibly cute and 2) eliminates the need for a bra.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:" Honestly saw this on TikTok and contemplated getting it for a long time. I'm so glad I committed! It's extremely comfortable. The padding is amazing so you don't have to worry about a bra underneath at all. You can wear it with sweats or leggings to the gym or even dress it up for a night out. Considering more colors for sure!" — Kristyn Long
Get it from Amazon for $17.59+ (available in women's sizes S–XXL and 20 colors).
10. A teensy tiny pack of dissolvable laundry sheets if you'll be away from home for a while and might need to hand wash some items while you're away. Yes, lots of hotels have washers and dryers, but that requires a whole lotta quarters, and you gotta watch your stuff like a hawk.
Amazon
Here's what BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly has to say:
"I travel just about any chance that I get and found a WHOLE lot of success with these little laundry sheets on an almost-three-weeks European vacation in summer 2021 where I carried on only and rewore outfits several times."
Promising review:"This came SO in handy during my vacation to Europe! I was making lots of different stops to places with different types of weather. With these laundry soap sheets I was able to wash my clothes in the sink — letting me pack just the right amount of clothes for all the different places I went." — Katie Fujarski
Get a 50-count pack from Amazon for $12.95.
11. An ultra-compact charger you can quite literally keep in your pocket if you're one to take a MILLION photos and having your camera open kills your phone battery in the blink of an eye.
Amazon
Promising review: "This was a great little charger to keep in my purse while traveling. It charged my phone quickly and only used a fraction of the battery charger." — Kristin Peters
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in five colors).
12. Some budget-friendly high-waisted leggings if you've sworn off jeans and any other bottoms without at least 5% spandex.
Amazon
Promising review:"If you're on the fence about buying these leggings, DO IT. I bought a black pair to see how they'd fit and let me tell you! I have wide hips, big thighs, and a large behind, and these leggings fit perfectly! Even better, THEY ARE NOT SEE-THROUGH when I bend over!! I've *never* found leggings that weren't sheer when I bent over before! I bought eight more in different colors and they all are the same quality! I love them so much that over a year later I bought two more black pairs!! I recommend these leggings to everyone. I swear I wear these to work three times a week, at least. I love them!!" — hali howard
Get them from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in women's standard and plus size, three lengths, and 25 colors/patterns).
13. A trusty stick of Megababe's Thigh Rescue because enjoying the breeze for a few hours in a pair of shorts or a skirt shouldn't result in a days-long angry red rash.
Amazon
Megababe is a woman-owned small business from entrepreneur, body acceptance advocate, and influencer Katie Sturino.
Promising review:"I bought this for my wedding and the reviews didn't lie or steer me wrong! This worked like a charm and I even bought the puff and powder as well for other areas I didn't want to put this on. You do have to make sure that you get the whole area, if you miss the smallest section you'll notice. But 10/10 would recommend." — Sierra Pruitt
Get it from Amazon for $13.97.
14. An off-the-shoulder jumpsuit with over 36,000 5-star ratings and rave reviews from flight attendants!
www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "This is perfect for travel. I've worn it as PJs, on a plane with a blazer, and for a nine-hour car trip. Super comfortable and goes anywhere. I'll definitely be getting more!" — My Cat Steve Judges My Purchases.
"I bought the navy blue to take on vacation after reading an article about how easy care these jumpsuits are. I loved it so much I bought the green. I take them out of my suitcase, hang them up, and they are ready to go in a few hours, no ironing needed. I get compliments every time I wear one of them." — AKSunshine
Get it from Amazon for $24.61+ (available in women's sizes S–3X and 31 colors/patterns).
15. A fashion-forward Cincha travel belt that can accommodate most any carry-on as it expands to 45 inches. This way, you can stack your bags instead of juggling them.
Cincha, Cincha
Cincha is a BIPOC–owned business run by a couple and based in Oakland, California who believe traveling in style should also be secure. They've been making the chic travel belt since 2019.
Promising review:"Such a simple yet brilliant solution for the ever falling bag when trying to juggle all your luggage. It definitely made traveling less stressful." — Samantha
Get it from Amazon or Cincha for $39.99+ (available in two sizes and dozens of colors/prints).
16. A pair of Levi's pull-on skinny jeans if you're someone who doesn't like leaving the house in loungewear but wants to *feel* like they're wearing loungewear nonetheless.
Promising review: "OK, I'm not going to lie. I was skeptical about these pants. I hate buying clothes online without trying them on first, but the reviews here said that they run true to size, so I trusted them. I am SO GLAD that I did. These pants are everything I ever wanted. Make my butt look cute? Check. No nasty zipper to dig into my gut? Check. Perfect length for any season? Check. I can wear these with a cute blouse as a teacher, and still look professional, while still being comfortable. I feel comfortable wearing these basically any time, and I think that if you're lacking a pair of them and thinking about it, you should go get a pair. They're AMAZING." — AlySedai
Get them from Amazon for $4.40+ (available in women's sizes 2–28, in three lengths, and 16 washes).
17. A do-it-all backpack so ingeniously designed, you can fit a week's worth of clothes inside! You're probably thinking, "But, Chelsea, it's a backpack...how is better than all the others??" Well, let me tell you. The main compartment unzips all the way so TSA is a breeze, there's a separate laptop sleeve, you've got zippered pouches for toiletries, a set of compression straps, a key fob, AND a trolley pass-through for hands-free carrying if you're also bringing a regular suitcase.
Béis
Béis is a woman-owned travel accessories company from Shay Mitchell.
I bought this bag for a five-day cross-country road trip and it came in sooo clutch. First, I flew with it and was able to stow it under my seat so not only did I not have to check a bag, but I didn't even have to deal with overhead storage. Then, it traveled through 10+ states and various hotels with me. My absolute favorite parts of the bag are the compression straps and the fact that it fully unzips. This makes it *SO* easy to pack, unpack, and take through airport security. I was able to fit ~four pairs of leggings, four T-shirts, two sets of pajamas, two pairs of shorts, two bathing suits, a sweatshirt, a week's worth of undergarments, travel toiletries, an iPad, my wallet, and more odds and ends.
Promising review: "This backpack truly does it all! It functions as a regular backpack that can be used for work/school but it also functions as a travel backpack for flights or road trips! The quality is amazing and I love all of the small little details that make this bag feel high end." — Makenzie S.
Get it from Béis for $88 (available in seven colors).
18. A magnetic luggage tag you can use to hold your sun hat because they are notoriously hard to pack, but what is a beach vacay without one??
Lindsay Albanese
The Fileist is a Los Angeles-based, woman-owned small biz creating fashionable-yet-functional accessories designed to make your life just a bit easier.
Promising review:"Love! Love! Love it! Very sturdy grip, and fashionable! I have had skin cancer numerous times, including melanoma. This is a must-have to keep me safe and fashionable — vacation or otherwise. I have thrown it in the overhead on a plane or shuffled through crowded venues, prior to COVID-19, and never lost my hat. This is a great gift, first to myself, and now to others! Thank you for keeping me safe and on point at an affordable price!" — Emily K.
Get it from The Fileist for $55.
19. A drawstring makeup organizer that opens to reveal every cosmetic you own so you don't have to spend countless minutes emptying out every item just to *not* find your concealer. (Turns out it was in your purse all along. 🤷‍♀️)
Lay-n-Go / YouTube / Via www.youtube.com
Promising review:"I was tired of fumbling around in my cosmetics case and saw this. I was skeptical, but...WOW! On my recent two-week trip to Europe, with constant laying out and packing up, this item was wonderful. I could find what I wanted quickly, right away. Packing up was just a matter of pulling the drawstring. At first I wasn't sure about changing to this bag, but now I could not do without it." — mojosharkey
Get it from Amazon for $24.95+ (available in three sizes and 27 colors/patterns).
20. A Pashmina scarf ready to be fashioned into a blanket or pillow when flying; a wrap when you need something modest for visiting cultural sites like temples; or even a shield from the sun as it offers UPF 50+ protection!
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "I absolutely love this wrap!! It is the perfect weight and size for travel. It didn't leave my side on an 11 day backpack trip through Europe and was used as a scarf, blanket, towel, and wrap all throughout the trip. Fashionable enough to dress up a basic travel day outfit, warm enough to keep away a chill on a cooler night, and light enough to pack away small into a bag or tie around a purse strap. I can't say enough great things! I am buying these as gifts for everyone I know that travels." — Jenn
Get it from Amazon for $46 (available in nine colors).
21. A Hackwith Design House shirt that can be worn ~six~ different ways so you can pack a capsule wardrobe and not have to lug around a large checked bag.
Hackwith Design House
Hackwith Design House is a small, woman-owned business. Their sustainable designs are made to order and sewn in their Minnesota studio. Their sizes run from XS–4X. On Mondays, they also release limited-edition designs so you can be one of only 25 people to own a piece!
I have this shirt and I *love* it. All credit for its discovery goes to TikToker @jennifer.bianca who I happened to stumble across on my FYP. It checks all my boxes: black, comfortable, versatile, and durable. My initial worry was that I wouldn't feel secure in it (I have a 38DD chest and most wrap tops/dresses I've tried haven't stayed where they're supposed to), but I haven't had an issue with this! I've worn it tied in the front giving me a square neck (like the middle picture) and tied in the back giving me a V-neck up front (just like the photo on the right) — both were super comfortable and I didn't have to adjust myself at all. As someone whose weight fluctuates, I also appreciate that this piece can handle pounds gained and lost. The fabric is medium weight so I'll be wearing it season to season and there's just enough elasticity in the arms that if you roll up your sleeves, they won't fall back down. All that is to say trust that I will be buying additional colors!
Get it from Hackwith Design House for $145 (available in women's sizes XS–4X and in three colors).
22. A trusty pair of Reebok Club C Sneakers that 1.) are hella comfy and 2.) match just about everything so you have no excuse to pack several sets of shoes when one can do the job.
I have three pairs of these babies because they're just so comfortable straight out of the box. You don't have to worry about blisters, and they don't look out of place with dresses and skirts. They're also simple enough to slip on and off when going through the airport so they check all of my travel boxes!
Promising review: "Love these shoes! I saw them in store at UO but they didn't have my size. Obviously I turned to Amazon because what doesn't this site sell, and lo-and-behold, y'all had it. I try to pair these with almost every outfit because they're so comfy and stylish! Recently went to Philly, where I had to walk everywhere because we didn't rent a car and these were only pair of shoes I brought (I travel light). These didn't cramp up my feet at all as I walked over seven hours daily over the course of five days. Definitely recommend! But one thing hurts my heart...the creasing at the front of the shoe that comes with loving these shoes so much.😢" — Alli J
Get them from Amazon for $48+ (available in women's sizes 5–11 and in 23 styles).
23. A pair of Apple AirPods Pro ready to play hours and hours of whatever playlist you're currently digging so you can distract yourself whilst sitting at the airport. The accompanying charging case delivers 24 full hours of playtime, or — if your mind works like mine — enough juice to play the entirety of Dua Lipa's Future Nostalgia 38 times.
Promising review from BuzzFeed shopping writer Emma Lord:
"I have a pair of these, and they're not playing around. Once they're securely in your ear, you can toggle the headphones between noise-cancelling and regular sound, depending on your situation. I've been working from home, and the noise-cancelling is so effective that I can work next to a window where my neighbor is doing heavy construction and I don't hear anything louder than a faint buzzing. It's quieter than if I'd just plugged my ears with my own fingers. I'm also a runner, and these don't budge when you're sweating, which is nice. It's also handy that these toggle out of noise cancellation mode, because I feel better being able to hear traffic and other people around me when I'm out and about. The TL;DR is I love these so much I have zero interest in owning another pair of headphones for as long as I live." Read her full review of the AirPod Pros here!
Get them from Amazon for $199.99.
24. An acupressure wristband if you're looking for an all-natural way to alleviate nausea, motion sickness, or morning sickness because feeling like you have to hurl 24/7 — especially while on vacation — is a major downer.
www.amazon.com
It's also been known to work for postoperative and chemotherapy-induced nausea. It applies pressure on your wrist to help ~restore balance~. Read more about acupressure and nausea at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Promising review: "I'm eight weeks pregnant and have had morning sickness nonstop every single day, and it has made my appetite go away so much that I feared for my baby's health. I needed a quick fix so I could eat again. It worked amazingly. I went to Denny's and ate my weight in pancakes! It feels so good not to feel nauseous all the time." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $8.53+ (available in six colors).
25. A vegan shampoo bar sure to save you loads of $$$ when compared to those teeny tiny travel bottles you always pick up pre-trip at Target. Each bar is equivalent to three 11.83-oz bottles of liquid shampoo, so you'll get a whole lotta use out of 'em, too. 🧼
www.instagram.com, Amazon
Promising review:"First time I bought this soap it was for traveling. Lugging around large bottles of shampoo for six people for a 4–6-week vacation is just not an option and buying shampoo is sketchy since a couple of us have soap allergies. The little bar packs up perfectly in a little baggie and takes the smallest amount of luggage space. One bar washed six heads of hair for five weeks!! Everyday!! Suds well and cleans well." — Dominique B.
Get it from Amazon for $15 (available in 11 scents).
26. A travel jewelry case because last time you threw all of your necklaces in a sandwich bag and ended up with a giant knot that took hours to undo. Like seriously, you could have solved a Rubik's cube faster.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "I purchased this box for a weekend getaway. In the past I have just thrown all of my jewelry into little makeup bags, but then everything gets tangled and disorganized. I love that this box keeps everything organized and leaves all my necklaces tangle free!" — Dogmom206
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in nine colors).
27. A wedge doorstop alarm with an *extremely* loud 120-decibel siren that'll sound should anyone try to force open your door. If you have trouble sleeping in unfamiliar hotel rooms or Airbnbs, this might just help.
www.amazon.com
No wiring is required, either, just pick up a 9V battery.
Promising review:" Travel must-have. I use this traveling, and it provides extra peace of mind in motel rooms considering I'm a cheapskate and stay in dives and my dog is getting so old he is likely to refer any criminal who breaks and enters to me for further processing. Works well, as a startled maid in a West Virginia motel can attest when she thought I had checked out and unlocked the door to clean. I gave the second one to my sister, who uses it at home." — QuintessentiallyYours
Get it from Amazon for $12.31.
28. And a solid lotion bar you can keep in your purse or even in your pocket because although they're free, those lil' hotel bottles just ain't it.
Wild Poppy Soap Co. / Etsy
Wild Poppy Soap Co. is a Bradford, New Hampshire-based small biz from Julie Bursey.
Promising review: "I ordered three lotion bars for upcoming trips. They arrived very quickly and are very nice, softening for my skin and smell wonderful. I'm very happy with my purchase!" — Karen Slack
Get it from Wild Poppy Soap Co. on Etsy for $6.50 (available in 22 scents).