60 Helpful Travel Products For Anyone Hopping In Planes, Trains, And Automobiles This Season

Buzz Feed

24-04-2025

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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Hitting the road (or sky or tracks) just got a bit easier.
1. A travel brush with a hidden compartment that'll be great for hair elastics, fashion tape, local currency, and all kinds of other little things that don't quite have a place to go in your personal item. ALSO have you tried to use a mini brush to brush your hair? I've broken, like, three of them with my mane. This is also a normal-size brush.
Promising review: "Bought this brush to replace my old travel brush. Love the storage compartment! Didn't realize that it actually CAME with hair ties, clips, and bobby pins (didn't notice these in the description). Such an amazing surprise. And the brush is great! De-tangles and smoothes wonderfully. Even tamed my static-y hair. Love it!" — Crazy cat mama
Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (also available in white).
2. A flat RFID-blocking fanny pack can work underneath your clothes or as just a regular waist bag. So it's a little go with the flow — within reason.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Discreet yet spacious. I purchased this for a recent trip. I was able to fit my phone, passport, credit cards, and cash in it easily and it wasn't bulky or obvious under my clothing. It was comfortable to wear for extended periods of time." — KailensMom
Get it from Amazon for $12.76 (available in 18 styles and two sizes).
3. An anti-theft neck wallet that's also RFID-blocking so you'll more easily navigate your cruise-ship excursions without having to keep your hands hovering over your pockets the entire time. Pickpockets exist, and you've gotta be aware of 'em, but let's focus on taking in the sights.
Promising review: "I carried this pouch during a three-week cruise through Greece and Turkey. It was extremely comfortable, lightweight, and handy, allowing easy access to important papers and money. Love it!" — JC
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in three colors).
4. A digital luggage scale will make sure that you aren't slammed with an overweight luggage fee (ugh) or having to move stuff from your checked bag to your carry-on to avoid said fee (also, ugh).
www.amazon.com
You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements.
I tested this digital luggage scale out when packing for a trip to Iceland — check out my demo of how it works on TikTok!
Promising review:"We used this on a six-flight trip across Europe and it made it easy to know that we repacked our bags according to the various weight limits. Some bags had a 10-kg limit and some had a 50-lb limit so it was convenient to switch back and forth between units (even though dividing by 2.2 isn't exactly rocket science)." — Robert
Get it from Amazon for $9.39+ (available in five colors and a two-pack).
5. A set of three Cadence containers that are magnetized and'll stick together in your toiletries bag AND on your metal cruise ship bathroom walls. They're super sturdy, leak-proof, and even work great for a few days' worth of vitamins or holding small jewelry. They've quickly become one of my packing go-tos.
Cadence is an AAPI woman-owned small business that was founded by Steph Hon as a way to eliminate single-use travel-sized plastics. The containers are made from recycled ocean-bound plastic.
But I'm not the only fan on the BuzzFeed Shopping team. My coworker Abby Kass has these and loves them! Here's what she has to say about them: "I recently got a set of four of these, and, wow, I love them so much. I used them on a six-day trip recently, and they were perfect. I customized the label so I knew which one was my shampoo vs. conditioner and did a general label for any other things I wanted to bring along. They do hold a surprising amount. According to the brand, they hold approximately one to two weeks of skincare products, more than two weeks' worth of serum, two to three days' worth of haircare, and more than 15 tablets (for medicine and such). And while two to three days' worth of haircare might not seem like enough, I found it held more than that for me, but I also don't wash my hair every single day. They were small enough to slip right into my toiletries bag and go through TSA with no problem. The container was easy to open in the shower (even with wet hands), and I had no leakage from them (like I did from my face wash bottle that will not be making the trip with me next time, SMH). These are an incredibly useful tool anyone who travels will want in their luggage."
Promising review: "I absolutely love these! I ended up buying more of the labels and extra containers on the website. These are perfect for a first-time set and the perfect size for flying. 100% makes my packing lighter and more contained overall." — Sara
Get a set of three from Amazon for $42 (available in four colors and in a haircare and daily routine set).
6. A TSA-friendly toiletries set you can easily fill, clean, and then refill with your go-to regular products. And the bag is sturdy as HECK.
www.amazon.com
I own and love this set! it includes the zippered bag, four soft silicone bottles with leakproof caps, three compact jars, an two toothbrush caps. I've used this set on more than five trips and and for trips when I don't require body wash or shampoo (like to visit my parents) I use the extra room in the bag to shove in all my beauty products and daily contacts. Plus! It comes with labels that stay on the containers really well despite my thoroughly washing these containers between trips. I bought this set in spring 2019 and have, admittedly, lost a container or two. But the ones that I've held onto over dozens of trips have all held up well!
Promising review: "If it wasn't for me forgetting them in the hotels, I wouldn't have to buy more. This is my third set and I love these things! I'm a flight attendant and these are easy to fill, use, and pack!" — Raena Hill
Get it from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in 11 variations).
7. Or if you're not in need of containers, a clear TSA-approved toiletry bag to Lego-fit all your liquid and spreadable bbs in there with ease.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I am a flight attendant and it's perfect for my international flights going through security. I love the handle, easy to pull out of my suitcase." — Kristi
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 11 colors).
8. Some reusable bottle bags because did you even go to the Champagne region if you didn't bring back some goodies? Even better: If your bottle breaks in this, the bag catches the spill!
Amazon
JetBag is a small business specializing in creating bags to protect your wine and your stuff. It's designed with absorbent padding on the inside, so in the event that the bottle breaks, it won't get everywhere in your luggage.
Promising review:"Bought to bring wine from France home from vacation. We bought three bottles (one of which was champagne). All three made it on the Eurostar and two flights in perfect condition." — Katie
Get a set of three from Amazon for $13.99 (available in four colors).
9. A 2-in-1 travel pillow and blanket in case you've found in-flight options seriously lacking and can't get any shut-eye without a cozy blanket.
Promising review: "I love this foldable airplane blanket! There are few things worse on a flight than being too cold. This little blanket is the perfect weight to keep you warm but doesn't take up too much room in your carry-on/personal item bag. I actually clip it to the outside of my backpack." — Danielle Gaudette
Get it from Amazon for $25.03 (available in 16 colors).
10. A Trtl travel pillow that, thanks to its scarf-like construction, you can easily adjust to your perfect comfort level and tilt angle to get some Zzzzzs while someone else gets you to where you're going. (And if you run hot, there's now a ~cool~ version.)
Amazon
Ciera Velarde, a former editor here at BuzzFeed, also loves this! She says:"I've used this for the past few years and swear by it! Before this, I always found traditional neck pillows uncomfortable and would end up ditching them halfway through the flight and getting frustrated. The Trtl pillow is adjustable — you wrap the pillow around your neck and secure it with Velcro, and if you find it's too loose, just make it a bit tighter! I've truly never slept better on a plane than with this pillow."
Promising review:"I love this TRTL!! I first used it on a trip from Seattle to Buenos Aires and will now always use it. It made it possible for me to be comfortable on that long flight. I found it to be the best neck support in how it holds up my neck in a comfortable natural way. I love how I can use it on either side of my neck, and even in the front and back of my neck. I love how I can cover my face to just below my eyes if I want privacy. It is cozy, lightweight, durable and packs easily, or I can wrap it around my carry bag handle for quick transport. I bought one for a friend who took it on a Seattle to New York flight and she said it was a game changer for her as she was able to sleep for the first time while flying. Now I know that with my TRTL and Bose noise cancelling head phones, I can be cramped in a middle seat on a long flight and survive in relative comfort. Thank your TRTL!!! I just bought another one for a gift for my daughter. It is a well-designed product!" — Amis Balcomb
Get it from Amazon for $60.99 + (available in six colors).
11. Some vinyl picnic table and bench covers reviewers found extremely helpful for camping and park use.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
RNOONY is a small biz.
Promising review: "Great product! I bought it for my backyard picnic table. I think the table and bench covers are well made for the price I paid." — Maria
Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in eight patterns).
12. A garment and travel bag set can cover you when you've gotta keep your outfit for your college roommate's wedding festivities tidy and wrinkle-free, and you have trust issues with airline baggage checks. It'll easily fold and unfold as you need it.
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 $57.45 (available in three colors).
13. A quick-drying microfiber beach towel built to shake off sand and pack small in your suitcase. No need to sneak out a hotel towel to the beach!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Love this! I am a flight attendant and keep it in my suitcase for various uses, but it's an outstanding for beach or picnic blanket. It weighs nothing, beautiful, and great quality! My new go-to gift item." — Laurance F. Haun
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in 26 patterns).
14. A set of Sea Bands with a little nub that targets the acupuncture point on your wrists meant to help reduce nausea. This'll be great in case anyone gets motion sick in the car or on a boatride.
15. A portable door lock to attach to any regular old door for your hotel, vacation rental, room in a guest house, or, well, just any door. It's super easy to install and won't damage the door. It'll be a comfort for solo travelers, especially.
Just make sure that if you pack in your carryon, it's easily accessible because I've had TSA pull me aside a few times to see what it is.
Promising review:"My best guy friend bought this for me and I love it. I'm a flight attendant and am in hotels 4-5 nights a week. Sometimes the 'locks' just don't feel sturdy enough. This device gives me an extra layer of security and allows me to sleep at night. I keep it in my flight bag." — Emilia Duren
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in packs of two and four).
16. A set of towel clips you'll be grateful you packed once the wind kicks up as you're 20 feet away tossing a football with your pals. (And you can use it to hang up your wet swimsuit after.)
www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the towel clips in action.
Promising review: "I purchased these for a family of eight going on a cruise and they loved them! So easy to use, just put your towel on the beach chair and clip down with these. They said they were especially awesome on windy days when others towels were blowing away if they were not sitting on the chair. The family was able to go to lunch or take a walk and not worry that their towels had been blown away and someone had then snagged their seats. Very inexpensive and functional clips." — TypeA
Get a set of 16 from Amazon for $9.99.
17. A *foldable* wide-brim hat for helping you keep the sun off of your face, make your outfits look even cuter, and easily fit in your carry-on without crushing it.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Guys. If you're going on a trip and need a cute hat but don't want to worry about it getting smashed…look no further. I bought this hat last summer. It's been as far as The Maldives, all over Europe, and I wear it on the reg in southern California. It's totally kept its shape, and I'm not shy of shoving it in bags. 10/10 recommend! I'm sitting on a bus in Croatia right now thinking how awesome this hat has been and decided to write a review, as I rely on reviews for my purchases on Amazon. Hope this helps someone!" — Lyra S.
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in 22 color combos).
18. A Baggallini anti-theft travel backpack that'll make it harder for anyone who gets some (illegal) ideas while you're marveling at [insert picturesque view].
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It has RFID-blocking technology; is made of slash-resistant, Securtex anti-theft fabric; and locking zippers that blend in with the backpack's design.
Promising review: "This has great security features. The compartment that holds cards has a locking zipper and sits securely against your back. Two side pockets for water bottle, umbrella, etc. Very roomy and lightweight. I used it this weekend at a tulip festival in Washington. It lightly rained the whole time I was outdoors, and nothing in my bag got wet. It wiped dry easily. A great daypack for adventures!" — pixie
Get it from Amazon for $108.59 (available in seven colors).
19. A compact eight-compartment pill organizer so you'll have space for all the stuff you take from all the delicious food that sometimes makes you feel bad on your travels.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"My husband and I travel a lot and take a number of prescription drugs. It was always a hassle accessing our medication when needed, so I purchased this organizer to make things easier. I used a label maker and labeled each little compartment and it has performed wonderfully. I highly recommend this organizer to anyone who travels and needs medications throughout the day." — Jacqueline
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $9.97.
20. A roomy beach bag with a waterproof section to hold your phone, Kindle, and other items that ABSOLUTELY cannot get wet.
Promising review: "When you go to the pool or beach nowadays you see a lot of people with these $100+ rubber carry-alls. Sure, they look nice, but they are not as practical as this bag or have the features of this bag. I came to appreciate this bag when I loaded up the grandkids to take to the pool and realized too late that I did not remove my hearing aids or empty my pockets. This bag comes with a nice waterproof pouch and I was able to keep all those belongings, I should have left at home, safe and dry all day!" — David Petraitis
Get it from Amazon for $23.99 (available in six colors/prints).
21. A hard-shell roller suitcase with a pocket on the front for your laptop to make getting through the TSA line much more effortless and then resting assured that it's safe in the overhead. Plus! It's equipped with TSA-approved locks!
Promising review: "This is my first time buying a 'fancier' suitcase, and I love it so far! I took it with me on a trip to NYC for work and used it as a carry-on. I was easily able to lift it up, and it fit very well in the overhead bins. A lot of people were asked to gate check, but as this bag met the requirements, I was able to bring it on all my American Airlines flights. I love the inside design with the different pockets and that my packing cubes easily fit. I had enough clothes and work items for four days and could easily have fit more, at least for a week! Also, it comes with a laundry bag, as I had forgotten mine. I highly recommend it. I think it will last me for a long time!" — Marie C.
Get it from Amazon for $199.95 (available in three colors and more sizes).
22. Or a wheeled carry-on bag small enough to qualify as a personal item on super stringent airlines. It can fit underneath an airplane seat! You can avoid checking a bag, glide through security, *and* don't have to hurt your shoulder by carrying a duffel bag that'd also fit strict bag measurement policies. Take that, Spirit Airlines.
Now you won't even have to pull your suitcase outta the overhead!
Promising review: "This works out so well for me. I'm a flight attendant, and I've had an infinite amount of day trips over the summer. I got tired of carrying around my regular TravelPro spinner, so I finally ordered this. SOOOOO MUCH BETTER FOR ME. It's light, has enough pockets, and can easily fit under a seat if needed.
The ONLY picky thing I can think of is how loud it sounds going across rough concrete. The wheels aren't as silent as others, but that won't stop me from buying another in the future." — Kayla T
Get it from Amazon for $50.88+ (available in four colors).
23. A pair of quick-dry water shoes can help you traverse nearly every kind of ground you may come upon — whether it's while zip-lining, walking along a rocky beach, or just walking around the cruise ship deck.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Purchased three pairs for our cruise. We all loved them. Best water shoes I've ever worn. Feels like you are barefoot but keeps your feet safe from anything you step on. Very comfortable! Highly recommended!" — Donna M
Get it from Amazon for $8.68+ (available in seven sizes and 44 colors).
24. A fanny pack with a ton of storage room inside that has a long enough strap to wear crossbody *or* comfortably fit over outerwear so you can use your arms to help you balance while teetering toward a glacier. If you plan on wearing it across your chest, attach your waist buckles together with a zip-tie to prevent it from getting unclipped from your back.
I wear a size L/XL in clothing and sometimes waist bags just don't work out so well for me. With this one, I can confirm that it fit around my waist comfortably without outerwear, across my chest without outerwear, *and* over a thick coat and several layers. The pockets inside are so handy and I even had room to spare throughout my Iceland trip. This was the only purse I brought for the whole trip and it performed its job flawlessly. Just make sure that you zip the zipper ALL the way because the zipper goes down pretty far on the sides for easier access to contents. Having my hands free was wildly convenient for a number of reasons, including crawling around inside of an ice cave and putting out my hands for some extra balance while walking on sheets of ice along cliffs. Oh, and it comes in so so SO many colors. And in case it looks familiar, TikTokers compare it to the Lulu waist bag.
Promising review: "Love this little bag! And the price — you can't beat it." — Jolie
Get it from Amazon for $15.98+ (available in 34 styles).
25. An *very popular* off-the-shoulder jumpsuit suited for just about any sightseeing needs. But it's also comfy enough to wear while you're getting where you're going.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "This jumpsuit is cute and comfortable. I love it. It is very comfortable to wear on a road trip or for flying." — B-More Mom & Luvin' It
Get it from Amazon for $28.78+ (available in sizes S–3X and 31 colors/patterns).
26. Gentle 2-in-1 travel flossing toothbrushes that'll fold up to half their size (every inch in your luggage counts!) and really get in there to give your mouth a super-clean feeling. Like, just-back-from-the-dentist cleaning. I always pack these for trips and their tiny flossing bristles make my travel nighttime routine a lot easier and more efficient.
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: "I love that this travel toothbrush has its own self closing cover. Makes it very handy for travel at half the size of a regular toothbrush when packed and full size brush when open. Also really love the bristles on this brush, they are soft but have enough stiffness to get between teeth when brushing." — Yvonne
Get it from Amazon for $5.99 (available in two colors).
27. A portable crib canopy to create a sleep pod for your little one. And it even has pouches for a monitor and fan! Sleeping in unfamiliar places is tough enough for adults. Let's make it easier on the kids too — which in turn will also make the adults happier.
SlumberPod is a small biz that's been featured on Shark Tank!
Promising review: "We took a 10-day road trip stopping in all different locations with my 18-month-old. Such an game changer! No stress at all as to where or how he would nap! He slept great everywhere and I didn't have to do my usual blackout shade where I'm trying to make shades on the fly everywhere we went like we had to do with my other two when they were little. Do a test run setting it up before you travel. It's not terribly hard but the first attempt needs some extra time. The tent runs warm so make sure your child is wearing light breathable clothes is the room is 68 or above. My son wore just a short sleeve onesie and a light sleep sack and was still warm with the room temp 68. I cracked the window to make it a lot cooler in the room he slept in since we didn't do the whole fan attachment thing." — jillyb
Get it from Amazon for $179.99.
28. A set of DEET-free handy mosquito-repelling bracelets in case the thought of putting something else on your skin besides SPF (like smelly bug repellent) sounds like a total nightmare.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Cliganic is a small biz specializing in health and wellness products. Check out a TikTok of the mosquito-repelling bracelets in action.
Promising review:"I bought this to take on a cruise. Never had issues with bites. Once back home I put them on my son who is allergic to some bites and always itchy after time outdoors. Since he's had these on outside it's hardly an issue anymore. Very cool." — MardiGrasGirl
Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $8.49.
29. A portable safe for securing to a pool chair to keep your valuables safe or to keep your passport in your hotel room in case there's no safe or the safe isn't working.
After putting this in MANY travel stories, I bought one for myself for a summer European vacation where I found myself at several beach clubs. It was perfect for keeping mine and my friend's belongings safe while we dozed in our beach chairs or swam in the sea. Plus, it's the perfect size to hold phones or wallets, and easily carry in your beach or tote bag. It's come in clutch in a few hotels and Airbnbs that didn't have working safes.
Promising review:"Loveeeee this safe! Took it on a cruise, and it was such a great feeling of security. I put all my cash and docs in it while around and off the ship in the larger room safe. In my case, I had a roommate I did not know prior to sailing. With this, I didn't have to worry about a thing. Easy to lock and unlock. Easy to secure around things. I just love it! I will be using it with other things at home/work as well." — Cara Sievers
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in three colors).
30. A stroller fan with bendable foam legs for wrapping around a stroller, car seat, or pretty much anything to keep your lil' munchkin cool as a cucumber, even when it's a gazillion degrees outside.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"We bought this for a road trip with our little one, who is still rear facing — it was perfect! We knew the seat was warm from just driving around town and wanted to make sure it was comfortable for a long drive. It kept it cool, isn't loud, and love that we could plug it in vs. only the battery. We use it regularly in town now, too." — K Maddock
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in three colors).
31. A stick of Gold Bond Friction Defense will stop chafing caused by sweat before it even starts. It's sooo good and better than any other competitor in the thigh-saving category. Toss this in your bag and apply before you go on that long, lovely beach stroll.
Amazon
My former colleague Ciera Velarde is a huge fan! (As am I!) Here's what she has to say:
"I've used it for about 12 years now and it's the only thing that I can trust to prevent that dreaded chafing after a sweaty day of walking around. It glides on perfectly, it's unscented, and it doesn't melt away when you start to sweat. If it's a particularly hot day out, it can start to fade after a few hours, so just make sure to bring it with you to reapply. In addition to preventing chafing between my thighs, I've also applied it on my arms where my sports bra rubs against them when I run and it works like a charm!"
33. Lumify Eye Drops beloved by the masses who've tried other redness-reducing eye drops before. Yes, these are a bit pricier than other versions. But reviewers say it's totally worth it! Oh, and don't forget that it's also made to help relieve dry eyes. (Just because you TOOK a red eye doesn't mean that you have to put up with literal red eyes.)
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I have a big spot of blood vessels in the inner corner of my left eye. I use the expensive lubricant eye drops for moisture — I've used Visine, Clear Eyes, you name it. No eye drop has made my eyes look this great. Only Lumify! I was soo happy when I looked in the mirror and saw some beauty in my eyes instead of darkness and redness." — Angela Leonard
"Two drops in your eyes and all day, they look perfectly white and healthy. I would definitely buy these again." — Kelley
Get it from Amazon for $11.37.
34. Some anti-pickpocketing clips that'll easily attach two zippers and make it extra difficult to quickly zip open.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "Prefect for international travel! Easy to use and protected against theft/pickpockets. Used it on my recent trip to Europe!" — Rachel Bristol
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (available in three color combos).
35. An Arden Cover anti-theft *and* waterproof vegan-leather purse that won't *look* like an anti-theft bag — in case that's the reason you don't already own one. Gotta love a bag that'll get you through sudden rain.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Arden Cove is a woman-owned brand founded by sisters Carmen and Karin Yuen after carrying disappointing bags and gear while globetrotting.
It has a waterproof body and zipper, slash-proof lining all around, locking zippers, RFID blocking material, a chain shoulder that strap attaches to a post or chair, built-in wallet, shoulder pad on strap for added comfort, bottom studs to protect it from wear and tear when setting the bag down, and an interior D-ring to attach a keychain.
Promising review:"I have been using this bag as my ONLY purse for a full year now. I travel full time, and my #1 priority is to keep my belongings and my information safe, so this purse is a game changer for me. I love the cut-proof chain, the slash-proof material, it's waterproof and it keeps RFID readers from stealing my credit card info. I get compliments on it all the time as I wear it through Europe, Asia, Canada, and the States! LOVE my Arden Cove!" — Kashlee Parmiter
Get it from Amazon for $179 (available in six colors and three chain drop lengths).
36. A hands-free (rotating!) phone mount can help you watch what you want or take advantage of the movies available online for those budget airlines without TVs in the back of the seats. It'll work on the plane *or* while you wait to board.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Great idea, handy little gadget. A tiny bit bulkier than I wanted to pack, but so very glad I did! Took with me for a flight out of the country. Handy to be able to clamp or stand on tray table to watch films aired via in-flight Wi-Fi. Sturdy, versatile, appears well made, and durable. Used with Samsung Galaxy Note 10+." — KLMCats
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
37. An Airfly wireless transmitter that'll let you connect your Airpods or any wireless headphones to your airplane seat...even without Bluetooth!
www.amazon.com, Amazon
My colleague Chelsea Stuart owns and loves this: "I splurged on some AirPod Maxes and for the amount of money I threw down on them, I was determined to get as much use out of them as possible and that included on plane rides. With the AirFly Pro, I can connect my headphones via Bluetooth and use the seat-back screen without having to fiddle with the free wired headphones they hand out that 1.) have horrible sound quality and 2.) don't fit my ears in the slightest (I swear my ear canals are tiny or something??)."
It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual.
Twelve South is a small business that has been creating innovative tech accessories since 2009.
Promising review:"I was a little reluctant purchasing Airfly after reading the reviews, but I'm so glad I did! It worked perfectly on the plane, and while on my trip, I also used it to listen to music in the car. It acted like a speaker because I had no aux cable. It was great!" — Yamile cardozo
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three styles and two colors).
38. An Apple AirTag for each bag to give you some peace of mind while you wonder how your checked bag is doing in the hold below.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Storytime: I finally bought a couple of Apple AirTags during 2022 Black Friday sales. And I am SO grateful I did. My normal carry-on bag was too big to fit the Lufthansa luggage requirements (and BOY, do they check that!) so I had to check my bags for a December 2022 trip to Vienna and back from Prague (with a layover in Frankfurt). My bag didn't make it onto the plane in Frankfurt, and once I landed in Newark, New Jersey, I pulled up the app on my phone and saw that yes, my backpack AirTag was indeed with me, but my suitcase AirTag was still in Germany. (The screen grab is from an Amazon review, but you get the gist.) The AirTag also helped me track FedEx's delivery of the suitcase to my parents' house, where I was spending the holidays immediately after my Europe trip ended. I was even able to see it on a highway less than an hour's drive from my parents' house. TL;DR: I think AirTags are very much a worthwhile investment if you travel a few times a year. And I'm not the only one who thinks so.
Promising review:"I bought a pair of these AirTags for a trip to France, and I'm so glad I did! First of all, the setup is super easy. I had zero problems, and both were done in, like, five minutes. I put one in my purse and one in my suitcase. On the way back home, the airline lost my luggage. Checked the Find My Friends app where the AirTag is tracked, and I could see that it never left the Charles de Gaulle airport. I felt more assurance being able to track my bag through the app as it made its way across the world back to me. 10/10 would recommend!" — Lindsay Kirby
Get it from Amazon for $24.
39. An I Dew Care "Tap Secret" mattifying powder shampoo to tackle greasy roots without the aerosol or benzene formula. This'll even be easy to take to the bathroom toward the end of a red-eye so you can deboard feeling a bit fresher.
Amazon
Promising review: "I was looking for a dry shampoo that would be easy to use on the go for a trip I was taking. I had no issues taking this through TSA and it was so easy to use on the go. You literally just pat the poof on your scalp and then rub the powder in. I do have black hair so dry shampoo is usually very visible in my hair, but I didn't have any harder time than usual rubbing this powder in. It did a really good job of soaking up all the oil and giving my hair volume. I'm not a fan of the price for the amount that you get, but it is lasting longer than I thought it would. I would definitely recommend and will purchase again." — Teresa
Get it from Amazon for $16+ (available in five colors/styles).
40. A cute portable charger can fit in your coat pocket or bag. And you can also easily use your phone while it charges! And because it's small enough to fit in your pocket, you can easily keep it with you at your seat.
www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "This was such a life saver while traveling in Europe. It is small enough to keep in your purse or fanny pack but powerful enough to keep your phone charged and working through navigating new cities, paying for tube/metro rides and translating menus into the language you understand. I highly recommend this product and have started to carry it around in my purse as a back up." — Jen West
Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in 13 colors).
41. A travel scarf with hidden storage in it that'll keep your hands free for taking pics without having to stick your phone, wallet, and keys in your back pocket.
Amazon
Waypoint Goods is a small biz that specializes in travel accessories.
Promising review: "I absolutely LOVE my travel scarf. This piece is perfect for every occasion. Whether I am traveling on a plane or a road trip, at work, or trying to dress up an outfit to go out, it is perfect and functional. My phone, credit cards and keys fit seamlessly in the pocket without changing the look or fit of my scarf. At times I have put all of that plus a boarding pass and passport in the pocket!!" — Caroline
Get it from Amazon for $49.95 (available in three styles).
42. A set of compression bags that'll, yes, help you pack more stuff into your suitcase but also keep your clothes airtight against any spills. OR keep your dirty clothes away from your clean clothes and vice-versa.
www.amazon.com
And they come with a hand pump for travel! Psst, get even more efficient and pack an empty one of these in your suitcase just in case.
Promising review: "This is a great product. I have a memory foam pillow that I try to take on trips, due to neck issues, so I purchased this product and put it to the test to see if it could flatten the pillow so I can also carry my clothes and the pillow in the same bag, carry-on size travel bag. The pillow's been sitting in the vacuum pack for the last three days now and hasn't let any air into the package at all. The pump removed so much air that the foam is as solid as a rock with less that an 1/8 of an inch of give when I press on it firmly with my thumb." — 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor
Get a pack of five from Amazon for $22.99 + (also available in a ten-pack and in five bag sizes).
43. A fold-flat jewelry organizer if you've given up on a blocky jewelry organizer. (Same!) This design will let you easily slip your baubles into your personal item without hogging a bunch of space.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "What an adorable and efficient way to pack your jewelry! I have been hesitant even to bring jewelry on my last few vacations because it always got tangled. Love this! Bought one for my sister-in-law as well." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes and 11 colors/prints).
44. A set of cooling patches can work some soothing magic for a variety of uses including (perhaps most importantly), sunburn. But it'll also help with itchiness from bug bites and poison ivy. And! They're TSA-friendly. So you can probably leave your aloe vera gel at home.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Used these on a sunburn on my back, and they were very soothing. Also provided padding when leaning back in my seat. I stuck one on my shoulder also to keep my seatbelt from rubbing the sunburn there. I bought them to use on the back of my kids' necks to help prevent heat exhaustion on a very hot day outside but ended up just using them for burn relief." — Joanna
"These saved us on our vacation with our little that is sensitive to sun!" — felicia faith
Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $14.99.
45. A portable blackout curtain to suction onto where your staying's window to give you some deep DEEP darkness you need for sleeping.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "My kids need the room to be pretty dark to sleep. I didn't have much faith in this, but needed to try something. These are AMAZING!! Absolutely worth every penny. Instantly darker and help keep the room at a comfortable temperature." — Julie T
Get it from Amazon for $31.76 (available in nine designs).
46. Collapsible travel hangers will help you better organize all your beautiful ensembles *and* have a legit place to hang up any clothes you launder while you're on your luxurious two-week vacation.
Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed
This is a product that I put in travel stories over and over and over again, and would always think, "Hmm, I should buy some." Once I booked my first-ever cruise (with Virgin Voyages, which was fantastic, btw), I knew that I needed to invest in these hangers to make the most of what I presumed would be a tiny closet for my cabin. These were super easy to slip into my super-packed suitcase and plenty sturdy for holding up a variety of stuff. In my pic above, you'll see one collapsed and then one in use, with dips perfect for spaghetti or thin straps. So many hotel and rental places' hangers don't have those little dips, and my slip dresses (I own four of this one!) are always slipping off of them. With these, I was able to put a variety of garments on them without anything slipping off — in fact, they work better at that than my regular velvet hangers I have at home!
Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $9.99.
47. A 4-in-1 travel adapter that'll work for a wide range of countries because you shouldn't have to google which adapters you need before every international trip. There are better things to do, like talking yourself into packing that one dress you've only worn once but MIGHT wear on this vacation.
Amazon
Promising review: "As an international flight attendant, I am in different countries weekly. While the all-in-one adapters, in theory, are great, they often are too big/heavy to stay in the socket securely — you are much better off with one like this. It is sturdy in the socket, even with an electric cord (my hair curler) and my phone and iPad all plugged in. Very satisfied!" — Susan H.
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
48. A simple luggage strap will hold your essentials like a travel pillow, jacket, personal item, and more as you scoot along through the airport and once you land. Here's to quickly gathering all your stuff post-screen and freeing up those hands!
Amazon
Promising review:"Definitely what I needed for my luggage as a flight attendant. Very heavy duty and perfect for me. Works great with my extra luggage and lunch bag to hang on my suitcase. Thank you so much. Will definitely buy again." — Mary
Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in five colors and in multipacks).
49. A trifold travel wallet so all your important documents are in one place and you're not wearily holding up the line when it comes time to show the TSA agent your passport and boarding pass.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The wallet has a passport pocket, boarding pass compartment, three credit card slots, an ID slot, a slim card pouch, slim pocket, a ticket slot, a cellphone pouch, a coin zippered pocket, key holder, and pen holder.
Promising review:"OMG I totally love this! First of all, it's such a pretty pastel pink color and pink is my favorite color. The quality is also so lovely with all the right amount of pockets to store my IDs and passport and other relevant documents. I'm a flight attendant so this is the perfect size of travel wallet for me. This definitely exceeded my expectations!" — Pravena Jay
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in 32 colors).
50. A pack of LeakLocks Toiletry Skins you can slip onto the tops of your full-size toiletries because, yay, you don't have to worry about liquid toiletry limits on a road trip! These little things catch any spills before they can get all over your PJs you threw in the same bag with your full-size shampoo.
www.amazon.com
Rinseroo is a small business specializing in problem-solving cleaning, pet, and travel products.
Promising review: "I used these on my travel toiletries on a month-long road trip. On several occasions, the toiletry lids opened, but none of the product leaked out of the toiletry skins. I was even able to pour the leaked shampoo back into the bottle. I rinsed out the skin and placed it back on for the next leg of my journey. These are my new travel must-haves." — Tyson Mohr
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in an eight-pack).
51. An electronics organizer with a place for just about every one of *your* and every member of your family's devices and corresponding cables so you don't get everything tangled up while searching for that ONE cord.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I am a flight attendant and I LOVE this organizer! I keep my iPad, passport, cords, paperwork, and hand sanitizer in here. It keeps me organized! Definitely recommend to anyone who travels and needs to keep organized." — amazonislife
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in four colors and two sizes).
52. A weighted sleep mask that'll help block out the reading light and/or sunlight from your neighbor's open airplane window shade while you catch up on some of that sleep you sacrificed to get the early flight. Oh, and it's weighted!
Amazon
Promising review:"I am a flight attendant and have a wacky work schedule. I frequently have to sleep during the day. These are SO comfortable and cool as well. I have ordered and tried out at least 10 eye-masks off of Amazon and have found these to be the best. They are SO comfortable and do not have velcro on the straps, for which I am thankful, because I usually sleep on my back and am sensitive to the thickness of eyemasks which have the Velcro straps." — SW
Get one from Amazon for $14.99.
53. A soft faux-leather tote will be the perfect personal item on the plane so you don't even have to pack it in your carry-on! And it would be useful as a day bag (of course keep your valuables zipped up concealed and tucked away inside) with plenty of room for your souvenirs.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Bought this bag last minute for a uniform compliance as a flight attendant, and it's sturdy and a great bag. For the material and the price, it's a great purchase. I've had it over four months." — Amber
Get it from Amazon for $14.29+ (available in a variety of colors and two sizes).
54. A mini lightweight flat iron to help you get your signature smooth locks, or at least tidy up your blowout you're really banking on lasting for a few days.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It also comes with a heat-resistant pouch for easy carrying!
Promising review:"This fits perfectly in my toiletries travel bag that I take with me as a flight attendant. Anything that comes in a small size and still works well is perfect for me." — Kathy S
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in three colors).
55. A set of affordable, highly popular wireless Bluetooth earbuds some reviewers compare to AirPods for significantly cheaper. I was able to wear mine comfortably under my bucket hat while I slept on a very rocky bus ride from the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Iceland. And while I was out exploring, the charging case easily fit in my coat pocket.
www.amazon.com
These come with a wireless charging case that provides up to 14 hours of charge (with the earbuds able to play for four-plus hours with each full charge).
I also use these on the reg in my everyday life to listen to Spotify and podcasts, and even talk on the phone. I have to charge them about once a week and always keep them in my coat pocket.
Promising review:"I am a flight attendant and use this headset so much. Using FaceTime, making phone calls, listening to music, or watching a movie." — Ruben Mercado
Get it from Amazon $18.99+ (available in five colors and two styles).
56. A luggage-mounted cup caddy with a pocket for your bagel or croissant (look at you being fancy so early in the morning!) so you can steer your way to your airport gate with your caffeine in tow.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I'm a flight attendant and I love this one! I love the Velcro 'quick detachment.' It's the best! I had one before without the Velcro opening that just stretched over the handle and it was a PAIN! This one is great! There's room for two large drinks and a slim pocket for my phone or wallet. Many people see it and ask where I got my clever little caddy!" — Debra G
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in various and patterns).
57. A Venus travel razor that'll spare you some precious space in your bag without sacrificing quality. On a recent cruise, it didn't take up too much room on the minuscule shower shelf so I wasn't fighting for space *as* much while feeling like Buddy The Elf in the shower.
Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed
File this as another item that I've included in what feels like a million travel stories and finally tried out for myself. I always thought, "Why bother with a razor that's not THAT much smaller than a regular one?" I think a cruise is the best use case for this. It bought a LITTLE more space in my personal item backpack (my beloved Beis!) and bought me a LOT more space on my shower shelf.
Get it from Amazon for $12.19 (includes a refill).
58. An airplane seat back organizer because those seat back pockets are NEVER as big as you need them to be. With this, you can actually store your snacks, water bottle, and so much more without having to get up and get stuff out of the overhead throughout your flight.
www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the Airplane Pockets tray table cover in action.
Airplane Pockets is a small business that specializes in sanitary, portable travel organization products.
My colleague Emma Lord owns and loves this: "I used this on a roundtrip from NYC to Tokyo, both with connecting flights in Canada, and cannot sing its praises enough. It fit all four of the different tray tables I used it on and was so ridiculously handy for keeping track of all my littler odds and ends like AirPods, the plane's headphones, earplugs, a sleep mask, a book, gum, a scrunchie, and little snacks. The hanging end of it easily tucked into the built-in sleeve of the seat in front of me for takeoff and when other passengers needed to scoot past me in my aisle seat. Usually, I feel like a hot mess and get frustrated rooting around in the grimy sleeve for my stuff, and this was such a refreshing solution! Several flight attendants even asked where I got it to buy one for themselves!"
Promising review: "Very useful, especially when traveling with kids. Provided easy access and storage to things like water bottles, hand sanitizer, snacks, wipes, and headphones. I didn't have to access my carry-on." — JJ
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
59. A pack of toilet seat covers can create a (colorful) barrier between your toddler's curious hands and public toilet seats at rest stops.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Got these for a family cross-country road trip. Glad we did! Worked great for the kids at questionable stops. It says not to flush them. We had to once because of a kid with stomach pains and that was our only option…. Yea. Otherwise, avoid flushing. But they worked as advertised. Well, except the tape part, we didn't realize until after our trip that they could stick to the seat, so apparently they work well even without doing that part." — AmazonFrequentFlyer
Get a pack of 24 covers from Amazon for $9.99.
60. A set of Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier packets, an electrolyte drink mix infused with potassium and vitamin C you can mix into a bottle of water to help speed up your hydration. After all, guzzling water on a flight and then having to spend half the flight in the bathroom line is never fun.
Amazon
Psst — it's also gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free!
Promising review:"This stuff seriously works. Took on a five-day cruise when we had the unlimited drink package, and these Liquid I.V.s saved my life several times. Wouldn't have made it to dinner/gotten off the ship the next morning without them." — Laura Bales
Get a pack of 16 from Amazon for $23.45 (also available in sugar-free flavors). I'm also quite partial to the newer grapefruit flavor.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.