15 accessible travel accessories that make your journey easier and more comfortable

CNN

7 days ago

Travel comfort quick picks
Back support on planes: Everlasting Comfort Memory Foam Seat Cushion
Shoes for all-day walking: Vionic Women's 23Walk 2.0 Sneakers
Stay cool in hot climates: Mission Original Cooling Towel Having a disability or health limitation doesn't mean travel is not feasible. In fact, there's a ton of travel gear out there that can make trips easier and more comfortable for people with serious medical conditions or mobility issues or those navigating pain management.
As a traveler who suffers from chronic pain related to an old spine issue, I'm familiar with the miserable discomfort of being stuck in an uncomfortable economy seat on a long-haul flight, but some of the best travel accessories can help alleviate that pain.
These travel essentials go beyond life-saving medical and assistive equipment; they can improve your journey and even elevate the experience, making them crucial inclusions in your packing list. That said, if you have specific accessibility needs, you may want to do some research on accessibility laws and considerations before going on a trip, especially if those needs include assistive devices such as wheelchairs, batteries and respirators.
Everlasting Comfort Memory Foam Seat Cushion
Speaking from personal experience, even a minor spinal issue can cause a lot of pain, but something as simple as a seat cushion to provide support and alleviate pressure can make a massive difference. This one from Everlasting Comfort is the best I've found. It's originally designed for office chairs, but you can use it just about anywhere, including in economy class.
Vionic Women's 23Walk 2.0 Sneakers
If you have high arches as I do, you know how difficult it is to find a pair of shoes with good arch support for better weight distribution. Well, look no further than the Vionic 23Walk 2.0 Sneakers, which provide incredible arch support, making them more than sufficient for preventing or alleviating feet and back pain, even when you're exploring all day or traveling for more than 24 hours. I've tested my fair share of travel shoes, and these are among the best.
Therm-a-Rest Lumbar Travel Pillow
Therm-a-Rest is best known for its camping gear, but did you know its travel pillow is a crowd favorite as well? If you need a little back support for pain relief — economy seats are the worst — the brand's lumbar pillow makes every flight a little better, helping you correct your posture as well as relieving pressure. It's self-inflating too, so it's collapsible and easy to pack when not in use.
Comrad CloudCotton Compression Socks
If you often experience swollen feet and ankles when flying, consider investing in a pair of compression socks. These help minimize not just swelling but also the risk of blood clots. There are a few options out there, but I love the feel of Comrad's socks. They're soft yet thick and feel robust enough to last you longer than a cheap pair you might find at a drugstore.
Sony WF-C710N Truly Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds
As a frequent traveler, I'm all too familiar with jet lag. One product I can count on to help me take catnaps on flights and bus rides is a pair of noise-canceling headphones. I prefer my Sony WF-C710N earbuds since they're portable and take up very little space. Their active noise cancellation (ANC) works beautifully as well, and they're much cheaper than the Sony WH-1000MX6 or Apple AirPods Pro 2.
Cabeau Evolution X Neck Pillow
I was a little hesitant to try Cabeau's new neck pillow, even though the brand makes our current pick for best travel pillow, but once I figured out how to customize it to my specifications, it gave me some of the best sleep I've ever had in economy class. It's designed to keep your neck from tilting in any direction so that you stay comfortable and wake up without any neck strain. It's so worth the money.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
According to the Sleep Foundation, reading before bed may help you get a better night's sleep; however, books tend to be bulky, so if you're traveling light, you'll love the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite for its small, thin size and light weight of just 7.5 ounces. Not too shabby, considering you can store thousands of books in it. If you need a nonpharmacological sleep aid, it's a very effective one. This is also one of the best e-readers on the market.
Nodpod Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask
Weighted blankets have been proven to help promote sleep, but since they're too heavy to be a travel blanket, this weighted sleep mask might be the next best thing. Not too heavy to be uncomfortable, the mask's tiny interior beads put light pressure on your eyes and pressure points to help lull you to sleep. The first time I tried this mask on, I didn't even realize I was falling asleep. One minute, I was putting it over my eyes, and the next it was daytime.
Away Active Hanging Toiletry Bag
Having stayed at Airbnbs, hostels and relatives' houses, I know that having easy access to your toiletries can sometimes feel like a luxury, especially when you're in the shower. Whether you have mobility limitations or not, you'll love having a hanging toiletry bag like this one from Away's Active line. It's spacious enough to store a lot of products, and it'll keep them both organized and accessible. It even has a waterproof compartment.
Step2Gold Ta-Da Chair Series 2
If you experience leg issues or need to regularly get off your feet, packing this walking stick for your next vacation is a great idea. Not only will it provide extra support when you're walking but also allow you to rest even in places where there's no seating available, thanks to its built-in chair. It's also lightweight yet robust, with a maximum load capacity of 300 pounds, and available in three heights.
Lojel Cubo Small Carry-On Luggage
If you experience mobility issues, consider traveling light with compact carry-on luggage. It will be such a load off, especially if you're going from one gate to another in a different terminal. There are several great compact options on Amazon, but I prefer this one from Lojel, even if it's pricier. It fits more than you might think (almost the same amount of clothes as a regular carry-on) and has a front compartment to store essentials for quick access.
Away Featherlight Cargo Pack
It's not just your valuables you need to keep close to you when exploring a new city or embarking on a day trip. Having essentials like hand sanitizer, a portable fan, bug spray, sunscreen and even medications handy can not only help elevate your experience but also potentially save your life. That's why I love traveling with this very sensible and large-capacity day pack from Away. It's lightweight, it has plenty of compartments to help you stay organized and it'll keep all those necessities within easy reach.
Mission Original Cooling Towel
Summer travels are fun, but they can also be excruciating and even risky if you're visiting a destination with a very hot or humid climate. Bringing along something as simple and effortless to use and carry as a cooling towel can make a massive difference. This one from Mission is CNN Underscored's pick for the best cooling towel on the market, with fellow frequent traveler and CNN Underscored associate editor Jillian Tracy saying it delivered the best immediate cooling of any towel she tested.Read our review
Tile by Life360 Mate (2024) Bluetooth Tracker
'One minute you're enjoying a mimosa on vacation, the next you're stuck in a hellish phone tree, trying to cancel your cards,' travel lover and CNN Underscored associate writer Maxwell Shukuya, who relies on Bluetooth trackers to keep track of his valuables when traveling, said. I, myself, attach one to my camera or camera bag and another to my luggage since it's easy to lose track of your stuff when you're busy discovering a new place. Plus, they provide peace of mind in case you unwittingly become the victim of a pickpocket.
Twelve South AirFly Pro 2
Juggling a blanket, pillow, drink, food tray and wire attaching your headphones to your seatback entertainment can be frustrating even when you don't have accessibility needs. That's why small, travel-size conveniences, such as this popular Bluetooth transmitter and adapter from Twelve South, are a must for me, especially when I have a middle or aisle seat in economy. Its convenience is unmatched, not to mention it's saved my seatmates and I from possible tripping-induced injuries.CNN Travel senior producer Maureen O'Hare, whose father uses pain relief sprays and creams as well as small electrical devices such as TENS machines when traveling, lent us her travel expertise to answer the following questions about travel-size comfort gadgets.
What's the best way to pack accessible travel essentials?
What's the best way to pack accessible travel essentials?
First things first: Invest in accessible travel essentials that are lightweight and compact. Traveling light helps not only to avoid issues with meeting airline requirements but also make travel easier on you. When packing those accessible travel essentials, it's important to keep the ones you'll need during actual travel — whether by plane, train, car or bus — within easy reach, such as in your personal item bag.
Can you bring accessible travel essentials into a carry-on?
Can you bring accessible travel essentials into a carry-on?
Absolutely! As long as they meet airline requirements, packing accessible travel essentials into your carry-on is a nonissue, but O'Hare advises always checking restrictions with your airline beforehand. Remember to also remove the essentials you'll need during the flight if the airline forces you to check in your carry-on due to limited overhead space.
'TENS machines are usually permitted in both hand luggage and checked baggage, but it's better to carry them with you, both for security and safety reasons and for ease of access. If a doctor has told you that your specific TENS unit shouldn't go through an X-ray machine, be sure to let the airport security officer know,' O'Hare said, adding that 'essential medical supplies can exceed the standard amount if you can supply official medical documentation.'
How can you make travel easier when mobility or comfort is a challenge?
How can you make travel easier when mobility or comfort is a challenge?
There are several ways. On top of packing the travel essentials you'll need, be ready for any situation by reading the accessibility laws and considerations at your destination, especially if traveling abroad. Packing a printout of those will come in handy as well. If applicable, book accommodations and ground transport offering accessible infrastructure and services.
Finally, don't hesitate to ask the airline, ground crew and flight attendants for assistance. 'When my mother, now in her 80s, travels by plane, my siblings and I always arrange airport assistance so she can get through the airport easily,' O'Hare said. 'The staff have always been friendly and helpful, and the wheelchairs are available for anyone who needs a little help with getting around.'
For this article, we consulted the following expert to gain her professional insights.
Maureen O'Hare, senior producer for CNN Travel based in London
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we're testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item.
Testing writer Michelle Rae Uy has years of experience covering travel gear and writing product reviews. She's written several travel content articles for CNN Underscored, including our best weekender bags guide, our best garment bags list and a solo travel gear guide. She also just wrapped her very popular travel-size gadgets roundup.