The Travel Accessories We Never Board a Plane Without
9 min readPacking lists will vary based on where you’re going and how long you’re traveling for, but the best travel accessories can improve every trip. From tech gadgets to keep your electronics powered up and luggage accessories that ensure you’re not hit with an overweight baggage charge, having the right gear means a smoother journey, every time. Below, we’ve rounded up 27 essential items to pack inside your carry-on bag, weekender, or checked luggage. Consider these the travel gear staples to bring on your next trip—and all your future vacations after that.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Discover the best travel accessories:
A trusted tote
A tote is the ideal personal item—it’s roomy enough to store all your odds and ends, and everything you’d want with you during a flight, and is usually pretty pliable, meaning you can squeeze it under the seat without taking up all of your foot room. Look for one with comfortable shoulder straps, should you overload it with snacks from Hudson News. A trolley sleeve is a nice feature, too, so you can slide it over your suitcase while cruising through the airport.
Browse more tote bag recommendations.
A travel toiletry bag
A Dopp kit is key to staying organized—and avoiding spills in your luggage. We like these options from Calpak and Dagne Dover for their water-resistant materials and ample space for your toothbrush and toothpaste, razor, soaps, and more. Depending on where you’re headed, and who you’re traveling with, you might want to opt for a hanging bag that allows you to keep items tidy and off the bathroom counter.
Browse more women’s and men’s Dopp kit recommendations.
Packing cubes
Don’t underestimate the power of a good packing cube. These small-but-mighty travel essentials help keep you and your suitcase a whole lot more organized. They range in size from small cubes meant for socks and underwear to larger ones for bulkier sweaters and jeans. You can also use them to separate clean and dirty clothes on your way back home.
Browse more packing cube recommendations.
Jewelry case
A rule to live by: Never check your valuables, especially jewelry. Keep necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings safe and neatly organized inside a jewelry case. These durable, compact cases fit neatly in your personal item with enough room to store a few different jewelry options for your trip.
Reusable travel bottles
Rather than buy plastic minis of a generic shampoo and body wash, get yourself a set of leakproof travel bottles that allow you to bring your at-home favorites on the go. They’re great for storing toiletries and beauty products, but also small items like jewelry or vitamins.
Browse more toiletry bottle recommendations.
A pill case
Instead of bringing your entire bottle of daily medication or vitamins, pack a compact pill case that holds only as much as you’ll need for the length of your trip. I always pack the Holii daily pill organizer no matter where I’m headed—it’s small enough to fit in my Dopp kit and has enough compartments to separate what I’ll need for each day.
Browse more pill case recommendations.
Hydrating skincare products
Even if you’re not the type of person with a multi-step in-flight skincare routine, a few basics can go a long way in keeping your skin happy and healthy after a long day of travel (just make sure all your products are in a TSA-approved size). Clinique and Tatcha offer some great moisturizers that leave your skin feeling hydrated and plump. If your face gets a little bloated on flights, Peter Thomas Roth’s Hydra-Gel eye patches are packed with collagen and caffeine to de-puff and smooth your under-eyes. Don’t forget a nourishing lip balm, either.
A portable charger
There’s nothing like a dead battery to slow down a trip. Keep all your accessories charged up with a power bank—Anker is our go-to, but iWalks mini portable charger is a great option, too. These are both compact enough to fit in a small fanny pack or sling bag.
A power adapter
For international travel, a power adapter is a must to make sure you can get devices charged up in the airport and your hotel room. Apple’s World Travel Adapter Kit comes with seven AC plugs with prongs that fit into different electrical outlets around the world, and each one is labeled with the regions they are compatible with. (As for compatibility, it works with Apple USB-C power adapters; MagSafe and MagSafe 2 power adapters; 10W, 12W, 30 and 35W USB ports; and portable power adapters.) We also recommend this Bluetooth converter, which lets you use your regular cordless earbuds to watch a movie in flight.
Headphones
Whether the plan is to listen to music, watch a movie, or just drown out noisy neighbors, most of us won’t board a plane without headphones—especially a pair that are noise-canceling. Make sure you have your go-to on hand, plus a pair of corded earbuds (if you forego the aforementioned Bluetooth adapter).
A luggage scale
Give yourself some added peace of mind with a digital luggage scale; it’ll let you know how much damage your souvenirs did before arriving at the check-in counter on the way home.
Browse more luggage scale recommendations.
A luggage tag
Speaking of luggage, it’s a smart idea to attach a luggage tag to your checked bag so you can easily track it. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your personal belongings made it safely to the right destination.
Browse more luggage tag recommendations.
An e-reader
Even travelers with a library full of books at home have to admit it: E-readers are an essential travel accessory for bookworms. They are so much lighter than even one paperback book, and let you bring as many options as you want along for the ride.
Browse more e-reader recommendations.
A portable fan
If you’re headed somewhere warm, or just tend to run hot, do yourself a favor and pack a portable fan. A lightweight, handheld option will give you the breeze you need, whether you’re in the back of a crowded bus or van, standing in line at Disneyland, or kicking back in a beach chair.
Browse more portable fan recommendations.
A portable steamer
If you’re traveling to a wedding or heading out on a business trip, you may want to bring a portable steamer along to make sure your formalwear looks its best after you take it out of your suitcase. These editor-tested steamers aren’t too bulky to pack and actually get the job done.
Browse more travel steamer recommendations.
A tech kit
All of those tech items mean you’re going to have plenty of charging cubes and cables to keep track of. Save space in your backpack—and save yourself the headache of digging through your bag—by keeping everything wrapped up in a tech kit like the ones below.
Browse more travel tech organizer recommendations..
An eye mask
For a comfortable journey at 30,000 feet—especially one where you hope to get some shut-eye—an eye mask is crucial. The soft, sculpted Mzoo contoured mask and the Tempur-Pedic sleep mask are popular choices amongst Traveler readers. These mold to fit to your face, provide total darkness, and stay in place throughout your whole flight. Sweet dreams!
Browse more eye mask recommendations.
A neck pillow
Another comfort essential: a travel pillow. It can take some time to find the style you like best, and your pick might vary depending on whether you’re in-flight or in a car. Two we like: The classic memory foam wraparound neck pillow, which can be tightened or loosened per your preference, and the space age-looking Pluto Pod recommended by contributor Juliet Izon.
Browse more neck pillow recommendations.
Compression socks
We love a good pair of compression socks to fight that pins-and-needles feeling that comes from sitting still for too long, be it on a long-haul flight or a road trip. Our editors swear by socks from Comrad and Bombas—they’re comfortable, stay in place, and help reduce swelling.
Browse more compression sock and travel sock recommendations.
Earplugs
When you need some peace and quiet, swap your noise-canceling headphones in for earplugs. Traveler contributor Karthika Gupta raves about Curvd earplugs for long-haul flights. As someone with claustrophobia, she likes that they help block out external sounds to create a controlled auditory environment, which in turn calms her nerves. They are lightweight, affordable, ergonomically designed, and, more importantly, noise-reducing.
A blanket scarf
For those who run cold, an oversized scarf will get plenty of use in transit, and can even double as a blanket. Opt for a quality material you can pack for years to come, like cashmere. These cozy wraps from Quince and J.Crew are so well-made and are a lot more affordable than most cashmere options on the market.
Browse more blanket scarf recommendations.
A crossbody bag
A crossbody bag comes in handy on every type of trip, whether you’re sightseeing around London or exploring the Disney parks. These lightweight bags take up little suitcase space and keep you hands-free and ready to go for whatever is on the agenda.
Browse more crossbody bag and fanny pack recommendations.
Hand sanitizer and wipes
As for general wellness, hand sanitizer is a must—buy a set and drop one in all your most-used totes and crossbody bags so you’re never without. Wet Ones wipes are nice to have on hand too, especially if you’re traveling with little ones.
A tray table cover
This $30 airplane tray table cover has become one of my favorite in-flight travel accessories. It slides onto your tray table like a pillowcase, and completely covers the surface—so you can eat and work off of it without worrying about all those germs. Another bonus: It features four pockets to store essentials like your tablet, passport, water bottle, and phone. This means you won’t accidentally leave your most important documents or electronics in the seat’s safety manual compartment.
A reusable water bottle
This might seem like a no-brainer, but don’t forget to pack a trusty reusable water bottle, so you can stop buying overpriced bottles at the airport (and be kinder to the environment). Our editors love these 32-ounce bottles from Owala and Hydro Flask—they’re durable, easy to hold, and keep your water cold for hours.
Browse more water bottle recommendations.
A passport holder
Also handy: a high-quality passport case (bonus points if it has space to hold your credit cards) to keep your most important document protected. Made of genuine Italian leather, Cuyana’s sleek passport case is a thoughtful gift for any traveler in your life. For a more affordable option, opt for this under-$30 passport holder with a built-in AirTag holder.
Browse more passport holder recommendations.
A travel umbrella
Depending on your destination, a travel-size umbrella might be worth the space in your luggage. And if you’re driving, tossing one in the backseat is a no-brainer. Contributor Claire Volkman tested out more than a dozen options to determine which are the sturdiest and most compact—shop two of her favorites below.
Browse more umbrella recommendations.
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