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If you're an overpacker, you should bookmark this list.

It's 2026, and your upcoming travel plans are starting to get expensive — we've all been there. But you don't need to add those expensive checked bag fees to your budget! All you need are these tips (and products) and you can pack...even overpack....as much as you want and still get that carry-on closed.

Now you can really *maximize* your size based on the airlines you fly most often.

This one checks all the boxes: super roomy, zips completely open (like a suitcase — so it's easy to find what you need), has plenty of pockets (including one for shoes and a separate wet bag!), and a strap that slides down over your luggage handle for easy transport. And reviewers say it meets even Spirit and JetBlue's personal item rules and fits under airplane seats!

Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in three sizes and 17 colors).

Promising review: "I bought this backpack for work. It's the BEST backpack I've ever used. I needed one with several pockets and not too big or heavy. I found that with this backpack, I can fill it and still have room! There's even a shoe and clothing compartment for traveling! The straps are just wide enough to stay on your shoulders, especially with the snap straps in front. I also love the color, and it's true to the picture color. If you're looking for lightweight with tons of pockets, this is what you need!" —Kelly Miller

Promising review: "This is a perfect size backpack for traveling on a plane as your personal item, especially to international destinations. You could fit rolled-up clothes in here for another week, and it has a very handy shoe bag and tons of places for your electronics. This will be an excellent addition to my carry-on suitcase. Best purchase all year. I consider myself an expert on travel bags. I have way too many. It’s smaller than it looks but so roomy." —AP

This is my go-to bag for everything from grocery runs to appointments! And on my next trip, I will absolutely be using it for my in-flight essentials: my Kindle, AirFly Bluetooth adapter, headphones, hand sanitizer, lotion, and lip balm.

BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly says, "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 fits 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. 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."

Get it from Amazon for $12.98 (available in 43 colors). 

Promising review: "I have the Lulu everywhere bag, and this is the same thing without the logo. Go ahead and get it in all the cute colors you want. My only personal grievance is that it barely fits my kindle. I love all of the pockets, though. Perfect size for your AirPods. It's the best for plane travel to keep your wallet, phone, etc. handy without digging through your big carry on bag." —Ashley

The amount of extra undies I bring on trips...why?!

Get this handy notepad from Amazon for $10.

Many sites will give you the seasonal average weather for that date and location so you can plan your outfits (or what you might need to buy) before the actual forecast is available closer to your trip. You can also look at *past* years for the same info! I always use this to plan the kind of things I need to bring when I travel...far in advance!

Get this one from Amazon for $23.99 (available in women's sizes S–3XL and 25 colors).

Promising review: "Lightweight, water resistant, perfect for traveling! I bought this to wear in Iceland. It rolls up and goes into a little pouch, which makes it easier to carry. It kept me nice and dry when I was walking the rainy, misty streets of Iceland as well as the many waterfalls I visited. I highly recommend." —Karin M. Dixey

There are tonnnnns of packable puffer coat options for colder weather in men's and women's sizes on Amazon too!

It's also made of UPF50 fabric, so it's also great for carrying around your own personal shade when the sun is blazing!

Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 29 colors). 

Promising review: "Perfect for travel. I got this to stick in my backpack or suitcase when I travel. I did not want a bulky umbrella. This fit the bill. Compact but provides enough coverage for rainy days." —Deb

The military-style roll is basically like the regular roll, but taken to ~the next level~. "Clown car" is all about ~stacking~ before folding and tucking.

And if you like a classic fold but have a hard time seeing everything in your suitcase, the front-to-back style is a good option. It's also *great* for storing tees in your drawers at home so you can see what's what.

You can use zip-top bags, as pictured above, packing cubes, or whatever else you have around the house.

It comes with a laundry bag to separate your dirty clothes on your way back, and the cubes have mesh tops so you can see what's inside!

Get the set of six pictured above from Amazon for $25.99 (available in 17 colors and patterns).

Promising review: "These packing cubes exceeded my expectations!!!! I was able to pack for a seven-day cruise: seven day outfits, seven evening dresses, six swimsuits and six swim cover-ups. Along with 10 pairs of undergarments, four PJ sets, and three bras. It was wild. I highly recommend! I used a Vera Bradley weekend tote to fit my packing cubes and then a separate bag for shoes, toiletries, etc. worked perfectly! Very happy with my purchase." —Elias Zuloaga

Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $13.99.

Promising review: "My husband wanted me to take just a carry-on when we went to Paris and Switzerland last year. We were gone for 10 days and I had to pack dressy clothes, hiking clothes, clothes for the cold snowy mountains, and clothes for the warm May spring days touring Paris. I could NEVER have done it without these compression bags. I will always use these when I travel now. ALWAYS!!" —rmac

Get it from Amazon for $54.90 (available in women's sizes XXS–5XL and in 21 colors).

Promising review: "I can’t say enough about this dress. It’s such a simple dress, but so versatile. I’ve worn it by itself in warmer weather and I’ve dressed it up with a sweater and boots in winter. It’s a wardrobe staple. Note to inquiring shoppers: as other reviewers have mentioned, it is advisable to size down." —Tonya

Check out more carry-on tips at One Good Thing By Jillee.

I did this on a trip to Greece, and my wide-brim sun hat got there and back without a single crease!

The magnetic clip securely attaches to your hat brim (damage-free) — just attach around the strap/handle of your choosing!

Promising review: "Not sure why I hesitated to buy this for so long but I’m glad I finally did! The magnet has a very strong grip and perfect for straw hats and caps. It even grips my wool flatcaps as well. I can’t speak for thicker hats, but this fits my needs perfectly. Bring on the sunny days! Update: my hat survived its first Europe summer thanks to this hat clip. Through airports and heavy crowds and even at the Olympics, it never fell off. I got a lot of compliments and was asked where I bought the clip. Don’t hesitate! It’s worth the cost." –VF

Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (available in six colors).

Then you can pack your shoes inside shoe bags (like I do) to keep the dirty soles away from your clothes, or just pop on a shower cap ($4.99 for a set of three), like pictured here!

Get a pack of four drawstring shoe bags (they're clear tops so you can see which pair is which) for $15.99 at Amazon.

Another tip? Pull out all the clothes you want to bring, then put one third of them away — you probably won't need 'em!

Get a pack of eight packets from Amazon for $8.12.

Promising review: "I bought a pack to take along on our UK and Ireland Christmas vacation. We were going to be gone for two weeks and I knew that there would be times where we needed to hand wash items and have them ready the next day. We were able to, throw some essential items into the hotel room sink and hand wash them and hang them to dry. It did pull out dirt and grime and left our clothes with a fresh scent. It’s a smart purchase and I will be sending a pack along with my daughter for her study abroad trip to Peru next month." —Jill Foster

Just stuff them in and squeeze to release the extra air!

Get this cute map-print one from Amazon for $14.04 (also available in a set with two shoe bags).

Promising review: "As a frequent traveler, this bag has been great for packing dirty laundry on the return trip home. It will hold much more than I usually put in it and compresses nicely in the suitcase. I toss it in the washer along with the clothes and it has held up for well over a year now." —CC

Reviewers love the one pictured above: it folds up truly tiny, has no weird plastic taste, and has an easy-to-clean wide mouth. 

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in four sizes and 20 colors).

Promising review: "I took this water bottle on a recent trip to Iceland. In Iceland, water from any tap is glacier water and is absolutely delicious. This bottle made it easy to fill up whenever I wanted, even in I stream near a waterfall! It rolls up so it takes up little space. I never dribbled any while drinking, so I would say it's easy to drink from. It has a clip that would fit on a belt or belt loop, but I wear neither so I carried it easily with one finger in the clip. I found it easy to rinse. I'm 100% happy with the quality of this bottle." —nanykin

They also come with blank label stickers so you can note which pills are in which compartment. 

Get the set of three from Amazon for $7.49 (available in five color sets).

Promising review: "I love these! I have pretty severe ADHD, and I am constantly forgetting my meds when camping or hiking or just generally leaving the house for extended periods of time. These make it so much easier for me to just squirrel away in my backpack and be so pleased when I find them again. The labels are great, they are durable, and I'm no longer finding stray pills of unknown origin in the bottom of my bag. Highly recommend." —Eliza

Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in five colors).

Promising review: "Really amazing value – it looks pretty luxe but I can't believe the price I bought it for — especially considering how expensive jewelry boxes can be. I use this one for travel and it's perfect (I have a larger one for all my jewelry as well. I really like that you can move the little dividers in the bottom compartment around too that's been very helpful" —Dee

Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in four colors).

Promising review: "The trtl pillow is much better than a standard travel pillow due to the neck support it offers. It is difficult for me to sleep on planes but with the trtl I can sleep even in tiny cramped budget airline seats. It also folds pretty flat which makes it easy to pack in a carry on item. Most comfortable travel pillow." —Sofia Allison

Check out a TikTok showing how someone used a similar neck pillow to just take that and a personal item onto a RyanAir flight that was charging for hand luggage. 

Promising review: "The Tube Pillow was a savior on my last trip. It held a surprising amount of clothes and doubled as a dirty laundry bag. I used it as an on-the-lap pillow... for extra storage without extra fees, it's worth it!" —Sharon

No more holding up the security line triple-checking to see if you still have your passport. Just a touch of first-class style, at an economy price. It's made of RFID-blocking material, too.

Get the one pictured above from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 35 colors).

Promising review: "I absolutely love this wallet. I needed a new travel wallet, and this holds everything I need all in one place, and it still closes nicely and stays flat! Boarding pass, passport, ID and credit cards, money, checked baggage tickets, receipts, etc.! Yet it doesn’t bulk up or look like an overstuffed mess. Just amazing. The description says it only holds US money, but I just used the boarding pass flap to hold all my Japanese yen (¥), which are larger. I didn’t use the zippered pocket for coins as I much prefer a separate coin purse for that sort of thing. I definitely recommend to anyone who travels a lot!" —Anthony Luu

Get the set of four containers, plus the clear case pictured above from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 31 color sets).

Promising review: "I love these bottles. The suction in the cap is one way, so air does not filter back into the container. This means it will be so much easier to get the product out — you won't have to squeeze the air out first and then the product. They are such high quality and feel amazing. I love that they come with a carrying case to keep them all together!" —Katherine Milesusnich

Promising review: "I bought these for a ten day trip. No leaks!! Plenty of product capacity for the entire time." —wendy smith

Get the Cosrx snail mucin set (which includes Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser, Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Moisturizing Essence, Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream, and Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream) from Amazon for $22.90, and the E.l.f. Holy Hydration! set (which includes face cream, eye cream, melting cleansing balm, cleanser, and booster drops) from Amazon for $21.

Promising review (for the Cosrx set): "I ordered these to try all these products. Loved them all so bought the larger size to keep these for travel. Just make sure you mist face with water before putting on the mucin it does make a difference!" —kelly heinnbockel

Promising review (for the E.l.f. set): "Perfect for travel or perfect for samples. I ordered the moisturizer and thought I would order this entire sample/travel set to give it a try. I've been using this for a few weeks now as a primary face cleanser set and I love it. The under-eye cream and serum do a great job for overnight repair. The moisturizer helps my dry skin so much and leaves it soft each time. The makeup removal balm IS AMAZING. I'm definitely buying this as a full product. The face wash is gentle and smells heavenly. The entire set is great. It has helped with my dry skin and this Arizona summer "dry heat"" —Heather Mata

You can also get similar kits from CeraVe, Peach & Lily, Innisfree, and more.

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $7.99 (available in seven sets).

Promising review: "How did I not find these sooner! These are awesome! If you are a fragrance buff (frag head), these are a must! Simply pop the sprayer off of your favorite cologne/perfume, place the bottom of one of these on the nozzle, push down a few times, now you have your favorite scent to go! Depending on how much you use daily, a full atomizer should last 1 to 2 weeks." —V.O.A.

I bought this for a recent trip, and I was legit shocked at how much I could fit inside — and it zips up to be surprisingly small! I bought the "medium" which was plenty big for my needs, especially if you're packing in a carry-on.

Promising review: "Seriously?! Do you see how much this holds?! Full shampoo bottles, face washes, hair brush...everything I could need or want to bring, FITS IN THIS ONE BAG! And it’s so cute! Feels like great quality too — all the hardware came with protective wraps to keep from scratching and the zippers feel very hardy. The hook at the top is also VERY WELL-SECURED to the bag, it’s double stitched to the top panel and almost feels like seatbelt material. And I love the extra pockets and netting inside. I would absolutely recommend this!" —mahea_c

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in nine colors).

It has a swiveling, tangle-free cord, too.

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (also available in white).

Promising review: "I bought this for a trip to Italy, as I didn't have a dual-voltage iron (and you can't just use a converter-adapter combination with things that heat up). I liked that it was a flat iron and curling iron combo, so I could change things up as I desired. It worked beautifully on our trip — I look nice in all my selfies ;) — and continues to work beautifully at home. In fact, I've replaced my old flat iron with this because of the versatility and now use this one every day. BTW, in case you are wondering, it automatically switches to the appropriate voltage, no looking for a switch or anything. You don't need to do anything but plug it in! Great product!" —Diane Field

I bought this little guy before a trip last year — and I am in love. I keep it on fan 1 (there are *three* different fan sound options), and it helped me sleep better in hotel rooms — and even a bit better next to a very loud snorer. I used it every night (for eight hours at a time) on a two-week trip, and I only had to charge it *twice*! And if you prefer, there are also several auto-shut off timer options too.

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in 12 colors, plus two packs and packs that come with a travel case).

Promising review: "I was certainly skeptical regarding this sound machine. I mean, how could this little round thing produce big noise? Well, I'm here to tell you it does! I was astounded that after I had charged it up, and turned it on the huge sound that came out of this! I enjoy the fan noise the best. I read the reviews beforehand and most were very positive....so I know I had to try it out as I don't go anywhere without my every night plug in (big) noise machine...but that one is bulky...and I needed a smaller one for travel. The other wonderful thing about this little baby is that it is rechargeable! You don't need an outlet to use it unless you are charging it up. The directions were a little....well, let's just say there wasn't much to the directions...but if you have any common sense, it won't take you to long to figure out how it works. Just buy it! Especially for travel!" —T. Bellati

Shop Delsey luggage like the one pictured here on Amazon.

Hot take: As long as you have SOCKS ON and you don't usually have a super-aggressive foot odor (I'm sorry!), it's 100% OK to take your shoes off on a long international flight.

BTW, you can get the chunky sneakers pictured above from Amazon for $40.99 (available in women's sizes 6–11 and 15 colors and styles). One reviewer traveled in them all summer, and *25* reviewers said they feel like you're "walking on clouds"!

Get this one (it's super soft and 100% cotton) from Amazon for $50+ (available in six colors).

Promising review: "When I travel, I always get cold. This looked like it would be ideal for the plane, but also sitting in chilly meeting rooms. It's a large travel scarf with a tight knit. I ended up not needing it on the plane, but it worked great for a throw while I was sleeping at the hotel. This will be tucked into my suitecase for my weekly travels. Great investment piece." —Denise

It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual. I have this and use it whenever I fly — it's great! Just be sure you charge it before you go, and I have found it's easiest to pair your headphones to your device at home — just plug it into your computer or any audio device to make sure the sound works, and pair!

See one TikTok user using it with their AirPod Pros here. 

Promising review: "Ever since I purchased my wireless Bose earbuds, I always hated having to use another set when I was on an airplane with the seat-back entertainment system. I tried many different models to connect the system to my Bluetooth headsets until I came across this one, and it is amazing! It seamlessly connects to my headset, very clear and reliable audio, and it takes the stress away from having to carry more than one headset! Thank you!!!" —Ryan Malloy

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in four styles and five colors).

I never thought I'd be an e-reader person, but living in a New York apartment with limited bookshelves changed my ways. I love love (love love love) my Kindle — especially for easily borrowing library books, squeezing in a few chapters on a subway ride, and, of course, traveling. I lit'rally read 10 times as much with a Kindle in my life.

Get the newest 2024 version of the basic Kindle (with faster page turns and a huger contrast ratio) from Amazon for $109.99 (available in black and matcha). Or shop the newest version of the Kindle Paperwhite ($159.99) for poolside or beach reading — it's WATERPROOF *and* has an adjustable warm backlight!

Promising review: "This is my first Kindle, and I have to say how disappointed I am in myself for not buying one sooner. The size and weight of this is so easy to travel with, the color is absolutely stunning, and the battery life! I cannot stress enough how long this battery goes. When I first got it, I did a full charge, and that was almost 2 weeks ago — I have not charged it since, and I am still at 86% battery life, and I read almost every night. I’m so impressed with this" —Veronica Lima

This one folds into a teensy pouch when not in use, is tear and water resistant, and even has a separate side pocket for shoes. Aaaaand it has a strap on the side that slides easily over your roller luggage handle.

Just keep it in your regular suitcase between trips, and you'll never forget it. Fold-up duffels like these are my GO-TO when going on a vacation I know will be shopping heavy. And then you can bring your new finds on the plane to ensure they don't get lost (it's 20 inches, making it perfect for the overhead compartment).

Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in 10 colors and patterns).

Promising review: "We bought this to take with us when we visited our daughter who is studying abroad for four months. We figured she would not have enough room in her luggage when it was time to come home. Folded up, this bag was so compact and lightweight it took up almost no room in our own luggage for the trip over. Then, sure enough, she had a ton of clothes and shoes to send home with us and packed this bag full. We checked the bag and it made it through two international flights without a scratch. The BEST feature is the side strap that allows you to slide it over the handle of a rolling suitcase so you don't have to carry it. This is probably the most practical and the best-value item I have purchased in years." —Tosa Mom

The stroller is supposed to fit kids from 6 months up to 55 pounds (approx. 5 years).

Promising review: "This stroller is great! So cool looking, too. I constantly have moms coming up to me asking where I got this! So easy to fold, so light, and barely takes any space in my trunk. We took it on a flight, and the flight attendants recognized the stroller and told me that I can just wheel the baby on and put the stroller in the overhead bin. I wish I had gotten this stroller with my oldest, but I was being cheap. This stroller is so worth the money. I regret not getting it sooner! But at least my youngest can enjoy it." —Nai Len

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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* Things Reviewers Have Used On Long-Haul Flights

* Travel Is Expensive, But These 31 Things Are Here To Save You A Little Money At Every Step Of Your Journey

Plus, tips for traveling with a carry-on, a guide to the best luggage brands, road trip essentials, packing cubes, finds for frequent travelers and travel-friendly strollers, bags, and perfumes.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

This piece is by Maitland Quitmeyer, a deputy editorial director on the BuzzFeed Shopping team (she's been a shopping editor so long, she remembers when Prime Day was just one day), who has spent the better part of a decade finding, vetting, and writing about products (and deals!), from no-nonsense toilet cleaners to the best mascaras to genius ideas that'll win your next gift exchange.