buzzfeed Press
If You’d Call Yourself An Expert Traveler, You Should Have These 35 Products Packed In Your Bag
Images
BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More Because only an amateur would fly without this smartly designed neck pillow and this 6-in-1 charger. I am a contributing writer and former BuzzFeed Shopping fellow and I love writing about the latest fashion trends, the cutest home decor, and what beauty products are actually worth adding to your makeup bag. Promising review: "These compression packing cubes are a game changer for travel! The set is well-made, lightweight, and helps maximize suitcase space by keeping everything neatly organized. The compression feature works great, making it easy to fit more clothing in carry-on luggage. Highly recommended!" —LC Get a set of two from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in 29 colors and size options). Former BuzzFeed Shopping editor Jasmin Sandal says: "I swear by these bad boys not only for general storage purposes but also if I know I'm going to be traveling for an extended period of time. Plus, the satisfaction is indeed guaranteed because when you see those chunky layers flatten into a pancake...it's just *chef's kiss*." Promising review: "These Spacesaver vacuum bags are awesome! With having a lot of luggage to take with me on international flights, every inch of space counts, and seeing your clothing and other materials reduced by 80% makes these bags a wonderful and necessary purchase. Two thumbs up, I highly recommend this product!" —Thomas G Wintringham Get a six-pack from Amazon for $17.99 (available in four sizes as well as other multipacks). Note: This can get flagged with going through security, so you may want to put it in an easily accessible place in your checked bag to be safe. Promising review: "I travel a lot for work and usually take a lot of measures for extra security, such as keeping the luggage roller in my room all week and rolling it in front of the door. It was large and cumbersome, but with this gadget, it's great! You can use it on almost any door and works better than the makeshift 'fork' one. Frequent traveler or not, this item offers peace of mind which can prove invaluable while away from home. (I can even use it on my door at my house!)" —Deactivated Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in a two- or four-pack). Promising review: "I couldn't be happier with this light. I use it for reading in bed and when I travel. It's comfortable, has multiple settings, is easy to use, and the battery stays charged for a long time. You can turn on either one or both sides of the light and its flexibility allows the light to be adjusted easily. I highly recommend this light for reading in bed, for outdoor walking at night, and for doing close work that requires good lighting." —Jean G Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in seven colors and two sizes). Truffle is a women-owned small business that specializes in bags and accessories that are TSA approved or stadium approved. Promising review: "I travel for work quite a bit and love to add this to my travel uniform. It’s hard being away from the comforts of home, but when the things you travel with are of the best quality and offer practicality, it can feel special. If you like quality, don’t hesitate! No more plastic bags for me! ;)" —SOFÍA J. Get it from Truffle for $78+ (available in four sizes and nine colors). All it is is a hood attached to a vest you wear under *any* jacket to protect yourself (and your hair) from whatever the weather has planned. Promising review: "I love the material of this rain hood and how it looks like it is part of any jacket. It was just what I have been looking for since not all jackets have hoods." —Candy from Syracuse, NY Get it from Amazon for $29 (available in two sizes). Promising review: "I purchased two of these for our one-week Disney World trip. I knew I’d be walking around A LOT, and my feet aren’t used to the many miles of walking a day in the hot and humid environment, so I didn’t want to be uncomfortable. I'm happy to say I put it on once in the morning, slipped on some socks and comfy shoes, and I didn’t get one blister or issue with my feet! I wish I knew about this a long time ago!" —Michelle Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (also available as a bundle). Promising review: "I was in Arizona during a continuing 100+ heat wave on a vacay tour. I didn’t use it the first day and ended up with rubbed thighs due to rough seams on shorts and excessive heat. I then used this everyday without additional rubbing rash. This stuff is awesome!!!! I will not leave home again on travel without it. It was not wet or tacky, just glides very nicely. It held up in 113-degree heat. Without it, it would have been a very different vacation. Thank you for making this product!!!!" —Jennifer Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in three sizes and packs). Earplanes is a small business creating earplugs for flying for all — there's even a style made specifically for kids! Promising review: "This product has changed my life. I travel fairly frequently and always have issues with ear pressure on the plane. My ears will be clogged up, and it is painful to swallow for a day or two after short-distance flights. But now, I use these and fly incident-free. You are supposed to insert them before the plane takes off and then before landing. I have found that it works best if I leave them in the entire flight from before takeoff until landing, but they work almost as well if you take them out once you reach cruising altitude." —Thomasina Get a pack of four pairs from Amazon for $24.07. The band applies pressure on the P6 acupressure point that is said to help relieve nausea and vomiting. Read more about acupressure and nausea at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Promising review: "I wished I tried this a long time ago. I used it on a 13 hour drive. Once at Disney World, I wore them for every ride, and it was the first time I did not get nausea or sick. I was amazed. This is a must-have if you get car sick or can’t ride rides at an amusement park." —Mimi145 Get a pack of two from Amazon for $7.96+ (available in six colors). It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual. Promising review: "I love this gadget ... I fly a lot and this works on the majority of wide-body planes I’ve taken over the past six months. Just plug into one of the three-prong outlets (or single outlet in economy), and you can connect any Bluetooth device. Doesn’t always connect on the first try as I have multiple devices that my headphones are searching for, but if you turn off all other devices, it seems to connect right away. Once connected, it works for many hours. A few planes I’ve taken recently (Qatar Airways) have USB charge points so close to the headphone jack that you can even plug it in while it's working and never lose the charge. Highly recommend for travelers." —Joseph Britto Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in five styles and four colors). It's designed to fit any phone up to 100mm x 170mm (or about 3.9 inches x 6.7 inches). And not only will it keep your phone protected from water, but it will also keep sand and dirt out. Promising review: "I purchased this case in July for an upcoming canoe trip with a friend, and as luck would have it, we flipped our canoe. Being the rebel that I am, I chose not to wear my phone around my neck, and so my phone, my ID, and my debit card ended up at the bottom of the river and I just assumed it would be discovered a thousand years from now and placed in a museum as an ancient artifact. Fast-forward to this week. I was contacted via FB by an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office diver and guess what he found? Yup, my phone case with all of the contents intact and dry as a bone! He had to cut the case open, but there was not one single drop of water in it and he ended up purchasing a case for himself because he was just that impressed!" —Julie McDonald Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in 14 colors). Promising review: "I was skeptical at first about how well this little noise machine would work in my hotel room (I am a frequent business traveler). However, skepticism gave way to satisfaction. This little sound machine blocked out hotel noises very well and helped me sleep through the night. For a little machine, it provides very good volume and different noise options. I highly recommend this product!" —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three styles and a multipack). Promising review: "This cup holder is perfect! It helps me a lot! Last time I took a plane with a suitcase and a cup of coffee, I dropped and spilled my drink everywhere when it was my turn to check my passport and ticket. It was a nightmare! This time, I bought this cup holder to do me a favor! I don't have to worry about where my cup and phone are! I can free my hands to do other things. I love it so much! Hope you love it too." —Philip Get it from Amazon for $12.34+ (available in 25 colors). Promising review: "This was a LIFESAVER while traveling. I kept my cards and cash in it and had no stress about thieves lifting my essentials while traveling heavily pickpocketed cities. I loved it so much, I actually continued to use it when I got home instead of carrying a purse! The top flap did start to unravel after about six months — but this was also after six months of everyday use." —Krista Hinz Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in two colors). You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements. Promising reviews: "I cannot imagine how we would have managed a big international trip without this. It saved us so much stress and, I’m sure, surprise charges at the airport." —Potter Freak "This scale works and was accurate on four flights. First flight was a test at 46 pounds, and Delta scales said it was 46 pounds. The next two flights were at 49 pounds, and both United and Delta found it to be 49 pounds. The bag on the fourth flight weighed 49, but the United scale found it to be 48 pounds. Four different airports and scales proved that this scale is a good, low-cost, must-have item for air travel." —Robert Get it from Amazon for $7.91+ (available in four colors and multipacks). Sokoo is a small business creating voltage converters, travel adapters, cooling fans and more. Promising review: "I travel frequently both for work and pleasure and always find myself laughing around a bag full of power cords and converter depending on the country I am visiting. This useful tool has saved me at least 5 lbs worth of excess luggage (a multitude of extension cords, power connectors and external plugs) by consolidating the my connection needs into one tool. This power bank comes with two plugs (you can choose configuration based on the country specific outlets) and four USB plugs. The travel bag makes it convenient and keeps it organized. This is a great investment and value for the price." —LocalistGal Promising review: "You can totally fit three pairs of shoes in this! (Size 6.5 female shoe, fit heels, wedges, and sandals.) I bought two and will absolutely be buying more for my husband. 10/10 would recommend! I travel frequently, and I always overpack, this helped cut down space and stress immensely!" —Taylor Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in nine colors). Anne Cate is a woman-owned small business based in Cleveland, Ohio, that handmakes minimalist keepsakes with a skyline from more than 100 cities and colleges around the world! The kit includes a hair tie, ChapStick, two floss pics, a sewing kit, bandages, emery board, two safety pins, two earring backs, a makeup wipe, two bobby pins, two mints, a deodorant wipe, a Shout wipe, a tampon, hand sanitizer, and Tylenol. BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Danielle Healy says: "I, your resident forgetful person, bought the NYC skyline version of this at the start of COVID-19 to keep in my work tote. Unfortunately, I haven't touched my work tote in months because...*gestures at the world around*...but it's a really handy kit I know will save me a ton whenever I regularly leave the house again. Everything from Anne Cate is super high-quality. The wallet on its own is adorable and could be used for a million different things." Get it from Anne Cate for $25 (available in multiple skylines). Promising review: "This thing is the greatest thing invented since chicken and biscuits. It's like a nice scarf with just enough support to keep your neck just in the right position. I highly recommend it. Works great with big headphones too." —Deana Hero Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in seven colors). Read more about compression socks and long flights at Cleveland Clinic. Promising review: "Worth the money. I'm a server at Disney. I walk around 10 miles a shift. My legs and feet would ache so badly afterward. I am shocked at how well these work. I bought a set of three that were less expensive, but those don’t work anywhere near as well as these do. I will definitely be buying several more pairs of these." —Alaina Get them from Amazon for $13.72+ (available in unisex sizes S–XXL and in 14 colors). And check out our full Physix Gear compression socks review for more! Promising review: "I saw this recommended on TikTok and bought it on a whim. I never knew a jewelry organizer would be so useful! I absolutely love this organizer and think everyone should have one!!" —Savana B Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in two sizes and seven colors). Promising review: "These travel pill cases are totally worth it! We are always out and about traveling, and this case helps keep the travel pharmacy organized! No more clunky pill bottles. The pill case is very sturdy and has a clasp that stays tightly latched. The compartments on the inside are easy to open with plenty of storage for pills. I was able to fit about 10 larger pills into the smaller compartments. It’s nice to also have the larger compartments, too. You can fit wrapped cough drops or other medications in those. Highly recommend!!" —Sydney Tamsula Get a three-pack from Amazon for $6.97 (available in two color combinations). Promising review: "I bought this nifty gadget about six months ago for a multi-leg, ultra-long-haul trip, and it more than held up the entire duration. I was able to finagle it to fit the tray tables on different planes, and like others, I find the height just nice when clamped onto a stowed tray table. It also works on my roller carry-on handle during layovers. However, I find myself using it a lot outside of travel too! Work-wise, I've clamped it onto my office desk shelving to hold my phone at eye level beside my computer. At home, I simply clamped it to a deck of cards, and it turns into a versatile stand that I can place on any flat surface. Heck, I've been using it to hold my phone comfortably at eye level while watching videos in bed. It's extremely well built, and I find myself fidgeting with it all the time. Thus far it still feels solid, and I don't anticipate breaking it any time soon. Even if it does break, I'll be happy to buy another one or two of it!" —Earendil Get it from Amazon for $13.97+ (available in seven colors and multipacks). Airplane Pockets is a small business that specializes in sanitary, portable travel organization products. Promising review: "I used it last week and it was terrific. It fit everything: magazine, iPad, tissues, gum, glasses, phone, earplugs and water bottle. It stretched easily but tightly over the tray and both the flight attendant and my seatmates complimented me on it. I plan to use it every time I fly. It would be perfect for children, too. Highly recommend it." —Sue G. Promising review: "I bought one of these before an international trip to ease the charging needs of two phones, a tablet, and auxiliary power devices. It worked extremely well. I just needed one outlet and one plug converter, and I could charge all my devices. I started using it for all my travel. When not traveling, it stayed in a drawer until I realized that it was even more valuable at home. So, now it sits on a desk in the kitchen, usually with one or more devices charging. When our adult children were home for Thanksgiving, it really got a workout. That's when I decided to buy two more as a gift for each of the boys. Highly recommended." —Blabby Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in black and white). Ring Thing Design is a woman-owned small biz dedicated to creating stylish and functional products. A portion of each sale for this product is donated to nonprofits working to stop human trafficking. Promising review: "I was unsure about this purchase. I didn’t think I would use it to its full potential, but man, oh man, was I wrong. I use it every day. It’s where I store my engagement ring. While at work, I put it in the Ring Thing, and after, I am free to pop it back on. It has given me the power to shut my fiancé up when I 'forget' my ring. I NEVER FORGET NOW! It’s always with me. This is money well spent. Don’t sleep on getting yours." —Liliana Get it from Ring Thing Designs on Etsy (available in five colors) or Amazon for $17.95+ (available in 15 colors). The "daily routine" set includes four medium and three small capsules as well as magnetic, interchangeable labels for shampoo, conditioner, body wash, moisturizer, cleanser, a pill icon, and a blank tile. They also offer skincare, bodycare, and haircare sets, as well as extenders that increase the size of the capsule! And if you fall in love with these and *really* want to customize your collection, head to their site to build your own unique set. Cadence is an AAPI woman-owned small business that was founded by Steph Hon with the goal of eliminating single-use travel-sized plastics. The containers are made from recycled ocean-bound plastic. Promising review: "These containers are perfectly sized for all my travel needs, whether it’s skincare products, vitamins, or even small jewelry pieces. They fit neatly into my carry-on, saving space and keeping everything organized. No more messy toiletry bags or digging around for tiny items — everything has its place with Cadence. The quality of the materials is top-notch. The containers snap together securely, making it easy to keep them organized and prevent any spills. It’s such a clever and practical feature that adds a touch of luxury to the whole experience. Plus, it’s oddly satisfying to hear the little click when they snap into place! "I’ll be honest — the price did give me pause at first. These containers are definitely an investment, but I can confidently say they’re worth it. The peace of mind they provide, knowing my products are safe and secure during travel, is priceless. Plus, the high-quality build means they’ll last for many trips to come, making them a smart long-term investment." —Randy G. Get the daily routine set from Amazon for $138 (available in five colors and other sets). The Fileist is an LA-based woman-owned small business that creates fashionable and functional accessories to make your life easier. Promising review: "This is the best travel item! This is so convenient for all of your travels! I just went to Mexico with my family for a week, and this was so ideal for bringing all of our hats for lounging in the sun. Highly recommend!" —Amanda Tewes Get it from Amazon or from The Fileist for $55. All you have to do is tap the switch on the screen to change the brightness and warmth levels. It also comes with a USB cable to charge. Promising review: "I have been looking for something like this for so long. TikTok helped me find it and it’s exactly as what’s shown! The different light settings are all great, they are all bright, sturdy mirror/stands up well with no issues, good quality, not too big and not too small. Great for travel and everyday use. I’m 10/10 happy with this purchase!" —Chloe Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in five colors). BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Jasmin Sandal says, "I'll be the first to admit it, I'm a little high maintenance when it comes to my sleep. I need complete darkness and complete quiet. So when I know I'm going anywhere that doesn't believe in blackout blinds, or just regular ol' blinds for that matter, I always pack an eye mask. The only problem is, I've struggled to find one that A) doesn't move around when I sleep and B) doesn't let the bleeding light shine through. So as you can imagine, I was just *thrilled* when the Ostrichpillow 100% Blackout Eye Mask was put on my radar — I jumped at the chance to test it out. And, people, it does exactly what it says on the tin. It's super reliable with blocking 1-0-0 percent of the light, and it has an amazing ergonomic design that carves out space for your eyes so your eyelashes don't get all squished — plus, there's even enough room for you to blink, if you wanted to! It's certainly thicker than your average eye mask, and sleeping on your side with it on takes some getting used to. But hey, if it stops lamp light, sunlight...whatever kinda light from disturbing my sleep, it's totally worth it." Get it from Amazon for $45 (available in three colors). Promising review: "I think it's a great product for protecting your brushes, especially while traveling, which is the main reason I purchased it. TikTok had great reviews on it." —Yasmin Get a two-pack from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in six colors). You can also use this in your room to keep valuables protected. Promising review: "This is a must-have for vacations. We took it to Atlantis in the Bahamas. It worked perfectly. Held our phones, room keys, etc, while we were out enjoying the beach or pool. Just looped it to the beach chair or table. Highly recommended." —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $44.95 (available in five colors). BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly loves hers. In her own words: "I've been using for about a year. It's great to just throw in your purse on the reg for a fragrance re-up throughout the day. As you can see, it's about the size of my thumb and, therefore, takes up very little room. Plus! It's smaller than most rollerball travel fragrances you can pick up. This first one is working so well, that I just have the other three in storage. But if this one bites the dust this summer during travels, I'll be OK about digging into my stores to use one of the remaining three...especially at this price point." Get a four-pack from Amazon for $7.99 (also available in a five-pack). It's recommended for ages 3-6 years old. Promising review: "My daughter loves this bed!! We have taken it all over the world and find that it is the best thing for her. We did three weeks in Europe, and it was easy to set up and break down." —Ashley S. Get it from Amazon for $35.46 (available in two colors). * Travel Products To Help You Get From A To B With As Little Agony As Possible * Future You On A Trip Will Be Very Happy You Got At Least One Of These 44 Things Now * Travel Products To Help You Make The Most Out Of Only Bringing A Carry-On * If You’re Traveling With Friends Soon, You Should Probably Send This List Of Must-Have Products To The Group Chat Right Now * Things That’ll Make An Airplane Middle Seat Feel Almost Comfortable Plus, finds from Amazon, Target, and Walmart. 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. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.