47 Super Handy Travel Products For Anyone Who Plans Their Life Around Their PTO Schedule

Buzz Feed

19-03-2025

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.
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Go ahead and fire off that, "So I found a cheap flight to Lisbon" text to the group chat.
1. 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: " Out of all the travel accessories and/or items I have purchased to make traveling more comfortable this ranks up there as one of the best. The material is soft and not too thin or too thick for that matter. It stretched perfectly over the table without a lot of extra material hanging off the table yet it wasn't so tight that it looked like it would rip. When the table was up there was plenty of room in each of the pockets for my cell phone, gum, ear buds holder, and two tablets. I am so happy with this purchase and recommended it to all my family members." — Mking110
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
2. 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 $11.97.
3. 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).
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 were a 10-kg limit and some were 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 $7.91+ (available in five colors and a two-pack).
4. An electronics organizer with a place for just about every one of *your* and every member of your family's devices' corresponding cables so you don't get everything tangled up while trying to find your Kindle cord mid-flight.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Loved that each item had a spot and the chargers for each item wouldn't be all tangled or knotted together when I arrived at my destination. Nothing was damaged even with my bags being tossed around by baggage handlers on several flights." — Rachel Grace
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in seven colors).
5. A pair of foot hammocks for you and your travel buddy so you can get as comfy as possible in your economy (or EVEN premium economy!) seat. Reviewers say using this helped alleviate foot and ankle swelling they normally experience during and after longer flights.
Promising review: "Great purchase. My ankles always swell a little on long flights, but this little foot hammock made all the difference on my flight to and from the UK last month. The gentle rocking nature of the sling kept my feet gently moving, increasing my circulation. This is a must-have for long flights in coach or economy plus! It would work great on a long train or bus ride, too. Worth it!" — Amy L. Rowe
Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (also available in single packs).
6. A travel-friendly blanket-slash-pillow because those tiny plane pillows never do the trick and we can say the same about the blankets. With this, you'll have options. Oh! And it clips onto your backpack or carry-on.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
BlueHills is a small biz specializing in travel and home items.
Promising review: "I bought it to use it on my flights since I always like to cover my entire body with blankets. It was compact and lightweight- but perfectly warm for a long flight. No lint came off, even after repeated washes- and it's so soft that I am actually using it on my couch right now!" — Anthony Choi
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in 14 colors).
7. A hands-free (rotating!) phone mount will 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. A three-hour flight without a seat TV should be illegal.
Amazon
Promising review: "I used it on a round trip. It is has a powerful and sturdy clip that will attach to almost anything. I didn't have to attempt to balance it on the food tray or strain my neck. It remained at eye level and never attempted to sway or fall. I'd buy it again. Also I'd consider it as a stocking stuffer for a frequent traveler. This is definitely a thumbs-up!" — Kara
Get it from Amazon for $13.97+ (available in five colors and in two packs).
8. Plus an Airfly wireless transmitter can let you connect your AirPods or any wireless headphones to your airplane seat...even without Bluetooth!
www.amazon.com, Amazon
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:"Just returned from a European vacation and this little device worked like a charm! The sound cancellation worked really well on that horribly long 14-hour flight and I could hear the movie perfectly. Just buy it, it's a must have (until airlines convert their stuff to Bluetooth, don't hold your breath)." — Just a Muggle Mom
"Someone sitting next to me on a flight had this product so I asked them about it and it was highly recommended so I bought it. I love being able to use my Blutooth Bose noise-cancelling headphones with the movies on board. The sound quality is 100 times better than the plug headphones that are required if you don't have this product. I would definitely buy again!!" — Monica Buterbaugh
Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in three styles and three colors).
9. Kahi Wrinkle Bounce Hydrating Multi-Balm, a TikTok-famous Korean beauty product combines several products into one skincare step — especially great if you get suuuuper dry on flights. Reviewers use it on their face, lips, eyes, and neck to help reduce fine lines and make you look all ~glowy~ thanks to ingredients salmon complex and collagen.
Check out a TikTok of the wrinkle balm in action.
Promising review: "Okay! So I was skeptical at first, but honestly this stick is life-changing!!! In a matter of minutes, my skin felt hydrated and plumped. After an hour, still hydrated. No greasy after feeling, very light, and you can feel your skin hydrated and absorbing. I love the fact that you can use it on your eyes, lips, and wrinkles!! Game changer for me, will def try the others!" — Kristy
"This stuff makes my face feel so soft and has a nice scent. I use it every day and will buy it again when I run out!" — Cyndy1
Get it from Amazon for $21.95+ (available in six styles).
10. Plus, The SAEM Iceland Hydrating Eye Stick is a cooling eye stick made with *actual* Icelandic glacial water to depuff your tired under eyes. Oh, and it just feels really, really refreshing.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Love, love this product. I place it in the fridge. I travel a lot and I get jet lagged with under eye bags. As soon as I place this product on, my bags are gone. It's a little miracle. Just ordered two more." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
11. A memory foam seat cushion with an ergonomic design and gel layer for cradling your behind while you're in your car or plane seat off to your next adventure. After all, you don't want a sore behind once you get to your destination.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Lots of reviewers who drive for a living rave about it.
Promising review:"I got this for a return flight because I was sitting on a metal bar in the seat for five hours. I had it shipped to my hotel. It made a huge difference in sitting in my seat on the way home. I was comfortable and not grumpy." — Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three five combos).
12. An Apple AirTag for each bag to give you peace of mind even if you're driving to your destination and are just leaving your luggage at the hotel before check-in time!
Storytime: After traveling summer 2022 carry-on only, and being a person who tries to carry on whenever possible, 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:"This was my very first AirTag, but it will not be my last. I travel quite a bit, and it's comforting to be able to watch your luggage as it travels with you through the airport, into baggage claim, and back out. I've heard of a few success stories with lost luggage in which these things saved the day. Worth the price, and the setup is super easy with an iPhone. I appreciate that you can name them and assign your favorite emoji to the display. Will be purchasing more for myself and as gifts." — Malissa
Get it from Amazon for $22.99.
13. A portable handheld fan for those moments when the breeze takes a break. Oh, and it's also a power bank *and* flashlight. So you'll be sure to find all sorts of other uses for it.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the portable fan in action.
I own this and use it ALL the time. It comes in handy in a variety of situations at home *and* while traveling — especially when you're sitting in a stuffy plane in Miami in July with the doors open, waiting for the pilot to board and take off. I def got some jealous side-eyes from other passengers as I kept myself cool with this.
Get it from Amazon for $14.39+ (available in four colors).
14. A set of storage scrunchies for helping you stash your lip balm, cash, keys, and more while you're out and about. After all, you don't want to spend precious vacation time on making your hair look like you got a $$$ blowout.
www.amazon.com
LOKI STASHED is a small biz specializing in these scrunchies. See them in action on TikTok here!
Promising review: "I use these every time I travel. Perfect for holding a key or some rolled-up bills for emergencies. Comfortable and reliable." — Poke-me-in-the-coconut
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $13.99 (available in seven color combinations).
15. A bendy travel pillow can help you catch up on some sleep you sacrificed for that budget-friendly morning flight. Buy that window seat, bring this versatile pillow.
Promising review:"I always disliked the neck pillows that I used to use while flying as didn't help. The flexibility and ease of use is amazing and this not only helps my neck, but also lower back! I used it for an international flight and it made it much more comfortable. You can even use it alongside your back and the cover comes off to clean!" — Fred Paisley
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in 13 colors and five sizes/styles).
16. Or an alternate Trtl travel pillow that, thanks to its scarf-like construction, you can easily to adjust to your perfect comfort level and tilt angle to get some Zzzzzs while someone else gets you to where you're going.
Amazon
Ciera Velarde, a former editor here at BuzzFeed, 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 $64.99 + (available in five colors and in a breathable style).
17. And because you deserve another option: A memory-foam neck pillow that comes high enough on the sides so your neck isn't lolling about and thus waking you up from your mid-flight slumber.
Promising review: "Plush thick pillow that holds your head comfortably during a flight. It fit great around my next and there's a mechanism to adjust the fit to how you prefer. Super portable since it comes in a nice small bag you can fold it and store in. Highly recommend." — L Caldwell
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in five styles).
18. A pair of Mack's Earplugs that'll seal out noise on a plane, in a hotel room, or wherever else you need to get some sleep.
Check them out on TikTok here.
BuzzFeed editor Emma Lord swears by these and raves:"The moldable silicone of Mack's Earplugs contours easily to the shape of your ear to block out noise much more effectively than other foam or plastic varieties, and the noise reduction is so good that if I pair them with a white noise machine (or just like a white noise loop on Spotify) I genuinely don't hear noises from outside my room.
I've also *loved* these for traveling — if you put these babies in on a plane not only does it help reduce some of the YIKES factor when the plane takes off (it's loud!!), but it cancels out the murmuring noises of passengers on the flight and makes it easier to get some shuteye."
Promising review: "I've been purchasing Mack's earplugs for about eight years now as they help me sleep so much better at night (and are also super helpful on long plane trips). They're the best ones on the market and much larger with more comfort and coverage than ones in my local stores and pharmacies. Mack's are getting harder to find so I'm writing this in the hope that they stay in business." — Amazon Customer
Get 12 pairs from Amazon for $12.99.
19. An *very popular* off-the-shoulder jumpsuit suited for just about any sightseeing needs.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
FYI, if you have Amazon Prime, you can give this a spin before you buy it!
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 $37.99+ (available in sizes S–3X and 32 colors/patterns).
20. An inflatable foot rest you might have to buy several of so everyone in the family has one of their own. You can inflate it to three different heights!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:" Lifesaver! Made a huge difference in my comfort level. Hard to blow up and use while cramped in a middle seat. Was well worth the effort and intrusion on aisle and window passengers." — peace
Get it from Amazon for $21.24 (available in four colors and also in a two-pack).
21. An inflatable wedge pillow if you prefer to lean on something as you sleep. This easily fits on your tray table and reviewers even say they used it upon arrival and their destination!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"We bought this for a flight from Atlanta to Paris. It worked great. One of the best things about it was that it can open up and be flat so if you have a window seat, you can lean it against the wall and over the arm rest to make it super comfortable to lean against the wall. On the other hand, if you have an aisle or dreaded middle seat, you can inflate and put it together for the support when leaning forward. Well worth it to get some good sleep on a longer plane flight!" — Darth Wookiee
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
22. A pair of compression socks because since you saw Karl and Frank from Succession snap on their own, you've thought "Hmm, maybe I should get some of those."
www.amazon.com
Read more about compression socks for travel at Johns Hopkins and The Huffington Post.
Promising review:"These compression socks really helped me. No swelling of feet and legs on a flight from New York to Munich and onto Palermo. Amazing fit and not too thick. Really comfortable." — L. M. Morabito
Get them from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in unisex sizes S–XXL and in 13 colors).
23. Or if you prefer ankle length, a pair of compression socks made to provide some sweet relief for folks who suffer from plantar fasciitis thanks to the great arch support. Let's be honest, basically any vacation entails quite a bit of walking. So these'll come in handy.
Amazon
Promising review:"I'm dealing with falling arches and one foot attempting to develop a heel spur. I had some travel coming up that was likely to involve a good bit of walking, so in addition to trying to make sure I had decent shoes, I thought some compression socks might be a nice addition to my travel bag. I was pleased to find this toe-less variety, as I'd heard of compression socks causing toe problems. I'm really happy to say the fit and comfort on these is perfect — in addition to being large, my feet also have pretty sensitive skin on top and these socks don't bother me even after several hours of wear. I've even slept wearing them with no irritation! They also definitely make my feet feel better; soon after I put them on, my aches and pains will fade off (not always completely but always noticeably!) and my feet are much happier. I was glad to have them on my trip, and I really enjoy wearing them around the house after a tiring day." — A. Phillips
"I try to walk at least four times a week, normally 3–4 miles per day. I suffer from plantar fasciitis often and need good support. These socks have great support and feel amazing. Will buy again when I need a new pair!" — mpm
Get them from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in four sizes and 11 colors).
24. Some no-tie elastic shoelaces you can add to your go-to sneakers so you can easily slip them on and off at security. And then when you're on the plane if you're a no-shoe person. But the laces won't look any different!
Promising review:"These things are great! Made taking my trainers off at airport security and during a long flight so much easier. Very comfortable too. Thinking about getting another pair for running!" — B. Borkent
Get them from Amazon for $11.99 (available in 27 colors).
25. Plus, a pair of Adidas Cloudfoam sneakers made to keep your old dogs from yelling as you make your way on charming cobblestone streets or amusement park pavement. (Yes, shoes like these ARE cool. I saw a bunch of super stylish ppl wearing similar ones in Milan just a week ago!)
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Prime members: You can try before you buy!
Promising review:"I purchased these for a vacation and am so glad I did. I walked 12 miles in them on day one of our trip and my feet were tired but also comfortable! I did get a tiny blister on the top of my ankle where the tongue rubbed above my sock, but considering the amount of walking we did this is pretty darn good! They are stylish and cute and not too bubbly (I hate the new style where the sole of the shoe bubbles out around your foot). They are classic and so comfortable, easy to slip on and off at the airport, and super stylish!" — Alicia
Get them from Amazon for $60.29+ (available in women's sizes 5–10 and in eight colors).
26. A weighted sleep mask to 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:"Very comfortable, is not too tight on your head. I mostly use it when I have headaches and it helps to relieve the pressure. I now wear it to sleep and on long flights." — Amazon Customer
Get one from Amazon for $14.99.
27. 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. And stopping at every other gas station to use the bathroom might be even worse?
Psst — it's also gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free!
I always ALWAYS pack this stuff for trips. In Aprile, I visited Vegas for ~48 hours for an outdoor music festival. I drank one in the morning before boarding my flight, then once I got checked into my hotel, then the next morning before the music festival where I was outside and guzzling tall boys of beer. And I felt great when I woke up the next day! Drinking Liquid IV also meant I didn't have to guzzle plain water (and then stand in line for the bathroom a ton) to stay hydrated for the 12+-hour festival.
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 $21.11+ (also available in sugar-free flavors). I'm also quite partial to the newer grapefruit flavor.
28. A handbag organizer with LOTS of pockets to help you easily track down your ID, Kindle, lip balm, reading glasses, and so much more.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I have always purchased handbags with lots of pockets and sections because I hate having to dig around trying to find something in the gaping hole of purses with no sections. But I have passed up so many cute bags because of this, and I was frustrated with having to do so. I purchased this medium size organizer, and I couldn't be happier!! It is very well-made, and it has so many great pockets to organize everything I need. THE BEST PART is, I can easily lift it out of one purse and put it into another one, and I always know where everything can be found. I wish I had gotten one of these years ago. When I first ordered this organizer, I didn't realize it had two zipper compartments on each side, and I was tickled to discover even MORE storage!!! With all the fun colors and patterns, it was hard to select one, but I've always been partial to polka dots. I love it and can't imagine anyone not being has pleased with this as I am!" — Ronna
Get it from Amazon for $7.88+ (available in sizes S–L and in 23 colors).
29. A Samsonite wheeled carry-on bag small enough to qualify as a personal item on super strict 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. (This'll pay for itself after a few trips.)
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Now you won't even have to pull your suitcase outta the overhead!
Promising review: "Great piece of luggage. I've been trying to 'one bag' with only a backpack that fits under the seat as a personal item on US domestic flights, but on occasion, I'll need to 'two bag' (still not checking any bags) with one personal item and one overhead. This Samsonite under seat carry-on can actually fit under the seat as well, but if I need a carry-on, I like having an easy time storing in / retrieving from the overhead bin next to those obnoxious or first-time-flyer idiots who bring a massively oversized carry-on (and how did they get past the flight attendants and the gate check'?) trying to cram their bag into the bin. It also fits into the older planes with tiny overhead compartments like the CRJ900. Definitely recommend." — Anonymous Reader
Get it from Amazon for $99.
30. 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 you get motion sick in a budget-friendlier car, bus, or ferry ride.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"These are amazing, as someone who has pretty severe motion sickness and carries Dramamine with me everywhere this is magnificent. I used these on an overnight cruise in Europe. The sea was particularly choppy that night and was miserable for me even with Dramamine and ginger. These did the trick! They were fairly tight on me (I am plus size) but the relief they gave me was immense." — Jena Freyermouth
Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.40 (available in adult and children's sizes).
31. A hands-free portable phone charger can fit in your pocket or bag. And you can also easily use your phone while it charges! It's made to give your phone a full charge.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I used these several times for the past year, traveling for business and leisure. It is always a challenge to find an outlet at the airport since some airports do not offer a charging station. Using those types can also be a security risk. That's why I love using these portable chargers. They are lightweight and fit in my travel handbag/or small backpack pocket. The portable chargers take about 30–35 minutes to fully charge if dead. Once charged, they charge fast and hold a charge for many hours." — J
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three colors and in two-packs).
32. 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.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
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 went on a solo trip to Europe and Africa and used the door lock to boost security. The lock fits and secures the lock. It's very easy to use. I would just suggest you watch the video and practice at home before your holiday." — Jaye
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (also available in a two- and four-pack)
33. A portable safe you can attach to a beach 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. (Raise your hand if you've stayed in a small hotel without a safe. ::raises hand::)
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Like most people (I hope?) I'm always a little iffy about taking a dip in the water at the beach and leaving my wallet and phone on the beach. So when I booked a 2.5-week Europe trip with LOTS of beaching involved, I bought one of these Master Lock safes that I've put in multiple stories. It was a bit bulky in my suitcase, but I left it unlocked and put some stuff in there so it wasn't just dead space. It came in handy at multiple beach clubs, where my friend and I stashed our credit cards, cash, and case-less phones while we frolicked in the sea. Despite lots of people milling about our umbrella while we had our fun, we felt our stuff was completely safe and could concentrate on *just* having fun.
Promising review:"Just buy it. It's smaller than I had originally thought it might be, but it's perfect none the less. Love this little lock box that you could easily use as a purse when traveling, or at a festival." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $19.97+ (available in two colors).
34. 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:"Would buy again. I bought this for a trip to Europe as opposed to buying an expensive and bulky voltage converter for my flat iron at home and was not disappointed, it saved a ton of luggage space and it worked like a charm both curling and straightening my hair! I will say though, since the flat iron is quite smaller than the typical flat iron and my hair is only just past my shoulders it would probably take considerably longer to use on long hair." — Holly M
Get it from Amazon for $15.97.
35. A waterproof pouch that I buy for every water-adjacent vacation (so mostly trips like Croatia and Greece). But! As soon as I booked my flight for Iceland, I bought one of these to take along to The Blue Lagoon. It survived rain, hail, and all kinds of steam rising off the water.
Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed
It fits any phone up to 100 mm x 170 mm (or about 3.9 inches x 6.7 inches). It also keeps out sand, dirt, and rain.
With these, I find that they're good for about a day due to condensation. So, for a trip I'll buy two to three, except for this one where I just knew I'd be in the water at the Blue Lagoon. And while I'm on the subject, check out a TikTok I made using the phone case! On the day I went, we had to duck and run inside because of rain. And it was hailing on us when I was in the water, so I had to face a certain way to keep from getting pelted in the face. But, when in Rome! Then we went inside and ate lunch at the Lava Restaurant, and it was GORGEOUS and clear outside post-lunch. So, this case worked well taking pics in both bad and good conditions (as you can see from the two pics for comparison). I've used this case to take underwater pics, on boat rides, and have worn it with the lanyard jumping off a boat into water. So, I really trust these!
Promising review:"Vacation must-have. I was skeptical about purchasing a waterproof case, but I'm so glad I did because I was able to capture fun water excursions worry free!" — Lisa D
Get it from Amazon for $6.45 (available in 14 colors).
36. 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
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:"Buy it now! I went to Europe and visited five countries, and was able to keep all my tickets/boarding passes here, along with all the important items such as passport, credit card, even phone! Loved it!!!!" — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in 29 colors).
37. An Anker charging port with six USB ports to help you juice up ALL your devices at once even though your super charming Venice rental seems to have, like, two outlets throughout the whole place.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This is my second, my first I gave to my mother-in-law during a visit to reduce clutter. The other huge advantage, and I've taken mine from the US, to Europe, to Kazakhstan, is that it automatically adjusts to voltage. Which means you just buy one of those small (i.e. inexpensive) plug adapters and just use the US cord." — Frank Mellott
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in black and white).
38. Some expandable 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.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"On a trip to Europe, I used these hangers to hang my laundry to dry. I even hung a pair of wet jeans (through the belt loops). I thought the hanger would break, but it held up fine! Hotels never supply enough hangers, so I will be bringing these along when I travel." — debi
Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $9.99.
39. A hanging toiletry bag to contain alll of your beauty haul if you're the check-your-bag type because of your multi-step skincare routine. Its hook on top means it's super easy to hang on the back of the bathroom door.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:" I love how it kept all my toiletries organized and in plain sight when hanging. It's very sturdy and great quality. I ordered this before I went on a two-week trip to Europe and was so happy that I did. This travel bag exceeded my expectations!" — Jackie Cooney
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in six colors).
40. A set of SUPER light durable compression packing cubes that'll magically help you pick lots and lots of outfit options because you've already planned out all your photo ops. And the mesh fronts on these make it easier to zero in on what you need ASAP!
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "These packing cubes helped to keep my clothing organized in my suitcase. They compressed my items and gave me a little more room in suitcase. They are mesh construction so you can see what is inside. Easy zippers. Expandable. Sturdy." — Mary
Get a set of six from Amazon for $26.99 (available in four colors).
41. Or a packing cube that comes with built-in shelves (!!!!) that'll surely come in handy if you're bopping between a few different cities and don't want to completely unpack for two nights in one hotel. You can take it out of your suitcase and hang it in your closet.
www.amazon.com
Plus, it has a zipper compartment at the bottom you can put all your dirty clothes in, so they don't get mixed together and you end up just washing everything when you get home (bc that's usually what happens to me).
Promising review:"I used these while traveling around Europe with four children and then later on a cruise. They were super helpful in both cases." — Tucker Sw
Get it from Amazon for $31.99+ (available in 10 colors and also a smaller size).
42. Or a set of space saver bags if you're REALLY just trying to pack carry-on only.
www.amazon.com
This highly rated set comes with a small travel hand pump!
Promising review:" When the bag is re-inflated, the wrinkles all go away. Keeps stored stuff free of dust and moisture. They're see-through, which makes identifying contents a no-brainer. I would recommend these for traveling as well. Was able to get double into my carry-on. Yay!" — Tina
Get a pack of four small bags from Amazon for $14.99+ (also available in other sizes and packs).
43. A portable white-noise machine because you booked a spot in THE best neighborhood for nightlife — which was all well and good until the night you went to bed early to catch the (cheap) first flight out. (Ahem, Trastevere.)
Amazon
Promising review:"I purchased this for my trip to Europe as I sleep with white noise every night. The rohm scores extra points for volume control, and it can get quite loud. It's also lightweight and chargers easily with a USB." — Jessie W.
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (also available in two- and three-packs).
44. 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).
45. 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:"This is seriously so useful for traveling. I bought this last year and used it on my two Europe trips — six different countries and lots of bus, train, and plane journeys, and it made my life so much easier. I hooked it to my book bag and hooked my neck pillow, collapsible umbrella, and reusable water bottle to it. I even hooked my parka through it some. 110% recommend. It is super sturdy, and I never had any issues with it even with me dragging it along with all the stuff hooked to it." — Logan
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two colors and also packs of two).
46. A waterproof satin-lined Hairbrella hat that'll easily fold up and be ready for those days when you look like you have GREAT weather. Then, all of a sudden the sky opens up and starts pouring, ruining your perfect hair day.
www.amazon.com, Hairbrella / Via www.youtube.com
Hairbrella is a Black-owned small business that has been creating fashionable hats that protect hair from all kinds of weather since 2016.
Promising review: "I traveled to London last month with a raincoat that did not have a hood, and wanted something that would protect my head/hair/blowout without lugging an umbrella. This definitely did the trick. Two of the 3 days were rainy (some quite heavy), and my hair stayed totally dry. It stows nicely, too." — Miss Information
Get it from Amazon for $34+ (available in 13 colors).
47. 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
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 $24.79+ (available in 24 patterns).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.