24 Products That'll Help You Fit Everything You Need For A Spring Vacation In Just A Carry-On

Buzz Feed

05-04-2025

1. A capacious travel backpack to make the most out of your personal item (just make sure you can still stuff it under the seat). It has two laptop sleeves, a secret anti-theft pocket, a USB charging port, a shoe compartment, and a bag to isolate your dirty clothes or keep liquids away from your electronics. This thing is like the LeBron of backpacks. 🏀
Promising reviews:"Lots of space. I bought this for a business trip so I could carry my laptop and clothes for two nights and not check a bag at the airport. This worked perfectly and looks nice." — Angie J
"This is the second bag we ordered. It holds sooooo much. We use a carry-on and this bag for our trips to Florida. No more checking bags." — Georgette
Get it from Amazon for $20.39+ (available in four sizes and 38 styles).
2. A neck pillow you can stuff with clothing so you can bring some emergency underwear and extra tops and bottoms in case one of those "what if" moments actually happens on your trip. Some reviewers have fit 4–5 outfits in this, making it really helpful for getting around strict carry-on requirements!
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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: "I bought this for my son for his trip to Europe. He was only taking a carry-on for a three-week trip. This proved to be very good quality, sturdy and functional. He used it as a neck pillow. It was the perfect size and soft enough. Very easy to transport by attaching it to his luggage and then use on the plane. He stuffed it with clothes for extra space and loved how comfortable it was to use as a neck pillow. Best purchase I made for his trip." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $29.95.
3. A Stow-N-Go travel organizer that's basically a portable closet. You can arrange everything while you pack, and when you get to your destination, just hang it up and that's it! You'll have perfectly organized clothes for the whole trip.
Plus, it has a zipper compartment at the bottom for putting all your dirty clothes in so they don't get mixed with clean items (forcing you to end up just washing everything when you get home).
Promising review:"I just love it. I travel a lot. Now I don't have to hang anything up but my organizer. I can see what I pack and where everything is. Just love it. I can easily fit seven days' worth of outfits and three pairs of shoes in a carry-on suitcase. Just great." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in two sizes and six colors).
4. *Plus* a set of packing cubes to help you squeeze in more by keeping everything neat and compressed. You'll be amazed at how much you can fit in your luggage, and since everything is organized into little sections, it'll be a snap to unpack and get on with your trip!
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Promising review:"These packing cubes are the best. I use them for long weekends or two-week trips. They help me pack things as I would use them and locate what I need inside my suitcase, especially on trips where we change hotels every couple of days and don't unpack into the hotel closet." — Pat
Get a set of eight packing cubes (also comes with a laundry bag) from Amazon for $14.44 (available in 17 colors and a set of six).
5. A pack of vacuum-free space-saving compression bags so you can bring all your bulky sweaters and jackets on that trip to Scotland. These are great for cramming as much as you can (and then some) into your carry-on, AND they make it much easier to sort through your bag to pull out toiletries or other items for security.
Emma Lord / BuzzFeed
Just pack in your clothes, roll up the bag, and watch as the excess air is squeezed out.
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says, "HELLO, I AM OBSESSED WITH THESE. Despite all the rave reviews I was definitely skeptical of space-saving bags that didn't require a vacuum, and even as they were actively squishing my clothes into oblivion I still couldn't quite believe it. I had easily two suitcases worth of clothes I wanted to pack for a three-week trip to London, and I managed to neatly pack the entirety of my wardrobe in one roller carry-on bag. Truly all I had to do was put my clothes in the bag, push them to the bottom, and then sit on it to get the air out before sealing it up. I had tons of extra bags and make a habit of taking them with me in case other people joining me on trips need them to be able to pack souvenirs on the way home. I'm never taking a long trip without these again — these are worth every damn penny."
Promising review: "I travel monthly for work, usually gone for 4–5 days. Before these, I would have to check a bag. Dress shirts and pants roll up nicely and stay wrinkle free. It's tempting to want to over-stuff these, but if you're packing golf shirts or cloths with 'slippery' fabric, they slide out of the top of the bag as you get close to the end. The clips take a minute to get used to, but after a couple of times zipping up the bags, it's pretty easy." — BigSkinny
Get a set of eight from Amazon for $15.98.
6. Or a pack of vacuum seal bags if manually squeezing out the air feels like too much work. These come with a travel-sized pump, so you won't need to worry about finding a vacuum in your hotel to pack for the trip home.
Promising review: "Bought these bags for traveling and they work GREAT. They suck every last bit of air out of the bag, so I was able to fit more items and travel with just a carry-on, which is always a plus!" — ITSJUSTME
Get them from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in four sizes and various packs).
7. A garment and travel bag set so you can maximize your carry-on capacity. It transforms from a hanging garment bag into a roomy duffel with an anti-theft lock to keep your belongings in your possession (where they BELONG). You'll free up so much space in your suitcase, you may be tempted to pack even more.
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Beauty Goodies is a small business that specializes in chic storage and travel accessories.
Promising reviews: "This garment bag is an exceptional value for the money. Well built, top quality materials, including 'beefy' zippers, should hold up well for airline travel. Minimal wrinkles if any in garments, and a cavernous bag for storing shoes and other items for a trip. Added bonus, it fits easily in the plane overhead storage, similar in size to a standard roller bag. I highly recommend this product." — Kindle Customer
"Used this bag as my carryon during recent trip to Panama. It fit in overhead bin just fine, it held approximately seven outfits in the garment section and then another four or five outfits and three pairs of sandals in this bag. Beautiful way to carry a week's worth of clothing without checking bag. Leather is nice and soft." — Paula
Get it from Amazon for $42.99+ (available in two colors).
8. A fast-drying microfiber towel you can fold into a compact square and fit into the smallest of carry-ons. It's perfect for that upcoming spring break trip to Cancún!
Promising review:"I bought this for a trip to Mexico, during which we moved from pool to beach to ocean a lot. This towel was the perfect travel companion to keep me somewhat dry and get me to the next stop. I especially appreciated taking it on our snorkeling trip because it could fit easily in a waterproof bag with my other things and not get wet. It was a great blanket when it was chilly as well. And it dries so quickly so you can be ready for your next adventure. I like the bag it comes in to keep it contained within your tote bag too." — dmw
Get it from Amazon for $20.99+ (available in 18 colors and six sizes).
9. A pack of mini perfume atomizers so you can still rock your signature scent of Dior J'adore while leaving the full-size bottle at home. These are super easy to fill, and reviewers love how the fine spray gives a nice, even application.
To fill the atomizers, remove the spray cap from your perfume, then align the bottom of the atomizer with the bottle and repeatedly press it down until it's filled (but don't *overfill* it).
Promising review: "I usually don't leave reviews but this was so worth the money. I'm traveling for the first time in 12 years and squeezing everything into one bag and a carry-on. This works for perfume, but I had the great idea of using it for things like my setting spray for when I travel. Game changer. Obviously only has about 15–30 sprays depending on how much you fill it, but this is great for a vacay or a weekend getaway other than perfumes!" — AnnCRosas
Get them from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in packs of four or five in various colors).
10. A 2-in-1 hair tool that curls and straightens so you can achieve the perfect balance of texture and shine with just one tool. It's easy to pack for trips and dual-voltage so you can have gorgeous hair no matter what country you're visiting.
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If you're traveling to another country, just be sure to pack a plug adapter, and you'll be all set to use this styling tool while abroad!
Promising review:" Traveled with just a carry-on and personal item from USA to Italy and this worked perfectly. Convenient size for luggage and worked perfectly as a curler or straightener! My hair looked cute the entire trip so I was happy!" — Jessica
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in two colors).
11. A Subtl Beauty Stak for condensing up to 10 makeup products into one small stack. You can customize yours with anything from lip tints to face powder. And as convenient as it is for travel, it's also perfect to keep in your purse for any on-the-go touch-ups!
Each stack also includes a mirror lid, a base, and a mini brush.
Promising review:"I absolutely love how compact this product is. I have been pleasantly surprised at how natural the makeup feels and I love the natural look it provides. I originally purchased it for traveling, but have been using it daily and love it!" – Paula Bowie
Get the Starter Stak from Subtl Beauty for $60 (available in 19 tones), or customize your own stack starting at $12 per layer, with up to 10 product types available.
12. A solid Neutrogena SPF 50 sunscreen that's carry-on friendly and works just as well as spray-on or lotion sunscreens. Now you can enjoy your sunny vacation without burning up or spending waaay too much on sunscreen while you're spring breaking in Hawaii!
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Promising review: "This was my go-to sunscreen stick for YEARS. I don't even know why I stopped using it… I recently repurchased and remembered why I loved it so much. As a dry skin girly, it really helps keep my skin protected from the sun but also hydrated. Love, love, love!" — Kateri Brianna
Get it from Amazon for $9.88.
13. A roll-up straw sun visor to further help protect your beautiful face from sunburn while doubling as a cute accessory that elevates your outfit. It's very compact when folded up *and* retains its shape when un-rolled, so it won't look all droopy and wrinkly once you get to your destination.
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Promising review:" I get a lot of compliments when I wear this hat. I actually saw it on a friend, and it looked amazing, so I had to go and buy it. I also love how easily it rolls up for travel. In the past, I've had hats that were much more delicate. This hat seems to be resistant to bending out of shape, which is exactly what I needed." — Schiccatano
Get it from Amazon for $15.29 (available in 13 colors).
14. A pair of reusable waterproof shoe covers so those white sneakers you wear every day can stay white instead of getting soaked and covered in mud from all the rain. (There are only so many pairs of shoes you can bring on a trip, so keeping them clean is high priority!) These have a handy elastic tie at the ankle so they stay securely on and don't let any water in.
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Check the handy sizing chart on the product listing so you can find your ideal fit!
Promising reviews: "Exactly as described. The size was exactly right for my shoe size. Perfect for a trip, as they take up very little space in a suitcase and work quite well to keep the rain out and puddles away from shoes." — Caroljean
Get a pair from Amazon for $15.89 (available in unisex sizes S–4XL and five styles).
15. A compact eight-compartment pill organizer to avoid cramming a bunch of medication and supplement bottles into your bag, effectively taking up all the space you needed for socks.
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Psst — if you don't fill up all the compartments with pills, it's also great for stashing your earrings during travel! (Shoutout to this TikToker for the hack.)
Promising review:"My husband and I travel a lot and take a number of prescription drugs. It was always a hassle accessing our medication when needed, so I purchased this organizer to make things easier. I used a label maker and labeled each little compartment and it has performed wonderfully. I highly recommend this organizer to anyone who travels and needs medications throughout the day." — Jacqueline
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $8.47 (available in two colored sets). They don't sell them in singles, but if you don't want three, here's a similar option.
16. A teensy, on-the-go Gillette Venus razor with a small protective case that keeps the blades fresh. The rubber grip makes the handle so easy to hold, despite its miniature size!
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It comes with one handle and one blade refill! And the mini handle will fit almost any Venus blade refill, which is a major plus.
Promising review: "This was the perfect small travel razor for traveling abroad. I was in a location with mostly outdoor showers, and the case was super handy for keeping lizards and bugs away from my razor. The case also has drainage holes, which make it easy to pack and transport. Highly recommend!" — Asha L.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
17. Or a 3-in-1 travel razor that's got it all: a refillable spray bottle for easy skin prep, a shea butter moisturizing bar, and two triple-blade razor cartridges — everything you need for smooth, on-the-go shaving in one compact, travel-ready kit.
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Promising review:" I recently traveled and had no problem with TSA. I like the moisturizer; you can just rub it in. If you have coarse hair, the blades may dull sooner than later. I preferred just to wet my leg and then spray the water. It seemed to get more of a lather for me. Super convenient!!" — Western Pa mom/grandma
Get it from Amazon for $20 (available in pink and blue).
18. A pack of Neutrogena makeup remover towelettes because unfortunately, you can't always bring your entire skincare routine on trips, but at the very least, you can always take off your makeup and hit the hay with a clean face. They're much more compact than any cleansing liquid or balm; honestly, you could just throw these in your travel bag and keep them in there indefinitely — and a huge bonus, they *won't* explode all over your stuff.
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Promising review:"Just what I needed. This worked perfectly on a recent business trip. Felt refreshing and left my skin feeling soft." — Glenda E
Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $6.88 (also available in a larger pack).
19. Or a makeup-removing cloth that can take the place of your large (read: *not* TSA-friendly) bottle of liquid makeup remover or bulky pack of wipes. To cleanse your face, all you need is this and some water!
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Promising review: "This product...I have no clue how this works, but it does! Let me start by saying I was wearing a full face of makeup. I mean foundation, contour highlight, eyeliner, seriously the whole nine yards. All I did was wet it and wiped my face, my jaw literally dropped. This is hands-down my favorite makeup remover. The best part is that they are reusable so you don't have to keep buying those expensive disposables that leave your face feeling greasy." — Heather Griffith
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in six colors and in packs of three or six).
20. Some Tide sink packets allowing you to wash your smelly clothes in the sink so they don't stink up your bag. These can easily fit in your toiletries bag — even when it's packed to the brim — and you'll be so glad you brought them when you run out of clean underwear.
Tide
Elizabeth is a big fan of these: "Each pack comes with three packets. And, because they *are* liquid, they'll easily slide into the side of your toiletries bag. I've packed these on international trips to much success!"
Promising review: "I bought these just in case. I'm the overly prepared type. And then I was sitting there in Florence eating this incredible sandwich for lunch, and it all came pouring out the bottom on to my linen pants. Olive oil, liquid from sundried tomatoes.... FUUUUUUUUDGE. Luckily we were eating in our room, so I immediately stripped my pants off, put them in the tub and dumped in two of these Tide packets. We'd packed carry-on only, so I needed these pants frequently! The Tide saved the day. They also came in handy to refresh my husband's socks after walking around in the heat all day. GET THEM. It's an easy pack and a no-brainer." — NolaForever
Get nine packs from Amazon for $6.99 (available in two scents and four pack sizes).
21. A TSA-friendly toiletries set that you can fill with your tried-and-true faves instead of spending more money on travel-size versions. These are reusable and leakproof, so your products (and other stuff in your bag!) will stay protected.
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BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly owns and loves this set: "It includes the zippered bag, four soft silicone bottles with leakproof caps, three compact jars, and two toothbrush caps. I've used this set on more than five trips and for trips when I don't require body wash or shampoo (like to visit my parents) I use the extra room in the bag to shove in all my beauty products and daily contacts. Plus! It comes with labels that stay on the containers really well despite my thoroughly washing these containers between trips."
Promising review: "If it wasn't for me forgetting them in the hotels, I wouldn't have to buy more. This is my third set and I love these things! I'm a flight attendant and these are easy to fill, use, and pack!" — Raena Hill
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in three variations).
22. Or just a clear TSA-approved toiletry bag to keep all your liquid products together. Plus, there's nothing worse than frantically trying to get all your products in and out of your luggage — and this is so much sturdier than a Ziploc bag.
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Promising review: "I am a flight attendant and it's perfect for my international flights going through security. I love the handle, easy to pull out of my suitcase." — Kristi
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 11 colors).
23. A foldable jewelry organizer with an earring panel, necklace holders, padded ring rolls, and zippered compartments to organize all your different accessories. It's made from soft quilted cotton that compresses nicely so you can squeeze it in with everything else.
Promising review:"My favorite traveling item! Before I was sticking jewelry in ziplock bags and in my suitcase and I'd lose them in there or they'd tangle and I was limited on what I could bring. I bring this with me every time we go out of town for business." — Kristy and Jose
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in two sizes and nine colors).
24. Or a splurge-worthy set of Cadence Capsules that stick together ~magnetically~ and can be used for much more than just pills. They'll help you condense so you're bringing what you actually need (and not overpacking); plus, they're leakproof and incredibly sturdy so you can fill 'em with whatever: creams, vitamins, small jewelry — truly anything small that you want to keep safe.
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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, haircare, and pill case 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).