A cozy travel blanket is the little luxury that packs a big punch

National Geographic

23-04-2025

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It may not seem like a necessity, but a comfy cozy travel blanket can make a big difference on trips.
'Some of us may sleep very well when we travel, while others may struggle,' says sleep expert Rebecca Robbins, an assistant professor in medicine at Harvard Medical School and an associate scientist at the Brigham and Women's Hospital. 'Bringing elements that are cozy and comforting, such as a blanket, eye mask, or other elements, can remind you of home and help set you up for sleep success while traveling.'
For Heidi Bushko, a professional travel adviser based in Oldsmar, Florida, a personal travel blanket is an essential piece of travel gear. 'Sometimes it can be super cold on the airplane, you get to a hotel and there are not enough blankets, the bedding is scratchy,' she says.
Our favorite travel blankets aren't just warm, they're also packable or—in the case of a weighted blanket—come with a case to make it easier to tote around. The BlueHills Travel Blanket Pillow will likely suit most general travelers. We love that it goes from blanket to pillow and feels super soft.
From ultra-light to heated options, here are more great travel blankets. The best travel blankets
Travel blankets can elevate any journey and even help you sleep better in new surroundings. Our top blankets blend comfort, packability, and portability, so it's easy to bring them along without hassle. Here's what we love about our favorites, along with a few things to keep in mind. Best travel blanket overall: BlueHills Travel Blanket Pillow
Why we like it: This travel blanket is the ultimate multitasker. It's a cozy, ultra-soft blanket that turns into a plush pillow when it's packed into the included case. A backpack clip and a trolley sleeve for your luggage handle make it a cinch to tote. Customers say it washes well and does a good job of taking the chill off in airplane cabins and air-conditioned car rides.
Keep in mind: While versatile, it can't be both a blanket and a pillow at the same time. Once tucked into the case, it functions solely as a travel pillow. However, you could stuff the pillow with something else. One reviewer recommends washing this blanket before you use it to prevent fuzz from getting all over you.
Product details: Dimensions: 3.5 x 5 ft. (unfolded blanket); 7.3 x 11.6 in. (case) | Weight: 16 oz. | Fabric: Microplush (a type of polyester) | Colors: 7 Best travel blanket for airplane: Gravel Layover Travel Blanket
Why we like it: This travel blanket was made for flying. It packs down to a compact size and it's easy to carry. The clever design features snaps that loosely fasten around your neck, so it stays in place while you nap. Foot pockets keep your toes toasty, while a zip pocket lets you stash your earbuds and lip balm. We love that its insulated and that the insulation is made from recycled plastic water bottles, according to the brand.
Keep in mind: Taller travelers may find this blanket pulls a bit when it's snapped in around the neck and the foot pockets are used. This can be more noticeable when wearing your seatbelt, which must be secured outside of the blanket on an airplane.
Product details: Dimensions: 3.3 x 5.5 ft. (standard); 4.5 x 6.3 ft. (XL); 8 x 5 in. (standard stuff sack) | Weight: 12.4 oz. (standard) | Fabric: Nylon | Colors: 5
( This simple doodad is saving our feet on long flights ) Best weighted travel blanket: Bearaby Travel Napper
Why we like it: This ultra-soft and snuggly weighted travel blanket is like bringing a sense of calm with you wherever you go. It even comes with a duffel bag, making it easy and convenient to tote. As hot sleepers, we like that the chunky, loose knit helps prevent you from getting too warm.
Keep in mind: At 10 pounds, this blanket may be better suited for road trips and camping than air travel. While you can bring it on a flight, it's a bit heavy to carry through an airport. After all, it's a weighted blanket, so it's not designed for portability. Some report that this blanket takes longer than other weighted blankets to wash and fully dry.
Product details: Dimensions: 3.3 x 5.3 ft. | Weight: 10 lbs. | Fabric: Organic cotton | Colors: 4
( A good sleep mask can help you rest while traveling ) Best travel scarf blanket: Roam Often Travelista Travel Blanket Scarf
Why we like it: This travel blanket scarf blends style, softness, and versatility. We love the checked design that comes in two go-with-everything colorways. It's big enough to use as a blanket but still looks good draped around your neck as a scarf.
Keep in mind: Some reviewers say the 'black mix' colorway isn't truly black—it's more of a dark gray-brown.
Product details: Dimensions: 2.8 x 6.4 ft. | Weight: NA | Fabric: Acrylic | Colors: 2 Best packable travel blanket: Boacay Packable Travel Blanket
Why we like it: This velvety soft travel blanket zips up into a pouch that doubles as a pillow for on-the-go comfort. Plus, the microplush blanket features a carabiner so you can clip it to your backpack or tote bag. A trolley sleeve lets you slide the carrying bag onto your suitcase handle.
Keep in mind: Some reviewers say this travel blanket sheds fuzzies, which can stick to your clothes. A quick wash and dry should take care of that.
Product details: Dimensions: 3.3 x 5.3 ft. | Weight: 20.5 oz. | Fabric: Polyester | Colors: 4
( Always cold? Try heated clothes on your next trip .) Best heated travel blanket: Gobi Heat Zen Portable Heated Blanket
Why we like it: This travel blanket is equipped with three heat seatings powered by a rechargeable battery. The brand says it heats up in 30 seconds, with three heat zones helping to distribute warmth evenly. We love that this travel blanket is machine washable. Just remember to unplug and remove the battery before tossing it into the wash.
Keep in mind: While TSA allows electric blankets through airport security, the final decision is up to the TSA officer. Battery-operated heated blankets are allowed in a carry-on or checked bag, according to TSA.
Product details: Dimensions: 4.2 x 5.8 ft. | Weight: 60 oz. | Fabric: Polyester | Colors: 5
( How to sleep better while traveling ) Best lightweight travel blanket: Litume Travel Blanket
Why we like it: This travel blanket weighs just over 11 ounces. It's made with a polyester mesh fabric that's breathable and fast-drying, which is perfect for traveling. While it offers plenty of coverage, it packs down super small into a six-by-four-inch drawstring stuff sack with a handy strap.
Keep in mind: Some reviewers found the blanket to be thinner than expected. It comes in two styles: velvet and fleece. Of the two, the velvet version is more compact when packed up.
Product details: Dimensions: 4 x 5.6 ft. | Weight: 11.5 oz. | Fabric: Polyester | Colors: 3 Best fleece travel blanket: EverSnug Travel Blanket
Why we like it: This ultra-soft travel blanket may be a bit heavier than others (it's just heavy enough to feel cozy), but its versatility more than makes up for its weight. It comes with a case that has a trolley sleeve for sliding onto your roll-aboard handle.
'This one I like because it has a carabiner, so you can clip it on the outside of your backpack,' says Bushko. 'It won't take up any room in your backpack. It's also great for the car.'
Keep in mind: The cover, which doubles as the carry case, is separate from the blanket and can be a touch cumbersome to manage. Find a spot to stash it so it doesn't get lost on your travels.
Product details: Dimensions: 3.3 x 5.4 ft. | Weight: 19.2 oz. | Fabric: Polyester | Colors: 7
( We never travel without slippers. These are the comfiest .) Best travel blanket in a bag: Sagefinds Airplane Travel Blanket
Why we like it: While many travel blankets come with their own carrying case, we like this one because of the supple jersey knit fabric. It's warm and stretchy enough for a chilly plane yet lightweight for a picnic. The carrying case has a zip-top and a trolley sleeve that attaches to your luggage handle.
Keep in mind: This blanket has the thickness and texture of a T-shirt, so it may not provide the same warmth as a thicker fleece travel blanket.
Product details: Dimensions: 3.3 x 5.4 ft. | Weight: 13.4 oz. | Fabric: Polyester cotton blend | Colors: 6 Best puffy travel blanket: Rumpl NanoLoft Travel Puffy Blanket
Why we like it: With its cushy insulation, this travel blanket is made to feel like a cozy sleeping bag and packs into roll-top stuff sack. We like that the shell and insulation are made from 100-percent post-consumer recycled plastic water bottles, according to the brand. Plus, a neck snap helps keep the blanket in place when you're trying to get comfortable on a plane.
Keep in mind: Although the company says this travel blanket clips to a backpack, it doesn't come with a carabiner.
Product details: Dimensions: 3.1 x 4.3 ft. | Weight: 12.6 oz. | Fabric: Recycled polyester | Colors: 5
( These are the most comfortable travel clothes for women ) How we chose the best travel blankets
To find the top travel blankets, we interviewed travel experts and spent hours researching many highly rated options. In making our choice, we looked at these factors:
Portability
A good travel blanket should be easy to carry. We gave high marks to blankets that pack down small, come with a carry case, or have a built-in carabiner or sleeve to attach to luggage.
Comfort
Softness and warmth are essential, so we favored materials like fleece, microplush, or organic cotton. We also considered breathability to keep you get comfortable and prevent overheating.
Versatility
We like blankets that do more than keep you warm, so we've suggested those that double as pillows, scarves, or wraps, with features like foot pockets and neck snaps.
'As someone who prefers to travel light, I need my blanket to be multipurpose,' says Desiree Miller, founder of Des Miller Travel Media , which organizes small group trips for women in midlife and beyond. 'That sometimes means it can be worn as a garment.'
Weight
We understand the challenge of packing light , so we leaned into lightweight blankets, particularly for air travel, that don't sacrifice comfort or functionality. Tips for buying a travel blanket
When shopping for a travel blanket, keep these tips in mind:
Consider your needs
Think about what matters most to you when you travel, like versatility, warmth, and functionality. Ask yourself how you want a blanket to enhance your travel experience, whether that's keeping you cozy on a long-haul flight or doubling as a pillow for neck support. Many of our top picks double as pillows or a scarf, like the Roam Often Travelista Travel Blanket Scarf .
Look for easy maintenance
Travel blankets will get dirty, so choose one that's machine washable and dries quickly. Breathable fabrics can also help keep a blanket fresh between washes.
Factor in weight
A travel blanket naturally adds to your load, so consider its weight. If packing light is a priority, look for one like our top pick, the Litume Travel Blanket , that's a cinch to carry without taking up extra space. 'For me, I love being able to connect [a blanket] to my bags while going through the airport,' adds Miller. Frequently asked questions
Should I bring a blanket on a plane?
Yes. Bringing your own travel blanket helps ensure you stay warm and comfortable, especially on long-haul flights. Plus, it can be more hygienic than using airline-provided blankets.
Why did airlines stop giving blankets?
Some airlines eliminated blankets to cut costs, reduce waste, and streamline in-flight services. Hygiene concerns, particularly during the pandemic, also contributed to the reduction of shared items, like blankets and pillows.
What's the best material for a travel blanket?
The best material depends on your needs and preferences. Fleece is a good choice because it's warm and lightweight. Breathable fabrics, like cotton and polyester, are easy to clean and provide warmth without adding bulk. Erin Gifford is a travel and outdoor writer based in Northern Virginia. Follow her on Instagram . *Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these experiences or products with you, National Geographic is not endorsing these experiences or products on behalf of anyone. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products or experiences for individual consumers. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.