1. A Kindle E-reader so you can bring a ton of books with you without any bulk to speak of. Don't feel like reading your literary fiction? Switch to your beach read. Your seat neighbor isn't judging.

Target

Promising review: "I love physical books, but as a working mom of four (one being a baby), I wanted something I could throw into my bag and go. It's compact and charged well. I absolutely love my new Kindle. I’m on my fifth book this week!" —Mamaoffour

Price: $109.99 (available in two colors)

2. A laptop backpack with a trolly sleeve if you're in search of the most versatile personal item out there. If you need to access your computer in-flight, look no further than this beauty.

Target

Promising review: "I got this bag as my new travel backpack/carry-on. It's good quality, very cute, and has good pockets for organizing my things and securing my laptop/tablet. Would definitely recommend it!" —Jill C

Price: $48.49 (available in four colors)

3. A New York Times crossword book choc-full of entertaining puzzles if you want to use your flight time to get away from screens for once. This book is the easiest of the collection, and I still find it to be a nice challenge!

Target

Promising review: "Love this book! Good variety and level of difficulty is great for a beginner." —G

Price: $13.02

4. Some classic Apple EarPods that are minuscule to store when you're not using them, don't require charging, and don't break the bank. I'm a believer that these classics are underrated, especially when it comes to traveling light.

Target

Promising review: "After going through too many wireless earbuds to name, costing me so much money, I decided to follow the trend of the tried and true wired buds. The sound quality is great and the price even better." —aj

Price: $19.99

5. A ruled hardcover Moleskine notebook to use as a travel journal. I love writing small daily entries whenever I'm on a trip, but I hate lugging around enormous journals. This one is slim, easy to carry, high-quality, and always in my carry-on.

Target

Promising review: "I’ve been looking for something to put all my writing in, and this book is awesome! The quality of the paper and the lines aren’t that close, and it allows you so much room per page. Will buy again!" —Kimbe

Price: $24.99 (available in six colors and three page styles)

6. Some strawberry lemonade flavored Liquid IV so you can pack a little more hydration into the water you bring onboard. Getting up to go to the bathroom on a flight is the worst. Make the most of the liquid you decide to drink!

Target

FYI, depending on your situation, water may be enough to rehydrate you! Read more about electrolyte-enhanced drinks and hydration at Cleveland Clinic. 

Promising review: "I've had nearly all LIV flavors and this is my fave. A little less sweet than the regular strawberry, but still overall sweet with a slight saltiness. Doesn't taste artificial. Perfect for a hot day or before/after working out."  —rashiffler

Price: $16.19 for a pack of 10 

7. A small pack of disinfecting wipes to give you peace of mind when using high-touch surfaces away from home. Nothing worse than discovering your airplane tray is mysteriously sticky.

Target

Promising review: "These are perfect for travel! I buy a few before traveling and use them on the plane and in the hotel. Perfect size for a backpack/purse, so I don't have to bring a giant Clorox container!" —R19

Price: $0.99+ (available in three pack sizes) 

8. A reliable external battery in case the outlet at your seat is out of order. Been there, learned my lesson. Never again.

Target

Promising review: "This little thing is amazing!!! Took it to Disneyland and was able to charge my phone from 38% to 98% and my daughters from 46 to 100 😍🤗 love it and recommend it!!!!!" —NormaJean

Price: $9.99 (available in four colors)

9. A silk eye mask if you're bothered by light but still want to try to get some shut-eye before you reach your destination. And that silk will keep so nice against your skin. Ahhhh, soft.

Target

Promising review: "So comfortable and soft. Completely blacks out and I love that it’s adjustable. Doesn’t feel heavy and doesn’t slide off my face like previous ones I owned." —KG90

Price: $15 (available in two colors)

10. An E.l.f. lip mask formulated with hyaluronic acid, squalane, and castor seed oil to keep your pout feeling its best, even if your seat neighbor's little air thing is pointed right at you.

Target

Promising review: "This lip mask is amazing I put it on every night before bed and wake up with bigger lips, it’s not that huge of a difference once you begin and even when you get in a good routine with it but it’s pretty amazing because that’s not what the product is for." —Lydia

Price: $7

11. A memory foam travel neck pillow — classic! Rest your head, take a little nap, and when you wake up you'll be in [insert your dream destination here].

Target

Promising review: "Used on a long flight, super comfy and quite good quality for a lower price than other memory foam neck pillows. Love that it clips, the material is soft and non-abrasive, and the removable case washes easily." —G

Price: $9.99 (available in three colors)

12. An AirTag so you can track your luggage juuuuust in case it gets lost. No more looking out the window watching the airline workers load suitcases on the flight, praying yours makes it on.

Target

Promising review: "Like it. Easy way to keep up with items while traveling." —Mich

Price: $29.99

13. A Frenshe by Ashley Tisdale cashmere vanilla-scented body serum stick infused with magnesium and squalane to add a dose of moisture to any patches that start to feel a little dry or itchy in midair. Love some good mid-flight self-care, and if Sharpay from High School Musical makes it, consider it in my bag already.

Target

Promising review: "I’ve only had this for less than 24 hours and I already know this is a game changer for me! I carry so much tension on my neck/shoulder area and I feel immediate relief after applying this! And it smells so delicious!" —agf99

Price: $16.99 (also available in a lavender scent)

14. A pair of ultra-soft high-rise leggings so you can twist, turn, and cross your legs with ease and without a waistband digging into your belly. Ouch!

Target

Promising review: “Literally the best leggings I’ve purchased. I bought the black and the brown! I am so happy I did. I’ve never felt so comfortable and confident. Please make more colors!” —Tab Pannell

Price: $25 (available in women's sizes XS–4X, two lengths, and in four colors)

15. A mini bottle of hand sanitizer spray because the fact is you're gonna be exposed to a lot of germs on your travels. Give yourself a little spritz before digging into that free bag of mini pretzels.

Target

Promising review: "The smell is AWESOME! I love the scent; it's not overwhelming, my kiddo loves it, and the spray makes it easy to take on the go and keep in our bags. We will be bringing these everywhere to keep hands clean when we can't wash them!" —Sam

Price: $4.89

16. A pair of compression socks to help keep swelling at bay, a huge setback and discomfort during long-haul flights. Now when you land you can immediately run right to the street, yell "Taxi!," and be whisked right to the city, head sticking out of the window grinning. That's how things still work, right?

Target

Read more about compression socks and swelling on long flights at Cleveland Clinic. 

Promising review: "These are great for jobs that require you to be both on your feet and sitting for chunks of time. I work as an EMT and wear these always! Keep my feet warm in the winter, but I don't overheat in the summer." —ZW

Price: $14 for two pairs (available in two colors that fit women's sizes 4–10)

17. A travel throw blanket in case you want to cover up and catch some Zzzzs. Not using it? Fold it up into itself and use it as a pillow. Love a two-in-one situation.

Target

Promising review: "This blanket set is soft and cozy, perfect for long flights or car rides. The pillow provides great support and comfort. I love that it comes in a compact bag with pockets, making it easy to carry and store. This set is a must-have for any traveler and makes a great gift too." —Amandatwilight

Price: $19.99 (available in three colors)

18. An AirFly adapter so you can connect your Bluetooth headphones *right* to the in-flight entertainment for the highest quality sound without a wire in sight. Your fiftieth viewing of Paddington 2 is gonna be your best yet.

Target

Price: $54.99

19. A Takeya water bottle with a fold-down straw whose small 18-ounce size is perfect for tossing in a carry-on. It's not gonna take up too much space or be too heavy, but you will have a nice serving of water to dip into whenever you need it. Balance, people!

Target

Promising review: "My husband and I received these as a gift for our wedding. I was hesitant at first because I'm picky about water bottles. BUT...I now use mine almost every day. I took my daughter to pick out a new water bottle for school, and she picked the Takeya with a straw. She was nervous it would be hard to suck through, but it's not! We all love ours from the handle to the grip bottom!" —Taryn

Price: $28.99

20. A fleece half-zip pullover so you have the perfect spare layer to bring along. Being trapped on an ice-cold plane knowing you have four more hours of frost is the definition of h-e-double-hockey-sticks.

Target

Promising review: "Great color. I have two, and I love the fit. Looks like a big name brand sweatshirt for less cost." —Lynn325

Price: $25 (available in women's sizes XS–4X and four colors)

21. A travel-size Evian facial spray for keeping that gorgeous face of yours nice and hydrated from liftoff to touchdown. All the better if you're traveling somewhere dry and can use it there, too.

Target

Promising review: "This is my favorite facial mist to apply before serums. I’ve tried lots of expensive ones and always come back to this one. It doesn’t have any harsh ingredients, it’s all-natural, it’s truly for all skin types, and it’s affordable. I highly recommend it!" —KT

Price: $10.39+ (available in three sizes)

22. A small bottle of CeraVe Moisturizing Cream so you can have access to your favorite moisturizer during your long, drying flight! Ack, that plane air always really gets to me.

Target

Promising review: "I have severe patchy dry skin. I've used higher end stuff and nothing worked and some cheaper end stuff that people swore by. Dermatologist stated to use this and it really works. My skin is 80% better. I still fight with dry skin as I've only used a few days, but it has been the best by far for my super dry skin." —Britt

Price: $7.69+ (available in four sizes)

23. A pair of Stasher reusable silicone travel bags to keep all those extra travel bits and bobs stored safely in your carry-on. I vote you use one for tech and one for cosmetics.

Target

Promising review: "I recently used these to store small hair accessories and toiletries on a vacation, and they worked out great. I plan to also use them for small snacks, but the possibilities of what you can use them for are really endless. They are very durable, and I believe they will be long-lasting. Great alternative to plastic bags. I highly recommend these and all of the other sizes they offer!" —Morgan

Price: $17.69 for a set of two

24. A pair of Bose noise-canceling headphones so you don't have to blast your headphones to hear your podcast over the plane's engine. With an adjustable noise-cancelling level and up to 24 hours of playback, these are a worthy investment for your travels and for your everyday life.

Target

Promising review: "I love the color. I love how comfortable they feel. They really block out background noise." —Gaga

Price: $249.99 (originally $349.99, available in four colors)

25. An expandable hard-shell carry-on suitcase with four spinner wheels and a built-in lock to bring your luggage firmly into adulthood with you. RIP, soccer camp duffel bag. You will not be forgotten.

Target

Promising review: "We have had two of these bags for the last 10 years. It’s a great bag. Perfect as a carry-on and fits at least two weeks' worth of clothing in it. We are an airline family; therefore, we fly standby, so checking in bags gets tricky. My older son’s bag is now showing some signs of wear. I have been looking at new bags, but I can’t find anything that will accommodate as much as this one." —M

Price: $89.99 (available in six colors)

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.