1. An Alleyoop all-in-one razor— a TSA-approved gadget with a refillable spray bottle, shea butter moisturizing bar, and two triple-blade razor cartridges. The design is genius, but even better, the moisturizing bar won't melt so if you're traveling somewhere hot or just leaving it in your car's glovebox for pre-work touchups, it'll fare just fine. 

Amazon

Promising review: "This is such a great idea for travel. I love how it has a dial and you get four different options (water spray, shavers, soap). You have everything you need in one handy dandy contraption." —thaihoney

Get it from Amazon for $20 (available in two colors).

2. An AirFly Pro wireless transmitter so you can use your Bluetooth headphones to watch all the movies you didn't feel like paying $18 to see in theaters. 

www.amazon.com

A few years ago I splurged on some AirPod Maxes and for the amount of money I threw down on them, I was determined to get as much use out of them as possible and that included on plane rides. With the AirFly Pro, I can connect my headphones via Bluetooth and use the seat-back screen without having to fiddle with the free wired headphones they hand out that 1.) have horrible sound quality and 2.) don't fit my ears in the slightest (I swear my ear canals are tiny or something??).

Promising review: "If you have a wireless earpiece and fly frequently, this is a must-have. Most newer planes have a monitor on the seat backs that enables you to watch movies, etc. This unit enables you to do it using your wireless earpiece. Connection is simple and automatic once you have initially paired your device or devices. It's convenient. I'm happy with the purchase." —JCE

Get it from Amazon for $34.97+ (available in four configurations and four colors).

3. A set of compression cubes if — despite your best efforts — you're prone to packing everything but the kitchen sink. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "My wife and I have done considerable traveling over the past five years. We've found packing cubes a must on any trip. Simply put, they allow you to pack more clothes. Now, having said that, not all packing cubes are the same. Here's why I feel the Tripped Travel Gear Packing Cubes are better than others. The compression zip alleviates the back from adverse strain during the zipping process. The nylon fabric used makes a HUGE difference compared to mesh and cheap fabric styles. In addition, the handle has come in handy in many situations where we have to take bags in and out during customs, camping trips, etc. These are a MUST-buy." —Amazon Customer

Get them from Amazon for $18.95+ (available in packs of two, three, or six and in 11 colors/designs). 

4. A luggage-mounted cup caddy because if you're anything like me, coffee is HIGH on your list of airport priorities and you could likely use an extra hand to carry it. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

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 $12.99+ (available in 25 colors/patterns). 

5. A nifty universal phone mount so you can pass your high-altitude hours watching season 5 of You. Seeing as you spent all your time at the gate painstakingly downloading them over airport Wi-Fi, it'd be a total waste if you didn't. 🤷‍♀️ 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I recently returned from a trip to Australia and Hawaii, and purchased this gadget specifically for use on the plane. In a word, this gadget is awesome! The holding clamp can be rotated to provide more elevation, so your phone can be near eye-level, which reduces neck stress. The spring that is used for mounting is pretty heavy-duty. But that's actually a good thing because it ensures that it won't shake off in turbulence. The silicone pads also help to prevent slippage. The holding arm also rotates, so you can set it at the perfect angle. And get this: It folds down small enough to fit into a pocket!" —Brendan

Get it from Amazon for $13.97.

6. A set of Avarelle rounded or extra-large hydrocolloid patches that can suck all the gunk out of your whiteheads while you sleep. Idk about you, but my skin INSTANTLY knows when I'm away from home and acts up like nobody's business. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I’ve been experimenting with these for the last month and a half, and I am in love. They are really thin and blend into my highly freckled face incredibly well. While they absolutely help clean out my skin, the biggest thing it does for me is stop me from touching my face. When I'm stressed out, I will absentmindedly touch/run my hands along my face and jaw constantly. Now, when I notice I’m doing that, I run into the bathroom and put these on any spots I have. Since they are thin and stick really well, I am able to leave them alone and stop touching my face." —MelsBells

Get a box of 40 round patches for $8.49 and a box of 8 extra-large patches for $8.99, both from Amazon.

To learn more, check out our Avarelle pimple patch deep dive.

7. A RFID-blocking travel wallet with slots, pouches, and pockets for every form of currency and identification one would need to keep on their person. This way, you don't freak out when it's time to board and you have to track down your ticket and passport. 

www.amazon.com

This wallet has a passport pocket, a boarding pass compartment, three credit card slots, an ID slot, a SIM card pouch, a coupon ticket slot, a cellphone pouch (max 5.8 inches), a money and coins zippered pocket (fits US dollars), a key holder, a pen holder, and a slim pocket.

Promising review: "This holds everything I need all in one place, and it still closes nicely and stays flat! Boarding pass, passport, ID and credit cards, money, checked baggage tickets, receipts, etc.! Yet it doesn’t bulk up or look like an overstuffed mess. Just amazing. The description says it only holds US money, but I just used the boarding pass flap to hold all my Japanese yen (¥), which are larger. I definitely recommend to anyone who travels a lot!" —Anthony Luu

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 17 colors).

8. A bungee cord so you can strap your duffle bag or brief case right to your rolling luggage. That way, you don't have walk what feels like miles from security to your gate looking like a pack mule. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Don't know how I traveled without this piece of basic equipment, but it is a third hand and arm when you need it most. Easy to put into action, easy to put away when you are finished. If you are tired of dealing with excess stuff while traveling, or you are in school/work and need to carry a coat around or a project around all day, then this is the go-to solution. What are you waiting for...put this in your cart!" —Patrick Molina

Get it from Amazon for $14.99. 

9. Or a more fashion-forward Cincha travel belt that can accommodate most any carry-on as it expands to 45 inches. 

Cincha, Cincha

Cincha is a BIPOC–owned business run by a couple and based in Oakland, California who believe traveling in style should also be secure. They've been making the chic travel belt since 2019.

Promising review: "Such a simple yet brilliant solution for the ever falling bag when trying to juggle all your luggage. It definitely made traveling less stressful." —Samantha

Get it from Amazon or Cincha for $39.99 (available in a variety of colors/prints).

10. A pair of Levi's pull-on skinny jeans if you're someone who doesn't like leaving the house in loungewear but wants to *feel* like they're wearing loungewear nonetheless. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "OK, I'm not going to lie. I was skeptical about these pants. I hate buying clothes online without trying them on first, but the reviews here said that they run true to size, so I trusted them. I am SO GLAD that I did. These pants are everything I ever wanted. Make my butt look cute? Check. No nasty zipper to dig into my gut? Check. Perfect length for any season? Check. I can wear these with a cute blouse as a teacher, and still look professional, while still being comfortable. I feel comfortable wearing these basically any time, and I think that if you're lacking a pair of them and thinking about it, you should go get a pair. They're AMAZING." —AlySedai

Get them from Amazon for $29.04+ (available in women's sizes 2–28, in three lengths, and 21 washes). 

11. AnI Dew Care "Tap Secret" mattifying powder shampoo that eliminates grease at your roots and keeps your scalp nice and healthy with antioxidant-rich black ginseng and nourishing biotin. 

www.amazon.com

The powder-based dry shampoo works just like spray formulas — apply to the area you're looking to refresh and then shake out excess powder with your fingertips or a brush. The OG formula is suitable for all hair types, but there are also options specifically for blonde, brown, and black hair. 

Promising review: "The best dry shampoo for travel — since it's non-aerosol and a small container, it's very travel-friendly. I use it both at home and when I am traveling, and it allows my hair to look fresh and keeps it from getting oily for days. It also provides a nice volume boost. There's a bit of initial white cast when you first apply it, but I've always had that go away once I brush it through my hair." —LisaM81

Get it from Amazon for $12.60+ (available in two sizes and seven colors).

12. A do-it-all backpack so ingeniously designed, you can fit a week's worth of clothes inside! You're probably thinking, "But, Chelsea, it's a backpack...how is better than all the others??" Well, let me tell you. The main compartment unzips all the way so TSA is a breeze, there's a separate laptop sleeve, you've got zippered pouches for toiletries, a set of compression straps, a key fob, AND a trolley pass-through for hands-free carrying if you're also bringing a regular suitcase. 

Béis

Béis is a woman-owned travel accessories company from Shay Mitchell.

I bought this bag for a five-day cross-country road trip and it came in sooo clutch. First, I flew with it and was able to stow it under my seat so not only did I not have to check a bag, but I didn't even have to deal with overhead storage. Then, it traveled through 10+ states and various hotels with me. My absolute favorite parts of the bag are the compression straps and the fact that it fully unzips. This makes it *SO* easy to pack, unpack, and take through airport security. I was able to fit ~four pairs of leggings, four T-shirts, two sets of pajamas, two pairs of shorts, two bathing suits, a sweatshirt, a week's worth of undergarments, travel toiletries, an iPad, my wallet, and more odds and ends. 

Promising review: "This backpack truly does it all! It functions as a regular backpack that can be used for work/school but it also functions as a travel backpack for flights or road trips! The quality is amazing and I love all of the small little details that make this bag feel high end." —Makenzie S.

Get it from Béis for $118 (available in six colors). 

13. A supportive and adjustable travel pillow because booking a red-eye flight saved you some serious $$$, but you're not about to sacrifice any sleep. 

BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com

There's even a snapping strap attached that'll allow you hook it to your backpack, luggage, or purse for hands-free carrying.

Promising review: "We just flew across the country twice and loved using this travel pillow. It wasn't too hot around our necks and kept our heads supported while we slept on the plane. I wore mine during the entire flights, even when awake. I was able to comfortably read and watch a movie on my tablet while wearing the pillow. Rotating the pillow around your neck adjusts the thickness, so you can customize the fit and support. I have bought lots of different travel pillows and in my opinion, this one is the best!" —LW

Get it from Amazon for $39.95+ (available in sizes S–XL and in 15 colors/designs).

14. An ultra-fine SPF mistso you can reapply your sunscreen on the go without even having to touch your face! It also goes on ~over~ makeup without issue. 

Habit

You can expect notes of rose geranium and lavender and rosemary with every spritz — plus, this bb is also vegan, cruelty-free, and from a small, NYC–based biz!

Promising review: "I LOVE this sunscreen. It smells AMAZING and the mist is SO fine that you don’t feel it on your skin at all. The bottle is small enough that you can reapply all day by keeping it in your bag. My partner has started to steal it, too, so now we’re a Habit household." —Habit Customer

Get it from Habit for $30.

15. A bottle of Kenra's Platinum Blow-Dry Spray, which allows you to cut your drying time in HALF and acts as a thermal protectant and frizz tamer all the while. It's now racked up over 18,600 5-star reviews as well as a following on TikTok, sooo safe to say it's universally loved.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I LOVE the smell of this! Bought it due to frizzing from coloring my hair, but really didn't believe that it shortened drying time. I mean, how can something putting moisture on you hair shorten the drying time, right? I was shocked. I don't know if it cut it down by 50%, but I did notice blow-drying my hair took quit a bit less time. I am sold on this stuff. Makes my hair feel like silk, but not greasy (I was worried about it making my hair greasy) and it takes only a few sprays to get the results. I hold it about 15 inches from my head and spray the top, both sides, and the back once, then rub it in with my hands. Perfect!" —Janice C. Henderson

Get it from Amazon for $16+ (available in three sizes).

16. A few pairs of breathable, odor-reducing briefs from ExOfficio — a brand that specializes in travel-friendly clothing. The undies are so fast-drying, you can wash them in a sink, wring them out, let them dry for a few hours, and wear 'em again.

Amazon

Promising review: "These are my everyday undies for home or travel. They are durable enough to handle machine washing for routine use, but they also hand-wash and air-dry easily when I want to rotate just a few pairs during travel. I have tried several brands of travel undies and found I get chafing from wool and some other synthetic brands are not as durable as these." —Ellen R.

Get them from Amazon for $11.38+ (available in women's sizes XS-XXL, in eight colors/patterns, and in two packs). 

17. A drawstring makeup organizer that opens to reveal every cosmetic you own so you don't have to spend countless minutes emptying out every item just to *not* find your concealer. (Turns out it was in your purse all along 🤷‍♀️)

Lay-n-Go / YouTube / Via www.youtube.com

Promising review: "I was tired of fumbling around in my cosmetics case and saw this. I was skeptical, but...WOW! On my recent two-week trip to Europe, with constant laying out and packing up, this item was wonderful. I could find what I wanted quickly, right away. Packing up was just a matter of pulling the drawstring. At first I wasn’t sure about changing to this bag, but now I could not do without it." —Mojosharkey

Get it from Amazon for $24.95+ (available in three sizes and 31 colors/patterns).

18. A mini white noise machine so you can get a good night's sleep on the road instead of being kept up by unfamiliar noises like creaky Airbnb floors or rowdy hotel neighbors. 

www.amazon.com

The small device has 11 non-looping sleep sounds (including fan and ocean sounds) and it can connect to wireless devices via Bluetooth so you can use it as a portable speaker and play your own audio.  

Promising review: "Bought one of these for my hubby for Christmas and he loved it. Then I bought one for my daughter days later. A few days later, I bought our third — I had to have one also for when I travel. Brought it with us to a hotel on vacation and used it at night to drown out the noise of other guests walking and talking in the halls, and during the day rocked our music on Bluetooth!! Added plus, we used it with our new puppy to get him to sleep and stay asleep through the night. Only downside is I wish the battery life was longer. It lasts about three nights before you need to recharge." —Romeo's Girl

Get it from Amazon for $39.95 (also available in black).

19. A trusty pair of Reebok Club C Sneakers that 1.) are hella comfy and 2.) match just about everything so you have no excuse to pack multiple sets of shoes when one can do the job. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

I have three pairs of these babies because they're just so comfortable straight out of the box. You don't have to worry about blisters and they don't look out of place with dresses and skirts. They're also simple enough to slip on and off when going through the airport so they check all of my travel boxes!

Promising review: "Love these shoes! I saw them in store at UO but they didn't have my size. Obviously I turned to Amazon because what doesn’t this site sell, and lo-and-behold, y’all had it. I try to pair these with almost every outfit because they’re so comfy and stylish! Recently went to Philly, where I had to walk everywhere because we didn't rent a car and these were only pair of shoes I brought (I travel light). These didn’t cramp up my feet at all as I walked over 7 hours daily over the course of 5 days. Definitely recommend! But one thing hurts my heart...the creasing at the front of the shoe that comes with loving these shoes so much.😢" —Alli J

Get them from Amazon for $52.50+ (available in women's sizes 5–11 and in three colors/patterns).

20. A digital luggage scale so you don't have to frantically move items from your checked luggage to your carry-on in a desperate bid to stay under 50 pounds and thus avoid an overweight fee. 

www.amazon.com

You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements. 

BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly tested this digital luggage scale out when packing for a trip to Iceland — check out her demo of how it works on TikTok!

Promising review: "Super accurate and easy to use. I use them for work where I have to pack equipment in my bag. When I use these I can pack my bag to 49.9 pounds. It’s always satisfying to hear 'your bag is overweight ma’am' from the guy checking my suitcase just to have it weigh in just under the mark when he actually puts it on the scale. It matches this scale every time." —Diane

Get it from Amazon for $11.98+ (available in five colors, two styles, and in a set of two).

21. A pair of compression socks that — while not the most fashion-forward garment — will help with circulation so your legs don't have to be any more uncomfortable than they already are. 

Amazon

Promising review: "I have used quite a few compression socks and have found that these are the best. I travel extensively for work, which means long airport walks and sitting and waiting, followed by long flights, and these have left my legs feeling great with no swelling and no leg pain later in the day. They do a great job of providing compression to the leg and calf without being too constricting in the foot area. Other products I have tried tend to be very tight in the foot area. I own quite a few pairs of these for longer than six months and use them regularly, I have found that they are durable and the compression has been consistent." —Ted E.

Get them from Amazon for $14.03+ (available in four sizes and 14 colors).

22. An acupressure wristband if you're looking for an all-natural way to alleviate nausea, motion sickness, or morning sickness because feeling like you have to hurl 24/7 — especially while on vacation — is a major downer.

www.amazon.com

It's also been known to work for postoperative and chemotherapy-induced nausea. It applies pressure on your wrist to help ~restore balance~.

Promising review: "I'm eight weeks pregnant and have had morning sickness nonstop every single day, and it has made my appetite go away so much that I feared for my baby's health. I needed a quick fix so I could eat again. It worked amazingly. I went to Denny's and ate my weight in pancakes! It feels so good not to feel nauseous all the time." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $8.08+ (available in six colors).

23. A personalized travel bag you can use to store your bathing suit, dirty clothes, or even toiletries if you're afraid of them leaking on your other stuff. 

Sprinkled With Pink / Etsy

Sprinkled With Pink is a Dallas, Texas-based shop from Kendra Eaton. They suggest personalizing your bag with two to three letters. You *can* technically do more, but the font will have to be sized down. 

Promising review: "Absolutely LOVE these wet bags! I got them to use in the giant L.L. Bean zipper tote (IYKYK that bag is amazing but has absolutely no organization) — one for sunscreen and one for my son's snacks! They were much larger than I thought, currently able to fit five bottles of sunscreen in one bag. Going to order the smaller size to use in my diaper bag. Definitely recommend!" —Bridgebach

Get it from Sprinkled With Pink on Etsy for $12.99+ (bags are available in six colors and lettering is available in 21 colors). 

24. A Pashmina scarf ready to be fashioned into a blanket or pillow when flying; a wrap when you're cold or need something modest for visiting cultural sites like temples; or even a shield from the sun as it offers UPF 50+ protection!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I absolutely love this wrap!! It is the perfect weight and size for travel. It didn't leave my side on an 11-day backpack trip through Europe and was used as a scarf, blanket, towel, and wrap all throughout the trip. Fashionable enough to dress up a basic travel day outfit, warm enough to keep away a chill on a cooler night, and light enough to pack away small into a bag or tie around a purse strap. I can't say enough great things! I am buying these as gifts for everyone I know who travels." —Jenn

Get it from Amazon for $36+ (available in 11 colors).

25. An inflatable airplane bed for kids that not only gives them a place to peacefully nap, but prevents toys and snacks from going here, there, and everywhere.

Flyaway Designs

The bed — which comes from the small, woman-run biz Flyaway Designs — comes in a portable bag and a pump is included. It takes only 90 seconds to inflate and even less to deflate! And — an important note from the manufacturer — "It meets the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA’s) strict guidelines for inflight comfort devices."

Promising review: "This bed proved to be everything stated in the description. We flew premium economy on a 17-hour flight from SFO to SIN and this product provided a sturdy, flat bed for our toddler across the entire pitch from our seat to the next. It was his first flight ever and he slept comfortably about 10 hours or so (on the return trip as well). The product is also super easy / quick to inflate and deflate. Would highly recommend it." —Sunil N.

Get it from Flyaway Designs for $159.

Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.