If You Love Everything About Traveling Except The Actual Travel Part, Check Out These 28 Things
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Sitting in a plane for hours isn’t so bad when you’re kicking your feet up on this inflatable foot rest.
Posted on Oct 26, 2026 UTC
by Divinia Tarin BuzzFeed BuzzFeed Staff
I’m a resident writer on the BuzzFeed Shopping team covering a variety of topics in a fun and mindful way, including travel, home, beauty, gift guides, and anything that’ll add just a bit of whimsy into people’s lives.
Promising review: "On past trips, it was a struggle to keep a duffel bag in place on the rolling suitcase, so we decided to try this on a recent trip to Italy. This strap was very useful in keeping the duffel in place while rolling my suitcase to/from the train station, even over bumps from the cobblestones! It was so much easier than trying to hold the suitcase handle and the duffel strap with one hand and worry about the duffel swinging all over the place. Every time we saw other travelers struggling to keep their extra bags from toppling over, my husband and I exclaimed how this small purchase made our luggage handling experience so much easier." —Audible Customer
Get it from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in two sizes, five colors, and as a two-pack).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
This is one of our 2026 Buzzy Award winners! Check out the full list to shop all 100 picks, hand-selected by the BuzzFeed Shopping team.
Promising review: "I don't know about you, but I refuse to have anything to do with seat-back pockets on airplanes. They are disgusting and dirty, and how many horror stories have you read about someone who left a phone, tablet, laptop, or goodness knows what else, never to be seen again. On a trip last year, my travel companion brought one of these, and initially I thought it was sort of silly, but by the end of the transatlantic plane ride, I was sold and ordered one to take with me so that I can keep essentials handy, and won't need to pull my backpack out from under the seat when I need something." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon $29.99.
Read more about acupressure and nausea at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Note: both bands should be worn at once to help alleviate symptoms, and they may be uncomfortable for those with larger wrists.
Promising review: "I followed the instructions and placed it about three fingers' width below my palm, and it works! For this price, I cannot believe I waited this long. It's a plus that it is decent-looking and can be part of your outfit. I get pretty bad motion sickness, especially on boats and planes. Sometimes I would even forgo vacations because I don't want to deal with the nausea on the plane. This past vacation, I was going on a 20+ hour flight AND a boat tour. I was realllyyyy dreading it. Put me on an idle boat, and it's game over. BUT! This time, I had these magical wrist bands. I wore it for the whole flight and the whole boat tour. I wore it on these bumpy car rides up and down the mountains. The boat even idled on the water for like an hour for the sun to set. I felt... fine?? I was AMAZED. I feel like I can live!! My family can benefit from more vacations now!" —tl
Get two from Amazon for $8.96+ (available in five colors and as a four-count).
And to double down on the nausea relief, reviewers love this Allclair inhaler!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The 9-inch tray has an arm and base that fits in cup holders between 3.1—4 inches wide.
Promising review: "Took a long 500-mile road trip. Love it! It allowed for hands-free talking, and was a place for my phone. I stopped for a bite to eat, and the tray held that burger and fries, and the adjustable cup holder held my drink cup. That swivel table top… I could see this in the armrest in the back for those passengers, too! Everyone should have one of these in their life. I’m buying gifts!" —Renelda M Turner
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (also available with a cup holder).
It works by attaching to a plane's, or car's, headrest and uses an eye mask with a thick and contoured 3D design for extra comfort to hold your head in place. Just note that for planes, it only works if the seat has a headrest that flaps inward.
Promising review: "Our family of three was headed to Japan, 12 hours to Osaka and 9 hours back from Tokyo. We’ve traveled a lot and tried many pillows, neck wraps, etc, over the years. We never like anything. But, these we LOVED! Not only do they keep you from the dreaded head bob shock wake, they provide a blackout mask that makes it dark regardless of whether it’s light, someone’s watching a screen, or the plane has its lights on. I also found that it lessened the noise around me as it covered my ears. We all found it very comfortable, and these will now be our go-to for long flights. The mask and backing are nicely padded. I didn’t find the mask hot or uncomfortable in any way. —wendy g
Get it from Amazon for $20.88+ (available in seven colors).
The scale has a max reading capacity of 110 pounds and can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements.
Promising review: "This scale works and was accurate on four flights. The first flight was a test at 46 pounds, and Delta scales said it was 46 pounds. The next two flights were at 49 pounds, and both United and Delta found it to be 49 pounds. The bag on the fourth flight weighed 49 but the United scale found it to be 48 pounds. Four different airports and scales proved that this scale is a good, low-cost must-have item for air travel." —Robert
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three colors and as a two-pack).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
I bought the set of sixfor eight weeks in Europe with one suitcase, and they were perfect for keeping me organized during the packing process and making sure I had plenty of space for my other essentials (and I am someone who packs for every possible scenario)! My advice: lay your clothes as flat as possible, not folded or rolled. This way, they stack more evenly and when you compress, have less of a lump in the center, which lets them fit together more seamlessly! The four larger cubes held all my clothes, while the smaller one fit toiletries and the shoe bag, all three pairs I took. And, when I was fully unpacked, the larger cubes doubled as a laundry bag! I've kept using them on all my trips, even just for organizing, and have had zero issues with durability.
Promising review: "At first I was skeptical, but needed an option for packing for my two-week trip in a carry-on. I originally planned to use the largest bag for just my bottoms but as I was packing them (all items were rolled), I noticed I could fit more... and moved on to all my dresses… then on to my bigger shirts… then ALL my shirts! Leading me to fit three pants, three skirts, two shorts, and 10+ tops in just one bag! Zipping the extra compression was hard, but by going inch by inch, we made it!! Granted this is all light summer/ linen clothing, but I am still very impressed!!" —Amazon Customer
Get a set of four from Amazon for $16.99+ (also available in sets of six or eight, a solid or partial mesh design, and various colors).
Promising review: "This thing was a freaking lifesaver! I recently traveled with my disabled mother and my 5-year-old, who had never been on a plane before. I was debating about whether or not to get these because I thought they may be more of a hassle to get on and off through security than they would be worth. Eventually, I decided just to give them a shot. I am SOOOOO glad I did!!! I'll be honest, the setup does take a few minutes, so be ready for that. But once they are strapped together, it's beyond worth the extra time to get yourself together!! We were able to zip through the airport with ease, and I was able to strap my daughter's backpack to my luggage and then pile our jackets and my mother's purse on top of our 'train.' 🤣 I was able to tote ALL of our things by myself with ease! Even my daughter was pulling them around when there wasn't an incline in the floor. Lol. The only thing you need to be careful of when using them is making sure you have the tension just right so bags don't slip down when you start moving or hit a bump. And make sure to make WIDE turns, or you will topple them all over. 😅" —BlueEyedBatman
Get it from Amazon for$8.95+ (available in five sizes and with plastic or metal buckle).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The wallet includes a passport holder slot, two clear plastic slots, four card slots, a bigger slot for boarding passes, and two SIM slots. If you want a passport holder without as many slots, they also have one with a simpler design.
Promising review: "Flight attendant approved! I go EVERYWHERE with my passport, and so having it protected in this case has kept it from getting worn out. Nice and slim, perfect size, and it helps me to stay organized with the different card slots. Bought one for my mom as a gift and she loves it too! Great quality and after two years looks good as new." —Lorie Cooper
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two styles, 49 colors, and as a two-pack).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It is recommended not to reuse after two flights because pollen, dust, and moisture reduce effectiveness.
Promising review: "This product has changed my life. I travel fairly frequently and always have issues with ear pressure on the plane. My ears will be clogged up, and it is painful to swallow for a day or two after short-distance flights. But now, I use these and fly incident-free. You are supposed to insert them before the plane takes off and then before landing. I have found that it works best if I leave them in the entire flight from before takeoff until landing, but they work almost as well if you take them out once you reach cruising altitude." —Thomasina
Get a pair from Amazon for 8.49+ (also available in packs of three, five, and 10).
Amazon
Promising review: "I thought this might be one of the silly things I sometimes fall for. Nope. These are awesome. I keep one on the driver's side headrest and the other on the passenger side. I prefer to use the passenger one, because I can reach into my purse from the driver's seat, but if I've got extra people in the car, it's nice to have the flexibility to keep my purse on either side. Also, they fit very snugly and are tough. My purse easily weighs 20 pounds, and it never looks like it's strained." —Kendra
Get a set of two from Amazon for $5.99 (available in black and beige).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The set includes one waterproof bag, two 3-ounce silicone bottles, two 2-ounce silicone bottles, two spray bottles, four cream jars, a funnel, a cleaning brush, labels, and four mini spatulas.
Promising review: "LOVE this travel set. I've used it consistently for the past few months and on many trips. I even took it on a 10-day trip to Europe and the size of the bottles were perfect for all my toiletries for that amount of time. It very easily could have last a full two weeks. I am very pleased with this purchase and bought another one for my daughter. I am able to take ALL of my hair care and skin care items in this set." —P. Phillips
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 10 colorways).
Reviewers say it's ideal for a suitcase that can roll on four wheels! If you have a suitcase that has to tilt while it rolls, just be careful if the drinks are open at the top.
Promising reviews: "Great tool to keep your hands free. I’m a flight attendant and I love this, especially the [hook and loop fastened] 'quick detachment.' It’s the best! I had one before that just stretched over the handle, and it was a PAIN! This one is great. There’s room for two large drinks and a slim pocket for a phone or wallet. Many people see it and ask where I got my clever little caddy!" —Debra G
"This cup holder is perfect! It helps me a lot! Last time I took a plane with a suitcase and a cup of coffee, when it was my turn to check my passport and ticket, the coffee cup fell to the ground and coffee spilled. It was a nightmare! This time I bought this cup holder, and it did 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 $11.99+ (available in 25 colors and three styles).
Amazon
Check it out on TikTok.
Promising review: "I ordered two of these and my daughter and I both use them numerous times while flying recently. They compact nicely, have a loop that can go through the handle of a carry-on, and are the perfect size for snuggling up and sleeping on the airplane. It is lightweight and I will not fly again without it!" —SweetMama
Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in eight colors).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The case takes about 1.5 hours to recharge and the total battery life of the earbuds is about 55 hours with the case. The listing has a helpful tool to check compatibility with your device, and if you're searching for a noise-cancelling version the company makes one as well!
Promising review: "I'm genuinely surprised by the sound quality and clarity from these, given the low price point when compared to the premium big-name brands. I ended up buying two. They come with a few pairs of the ear fittings so you can find the size that suits your ears. Easy to set-up... in less than five minutes I paired it with my laptop and phone (Google Pixel). The instructions were extremely clear and [simple] so no technical knowledge needed. Case is a bit bigger than let's say the Apple Airpods case but still easy to tuck away if traveling. And it comes with a clip and strap to attach to the case." —Surin
Get it from Amazon $19.99+ (available in six colors).
Amazon
See it in action on TikTok.
Promising review: "I bought this nifty gadget about six months ago for a multileg, ultra-long-haul trip, and it more than held up the entire duration. I was able to finagle it to fit the tray tables on different planes, and like others, I find the height just nice when clamped onto a stowed tray table. It also works on my roller carry-on handle during layovers. However, I find myself using it a lot outside of travel, too! Work-wise, I've clamped it onto my office desk shelving to hold my phone at eye level beside my computer. At home, I simply clamped it to a deck of cards, and it turns into a versatile stand that I can place on any flat surface. Heck, I've been using it to hold my phone comfortably at eye level while watching videos in bed. It's extremely well built, and I find myself fidgeting with it all the time. Thus far, it still feels solid, and I don't anticipate breaking it any time soon. Even if it does break, I'll be happy to buy another one or two of it!" —Earendil
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in seven colors and in packs of two).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "If you are looking for a durable and secure travel pouch and passport holder, look no further. It is lightweight and compact and securely holds a phone, money, credit cards, passport, etc. The Velcro strap holding the phone compartment is very strong; in fact, I've been using this travel pouch for almost three years, and the Velcro is as strong as ever. The side compartments can be used for storing money, and the credit cards have a tight zipper and a snug fit. The travel pouch is lightweight and comfortable to wear around my neck. When shopping, it is so much more convenient to wear this compact travel pouch instead of lugging a bulky purse. The pouch is slim and lightweight and can be worn outside or inside of clothing, which is ideal for security purposes when traveling." —JAR
Get it from Amazon for $14.25+ (available in six colors).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Not only does the backpack open from the back, but it also has a phone pocket, a document pocket, a front zippered pocket, and an exterior side pocket. It's also made of nylon, so it's waterproof. And if you prefer, it can even be worn as a shoulder bag!
Promising review: "This backpack lasted an entire trip through several airports and layovers, and all across our trip through Europe. It was amazing. Because the main zipper sat against my back, I never worried about getting my items stolen. But I also had the luxury of having the two front zippers that were also surprisingly spacious to hold non-precious items such as water bottles or cheap sunglasses, etc. This backpack is also extremely durable. It was the perfect day pack to gather knick-knacks and souvenirs for friends and family and hold whatever I shoved in it!" —H Bradshaw
Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in two sizes and three colors).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Perfect to keep zipper closures secure on our sling bags during our recent trip to London. We had heard there can be a lot of pickpocket activity around downtown London, so we grabbed these to ensure no one could easily unzip our sling bags while walking and doing tourist stuff. Just difficult enough not to be easy for a scammer, but easy enough for us to use when we wanted to access pockets of the bags." —K. Schmitt
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (available in three colors or a mix).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The mini fan has up to 19 (!!) hours of cooling time and two speed settings. Also, if you were wondering, only the USB-A port can be used to charge your device —the USB-C only works to charge the fan itself.
Promising review: "I purchased this fan for my recent trip to Italy where there was a heatwave, and it did its job on those extremely hot days where we were putting in 25,000 steps a day. It was also helpful on one of our flights that was boiling hot, and I was able to loan it to a man that was overheating on the train. It's lightweight and so easy to carry around without weighing my handbag down. My hand would sometimes hit the blades, which could be a little startling, but it wasn't painful. My friend brought a portable fan that was more powerful, but it was also bulky and heavy and had a shorter battery life. Overall, this little fan serves it's purpose well!" —Jane H.
Get it from Amazon for $16.19+ (available in eight colors).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I didn't buy this for the longest time thinking inflation would be annoying or it'd be too bulky — I finally ordered it and love it. It's very easy to inflate since it has the two inflation methods. Folds up smaller than our travel pillows. It's great for travel in car and planes, and our kid likes sitting on it at home too. Recommended." —D
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in four colors, a standard style, and in a pack of two).
The wipes are free from alcohol, sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fibers.
Promising reviews: "I recently went on a week-long camping road trip where I was outside all day and didn't have access to a shower. I used these at the end of the day, and I was really happy with how they worked. The 12x12 size is great and is much easier to use than small wet wipes. One was generally enough for the entire body. They didn't leave a residue, and I felt clean afterwards. I didn't feel sticky and there was no noticeable smell. They would be kind of heavy for backpacking but they were perfect for canoe or car camping. I'll buy them again." —WP
"I have tried countless wipes and these are my favorite. They are nice and big, and the grapefruit scentis fresh but not overpowering. They keep me shockingly fresh for quite a long time. I wasn’t expecting them to be so long-lasting. And so far they seem to be working fine for my sensitive skin. 🤞" —M
Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for$14.95 (available in four scents or unscented, a 40-pack, and an individually wrapped variety 10-pack).
These wipes are hypoallergenic, paraben-free, plastic-free, and alcohol-free. Also, though they're marketed as bathroom wipes, reviewers use them for everything!
Promising review: "I just completed a two-week trip through India. They use a water sprayer, instead of toilet paper, in most places. This product was a life saver. The package is small enough to carry in a small size purse. The wipes are soft, clean well, and are of good, thick quality. I highly recommend this product. Definitely will buy again." —Christy d.
Get eight packs from Amazon for $7.98+ (each pack contains six wipes; also available in scented styles and packs of 24 and 48).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "My partner and I love parks and walking trails. Unfortunately, the public restrooms often have zero soap (sometimes no TP either, but that's a different product). Carrying a container of liquid soap isn't feasible, as several tragically retired mini-backpacks could verify, and bars of soap in containers take up more room than I want to mess with (and leak/drip water, in some cases). I found these while searching for a portable TP option for my mini-pack, and couldn't click 'Add to cart' fast enough. Used one for the first time in a park bathroom (no soap, no surprise) and it was divine. The razor-thin sheet instantly dissolved into a soapy gel with water, foaming nicely and emitting very little scent. It rinsed clean and didn't dry my hands out like most public soaps do. I still have 99 amazing little soapy miracles in the tin... it's almost too good to be true." —M Norton
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in four fragrances and as a pack of three).
Amazon
Psst — it's machine washable. Also, the seller offers a belt extender, and for a hands-free option, a wrap for newborns.
Promising review: "Seriously a lifesaver (or at the very least a lower back-saver). Took this on an international trip with my toddler and used it to carry them around any time they didn't want to be in the stroller. The pockets are so spacious — I was able to use this instead of a purse and fit a ziplock bag with a couple of diapers, wipes, a changing mat, and a spare onesie, as well as my phone, cash, and cards. I cannot tell you how helpful it is to not have a giant diaper bag to contend with when you're trying to change your squirmy toddler in an airplane bathroom the size of a broom closet. It's not a hands-free solution (obviously), but I much prefer it over bulky traditional baby carriers with their million straps and buckles. My one caveat is that if you're a person on the thinner side, you'll probably need someone else to help you pull the strap tight enough for the carrier not to slide down. A good alternative I found was to tie a sweatshirt around my waist and then buckle the carrier on top of that." —A Moff
Get it from Amazon for $84.99+ (available in five colors).
Read more about compression socks and long flights at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: "My ankles got really swollen after a 14-hour plane ride last year so I thought I would give these a try. I recently completed another 14-hour plane ride and these socks really did their job! I had them on for a good 24 hours straight and they remained comfortable the whole time. My ankles were not swollen after the long plane ride. My legs and feet felt really good after the plane ride and the day after. The sock can be stretched over the knee but I did not stretch it that much and left the socks right below the knee. The socks stayed in place the whole time." —MYamo
Get a pair from Amazon for $18.82+ (available in nine colors and sizes S–XXL).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Love these AirTags. We used these to put in our backpacks and fanny packs when we traveled to Spain and Japan. Gave us an added sense of security just in case our bags got misplaced. I purchasedAirTag holders to attach them to our backpacks that I found on Amazon also." —Amazon Customer
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $89.99 (also available individually).
For a tracker that's compatible with Samsung, check out theSmartTag2, and for one that's compatible with all devices, try Tile by Life360!
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "After a few scares of losing sight of my 5-year-old son, who’s autistic and loves to run and hide from us, we looked for an AirTag option! We bought different types of AirTag cases, and this is by far the best for us. My son kept pulling the ones that have one pin and flaps when he moves (we had it placed on the back of his pants or shirt), and he hated it. Then we got a watch where we can put the AirTag in, and he refuses to wear it for sensory reasons. Same goes for lanyard/necklace type. But these ones are great! They don’t flap and we could easily pin it in the back of his waistband and he doesn’t even know it’s there!" —Erica Dingle
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $13.99+ (also available as a four-pack in various colorways).
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Plus, the travel products we gave at 2026 Buzzy Award to and finds from Amazon and Walmart.
BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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