We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Remember, it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey — so make it as enjoyable as possible.
Promising review: “I bought this nifty gadget about six months ago for a multi-leg, 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 $13.97+ (available in five colors and sets of two).
It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual. It can also connect to two pairs of earbuds!
Promising review: “Ever since I purchased my wireless Bose earbuds, I always hated having to use another set when I was on an airplane with the seat-back entertainment system. I tried many different models to connect the system to my Bluetooth headsets until I came across this one, and it is amazing! It seamlessly connects to my headset, very clear and reliable audio, and it takes the stress away from having to carry several headsets! Thank you!!!” —Ryan Malloy
Get it from Amazon for $54.99 (available in two colors and also available in two other styles).
Former BuzzFeed Shopping editor Ciera Velarde owns this comfy pillow and said: “I’ve used this for the past few years and swear by it! Before this, I always found traditional neck pillows uncomfortable and would end up ditching them halfway through the flight and getting frustrated. The Trtl pillow is adjustable — you wrap the pillow around your neck and secure it with Velcro, and if you find it’s too loose, just make it a bit tighter! I’ve truly never slept better on a plane than with this pillow.”
Promising review: “Used it for a 14-hour flight to Japan last week, and it helped tremendously. This was the first time I was able to sleep on the plane so this helped tremendously. Definitely a must-have for travel. It is very light so I was able to easily pack it in my under-the-seat wheeled trolley. I want to emphasize how much the light warmth of the fleece (and I don’t like being hot) was just right to help me nod off to sleep. Since this is primarily for sitting upright in the seat or someone in the middle or the aisle seat, this was ideal for me. I just got back yesterday. Again I used it — this time for a 12-hour flight.” —Ambience
Can’t sleep while traveling? No worries, because this gem also doubles up as a back rest for optimal comfort.
Promising reviews: “Just received this and so far so good! Inflates within mere seconds and the same to deflate. Seems really supportive and comfortable. I was influenced by a TikTok review so I’m assuming it’ll be a gem on flights!” —Katelyn
“Used this on four international flights last month, and it made all the difference in the world. It’s compact, quick and easy to inflate/deflate, very versatile in how you can position it, and it doesn’t rely on the tray table. I can very comfortably lean forward in my seat and sleep almost like I can in a bed.” —Still Chilly in Colorado
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Emma Lord swears by these and raves: “The moldable silicone of Mack’s Earplugs contours easily to the shape of your ear to block out noise much more effectively than other foam or plastic varieties, and the noise reduction is so good that if I pair them with a white noise machine (or just like a white noise loop on Spotify) I genuinely don’t hear noises from outside my room. Not only that, but once they’re in place, they stay locked there until you decide to pull them out.
Granted, I can still hear my alarm and like, if the fire alarm went off or something, I’d definitely wake right up. But noises that are distant and loud are pretty easily canceled out by these.
I’ve also *loved* these for traveling — if you put these babies in on a plane not only does it help reduce some of the YIKES factor when the plane takes off (it’s loud!!), but it cancels out the murmuring noises of passengers on the flight and makes it easier to get some shuteye.” Read her full Mack’s Earplugs Review for more deets!
Get eight pairs from Amazon for $8.39 (also available in a pack of 12).
This set comes with an extra large cube, large cube, medium cube, small cube, roomy shoe bag, and a laundry bag for dirty clothes!
Promising review: “I found out about the packing cubes on TikTok from a woman that travels all over and she mentioned these travel cubes and knew I had to get them. I travel and usually stay in one spot for more than a month so packing gets tricky. I can now pack more neatly and have more room for all the clothes I travel with.” —Magen Vaughn
You’ll get four bottles, two jars, two spray bottles, two scoopers (to help transfer creams), one funnel (to help transfer liquids), one cleaning brush, a page of labels, and a bag that fits all the containers.
Promising review: “I’ve purchased a lot of different travel sets for my toiletries over the years. Inevitably, they are hard to fill and tend to leak. This set was magic! The wide mouth made it easy to fill from a larger bottle, and the little scoops made transferring creams to the jar containers very easy and with much less mess. The only con (hardly worth mentioning) is that once you squeeze the bottle, it takes a few minutes to expand with air again, so the sides are a bit sunken. I solved that by unscrewing the top just a bit for a quick release of the vacuum pressure. I had no leaks, and plenty of containers for every toiletry.” —MDC
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
Promising review: “Loud little dude! Good for home and travel for hotel room doors. Sensitivity control and on/off switch. Be sure to measure from floor to bottom of door to make sure it will engage the alarm. After demonstrating it, my sister-in-law, niece, and mom wanted them. A little peace of mind for very little money.” —Jim Walker
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in two colors and multiple packs).
Promising reviews: “This scale works and was accurate on four flights. 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 4th 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
“Love it! Lightweight and easy to read! It even gives you the climate temperature (not that I need it but a neat feature). It reads in both kg and lbs. Definitely recommend if you’re a frequent traveler and have weight requirements on luggage.” —Patricia Velasquez
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four colors and as a two-pack).
Reviewers swear by these nonmedicated bands for nausea relief: they’ve used them while traveling on airplanes, boats, and cars and for morning sickness during pregnancies. Read more about acupressure and nausea at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Promising review: “I bought these for an upcoming cruise, but thought I would try them out when flying (as I tend to get motion sickness even after taking Dramamine). I was very surprised that I had no motion sickness after wearing these on two different work trips. I also took these on a cruise and only had to use them once. Once I felt the motion sickness coming on, I put on the bands and the sickness was gone in about 15 minutes. They came in a nice plastic case and are reusable.” —Jessica
Promising review: “Very happy with my purchase. Got this for my trip to Colombia. I was looking at more expensive fanny packs but settled on this for the reviews. It’s very well-made for the price. It withstood many hikes to waterfalls, horseback riding, and city tours among others. I wore it as shown in the picture and love the fact that there’s a pocket that’s hidden that sits on my chest at all times where I kept my passport, extra cash, and travel documents. I was able to fit my camera, iPhone, earbuds, shades, charger, and a couple of other knickknacks without a problem. Wasn’t a fanny pack guy before now but I’m a believer LOL.” —IWG MD
Promising review: “I bought this bag specifically for when I traveled across the country with my two small children. One of whom is a medically complex child. I put ALL of my toiletries, ALL their toiletries, and ALL of my son’s medications in this bag. Everything fit perfectly, and nothing was broken. The hanger is durable and carried lots of weight when it hung on the back of the bathroom door. I bought the largest size, and it was 100% worth what I paid for. If you are traveling by yourself, I would recommend the smaller size. But if you are packing for others or just pack heavy, definitely buy the larger size. I absolutely loved it! And it was very compact in my suitcase. Very sturdy as I carried it. I HIGHLY recommend buying.” —Hannah Funderburk
Béis is a woman-owned travel accessories brand founded by actress and entrepreneur Shay Mitchell. You’ll find carry-on rollers, weekender bags, packing cubes, and more practical goods for your next trip!
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Chelsea Stuart owns this backpack and said: “I just bought this bag for a five-day cross-country road trip and it came in so 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.”
Get it from Béis or Nordstrom for $88 (available in six colors on Béis and three on Nordstrom).
Promising review: “Prior to this purchase, we’ve killed an appliance or two in overseas travel. We bought the Sokoo power converter for a trip to the Philippines. It worked like a champ! We charged our iPhones and other high-end devices with peace of mind. My wife used her flat iron with this just fine. I like that it has plug adapters for outlets around the world, so I know wherever we go we can use this. I recommend this to anyone doing international travel.” —David Aiken
Promising review: “I love this little gadget. I used it to attach my jacket and computer bag to my luggage on an extended business trip. It made my airport walks so much easier. Now that I’m back home, I’ve been using it daily to attach my jacket or cardigan to my work bag or purse.” —Michele
Cincha Travel is a small business based in Oakland, California that designs adjustable vegan leather travel belts. The brand, which is run by a BIPOC couple, donates 100 airline miles for each purchased travel belt to help reunite migrant families.
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 Cincha for $29.99+ (available in 24 colors and two sizes) or Amazon for $39.99 (available in 16 colors).
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Chelsea Stuart loves this travel essential and said: “After a bout of pandemic-induced insomnia I picked up one of these USB-chargeable masks and can honestly say it was LIFE-changing. If you’re sensitive to light or sound, this mask is where it’s at. The contoured, cool-to-the-touch eye pads are super cozy and extra padding on the bridge of the nose ensures no light seeps in. I was concerned about feeling the headphones through the mask and not being able to sleep in my usual position (mountain climber, the hands down comfiest position), but they really are unnoticeable. I can sleep through the night with it on and the Velcro straps have never once gotten stuck in my hair. The battery also lasts for a full 10 hours, so I don’t have to worry about my audio going out right as I’m dozing off.”
Inside your small wallet, you’ll find a lip balm, hair tie, two floss pics, bandage, emery board, two safety pins, a sewing kit, two earring backs, makeup wipe, two bobby pins, two mints, deodorant wipe, another cleaning wipe, tampon, hand sanitizer, and pain relief medicine.
Anne Cate is a small Ohio-based business that sells city-skyline-themed accessories and journaling supplies. Their product lineup features 100 hand-designed skylines from various cities and colleges worldwide!
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Danielle Healy swears by this kit and said: “I, your resident forgetful person, bought the NYC skyline version of this at the start of COVID-19 to keep in my work tote. Unfortunately, I haven’t touched my work tote in months because…*gestures at the world around*…but it’s a really handy kit I know will save me a ton whenever I regularly leave the house again. Everything from Anne Cate is super high quality. The wallet on its own is adorable and could be used for a million different things.”
Former BuzzFeed Shopping editor Ciera Velarde owns this space-saving carry-on. Here’s her rave review: “I have had my Away carry-on suitcase for about a year now and absolutely love it! I’ve been able to fit everything I need for a weeklong trip into this with room to spare. It has two main compartments: one side with an interior compression system so you can pack all your soft clothes, and then a zippered side for all of your loose items. It also comes with a laundry bag for you to store all your dirty clothes as you travel. I like how durable it is — I’ve definitely knocked it against the wall or a bench a few times and I haven’t gotten a scratch or a dent on it. And even if I do end up damaging it, Away has a limited lifetime warranty on their suitcases that covers any functional damage to the shell, wheels, handles, zippers, or anything else that impairs your use of the luggage. This is definitely a splurge-worthy purchase I feel like I got my money’s worth out of (and then some!).”
The wallet comes with a boarding pass compartment, a passport compartment, three credit card slots, an ID slot, a slim card pouch, a ticket slot, a slim pocket, a cellphone pouch, a coin zippered pocket, a key holder, and a place to put your pen.
Promising review: “I absolutely love this wallet. I needed a new travel wallet, and this holds everything I need all in one place, and it still closes nicely and stays flat! I can fit my boarding pass, passport, ID, credit cards, money, checked baggage tickets, receipts, and more in it, yet it doesn’t bulk up or look like an overstuffed mess. It’s 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 didn’t use the zippered pocket for coins as I much prefer a separate coin purse for that sort of thing. I definitely recommend to anyone who travels a lot!” —Anthony Luu
Promising review: “Super-soft, stretchy, opaque pants. These are now my go-to comfy pants, and I’ve even worn them on long flights to not have to deal with a belt through the metal detector. The fabric is smooth on both sides, so hopefully they won’t pill like fleece does. The ONLY downside is that I wish the pockets were deeper.” —Velvet
Get them from Amazon for $13.59+ (available in women’s sizes S–3X and 92 colors and styles).
BuzzFeeder Marquaysa Battle loves this hoodie and said: “I own this in black and I actually factually REFUSE to wear any other hoodie to the airport. I pull my sleep mask down and it’s a wrap, OK?! Asleep before takeoff. When you’re wearing it and dedicating your travel style to it like me, then be sure to shout out the Pond Los Angeles that makes it! It’s a woman-owned and Asian American–owned clothing and accessories brand based in Cali that intentionally uses a woman-led manufacturer to create its lovely pieces.”
Get it from Pond Los Angeles for $128 (available in women’s sizes XXS–L and other colors here).
Promising review: “This was the best purchase I made prior to my vacation in Europe. It fit so easily into my purse and made carrying a water bottle so much easier than a regular round one. Several people stopped and asked where I got it. It’s a great, innovative idea for a travel water bottle!” —MarieBee
Multitasky is a small business founded by Julia Xu in 2020. They’re known for their adorable and functional tech products, including power banks, laptop accessories, and more!
Promising review: “It does as it says it does, allowing my Dell XPS15 to operate a pair of USB devices from my lightning port! The laptop has two USB ports, one of which is always occupied by my USB mouse dongle and the other by my protected USB drive. If I wanted to plug in my phone to switch data or add another thumb drive to transfer a device, everything might have to be disconnected, but not anymore. It was really worth it.” —Liberty
Promising reviews: “I bought this because of someone on TikTok who had purchased this. Extremely convenient and cute! They’re very soft, and I’ve been using mine to hold cash and lip balm. I wish there were more colors!” —Michaela
“I bought these since I was going on a long vacation by myself. I rolled my money and was able to fit it inside the scrunchie. It’s soft, very stretchy and fits my wrist! I didn’t have any issues with the zipper. I wore it on my wrist all the time and put money/lip balm inside it. It worked great during my vacation. This would be perfect to stash some things inside!” —Jessica Sandoval
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in six color combinations).
Promising review: “This is perfect for traveling. I got the smaller size because it looked like it held a good amount and it does! I wear a decent amount of jewelry every day and like to have different pieces and it held everything I wanted to pack. It is also very cute and doesn’t take up much space at all. Love it.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in two sizes and twelve colors and patterns).