Essential Travel Items: According to Reviewers, These 20 Items are Never Left Behind for Each Journey
Revised Article:
Wanna know what's gonna make your vacay even better? Check out these rad essentials for your next trip that'll save your butt and amp up your travel game! Keep in mind, these were hand-picked by our awesome editors - no BS!
Disclaimer: We might get a sweet slice of the action from sales made via these links. Sucks to suck, eh?
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1. Digital Luggage Scale
Don't risk those dang overweight fees or moving goodies from checked bag to carry-on because you were a few pounds over! This digital scale's got your back, and you can switch between pounds and kilograms like a pro. I've personally tested it out while packing for a trip to Iceland, so take a peek at my TikTok demo to see it in action!
Amazon is where you can grab it for just $9.39. Available in five colors and a two-pack!
Promising review: "Dude, this thing is clutch! I use it every flight now, it saved me big time when I was close to those airline weight limits. Works just as good as the airport ones!" – Catherine
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2. Sea Bands
If someone in your travel crew gets seasick, these bad boys could be a lifesaver! They target an acupuncture point on your wrists to reduce nausea. Give 'em a try on a car ride, boat cruise, or even when chillin' at home if you get queasy.
Grab a set of two on Amazon for $8.47.
Promising review: "Yeah, buddy! These are my ride or die at sea! Trust me, they work every time I'm on a boat. Just make sure to put 'em on correctly and check 'em throughout the day." – Teacher32
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3. DEET-Free Mosquito-Repelling Bracelets
No one wants to lather up with bug repellent when applying sunscreen is enough, right? These mosquito-repelling bracelets from Cliganic (a small biz that focuses on health and wellness) could save the day. Check out some TikTok action to see 'em in action!
Grab a 10-pack on Amazon for $8.49.
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4. Airplane Seat-Back Organizer
Finally, some sanity when it comes to seatback pockets, which are never big enough! With this nifty organizer, you can actually store snacks, water bottles, and more, without having to fight for space in the overhead compartment. Hey, I'm just keepin' it real here!
Airplane Pockets is a small business specialized in sanitary, portable travel organization products. Entertainment media writer, Emma Lord, swears by this:
"I used this on a roundtrip from NYC to Tokyo, across multiple connecting flights in Canada, and bloody hell! I can't sing its praises enough! It fit in all four different tray tables I used and was such a game-changer for keeping track of all my odds and ends like my AirPods, the plane's headphones, earplugs, a sleep mask, a book, gum, a scrunchie, and snacks. Several flight attendants even asked where I got it to buy one for themselves!"
"I love it, so easy to just tuck things away and not forget them in the back of the plane seats!" – Kevin H. – Amazon
Grab it on Amazon for $24.99.
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5. Venus Travel Razor
Save space in your bag without sacrificing quality! I've tried this out myself, and it was a blessing on a recent cruise when my shower shelf was pretty minuscule. Perfect for those times when you don't need a regular-sized razor!
Promising review: "This is a dream come true when it comes to traveling. Works great, the case also travels well and allows for water drainage to prevent humidity and rusting. I appreciate that the handle can be reused with replacement blades. I take this on every trip now." – Amazon0101 Customer
Grab it on Amazon for $12.19 (includes a refill).
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6. Portable Door Lock
This doodad is easy to attach to any door for an extra layer of security in hotels, vacation rentals, guest houses... basically, just any door. A must-have for solo travelers!
Keep in mind, if you pack it in your carry-on, it might catch the eye of the TSA, so make sure it's easy to reach.
Amazon for $11.99 (also available in packs of two and four).
Promising reviews:
"My best guy friend bought this for me and I love it. I'm a flight attendant and am in hotels 4-5 nights a week. Sometimes the locks just don't feel sturdy enough, and this gives me that extra peace of mind when I'm alone." – Emilia Duren
"So easy to install! Works great, a must-buy. I take it with me on every trip." – Bri
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7. Apple AirTag
Why stress about your checked luggage floating around below deck? Thanks to this little tech marvel, you can keep tabs on your luggage and know exactly where it is.
Still need convincing? Take a peek at Amazon reviews, where users share stories like this:
I finally bought a couple of Apple AirTags during the 2022 Black Friday sales. And let me tell ya, I'm extremely grateful I did. My normal carry-on bag was too large to fit the Lufthansa luggage requirements (and boy, do they check that!), so I had to check my bags on a December 2022 trip to Vienna and back from Prague (with a layover in Frankfurt). My bag didn't make it onto the plane in Frankfurt, and once I landed in Newark, New Jersey, I pulled up the app on my phone and saw that yes, my backpack AirTag was indeed with me, but my suitcase AirTag was still in Germany. The AirTag also helped me track FedEx's delivery of the suitcase to my parents' house, where I was spending the holidays immediately after my Europe trip ended. I could even see it on a highway less than an hour's drive from my parents' house. TL;DR: Apple AirTags are worth the investment if you travel a few times a year.
Get it on Amazon for $24. If you're not an Apple fan, no worries – there are other options on the market as well!
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8. Luggage-Mounted Cup Caddy
Keep your caffeine fix nearby as you make your way to your airport gate! This cup caddy has a pocket for your breakfast croissant, too!
Amazon has it for $9.99. Available in various patterns!
Promising review: "I use this on every trip. I take it off my carry-on when I'm not using it, but it's great for hands-free travel. Navigating through the airport has never been easier." – Lori
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9. Fanny Pack
Go with the flow, but stay organized with this flat, RFID-blocking fanny pack! You can tuck it underneath your clothes, or go for the regular waistbag look.
Amazon for $12.76 (available in 18 styles and two sizes).
Promising review: "Perfect for carrying everything I need! I use it every trip and never leave home without it. It's well-built and perfect for traveling." – TJ
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10. Anti-Theft Neck Wallet
Stay protected, especially on cruises where pickpocketing can be an issue. This bad boy is RFID-blocking and great for excursions. Focus on the views, not your wallet!
Amazon for $19.99 (available in three colors).
Promising reviews:
"We use these on every trip we take. So far, we have used them in NYC, Alaska, and the Caribbean. We didn't want a flimsy plastic holder and wanted something with zippers. It is ideal for keeping your ID, money, and cards close and away from pickpockets. The neck strap is long, so it fits comfortably. The side zippered pocket is ideal for putting your money in there, and it will not fall out. The front ID cover is perfect for cruises, so you can keep both your personal and cruise ID cards in it. There is a nice deep pocket that I use for various things, i.e., receipts, phone, and tickets. We never travel without these, and I highly recommend them for traveling. Lightweight enough to carry, plenty of room for your most important items, and durable." – GG
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11. TSA-Friendly Toiletry Kit
Keep your beauty products and daily essentials secure and organized with this handy set. The bottles are leak-proof, and the bag is sturdy as hell!
Amazon for $5.99 (available in 11 variations).
I own and love this set! It comes with the zippered bag, four soft silicone bottles with leak-proof caps, three compact jars, and two toothbrush caps. I've used this set on more than five trips, and even when I don't require body wash or shampoo, I use the extra room in the bag to shove in all my beauty products and daily contacts. Plus, it comes with labels that stay on the containers really well!
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12. Clear TSA-Approved Toiletry Bag
This bag's all about size, and it'll fit all your liquids and spreadables with ease while complying with TSA regulations.
Amazon for $13.99 (available in 11 colors).
EzPacking is a small business specializing in this item.
Promising review: "I travel two or three weeks a month and I use these bags every time. When not flying, I have one for all my electric cords and plugs and one for my makeup, including a nice-sized magnifying mirror. I have one to use when flying as well with my TSA stuff. They are a perfect size and work great in a suitcase because they are soft enough to get in spaces you could not put a hard-sided storage in. You can get a lot of stuff in them, and mine are holding up great." – Alice L. Micka
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13. Reusable Wine Bottle Bags
Kept the champagne from Iceland safe on the trip home with these spill-resistant bags! Just in case you can't resist bringing back a few bottles.
Amazon for a set of three for $13.99 (available in four colors).
JetBag is a small business that focuses on creating bags to protect your wine and your stuff. It's designed with absorbent padding on the inside, so in the event that the bottle breaks, it won't get everywhere in your luggage.
Promising review: "I love these bags! I travel to Europe several times a year and I pack liquids in these bags every time and have never had one leak, break/split open, plastic crack or crumble, or a bottle break in about ten years of use. (I have a lot of them and most get used each trip.) With beer, I can put two regular bottles in a bag with one wrapped in bubble wrap to prevent bumping together; they are placed so one goes in upright and the second is inverted. I bring wine and champagne home every trip. I honestly cannot speak to the absorbency of the liners because I have never had a bottle break. I do put a sweater or pair of slacks in the bottom of the suitcase to add a little extra padding, but not a lot of extra." – Charlene
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14. 2-in-1 Travel Pillow & Blanket
Get comfy with this combination travel essential while enduring those uncomfortable airplane seats!
Amazon for $25.03 (available in 16 colors).
BlueHills is a small biz.
Promising review: "LOVE this blanket/pillow so much! I'm a flight attendant, so I love how compact and lightweight it is. I bring it on every trip. It is so soft and so warm, and it works really well as a pillow, too. It’s hard to find a good travel pillow, and this is by far my favorite." – Alyssa
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15. Beach Bag with Waterproof Compartment
Keep your phone, Kindle, and other electronics dry with this roomy, waterproof beach bag!
Amazon for $23.99 (available in six colors/prints).
Promising review: "Great beach bag. I use it for various beach trips during my travels and it's always super handy. Whether planned or spontaneous, I can just grab it and go!" – Amazon Customer
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16. Portable Crib Canopy
Give your little one a cozy sleep zone in unfamiliar hotel rooms. Bonus, it even has pouches for a monitor and a fan!
Amazon for $179.99. Check out their Shark Tank appearance!
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17. 4-in-1 Travel Adapter
No more hunting for adapters before every international trip! This one works for a wide range of countries.
Promising review: "As an international flight attendant, I am in different countries weekly. So the all-in-one adapters, in theory, are great, but they often don't securely stay in the socket, especially when an external electric cord is plugged in. You are much better off with something like this. It is sturdy in the socket, works with an electric cord and my phone and iPad plugged in. Very satisfied!" – Susan H.
"Love these. We bought several and use them on every trip." – Diane
Amazon for $17.99.
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18. Luggage Strap
Carry your essentials with ease while rushing through the airport. Use it to attach your travel pillow, jacket, personal item, and more!
Amazon for $8.49 (available in five colors and in multipacks).
Promising review: "I travel frequently and this has been a must-have on every trip! I normally use it for tethering my water bottle or jacket/sweatshirt to my backpack or purse, but it's come in handy in many other ways. I've used it for snorkeling to double-secure my camera pouch. I even used it to better secure my hotel room door when I stayed in a room where the 'lock' on my door was more of a suggestion than actual security. It's also been handy for airport bathroom moments when I need to hang things or attach them to my rolling luggage so they don't touch icky floors." – Ang**
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19. Trifold Travel Wallet
Keep all your important documents in one place so you won't hold up the security line for eternity.
Amazon for $13.99 (available in 32 colors).
The wallet has a passport pocket, boarding pass compartment, three credit card slots, an ID slot, a slim card pouch, slim pocket, a ticket slot, a cellphone pouch, a coin zippered pocket, key holder, and pen holder.
Promising review: "I love the thinness and it holds exactly what I need for travel. I've had this wallet since 2019 and use it on every trip. It's never broken. Considering the price, I expected it to break at some point, but it never happened! This is the best quality wallet I've ever had. I highly recommend it for travel." – Gloria Fennimore
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20. Soft Faux-Leather Tote
A stylish, functional tote to serve as your personal item on the plane and as a day bag. Perfect for carrying souvenirs without busting at the seams! (Keep your valuables zipped up and concealed.)
Amazon for $14.29 (available in a variety of colors and two sizes).
If you're feelin' this color combo, grab a matching cherry purse charm too!
Promising review: "I bought this bag two years ago for an international trip. It's been used as a day bag and to hold heavy things like my Sony camera and a full water bottle (since it's roomy). I've been using it for two years now, and it's never broken. Considering the price, I expected it to break at some point, but it never happened! This is the best quality bag I've ever had. I highly recommend it as a travel bag or even as an everyday bag for casual outings." – Alina Delanov
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Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Here's to less stress and more fun on your next adventure!
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