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.
1. A luggage-mounted cup caddy to ensure your beloved venti Iced Chai latte with two pumps of brown sugar syrup and blueberry muffin remain securely in place as you dash to your boarding gate.
Promising review: "Wow, what a difference this made while traveling. Kept my hands free, and I didn't have to keep going in my purse/backpack for my phone, travel documents, or passport. I will not travel without it. I bought it on a whim but didn't realize how much I really needed it. I kept it on my carry-on, and it was no issue at all when boarding the plane to remove it (with a line of people behind me waiting for me to put my carry-on in the overhead container). I just took out my drink and slipped it up and off the handle. There is a velcro strip in between the cup folders, but I found it very easy to slip it on and off. I also was concerned about items falling out, nope. No issue whatsoever, and as you can see my water bottle is long. My passport, papers, and phone were all secured." —LisalouRN
Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in 28 styles).
2. A super comfortable Trtl neck pillow in case you find yourself in the middle seat on a 14-hour flight to Japan. This neck pillow is designed to help keep your posture upright and reduce the risk of neck aches. It will also allow you to arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and relaxed. No more nodding off on your neighbor — everyone can enjoy their flight in peace!
Promising review: "This was my second trtl pillow purchase. I bought one a few years ago and it was awesome. This pillow is amazing. It supports the full weight of my head in a way that allows me to completely relax while sleeping on a plane or train. I cannot travel without it. I've never slept so well while traveling before. This new one is even better with the softer material. It's a must-have if you travel a lot." —Michelle n Matlock
Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in five colors).
3. Or a bendy travel pillow because everyone knows those long road trips can wreak havoc on your neck. This pillow is like a cross between a stress ball and a marshmallow you can wrap around your neck and adjust until you find that sweet spot. It's like the weight has been lifted off your shoulders *literally*.
Promising review: "I rarely write reviews, but this pillow deserves one. I’m a terrible flyer. I cannot sleep on a plane, no matter how tired I am or how long the flight pattern is. I travel overseas frequently, so this is a huge problem. This pillow allowed me to actually sleep on my recent trip. It was great for resting my head against the plane window, on my husband's shoulder, or simply for support when resting my head against the seat. It’s very flexible and light, soft enough to be comfortable but firm enough to offer support. I’ll be ordering another one of these for my husband and will never travel anywhere without it!" —Lauryn
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (also available in a non-bendable core version and seven colors).
4. A set of Sea Bands if you're someone who suffers from motion sickness and knows how much it can ruin your travel experience. These little bands apply acupressure to a specific point on your wrist, naturally relieving nausea without the need to carry around bottles of medication.
Read more about acupressure and nausea at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Promising review: "My fiancé and I frequently make a 2-hour trip that involves all curvy roads. She would constantly get nauseous and finally started taking Dramamine which helped, but also made her tired for the rest of the day. I didn’t have much faith that a band would work, but it actually does. She no longer gets nauseous (or tired) when we take these curvy trips. She does not travel without them!" —Ash Cherry
Get a pair from Amazon for $8.53.
5. A portable white noise machine with 20 different soothing sounds to choose from if you're a person who has trouble falling asleep without the hum of a fan or the patter of raindrops. This device is also equipped with a memory function feature that easily restores all the volume, sound, and time settings that you previously set, making it easier to get back to your ideal sleep environment. It's also perfect for families who are traveling with children.
It features 20 nonlooping sleep sounds, 32 volume levels, and a timer — plus, it weighs less than half a pound!
Promising review: "As a 'fan sleeper,' I won't travel without it! I have purchased several of these over the past few years, both for myself and as gifts, and it has served me well. I sleep with a box fan every night, but when staying in hotels, traveling with a fan that makes enough background noise just isn't realistic. This little noise machine does the trick. It's small enough to throw in my bag but packs enough punch of either white or brown noise to get me to sleep in any hotel. I'm very sensitive to 'looping points' in audio while I'm falling asleep, but I don't notice any of the sound options that I prefer to use. For roughly a twenty-dollar bill, the value can't be beat. This company's customer service is also great. I had a mechanical failure on my device, and after contacting them, I had a replacement on my doorstep within a few days." —JB
Get it from Amazon for $17.59.
6. A super sturdy phone mount perfect for watching a movie or listening to your music without it falling off your lap or between the seats when you doze off! It also swivels 360 degrees, allowing you to position the phone in either portrait or landscape orientation.
Promising review: "This little gem was an absolute game changer. I’d seen the ads for it all over the place as a gadget you needed for travel. Now I see why. I just took a cross-country train trip from Florida to California. Four days on four trains. I was able to clip this to the tray table in different positions so that I always had my phone available. Made it easy to sort through photos or watch Netflix. Now I won’t travel without it." —Earendil
Get it from Amazon for $12.97 (available in three colors and two pack sizes).
7. A travel wallet made to easily store and find things while constantly on the move. There are a bunch of pockets to organize everything you might need from cash, receipts, and train tickets to ID cards and hotel keys. There is even a spacious zipper pocket, which is great for all the coins you receive (which you get a LOT of in certain countries).
The wallet has a passport pocket, boarding pass compartment, three credit card slots, an ID slot, a slim card pouch, a slim pocket, a ticket slot, a cellphone pouch, a coin zippered pocket, a key holder, and a pen holder.
Promising review: "I purchased this wallet for my recent trip to Orlando to keep my cash, credit cards, ID, boarding pass, itinerary, etc. It held so many items I was shocked! I saved so much space in my purse by using this wallet. I will never travel without it!"—Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in 36 colors).
8. A digital luggage scale to help you gauge how overboard you can go with the Disneyland Tokyo gear you plan on bringing back. This trusty scale can help you avoid that dreaded $40 fee from your bag being 20 pounds overweight. Simply attach the strap to your luggage, lift, and let the scale display the weight on its easy-to-read digital screen.
Just hook the scale to your luggage handle, lift up, and the LCD display will show the weight! You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements.
Promising review: "If you travel a lot, you must get this now! No more surprises at airport check-in. We never travel without this!!!" —Angela Allan
Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in six colors, as well as a two-pack).
9. A waterproof toiletry bag with enough room to fit all of your morning AND nighttime routine products. It also hangs in the bathroom so it's easy to see everything you packed.
Promising review: "I LOVED this bag! It felt like I could fit so much stuff in it but it didn’t take up a ton of room in my suitcase. It has so many zippers and the hook on it to hang somewhere is so convenient. I will never travel without it again!" —Cassie
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in two sizes and 12 colors).
10. A memory foam seat cushion designed with orthopedic gel to spare your lower back and sciatica from the annual ~seemingly~ 4,000-mile family road trip. This seat cushion promotes correct posture, giving more support to the lower back and making it a little more enjoyable to sit for extended periods of time.
Promising review: "I used the pillow on a five-hour car trip this week and it dramatically reduced my pain. I will usually develop nerve pain beginning in my lower back and extending down through my legs after riding for just over an hour and it is UNBEARABLE. I need someone else with me to do the driving. With this pillow, I barely experienced any pain. On the drive home, I had none at all. It was amazing. Usually, I have little hope for pain relief accessories and devices, but this pillow did the trick and you're not going to see me traveling without it. Thank you, ComfiLife, for a well-designed product." —K. Barrett
Get it from Amazon for $47.95+ (available in three colors) — don't forget to apply the coupon to save 20%!
11. Some vacuum storage bags for when you need a space saver solution if traveling with a larger family or if you're going to a place with colder climate and need to pack bulkier clothes. Just make sure you bring the included pump with you while on your trip so you can also use these bags to separately put wet towels and dirty laundry away.
BuzzFeed Shopping's Jasmin Sandal says: "I swear by these bad boys not only for general storage purposes but also if I know I'm going to be traveling for an extended period of time. As someone who tends to pack for every eventuality (who doesn't like to be prepared?!), I have learned that it's better to travel with them than without — especially since it's more or less a guarantee that my clothes are gonna take up a ~substantial~ amount of room in my suitcase. And if I can use something that's gonna shrink the size of my bulky hoodies and/or big tees in order for me to create more space, I'm sure as heck gonna do it. Plus, the satisfaction is indeed guaranteed because when you see those chunky layers flatten into a pancake...it's just *chef's kiss*."
Promising review: "I love these! I can’t imagine traveling without them now! I got the 6-pack, so I used one for each side of my suitcase. I am a college student, so I use two bags to pack up all my bedding before I leave for school. This way I can come back four months later and it will still be fresh and clean! One thing I learned with packing is to put the jumbo bag into your suitcase first, then put your clothes inside the bag. That way the bag will fit! I will never travel without these bags ever again!" —Amazon Customer
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in five sizes, as well as packs of six and ten).
12. A lightweight portable lock box if you're tired of constantly worrying about your valuables while catching some waves. This little safe is the perfect companion for all your beach adventures. You can simply attach it to your beach chair and throw a towel over it, and voila! Your belongings are safe and sound while you soak up the sun.
You can also use this in your room to keep valuables protected in case there isn't a safe.
Promising review: "Don't travel without it! I took this product on my vacation to the beach and it was absolutely the best thing ever!! I was able to leave my cell phone, headphones, money, and keys poolside and swim confidently knowing that my items were safe." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $44.95 (available in six colors).
13. An AirFly Pro wireless transmitter that allows you to use your own high-quality Bluetooth earbuds or headphones to tune in to your favorite in-flight entertainment. With the ability to connect up to two pairs at once, you can even share the entertainment with your travel buddy. And don't worry about running out of juice on those long-haul flights — this device has a battery life of 25+ hours.
Twelve South is a husband and wife-owned biz based in Charleston, South Carolina. They've been designing accessories inspired by and made for Apple products since 2009.
Promising review: "I won't travel without these!! I've done 4-hour flights and 12-hour flights with these and they are perfect. I am very cautious about using the headphones that flights give you so this was the perfect solution! The battery life on my has been great!! I've also considered using this in my car since I don't have a Bluetooth system" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $54.95+ (also available in two other styles and in black and white).
14. Some in-flight earplugs to help reduce the horrendous ear pain due to the pressure change from taking off and landing during a flight. These earplugs slow the shift in air pressure that enters your ear, reducing overall discomfort. No wonder reviewers are calling these a game changer.
Promising review: "Can't fly without them. I reached a breaking point when I could not fly without extreme ear pain that actually made me cry. Then the effects would last weeks just trying to hear again and get the pain under control. I had decided I could no longer travel by air. Then I found Earplanes. They are the only reason I can fly now and have been using them for over 10 years and I travel by air at least a dozen times a year. I put them in for take-off and landing. On flights 90 or less minutes, I leave them in. Hearing is fine, although softer, with them and I also use over-the-ear headphones so the earphones can remain in while I listen to music. So grateful to have found them." —colleywog
Get a pack with three pairs from Amazon for $18.49+ (also available in packs of five or 10 pairs).
15. A nifty gadget called the Bug Bite Thing, a suction tool designed to extract the insect saliva or venom that is left behind under the skin when you're bitten or stung and provide relief from itching.
This works on mosquitoes, bees, wasps, biting flies, sea lice (sea lice?!), and more!
Promising review: "These are great! I was in Mexico, being eaten alive by mosquitos and going crazy itching/trying not to scratch the bites. Ordered this tool, and my husband brought it with him when he joined me in MX and it immediately alleviated my problem. I used it as soon as I was bit and the itch just never happened. It even works on older much-scratched bites, though you may have to use it a few times in order for it to take all the itch out. I will say that there are a few places I found it difficult to use it on, the side of my wrist, a toe, etc. Yes, there is a smaller focus head, but it can be difficult to get it right over the spot as needed. I bought two and won't travel without one! The review process requires that you rate the longevity of this tool, I can't really speak to that as I haven't had it long. I worked perfectly for the week I used it though." —Raven Squire
Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (also available in seven colors and in packs of two or three).
16. A compact universal travel adapter that allows up to three devices to be charged easily with a single outlet. Reviewers say the power LED is extremely useful, especially in the UK where they have switches for the outlets so you need to know if they have power or not.
Former BuzzFeed Shopping writer Britt Ross writes: "While the listing says this adapter can't be used in South Africa, India, Switzerland, and Italy, I just used this on my Italian vacation (in five different hotels!) and had zero issues — in fact, it was a complete godsend. Maybe they've updated the design, as I've seen some other reviewers who visited these countries say it worked for them, too. I'm not a tech guru by any means, but I was able to get it working the very first time I tried it, and luckily for my husband, who did not think to bring an adapter, we were able to charge both his phone and mine every night using the USB ports. Just know that it's primarily meant for charging small devices and not for powering up things like hair dryers and straighteners. I got it in black and it's super sleek-looking, too!"
Promising review: I am currently using this while in Norway, and I will not travel without this again. It is so convenient for us. The addition of two USB ports on the side makes a huge difference from my other travel adaptors. I was able to plug it in on the plane and keep my devices charged through a long day’s travel. I used it at a charging station in several airports, and this little cube was great. The different plugs easily pop, out when needed and tuck neatly away when not in use. I throw this in my backpack, and it is there when I need it." —cymart
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in black or white and also in a USB-C version).
17. Plus a six-port USB charging station, which is the perfect solution to keep everyone's gadgets and gizmos charged up without constantly arguing with your family members over who gets to use the cord next.
Promising review: "I love it and never travel without it. I do a lot of traveling and this helps me save on the amount of wall plug chargers I have to bring. In the past, I would have to bring multiple wall plugs and would be searching for several unused wall outlets in hotels to charge all my gadgets. It has charged everything I have plugged into it without any issues at all from iPhones, iPods, iPads, GoPro's, and portable chargers." —Rhea Hechanova
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in black or white).
18. A waterproof pouch made to protect your phone while you swim with dolphins, high five a sea turtle, or when you fall off a Jet Ski in Miami. (Or was that just me?)
It fits any phone up to 7 inches diagonally, and you can also use it to keep your ID and money from getting wet!
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says: "It's also a great fix for keeping out sand and dirt (and a great option for runners, if you're caught in the rain but still want to be able to toggle through your music options)."
Promising review: "Fits my iPhone 8+ even with a bulky case on it. The touchscreen works perfectly and no water leaks inside when in the ocean. Highly recommend it for any trip. Won't travel without one of these. Would buy again!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in 14 colors).
19. A water-resistant travel laptop backpack constructed with lots of compartments and plenty of room, perfect-sized mesh drink-holder type pockets on *both* sides, and there's even a built-in cable on the inside you can plug your USB charger into.
Promising review: "I originally bought this bag for work and only planned on using it for that. Now it’s also my personal item for the plane. I don’t travel without this bag. It’s great for an overnight bag. I feel it has a lot of pockets and space. Zippers work great and haven’t had any issues with them. I’ve seen other people at work have this same bag and it always makes me smile." —Erica
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in two sizes and 10 colors).
20. An incredibly soft MakeUp Eraser that removes all makeup *including mascara* with just warm water. With this cloth, you won't have to bring super bulky bottles of makeup remover or cleanser with you, freeing up space in your carry-on bag.
It's got two sides — one that can wipe off all your makeup with water and light scrubbing, and another that exfoliates your skin. And each one lasts for up to five years!
Promising review: "You will never have to use soap on your face again. Removes all makeup quickly. No problem getting mascara off. I never travel without it." —Coco
Get it from Amazon for $19+ (available in 15 styles).
21. A 50-count set of laundry soap sheets so you can wash clothes by hand in the hotel sink instead of packing extra and hauling around stinky, sweaty clothes you wore for three days. These sheets are not liquid, so it's okay to take them through TSA in a carry-on and they take up such a small amount of space.
22. A stick of Body Glide anti-chafing balm — if you're doing a theme park trip or exploring around a new town and your legs normally rub together, this is a must. This balm creates a barrier to help reduce friction and prevent irritation from skin-to-skin or skin-to-clothing contact.
BuzzFeed Shopping's Emma Lord says: "I swear by this to the point where if I can't find it in the morning on a summer run, I just won't go out, LOLOL. My boobs chafe SO BADLY under my sports bra bands, no matter what kind I'm wearing, but putting on a tiny bit of this before I leave works like a charm. Absolutely no more friction and no more going 'OW OW OW' in the shower because my literal boob wounds were stinging."
Promising review: "I was in Arizona last week during their continuing 100+ heat wave on vacay tour. I didn’t use it the first day and ended up with rubbed thighs due to rough seams on my shorts and excessive heat. I then used this every day without additional rubbing rash. This stuff is awesome!!!! I will not leave home again or travel without it. It was not wet or tacky, just glides very nicely. It held up in 113-degree heat. Without it, it would have been a very different vacation. Thank you for making this product!!!!" —Jennifer
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in three sizes, as well as packs of two).
23. And a Body Glide anti-blister foot balm that astonishingly prevents blisters even after walking at Disney all day for three days straight — that's EASILY about 22,000 steps.
Promising review: "This worked wonders! I will never travel without it again! I forgot to wear it the first day of vacation and got a blister; the second day I put it on over my blister and walked all day without pain. I didn’t get another blister after wearing this every day for two weeks and walking over five miles a day." —Lisa Massaro
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
24. A five-compartment snack spinner designed to keep the kids for asking to stop at McDonalds every 10 miles when they see a sign during the road trip. Reviewers love that only one compartment can be open at a time, so when one of the kiddos accidentally drops it (and you know they will) most of the snacks stay in the container.
Promising review: "A friend told us about this and it saved us on our first flight with our one-year-old. Not only is it great for holding a variety of snacks, but it serves as great entertainment also. He loved watching it spin and pressing the button, and opening and closing the door. It entertained him for a lot longer than any other toy we had. A must-have for traveling with a toddler, we won't go on another trip without it." —Nicole Alvarez
Get it from Amazon for $29+ (available in four colors).
25. A pair of compression socks made to prevent you from looking like you swapped feet with Violet from Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. These socks offer the support needed for when you're not able to get up and move around for a few hours and reduce the discomfort of swelling.
Read more about compression socks and long flights at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: "I already had one pair of these and had used them on previous flights but this last flight I had left them in a bag that I checked through. Needless to say, the 9-hour flight, plus all the hiking in the airports left me with some issues. I went back to using the socks when I got home and then ordered another pair right away. They gave me amazing and quick relief for circulation and muscle support until the swelling went down. I regret that I didn't have the foresight to use them ahead of time but at least they have proven their value to help me recover. Buy them! Use them and don't travel without them!" —White Crow
And check out our Physix Gear Sport compression socks deep dive for more info!
Get them from Amazon for $18.33+ (available in sizes S–XXL and 13 styles).
26. A LifeStraw to ensure you have access to clean water while hiking, camping, or in an emergency situation. The filter is effective at removing 99.999% of bacteria and protozoa from water, making it safe to drink. It is also small and lightweight, making it easy to carry with you wherever your adventures may take you.
It works on up to 1,000 gallons of water before it needs to be replaced, and for each one purchased, a child in need receives safe drinking water for an entire school year. Note: If you’re immunocompromised, be sure to read all the package instructions to make sure it’s safe for you.
Promising review: "I don't travel anywhere without my lifestraw. I've used my straw to drink from the sink everywhere in the world and I have never once gotten sick. I used it in India, China, Thailand, Brazil, Colombia, and all over the US. I also take it with me when I go hiking or camping, but I only use it in emergencies. The straw is the perfect size to fit anywhere: luggage, backpack, purse, etc. It's easy to use and clean. It takes a bit of time to fully dry out, but I just leave it open draining near the sink overnight before packing it up again. The first lifestraw I got in 2017 recently got blocked up and stopped working. I tried to get it to work by doing a bunch of stuff I found on the internet, but it is probably done for. I bought a new one because it is 100% worth the price and has saved me on so many occasions. It has also really helped reduce my plastic consumption since I've been able to drink tap or boiled tap water in many places where I would have had to buy water bottles." —Rachel
Get it from Amazon for $16.59+ (available in three colors, as well as packs of two, three, and five).
27. A portable door lock for instant added security when traveling alone. You won't need to barricade yourself in your hotel room with a chair anymore — this easy-to-install lock simply slips onto the door latch and, voilà, peace of mind.
Just note that if you're flying with it, you'll want to keep it in an easy-to-reach spot in your bag, as one of our BuzzFeed Shopping editors said TSA flagged hers at two separate airports.
Promising review: "I don't travel without it!! This product is a complete game changer for me when I travel alone on my business trips. I’m a young female who travels for work, so having this door lock makes me feel safe and helps me sleep soundly through the night when I’m in hotels. I think everyone who travels should have one of these, just in case!" —Dev_Carrs
Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in three-pack sizes).
28. Pedialyte powder packets, aka the key to enjoying those long hikes and early morning excursions — especially after a night of sipping on some tropical mai tais. These packets can help replenish electrolytes so you stay hydrated and can enjoy your vacay to the fullest.
Read more about electrolytes and hydration at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: "These are incredible for treating or preventing hangovers in adults. I do not travel without them." —Anonymous
Get a 24-count from Amazon for $25.59.
29. A compact and high-speed portable charger for when you're eagerly waiting for your Uber to arrive and you've just taken 25 pictures of yourself trying to get the perfect shot of you holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but now your phone battery is at a mere 10%. This small but mighty charger is capable of charging Apple and Samsung Galaxy devices lighting fast when in a pinch.
Promising review: "We traveled to Europe and this battery pack helped us use our phones to navigate while driving for hours! It is a little heavy but thin and we won't travel without it again!" —Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in black and white).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.