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 mini white noise machine if sleeping on vacation is not your forte and you come back more tired than when you left. It's teeny-tiny but will drown out big city noises and even doubles as a Bluetooth speaker for playing your favorite tunes on the go.
Promising review: "I travel a lot for work and need some kind of noise to cover up sounds from the hallway in hotels. This little device is the best one I've found. I've found one of the sound options that sounds just like an AC unit that puts me to sleep in an instant. The sounds on this little guy are the best ones I've heard. Buy this for travel and you won't be sorry!" —KJ
Get it from Amazon for $34.95 (also available in black).
2. An in-flight phone mount for a hands-free way to watch all those episodes of Queer Eye you downloaded for the flight. It can also mount on your luggage for long (aka boring) layovers.
Promising review: "I travel for a living and fly often. I regret not buying this in the beginning when I started traveling. I can clip it to the back of the seat in front of me and also on the windows. It is small enough to fold up and fit in my pocket. This is random but related — if you are sitting in an exit row on an airplane you cannot clip this to the window until the plane is in the air — other than that they do not care it is clipped to the window during the flight. Highly recommended." —Chrissie Jo
Get it from Amazon for $12.97.
3. Or the compact Airhook to avoid holding bulkier tablets when the fold-down tray needs to be stowed, so you can distract yourself from flight jitters immediately. Plus, this multitasker can adjust to hold phones and drinks!
PS: This also works just as great in cars for road trips!
Promising review: "Nicely holds phone or tablet and drink, sturdily. It is especially handy during takeoffs and landings while tray table is stowed, or if you just don't want to have the table down in front of you. Comes with nice travel pouch. Fits into my backpack, and I bring it on every business trip. Very convenient." —Tpal
Get it from Amazon for $29.95.
4. These affordable wireless Bluetooth earbuds because who wants to spend the entire flight tethered to the back of the seat in front of you with a cord? These come with a handy travel/charging case and connect to your devices in one easy step.
Promising review: "These are the first pair of wireless buds I have purchased, previously using only the single over ear type pieces. I expected to have difficulty pairing, but these paired first time super easy. The volume and sound is significantly better than my old style. Nice little charging and travel case, and a variety of sizes of silicone buds to fit your size/preference. Update — after using these a few weeks I am still very pleased with this earbuds. Good value for the price!" —J. L. Hoover
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in five colors).
5. Plus, an AirFly Pro wireless transmitter so you (and a buddy) can actually use those Bluetooth earbuds and take full advantage of those free in-flight movies.
Promising review: "Worked beautifully on a recent eight-hour flight from New York City to Frankfurt! Really easy to pair with my Bose noise-canceling earbuds and charges quickly. The sound quality was excellent. I'm so excited about this product that I'm going to buy one for each of my family members!" —emily p murray
Get it from Amazon for $54.99.
6. A Trtl neck pillow that'll help you catch some mid-flight Z's and forget all about your budget-friendly middle seat. It's way less bulky than traditional travel pillows and will keep you from head-bobbing onto your neighbor's shoulder.
Promising review: "I am a terrible flyer who recently took the red-eye from Dubai to Chicago (15 hours). The Trtl Pillow was a mini lifesaver! I was able to comfortably rest my head on the support and felt warm enough to actually doze off....a rare accomplishment for this skittish flyer. The Velcro works wonderfully with regards to adjustment, and I liked wrapping the fabric around my mouth and nose. Sort of felt cozy...even if I did look like a ninja in a neck brace! Overall, this product has changed the way that I fly, and I am so thankful for this invention and the opportunity to support a small company with big ideas." —S.Viruly
Get it from Amazon for $32.99 (available in four colors).
7. A cozy travel blanket if you're tired of shivering through commercial flights. This is no wimpy shawl, but rather a nearly six-foot-long medium weight blanket with an included carrier handle you can use to mount on your carry-on.
40 Winks Travel is a small biz founded by Jennifer Klekas who has created a shop filled with ultra-functional travel essentials that are simple yet beautiful.
Promising review: "Well made, cozy travel blanket. Highly recommend." —Amy
Get it from 40 Winks Travel on Etsy for $34.
8. A rechargeable, slim lighted mirror for flawless makeup application even in hotel rooms with one (shared) bathroom and less than stellar lighting. It's got three bright light modes and folds up small enough to fit in a backpack tablet sleeve.
Promising review: "Perfect for traveling! And for staying in hotel! I hate having to stand in the bathroom or in the hall mirror with barely any lighting to do my makeup! This is perfect and easy to travel with and super easy to take on a plane! Very convenient!" —Krystyna Montesino
Get it from Amazon for $28.16+ (available in five colors).
9. An in-flight foot hammock to make kicking back in the flight cabin a whole lot easier. It easily mounts onto the seat tray, and not only ups that economy seat comfort, but can also reduce in-flight foot swelling.
Promising review: "This was a lifesaver on a recent nonstop flight from LA to Paris and back. Not only was the footrest super comfy and easy to use, but it also really made the long flight bearable. At the end of the flight, my feet and legs were not swollen at all like they usually are after a long flight. I like to kick off my shoes during long flights and when I put my shoes back on, they fit like they normally do, no swollen feet, ankles, or legs. I will never fly again without this footrest." —Dawn Sullivan
Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in three colors).
10. A contoured sleep mask because the bright light of your seat neighbor's iPad is making it *very* difficult to sleep through the flight. The concave shape effectively blocks out light, and the adjustable strap helps you get a comfy, customized fit.
Promising review: "This eye mask is perfect if you like to have total darkness when you sleep. It is so comfortable around my face and the mask even comes with adjustable straps so you don’t wake up with sleep lines. Included are cute ear plugs enclosed in their own case and a silk drawstring bag to carry your things. To add, I was also impressed with how aesthetically pleasing the packaging was. I totally recommend." —Bill Curtis
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in five colors).
11. A set of TSA-approved squeeze bottles so you can bring your luxe, at-home toiletries on-the-go, sparing future you from having to use the cheap conditioner offered at the hotel. Don't worry, these are totally leakproof and can be washed and reused again, and again, and again.
Promising review: "These are awesome. They have the no-mess tops and they won't easily explode in your bag under pressure since they are so flexible. I used mine for shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and face wash. Took them to Puerto Rico and back to the states and they managed great. Will probably buy some more to put more stuff in for next time we travel." —Courtney F
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in two color schemes).
12. Plus, a set of six magnetic travel containers with custom removable labels and wide openings that make traveling with TSA-compliant versions of your entire self-care routine a breeze. And, yes, they're totally leakproof and water- and airtight.
Cadence is an Asian woman-owned small biz creating the most stylish reusable travel containers you've ever seen. They're gentle on the planet and feature an intuitive, leak-proof design.
Check the products description for a in-depth summary of how much f every type of product these containers hold.
BuzzFeed editor Abby Kass is upping her travel-game with these containers:
"I used these on a six-day trip recently, and they were perfect. I customized the label so I knew which one was my shampoo vs. conditioner and did a general label for any other things I wanted to bring a long. They do hold a surprising amount, and were small enough to slip right into my toiletries bag and go through TSA with no problem. The container was easy to open in the shower (even with wet hands), and I had no leakage from them (like I did from my face wash bottle that will not be making the trip with me next time. SMH). These are an incredibly useful tool anyone who travels wants in their luggage."
Get a set of six from Cadence for $74 (originally $84).
13. A compact travel coffee press if the burnt coffee at the continental breakfast isn't exactly the luxurious morning start you envisioned. Reviewers say it makes a stellar cup o' joe, and everything you need folds up into the included travel case/cup.
This press can make one to three cups of hot coffee, espresso, and even cold brew in just a few minutes. The set comes with 350 disposable micro filters to start. When you're ready to replace, consider this reusable stainless steel filter!
Promising review: "This AreoPress worked very well. It does matter if you are tenting it or staying at a luxury villa on the shore front of a small island, this works way better than a normal coffee maker. Very well designed and light and small to pack. Cleanup is a breeze." —HAD
Get it from Amazon for $39.95
14. A compact external battery for ending the long-travel-day stress of a nearly dead battery and zero available outlets at your terminal. Astoundingly, one charge of this battery can charge your phone roughly three times!
Promising review: "So far so good. I've used it a couple of times and I've been able to charge my iPhone 6S at least three times with one charge. I really like the light that tells you how much power is still left. It's also pretty small so it doesn't take up a lot of space. Update: I’ve had this for like two years now. Still works great! I’ve taken it on so many trips. I’ve been able to charge my iPhone, and GoPro batteries all with one charge. This thing has been a great purchase." —Sway
Get it from Amazon for $19.98+ (available in four colors).
15. A multipurpose car seat storage bag to keep your car as clean and comfortable as possible, even when you're caravanning across the country. This handy organizer has a lined and leakproof spot for garbage, plenty of mesh storage pockets, and a dispenser for tissues or wet wipes.
Promising review: "It holds a lot, so I never have trash lying around my van! Always got tissues if you need them. I keep wet wipes, hand sanitizer, etc. in the pockets. I do long road trips so this is just super nice to have. The lid keeps everything inside so stuff is never falling out. I def recommend this to anyone with kids especially or if you take long road trips and wanna keep your vehicle tighty all the time." —Leanna Garcia
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
16. A plush velvet travel jewelry case because detangling your favorite necklace 15 minutes before your dinner reservation is no one's ideal way to spend their OOO time.
Promising review: "I purchased this box for a weekend getaway. In the past I have just thrown all of my jewelry into little makeup bags, but then everything gets tangled and disorganized. I love that this box keeps everything organized and leaves all my necklaces tangle-free!" —Dogmom206
Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in four colors).
17. A hands-free luggage drink caddy that's like hiring an extra set of hands to finally make simultaneously managing your luggage, boarding pass, *and* pre-flight ice coffee an easy, breezy affair.
Promising review: "This is an amazing travel accessory! When are you trying to juggle your hot beverage with a water bottle, your phone, and a boarding pass, this is a handy, easily stash-able uni-tasker to have. Fits perfectly on my carry on bag and larger rolling bags as well." —Pirate
Get it from Amazon for $11.04+ (available in 12 colors).
18. Plus, a heavy-duty bag strap so you're not stuck wearing (or holding) the parka that couldn't fit in your carry-on. This simple little add-on attaches to luggage, purses, or backpacks to free your hands of those travel essentials that are just too bulky for your bags.
Promising review: "Seriously so useful for traveling. I bought this last year and used it on my two Europe trips — six different countries and lots of bus, train, and plane journeys and it made my life so much easier. I hooked it to my book bag and hooked my neck pillow, collapsible umbrella, and reusable water bottle to it. I even hooked my parka through it some. 110% recommend. It is super sturdy and I never had any issues with it even with me dragging it along with all the stuff hooked to it." —Logan
Get it from Amazon for $8.49 (available in six colors).
19. A set of 24-karat gold masks if that red-eye flight saved you money but left you with dark under-eye bags in need of a little extra attention. This hydrating treatment only looks like it costs a fortunate, and is infused with collagen, hyaluronic acid, and grape seed extract to brighten, firm, and smooth delicate eye skin.
These are in regular rotation for BuzzFeed writer Jasmin Sandal:
"I decided to put these golden gems to the test after coming off of a red-eye flight with practically no sleep. After cooling them off in the fridge (which is what was suggested on the packet), I applied them to my purpley, puffy eyes, and...w-o-w. Not only did I feel like I was receiving some kind of royal treatment (because, gold), but after 20 minutes, my undereyes appeared brighter and any fine lines that were once lingering had vanished! After wearing these I didn't feel compelled to apply concealer either, which is usually my go-to to disguise dark circles — and I even felt confident enough to go bare-faced for the rest of the day. Now, I find that I integrate these into my routine anytime I want to let my skin breathe free of makeup."
Get a 15-pack from Amazon for $14.95.
20. A compact Old Fashioned cocktail kit stocked with travel-sized ingredients for whipping up the perfect in-flight cocktail without spending your entire vacation booze budget in one fell swoop.
Promising review: "I used this on a three-hour flight yesterday and had the closest thing you can get to a perfect Old Fashioned in an airplane. The flight attendant was confused at first when I asked for an extra glass but after I explained she was fascinated and actually watched me make the drink! She said it looked like a chemistry experiment. I highly recommend, even if it's just to start conversation on a flight." —Briana Sircy Wright
Get it from Amazon for $22.99.
21. A waterproof toiletry bag to make bringing the at-home luxury of your entire 12-step Korean skincare routine on the road a reality. Plus, it's equipped with a rotating hook so you can hang it on the back of a door or in the shower for convenient access.
Promising review: "We are a family of seven and this held all of our bathroom supplies for a weekend trip. This is a must-have for traveling. The best feature is it being able to hang up on a robe hook or the back of a door. It frees up hotel sinks and keeps you well organized." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in two sizes and five colors).
22. A pack of foldable hangers because I've never met a hotel room stocked with even remotely enough hangers to unpack your vacation wardrobe. Put an end to the daily digging through your suitcase and actually unpack properly for a change!
Promising review: "AMAZING!! Twelve hangers fold up into a sandwich bag. They are plenty sturdy and hold anything. Those tiny straps or fine fabric that fall off regular hangers, these hangers hold them in place just fine! When I travel I spend the first night hanging up my clothes and steaming or ironing what needs to be. There are NEVER enough hangers and the hangers in a hotel aren't that great. They wouldn't hold a heavy winter coat well but a normal jacket no problem. I love these hangers!" —Donna M. Weigel
Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $14.99.
23. Plus, a space-saving hanging luggage organizer that's one-part compressive packing cube, one-part expandable closet, and one-part laundry hamper with a spacious bottom compartment that keeps dirty clothes separate.
Promising review: "I am a flight attendant for a major airline and this is a must-have. I pack everything in my Stow-N-Go while at home and just hang it at each hotel on my trips. It's like unpacking without unpacking. I highly recommend this for staying organized on your trips!" —ljudkins
Get it from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in two colors).
24. A travel sized wrinkle release spray so you can easily revive crumpled, fresh-out-of-the-suitcase clothing even when you don't have easy access to an iron.
25. A wedge doorstop alarm if you wish you had a personal bouncer whenever you stay at unfamiliar Airbnbs and hotels. This isn't quite the same, but should offer some added peace of mind, because not only does it block unwanted intruders from opening the door, but also sets off a (very) loud continuous alarm.
No wiring required, just pick up a 9V battery.
Promising review: "Travel must-have. I use this traveling, and it provides extra peace of mind in motel rooms considering I'm a cheapskate and stay in dives and my dog is getting so old he is likely to refer any criminal who breaks and enters to me for further processing. Works well, as a startled maid in a West Virginia motel can attest when she thought I had checked out and unlocked the door to clean. I gave the second one to my sister, who uses it at home." —QuintessentiallyYours
Get it from Amazon for $13.25.
26. A wild sage and vetiver shampoo bar for bringing color-safe, salon-quality haircare on-the-go without getting stopped by TSA in the process.
Dip is a woman-owned environmental awareness brand creating top-notch hair care that's so good, being plastic-free is just a fun bonus. Products are made locally in the USA and are suitable for ALL hair types.
This is not only my favorite shampoo bar, but my favorite shampoo — period. I am not fussy with my hair, so I tend not to notice subtle differences between shampoo formulas, but even I noticed how much better my hair felt and looked after using this shampoo bar and the corresponding plastic-free conditioner. So soft and SO much less frizzy, even when I let it air dry. Don't be deterred by the price. My partner and I are three months into our first bar and there is still PLENTY of life left, so do yourself a favor and try it yourself!
Get it from Dip for $24 (available in two sizes and in additional scents).
27. A travel foldable laundry bag to avoid progressively turning your once lovely hotel room into a graveyard for dirty clothes. This teeny tiny pouch expands into a tear- and moisture-resistant drawstring bag, so you can stay organized before, during, and after your trip.
28. A genius car cupholder adapter because you're not about to spend the entirety of this six-hour car ride with your water bottle tumbling around on the floor. Regular cupholders just weren't made to hold such large-and-in-charge drinking vessels. It'll also work well for any jumbo sodas at the drive-thru!
Wine & Whiskey Co. is a Texas-based Etsy shop selling a wide range of adorable phone cases and T-shirts, plus genius car accessories (obvy).
Promising review: "Love it. Perfectly holds my 40-ounce Hydro Flask. No more rolling around the truck cab. Arrived quickly and works as described." —Jason J. Mease
Get it from Wine & Whiskey Co. on Etsy for $12.99.
29. An all-in-one universal wall adapter so you don't show up in a new country with no way to charge your phone — no matter where you go!
Promising review: "Probably one of the best $13 I spent on anything. If you travel a lot, especially internationally, this is a must have because you have every kind of adapter on one plug and don’t have to worry about constantly buying a certain adapter every time you travel to a different country. This has it all." —Abby Santiago
Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in three colors).
30. A pack of moldable silicone earplugs that'll block out the noise of that crying baby three rows back, or your travel companion's loud snoring.
Promising review: "Perfect for small ear canals. Love the carrying case. These are perfect for a few reasons — I can break them into smaller pieces and fit them to my small ears. They are PERFECT for traveling — the case keeps them clean and safe. You can 'drown' out the noise without leaving the world. I can still hear with them in, but I sleep a lot easier with them in. The only drawback is that they ARE sticky — I find a lot of my hair stuck to them after a use. Price you pay though, for all of the positives." —tater.tot
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $3.96.
31. A versatile everything top you can wear not one, not two, but FIVE different ways, so you can skip the baggage fee and get away with a carry-on for a weeklong trip. Packing light, meet your perfect match.
Hackwith Design House is a woman-owned small business. Their sustainable designs are made to order and sewn in their Minnesota studio. Their sizes run from XS to 4X. And if you like one-of-a-kind finds, check their site on Mondays when they also release limited edition designs, so you can be one of only 25 people to own a piece!
BuzzFeed editor Chelsea Stuart will be packing this versatile top from now on:
"I have this shirt and I *love* it. All credit for its discovery goes to TikToker @jennifer.bianca who I happened to stumble across on my FYP. It checks all my boxes: black, comfortable, versatile, and durable. My initial worry was that I wouldn't feel secure in it (I have a 38DDD chest and most wrap tops/dresses I've tried haven't stayed where they're supposed to), but I haven't had an issue with this! As someone whose weight fluctuates, I appreciate that this piece can handle pounds gained and lost. The fabric is medium weight so I'll be wearing it season to season and there's just enough elasticity in the arms that if you roll up your sleeves, they won't fall back down. All that is to say, trust that I will be buying additional colors as it's an absolute travel must-have!"
Get it from Hackwith Design House for $125 (available in women's sizes XS–4X and in five colors).
You en route to your bougie-on-a-budget vacay:
