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1. An I Dew Care "Tap Secret" mattifying powder shampoo to tackle greasy roots without the aerosol formula. Cheers to skipping a morning wash for an early flight or bus...and still being able to carry on some dry shampoo without making room for it in your toiletries bag.
Promising review: "I was looking for a dry shampoo that would be easy to use on the go for a trip I was taking. I had no issues taking this through TSA and it was so easy to use on the go. You literally just pat the poof on your scalp and then rub the powder in. I do have black hair so dry shampoo is usually very visible in my hair, but I didn't have any harder time than usual rubbing this powder in. It did a really good job of soaking up all the oil and giving my hair volume. I'm not a fan of the price for the amount that you get, but it is lasting longer than I thought it would. I would definitely recommend and will purchase again." —Teresa
Get it from Amazon for $16.
2. A compact eight-compartment pill organizer so you'll have space for all the stuff you take from all the delicious food that sometimes makes you feel bad on your travels — like the legendary hot dogs at the state fair. (Have you tried to track down Imodium in a country where you don't speak the language when you need it ASAP?)
Plus! As one TikToker points out, you can use any empty compartments to store your earrings.
Promising review: "My husband and I travel a lot and take a number of prescription drugs. It was always a hassle accessing our medication when needed, so I purchased this organizer to make things easier. I used a label maker and labeled each little compartment and it has performed wonderfully. I highly recommend this organizer to anyone who travels and needs medications throughout the day." —Jacqueline
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $6.97.
3. A wheeled carry-on bag small enough to qualify as a personal item on super stringent airlines. It can fit underneath an airplane seat! You can avoid checking a bag, glide through security, *and* don't have to hurt your shoulder by carrying a duffel bag that'd also fit strict bag measurement policies. Take that, Spirit Airlines. (This'll pay for itself after a few trips.)
Now you won't even have to pull your suitcase outta the overhead!
Promising review: "This is it! I have been wanting a four wheel under the seat carryon and have looked at many, ordered many, returned many.
This is a keeper! It's lightweight, fits under the seat, is small and light enough to place in the overhead bin, is roomy, maneuvers spectacularly down airplane aisles. Buy one, you'll be glad you did." —L. Martinez
"Would buy again. I liked everything about this carryon. It did fit under the seat. I booked one of the seats with extra leg room. If you are very tall, and have a regular seat, it might not work. I was able to get a week's clothing inside. Very pleased." —Rita Richter
Get it from Amazon for $101.50.
4. Tide sink packets with the perfect amount of detergent for a sink wash to help lighten your clothing load. Plus! These'll easily slide into the toiletries bag that you thought had no. more. room. Can you tell I love a packet/wipe sitch?!
Each pack comes with three packets. And, because they *are* liquid, they'll easily slide into the side of your toiletries bag. I've packed these on international trips to much success!
Promising review: "Taking these out of the country to wash under things is exactly the right size." —Laura Wilson
Get nine packs from Amazon for $6.59.
5. Or a pack of laundry soap sheets. This way you can save more room for souvenirs than three changes of underwear for every day of your trip.
I travel just about any chance that I get and found a WHOLE lot of success with these little laundry sheets on an almost-three-weeks European vacation this summer where I carried on only and rewore outfits several times.
Promising review: "I saw these recommended on a travel blog, and I'm glad I bought them. I used them both in a washing machine and to hand-wash some items on my trip, and in both cases, they were super easy to use and got my clothes clean while taking up a minuscule amount of space in my luggage. I would highly recommend these for extended travel." —angal2
Get it from Amazon for $11.95+ (available in four other styles, including hand soap and shampoo).
6. Hotwire Hot Rates (which show up in red while you search the travel booking site) can narrow down some solid discounts on your next vacation. Just note that they're often nonrefundable.
7. A packing list pad so you'll rest assure that you DID bring everything you intended, including which things you wanna include in your carry-on and not have to buy some weird overpriced face wash because you forgot yours.
Promising review: "Absolutely love this. Made packing for my big business trip so convenient. My sister who is anti anything organization-related even asked to use it to pack for her extended trip and came back asking where to buy it. Will definitely buy again when I run out." —Michele
Get it from Amazon for $7.
8. A set of Sea Bands with a little nub that targets the acupuncture point on your wrists meant to help reduce nausea. This'll be great in case you get motion sick in a budget-friendlier car, bus, or ferry ride. Instead, you can move on with your life and pack this for every trip instead of buying another box of Dramamine.
Promising review: "These are amazing, as someone who has pretty severe motion sickness and carries Dramamine with me everywhere this is magnificent. I used these on an overnight cruise in Europe. The sea was particularly choppy that night and was miserable for me even with Dramamine and ginger. These did the trick! They were fairly tight on me (I am plus size) but the relief they gave me was immense." —Jena Freyermouth
Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.53.
9. A digital luggage scale can make sure that you aren't slammed with an overweight luggage fee (ugh) or having to move stuff from your checked bag to your carry-on to avoid said fee (also, ugh).
You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements.
I tested this digital luggage scale out when packing for a trip to Iceland — check out my demo of how it works on TikTok!
Promising review: "We purchased this to help us manage the weight of our packed luggage for our July 2022 13-day trip to Europe. This thing worked flawlessly. It was accurate, easy to use and carry. Would highly recommend to help us meet the <50 pound luggage requirement. Would buy again." —Bob B
Get it from Amazon for $11.98.
10. A pocket-sized, refillable travel perfume atomizer you simply pump on your normal size perfume bottle to keep you smelling like your signature scent while you're on the go. Yes, I paid all that dough for a Le Labo but no I won't pay more dough for their (still v pricey) travel bottles.
^ That's me pumping my signature perfume into one of these travel atomizers I've been using for about a year. As the reviewer down below mentions, it's great to just throw in your purse on the reg for a fragrance re-up throughout the day. As you can see, it's about the size of my thumb and therefore takes up very little room. Plus! It's smaller than most rollerball travel fragrances you can pick up. This first one is working so well, that I just have the other three in storage. But if this one bites the dust this summer during travels, I'll be OK about digging into my stores to use one of the remaining three...especially at this price point.
Promising review: "These are perfect for those expensive bottles you don't want to travel with! Worked beautifully on my perfumes and husband's cologne for our Europe trip. Now I keep them in my purse for ease of use :)." —Jpot
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $8.65.
11. A clear TSA-approved toiletry bag so you can Lego-fit all your liquid and spreadable bbs in there with ease instead of checking a bag JUST for the toiletries.
Promising review: "This little bag is amazing. I can fit so many tiny 3 oz bottles in there due to its shape. I've started using it for road trips, just separating out liquids into their own little bag. This one item has changed the way I travel for my short trips. I just need a duffel bag. I love this bag. I am very high maintenance, extra, all of that. But, this guy lets me take my handmade deodorant, my facial oils, my gentle cleansers, lotion, lip balm, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, mascara; all travel sized, but still! No looking for my things. So organized." —Mittens
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 11 colors).
12. Or some leak-proof refillable pouches you can decant stuff into, and then when your trip is over, you can easily empty them (I can't be the only one who does this!) and shove them in your suitcase because sometimes fitting all your toiletries back INTO your toiletries bag can be a major pain. These lie almost completely flat when empty, so they'll take up minimal suitcase room.
13. A simple luggage strap will hold your essentials like a travel pillow, jacket, personal item, and more as you scoot along through the airport and once you land. If you tend to check a bag because of having to carry your stuff through the terminal, this might just make the difference in you becoming a carry-on–only person.
14. A bar of natural, plastic-free solid shampoo you'll easily make room for in your personal item. Plus, it won't leak or hog room in your toiletry bag!
Promising review: "AMAZING! Buy it now! When I turned 30, suddenly my hair became super greasy at the base of my head. No matter what I did, nothing took the grease out. And then along came this shampoo bar. In just a single wash, the grease was gone and my hair was visibly healthier and touchably soft. It's a small bar, but it will last a long time. I've had it for a month and it still looks like I took it out of the box yesterday. Like any bar soap, you need to store it properly so it won't dry out and crumble (like you saw happen in some of the negative reviews). You can prevent this by spending $3 at Walmart on a soap saving sponge, they come in a pack of two. *PRO TIP* while doing research I found that if you follow with an apple cider vinegar spray the results are even better. And it's true." —M.A.
"Doesn’t take much to thoroughly wash my hair. Rinses clean easily. Long lasting, would definitely buy again!" —Louis
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in 12 varieties).
15. A set of compression bags if you're not beholden to carry-on weight limits (v much more of a thing for European flying these days) and tend to overpack. Here's your sweet spot ;). And in the event that security has to go through your bag (it happens!) this'll make it a bit easier for them to sort through your stuff.
And they come with a hand pump for travel!
Promising review: "SAVED OUR LIVES. IF YOU TRAVEL, YOU MUST BUY THESE. I bought two packages because two of us were doing some international travel to India from the USA. Had some fancy soirees, and dresses and tunics for a wedding. Rolled them up and literally made it a quarter of the size. There’s no need to have a vacuum pump but it just takes a strong arm and a table top to roll it out. It makes some funny sounds but really gets all the air out. Really good product and highly recommended. I have another package but not going to sell it back because I like them so much. They’re reusable too." —Victor Hammond
"I bought the large bags and was able to get most of my wardrobe in these bags. Added large coats and jeans. These bags worked very well. I would definitely buy again." —Teresa
Get a pack of five from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in four sizes).
16. Or a collection of compression packing cubes you can use over and over again without having to remember to pack a pump for sucking out the air.
Again, just be sure to look up any weight restrictions on carry-on luggage. I ran into that problem last summer (it was in Croatia while flying British Airways, btw), but the person at the airport check-in counter that gave me some trouble about my bag just seemed to care about my roller carry-on. So I'd suggest using these in a backpack or tote bag you plan to put under the seat.
Promising review: "I am so glad I made this purchase. I couldn't believe how much I could fit into these packing cubes! So much so, I must have said that very same thing 100 times after I packed! Definitely worth the $! Buy them!" —Kelly
"Bought the white one and I love it. The pouches come with durable zippers that allow you to compress it further than just closure. Packed so much into a carry-on thanks to these travel cubes. Would 100% buy again and recommend." —Junny Wu
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $25.99 (available in three colors).
17. An *very popular* off-the-shoulder jumpsuit suited for just about any sightseeing needs. But it'd also make an incredibly comfy riding or flying outfit so you'll get a number of wears out of it on one trip.
FYI, if you have Amazon Prime, you can give this a spin before you buy it!
Promising reviews: "It is the most comfortable outfit that you could dress up or down! You could actually wear it with both on the shoulders too. I wore this for a road trip back home from the beach, and it was amazing. The only thing is if you are in a bit of cold weather and have anything else on, you have to take it off to go to the bathroom ;) But it’s all worth it!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available in sizes S–3X and 31 colors/patterns).
18. A TSA-approved lock that reviewers say is slim enough to fit a variety of lockers. (Including in hostels if you're going that super affordable route!)
Note that this listing sends you a random color. So if you're not into that, def go with another lock.
Promising review: "Works at all hostels, and for tying bag straps to a pole or something. Great for travelers." —E. Meyer
"Easy to use. Would buy again." —Sarah McIntosh
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (random color chosen).
19. A soft faux-leather tote will be the perfect personal item on the plane so you don't even have to pack it in your carry-on! And it would be useful as a day bag (of course keep your valuables zipped up concealed and tucked away inside) with plenty of room for your souvenirs.
Promising review: "Bought this to put what I needed in the car on a road trip. Exactly what I needed! I was able to fit so much in it yet it doesn’t look bulky, and still have so much room!" —XMusicislife
Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in a variety of colors and two sizes).
20. A five-pack of packing cubes with mesh tops to help you separate everyone's clothes into different cubes while still making the most of your space *and* avoiding checking a bag.
Shacke is a small biz specializing in travel gear and accessories.
Promising review: "I hesitated to spend money on packing cubes but I'm so glad I purchased this product. I used them in a three week road trip and my luggage stayed organized and neat. I easily could find the clothing I needed and pack and unpack quickly. This product was a good investment for us!" —Amazon Customer
Get them from Amazon for $19.79 (available in 10 colors).
21. A portable door lock that'll attach to any regular old door for your budget-friendly hotel, vacation rental, room in a guest house, or, well, just any door. It's super easy to install and won't damage the door. It'll be a comfort for solo travelers, especially.
If you're flying with this in your carry-on, make sure to keep it in an easily accessable place because I've been flagged at security for mine a few times.
Promising review: "Took this on a road trip and it was wonderful to have peace of mind. Definitely recommend for solo trips especially!" —Pen name
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
22. A Stojo collapsible travel cup that won't hog much space in your bag and make sure that you stay caffeinated — especially in a place where food and drinks are $$$ or you opted for the cheaper hotel that somehow didn't have a coffee machine. (Hey, it's happened to me before!)
It even comes with a straw, can hold both hot and cold liquids, and is dishwasher- and microwave-safe. Stojo is a small business aiming to eliminate single-use plastics with their portable and reusable products.
Promising review: "I take my lunch to work and during mid day I like to use the Keurig to brew a cup of coffee. The 12-ounce Stojo cup I purchased is very practical. It is thick and durable. The plastic collar enables you to hold the cup without squeezing it or burning your hands on the hot walls of the cup. It seals well so you don't have to worry about leaking your drink on your shirt. It even has some reasonable thermal properties. There is enough volume in the cup to allow for the 12-ounce brew plus ample creamer. It's not a stainless vacuum cup, but it does hold its temperature better than your typical gas station or coffee shop cup. Plus you have the advantage of being able to reheat your drink in the microwave which you can't do with a stainless cup. Washes easily too. If you want a 12-ounce cup that keeps your drink hot or cold for a long time, this isn't the cup for you. But if you need something practical that will keep your coffee warm for 30–45 minutes, can be reheated in a microwave, and collapses to the dimensions of a tall hockey puck, this is a good purchase. You'll have it for years." —ViciousCycle
Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in 4 sizes and 24 colors).
23. Plus some delicious instant coffee so you can properly caffeinate
Thank goodness I packed some of these for my trip to Iceland where I stayed at a hotel that somehow didn't have coffee in its kitchenette? (But was very nice otherwise.) It *did* have an electric kettle so I was able to make my coffee in the morning before walking on icy sidewalks to a bus stop for an 8-hour bus tour. So yeah, I needed that caffeine. I found that this instant coffee dissolved incredibly well and didn't feel gritty like some other instant coffee I've tried in the past.
Get a six-pack from Partners Coffee for $16 (available in six hours).
24. A budget-friendly portable white-noise machine to help drown out all the unfamiliar noises and help your baby travel to Dreamland even faster in an unfamiliar vacation rental. (Oh, and adults talk about how it helps them in the reviews, too.) Here's to being better rested and making the most of all those hours away from home!
Promising review: "We took it on a long road/camping trip, and it was awesome. Didn't have to leave our phones by the baby or have an echo connected to wifi for some white noise. The battery never ran out, and we ran it all night and for several naps for at least a week and a half. It was great!" —Soren Lewis
Get it from Amazon for $16.10.
25. GetYourGuide that'll provide you with all kinds of vetted local tour options so you can customize your travels without having to wade through a week's worth of research (or rent a car to do Iceland's Golden Circle).
26. A travel scarf with hidden storage in it can keep your hands free for taking travel TikToks, and your valuables hidden and safe.
Waypoint Goods is a small biz that specializes in travel accessories.
Promising review: "I absolutely LOVE my travel scarf. This piece is perfect for every occasion. Whether I am traveling on a plane or a road trip, at work, or trying to dress up an outfit to go out, it is perfect and functional. My phone, credit cards and keys fit seamlessly in the pocket without changing the look or fit of my scarf. At times I have put all of that plus a boarding pass and passport in the pocket!!" —Caroline
Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in 14 styles).
27. A weekender bag can easily slide over the handle of your wheeled suitcase in case you're in the market for a new personal item. (It'll also fit under an airplane seat according to reviewers.)
Promising review: "Used this as my ‘personal’ carry-on item with my carry-on luggage. Fit three pairs of heels plus some other knickknacks, then I had to stuff my actual purse in it at the last minute to ‘hide.’ It all fit (my purse was small). The zipper storage is great for phone, boarding pass, charging cords quick access, and is not bulky to slip over luggage handle. Used it twice now and it’s holding up well. BUY IT. Fits all airline requirements and could be used as a weekend bag as well on its own. Buying another color for hubby." —Krystal J.
"More room than I could imagine. Nice fabric, great handles, would buy this one again." —Gamma
Get it from Amazon for $38.99 (available in 10 colors/patterns).
28. A fanny pack with a ton of storage room inside that has a long enough strap to wear crossbody *or* comfortably fit over outerwear for some hands-free adventures. And in case it looks familiar, TikTokers compare it to the Lulu waist bag. Yes I wore it in Iceland in February, but it'll come in handy during the warm weather too!
I wear a size L/XL in clothing and sometimes waist bags just don't work out so well for me. With this one, I can confirm that it fit around my waist comfortably without outerwear, across my chest without outerwear, *and* over a thick coat and several layers. The pockets inside are so handy and I even had room to spare throughout my Iceland trip. This was the only purse I brought for the whole trip and it performed its job flawlessly. Just make sure that you zip the zipper ALL the way because the zipper goes down pretty far on the sides for easier access to contents. Having my hands free was wildly convenient for a number of reasons, including crawling around inside of an ice cave and putting out my hands for some extra balance while walking on sheets of ice along cliffs. Oh, and it comes in so so SO many colors.
Promising review: "Bought this for a trip to Europe and it was perfect. Wore as a crossbody. It was comfortable and held a lot of things plus my iPhone Pro Max fit with no problem." —Maine
Get it from Amazon for $16.98 (available in 40 styles).
29. A 3D-contoured sleeping mask that'll let you comfortably bat your lashes awake like Sleeping Beauty in your shared hotel room because you're trying to cut costs.
Plus, it comes with a set of earplugs to block out all the noise around you!
Promising review: "I purchased this sleep eye mask for my trip to Europe. With the flights being 10+ hours each way, I wanted to block all light for some serious sleep time. This mask served its purpose. I was very pleased with it. I was a little concerned with the fit due to my small head. Some reviewers said it might be a problem, but thankfully it wasn't. It also came in handy for jet lag naps. I'm a side sleeper, so it takes a bit of getting used to against the face. However, judging from my deep sleep I seem to have gotten used to it quite quickly. The softness was an added bonus. This was a good purchase." —Carrie Wils
Get the set from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in seven colors).
30. A portable safe you can attach to a beach chair to keep your valuables safe or to keep your passport in your hotel room in case there's no safe or the safe isn't working. (Raise your hand if you've stayed in a small hotel without a safe. ::raises hand::)
Like most people (I hope?) I’m always a little iffy about taking a dip in the water at the beach and leaving my wallet and phone on the beach. So when I booked a 2.5-week Europe trip with LOTS of beaching involved, I bought one of these Master Lock safes that I’ve put in several stories. It was a bit bulky in my suitcase, but I left it unlocked and put some stuff in there so it wasn’t just dead space. It came in handy at a number of beach clubs, where my friend and I stashed our credit cards, cash, and case-less phones while we frolicked in the sea. Despite lots of people milling about our umbrella while we had our fun, we felt our stuff was completely safe and could concentrate on *just* having fun.
Promising review: "Just buy it. It's smaller than I had originally thought it might be, but it's perfect none the less. Love this little lock box that you could easily use as a purse when traveling, or at a festival." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $26.70+ (available in three colors).
31. A water bottle with a Brita filter will help you feel confident in drinking the water from a water fountain in a place you're a little iffy about instead of investing in a parade of bottled water. Or course, check up on the water quality in your locale!
Promising review: "I love this water bottle! I bought one for me and one for my husband because we went to Europe, and I didn't know what the water quality would be there. I was so glad I did because we mostly had to use tap water, and I don't typically like the taste of tap water. The water tasted great, and I couldn't even tell it came from the tap! When you first use the straw after a refill, it takes a moment for it to come out. But after that, there is no delay. This bottle was the perfect size to have enough water to keep me hydrated without being too bulky to carry around. I would definitely recommend it!" —Gina Meeks
They do require replacement filters every two months; you can find a pack of three of those for $11.70.
Get it from Amazon for $18.24+ (available in two sizes and three colors, and in insulated stainless steel in three colors for $31.49).
32. Or a collapsible silicone water bottle that'll make sure you stay hydrated without making you sacrifice other things in your bag or running the risk of leaving water in your bottle as you go through airport security.
I bought this water bottle before a 2.5-week trip to Vietnam (where you don't drink tap water) and Malaysia (where you do). I didn't want to bring one of my ride-or-die S'well bottles because it would take up extra room in my bag when I wouldn't be able to use it during the majority of the trip. This handy silicone bottle did just the trick! It's very easy to roll up and *stays* rolled up thanks to the just-stretchy-enough loop. Said loop was also very handy while walking through airports and just around sightseeing. The bottle is easy to clean and doesn't make my water taste weird. I'm now using it as my daily water bottle and feel confident it'll serve me well for a long time. Plus! With a collapsible water bottle it's easier to remember if you left water in it before you go through security.
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $10.99 (available in nine colors/styles).
33. A waterproof pouch that I buy for every water-adjacent vacation (so mostly warm-weather trips like Croatia and Greece). But! As soon as I booked my flight for Iceland, I bought one of these to take along to The Blue Lagoon. It survived rain, hail, and all kinds of steam rising off the water. The last thing you need when on vacation is a water-logged phone.
It fits any phone up to 100 mm x 170 mm (or about 3.9 inches x 6.7 inches). It also keeps out sand, dirt, and rain.
With these, I find that they're good for about a day due to condensation. So, for a trip I'll buy two to three, except for this one where I just knew I'd be in the water at the Blue Lagoon. And while I'm on the subject, check out a TikTok I made using the phone case! On the day I went, we had to duck and run inside because of rain. And it was hailing on us when I was in the water, so I had to face a certain way to keep from getting pelted in the face. But, when in Rome! Then we went inside and ate lunch at the Lava Restaurant, and it was GORGEOUS and clear outside post-lunch. So, this case worked well taking pics in both bad and good conditions (as you can see from the two pics for comparison). I've used this case to take underwater pics, on boat rides, and have worn it with the lanyard jumping off a boat into water. So, I really trust these!
Promising review: "Vacation must-have. I was skeptical about purchasing a waterproof case, but I’m so glad I did because I was able to capture fun water excursions worry free!" —Lisa D
Get it from Amazon for $6.31 (available in 14 colors).
34. A waterproof satin-lined Hairbrella hat that'll easily fold up and be ready for those days when you look like you have GREAT weather. Then, all of a sudden the sky opens up and starts pouring, ruining your perfect hair day.
Hairbrella is a Black-owned small business that has been creating fashionable hats that protect hair from all kinds of weather since 2016.
Promising review: "I traveled to London last month with a raincoat that did not have a hood, and wanted something that would protect my head/hair/blowout without lugging an umbrella. This definitely did the trick. Two of the three days were rainy (some quite heavy), and my hair stayed totally dry. It stows nicely, too." —Miss Information
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in five colors).
35. Some high-top sneakers for the look of Chucks with some serious rain protection. No need to pack a pair of *just* rain boots for your two days in Seattle. These'll cover you!
They're also a popular pick with people who have jobs where waterproof shoes come in handy (like working at a restaurant or dog groomers).
Promising review: "I absolutely love these shoes! I originally bought them for a trip to Washington D.C where it was going to rain most of the time. I have Hunter rain boots, but knew we would be walking a lot and didn't want to be 'weighed down' on the trip. I was four months pregnant and wore these for two of the days where we walked over 9 miles each day (ugh!) and these were SOO COMFORTABLE! My feet didn't have any blisters or sore spots (which I am very prone to) and handled the rain/puddles like a champ! I love that they looked like normal shoes, but wiped clean with a baby wipe!" —AmazonFamily
Get them from Amazon for $31.99+ (available in sizes 5–11 and 18 styles, including low-top and high-top options).
36. A mini lightweight flat iron to help you get your signature smooth locks, or at least tidy up your blowout you're really banking on lasting for a few days.
It also comes with a heat-resistant pouch for easy carrying!
Promising review: "Would buy again. I bought this for a trip to Europe as opposed to buying an expensive and bulky voltage converter for my flat iron at home and was not disappointed, it saved a ton of luggage space and it worked like a charm both curling and straightening my hair! I will say though, since the flat iron is quite smaller than the typical flat iron and my hair is only just past my shoulders it would probably take considerably longer to use on long hair." —Holly M
Get it from Amazon for $15.97.
37. An inflatable bath tub that'll be a godsend for the hotel tub — or a hotel room that *just* has a shower to help widen the (cheaper) hotel options for you and your family. But reviewers love it for home use, too!
Promising review: "We have used this inflatable tub for months if not years. Lol. Us used it outside during the summer months for play time, we have used in our bathtub as it was easier to fill and wash baby instead in a huge tub. We’ve also taken it with us on road trips to use as family members houses or hotels. For the price you cannot go wrong!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
38. A hands-free (rotating!) phone mount to help you watch what you want or take advantage of the movies available online for those budget airlines without TVs in the back of the seats. It'll work on the plane *or* while you wait to board.
Promising review: "I used it on a round trip. It is has a powerful and sturdy clip that will attach to almost anything. I didn’t have to attempt to balance it on the food tray or strain my neck. It remained at eye level and never attempted to sway or fall. I’d buy it again. Also I’d consider it as a stocking stuffer for a frequent traveler. This is definitely a thumbs-up!" —Kara
Get it from Amazon for $12.97.
39. An airplane footrest that loops over your tray table so you can kick back, relax, and hopefully head off to Snoozeville as soon as you get comfy in your seat.
Promising review: "I bought a bunch of stuff to make my long flight comfortable. This was the only item I would recommend and buy again. Holds your feet up off the ground. I still can't sleep on a plane, but was glad to have this. Helpful." —AMalner
Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in three colors).
40. Trainline can sort out all the train options and tickets for ya while in Europe and Asia (or at least 45 countries total within those places) to help zero in on what fits your budget and schedule best.
41. Omio will compare transportation option prices (think trains, planes, ferries) to help you get to where you're going without wasting valuable sightseeing (or lying-in-bed-watching-TikTok) time.
42. Pedialyte powder packets because yes you are a grown-ass adult, but sometimes you indulge a little too much or start to feel a cold coming on from traveling and could use some electrolytes. I always pack these for trips and have never regretted it. And they're much tastier than electrolyte tablets you dilute in water. Go through security FULLY hungover knowing you can fill up your water bottle with this *right* after.
~Trust me~ when I tell you that these will work in a pinch. I bought them a few years ago to take on a bachelorette party to New Orleans, and everyone in the Airbnb was grateful I did. Since then, I've always had them in my carry-on bag when going on a trip. They REALLY came in handy when I went to the Greek islands for 10 days with an apparent mission to eat every piece of seafood and cheese within sight while washing it down with jugs of wine. These are powder in small individual packets, so they're so easy to pack! And also you don't have to lug around a bottle of Gatorade to feel better.
Promising review: "Buy it! Must have for a night out. Drink before you go to bed after a night of drinking and you’ll wake up the next morning feeling like a million bucks." —SUSAN
"You won’t find these anywhere else for less. We buy again and again and again and my kids love the 'juice' to stay hydrated in the summer!" —iAmAliWifey
Get a 24-count from Amazon for $25.59.
43. A set of homeopathic jet lag pills that'll help you fight off time zone changes and disrupted sleep schedules. Plus, you can actually sleep while taking these. I've taken them on a couple of (budget-friendly) red eyes and I think they help!
According to the instructions, you should take them at take-off and then every two hours and then again once you arrive to help with relaxation and combat sleepiness.
Promising review: "So, I was skeptical about this product, but since it’s pretty cheap and I didn’t want to suffer from Jet lag on my short trip to India — I bought it. To my surprise, IT WORKS! I used as directed on my 14+ hour flight from Chicago to Delhi: one on take-off, two every two hours, one before landing. I also wanted to note that I slept twice — an hour each time. My flight left Friday at 1:30 p.m. Chicago time, landed late at around 3:45 p.m. Delhi time on Saturday. After I landed, I went sightseeing, ate food, checked into my hotel, and explored. Late that night, we went to a pub with some locals. Got to the hotel around 2 a.m. pretty drunk. We went to bed around 3am. Woke up the next day around 8 a.m. ready to rock. The rest of the trip my sleeping was never an issue. I was able to sleep fine at night, wake up in the morning easily, wasn’t tired during the day. No problems.
On the way home, I did NOT use the pills and I am currently writing this review at 4:30 a.m. after waking up at 11:45 p.m. and not being able to fall back asleep. Buy them, use them. You will thank yourself!" —Erin S
"Got us through all night, all next day with flying colors! Will definitely buy again for next overseas trip." —Jeff Taylor
Get a pack of 32 pills from Amazon for $14.40.
44. A handmade leather cord organizer to keep your wired listening BFFs from getting tangled up in your pocket or going completely MIA. (I've had to buy a pair of headphones at the airport because. It still hurts to think about it.)
Promising review: "Compact, I love this. Would definitely buy again, very very good quality!!!!" —business operator
Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in six colors).
45. A lightweight, compact, and high-speed portable charger so you can keep that phone juiced for entertainment, communication, and just about anything else without having to dwell in a coffee shop for the outlet.
This highly rated slim option holds about 2.25 charges for iPhone 12, 1.6 charges for Galaxy S20, and 1.2 charges for iPad Mini 5 and comes with a Micro USB cable (to charge the charger) and a travel pouch.
Promising review: "Buy it! I bought this for a trip and it did not disappoint! I used it to recharge my phone every day during my five-day trip without having to recharge the charger once. It takes a while to charge it fully but it will last a while and charge your phone very fast. While reading other reviews it seems people were making the mistake of trying to charge in the wrong ports, it is very clear that two are for input only. The USB is the only one for charging. This product is a must-buy, I carry it in my purse at all times and I use it often because of how quickly it charges." —Melissa
"I love Anker’s Portable Charger. Would recommend and buy again!!" —Maria del pilar esqueda
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in two colors).
46. A pair of quick-dry water shoes can help you traverse nearly every kind of ground you may come upon. Trust me, you'll wanna buy these and pack them instead of resorting to finding some at a local tourist shop.
Promising review: "Buy these, you will love them! I love to walk barefoot on the beach but isn't always the wisest decision. I read so many positive reviews and thought why not. I got my first pair and fell in love with them. I don't have to wear my sandals and leave them at the bottom of the steps. I can walk on the pavement to the beach and across the parking lot. I loved them so much that I bought a pair for my husband, sister, friend and an extra pair for me. My husband was very skeptical and he loved them too. I would absolutely recommend theses." —Lauren A. Eason
"Nice water shoe at a good price. I'd buy them again." —Willow
Get it from Amazon for $8.68+ (available in seven sizes and 44 colors).
47. A universal travel adapter so you always have a way to juice up your devices or use your US-friendly plugged item in a different outlet. You can plug up to five devices in this at a time...and it covers 160 countries! No more packing different adapters for the different countries you're hitting up on your trip.
But remember that this is not a voltage converter!
Promising review: "If you travel a lot, buy one, just do it! Fantastic travel plug, to be able to plug something in, and have four USBs, anywhere in the world. It's awesome! Couldn't be happier!" —Maggie A.
"Worked perfectly in Iceland. Love all the USB ports plus the option to plug in via socket. We’re going to Australia and New Zealand next, and I love that everything we need is all contained in one cube. Would definitely buy again!" —Chrissy
Get it from Amazon for $18.95+ (available in two colors).
48. A set of storage scrunchies for helping you stash your lip balm, cash, keys, and more while you're out and about. After all, you don't want to spend precious vacation time on making your hair look like you got a $$$ blowout.
See them in action on TikTok here!
Promising review: "BUY IT! You won't regret it. Honestly, this is the coolest thing I’ve bought on Amazon. I hate purses, so being able to stash my money, lip gloss and my car key in my scrunchie is a GAME CHANGER! 10/10 would recommend. Also, the elastic is super strong, so no droopy ponytails, even with all my little items inside!" —Aubree T
"These are brilliant. Very nice quality!! I will buy them again and again!!" —Rebekah
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two color combinations).
49. A Beis backpack that zips open like a suitcase without *looking* like one of those backpacks that does that. I used this and a space vac bag to pack ALL my belongs for my Iceland trip instead of paying $100 to check a bag. (That's how the discount airlines get you!)
I snagged this backpack after hearing my colleague Chelsea Stuart sing its praises. I had a trusty (now discontinued) InCase backpack I used as a personal item and served me well on dozens of trips for about five years. But I wanted a bag for some upcoming travel (2.5 weeks in Europe with *just* carry-on for five flights) that opens up like a suitcase for easier packing. Since buying, I've taken it on two long weekend trips (Amtrak to Newport, Rhode Island, for a wedding and regional train to a Connecticut country lake house) with no complaints. In fact, for both of those trips I packed MORE than I needed.
Inside, you'll find a mesh zippered pocket and a plastic pocket perfect for your toiletries. I can fit enough wet toilet toiletries in the second pocket as I'd be allowed to carry-on for a plane. In the mesh pocket I put other necessities like cotton swabs, medicine, eyeglasses, etc. The main compartment is deceptively deep so you can easily roll clothes and Lego-fit them in together without using packing cubes. In fact, I fit all of the stuff in the second picture in that section (a romper, PJs, a bikini, sunscreen, five pairs of undies, a pair of jean shorts, nap dress, three pairs of socks, two pairs of sandals, two T-shirts, a slip skirt, sleep mask, curling iron, mini flat iron, makeup bag, and tote bag). AND it has stretchy X-straps to keep it all secure like you'd see in a roller suitcase so when I unzip it, everything stays put. But before I forget, there's a separate cushioned laptop pocket close to the backpack straps that I found works well for books or a Kindle if your travel leaves you laptop-less.
I love that this backpack has DEEP side pockets so your umbrella or water bottle won't fall out. In fact, I stuck a flashlight and an umbrella in one side pocket. (You could always use a flashlight.) Plus! It has a generously sized pocket on the front of the backpack with easy access for sunglasses, snacks, writing pens...all sorts of those little extras you need to access quickly. To top it all off, the backpack straps and top handle are STURDY. I felt totally secure toting it around and slinging it into overhead storage compartments on the trains. I love the look and construction of it with faux leather and sturdy black canvas, and the trolley passthrough to easily fit on my roller suitcase I'm about to drag through a bunch of airports. At nearly $80, this isn't the cheapest backpack option but if you're a frequent traveler, you'll get so much mileage on it and seriously save on some baggage fees, making it well worth the cost. This backpack and I are going places, for sure. And if something ever happens to it — though I highly doubt it because it's SO sturdy — I'll 100% buy another. I'm obsessed!
Get it from Beis Travel for $88 (also available in six colors).
50. A *solid* Neutrogena SPF 50 sunscreen that really sticks to your skin on your tropical (or just plain sweaty) vacation. Oh, and because it's a solid, it's carry-on friendly!
I first bought this for a weeklong Croatian vacation last year when I did carry-on, and as long as you are *thoroughly* reapplying, this stuff stays on pretty well. On a beach club afternoon, I did haphazardly reapply and missed a strip on one arm, but I tend to do that with spray-on or lotion sunscreen, too. Since then, I've packed this for any trip I've been on, including a two-day Disneyland trip where I toted this around in my bag and shared with friends. I sometimes carry it with me in my purse on my everyday adventures because I know it's so easy to apply. Also worth mentioning...I am about the palest lady you've ever seen and swear by daily application of sunscreen. But when on a beach trip, I'm constantly swimming in the water and sweating. So yeah, this stuff works.
And if you're a bit hesitant about jumping on the solid sunscreen bandwagon, you can pack a stick of this, knowing you have enough sun protection to get you through to finding some spray-on or lotion SPF at your destination.
Promising review: "Love this stuff!! My sensory sensitive kiddo love this. The sent is mild, it soaks into the skin well and provides great protection. Will buy over and over again!" —Vinny
Get it from Amazon for $8.97.
51. A pack of collapsible pails that'll take up a little way less space in your suitcase for the very important task of building sand castles. Have you ever bought a sand bucket at a tourist shop? Yikes.
52. A two-pack of beach wraps to help you style your beloved bikini you bought who-knows-when in between dips in the pool or ocean.
Promising review: "I bought these for my cruise this summer. The material was light and well made. You can't go wrong with the colors they offer. I felt comfortable wearing these while walking around the cruise ship. Just buy these before you need them." —Shalena D.I.V.A. (Author)
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 28 color combinations).
53. A Nuuly month-long clothing subscription to put some fresh 'fits into your rotation without buying a whole bunch of stuff and doing the mental gymnastics figuring out if you'll wear the stuff again. It's also much easier to pack for vacation with this if you've had a weight fluctuation since the last time you wore your trip-appropriate clothes.
I rented from Nuuly for my weeks-long trip last summer, and scheduling those dresses out in time for delivery helped me figure out what was going to go in my suitcase before I even unzipped my (mostly) empty suitcase. And then I did the same for my March trip to Vietnam and Malaysia, where it was much warmer than the weather in NYC where I live.
Sign up for a Nuuly rental for $98 (six items for a month), where you can still snag this dress.
54. Turo will help you zero in on bookable cars near you *and* lets you cancel your plans as close as 24 hours in advance. Because, well, have you priced out a regular ole rental car lately (or had to drive to the airport *just* to get a rental car)?
You, pointing at all the pharmacies you don't have to dip into because you packed your carry on-friendly shampoo bar:
