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1. A neck pillow you can stuff with clothing — even a whole outfit — to give you some comfy flexibility and help get around super strict carry-on size restrictions. The listing says you can even pack three days' worth of clothes in it! Which would especially be welcome if your carry-on-only budget doesn't exactly align with your fashionista status.
Check out a TikTok showing how someone used a similar neck pillow to just take that and a personal item onto a RyanAir flight that was charging for hand luggage.
Promising review: "Took it on my trip to Europe. I went carry-on-only and this tube was a true gem! I fit one full outfit in it and it’s so valuable when traveling with only carry-on luggage. On the plane I used it as an arm support. It’s really helpful on a 10-hour flight. What an excellent idea to take something out of the weighted luggage!!! I was able to fit three T-shirts, two light long-sleeve sweatshirts, and one pair of underwear. I usually like to have a change of clothes with me on the plane, especially on transatlantic flights, so I can change it on the layover, just feels fresher." —Happy Shopper
Get it from Amazon for $43.95.
2. A belt bag that'll double as a travel belt with a pass-through trolley loop so you can use it to secure your personal item to the top of your roller suitcase. And then when you're out and about at your destination, you can use it as a purse!
Cincha Travel is a small business in California that develops adjustable travel belts made out of vegan leather. The brand donates 100 airline miles for each purchase, which are used to reconnect separated migrant families.
Check out a TikTok of the Cincha belt bag in action. When flying with this, I rec leaving it on as the belt for your suitcase while boarding your flight. On a few flights I've been on this year, I've heard gate agents make people put their belt bags worn around their waist or cross-body into their personal item. So just be mindful of that!
Promising review: "Great little double-duty bag. Highly recommend. I could fit four passports, an iPhone, a slim wallet, and many more things in my new travel bag. A must for your next adventure." —Lindsay
Get it from Cincha Travel for $67.50 (available in four colors/patterns).
3. A flexible phone/tablet holder that's thin and easy to store when not in use. But it'll also pull *triple* duty as a bag holder on a table or flat surface because it's best not to think about putting your personal item on the airport floor. Ick.
Promising review: "I got this before I flew earlier this year...it was handy on the plane but honestly it's been just as handy at home. I use it for my phone and for my Kindle while I'm at the table eating or something. Love that it can be flattened out for travel." —Rocknrollmomma06
Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in four colors).
4. A Keyper lanyard keychain you can use to attach smaller bags to your personal item, or even secure your (of course, anti-theft) bag to whatever chair you're sitting in at an outdoor cafe or in a crowded restaurant so ppl can't quickly slip off with your whole bag.
Keyper is a woman-founded and -owned company.
I have one of these (in the snow leopard) and have used it just for keys but also to attach bags as I'm traveling. (I also ONLY carry on so I try to stay organized as possible.) My pal, also named Elizabeth, uses hers to attach her bag to her chair when she's out and about traveling. Yes, you still want an anti-theft bag. But this can make for an extra level of security!
Get it from Amazon for $27.90+ (available in six colors/designs and more materials, styles). You can also grab a bag that works with the keychain. A clear bag, like the one seen on the left, is a great option for toiletries when flying. But! It's also super useful as a purse for a stadium concert or sporting event with security bag restrictions.
5. 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. 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 $9.97.
6. Or a reusable water bottle with a daily pill organizer that'd be perfect for your week-long trip because if there's one thing that's essential about travel, it's staying hydrated. (Cue all the TikToks about buying giant bottles of water as an American in Europe.)
Promising review: "Very nice! I love this bottle. I took it on a trip. It worked beautifully!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in four colors).
7. A buildable Electric Glow Stick lipstick will turn your perfect hue of sheer pink. Reviewers also love it for blush, so that'll be one fewer thing you need in your makeup bag.
Check out a TikTok of the Electric Glow lipstick in action.
Promising review: "Beautiful color lipstick that looks great with my skin tone. Not too bright but a rosy color that I love." —Faloli
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
8. Or if you're into deeper hues, Etude's delightfully multipurpose Dear Darling Water Tint, which a lot of reviewers compare to Benefit's Lip Tint. This smudgeproof formula is designed primarily to be a natural-looking, weightless lip stain, but reviewers use it as a blush as well!
Promising review: "While I haven't tried the Benefit Lip Tint, I saw this on TikTok and appreciated the lower price point. I am SO glad I gave this a chance! I only have the Cherry color, but it is the perfect bit of natural color, and can be deepened as desired upon application. There is no sticky residue and it is not drying or irritating at all. Looks great alone but even better with gloss on top. Love!" —Mollie
Get it from Amazon for $6.40 (available in three shades and combo packs).
9. A stick of Body Glide anti-chafing balm can keep your thighs from painfully rubbing together while you climb all those famous Lisbon hills. It'll also work to keep sandal straps from rubbing your feet. (I've used it on my feet while wearing heels I barely broke in as a bridesmaid for a wedding where I danced so much at the reception that I completely missed eating the wedding cake. I'm still not over it!)
10. A "Worky" station in case you're fortunate enough to be able to take work with you on the travels so you can fit in SO much more travel! It's a 15-in-1 mobile work station that keeps everything you need RIGHT where you need it. It's like a little desk setup you can take on the go!
Worky is a small business that specializes in products to improve remote working experiences. It has two standard outlets, two USB ports, a built-in LED light for conference calls, storage compartments, and a magnetic dry erase board.
Check out a TikTok of the Worky station in action.
Promising review: "I've had my Worky for three months now and have loved it. I love that everything is in one place and then I can close it up and work disappears. The compartments are great for tucking away piles of paperwork, the multiple charging outlets are convenient and the LED lights are helpful on Zoom calls when lighting in the room are not ideal. Everything in one place, simple and convenient. Just the way I like it." —Amy
Get it from Amazon for $91.98.
Also check out the 12-in-1 Worky station for $99.98 on Amazon!
11. A set of towel clips you'll be grateful you packed once the wind kicks up as you're 20 feet away tossing a football with your pals. (And you can use it to hang up your wet swimsuit after and then for line-drying clothes at home.)
Check out a TikTok of the towel clips in action.
Promising review: "I purchased these for a family of eight going on a cruise and they loved them! So easy to use, just put your towel on the beach chair and clip down with these. They said they were especially awesome on windy days when others' towels were blowing away if they were not sitting on the chair. The family was able to go to lunch or take a walk and not worry that their towels had been blown away and someone had then snagged their seats. Very inexpensive and functional clips." —TypeA
"Strong, do not crack or break, and have used them for hanging laundry on racks plus normal chair clips. I will be purchasing more!!" —Bev Rubner
Get a set of 16 from Amazon for $9.99.
12. A pair of sunglasses that said "I'll raise the stakes" when they heard about those bottle-opener flip-flops you used to pull out as a party trick (and save you a few min scrounging through your rental house's kitchen for a bottle opener). Talk about an essential for every waterside vacation moving forward.
Promising review: "Maaaannnnnn, I bought these for Cancun, and they’ve been used and abused here in the saltwater pool and beaches, but they are worth the money in my opinion! Yes they feel a tad bit cheap, but hey, they’ve opened so many bottled beer and sodas, and I like how they look. I’m happy with my purchase! Will be buying more to keep in my car and in my work truck." —Erik Perez
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in two colors).
13. A USB rechargeable hand warmer I used to keep myself feeling alive while standing outside for hours in the Icelandic February cold with my eyes peeled for The Northern Lights. (And yes, I saw them!) When you don't need it as a hand-warmer, you can use it as a portable charger.
I'd put this hand warmer in many stories this winter and my friend (who reads my stories, s/o to Jen!) bought it to take on our December trip to Vienna/Budapest/Prague and it was essential to us staying outside at Christmas markets. So once I got talked into an Iceland trip a few weeks before the travel dates, I shopped my own stories for this little beaut. And I am SO glad that I did. I kept it in my coat pocket the entire trip (basically we were only indoors to eat and sleep) and it gets very hot, very fast. The only time that I was able to use the highest heat setting (there are three total) for longer than a few minutes was when I stood in the middle of nowhere scanning the sky for The Northern Lights around midnight. It was COLD cold out in the flat lands and far away from buildings and light pollution. But I was determined to see the Aurora dance. (Otherwise, I would've booked a summertime Iceland trip.) I had warm leather gloves with fleece lining that I wore throughout the trip. But I kept my right hand ungloved during periods of time so I could look through my phone's camera app to spot the green in the sky. (The Lights look white at first to the naked eye before your eyes adjust and see it as green. But you can spot them as green immediately through your phone camera.) This small-but-mighty hand warmer kept my fingers operating so once I finally did see the lights, I could photograph them! And it also kept me outside longer instead of taking bus breaks. Whyyyy didn't I buy this earlier? Please learn from my mistake.
Psst — you can even use a power bank or your phone to charge it!
Promising review: "This hand warmer is amazing! My hands are constantly cold and I've tried all sorts of products to help keep them warm but nothing has worked until now. I charge the hand warmer every night with a standard USB charger and the next day, I have hours of warmth. The three temperature settings are very helpful — I use the highest setting when I'm outdoors for long periods of time and the lower settings when I'm indoors (e.g., sitting at my desk or in a cold movie theater). I've already given hand warmers as gifts to several cold-handed friends and family members and they're loving it as well. I hope Ocoopa comes out with a foot warmer next!" —Riva Kupritz
Get it from Amazon for $19.52+ (available in eight colors).
14. A 3-in-1 foldable magnetic wireless charger that's compact enough for your plane seat tray or hotel nightstand to keep your precious devices (iPhones, AirPods, and Apple Watches) powered and go, go, going with you.
See it in action on TikTok here.
Promising review: "I use this product to charge my iPhone 13, AirPods, and Apple Watch. Prior to this 3-in-1 compact purchase, I have purchased three different kinds of 3-in-1 chargers — I frequently travel between school and home with carry-on bags on airlines and all of the previous stand version chargers doesn't fit well in my bags or I am always worried I would break. This is compact and folds so well that I can fit in my carry-on or in any zipper pockets without having to worry about breaking anything. Charger works really well and it is the best compact one you can find in market. Love it and been using it for two months now and no issues!!" —SBREDDY
Get it from Amazon for $33.99 (available in nine colors).
15. A portable charger for your phone that you can also wrap your Apple Watch around to charge. Portable chargers can bulk up and weigh down your day bag and personal items so you might as well find one that can at least pull double duty.
Check out a TikTok featuring this charger.
Promising review: "I took this charger on a trip to Japan. I was able to charge my iPhone 11 Pro and my watch while out and about. I usually walked 10–12 miles per day and used a sleep app. So, I’d charge my watch and phone while eating at restaurants or put it in my purse. I used Google Maps a lot so it was good to have a charged phone and watch. Now that I’m back, I often use the charger to charge my watch while I’m working (when I opt to sit). I get several chargers with the watch on a single battery charge. Plus, I love taking this device when going out to be able to charge my phone and watch. One thing I wish was better but doesn’t deter me from using this at all is the lightning charger. I wish there was an additional port where I could plug in my own so I could choose the length of the cable. The built in one is nice but it’s short." —Riko
Get it from Amazon for $45.99 (available in four colors).
16. Plus a portable handheld fan that's also a power bank *and* flashlight. So you'll be sure to find all sorts of uses for it. (I just used mine while an already-boarded flight was delayed and sitting at the airport for an hour in hot hot hot summer heat.)
Check out a TikTok of the portable fan in action.
Promising review: "This fan works so well, keeps me cool when I’m on the beach or sitting outside in the sun. The battery life is amazing but it takes a while to charge up." —Amanda Clerk
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four colors).
17. An *very popular* off-the-shoulder jumpsuit suited for just about any sightseeing needs. But it'd also make an incredibly comfy flight outfit so you'll get multiple 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 a favorite among our flight attendant group when we are traveling. We call ourselves the sisterhood of the traveling jumpsuit! I absolutely love it, it’s comfortable, inexpensive, easy one piece, dress up or dress down. I add a belt and it’s perfect! I am planning to purchase more colors!" —Floridagirl0611
Get it from Amazon for $37.99 (available in sizes S–3X and 31 colors/patterns).
18. A swim turban that'll work exactly as it sounds. No swim cap is ever watertight, but this is about as good as it gets when protecting your hair from chlorine and salt water — and'll look dang good *just* as a gorgeous hair turban when you're on dry land.
YGN (You Go Natural) was founded by Monique Little in 2016 when she started her line for wraps, headbands, and turbans in her mom's living room with a sewing machine. The business has significantly grown since then and is now based in East Dallas. You may have also seen it on Shark Tank (psst, you can shop the styles featured on Shark Tank here)!
Get it from YGN for $48 (available in more colors).
19. A set of cooling patches can work some soothing magic for a variety of uses including (perhaps most importantly), sunburn. But it'll also help with itchiness from bug bites and poison ivy. And! They're TSA-friendly. So you can probably leave your aloe vera gel at home.
Promising review: "Used these on a sunburn on my back, and they were very soothing. Also provided padding when leaning back in my seat. I stuck one on my shoulder also to keep my seatbelt from rubbing the sunburn there. I bought them to use on the back of my kids' necks to help prevent heat exhaustion on a very hot day outside but ended up just using them for burn relief." —Joanna
"These saved us on our vacation with our little that is sensitive to sun!" —felicia faith
Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $14.99.
20. A 2-in-1 straightener and curling iron because you won't leave home without them but detest how much space they take up in a carry-on.
Promising review: "I randomly bought this little curling iron/straightener to save space for travel...and after trying it out, I now find myself reaching for it over my big, expensive, full sized regular curling iron and straightener. It just heats up so fast and does the best job — especially curling. It curls quick and the curls last all day. On both regular hair and extensions. If I could change anything about it, it would be to have it in a full-sized version too, with the same effectiveness. Not sure if one exists, but if I does I will buy it." —Melanie
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
21. An Alleyoop Pen Pal that's an eyeliner, lip liner, brow pencil, AND highlighter so you can free up some serious room in your travel bags. (This doesn't even need to go in your toiletry bag for flights!)
My BuzzFeed shopping colleague Jasmin Sandal has this and loves it. She says:
"I didn't realize I'd ever use a makeup product in my 20s that had the ability to transport me back to something I used in sixth grade, but here we are; and here I am using a multitool pen... for my face. I gotta say, I love the concept of the Pen Pal from Alleyoop! After using all of the functions (eyeliner, highlighter, lip liner, eyebrow pencil) and as someone who LOVES makeup but was applying as little as humanly possible during lockdown, I think it’s a great tool for anyone looking to streamline their routine. It's ideal to use for touch-ups come the end of the work day, or a subtle, minimalist way to apply makeup in the a.m. The brow pencil is particularly soft and pigmented, and filled in my eyebrows quickly. I just adore the ease of application of each product, and appreciate the universal, does-it-all-for-you concept. Plus, it saves me so much room in my already overflowing makeup bag!"
Promising review: "Such a time saver to have this 4-in-1 tool! I use it daily and love that it is so compact." —Lauren F.
Get it from Amazon or Alleyoop for $25 (available in three shades).
22. A 4-in-1 makeup brush set that takes up the size of one makeup brush so you don't have to use up half of your personal item's space just for your beauty routine. (Tbh, I need these.)
23. 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! This'll especially be welcome if your itinerary includes stops in a few different countries.
But remember that this is not a voltage converter!
Promising review: "I am a digital nomad so I travel full-time around the world. I have a lot of devices to charge (laptop, Kindle, phone, backup battery, portable wi-fi device, camera, the list goes on). A lot of times hostel bunks or hotel rooms only have one outlet and with the previous adapter I was using, I had to charge one device at a time. I used to literally set my alarm to wake up in the middle of the night and switch devices so that I could get more than one device fully charged overnight. I did my research finally and settled on this one because it is universal and has four USB ports. What a GAME CHANGER. On my latest trip I was able to charge all my devices at once and it made traveling so much smoother. It seems well made and good quality, too. Definitely recommend for my digital nomad and traveling peers. Happy travels! :)" —Maggie A.
Get it from Amazon for $18.95+ (available in two colors).
24. A versatile lightweight shawl you can even wrap up in on the plane then at night when it gets a bit chillier but it doesn't quite call for a jacket. Plus, let's be honest, this looks a little more elegant than your go-to denim jacket. (Says the person who LIVES in her denim jacket.)
Promising review: "Absolutely love this shawl! The color is a true red and will work beautifully for several outfits. I bought it specifically for travel...easy to pack in carry-on bag and warmth without weight." —bojangles
"Wore on a trip to Morocco. Lightweight and versatile. Wear it as a traditional scarf, draped over front, or as a head scarf. Good quality and color pigment." —Micki R. Leesch
Get it from Amazon for $11.89+ (available in 38 colors).
25. And a fashionable travel scarf that, yes, will help add that one last accessory your ensemble needs and keep your neck toastier. But! It also has secret pockets so you can stash your valuables inside, away from unsuspecting pick pockets instead of packing a heftier bag.
Waypoint Goods is a small business focused on creating travel and lifestyle accessories for women to empower them to explore the world safely. Their Travel Scarf was debuted in 2015 on a Scandinavian urban cycling trip where the founder, Caitlin, realized a purse was not an option. Each color and style has a unique story behind it that inspired the design.
Promising review: "Fabulous scarf for traveling. Hidden pocket is very discreet and large enough for cash, passport, credit cards, etc. Sturdy zipper and beautiful design. Just got back from three weeks in China. I was able to easily carry all of the above, leaving my hands free. Superior product, practical and discreet. I've since purchased two more!" —Florida Girl
Get it from Waypoint Goods for $26.25+ (available in 16 styles).
26. A soft faux-leather tote could 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: "It is hard to complain about an item that is exactly what you are looking for. Come on, the price point can't be beat, the lovely extra that came with the bag (bag scarf) is super cute. This is a bag I use to hold a few extra items for quick trips out of town. This bag is a composite product, like tennis shoes and the like. There is almost always that 'new car' smell, which is one way to describe it, for these types of items. But unlike a new car, this is a barely detectable smell, that is faint and is gone by the time you threw the packaging away. Zero complaints, will buy in other colors!" —D.S.
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in a variety of colors).
27. A 30-pack of waterproof zippered pouches to help you organize a variety of things. Parents in the reviews rave about using these to get their family organized for travel. And because they're waterproof, they'd be great for taking stuff to the beach or pool.
Promising review: "I bought these for a trip for my family of five. I like to plan in advance to make sure no one forgets anything! These were a life saver packing for three kids! I was able to create a carry-on, toiletries, wires/chargers, and snacks pouch for everyone! I used clear sticker paper to create name labels, and it all worked perfectly! Would definitely recommend if you need to travel with family and need to set things out and pack." —mommyandbri
Get them from Amazon for $19.99.
28. 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: "I bought this because of someone on TikTok who had purchased this. Extremely convenient and cute! They’re very soft and I’ve been using mine to hold cash and lip balm. I wish there were more colors!" —Michaela
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two color combinations).
29. A Hackwith Design House shirt you can wear in 6(!!!) different ways...which takes "travel capsule wardrobe" to a whole new level without feeling like you're repeating. (Though, there is *no* shame in repeating.)
Hackwith Design House is a small, woman-owned business. Their sustainable designs are made to order and sewn in their Minnesota studio. Their sizes run from XS–4X. On Mondays, they also release limited-edition designs so you can be one of only 25 people to own a piece!
My colleague Chelsea Stuart owns this and loves it. Here's what she has to say:
"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! I've worn it tied in the front giving me a square neck (like the middle picture) and tied in the back giving me a V-neck up front (just like the photo on the right) — both were super comfortable and I didn't have to adjust myself at all. As someone whose weight fluctuates, I also 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!"
Get it from Hackwith Design House for $145 (available in women's sizes XS–4X and in four colors).
30. Plus, a fly fishing utility vest with tons of storage pockets on it as an extra layer on your plane that'll let you technically carry on much MUCH more than what you can cram into your personal item. And depending on your trip's adventures, it'll come in handy for all kinds of wear!
Awhile back I saw a TikTok where someone wore one on a plane and thought it was genius, but I sadly can't for the life of me find that TikTok to link now. Though lo and behold, a week ago while flying out of Newark, I saw someone using this hack in action! I did something similar on a trip to Iceland where I loaded up my coat pockets to avoid paying to bring a carry-on bag for my flight.
Promising review: "Very nice light wear, very comfortable and convenient during traveling, good quality and good looking/design! Just order your regular size!" —xiao jie wang
Get it from Amazon for $19.59+ (available in men's sizes S–3XL and nine colors).
31. OK this has nothing to do with packing BUT it's def multiuse: A five-year Global Entry membership that'll *also* include TSA PreCheck for when you're getting out of Dodge. So on your next international trip you can quickly go through the TSA PreCheck line stateside and then breeze through customs on your way back into the U.S. I have it and it's SO worth the cost and trouble of doing an IRL interview. I recently traveled back from Grand Cayman with Global Entry and made it through customs in ~5 minutes in comparison to my friends who don't have the service and waited 1.5 hours.
I put off getting TSA PreCheck and even Global Entry for YEARS despite flying ~10x a year because I'm a person who likes to get to the airport early and have getting through security down to an efficient routine. However, my breaking point was July 2021 when I had to wait soooo long at the airport when coming back to the country from Croatia (I had Mobile Passport at the time, but the machines were broken so I had to wait in line with everyone else). I went to Italy about a month later after signing up for Global Entry and coming back into the country was a breeze. I just had to let a machine take my picture, print out a receipt with said picture, and then place it in a nearby TSA agent's open palm. Then onto baggage claim! I've since used the Global Entry portion seven times and the TSA PreCheck about two dozen times since getting it. So I feel as if I've already gotten my money's worth in less than two years.
Apply with the Department of Homeland Security for $100. Once you're approved, you have to do an in-person interview and if approved on the spot, you can have your TSA PreCheck and Global Entry privileges available immediately. I just so happened to find a date for my interview the day before I flew to Italy and was able to update my boarding passes and flight reservations with my info to reap the benefits ASAP.
BTW, check out my tips for travel during the pandemic.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.