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 pair of compression socks in case you've accepted aching, swollen feet as a reality of long travel days — I'm here to tell you it doesn't have to be that way. These apply gentle pressure to help keep swelling down *and* provide support for your heels and arches so your feet aren't a complete mess after an international plane ride and full day of sightseeing.
Read more about compression socks for travel at Johns Hopkins and The Huffington Post. Plus! Check out our full Physix Gear compression socks review for more deets.
Promising review: "With three weeks of international travel coming up, I purchased these to combat swelling in my feet during the flights. I had begun to notice swelling after three-hour domestic flights so I was worried with almost 30,000 miles on the horizon. I wore these on every leg of the trip and never noticed any swelling — even after the 10–15 hour flights. I am very pleased with these and would highly recommend them. They are very comfortable, too!" —J. Beaty
Get them from Amazon for $18.57+ (available in unisex sizes S–XXL and in 13 colors).
2. A set of travel compression cubes with a genius double-zipper system that'll press out excess air and condense the clothes to reduce bulk, letting you bring *way* more on your international vacay.
You'll also be able to plan and pack specific outfits together, leaving you with a perfectly organized bag that won't turn into a mess by the end of your first travel day.
Promising review: "I love the bright colors and patterns — these bags are adorable!! I bought them ahead of an international trip where I only wanted to travel with a carry-on bag. They were perfect and I was utterly amazed by how much each one would hold. I was easily able to roll and stuff a weeks worth of items into each bag and compress them. I love these and don’t plan to take any more trips without them! I highly recommend this set!!" —SandraDee
Get them from Amazon for $16.95+ (available in 10 sets).
3. Or, for a particularly long stint of travel, vacuum storage bags that'll squeeze out every bit of air and increase your storage space by a whopping 80%. If you're traveling with bulky apparel like coats and sweaters — or just want to bring a wider variety of clothing options — they're a lifesaver.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Jasmin Sandal is a fan: "I swear by these bad boys not only for general storage purposes, but also if I know I'm going to be traveling for an extended period of time. Plus, the satisfaction is indeed guaranteed because when you see those chunky layers flatten into a pancake...it's just *chef's kiss*."
Promising review: "These Spacesaver vacuum bags are awesome! With having a lot of luggage to take with me on international flights, every inch of space counts, and seeing your clothing and other materials reduced by 80% makes these bags a wonderful and necessary purchase. Two thumbs up, I highly recommend this product!" —Thomas G Wintringham
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in four sizes as well as other multipacks).
4. An Apple AirTag designed for simple one-tap setup with your iPhone or iPad, and thanks to its integration with Apple's Find My network, you can find lost items from very far away. Stick this in your luggage or on your backpack while traveling for extra peace of mind!
Promising review: "Used the AirTag for my luggage after hearing about the nightmares of other travelers for months regarding their lost luggage. Had a transfer of airlines in an 'international' airport (domestic). Upon landing my luggage was a no-show. The transfer-to airline was trying to say my luggage never made it to my second layover, to which I was able to reply that my luggage was at the airport we had just left from, and could provide them with the exact geolocation of said luggage. My luggage was quickly found, flown halfway across the country, and delivered to my front porch within six hours. I would highly recommend an AirTag for any checked luggage." —Kindle Customer
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly had a similar positive experience using her AirTags during international travel — you can read her story here (#14)!
Get it from Amazon for $27 (also available in a four-pack for $79.89).
5. Cushionaire slides made to fit your feet like a glove thanks to the flexible cork footbed and supportive, padded insole. They've garnered over 53,000 5-star ratings, and over 900 reviews (!) draw comparisons between these and Birkenstocks, with many claiming they're just as comfortable for a fraction of the price.
Prime members: You can try before you buy!
Promising reviews: "I bought these sandals before a three-week trip in Europe; I didn't want to pay for Birks but did want something in similar style with good arch support. I was a little skeptical about the low price, but gave them a shot...and they were the MOST comfortable sandals I've ever owned. I walked over 120 miles in them in three weeks on our trip and never once had foot pain. Highly recommend." —Han Lin
"Bought them for a recent trip to Morocco 🇲🇦 did not break them in before the trip and did not needed to. These are the perfect walking sandal. You can dress them up or down. I truly loved them and will get more colors." —Joy
Get them from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in women's sizes 6–12, including wide sizes, and 20 styles).
6. A blissfully comfy, ergonomic Trtl neck pillow in place of that bulky neck pillow that's an absolute *pain* to lug around while traveling. It's waaay more space-efficient and lightweight (not to mention more ergonomic and comfortable).
It also easily attaches to backpacks and luggage handles (see the photo on the right), weighs less than half a pound, and is machine washable!
Promising review: "We took a 15-hour flight to and from Australia and this thing supported my neck perfectly. I had no neck or back issues the entire time we were on vacation. Last time we were on an international flight, I was so uncomfortable on the plane and suffered from back and neck pain the entire trip. Not this time. Highly recommend this for any long international flights over any other travel pillow on the market." —Kate V.
Get it from Amazon for $47.99+ (available in four colors).
7. Or an inflatable wedge pillow for anyone who's ever laid their head on one of those hard seat-back airplane tables in a futile attempt to sleep. This lets you lay your head forward on comfortable cushioning, with a hole in the middle your arms can go in for support.
Promising reviews: "Used this on my last long overseas flight and it made it much easier for me to sleep both with my head down and leaning against it next to the window. It is easy to blow up and to expel the air. Highly recommended." —Joyce Pollack
"After using it for the first time on my 13 hour flight to Tokyo, I will never fly without it again! If you're traveling with a companion, it was also very comfortable being used between two people. I especially love how there are holes for your arms and can be used at different angles/positions. It made for a very restful flight overall." —Elizabeth B
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
8. A pack of TSA-approved luggage locks to guard your suitcase or backpack against being unzipped and rummaged through, especially if you're staying on your own in a public place like a hostel.
These are opened with a key, ideal if you're worried about forgetting a combination. If you're staying in a hostel where you'll have access to a locker, consider picking up these heavier duty combination locks with long steel shackles to keep your belongings safe. I used something similar (both locks on my suitcase and lockers) when I was traveling in Asia and staying in hostels, and it definitely brought peace of mind.
Promising review: "My husband and I used these for our carry-on luggage for our trip to Japan. We didn't want to trouble ourselves with bulky luggage, but also wanted to know that our personal items would be safely and securely locked during naps on the plane, or while leaving our things behind while we walked around during the day. Not only were they incredibly sturdy for how small they are, but we also loved the peace of mind of knowing that our locks would not get broken in the event security needed to search our things at the airport. Highly recommend." —Jason and Skye Watkins
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $14.99.
9. A 3-in-1 magnetic wireless charger that folds up *so* small but can juice up your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch all at once! It's so slim, you could literally carry it in your pocket (and free up your backpack for other items).
Promising review: "This charger saves space, minimizes wires, and works as advertised! I keep this in my travel tech bag, and it worked great on two international trips since I made the purchase (international adapter required unless the hotel has USB-A or -C outlets). I highly recommend this for all domestic and international travelers!" —Jonathan
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in nine colors).
10. A sturdy, lightweight eight-compartment pill organizer so teensy, it'll fit into the palm of your hand — because consolidating them into this > packing half-empty bottles for a trip. Leaving behind your prescription meds isn't exactly an option, but they don't have to be a space-hogger, either.
Promising review: "These were fantastic for a trip to Europe, one of the best buys for the trip. Kept everything sectioned, dry during rain storms, super easy to use, and small enough that it didn't take up much space. Highly recommend these." —Eric
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $6.97+ (available in three color combos).
11. A travel wallet that has an RFID-blocking shield material to protect your personal information from being scanned unawares. Plus, it'll keep your travel documents (passport, ID, boarding pass, etc.) all organized and in one place so you're not fumbling to remember which pocket you hurriedly shoved it in last (so you can stay focused and alert to the situation around you).
The wallet has a passport pocket, boarding pass compartment, three credit card slots, an ID slot, a slim card pouch, slim pocket, a ticket slot, a cellphone pouch, a coin zippered pocket, key holder, and pen holder.
Promising review: "This is such a good idea! I'm moving abroad and I do a lot of international travel. It's a really nice-looking wallet, and consolidates every travel item that usually gets lost in a travel bag. It fits my passport, credit cards, ID, cash, boarding pass, coupons/receipts, and coins. It also can fit a key if needed. I use the tiny pocket to keep my international SIM cards safe. It's also RFID scanner-proof, which means I don't have to constantly be putting my cards/passport in the annoying, crinkly RFID sleeves. I would highly recommend this for anyone who travels; it makes it much easier." —Larissa
Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in 38 colors).
12. A 2-in-1 hair tool so you can stop making room for both your curling iron and straightener in your suitcase — this will take up literally half the space and give you ~options~ for how you want to style your hair every day. Reviewers swear by it for international travel — it's dual-voltage!
If you don't already have one, be sure to grab a universal adapter for plugging into foreign power outlets.
Promising review: "Recently traveled to Eastern Europe for three weeks and having a compact, easy to use, and quality straightener and curling iron was SO NICE! Highly recommend for any trip where you have to be mindful of how much you pack." —alyssa petersen
Get it from Amazon for $39.95 (available in black or white).
13. A hanging toiletry bag that might just be the GOAT of toiletry bags considering it seemingly breaks the laws of physics to fit in more bottles and tubes than you ever thought possible. Bonus: It has a built-in hook for hanging it so you can see what's inside each transparent compartment at a glance *and* save that precious hotel counter space.
Promising review: "We used these on an international trip with several smaller trips as part of the itinerary so there was a lot of moving around. They were awesome! Held everything we needed and more. It's so nice to have everything in one place — hang in the bathroom wherever you land and go! The compartments easily hold full-size items such as body wash. The zippers and plastic casings on the compartments are substantial and durable. Highly recommended. Don’t know how we ever traveled without them!" —Tom S.
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in nine colors).
14. A high-speed Anker power bank small enough to keep in your bag and powerful enough to keep your phone from dying when you're not near an outlet (a situation you *definitely* want to avoid while in foreign countries). It's capable of recharging your phone and other devices many times on a single charge, and two at the same time thanks to dual USB ports.
For a frame of reference: On a single charge, it can recharge an iPhone 8 almost seven times, a Samsung Galaxy S8 five times, or an iPad Mini 4 twice. (BTW, if you travel with a Nintendo Switch, this can charge that too!) Four LED lights on the power bank show how much juice it has left!
Promising review: "I travel a lot and I only fly international. My trips are either 36 hours (door to door) to Asia or 25 hours to Eastern Europe. I spend a lot of time using my Bluetooth headphones, cell phone and tablet. Whether it is watching movies, playing games or listening to music and books, I go through a lot of juice. This battery provides tons of reliable power. I can recharge my phone, headphone, and tablet several times and not make much of a dent in my reserve. I even let friends recharge without any concerns about running out. Excellent and highly recommended." —Jeff in Texas
Get it from Amazon for $49.99.
15. A 50-count set of laundry soap sheets for easily washing your clothes on the go so you can wear them on repeat and not have to fill up a bulky "dirty clothes" bag over the course of your trip. They'll come in clutch whether you're hiking or camping or just don't want to use your hotel's expensive laundry services — plus, you can pack them in your carry-on since they're non-liquid!
These work best with hand-washing! If you have quick-drying clothing you can pack, even better.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly uses these: "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 last summer where I carried on only and rewore outfits several times."
Promising review: "Purchased to take on an Africa safari where there was limited water for washing. These worked perfectly for travel and small for carrying with us on safari. Highly recommended for anyone who is traveling and needs a quick and efficient soap to wash with." —Candi
Get a pack of 50 from Amazon for $11.08 (also available in hand soap sheets).
16. A teeny-tiny Gillette Venus travel razor to pack in place of your full-sized razor and kit, especially if you're embarking on a longer trip and need to pack as lightly as possible. Your baby-smooth skin is going on vacay with you!
It comes with a little carrying case, and one blade lasts for up to 30 days! It also works with other Venus refills.
Promising review: "I am a minimalist, but you do need the essentials especially when traveling abroad. This little mini razor came in so handy, and you hardly even know it’s in your toiletry bag. It’s so small but big enough to get a good grip and shave. I always bring this little razor with me whenever I travel. I love the compact size. Highly recommend for a space-saver when traveling." —Deb H.
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
17. An inflatable foot rest you *need* if you're taking little kids on a long international flight, since it'll allow them to fully stretch out and take a nap (instead of asking "how much longer?" twice every hour).
If you're in the first row of the cabin without a seat in front of you, you could also use this yourself to fully straighten out your legs, like this reviewer did.
Promising review: "My kids loved it because they could lie down, cover their eyes, and block out the noise to sleep peacefully on our long international flight. Would highly recommend to families of young kids who are traveling on long flights!" —Winema Poti
Get it from Amazon for $21.24 (available in four colors and also in a two-pack).
18. Silicone travel bottles for transferring your shampoo, conditioner, face wash, and other essential liquid toiletries into so you don't have to toss them out when it comes time to go through security. These'll keep you under the 3.4-ounce limit, but they'll *also* keep your travel bag lighter and more space-efficient.
PS: It also comes with pre-printed labels and a handy, clear zipper pouch!
Promising review: "Just took a trip to the Dominican Republic and used carry-on luggage only throughout the entire trip, never once was questioned about the size. The bag they are in seems thin, but it worked great to put bottles back in as well as some smaller items fit in the bag, too, like lip gloss, mascara, and such. The holes are big enough to get your product into the bottles without any complications. My fiancé and I had plenty of shampoo, conditioner, sunblock, and lotion for seven days. Highly recommend these bottles; they are perfect for carry-ons!!" —Stephanie Miller
Get a set of four 3-ounce bottles from Amazon for $11.99 (available in a variety of sizes and colors).
19. A reusable collapsible coffee cup because proper caffeination is *essential* to travel but space for your usual bulky thermos is...nonexistent. This can handle hot *or* cold drinks with a temp-resistant sleeve to protect your hand, and when you're done, it folds down for stashing in your bag.
It's also microwave-safe! Note that the 12-ounce size does not include a straw, but both the 16-ounce and 24-ounce sizes do.
Stojo is a small biz founded by three New York dads who wanted a better way to get their convenient coffee fix without all the waste. Now they make stylish collapsible essentials in a variety of sizes and colors, including bottles and food storage containers.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Danielle Healy has this and loves it. She writes: "This is of the first zero-waste swaps I made and I've never looked back. If you buy to-go coffee — whether you're jet-setting or just grabbing a mid-day pick-me-up — this cup is a must-have. So long as you remember to bring it, it's all the convenience of to-go coffee with none of the waste. It's leakproof and, when you're all done, it collapses down teeny tiny and can be tossed back in your bag. Oh! And it comes with a straw, so all you iced coffee lovers can get in on the action, too."
Promising review: "Ordered this cup for a trip to Europe. Folds and fits perfectly into a suitcase. The straw is very convenient to prevent spills. Highly recommend." —CindyA5
Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in four sizes and in 24 colors).
20. A rechargeable handheld fan if you're constantly dabbing sweat off your face and hate being hot more than any other feeling on this earth (same). For warm-weather travels, this little gadget will become as essential as your phone, wallet, and bottle of SPF — which you finally won't sweat off your face.
The fan has two speeds and can be recharged by any USB cable.
Promising review: "Bought this for a trip to Europe — lots of walking and hot temps. This little fan was a lifesaver. It's easy to carry in my crossbody purse, lasted a long time per charge, and is really powerful (and has two settings). I used it over and over on a 17-day trip. I am so, so glad I bought this. Highly recommend!" —Lee
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in 10 colors).
21. An Airfly wireless transmitter so you can connect your AirPods and other wireless headphones to that ancient airplane seat display and watch movies or TV shows without having to pay for that crappy pair the airline gives you.
You can also connect up to two pairs of earbuds at a time, and it has 16+ hours of battery life for suuuper long flights.
Twelve South is a husband-and-wife-owned biz based in Charleston, South Carolina, and has just 20 team members! They've been designing accessories inspired by and made for Apple products since 2009.
BTW, BuzzFeed Shopping editor Chelsea Stuart can vouch for this genius device: "Last year I splurged on some AirPods Max and for the amount of money I threw down on them, I was determined to get as much use out of them as possible and that included on plane rides. With the AirFly Pro, I can connect my headphones via Bluetooth and use the seat-back screen without having to fiddle with the free wired headphones they hand out that 1.) have horrible sound quality and 2.) don't fit my ears in the slightest. (I swear my ear canals are tiny or something??)"
Promising review: "Used it on an international flight so I could listen to the movies with my Bose QC35 and AirPods Pro. The battery life is long! Kept going even on a two-leg 21+ hour flight and still had some charge left on it. Highly recommended!!!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $54.99 (available in two colors and two other styles).
22. Or a universal phone mount, aka a GAME CHANGER if you spend your entire flight watching downloaded content on your phone. Take your travel genius a step further and *mount* it on the back of the seat in front of you so you can lean back and watch comfortably without ending up with neck pain after a few hours.
Perilogics is a small business creating hyper-functional tool holsters and bags for carrying your stuff on-the-go.
Promising review: "I recently returned from a trip to Australia and Hawaii and purchased this gadget specifically for use on the plane as I like to watch movies that I download to my phone. In a word, this gadget is awesome! The spring that is used for mounting is pretty heavy duty. It requires a bit of effort to attach. But that's actually a good thing because it ensures that it won't shake off in turbulence. The silicone pads also help to prevent slippage. The holding arm rotates, so you can set it at the perfect angle. During meals, because I didn't have anyone sitting next to me, I mounted it to the tray table in the empty seat so I could read while I ate. I just attached it and rotated the arm to a comfortable viewing angle. And get this: It folds down small enough to fit into a pocket! I highly recommend this item!" —Brendan
Get it from Amazon for $12.97+ (available in three colors).
23. Crocs wedges proving how cute *and* comfortable a platform heel can be. Reviewers swear by them for travel and any occasion where lots of walking is on the agenda, and the rubber makes them a breeze to clean. Get ready for everyone who sees them to be shocked when you tell them the brand.
Prime members: You can try before you buy!
Promising review: "If you are looking for a shoe that is cute and comfortable, look no further! This shoe is everything! I wore this shoe all day long walking through the streets of Paris and Florence. And when I say walk, I mean walk...some days up to 10 miles. I brought three other pairs of shoes and ended up wearing these pretty much every day. The platform heel was just the right height, and the sole was almost like memory foam and seemed to absorb the pressure from all the standing and walking. The straps did not rub my feet and were easy to open, close, and adjust. Great shoe if you are on the go! I would highly recommend." —Jay
Get them from Amazon for $35.96+ (available in women's sizes 4–11 and 16 styles).
24. A travel pouch that attaches to the side or front of your bra so there's *zero* chance of a expert-level pickpocket snatching your purse and leaving you empty-handed without money or identification, especially when you don't have a travel companion around to help. It can hold your smallest essentials: credit cards/cash, a hotel key, a photo copy of your passport, etc.
Promising review: "This worked so well on our trip to Europe! Some of my pants did not have front pockets and I wanted to keep the bulk of my money/cards somewhere that wasn't easy access for others. I generally kept around $20 or less in my back pocket, the same in my backpack, and extra cash and my cards in this hooked to and tucked in my bra! I highly recommend this as an alternative money/credit card holder. I loved that I forgot it was there!" —Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in pink and black).
25. A digital luggage scale so there aren't any surprises when you get to bag drop-off and have to heave your suitcase onto that big scale. (The *last* thing you need is a last-minute fee — that's souvenir money!) Toss it into your suitcase so you can weigh in before your return flight too, since chances are you'll come back with more than you left with.
To use, just hook the scale to your luggage handle, lift up, and the LCD display will show the weight! You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements.
BTW, Elizabeth recently put this scale to the test while packing for a trip to Iceland — check out her demo of how it works on TikTok!
Promising review: "This portable luggage scale is so worth it! I do a lot of international travel and love the peace of mind before going to the airport, knowing that I am not over the limit. Highly highly recommended!" —Lori
Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in six colors, as well as a two-pack and another style).
26. Noise-reducing inflight earplugs that'll be a godsend for anyone who experiences painful pressure and ear popping when the plane is landing or taking off. They'll also reduce the noise from that loud passenger behind you who's already telling their life story to their neighbor. Sweet, sweet relief.
Promising review: "I will never fly without these again! I have always had issues with my ears and the air pressure on airplanes and not being able to pop my ears after landing. This would cause issues once I got to my destination that were frustrating. I used these on my last flight, which happened to be international, and had zero issues with my ears when I arrived. Highly recommend!" —Dawn B
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $25.95.
27. A wheeled carry-on bag if you always board as early as possible to ensure there's enough overhead bin space for your bag. This bag can fit underneath your airplane seat, AND it rolls so your shoulder won't be aching the whole flight from hauling it across several terminals.
Now you won't even have to pull your suitcase outta the overhead!
Promising review: "Perfect for a 14-hour flight!! This little rolling piece is AH-MAZING! It fit nicely on top of our larger suitcase — had a strap so that the handle slipped right in there to hold it. But the best thing was the amount of pockets and clear pouches — when you're flying on an international flight and you are sitting in coach, you HAVE to be organized to survive. I knew where I stashed everything to make our flight comfortable. I would HIGHLY recommend this small suitcase — you won't regret it!" —SS 7700
Get it from Amazon for $51.78+ (available in three colors).
28. Or Solgaard's genius Carry-On Closet that, honestly, might make you forgo the price (and headache) of checking a bag for good. Its built-in compression and organization will help you pack your carry-on as efficiently as possible, with a six-tier pop-out shelving system that'll let you bring along all of your cutest 'fits for roaming the world without a bulky full-sized suitcase.
Psst: Its lining is made with plastic from coastal communities that otherwise could have ended up in the ocean! The smaller size is accepted as a carry-on by all international airlines, including European budget ones, while the larger one meets all US airline standards.
Promising review: "I travel a lot, especially internationally, and the ease of rolling the luggage through airports as well as the simplicity of the closet piece in and out of hotels and Airbnbs is invaluable. Highly recommend." —William M.
Get it from Solgaard for $279+ (originally $345+; available in two sizes and seven colors).
29. A very handy universal waterproof cellphone pouch so your next watery adventure doesn't mean the end for your iPhone, Galaxy, Pixel, or whatever phone you have. Now you can take pictures while you're out swimming, kayaking, or tubing without worrying about your phone getting splashed or dropping into the water. (Because you can wear this around your neck too!)
Promising review: "I bought this case for a trip to Aruba and couldn’t be happier. Tested with a piece of tissue in the sink and was successful so I put it to the test in Aruba and couldn’t be happier. I was able to capture some awesome videos of the underwater life that I never would have been able to without the case. The touch screen function is okay outside of the water but is inexistent when submerged. Camera quality is still excellent as long as the lens is clean. Highly recommend." —MattEagles
Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in 14 colors).
30. A fanny pack to keep your important documents, cash, phone, passport, and other essentials *literally* close to your chest while traveling through other countries. The strap is long enough to wear crossbody or around your waist, which keeps your arms and hands completely free. Psst — people say it's very similar to Lululemon's belt bag, which is over double the price.
Elizabeth says, "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: "This is one of the best purchases I've made. It was perfect for international travel — highly recommend." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $14.38 (available in 26 styles).
31. A set of Sea Bands because nothing ruins a vacation like motion sickness, whether it's from a cruise ship, ferry, bus, or rental car. These genius wristbands work subtly by targeting acupressure points on each wrist, which can help relieve nausea and vomiting.
Promising review: "Last-minute purchase before my Mediterranean cruise. Worked like a charm, wore them the entire cruise to combat seasickness. Anytime I took these off (to shower for example), I started to feel nauseous pretty quickly. My cabin was at the very front of the ship and I felt the effects of the sea all day every day of my seven-day cruise. Would highly recommend these, they worked great for me!" —Elizabeth A Rodriguez
Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.53.
32. A portable safe to give yourself peace of mind when your hotel room doesn't have its own safe, or you're on the beach and want to go for a swim without fretting over your valuables. You can set your own four-digit combination, place your items inside, and even attach it via cable to a fixed object for extra security while you go about your day worry-free.
Elizabeth says, "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 a bunch of 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: "This portable lock was great and came in handy while traveling abroad to keep my personal belongings and cash secure. It is also discreet and doesn't appear to be a safe, so no one actually knows what it is or what's inside. I would highly recommend it to anyone in need of protecting their items not only while traveling but in general." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $23.98+ (available in two colors).
33. A stick of Gold Bond Friction Defense here to save you from the eternal hell that is thigh chafing during long, hot days of walking. This lifesaver of a product is easily applied (and TSA-safe!) thanks to its stick form, and it works to reduce friction while moisturizing skin in a nongreasy way. You can apply it for defense before chafing even starts!
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Ciera Velarde is a huge fan: "I've used it for about 12 years now and it's the only thing that I can trust to prevent that dreaded chafing after a sweaty day of walking around. It glides on perfectly, it's unscented, and it doesn't melt away when you start to sweat. If it's a particularly hot day out, it can start to fade after a few hours, so just make sure to bring it with you to reapply. In addition to preventing chafing between my thighs, I've also applied it on my arms where my sports bra rubs against them when I run and it works like a charm!"
Promising review: "I purchased this to take with me on a mission trip to Belize. I applied this in the morning, after my shower but before we began our 8-10 hours days in temps around 90 degrees. Let me say this worked flawlessly. I never had any issues with raw skin. I highly recommend this." —Richie
Get it from Amazon for $6.28.
34. And an anti-blister balm for when you know you're going to be walking all day with sweaty feet and there's a chance of blisters — now you can nip them in the bud before they even have a chance to form. Reviewers swear by how effective this stuff is — you just apply it before you put on your shoes, and you'll be free of blisters, chafing, and rawness at the end of the day.
Promising review: "I bought this for our trip to Portugal where we walked 6-10 miles every day on hills and cobblestone. I applied once at the beginning of the day and never got a blister. I even brought a pair of sandals that rub my pinky toe if I wear them too long and no blisters. Would highly recommend." —Jenny E
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
35. A weighted sleep mask because yes, you've probably seen other seasoned travelers wearing sleep masks on long flights, but this one doesn't just block the light from the window shade your neighbor refuses to pull down. It puts gentle pressure around the eyes (but not *on* them) for a comforting, heavy feel that'll have you drifting off into snooze land...in...no time... 😴
Promising review: "Bought this for a long flight to Europe. Love the eye pillow. It blocked light well, the strap is good, I like the beans in it and the criss-cross stitching on the eye ball areas. I now use at home every night because my husband insists on having the TV on every night in bed. Recommend this highly." —R. Spen
Get one from Amazon for $14.99.
36. A bungee cord made to strap your handbag, duffel bag, or coat to the top of your suitcase so it can double as your own personal pack mule as you dash through the airport. That leaves one of your hands entirely free for a quick Starbucks stop on your way to the terminal — and your shoulders free of all that extra weight.
Promising review: "We picked one up before our recent 9-day international vacation. With our kids being little, they can't carry much. So my husband was wrangling most of the luggage in between porters, while I needed my hands free to keep the kids close. This gadget more than came in handy. I don't how we ever traveled before without one? It was so fast and easy to secure and open back up! I think I will order a second one just in case we have a bigger pile next time :) Better than an extra pair of hands!! I highly recommend these!" —Maletchs Mommy
Get it from Amazon for $15.75.
37. Some reusable bottle bags because you already know you're gonna be bringing fancy wine and olive oil back from your European getaway, but you definitely *don't* want any spillage in your bag. Pad them with clothes in your suitcase and the bottles should arrive just fine, but if you *do* have any breakage, this bag seals in all liquid so you don't have a huge mess on your hands.
JetBag is a small business specializing in creating bags to protect your wine and your stuff. It's designed with absorbent padding on the inside, so in the event that the bottle breaks, it won't get everywhere in your luggage.
Promising review: "I bought these bags before a recent trip to Germany, so we could bring back some German Riesling! We bought six bottles and they fit in the bags nicely (Riesling bottles are taller than typical wine bottles). Even in a duffel-style bag, they all arrived home safe and sound. We packed them among soft things to cushion any impact. They don't have thick padding in them, but it was enough to keep them safe. Highly recommended!" —The Good Life
Get a set of three from Amazon for $14.99 (available in four colors).
38. A HappyLuxe travel wrap in case the temps are all over the place while traveling — plus, airplanes are *always* freezing. You can wear it as a scarf, shawl, or full-on blanket anytime you start to feel a little chilly, without adding any bulk to your luggage.
Promising review: "Love! Love! I bought this to use on our trip to London and Edinburgh because I knew we were going to spend a lot of time traveling. We traveled in October so we weren't sure how chilly the weather was going to be. This was perfect to throw in a large purse (it folds up pretty compact) or wrap around myself as a scarf. I also used it as a blanket on the airplane. I highly recommend it!" —Whitney
Get it from Amazon for $44 (available in nine colors).
39. Blondo Villa ankle booties, a chic close-toed option available in suede and nubuck leather that's waterproof! These boots were made for walkin' up and down cute streets filled with antique shops and more.
Prime members: You can try before you buy!
Promising review: "I recently returned from a trip to Barcelona where I wore these all day for several days. We walked about six miles a day, and I had no discomfort. (They’re significantly more comfortable than the pair of Cole Haan Chelsea boots that they were bought to replace.) It rained pretty heavily one day, and I found these to be completely waterproof. What’s more, the rain did not seem to affect the boots at all; they still look brand new. They also look great for work with tights. All-around great shoe. I’m very pleased with the purchase and would highly recommend them." —HEO1121
Get them from Amazon for $129.95+ (available in women's sizes 5.5–11, including wide sizes, and in 10 styles).
40. A simply stunning (and TSA-compliant) set of Cadence Capsules made for packing your various pills, lotions, cleansers, and accessories in perfect travel-sized amounts. Not only are the colors and labels fully customizable, but these lightweight capsules also click together magnetically so everything's easy to find in one area of your suitcase.
Cadence is an AAPI woman-owned small business that was founded by Steph Hon with the goal of eliminating single-use travel-sized plastics. The containers are made from recycled ocean-bound plastic.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Abby Kass is a fan: "I recently got a set of four of these, and, wow, I love them so much. 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 along. They do hold a surprising amount. They 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."
Promising review: "I have been looking to buy a set for a long time and finally pulled the trigger. I was happy to use them on a four-night international trip. No leaks, no TSA, no problems. I had enough supply even for a 5 night getaway. I highly recommend them." —Meredith O.
BTW, you can also build your own collection of seven or 12 Capsules with a variety of different container sizes, labels, etc. And check out all of their different container sizes + bundles here!
Get a set of six from Cadence for $76 (available in many customizable labels and seven colors).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.