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1. An Apple AirTag so you can easily track your bag's location if the airline decides to send your checked luggage to Rome while you're headed to Paris.
2. A packing list pad because even though you said "don't let me forget my sunglasses" to your partner, chances are you'll prob still wind up leaving them behind. This pad is really well thought out, giving you lots of space to write out everything you wanna make sure comes with you, organize it by category, and even note what should go in which bag if you want! When it's packed, check it off, and now you'll have a definitive list to look over one last time right before you head out the door.
It even has spots where you can write out where you're going and for how long, what the weather's gonna be like, if you have any special events planned, and more so you can make sure you're prepared for everything!
Promising review: "If you travel often for business or pleasure this is the list for you! It helps me to plan ahead for my trips and even has a cute little section to write in the number of days and weather for my destination! This list has become essential for every trip I take!" —Kpille1
Get it from Amazon for $7 (available in three colors/styles).
3. An impressively effective Hairbrella so you can keep your hands free while protecting your flawless vacay hairdo from sudden downpours. It folds up super small, making it a great thing to toss into your bag if you don't have room for an actual umbrella. Plus, it's satin-lined to help avoid dryness and frizz when the time comes to free your locks!
Hairbrella is a Black-owned small business that specializes in hats that protect hair from all kinds of weather.
Promising review: "Works like a charm! So...of course, the day I get my hair done, an unexpected torrential downpour occurs, and I have NO umbrella. But...I DID have my Hairbrella in my bag! This was the first time I would get to try it out since I purchased it, so I was REALLY hoping it would live up to its hype. I loosely pinned my hair up with a few bobby pins, secured that sucka in place, and took off! While I looked like I just exited a dunk tank after my valiant sprint to my car, my hair was BONE DRY!!! 🙌🏾 Not a drop of moisture hit my hair. Hairbrella is the TRUTH!!!" —Lina
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in two sizes and seven colors).
4. A digital luggage scale because there's nothing worse than getting to the airport and finding out that you have to pay an overweight luggage fee *or* frantically move stuff out of your checked bag into your already-stuffed carry on while the entire line behind you watches in judgement.
Promising review: "We use this in every trip to avoid paying for extra weight as we travel internationally quite often. I have tested in several ways and also always note the weight number in the airport. After several trips, I can say that the accuracy of it is right within 2 pounds. I've had it for almost two years and I am still using the same batteries." —Cass Young
Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in eight colors).
5. A lightweight money belt so you can keep some extra cash safely and discreetly tucked away when traveling to unfamiliar places.
Promising review: "Wore this belt on a recent 10-day trip, with several hundred dollars neatly folded in its full-length zippered pocket. The bills (USD) had to be folded lengthwise, in thirds, and for practical reasons, in stacks of four to five (or less). My belt had room for four such stacks, so theoretically, $2,000 could be comfortably carried in complete concealment. The nylon buckle was perfectly adequate for its purpose, and nothing about the belt would indicate its hidden purpose. Well worth it." —Tony B.
Get it from Amazon for $12.59+ (available for pant sizes 20"–50" and in seven styles).
6. A resealable travel-size pack of antibacterial wipes in case the Airbnb isn't quite as clean as it looked in the pics. You'll also feel better about touching the tray table and arm rests on the plane after you've given 'em a little extra wipe down.
7. A genius Wallet Ninja that manages to squeeze *18* different functions into a pocket-sized, credit card-shaped object so you're ready for anything your trip throws at you! It's a bottle opener, can opener, eyeglass screwdriver, regular screwdriver, phone stand, ruler, hex wrench, fruit peeler, box opener, nail puller, and so much more!
The card includes an eyeglass screwdriver, letter opener, nail puller, ruler, bottle opener, can opener, box opener, cellphone stand, hex-head nut and bolts, screwdrivers, and a fruit peeler. Reviewers said it is TSA-approved, but some had to remove it from their bag and put it on the belt by itself just to be safe.
Promising review: "This is definitely helpful to have on hand! The Ninja is small and slim but punches above its weight class in terms of usefulness. The tools are all things you might find yourself searching through a drawer for and are useful in a pinch.
You obviously aren't going to be able to construct a deck with anything on this credit card-sized device, but it fits comfortably in your wallet and will help you open a beer or tighten a screw. The coolest feature that I couldn't find on most other similar products was the credit card phone stand. It is great for planes and other travel applications (I haven't had trouble bringing this on a plane anywhere I have traveled, FYI)." —Mary
Get it from Amazon for $14.89+ (also available in packs of two, three, and five).
8. An all-in-one universal wall adapter so you won't have to worry about not having the right one when traveling internationally.
The charger can be used in Europe, the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Russia, Asia, Central America, South America, and the Middle East.
Promising review: "If you travel a lot, especially internationally, this is a must-have because you have every kind of adapter on one plug and don’t have to worry about constantly buying a certain adapter every time you travel to a different country. This has it all." —Abby Santiago
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in four colors).
9. An insulated phone case in case your destination's weather winds up causing your phone to die from overheating or freezing — of course, *right* when you are trying to use the GPS to find your way. This'll protect it from extreme temps!
Promising review: "This case does what it claims to do! My husband has to leave his phone in his truck at work ~often in below freezing temps~ which kills his battery. But the battery has rarely dropped below 80% with this case! The battery did drop below 25% when he forgot the case...once! He hasn't forgotten it since!" —Mindi
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in three colors/patterns).
10. A pack of Tide To Go stain removing pen to save the day and remove those unexpected stains that happen while you're exploring (and eating) your way through a fun (but potentially messy) trip.
Promising review: "These were a lifesaver. I was walking to the bus and decided it was a great decision to drink coffee while walking. Like a scene from an infomercial, I spilled coffee all over my white shirt. Yes, the classic coffee on the white shirt. Luckily I had one of these in my bag (I put one in each of my most-used purses in anticipation of my clumsiness). I went into a store bathroom and quickly scrubbed the Tide To-Go on my shirt. All of the coffee blobs went away and once the awkward wet splotches dried up, my shirt was perfectly white again. You've got yourself a big fan, Tide." —NAD
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $7.74.
11. A portable door lock you can easily attach to pretty much any regular door in *seconds* without needing any tools or causing any damage to the door. It'll help you feel safer when traveling alone or staying in any hotel rooms, Airbnbs, or guest houses that feel like they could use an extra layer of security. Then when it's time to depart, it's super easy to remove and small enough to travel with!
Promising review: "I’m a flight attendant and swear I live in hotel rooms and needed extra security, and these seem to be the talk in the airline world so I order myself two. It took me a YouTube video to figure out how to install them and yes very easy and very secure. Safe sleeping is important and I’m glad I have these." —Elizabeth C. Breton
Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (also available in multipacks).
12. And a tiny, portable doorstop with a built-in security alarm designed to 1) emit a loud, high-pitched sound when door pressure is applied and 2) prevent the door from opening or being pushed in. The alarm is loud enough to wake you and possibly even neighbors so you can feel extra secure while staying in an unfamiliar place.
Promising review: "This small, but very capable product out performed itself on our recent vacation with our grandkids. While his mother and sister slept, our 3-year-old grandson tried to sneak out of their motel room. Fortunately, we had given our daughter one of these alarms. He only managed to pull on the door and the very loud alarm sent him running back to bed. He never tried to get out again. Would highly recommend this product." —evie
Get it from Amazon for $13.25.
13. Some collapsible hangers in case the place you're staying doesn't provide enough to handle your *extensive* travel wardrobe. They fold to be super compact and luggage-friendly!
14. A compact, carry-on friendly portable espresso maker that lets you use Nespresso pods to make a perfect cup of coffee no matter where you are! It'll come in handy if you're trekkin' through nature miles away from the nearest cafe *or* if the coffee at your hotel isn't quite up to your usual standard.
Promising review: "The best thing for traveling ever!! I have to have espresso every morning and most small hotels and gas stations don't have espresso coffee so this is perfect! Easy to use. The cleaning takes 30 seconds; just rinse with water and let it dry." —Joanna Verdeja
Get it from Amazon for $54.90 (and here are some Nespresso pods to go with it).
15. An acupressure anti-nausea wristband if you tend to battle feeling ill on planes, boats, buses, or roller coasters. It applies pressure to the acupuncture point on your wrists, which some say helps reduce nausea and vomiting. Therefore, it can help you feel less anxious that you'll get sick while everyone else has a grand ol' time.
Read more about travel-related motion sickness from The Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: "My car sickness has been getting worse for years. I drive often with my family back to my hometown about five hours away. I put these on and was finally able to ride without constantly fighting nausea. They fit comfortably and I quickly forgot they were on. This feels like a simple, cost efficient fix." —Breya Porter
Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.53.
16. A lifesaving sunburn soother you'll be glad you brought on vacation after spending a little too long soaking up the sun. The hydrating combo of aloe and coconut oil will quickly absorb into your skin and instantly get to work, providing you some much needed, gentle relief. A lot of reviewers even say it helps prevent peeling and itching!
Promising review: "Pleasantly surprised that this works great. My husband tried on his pale skin that got burnt then I tried on mine that got burnt. Nonsticky, smooth, smells fresh, and the next day I got tanned skin instead of irritated skin. When I get burned, I get red spots the next day all over and start itching like I got a skin rash or allergy to something. With this, none of that happened. Love it!" —S.B
Get it from Amazon for $7.69.
17. A pack of Dr. Frederick's Original Better Blister Bandages in case those shoes you thought would be comfortable to wear while trekking around *all* day long decide to turn on you. These'll protect any resulting blisters while helping them heal, and reducing the pain from friction so you don't have to spend the rest of your trip in agony.
Each pack comes with bandages to fit your heel, toe, and foot. People who wear heels also recommend these!
Here's why BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord loves them:
"As a blister-prone human, I swear by these. A few years ago, before I invested in these running socks that prevent blisters, I got a blister on my big toe so unspeakably large and painful that I am cringing even TYPING about it, and no amount of rest from running seemed to heal it; it just kept coming back. I finally used one of these bandages, and the pain was virtually gone from the moment I put it on. It was also so airtight that nothing got inside, and it didn't loosen in the shower. You're supposed to take it off when it loses adhesive so it can come off gently without disturbing the blister if it hasn't fully healed yet. After using two of these in a row over the course of a week and a half, my blister was finally healed up enough that it stopped coming back."
Promising review: "So glad I thought ahead to buy these before going to Italy. I had new fashionable shoes and low-cut socks, and we did 10 times more walking than I had anticipated. I tried the shoes on for an hour and got a blister. Wore these for 10 days in Europe and had zero issues, total comfort, left them on for multiple days through showers. I’ll never travel without these again." —Paul Hinman
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in four types of packs).
18. A rechargeable handheld fan because nothing ruins a care-free vacay vibe like sweating your buns off on day three of sightseeing under the blistering sun.
Here's why BuzzFeed editor Ciera Velarde loves this:
"I bought this to take on a summer trip to Disney World and let me tell you — it's the only way I survived!! Every day got well into the 90s, but I kept this pointed at my face whenever I wasn't soaking up air conditioning. I was seriously impressed with how powerful it was and how I instantly felt less sweaty. The charge lasts about a day if you use it sparingly (or a few hours of continuous use), so make sure to charge it nightly if you're on a trip. The fan has three speed settings, and it folds so you can prop it up on a table."
Promising review: "I have ZERO complaints!!! My sister got married outdoors and I decided I needed a fan as I sweat a lot. Suffice to say I LOVE IT! I was cool the entire time in the sun, it has a handle and is not too big which makes it easy to tag along any- and everywhere. You won’t regret this purchase." —DIONNE HOOK
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in two colors).
19. A Hackwith Design House shirt designed to be worn over *five* different ways so you can keep your look fresh on your trip without having to pack a whole lot of clothes!
Hackwith Design House is a woman-owned small business that creates made-to-order apparel. This shirt can be worn as a V-neck, off-the-shoulder, boatneck, V-back, and even open as a jacket.
Promising review: "I’m being honest when I tell you this is the most 'worth-it' top around. I read a review from some frequent flyer who claims this is her go-to for flying. She said aside from the top’s flexibility — which allows much less packing as the top itself looks and behaves like four shirts and a jacket — it’s a savior on planes because it allows you to get into a usually overheated plane, and to weather the transition to iceberg that happens about 20 minutes into most flights, and it holds its shape and looks great. I was skeptical, as I do not have the money to blow on someone else’s opinion, but my husband told me to try it as I have the same issues with temps. Long story short, I got it. It’s a gorgeous fabric despite my usually hating the ribbed thing. It’s nice. REALLY nice. Yes, it’s extraordinarily flexible, and yes, it’s like a jacket. There is a travel shirt Santa Claus. Ordering in the off-white now. Glad I read the article, and glad I bought the shirt. You should, too." —Mary B.
Get it from Hackwith Design House for $145 (available in women's sizes XS–4X and in five colors).
20. A super slim, luggage-friendly portable laptop power bank in case you have to do some surprise work somewhere without a nearby outlet.
Check it out on TikTok!
There's also a second USB so you can charge your phone at the same time! And it has a little screen to let you know how much charge is left and how long it's going to take to fully charge your device.
Promising review: "Bought for travel. On one day where I needed to use the phone more, I realized that my phone was low on power but was able to connect it to the power bank. It charged very quickly, and I was able to keep going without disruption. Quite a relief! It, of course, has just a bit of a heft to it, as expected with a battery like this, but nothing too bad. It’s compact enough to be easily portable (I tucked it into a pocket of my tote)." —MAB
Get it from Amazon for $99.99.
21. A skyline mini wallet emergency kit small enough to toss into your purse or backpack so you'll always have helpful essentials like lip balm, a floss pick, an extra hair tie, a bandage, earring backs, and more available on the go. You even get to choose the location of the skyline you want on this cute and helpful vegan leather wallet!
Anne Cate is a woman-owned small business based in Cleveland, Ohio that hand-makes minimalist keepsakes with a skyline from more than 100 cities and colleges around the world! These kits are made to order so they should ship in 7-10 days.
The kit includes a hair tie, ChapStick, two floss pics, a sewing kit, bandages, emery board, two safety pins, two earring backs, a makeup wipe, two bobby pins, two mints, a deodorant wipe, a Shout wipe, a tampon, hand sanitizer, and Tylenol.
Promising review: "I got one for myself and one for my daughter. I love how compact this emergency kit is. It fits in any purse. I would suggest and recommend for anyone. I’m sure it will lighten a purse for many by condensing it into this one small emergency kit." —Eileen M.
Get it from Anne Cate for $25 (available in a wide variety of skylines).
22. Tushy's travel bidet in case the place you're staying is a little ~behind~ the times when it comes to butt-care. This collapsible, travel-friendly bidet is easy to use and super effective *without* requiring any batteries or charging, making it great for campers and backpackers!
Promising review: "We've had the original Tushy for a few years and love it, so we really miss having a bidet when we travel. We were a little skeptical about trying this simple product, but it has a great design! It produces a stream of water that's not as nice as the powered Tushy but still good, and it collapses/expands nicely and looks just like a water bottle, so we don't have to worry about any weird looks in a public bathroom. There are a couple of great videos online about the best way to use it, very helpful!" —Brittany
Get it from Tushy for $29 (available in three colors).
23. A waterproof, lightweight Columbia travel jacket that folds up super small so it takes up *barely* any space in your carry-on! Even if the weather's supposed to be dreamy wherever you're headed, you'll be glad you brought this in case of a sudden downpour or chilly temperatures in the evenings.
FYI, if you have Amazon Prime Wardrobe, you can give this a spin before you buy it!
Promising review: "The jacket is waterproof and very comfortable. I like the bill on the jacket hood that keeps water from dripping into my eyes. A surprise was discovering that there are 'secret' inside mesh pockets perfect for securing things you don't want to fall out of your pockets or get snatched." —Paula Renfro
Get it from Amazon for $35.95+ (available in women's sizes XS–3X and a variety of colors).
24. A roll-top dry bag in case your bathing suit or other items are still wet when the time comes to pack up and head to the airport. Since you probably don't want everything else in your suitcase to wind up damp, stick the wet items in this compact bag made from waterproof and water tight nylon so they don't drip all over your laptop or dry clothes.
Promising review: "I bought this bag for a summer trip, and it exceeded my expectations. I had this with me when I was poolside, in the pool, on a catamaran, during water-based excursions, and all items inside remained dry! This bag also works well for non water-based activities." —Deja C.
Get it from Dagne Dover for $25 (available in two colors).
25. Pedialyte powder packets because it's easy to overexert yourself while traveling and end up feeling a little run down (or... uh... hungover). This powder is much tastier than electrolyte tablets, and it simply dilutes into your water to give you an extra boost when you could really use it — making it great to *always* have on hand when traveling.
Here's why BuzzFeed shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly loves this:
"~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: "I always have it with me. I travel a lot and I’m super busy so I will forget to drink enough water (I live in a VERY hot climate) so these drink packets save the day often." —ashley v
Get a 24-count from Amazon for $25.59 (also available as a pack of eight).
26. A stroller cover you can simply throw over your baby's stroller to keep them dry when the dreaded vacation rain strikes out of nowhere.
Promising review: "A must-have for vacations. This rain cover and mosquito net was perfect for our vacation! It fit over our stroller nicely and was great for the two-day trip we took to Cincinnati as some days we used the net, and one day it rained when we went to the zoo, so we used the cover! The baby didn't get overheated inside and was a happy camper since he could see through it. Very easy to use and worth every penny!"—Tlake33111
Get it from Amazon for $16.80+ (available in two colors).
27. An essential-oil migraine stick because nothing spoils a fun trip like a lousy headache. This is a perfect portable option for those moments when you'd rather not rely on prescription meds, but still need something that might help take the edge off so you can enjoy the day.
Read more about aromatherapy and stress and tension at Johns Hopkins.
Promising review: "Very impressed with this product, and honestly, I didn't think I would be. As a lifelong migraine/headache sufferer, not a whole lot has worked for me other than prescription meds — which I really don't like to take too often but need to because my headaches are incapacitating most of the time. I recently used the roll-on, and within 10-15 minutes, my headache was gone. It started to come back last night before bed, and I used it again, and again it took it away. Now, I knew it wasn't going to be a migraine headache — they feel different when they come on, but for a regular headache, this worked wonderfully! I still might use the prescription for a migraine, probably in conjunction with this, as it really is soothing and nice." —carrie
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
28. Some laundry soap sheets you can use to hand wash your clothes in the hotel sink if you've run out of outfits and can't imagine finishing out your trip without something clean to wear.
Promising review: "This came SO in handy during my vacation to Europe! I was making lots of different stops to places with different types of weather. With these laundry soap sheets I was able to wash my clothes in the sink — letting me pack just the right amount of clothes for all the different places I went." —Katie Fujarski
Get it from Amazon for $9.02.
29. And a portable bug bite suction tool that reviewers say helps reduce itching and swelling from a mosquito, bee, or wasp sting. It literally SUCKS the venom right out of your skin — making it great to have on hand when your travels take you into the great outdoors.
Note that the suction can be pretty strong, so use caution and try a small amount of suction first before working your way up if necessary.
Promising review: "I am a magnet for bites of all kinds and carry topical and medicines with me at all times — so I figured this would be a good product to see if it really works. I woke up with a bug bite on my arm so I used this little tool (three times per the instructions) — immediately after using, it stopped itching! And less than 24 hours later the bump/bite gone! There is a very faint red mark from using the thing, but a small price to pay IMO. Bottom line: it’s awesome. I’m carrying it with me everywhere!" —Rebecca
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three colors).
30. And finally, some odor eliminators because no one wants to travel with a carry-on full of stinky, sweaty post-vacation clothes and shoes, especially if you packed light and have been wearing the same thing for a few too many days now.
Promising review: "Stinky shoes be gone! These guys are on the smaller size (1”x3” each) so I put two each in my size-10 women’s shoes when I pack them up for travel. I LOVE that they make the stinks go away. They don’t add any particular scent either. It’s just a neutral sucking up of the 'stop wearing those shoes' scent blues. I’ve used them in my favorite ballet flats and shiny sneakers. My dog approves." –Izzi
Get a set of 12 from Amazon for $13.98.
Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.