Going Somewhere? These Are the Best Travel Accessories

Let’s start with the basics, shall we? A thoughtfully-designed suitcase lays the groundwork for an enjoyable travel experience. If you’re adamant about only packing a carry-on, look for options that make good use of limited space, and that have useful design details like zip compartments and built-in compression panels.

If you thrive in an organized environment, packing cubes are likely already in your repertoire of travel accessories. Rather than stuffing your loose garments into a suitcase, categorizing your clothes and placing them in designated cubes makes packing and unpacking a stress-free experience.

In a similar vein as packing cubes, bringing along a zip bag dedicated to dirty laundry will ward off unpleasant aromas in your suitcase and make it easy to drop all of your wash-ready clothes in the hamper when you get home.

There are few greater tragedies than arriving at your vacation destination with a tangled web of jewelry. Skip the headache of detangling and invest in a small jewelry pouch that allows you to keep your necklaces, earrings, and bracelets separated with ease.

Eschew the dreaded ‘suitcase smell’ and slip a hard fragrance into your luggage to keep your garments smelling fresh. While you don’t want anything overly pronounced, aromas that are clean and simple should do the trick.

No matter your mode of transportation—car, train, plane, or otherwise—a large tote or duffel bag that can hold all of your essentials is key. Look for options that have thoughtfully designed interior compartments, durable materials, and clever details like a trolley sleeve.

For those who have a knack for overpacking, a luggage scale is godsend. Not only does it give you the peace of mind that you won’t be charged extra at the airport, it also saves you time at the check-in counter. As well, a luggage tag—both analog and AirTag—are useful accessories for ensuring your baggage never gets permanently lost.

Limited leg space makes extracting anything from your tote bag an irritating feat. The solution? Zip pouches that are organized by item category. For example, keep chargers and adaptors in one pouch, essential items like your wallet and keys in another, and toiletries such as chapstick, hand lotion, and face mist in another.

Among the more stressful travel situations one can experience is a missing passport. But if you have yours tucked away in a beautifully-crafted holder, it’s harder to misplace. Look for passport covers that allow you to monogram your initials and those designed with additional pockets for things like boarding passes and foreign currency.

Avoid paying double the price for a water bottle at the airport and invest in a reusable water bottle that’s easy to slip into a tote bag or carry-on. Not only will it remind you to prioritize hydration before flying, it’s also friendlier to the environment.

Embarking on a long-haul flight and anxious about how you’ll fare? Begin with your wardrobe. Changing into a new pair of socks and simple slippers goes a long way—just be sure to secure your travel footwear in an odor-free plastic bag as a courtesy to your fellow passengers.

Sleeping on a plane is, simply put, unenjoyable. But with the aid of a few accessories, it can mean the difference of a few hours of sleep versus zero hours of sleep. Begin with a silk eye mask to block out any light, followed by a neck pillow that allows your head to hang forward or sideways comfortably, and end with earplugs made from moldable or expandable foam.

On an airplane, there’s not much to be done about a screaming baby or snoring neighbor, but one action you can take to reduce these annoyances is slipping on a pair of noise canceling headphones. Even more so, they’ll keep your ears from experiencing pressure or pain often caused by plastic headphones that are supplied by the airline.

Translate your self-care routine to the friendly skies by packing up a toiletry bag of items that help you feel refreshed. Face mist, lip balm, hand cream, face moisturizer, and eye drops are all worthy items to add to your list, as are tide wipes for unexpected spills and a travel toothbrush and toothpaste.

Never underestimate the power of a simple pen and paper. If you’re landing at an international airport, there’s a good chance you may have to fill out paperwork before landing. Or, if your phone battery dies, having a piece of paper you can jot down boarding gates or crucial information on is an unexpected lifesaver.