Don't Leave Home Without the Best Travel Accessories (2024)

Updated on 09/23/22

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The Trtl Travel Pillow is a frequent traveler favorite for a reason. This travel pillow is applauded for its excellent design, but putting it on does take some getting used to. Unlike other travel pillows, you can’t slip it around your neck and go. A Velcro patch allows you to wear this more like a scarf, with the plastic inner structure keeping your neck and chin propped up. While our tester dealt with some confusion trying out the travel pillow for the first time—for example, it was unclear that the pillow is only meant for the left side of your face—she was impressed by the comfort. The fleece cover is machine-washable, something our tester loved, and the entire thing weighs mere ounces.

This charger from Anker may be small, but it packs a lot of power. You’ll get more than one charge out of this device for some of your tech. More specifically, it’ll charge an iPhone XS and Galaxy S10 twice and an iPad mini 5 once. The overall design is much sleeker than some competitors, with a matte black finish and a simple LED indicator light to tell you when your device is fully charged. For smaller devices, the charger uses something called trickle-charging mode. This delivers smaller bursts of power for smaller devices without damage.

If there’s one thing that could make a long, frigid flight a little cozier, it’s a blanket that doubles as a full-body sweater. The Wrap 4-in-1 Travel Blanket from Travelrest also acts as a pillow when stuffed into its travel case, lumbar support, or use its carrying case as an additional space for storing travel essentials. The best part is that it’s easy to wear as a full-body blanket—you won’t have to wiggle in and out of it or disturb your seatmates in the process.

If there’s one thing that will set apart a travel umbrella from the rest, it’s whether or not it’s windproof. This is a feature you didn’t know you needed until you really need it. This travel umbrella from Repel is not only small enough to toss into any carry-on bag, but it’s coated in Teflon and designed with resin-reinforced fiberglass ribs to keep the structure sound through the strongest of gusts. Our tester found that this umbrella withstood strong winds and dried quickly, and the thoughtful design makes it easy to open and close.

If the sharp smell of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is something you can’t stand in an open-air environment, chances are you’ll be kicking yourself for spraying it mid-flight. That’s where this delightfully scented hand sanitizer from Dr. Bronner’s comes into play. The lavender spray goes a long way and comes in packs of two or six bottles. In fact, it smells so good it could double as an air freshener. Plus, it ditches the harsh chemicals that dry out your hands while still maintaining the power to kill as many germs as the more industrial hand sanitizers.

Leatherology makes high-quality, affordably priced leather goods, and their passport covers do not disappoint. This case has two pockets, one of which is for your passport, and four credit card slots. While there are plenty of pockets, some reviewers note they are a bit small, making removing and replacing cards difficult. There are 17 colors to choose from, including options with RFID-blocking or premium leather, which cost a bit extra. The 11 standard colors cost $70, and all use soft, full-grain leather, and the passport wallet can be customized with debossing or handpainted leather for an additional fee.

Compression socks can be tricky: Find a pair that’s too tight, and you’ll keep yourself up the entire flight. But wear a too loose pair, and you’ll miss out on all of the benefits (less swelling, sore muscle relief, and better blood circulation). These compression socks from Physix Gear Sport use a stretchy yet durable Lycra fabric that hugs your leg. Because they’re so breathable, you won’t be trapped with a claustrophobic feeling mid-flight. Our tester noted that the socks reduced swelling even after a short wear without leaving marks. Though, like many compression socks, they can be a bit difficult to get on.

There are countless situations in which you would be thanking yourself for tossing a tote bag into your suitcase. That tote bag should be Baggu’s Cloud Bag, which looks fantastic and would pass as an everyday bag and is highly durable, thanks to recycled heavyweight nylon. You can fit an entire change of clothing, a laptop, all your travel accessories, and more (probably) inside it. Plus, it packs down into its own travel pouch and comes in four different colors.

Packing cubes are what separate the seasoned traveler from the newbies. Investing in a solid set can help you add multiple outfits' worth of space back into your luggage. This five-piece packing cube set from Calpak comes in 12 colors and prints. Each set includes a 17-inch cube, a 15-inch cube, two 12-inch cubes, and a 13-inch cube. For those who value organization above all, there's also a spot where you can drop in a hand-written organizing label.

There are all kinds of toiletry bags but find one that hangs, and you’ll be thanking yourself for years of vacations to come. This bag from Bagsmart can be easily hung from a shower or a bathroom hook, meaning you don’t have to overload the sink space with all your toiletries. Available in five colors, each bag has five units for storage: two zippered pouch units and two larger storage units with zippered pouches and slots for smaller items. The primary units are designed to keep bottles upright.

These Bose headphones have three levels of noise cancellation power built into them. You can choose if you want to completely tune out, eavesdrop on the conversation behind you, or hold (at least part of a conversation) while still wearing them. They’re easily packed thanks to a compact travel case and can run for 20 hours off a single charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What travel accessories do I need for a long flight?

  Accessories vary between travelers, but comfort will be a priority on long-haul flights. A good pair of noise-canceling headphones, compression socks, and a travel pillow or blanket will go a long way.

• What are good travel accesories?

  Good travel accessories depend on your trip, but generally, a power bank, luggage lock, hand sanitizer, and travel pillow are good for every vacation.

• How to pack accessories for travel?

  If you expect to use an accessory during a flight (like a blanket, headphones, or neck pillow), put it in your item underneath the seat for easy access. Accessories like power banks, compression socks, or hand sanitizer are also best kept in a carry-on.