32 Travel Musthaves You'll Be Amazed You Ever Lived Without — From $10

By Travel Destination 06 Mar, 2023 Post a Comment

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If you're like us, you spend the better part of the year dreaming about all the travel you will do. But whether this is the year you're finally going to take that Southeast Asia adventure, or "White Lotus" inspired you to book a Sicily trip, or you're all about the weekend getaway to that cozy cabin upstate, you'd better make sure that, along with the hotel stays and restaurant reservations, you've got the right travel accessories.

From the toiletry bags that will help you stay organized to the best face cleanser to wash off the plane grime to the neck pillow that will make that 12-hour flight fly by, these 32 must-have travel accessories will make your travel easier, more comfortable and less stressful.

How we chose the best travel accessories

We looked to TikTok travel influencers, bloggers and other frequent jetsetters for our top picks. We also tapped Misty Belles, Vice President of Global PR at Virtuoso, a travel network, to get her take on what to look for in travel accessories. In addition, we scoured online reviews and tried out quite a few products ourselves to develop this list of travel accessory must-haves.

Click on a product category below to learn more, or keep scrolling to see all of our travel picks and FAQs.

Best travel accessories for long flights

Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones 700

Noise-Cancelling Headphones 700

Noise-Cancelling Headphones 700 $ at Amazon
Noise-Cancelling Headphones 700 $ at Walmart
Noise-Cancelling Headphones 700 $ at Target

It's pricey, but with a 20-hour battery life and 10 different noise-reduction levels, Bose's Noise-Cancelling Headphones will get you almost anywhere you need to go while softening every type of background noise available.

RUNNER-UP: If the Bose pair is above your budget, one of Shop TODAY's editors currently uses and recommends the Phiaton 900 Hybrid Noise-Cancelling Headphones, which are a couple hundred dollars cheaper. They're lightweight, have a long battery life and do indeed block out noise (at least in a noisy office).

FitKicks

Classic Collection Foldable Shoes

Classic Collection Foldable Shoes $ at Amazon
Classic Collection Foldable Shoes $ at Walmart
Classic Collection Foldable Shoes $ at FitKicks

Shoes are not the most comfortable things on long flights, but going in socks can be questionable. Enter: FitKicks, lightweight slipper-like shoes with rubber soles. Stash these in your carry-on and swap them out for a long flight. They also work great as slippers in a hotel room and can easily be put in the washer or washed in a hotel sink.'

Everlasting Comfort Airplane Footrest

Ergonomic Adjustable Foot and Heel Hammock

© Amazon Everlasting Comfort Airplane Footrest - Ergonomic Adjustable Foot and Heel Hammock - Memory Foam Portable Air Plane Flying Travel Foot Rest - Long Airplane Flight Accessories for Feet (Black) (Amazon / Amazon)

Ergonomic Adjustable Foot and Heel Hammock $ at Amazon

It feels like there's never enough room for our limbs anymore when we travel via airplane. Good luck finding a position that's truly comfortable in an airplane seat. But while we can't guarantee this "foot hammock" will solve all issues of discomfort when flying, dozens of reviewers say it helps.

"Not everyone can afford a first class airline ticket, but [this] is a game changer. It’s lightweight, foldable in a very handy storage bag, easy for me to put on my backpack and carry around. All you have to do is slip it onto the tray table, and the person seated in front of you may not even notice," one Amazon reviewer reported, adding that they also use it while working from home. Just note that, if you have a lot of stuff under the seat in front of you, it may not work, others added.

The footrest, which has adjustable straps, is made of 100 percent memory foam and comes with a convenient carrying case.

Ostrich Pillow Go Neck Pillow

Luxury Travel Pillow with Memory Foam

Luxury Travel Pillow with Memory Foam $ at Amazon
Luxury Travel Pillow with Memory Foam $ at UncommonGoods
Luxury Travel Pillow with Memory Foam $ at Nordstrom

Made of compressible, high-density memory foam to help with its 360-degree natural ergonomic neck support, this comfy neck pillow, from sleep and self care brand Ostrich, is also one of the most stylish on the market. Its best feature, however, may be that you can remove the cover for washing.

RUNNER-UP: If the Ostrich is slightly too pricey, we also like Cabeau's Evolution S3, an equally unique take on the typical neck pillow, but about $20 cheaper.

Trtl Pillow

Neck Support Travel Pillow

Neck Support Travel Pillow $ at Amazon
Neck Support Travel Pillow $ at Trtl

Lightweight and easy to pack, we love this travel pillow's softness. It also provides excellent shoulder and neck support on long flights and is machine-washable. Just ask Shop TODAY associate editor Fran Sales, who took this pillow for a spin on her five-hour flight back from Utah to New York City — and who had to wait another five hours, into the early morning, because that flight was delayed.

"I knew I needed to get some shuteye at the airport if I were to be functional after getting off the red eye. Luckily, it did indeed support my neck — so well, in fact, that I fell asleep completely for a few blissful hours before boarding," she reports.

EO Sanitizing Wipes

Cleansing Wipes, French Lavender

Whether taking one long flight or multiple flights in 24 hours, these single-use sanitizing wipes are a must-have for disinfecting items. They also work great when it comes to cleaning messy hands after you attempt to eat that hastily-packed sandwich. Amazon sells them in packs of six.

Ostrich Pillow Eye Mask

3D Ergonomic Mask

Getting a night of good sleep, whether in the form of a nap on a plane or a whole night in a new hotel room, can be a challenge. The Ostrich Pillow eye mask makes it a bit easier. It adapts to your face while blocking out all light — so you can go ahead and sleep deeply wherever you are.

One Amazon reviewer, who likes the mask, shared the following feedback: "Unless you sleep very still, I don’t think it works really well in bed. However, I used it on an long plane ride and it was perfect since you sleep in a seated position, [and] it stayed on the whole flight."

riemot Luggage Travel Cup

Luggage Travel Caddy

Luggage Travel Caddy $ at Amazon
Luggage Travel Caddy $ at Walmart

If you're like us and like to travel with a coffee in one hand, a wallet in the other (we load up on snacks before our flights!) and a phone in our back pocket, this two-cup travel caddy is for you.

Made of a sturdy-feeling fabric, this cup holder easily slides onto the handle of your luggage, and when not in use, it folds up for easy stowing. It has three pockets: two holders in the front that can hold up to a 32-ounce water bottle (according to one reviewer, though it's marketed to be able to hold only up to 24), and a back pocket that can hold smaller personal items like your phone.

The material, while sturdy, is also stretchy enough to be able to fit an array of luggage handle sizes. Plus, it's machine-washable (always a plus).

Best travel bags and backpacks

“For shorter trips, I can’t stress enough the value of packing carry-on exclusively when you can,” says Belles of Virtuoso.

“It will save you money if you don’t have airline status that allows for free bags. It will speed you through your arrival airport so that you’re first in a cab or Uber while others are crowded around a baggage carousel," Belles explains, adding, "Most importantly, it ensures that your belongings arrive with you. Even if you end up needing to gate-check your carry-on, it’s still worth it.”

We found these picks to complement your carry-on luggage — so you can avoid baggage claim.

Everywhere Belt Bag 1L

Everywhere Belt Bag

Hand sanitizer, wipes, phone, hotel card—stash them all in an easily accessible spot thanks to the TikTok-famed Everywhere Belt Bag, a Shop TODAY favorite (that's often sold out!). The only thing it can't do is hold your water bottle.

These are rapidly selling out (again) at every retailer we looked at. But, Lululemon also sells a fleece version of the Everywhere Bag, or you can go for this Amazon No. 1 bestseller in the retailer's Fashion Waist Packs category.

RUNNER-UP: One editor likes this under-$10 crossbody pouch from Muji for summer traveling. "I personally also use it just walking around the city. It's so light, it doesn't hurt your shoulder or make you sweaty carrying it [and] it's washable," she says.

Cotopaxi Nido Accessory Bag

Nido Accessory Bag

Nido Accessory Bag $ at Cotopaxi

We love how versatile this drop bag from Cotopaxi is. The bag, which has an average rating of five stars, is sturdy, stylish and sports three interior compartments; you can use it to keep a small set of toiletries organized or store many of your tech essentials.

Osprey Farpoint 40

Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack

Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack $ at Amazon
Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack $ at REI

We love a bag with a lifetime warranty, and the Osprey Farpoint offers that plus is roomy enough to hold all your essential carry-on gear. It's sturdy but lightweight enough to use as a day pack for when you reach your destination.

Dagne Dover Large Dakota Neoprene Backpack

Large Dakota Neoprene Backpack

Another solid travel backpack with a different aesthetic, we've recommended the Dagne Dover Dakota backpack before, not just for its style, but also because it's designed to slide snugly onto your carry-on's handle.

Its material is soft but water-resistant, and it doesn't lack for compartments, which include a pocket for your phone, a padded laptop compartment and a laptop sleeve.

RUNNER-UP: For an equally chic yet useful option that's hundreds of dollars cheaper, we recommend Target's Open Story Commuter Backpack, which boasts sturdy zippers, a padded laptop compartment and padded shoulder straps. One of our editors says it reminds her of Calpak's Kaya Laptop Backpack, but with an external compartment for water bottles.

Best travel organizers

Cadence Travel Capsules

Build Your 6

Build Your 6 $ at Cadence

It seems that these photo-friendly travel "capsules" are everywhere these days — so much so that it's piqued the curiosity of more than one Shop TODAY editor.

"These are a little pricey, but seem so useful! You can customize a set of 6 travel capsules and they're magnetic," one of our social editors raves. Kamari Stewart, our associate editor, was doubtful of their value for the price, but says her best friend swears by them.

"They're expensive and seemed useless," Stewart says, "but she likes them because they keep her organized. She labels hers, and they're easy to transport, so she can take all of her things and doesn't have to pick because of size/space issues."

With a near-perfect average of 4.9 star ratings among over 2,300 reviewers on the brand's site, as well as specs like being customizable, magnetic, leakproof and durable, we're convinced.

RUNNER-UP: But if you're not swayed or are balking at the price tag, never fear. You can get a similar (but not nearly as aesthetic) travel solution from Amazon. Humangear's Go Tubbs, which are made of a sturdy, BPA-free plastic material and come in packs of three, are portable and designed with a unique lid that can be operated with one hand, as well as a recessed area so that your written labels won't rub off.

Cozy Essential Travel Compression Bags, Pack of 12

12 Travel Compression Bags

12 Travel Compression Bags $ at Amazon

With an invention like this, you may question why you ever sat on top of your overstuffed luggage to seal it shut. Cozy Essential's compression bags, which come in a pack of 12 of assorted sizes, are said to be able to save you about 80 percent of storage space — and you won't even need a pump or vacuum. You simply roll out the air from the zipper side to the vent side and they'll stay compressed in your carry-on. If you would like to use a pump, it comes with one that reviewers say is easy to use.

Skeptical? We were too, but this Amazon review is pretty compelling: "We’re moving and I have lots of baby clothes I’m not ready to give up yet, as well as skinny clothes and dresses I’m attached to but sick of them taking up space. Three bags took up three huge boxes, and now I can stuff them anywhere."

Sea to Summit Travelling Light Hanging Toiletry Bag

TravellingLight Hanging Toiletry Bag

TravellingLight Hanging Toiletry Bag $ at Amazon

For a week or less of travel, this lightweight hanging toiletry bag is an excellent, inexpensive and compact way to keep your stuff organized, thanks in no small part to its slightly see-through mesh pockets. Plus, it's made of water-resistant material and comes with a shatter-proof mirror for maximum portability.

Dagne Dover Mila Toiletry Case

Mila Toiletry Organizer

Mila Toiletry Organizer $ at Dagne Dover

Baca Juga

If you don't love the look of a hanging toiletry bag, this stylish toiletry case from Dagne Dover may be the one for you. It's designed to sit pretty on a hotel bathroom sink — or even your dresser at home. Available in two sizes and several colors, it's not the most spacious option, but it has plenty of storage options: Removable dividers, a clip for hair ties and a zippered pocket for smaller items will keep all your toiletries organized.

Benevolence LA Store Plush Velvet Travel Jewelry Box Organizer

Plush Velvet Travel Jewelry Box Organizer

Plush Velvet Travel Jewelry Box Organizer $ at Amazon
Plush Velvet Travel Jewelry Box Organizer $ at Benevolence LA

This deceptively unassuming jewelry case made Oprah’s Favorite Things 2022, and it's not hard to see why. It checks off everything you need in a travel box: A chic design, a compact-enough size and shape, and still enough room to hold your essential pieces of jewelry. It even says on Oprah's site: "It’s small enough to stash in your purse." There's an array of lovely colors to choose from, including Emerald, Dusty Pink and Periwinkle Blue.

FULL REVIEW: Read about how much one Shop TODAY editor, who owns this Oprah-winning travel case, loves how chic and organized it is.

Away The Insider Packing Cubes

The Insider Packing Cubes (Set of 6)

The Insider Packing Cubes (Set of 6) $ at Away

Even if you don't have an Away suitcase, these packing cubes from the cult-favorite suitcase brand are a useful travel accessory. Available in sets of four and six in a variety of shades, the cubes compress to save space, while their mesh panel makes it easy to find what you need.

“Packing cubes help organize it all. If the accommodations will be limited in size, such as with a cruise, cubes are packed on a per-day basis, so that I can easily begin repacking when items are no longer needed,” says Belles. “Otherwise, I organize the cubes by type: slacks, blouses/sweaters, active/athletic wear, etc., and layer them by the day they’re needed.”

Away The Hanging Toiletry Bag

The Hanging Toiletry Bag

The Hanging Toiletry Bag $ at Away

Also from Away, this hanging toiletry bag is waterproof, has three mesh pockets that provide easy storage and a clear removable pouch for those prone to spilling liquid items. There's also an external pocket that's convenient for high-use items like hair ties. But remember that you may need something bigger for more than a week of travel.

Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set

Pack-It Cube Set of 3

While these aren't as stylish as some of the other packing cubes on the market, they're solidly built, and their mesh design means you can see what's in them. Plus, they hold a week's worth of clothing and keep them organized.

Bevegekos Tech Organizer Travel Case

Small Tech Travel Organizer

Tech Organizer Travel Case, Bevegekos Small Carrying Tech Kit for Electronics and Accessories, Waterproof (Small, Black) (Amazon / Amazon)

Small Tech Travel Organizer $ at Amazon
Small Tech Travel Organizer $ at Walmart

We'd like to be those people that leave almost all our tech at home, but we're never going to be. What we can do, however, is share the best way we've found to keep tech organized while traveling. Available in several sizes, the Bevegekos Tech Organizer Travel Case makes it easy to stash and find your phone charger, headphone charger and other miscellaneous tech items.

Best travel health and wellness accessories

Incredi-Heat Portable USB Heating Pad

Incredi-Heat USB-Powered Heating Pad

Cabeau Incredi-Heat Pad- USB-Powered Heating Pad for Back, Knee, etc - Rechargeable Therapeutic Heat Therapy to Ease Muscle Strain and Relieve Pain (Amazon / Amazon)

Incredi-Heat USB-Powered Heating Pad $ at Amazon
Incredi-Heat USB-Powered Heating Pad $ at Cabeau

Raise your hand if you've ever been three days away from a much-anticipated vacation — when suddenly you strain a muscle. This portable USB-powered heating pad is a must-have for those prone to muscle strains. It takes up some space in your bag, but it's easy to use and relieves pains quickly.

Fleur & Bee Rose Water Toner

Rosewater Toner

This all-vegan, phthalate- and paraben-free toner from Fleur & Bee is great for travel, especially when flying on a plane. It can go right in your carry-on bag and, thanks to soothing rosewater and the humectant glycerin, helps to refresh and hydrate skin that can become dry from traveling.

Froth Ocean Mist & Sea Salt Body Wash

Body Wash

Body Wash $ at Froth

Editor's Note: We previously recommended The Bawdy Wash, but due to some reviews about its hard-to-use opening, we decided to go for a similar pick with more favorable reviews.

Did you know that traditional liquid body washes are 70 to 90 percent water? Not this travel-friendly cleanser. Froth's Body Wash is a powder-to-lather, water-activated soap that's just the right size for travel (at just above 2 ounces). Plus, because it's not liquid, you won't have to worry about potentially violating TSA regulations. We also like that one bottle of this is equivalent to about three of its liquid counterparts, according to the brand. And once you run out, you can purchase a refill to reuse the non-plastic bottle.

Several reviewers also like that it doesn't contain any ingredients that may potentially be irritating to sensitive skin; it consists of coconut-derived cleansers, argan oil, activated charcoal and provitamin B5.

One reviewer raves, "It smells amazing; makes my body feel clean and fresh. Really great and small to take it anywhere with you! Also love how sustainable it is, and none of the ingredients are harmful to your body."

RUNNER-UP: If you prefer a similarly green pick in wipe form (and one with a lower price tag), we recommend these exfoliating, biodegradable wipes from 1Saves20 (read more about the brand below). A two-pack rings up at under $13, and the wipes include salicylic acid and charcoal extract to help rid skin of accumulated dirt, while the vitamin E nourishes. Plus: They smell great, too, reviewers and one Shop TODAY editor says.

Ouai Detox Shampoo Mini

Mini Detox Shampoo, 3 oz

Mini Detox Shampoo, 3 oz $ at Sephora
Mini Detox Shampoo, 3 oz $ at Kohl's
Mini Detox Shampoo, 3 oz $ at Ulta

We're big fans of the Ouai brand of shampoos for ourselves and our dogs, and this specialty-formulated detox shampoo from the brand, now in a portable 3-ounce version, doesn't disappoint. (In fact, one Shop TODAY editorial assistant wrote a glowing review about it.) The shampoo is a must-have after a day on trains, planes, and automobiles. It cleanses dirt, oil and product buildup while helping to strengthen your hair.

1Saves20 Refresh Hair Collection

The Refresh Hair Care Collection

The Refresh Hair Care Collection $ at 1SAVES20
The Refresh Hair Care Collection $ at Amazon

For those long-haul flights or exploration days when you may not have time to wash your hair, 1Saves20's hair bundle will help. The collection includes a hair mist that's meant to prep your hair for the dry shampoo afterward, but Amazon reviewers say the mist is fine on its own. It contains 17 all-natural, good-for-you ingredients like aloe vera, sea salt and vanilla.

Those reviewers report that it does a stellar job sprucing up next-day, unwashed hair by taming fly-aways and adding a bit of volume. They add that it smells great, and the sea salt in the formula adds a nice, refreshing touch. Make sure to spare your roots, though, some reviewers warn, as it may weigh them down or add build-up.

Instead, after priming your hair, use the dry shampoo — which is a powder you dispense with an eco-friendly pump, not an aerosol — to cleanse, soothe and liven up your scalp and roots. It does so with a blend of rice and arrowroot powders, essential oils, white peppermint and kaolin clay.

Something to note: Some reviewers say that if you don't carefully section hair off and pump directly onto your roots (being judicious with the amount), you risk having white powder everywhere.

EDITOR'S TAKE: One Shop TODAY editor can attest to the products' cleansing and refreshing powers. Having used the products together — first after a long, 16-hour day in Manhattan with a lot of commuting in between, and second after a sweaty workout in a packed gym after a nine-hour work day — her weighed-down hair that's typically more thin and fine at the roots showed more life and volume (and she didn't feel the need to wash it afterward). Her hair smelled wonderful, too, she adds.

Dr. Bronner's Organic Hand Sanitizer

Organic Hand Sanitizer Spray

Organic Hand Sanitizer Spray $ at Amazon

In our opinion, you can never pack too many hand sanitizers. They're essential for disinfecting the areas around you, beneficial for washing hands when there is no sink in sight and can even be used in a pinch to get stains out of clothing. But while some hand sanitizers can be harsh on your skin and other surfaces, this organic spray from Dr. Bronner's is gentle and smells delicious.

OSEA Vagus Nerve Pillow Spray

Vagus Nerve Pillow Mist

We've long been obsessed with the OSEA line of environmentally conscious beauty products, and the brand's Vagus Nerve pillow mist is a lovely way to wind down a day of travel (or a stressful day of work at home). Spray the soothing, delicious-smelling mist on your pillow before settling down for the night and getting ready for a good night's sleep.

Best miscellaneous travel accessories

Travigo 4-in-1 Travel Dispenser Bottle

4-in-1 Travel Dispenser Bottle

© Amazon Travigo 4-in-1 Travel Dispenser Bottle , Includes Four Empty Reusable 1.4 oz. (40 mL) Cosmetic Toiletry Containers for Sanitizer, Soap, Lotions, Skincare, Makeup Products (Blue) (Amazon / Amazon)

4-in-1 Travel Dispenser Bottle $ at Amazon

Say goodbye to having to buy travel-sized toiletries. This Travel Dispenser Bottle lets you refill four pouches with the shampoo, soap and other beauty and wellness essentials of your choice. Simple to use, you simply rotate the bottle to choose which liquid you're picking — and it's TSA-compliant.

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter

Universal Travel Adapter

Universal Travel Adapter $ at Amazon
Universal Travel Adapter $ at Walmart

If you're anything like us, you're familiar with the sense of panic that sets in three days before an international trip — when all of a sudden, you remember you need a travel adapter, realize you're not sure which type you need, and can't recall where you stashed any of yours the last time you traveled overseas.

While we can't help you find yours, we love the Epicka Universal Travel Adapter and highly recommend it. It has four plug types that will work in most countries, as well as USB ports. Go ahead and buy at least two.

Apple AirTag

AirTag

Admittedly, we've been a bit skeptical of AirTags, which are designed to be put in your luggage, so if the luggage gets lost, you can track it.

OK, say we can tell the airline where it is: Are they going to retrieve it for us? While we still don't know the answer to that after watching a particular airline meltdown over the holidays, we think it can't hurt to at least know where your luggage is.

Clearalif's Laundry Detergent Sheets

Laundry Detergent Sheets (80-count)

Laundry Detergent Sheets Up to 160 Loads, Fresh Linen - Great For Travel,Apartments, Dorms,CLEARALIF Laundry Detergent Strips Eco Friendly & Hypoallergenic - 80 Sheets (Amazon / Amazon)

Laundry Detergent Sheets (80-count) $ at Amazon
Laundry Detergent Sheets (80-count) $ at Clearalif

If you have young kids, chances are you are planning to do laundry on your trip somehow. For some, it means only renting a vacation rental with a washer and dryer. For others, it's the good old-fashioned wash-it-in-the-hotel-sink trick.

Whatever your method, lightweight laundry detergent sheets make it a snap to do laundry anywhere. They're easy to pack, and these ones from Clearalif dissolve fast and work wonders when it comes to getting out food stains.

Questions about packing travel essentials, answered

What is the most useful item for traveling?

It can seem nearly impossible say to classify items based on their importance because it depends on your purpose for traveling. Still, creating a packing checklist for packing before you leave home, and another one when you're preparing to return home, is incredibly useful for not forgetting anything.

“The most useful item for me is a packing plan, most typically done on a spreadsheet, so that the days and the items needed for each day can be separated out,” says Belles.

“When I travel for work, it tends to be longer trips of a week or more, and sometimes to different climates. There are typically day looks that are more business-like and evening events that can be anything from nice dinners to cocktails receptions or galas. Having a packing plan is absolutely mandatory to ensure I have what I need without overpacking," she adds.

What items do people most often forget to pack when traveling?

“Funny enough, it’s the little things you use every single day that are often the most overlooked: toothbrush/toothpaste, deodorant, underwear,” says Belles, adding, "The toiletries are easily replaced, and most hotels can provide you with enough to get by.”

How to make packing and traveling easier?

“Packing doesn’t have to be onerous, but it is typically [everyone's] least favorite part of traveling. Remember, you don’t have to bring it all with you,” says Belles. “Allow for the opportunity to find new things that you might love even more than your tried-and-true. Then you’ll have room to bring home what you buy, if you haven’t stuffed your bag to the gills to begin with," she adds.

A few other tips include the following: Start packing at least two days prior to your trip, pack light, save on copies of essential documents (such as your passport on your phone), and don't forget to leave some extra space in your suitcase for souvenirs.

“As for improving your overall traveling experience, there are a few services that are worth the investment: Get a subscription to Clear to facilitate getting through airport security, and secure an interview for Global Entry,” says Belles. “Both will save you time and aggravation.”

Meet our expert

Misty Belles is the Vice President of Global PR for luxury travel company Virtuoso Travel, where she's worked for the past 20-plus years. She has appeared multiple times on The TODAY Show, as well as on CNBC, Fox News Business and The View.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com