Reading Time: 5 minThere’s no denying it — travel can be stressful. But with the right items in hand, even a lengthy trip can be significantly more relaxing.
Over the past year, I've added many new items to my "must-have" travel list. And truly, some of them have been an absolute game changer.
My full packing list always depends on the trip — and who’s coming with me. But to give you a head start, here are 9 items I never leave home without.
If you're like me, sleeping on a plane is the worst. It’s a challenge to get comfortable, and there’s a decent chance you end up with a crick in your neck.
With endless pillows on the market, I've gone through my fair share. But recently, I added the FlyHugz Neck Travel Pillow to my haul, and I was extremely happy with it on my 14-hour flight home from Tokyo.
This pillow is covered with breathable, sweat-resistant, super-soft fabric that's machine washable, and the pillow itself fits into its own travel bag. With several positive experiences under my belt, it's my new go-to travel pillow.
The Anker 30W Portable Charger is a recent addition to my travel packing list — it replaced an older charger that didn't offer as many features. I can get two full charges on my iPhone with the Anker thanks to its 10KmAH in power. And it's fast — it can charge my phone up to 50% in just 26 minutes.
But my favorite feature is its built-in USB-C cable, which means I don't have to carry an extra cord with me.
If you’re traveling internationally, a travel adapter is a necessity. And having one adapter that works in over 200 countries is ideal.
With the Saunorch Universal International Travel Power Adapter, you can charge up to five devices simultaneously, with access to one USB-C port, three USB-A ports, and one A/C socket.
I love the small size of this adapter, and have used it to charge my phone, my iPad, and my daughter’s MP3 player all at once with no issues.
A few years ago, I tried packing cubes for the first time, and I was hooked. I never realized the benefits until I tried them. But let me tell you, they’re amazing.
Not only do packing cubes compress my clothes and let me fit more in my suitcase, they keep my clothes and accessories organized while traveling. I’ve tried a few different brands, and truthfully, the Amazon Basics are some of the best, especially at such a low price point.
To take it one step further, each person in my family of four has their own color-coded cubes. Call me crazy, but it truly allows each family member to find their clothes easier and keep track of their individual items.
Sticking with the packing cubes theme, I recently added BAGAIL Compression Packing Cubes to my packing strategy as well. On my recent trip to Japan, my goal was to pack as light as possible so I would have space for souvenirs on the way home.
These incredibly impressive packing cubes compressed my clothes to the next level. But I was glad I had both these and the Amazon Basics cubes, as I used them both since they fit different needs.
Apple AirTags are a must-have to keep track of your checked bags, carry-on bags, and even your backpacks and purses. While I've been using them for quite some time, I recently purchased another pack to add them to even more of our travel items, such as our carry-on backpacks.
Just slightly bigger than a quarter, you can easily attach an AirTag to all your essentials. Then in the event your luggage gets lost, misplaced, or even stolen, locating it is significantly easier with this tracking device.
At an inexpensive price point, this useful tracker can give you the peace of mind needed on your next trip.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are one of the best over-the-ear headphones when it comes to air travel. With noise-canceling capability and a battery life of up to 30 hours, you can easily drown out your flight’s background sounds, allowing you to focus on your work or even sleep better throughout the trip.
I personally just used these headphones for my 14-hour flight home from Tokyo and found them extremely comfortable. And with their folding design and carrying case, they were easy to throw in my backpack.
While I personally prefer a true over-the-ear set of headphones, my daughter has become a fan of earbuds. This led us to buy a set of Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation, and they've worked out amazingly well.
These earbuds drown out the noise around you, while still being designed for all-day comfort. But if you want to connect wireless headphones or earbuds to your plane's inflight entertainment system, make sure to have an AirFly Pro Wireless Transmitter to create a Bluetooth audio connection between the two.
Over the past year, I've flown a handful of overnight flights in economy, both domestically and internationally. I tried out a few eye masks at home, and ultimately decided on the FACEMOON Weighted Eye Mask for my flight (as did my daughter).
The mask is extremely comfortable, blocks out all the light around you, and truly allows you to sleep on board. I had a ton of success with it!
Do you have a credit card with American Express, Discover, or U.S. Bank? Check to see if you’re eligible to get a discount on this and many other products by using your credit card points.
