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37 Things You’ll Buy For Your Travels And Then Find Yourself Using All The Time At Home
You’ll pat yourself on the back while you’re on vacation and also at home for these buys.
1. A compact travel cable organizer with a place for just about every one of *your* and every member of your family’s devices and corresponding cables so you don’t get everything tangled up while searching for that ONE cord. Oh AND this is waterproof in case your seatmate (or toddler) spills water all over your stuff.
Promising review: “This case has been amazing for storing my earbuds, various loose cable connectors, chargers, etc. I am using it right now on a trip, and it has been fantastic for keeping these items in one convenient, organized place. It is lightweight and fits easily into my one carry-on item when boarding the many flights I am taking. I’m pretty sure I will still be using it to keep all these items together and more easy to locate when I return home! I am so glad I bought this!” —V. Elia
Get it from Amazon for $9.85+ (available in 27 styles).
2. A 2-in-1 nausea relief inhaler you can even slip into your day bag or shorts pocket in case you start feeling a bit whoozy. Reviewers say it helps with random nausea, motion sickness, morning sickness, and just feeling quite a bit icky. Simply inhale it or rub it on the tip of your nose to enjoy the “I’m feeling better” benefits.
Promising review: “Took this on my first cruise. Anytime that I started to feel woozy I’d reach for it. I’m sure the required act of deep breathing helped a lot — and breathing in the fragrance of the essential oil is very calming and effective. Worked for me! Wonderful!” —Willy&Lilly
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in a pack of four).
3. Or a set of Sea Bands with a little nub that’ll target the acupressure point on your wrists meant to help reduce nausea. This’ll be great in case anyone gets motion sick in the car or on a boatride.
Promising review: “FLIGHT ATTENDANT APPROVED! They work. 100% of the time.” —Jessica
Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.47.
4. Lumify Eye Drops to one-up any other redness-reducing eye drops you’ve previously tried. Getting the best deal meant taking a red-eye flight and then having boots on the ground in Dublin at 6 a.m. local time but you’ve got PLANS and things to see! Pop in some of these for some not-so-scary pics of you exploring a new city.
Promising review: “I have a big spot of blood vessels in the inner corner of my left eye. I use the expensive lubricant eye drops for moisture — I’ve used Visine, Clear Eyes, you name it. No eye drop has made my eyes look this great. Only Lumify! I was soo happy when I looked in the mirror and saw some beauty in my eyes instead of darkness and redness.” —Angela Leonard
“Your tired red eyes might not feel any better, but they will look white. I have dry eyes and allergies, after a day of flying (flight attendant) they’re red itchy and burn. I only use the drops just before work, never twice in one day. They keep my eyes looking white for 8–10 hours.” —Hailey
Get it from Amazon for $11.93.
5. A 3-in-1 charging cord so you can effectively use your SINGLE plug at your seat to help charge up your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods at once. And then it’ll come in handy for when you’re fighting for your life and an outlet at the coffee shop!
Amazon
Promising review: “Perfect for traveling and keeps you from having too many cords. Also good to use at home. I had to purchase another one because my husband liked it so well, he decided to keep it. Good value too.” —Marsha
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 10 colors and two lengths).
6. A compact eight-compartment pill organizer so you’ll have space for all the stuff you take from all the delicious food that sometimes makes you feel bad on your travels. Or just on any given Saturday.
Promising review: “My husband and I travel a lot and take a number of prescription drugs. It was always a hassle accessing our medication when needed, so I purchased this organizer to make things easier. I used a label maker and labeled each little compartment and it has performed wonderfully. I highly recommend this organizer to anyone who travels and needs medications throughout the day.” —Jacqueline
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $9.97.
7. A quick-drying microfiber beach towel built to shake off sand and pack small in your suitcase. No need to sneak out a hotel towel to the beach! And this is small enough to keep in your at-home beach or pool bag. (That’s where I keep mine!)
Promising review: “Love this! I am a flight attendant and keep it in my suitcase for various uses, but it’s an outstanding for beach or picnic blanket. It weighs nothing, beautiful, and great quality! My new go-to gift item.” —Laurance F. Haun
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in 26 patterns).
8. A fanny pack with a ton of storage room inside that has a long enough strap to wear crossbody *or* comfortably fit over outerwear so you can use your arms to help you balance while teetering toward a glacier. If you plan on wearing it across your chest, attach your waist buckles together with a zip-tie to prevent it from getting unclipped from your back.
Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com
I wear a size L/XL in clothing and sometimes waist bags just don’t work out so well for me. With this one, I can confirm that it fit around my waist comfortably without outerwear, across my chest without outerwear, *and* over a thick coat and several layers. The pockets inside are so handy and I even had room to spare throughout my Iceland trip. This was the only purse I brought for the whole trip and it performed its job flawlessly. Just make sure that you zip the zipper ALL the way because the zipper goes down pretty far on the sides for easier access to contents. Having my hands free was wildly convenient for a number of reasons, including crawling around inside of an ice cave and putting out my hands for some extra balance while walking on sheets of ice along cliffs. Oh, and it comes in so so SO many colors. And in case it looks familiar, TikTokers compare it to the Lulu waist bag.
Promising review: “Love this little bag! And the price — you can’t beat it.” —Jolie
Get it from Amazon for $15.98+ (available in 32 styles).
9. A Baggallini anti-theft travel backpack to make it harder for anyone who gets some (illegal) ideas while you’re marveling at [insert picturesque view] or simpy en route to your job so you can make more travel bucks.
It has RFID-blocking technology; is made of slash-resistant, Securtex anti-theft fabric; and locking zippers that blend in with the backpack’s design.
Promising review: “This has great security features. The compartment that holds cards has a locking zipper and sits securely against your back. Two side pockets for water bottle, umbrella, etc. Very roomy and lightweight. I used it this weekend at a tulip festival in Washington. It lightly rained the whole time I was outdoors, and nothing in my bag got wet. It wiped dry easily. A great daypack for adventures!” —pixie
Get it from Amazon for $108.59 (available in seven colors).
10. Gentle 2-in-1 travel flossing toothbrushes that’ll fold up to half their size (every inch in your luggage counts!) and really get in there to give your mouth a super-clean feeling. Like, just-back-from-the-dentist cleaning. I always pack these for trips and their tiny flossing bristles make my travel nighttime routine a lot easier and efficient.
Emma Lord / BuzzFeed, Amazon
Mouthwatchers is a small business established by Ronald Plotka, DDS, that specializes in antimicrobial toothbrushes designed to get deeper cleans even patients with “great” dental hygiene might miss with traditional brush and floss routines.
Promising review: “I love that this travel toothbrush has its own self closing cover. Makes it very handy for travel at half the size of a regular toothbrush when packed and full-size brush when open. Also really love the bristles on this brush, they are soft but have enough stiffness to get between teeth when brushing.” —Yvonne
Get it from Amazon for $5.99 (available in two colors).
11. A *foldable* wide-brim hat for helping you keep the sun off of your face, make your outfits look even cuter, and easily fit in your carry-on without crushing it.
Promising review: “Guys. If you’re going on a trip and need a cute hat but don’t want to worry about it getting smashed…look no further. I bought this hat last summer. It’s been as far as The Maldives, all over Europe, and I wear it on the reg in southern California. It’s totally kept its shape, and I’m not shy of shoving it in bags. 10/10 recommend! I’m sitting on a bus in Croatia right now thinking how awesome this hat has been and decided to write a review, as I rely on reviews for my purchases on Amazon. Hope this helps someone!” —Lyra S.
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in 22 color combos).
12. A set of DEET-free handy mosquito-repelling bracelets in case the thought of putting something else on your skin besides SPF (like smelly bug repellent) sounds like a total nightmare.
Cliganic is a small biz specializing in health and wellness products.
Promising review: “I bought this to take on a cruise. Never had issues with bites. Once back home I put them on my son who is allergic to some bites and always itchy after time outdoors. Since he’s had these on outside it’s hardly an issue anymore. Very cool.” —MardiGrasGirl
Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $8.49.
13. A roomy beach bag with a waterproof section that’ll hold your phone, Kindle, and other items that ABSOLUTELY cannot get wet.
Promising review: “When you go to the pool or beach nowadays you see a lot of people with these $100+ rubber carry-alls. Sure, they look nice, but they are not as practical as this bag or have the features of this bag. I came to appreciate this bag when I loaded up the grandkids to take to the pool and realized too late that I did not remove my hearing aids or empty my pockets. This bag comes with a nice waterproof pouch and I was able to keep all those belongings, I should have left at home, safe and dry all day!” —David Petraitis
Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in six colors/prints).
14. A pair of quick-dry water shoes can help you traverse nearly every kind of ground you may come upon — whether it’s while zip-lining, walking along a rocky beach, or just walking around the cruise ship deck.
Promising review: “Purchased three pairs for our cruise. We all loved them. Best water shoes I’ve ever worn. Feels like you are barefoot but keeps your feet safe from anything you step on. Very comfortable! Highly recommended!” —Donna M
Get it from Amazon for $8.68+ (available in seven sizes and 49 colors).
15. A cute snack pouch with Stoney Clover Lane vibes (at an economy-seat price) you can stock with snacks and electrolyte drink packets from home so you don’t have to eat into your vacation fund just to buy a KIND bar at the airport shop. And because it’s clear, you’ll be able to zero in on what you’re craving even faster.
Sage Nation is a small business specializing in quirky organizational pouches for travel and home use.
Promising review: “Lettering is spot on. Love the colors, and the clear bag makes it easy for kids to see what is available. Quality materials and construction.” —Lisa Stanko
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
16. An *very popular* off-the-shoulder jumpsuit suited for just about any sightseeing needs. But it’d also make the perfect outfit for a cruise departure party because you won’t have to worry about flashing anyone!
Promising reviews: “Purchased this jumpsuit for a cruise. It is amazingly comfortable and fits perfectly. Normally I need to hem or alter the length, but this was perfect due to the type of bottom. It could be dressed up with jewelry and a large belt. I liked the black one so much I ordered the same one in a maroon.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $37.99 (available in sizes S–3X and 31 colors/patterns).
17. A 2-in-1 travel pillow and blanket in case you’ve found in-flight options seriously lacking and can’t get any shut-eye without a cozy blanket. You can never have too many cozy blankets at home, either! Of course, after you’ve washd it post-trip.
Amazon
Promising review: “I love this foldable airplane blanket! There are few things worse on a flight than being too cold. This little blanket is the perfect weight to keep you warm but doesn’t take up too much room in your carry-on/personal item bag. I actually clip it to the outside of my backpack.” —Danielle Gaudette
Get it from Amazon for $25.03 (available in nine colors).
18. A subtle amber reading light that’s 99.94% free of blue spectrum light you’ll start using instead of the overhead light when you’re sandwiched between two slumbering strangers and you can’t get to sleep, so it’s time to dig into Dracula once again. Jonathan Harker seemed to be having a pretty good time at least for a bit?!
Promising review: “This is a fantastic light! I use it every evening to continue reading while my son sleeps, it does not wake him or impede my sleep after I’m ready to go to bed. Great product.” —Brian Masters
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
19. Kahi Wrinkle Bounce Hydrating Multi-Balm, a TikTok-famous Korean beauty product that’ll combine several products into one skincare step — especially great if you get suuuuper dry on flights. Reviewers use it at home too on their face, lips, eyes, and neck to help reduce fine lines and make you look all ~glowy~ thanks to ingredients salmon complex and collagen.
Check out a TikTok of the wrinkle balm in action.
Promising review: “Okay! So I was skeptical at first, but honestly this stick is life-changing!!! In a matter of minutes, my skin felt hydrated and plumped. After an hour, still hydrated. No greasy after feeling, very light, and you can feel your skin hydrated and absorbing. I love the fact that you can use it on your eyes, lips, and wrinkles!! Game changer for me, will def try the others!” —Kristy
“This stuff makes my face feel so soft and has a nice scent. I use it every day and will buy it again when I run out!” —Cyndy1
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in seven styles).
20. A set ofLiquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier packets, an electrolyte drink mix infused with potassium and vitamin C you can mix into a bottle of water to help speed up your hydration. After all, guzzling water on a flight and then having to spend half the flight in the bathroom line is never fun. You know what’s also not fun? The day after a game watch when your pal decided to get creative with a boozy punch.
Psst — it’s also gluten free, soy free, and dairy free!
Promising review: “This stuff seriously works. Took on a five-day cruise when we had the unlimited drink package, and these Liquid I.V.s saved my life several times. Wouldn’t have made it to dinner/gotten off the ship the next morning without them.” —Laura Bales
Get a pack of 16 from Amazon for $24.99 (also available in 18 flavors and also in sugar-free flavors). I’m also quite partial to the newer grapefruit flavor.
21. A stroller fan with bendable foam legs for wrapping around a stroller, car seat, or pretty much anything to keep your lil’ munchkin cool as a cucumber, even when it’s a gazillion degrees outside.
Promising review: “We bought this for a road trip with our little one, who is still rear facing — it was perfect! We knew the seat was warm from just driving around town and wanted to make sure it was comfortable for a long drive. It kept it cool, isn’t loud, and love that we could plug it in vs. only the battery. We use it regularly in town now, too.” —K Maddock
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in three colors).
22. A stick of Gold Bond Friction Defense will stop chafing caused by sweat before it even starts. It’s sooo good and better than any other competitor in the thigh-saving category. Toss this in your bag and apply before you go on that long, lovely beach stroll.
Amazon
My former colleague Ciera Velarde is a huge fan! (As am I!) Here’s what she has to say:
“I’ve used it for about 12 years now and it’s the only thing that I can trust to prevent that dreaded chafing after a sweaty day of walking around. It glides on perfectly, it’s unscented, and it doesn’t melt away when you start to sweat. If it’s a particularly hot day out, it can start to fade after a few hours, so just make sure to bring it with you to reapply. In addition to preventing chafing between my thighs, I’ve also applied it on my arms where my sports bra rubs against them when I run and it works like a charm!”
Promising review: “Used this on our cruise, for all the walking in hot, humid places. Literally saved my thighs from ‘chub rub.'” —Traci Carpenter
Get it from Amazon for $6.
23. An I Dew Care “Tap Secret” mattifying powder shampoo to tackle greasy roots without the aerosol or benzene formula. This’ll even be easy to take to the bathroom toward the end of a red-eye so you can deboard feeling a bit fresher.
Promising review: “I was looking for a dry shampoo that would be easy to use on the go for a trip I was taking. I had no issues taking this through TSA and it was so easy to use on the go. You literally just pat the poof on your scalp and then rub the powder in. I do have black hair so dry shampoo is usually very visible in my hair, but I didn’t have any harder time than usual rubbing this powder in. It did a really good job of soaking up all the oil and giving my hair volume. I’m not a fan of the price for the amount that you get, but it is lasting longer than I thought it would. I would definitely recommend and will purchase again.” —Teresa
Get it from Amazon for $18+ (available in five colors/styles).
24. A travel scarf with hidden storage in it that, yes, will help add that one last accessory your ensemble needs and *also* keep your neck toastier on days when you’d like to go purse-less but need to put your house keys somewhere.
Amazon
Waypoint Goods is a small biz that specializes in travel accessories.
Promising review: “I absolutely LOVE my travel scarf. This piece is perfect for every occasion. Whether I am traveling on a plane or a road trip, at work, or trying to dress up an outfit to go out, it is perfect and functional. My phone, credit cards and keys fit seamlessly in the pocket without changing the look or fit of my scarf. At times I have put all of that plus a boarding pass and passport in the pocket!!” —Caroline
Get it from Amazon for $49.95 (available in three styles).
25. A set of compression bags that’ll, yes, help you pack more stuff into your suitcase but also keep your clothes airtight against any spills. OR keep your dirty clothes away from your clean clothes and vice-versa. I love to use mine for storing out-of-season clothes too!
And they come with a hand pump for travel! Psst, get even more efficient and pack an empty one of these in your suitcase just in case.
Promising review: “This is a great product. I have a memory foam pillow that I try to take on trips, due to neck issues, so I purchased this product and put it to the test to see if it could flatten the pillow so I can also carry my clothes and the pillow in the same bag, carry-on size travel bag. The pillow’s been sitting in the vacuum pack for the last three days now and hasn’t let any air into the package at all. The pump removed so much air that the foam is as solid as a rock with less that an 1/8 of an inch of give when I press on it firmly with my thumb.” —4-H Shooting Sports Instructor
Get a pack of five from Amazon for $22.99+ (also available in a ten-pack and in five bag sizes).
26. A set of cooling patches can work some soothing magic for a variety of uses including (perhaps most importantly), sunburn. But it’ll also help with itchiness from bug bites and poison ivy. And! They’re TSA-friendly. So you can probably leave your aloe vera gel at home.
Promising review: “Used these on a sunburn on my back, and they were very soothing. Also provided padding when leaning back in my seat. I stuck one on my shoulder also to keep my seatbelt from rubbing the sunburn there. I bought them to use on the back of my kids’ necks to help prevent heat exhaustion on a very hot day outside but ended up just using them for burn relief.” —Joanna
“These saved us on our vacation with our little that is sensitive to sun!” —felicia faith
Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $14.99.
27. A trifold travel wallet so all your important documents are in one place and you’re not wearily holding up the line when it comes time to show the TSA agent your passport and boarding pass. If you have an overflowing wallet, you might want to make the permanent switch to this!
The wallet has a passport pocket, boarding pass compartment, three credit card slots, an ID slot, a slim card pouch, slim pocket, a ticket slot, a cellphone pouch, a coin zippered pocket, key holder, and pen holder.
Promising review: “OMG I totally love this! First of all, it’s such a pretty pastel pink color and pink is my favorite color. The quality is also so lovely with all the right amount of pockets to store my IDs and passport and other relevant documents. I’m a flight attendant so this is the perfect size of travel wallet for me. This definitely exceeded my expectations!” —Pravena Jay
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in 32 colors).
28. A weighted sleep mask that’ll help block out the reading light and/or sunlight from your neighbor’s open airplane window shade while you catch up on some of that sleep you sacrificed to get the early flight. Oh, and it’s weighted!
Amazon
Promising review: “I am a flight attendant and have a wacky work schedule. I frequently have to sleep during the day. These are SO comfortable and cool as well. I have ordered and tried out at least 10 eye-masks off of Amazon and have found these to be the best. They are SO comfortable and do not have velcro on the straps, for which I am thankful, because I usually sleep on my back and am sensitive to the thickness of eyemasks which have the Velcro straps.” —SW
Get one from Amazon for $14.99.
29. A soft faux-leather tote will be the perfect personal item on the plane so you don’t even have to pack it in your carry-on! And it would be useful as a day bag (of course keep your valuables zipped up concealed and tucked away inside) with plenty of room for your souvenirs.
Promising review: “Bought this bag last minute for a uniform compliance as a flight attendant, and it’s sturdy and a great bag. For the material and the price, it’s a great purchase. I’ve had it over four months.” —Amber
Get it from Amazon for $14.29+ (available in a variety of colors and two sizes).
30. A pack of toilet seat covers can create a (colorful) barrier between your toddler’s curious hands and public toilet seats at rest stops.
Promising review: “Got these for a family cross-country road trip. Glad we did! Worked great for the kids at questionable stops. It says not to flush them. We had to once because of a kid with stomach pains and that was our only option…. Yea. Otherwise, avoid flushing. But they worked as advertised. Well, except the tape part, we didn’t realize until after our trip that they could stick to the seat, so apparently they work well even without doing that part.” —AmazonFrequentFlyer
Get a pack of 24 covers from Amazon for $9.99.
31. A travel iron that’ll easily fit in your carry-on so you never have to chance whether or not the vacation rental or hotel room has an iron.
Promising review: “Couldn’t say more positive things about this steamer. I took it on a business trip followed by a wedding, and it was amazing! All my friends were using it for their dresses and suits before the wedding. We were all wrinkle-free. 👏” —Aubrey
Get it from Amazon for $119 (available in five colors).
32. A pair of compact flashlights that’ll really pack in a lot of power with five modes and a zoomable beam. Even if you’re going on a city vacation, it’s smart to always have a flashlight with you!
Promising review: “I was in Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. I traveled there and was stuck with no power for five days. I always travel with a flashlight. This Gearlight flashlight was the only source of light I had for five days. It was a workhorse. The zoom lens let me to see far away, as in hundreds of yards. Or close up for inside. I could put it on its end to use like a lantern. I put Duracell AAA batteries in it when I received it. Those batteries lasted the entire five days. I was stunned and thankful. I can’t praise this little flashlight enough. The value is priceless to me.” —Vee Nuna
Get them from Amazon for $19.99.
33. A hanging toiletry bag to contain alll of your beauty haul if you’re the check-your-bag type because of your multi-step skincare routine. Its hook on top means it’s super easy to hang on the back of the bathroom door — even at home!
34. A portable white-noise machine because you booked a spot in THE best neighborhood for nightlife — which was all well and good until the night you went to bed early to catch the (cheap) first flight out. (Ahem, Trastevere.)
Amazon
Promising review: “I purchased this for my trip to Europe as I sleep with white noise every night. The rohm scores extra points for volume control, and it can get quite loud. It’s also lightweight and chargers easily with a USB.” —Jessie W.
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (also available in two- and three-packs).
35. A *solid* Neutrogena SPF 50 sunscreen that really sticks to your skin on your tropical (or just plain sweaty) vacation. Oh, and because it’s a solid, it’s carry-on–friendly!
Amazon
I first bought this for a weeklong Croatian vacation in 2021 when I did carry-on, and as long as you are *thoroughly* reapplying, this stuff stays on pretty well. On a beach club afternoon, I did haphazardly reapply and missed a strip on one arm, but I tend to do that with spray-on or lotion sunscreen, too. Since then, I’ve packed this for any trip I’ve been on, including a two-day Disneyland trip where I toted this around in my bag and shared with friends. I sometimes carry it with me in my purse on my everyday adventures because I know it’s so easy to apply. Also worth mentioning…I am about the palest lady you’ve ever seen and swear by daily application of sunscreen. But when on a beach trip, I’m constantly swimming in the water and sweating. So yeah, this stuff works.
And if you’re a bit hesitant about jumping on the solid sunscreen bandwagon, you can pack a stick of this, knowing you have enough sun protection to get you through to finding some spray-on or lotion SPF at your destination.
Get it from Amazon for $9.88.
36. A memory foam seat cushion with an ergonomic design and gel layer for cradling your behind while you’re on a criminally thin seat on a looong flight. After all, you don’t want a sore behind once you get to your destination. People also love it for car seats and office chairs!
Lots of reviewers who drive for a living rave about it.
Promising review: “I used this on my 19-hour-long flight in economy, and this is a game-changer. I have been traveling long haul all my life, and this has been the best experience so far. At first, it feels cold to sit on, which is definitely a plus. My butt didn’t become numb and sore, which is a first, and it fit on the seat perfectly. I definitely recommend. We will see how it holds up after a few uses!” —Ple
Get it from Amazon for $44.95 (available in three color combos).
37. An attachable elastic laptop accessory belt you’ll be so glad you bought if you’ve been taking advantage of your work’s WFH policy by going on ALL the trips. This’ll keep you for rifling through your personal item longer than needed to track down your Work From Plane necessities AND help you better organize your regular old work bag.
Amazon
Beblau is an Italy-based, family-owned small business specializing in products for digital nomads.
Check out a TikTok of the laptop belt in action.
Promising review: “This product is a lifesaver for a teacher on the go. I use it for my iPad Pro and my school issued laptop. I no longer drop things as I move place to place! Just the basics will fit: pen, cards, small writing tablet.” —Elementary Techy Teacher
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in four colors).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.