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If You Have A Trip Planned That You Can’t Wait To Go On, Start Getting Ready Now By Buying These 28 Products
Going on a trip is exciting but it’s all the prep for the trip (buying products to use on your travels) that makes up half the fun.
1. A membership to TSA PreCheck and Global Entry to help make getting through airport security and returning home from international trips a breeze. If you travel frequently for leisure or work (especially abroad), then you probably don’t want to feel like you’re spending the majority of your time on these trips standing in lines at the airport!
Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed
My colleague Elizabeth Lilly travels A LOT. Here’s what she has to say about the perks of signing up for this membership:
“I put off getting TSA PreCheck and even Global Entry for YEARS despite flying ~10 times a year because I’m a person who likes to get to the airport early and has getting through security down to an efficient routine. However, my breaking point was July 2021 when I had to wait soooo long at the airport when coming back to the country from Croatia (I had Mobile Passport at the time, but the machines were broken, so I had to wait in line with everyone else). I went to Italy about a month later after signing up for Global Entry, and coming back to the country was a breeze. I just had to let a machine take my picture, print out a receipt with said picture, and then place it in a nearby TSA agent’s open palm. Then, onto baggage claim! I’ve since used the Global Entry portion six times and the TSA PreCheck about a dozen times since getting it. So I feel as if I’ve already gotten my money’s worth in less than two years.”
Apply with the Department of Homeland Security for $120. Once you’re approved, you have to do an in-person interview, and if approved on the spot, you can have your TSA PreCheck and Global Entry privileges available immediately.
2. Plus a CLEAR membership, which will allow you to skip the whole song and dance of digging through your carry-on to find your license or passport to prove your identity. Thanks to this helpful program, physical features such as your eyes and fingerprints will help get you to your gate in less time.
3. A neat little packing checklist notepad perfect for all you fellow over-packers who want to be sure you don’t forget anything at home in your haste to fit everything into a carry-on. Think of it as your new cheat sheet!
Amazon
Promising review: “I hate packing. I mean, I really hate packing! I am always afraid I am going to forget something, and the entire ordeal is a stressful one for me. Since I have to travel to many of my cases, this is a real problem for me. Not anymore… Someone brilliant made these pads. This is a game-changer for me. No more guessing if I forgot my underwear; everything I need is on this list.” —Dr. Oceanfront
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
4. A portable digital luggage scale because the year is 2025, and it’s time we put an end to that gut-wrenching moment the airline counter tells you your suitcase is a few pounds over the weight limit. Being forced to transfer your things from your suitcase into your carry-on in the middle of the terminal for everyone to see is dreadful.
I have been writing for BuzzFeed for almost nine years now and have written many travel articles where I have included this reviewer-loved luggage scale. Heck, reviewers (and the BuzzFeed audience) love it so much that I put it in non-travel articles because I just thought it was genius.
With that being said, every time I pack for a trip, I have done one of two ridiculous options: 1) use a mechanical bathroom scale to weigh my luggage, even though said mechanical bathroom scale is nearly 20 years old and is definitely broken; 2) weigh myself on a digital bathroom scale, then step onto the scale again holding my luggage and do the math. Last summer, I went on a trip to Cabo and, upon leaving the hotel, did this second option thanks to a scale in the bathroom. When I found myself sitting on the bed trying to convert kilograms to pounds, I knew I needed a better system going forward.
I purchased this prior to a recent trip to Puerto Rico, and I am SO glad I did. First of all, I am amazed at how accurate this is. I mean, I knew from the reviews that it was, but this is kinda one of those products where you really have to see to believe. Shy of .02 of an ounce from the airport scale weight, this thing really gave me an accurate measurement (and that’s no easy task with the way I pack — a very large suitcase, 50-pound capacity reached for a three-day weekend, oops). Best of all, it’s small enough to store in your suitcase or carry-on (mine went through TSA just fine!), so if you’re like me and ALSO enjoy getting souvenirs wherever you travel, then there won’t be any surprises when you head to the airport to go back home. Highly recommend!!!
Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in six colors, a two-pack, and a version with a backlit LCD display).
5. A phone mount so you can watch your favorite downloaded shows/movies on your flight — because sometimes the airline doesn’t offer your comfort characters on their entertainment menu, or worse… There’s no television at all.
Amazon
Promising review: “If you travel a lot, buy this!! Even if you don’t travel, this phone holder would be useful. My hubby and I fly fairly often, and I’m always tired of holding my phone or figuring out how to set it up during plane rides. This is a game-changer for flights. Makes it so easy and convenient to watch movies or shows during trips. A few people even asked me where I got it from. Definitely recommend!” —Alex Norman
Get it from Amazon for $13.97+ (available in seven colors and as a two-pack).
6. A pair of compression socks for potentially bringing sweet relief to feet that tend to swell during air travel.
Read more about compression socks and swelling on long flights at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: “With three weeks of international travel coming up, I purchased these to combat swelling in my feet during the flights. I had noticed swelling after three-hour domestic flights, so I was worried about what almost 30,000 miles would do! I wore these on every leg of the trip and never noticed any swelling — even after the 10- to 15-hour flights. They are very comfortable, too!” —J. Beaty
Get them from Amazon for $7.92+ (available in sizes S–XXL and in 13 colors).
Check out my colleague’s Physix Gear compression socks review for more deets!
7. A luggage caddy, so making a pit stop at the airport coffee shop for a caramel latte and a breakfast sandwich doesn’t mean having to juggle your food/drink on the way to your gate.
Promising review: “This cup holder is a game changer for traveling solo or with kids! It holds a large coffee cup and a large McDonald’s beverage at the same time! It doesn’t tip over! But I would suggest using it with a four-wheel rolling suitcase! Worth it! Would recommend!!” —Emily rose Hudson
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 27 patterns/styles).
8. A TSA-approved clear case perfect for holding your travel-sized containers of liquid and smol toiletries. Plus, it comes in a variety of fun colors!
Amazon
Promising review: “Everything I needed fit perfectly, and I had no issues in TSA/China security. So far, I have been through MSP, IAD, NKG, and PEK airports using this pack already, and it’s a life-changer! I will never again have to worry about having to scramble to buy baggies just for liquids, and it is much more durable.” —Courtney Swanson
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 11 colors).
9. A super smart reusable bottle bag to help protect wine, perfume, olive oil, and more in your checked bag. Whether you’re bringing back a souvenir for a loved one or going on a cruise where you can bring on a bottle of your favorite vino, this will def come in handy!
Amazon
Promising review: “I love these bags. I frequently travel overseas and always want to bring olive oil, wine, or the like back. These bags are perfect for protecting my finds, and I am comfortable that they will absorb the liquid if it does get broken. My husband actually put a bottle of cracked-open wine in the bag to test it, laid the bag on its side, and it absorbed the liquid!” —JHN
Get a set of three from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in four styles).
10. A foldable jewelry organizer that’ll take up less space in your bag than a clunky jewelry box, AND also serves as a better method than just tossing your jewelry into your bag and having to untangle it once you reach your destination.
Promising review: “I would give this more stars if I could. It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for forever!!! It has plenty of room for my clunky jewelry and enough separate pouches that things don’t get tangled. I LOVE it.” —Carrie Minturn
Get it from Amazon for $15.72+ (available in two colors).
11. An AirFly Pro wireless transmitter so you can connect your wireless earbuds to the airplane entertainment system. Watching your favorite shows/movies with clear sound is a heck of a lot better than the static that comes with the junk headphones the airline tries to sell you.
It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual. My colleague Chelsea Stuart used it on a European trip — check out her Twelve South AirFly Pro review.
Twelve South is a small business that has been creating innovative tech accessories since 2009.
Promising review: “I loved being able to move around in my seat, eat, and stretch, and not get bothered by a cord from my Bluetooth headphones to the video screen on the airplane. It’s a game-changer for sure. The battery lasted from Accra, Ghana, all the way to Texas in the US — 18+ hours in the air! Buying a second one for my son for our next flight!” —Stephanie Schmidt
Get it from Amazon for $34.97+ (available in four styles and three colors).
12. A pair of Bose QuietComfort headphones whose noise-canceling capabilities are so impressive, you won’t even flinch at the sight of crying babies at the airport gate before boarding. Not to mention, these make listening to your favorite songs, podcasts, audiobooks, shows, and movies SO crisp and clear, you might just forget you’re sitting in the middle seat of a 12-hour flight and not at the center of a Taylor Swift music video.
These headphones had been on my wish list for AGES, and Bose was kind enough to send them to me recently, and they’re even better than I imagined they’d be. I have tried MANY earbuds/headphones over the years — classic AirPods, Tozo headphones, Beats headphones, etc. The fit is just perfect — snug enough that they don’t feel too big, without being too tight. They’re SO COMFY! The sound quality on these is chef’s kiss!!! When I tell you that there are lyrics in songs I’ve known for years that I’m realizing I was singing wrong because I hear them more clearly with these headphones, I’m not kidding (I’m too lazy to look up lyrics sometimes, sorry). And the noise cancellation? Let me just say, as a girl with sensory issues, these truly block out every sound. I am veryyyy noise sensitive, and even the sound of someone breathing near me when I’m feeling irritable and need to concentrate on something is enough to make me lose my focus. These headphones truly keep me ~in my zone~ and I am very grateful for that. 🙌
Promising review: “I used to be an AirPods guy, but after getting my hands (and ears) on these Bose QuietComfort wireless noise-cancelling headphones, there’s no going back. I travel a lot for work, and these things are an absolute game-changer. The noise cancellation is next-level, making flights and noisy cafes feel like peaceful retreats. They’re super sleek, incredibly comfortable, and the sound quality is unreal. Plus, I feel cool wearing them — at least in my mind, I do. If you’re still rocking in-ear headphones, do yourself a favor and upgrade to these. Highly recommend!” —Grumpy Veteran
Get them from Amazon for $359 (available in eight colors).
13. A seat-back organizer great if the thought of putting your personal belongings like glasses, drinking bottles, and tech items into the provided seat back pouch makes you squirm.
Promising review: “Definitely my new favorite purchase to make flying easier. It is very easy to slip over the tray table, with lots of pockets to keep things organized and at your fingertips. Material is stretchy, but not thin, folds up very small, and can be stored in your backpack, purse, or briefcase without taking up a lot of space!! Great product to keep things handy mid-flight, and you don’t have to use that icky seat-back pocket anymore!!” —Shirley Kinyon
Check out BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord’s Airplane Pockets review for more deets!
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
14. An inflatable footrest for making your next flight the comfiest one yet. So comfy, you might actually somewhat *enjoy* flying. P.S. — If you’re traveling with kiddos, this can help turn their airplane seat into a bed.
Promising review: “This footrest pillow is essential for those who travel very long distances. It is not only uncomfortable, but unhealthy to leave feet dangling down for many hours or days at a time while traveling. I purchased this pillow to sit between my airplane seat and the seat in front of mine. It is wonderful to be able to prop my feet up, with bent knees, while watching movies or sleeping. I regularly fly the same route that is about 30 hours (including layovers), and when I am unable to get a seat upfront, this footrest pillow keeps me more comfortable at the back of the plane.” —Yvonne N
Get it from Amazon for $22.49+ (available in four colors).
15. An RFID-blocking wallet designed to hold all of your important travel documents, because every time you’re at the airport, you swear you’ll have your license, passport, and boarding pass easily ready to show, and every time you’re at the airport, you end up fumbling all of those things and holding up the line.
Promising review: “Just returned from Paris, and this wallet is a game-changer! I was able to quickly retrieve everything I needed to survive TSA and border patrol, felt safe traveling on the metro, and it was super cute. It even had a tiny pocket for my metro tickets, so I was able to quickly find those as well without rummaging around. LOVE this wallet!!” —Jocie
Get it from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in 20 colors).
16. A genius airplane window tray (if you’re a window seat kind of traveler) that you can use to hold your drinks, headphones, etc., if you hate keeping the seat back tray down or want to use it for something else like setting up your laptop and playing The Sims 4.
P.S. — This only works if you have full access to the window (rather than those seats where you get the weird halves of two windows between the rows in front and behind you).
Promising review: “A friend recommended this to me as a vital travel companion now that I’ve returned to frequent flying. I initially thought of it as a novelty, but now that I’ve used it, it’s a necessity. It keeps the workspace clear for my laptop, but it also organizes all the little pieces that can become so annoying to keep up with — glasses, earphones, etc. It got my seatmate’s immediate attention, as well as a few other folks nearby. I suspect they’ll have one soon. Watch for one soon in a window near you!” —Timothy G. Wolfe
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
17. An ultra-supportive neck pillow to make the whole “falling asleep while sitting upright” thing possible (and comfy). Is there any better way to pass the time on a plane than with a nice long nap? I don’t think so.
Promising review: “I am a terrible flyer who recently took the red-eye from Dubai to Chicago (15 hours). The Trtl Pillow was a mini lifesaver! I was able to comfortably rest my head on the support and felt warm enough to actually doze off… A rare accomplishment for this skittish flyer. The Velcro works wonderfully with regard to adjustment, and I liked wrapping the fabric around my mouth and nose. Sort of felt cozy…even if I did look like a ninja in a neck brace! Overall, this product has changed the way that I fly, and I am so thankful for this invention and the opportunity to support a small company with big ideas.” —S.Viruly
Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in four colors and a breathable style).
18. A pack of EarPlanes — earplugs designed to help ease the pain that comes with the sudden pressure change during takeoff. These are also great if you’re driving to a destination at a high altitude or if you’re simply just trying to drown out the sound of a crying baby so you can sleep.
Promising review: “Never fly without these! Before I found these, I endured excruciating pain in my ears upon descent and landing. Felt like a hot poker being driven into each ear. My ears would also be plugged up, and it would often take two to three days for them to resume their normal state of being. I insert them about an hour before landing, as the plane is making its slow descent. I’m comfortable, and the most discomfort I experience is a slight adjustment of pressure in my sinus. NO PAIN. NO TEARS.” —K. Tombrella
Get three pairs from Amazon for $7.89 (also available in multi-packs).
19. A stroller that *actually* folds up small enough to fit as a carry-on in the plane’s overhead compartments. Let’s be real: You and your kiddo who has been screaming their head off since takeoff do NOT wanna wait to retrieve a checked stroller, and now you won’t have to.
It folds up so small that it was awarded a Guinness World Record in 2014 for the most compact stroller. It can hold kids who weigh up to 55 pounds and only weighs 9.5 pounds.
Promising review: “We used this for our 11-month-old across western Europe and it was incredible! It folds up small enough for the overhead bin on the airplane. Handled the cobblestones great. Our son was able to nap in it. Overall, highly recommend! You do need two hands to fold/unfold it, so maybe not best for traveling solo with a baby, but it was a great stroller for what we needed at a better price than some of those luxury travel strollers.” —Daniel Yako
Get it from Amazon for $132.97+ (available in two colors and three styles).
20. A carry-on garment duffel bag you’ll be grateful to travel with for your next business trip or even an adventure to a destination wedding. Keeping your suit and/or dress and fancy shoes neatly stowed away in here versus crinkled in your suitcase is a much better option.
Plus, the bag is water-resistant and has two exterior zip pockets, two interior shoe pockets, and a padded handle wrap. Yes, this one bag really can do it all.
Promising review: “I travel a lot for work and needed something lightweight and convenient. This fits the bill nicely and allows me to completely jettison a second carry-on. It’s great! Lots of storage. I love that it has room for shoes. No issues with wrinkles. Highly recommend it.” —CB
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in three colors).
21. A carry-on case designed to comfortably fit under your seat. Sure, you might be lucky enough to have plenty of room in the overhead bin, but there’s just something really humbling about having to fight your way out of your row and into the aisle just for everyone behind you to watch you have a wrestling match with your carry-on. We’re leaving those days behind thanks to this genius invention.
Promising review: “This works out so well for me. I’m a flight attendant, and I’ve had an infinite amount of day trips over the summer. I got tired of carrying around my regular TravelPro spinner, so I finally ordered this. SOOOOO MUCH BETTER FOR ME. It’s light, has enough pockets, and can easily fit under a seat if needed. The ONLY picky thing I can think of is how loud it sounds going across rough concrete. The wheels aren’t as silent as others, but that won’t stop me from buying another in the future.” —Kayla T.
Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in four colors).
22. A universal travel adapter you’ll be grateful for if your travels involve hopping to various countries that all use different outlets. Now, you won’t need to buy and pack different adapters for each country you plan on visiting. Phew!
The charger can be used in Mexico, Canada, the UK, the UAE, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, and countries in Europe, Asia, and South America.
Promising review: “LOVE this adapter! I travel from time to time internationally and have always used just the ‘standard’ adapters found in airports. Could not pass up the opportunity to purchase this one after reading the reviews. Exceeded my expectations of what it was capable of. Used on a recent trip to Germany, and it handled everything needed — laptop, cellphone (USB ports are so very welcome), alarm clock, dryer, etc. Did not miss a beat on the power provided. And it is also attractive looking 😉 Thank you for making such a great, dependable product!” —Monkey
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
23. A pair of jogger-fit leggings because spending hours in a plane, car, train, etc., calls for a comfy outfit, and there’s no better way to begin your travel ensemble than with these soft and breathable pants. BRB, ordering one in every color.
Promising review: “Last month, I bought a pair in olive just to try them out. Love! Immediately bought two more, the heather charcoal (more love!) and the black with the orange print zipper. I like the black, but the fabric is not the same; it does not have a yummy, soft, buttery feel. But the fit is great, like the others, and I like the zipper on the pockets. Then I found this dark camo with the zipper, with the same soft fabric. Had to have it. And it’s now my favorite. Bonus: These pants are perfect for traveling. They fold up to half the size of regular pants and never wrinkle. The only problem is you have to stop yourself from buying too many.” —nancykou
Get them from Amazon for $15.99 (available in women’s sizes S–3X and dozens of colors).
24. A set of compression organizers for keeping clothing and undergarments neat and orderly in your suitcase, which may just leave you enough room to get that extra souvenir you probably wouldn’t have had room for if you didn’t own these babies.
Promising reviews: “These bags are amazing! Everything fits, and the compression keeps everything in order and leaves space for last-minute additions. No more emptying the suitcase and looking for an item. So easy and organized. My travel life just became 100% easier! Highly recommend them.” —LYNN vT
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in a variety of colors and in two- or four-packs).
25. Or a set of vacuum storage bags that are like magic space savers when it comes to packing. It’s not your fault you feel inclined to pack a month’s worth of clothing for a one-week vacation. You need options and you need a mechanism to allow you pack those options with room for other things.
Jasmin Sandal / BuzzFeed
Promising review: “I’ve used these bags before, and they are so helpful. I even use the medium one for travel, and I have tons of extra suitcase room. The clothes don’t come out wrinkled at all as long as you fold them nicely before placing them in the bag, then the air sucks out, keeping them safe and sound and very compact.” —Susie Kochsmeier
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in various sizes and quantities).
26. And a shoe bag that can hold up to three pairs of footwear. Think of how much less clunky it’ll be to place this compact cube in your luggage than having to make space for three separate pairs of shoes. Don’t even get me started on sand or dirt from the bottom of your shoes getting over all of your other belongings!!!
Promising review: “You can totally fit three pairs of shoes in this! (Size 6.5 female shoe, fit heels, wedges, and sandals.) I bought two and will absolutely be buying more for my husband. 10/10 would recommend! I travel frequently, and I always overpack; this helped cut down space and stress immensely!” —Taylor
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in nine colors and patterns).
27. A TSA-friendly toiletries kit featuring a pack of four travel bottles, two little jars, two spray bottles, two scoopers for transferring creams, one funnel to transfer liquids, one cleaning brush, a set of labels, and a clear pouch to store them all away in. Keeping all of your liquids contained in this kit should help make getting through security a bit smoother.
28. A pet backpack with wheels to make getting through the airport with your tiny BFF a more seamless experience. Not to mention, thanks to the compact size, it’ll fit comfortably underneath the seat in front of you once you get on the plane, and the mesh window will allow you and the little fluffer to keep an eye on one another.
The medium size fits pets weighing up to 10 pounds, and the large fits pets weighing up to 18 pounds — that said, some reviewers mentioned that the large size works perfectly well for their 20-plus-pound dogs. It can be wheeled using the telescoping handle, held using the strap, or worn as a backpack.
Promising review: “First time flying with my dog. I bought a large one. He is a 21-pound Cavalier King Charles spaniel. He was able to sit and lie comfortably in the carrier. When on the plane, remove the hard-back bottom to fit beneath the seat. It is easily removable and reattached. I got a window seat, which allowed me to wedge the bottom at the edge of my seat/arm rail when detached.” —Karen
Get it from Amazon for $69.95 (available in two sizes and three colors).
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.