The best travel accessories are also the best travel companions—they make getting from A to B a smoother journey, every time. We’re talking about the items that keep you organized and feeling comfortable, healthy, and entertained while on the road (or in the skies). Some of them might stay in your personal item year-round, waiting as eagerly as you are for that next trip. Others are items you might use on your daily commute, too.
From tech gadgets to keep your electronics powered up and luggage accessories that ensure you’re not hit with an overweight baggage charge, we’ve rounded up every accessory we as travel editors consider a true essential—these are the things we pack time and time again, and hate to travel without. (As a bonus, many of them make great, practical travel gifts for your fellow vagabonds.)
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Discover the best travel accessories:
To keep you organized
A trusted tote
A tote is the ideal personal item—it’s roomy enough to store all your odds and ends, and everything you’d want with you during a flight, and is usually pretty pliable, meaning you can squeeze it under the seat without taking up all of your foot room. Look for one with comfortable shoulder straps, should you overload it with snacks from Hudson News, and a zipper—or at the very least, a magnetic snap closure—to keep things secure if the bag tips over. A trolley sleeve is a nice feature, too, so you can slide it over your suitcase while cruising through the airport.
Browse more tote bag recommendations.
A travel toiletry bag
A Dopp kit is key to staying organized—and avoiding spills in your luggage. We like these options from Calpak and Dagne Dover for their water-resistant materials and ample space for your toothbrush and toothpaste, razor, soaps, and more. Depending on where you’re headed, and who you’re traveling with, you might want to opt for a hanging bag that allows you to keep items tidy and off the bathroom counter, like the one from Bagsmart. Clear toiletry bags get bonus points for being both aesthetically pleasing and helpful for anxious travelers who want to double check what’s already packed.
Browse more Dopp kit recommendations.
Packing cubes
Don’t underestimate the power of a good packing cube. These small-but-mighty travel essentials help keep you and your suitcase a whole lot more organized, and in the case of compressive cubes, help you squeeze more inside a suitcase, too. They range in size from small cubes meant for socks and underwear to larger ones for bulkier sweaters and jeans. You can also use them to separate clean and dirty clothes on your way back home.
Browse more of the best packing cubes.
Jewelry case
A rule to live by: Never check your valuables, especially jewelry. Keep necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings safe and neatly organized inside a jewelry case that gets stowed in your tote, backpack, or carry-on luggage. These durable, compact cases have enough room to store a few different jewelry options—enough for most trips.
Reusable travel bottles
Rather than buy plastic minis of a generic shampoo and body wash every time you travel, get yourself a set of leakproof travel bottles that allow you to bring your at-home favorites on the go. Our holy grail product, the Cadence capsules, are great for storing toiletries and beauty products, as well as small loose items like vitamins and bobby pins.
Browse more toiletry bottle recommendations.
A pill case
Instead of bringing your entire bottle of daily medication or vitamins, pack a compact pill case that holds only as much as you’ll need for the length of your trip. I always pack the Holii daily pill organizer no matter where I’m headed—it’s small enough to fit in my Dopp kit and has enough compartments to separate what I’ll need for each day.
Browse more pill case recommendations.
A makeup brush holder
For years, I’ve tossed my makeup brushes in my cosmetic pouch when I travel—and I’ve suffered the consequences. Not only does it make finding the right brush I need difficult, it also means the rest of my makeup products end up covered with leftover powder, blush, and bronzer. I finally caved and tried out a dedicated brush holder. I was worried this would just be another thing to carry, but it’s super lightweight, compact, and has proved to be a must-pack travel accessory, even if I’m only traveling for a weekend. All my makeup brushes are in one place and can lay flat in the same direction, keeping them organized and away from other products. It’s large enough to hold several long, thin eyeshadow brushes and thick, dense foundation brushes (and a Beauty Blender, too). The case’s magnetic flap keeps my brushes secure and the soft silicone material means I can wash it off with ease.
A tech kit
All of those tech items you’re bringing along mean you’re going to have plenty of charging cubes and cables to keep track of. Save space in your backpack—and save yourself the headache of digging through your bag when work calls—by keeping everything wrapped up in a travel organizer designed specifically for your electronic accessories, like the ones below. These are especially great for long flights where you’re more likely to switch between devices.
Browse more travel tech organizer recommendations.
A crossbody bag
A crossbody bag makes the most sense for travel—whether you’re sightseeing around London or exploring the Disney parks, you want something that keep you hands-free and ready to go for whatever is on the agenda. These lightweight bags take up little suitcase space and have enough room for your daily essentials: wallet, keys, sunnies, lip balm, and hand sanitizer.
Browse more crossbody bags for women, crossbody bags for men, and fanny pack recommendations.
A passport holder
Also handy: a high-quality passport case (bonus points if it has space to hold your credit cards) to keep your most important document protected. Made of genuine Italian leather, Cuyana’s sleek passport case is a thoughtful gift for any traveler in your life. For a more affordable option, opt for this under-$30 passport holder with a built-in AirTag holder.
Browse more passport holder recommendations.
A luggage scale
If you’re prone to overpacking, give yourself some added peace of mind with a digital luggage scale; it’ll let you know how much damage your souvenirs did before arriving at the check-in counter on the way home.
Browse more luggage scale recommendations.
A luggage tag
Speaking of luggage, it’s a smart idea to attach a luggage tag to your checked bag so you can easily track it. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your personal belongings made it safely to the right destination, and are right where you left them when you venture outside your accommodations.
Browse more luggage tag recommendations.
A portable steamer
If you’re traveling to a wedding or heading out on a business trip, you may want to bring a portable steamer along to make sure your formalwear looks its best after you take it out of your suitcase. These editor-tested steamers aren’t too bulky to pack and actually get the job done.
Browse more travel steamer recommendations.
To keep you dry, cool, or warm
A travel umbrella
Depending on your destination, a travel-size umbrella might be worth the space in your luggage. And if you’re driving, tossing one in the backseat is a no-brainer. Contributor Claire Volkman tested out more than a dozen options to determine which are the sturdiest and most compact—shop two of her favorites below.
Browse more umbrella recommendations.
A portable fan
If you’re headed somewhere warm, or just tend to run hot, do yourself a favor and pack a portable fan. A lightweight, handheld option will give you the breeze you need, whether you’re in the back of a crowded bus or van, standing in line at Disneyland, or kicking back in a beach chair. Come summer in New York City, this Jisu fan gets moved around from purse to purse so that I always have it with me.
Browse more portable fan recommendations.
A blanket scarf
For those who run cold, an oversized scarf will get plenty of use in transit, and can even double as a blanket. Opt for a quality material you can pack for years to come, like cashmere. These cozy wraps from Quince and J.Crew are well-made and more affordable than most cashmere options on the market.
Browse more blanket scarf recommendations.
To keep you hydrated and healthy
Hydrating skincare products
Even if you’re not the type of person with a multi-step in-flight skincare routine, a few basics can go a long way in keeping your skin happy and healthy after a long day of travel (just make sure all your products are in a TSA-approved size). Lancôme and Tatcha offer some great moisturizers that leave your skin feeling hydrated and plump. If your face gets a little bloated on flights, Peter Thomas Roth’s Hydra-Gel eye patches are packed with collagen and caffeine to de-puff and smooth your under-eyes. I’ve been using Clinique’s All About Eyes serum for years—it’s so refreshing to roll on as soon as your plane lands, or when you wake feeling a little groggier than usual on vacation. Don’t forget a nourishing lip balm, either—my personal go-to is the Rosebud salve.
A reusable water bottle
This might seem like a no-brainer, but don’t forget to pack a trusty reusable water bottle, so you can stop buying overpriced bottles at the airport (and be kinder to the environment). Our editors love these 32-ounce bottles from Owala and Hydro Flask—they’re durable, easy to hold, and keep your water cold for hours.
Browse more water bottle recommendations.
Electrolytes
Time changes, long-haul flights, and jam-packed days can leave us feeling more run-down than we might like on vacation. Give your Vitamin C reserves a boost with Liquid I.V.’s immune support hydration multiplier powders. Nuun Sport tablets are also great at keeping you hydrated on long, active days in warm climates.
Hand sanitizer and wipes
Another must for general wellness: hand sanitizer. Buy a set and drop one in all your most-used totes and crossbody bags so you’re never without. Wet Ones wipes are nice to have on hand too, especially if you’re traveling with little ones.
A tray table cover
This $30 airplane tray table cover is one of my favorite in-flight travel accessories. It slides onto your tray table like a pillowcase, and completely covers the surface—so you can eat and work off of it without worrying about all those germs. Another bonus: It features four pockets to store essentials like your tablet, passport, water bottle, and phone. This means you won’t accidentally leave your most important documents or electronics in the seat’s safety manual compartment.
Compression socks
We love a good pair of compression socks to fight that pins-and-needles feeling that comes from sitting still for too long, be it on a long-haul flight or a road trip. Our editors swear by socks from Comrad and Bombas—they’re comfortable, stay in place, and help reduce swelling.
Browse more compression sock and travel sock recommendations.
To keep you entertained and powered up
A portable charger
There’s nothing like a dead battery to slow down a trip. Keep all your accessories charged up with a power bank—Anker is our go-to, but iWalk’s mini portable charger is a great option for iPhone or Android users, too. These are both compact enough to fit in a small fanny pack or sling bag.
A power adapter
For international travel, a power adapter is a must to make sure you can get devices charged up in the airport and your hotel room. Joomfeen’s under-$20 travel adapter has one AC power socket and two USB slots, and comes with US, EU, UK, and AU plugs AC plugs, so you’ll be good to go for travel to most anywhere in the world. We also recommend a Bluetooth converter, which lets you use your regular cordless earbuds or over-the-ear headphones to watch a movie in flight.
Headphones
Whether the plan is to listen to music, watch a movie, or just drown out noisy neighbors, most of us won’t board a plane without headphones—especially a pair that are noise-canceling. Make sure you have your go-to on hand, plus a pair of corded earbuds (if you forego the aforementioned Bluetooth adapter).
An e-reader
Even travelers with a library full of books at home have to admit it: E-readers are an essential travel accessory for bookworms. They are so much lighter than even one paperback book, and let you bring as many options as you want along for the ride. If you’re more of an iPad person, be sure to load it up with movies and books before a long-haul flight.
Browse more e-reader recommendations.
A portable speaker
This isn’t a must for every trip, but there are tons of occasions where it’s made sense for us to bring one along in the past: beach trips, bachelorette parties, anytime we’re staying in a rental home, for those of us who like to have music on in the background most waking hours of the day. While brands like JBL and Ultimate Ears have tons of size options, we like these mini options best for carry-on travel.
To help you sleep
An eye mask
For a comfortable journey at 30,000 feet—especially long trips where you’re hoping to get some shut-eye—an eye mask is crucial. The soft, sculpted Mzoo contoured mask and the Tempur-Pedic sleep mask are popular choices amongst Traveler readers. These mold to fit to your face, provide total darkness, and stay in place throughout your whole flight.
Browse more eye mask recommendations.
A neck pillow
Another comfort essential: a travel pillow. It can take some time to find the style you like best, and your pick might vary depending on whether you’re in-flight or in a car. A few we like: The classic memory foam wraparound neck pillow, which can be tightened or loosened per your preference, and the space age-looking Pluto Pod recommended by contributor Juliet Izon. Travelrest’s sling-style pillow is a nice option for middle-seaters who want to feel like they’re leaning over to rest without straying outside their seat. For a more traditional pillow, go for Happyluxe’s option: the fabric pillowcase is almost silky smooth.
Browse more neck pillow recommendations.
Earplugs
When you need some peace and quiet, swap your noise-canceling headphones in for earplugs. Traveler contributor Karthika Gupta raves about Curvd earplugs for long-haul flights. As someone with claustrophobia, she likes that they help block out external sounds to create a controlled auditory environment, which in turn calms her nerves. They are lightweight, affordable, ergonomically designed, and, more importantly, noise-reducing.
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