I felt it was time to make a post about my must-have products for travel. I’ve been traveling so much lately that there are some things that have become staples no matter how long or short the flight is. Note: *There are affiliate links in this post*.

Packing:

1. Backpack

This Cluci backpack I got on Amazon has been one of my favorite things when traveling in the airport, but also for when I’m walking around during the day while on a trip and need to bring things along. It has plenty of separate pockets so you can keep things organized, it fits my Mac perfectly, and it has an extra strap so it’s easy to keep it close when I’m in crowded areas where pickpockets might be an issue. The bag has a zipper pocket on the back to keep a passport, money, etc in a more secure place. I like the black because of the material- sort of a fake leather- but there are tons of colors and materials to choose from. The only downside to this bag is that it doesn’t have a strap across the back to hang on to my carry-on luggage. I usually wrap the straps around my luggage handle and that works fine! I’ve taken this bag on 4 trips now and it is holding up extremely well. The bag also fits great under the seat.

2. Packing Cubes

These packing cubes that I also found on Amazon have been perfect for my longer trips. If you like to be super organized, these would be great for any kind of travel. You can easily separate outfits, shoes, types of clothing, etc with these and they compress down to make more space in your luggage. I chose this brand because it had good reviews and I like the laundry bag that comes along with it. I like to keep my dirty clothes separate when I go from place to place, so these are great for that. So far I haven’t had issues with zippers breaking or anything.

3. Luggage

My TravelPro luggage are one of the best purchases I made going into 2022. They are so smooth, easy to pick up, and have very sturdy handles. They cases are soft, so they expand easily if I need them to and have held up very well over the past 15 months that I’ve been using them. These bags have gone on numerous flights and many long road trips, so I feel strong in recommending them. They come in different sizes and colors, too, so you don’t have to get the pink ones if that’s not your style!

Travel Accessories:

1. Neck Pillow

The neck pillow that comes with me on every flight is one of my favorites to recommend because it deflates and saves tons of space. You blow it up with a couple quick breaths, and you’re good to go. I also like that I can deflate it a little bit if I am uncomfortable. It’s great behind the neck, but I’m a window seat kinda girl and its perfect for leaning against the wall/closing the gap between the seat and the wall.

2. Eye mask

Ok this one was a game changer when I finally decided to bite the bullet and pay a bit more for a nice eye mask. The Manta eye mask has two cups that provide a comfy cushion for your eyes. They are velcro and can be adjusted to anyones facial structure, which is huge. The strap is super soft and comfortable, again with velcro, so it is easy to adjust to anyones head size. I barely notice it when it’s on and it keeps about 98% of the light out I’d say. Great for those long red eye flights while you impatiently wait for the flight attendants to turn the lights down or if you’ve got a night owl neighbor with their reading light on. It comes with a mesh case to keep it clean and safe and a pair of ear plugs.

3. Big Comfy Scarf

This is something I recently received as a Christmas gift and it has changed my life while traveling! This may seem like an exaggeration, but I swear it’s not. Scarves are one of the most versatile item of clothing you can own, but its even better when you are traveling long distances. I used this scarf as a pillow, blanket, extra neck support, face mask, head cover, and, for its intended use, to keep warm while traveling around a chilly England for a month. I never once regretted bringing it along and because the colors are fairly neutral, it worked with everything I wore. If you don’t have one, get one here. If you are going somewhere warm and maybe wondering if it’s worth it to bring, grab one of these lighter weight scarves!

4. AirFly Duo and AirPods

If you haven’t heard of the AirFly, you are missing out! Seriously this little device has made flying so much more comfortable. The AirFly plugs into the headphone outlet on the screen and connects to the bluetooth on what ever headphones you have. Of course, I have to recommend AirPods because that is what I use, but really any Bluetooth compatible device will work with it. Now you are wireless and can use your own comfortable headphones instead of the horrible airplane headphones they sometimes hand out. I bought the AirFly Duo because I can connect 2 sets of AirPods to it at a time. This means you and your travel partner can watch the same show, movie, or whatever at the same time. The AirFly comes with a short charging cable with a USB compatible port and a little carry case to keep everything together. 100/10 recommend both of these products!

Other Recs

1. Universal Adaptor Plug

If you are traveling internationally, most likely you are going to need one of these. I like this one from Epicka because it has multiple USB plugs, but also has 3 different plug in options: UK, Europe, and Australia/US. It is kind of chunky because of all these options, but I wouldn’t want anything less honestly.

2. Hydro Flask Bottle

If you were to run into me going anywhere, you would see me carrying my 40 oz water bottle. I honestly love water, and staying hydrated is such an important part of traveling! A 40 oz might seem like a lot to some, and honestly it does get heavy lugging it around, but I recommend it because you never know how long you might be out and about without a water source. The 40 oz Hydro Flask fits perfectly in my backpack that I mentioned earlier in this post, too! If 40 really is too daunting, they carry a 32 oz and a 24 oz bottle as well. I prefer the lid with a straw, but they have a few different options depending on what you like. And, of course, you get to take your pick on color! There are tons of choices when it comes to water bottles now a days. I recommend the Hydro Flask brand because they are extremely durable and keep my drinks hot or cold for days (no joke). But, if you travel with any bottle, you are winning in my book!

3. Purse

If you’re at all like I am, I like a smaller purse. Convenient with everything I need right there. So when I saw an ad for Bandolier, I was instantly on their site looking around. They have so many options for purses, cases, etc, but I ended up buying the phone case, iPod case, and Hailey crossbody pouch. They all clip onto one another and OMG, when I travel it is one of the best purchases I’ve made! You can buy each separately on the links above or all three as a set here. Be sure to select the right phone size if you do buy the phone case!

4. Vessi (shoes)

Alright, I’m sure most of you have seen the add for these waterproof shoes on Instagram. I bought into their ads and let me just say, I have zero regrets. In fact, I’m on my third pair of Vessi‘s because I love them so much. They are the perfect travel shoe because they slip on and off really easily (pro move if you don’t have TSA precheck, Clear, etc.) Plus, they are lightweight if you’d rather pack them for your trip.

They also truly are waterproof. I have walked all over a very VERY rainy and wet England in 2 of these pairs of shoes, and have never had a wet foot. They are easy to wash/rinse off if you need to clean the mud and gunk off. They have tons of options for styles, colors, and sizes, so they really are for everyone in my opinion.