The 12 Best Travel Accessories To Take With You On Your Next Trip (2024)

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Joey Skladany

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No matter the destination, the right combination of travel essentials will make your next getaway more comfortable and enjoyable. Traveling, after all, can do a number on the body, both physically and emotionally, so it’s important to invest in the correct gear to get you to your final destination feeling relaxed and refreshed. Along with ease of mind, the best travel accessories will help keep you organized on long-haul or multi-destination trips that involve planes, trains and automobiles.

To narrow down options, we read countless travel product reviews and evaluated products from both established and newer-to-market brands. We also tapped into our expertise as globetrotters and frequent flyers who have traveled far and wide. From a popular tech kit with space for all of your chargers and batteries to noise-cancelling earbuds, each item on this list is durable, functional and well-designed. Below, the 12 best travel accessories to make your next adventure as seamless as possible. And for more inspiration, we have in-depth guides to the best luggage brands and the best luggage for international travel.

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Best Travel Blanket

Lightweight, Insulated And Durable

Layover™ Travel Blanket

Dimensions: 66 x 40 inches (when stuffed) | Weight: 12.43 oz. | Material: Nylon with recycled plastic insulation | Warranty: Lifetime warranty

There is a high probability that your flight’s air conditioning will rival the temperatures found in any cold-weather escape. But if you’re hoping to stave off the inevitable goosebumps and shivers, opt for a lightweight travel blanket that will keep you covered and toasty. Gravel boasts one of the best on the market with an insulated core, kangaroo pockets, and an anti-static, spill-proof nylon fabric. It also folds up into a tiny, easy-to-transport bag that can double as a pillow during long and arduous plane or bus rides. And, best of all, it’s made from recycled materials and backed by a lifetime warranty, re-validating that it’s a purchase you will feel really good about.

Best Cord Organizer

Keep Wires And Chargers Secure

Bellroy Tech Kit

Dimensions: 5 x 9 inches | Weight: 4.2 ounces | Material: Recycled Baida nylon, eco-tanned leather, elastane loops | Warranty: Three-year warranty

If you’re the type of traveler who packs practically every electronic device that you own, fear not: The Bellroy Tech Kit provides unparalleled organization for all of your wires, chargers and batteries with magnetic slip and mesh pockets, as well as elastic cable loops to keep your belongings safe, protected and secure. The design is also quite snazzy in 10 different color and pattern options, accented with smooth-action zippers, recycled nylon and embossed leather trim. Needless to say, this will be the bag you not only toss into your carry-on, but also your go-to backpack or purse for everyday use.

Best Toiletry Container

Spill-Proof Interior And Plenty Of Pockets

Away The Hanging Toiletry Bag

Dimensions: 9.6 x 3.7 x 6.6 | Weight: 13 ounces | Material: Nylon | Warranty: One-year warranty

Gone are the days of fumbling through an oversized toiletry bag flowing with random bottles, jars, and tubes deemed as “essential skincare.” Away’s hanging container not only provides see-through compartments to organize your favorite beauty products and grooming tools, but it also unfolds and hangs for quick and easy access. Perhaps its most welcomed feature is its nylon-coated, spill-proof interior. If something cracks or explodes along the way, it won’t ruin what’s in close proximity—a big win if you’re traveling to relax and unwind.

Best Compression Socks

Relieve Aches And Pains On Long Flights

Bombas Everyday Compression Socks

Dimensions: Varies by size | Weight: Varies by size | Material: Cotton, polyester, elastane, nylon | Warranty: Lifetime warranty

These high compression socks are as stylish as they are functional. Available in a handful of neutral colors and prints, its extra-long staple cotton keeps calves and feet warm and supported, but also protected from the elements of cold air and abrasive footwear. Perfect for long flights to relieve aches and pains and stimulate blood flow, investing in a pair or two is an absolute necessity to ward off potential mobility issues. Also, as part of Bombas’ mission to give back to the community, for every pair of socks purchased, a pair of socks is donated.

Best Water Bottle

Stay Hydrated On The Road

SLIM Stainless Steel memobottle

Dimensions: 10.6 x 2.3 x 1.5 | Weight: 12.8 ounces | Material: Stainless steel, BPA and BPS-free plastic, silicone | Warranty: Two-year warranty

Hydration can make or break your general well-being, but nothing is more cumbersome than an oversized water bottle that can’t fit in your bag. Enter SLIM’s stainless steel memobottle: the answer to on-the-go water needs. With a minimalist design and slim H2O container, this flask-like novelty can slide into practically any space: backpacks, briefcases, carry-on bags, purses and inconspicuous side pockets.

Best Portable Charger

Provides Up To Three Days Of Power

MOST POPULAR

Nimble CHAMP Portable Charger

Dimensions: 3 x 2.2 x 1 | Weight: 6.4 ounces | Material: Recycled plastic (exterior) | Warranty: Two-year warranty

This is the portable charger that puts all other portable chargers to shame. Not only is it ultra-compact and easy to transport, but it also carries a 10,000 mAh battery for up to a whopping three days of power. It’s also high-speed, yielding an 80% charge in only 30 minutes, and is compatible with iPhones, iPads, Android devices and more. You’ll never have to worry about a dead cellphone or Kindle on a long-haul flight again. And to that, especially if crying children are nearby, we say “hallelujah.”

Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds

Crystal Clear Sound With Zero Background Noise

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.5 x 3.4 (including case) | Weight: 8.96 ounces (including case) | Material: Plastic | Warranty: One-year warranty

Whether you’re on a noisy plane, immersing yourself in a poignant museum exhibit or simply want to tune out the sounds of other tourists, a pair of noise-canceling headphones is a must. The beauty of Bose’s foray into earbuds is that these do an excellent job of both blocking outside sounds and playing crystal-clear music. The case also comes with three sizes of ear tips to accommodate the shape of your ear canal and every play option, from bass to treble levels, can be custom-tailored through Bose’s easy-to-use app. But our favorite feature is its ActiveSense technology that can be turned on if you want the earbuds to do the work for you and automatically adjust the volume to accommodate your surroundings.

Best Neck Pillow

Soft, Breathable And Supportive

Trtl Travel Pillow

Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 2.5 | Weight: 4.9 ounces | Material: Tencel fleece, foam, plastic | Warranty: 100-day warranty

Not all neck pillows are created equal and Trtl’s take is lightyears beyond the common foam crescents that can sometimes do more harm than good. Designed to look like a scarf, it is proven to be more supportive than most U-shaped pillows. Simply loop it around your neck, wrap it, and adjust so that the internal “flipper” can fit underneath the contours of your face, jaw and shoulder to prevent your head from falling forward. Trtl’s inner material is machine-washable and its fabric is breathable and cool to the touch, making it an in-flight napping experience that may not be perfect, but a whole lot better than a window, stiff piece of foam or a stranger’s shoulder.

Best Packing Cubes

A Must-Have For Over Packers

July Packing Cells

Dimensions: Varies by four sizes | Weight: Varies by four sizes | Material: Nylon | Warranty: Five-year warranty

Packing cubes not only make sense for easy storage and organization, but they also help to limit the amount of clothing and personal items you bring on a trip. If you’re a notorious over packer, these zippable compartments are an essential, especially if they come from beloved travel brand July. Available in a set of four sizes with mesh tops and side carry handles, the lightweight space savers are designed to hold anything and everything, from underwear and shoes to jeans and an entire three-piece suit. They’re also 100% stain proof and machine washable, so if a bottle of moisturizer decides to explode en route, you don’t have to worry about shelling out hard-earned cash for a replacement.

Best Jewelry Case

Keep Valuables Organized And Safe

Mark & Graham Small Travel Jewelry Case

Dimensions: 4.5 x 4.x5 x 2.25 | Weight: 11 ounces | Material: Vegan leather (exterior), Linen (interior) | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

Don’t just arbitrarily toss your favorite necklaces, bracelets and earrings into a bag and pray that you’ll find them, unknotted, when the time comes to wear them. They deserve so much better, like being displayed in a Mark & Graham travel jewelry case that can be—best of all—personalized so that fellow travelers won’t mistake it as theirs. The pebbled vegan leather interior also features a built-in mirror so that you can get one final look before stepping out for a night on the town.

Best Power Adapter

Charge Up To Five Different Devices

OneWorld100 International Adapter With Charger

Dimensions: 2.15 x 2.72 x 2.64 | Weight: 6.29 ounces | Material: Plastic (exterior) | Warranty: One-year warranty

Another country, another unfamiliar outlet. Not only does the OneWorld100 adapter charge up to five devices simultaneously (two for larger ones like a MacBook Pro), it’s also compatible in over 200 countries. But one feature that makes a significant impact is its over-current, over-temperature and fuse protector so that you don’t burn down your hotel room if left unsupervised. This is precisely the peace of mind needed when you’re traveling in a foreign country.

Best Portable Steamer

Heats Up Quickly And Zaps Wrinkles

Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam

Dimensions: 11.8 x 11.8 x 5.8 | Weight: 56 ounces | Material: Plastic, aluminum, silicone | Warranty: Limited one-year warranty

The greatest threat to your clothing, other than snags and stains, is wrinkles. And many clothes, especially with more sensitive fabrics like silk or linen, will not emerge from a suitcase unscathed. This portable steamer from Conair will remedy any outfit that looks like it’s been sitting in a ball under your bed for months. Its water tank emits 15 minutes of continuous steam and the device only takes 40 seconds to heat up. A built-in creaser also forms perfect pleats and folds so that pants and skirts will maintain that straight-from-the-dry-cleaner look as you saunter from place to place.

Coupons

Zoro

Link to Coupon

Zoro

Link to Coupon

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DreamCloud

Link to Coupon

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Greyhound

Link to Coupon

","scope":{"name":"Greyhound","itemLink":"https://www.forbes.com/coupons/greyhound.com/","image":"https://www.forbes.com/coupons/vfiles/255691/merchant_image-merchant_logo_large.png","position":2,"styles":"color: #fff; background-color: #004057;","trackingLabel":"ExternalCoupon3Link:https://www.forbes.com/coupons/greyhound.com/"}},{"textContent":"

Harbor Freight

Link to Coupon

","scope":{"name":"Harbor Freight","itemLink":"https://www.forbes.com/coupons/harborfreight.com/","image":"https://www.forbes.com/coupons/vfiles/11655/merchant_image-merchant_logo_large.png","position":3,"styles":"color: #fff; background-color: #e62020;","trackingLabel":"ExternalCoupon4Link:https://www.forbes.com/coupons/harborfreight.com/"}},{"textContent":"

Naked Wines

Link to Coupon

","scope":{"name":"Naked Wines","itemLink":"https://www.forbes.com/coupons/nakedwines.com/","image":"https://www.forbes.com/coupons/vfiles/55483/merchant_image-merchant_logo_large.png","position":4,"styles":"color: #fff; background-color: #3f72bb;","trackingLabel":"ExternalCoupon5Link:https://www.forbes.com/coupons/nakedwines.com/"}}],"breakpoints":[{"breakpoint":"@media all and (max-width: 768px)","config":{"inView":1,"slidesToScroll":4}},{"breakpoint":"@media all and (max-width: 1024px)","config":{"inView":1,"slidesToScroll":4}}]};

The 12 Best Travel Accessories To Take With You On Your Next Trip (2024)

FAQs

The 12 Best Travel Accessories To Take With You On Your Next Trip? ›

The 54321 Packing Method

Each number is assigned a category. And I think this method is really something you can tailor to your personal style. In general, it often looks like 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 shoes, 2 dresses and 1 bag. You can also add in additional things like maybe 2 belts, and 1 hat.

What is the 5 4 3 2 1 packing method? ›

The 54321 Packing Method

Each number is assigned a category. And I think this method is really something you can tailor to your personal style. In general, it often looks like 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 shoes, 2 dresses and 1 bag. You can also add in additional things like maybe 2 belts, and 1 hat.

What are the most important things to take on a trip? ›

Personal Items
  • Passport.
  • Visa (if required for your destination)
  • Travel itinerary or reservations.
  • Copies of tickets.
  • Travel insurance information.
  • Driver's license or ID card.
  • Health insurance card.
Apr 5, 2024

What should you take with you when Travelling? ›

Travel essentials
  • Photo ID.
  • Passport.
  • Cash and credit cards.
  • Health insurance card.
  • Travel insurance info.
  • Itinerary, ticket and reservation info.
  • Phone and charger.
  • Keys.

What is one thing you always take with you while you travel? ›

Always carry a water bottle to stay hydrated on the road. Most travel backpacks have a water bottle compartment so it's easy to reach when you're walking around. Not only are reusable water bottles better for the environment but they're also a great way to save money so that you don't have to keep buying more.

What is the 333 method packing? ›

What is the '333 packing' method? The concept is fairly simple: Choose three tops, three bottoms and three pairs of shoes to create different outfit combinations. The result is more than a dozen looks that fit easily in your carry-on luggage.

What is the 3 1 rule for packing? ›

You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

What is a packing list? ›

A packing list itemizes the contents of each package (box, pallets, etc). It includes weights, measurements and detailed lists of the goods in each package. The packing list should be included in carton or package, and can be attached to the outside of a package with a copy inside.

What should I bring on a 10 day trip? ›

Follow the 5-4-3-2-1 packing trick, where you pack five tops, four bottoms, three dresses, three pairs of shoes, two swimsuits, two bags, and one of each of a few miscellaneous accessories. If you're opting for a carry-on, mix and match items in your travel capsule and have a versatile wardrobe.

What are the some things you never forget to take with you when you are Travelling? ›

  • Hygiene items and prescriptions. On your travels, the last thing you want to forget is any essential hygiene or medical item. ...
  • A reusable water bottle. Bringing a reusable bottle saves money and keeps you hydrated. ...
  • Portable power banks. ...
  • Towelettes. ...
  • A quick-dry towel. ...
  • Plastic bags. ...
  • A packable backpack. ...
  • Bottle protectors.
Jun 12, 2023

Can you bring snacks on a plane? ›

Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked baggage. TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.

What do people pack in their luggage? ›

Gather up everything that needs to fit in your bag and organise it into categories: clothing (separated into shoes, tops, pants, jackets, outerwear, underwear and accessories), toiletries, electronic devices and miscellaneous equipment/gadgets.

What should you not pack for international travel? ›

Don't pack any food: it could make your clothes dirty or if spilled or leaked, it can be of a big loss to you. Don't carry soap, shampoos, toiletries, and deodorants: you can buy all such items abroad. Don't pack heavy books: books can cover a large space in your bag. Also, it will make your bag heavy.

What should I pack for a plane trip? ›

Consider packing:
  • Snacks and a refillable water bottle.
  • Noise cancelling headphones.
  • Compression socks.
  • Entertainment (such as books, magazines and tech devices loaded up with music, podcasts, movies, etc.)
  • Phone charger (some flights have power ports built into the seat)
  • Neck pillow.

Why do you need packing cubes in luggage? ›

Luggage packing cubes not only create more space for you in your luggage — so you have room to pack everything you need — but they keep items in better condition during travel (less wrinkled, dry, and clean), so there's less stress while you're getting ready to conquer the world.

What is the 5 4 3 3 1 packing method? ›

Do the clothing countdown: If you need a mantra to help streamline your wardrobe, use the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule for a weeklong trip: Limit yourself to no more than five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one hat. The list should be adjusted to suit your needs.

What is the 5 4 3 2 1 packing method for cold weather? ›

Going somewhere cold? 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 pairs of shoes, 2 sweaters, 1 coat.

What is 1 5 rule in travelling? ›

For every 1 trip you want to take, say no to 5 materialistic items. How? People who prioritise travel say no to impulsive shopping, fast fashion, expensive alcohol, gourmet food orders, 100s of beauty products and makeup.

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