1. A window seat BevLedge to avoid chugging your cup of Ginger Ale (no ice) in the name of closing your tray table. This room-saver holds both bevvies and accessories like sleep masks and headphones to maximize that economy window seat.
BevLedge is a small business that specializes in travel accessories. Promising review: "I should have taken pictures, but this little beauty earned its purchase on two international flights (Seattle to Amsterdam). I did not try in on the short interstate flights, since they're short enough to not really need to spread out.
All the little accessory holders are great for adaptive use: I took a dog waste bag, tied a little knot in one end and hooked it on the glasses notch, and voila — little trash bag to keep my space tidy!" — Laura North Get it from Amazon for $19.99 . 2.
An Airplane Pocket tray cover to avoid dipping your hand into the abyss that is a seatback pocket. This conveniently that slides over an airplane tray to hold everything from passports and chargers to laptops and paperbacks. It also prevents that panic of "did I leave my passport behind?" that I personally feel every single time I step off an airplane.
Airplane Pockets is a small business that specializes in sanitary, portable travel organization products. Promising review: "I used this on a roundtrip from NYC to Tokyo, both with connecting flights in Canada, and cannot sing its praises enough. It fit all four of the different tray tables I used it on and was so ridiculously handy for keeping track of all my littler odds and ends like AirPods, the plane's headphones, earplugs, a sleep mask, a book, gum, a scrunchie, and little snacks.
The hanging end of it easily tucked into the built-in sleeve of the seat in front of me for takeoff and when other passengers needed to scoot past me in my aisle seat. Usually, I feel like a hot mess and get frustrated rooting around in the grimy sleeve for my stuff, and this was such a refreshing solution! Several flight attendants even asked where I got it to buy one for themselves!" —BuzzFeed Editor Emma Lord Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
3. A Bluetooth adapter because we all know that in-flight complimentary headphones are all but useless. This clever device lets you listen to new movies (*watches Harry Potter for the 90th time*) from the comfort of your own headphones.
Promising review: "Got this for my trip. Work perfectly on the the listed aircrafts. Paired up with my Bose QC earbuds on first attempt.
Lasted for a 15- and 6- hour flight with out recharging. If I were to loose this I would buy again without hesitation. A product that actually works as advertised.
Would buy again." — Tom Get it from Amazon for $39.99 .
4. A portable stand to transform your train tray table into a personal movie theatre. Download some movies onto your phone or tablet, prop 'em on this thing, and BAM! Just break out some snacks and the discomfort of traveling will be completely forgotten.
Promising review: "This was one of the many products I bought for our international flight that my husband said I didn’t need...
well during our 17-hour flight (the second flight out of six), he took my phone holder after his arms got tired bing-watching his show. Then I got to gloat in his face that I made a smart purchase! I’m taking this phone holder on every vacation we have! I love that you can also swivel the angle of the phone to adjust if the seat in front of you is reclined or not." — chrissy yoshida Get it from Amazon for $12.
57 . 5. A foot hammock so you can truly ~kick your feet up~ and relax, promoting circulation and helping you feel less cramped in your tiny seat.
(We'll get booked on business class one day. I promise.) Promising review: "I was on a LONG international flight and this was a lifesaver.
There was plenty of room for my feet and having it allowed me to adjust my leg positions often. It was easy to pack and carry, taking up virtually no space in my bag." — Gilles R.
Chiasson Get a set of two from Amazon for $24.99 . 6.
A plush blanket and pillow combo that's not a pain to pack thanks to a compact case with a trolley sleeve that slips over suitcase handles with ease. Promising review: " Took this on an 11-hour international flight. It's lightweight to carry but warm enough for a plane.
So glad I had this with me. It's also very easy to pack up." — Samuel Hoult Get it from Amazon for $29.
95 (available in six colors). 7. Wireless sleep headphones because there's nothing worse than resting your head on your hand and lodging your earbuds all the way back to the drums.
This seamless headband is both painless and plays white noise or your favorite music. Promising review : "The sound quality is very good and they fit comfortably on your head — not too loose or too tight. I asked for mine for a long flight and they served me very well on our flight to Australia.
A must-have for long flights!" — Mark Haugh Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in 26 colors). 8.
A memory foam seat cushion with an ergonomic design and gel layer that prevents bad posture and provides ultimate support. If your tush tends to hurt after a mere three seconds of sitting, this will take your long flight from "this is taking forever" to "wow, these last 13 hours breezed by." Promising review: "From the instant I sat on this, I knew this was the correct purchase for relief.
Two days after I received my cushion we flew from Ontario, Calif to Dallas, and then to London. I can honestly say that I would not have been able to make those flights due to my discomfort. I used it on each excursion we made in the 14 days of travel.
" — Bob B. Get it from Amazon for $36.76+ (available in three colors).
9. A foot rest especially adored by family's traveling with little ones — this inflatable foot rest allows you to make the most of that extra floor space. Promising review: "We had the bulkhead bassinet seats for our flight to Europe.
This footrest was amazing! My husband and I were able to completely sprawl out and sleep. If you’re on the fence I’d say just buy it. The footrest takes pressure not just off your feet but off of your hips, so after the long haul flight we both felt rested and fresh.
We won’t be traveling long haul without them!" — Jennifer Pearson Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in four colors). 10.
An inflatable wedge pillow you can slip on over your hand for deep sleep that feels genuinely restful (no small feat amidst turbulence). Prop open your tray table, rest your hand, then rest your head. *falls asleep immediately* Can't sleep while traveling? No worries, because this gem also doubles up as a back rest for optimal comfort.
Promising reviews: " Used this on four international flights last month, and it made all the difference in the world. It's compact, quick and easy to inflate/deflate, very versatile in how you can position it, and it doesn't rely on the tray table. I can very comfortably lean forward in my seat and sleep almost like I can in a bed.
" — Still Chilly in Colorado Get it from Amazon for $24.99 . 11.
A luggage strap for folks who avoid bringing a slew of necessities (neck pillows, light jackets, the wide-brim hat you specifically bought for a sunny trip but never pack, etcetera) for the sake of easy transport. Promising review: "Love this little gadget. I used it to attach my jacket and computer bag to my luggage on an extended business trip.
Made my airport walks so much easier. Now that I'm back home, I've been using it daily to attach my jacket or cardigan to my work bag or purse. Love it!" — Michele Get it from Amazon for $7.
99 (available in six colors and in packs of two). 12. Disposable silicone earplugs because ear pain during air travel is REAL, and babies have every reason to cry because of it.
Just saying. Promising review: "A friend told me about these when I ruptured my eardrum a few days before I had to fly. I was expecting immense pain from my not-nearly-healed ear during takeoff and landing, but with these, I didn't feel the slightest additional discomfort.
" — Kathleen M. Get a pack of three from Amazon for $19.49 .
13. A carry-on friendly portable espresso maker if the coffee carts at the hotel chains your corporation approves budget for are a far cry from the caffeine you want to drink in the morning. This ensures a delicious cup of joe, always.
It lets you use Nespresso pods and is hand-operated, with no battery or electricity needed. Promising review: "I travel on business globally 200+ days of the year and hotels in some parts of the world don’t always have Nespresso machines. I hate to have to go down to a coffee shop to get my morning shots in the morning.
I bought this recently for a three-week trip to Korea. The unit worked like a charm and the espresso is excellent with a nice froth. It’s easy to use and clean.
You do have to work a bit with the hand pump, but I figure that’s good exercise...
an added benefit. I just ordered a second unit as a backup." — Andrews Get it from Amazon for $54.
90 (and here are some Nespresso pods to go with it). 14. A travel drink caddy if wheeling across terminals with your carry-on and (as the airlines dub it) your personal item aka your purse has lead to several an airport Starbucks drink being spilled.
This props iced coffee and water bottles upright so you can pull out your boarding pass with ease. Promising review: "This is an amazing travel accessory! When are you trying to juggle your hot beverage with a water bottle, your phone, and a boarding pass, this is a handy, easily stashable uni-tasker to have. Fits perfectly on my carry-on bag and larger rolling bags as well.
" — Pirate Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 27 colors). 15.
Anti-nausea ginger gum perfect for pregnancy morning sickness *or* long plane trips and train rides. Avoiding having to ask your seatmate to move so you can run to the bathroom is as easy as one, two, chew. "I originally bought this gum for a getaway that I knew included a road trip because I get carsick on long drives and didn't want to become a miserable little gnat as a result.
Let me tell you, this gum saved not only me but also almost everyone on my trip. Whenever someone started feeling nauseated, they just popped a piece of gum in their mouth and felt relief within minutes. The ginger taste is light, but it's still effective.
It's actually really yummy! I can't imagine how many times we would've had to pull over so someone could get some fresh air or even throw up during our almost five-hour drive had I not brought this gum along." — Jasmin Suknanan Get a pack of 24 from Amazon for $7.99 .
16. Storage bags for your shoes, ones that keep smelly odors away from your fancy clothes *but* have clear windows — that way you can pull the pair you're looking for without having to play the guessing game of "which pair of heels did I shove into this nondescript plastic bag?" Promising review: "I'm mad I didn’t know about these sooner! I hate when my shoes touch anything in my suitcase, so much so that I would put them in trash bags. I am a women’s size 8 and my flip-flops and sneakers fit into the light blue bag, my husband’s sneakers fit into the dark blue bag.
(He is a size 11). The material is pretty sturdy. They should last you quite some time.
" — Cat L. Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $9.99 + (available in three colors).
17. A contoured sleep mask because — and gird your loins here — plane naps CAN be good. This helps alleviate pressure and prevents any light from ruining your snooze, plus the seamless elastic means it won't snag your hair in the process.
Promising review: "I've tried many sleep masks but this is the only one I like. The foam around the eye sockets is soft and covered with soft material that forms a seal around my eye sockets. This makes it very comfortable and shields out any light, even if I want to take a nap during the day! I have been able to regulate my sleep better because I put it on when I want to sleep and I am not awakened by light until I want to be.
I usually stay up until at least midnight and wake up the minute the sun comes out but I've been able to sleep many hours more that usual. This is THE ONLY mask I give as a gift and the recipients tell me they have gotten the same response — longer sleep in the morning. Excellent buy!" — Fanceyfootwork Get it from Amazon for $16.
99+ (available in six colors). 18. A travel tray perfect for any accompanying kiddos.
This collapsible accessory is equipped with a detachable cup holder, iPad viewing stand for Cocomelon marathons, side storage pockets for toys and other knickknacks, plus a dry erase drawing surface base. Promising review: "The perfect addition to our road trip! We were constantly battling with dropped snacks, toys, etc. My kiddo loved the compartments to hold everything and the dry erase board was such a bonus! I love how well the removable pieces cling on, it’s not your typical Velcro, much stronger and doesn’t seem like it will wear down over time.
" — ARose Get it from Amazon for $28.95 (available in 12 colors). 19.
A digital luggage scale — all I can say is that it's worth the $10 if you're prone to overpacking and have, on more than occasion, been forced to pay an additional $100 luggage fee. Promising review: "This luggage scale is so handy and is great for weighting your luggage. I was a little concerned before I got it because I wasn't sure how accurate it would be.
When I used it when I went on vacation, it was dead on to what the airport said, so I highly recommend this. Plus, it’s easy to pack in your bags." — Teresa Daniels Get it from Amazon for $10.
99+ (available in eight colors). 20. Luggage tags available in a bunch of vibrant, distinguishable colors that make spotting your suitcase at baggage claim into a no-fuss breeze.
Promising review: "Bought these for a trip across the country (I went through five airports) and these made it easy to identify my suitcase at baggage claim. Happy with the quality for money spent!" — AnnMarie Johnston Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 27 colors).
21. A large travel wallet because there is NOTHING WORSE than losing a connecting boarding pass while on a plane. Is it underneath your seat? In the carry-on you stored in the overhead compartment? Did you drop it en route to the plane? I don't know, I'm tired, just get this and save yourself the potential headache.
The wallet has a passport pocket, boarding pass compartment, three credit card slots, an ID slot, a slim card pouch, slim pockets, a ticket slot, a cell phone pouch, a coin zippered pocket, key holder, and pen holder. Promising review: "I absolutely love this wallet. I needed a new travel wallet, and this holds everything I need all in one place, and it still closes nicely and stays flat! I can fit my boarding pass, passport, ID, credit cards, money, checked baggage tickets, receipts, and more in it, yet it doesn’t bulk up or look like an overstuffed mess.
It's just amazing. The description says it only holds US money, but I just used the boarding pass flap to hold all my Japanese yen (¥), which are larger. I didn’t use the zippered pocket for coins as I much prefer a separate coin purse for that sort of thing.
I definitely recommend to anyone who travels a lot!" — Anthony Luu Get it from Amazon for $11.19 (available in 30 colors). 22.
Silicone travel bottles because — regardless if you're staying in a 10-person hostel or five-star resort — complimentary shampoo is almost exclusively trash. These bottles come with pre-printed labels that allow you to bring your favorite hair and body products along for the trip. And it comes with a handy, clear zipper pouch! Promising review: "Just took a trip to the Dominican Republic and used carry-on luggage only throughout the entire trip, never once was questioned about the size.
The bag they are in seems thin but it worked great to put bottles back in as well as some smaller items fit in the bag too, like lip gloss, mascara, and such. The holes are big enough to get your product in to the bottles without any complications. My fiancé and myself had plenty of shampoo, conditioner, sunblock and lotion for seven days.
Highly recommend these bottles, they are perfect for carry-ons!!" — Stephanie Miller Get a set of four 3-oz. bottles from Amazon for $14.99 (available in a variety of sizes).
23. Compression socks to keep your feet from swelling up. TL: DR; These can help prevent leg soreness, cramping, *and* use a moisture-wicking fabric.
Read more about compression socks and long flights at Cleveland Clinic . Promising review: "I’ve been wearing compression socks to work for years and loved them, but these are the first pairs of compression socks I’ve tried for running. I had been having some leg cramping on my long runs so I decided to try them and will never go back to short athletic socks again.
I love the lack of fatigue I get from the pressure from these socks and the decrease of post-run pain. I will be wearing these when I cross the finish line at my first marathon this October!" — jamerz82 Get them from Amazon for $11.95 (available in sizes S–XXL and in eight colors).
24. Neoprene handle wraps available in fluorescent colors you can hypothetically spot from space. Or at the very least, you can spot them from baggage claim.
Promising review: "These are great! It was very easy to spot my bag at the baggage claim thanks to these handle covers and the coordinating luggage tags . I also appreciated that the comfort handle made it easier to schlep my bag in and out of the car!" — RiverSong Get a set of five from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 11 colors).
25. BPA-free covers if you've gotten into the habit of flinging your toothbrush into your foundation-covered makeup bag and calling it a day. When you think about it: ew.
This tiny gadget keeps grime off the bristles that are intended to disinfect your mouth. Promising review: "Fits my double brush electronic toothbrush perfectly. Cleans easily.
A perfect accessory for health and cleanliness of the toothbrush. Great idea; and I like the way they look." — a l brock Get a pack of four from Amazon for $14.
44 . 26. Packing cubes capable of helping you fit your entire 👏 friggin' 👏 wardrobe 👏 inside your carry-on.
Plus, this keeps everything lookin' niiiiice and neat. Promising review: "I am officially sold on packing cubes!! These things are amazing! I can believe I've been packing without them my whole life. The mesh lining allows you to peek inside, and I was able to pack all my clothes, shoes, and toiletries for a 10-day trip to Europe (full contents listed below).
I packed them as I normally would first, and then packed them in the packing cubes. There was SO much more room in my luggage after packing everything in the cubes! Items I fit in the cubes and bag include two jackets, one jean vest, four pants/capris, two pairs of shorts, one romper, four dresses, one maxi skirt, seven tank tops, four shirts, three camisoles, three pajama sets, 15 undies, six pairs of socks, and four pairs of shoes. But why are you still reading?? Go buy these cubes!" — Tiffany Get a set from Amazon for $21.
99 (available in 24 colors). 27. A TSA-approved transparent organizer so that you don't have to fish around your suitcase for liquids (and then stuff them in a clear baggy) while going through airport security.
Flying is nerve-wracking enough. Let's not be panicking about whether or not our favorite moisturizer will be unjustly confiscated. Promising review: "I am a flight attendant, and this case is perfect for all my international flights that require going through security.
Plus, love the handle. It makes it easy to pull out of my suitcase!" — Krissti Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 11 colors).
28. Cable ties because tangled charging cords and headphones are the second most frustrating thing on the planet. (Forgetting said charging cords and headphones at home is #1.
) These cable ties are also great for when you're NOT traveling! See below. Promising review: "I used the different colors to help sort and organize the cords we were bringing on our trip and I love that you can leave them on and just wrap them back up when you are ready!" — Shelby S. Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $6.
99 (available in three color combos). The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity..
