favorite travel products
With countless trips planned and taken overseas, I have found my favorites to travel with that make being on the go just slightly easier. See all of my favorites below!
Packing Must-Haves:
Packing Cubes - I have packed and re-packed the same outfits for multiple trips. The most effective way to fit the most stuff in your bag is definitely the use of packing cubes. Use these cubes for clothing items ONLY. Then use the extra space around to fill your bag.
Bag Straps - These straps help you travel hands-free. The Cincha strap comes on every trip with me. You never know when you will need to strap something to your rolling bag, like a tote or backpack that doesn’t have a trolley pass on the back. The Go Travel Carry Clip allows you to clip something smaller to your bag. Some great uses would be, a souvenir or shopping bag in the airport, a jacket, or even clip two rolling bags together to free up hand space.
Extra Space - The Foldie is great for trips where you think you may accumulate more along your trip, the extra duffel folds flat, and opens up to make more space to carry whenever you need it.
Flat jewelry bag - I have received countless jewelry travel cases through the years, this is the only kind I will carry. It folds completely flat, so it’s less bulky and carries everything I need.
360 Spin Rolling Bag - If you don’t have one of these yet, buy one before your next trip! I really have tried every type of bag, but I love a hardsided bag (easy to compress your stuff down and easier to close). But the 360 wheels makes moving through the airport so easy and one with an extra pocket in the front or expandable zipper space, is a huge bonus!
Hat Clip - if you are still wearing your carrying your hat (or trying to pack your hat) then RUN don’t walk to buy a hat clip. This hands-free clip is the best for holding your hat for you!
Vacuum Bags - If you have access to steam or iron your clothes (or pack wrinkle free, use vacuum bags to compress clothes down. But my favorite thing to use vacuum bags for is to throw dirty laundry in them for your travels home. Compress your dirty laundry, when you unpack, throw it in the laundry hamper and save space!
Airplane Must Haves
Power Bank - Always need an extra source of power! This one is the size of a phone and holds the power and cords for multiple recharges. I love how this one has prongs to plug directly into the wall.
Inflatable neck pillow - If I had one item that is a must on every overseas plane ride, it would be a comfortable inflatable neck pillow. I love how this one doesn’t push your head forward and compresses down for easy packing when not in use.
Foot rest - 10 hours in economy, this helped me on quite a few flights. If you have to keep your feet elevated, this is an easy fix! It’s not a must have, but a nice to have!
Seat Cushion - If you have back problems this can save you. I don’t personally carry this on every trip, as it is bulky and I love to pack light. But this can really give your lower and upper back relief after sitting for 8-10 hours.
Other neck pillow options - If you have a hard time getting comfortable, this is a great pillow for adjusting and readjusting. These adjustable pillows allow you to rest in all directions. This regular camping pillow, I’ve used so many times for different things. I originally purchased to have an easy way to prop my arm up while breastfeeding on flights, since then I’ve used it to prop my feet up, help my toddler get comfortable and more,
Toiletries
Vitamin & pill organizers - Don’t pack along every bulky pill and vitamin bottle, these organizers help condense down to only what you need!
Travel Toothbrush - It doesn’t take up much room, but also has a carry case that keeps it clean on a bathroom countertop.
Tiny Toiletry Containers - I’ve used the expensive Cadence travel toiletry pods, and they were great for the first few trips, but after about a year, they got stuck, dried out or difficult to open. Instead I have started using these much cheaper versions. Use them as much as you want and throw away when one gets dried out (although I haven’t had one dry out yet).
Dual Voltage Hair Tools - This curling iron and straightener combo is also dual voltage, which means you can plug it into your adapter with ease! If you need to travel with your own blow dryer (I prefer to use the hotels to save space) this one folds up and is also dual voltage!
Silicone Bottle Covers - These silicone covers keep your liquids from spilling, so use these to keep liquids from getting all over everything! These have been my greatest find for toiletries!
Travel Toothpick Sticks - This one is a little extra - but I love these floss sticks, but they always seem to be floating around my toiletry bag. This one keeps them organized and it’s easy to refill when you get home!
Laundry While Traveling
Laundry Bag - One of my best pieces of travel advice is to always pack a laundry bag. I love this folding one, it hangs up in a closet and comes with a folding hanger inside. Easy to hang up in a small hotel room, stuff it full of dirty laundry and throw it in your bag to take home.
Laundry Hamper - This is one of my favorites for road trips. If you have the space, a folding hamper is perfect to unfold at your destination, throw your dirty clothes in and when you leave, throw it in the car and no need to unpack dirty clothes!
Vacuum Bags - Another great option for dirty laundry while traveling are packing vacuum bags along to throw your dirty clothes in, compress and pack!
Detergent Sheets & Dye Catchers - I put these in a ziploc and pack them on almost every trip, whether I plan on doing laundry or not. It’s so nice to have the option but not worry about liquids spilling. These detergent sheets are perfect for washing something in the sink or washing machine. The dye catchers are great for washing all colors together. No need to separate colors, just do one load of laundry!
Other Travel Essentials
Chargers and cords - I repeatedly have a hard time keeping these organized while traveling. These folding magsafe chargers are some of the best ways I have found to cut down on cords. I also love these options for awkward outlets. You know when you have to charge your phone across the room because there are no plugs near your bedside? Well no more with these long converters and travel plugs!
International Adapters - For small things like phones, chargers, sound machine, etc. you only need an adapter for your trip. For all larger things like laptops, hair tools, etc. you need a travel converter. For a long cord travel adapter for awkward plugs, this is perfect!
Travel Converter - It’s important to learn the difference if you will be traveling internationally. If you are traveling with something large to plug in (laptop, blow dryer, hair straightener or curling iron) you will need a converter. Unless your item has dual voltage. I linked some dual voltage items earlier in this article.
Blackout curtains - If you have trouble adapting to sleep (we use these for our toddler) these travel blackout curtains have been a favorite of ours! Sometimes worth the space they take up. They suction to the window to block out light. Most useful in rental homes, as hotels often have blackout curtains already installed on all windows.
