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As someone who has traveled to 5 continents, driven cross country multiple times, and has had to daily pack for 2 small children, I know that any kind of trip can be stressful. However, if you have the right travel essentials, small inconveniences can start to disappear. To help you start packing for your next big trip, I've rounded up the best life-saving travel accessories that you need to have in your suitcase (and they start at just $7). And, believe me, they are game changers.
Once you've got the right travel backpack or luggage, you just need to start with the essentials. From convenient packing cubes to a super soft travel pillow, a travel wallet that can even hold your phone, and a toiletry bag that easily hooks onto the back of any hotel room door, these packing list essentials are great for a weekend trip to a long haul flight. And if you pack right, you might not have to have a checked bag on your trip.
So, keep on scrolling and check out the best travel essentials for any kind of trip. This travel gear is tried and true, and can make your next journey stress-free.
Shop the Best Life-Saving Travel Accessories
Handy 4-Pack of TSA-Approved Toiletry Bottles
These 4 TSA-friendly bottles have a large opening for easily filling with your favorite lotion, shampoo, and more while you travel. It comes with a clear zippered pouch and reviewers rave that the bottles don't leak.
- Available colors: 11
- Why It's a Life Saver: Makes it easy to keep your favorite products in your carry-on.
- Shoppers say: "I just got back from a 32 day trip to Europe and used these for my shampoo/conditioner and for my lotion and I wanted to let everyone know that they worked perfectly! Each one held about a week/10 days worth of shampoo and the one I put the lotion in lasted me the entire month. There was absolutely no leaking from any of them."
A Super Soft Travel Blanket & Pillow Combo
Measuring 65 x 40 inches, this super soft travel blanket (that easily folds into a case as a pillow) is a travel must-have. Plus, when it's in the pillowcase, it can easily slip over the handle of your suitcase.
- Available colors: 6
- Why It's a Life Saver: Makes it easy to get some much-needed sleep on a plane, bus, or car.
- Shoppers say: "Bought this for a very long airplane ride, and it was perfect. You can also use it as a pillow if you don’t want to unfold the whole blanket. Soft, cozy, nice material, and very warm."
A Wireless Charging Station for Multiple Apple Devices
Wirelessly charge your Airpods, iPhone, and Apple Watch all at once with this wireless station. And because it's foldable, it's lightweight and super easy to throw in your carry-on.
- Available colors: 6
- Why It's a Life Saver: Wirelessly charge multiple devices at once, in one easy, foldable package.
- Shoppers say: "I recently purchased this charging station for Apple devices, and it's been a game-changer for me, especially when I travel. It works perfectly with all three of my Apple devices: my iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. The best part is that I no longer need to carry multiple charging cables or scatter my devices around the hotel room to charge them."
A Set of Packing Cubes That Will Transform Your Suitcase
Believe me, packing cubes are 100% essential. They make it so much easier to find things in your suitcase. This set comes with 8 pieces of different sizes, including an accessory bag, shoe bag, cosmetic bag with a hook (for hanging in a hotel bathroom), and more.
- Available colors: 15
- Why It's a Life Saver: Everything in your suitcase is neat and organized, so it's super easy to find what you're looking for when you're traveling.
- Shoppers say: "Me and my family took a big / long trip out of the country, and I thought I should try out these packing cubes. They were a GAME CHANGER!! [...] Having the kids stuff in packing cubes saved me SO much time finding things for them!! It was awesome."
A Phone Holder That Easily Mounts to the Seat in Front of You
Craning your neck to watch videos on your phone while you fly? Well, quit it! This holder easily mounts to the seat in front of you for easy viewing and conveniently folds when not in use.
- Available colors: 10
- Why It's a Life Saver: Makes it easy to watch videos on your phone while you're flying (and saves your neck).
- Shoppers say: "This phone holder will save your sanity on long flights. I was able to position it and reposition it easily. It holds on to the tray table and the phone really tightly. It packs down to a pretty small size, so it is easy to fit it in your bag. I will use this a lot."
A Collapsible Water Bottle That Doesn't Take Up Room in Your Bag
Tired of lugging a giant water bottle everywhere? Well, check out this collapsible water bottle. It easily folds when it's not full, doesn't leak, and is made of BPA-free silicone.
- Available colors: 14
- Available sizes: 3
- Why It's a Life Saver: Keeps you hydrated and doesn't take up a lot of room in your bag.
- Shoppers say: "I bought this for my trip to Europe, brought it with me everywhere. Easy to use, keeps water decently cold, does not leak and can withstand hiking."
A Tube That You Can Stuff With Clothes & Use as a Travel Pillow
You can easily stuff up to 3 days worth of clothes into this tube, then zipper it and use it as a comfy travel pillow around your neck. Plus, it easily folds into its own pocket when you're not using it.
- Available colors: 1
- Why It's a Life Saver: Does double duty as a bag and a travel pillow for your neck.
- Shoppers say: "The TUBE Pillow was a savior on my last trip. It held a surprising amount of clothes and doubled as a dirty laundry bag. I used it as an on-the-lap pillow, but it was a tad awkward to maneuver. Still, for extra storage without extra fees, it's worth it!"
A Mini Razor That's So Easy to Pack
Beloved by Paralympian Anastasia Pagonis, this mini razor is a toiletry bag must-have. It has the blades of a larger razor, just in a smaller package, so you're still getting the smoothness you want.
- Available sizes: 1-pack, 2-pack
- Why It's a Life Saver: If you're hairy, you can get a smooth shave anywhere.
- Shoppers say: "I would always forget my razor and have to worry about putting it in something to travel with, but now I leave this in my travel bag and always have one. It’s the perfect size for on the go and Venus gives the best shave!"
A Travel Wallet That Holds EVERYTHING
When you're going through customs or navigating a new city, you want all your important items (cash, passport, phone) in one easy place. This wallet has room for everything, plus 12 card slots and one zippered pouch.
- Available colors: 9
- Why It's a Life Saver: Holds cash, phone, cards, and more, and makes it easy to find those things on the go.
- Shoppers say: "Very nice product for particular items when traveling. Makes it convenient to get to certain items quickly."
A Travel Toiletry Bag That Can Hold SO MUCH STUFF
With tons of space and easy-to-view compartments, this travel toiletry bag is essential. It can hold full-size products and plenty of makeup, plus it easily folds and includes a hook for convenient hanging.
- Available colors: 7
- Available sizes: large and medium
- Why It's a Life Saver: So easy to hook over a hotel room door and easily find your makeup and other toiletries.
- Shoppers say: "This is like a clown car for cosmetics! You won’t believe the amount of stuff that can fit inside this bag, including some full-size products. Packing is so much easier, I just hang it on my towel hook in my bathroom and load it up! So many different compartments make organizing everything so simple!"
Check out these 16 travel essentials recommended by our editor (who used to travel for a living).
