Travel Tips
My Travel Must-Haves
Last updated April 2026
The things I never fly without — tested on 24 countries and counting. These are the items that actually make a difference, whether it's a weekend trip or a three-week adventure.
I've packed and repacked my bags more times than I can count, and at this point I have it down to a science. These are the items that come with me on every single trip — the stuff that's worth every dollar and every ounce of suitcase space. Some of these I figured out early, and some I wish I'd discovered sooner.
Bags & Luggage
REI 40L Travel Pack
This is my carry-on for every trip. It opens like a suitcase so I can actually see everything inside, but it's still a backpack when I need to walk through airports or hike to a hostel. 40 liters is the sweet spot — enough for a week if I pack smart, and it fits in every overhead bin I've ever tried.
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Béis Suitcase Set
For longer trips when a backpack won't cut it, my Béis set is everything. The interior is so well organized with compression panels and pockets, and they roll like a dream. They're sturdy enough to survive being checked without me worrying, and they look great on the carousel.
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Baggu Packable Bag
This little bag folds down to nothing and I use it constantly — for groceries, beach days, farmers markets, or just when I need an extra bag on a day trip. It's one of those things I didn't think I needed until I had it, and now I can't imagine traveling without one.
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Packing Cubes
I was a packing cube skeptic for years and I regret every second of it. They keep everything compressed and organized so I can find what I need without tearing apart my entire bag. I sort mine by category — tops, bottoms, underwear/socks — and it makes packing and unpacking ten times faster.
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Comfort & Sleep
Trtl Travel Pillow
I will never go back to a regular neck pillow. The Trtl is a neck wrap — it's structured enough to actually hold your head up while you sleep, and it packs completely flat. It wraps around your neck like a scarf instead of sitting behind it like a pool floatie. Game changer for long flights.
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Manta Sleep Eye Mask
This is the only eye mask I've found that blocks out 100% of light without pressing on my eyes. The eye cups are adjustable so they sit around my eyes instead of on them, which means I can blink freely and my lashes aren't getting crushed. I use it on planes, in hostels, in hotels with thin curtains — everywhere.
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Abercrombie Sweat Set
My airport uniform. Comfortable enough to sleep in on a red-eye but put-together enough that I don't feel like a mess walking through the terminal. The material is soft without being flimsy, and it looks intentional — like I chose this outfit, not like I gave up. I have it in multiple colors at this point.
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Grippy Socks
These are my Pilates socks and they double as the best plane socks. I slip my shoes off on long flights and these keep my feet warm without sliding around. They're also great for hotel rooms with hard floors and anywhere I want to be cozy without packing slippers.
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Tech & Charging
AirPods
Obviously. Noise cancellation on a plane is non-negotiable at this point. I use them for music, podcasts, movies, and honestly just to have some quiet in a loud airport. The spatial audio is great for long flights when I want to feel like I'm somewhere else entirely.
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USB Charger
A multi-port USB charger so I can charge my phone, AirPods, and anything else from one outlet. Hotels never have enough plugs, and airports are a war zone for outlets. Having one charger that handles everything means I only need to find one spot.
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Portable Charger
For long travel days when I'm using my phone for maps, photos, and boarding passes all day. I've been stranded with a dead phone in a foreign city exactly once and it was enough to make me never forget this again. It lives in my carry-on permanently.
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International Adapter Set
A universal adapter set that covers every outlet type I've run into around the world. I keep the whole set in a small pouch and grab the right one for each country. Way better than a bulky all-in-one universal adapter — these are compact and actually fit in tight outlet spots.
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AirTag
I have one in every bag I own. Checked luggage, carry-on, personal item. Watching my suitcase travel on the little map while I'm sitting at the gate gives me more peace of mind than anything else on this list. I've also used it to track down a bag that got sent to the wrong carousel.
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Toiletries & Personal
Reusable Toiletry Bottles
TSA-friendly silicone bottles that I refill with my own shampoo, conditioner, and skincare. I'm not about to trust hotel shampoo with my hair, and buying travel-size everything is wasteful and expensive. These are leakproof, squeezable, and I label them so I'm not guessing in the shower.
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Vera Bradley Pill Container
A cute little pill case that holds vitamins, Advil, Dramamine, melatonin — whatever I need for the trip. It's small enough to toss in my personal item and way better than throwing loose pills in a Ziploc. The Vera Bradley one is adorable and the compartments actually stay closed.
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Under Eye Masks
Landing somewhere new after a long flight and looking like I actually slept? Under eye masks make it happen. I put them on during the last hour of a flight or right when I get to the hotel. They de-puff, hydrate, and honestly just make me feel like I have my life together after 12 hours of travel.
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That's the list — everything that's earned a permanent spot in my bag. I'll keep updating this as I find new things worth adding, and I'll be dropping affiliate links soon so you can grab any of these for yourself. If you have a travel essential I'm missing, I always want to hear about it.
Happy packing.