34 THINGS THAT FREQUENT TRAVELERS USE WHILE TRAVELING (SO MAYBE YOU SHOULD, TOO)
1. A membership to TSA PreCheck and Global Entry to help make getting through airport security and returning home from international trips a breeze. If you travel frequently for leisure or work (especially abroad), then you probably don't want to feel like you're spending the majority of your time on these trips standing in lines at the airport!
My colleague Elizabeth Lilly travels A LOT. Here's what she has to say about the perks of signing up for this membership:
"I put off getting TSA PreCheck and even Global Entry for YEARS despite flying ~10x a year because I'm a person who likes to get to the airport early and has getting through security down to an efficient routine. However, my breaking point was July 2021 when I had to wait soooo long at the airport when coming back to the country from Croatia (I had Mobile Passport at the time, but the machines were broken, so I had to wait in line with everyone else). I went to Italy about a month later after signing up for Global Entry, and coming back to the country was a breeze. I just had to let a machine take my picture, print out a receipt with said picture, and then place it in a nearby TSA agent's open palm. Then, onto baggage claim! I've since used the Global Entry portion six times and the TSA PreCheck about a dozen times since getting it. So I feel as if I've already gotten my money's worth in less than two years."
Apply with the Department of Homeland Security for $100. Once you're approved, you have to do an in-person interview and if approved on the spot, you can have your TSA PreCheck and Global Entry privileges available immediately.
2.Plus a CLEAR membership, which will allow you to skip the whole song and dance of digging through your carry-on to find your license or passport to prove your identity. Thanks to this helpful program, physical features such as your eyes and fingerprints will help get you to your gate in less time.
3. A TSA-approved clear case perfect for holding your travel-sized beauty products and/or toiletries.
Truffle is a woman-owned small business that specializes in bags and accessories that are TSA-approved or stadium-approved.
Promising review: "I travel for work quite a bit and love to add this to my travel uniform. It’s hard being away from the comforts of home, but when the things you travel with are of the best quality and offer practicality, it can feel special. If you like quality, don’t hesitate! No more plastic bags for me! ;)" —SOFÍA J.
Get it from Truffle for $75+ (available in four sizes and nine colors).
4. An AirFly Pro wireless transmitter so you can connect your wireless earbuds to the airplane entertainment system. Watching your favorite shows/movies with clear sound is a heck of a lot better than the static that comes with the junk headphones the airline tries to sell you.
Twelve South is a husband-and-wife-owned small business based in Charleston, South Carolina. They've been designing accessories inspired by and made for Apple products since 2009. It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual.
Promising review: "I love this gadget...I fly a lot, and this works on the majority of wide-body planes I’ve taken over the past six months. It plugs into one of the three-prong outlets (or a single outlet in economy), and you can connect any Bluetooth device. It doesn’t always connect on the first try, as I have multiple devices that my headphones are searching for, but if you turn off all other devices, it seems to connect right away. Once connected, it works for many hours. A few planes I’ve taken recently (Qatar Airways) have USB charge points so close to the headphone jack that you can even plug it in while it's working and never lose the charge. Highly recommend for travelers." —Joseph Britto
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in various styles and two colors).
5. A pair of compression socks for potentially bringing sweet relief to feet that tend to swell during air travel.
Read more about compression socks and swelling or long flights at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: "These socks have not let me down! I do a lot of cross-country flying and often have pain in my calves or my feet falling asleep through the flights. I’ve worn these socks on a few different trips now, and they’re incredible! They don’t get too hot, and they’re just tight enough to feel like a little hug around my legs. Amazing." —N G
Get them from Amazon for $14.26+ (available in unisex sizes S–XXL and 13 styles).
Check out my colleague's Physix Gear compression socks review for more deets!
6. A shampoo bar so you can wave goodbye to the days of having to pour your shampoo into tiny bottles you could get through TSA. Not only are these so easy to toss into your carry-on or suitcase for your next trip, but they're also a good choice for those looking to cut down on their plastic use.
Promising review: "I was definitely skeptical about a bar shampoo and conditioner, but I travel a lot and really wanted to cut down the use of plastic products as much as possible. I honestly am in love! I got the Heali Kiwi shampoo bar and the Wonderbar conditioner, as well as one of their eco-friendly bamboo and sugar cane storage containers, and my very long, fine, oily hair, which I do have to wash daily, looks and feels great. I recommend anyone on the fence to definitely give it a try! It works! So wonderful for travel too!" —M.A.
Get it from Amazon for $15 (available in 11 varieties).
7. A set of packing cubes that'll not only make packing feel less overwhelming (because all your stuff will have a place!!!) but will also make unpacking a breeze because you'll actually know where your stuff is! Think about how nice it's gonna be to open your suitcase and see some order rather than an overflowing mess!
The set includes three different size packing cubes, one bra and underwear bag, one shoe bag, and one bag for your toiletries.
Promising review: "I travel for work frequently and, over the years, have become a packing genius, but these have upped my game. I can easily use the large cube to pack an entire week of clothes and put it in my carry-on with room to spare. I’ll use one of the smaller ones for my intimates, and I’m good to go! I have recommended these to lots of people and even bought some as gifts for fellow travelers. Get these if you’re on the go! You won’t regret it." —abel
Get the six-piece set from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in 13 colors).
8. A phone mount so you can watch your favorite downloaded shows/movies on your flight — because sometimes the airline doesn't offer your comfort characters on their entertainment menu or worse...there's no television at all.
Promising review: "If you travel a lot, buy this!! Even if you don't travel, this phone holder would be useful. My hubby and I fly fairly often, and I'm always tired of holding my phone or figuring out how to set it up during plane rides. This is a game changer for flights. Makes it so easy and convenient to watch movies or shows during trips. A few people even asked me where I got it from. Definitely recommend!" —Alex Norman
Get it from Amazon for $13.97+ (available in three colors and as a two-pack).
9. A portable door lock that'll provide some extra security and peace of mind in hotel rooms, hostels, and Airbnbs.
Note: This can get flagged with going through security, so you may want to put it in an easily accessible place in your checked bag to be safe.
Promising review: "I travel a lot for work and usually take a lot of measures for extra security, such as keeping the luggage roller in my room all week and rolling it in front of the door. It was large and cumbersome, but with this gadget, it's great! You can use it on almost any door, and it works better than the makeshift 'fork' one. Frequent traveler or not, this item offers peace of mind, which can prove invaluable while away from home. (I can even use it on my door at my house!)" —Deactivated
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
10. A contoured sleep mask you're gonna be really happy you have with you next time you're on a flight, and it's too bright to attempt to take a nap because the person next to the window refuses to close it. How's that for planning ahead?
Plus, it comes with a set of earplugs to block out all the noise around you!
Promising review: "I do a lot of traveling and many red-eye flights! Sleep is an important issue! My previous masks let in some light as well as put pressure against my closed eyes! This product has no light seepage, and my eyes are not in contact with the mask, which gives me total comfort! I highly recommend this product to anyone who travels frequently!" —Donna Smolinski
Get the set from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in six colors).
11. A stroller that *actually* folds up small enough to fit as a carry-on in the plane's overhead compartments. Let's be real: You and your kiddo who has been screaming their head off since takeoff do NOT wanna wait to retrieve a checked stroller and now you won't have to.
It folds up so small that it was awarded a Guinness World Record in 2014 for the most compact stroller. It can hold kids who weigh up to 55 pounds and only weighs 9.5 pounds.
Promising review: "We are frequent travelers. I've been on 15 flights with my 17-month-old toddler. I wish I would have bought this a long time ago. It's the best purchase we have ever made. It is sturdy, folds very easily, has a great design, and can literally fit in a reusable grocery bag. Highly recommend!" —Kateryna
Get it from Amazon for $219.99+ (available in two colors and three styles).
12. A carry-on garment duffel bag you'll be grateful to travel with for your next business trip or even an adventure to a destination wedding. Keeping your suit and/or dress and fancy shoes neatly stowed away in here vs. crinkled in your suitcase is a much better option.
Plus, the bag is water-resistant and has two exterior zip pockets, two interior shoe pockets, and a padded handle wrap. Yes, this one bag really can do it all.
Promising review: "I travel a lot for work and needed something lightweight and convenient. This fits the bill nicely and allows me to completely jettison a second carry-on. It’s great! Lots of storage. I love that it has room for shoes. No issues with wrinkles. Highly recommend it." —CB
Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in five colors and two sizes).
13. An acupressure anti-nausea wristband that claims to ward off motion sickness and nausea, minus the drowsiness side effect found in most nausea medications.
For more info on how to use acupressure for nausea management, check out this guide from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Promising review: "Simple game changer! My car sickness has been getting worse for years. I often drive with my family back to my hometown, about five hours away. I put these on and was finally able to ride without constantly fighting nausea. They fit comfortably, and I quickly forgot they were on. This feels like a simple, cost-efficient fix." —Breya Porter
Get a set of two from Amazon for $7.85 (available in adult and children's sizes).
14.A charging station complete with SIX USB ports — now you'll be able to travel with the peace of mind that all your devices can be juiced up all at once without taking up every. single. outlet in the hotel room.
15.An RFID-blocking wallet designed to hold all of your important travel documents because every time you're at the airport, you swear you'll have your license, passport, and boarding pass easily ready to show and every time you're at the airport you end up fumbling all of those things and holding up the line.
16.An ultra-supportive Trtl neck pillow that'll make the whole "falling asleep while sitting upright" thing possible (and comfy). Is there any better way to pass the time on a plane than with a nice, long nap? I don't think so.
17. Or an inflatable travel pillow with a genius design that provides support for your head and arms so dozing off while en route to your destination will be comfy as can be.
Promising review: "I am a very frequent traveler and had lived through many 13+ hour flights prior to purchasing this pillow. After using it for the first time on my 13-hour flight to Tokyo, I will never fly without it again! It was comfortable not only for sleeping while leaning forward but also for leaning against the window on the larger international plane. If you're traveling with a companion, it is also very comfortable being used between two people. I especially love how there are holes for your arms, and they can be used at different angles/positions. It made for a very restful flight overall." —Elizabeth B
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
18. A TSA-friendly toiletries kit featuring four travel bottles, two little jars, two spray bottles, two scoopers for transferring creams, one funnel to transfer liquids, one cleaning brush, a set of labels, and a clear pouch to store them all. Keeping all of your liquids contained in this kit should help make getting through security a bit smoother.
Promising review: "This is essential for flying! I fly pretty often throughout the year, and after having numerous leakage issues with regular plastic travel containers, I decided to go the silicone route and am so glad I did. I love that this set includes different sizes of bottles and tools to help fill/empty them, so reusing them is a breeze, and there is no wasted product. The variety of colors is great, so I can easily tell apart my toiletries, even without the included labels! Love this set and highly recommend it!" —Hennie S.
Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in various combos).
19. A carry-on case designed to comfortably fit under your seat. Sure, you might be lucky enough to have plenty of room in the overhead bin, but there's just something really humbling about having to fight your way out of your row and into the aisle just for everyone behind you to watch you have a wrestling match with your carry-on. We're leaving those days behind thanks to this genius invention.
Promising review: "This works out so well for me. I’m a flight attendant, and I’ve had an infinite amount of day trips over the summer. I got tired of carrying around my regular TravelPro spinner, so I finally ordered this. SOOOOO MUCH BETTER FOR ME. It’s light, has enough pockets, and can easily fit under a seat if needed. The ONLY picky thing I can think of is how loud it sounds going across rough concrete. The wheels aren’t as silent as others, but that won’t stop me from buying another in the future." —Kayla T.
Get it from Amazon for $42.51+ (available in four colors).
20. A compact pill organizer complete with six compartments for keeping your medications separate and preventing you from having to pack multiple pill containers.
Promising review: "My husband and I travel a lot and take a number of prescription drugs. It was always a hassle accessing our medication when needed, so I purchased this organizer to make things easier. I used a label maker and labeled each little compartment and it has performed wonderfully. I highly recommend this organizer to anyone who travels and needs medications throughout the day." —Jacqueline
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $8.97.
21.An anti-blister balm to apply before putting on your shoes so you can prevent those painful annoyances from even trying to happen. Whether you're walking miles at a cruise excursion or dashing from tourist attraction to tourist attraction, your feet will be happy you prepped them ahead of time.
22.A portable charger for those long days of sightseeing you have ahead of you where your poor phone battery can only handle so many photos and videos!!! Now, you can keep the memory-capturing going without having to scope out the nearest outlet!
23. A pack of laundry soap sheets if your goal is to pack less and re-wear more of the items you're bringing. These will make it so simple to do so. No washing machine required!
Promising review: "This stuff is awesome. I take it everywhere! We travel a lot, and it's perfect for all sorts of reasons! It was very useful on our trip to Israel, where I ended up doing laundry in our hotel sink almost every night because of the dust. The packaging is very small, and for as much as I have used this traveling, I haven't run out yet!" —Mia Bauer
Get it from Amazon for $12.95.
24.A little white noise machine because you don't wanna be the person asking the hotel front desk for a room change, but you also reallllly don't wanna be in the hotel room next to the elevator AND the ice machine.
25. A shoe bag that can hold up to three pairs of footwear. Think of how much less clunky it'll be to place this compact cube in your luggage than having to make space for three separate pairs of shoes. Don't even get me started on dirt from the bottom of your shoes getting over all of your other belongings!!!
Promising review: "You can totally fit three pairs of shoes in this! (Size 6.5 female shoe, fit heels, wedges, and sandals.) I bought two and will absolutely be buying more for my husband. 10/10 would recommend! I travel frequently, and I always overpack; this helped cut down space and stress immensely!" —Taylor
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in nine colors and patterns).
26. An electronic accessories organizer because traveling in modern times means having to pack chargers, and flash drives, and cables, and whatever else you could possibly think of. Instead of having to go on a scavenger hunt for each of these items in your suitcase as you unpack, just keep them all in this handy spot!
Promising review: "I travel a fair amount and am an admitted tech gadget enthusiast and became tired of dragging around a jumbled bag of cables, connectors, adapters, earbuds, thumb drives, card readers, MP3 players, and other necessities that resembled an episode of Hoarders. This little pouch tamed the beast — a place for everything and everything in its place. The other side of the double-sided pouch holds a power pack, a multi-port USB charger, and even a short extension cord. This is a great setup if you're frequently on the road, and you don't have to worry about forgetting that 'critical' connector..." —Snowbound
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes and four colors).
27. A foldable jewelry organizer that'll take up less space in your bag than a clunky jewelry box AND also serves as a better method than just tossing your jewelry into your bag and having to untangle it once you reach your destination.
Promising review: "I got this for a friend after buying one for myself! I travel frequently and always struggle to organize my jewelry so it won't be in a tangled mess once reaching my destination. This organizer accomplishes that as well as helps me to easily see what I brought with me!" —Lauren
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in two sizes and nine colors and patterns).
28. A silicone makeup brush cover because while it would be great, chances are you're not going to thoroughly wash and dry your brushes before packing them. If you want to avoid your smoky eyeshadow from mixing with your rosy pink blush brush and leading to a makeup disaster when you're in a rush to go to dinner, stock up on a few of these. You'll be glad you did, promise.
29. A luggage caddy so making a pit stop at the airport coffee shop for a caramel latte and a breakfast sandwich doesn't mean having to juggle your food/drink on the way to your gate.
Reviewers say it's ideal for a suitcase that can roll on four wheels! If you have a suitcase that has to tilt while it rolls, just be careful if the drinks are open at the top.
Promising review: "We travel by air a lot, and this is great for your carry-on luggage when you have no hands. We always get a drink at the airport, so this helps a lot." —Rhonda Bolash
Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in 30 colors, patterns, and styles).
30.A super smart reusable bottle bag to help protect wine, perfume, olive oil, and more in your checked bag. Whether you're bringing back a souvenir for a loved one or going on a cruise where you can bring on a bottle of your favorite vino, this will def come in handy!
31. A makeup remover cloth that only requires WATER to take off your makeup at the end of the day. No wasteful wipes, no cotton rounds and travel-friendly cleansing liquids, no hassle!
Promising review: "This is incredible! I can't believe how well this works! I travel a lot for work and usually take makeup remover wipes because of the liquid restrictions for travel, but they are expensive and heavy. I have been using this cloth all week and LOVE IT! A bit of warm water and everything comes off in a few easy swipes. I am super excited to travel with this. It weighs nothing and rolls up to take very little space. I am ordering another for my mom who also travels. Highly recommend!" —KT
Get it from Amazon for $3.99 (available in four colors).
32. A folding toothbrush because while you probably don't think of your toothbrush being some big, clunky item that interferes with your packing, saving a little bit of space here and there really does make a difference (especially when your goal is to pack light).
Promising review: "These are great! I travel around a lot for work, and I also have Invisalign, so I like to keep one in my work bag as well as my travel bag. The best part is the convenience. I used to carry a toothbrush in a case that took up a lot of room in my work bag as well as my travel bag. Now, I just use these. They are small, durable, and easy to use, and the brush is fully covered when it is fully closed, which is what I was a little worried about at first. It was exactly what I was looking for in a travel toothbrush. I highly recommend it, and I will be purchasing it again." —Demetri
Get the two-pack from Amazon for $5.99 (available in two brush stiffnesses).
33.A shawl wrap that's light enough to be worn as a scarf and cozy enough to enjoy as a blanket en route to your destination.
34. A pack of travel-sized antibacterial wipes great for wiping down your seat and tray, as well as your hands before ripping open a bag of airline cookies.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.