We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

    34 Products To Help You Better Prepare For All The Worst Parts Of Traveling

    Picture your favorite vacation without the long-lasting sunburns, overweight baggage fees, and dead phone batteries you endured last time.

    1. An in-flight phone mount for a hands-free way to watch all those episodes of Ted Lasso you downloaded for the flight. It can also mount on your luggage for long (aka boring) layovers, too.

    Perilogics is a small business creating hyper-functional tool holsters and bags for carrying your stuff on-the-go.  

    Promising review: "I travel for a living and fly often. I regret not buying this in the beginning when I started traveling. I can clip it to the back of the seat in front of me and also on the windows. It is small enough to fold up and fit in my pocket. This is random but related — if you are sitting in an exit row on an airplane, you cannot clip this to the window until the plane is in the air — other than that, they do not care if it is clipped to the window during the flight. Highly recommended." —Chrissie Jo

    Get it from Amazon for $12.97 (available in four colors).

    2. A set of portable soap sheets so you and the fam can always guarantee access to cleansing hand soap, even in the most — How do I say this nicely? — ~neglected~ public restrooms. 

    a reviewer holding one of the small soap sheet containers
    a reviewer photo of the open case showing the paper-like soap sheets inside

    Promising review: "Love this product. Provides great suds, as any handful of soap would. This is excellent for travel, especially in public bathrooms that don't always guarantee soap. Discreet and great for places where you might not want to touch the dispenser. A lot comes in one container. Gave some packets away to my family." —Kerry-Ann Archibald1

    Get a three-pack (150 sheets total) from Amazon for $7.49 (available in larger multipacks).

    3. A pair of reusable anti-nausea bands that may help soothe churning stomachs caused by long car rides and cruises without copious amounts of Dramamine. 

    For more info on how to use acupressure for nausea management, check out this guide from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

    Promising review: "I have always suffered from motion sickness. My whole life, I have hated long car rides, even short car rides. As soon as I get in the car and buckle in, I already feel the nausea. I bought these for a 16-hour road trip, and they worked 100%. I felt perfectly comfortable the whole way through. I could even watch movies and text on my phone and feel alright. My two daughters suffer from the same thing (ages 1 and 3) to the point where they can't keep any food down. The kid's bands worked for them 100% of the time, too. 10/10 recommend. I'll be buying more for sure." —Veronica 

    Get a pair from Amazon for $8.53.

    4. A refillable sunscreen sponge applicator because the quicker you get this gooey, greasy mess over with, the quicker you all can get back to what this vacation is really about. Simply fill up the chamber with the sunscreen of your choice, give it a shake, and the genius roller ball and sponge combo will take care of the rest.  

    a reviewer holding the applicator with the lid on
    a reviewer holding the applicator with the lid off showing an internal roller ball

    Promising review: "Used for the first time today on my 7-year-old. First time in his life he actually enjoyed having sunscreen applied to his skin! Very easy to use and not messy at all. Extremely pleased with this purchase!" —amyj

    Get it from Amazon for $15.98+ (available in six colors and multipacks). 

    5. And a tube of Burt's Bees after sun soother if a few sunburns are still likely, even with diligent sunscreen application. Apply this hydrating formula ASAP and enjoy sweet relief from pain and itching.

    This product is formulated without parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, or SLS.

    Promising review: "I've had this bottle for over a year! It's lasted with my family through Disney World, Destin spring break, and every time we go to the pool! I've had some bad sunburns. I slather this on and reapply after it's soaked in, and I wake up with a deep tan. Whatever is in it is like magic! The smell is kinda weird to me, but as well as this lotion works, it could smell like cough syrup, and I'd still happily use it." —Natalie Smith

    Get it from Amazon or $11.84.

    6. An in-flight foot hammock to make kicking back in the flight cabin a whole lot easier. It easily mounts onto the seat tray, and not only ups that economy seat comfort, but can also reduce in-flight foot swelling.

    a reviewer photo of the footrest
    a reviewer using the footrest on an airplane

    Promising review: "Have used this three times now on international trips, and it's a game changer for me! I have to take my shoes off during long (6+hr) flights, and in the past, I had to carefully rest my feet on top of my shoes, which was often uncomfortable. It allows me to rest my feet without worrying about touching the gross carpet on a plane. I usually get someone around me asking where I bought it, and I always recommend it. It works even when the person in front of you reclines their seat. Highly recommend." —John Merchant

    Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in four colors and multipacks).

    7. A stick of non-greasy Gold Bond anti-friction stick for preventing sweat-induced chafing on your thighs, heels — wherever! — and all the painful irritation that comes with it. 

    the Gold Bond friction defense stick next to pieces of aloe
    Amazon

    Promising review: "I just used it for five days in 90-degree-plus weather at Bonnaroo music festival in the middle of Tennessee on a farm in June with 100,000 people walking several miles, dancing, and sweating every day. I am happy to report that this product is a lifesaver. My thighs didn't chafe once, and I have big ones! I had to reapply once during the day. I strongly recommend buying this if you have large thighs and need relief from chafing. I couldn't wear dresses or skirts in the heat if I was walking anywhere, and now I live in them because of this stuff! Buy it! It works!" —Isaac

    Get it from Amazon for $6.26.

    8. A pack of laundry soap sheets so you can pack a little (or a lot) lighter by washing a load of clothes in the hotel sink or bathtub during your stay. 

    Promising review: "Took them on vacation so I could pack light. These worked great! My daughter was covered in mud one day, and these took out all of it. Will be ordering them for future trips! Keep in mind you do not get a ton of suds, but your clothes still come clean and smell good." —Maggie Dennis

    Get 50 sheets from Amazon for $10.85.

    9. Plus, a six-foot travel clothesline that'll make drying your freshly cleaned laundry right in the hotel room a straightforward affair that doesn't involve draping wet clothes over every square inch of available space. You don't even need clothespins — just hang the clothes between the braided cords.

    Promising review: "Love this clothesline! We take this with us on resort vacations. It's nice to be able to wash out swimsuits, etc., and hang them to dry every day so they don't smell after days of nonstop ocean fun. This one is nice because you don't need clothespins, and it stretches pretty far. I was able to hang up two kids' swimsuits, two kids' rash guards, two adult swimsuits, and two adult rash guards, and I still had room for more. This is a must if you take any tropical vacation where it's humid and hard for clothes to dry out." —Haley G 

    Get it from Amazon for $10.99

    10. A pair of affordable wireless Bluetooth earbuds because everything is better — long flights, hotel hot tubs, you name it — when you're not tethered to your tech by a cord or fretting over water damage. Thankfully, these buds are waterproof, come with a handy travel/charging case, and connect to your devices in one easy step. 

    Promising review: "The earbuds are everything I had hoped they would be. I like the fit in my ear, and that is important for achieving the sound I want. I like the fact that they are waterproof and can use them on vacation without worrying about damaging them." —C S

    Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in five colors). 

    11. Plus, an AirFly Pro wireless transmitter if you (and a buddy) actually want to use said Bluetooth earbuds to watch those free in-flight movies.

    Promising review: "Worked beautifully on a recent eight-hour flight from New York City to Frankfurt! Really easy to pair with my Bose noise-canceling earbuds and charges quickly. The sound quality was excellent. I'm so excited about this product that I'm going to buy one for each of my family members!" —emily p murray

    Get it from Amazon for $54.99 (available in black and white and three other styles).

    12. A pack of moisture-proof travel pill organizers to make packing the ever-growing collection of prescriptions and vitamins now required to maintain your body MUCH more space efficient than the alternative — a plastic bag of stray pill bottles. 

    a reviewer holding a small green pill case
    a reviewer photo of the pill case open with multiple compartments filled with pills

    Promising review: "These were the perfect size to hold all our medicine. We didn’t need a Monday through Friday organizer. We just needed something to help consolidate medicine for travel. It held way more than I was expecting and came with labels so no confusion of medicine." —Momof3

    Get a three-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two color combos). 

    13. A foldable 3-in-1 wireless charger for forgetful packers who always seem to leave behind at least one vital charging cord. With this all-in-one dock, you'll always have what you need to power your phone, smartwatch, and wireless earbuds. 

    The white charger pad laid out to charge a phone, watch, and AirPods
    Reviewer pulling out the black version from its compact size all the way out to the three part mat

    Promising review: "I absolutely hate having to worry about all the different cords I need for travel — iPhone, AirPods, watch. This is extremely convenient and saves me the hassle of having three different cords. Absolutely love this gadget!" —Blanca 

    Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in nine colors). 

    14. And an all-in-one universal wall adapter so no matter where you go, you don't show up in a new country with no way to charge your tech!

    a reviewer photo of the adaptor plugged into a wall outlet with a USB cord plugged into the adaptor
    a reviewer photo of the wall adaptor with all of the prongs folded outward

    Promising review: "Probably one of the best $13 I spent on anything. If you travel a lot, especially internationally, this is a must-have because you have every kind of adapter on one plug and don’t have to worry about constantly buying a certain adapter every time you travel to a different country. This has it all." —Abby Santiago

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in four colors).

    15. A tri-fold travel wallet that'll keep everything (and I mean everything) on hand and organized as you run to catch your flight. Money, cards, boarding passes, passport — you name it — all protected with RFID-blocking tech.

    The wallet has a passport pocket, boarding pass compartment, three credit card slots, an ID slot, a slim card pouch, a slim pocket, a ticket slot, a cellphone pouch, a coin zippered pocket, a key holder, and a pen holder. 

    Promising review: "Great for traveling. It holds all my important info for an international vacation. Didn't have to worry about misplacing my passport or fear my card info being compromised." —Crystal 

    Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in 31 colors).

    16. Or a waterproof travel document holder because you've got a whole gaggle of travelers depending on you to keep track of their passports and boarding passes, which is a lot easier to do when they're all organized in one easy-to-access place. 

    a reviewer holding the document holder in gray
    a reviewer photo of the interior of the document holder with several passports inside

    Promising review: "I took my kids on their first international trip, and this thing was a total lifesaver. It fits easily in a fanny pack or small purse for easy access, and it fits my whole family's passports, vaccine cards, boarding passes, and a pen with plenty of room for cash and cards if you decide to use it as a wallet for your trip. It made getting checked in a breeze and helped my family keep everything organized." —Kevin Garcia

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in seven colors). 

    17. A set of refillable TSA-friendly toiletry containers if you're sick of spending a small fortune on name-brand travel-sized products and just want to make your own. You won't have to worry about leaking, and the entire set fits in the provided clear zip pouch. 

    Promising review: "I purchased one for myself and had a really good experience traveling with them. Nothing leaked, not even the witch hazel. I was really impressed, so I bought two more for my daughters and took them on our family vacation. We love these travel kits." —M

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in 10 variations).

    18. A nylon anti-theft rucksack to avoid wasting precious space in your suitcase with extra bags. This ultra-versatile style can be worn like a backpack or shoulder bag, so when it's done being your airport personal item it can be a stylish purse for dinner.

    a reviewer wearing the backpack in black with a water bottle in one of the side pockets
    the bag in tan showing the leather strip down the front and top handle
    the backview of the gray back showing the main compartment entrance, backpack straps, and a nylon shoulder strap

    Promising review: "A must-have for traveling! This backpack is lightweight, has a number of pockets on the inside and outside for small items, and was so awesome for an eight-day vacation to Hawaii! Felt safe with my items in it, and it was a great small personal item on the plane. Highly recommend!" —Marianne :]

    Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in two sizes and eight colors/styles).

    19. A refillable travel perfume atomizer for a compact and shatter-proof way to transport your favorite scents so you don't have to spend your whole trip not smelling like your best self. 

    a reviewer hold a pink and silver atomizer
    a model demonstrates how to use the atomizer

    Using the atomizer is easy: Simply unscrew the cap to your perfume bottle, place the perfume nozzle into the hole at the bottom of the atomizer, and pump the perfume inside.

    Promising review: "Usually, I'll take whatever samples I haven't tried out yet with me on vacation, but these let me take my favorite fragrances with me when I travel without worrying about losing or breaking the big bottle! I find myself throwing them in my purse or gym bag as well since they are so portable." —Labernatty

    Get a pack of four from Amazon for $7.99.

    20. A portable door lock so you can up the security at any hotel or Airbnb with one low-tech addition that installs in seconds and is designed to fit just about any door you'd encounter. 

    Note: This can get flagged while 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 bought this to use in an Airbnb in an unfamiliar residential area. The lock system was easy to use, worked perfectly, and allowed my family to enjoy our vacation without worrying about security. It's a simple product that works!" —G. Mills

    Get it from Amazon for $14.99

    21. A cute portable USB-C charger that'll supply your phone with the juice it needs to get through those 12-hour travel days without needing to fight your terminal mates for the single available outlet. 

    a reviewer with the charger plugged into their phone
    a reviewer holding the charging unit in white

    This charger won't work with older iPhone models, so check out this portable lightning connector charger if that applies to you. 

    Promising reviews: "I have used several different brands of battery backup chargers! This is by far the best one I have ever used. It charges your phone so much faster than other brands I have tried! Definitely very pleased with this purchase!! I have now purchased two of them!! Both work great!!" —Kari Walters

    Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in five colors). 

    22. A waterproof pouch because you don't want to leave your phone behind on those wet 'n' wild vacation adventures (and miss those photos?!). You might as well skip the low-grade "What if it gets wet?" panic and give yourself peace of mind that your tech is protected.

    a reviewer photo of the phone inside of the waterproof pouch
    a reviewer photo of a starfish underwater taken with the phone inside of the waterproof pouch

    It fits any phone up to 100mm x 170mm (or about 3.9 inches x 6.7 inches). And you can totally use the touchscreen through the case — including the camera! People take incredible photos with it.

    Promising review: "The swim-up bar was our group’s meeting point every day while on vacation in Costa Rica. I had no worries about misplacing my phone nor damaging it in the pool. I caught lots of candid shots because I didn’t have to fumble with getting it out of a dry bag. I had my phone around my neck and shot through the plastic!" —Diane

    Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in 14 styles).

    23. A versatile travel harness seat if you're nervous about showing up to the restaurant you've been excitedly scoping out for weeks, only to find out they don't have a high chair for your tot. This adjustable harness rolls up tiny enough to stash in a bag and converts most any chair into a kid-friendly option for on-the-go feedings. 

    a child sitting on a regular chair strapped into the harness
    Amazon

    Liuliuby is a New York City-based small business founded by Mompreneur Mari Liu to reimagine everyday baby products after her own experiences as a new mother. 

    This harness is designed for ages 6 months and up.

    Promising review: "This thing was amazing! Ten stars — it fits every type of chair we encountered on our Kenyan vacation! Kept our toddler controlled and made feeding on the go so easy. Very lightweight and packable, a vacation must-have!" —Kireme1

    Get it from Amazon for $25.99.

    24. A makeup-erasing cloth to gently — but effectively — remove your makeup with just a little bit of water so you can finally downsize your toiletry bag. Plus, it's endlessly reusable! Once it gets dirty, just toss it in the wash.

    BuzzFeed writer removing bright red lipstick with the makeup erasing cloth
    Taylor Miller / BuzzFeed

    I bought one of these cloths after including it in previous posts, subsequently selling myself on it (hazard of the job). It honestly works better than I could've imagined! You really do just need to dampen it with water to have your makeup melting off in seconds. I think this is a great zero-waste option for people (like me) who don't wear a ton of makeup on the day-to-day because you can get a lot of uses from this cloth without needing to wash it constantly. I've found it especially handy for traveling, as I don't need to pack any liquid/cream removers or drop money on single-use wipes. It also washes up shockingly well. I've had it for close to three years, and every time it comes out of the washing machine almost entirely stain-free, I'm equally shocked.  

    Get it from Amazon for $17+ (available in a variety of additional colors).

    25. A trusty stain-removing pen for tackling stains the minute they occur instead of being forced to wear your morning coffee through every museum tour and photo op. 

    white shoe with a red stain in a before pic, with the stain gone in the after pic
    reviewer image of three orange pens in the packaging

    Promising review: "This product works great and the three-pack is a good deal, whether you want to label each one for a specific use or share with members of the family. It is easy to use and doesn't take long to dry. I keep one in my purse and of course it is a must-have when traveling." —DeeNicole

    Get a pack of three from Amazon for $7.88.

    26. A heavy-duty bag strap so you're not stuck wearing (or holding) everyone's jackets while navigating the airport. This simple little add-on attaches to luggage, purses, or backpacks to free your hands of those travel essentials that are just too bulky for your bags. 

    a reviewer photo of the luggage strap
    a model wearing a backpack with the luggage strap attached and a jacket hanging from it

    Promising review: "I bought two straps to use for my trip. It was so worth it! It held my family's light jackets and kids travel neck pillow. We also used it to hold our water bottles on our hikes. I wish I knew about these sooner!" —Lisa H

    Get it from Amazon for $8.49 (available in six colors). 

    27. A hands-free luggage drink caddy that'll finally make it possible to handle your luggage, pull up your boarding pass, *and* transport your iced coffee at the same time.

    a reviewer photo of a suitcase with the drink caddy mounted on it with two drinks inside
    the back view of the suitcase with the cup caddy mounted on it

    Promising review: "This is an amazing travel accessory! When you are 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 $13.99+ (available in 25 styles).

    28. A helpful "Pack this!" checklist because sometimes the biggest travel headache is figuring out what to bring. This should help you generate ideas, and ensure you're not kicking yourself later after realizing you forgot your toothbrush.

    Promising review: "This is perfect. Whenever we travel, my kids always say, 'make me a list of what I have to pack.' I always worry I will forget to tell them something random like underwear or pajamas...so now, I just check the boxes, they pack, and can review the list if they want to add anything." —AmyH

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99

    29. A digital luggage scale if you're tired of sweating it out at the baggage check counter, hoping to avoid paying pesky overage fees. This scale is super accurate so you can be confident in your under-50-pound pack-job.

    You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements. 

    Promising review: "Works great, a must-have when flying. Very accurate scale. Easy to read with the light on it. It's a must if you have a wife like mine who loves to shop for clothes and fill up her suitcase along with mine, or if you want to stay under that 40 pounds and avoid paying the extra for overweight baggage fees. Easy to use, very accurate, well-made, and a nice design. Very pleased. Saved me money." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $7.64+ (available in four colors).

    30. Slip-on quick-dry water shoes with sock-like flexibility to get that barefoot feel in the water without that barefoot vulnerability. Plus, the low profile makes them easy to pack, since we know shoe space is limited, to say the least. 

    a reviewer wearing the slip-on socks featuring a multicolor print
    a reviewer wearing the slip-on shoes in blue

    Promising review: "Love these water socks. The are comfy and cute. I have never owned a pair before but I wanted to try these for an upcoming vacation in Belize. I have tried them out a couple of times in a swimming pool and they are great. I love that they are so lightweight that I forget I am wearing anything on my feet at all. They give me the confidence to stand in the pool without worry of stepping on something or scratching my feet." —AJS

    Get it from Amazon for $9.88+ (available in women's sizes 4–13.5, men's sizes 3–12, and in 44 styles).  

    31. A Trtl neck pillow for actually supporting your neck while you try to catch some mid-flight z's. It's way less bulky than traditional travel pillows and will keep you from head bobbing onto your neighbor's shoulder.

    Model wearing a gray Trtl pillow while sleeping on a plane
    Amazon

    Promising review: "I am a terrible flyer who recently took the red-eye from Dubai to Chicago (15 hours). The Trtl Pillow was a mini lifesaver! I was able to comfortably rest my head on the support and felt warm enough to actually doze off...a rare accomplishment for this skittish flyer. The Velcro works wonderfully with regards to adjustment, and I liked wrapping the fabric around my mouth and nose. Sort of felt cozy...even if I did look like a ninja in a neck brace! Overall, this product has changed the way that I fly, and I am so thankful for this invention and the opportunity to support a small company with big ideas." —S.Viruly

    Get it from Amazon for $64.99 (available in four colors).

    32. A lay-flat drawstring makeup organizer so you can stop dumping the full contents of your makeup bag out on the hotel room floor whenever you need to find that one shade of lipstick you just know for certain you packed.

    a reviewer photo of the makeup organizer cinched up
    a reviewer photo of the makeup organizer spread out with various makeup products inside

    Lay-n-Go is a woman-owned small business that's been in business for over 10 years! What started as a solution for quickly cleaning up Legos has evolved into a full line of products to solve a wide range of organizational needs.

    Promising review: "I've been in the travel industry for 16 years, and up ’til now, I haven't found a durable and easy-to-access makeup bag. They are always too small or so big your makeup rolls around and gets on everything. This is the perfect size to fit a full face worth of makeup products without being bulgy or bulky. The brush holders inside work perfectly, and any small items like bobby pins or hair ties go great in the zipper compartment to keep them easily accessible. Highly recommended if you do make-up on the go." —ASilver105

    Get it from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in 4 sizes and 30 colors).

    33. A freezable snack box with built-in cooling technology that you can load up with snacks to fuel your adventures knowing they'll stay cool and fresh all day long. Vacation time is too short to spend any of it hunting down snacks just to avoid any hangry meltdowns. 

    reviewer image of the snack box in triangle stripes
    Reviewer's photo showing the box in triangle stripes print filled with snacks

    Promising review: "This will carry four frozen breastmilk bags and keep them frozen for six to eight hours, which is perfect for domestic airport travel or small outings. I like to bring a few extra bags with me on trips for a night out or if it will be hard to nurse somewhere. Awesome product and less bulky than other cooler bags." —Joshua 

    Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in 13 colors and prints).

    34. A set of travel compression cubes because you've committed to packing light, and that means packing a week's worth of clothing into a carry-on. Plus, it keeps everything super organized, so you don't have to ruin your gorgeous pack job looking for a sleep shirt.

    a reviewer photo of seven different shirts
    a reviewer photo of the shirts packed in a compression cube next to a measuring tape that reads

    Promising review: "This is a must-have item for anyone who is committed to traveling lightly and taking small bags whenever/wherever possible. If you are an urban back-packer or even an outdoors backpacker, these are amazing bags that make the rest of your bag so much easier to pack!" —Lisa

    Get them from Amazon for $18.95+ (available in packs of 2, 3, and 6, and 10 styles).

    The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.