Travel Like A Pro: 35 Products We Swear By That Makes Our Vacations Amazing

May 22, 2023

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

We love traveling on this team, and whether it's a backpack that opens up like a suitcase or the popular Supergoop sunscreen, here's what we use to make all our trips a breeze.

BuzzFeed Staff

"I've had my eye on this bad boy for a while now, and finally ordered it to take on a recent two-week trip to Europe. Let me tell you: LIFESAVER. I'm the type of person who loves to spend hours and hours exploring new cities, but with the amount of photos and videos I take, my phone's battery tends to drain really quickly (relying on Google Maps to get literally everywhere doesn't help, either). With this, I knew I'd have some backup when there weren't any outlets nearby, and it was *so* nice not having to connect my phone to a clunky charging bank via cord. 100% recommend!" —former BuzzFeeder Britt Ross

"I bought this specifically for my weeklong trip to Europe in December when I knew I'd be taking a million videos of adorable Christmas markets. But! I keep it in my bag all the time. I use Google Maps to get around NYC, and any New Yorker will tell you that when you leave your home on a quick errand at 10 a.m. on a Saturday, you may not get home until 3 a.m. because there's always something cool to do, and friends constantly reach out with impromptu plans. This little charger has saved me on several days while I'm out and about. No more need to bring your pal a phone charging cord when you're meeting for happy hour and searching the bar for stools near an outlet." —Elizabeth Lilly

Get it from Amazon for $25.50+ (available in six colors).

"I live near woods and a lake, so I am CONSTANTLY being terrorized by insects. I swear, some days I am just minding my own business, grabbing my mail and then I will look down and have three or four bug bites. This helps with the itchiness and swelling! It's not going to make the bite disappear, but it will make the bites less annoying! Once a mosquito bit me on my knuckle (seriously the worst spot) and the suction helped to relieve some of the irritation. I've also used it on a splinter and it's better than trying to get the splinter out with a tweezer. Definitely a great weapon in my ongoing battle with bugs." —Tasia Bass

Get it from Amazon for $9.90 (available in 4 colors).

The AirFly Pro comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick start guide, and manual. Twelve South is a small business that has been creating innovative tech accessories since 2009.

See one TikTok user using it with their AirPod Pros here.

"Last year I splurged on some AirPod Maxes and for the amount of money I threw down on them, I was determined to get as much use out of them as possible and that included on plane rides. With the AirFly Pro, I can connect my headphones via Bluetooth and use the seat-back screen without having to fiddle with the free wired headphones they hand out that 1.) have horrible sound quality and 2.) don't fit my ears in the slightest (I swear my ear canals are tiny or something??)." —Chelsea Stuart

Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three options).

"I borrowed these from my mom right before a 10-hour flight and they were exactly what I needed. I get really bad motion sickness even in cars, so a long flight is barely short of torture for me. But these helped so much that I ended up keeping them (sorry mom) for all my flights. Really simple to use: just slip the bands on your wrist with the ball facing your wrist. I put one on both wrists before my flights and then go to sleep. When I land, I am totally fine and don't have to worry about the after effects of motion sickness anymore!" —Tasia Bass

Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.50.

"I travel just about any chance that I get and found a WHOLE lot of success with these little laundry sheets on an almost-three-weeks European vacation this summer where I carried on only and rewore outfits several times." —Elizabeth Lilly

Get it from Amazon for $7.19+ (available in four other styles, including hand soap and shampoo).

"I am not a great flyer. So instead of dealing with people trying to chat with me when all I want to do is calm myself, I slip these on and hear nothing but soft classical music and opera songs. They are great at drowning out everything (even the airplane engine was a low hum with these on!!) which is why I find myself wearing them more often than not. Seriously, you can find me walking (dancing) around with these on my head, just in a world of my own. I own a ton of different headphones, and these are definitely in my top 3. If Beats came out with a pair of gaming headphones, it would be a game-changer. They sit comfortably on your ears and the sound quality is top notch! They are definitely worth the price tag. Also, I am really bad at remembering to charge them, and although they say last 40 hours, I have definitely used them for longer without having to charge. In fact, on my last trip, they last 4 days without needing to be charge." —Tasia Bass

Get it from Amazon for $129+ (available in four colors and two styles).

These come with a wireless charging case that provides up to 14 hours of charge (with the earbuds able to play for four-plus hours with each full charge).

"I was able to wear mine comfortably under my bucket hat while I slept on a very rocky bus ride from the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Iceland. And while I was out exploring, the charging case easily fit in my coat pocket. I also use these on the reg in my everyday life to listen to Spotify and podcasts, and even talk on the phone. I have to charge them about once a week and always keep them in my coat pocket." —Elizabeth Lilly

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

"^That's me pumping my signature perfume into one of these travel atomizers I've been using for about a year. It's great to just throw in your purse on the reg for a fragrance re-up throughout the day. As you can see, it's about the size of my thumb and therefore takes up very little room. Plus! It's smaller than most rollerball travel fragrances you can pick up. This first one is working so well, that I just have the other three in storage. But if this one bites the dust this summer during travels, I'll be OK about digging into my stores to use one of the remaining three...especially at this price point." —Elizabeth Lilly

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $7.55.

"I love a good sun hat and this one is so cute. It comes with three different ribbons that you can switch out to match your style. It also comes with the matching sunglasses. I've been on a big yellow kick lately, so I just had to have this one. It fits well — and will stretch if you need it to — and the rim is flexible, so you can bend it whatever way works best for you. It also doesn't have that annoying chinstrap most sun hats have. I wore it for my birthday while walking around the giant zoo in Toronto (pictured above) and it definitely helped me keep from getting overheated because it was a really hot day. I also own it in pink and definitely going to go buy the other colors soon." —Tasia Bass

Get the hat and matching sunglasses from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in five colors).

There are also two USB ports!

"While the listing says this adapter can't be used in South Africa, India, Switzerland, and Italy, I just used this on my Italian vacation (in five different hotels!) and had zero issues — in fact, it was a complete godsend. Maybe they've updated the design, as I've seen some other reviewers who visited these countries say it worked for them, too. I'm not a tech-guru by any means, but I was able to get it working the very first time I tried it, and luckily for my husband, who did not think to bring an adapter, we were able to charge both his phone and mine every night using the USB ports. Just know that it's primarily meant for charging small devices and not for powering up things like hair dryers and straighteners. I got it in black and it's super sleek-looking, too!" —former BuzzFeeder Britt Ross

Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in black or white).

The set comes with the filter, two reusable 32-oz, BPA-free collapsible pouches, a drinking straw, one set of Sawyer Inline Hydration Pack Adapters, a cleaning syringe, and a mesh storage bag. It weighs 3 ounces. It removes bacteria, such as salmonella, cholera, and E. coli, as well as protozoa, such as giardia and Cryptosporidium.

"I adore this water filter for its ease of use, adaptability, small size, and zero wait time. To use, you just fill the bag, screw on the filter, and roll the bag to squeeze the filtered water into your bottle. You don't need to wait for it to be done like with water treatment pills or gravity systems, and there's no funky taste — just fresh, clean, crisp water. If even the quick bag-filling situation sounds like it would take too much time, you can also screw the filter DIRECTLY ONTO A WATER BOTTLE and drink straight from it. Game changing. Either way, it's a quick, lightweight system that I completely recommend." —Rachel Dunkel

Get it from Amazon for $29.10.

"I bought this to take on a summer trip to Disney World and let me tell you — it's the only way I survived!! Every day got well into the '90s, but I kept this pointed at my face whenever I wasn't soaking up air conditioning. I was seriously impressed with how powerful it was and how I instantly felt less sweaty. The charge lasts about a day if you use it sparingly (or a few hours of continuous use) so make sure to charge it nightly if you're on a trip. The fan has three speed settings, and it folds so you can prop it up on a table." —Ciera Velarde

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in four colors).

"My lips crack so much, despite all the water I drink, and this really helped me that I ended up buying three more bottles to stock up. What I love is that it feels smooth as you put it on and it doesn't have that fakey fruit scent like other lip balms. If it's really hot out, I will even wear it under my regular lipstick, just to ensure my lips are staying extra hydrated in the hot sun. I especially love that they protect my lips when I'm in a hotel with really dry air. It comes with an applicator, if you don't want to use your finger and a little goes a long way. If you suffer from dry, cracked lips, I definitely recommend trying this out!" —Tasia Bass

Get it from Amazon for $24 (available in five flavors).

"I snagged this backpack after hearing my colleague Chelsea Stuart sing its praises. (Ciera Velarde also owns it!) I had a trusty (now discontinued) InCase backpack I used as a personal item and served me well on dozens of trips for about five years. But I wanted a bag for some upcoming travel (2.5 weeks in Europe with *just* carry-on for five flights) that opens up like a suitcase for easier packing. Since buying, I've taken it on two long weekend trips (Amtrak to Newport, Rhode Island, for a wedding and regional train to a Connecticut country lake house) with no complaints. In fact, for both of those trips I packed MORE than I needed.

Inside, you'll find a mesh zippered pocket and a plastic pocket perfect for your toiletries. I can fit enough wet toilet toiletries in the second pocket as I'd be allowed to carry-on for a plane. In the mesh pocket I put other necessities like cotton swabs, medicine, eye glasses, etc. The main compartment is deceptively deep so you can easily roll clothes and Lego-fit them in together without using packing cubes. In fact, I fit all of the stuff in the second picture in that section (a romper, PJs, a bikini, sunscreen, five pairs of undies, a pair of jean shorts, nap dress, three pairs of socks, two pairs of sandals, two T-shirts, a slip skirt, sleep mask, curling iron, mini flat iron, makeup bag, and tote bag). AND it has stretchy X-straps to keep it all secure like you'd see in a roller suitcase so when I unzip it, everything stays put. But before I forget, there's a separate cushioned laptop pocket close to the backpack straps that I found works well for books or a Kindle if your travel leaves you laptop-less.

I love that this backpack has DEEP side pockets so your umbrella or water bottle won't fall out. In fact, I stuck a flashlight and an umbrella in one side pocket. (You could always use a flashlight.) Plus! It has a generously sized pocket on the front of the backpack with easy access for sunglasses, snacks, writing pens...all sorts of those little extras you need to access quickly. To top it all off, the backpack straps and top handle are STURDY. I felt totally secure toting it around and slinging it into overhead storage compartments on the trains. I love the look and construction of it with faux leather and sturdy black canvas, and the trolley passthrough to easily fit on my roller suitcase I'm about to drag through a bunch of airports. At nearly $80, this isn't the cheapest backpack option but if you're a frequent traveler, you'll get so much mileage on it and seriously save on some baggage fees, making it well worth the cost. This backpack and I are going places, for sure." —Elizabeth Lilly

Get it from Beis Travel for $78 (available in three colors).

"I have arthritis in my right foot, so I have to wear shoes with good arch support. Cariuma shoes are great because I can wear them all day, without my feet hurting. I have worn them on vacation, walking around town, and even while running errands. They are incredibly comfortable and you don't have to worry about breaking them in. The shoes are eco-friendly, as they are made with organic cotton and natural rubber. The best part, Cariuma plants two trees for every pair of shoes you buy. Plus this is a collaboration with National Geographic, and will support their global efforts. I highly suggest them for anyone going on a trip who wants a comfortable pair of walking shoes." —Tasia Bass

Get it from Cariuma for $89 (available in women's sizes 5–13 and in two colors).

"If you are flying and struggle with the pressure, these are a must have. They help stop your ears from painfully clogging and popping. Unlike other earplugs, these have a soft corkscrew, so they don't easily pop out. I usually only put them on for takeoff and descent but sometimes I will leave them on the entire flight if I happen to be sitting next to a particularly loud person. They are reusable and come with clear carrying cases." —Tasia Bass

Get a pack of three pairs from Amazon for $18.49.

"This phone pouch is one of those products I've admired from afar awhile as a person writes about products for a job. So when I booked a Greek isle–hopping vacation that involved boating, I knew I needed it. Early on in my trip we spend a full eight-hour day sailing around the island of Milos on a catamaran (highly recommend!) and I became the designated dad for photography purposes thanks to this simple-but-airtight pouch! So what can it do? As long as you keep it clean of sunscreen (which was honestly an ongoing battle with my pale-ass skin and deathly fear of sunburn), it'll deliver pretty decent pics. I captured a video of dolphins swimming under our boat, took tons of group pics, jumped off the boat and into the water while wearing the lanyard (and holding onto it tightly!), floated in the Aegean Sea as I captured swimming pics of friends, and handed it off to our tour guide Manolis to capture a video of an octopus changing colors underneath the water as he snorkeled.

If you're going to be using this thing while swimming, I only recommend doing so if you're a *strong* swimmer. It took me a bit of work to get the hang of treading water and taking pics with this at the same time, but I was able to do it! I also figured out while snorkeling that if you're going to be taking a video of it, it's best to tap your phone to start while out of the water and then submerge the pouch because I found it was a bit harder for my phone to pick up the sensor of my finger on the screen while underwater. This pack comes with two and after that day of boating (and tons and tons of sweat and sunscreen) it was a bit hard to get the pouch as clean as it was before use, but these come two to a pack so I think it's a solid under $10 investment for any seaside or water-based shenanigans!" —Elizabeth Lilly

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 10 color combos).

LokiEssentials is a woman-owned, California-based small business established in 2020 that specializes in hidden pocket scrunchies and keychains.

"I have so many of these ponytail holders and I think they are absolutely fabulous. I regularly use them when I am walking around my neighborhood or at the gym. I also used it to take the LSAT, because the exam didn't permit any bags and I took my exam in a different state and needed to take my hotel key with me. I also always suggest them on vacation, so even if your bag or wallet is stolen, you have some extra money and your hotel key set aside. It's so simple to use, just add in your money, key, lip balm, and whatever else you want, zip it up, and slide it on your hair (or wrist). No, it won't completely replace your purse, but it's great if you just have a couple of small items you want to carry. Plus it doesn't get tangled and rip your hair like some scrunchies. All mines have been used a ton over the years and never lose the elasticity." —Tasia Bass

Get it from LokiEssentials on Etsy for $4.99 or a set of three from Amazon for $12.99 (available in three colors).

"I swear by these bad boys not only for general storage purposes, but also if I know I'm going to be traveling for an extended period of time. As someone who tends to pack for every eventuality (who doesn't like to be prepared?!), I have learned that it's better to travel with them than without — especially since it's more or less a guarantee that my clothes are gonna take up a ~substantial~ amount of room in my suitcase. And if I can use something that's gonna shrink the size of my bulky hoodies and/or big tees in order for me to create more space, I'm sure as heck gonna do it. Plus, the satisfaction is indeed guaranteed because when you see those chunky layers flatten into a pancake...it's just *chef's kiss*." —Jasmin Sandal

"For my trip to Iceland, I used one medium bag to pack six pairs of underwear, two pairs of very thick thermal socks, a set of PJs, a sweatshirt, a pair of ski pants, and three shirts. I was able to easily use the pump and pack it in my backpack with me for my trip. And I still had plenty of room put other things in my bag!" —Elizabeth Lilly

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in five sizes, as well as packs of three, six, and ten).

"After putting this in MANY travel stories, I bought one for myself for a summer European vacation where I found myself at several beach clubs. It was perfect for keeping mine and my friend's belongings safe while we dozed in our beach chairs or swam in the sea. Plus, it's the perfect size to hold phones or wallets, and easily carry in your beach or tote bag. Just make sure that you keep it unlocked when going through airport security, as I've been pulled aside a few times for TSA to take a look inside." —Elizabeth Lilly

Get it from Amazon for $28.69+ (available in three colors).

"The straps are super soft on your ears. I've gotten so used to straps chafing that I was surprised by what a difference this made. I gifted one of these to my dad for Christmas, too, and it's his go-to for traveling and errand running. It's just an overall easier mask to breathe in. (While still maintaining a tight fit and keeping the people around you safe!)" —Emma Lord

Type Of Fit: Around the ear loops

Pocket For Filter: No

Fabric Type: Iso-Chill fabric

Shipping Time: Standard shipping

Get it from Amazon for $15+ (available in six sizes and eight colors).

"I love these socks. First, I'm a cutesy girly, and these are totally adorable. But more importantly, they actually work. I have a couple of pairs of Zensah's socks and am really grateful for them. They keep my feet from swelling up 10 times the size, so I don't have to deal with swollen feet viciously fighting against the elasticity of my shoes. They keep my feet from smelling, even if I am wearing them all day and sweaty. They fit true to size, but will be a bit snug because they are compression socks. Also they are higher than most compression socks, which is great if your legs swell too." —Tasia Bass

Get a pair from Zensah for $45 (available in sizes S-XL).

"I'm gonna tell you now, I have a ton of these on a lot of things like my keys, my wallet, and even my Nintendo Switch. My mom always ask "how can someone so brilliant lose everything?' These trackers have helped saved a ton of frantic searches 10 minutes before I have to leave, looking for my keys that I definitely put on the table yesterday but are suddenly gone. The app lets you connect as many tiles as you want (thankfully). Also the great thing, is you can press the center of the Tile and it will make your phone ring (trust me when I say I've done it a number of times and it works) so you can find your phone when you distractedly put it down while getting water or washing you hands. I actually find out about these right before I was going to Japan. A friend recommended them to me and I am so glad he did because the airline lost my luggage during a layover in Vancouver and when I landed in Osaka, I was able to give them the exact coordinates so they could get it to me by the next morning and I didn't have to spend money buying months worth of clothes. I know people that clip them to their pet's collars for when they slip through the fence. You can also connect them to your laptop and Fitbit, not just your phone! I love how they are incredibly versatile and accessible." —Tasia Bass

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in two colors and three pack sizes).

"I have oily, acne-prone skin and use a prescription retinol to control things, which means I MUST use sunscreen on my face every day. (Even if you don't use a retinol though, wearing sunscreen everyday is incredibly good for the longevity of your skin.) For the first few years I was using said retinol, though, I stubbornly insisted that I should be able to find a decent, non-greasy sunscreen option at the drugstore. And while I still hold that I shouuuld be able to find such a thing, I tried four or five different formulas — even ones that were supposed to be matte or non-greasy — and all of them left me with an oil-slick face by the end of the day. Finally my mom, who had been using this Supergoop stuff the whole time, got me a bottle of this cult-favorite for Christmas last year (moms do know best sometimes!!).

I couldn't be happier with it! A dime-size amount covers my entire face, because it's translucent it leaves absolutely no white cast, and 10 minutes after putting it on, my face just feels like I applied a little bit of a nice moisturizer or makeup primer, not anything that's grease-central, like sunscreen usually is. It does pill if I put it on too soon after my morning topical acne prescription, but as long as I give that script about five minutes to sink in I have no issues. I've worn makeup maybe a grand total of seven or eight times over the past year, but every time I have, I've been impressed by the way my matte foundation glides over it, looks with it, and lasts with it. When this bottle runs out — which, despite using it every single day (and sometimes twice a day, if I head out into the sun in the afternoon) for about four months now, it still hasn't come close — I absolutely won't mind treating myself to a new one." —Natalie Brown

Get it from Amazon for $38.

"I recently bought a Kindle and it has, no exaggeration, revolutionized my life. I love mine for so many reasons — it's truly helped me incorporate my love of reading into my often hectic life, and all my titles literally live inside of this half-pound wonder gadget, so I can switch between books super easily. For traveling, this is a literal dream. I don't have to pick between titles and then regret the entire trip that I didn't bring the one I left at home — and, as any book lover knows, traveling with books is heavy as hell, and the Kindle literally completely eliminates that weight. Traveling will never be the same for me. BTW, I am also obsessed with the Libby app, which allows you to check out e-books from your local library on your Kindle!! My inner child is *screaming* with joy." —Haley Zovickian

"I am going to echo Haley and say that my Kindle honestly made traveling easier. Yes, I understand I don't have to take a book on vacation but I love reading and would be the person lugging a heavy book and complaining about how heavy my bag is because of it. I also have the Libby App now (RIP OverDrive you will always live in my heart) and will download a ton of books from my local library to read at the airport, on the train, at the beach, what have you. And the fact that it's waterproof is a bonus because I am a klutz and have dropped it in the sink filled with dishwater before lol. It still works!" —Tasia Bass

Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in 8GB and 16GB sizes).

"When I decided to tag some time onto a trip to France to travel around Europe and do the hostel thing, I knew I needed to pack super light so I could book cheap commuter flights and overall avoid the whole endeavor feeling like a slog. I had some doubts as to whether such a — I'll say it — trendy bag could handle that kind of weight, and wear and tear, but to my utter delight it did. And it looked damn good while doing so.

The laptop sleeve is slightly padded and fit by Macbook Air that I depend on for work nice and safe. Its water bottle sleeve is handy not just for bottles, but to keep essentials like sunglasses and headphones at your fingertips. It has many interior pockets to keep things like electronics, notebooks, cash, etc. safe and separate, and it even has a separate shoe compartment if you bring more than one pair and want to keep the rest of your goods from getting dirty. Wheeled bags have their place, but as someone traveling alone and doing a lot of walking, I appreciated that I could sling this over my shoulder and head to a café or just stroll without looking out of place if I was waiting for check-in at a hostel or for a train to board. You don't need to put this bag to the ultimate test like I did to enjoy it. Even just as an overnight bag it's an amazing addition to any travel setup. It may be pricey, but not needing to pay an arm and a leg to add a carry-on on cheap flights makes the bag pay for itself." —Rachel Dunkel

Get it from Calpak for $128 (available in eight colors).

"I originally bought this for running because my earbuds kept falling out. It's super comfortable and sits flush against your ears. However, I started using it to sleep one night after my loud neighbor decided to have guests over on a weeknight, when I had work in the morning. It really helps! I played soft classical music and drowned them all out. I have used them on vacation when I share a room with someone (I never realize how little I sleep compared to others until I bunking with someone else lol) and want to scroll YouTube on my phone without disturbing them. It is so easy to recharge, I just plug it into my outlet in the morning and grab it at night. Definitely a great buy!" —Tasia Bass

"I also used to sleep with these during my first (and second, if we're being honest) trimester of pregnancy to try and get some relief from the relentless nausea." —Heather Braga

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in three sizes).

This is totally worth the space in your carry-on's toiletries bag. It's quite emollient and feels like it stays put after you apply — which is probably why it's so effective. I'm normally a matte lipstick kinda gal during the day and stuck to that during my recent cold vacations [Vienna and Prague in December, Iceland in February], so applying this in the morning as soon as I woke up and before I went to bed kept my lips looking and feeling normal." —Elizabeth Lilly

Get it from Amazon for $10 (available in six flavors and in packs of three).

This small biz is run by a mother-daughter duo located in California and Mexico. Check out their behind the scenes video to see how each blanket is made by artisan weavers, and give their gorgeous Instagram a follow!

"I take picnicking very seriously and have spent years searching for the perfect blanket. I wish I was kidding (you A-types out there know the struggle). I finally found it! My Caminito blanket handles all terrain like a champ. It's gorgeous – the high quality handiwork is clearly shown in the details. And the best part? It's machine washable! Plus the handle is so unnecessarily nifty. Who knew carrying a blanket could get even easier?! Get this. Thank me later." —Mal Mower

Get it from Caminito for $92.

"I was never one for eye masks UNTIL I tried this super-soft silk mask from Brooklinen. Eye masks always seemed like more of a hassle rather than something that would actually help me sleep better, but lo and behold, this mask has changed my mind. It's been really helpful when it comes to blocking out distracting lights while I'm trying to sleep, and the gentle silk fabric actually feels like a cooling treat for my eyelids. I don't feel any pulling and tugging on my hair, which makes me believe the silk really is an upgrade from a standard cotton mask. Also, if you're already planning your holiday shopping, the price point puts it into perfect gift-giving territory!" —former BuzzFeeder Britt Ross

Get it from Brooklinen for $24.65 (originally $29, available in six colors and four prints).

"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 have 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 into 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 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. I just so happened to find a date for my interview the day before I flew to Italy and was able to update my boarding passes and flight reservations with my info to reap the benefits ASAP. " —Elizabeth Lilly

"I took this on a two-week trip to Italy and I cannot rave about this enough. It's sleek and slim, yet surprisingly spacious — seriously, I was able to fit SO many extra clothes thanks to the built-in compression pad. The front compartment was the perfect place to store my laptop, passport, AirPods, and other essentials I wanted easy access to. If you're looking to upgrade your old carry-on to something lightweight, sturdy, and spacious — this is it!" —former BuzzFeeder Daniel Boan

Get it from Monos for $315+ (originally $321+; available in 12 colors).

"I do not leave town without several packs of disinfecting wipes. I wipe down EVERYTHING on planes and trains. Seriously, I am the person on the walks on the plane, and after I store my carry-on above my head, I wipe down my seat, the seatbelt, tray, armrest and screen. Then when those sitting near me see what I am doing, they always ask if they can have a wipe so they can wipe down their stuff too. I also use them in hotel rooms or on tables at coffeeshops. They are so useful in any situation." —Tasia Bass

Get a five pack from Target for $4.99.

"I'd put this hand warmer in many stories this winter and my friend (who reads my stories, s/o to Jen!) bought it to take on our December trip to Vienna/Budapest/Prague and it was essential to us staying outside at Christmas markets. So once I got talked into an Iceland trip a few weeks before the travel dates, I shopped my own stories for this little beaut. And I am SO glad that I did. I kept it in my coat pocket the entire trip (basically we were only indoors to eat and sleep) and it gets very hot, very fast. The only time that I was able to use the highest heat setting (there are three total) for longer than a few minutes was when I stood in the middle of nowhere scanning the sky for The Northern Lights around midnight. It was COLD cold out in the flat lands and far away from buildings and light pollution. But I was determined to see the Aurora dance. (Otherwise, I would've booked a summertime Iceland trip.) I had warm leather gloves with fleece lining that I wore throughout the trip. But I kept my right hand ungloved during periods of time so I could look through my phone's camera app to spot the green in the sky. (The Lights look white at first to the naked eye before your eyes adjust and see it as green. But you can spot them as green immediately through your phone camera.) This small-but-mighty hand warmer kept my fingers operating so once I finally did see the lights, I could photograph them! And it also kept me outside longer instead of taking bus breaks. Whyyyy didn't I buy this earlier? Please learn from my mistake.

Psst — you can even use a power bank or your phone to charge it!" —Elizabeth Lilly

Get it from Amazon for $19.52+ (available in eight colors).

"Now hear me out, this might not seem like a normal item to travel with, but I am an artist and I like painting all over. So I knew I wanted a plein air easel for awhile and then my parents got me this one for Christmas one year. I absolutely love it. There's something about painting outside that just brings me a ton of joy and peace. I actually have traveled with it! I've used it to paint near lakes and on top of hills. It takes up so little room in the car trunk so I don't have to stress about fitting everything. I hope to one day be able to fly back to Japan with it because my goal is to paint Mount Fuji while standing in front it. The great thing is when you are traveling with it, you just need to fold in the legs and it becomes a very lightweight box, about the size of a tote bag, that you can carry. Since it comes with a strap, you can sling it over your shoulder and that makes it much easier to carry across long distances. Also, you can clip your canvas on the easel while you're walking so you don't have to worry about carrying two things. I think it's definitely a must have for any painter who just loves to do art while traveling." —Tasia Bass

Get it from Jerry Artarama for $94.99.