2023 was organized travel chaos. I started the year zipping around the US. Then I flew SF-Geneva-SF-London-Amsterdam-SF-DC-Paris-Helsinki-Florida-SF in March. Then things REALLY got interesting.
For both work and personal travel, I’m flying so often that I can’t be packing from scratch each time. I have a kit, I have ready-to-go carry on bags, and I have travel essentials that are always on standby.
So: these are the items that kept me sane for all my flights in 2023, and that I couldn’t recommend enough for you to put into practice in 2024.
Amazon is always my go-to, so all of these items are easy to purchase. These are paid links, which supports the time and purchases to try out these products for you!
trtl Travel Pillow
For overnight flights, I only leave this at home if I’m confirmed for business in both directions. Despite being a bit tall with a longer neck, this still provides enough support to be worth toting around for a more pleasant upright economy plus snooze. It’s pretty cozy too, which I don’t mind for colder overnight flights. It has definitely helped me sleep more hours in the skies than I would have without it. Thanks, trtl.
MiiKARE Airplane Travel Essentials Phone Holder
Whatever your in-seat setup, you can use this. Airbus/Boeing, new/old, economy/first: you can hold it, clip it to your tray table, attach it to the seat in front of you, or just use it as a free-standing stand. I even had a flight attendant ask me for the info on this. Buy it here.
Anker Magnetic Portable Charger (for iPhone MagSafe)/ Anker Portable Charger, Power Bank (for all phones)
You truly never know if your in-seat power is going to work. If you’re traveling through multiple countries/airports, it can be a pain to dig out adapters. I always fly with a standalone phone charger, and either I or a seatmate always end up using it. I have both of these – one is cordless for iPhone magnetic charging, the other has more charge but is a classic battery pack.
EACHY Travel Makeup Bag
I’ve had a number of different toiletry kit for my beauty items. For makeup, I’ve run the gamut of clear, compact, lots of pockets/slots, no organization, etc. Being able to lay everything flat without unpacking ANYTHING is a gamechanger. This makeup holder unzips flat so you can see everything. Get it now (the regular size is plenty, the big is enormous).
Miamica Foldable Travel Laundry Bag
When I go to a hotel, I feel bad using the plastic laundry bag to take home. At an AirBnB or friend/family’s house, I used to scrounge for something before this. It’s the perfect travel laundry bag: compact folding (or really stuffing) into a small bag within itself, roomy, and easy to keep in my suitcase for on-the-go packing. Then the whole bag goes to the laundry home when I get home. You won’t regret it.
Repel Umbrella Large Umbrellas for Rain Windproof
If it’s raining at your destination, you don’t want to scramble for an expensive drugstore umbrella that will flip inside out in the first wind gust. This umbrella is worth the space and carrying around the world. Tech to keep it from flipping, automatic opening, study frame, quality fabric. Plus, it comes in a range of colors. It’s available here.
NISHEL Travel Toiletry Bag
This is my checked bag standard toiletry bag. One main section has my skincare, the other has hair/dental/deoderant etc. The hanging flaps have emergency meds and needs, and my contacts and glasses sit in the front pocket. It fits everything and then some, and has held up for well over three years and counting. Check it out here.
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These items truly don’t leave my luggage or travel purse unless I’m using them or restocking them. Let me know what you think of my recs in the comments or on Instagram.
anchored & adrift 