The Travel Accessories Thrillist Editors Swear By

At Thrillist, all we can think about is our next adventure. Whether we're planning a tranquil trip to a beach or a gorgeous getaway to the mountains, packing properly is a must. From making sure we have our carry-on essentials to packing the right amount for an international trip to getting together everything we need on a cruise, we consider packing an art. And just like any art, it's a very personal practice. Some of us pack well ahead of time, while others wait until the last minute, but one thing we all have in common is the need to bring along our best travel accessories. 

This beloved travel gear addresses many travel concerns. Hoping to sleep soundly on your flight? We've got you covered with a TikTok-famous travel pillow, some potent melatonin, and more. Need to fit your bag underneath the seat in front of you? We've shared which trendy luggage brands are worth it. Looking for even more specific recommendations, such as the best stroller for flying or a bag that allows you to pack alcohol in your checked luggage without a worry? Yeah, we've got those, too. Read on to see all our recommendations. 

"Air travel generates about 9,000 tons of plastic garbage annually, but I would argue that the free headphones provided by most airlines are complete garbage before they even end up in landfills. I'd much rather use the AirPods that I've paid good money for (and will continue to pay for, as I repeatedly lose and then replace the right pod, then the left one, then the right again, on and on, presumably for the rest of my natural life.) That said, I was a little skeptical of the first Bluetooth adapter I bought to remedy this, as it kind of looked like generic Amazon junk. But aside from one or two tiny hiccups, the AirFly Duo has never failed to connect. Given that it's less than 50 bucks, I'm actually surprised that it's not more widely used—a fact that I'm reminded of nearly every time I fly. My seatmate always asks me about it without fail. I enjoy feeling like an early adopter and spreading the Good Word to my fellow weary travelers, but if you don't want to talk to anyone, just remember that you have the option of pantomiming that you're wearing headphones because you will be." — Allie Conti, Senior Editor at Thrillist

"Unfortunately, in the heyday of my gin consumption, I was transporting the spirits I bought while traveling by wrapping them in my clothes and crossing my fingers. That is until I came across the JetBag. The bag is not only perfectly sized to hold your wine (or gin) bottle, but it also includes an ultra-absorbant material on the inside that can absorb up to 750ml of liquid and a ziplock-type seal to ensure your belongings remain stain-free in the unlikely occurrence the bottle breaks. And while I'm not buying as many bottles nowadays, having already crossed a lot off the bucket list, I do continue to swear by these for everything from conditioner to condiments—if there's a chance an item could break and/or leak, why not take the extra precaution? That's growth." — Becca James, Senior Editor at Thrillist

"After years of jamming my toiletries into random pouches, I finally invested in a dedicated toiletry bag. I had some very specific features in mind: I wanted to have the option to hang it, but I also wanted it to stand up on the counter on its own. I wanted lots of compartments but didn't want anything enormously bulky. And finally, in a perfect world, my new toiletry bag would also be somewhat waterproof. The Calpak Terra Hanging Toiletry Bag delivered all of the above. It has tons of space and organizing options, and I think it's pretty cute, too. I find it ideal for longer trips when you need more toiletry items or shorter trips when you have extra room for a bag that, while not bulky, also isn't teeny-tiny." — Kori Perten, Senior Editor at Thrillist

"I am an anxious flier. But I wholeheartedly refuse to let my aviation-related fears stop me from traveling, so I rely on trusty reinforcements to help me get through the flight as painlessly as possible. Combining these Relaxation CBD Gummies and these Kids' Silicone Putty Earplugs creates the perfect cocktail. I take one or two gummies right when I take my seat, and it only takes around 20 minutes for them to kick in, timed perfectly with take-off. While I love falling asleep to music or podcasts, I hate waking up with a random Spotify-suggested song thrust upon me. This is where the earplugs come in; while they are labeled for children, both my mother and I are proof that anyone can use them. You can mold them every which way and block out crying babies and the airplane's ever-present hum. Because of these two products, I have slept through entire six hour flights more times than I can count." — Kelsey Allen, Associate Editor at Thrillist

"I also understand travel anxiety, being one of those people who was really anxious to get back into the swing of traveling after the pandemic's peak. When it came time to book my first big trip since 2020, I took a look at my luggage and felt absolutely nothing. I knew I needed to be a good little consumer and make a purchase to help me get more excited for the trip. Almost at that exact moment, I received an email from a trendy luggage brand alerting me to its best sale of the season/year/eternity, so I took this all as a sign from the universe that it was time to buy the Baboon to the Moon Go-Bag in a size small in the gray colorway. I love the bag because it's cute, versatile, a little weird, and feels exceptionally well-built (just like me, of course). It's the perfect bag for a weekend trip or even a shorter getaway if you're a light packer, and you can also easily stow it as a carry-on. The hype was real, and I honestly wouldn't even be mad paying full price for this. (I do love the iced lavender shade they just dropped, too. Oh no.)" — Joe Erbentraut, Editorial Director at Thrillist

"I'm not only team carry-on, I like to travel as light as possible. It's altruistic, really—all the more room to bring back souvenirs (okay, snacks) for friends and loved ones. And in my tiny carry-on, I like to cram versatile outfits for varied adventures, so I'm always on the lookout for clothing items that can function in multiple situations. Recently, my Teva Hurricane XLT2s proved themselves the MVP in the Turks and Caicos. From a company started by a Grand Canyon river guide, their comfortable thick tread and quick-dry webbing allowed me to slide smoothly from ocean kayaking to beach wading to light hiking, first on one island inhabited only by iguanas, then another with bloodthirsty mosquitoes (the shoes did not help with those). I've taken them everywhere, from the jungles of Rwanda to a fancy yacht in the British Virgin Islands to the rocky coasts of Alaska. Honestly, in multiple colorways, they're also kind of cute and fit into any warm weather situation. That includes a night out—just dress 'em up with the right attitude." — Vanita Salisbury, Senior Writer at Thrillist

"I've always taken an approach to travel that could seem 'laid back,' or, less generously, like I'm "really winging it." But that all changed after experiencing a flight from LA to NYC that was rerouted to Detroit with my then six-month-old baby earlier this year. It wasn't a fun time. It also required much more baby-carrying through terminals than my arms were ready for. So, on a recent trip from NYC to Portland, Oregon, with my now 12-month-old baby, I decided to plan ahead and bring the Stokke YOYO Stroller. Like most things marketed toward new moms and mainly made of plastic, it's expensive. This foldable stroller will run you $450. But it's light enough (13.7 lbs, 14 with all my snacks tucked in there) to carry folded up and fit so nicely in the overhead compartment that I almost didn't see it when I went to grab it at the end of my flight. And even though it would fit very nicely in my closet, I now use it every day to take my kid to and from childcare, so I can confirm that it's great for both long-distance flights and short-distance commutes." — Lindsay Schrupp, Editor-in-Chief at Thrillist

"I will not embark on any long-haul flight without my Trtl Neck Pillow. Quite frankly, I feel sorry for people who are still using those bulky, C-shaped cushions. It folds up so compactly that it's easy to slip inside a carry-on or wrap around the strap of your suitcase. The pillow functions like a neck brace, which you place at the curve of your neck, securing with a scarf-like wrap. It's like resting your head on a loved one's shoulder. There are other ways to use it as well. You can place it between your head and the back of the seat while watching a movie or lay it against the window like a traditional pillow. I like to pull the fabric attachment upward over my face as an eye mask. You might look like a mummy, but a very chic one, to be sure." — Jessica Sulima, Staff Writer at Thrillist

"The nature of this job means that I've tested quite a few different carry-on bags and duffels. There are some genuinely great options out there depending on what you need, but the bag I've gotten the most mileage out of and is the easiest to travel with is actually a Dagne Dover Landon Neoprene Carryall Bag I purchased for a gym/grad school bag in 2018. The bag is pretty small and has easily made it through train, plane, and subway travel for six long years. The neoprene makes it's easy to wash, and a compression effect helps squish down my belongings when I need to eek by with a regulation-sized personal item on budget flights. It fits under the airplane seat with no problem, and its little exterior pocket means I can grab my phone easily. I bought mine before it had the luggage sleeve—the updated model seems to be even more travel-friendly—plus there are even cuter color options now. Anything that can last through six years of my rough and clumsy life is definitely a top travel purchase for me." — Opheli Garcia Lawler, Senior Writer at Thrillist

"One thing is for sure. If I'm taking an overnight flight—or a red-eye, in case we wanted to get fancy with the travel lingo—I must sleep through it. It doesn't matter if the day before I slept 23 hours out of 24—the minute the plane takes off, I need to be in deep snooze mode, and I need to be doing that until we reach our destination, where the sun will shine, signaling a new day. There is one thing that helps me do this without fail, and it's a dietary supplement. I'm talking about melatonin, but not your regular, dainty, cute, dozing-off kind. No, I am talking about the a-pianoforte-just-cartoonishly-fell-on-your-head-and-you-passed-out kind. That's right, it exists, is legal, and works like a charm. It's called ZzzQuil PURE Zzzs Advanced 10mg Melatonin and comes in a gummy form. Usually, melatonin supplements come in 2-5 mg of melatonin per serving, so these are quite the boost. Personally, they're the only thing that works when I have to sleep on a plane for more than a couple of hours. Sure, you might be a little groggy when you wake up, but I usually blame that on the jetlag anyway." — Serena Tara, Staff Writer at Thrillist

"Imagine this: You're 40,000 feet in the air, and the only thing between you and your dream vacation to Japan is 10 more hours on a long-haul flight. The flight attendants have served the first meal and dimmed the cabin lights, and you finally found the perfect sleeping position with an adjusted seat and pillow supporting your neck just right. Your eyes are heavy, your mind is blank, and BAM! A passenger to your left has decided now is the perfect time to turn on their reading light. It's bright and, unfortunately, will keep you from falling asleep. This is why I took my favorite ZGGCD Sleep Mask on a recent long-haul flight. I love this mask because it completely blocks out light and has these memory foam contours that cup the eyes. So, if you hate the feeling of things sitting on your face or if you have lash extensions, you'll still be comfortable. I also love the adjustable strap. Heads are not one-size-fits-all, especially when it comes to hair, so being able to adjust the mask is essential, especially if you have hair with volume like afros, braids, and locs." — Janae Price, Social Video Producer at Thrillist

"Whenever I'm traveling, whether it's a short or long flight, I wear my compression socks. Hands down, they're one of the best travel purchases I have made. Not having to deal with swelling in my feet is fantastic because I can easily get off the plane or out of the car and continue with my plans. After the compression socks, my best purchases have been noise-canceling headphones, a portable handheld fan (because it can get hot on the airplane), and a sleeping mask. I can't go anywhere without this travel pack. If I forget any of these items, you'll find me mad at myself in the duty-free shop, paying a lot for new products." — Kisai Ponce, Director of Audience Development at Thrillist

Whether you need help sneaking weed onto a plane, finding an airport where you can sign up for PreCheck without an appointment, or making sure you’re getting everything you’re entitled to when your flight is canceled, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for up-to-date travel hacks and all the travel news you need to help you plan your next big adventure.

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