Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Travel Essentials I Actually Use
40
items Travel has taught me that the best things to pack aren't necessarily the fanciest, they're the things that make the journey easier. These are the travel essentials I actually use, love, and would recommend to another traveler, from packing smarter to...
Sections
5
Packing & Luggage
Toiletries & Personal Care
Flight & Long-Journey Comfort
Travel Tech
On-the-Go Travel Essentials
Packing & Luggage
Everything that helps me pack smarter, stay organized, and avoid suitcase chaos.
I love anything that makes packing less chaotic. These keep my clothes organized and help me squeeze a little more into my suitcase.
Compression Packing Cubes
I want my suitcase to be sturdy enough for real travel without being unnecessarily heavy before I even put anything in it.
Skyline Carry On Spinner Wheels Suitcase - Tan
One of those tiny travel gadgets that can save me from the dreaded airport scale surprise.
Fosmon Digital Luggage Scale Travel with 110lb Capacity, Temperature Sensor, Portable Luggage Weight Scale for Travel, Suitcase
I use this to keep dirty clothes separate from everything else and make unpacking so much easier.
XL Laundry Backpack Green and Pink - Brightroom™
This takes almost no space in my luggage but somehow always becomes useful once I'm traveling.
BAGSMART Foldable Tote Bag for Women, Laptop Tote Bag Top Handle Handbag for Travel, Work, Beach, Gym, Shop, Pink
This is the kind of travel backpack I love, roomy enough to actually be useful, but still easy to carry. I especially like the suitcase-style opening and trolley sleeve for airport travel.
35L Travel Backpack Muddy Aqua - Open Story™: Water-Resistant
For shorter trips or when I want something lighter, this is the kind of backpack I'd reach for. Simple, practical and easy to carry around all day.
Signature 16" Commuter Backpack - Open Story™ Taupe: Fits 15" Laptop, College Use
Toiletries & Personal Care
The little travel-friendly things that keep my skincare, toiletries, and personal essentials organized on the road.
Hotel bathrooms aren't exactly known for having enough counter space. I love being able to hang everything up and keep it organized.
Small Hanging Toiletry Bag Blue - Open Story™: Water-Resistant Travel Accessory
I can bring the skincare and toiletries I actually love without carrying full-size bottles everywhere.
8pc Complete Travel Toiletry Set Dark Ivy - Open Story™: Silicone, PET Beauty Set
I can actually see what I've packed instead of digging through a pouch looking for one tiny product.
Sonia Kashuk™ Square Clutch Makeup Bag - Clear
Because untangling necklaces after a flight is not how I want to spend my vacation.
PAVILIA Travel Jewelry Case Organizer, Foldable Roll Bag, Small Pouch Wallet for Earrings Rings Necklaces Bracelets Packing Accessories, Quilt Pink
I get to bring my favorite perfume without giving up precious luggage space or risking a full-size bottle.
Refillable Perfume Atomizer Bottle, 4 Pack Portable Mini Cosmetic Pump Dispensers, 5ml Travel Perfume Spray
Simple, inexpensive and much more hygienic than throwing my toothbrush loose into my toiletry bag.
Foldable Travel Manual Toothbrush Soft Bristles - up&up™
I love how tiny this is for travel. It comes in its own case, takes up almost no space in my toiletry bag, and is perfect for those last-minute touch-ups when I'm away from home.
Venus Mini Extra Smooth 5-Blade Women's Travel Razor with 1 Razor Blade Refill and Travel Case
A travel bidet is one of those things I never thought I'd need, until I realized how much more comfortable it is to have one when traveling. This compact bottle fits easily in my toiletry bag and is great for staying fresh when I'm away from home.
Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle: Non-Toxic, Feminine Care Set
Flight & Long-Journey Comfort
My picks for making long flights and travel days a little more comfortable and a lot more bearable.
For those long flights when I desperately want to sleep but my neck has completely different plans.
Memory Foam Travel Neck Pillow - Open Story™ Gray: U-Shape Support, Recycled Polyester
One of those small things I appreciate so much more on a long-haul flight.
Women's Compression 2pk Knee High Socks - All In Motion™ Gray/Black 4-10: Moisture Wicking, Arch Support
I can't control the cabin lights, the hotel curtains or the person sitting next to me, but I can control what I see.
Light Blocking Sleep Mask Thistle - Open Story™: Eye Mask, Recycled Materials
I like having my own bottle with me instead of constantly buying water while traveling.
Owala Special Edition 24oz FreeSip Stainless Steel Water Bottle - Bubblegum Burst
Planes can be freezing, and having something warm that doesn't take up much space is always a win.
Brookstone Fleece Blanket 2 in 1 Super Soft Cozy Portable Travel Blanket with Carrying Case
For when I need a little peace and quiet, on a plane, in a hotel, or basically anywhere.
Cubitt Power EarBuds with noise cancellation, Premium Sound with Deep Bass, Up to 5 hours Playback and Smart Touch Controls with Game Mode
For long-haul flights, washing my face in that tiny airplane lavatory feels like way too much work. I keep these in my carry-on to quickly freshen up and remove makeup without needing a sink.
Cetaphil Makeup Remover Face Wipes for All Skin Types - Unscented - 25ct: Hypoallergenic, Noncomedogenic, Contains Aloe, Contains Chamomile
I’ve actually used these on long-haul flights and loved them. They’re soft, gentle, and make it so easy to freshen up and remove makeup when I really don’t want to deal with washing my face in an airplane lavatory.
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes - Ultra Soft Micellar Facial Cleansing - Fragrance Free - 25ct: Hypoallergenic, Dye-Free
I always keep a pack of these in my carry-on. They're so handy for freshening up after a long flight, cleaning my hands before eating, or whenever soap and water aren't readily available.
Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes Travel Pack - Fresh - 20ct
I keep melatonin in mind for long-haul trips when I'm trying to adjust to a new time zone. It can be helpful for getting my sleep schedule back on track, especially when jet lag hits.
Natrol Melatonin 10mg Sleep Aid Gummies - Strawberry - 90ct
Cabin air can leave my hands feeling so dry, especially on long flights. I like keeping this travel-size lotion in my carry-on so I can moisturize whenever my hands start feeling tight or dry.
Jergens Ultra Healing Body Lotion for Dry Skin with Vitamins C, E and B5 - Travel Size - 2 fl oz
Travel Tech
The tech I want with me when I'm traveling, from keeping my devices charged to keeping track of my luggage.
One adapter that works across different countries saves me from trying to remember which plug I'll need.
Travel Smart All-in-One Adapter with USB A & C Ports: Black Power Adapter 5V, 17W Output
A dead phone while traveling is basically a tiny personal crisis. I never want to be caught without backup power.
Anker 10000mAh 22.5W Power Bank - Black
Chargers and cables somehow multiply when I travel. This keeps them from becoming one giant mess at the bottom of my bag.
U Brands Canvas Dual Zip Tech Organizer Pouch - Pink
I love having that extra bit of peace of mind when my luggage is traveling somewhere without me.
Apple AirTag (4 Pack) (2nd generation)
Instead of carrying several charging bricks, I can charge multiple devices from one spot.
100W Multiport Laptop Charging Kit - heyday™ Cosmetic Pink
Great for watching something during a flight, following directions or simply having my phone propped up in a hotel room.
Phone Stand
On-the-Go Travel Essentials
I like having my passport, cards and important travel documents together instead of searching through my bag every time I need them.
Wristlet
My favorite travel bags are hands-free, comfortable and secure enough that I don't have to constantly worry about my belongings.
Essential Belt Crossbody Bag - Universal Thread™ Taupe: Adjustable Strap, 100% Recycled Cotton, Lightweight, 46.85" Max Strap Length
This is one of those tiny things I throw into my bag and am always grateful to have when coffee, food or makeup ends up somewhere it shouldn't.
Tide To Go Stain Remover Pen - 1ct/ 0.33 fl oz: Bleach-Free, Not For Leather, Fresh Scent
Especially useful for beach trips, boat rides and rainy days when I still want to use my phone without worrying about it getting soaked.
Case-Mate Waterproof Phone Pouch - Blue
Because apparently weather forecasts are sometimes just suggestions.
Totes Super Mini Manual ECO Compact Umbrella - Black
I don't want to pack an entire pharmacy, but having basic first-aid essentials with me makes little travel mishaps much easier to deal with.
Johnson & Johnson First Aid To Go! Portable Mini Travel Kit - 12pc
I like having small essentials organized and easy to find instead of carrying several bottles around.
Sukuos 7-Day 2x Pill Organizer, Large Daily Pill Cases for Pills, Vitamins, Fish Oil & Supplements
Incredibly useful when you're somewhere hot, humid, or stuck waiting without much airflow.
JISULIFE Life4 Hands Free Neck Fan with 5000mAh Battery USB Chargeable 5 Speed Settings Personal Portable Fan Gray