If travel is on the horizon for you and your family, we have an essential guide to help you pack smarter. These travel must-haves will help you and your fellow travelers stay organized, save space, and have everything you need without packing a ton of extra luggage for you and the family.
Traveling is so much fun, but it can definitely be stressful. We created our essential travel guide of 33 travel must-haves to make your next trip that much simpler. And to make it even easier, everything is available at the click of a button so that you can order everything straight to your front door. Let’s get to listing the best travel accessories for your family, so you can start making your packing list for your trip.
This post may contain affiliate links to items I love and recommend. These come at no cost to you and the small commission helps to support my small business. Thank you!
Our List of Top Travel Must-Haves
1. Packable Back-Pack
A packable backpack is one of the first things I pack in my luggage. It’s perfect for a trip to the beach or amusement park, hiking, or storing the extra souvenirs you pick up along the way. These packable backpacks are waterproof, super lightweight, and fold into themselves to take up hardly any luggage space. They’re super handy to have on hand, and you will not regret packing them!
2. Family Travel Document Organizer
I recently traveled to Europe with my family, and I wish I had this travel organizer before our trip. It keeps everyone’s passport, vaccine card, boarding pass and other documents organized and safely zipped away. Just put it in a larger purse or backpack and keep your documents secure and together.
3. Packable Ponchos
Ever been caught at Disney World during a pop-up rainstorm? ????♀️ That’s why you need a set of packable ponchos. I love that this set includes kids’ and adults’ sizes, so everyone is covered in case of an unexpected downpour. And these don’t take up much space in your luggage either.
4. Packable Beach Blanket
This is the best packable beach blanket. It folds up into a pocket-sized bag and is perfect to keep in your purse or beach bag. You can use it anywhere to keep you clean and dry. It’s perfect for picnics, camping, concerts, and beach days.
5. Universal Travel Adapter and Voltage Converter
If you’re traveling internationally, you’ll want to have at least one of these universal travel adapters/voltage converters on hand. This adapter is good in 150 different countries. It has four USB charging ports and three A/C sockets, so you can charge seven devices on one adapter.
Unlike most travel adapters, this model’s voltage converter technology allows the adapter to convert voltage in different countries including Australia (100-240V, 50/60Hz) to US/Japan voltage (110V, 60Hz). I love how when it’s not in use, you can roll up the cord and fit everything in a purse, backpack, or pocket of your suitcase.
6. Apple AirTags and Keychains
Keep track of your luggage with these Apple Air Tags. You can put them inside your luggage or purse before you leave and then track them with your phone. I also keep one on my car keys after the time I had to tear apart Five Below for two hours searching for them, only to find them nestled at the bottom of a box of mini Squishmallows.
DON’T BE LIKE ME. Get some Apple Air Tags and a set of keychain holders for them and keep track of your important belongings.
7. Compact magnifying mirror with light
Ever tried to put your makeup on in the dark on an airplane? It’s not pretty! If only I’d had this little lighted magnifying mirror at the time! It’s also great for putting in contacts or finding those pesky hairs that you missed with the tweezers. I love that it’s super small and has its own little travel bag to keep the mirror and charging cord together. It’s a perfect stocking stuffer, too!
8. Digital Luggage Scale
If you’re flying, you definitely want to be aware of the weight limit on your luggage. Having a digital luggage scale will allow you to make sure you’re not over the limit before you get to the airport, which in turn saves you from agonizing about which pair of boots to toss.
9. Travel Umbrella
I love the size of this travel umbrella! It is super compact, making it perfect to toss in a purse or backpack. It’s available in several colors and includes a matching carrying case. When opened it’s a good size for one adult or two small kids, so you might want one for every family member.
10. Collapsible Water Bottle
If you don’t want to get caught paying $6 for a single bottled water at the airport, having a collapsible water bottle is a money-saving, eco-friendly, and space-saving choice. This HydraPak Stow is well-made and will last you hundreds of fills, making it an affordable purchase in the long run. It’s available in 3 sizes, making it perfect for adults and kids. It’s also a great gift for the travelers in your life.
11. Collapsible Snack Container
Keep your kids’ snacks fresh with these collapsible, durable snack containers. You can hook the removable handle onto a bag for easy transport. It also collapses into a smaller, space-saving container size. And the silicone material won’t break when it falls (or gets inevitably chunked) to the ground.
12. Mini First Aid Kit
Don’t let your kids know you have this or you’ll be passing out bandaids like they’re candy. But you’ll definitely want to have this mini first aid kit in your personal item bag. It’s pocket-sized and will keep all the necessities you need for cuts and scrapes that will inevitably happen on your adventures.
12. Portable Charging Bank
This small power bank is our pick for a few reasons. I love the size! It’s not much bigger than a tube of lipstick, meaning it will fit in your pocket. Also, it easily plugs into your phone making it easy to operate even while charging. It’s also fast-charging. Unlike many power banks that require several hours to fully charge, it can charge an iPhone 15 or Android phone in a little over an hour. If you have an iPhone 14 or older model, you’ll need this lightning connection version. You can keep track of how much juice the power bank has left in it with the digital display. And the color options make it a fun phone accessory. It’s really the best little power bank for traveling!
13. Electronics Organizer
If you’re traveling with multiple family members, that probably means you’re traveling with multiple devices and all of the device accessories. You can keep them all organized with this handy electronics organizer. It has dividers and pockets to keep all of your electronic accessories neat and organized and in one place.
14. Flex Flap Phone Holder
So this little gadget is really nifty! It’s a hands-free bendable little vinyl-covered board that is customizable to prop up your phone or tablet during long flights. It was created by a flight attendant, so you know it’s perfect for setting on a tray table of a plane. You can also hook it on the tray table when it’s closed so your phone is hanging at eye level when you watch movies. When you’re done, just flatten it out and stick it in your bag. It’s the travel accessory you didn’t know you needed!
15. Toiletry Sleeves
Ditch the plastic bags and get a set of these toiletry sleeves. No longer will you have leaking shampoo or lotion in your luggage or have to waste plastic bags to hold your toiletry items. These toiletry sleeves are super stretchable, reusable, and work for both big and small bottles. Another huge plus is that they are made of Thermoplastic Rubber, which is eco-friendly and biodegradable.
16. Travel Pillow Set
When I’m traveling on a long flight in coach, I want to have everything to make it as comfy as possible. Those airline-standard blankets and pillows (if you can call them that) just don’t do it for me. That’s why I love this set that includes it all: a travel pillow, sleep mask, one pair of earplugs, and a travel bag that converts into a cozy fleece blanket, so you can get some shut-eye on your long-haul flight.
17. Compression Bags
Easily pack a week’s worth of clothes in only with these compression packing cubes. They look like regular luggage cubes but have an extra zipper to compress the bags, giving you more space in your luggage. Just fill them about 2/3 of the way full, compress them, and see how much space you save in your carry-on bags!
18. Luggage Cubes
I also really like these non-compressed luggage cubes. If I’m worried about wrinkles or creases in items like bras, I prefer a regular packing cube to keep my items neat and organized. These feel high quality, are breathable, and are waterproof, so my clean clothes stay fresh and dry. It also includes a bag that is perfect for keeping your dirty shoes separated from the rest of your items.
19. Travel Humidifier
If you or a family member struggle with sinus issues, or you are traveling to a new environment and climate, a travel humidifier is a must! I love this Pure Enrichment MistAire version. It uses standard-sized drinking water bottles as a water tank for its portable humidifiers to produce a cool mist and increase humidity levels while you’re traveling. This super lightweight and quiet humidifier is such a space-saver and puts to good use leftover water bottles that would otherwise be thrown away. Its compact size fits easily in a carry-on bag or backpack.
20. Microfiber Travel Towel
You never know when you might need a towel. If you’re traveling with kids, you know spills can happen anywhere. Or if you’ll be outdoors, a towel comes in handy to dry off wet seats or swings. Or if you’re planning a trip to the beach, these towels are so much easier to pack than regular beach towels. I love that these microfiber travel towels include a case to keep them compact and keep everything else in your bag dry when you’re done using them. They’re available in sizes XS to XXL, so you can choose a hand towel size up to a bath towel size.
21. Luggage Locks (TSA Approved)
Keep your belongings secure with these TSA-approved luggage locks. They have a lifetime warranty. If you can break them, they will replace them. Also, when you use the Forge locks, the TSA won’t cut the locks as they do on unapproved locks. The TSA master key will match the code allowing them to unlock them for inspection and relock them to keep your luggage secure while it’s not with you. They’re also great for keeping valuables safe in your backpack and help prevent theft in busy areas prone to pick-pocketing.
22. An Extra Long Phone Charger (Lightning Cord Version)
You never know how close your outlets will be to your bed or seating area when you’re traveling, so it’s super handy to have some extra-long charging cords. We love these when someone in the backseat of the car needs a charge. The metal spring close to the plugs allows for bending without breaking, as often happens to regular cords with too much use. These are USB to lightning and are available in 6, 7, and 10-foot-long versions and are compatible with fast charging.
23. A Scarf With Hidden Pockets
Sponsored
Keep your valuable items safe and close to you with this hidden pocket scarf. There are lots of options on the market, but the high-quality, breathable 70% bamboo/30% cotton material makes this one stand out and allows you to keep your valuables close, even in hot weather. You easily store cash, a cell phone, and a passport in it and have peace of mind during your travels. Plus, these beautiful, stylish scarfs are made by women for women, so you’ll feel good knowing you’re supporting a woman-owned business.
24. A Bag That Fits Under the Airplane Seat (Personal Item)
Did you know that you can fit a good-sized duffel bag under your seat? I recently flew on Spirit Airlines for the first time, and brought the max size they allow, since I didn’t want to pay for a carry-on bag. I did a lot of searching and decided on this baby. And it held a lot! I absolutely love the zippered bottom that is perfect for shoes and other bulky items, like umbrellas, hair tools, etc. It has multiple pockets inside and out, an inner waterproof zippered pocket, and a padded shoulder strap. And it’s uber cute!!! I’m going to have to hide it from my daughter, who already has her eyes on it.
25. Luggage Cup Holder
Keep your hands free with this handy luggage cup holder. It velcros around the handle of your suitcase and is perfect for holding cups, water bottles, phones, etc. The velcro closure allows you to adjust it to fit your handle’s size. It feels heavy-duty, is machine washable, and easily folds away when not in use. It’s one of my favorite luggage accessories and I recommend it for all frequent travelers.
26. Portable Door Lock
Have peace of mind in your hotel room or rental property during your travels with this portable door lock. It’s advertised as a personal safety device for women and is ideal when solo traveling or for women traveling with their children or friends, making them more of a target. The lock works with most inward swinging doors and is easy to attach and detach.
27. Pill Organizer
Sure you can grab any old pill organizer from the Dollar Store, but this pill organizer is so much better. While others pill organizers are prone to moisture, this one is moisture-proof, double locks, and is made from BPA-free cereal fiber and food-grade pp material. Its super small size makes with perfect to toss in your purse or backpack when you’re on the go.
28. Hanging Toiletry Bag
Keep all of your family’s toiletry items organized and together with this attractive hanging toiletry bag. I love the quilted stitching and gold accents. It has four inner waterproof pockets to keep your items from leaking into your luggage. The elastic straps help keep bottles upright, keeping everything organized. The hanging hook rotates 360 degrees, making it easy to hang wherever. Once it’s all rolled up and zipped, it fits easily into your luggage or has a carry handle if you’d like to carry it. You can choose between a large or medium-sized bag, depending upon your needs. You won’t regret buying this! It’s perfect for extended vacations or even a weekend trip.
29. Disposable Tray Table Cover
Now, these are genius. If you have a kid that insists on dumping their snacks out of the bag (seriously, WHY do they do this???) then you’ll love these disposable tray table covers. It keeps the crumbs and drips off the tray table and keeps your kiddo’s snacks from getting germy. Plus the puzzles and games printed on them are pretty fun for older kids. Just pack a dry-erase marker and they can have some fun. Each tray table cover is individually packaged and sealed, making it easy to stick in your pocket before a flight.
30. Portable High Chair
If you’ll be visiting family on your trip or stopping at non-kid-friendly locations, then having a packable and portable high chair should definitely be on your list! It fits into a purse or diaper bag and will attach to any dining-style chair to make meal times way less stressful. I’ve eaten many a meal with a baby or toddler squirming on my lap when there wasn’t a high chair available, so this would have been a game-changer.
31. Car Seat Travel Strap
Lugging a car seat around just got much easier. This car seat travel strap secures your car seat to your suitcase, allowing you to roll it around and keep your other hand free. The buckle is easy to use. Just ensure your luggage is large enough to attach the car seat to or it will drag the ground.
And while some photos online show babies sitting in the car seat while it is attached, please DO NOT attach the car seat with a baby sitting in it. Rolling luggage can easily flip over and you could have a serious injury on your hands.
32. Car Seat Cover
If you’ll be checking your car seat at the gate, purchase an inexpensive gate check bag to protect it. The first time I traveled with a car seat, I did not use one of these, and the pink on my daughter’s car seat had black streaks on it we could never get off. Save your car seat and purchase one of these for your next flight.
33. Travel Stroller
Having a compact travel stroller when flying is definitely ideal over a large, bulky stroller. I love the MAMAZing travel stroller. It folds with one hand, weighs only 11.5 pounds, and is so compact that it can even fit in an overhead bin on the plane.
The reclining seat back means your baby can be comfortable and still get some shut-eye when out and about. The UPF 50+ sun shade will help protect baby and the large under-seat basket can help haul your items around. It’s really the best travel stroller is priced much better than competitor’s models!
Wrapping Up
We hope you love these travel must-haves as much as we do. Having the best travel accessories and products definitely make your next trip easier for you and the family. Staying organized, packing light, and having quality items will make your travels more enjoyable and less chaotic.
Let us know your favorite travel must-haves. We are always up for trying out new travel products!
