"At The Everygirl, we love to travel—but seriously, who doesn’t? Whether it’s to visit friends, explore new cities, or simply take time for ourselves, there’s nothing quite like jetting off to a new place. Traveling can be the perfect way to unwind your mind and grow as a person. The only part that doesn’t sound totally fantastic? Actually getting there. Long security lines, hassling with several bags, strangers coughing in your face, freezing airplanes—we’ve all been there. The good news? Our editors are here to help with a few travel essentials we absolutely swear by.
No gatekeeping here: We’re sharing all the travel essentials that will make your experience a little more enjoyable. Whether you’re a beginner traveler or a frequent flyer, these are the best travel essentials for women. Add these to your packing list for your next trip to travel like a pro!
How We Chose These Items
To choose the products we featured, we polled our entire team, made up of women ranging from 22 to 40 years old, for products they love and rely on in their own lives. These products are purchased with their hard-earned money and tested to ensure we only recommend the very best to our readers. Long-haul flights, cross-country road trips, and even the cobblestone streets of Europe—these travel essentials have been with us every step of our journeys. We strongly believe that every product must meet our team’s high standards regardless of price point. Our focus is on accessible, budget-friendly items that elevate your travel experience without breaking the bank, but if a product is worth the splurge, we will always let you know.
Travel Bags and Organizers
Your travel bag is the foundation upon which the rest of your travel routine is built, and if it isn’t sound, things can crumble quickly. For a smooth travel day, you need a high-quality suitcase that will hold up throughout all the bumps and bruises it’s bound to get as you cart it across the world. Add in some organization and a top-notch carry-on bag or personal item, and you’re good as gold.
Prefer to have your luggage with you at all times? We don’t blame you. This carry-on makes running through the airport a total breeze with its smooth wheels and comfortable handle. Bonus: it has a USB port built into it that will charge your electronics for you, which means no more sitting on the airport floor outside the bathroom to reach the only available outlet.
10+ colors available
This genius suitcase has a built-in weight detector, so you never have to stress about packing too much. Instead of pulling out your bathroom scale in a panic, all you have to do is lift the bag by the handle and a small tab will turn green or red. Green means pack that extra outfit and red means it’s time to edit. This suitcase also has two inches of optional expansion, compression straps, and dividers with pockets, so you’re truly ready for anything.
8 colors available
One of the biggest challenges of travel is fitting everything you want to bring into one suitcase. These packing cubes will help you do it with ease—and a lot more organization.
10+ colors available
Designed with three zippered compartments and tons of interior pockets, this weekender can fit everything you need for a mini getaway. For a longer trip, loop it onto the handle of your suitcase and use it as your personal item. You can also carry it on-hand, over-the-shoulder, or as a crossbody.
2 colors available
If you’re looking for a little more organization than a standard duffel, this option is perfect for you. Just to name a few of the features: it is water-resistant, has a padded laptop insert, and features a separate zippered compartment for your shoes. This bag is the definition of traveling smart.
8 colors available
This leather tote will be your new favorite accessory both for travel and your day-to-day life. The only tote you’ll ever need, it can fit all your essentials (including a laptop).
9 colors available
We have all heard travel horror stories of pickpocketed passports, wallets, or phones putting a huge damper on a vacation. Fanny packs are an amazing way to keep your valuables close, and this Quince leather sling bag does so very fashionably. It fits all your everyday essentials without taking up too much space in your luggage and is way easier to carry around than a large bag.
5 colors available
One of the hardest parts of traveling is staying organized—the best intentions can turn into rummaging through a purse full of wrappers and knotted earphones in the search for your boarding pass. This organizer fits into your bag to keep all of your essentials visible and easily accessible. Genius.
10+ colors available
This hanging makeup bag eliminates having to dig through the deepest depths of a giant, unorganized makeup bag that’s usually travel protocol. You’ll be able to see everything you brought with you and avoid your foundation opening and leaking all over everything you brought.
10+ colors available
If you’re the type to travel with a whole arsenal of beauty products, you’re going to want one of these. The zippered case is lined with a special material that helps keep your beauty products at a safe temperature, so you can feel confident bringing your full skincare routine along.
Gone are the days when all of your necklaces end up tangled in a knot. This high-quality velvet organizer is a life-saver for keeping all your favorite pieces safe when you travel.
10+ colors available
Avoid the added stress of misplacing your electronics during your travel day. Keep them safe in this universal case that stores and protects small electronics, power adapters, and memory cards.
10+ colors available
Travel Accessories
When it comes to upgrading your travel experience, it’s all in the details. Little annoyances like struggling to fall asleep on your flight or fumbling around with a wallet that doesn’t fit all the cards and currencies you need for your trip can make traveling far more stressful than it needs to be. With these travel essentials, those issues become a thing of the past.
These magnetic capsules are the perfect alternative to all the travel-sized toiletries floating in your bag. Store everything from face serums to dainty jewelry and never worry about them getting lost or leaking.
4 colors available
This sleep mask does the impossible: makes plane sleep an option—yes, even if you’re in the middle seat.
5 colors available
For some trips, you don’t need your entire wallet taking up precious space in your purse. This slim card case holds just the necessities (read: a few cards and some cash), so you won’t have to sort through random gift cards and punch cards to find what you actually need.
10+ colors available
We love AirPods for many reasons while traveling, but we especially appreciate their ability to connect on their own. This is essential for when you’re too busy or don’t have an extra hand to connect your Bluetooth.
If you regularly check bags while traveling, you know how stressful the possibility of lost luggage hanging over your head is. Apple AirTags are the perfect travel accessory to ease your anxiety and ensure your bag is on the plane. If your luggage does get lost, you can immediately track it instead of waiting for the airline to locate it.
You shouldn’t have to listen to music on the highest volume to drown out the sounds around you. These comfortable and wireless headphones are perfect for sleep, noise sensitivity, and flights.
2 colors available
If your travel style typically includes carrying lots of cards and currency, easy organization and accessibility is a must. This wallet can fit easily into your bag while keeping all of your cards tucked neatly into one place.
10+ colors available
A portable charger is an absolute must for travel. Keep this in your purse and never worry about your phone dying before the plane takes off again.
6 colors available
Quickly charge your phone, AirPods, or iPad with this extra long charging cord to avoid having to sit awkwardly on the floor next to an outlet.
5 colors available
If you have trouble sleeping on a flight, you will love this sleeping mask. Its lightweight and comfortable design makes it easy to fall asleep and listen to your favorite tunes (or white noise) at the same time.
If you find it impossible to get comfortable on a long flight, you need to try this airplane footrest. It folds up small, so you can easily fit it in your carry-on or personal item, and it is super simple to put together. All you have to do is clip it around the tray table and you’re all set. Your legs have a comfortable place to rest, alleviating lower back pressure and elevating your entire flight experience.
5 colors available
Personal Items
From face masks to your favorite pair of leggings, we all have those little things that elevate the travel experience. A cramped flight when you’re stuck in a middle seat might not be luxurious, but these editor-favorite travel essentials will make it just a little bit nicer. Plus, the perks don’t end when the flight lands; these picks will come in handy for the rest of your vacay, too.
This is at the forefront of our holy grail skincare, and we absolutely can’t live without it during travel. Lather this mask on when you get on the airplane, and kiss dry, tired travel skin goodbye.
Airplanes are breeding grounds for germs that turn into colds and ruin your trip. Cut your losses and carry these individual packs of hand wipes with you for the moments you could use a hand wash but don’t want to run to the tiny airplane bathroom.
It’s no secret airport food and drink prices are insane. Instead of paying an absurd amount for a bottle of water that will only last for the duration of your flight, bring your own refillable water bottle. This editor-favorite Owala bottle keeps your water ice-cold and has a spill-proof lid that locks so you can keep it in your bag. Fill it up after you get through security and have readily accessible hydration for your entire trip.
10+ colors available
If we hadn’t purchased these ourselves from Amazon, we’d think they were the high-end ones we usually shell out much more cash for. These are the most comfortable, versatile leggings you’ll ever own. Kiss your high-end leggings goodbye.
10+ colors available
These super comfortable slip-on sneakers are perfect for travel—they’re lightweight, easy to pack, and won’t give you any pesky heel blisters.
8 colors available
Our editors can’t stop raving about how comfortable these shoes are. They are perfect for trips when your itinerary is filled with walking—or just to wear in the airport in case you need to run to catch your flight. Either way, you’ll love how lightweight and comfortable these shoes are.
10+ colors available
Suitcases and carry-ons mean wrinkly clothes, no matter how you fold them. Never deal with a broken hotel room iron again thanks to this travel-sized, handheld steamer.
8 colors available
You don’t need to sacrifice amazing hair while you’re traveling. This mini hair dryer packs the same punch as a full-size but is tiny enough to fit in your carry-on.
This pouch doubles as a travel case for your hot tools and a heat-resistant mat, so you’ll never be caught swiping the hotel hand towels again. Plus, the interior features zippered and open pockets to help organize all your hair accessories in one place.
3 colors available
