Take It From a Travel Writer: These Are the 5 Essentials I Never Vacation Without — Plus, What I’m Buying Next (2024)

As a travel writer, I take great pride in my collection of in-flight and vacation packing must-haves that I refuse to leave my house without in the name of prioritizing comfort. I believe that even the shortest trips should still be as enjoyable as possible, and although I’m at a point where I feel both safe and relaxed while traveling, there’s always room to improve.

Since I don’t believe in gatekeeping, I’ve rounded up the five Amazon essentials that have transformed my travels for the better now that I have thousands of frequent flier miles under my belt — plus, the five items I can’t wait to buy next. From solo trips to vacations with friends, these products are guaranteed to make you feel more prepared for whatever may come — with prices starting as low as $8.

She’s Birdie The Original Personal Safety Alarm

Whether I’m enjoying my day-to-day life in New York City or traveling internationally on a solo trip to Portugal, I will never leave the house without this portable safety device firmly clipped to my keychain. The simple mechanism is designed to emit a blaring alarm once the pin is pulled, and after testing it on a number of occasions (never in an emergency, thankfully), I can confirm that it’s loud enough to draw attention from passersby for peace of mind if I’m in a compromising situation and need help. It’s great for travel — even by plane — and the device is secure enough that in my three years of owning it, I’ve never had the alarm go off by accident.

AiRunTech Waterproof Waist Pouch

Last year, I went on my first solo trip to Portugal, which left me in the unique predicament of figuring out how to enjoy my time splashing around in the surf without getting my gear stolen. Enter: the AiRunTech Waterproof Waist Pouch. This entirely waterproof pouch was perfect for keeping my phone and wallet safe during boat rides and dips in the ocean, so I never had to worry about returning to the shore only to find myself stranded without my essentials. I can confidently say that even when I’m traveling with friends, I’ll never leave my house for a beach vacation without this bag again — and right now, a two-pack is on sale at Amazon for a mere $13.

Anker Portable Charger

After a debacle last year during which my AirPods died ahead of my flight with no access to an outlet, I promptly ordered the top-selling Anker Portable Charger upon my arrival home and will never travel without it again. It’s not a given that you’ll be able to charge your phone or devices during a flight (or even at the airport), and whether you’re traveling alone or with friends, it’s always important to have access to your phone for safety purposes. This long-lasting charger boasts the capacity for more than two full charges and is designed with three ports so I can provide power to my phone and headphones at the same time.

SwissGear 1900 Scansmart TSA Laptop Backpack

I’ve been using this spacious laptop backpack since 2015, so it’s safe to say that it has stood the test of time throughout adventures across dozens of states and countries. The large main compartment has more than enough space for everything from a spare outfit to a ski helmet (it didn’t fit in my suitcase!), and a padded laptop compartment ensures that I never have to worry about damaging my electronics while I’m on the go. Plus, the variety of additional pockets on the sides and front of this comfortable backpack have proven to be the ideal spots to store my toiletries, medications, and other items for maximum organization and accessibility.

Hian Motion Sickness Glasses

Ever since my childhood, I’ve been plagued with motion sickness, and over the years it’s become nearly impossible for me to get into a car without the accompanying nausea and dizziness. However, that all changed when I discovered these glasses from Hian last year, and since then there hasn’t been a single trip I’ve taken without them. From a long, stop-and-go ride up to Breckenridge in Colorado, to a quick trip to Jones Beach in New York, these glasses stopped my reliance on Dramamine in its tracks. Plus, they’re only $8.

What I’m Buying Next

Cabeau TNE S3 Travel Neck Pillow

One of my hidden talents is that I can fall asleep nearly anywhere: plane, train, car, you name it. However, the catch is that while I may be soundly sleeping, my head continues to bob around, often resulting in a stiff neck upon arrival at my destination (not to mention it’s embarrassing). So, when I recently stumbled upon a neck pillow that attaches to the airplane headrest to firmly secure me in place, I knew I needed to add it to my shopping list ahead of my next flight. This incredibly supportive pillow from Cabeau is the solution I’ve been searching for when it comes to keeping my head propped up, and it’s adjustable for a wide range of travelers. It may be $50, but that’s a small price to pay for feeling well-rested after a red-eye.

Jisulife Handheld Mini 3-in-1 Fan

This best-selling 3-in-1 fan from Jisulife has been sitting in my Amazon cart for months now, but before I head to the beach this summer — or even the wedding I’m attending in August — I’ll be sure to finally make the purchase. Not only is this compact device a high-powered fan that easily fits into a back pocket, purse, or carry-on, but it also functions as a portable phone charger and flashlight. It offers up to 19 hours of cooling on a single charge, a fact which I can attest to since my friend brought it along with us on an unbearably hot trip to Italy several years ago. With two settings to choose from, it’s great even if you just need a light breeze.

Soundcore Anker Life Hybrid Active Noise-Canceling Headphones

More often than not, I find myself drawn into conversations with my seatmates on planes — and not always by choice. I will blame this in part on my friendly face, but also my lack of noise-canceling headphones. So while my AirPods will also be my go-to earbuds, I’m ready to make the investment in these Soundcore over-ear headphones while they’re on sale for just $50 at Amazon. Memory foam ear cups promise to provide unending comfort during even the longest flights, while 40 hours of play time on a single charge means there’s one less charger I’ll need to pack while on vacation. I can already sense that my most peaceful flight to date is right around the corner.

BleedStop First Aid Powder for Blood Clotting

I’m a relatively neurotic traveler, and after reading a recent article on Travel + Leisure touting this blood clotting powder as a must-pack according to a retired doctor, I immediately added the $15 formula to my cart. While it’s highly improbable that I’ll ever need to use it, this powder works to get bleeding under control in mere minutes, making it incredibly useful if I, or anyone around me, incurs a potentially life-threatening wound while hiking or in another scenario where medical aid isn’t readily available. Better safe than sorry.

Twelve South AirFly SE Bluetooth Audio Transmitter

With the amount that I’ve been traveling recently, it feels worthwhile to invest in this audio transmitter that will allow me to wear my AirPods while enjoying the in-flight entertainment, so I can say farewell to airline-issued headphones for good. The AirFly simply plugs into the screen on your airplane seatback, connecting to up to two pairs of headphones at the same time. I’m especially excited to use this device because it’s entirely cord-free, so I won’t become tangled with any of my seatmates if they need to head to the bathroom during the flight.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.