9 Must-Have Travel Accessories, According to Frequent Flyers
Written by
Cynthia Measom
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Travel pillow, check. Blanket, check. Reusable water bottle, check. It’s easy to feel prepared for a flight, but mid-journey, discomfort or an overlooked item can quickly result in things going south. That’s why it’s important to stock up on all the travel accessories you’ll need to make your trip enjoyable.
To avoid regret, check out these must-have travel accessories, according to frequent flyers.
Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot
Paul DeMott, chief technology officer at Helium SEO, said he swears by his portable Wi-Fi hotspot. “It’s a lifesaver when the airport or hotel Wi-Fi is shaky, and it keeps me connected wherever I am,” he explained. “Skyroam offers reliable options with data plans you can adjust as you need.”
A Skyroam portable Wi-Fi hotspot costs $89.99.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
Another must-have travel accessory of DeMott’s is his noise-canceling headphones. “Whether it’s catching some sleep or staying productive on the flight, blocking out background noise is huge,” he said. “I like models from Bose or Sony since they’re comfortable for long stretches.”
Consider this pair of Sony noise-canceling headphones, which cost $299.99.
Foldable Rechargeable Keyboard
Tys Sniffen, designer and founder of Idea Mountain, said that one of his favorite travel accessories is a foldable Bluetooth keyboard that weighs only 4.9 ounces.
“The battery charge seems to last months, the keys feel perfect, the connection is instant and the look is sleek,” he said. “They’re available in various places, but I love them so much I sell them on my travel gear site for $49.”
Complete Travel Bag System
“When you examine truly experienced world travelers, what you’ll see is they have a set of bags: a fanny pack, a day pack and a luggage pack that also has a toiletries kit,” Sniffen explained. “Usually, these travelers have gathered this set over time, with lots of careful shopping and planning.”
Sniffen’s company, Idea Mountain, puts these items together with a sleek carry-on backpack called The Journey System. “It’s the next generation in travel backpacks,” he said.
It costs $299 on the Idea Mountain site.
Anti-Theft Bag
Michelle Jensen, founder of Travel HerStory, said her must-have travel accessory is the Travelon anti-theft classic messenger bag because of the safety it provides.
“Thanks to Travelon’s five-point anti-theft security system, travelers no longer need to worry about cut-and-run or identity theft,” she said. “This system includes lock-down straps, locking zipper pulls, RFID blocking, a tethered interior key clip and a slash-resistant body and straps.”
Jensen said she’s had the bag for three years and traveled with it to Europe, Asia and Central America. “In all that time, I’ve yet to have a single issue with theft or safety while traveling, especially as a solo female traveler,” she said.
The bag costs $80 on Travelon’s site.
Portable Charger
Brandon Leibowitz, owner of SEO Optimizers, said that a portable charger tops his list.
“It ensures I never run out of battery on long flights or during layovers, especially when I need to stay in touch or check travel documents on my phone,” he explained. “The Anker PowerCore 26800 is my go-to for its high capacity and multiple ports, allowing me to charge my phone, tablet and laptop simultaneously.”
The charger costs $99.99 on Amazon.
Travel Folio
Kimberly L. Davis, MBA, CTA, VCTA, founder and CEO of Trouvaille Travel International, recommended the Bellroy travel folio as one of her must-have travel accessories.
“It holds a passport [and] major credit cards with room for international currency,” she said. “It comes with a tiny pen for those travel forms that still get handed out on the plane. I love mine, and it’s crazy durable. I can also slip my iPhone inside it when I only need to carry the wallet.”
It costs $159 on Bellroy’s site.
Depuffing Facial Mask
Another item on Davis’ must-have list is the Clarins V-Facial intensive wrap depuffing face mask. She said it’s a lifesaver after long-haul flights.
It costs $70 on the Clarins website.
Compression Socks
Frequent flyers or those who take long-distance flights might benefit from wearing compression socks. Davis recommended Sockwell’s compression socks, which are available for men and women.
“These are the best for great compression … with some fun designs and colors,” she said. “Plus, the wool keeps them from getting stinky.”
A pair costs $29.99 on the Sockwell site.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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