Rest, Play, and Relax With the 30 Best Travel Accessories [2023]

The trick to really enjoying every trip is being able to take control of your own well-being from the outset.

From keeping your important documents neatly organized in transit to finding accessories that will make your life so much easier while you are away, there are lots of awesome bits of gear out there that will help you to rest, play, and relax a little more easily on the go.

The Best Travel Accessories

1. Travel Organizer

Keep your passport, cards, and cash all in 1 place with a handy and secure travel organizer. Compact and slim, they offer practical and well-thought-out storage space throughout.

Made from tough and durable material, a travel organizer features oversized slots to keep your passport, boarding pass, and travel documents neatly organized, as well as cardholders and zippered compartments.

A good travel organizer will not only keep your most important items close at hand, but it will also keep your cards and data safe from theft or fraud by offering RFID-blocking linings. Make it easier to access your passport, cards, and other essentials on the go by investing in a dedicated travel organizer for your next trip.

2. Passport Holder

Protect your most important travel document with a dedicated passport holder. Designed to help protect your passport from the wear and tear of regular travel, these holders come in a huge variety of styles and designs to make them easy to find in your bag.

Not only does a passport holder offer protection for your passport, but they can also offer additional storage space that lets you keep your boarding pass, tickets, and even your credit card close at hand.

Made from durable materials, a passport holder will last you through many adventures to come, and for super style-conscious travelers, you can even buy passport holders that match the style and design of your travel bag or carry-on.

3. Power Bank

With more and more backpacks and carry-on cases now offering USB charging ports as standard, a portable power bank is fast becoming a must-have accessory for tech-loving travelers.

Small, lightweight, and easy to use, a power bank will give you the extra charging power you need to give your phone or tablet a reliable power source on the move. Simply charge your power bank using a USB before leaving home to deliver anything between 1 and 4 full charges in transit.

Compact and highly capable, you can find power banks that are as slim as a credit card for emergency top-ups or invest in a slightly larger model that lets your phone, camera, or tablet charge up as you travel.

Bottom Line: These super-useful little packs of power can also be used to charge your phone while you are out sightseeing, chilling back at your hotel, or simply for portable charging back at home.

4. Neck Pillow

Avoid a stiff neck and enjoy a more comfortable sleep with a dedicated neck pillow. Made with memory foam or beaded interiors and soft and washable covers, these ergonomic and easy-to-carry portable pillows will help to support your head and neck while you snooze, read, or relax.

Designed to help relieve pressure points, these travel pillows are perfect for use on long flights or road trips, and the lightweight design makes them super easy to attach to your luggage or slip inside their own compact carry case. With lots of colors and designs to choose from, it’s easy to find the right travel pillow to keep you feeling comfortable no matter how long your journey is.

5. Sleeping Mask

Another great way to stay comfortable and relaxed in transit is by adding a sleep mask to your travel kit.

Designed to shut the world away, these easy-to-wear face masks completely cover the eye area to help you regulate your sleeping pattern. Keep bright light to a minimum and recreate a relaxing nighttime vibe, even in the middle of the day, while also helping to alleviate jet lag as you travel across different time zones.

Available in a variety of different styles and made from a wide range of materials, your eye mask needs to be thick enough to keep the light out while still feeling lightweight enough to avoid putting any pressure on your eyelids.

6. Earplugs

Earplugs are another great addition to your travel kit, and there are many different types to choose from. Wearing earplugs while you fly can help to relieve the discomfort associated with the air pressure changes that you can experience during the flight.

They also help reduce noise levels, which can offer you more peace and quiet to help you enjoy a much-needed sleep along the way. If the discomfort of “popping” in your ears while you take off and land is really uncomfortable for you, filter earplugs can equalize the pressure against your eardrum to help reduce the pain.

Easy to use and incredibly portable, there are earplugs out there to suit all ages, preferences, and budgets.

7. Wipes

Traveling can feel like a dirty business, and sometimes it’s nice to be able to just freshen up on the go. Face and hand wipes can make you feel clean and fresh again after a long flight, are compact to carry, and are super easy to use and dispose of.

Without the need for access to water, you can carry handy packs of wipes with you on the plane to clean your hands before and after you eat or to freshen up before you land. Made from skin-friendly formulations with fresh, natural scents, a pack of hand and face wipes is a must-have for every travel bag.

8. Compression Socks

These specially designed, tight-fitting, knee-high socks are designed to help reduce the risk of developing DVT (deep vein thrombosis) while you are flying.

If you are likely to be in the air for more than 5 hours at a time, investing in a pair of compression socks can help to not only mitigate the risk of DVT in pressurized cabins, they can also be used when back at home as well.

Perfect for use by men and women, compression socks can reduce the pain and discomfort of swollen legs that can be caused by a lack of movement, help with the pain of swollen legs, and even aid with faster recovery after exercise and surgery.

9. Hand Sanitizer

A little bottle of hand gel, foam, or spray makes light work of staying clean and hygienic. Easy to use and available everywhere, hand sanitizer is a must-have item for your travel bag.

Perfect for use when you have no easy access to water or just want to keep clean without leaving your seat, these specially formulated hand sanitizers contain at least 60% alcohol and have been designed to kill many viruses, bacteria, and microorganisms on the hands.

Quick and effective, you only need to rub the sanitizer together on your hands until they are dry for a quick clean-up. A bottle, a pump, or a spray sanitizer should be a priority item for frequent travelers.

Hot Tip: Due to COVID-19, hand sanitizer containers of up to 12 ounces are now allowed through TSA. Learn more about nearly 500 items you can and cannot bring through TSA Security in our detailed guide.

10. Travel Adapter

Wherever you are headed, you will probably still want to keep in touch with the folks back at home. Depending on your destination, you may need to take a dedicated travel adapter away with you.

With a range of different plug styles available, you can power your phone, laptop, tablet devices, hairdryers, and other electronics with ease, provided you choose the right type of travel adapter.

Designed to work with different voltages, you may find that a simple travel adapter or plug-to-plug adaptation is all you need, but in some cases, it may not be enough to safely power your personal devices. If this is the case, you will need to invest in a travel power converter, too.

11. Travel Converter

Not only do different countries and continents favor different-shaped power sockets, but in many cases, they also have a different range of electrical voltages charging through their wires. In the U.S., for example, power runs on 110-120 volts, whereas many other countries run at 220-240 volts.

The higher the voltage, the more at risk your appliances are from frying, so it is important that your converter makes them safe to use. There are many dual and multi-voltage appliances and converters out there, so carefully research before you buy.

12. Luggage Tags

Make your suitcase super easy to identify with a personalized luggage tag. From simple leather fobs through to brightly colored, witty, and whimsical patterns and slogans, your luggage tag offers a personalized appearance that is easy to identify at the reclaim bay.

What’s more, these tags can also be used to make a record of your personal information, so should your cases or bags go astray, they can easily find their way back to you.

Without a luggage tag, it is very easy for bags to be the innocent victims of mistaken identity, and before you know it, your personal effects could have made it home with somebody else! Be kind to your luggage, and keep it close with its very own luggage tag.

13. Money Belt

Keep your cash close at hand as you go with a tight-fitting, super-secure money belt. With some designed to weave their way through your belt loops, these super discreet storage belts offer just enough room to keep your notes and cards safe from would-be pickpockets.

Made from tough and durable materials, they function well as a regular belt, and with modern-day criminals not just looking for cash, some of these belts even come with RFID-blocking protection built into the fabric of the belt that will protect your cards from being cloned while you roam.

Bottom Line: Stylish, practical, and easy to use, a money belt is an excellent choice for busy airports and crowded tourist destinations.

14. Electronics Organizer

Long journeys can fly by with the help of your laptop, cell phone, tablet, or other electronic devices to keep you amused.

With more and more travelers taking a wide range of devices away with them, including cameras and GoPros, keeping your charging cables, power cables, and other accessories neatly organized is more important than ever.

An electronics organizer offers plenty of mesh and zippered compartments, storage loops, and dedicated pockets to keep your cables, SD cards, USBs, adapters, and other accessories easy to find and nice and safe.

Compact enough to keep close at hand in your carry-on, a well-designed electronics organizer will allow you to shoot, play, and stay entertained wherever you are headed.

15. Travel-Size Bottles

Stay on the right side of the TSA travel restrictions by investing in a set of travel-size bottles. Designed to fully comply with the TSA 3-1-1 rule, you can purchase specially-made sets that allow you to carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. These containers can fit in a 1-quart-size bag that complies with the U.S. carry-on rules, making it easy to breeze through security without being stopped along the way. Suitable for use on both domestic and international carriers, these TSA-approved travel bottles will quickly become one of your most trusted travel items.

16. Toiletry Bag

Enjoy a few home comforts even while you are away by taking your favorite shower gel, shampoo, and other cosmetics and toiletries with you.

Whether you choose to take full-size products or decant your best-loved lotions and potions into smaller containers, these toiletry bags come with waterproof, wipeable linings and lots of zippered compartments to help you keep your toiletries well-organized.

Some come with hangers that let you easily see and access all of your products in the bathroom, and others are sizable enough to let you carry brushes and other cosmetic items with you, too.

17. Travel Hairdryer

If you don’t want to leave your crowning glory to the mercy of a hotel hairdryer, take your own hairdryer away with you. More compact than your regular full-size dryer, there are plenty of small yet incredibly powerful travel hairdryers that offer superior performance in a smaller package.

Choose from foldable models or those with reduced dimensions, and look for dryers that come complete with diffuser and nozzle attachments for even greater versatility.

Offering high-end features such as ionic technology, multiple heat and speed settings, and even a cool shot button to fix your style, these portable appliances won’t take up too much room in your suitcase. Remember, you may need a travel adapter/converter to use your dryer, so check the voltage details before going.

18. Jewelry Organizer

Get dressed up and glow with your very best bling kept carefully tucked away in your travel-size jewelry organizer.

Made with protective exteriors, these reduced-sized jewelry boxes come with soft-lined interiors and zoned areas for different items, as well as secure clasps or zippers to prevent them from opening up and spilling out.

With multi-layered inserts, lots of space for bracelets, brooches, necklaces, rings, earrings, and even more, a travel jewelry box will let you look your best without weighing you down as you go.

19. Travel Laundry Bag

Keep your clean clothes clean and away from unwanted dirty odors with a dedicated lightweight travel laundry bag. With the ability to fold up super small when not in use, these super practical bags can be used to store your dirty undies, wet socks, and other nasties neatly out of the way until you can reach a washing machine.

Made from breathable fabric, they come with drawstring closures that can also be used as carrying handles for trips to and from the laundromat and may have additional pockets for keeping smaller items organized.

20. Packing Cubes

These different-sized packing cubes are perfect for organizing your clothes and belongings before you put them in your suitcase or rucksack.

Available in a selection of sizes, these nylon bags let you group together items by type or use and let you maximize your packing power to suit the size of your suitcase. Lightweight and easy to store when not in use, these super useful packing cubes can also help to compress your clothing to let you store more in them while reducing overall space in your suitcase.

If you are traveling light, a packing cube can also double up as a pillow or a laundry bag, and they are an excellent way to keep your dirty clothes separate from your clean ones on the way home.

21. Travel Towel

Sometimes you want to have your own towel with you while you travel. Made from super-absorbent microfiber materials, these travel towels can be folded up really small and are lightweight and easy to carry around with you.

Suitable for showers at the airport, hostels, camping grounds, and wherever you need a quick freshen up, they can also be used to sit on while you’re at the beach or as an emergency blanket should you start to feel the chill. With superfast drying properties, you won’t need to worry about carrying a damp towel around with you, either.

22. Daypack

When you reach your destination, you will want a smaller bag that you can use on daily excursions and sightseeing trips.

A dedicated daypack will be able to fold up nice and small when not in use and offer the space you need to keep your wallet, cell phone, camera, snacks, and other essentials close at hand on city streets and out on the trails.

Made from water-resistant materials, these bags usually have a capacity of around 20 to 25 liters, and with lightly padded shoulder straps, internal pockets, and even space for a hydration bladder, a dedicated day pack is a must-have for eager adventurers.

23. Water Bottle

Stay hydrated wherever you are headed with a travel-size water bottle. Made from food-grade, BPA-free plastic materials or stainless steel, these water bottles are perfect for keeping close by your side.

Leakproof and lightweight, having your own personal water bottle with you alleviates the need for buying single-use plastics while you travel, and with a huge variety of designs and styles to choose from, you can even add ice or fruit to cool and flavor your water.

If you are really short on space in your travel bag, you could consider looking at a collapsible water bottle that flattens and condenses when empty to ensure it only takes up a tiny bit of room in your rucksack.

24. Bug Spray

No one likes itchy bug bites, and a reliable bug repellent will help to keep them at bay. If you are traveling to hot and humid conditions or camping out in the open, there is every chance you could end up being a bug’s favorite dinner.

These repellent sprays or creams will help to repel insects and mosquitoes by making your skin less attractive to them. Using either chemical repellents such as DEET or natural oils doesn’t just help avoid unwanted nibbles. They can also help to protect you against the more serious side effects of bug bites, including severe allergic reactions, Lyme disease, and even malaria.

25. TSA-Approved Lock

The Transport Security Administration suggests that you lock your checked baggage using a TSA-approved lock. Baring the Travel Sentry logo, you can choose from dial or key locks that are designed to be easy to open by agents to enable them to inspect your baggage and relock your bags should they need to.

Easy to use and readily available, there are lots of brilliant TSA-approved locks to choose from, and many suitcases come with them already built-in. Ensuring that your luggage has the right kind of lock on it will prevent the risk of damage from TSA agents eager to have a good look at your belongings for security purposes along the way.

26. First Aid Kit

A portable first aid kit is a must-have accessory for every traveler, regardless of where you are headed. Suitable for use both at home and away, a compact first aid kit will keep you well-protected. Consider what you may need before you go and pack your kit accordingly.

As a bare minimum, you should pack care supplies like cleansing wipes, gauze pads, bandages, Band-Aids, antibiotic cream, Tylenol, a cold compress, and anything else that you or your family may need while traveling.

Hot Tip: You can buy a premade kit or make your own, but do keep all of your emergency medical supplies in a dedicated first aid case or pouch if you can, making it easy to identify when you need access to it in a hurry.

27. Luggage Scale

Avoid the stress of overweight baggage fees by taking your own portable luggage scale with you when you travel. Easy to use and incredibly accurate, these small and highly portable luggage scales will let you know just how heavy your bag is before you hit the road.

With easy-to-use hanging hooks, highly accurate sensors, digital display units, tare and load functions, lock weight results functions, backlit functions, and easy-to-read weights and measurements, you can keep an eye on the weight of your checked luggage. You will never get stung with overweight baggage fees at the airport again.

28. Portable Safe

Suppose you are worried about leaving your most valuable possessions such as your passport, cash, ID, and credit cards back at your accommodation while you are out exploring. Why not consider investing in a travel safe?

Lightweight and easy to carry with you, you can choose from bags and boxes that are made from steel wire mesh fabric that can be securely locked using a TSA-approved lock. With cut-proof wire locks that can be attached to a stationary object, you can safely leave your most precious items back at the hotel without having to worry about their safety.

29. Footrest

If you have a long flight ahead of you, you might want to look at ways to increase your comfort without having to upgrade to business class. These portable foot hammocks can be hung from the seat in front of you while allowing you to raise your legs and feet for increased comfort while you fly.

Easy to use and incredibly comfortable, these sling-style portable footrests come with their own carry bag and can be set up super quickly to help you elevate your legs for increased blood flow and comfort.

30. Tripod

Take more pictures and let your memories last forever with a dedicated tripod. Made from versatile and durable materials, a small standing tripod will hold your cell phone or tablet to let you take awesome photos from a wide range of angles.

With 3 legs and adjustable holders, you can take incredible pictures or videos without having to worry about camera movement, for improved picture quality.

Capture breathtaking landscapes, fun family snaps, and a wealth of images with a travel-size tripod that is lightweight, portable, and suitable for use with smartphones, GoPros, and cameras alike.

Final Thoughts

Keep your important belongings close and your favorite items closer still with this brilliant list of travel accessories that will help you sleep better, play harder, and enjoy every second of your next big adventure.

From passport covers to footrests and packing cubes to jewelry boxes, all of these items will help you to stay organized and comfortable on the go.