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Your flights have been booked for months and your hotels are locked. But… your trip is only a few days away and you haven’t packed your bags yet. A. Single. thing. Luckily, we’ve got all the best travel essentials for women to make sure you’re prepared for whatever’s ahead.
At this point, travel packing should become a career (with years of training to back it up). The anxiety of lost luggage is unavoidable, and unless you’re flying first class, you’re often forced to check your carry-on luggage. ah. Striking the perfect balance between carrying only your travel essentials while leaving room for your creature comforts can be a challenge.
Travel essentials every woman should have
To save you from future jet lag, we’ve curated all the best travel essentials for you to take with you. From wardrobe pieces perfect for working overtime (hello, wrinkle-free miracle dress!) to wellness products that let you take your healthy habits with you – these are the essentials to enhance your travel fun.
Pack travel essentials
Of course, what’s inside your suitcase is key, but the travel accessories themselves can also enhance your trip. (No one wants to lug around an overstuffed suitcase as you rush to the gate.) From the moment you arrive at the airport, make sure your trip goes smoothly, in comfort, and in style.
Sturdy suitcase
Function and style are key when choosing the best luggage and travel gear. Today, there are many brands to choose from that offer high-quality options that combine durability with stylish design. We love carry-on and checked luggage sets, like Quince’s affordable options, but we’re also obsessed with July and Béis’ simple, on-trend options. Plus, with a variety of colors to choose from, you’re sure to get your own travel look.
Multifunctional personal items
Your personal belongings need to be done most. Since your carry-on luggage will be stored overhead, your personal belongings must accommodate your flight essentials. It should hit that sweet spot of compact yet roomy enough to hold everything from books to snacks to water bottles.
While many people opt for backpacks, we prefer lightweight totes that can be packed if you need to unpack later on your trip. Be sure to consider both elegance and functionality – your personal belongings should transition seamlessly from travel to everyday use. As with all travel essentials for women, remember: comfort and convenience are key.
packing cubes
If you haven’t packed your bags for your trip yet, start now. Packaging boxes are a must-have for women’s travel and are a game changer. They allow you to organize your clothes and accessories efficiently while still providing easy access to your belongings. Additionally, packing cubes help you maximize your suitcase space by allowing you to compress your items.
Look for durable materials like nylon or polyester, as your packing boxes will bear the brunt of the inevitable wear and tear of travel. We also like the option with a mesh top so you can easily see what’s inside. Finally, if you’re buying packing cubes in bulk, choose a variety of sizes. This way, everything you bring will have a perfect home for your trip.
Toiletries box
For many people, organizing skin care and makeup products can be the most challenging part of the packaging process. Step 1: Take a tip from our beauty editors and pack all your products into your carry-on. Step 2: Find a makeup box that is compact yet roomy enough to hold everything you need. (Yes, “need” –In no mood.)
A box with multiple compartments or pockets helps keep everything neatly organized. If you have a little extra space for your beauty essentials, consider Lambert’s selection below. The sturdy leather exterior ensures nothing gets squished and helps prevent spills.
Essentials on board
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention all the best travel essentials women need while flying. There’s nothing worse than settling into your seat only to realize you’re unprepared for an hours-long cruise. From entertainment to hydration to our favorite ways to stay warm in the inevitably chilly cabin, here’s everything you need to switch on airplane mode with peace of mind.
compression stockings
To be honest, I wore anti-compression socks for a long time. Besides not matching my aesthetic (*rolls eyes*), I had no idea about all the in-flight health benefits they touted. Sitting for long periods of time can lead to poor circulation, swelling, and even more serious conditions, such as an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Compression stockings work by applying gentle pressure to the legs to encourage blood flow back to the heart.
These compression socks from Bombas come in nine colors and are stylish enough to be worn under any high-top sweatshirt.
reusable water bottle
Known as one of our favorite water bottles, this water bottle from Free People comes with a removable cup and lid. This is a 3-in-1 option that will keep you hydrated throughout your journey to your destination. (Make sure it’s empty before you contact TSA!)
Wraps for cold flights
I know you know it too: even in the middle of summer, it can get icy on a plane, and you don’t want to be stranded without an extra layer of warmth. This cashmere scarf feels super luxurious while costing less than $100. It comes in nine colors – so you know I have at least three.
weighted eye mask
Even if you’re sitting in business class, getting a good night’s sleep on a plane can feel like an impossible task. Those restless flights are a thing of the past with this weighted eye mask. Think of it like a weighted blanket for your eyes, with all the calming benefits. It’s designed with therapeutic Terraclay™ and silky-soft Cloudweave to hit all the right pressure points to get you falling asleep quickly.
e-reader
I’ll admit it, I’m a forever hard-copy girl—and I’m paying an extremely heavy price for my personal belongings. (You’ll never catch me on a plane with less than three books.) But if you prioritize efficiency and ease over the nostalgia of reading, an e-reader is a must. The Kindle Paperwhite is thin and light, making it perfect for travel. It’s also designed with adjustable warm light, so you don’t have to worry about disturbing your neighbors by turning on the overhead lights.
Reusable food storage
While there are now more healthy, nutritious food options at airports, they are still expensive. ($25 for a salad? No, thank you.) Meals and snacks served on planes are also known to be high in sodium, which isn’t ideal if you want to avoid travel bloat. For long flights, I like to prepare a flight-friendly meal and store it in this stylish, compact lunch box. Pro tip: I recently took this lunch box with me to Portugal. After I used it to make my in-flight dinner, it became the perfect container for a customized carry-on picnic.
For shorter flights, I love reusable silicone bags to store nuts, energy snacks, and anything else that satisfies my travel cravings.
Stylish travel essentials
Let’s face it: What you wear on vacation is different from what you wear every day. (There’s a reason they call it “resort wear.”) We’ve already outlined our travel capsule wardrobe, but what follows are some stylish travel essentials for women that deserve a spot in your carry-on.
Comfortable travel kit
When packing space is limited, matching sets make it easy to combine endless outfit options. We love a stylish yet soft, breathable set that can be thrown on while flying. Just be sure to pack a few layers in your clothing—temperatures in the cabin are bound to fluctuate, and you need to be prepared. (See cashmere wrap above.)
Light but elegant basics
A finished dress, breezy maxi skirt and cozy cardigan. Inspire your outfit with a resort vibe and aim to keep things as simple and elegant as possible. These are the keys to achieving this goal.
crossbody bag
I make it a rule to only bring one bag in addition to my personal belongings. Therefore, the bag had to tick all the boxes – including practicality, security and style. During your trip, you’ll experience multiple cruises, from crowded airports to bustling cities. Not only are crossbody bags easy to carry, they also keep your items front and center where you can see them. Plus, hey – no hands required.
Beauty travel essentials
We’ve got our at-home beauty routines locked and loaded, but the minute we board the plane, everything goes haywire. Travel disrupts our sleep, and we often feel bloated after flying. To avoid it all, these are the best beauty travel essentials for women to carry with them.
Moisturizing eye mask
Formulated with texture-improving peptides, moisture-boosting amino acids, and inflammatory aloe vera leaf, these eye masks are perfect for wearing under your sleep mask. Will you look extra? certainly. When you step off the plane, will you look like you had the best sleep of your life? Absolutely.
TSA Approved Skin Care Essentials
A reliable cleanser and moisturizing lotion are essential components of a minimalist skincare routine. This set includes a travel-sized hydrating cleanser to remove the inevitable dirt from travel, and a hyaluronic acid-infused lotion to soothe stressed-out skin post-travel. I keep this pair in my personal belongings for immediate rejuvenation after a flight.
Tried and tested hydrating mask
Viral? Check. Camille approved? Also, check it out. Slip a mini version of this hyped-up hydrating mask (formulated with niacinamide, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants) into your personal belongings for a quick post-flight glow. Dubbed one of our favorite masks for sensitive skin, this fragrance-free formula will leave you glowing and ready for your next travel adventure.
The ice roller that defines “snatch”
Puffiness is a given when it comes to your face after a flight. Luckily, there are some game-changing tools that can help you achieve an instant, eye-catching look. This facial roller helps reduce inflammation while improving blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. While it’s best used after a few hours in the refrigerator, this ice roller can “work” on your face with or without the added cooling component.
Silk, skin and hair friendly accessories
If you’re looking for luxury at every moment of your trip, this silk suit has you covered. This eye mask is perfect for use on airplanes and in every hotel, while the washable silk pillowcase ensures you wake up with smooth and shiny hair. Since you’re on the go at every moment on the road, silky scrunchies keep your hair out of the way without any pulling.
Healthy travel essentials
It’s a holiday: you’re not supposed to be at your most closed off, most engaged. but! You still want to feel energized and connected to your body, so you’re always looking for small but effective ways to stay healthy while traveling. Don’t worry, we’ve got the travel essentials for women worth all the extra space in your carry-on luggage.
travel yoga mat
A travel-friendly yoga mat is your best friend on the road. Want a 30-minute FORM workout? You’re covered. Want some juicy, easy stretches? Your pads grab you. No matter what form of exercise your body needs, a yoga mat can accommodate your needs. They come in handy when we need a quick hotel-style process or want a customized, heart-pumping routine on the beach.
digestive support
We’ve mentioned it before – and we know you know it too – traveling can mess with your digestive system in all the most inconvenient ways. Luckily, our favorite supplement brands have taken notice and they’ve formulated effective capsules and tinctures to keep everything smooth (and flowing) throughout your journey.
sleep supplements
Oh – jet lag. While it’s hard to overcome the inevitable, there are a few key supplements (hello, magnesium) that can make the transition between time zones a little easier. Pro tip: On my last trip to London, I used the Timeshifter app to proactively reset my circadian rhythm to align with my new time zone. Doing this a few days before my trip made the transition less jarring and only took about a day in the UK to adjust to.
green leaf powder
While the market is now saturated with green powders, we still have a few OG brands that provide our system with all the nutrients our body needs. We love both options below not only because of how delicious they are (no artificial flavors here), but because they come in convenient stick packaging that can be easily stored in your personal belongings for on-the-go nutrition when you need it most.
