12 Travel Essentials To Stash In Your Carry-On (No Matter The Destination)

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Whether you’re headed towards a cold winter clime or indulging in some warm weather R&R, packing appropriately is essential. Even for one or two-day trips, I’m a chronic over-packer, but I’m of the mindset “prepare for the worst and hope for the best” when it comes to traveling.

One of our favorite trends released in the Priceline report included the idea of “Star Trekking” following the 2024 total solar eclipse, with younger travelers interested in traveling for celestial, astrology or space-themed excursions. As a former Floridian, I had a severe case of FOMO missing out on the Artemis II launch.

So whether it's Spring Break, summer vacation or the winter holidays, we’ve rounded up a few travel essentials to get the most out of your vacation. From luggage scales for our over-packers, a trusty umbrella for our weather planners, or sleeping gear for our cozy nappers, we’ve got something for every kind of traveler.

12 Travel Essentials (No Matter The Destination)

1. Travel Inspira Luggage Scale

Price: $9.99 at Amazon; $10.09 at Walmart

All of the luggage over-packers can unite under this travel inspira flag - never leave home without this luggage scale if you don’t want to risk going over that 50 pound limit. Paying $150 per bag for overweight bags (or up to $200+ per bag that is over 100 pounds) would put anyone in a bad mood at the start or end of their vacation.

The travel inspira luggage scale has a 110 pound (50 kg) max capacity, a LCD backlight display and rubberized handle for an easy grip. Low battery and overload indicators, as well as an auto-off feature for battery life preservation, make this easy to use and read. It has 4.7-stars and over 6,000 ratings, it's currently listed as the best seller in luggage scales.

2. MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack

Price: $19.79, was $39.96 at Amazon and Walmart

It’s not to say that spending hundreds of dollars on a luxurious travel backpack isn’t worth it, but in this economy, we couldn’t justify including it in our travel essentials roundup where both quality and price point matter. So maybe save that $100 and use it towards your vacation if that’s what is important when it comes to your vacation shopping list.

The MATEIN travel backpack has 4.7-stars on Amazon, over 110,000 ratings and has been extensively reviewed, so shelling out less than $30 seems like a steal to us. It comes with a laptop compartment, packing compartment, front pockets and organizers, adjustable straps, USB charger and built-in charging cable, and an interior anti-theft pocket for valuables.

Some commented that this might not be the best backpack if you need to haul a lot of heavy items, but one reviewer said, “This pack met all my needs…it has more pockets than you could imagine, has a huge capacity, and the blue color and material are really nice.” They went on to say that it held up under use, including flights, ferries and other trips.

3. SY COMPACT Travel Umbrella

Price: starting at $11.99 at Amazon and Walmart

From Connecticut to Florida, and Columbia to Costa Rica, nothing can rain on your parade faster than being caught in a downpour during the rainy season while on vacation. That’s why it would be remiss of us to skimp out on a trusty travel-sized umbrella.

The SY Compact travel umbrella has over 39,000 company ratings on Amazon and is available in 17 different colors and unique patterns. Our personal favorite is the ‘planet’ graphic. While the company claims it can withstand high wind gusts, some reviewers note it’s not really sturdy or large enough for that kind of wind stress. It is waterproof, compact (10.8 inches when folded and approximately 12 ounces), and has an auto open and close feature. It'll certainly get the job done without breaking the bank or taking up too much space.

4. COOFANDY Packable Rain Jacket

Price: starting at $19.99 on Amazon

If you need something a little more universal than an umbrella, a trusty waterproof rain jacket is perfect for the rain or snow while traveling. This lightweight rain jacket on Amazon is available in a variety of colors and sizing options and comes with a carrying pouch for easy storage. Note that this should be hand washed or spot cleaned, since it could remove the waterproof wax.

Some reviewers note that it's most ideal for light rain; if you're planning to visit a destination with heavier downpour, we may suggest investing in a sturdier rain jacket or poncho option. They also mentioned it runs small, so size up for a roomier fit.

5. INIU Portable Charger (45W With USB-C Cable)

Price: $19.98, was $23.99 at Amazon; $24.99 at Walmart

When searching for a portable charger, you’ll frequently see power ratings listed as mAh (milliamp hours), which represents how much charge a battery can hold. The higher the rating, the more energy a battery can store. According to Anker, a 5,000 mAh power bank is suitable for most general users and can provide one full charge for a smartphone, but for larger devices like a tablet or multiple electronic devices needing a charge, a power bank with higher capacity would be more suitable.

As for the INIU portable charger, this model offers 10,000 mAh and holds enough charge to top up an iPhone, Samsung or iPad Air a couple of times according to the company page. It also comes with a USB-C in and out port, fast charging, and can handle up to three devices at once in emergencies.

6. Manta Sleep Mask

Price: $39 at Amazon

If you’re traveling internationally (and if you’re like us, economy to boot), you’re going to need as many creature comforts from home to make it to your destination without feeling like a zombie. This Manta sleep mask won us over thanks to the adjustable eye cup molds, so you can have space them to your eye width and blink without the mask pressing against your lashes. It’s made from soft, breathable and machine-washable materials. Be sure to check out the reviews – the eye mask currently has 4.5-stars and over 15,000 company ratings on Amazon.

7. LYSIAN Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs

I was never a big believer in earplugs until I went to my first racing event, and afterwards became a believer in these small but mighty foam earplugs. The Lysian earplugs come in a pack of 60 pairs, and are made from silicone and polyurethane foam, with the company claiming a noise reduction of 38 decibels. It can also be used while swimming if you are sensitive to water in your ears.

So if you’re a light sleeper on a plane or train, or need to get some work done without interruptions, these could be an inexpensive option to get some relief.

8. 18-Pack Travel Bottles Set

Price: $9.99, was $12.98 at Amazon

There’s a number of different sellers on Amazon, but this 18-pack reusable travel bottle set makes it easy to take your favorite haircare and skincare products on the go without worrying about TSA throwing it out. I had what I thought was an appropriately-sized haircare product packed away in my carry-on – and let me tell you, it hurt to throw it out before I could go catch my flight!

This travel bottle set is made from silicone for easy squeezing, and the company boasts a leak-proof design to protect your precious gear during travel. This kit comes with four travel bottles, four travel jars, spray bottle, spoon, funnel, cleaning brush, labels and makeup bag – and all under $10.

9. BCOZZY Travel Neck Pillow

Price: $15.86, was $21.99 at Amazon

We've written about the best travel neck pillows, and no matter how long (or short) your trip, why not do it comfortable? We picked three based on firmness preference, but our top pick based on softness and versatility was the BCOZZY Neck Pillow.

It can be stacked like a pillow if you have a window seat, and wrapped around the chin for side and front support. It also comes in a variety of sizes, so both you and the kiddos can be nice and cozy during your vacation travels. It currently has 4.2 stars, over 32,000 company ratings on Amazon and is listed as one of the best sellers for travel pillows.

10. Fleming Supply Heated Car Blanket

Price: $30.12 at Lowe’s

This is definitely a must-have winter accessory when you’re making that long haul to see friends and family over the holidays. Whether it’s for you, kids, or pets, this electric travel blanket can plug into a 12V accessory socket (or cigarette lighter). It has a 96-inch long cord so it can be used in front or back seats, and should only be spot cleaned.

11. Sony WH-1000XM5 Premium Noise Canceling Headphones

Price: $298, was $399.99 at Amazon

Sometimes you get what you pay for, and based on some of my colleague's rave-reviews, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are worth every penny. Noise cancelation is the name of the game when you're trying to tune out the roar of airplane engines, the poor kid crying in the row in front of you and the chatterbox neighbor that is simply too awake for an early morning flight.

Worried you may run out of battery too soon? This wireless headset offers up to 30 hours of playback on a single charge, according to the company. You can also quick-charge it in case of emergencies with the included USB-C cable.

It boasts eight microphones for hands-free calling and crisp sound, as well as touch controls to pause, skip, playback and volume control.

12. Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Carry-On (20-inch)

Lowest Price: $99 at Amazon

Travel in style (without the $200+ cost) with this Samsonite hardside carry-on, fitting most airline carry-on size restrictions. It comes with a 10 year limited warranty and is made from polycarbonate for a scratch-resistant finish, along with multi-directional spinner wheels that won’t trip you up when you’re rushing to the next gate. It’s currently available in 10 different colors on Amazon.

Reviewers say it's lightweight and roomy, with great capacity options despite it's small size. However, some do question it's overall durability and the longevity of the wheels.

How We Made Our Decision

Functionality

You only have so much room in your luggage, backpack or car, and to make the most of the space (excluding the additional 10x pair of underwear you inevitably pack), we wanted to highlight the most functional - and comfortable - products designed to make your travel experience just a little easier.

Price

There’s a fine balance of “you get what you pay for” and “why pay more for less”. The goal of this article was to keep the prices reasonable, and if you’re hesitating between spending a little more for a longer-lasting product, it ultimately depends on your budget and your long-term use case. For example, the Samsonite luggage is a middle-of-the-road price point, but if you prefer another premium brand like Away or TravelPro, we certainly wouldn’t deter you.

Reviews

We let the reviewers speak for themselves. If a product complaints outweigh the purpose and price of the product, we won’t feature it in our lists.

Our experience

When pulling together this list of travel essentials, I made sure to survey the results from our weather.com news and editorial team, and these were the collection of most suggested items used during travel. Be sure to check out our Carry-On Must Haves for more ideas on what to pack for your trips.

Prices accurate and items in stock at time of publish.