Travel Products Travel Accessories The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2023 From earbuds to eye masks, these accessories make your trip easier than ever. By Kaitlyn McInnis Kaitlyn McInnis Kaitlyn McInnis is a freelance travel and lifestyle writer with bylines in Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Tatler Asia, CNN, The Points Guy, and more. Born and raised in Canada, she specializes in writing Canadian and international travel guides. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 4, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Tips for Buying Why Trust T + L We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Travel + Leisure / Kristin Kempa Have you ever noticed how some people just seem so at ease while traveling? They breeze through airport security like it’s nothing, settle into a seat without needing to grab anything from the overhead bins the entire flight, and instantly fall asleep during red-eyes even if they’re stuck in the middle. But, being a confident traveler isn’t that hard if you have a few key packing essentials on hand. Believe it or not, trips ranging from short flights to lengthy road trips can be streamlined when the right gadgets are at your fingertips. Below, we’ve put together a handful of stand-out accessories designed to make life in transit as simple and comfortable as possible. From modern neck pillows to self-cleaning water bottles, here are some of our favorite products to streamline and optimize the travel experience for years to come. Our Top Picks Best Toiletry Bag: Away Large Toiletry Bag at Awaytravel.com Jump to Review Best Eye Mask: Manta Sleep Mask Pro at Mantasleep.com Jump to Review Best Travel Wallet: Lohaslife Passport and Vaccine Card Holder Combo at Amazon Jump to Review Best Earbuds: Apple Airpods Pro at Amazon Jump to Review Best Jewelry Case: Casegrace Mini Portable Travel Jewelry Case at Amazon Jump to Review Best Socks: Sockwell Circulator Moderate Compression Sock at Amazon Jump to Review Best Packing Cubes: Gonex Compression Packing Cubes at Amazon Jump to Review Best Neck Pillow: Trtl Pillow at Amazon Jump to Review Best Wrap: HappyLuxe Wayfarer Travel Shawl at Amazon Jump to Review Best Fold-up Bag: Longchamp Large Tote at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best Toiletry Bag Away Large Toiletry Bag 4.8 Away View On Awaytravel.com Why We Love It Lightweight and easy to clean, this toiletry bag was built to last for dozens of trips long or short. What to Consider The colors aren’t as vibrant in real life. Sure, you could throw all your shampoo and skincare into a Ziploc bag and call it a day. However, investing in a high-quality, long-lasting toiletry bag is not just a more sustainable option, but it also helps ensure your cosmetics remain organized and easily accessible. We love the Away Large Toiletry Bag for its compact exterior (but roomy interior) as well as its built-in pockets and mesh siding for easy access to grab-and-go items like lip balm or hair ties. The toiletry bag is also totally water-resistant so if you do have anything spill over while en route it won’t soil the rest of your suitcase. Price at time of publish: $75 Best Eye Mask Manta Sleep Mask Pro Manta Sleep View On Mantasleep.com Why We Love It This high-end sleeping mask offers a true blackout design for a deeper and more restful sleep — wherever you are. What to Consider The thick cups make it harder to slip into an amenity kit or handbag than a standard eye mask. Traveling with a sleep mask is always a good idea; even if you’re not one to use a mask while sleeping at home, having the option to get some shut-eye no matter what environment you’ve found yourself in is key. The Manta Sleep Mask Pro was designed to provide 100 percent blackout which allows you to have a deeper sleep even in a super-bright airplane cabin. The unique C-shaped eye cups are designed for comfortable side sleeping as well as a zero-pressure feel in and around the eye area. We also love that this option is machine washable. Price at time of publish: $89 Best Travel Wallet Lohaslife Passport and Vaccine Card Holder Combo Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Why We Love It This multi-purpose travel wallet was designed to keep everything secure — including your vaccine card and passport. What to Consider The faux leather material might start to peel or scratch with heavy use. This faux leather, multi-purpose passport holder is one of our top organizational picks when it comes to functional travel accessories. You’ll find everything from a passport slot and vaccine cardholder to a spot for bills and even a built-in pen holder with a pen. Think of this as your travel command center; there’s a spot for anything and everything to make getting from point A to point B as stress-free as possible. Price at time of publish: $14 Best Earbuds Apple Airpods Pro (2nd Generation) 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Abt.com Why We Love It The ultimate in lightweight and high-quality earbuds, the newest AirPods Pro are easy to use and charge while on the move. What to Consider The price point is much higher than similar wireless earbuds. There’s a reason Apple AirPods are one of the most universally loved earbuds on the market right now. The lightweight headphones offer superior sound quality compared to most wireless earbuds but also provide a seamless user experience. It takes no time or effort to pair them with an iPhone, and the built-in charging case makes it easy to charge up the buds on the go once they’ve run out of juice. We also love that the AirPods Pro are comfortable while sitting in-ear and don’t feel like they’re going to fall out or get lost. Price at time of publish: $249 The 8 Best Packing Cubes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best Jewelry Case Casegrace Mini Portable Travel Jewelry Case Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It This option is budget-friendly but provides some of the best compartments and storage solutions we’ve seen in a jewelry case. What to Consider The compact size might not be the best for those who travel with multiple watches. If you don’t travel with a specific jewelry case, we urge you to invest in this one immediately. Traveling with a jewelry case allows you to keep all your precious baubles safe in one specific spot. Not only does this help ensure your necklaces and earrings don’t get all tangled and knotted but it also means you’ll always know exactly where each and every piece is; no more digging through your handbags or toiletry kit trying to locate your favorite earrings. This option is particularly noteworthy due to its budget-friendly price point and abundance of pockets, holders, and ring slots. It’s also available in a huge array of colors to best suit your existing luggage and travel gear. Price at time of publish: $9 Best Socks Sockwell Circulator Moderate Graduated Compression Sock Amazon View On Amazon View On REI Why We Love It This pair of compression socks offer support while flying or working out — but the colorful design is anything but clerical. What to Consider The compression level might not be high enough for those with narrow feet. We could easily wax poetic about using compression socks while traveling; the benefits of gentle compression while flying or putting in tens of thousands of steps are huge. However, most compression socks don’t exactly scream stylish and can sometimes feel like a sartorial sacrifice. That’s certainly not the case with the Sockwell Circulator Compression Socks. This pair of graduated compression socks provide the same benefits as the medical grade variety but the abundance of patterns and colors makes this option much more fashion-forward and fun to wear. These socks also include gentle cushioning and arch support for even more comfort during long days of exploring. Price at time of publish: $30 The 17 Best Travel Wallets to Stash Your Passport and More Best Packing Cubes Gonex Compression Packing Cubes 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Gonexsport.com Why We Love It The slight compression of these packing cubes helps fit even more into the smallest of carry-on bags. What to Consider The large cube is too large to really provide any organization. These days nobody wants to risk checking a full-sized suitcase — but sometimes fitting everything you need into one tiny carry-on bag can seem like an impossible feat. That’s where the Gonex Compression Packing Cubes come in. These budget-friendly packing cubes come in a pack of three different sizes to best suit your specific needs or organization preferences. The cubes were designed to compress your gear into compact little packages, allowing you to fit even more into your carry-on without worrying about bulging, or not being able to get your zipper closed. Price at time of publish: $27 Best Neck Pillow Trtl Pillow Amazon View On Amazon View On Trtltravel.com Why We Love It It’s small enough to tuck into your backpack but offers enough support to actually sleep in economy. What to Consider If you’re already a hot sleeper, this will likely feel way too warm around your neck. Try as we might, we can’t fly business class each and every time we embark on an overnight flight (if only!). Thankfully there are certain tips and tricks that make getting a good night’s sleep in economy totally feasible. You might be tempted to grab your tried-and-true neck pillow but we highly recommend upgrading to a Trtl Pillow. This compact travel pillow wraps around your neck like a scarf but the built-in support feels as if you’re leaning up against someone’s shoulder. It’s also much smaller than the neck pillows of yesteryear which means you won’t have to clip it onto your backpack but can tuck it rather discreetly back into your carry-on when not in use. Price at time of publish: $50 Best Wrap HappyLuxe Wayfarer Travel Shawl Amazon View On Amazon View On Thenxtstop.com Why We Love It This shawl was made in the United States using high-quality UPF 50+ material. What to Consider It might feel a little short on taller women or on those who prefer a mid-length shawl. The key to streamlining your travel experience from start to finish is to find multi-purpose accessories and gear that’ll get you where you’re going as comfortably and efficiently as possible. Case in point: the HappyLuxe Wayfarer Travel Shawl. This versatile accessory works as a classic shawl, a scarf, a cover-up in the sun, and even as a small blanket for chilly flights. It’s US-made with high-quality UPF 50+ material that’s soft and easy to clean, too. We also love that it comes in a huge selection of colors to best suit your personal style. Price at time of publish: $46 The 12 Best Travel Wraps, Ponchos, and Blanket Scarves of 2023 Best Fold-up Bag Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote Nordstrom View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales View On Longchamp.com Why We Love It This lightweight and foldable handbag packs down small when not in use, but can expand to function as a small carry-on as needed. What to Consider The corners of this bag are quite sharp and can sometimes fray with heavy use. The Longchamp Le Pliage bag is one of the most popular handbags for travel and it’s easy to see why. The French handbag offers a high-end look and feel at a relatively budget-friendly price point — but that’s not all it has going for it. The unique pliage design (that’s French for folding) allows you to pack this handbag down into the size of a small paperback novel that can easily squeeze into a small carry-on bag when not in use. However, the soft nylon material also expands as needed, allowing you to use your Le Pliage for additional souvenirs, clothing, or anything else that might not fit in your suitcase on the way home. Price at time of publish: $155 Larq Bottle PureVis Amazon View On Amazon View On Livelarq.com View On Williams-Sonoma Why We Love It This teched-out water bottle makes drinking clean water accessible wherever you find yourself. What to Consider The initial price point is way higher than the average water bottle. The Larq self-cleaning water bottle might be one of our most favorite travel-related purchases of the entire year. The science-backed water bottle comes with built-in UV cleaning technology that actually allows you to clean and disinfect your drinking water before consumption, whether it’s from a freshwater stream or a public water fountain. It’s also worth noting that this water bottle is self-cleaning which means you won’t have to deal with that dreaded stale water bottle smell that can sometimes occur if you forget to wash your bottle on a regular basis. (Hey, it happens.) Price at time of publish: $99 Best Umbrella Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Repelumbrella.com Why We Love It This travel-friendly umbrella is designed to be extremely durable and windproof for long-term use. What to Consider The umbrella is surprisingly heavy given its relatively compact size. Most hotels will have umbrellas available for guests, but having your own retractable umbrella while on the road means you’ll never be without one when you get hit with a rainy day on vacation. This compact option boasts a windproof functionality that helps keep the umbrella sturdy on blustery days. It’s extremely small when closed which means you can easily throw it in your handbag or carry-on for emergency use. We also like that this umbrella comes in a huge spectrum of colors — from classic gray to full-blown rainbow. Price at time of publish: $30 Best Carry-on Bag Samsonite Freeform Medium Spinner 4.5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Samsonite.com Why We Love It This lightweight spinner is expandable, easy to roll around, and provides a hard-shell design that’s built to last. What to Consider The retractable handle can sometimes get stuck in place. Finding the right carry-on can sometimes feel like a challenge, but we’re pretty sure we hit the jackpot with the Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable Spinner. This expandable rolling suitcase fits way more than meets the eye and, although it does expand, it doesn’t appear overstuffed on the outside (even when it might be). The 360-degree spinner wheels and TSA-compatible locking system also make this one a breeze for trips that might involve long walks from gate to gate or multiple security checkpoints. We also appreciate the durable hard-sided design that won’t easily shatter if you wind up having to check your bag. Price at time of publish: $240 The Best Carry-on Luggage of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best Digital Camera Fujifilm X-T30 II With 18-55mm Lens Best Buy View On Walmart View On Adorama.com View On Best Buy Why We Love It This digital camera offers professional quality photos with beginner-friendly functionality. What to Consider The Bluetooth functionality isn’t as intuitive or easy-to-use as it should be. If you’re a frequent traveler, we highly suggest investing in a compact digital camera for taking photos along the way. Sure, smartphones have admittedly come a long way in the photo-taking department and are perfect for social media photos, but a quality digital camera will provide much more crisp images that can be blown up to hang on the wall or printed in photo books. The Fujifilm X-T30 II Mirrorless Camera is a personal favorite; it’s ultra-compact and easy to travel with, relatively beginner-friendly, and produces professional-level photography and videography that’ll ensure your memories are as crisp as possible. Price at time of publish: $1,300 Best Portable Charger Energizer Fast Charge Portable Charger Bestbuy View On Best Buy Why We Love It This reliable portable charger offers lighting-fast charging for your smartphone, tablet, and many other small devices. What to Consider The charger is much bulkier than other mainstream brands. Do not rely on the airport or airplane outlets to charge your devices — just don’t do it. It’s almost like there’s a rule somewhere that states once your smartphone goes below 20 percent, finding a functional outlet to charge it will be nearly impossible. Instead, we suggest investing in the Energizer Fast Charge Portable Charger. This lightning-fast portable charger has enough juice to charge your phone at least four to five times before needing to be recharged itself. What’s more, Energizer knows a thing or two about making a good battery and this one is no exception as the reliable charger won’t degrade or lose its charge for years. Price at time of publish: $50 Tips for Buying Travel Accessories Consider trip length The travel accessories you pack will greatly depend on the length of the voyage you’re taking. For example, if you’re jetting off for a quick weekend trip, you probably won’t need an extra-large toiletry kit or a folding tote bag for souvenirs. If you’re planning a month-long backpacking trip, on the other hand, it’ll be worth carefully selecting as many multi-functional accessories as possible to ensure you have all your bases covered without weighing yourself down. Prioritize comfort We often make the mistake of believing we’ll wear those three-inch heels or super-tight jeans while on vacation but, if we’re being honest, how often does that actually happen? Prioritizing comfort means your entire suitcase will be packed with items that’ll serve you throughout the trip, making your experience easier and more convenient rather than unused items taking up valuable space in your luggage. Why Trust Travel + Leisure For this article, T+L contributor Kaitlyn McInnis used her experience as a travel writer and former lifestyle editor to curate a list of the best travel accessories for women. The 12 Best Travel-friendly Makeup Products of 2023 Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit