The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (2024)

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From earbuds to eye masks, these accessories make your trip easier than ever.

By

Kaitlyn McInnis

The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (1)

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.

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Updated on November 17, 2023

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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 seat. Being a confident traveler isn’t that hard if you have a few key packing essentials on hand.

Believe it or not, you can streamline trips ranging from short flights to lengthy road trips when the right gadgets are at your fingertips. Below, we’ve put together a list 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, we’ve tested and reviewed each and every item on this list to ensure they optimize your travel experience for years to come.

Our Top Picks

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Why We Love It

  • The supple leather feels very luxurious and high-end.

What to Consider

  • There aren’t any straps to hold brushes or bottles.

Cosmetics are an investment — which means it’s only logical to want a structured and reliable makeup case to keep your investments safe while on the go. That’s where the Beis The Cosmetic Case comes in. We tested a whole lot of different options for carrying cosmetics —26 makeup bags to be exact — and found this one stood out due to its roominess and also its structured exterior. The supple leather feels very high-end for the price while the interior was easy to open and pack without having to stuff everything in. We also really liked that this case comes with a compact travel mirror that makes applying cosmetics on the go easier. The only thing we didn’t love was that there weren’t any straps to hold brushes or bottles in place but the solid construction still felt adequately secure for holding more delicate items.

  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (4)

  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (5)

  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (6)

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  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (9)

  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (10)

Why We Love It

  • The multiple enclosures ensure nothing gets tangled in transit.

What to Consider

  • It won’t fit larger jewelry like watches or statement earrings.

If you don’t travel with a case designated specifically for jewelry, we urge you to invest in this one immediately! A travel jewelry case allows you to keep all your precious jewels 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 of jewelry is; no more digging through your handbags or toiletry kit trying to locate your favorite earrings. This option is particularly noteworthy due to its abundance of pockets, holders, and ring slots, which actually keep your accessories in place in transit. We also loved that the necklace pockets and pouches keep everything from tangling, but it’s worth noting that this option isn’t very well suited for larger items like statement earrings or watches. We voted this our best overall pick out of all the jewelry cases we’ve tested this year.

  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (12)

  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (13)

  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (14)

Why We Love It

  • The zipper and overall craftsmanship are very high quality for the price.

What to Consider

  • The material is thick, which might add weight to your suitcase.

These days nobody wants to risk checking a full-size suitcase — but sometimes fitting everything you need into one tiny carry-on bag can seem like an impossible feat. That’s where the Veken Packing Cubes come in. These surprisingly high quality and budget-friendly packing cubes come in a pack of six different sizes to best suit your specific needs or organization preferences. The cubes offer a very light compression but during the testing process we were particularly impressed with how well-made the overall construction was. The zippers feel like they won’t pull or stick even with heavy use. The material also feels like it will last for many trips without ripping. The only thing you’ll want to keep in mind is that the material does feel pretty thick, which might add too much weight if you’re worried about going over your weight limit.

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Why We Love It

  • The zip-around design allows you to hold things like coins and smaller items.

What to Consider

  • It can be a little bit bulky.

A well-designed passport wallet is one of the best functional travel accessories to invest in. This multi-purpose, zip-around passport holder and travel wallet is a top pick. The supple leather wallet has pockets for pretty much everything you could possibly need at the airport, making it easy to stay organized and on top of all your gear as you travel from gate to gate. We also really appreciated the zip-around design that makes it easy to store things like coins or even a pen without worrying about anything slipping out while you’re on the go. 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. The only thing we didn’t love about this option is that it’s admittedly a little bulky if you prefer to travel light — but if you like to have everything in one spot (even your boarding passes), it’s the perfect size.

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  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (19)

  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (20)

Why We Love It

  • Lightweight and easy to use.

What to Consider

  • It’s not the best for frizz-prone hair.

There’s nothing worse than realizing your Airbnb or hotel room doesn’t come equipped with a hair dryer — except maybe trying to plug your own hair dryer into the outlet only to realize the wattage isn’t compatible. That’s why we love the T3 Afar Travel Hair Dryer. The travel-friendly styling tool is compact and lightweight, but it’s also equipped with auto dual voltage, which means you won’t have to worry about whether or not your dryer is compatible in other countries. We found this option was very gentle on the hair and didn’t notice any visible heat damage — but one of us that tried it did note that it’s not the best option if you have frizz-prone hair.

Why We Love It

  • These headphones hold an incredible charge and won’t die mid-flight.

What to Consider

  • They’re not as small as earbuds.

The Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless Headphones will blow all of your other wireless headphones out of the water on multiple levels, according to our tests. The headphones are budget-friendly while offering a superior battery life of up to 40 hours between charges, so you won’t have to worry about your headphones dying mid-flight (even if you’re on the longest flight in the world!). We found that the sound quality and noise-canceling capabilities held up in terms of quality against much more expensive and well-known brands. The lightweight design also meant that this pair of headphones was supremely comfortable even when we wore it for long stretches of time. One thing to note is that these over-the-ear headphones are obviously a bit larger than compact earbuds.

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  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (24)

Why We Love It

  • This option is easy to use and quite affordable.

What to Consider

  • There is a very slight lag in location updates.

Luggage trackers are a must-have for frequent flyers. We tested a handful of big-name Bluetooth tracking devices, and the Eufy SmartTrack Link came out on top. The tiny tracking device is small enough to wiggle its way into your carry-on and suitcase of course, but it’s also great for slipping into a handbag or wallet as needed. We particularly liked this option because, unlike competing brands like the Apple AirTag, the Eufy SmartTrack is designed with a keyring hole that makes it a lot easier to slip onto a keychain and keep track of in your gear. The only issue we ran into during testing was that this option has a very slight lag when it updates the location, so you sometimes can’t confirm that your luggage is on the flight before you take off. We would also make the built-in location alert ping a bit louder.

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  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (27)

Why We Love It

  • Lightweight and easy to clean, this toiletry bag was built to last for dozens of trips of various lengths.

What to Consider

  • There are more budget-friendly options out there.

Sure, you could throw all your shampoo and skincare into a Ziploc bag and call it a day, but investing in a high-quality and long-lasting toiletry bag is not just a more sustainable option — it also helps ensure your toiletries will remain organized and easily accessible. We love the Away Large Toiletry Bag in particular for its compact exterior and surprisingly roomy interior, as well as the built-in pockets and mesh siding designed to provide easy access for 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. The only thing we didn’t like is that this option is pricey for a basic toiletry bag, but we still loved it enough to make it the best overall pick out of all the toiletry bags we tested. The quality and convenience are there, but the price point might be a bit hard to justify unless you’re a frequent traveler.

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The 9 Best Makeup Cases for Travel in 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Why We Love It

  • This camera bag is durable, high-quality, and secure.

What to Consider

  • The bag may be a bit large for some.

If you’ve invested in a high-end camera and gear, the last thing you’ll want to do is risk it getting damaged in transit in a sub-par camera bag. The Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L provided everything we wanted and more during our tests thanks to its high-quality and thoughtful design. It features several areas for specific storage (from camera bodies and lenses to flash) as well as removable panels that allow you to customize your bag to fit the exact camera and accessories you’re working with. We also really liked that this option is a sling style rather than your typical messenger bag or top-handle design. This makes going hands-free while on the go much easier. The only thing we didn’t love was that the size is a bit cumbersome for some — but it definitely has enough space to store everything a traveling photographer could need.

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The 11 Best Sling Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Why We Love It

  • This pillow is small enough to tuck into your backpack, while offering enough support to actually sleep in economy.

What to Consider

  • There are more inexpensive options when it comes to neck pillows.

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 Cabeau TNE S3. This compact travel pillow is designed to support your head and neck comfortably — but also includes a unique chin strap designed to stop your head from bobbing down while drifting off. We really liked that it’s much smaller than the neck pillows of yesteryear, which means you won’t have to clip it onto your backpack, but rather tuck it discreetly back into your carry-on when you’re not using it. We also really liked that, unlike those bulky neck pillows, you can throw this pillow in the washing machine after a trip.

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  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (39)

Why We Love It

  • The texture is lightweight and breathable, not greasy.

What to Consider

  • Some online reviewers said it irritated their sensitive skin.

It’s vital to use a decent sunscreen on your face — even on cloudy or winter days — and the Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen makes it easy to do so even if you hate the thought of rubbing chalky sunblock onto your face. This unscented option became an instant favorite during our tests. We found the formula to be lightweight and noted that this sunscreen was easy to use in tandem with our other face products without interrupting our makeup routine. The formula was non-greasy and didn’t affect oily skin during testing even with all-day use. Some online reviewers said it irritated their sensitive skin, but we didn't experience that ourselves.

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  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (42)

  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (43)

Why We Love It

  • The lightweight design is comfortable without feeling too light.

What to Consider

  • The frame is a bit wide and might be a smidge too big for those with a narrow face.

Travel sunglasses can be hard to get right. You want something that’s lightweight enough that you can wear for hours in the sun while exploring the city or lazing on the beach — but you also want to ensure your glasses are sturdy enough to stay put while cruising on a boat or jogging to catch a tram. We found that the Eleventh Hour Essential Sunglasses manage to strike the perfect balance between lightweight comfort and functionality — and they also happen to be pretty stylish. The polarized lenses help to protect the eyes against the sun’s rays, while the thick black frames are fashion-forward but basic enough to pair with pretty much any outfit. We did notice that the frame is a bit wider than your average sunglasses, so those with a particularly slim face might find they fit loose.

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  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (46)

  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (47)

Why We Love It

  • This option is totally leakproof, so you can throw it in your bag without worry.

What to Consider

  • The exterior of the bottle might dent over time.

A reusable water bottle is a sustainable way to stay hydrated on the go. The Thermoflask Double Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle was "our top pick for the best water bottle for travel out of all the ones we tested. We found that this durable bottle is totally leakproof, which means you can easily throw it into your bag as needed without worrying about water spilling into your carry-on or backpack. We really liked that this option can actually keep your water cold for hours on end and that it comes with two lids to best suit your preferred drinking style. We also like that it has a handle that’s easy to grip and comes in a huge variety of fun colors to choose from. The only thing you’ll want to keep in mind is that the exterior of the bottle, while pretty durable, might get dented over time with heavy use.

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Why We Love It

  • The silicone design is leakproof and long-lasting.

What to Consider

  • The caps can be tricky to open.

When it comes to leak-proof toiletry bottles, LiquiSnugs Premium Silicone Travel Bottles reign supreme in our books. The high-quality design is leakproof and long-lasting — we had no issues with spillage during testing and found the silicone design very easy to fill and dispense compared to the hard-plastic pharmacy variety. We really liked that this option came in four different sizes, which allowed us to customize the amount of each product we needed to bring for a trip. The price point also seemed very reasonable for the quality of the bottles. The only thing to keep in mind is that the caps can sometimes be tricky to open after flying — but that’s better than a leak!

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  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (52)

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  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (58)

Why We Love It

  • This option is very hydrating and goes on smoothly and easily.

What to Consider

  • The formula doesn’t include SPF.

You need to have a decent lip balm on you at all times when traveling — you just do. Between the hours spent outside and on the go and the often higher levels of alcohol and salty food consumed on a trip, keeping yourself hydrated is key (and that includes your lips!). We found the Goopgenes Clean Nourishing Lip Balm was the overall winner out of all the lip balms we tested for travel. We loved how smoothly and easily it rolled on our lips, and the instant boost of hydration and softness was a major bonus as well. There are several tinted shades to choose from, in addition to a clear option. The only thing you’ll want to keep in mind is that it unfortunately doesn’t have SPF in the formula, so it might not be the best choice for beach vacations.

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  • The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (61)

Our Testing Process

The Travel + Leisure team tested dozens of different products across 15 different tests in order to narrow down the best options for all of the above travel accessory categories. We carefully examined and put each item to work, including packing and unpacking the jewelry cases to determine how easy they were to use and tossing each water bottle from waist height to determine its durability. We also continued using the products and collecting insights after the initial tests to truly determine how well each item holds up with heavy use.

Tips for Buying Travel Accessories for Women

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.

Think about your itinerary

You don’t need all the travel accessories for all the trips. You’ll want to think carefully about your itinerary before splurging on anything too pricey or on bulky items you might not actually use all that often. If you're traveling for work, for example, a laptop case is a sound investment. If you’re planning a winter trip, you probably won’t need to pack multiple pairs of sunglasses and sunscreen (although you’ll still want face sunscreen even in the winter). If you tend to fly down to the Caribbean more than over to Europe or Asia, you can probably forgo the expensive neck pillow until you know you have a red-eye flight ahead of you.

Shop for products you’ll use often

Do not, we repeat, do not bother investing in expensive products you’ll only use once or twice. You don’t need the fanciest gadgets just for a single trip you have coming up. Instead, you’ll want to focus your budget on products you’ll use often. If you travel regularly, make sure the items you purchase will get you through most of your itineraries. If you’re not the biggest traveler, consider opting for items you can use in your daily life at home (like choosing great noise-canceling headphones instead of an expensive neck pillow).

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. She combed through 15 sets of T+L test results to highlight products that scored well in each category and fit the theme of best travel accessories for women.

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The 16 Best Travel Accessories for Men of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 15 Best Travel Accessories for Women of 2024 (2024)

FAQs

What does every traveller need? ›

Essentials
  • Passport.
  • Boarding Passes.
  • Foreign cash.
  • Credit/ATM cards.
  • Maps/directions/itinerary.
  • Guidebook material.
  • First aid kit.
  • Travel insurance documents.

What is travel gear? ›

Sweatshirts & Pullovers | Travel Cases | Backpacks | Men's Jacket & Cheater | Laptop Backpacks | Men's Shirts & T-shirt | Rucksacks | Daypacks | Men's Tracksuits | Shoes | Sandals | Duffle Bags | Duffle Trolley | Women Shirts & T-Shirt.

What is the 5 4 3 2 1 packing method? ›

Its version of the 5-4-3-2-1 method includes "five tops, four bottoms, three accessories, two shoes (a practical pair and a nice pair), and one swimsuit," though like the Times this formula allows the wiggle room to swap out accessories based on your destination and type of travel.

What not to forget when flying? ›

Most Commonly Forgotten Things to Pack
  • Don't Forget Travel Documents. ...
  • One of the Most Commonly Forgotten Things to Pack Are Snacks. ...
  • Keep a Hand Sanitizer Close By. ...
  • Remember to Bring Your Medicine and First Aid Kit. ...
  • Fill a Small Bag With Toiletries. ...
  • Don't Forget Glasses and Sunglasses. ...
  • Pack Chargers and Headphones.
May 8, 2020

What might I be forgetting to pack? ›

  • Toothbrush & Toothpaste. Nothing is worse than realizing you forgot your toothbrush. ...
  • Hair Brushes. Believe it or not, hair brushes are one of the most commonly forgotten things to pack, especially when it comes to longer trips. ...
  • Travel Adapters & Chargers. ...
  • First Aid Kit. ...
  • Hair Dryer & Iron. ...
  • Umbrella. ...
  • Books & Games. ...
  • Snacks.
Dec 18, 2022

How many clothes to pack for 7 days? ›

Do the clothing countdown: If you need a mantra to help streamline your wardrobe, use the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule for a weeklong trip: Limit yourself to no more than five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one hat.

What's not allowed on a carry-on? ›

Aerosol cans (except limited quantities of personal care items that are 3.4 ounces or less), butane, fuels, gasoline, gas torches, lighter fluid, strike-anywhere matches, flammable paints, turpentine, paint thinner, arc lighters, plasma lighters, electronic lighters, E-lighters, and replicas of incendiaries cannot be ...

What is a smart travel bag? ›

A smart bag is any piece of luggage—a carry-on, roller bag, backpack, etc. — that has one or more electric components like a power bank, charging port, tracking chip, or built-in scales, and in some cases, can even move through the airport on its own or convert into an electric scooter.

Why use a packing cube? ›

Many packing cubes compress clothing, reducing the overall bulk of your clothing and allowing you to fit more in your suitcase. They also optimize space by allowing you to organize and categorize items to use the space available more efficiently.

What is the travel bag that moves? ›

Modobag® is the invention of Chicago entrepreneur and world traveler Kevin O'Donnell. He got the idea while he was traveling through the airport with the Chi-Town's Finest Breakers, when the kids started taking turns riding on his suitcase. It was at that point he told them, "We're gonna put motors in these!".

What is the 3-1-1 rule for personal bag? ›

Before Packing

Liquids, gels and aerosols packed in carry-on must follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule: 3.4 ounces or less per container. 1 quart size, clear, plastic, zip top bag (all liquids must fit in bag) 1 bag per passenger.

Can I take two Ziploc bags on a plane? ›

It states that each passenger can carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. These containers must fit comfortably in one quart-sized, resealable Ziploc bag. Each traveler is limited to one Ziploc bag.

Can I bring a purse and a backpack and a carry-on? ›

What is considered carry-on baggage? Technically, any piece of luggage that you “carry on” to an airplane is a carry-on bag. Most airlines allow one piece of carry-on luggage or “hand baggage” that can fit in the overhead bin, plus a “personal item” (a smaller purse, computer bag, diaper bag, small backpack, etc.

What to pack for a 5 day trip checklist? ›

What to pack for a 5-day trip checklist? (Things to put )
  • Clothes that you can use for Five Days. ...
  • Comfortable shoes that you can wear the Whole Day. ...
  • Disposal shower cap to keep your Bag Clean. ...
  • Comfy nightwear for your Trip. ...
  • Slippers for your Extra Comfort that you want to Have.

What is the most important thing people need when they travel? ›

Passport

It seems obvious, but the single most important thing to pack for your travels is your passport. You won't get very far without it. Once you've ticked everything off your pre-travel checklist, and before you put your foot out the door, one last check for that important little book really won't hurt.

What do Travellers value? ›

Contrary to frequent media depiction, Traveller communities value cleanliness and tidiness. Many Irish Travellers are practising Catholics, while some Gypsies and Travellers are part of a growing Christian Evangelical movement. Gypsy and Traveller culture has always adapted to survive and continues to do so today.

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