Our Top 5 Travel Accessories List for 2024
- Jacob Dickey
- Oct 12, 2024
- 6 min read
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There's nothing better than a long flight to a foreign destination. We've taken plenty of them ourselves! And while the idea of business class sounds fun, there are some items we use that will even take economy seating to the next level of luxury! Here are the top 5 items we have found to enjoy on our long distance travel adventures!
Silk/Satin Eye mask
Sleeping on flights can be difficult with the lights, open windows and more. That's why we always travel with an eye mask. This is a must-have item to block out the light and help you get your beauty rest so you're ready to go when you land. We prefer silk because of the softness and how easy it is on skin, but satin ones work great!
Here's a great silk one that comes in different colors, so you'll be able to know which mask is for you and which is for your travel buddy!
Travel Neck pillow
Airplane seats can be uncomfortable, and you don't want to strain your neck if you fall asleep in an awkward position. We've found that a good quality neck pillow is the way to go to make sure you can sleep comfortably in an economy seat! We like the memory foam ones that give you more support, and the brand we bought has a carrying case, and cooling airflow vents to keep us comfortable on flights!
If you're looking for an extra way to fit some more clothes/luggage in, they make tube pillows that you can stuff socks and garments in while you travel! It's a neat way to stretch packing space if you need it while getting a pillow for your neck. This is good for light packers or for those not wanting to check any luggage for a short weekend trip!
Compression Socks
Compression socks should probably be at the top of the list as they make traveling so much more comfortable and better. Compression socks help squeeze and compress your legs which increases blood flow. On an airplane, the extended pressure difference in a plane can cause your legs to swell and feel achy. These will help prevent this and help with jet-lag and puffiness of your legs. We got these for our first international flight and swear by them so much that we'll even use them on long car rides when we don't get to move much! They are also beneficial on flights as they can lower your risk for blood clots, especially if you have circulation issues.
Here's the compression socks we use. We plan on having one pair for on the way and another for when we head back home. These come in sets of three which makes it nice! They also have some fun colors, but we've just gotten the black ones.
Phone Mount for Airplanes
While most all international airlines have built in entertainment systems, sometimes we've got shows on our phones that we want to watch instead. These phone mounts are a game changer. They connect into the tray tables when they are still folded up and hold our phones really well. We've even gotten complements from flight attendants about them. One time, we had a seat with a broken entertainment system, but this came in handy, and we were able to still watch shows and keep busy on the long journey.
Noise-cancelling Wireless Headphones
A quality pair of noise-cancelling headphones will make all the difference on a flight. Our family has even gotten these Bose QuietComfort Headphones. Bose is a well recognized brand in sound and they work incredibly well to almost mute the loud engine noise on an airplane. These are an investment that are worth it to the savvy traveler, whether you're in the plane or in the car ride, and when fully charged the battery will last up to 24 hours, a must have if you have more than one flight with a layover somewhere. LINK: Bose QuietComfort Headphones
If the price of a Bose Headset is a little much for you, my father-in-law raves about his Sony Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones. We had my in-laws come with us on a trip to the Christmas Markets in Europe, and he kept talking about how much he enjoyed these. I think he even put them on so he didn't have to hear me, LOL!
We've also found that these Beats Powerbeats Pro Wireless earbuds do a really good job in both planes and cars. They are also a little more handy and easy to travel with since the case can fit in the dimensions of a standard iPhone; easy for slipping in your pocket or carry-on suitcase. Plus, the ear-clip keeps them from falling out as easily, making them perfect for napping with music.
And, the best thing about both of these is that a solid pair of headphones is great in many more situations than just travel. You can use these while mowing the lawn, watching TV late at night, working in a public coffeeshop and so much more. A quality pair of headphones is a great investment and an even better gift.
Honorable Mentions:
While these products didn't make our top 5 list, they definitely are great buys and a convenience when we travel!
Airfly Duo
This is a neat little gadget that plugs into the built-in entertainment systems. Rather than waiting for a cheap pair of wired headphones from the flight crew, this connects in with your bluetooth headphones. The duo version also allows both you and your travel companion to connect, meaning you can watch the same movie/show at the same time.
Apple Air Tags
These are great to stick in your luggage so you can follow your bags along when you're traveling. There's been more than one occasion where we've watched our luggage get loaded on the plane while using these! AirTags are permitted by the FAA for use in luggage, and there is even a setting available that will "notify you when left behind" in case you are separated from a carry-on bag. How helpful that could be, especially if your luggage is lost or left behind by the airline.
LINK: Apple AirTags (4 pack)
We've also done this with Tiles and had relative success with it as well. We'll stick a tile in our wallet, a laptop bag and with our passport document so we'll know where it is. Even on a keychain, a Tile can be helpful to locate lost keys! That makes these a product that's useful for more than just traveling!
RFID Travel Passport & Documents Wallet
My wife has the cutest pink RFID Travel Passport and Document wallet. It can hold credit cards, medical cards, plane tickets and more. As stylish as it is, it's also good as it can protect you from identify theft thanks to the RFID blocking that protects your items from someone with a radio frequency reader.
Ever since I've traveled abroad my first time in High School, I've opted for one that I can wear around my neck and under my clothing. That keeps it even more secure from pick pocketers and thieves, and makes sure my documents are always on me. This Travel Neck Wallet has worked for me for over 15 years!
Powerbank for Charging Devices
While we always hope that the plane's USB ports will work, sometimes having a back-up power bank is a smart decision, especially if the USB port in the seat doesn't charge very quickly. These were a great buy for us and have come in handy on long flights when we land and need that extra battery life once we get to our destination. We'll charge them up the day before and they last a long time! We got a two pack, one for my wife and one for me, but we could probably be just fine with one!
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