We're officially a month away from the start of the spring season. Forget about the frigid temperatures we all experienced this past winter and try to imagine days of travel with sunshine, sandals, and, dare I say, swimsuits.
Or, make that dream a reality and get a jumpstart on your escape plan — we mean, vacation — somewhere you can swap gloves for sunscreen. We’re sharing what travel essentials to pack before hopping on your bus, plane or train.
For our latest installment of Hot List, our Shop TODAY contributor Melissa Garcia stopped by the show to share our curated list of everything you should make room for in your suitcase. Think: organizing essentials, bestselling SPF and so much more. Check out our hottest (although it may not feel like it) travel finds below! We even have a TODAY-exclusive deal for you.
Spring travel essentials seen on TODAY
Packing your facial wash got so much easier, raves Garcia. These water-activated cleansing pads melt in your hands, turning into a foamy cleanser that you can use anywhere. Since there's no liquid, this TSA-friendly product will help save room and weight in your suitcase and prevent possible leaks.
A rogue toothbrush can gather a lot of bacteria sitting in a toiletry bag, but this portable gadget covers and sanitizes your bristles, killing up to 99% of germs, per the brand. It's USB rechargeable, has a magnetic mount, and comes in three different colors, which Garcia says is great for color-coding for couples and families.
"It's my pet peeve when I travel and can't find anything in my makeup bag," says Garcia. That's why she loves this option from The Flat Lay Co.; it opens and lies completely flat, showing all of your essentials at once.
The best part? TODAY viewers will get an extended exclusive 20% off sitewide with code TODAY through July 31.
Save space in your luggage with these vacuum storage bags, which Garcia says are specifically made for travel. According to one of our Shop TODAY producers, she was able to pack double the clothes in her luggage. Plus, the portable pump is rechargeable and compact, so you can easily stow it in your suitcase.
You won't have to worry about misplacing or having the wrong charging cord on your next road trip. This 4-in-1 portable car charger comes with two retractable cords and two ports, allowing you to charge four devices at once.
One of Garcia's biggest fears: losing her passport. Have peace of mind with this smart passport holder, which includes a dedicated spot for an Apple AirTag. According to the brand, it's designed with RFID technology to keep your information safe and features slots for all of your essentials, including cash, credit cards and SIM cards.
Pair the above passport holder with the newly released Apple AirTag, which the brand boasts is the "most findable AirTag yet." With it, you'll be rest assured that you'll always be able to find your passport via the "Find My" app.
Another item that can be easily misplaced? Your glasses or readers. But thanks to this Gifts We Love pick, this slim case is like "Find My iPhone" but for your specs, says Garcia. According to the brand, it's compatible with the "Find My" app, giving you real-time alerts and chimes so you'll never be without your sight again.
Spring travel essentials seen on The 3rd hour of TODAY
With a sunny vacation on deck, stock up on some bestselling SPF. This kit from Supergoop! comes with three travel-sized sunscreens that can be used on your body and face, and give a glowy finish.
If you’re always spilling things on yourself, these stain-remover pens from the bestselling brand Miss Mouth’s are a lifesaver for instantly removing messes, says Garcia. Coming in a pack of two or three, they’re TSA-friendly and can easily be stashed in a small purse.
This Shop TODAY Travel Gear Award winner is a genius carry-on option. It's a mini piece of luggage, disguised as a backpack, says Garcia. It opens up flat for easy packing and unpacking, slides over your rolling suitcase and fits under airplane seats.
While hats are a travel essential for beach vacations, they can be annoying to pack and carry. This magnetic hat clip attaches to your bag or luggage, keeping it from getting smooshed and your hands free.
Expecting rain on your trip? This travel umbrella is so compact, it's small enough to fit in your purse or pocket. According to the brand, it's only seven inches long when collapsed and even offers UV protection.
Compression socks are a great option for long flights and road trips, says Garcia. This Travel Gear Awards winner comes in a pack of three and is designed to help improve circulation and oxygen flow in your legs, ultimately reducing swelling and fatigue, per the brand.
More spring travel essentials
This travel cupholder slides over your luggage trolley handle, so you’ll no longer have to fumble with your phone and coffee on your way to the gate.
Give yourself a little scent refresh with these travel-sized fragrances. You’ll get a pack of four that you can stash in your purse or carry-on to spritz on the go, and the brand says the scent lasts up to 10 hours.
What makes this travel tumbler different from the rest? It's made with an interior ceramic coating to help maintain your beverage's taste and smell, says the brand.
Airport coffee is notoriously expensive, and airplane coffee is notoriously gross. These single-serve, instant coffee packs are travel-friendly, saving your taste buds, time and money. Just add hot water (or ice and cold water for iced coffee!) and you'll be good to go.
This handy travel bag opens up to lay flat, allowing you to easily organize and access your essentials, including toiletries, makeup, medicines and more.
You'll never feel more organized thanks to this carry-on. It's designed with ample storage with different zipper compartments to help separate essentials, shoes or dirty clothes.
Meet the experts
Our team features a range of qualified experts and contributors in our broadcast segments to reveal the latest in trends, remarkable sale events and all things shopping across a variety of categories. Products were independently chosen by members of the Shop TODAY team, along with Melissa Garcia.
- Melissa Garcia is a Shop TODAY lifestyle and fashion contributor. She has experience working on national brand campaigns, appearing on major television broadcasts, and hosting fashion events for commerce destinations. With a relatable approach and her own eye-catching personal style, Garcia has become a go-to fashion resource in American media.
- Shop TODAY is a team of shopping editors and writers who spend hours every day finding the best new products, tried-and-true favorites, and more finds that are worth shopping, according to our high standards.
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