Is it just us, or is packing for a trip the most annoying part of a vacation?
Whether you're a planner or a last-minute packer, knowing what to bring on your adventure takes some thought, and many of us tend to overpack for fear that we'll forget something important.
When you travel for a living or work in the travel business, you tend to pick up a few tips and tricks for packing efficiently. With spring travel season in full swing, Shop TODAY reached out to several travel pros to pick their brains about the packing process.
Lucky for us, they were kind enough to share the specific items they never leave home without for a trip.
Everyone craves different creature comforts from home, but there are a few items the travel pros we polled agreed on, citing them as essentials.
Tech essentials recommended by travel experts
Endless options: Charmast Portable Charger
- Can charge different devices
- Compact size
- Visible charging percentage
- May take long to fully charge
Traveling is stressful enough without worrying about your phone battery dying while you’re out and about. That’s where a portable charger comes in handy. Jill Whelan, the celebrations ambassador for Princess Cruises, is fond of this budget-friendly option that’s available in six colors.
“It has any type of cable that I could need for my electronics. It’s super affordable (less than $20), fits in my pocket or purse easily and comes in a lot of fun colors as well,” Whelan said.
Keep it on your radar: Apple AirTag
- Over 20,000 ratings
- Trusted brand
- Easy to set up
- Mixed reviews on battery
Losing your luggage is every traveler’s nightmare, especially when they contain valuables, like a set of golf clubs.
“I already have plenty of nerves on the first tee. The last thing I need is to wonder if my clubs will make it to the destination,” Joao Mateus, the director of sales at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hill, says.
That’s why the travel pro likes to use an Apple AirTag to track the location of his possessions while he’s on the road. Here’s how it works: Connect your AirTag to your iPhone or iPad and find your items in the Find My app. The best part? The replaceable battery works for over a year.
Power on the go: Anker Portable Charger, 325 Power Bank
- Over 30,000 ratings
- "Best charger on the market"
- Fast charging
- Some say it's too bulky
Angela Cavis, the director of communications, Americas at Booking.com, also calls a portable charger a "non-negotiable travel essential" and says she prefers one that's "both compact and powerful."
“The Anker 325 Power Bank is a lifesaver. It’s small enough to fit in my purse and powerful enough to keep my phone charged throughout a busy day of exploring. Whether I’m out sightseeing or heading from meeting to meeting, it’s a reliable way to stay connected without worrying about finding an outlet,” Cavis says.
The portable charger can charge two devices at the same time, thanks to its twin USB ports. Depending on the model of your phone, it can charge devices up to five times.
Beauty essentials recommended by travel experts
Tried and true: ChapStick Skin Protectant, Classic Spearmint (Set of 3)
- Refreshing, minty scent
- Tube lasts a long time
- Expensive for three
Lip balm is a beauty essential that’s always smart to keep on hand, especially while you’re on the road. Jennifer Chick, the senior vice president and global head of loyalty and customer growth at Hilton, calls this classic product from ChapStick her “go-to,” describing it as “smooth” and “long-lasting” with a pleasant “cooling mint” sensation.
Per the brand, the affordable find fends off and treats chapped lips, leaving your pout feeling smooth and soft.
"Favorite" moisturizer: Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream
- "Works well," per customers
- Fragrance-free formula
- Some experienced sensitivity
Travel can be rough on your complexion. Luckily, Chick has a skin care secret up her sleeve.
"I love Avène skin care products. This is my favorite moisturizer. It's gentle, works well on my sensitive skin, and is packaged in travel size. When I was recently in France, I stocked up on some in the drugstore since they are a French company," she says.
The lightweight cream tackles redness and tightness while calming skin with the help of postbiotics, per the brand. Free of preservatives, the powerful formula offers 24 hours of hydration and soothes an angry complexion.
"Must-have" sunscreen: Credo Self Reflect SPF 32 Probiotic Moisturizing Sunscreen
- Blends easily
- Leaves skin feeling dewy
- Vanilla scent
Sunscreen is one beauty essential you should always pack (no matter what time of year or climate you're visiting). Cavis is a fan of this "lightweight, hydrating" formula that leaves her skin feeling "fresh without the typical white cast of mineral sunscreens."
“It’s a must-have for keeping my skin protected and balanced during long travel days, whether I’m exploring a new city or lounging by the beach,” she says.
Curler and straightener combined: L’ange Le Duo Classic
- Two-in-one product
- Cooling vents throughout
- Two sizes available
- Some didn't see results
For times when you want to give your hair an extra boost, Nicole Tilzer, the vice president of Hilton’s all-inclusive and resort strategy, recommends packing this lightweight, ergonomic hair styler that locks in curls with the help of small air vents.
“My travels take me to so many tropical locations and this dual-voltage straightener/curling iron ensures I look my best no matter the humidity,” Tilzer says.
Worth the splurge: Knesco Rose Quartz Antioxidant Collagen Face Mask
- Multiple face masks included
- Calming and soothing
- Made with hyaluronic acid
- Splurge beauty item
"Travel can be dehydrating, and the KNESKO collagen sheet masks instantly restore moisture and plump the skin. They’re a staple in my carry-on and a go-to treat at Hilton spas when I need an extra boost of hydration," Amanda Al-Masri, the vice president of wellness at Hilton, says.
These portable and luxurious sheet masks are full of antioxidants that help protect and calm skin. Key ingredients, including licorice root and grape seed extract, work together to smooth and brighten skin while reversing damage and reducing irritation.
Skinsheet The Cleansing Coins
Winner: Best on-the-go beauty essential
$22.00
TheSkinSheet
$22.00
Cap Beauty
$22.00
Amazon
Fashion essentials recommended by travel experts
Cozy for flights: Kash-lounge Socks, $24, Kashwere
- Soft, lightweight material
- Three colors available
- Not widely available
"I’m always cold on flights, so Kashwére’s Lounge Socks are a must. They make any plane ride or hotel stay feel instantly cozier," Al-Masri says.
The unisex socks are made of a lightweight, airy material with ribbed detailing and are available in three colors: pink, gray and brown.
Ideal for walking: Hush Puppies Ozzie Driving Loafer
- 10 colors available
- Cushioned footbed
- Slip-on design
- Runs large for some
Basic black is classic, but gold is great too and can instantly jazz up an ensemble while you're on the road. Chick is fond of this sleek pair of loafers.
"These are well priced, comfortable and soft but sturdy if you have to walk a lot. It also provides a sleek look that you can dress up and down, and it goes with everything," she says.
"Buttery-soft" pants: Vuori Performance Jogger
- Cool, soft material
- Trendy style
- Some say they're too short
Obsessing over celebs' stylish airport style is fun and all, but let's be honest, but of us prefer to stay comfy while traveling to our final destination. Chick agrees and counts these cozy joggers among her travel essentials.
"They are buttery soft with warm and cooling material that’s comfortable yet it doesn’t look like your everyday sweats so you can dress up a bit," she says.
Easy to pack: Marmot Women's PreCip® Eco Rain Jacket
- Simple to pack
- Lightweight material
- Available in 8 colors
- Mixed reviews about the fit
Sofia Mascotena, the owner and CEO of Naya Traveler, is a fan of this rain jacket that's made of reusable materials and available in nine colors.
"It’s lightweight and packable. Since rain or wind can be unpredictable, it helps me make the most of every travel day without disruptions," she says.
Spacious and stylish: Longchamp Le Pliage Original L Tote bag Black
- Zipper closure
- Two pockets inside
- Can fit a laptop
- Pricey tote
A spacious, yet stylish bag is a travel essential Tilzer swears by.
"This timeless, foldable bag seamlessly transitions from a professional laptop bag when I’m working, to a functional weekend tote if I’m adding a bit of leisure to my business travel," she says.
It's available in seven colors, including neutrals and several bold hues like red and pink.
Health and wellness essentials recommended by travel experts
Serene note taking: Decomposition Mountain Lake Book
- Calming, scenic cover design
- Soy-printed pages
- Pages are lined
“I always take notes during my travels, capturing experiences as they happen. These notes are incredibly useful for my work. I often refer back to them, but they also hold some of my best memories, the ones that live both in my mind and on these pages,” Mascotena says.
The travel expert adores this notebook with a rustic cover featuring a beautiful mountain landscape.
Subtle on-the-go glow: Loftie Night Light
- Energy efficient
- Can use home or at a hotel
- Need outlet for it to work
“Quality sleep is everything when you’re on the road. I love using Loftie night light’s soft red light to create a calming nighttime environment, whether I’m at home or in a hotel. Hilton wellness suites incorporate Loftie’s sleep technology to help guests wind down more easily,” Al-Masri says.
The energy-efficient night light features light sensing technology that shuts the light off at dawn and on at dusk. Their warm amber or red glow is subtle enough to light the way without blinding you in the middle of the night.
"Lifesaver" for dry hotel rooms: Hey Dewy Portable Facial Humidifier
- Powered via USB
- Great for dry hotel rooms
- 8-hour water capacity
Whether you want to keep your complexion looking dewy or you want fresher air, this multitasking mini humidifier can do the trick.
"It's a lifesaver if you suffer from allergies or dry air in hotel rooms," Mateus explains.
The USB-powered portable humidifier is easy to fill up and features an eight-hour continuous capacity or a 12-hour intermittent capacity. Plus, it doubles as a night light thanks to its built-in LED light.
For "essential" recovery: Therabody Theragun Gen 2 Mini
- Compact, easy to pack
- Useful after flights
- Two colors available
- Splurge product
Lugging around your bags and sitting in cramped airplane chairs can really leave you feeling sore. That's why Tilzer likes to travel with this mini massage gun.
"Recovery is essential. Whether you are running a marathon or competing in the marathon of life, this compact massage gun fits easily in my carry-on and is perfect for working out those knots after long flights or intense runs," she says.
Frequently asked questions
“A white noise machine became a must after having little kids! Helps me sleep through any hotel noise,” Mateus says.
Tilzer calls an eye mask “a must.” She says, “In fact, I usually have two or three with me: one in my suitcase, one in my carry-on and a backup just in case,” she says.
“Staying hydrated is crucial, especially on long flights, so I never travel without a bottle of water and my electrolyte packets,” Cavis says.
“Travel days can be hectic, but I carve out time for meditation on flights with the Calm app and noise-canceling headphones,” Al-Masri says.
“I shamelessly wear compression boots on long-haul flights and use them post-travel to help with circulation and swelling. They make such a difference in how I feel when I land,” Al-Masri says.
Mateus likes to wear compression socks while flying. “Always better to be safe than sorry. It’s a great way to prevent blood clots and improve circulation on long flights,” he says.
When it comes to clothing, If I am flying, I dress in layers. You never know how hot or cold it might be on the plane so a zip up and comfy socks are always my go-to,” Chick says.
How we chose
Travel pros eat, sleep and breathe everything related to vacations, so we went straight to the source to get their packing tips to make your next getaway go smoothly. Shop TODAY consulted seven travel industry experts and asked for their go-to items that they won't leave home without when they're jetting away to somewhere special.
Meet the experts
- Amanda Al-Masri is the vice president of wellness at Hilton.
- Angela Cavis is the the director of communications, Americas at Booking.com.
- Jennifer Chick is the senior vice president and global head of Loyalty & Customer Growth at Hilton.
- Sofia Mascotena is the owner and CEO of Naya Traveler.
- Joao Mateus is the director of sales at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills.
- Nicole Tilzer is the vice president of Hilton’s all-inclusive and resort strategy.
- Jill Whelan is the celebrations ambassador for Princess Cruises.
