31 Travel Essentials for Any Length of Trip (2024)

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By Brooke LaMantia, the Cut's editorial assistant. She also writes for the site, covering shopping, culture, and style.

31 Travel Essentials for Any Length of Trip (2)

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There’s something about booking a trip that is equal parts excitement and anxiety, especially when you bust out your suitcase andprepare to pack. Depending on the length of your vacation, what you bring along can vary enormously. As someone who has traveled and moved a good amount, I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks for packing well, and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve spent lots of time creating a wish list of all the things Ishouldget for trips. I’m talking about investing in an Away suitcase, thank you very much. Regardless of whether it’s aweekend escapadeor a whole month abroad, here are the 31 best travel essentials worth taking along, listed according to the length of time you’ll be away from your humble abode (and including many good options from Amazon that are worth snagging during Prime Day).

For Overnight Trips

Whether you’re only traveling ten minutes away for a staycation straight from the office or venturing to a nearby city for a day, overnight trips can be just as hard to pack for as long ones. Try to be strategic about stowing all your necessities in a tote bag.

Store all your chargers in one place for easy access and to keep them untangled, which is very hard to do.

The Nap Dress is comfortable enough for any road trip or train ride or even to sleep in. You really can’t go wrong — it’s the next best thing to wearing your pajamas on vacation. And you can snag the wrinkle-resistant navy dress for easy wear on the road.

This three-pack of pouches might be one of my favorite purchases. Perfect for everyday, you can use the pouches to house all kinds of things: makeup, dirty clothes, miscellaneous lip balms, receipts — really anything. I always have one in my bag, no matter if I’m gone for a night, an hour, or a whole week.

More than just a tote, this bag from Lo & Sons is lightweight but structured for the ultimate packing companion for overnighters (or even as a personal item on a flight). There’s a separate bottom compartment that can easily fit shoes or dirty clothes, multiple interior pockets and zippers, and the option to carry it as a cross-body.

One of the best tinted moisturizers out there, this option from Saie offers hydration and some SPF and will give you light coverage with a lots of dewy glow. When packing light, this is a great product to use in the a.m. for its many-in-one features and to get the affects of a multistep routine without all the hassle.

Because hydration is always important, especially when you’re traveling.

Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean your skin should suffer. These ice rollers will fit perfectly in your bag and will come in handy first thing in the morning.

Weekend Trips and Excursions

Since it’s summer, my brain is on beach time. What better way to spend your long weekends anyway? Be sure to stock up on sandals, sunscreen, and shorts for the ultimate short getaway.

There are so many options out there forweekender bags, but this water-repellent tote from Béis ticks all our boxes and is less than $100.

Weekend trips often mean a jam-packed itinerary, so when you want to sleep, you want to sleep well. Enter Loop, a reusable silicone earplug that allows you to get the ultimate fit (it comes in four sizes) for your best rest yet.

Photo: 19-05-20 Accessories AM1 B1 jent

Forgetting your sunglasses on vacation is a rookie mistake, which is why this pair from Le Specs is almost perfect to just keep in your weekend bag and reserve for that time away. They’re stylish, sturdy, and under $80, in case you end up losing them. When on vacay, right?

Normally, travel containers are not the most stylish or multifunctional. But these Cadence capsules are both of those things and more. Unlike traditional travel containers, these can be used for anything from storing pills and hair gel to necklaces and hand cream. Plus, you can design your own set to include different labels and colors.

You can never go wrong with a button-up, which is why it’s a must-have for any trip, especially a weekend one when space is limited. Wear it on its own, with a dress or pants, or as a cover-up for the perfect versatile piece.

The Tower28 spray is my skin-care savior, and if you’re looking to pack minimally for weekend trips, this is a must-have. Perfect for sensitive skin, it’s multifunctional, and a spritz delivers a refreshing dose of hydration and soothes stressed-out skin.

Anywhere From Five Days to a Week and a Half

A full-fledged vacation that still requires a carry-on may be the hardest to pack for and can take you anywhere from Europe to Cabo to your parents’ house. It’s all about making the most of the room you have, even if you can’t help but pack all your sunglasses, expensive skin care, and new clothes.

This cashmere cardigan is amazing on its own or as a layering piece when you get chilly. Plus, when you’re packing in a carry-on, the more pieces of clothing you can wear in a million different ways, the better.

Whether you’re a sunglasses fanatic or need glasses when you’re walking around, this case from Dagne Dover allows you to bring three pairs in a very compact and convenient case with a spot for a cloth to wipe off all the smudges you’ll acquire.

Frequent-fliers have spoken, and this carry-on isit, ladies and gentlemen. When fully packed, it can exceed what fits in airline overhead bins, but it allows travelers enough room to store all their belongings on longer trips and remains light, sturdy, and sleek. Plus, it comes in six attractive colors and has a USB external battery for those extra-long travel days.

Sometimes those in-between trips are the hardest to pack for, especially if you’re trying to fit everything in a carry-on suitcase. These packing cubes from Calpak are cute and will help keep you organized.

Why not indulge a little while you’re away from home? This kit includes COSRX’s most loved products formulated with snail mucin for extra moisture while you travel.

Senior writer Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz swears by this foldable sun hat no matter the amount of time you plan to spend in the sun. If anything, it’s cute for a photo op or two.

Two Weeks or Longer

Ever since I started wearing trousers on planes, I’ve not only saved room in my suitcases (unless you also have a matching sweatsuit to wear) but also felt more put-together on the go. These comfy but cute pants from Uniqlo can be worn almost every day, making them the perfect pair to travel with for long periods.

A two-in-one product is a godsend on the road, and this Merit cheek and lip balm is highly rated and clean.

$30 at MERIT Buy

The pinnacle of traveling well comes down to one word: Rimowa. Its cases are classic, luxurious, and durable, though definitely an investment. If you’re traveling for long stretches of time, they’re so worth it in the end.

$1,875 at Rimowa Buy

This half-moon bag is perfect for spring, winter, or any season in between. Handmade in Spain, the leather bag features a timeless shape and comes with two straps to wear in a multitude of ways (shoulder, cross-body, or even under the nook of the arm). Take it on day excursions or change it into an evening bag, but no matter what, this is the bag you want to have with you.

Fashion Writer Danya Issawi swears by a Fenty “groutfit” for travel days, underwear included. She describes these ribbed cotton briefs as “comfy enough to sit in for hours on end.” On a long travel day, what more could you want? And on a long trip, reliable underwear is a must.

Traveling for longer than two weeks means you need more than two scents!

A Month or More

We’re way past suggesting hand cream and new luggage because, at this point, you’re practically moving. So these are the things that upgrade you from a casual traveler to a pro and will make your long flight and long stay worth it.

Carrying an extra six pounds might seem crazy, but if you’re on a long flight and you’re staying over a month in your new destination, you might as well be as cozy and comfortable as possible. This travel weighted blanket from Bearaby comes in its own duffel bag, so it can easily be your personal item or be checked in with no problem.

Want to do some full glam while you’re away? This rechargeable and slim travel vanity mirror will allow your makeup to shine wherever you are.

This has been all over my TikTok FYP. It allows you to connect your Bluetooth headphones (think cool-girl-approved AirPod Maxes) to airplane screens, so you can watch your favorite Marvel movie or episode of Sex and the City without worrying about all those pesky cords or uncomfy plane headphones.

$55 at Best Buy Buy

Like a weighted blanket for your eyes, this eye mask is sleep enhancing (which is great for long flights) and made from supersoft silk.

Chances you’ll come back from vacation with more clothes than you went there with are high, so consider packing this foldable nylon tote to hold all your overstock.

Travel with ease knowing that your necklaces won’t get tangled one bit and all your earrings are safe and sound in one place.

Daily Pill Organizer

$5

$10

now 50% off

$5

This pill case is all over my FYP and is small enough to fit in any purse, but has enough storage to hold all your medicine, vitamins, and supplements.

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