14 Must-Have Travel Accessories That Will Transform Your Economy Seat Experience
by Elizabeth Lilly · BuzzFeed1. These self-heating soothing foot masks made with Epsom salts, lavender, and peppermint perfect for using after a day of clocking in 20,000 steps while exploring a new city. After all, your travel bud REFUSED to rub your feet last time.
Emma Lord/BuzzFeed
Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action.
Promising review: "Wow! These are awesome! They feel warm and tingly while they are on. My feet were so soft afterward. I’d buy again!" —Patrick Leary
Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $27.60.
2. This Kahi Wrinkle Bounce Hydrating Multi-Balm, a TikTok-famous Korean beauty product combines several products into one skincare step. Reviewers use it on their face, lips, eyes, and neck to help reduce fine lines and make you look all ~glowy~ thanks to ingredients salmon complex and collagen.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the wrinkle balm in action.
Promising review: "Okay! So I was skeptical at first, but honestly this stick is life-changing!!! In a matter of minutes, my skin felt hydrated and plumped. After an hour, still hydrated. No greasy after feeling, very light, and you can feel your skin hydrated and absorbing. I love the fact that you can use it on your eyes, lips, and wrinkles!! Game changer for me, will def try the others!" —Kristy
"This stuff makes my face feel so soft and has a nice scent. I use it every day and will buy it again when I run out!" —Cyndy1
Get it from Amazon for $35.
3. Plus, The SAEM Iceland Hydrating Eye Stick is a cooling eye stick made with *actual* Icelandic glacial water to depuff your tired under eyes. Oh, and it just feels really, really refreshing.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Love, love this product. I place it in the fridge. I travel a lot and I get jet lagged with under eye bags. As soon as I place this product on, my bags are gone. It’s a little miracle. Just ordered two more." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $23.
4. This compact eight-compartment pill organizer so you'll have space for all the stuff you take from all the delicious food that sometimes makes you feel bad on your travels.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "My husband and I travel a lot and take a number of prescription drugs. It was always a hassle accessing our medication when needed, so I purchased this organizer to make things easier. I used a label maker and labeled each little compartment and it has performed wonderfully. I highly recommend this organizer to anyone who travels and needs medications throughout the day." —Jacqueline
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $21.86.
5. This memory foam seat cushion with an ergonomic design and gel layer for cradling your behind while you're in your car or plane seat off to your next adventure. After all, you don't want a sore behind once you get to your destination.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Lots of reviewers who drive for a living rave about it.
Promising review: "I got this for a return flight because I was sitting on a metal bar in the seat for five hours. I had it shipped to my hotel. It made a huge difference in sitting in my seat on the way home. I was comfortable and not grumpy." —Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (available in three color combos).
6. This Apple AirTag for each bag to give you peace of mind even if you're driving to your destination and are just leaving your luggage at the hotel before check-in time!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Storytime: After traveling summer 2022 carry-on only, and being a person who tries to carry on whenever possible, I finally bought a couple of Apple AirTags during 2022 Black Friday sales. And I am SO grateful I did. My normal carry-on bag was too big to fit the Lufthansa luggage requirements (and BOY, do they check that!) so I had to check my bags for a December 2022 trip to Vienna and back from Prague (with a layover in Frankfurt). My bag didn't make it onto the plane in Frankfurt, and once I landed in Newark, New Jersey, I pulled up the app on my phone and saw that yes, my backpack AirTag was indeed with me, but my suitcase AirTag was still in Germany. (The screen grab is from an Amazon review, but you get the gist.) The AirTag also helped me track FedEx's delivery of the suitcase to my parents' house, where I was spending the holidays immediately after my Europe trip ended. I was even able to see it on a highway less than an hour's drive from my parents' house. TL;DR: I think AirTags are very much a worthwhile investment if you travel a few times a year. And I'm not the only one who thinks so.
Promising review: "This was my very first AirTag, but it will not be my last. I travel quite a bit, and it's comforting to be able to watch your luggage as it travels with you through the airport, into baggage claim, and back out. I've heard of a few success stories with lost luggage in which these things saved the day. Worth the price, and the setup is super easy with an iPhone. I appreciate that you can name them and assign your favorite emoji to the display. Will be purchasing more for myself and as gifts." —Malissa
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $148.
7. This portable handheld fan for those moments when the breeze takes a break. Oh, and it's also a power bank *and* flashlight. So you'll be sure to find all sorts of other uses for it.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the portable fan in action.
I own this and use it ALL the time. It comes in handy in a variety of situations at home *and* while traveling — especially when you're sitting in a stuffy plane in Miami in July with the doors open, waiting for the pilot to board and take off. I def got some jealous side-eyes from other passengers as I kept myself cool with this.
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in four colors).
8. Plus, a stroller fan with bendable foam legs for wrapping around a stroller, car seat, or pretty much anything to keep your lil' munchkin cool as a cucumber, even when it's a gazillion degrees outside.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "We bought this for a road trip with our little one, who is still rear facing — it was perfect! We knew the seat was warm from just driving around town and wanted to make sure it was comfortable for a long drive. It kept it cool, isn’t loud, and love that we could plug it in vs. only the battery. We use it regularly in town now, too." —K Maddock
Get it from Amazon for $37.99 (available in three colors).
9. This luggage-mounted cup caddy with a pocket for your bagel or croissant (look at you being fancy so early in the morning!) so you can steer your way to your airport gate with your caffeine in tow.
Promising review: "It’s perfect to stay in the outer suitcase pocket. Pull it out for mealtime and slide it back in. It made the speedy airport meal at the gate so much more comfortable." —Christen
Get it from Amazon for $50.68.
10. This set of storage scrunchies for helping you stash your lip balm, cash, keys, and more while you're out and about. After all, you don't want to spend precious vacation time on making your hair look like you got a $$$ blowout.
LOKI STASHED is a small biz specializing in these scrunchies. See them in action on TikTok here!
Promising review: "I use these every time I travel. Perfect for holding a key or some rolled-up bills for emergencies. Comfortable and reliable." —Poke-me-in-the-coconut
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $32.50 (available in multiple colour combinations).
11. This Airfly wireless transmitter that'll let you connect your AirPods or any wireless headphones to your airplane seat...even without Bluetooth! That way you won't have to deal with uncomfy airline-supplied ear buds that'll work with the seat TV.
It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual.
Promising review: "Just got back from a 3 week holiday to Spain and London. Used this on the plane and it made all the flights bearable. Connected easily to my earbuds and just watched one movie after another and no problem at all. I always have trouble sleeping in the plane and this was a lifesaver. No messy wired earphones and when I needed to get up, I just popped the earbuds back in the case so I don't lose them; it's so small so no problem putting them in my bag with my USB cord so I can recharge. Lasted the whole almost 23 hour flight from Sydney to Spain, then on the way back London to Sydney."
Get it from Amazon for $59.99.
12. This bendy travel pillow can help you catch up on some sleep you sacrificed for that budget-friendly morning flight. Buy that window seat, bring this versatile pillow.
Promising review: "This is great for people who like the U-shaped neck pillows but hate the 'chokehold' feeling that design often feels like. It twists easily, stays in position, doesn't pinch, can be washed for freshness, and shoves pretty darn well into any backpack, laptop bag, or luggage. Bought one for mom, she looked it so much and raved about it that I got one for myself and I do not regret it." — M.S.
Get it from Amazon for $24.64 (available in nine colors).
13. A set of affordable, highly popular wireless Bluetooth earbuds some reviewers compare to AirPods for significantly cheaper. They'll be perfect for listening to a podcast while you take a train ride to that cute little town you've been meaning to visit.
14. And finally, this inflatable foot rest you might have to buy several of so everyone in the family has one of their own. You can inflate it to three different heights!
Promising review: "Couldn’t afford the big brand version so took a chance and chose these. They worked brilliantly and you can adjust the air volume so they level with the seat. Kids slept whole flight and didn’t deflate. Bought a separate USB pump which was really useful. Thought they’d be tatty but actual great quality for what we paid. You can part inflate if using as a foot rest for adults which my mother in law found a real comfort with the one she had."
Get it from Amazon for $35.99.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.