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12 Travel Problem Solvers You Never Knew You Needed

Whether you’re headed out on vacation or a work trip, traveling by plane or car, I rounded up the seriously great gadgets I regularly use, guaranteed to make your time away as lovely and organized as possible.

I’ve tested hundreds of products over the years, and these are my tried-and-true, most reliable products I highly recommend. I’ve also included some tips on how to get the most out of them.

12 Travel Problem Solvers You Never Knew You Needed

Luggage Cup Holder

The days of fumbling with your phone (because it’s in your had to scan your boarding pass) and your coffee (because airplane coffee if foul) are over. 

Slide this cup holder over the bars of your roller bag and you’re hands free.

1

Luggage Cup Holder

Amazon

$9.99

Travel Steamer 

I bought this for my most recent girls trip, and found it to be super effective and didn’t take up a ton of space in my luggage.

I always pack my clothes pressed, but no matter what, there will be some wrinkles from being in a suit case, and this travel steamer does the trick quickly and easily. Ideal for touch ups or brings pieces back to life.

Priced at $31.99 with an additional 15% off coupon today at check out.

2

Travel Steamer

Amazon

$31.99

Jewelry Organizer

This jewelry organizer is ideal for travel.

It fits neatly in your carry-on or purse (don’t check your jewelry) and keeps your pieces untangled and perfectly corralled for your trip.

Available for $22.99 in 10 gorgeous colors, including a stunning green and magenta.

Tip! This also makes a fabulous, inexpensive gift. I have a few of these in my gift closet, add a pair of earrings, like these inexpensive trending hoops and you have an under $40 gift any woman would love.

3

Benevolence LA Plush Velvet Travel Jewelry Organizer

Amazon

$22.99

Toiletry Bag

BAGSMART makes some seriously well made, functional and affordable travel items.

It’s high quality,  holds everything you need, wipes off easily and fits neatly in your suitcase.

And I’m not alone in my praise, it has 50,000+ FIVE STAR reviews on Amazon. 

We have three in our house, one for me and one for each of my teenagers.

4

BAGSMART Toiletry Bag

Amazon

$27.99

Foldable Wireless Charger

It’s a well know fact that my home is in a constant state of contention over chargers. 

Where’s my charger? I need a charger? Who took my charger? 

We say charger 400 times a day. 

I bought this for one of my girls for a recent trip she was on and it’s fantastic if you have all Apple products.

(I should note, they do, I don’t.)

It folds up neatly into a little square so you can throw it in your bag and then leave it on your nightstand to charger your iPhone, AirPods and Apple watch all at once. 

5

UCOMX Nano 3 in 1 Wireless Charger for iPhone

Amazon

$39.99

Compression Packing Cubes

If you are trying to maximize space, pick up a set of compression packing cubes.

I use this exact set, also from Bagsmart, and they free up so much room while keeping you organized.

When I don’t need compression, I have a set of these in various colors for everyone in the family. They are incredibly helpful when packing the kids.

6

BAGSMART Compression Packing Cubes

Amazon

$25.49

Collapsible Mesh Foldable Hamper

One of my most brilliant packing strategies revolves around this collapsible hamper.

Last summer, we started renting a place at the shore for a month (we’re doing it again this summer), and packing up a family of five,

including two teenage girls and a five-year-old, for four weeks was insane.

Part of the system was that each girl got one of these hampers, which we filled with their toiletries, hair stuff, favorite blankets, towels, pajamas, underwear, and bathing suits in packing cubes. The hamper and a clear storage container acted as their suitcase.

And then, when we unpacked, this was the hamper in their bedrooms.

They collapse flat when you don’t need them, so they take up no room when stored.

7

Collapsible Mesh Foldable Hamper

$6.99

Kindle Paperwhite

I can read three books, front to back, on a kid-free long weekend. 

I learned this a few years ago in Miami (who reads three books in Miami? Me.) when I tore through the two books I brought and wanted another one.

But bookstores are only a little on every corner down there. 

I eventually found one, but when I got home, I ordered the Kindle Paperwhite so I would never have to leave the pool to find something else to read. 

It’s so lightweight, and takes up no room. 

Now, I use it every day, not just on vacation.

8

Kindle Paperwhite

Amazon

$149.00

Portable Charger

There is nothing worse than being on trip and watching the bars of your phone slowly drop with no way of charging.

This portable charger is on of the most reliable, fast working chargers on the market, with over 40,000 five star reviews.

I always have a few of these charging at home so anyone can grab one and go.

9

Anker Portable Charge Power Bank

Amazon

$49.99

Raycon The Everyday Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds 

picked these Raycon Earbuds up during Amazon Prime Days last year and I can’t recommend them enough.

I go for long walks every morning when we are on vacation, and these are wonderful.

The sound quality is excellent, they are light and easy to charge, feel like nothing in your ear but stay put.

I would pick them over AirPods every time.

10

Raycon The Everyday Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds

Amazon

$79.99

Infinity Pillow – Travel Neck Pillow

I can’t say enough good things about this Infinity Travel Pillow.

It’s soft, breathable, and molds all different ways to help you feel comfortable and relaxed on a flight. You can loop it around your neck prop it up against the window, even place it behind your back.

Available in several colors for $49.99.

11

Infinity Pillow – Travel Neck Pillow

Amazon

$49.99

Travelon Set of 2 Accessory Organizer

Finally, these compartment organizer bags are so simple and so genius. 

You get a set of two for $15 and endless ways to use them. I keep my charging cords, a travel-size Ibuprofen, my True Lime packs, hair ties, mini deodorant, shoe wipes, and a million other things in these.

I don’t save these for travel days; I have these in my car and everyday tote to keep anything the kids or I might need on hand.

12

Travelon Set of 2 Accessory Organizer

$14.69
12 Travel Problem Solvers You Never Knew You Needed
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Megan Kristel

Megan Kristel is an entrepreneur, working mom, and former personal stylist. Tired of the one-dimensional portrayal of women online, she founded The Well Dressed Life as a resource for other professional women.

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Val

Thursday 28th of March 2024

Can you recomend a hard shell suitcase? I am at a loss here. There are 5billion on the interent and most come with good ratings. Loved yesterday's post on travel totes...picking one up this week.

Megan Kristel

Thursday 28th of March 2024

I use the Away brand and really like it. I've had some of them for 5 - 6 years and they are still in like-new condition.

Susan

Wednesday 27th of March 2024

I'll second the Bagsmart compression packing cubes. I haven't really like other packing cubes until I tried these. We were gone five weeks and I had my Eagle Creek carry-on and Bric's weekender bag thanks to the packing cubes.

A tip that works for me is having a carry-on with two wheels. Most are now made with the four wheel spinner. You actually lose space with those. Also soft side is better for space.

Julie B.

Wednesday 27th of March 2024

Great suggestions!

I have to admit the Kindle typo had me excited about a new Kindle accessory. 😄

Beth

Sunday 26th of June 2022

So good! We are currently 2 hours from home on our way backnfrom a 15 day camping road trip from Alberta Canada to L.A. along the West coasr and back via the Grand Canyon. We made good use of portable chargers, laundry bags, and PACKING CUBES which are my new best friends. Love some of the other ideas on here, and may have to implement them on our next vacation. ♡

Valerie

Thursday 23rd of June 2022

Hi! I'm looking for a recommendation on a good carry on travel suitcase. Lightweight, doesn't tip over and doesn't cost a fortune. I know, the holy grail of luggage. Do you have any suggestions?

Claire Hatton

Wednesday 22nd of June 2022

Charger charger charger… HI-LARIOUS But not. Buying a few of your suggestions for the husband who travels. Thanks 😊

Tracy Gray

Wednesday 22nd of June 2022

Love these ideas! Going to order several from Amazon! Great suggestions thank you

Karen

Wednesday 22nd of June 2022

Thanks Megan! I was searching your site this weekend for travel tips - so a very timely post! I watched your video on packing. Do you have any recommendations for travel friendly clothes? I'll be gone for 17 days and am trying to bring only carry on.