My Amazon Travel Essentials
My closet may tell a different story, but when it comes to travel, I truly believe less is more and try to keep things as efficient, streamlined, and simple as possible.
Whether you’re traveling far or keeping it local, Amazon’s two-day and same-day shipping options are ideal for all of the last-minute essentials, especially if you procrastinate when it comes to packing, though you sometimes have to do your research to find the diamonds in the rough. Below, I’m sharing my tried and true favorites that I rely on whenever I travel. They’re high-quality, practical items that I bring on every trip, and I hope they help you become an efficient, stress-free traveler, too.
best travel items from amazon
luggage scale
I'm not one to overpack, but I like the peace of mind of knowing I’m not going to be close to the airline’s weight limit, risking an oversized bag fee. And if we’re being really honest, I like knowing how much wiggle room I have for shopping and bringing back souvenirs with me. This scale saves me money and time; I keep one at home and depending on the length of the trip and what we’re doing, I’ll bring one with me just to be safe.
tech case
I travel with a lot of electronics - phone, camera, Kindle, laptop, etc. - and everything somehow needs a separate charger. It can get overwhelming, so I love having a designated travel case just for chargers and little things like adaptors or camera SD cards. It may seem counterintuitive to not keep the proper device with its charger, but I don’t need the chargers as often as I need the device, so storing separately keeps things more organized. This case compacts everything nicely and protects your chargers without taking up too much space (or weight).
portable charger + lightning charger
You may get a phone charger when you buy your phone, but lightning chargers are 100% worth ordering separately if you have an older phone like me. Since they come in a two pack, I keep one in my carry-on and one in my main suitcase just in case something gets lost or someone else forgets to pack one and wants to “borrow” yours. They charge your phone so quickly, which is ideal when you sometimes have to charge it more than once a day or have a long travel day ahead. I also love this portable charger for when I’m on the go; they also come in a two pack, and you can click here to shop.
clear pouch organizers
i truly believe the key to organized travel is having a pouch or bag for every item, so you don’t have to shuffle through your whole suitcase when you’re looking for something. These clear pouches are an absolute lifesaver, and I like that they’re clear so you can see what’s in them without having to open them. Some people prefer one larger toiletry bag, but I like separating things by type and it minimizes the chance everything will get dirty if something accidentally spills or leaks. I use the small and medium sizes the most, but usually end up packing at least one large bag, too.
packing cubes
I used to think packing cubes were overhyped and too much of a hassle, but I just needed to figure out how to make them work for me in order to see the benefits everyone raves about. My best advice is to decide if you want to organize by category (shirts, pajamas, jeans, etc.) or use a cube for each individual outfit, then you can play around with what sizes you like. Every Amazon set comes with a variety, but I get the most use out of the small and medium bags. I also like to get a few different colors, so you can color code what you have and it’s easier to tell them apart in your suitcase. This is probably the one time I advise against getting black cubes, since they just blend in with your suitcase, and Amazon has a ton of fun colors and prints to choose from. I’ve found that living out of a suitcase is so much easier when you don’t have to dig through lots of folded (or rolled) piles anytime you need to find something because everything is organized in its own separate cubes.
laundry bags
I have terrible OCD when it comes to things that I deem “dirty” and dirty clothes are a big one for me. I love these bags for keeping my dirty clothes separate, and it helps to have a head start on my post-travel laundry by sorting lights and darks in these laundry bags before I even get home. They are breathable, so I will sometimes place these in a sealable Zip-loc (I love these because they’re huge) for an extra layer of separation from my clean clothes.
travel steamer
Most hotels still provide an in-room iron, but steamers are so much more convenient if you have the extra room in your suitcase. This one heats up really fast and gets deep wrinkles out. If I can’t bring a steamer, I’ll spray my clothes with Downy Wrinkle Releaser and then hang them in the bathroom while O shower and allow the steam to loosen the wrinkles out, but if you can pack one, I highly recommend bringing the steamer.
padded laptop case
It may not be the sleekest design, but it’s extremely lightweight and the padding really helps protect your laptop from all of the bumps that come with a long travel day. It’s durable, cute, and really high quality for the price. I have the light green, but also love the pink - getting a color that’s not black helps it stand out in your bag (or from other people’s luggage in the TSA line, just to be safe).
essential oil diffuser
This diffuser is the perfect size for travel; it’s lightweight and takes up less space in your suitcase than a pair of shoes, but is strong enough to fill the entire hotel room. It may seem a little excessive to bring a diffuser when you travel, but this helps me fall asleep easier, eases my travel anxiety, and I swear it keeps my migraines under control, too. This is probably one of my top Amazon purchases of all time; it’s my go-to gift for anyone on my list who travels a lot, especially for work.
