heads up: prices shown are typical and change often. check the retailer for today's price
← all lists

holiday travel essentialstravel essentials checklist

Everything for smoother holiday trips: packing cubes, a carry-on that fits, chargers and comfort gear for long flights.

13 picks3 categoriesevery pick researched ✓

Updated October 2026 · save to pinterest

top picks at a glance

Pack

5 picks
Carry-on 7.6score
splurge
nice to have #1 carry-on

Béis The Carry-On Roller

best for: Frequent flyers who overpack

An expandable carry-on with two extra inches of space for holiday gifts and souvenirs.

Expands
+2"
Type
Hardside spinner
the good & the not-so-good
  • Business Insider's best carry-on for extra space
  • Expands when you need it
  • Expensive
  • Check your airline's size limits
~$228typical Standard
4 colors
Carry-on 7.5score
budget
essential

Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner Carry-On

best for: Occasional travelers on a budget

A no-frills hardside carry-on with spinner wheels that fits most airline overhead bins.

Type
Hardside spinner
the good & the not-so-good
  • Cheap
  • Light and easy to roll
  • Less durable than premium luggage
~$60typical Standard
3 colors
Packing cubes 7.2score
mid
essential

Thule Compression Packing Cube Set

best for: Fitting everything in a carry-on

Zip-compression cubes that squeeze clothes down so a weekend bag holds a week of outfits.

Type
Compression cubes
the good & the not-so-good
  • Popular Science editor pick
  • Compression saves real space
  • Pricier than basic cubes
~$54typical Compact
2 colors
Packing cubes 7.5score
budget
nice to have #1 packing cubes

BAGAIL 8-Piece Packing Cubes

best for: Organizing a family's suitcase on the cheap

An 8-piece set in water-repellent fabric for organizing a whole suitcase.

Pieces
8
Fabric
Water-repellent polyester
the good & the not-so-good
  • Lots of pieces for the price
  • Water-repellent
  • No compression
~$25typical Compact
4 colors
Luggage scale 6.8score
budget
nice to have

Etekcity Digital Luggage Scale

best for: Avoiding surprise baggage fees

Weigh your bag before the airport so you don't pay overweight fees on the way home with gifts.

Capacity
Up to 110 lb
the good & the not-so-good
  • Cheap insurance against fees
  • Tiny
  • Single purpose
~$12typical Compact
Black only

Comfort

4 picks
Travel pillow 6.8score
mid
nice to have

Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow

best for: Red-eyes and long-haul flights

A memory foam neck pillow that actually holds your head up on long flights.

Fill
Memory foam
Cover
Washable
the good & the not-so-good
  • Supportive memory foam
  • Washable cover
  • Bulky to carry
~$60typical Compact
3 colors
Sleep mask 8.1score
budget
essential

Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask

best for: Sleeping on planes

Blocks cabin lights so you can actually sleep on the plane.

Material
Silk
the good & the not-so-good
  • Wirecutter testers' favorite mask
  • Breathable
  • Hand wash only
~$12typical Compact
4 colors
Earplugs 8.1score
budget
nice to have

Mack's Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs

best for: Light sleepers

For crying babies, engine noise and snoring seatmates.

Type
Soft foam
the good & the not-so-good
  • Blocked the most noise in Wirecutter's testing
  • Not for everyone's ears
~$10typical Compact
Water bottle 7.7score often $7 off
budget
essential

Owala FreeSip 24 oz

best for: Staying hydrated on travel days

Bring it empty through security and fill it at the gate. Leakproof in your bag.

Size
24 oz
the good & the not-so-good
  • Leakproof
  • Saves buying airport water
  • Lid has more parts to clean
~$30typical$35 Standard
5 colors

Tech

4 picks
Portable charger 7.7score
budget
essential

Anker Portable Charger

best for: Every traveler

Keeps your phone alive through delays, boarding passes and maps.

Type
Power bank
Carry
Carry-on only (airline rule)
the good & the not-so-good
  • Pocket-sized
  • Cheap
  • Power banks must go in carry-on, not checked bags
~$20typical Compact
2 colors
Luggage tracker 6.8score
budget
nice to have

Apple AirTag

best for: Checking bags during the busy holiday rush

Drop one in your checked bag and see where it is from your iPhone if the airline loses it.

Works
iPhone Find My
the good & the not-so-good
  • Peace of mind for checked bags
  • Battery lasts about a year
  • iPhone only
~$29typical Compact
White only
Headphones 7.7score
splurge
nice to have

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

best for: Long flights

Noise canceling turns a loud flight into a quiet one.

Type
Over-ear, noise canceling
the good & the not-so-good
  • Great noise canceling
  • Comfortable for hours
  • Pricey
~$180typical Gift-box
2 colors
E-reader 8.1score
splurge
nice to have

Kindle Paperwhite

best for: Readers who travel

Hundreds of books in something lighter than a paperback. Weeks of battery.

Display
Glare-free
the good & the not-so-good
  • Business Insider's favorite e-reader
  • Weeks of battery
  • Books cost extra
~$160typical Gift-box
2 colors

side by side

questions people ask

What are the essentials to pack for holiday travel?

A carry-on that fits your airline's size limit, packing cubes, a portable charger (in your carry-on, not checked), a refillable water bottle, headphones and a sleep mask for long flights.

Can I bring a portable charger on a plane?

Yes, but only in your carry-on. Airlines don't allow lithium power banks in checked bags.

Are packing cubes worth it?

Yes for most people. They keep outfits organized, and compression cubes can noticeably shrink how much space clothes take up.

0on my list
$0total
0/5essentials