Traveling can be stressful, so here are some hacks we’ve discovered to make the trip a little more bearable.
By now, everyone knows to toss Apple AirTags ($23.99 for one) into their luggage, so in case the airplanes can’t locate it, you’ll see where it’s gone on vacation. (Once, I went to NY on business, and my wayward luggage decided to visit Paris. Guaranteed it had a better time than I did.)
- AirTags
2) Twelve South AirFly Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter ($ 44.99.) We hate those skimpy little airline-supplied headphones (who doesn’t?), so we always pack the AirFly Duo (which allows you to plug in two headphones. ) Simply plug it into the headphone jack, and it connects with your AirPods so you can listen to the airplane seatback TV. It’s small enough to stash in your purse/bag/backpack and can last up to 16 hours on a single charge. Don’t leave home without them.
3) STNKY bag ($28): These genius bags effectively lock in germs, moisture, and odors and keep your dirty stuff separate. We discovered these after one of my first trips with my husband, when his stinky socks permeated the hotel room. Sometimes, we’ll toss his shoes in with his sneakers and seal the bag. Also, the built-in wash net means you don’t need to touch any of the dirty clothes—just dump ’em in the wash. Get the small size for travel.
4) We know we need a hat on vacation, but they are so cumbersome to travel with our favorite chapeau usually stays home. Until now. TOPTOTE BY LINDSAY ALBANESE ($55) lets you go hands-free with an ingenious magnet that attaches to your bag or luggage. Brilliant.
5) We want to bring our favorite lux scent with us when we travel and not rely on the tiny bottles supplied by the hotel, so we were delighted when Kai Fragrance came out with these minis, which are small enough to fit in our cosmetics case. Now we smell great even after a sweaty day of sightseeing.
Kai travel
6) Airplane drink holder. $12.65. We’ve spilled our drink on the airplane — even without turbulence — too many times to count, so now we travel with this little gizmo. It’s the small things.
7) Pear Compression socks ($25). These are now recommended not just for older travelers with blood circulation issues but also for all adults. They’re cute enough that no one will guess they’re healthy anti-swelling compression socks.
8) Birdie. $23.94. We always carry this personal alarm device when we walk our pups at night at home and realized it would be great for trips, especially as a woman traveling alone. Pull out the top pin to activate the loud siren and flashing strobe light. It’s small enough to throw in your purse or keep it on your keychain. Safety first.
9) Our favorite travel brush—and the only one you should use on wet hair—the TANGLE TEEZER Compact Detangling Hairbrush ($20.) is perfect for travel. It fits into a removable cover so you can keep the teeth clean during trips. We loved them so much we bought one for all our girlfriends.
10) Berocca Performance tablets ($21.) are our secret travel hack. We discovered them years ago in Australia, and before they were available here, we would smuggle cylinders back in our suitcase. The effervescent tablets are perfect for travel since they boost immunity and give you energy. The combo of B vitamins and minerals helps us ward off illness too.
Happy travels!