From packing and unpacking to having to take your shoes off at airport security (yes, I’m still bitter about that), traveling can be a tiresome production. Thankfully, there is a way to make your journey a whole lot easier: with travel accessories! We’ve found the cutest ones for you to take on your next trip, whether it’s a lengthy international excursion or a weekend beach getaway. You may still have to take your shoes off at security, but you’ll be a savvier traveler. So ditch that plain black suitcase and upgrade to some of these amazing finds.
Pretty Passport Protectors
Considering that your passport is one of the most important travel items on your checklist, investing in a case for it is a smart purchase. You’ll be able to distinguish your passport from anyone else’s and it will be easier to find in your bag.
Need to renew your passport or not sure whether or not you even need it for your trip? Check out Contiki’s passport resources.
Happy Elephant Passport Cover, $18, Etsy.com
Hooty Owl Credit Card & Passport Wallet, $22, BuzzLush.com
Scalloped Leather Handmade Passport Holder, $58, Etsy.com
Not Your Grandma’s Fanny Pack
Fanny pack and fashion are rarely used in the same sentence—unless followed by faux pas—but the hip-hugging pouch is no longer just for tacky tourists and soccer moms.
There are undoubtedly ways that rocking a fanny pack can go very wrong, but if you find a cute one it can prove to be a very practical and convenient travel accessory.
Especially useful in crowded places like airports and concerts, fanny packs are hard to lose and pickpocket so they are perfect for the absent-minded traveler.
Nylon Cordura Fanny Pack, $22, American Apparel
Stud Belt Bag, $29, Urban Outfitters
Black Travel Pooch, $48, Lululemon
Keep Calm and Carry-On
A chic, comfortable carry-on bag is imperative for traveling in first-class style, no matter your budget. It can conveniently double as a day bag or evening purse throughout your trip, too. A good carry-on should fit all of your essential items and allow you to access them with ease, without weighing you down. Look for one that has both interior and exterior pockets so that your wallet isn’t just floating freely in a black hole. Contiki Marketing Specialist Heather Metcalf suggests looking for a cross-body bag. “There are a great variety of inexpensive cross-body bags that are perfect for travel,” she says. “They are stylish, comfortable for moving about (since all the weight of the purse isn’t on one shoulder), and perfect for keeping your belongings close to your body.”
Ecote Solid Canvas Backpack, $69, Urban Outfitters
Big Buddha Hanna Crossbody Bag, $90, Macy’s
Steven By Steve Madden Large Crossbody Bag, $98, Nordstrom
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Lovely Luggage
Unless it’s of the emotional variety, baggage is an obvious travel must-have. If you’re going to be lugging that suitcase around throughout your whole trip, you might as well look good while doing it. Steer clear of a plain black suitcase and instead go for a unique print to make sure your bag doesn’t get mixed up with anyone else’s (à la Ben Stiller in Meet The Parents). Unless you’re going backpacking, opt for a suitcase with wheels to give your shoulders a break. If you are going backpacking, fear not—there are options out there that are comfortable yet still cute. Look for one made specifically for women so that it doesn’t overwhelm your frame. As for actually packing that suitcase of yours, Contiki Marketing Intern Igor Bosnic has two key tips for ensuring that everything will fit. “Pack light by keeping weather in mind and bringing clothes that can easily be dressed up or down for sightseeing during the day and hitting the city by night,” he says.
Secondly, he advises anyone traveling with a group to “coordinate accessories together to save room for packing.”
Unsure of what clothes you should actually bring? Read Contiki’s region-specific packing lists.
Betsey Johnson Polka Dot Wheeled Suitcase, $97, Nordstrom
Osprey Kestrel 38 Blue Backpack, $150, Zappos.com
Guess Red Wheeled Suitcase, $165, eBags.com
No One Likes a Wet Blanket (Or Towel)
If you are planning to hit up the beach, a campsite, or a hostel during your journey, a travel towel is an amazing accessory to pack. Travel towels are made of a material that dries insanely fast, so you don’t have to worry about it getting anything else in your suitcase wet. Ashley Woodring, Business Development Coordinator at Contiki, says that a travel towel is “a very useful item to travel with… it folds down smaller than a t-shirt!” She brought it on a 31-day budget Contiki tour and says, “it was so great to use for mornings since it dries within 15 minutes after showering. Many of my travel mates were quite jealous.”
Ultra Fast-dry Towel, $10-30, Discovery Trekking
Eagle Creek Travel Towel, $15-22, The Container Store
Mini Music Miracles
Tune up your travels with adorable, portable iPod speakers. Whether in your hotel room or at the beach, portable speakers bring instant, effortless fun. They’re even small enough to fit in your purse!
Lego Brick Mini Portable Speaker, $11, Hohotrade.com
iHome “CrystalTunes” Portable Speaker, $21, Newegg.com
Ashopton Portable Speakers, $29.50, Jack Wills
Eye (Love These) Masks
From glaring airplane lights to the sun shining through car windows and hotel room curtains, getting quality shut-eye on the road is no easy feat. Struggle no more—an eye mask can help you get the sleep you need while traveling. Make your beauty sleep even more beautiful by getting one with a fun design.
Pink Elephant Sleep Mask, $11, Etsy.com
Owl Sleep Mask, $16, Etsy.com
Cat Eye Sleep Mask With Rhinestone Glasses, $24, Patricia Field
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Neck Savers
The last time I slept on a plane, I woke up to find that my head had accidentally drifted onto the shoulder of the stranger next to me. Worse than the awkwardness that ensued from this unintentional cuddling was the horrible pain that my cramped neck suffered. You can avoid this physical and emotional discomfort by bringing a portable pillow on your trip. With a travel pillow, you’ll be able to rest comfortably on any mode of transport.
Inflatable Fleece Pillow, $8, Fry’s.com
Leopard Travel Pillow, $17, Target
TempurPedic All-Purpose Pillow, $50, TempurPedic
Cute Cosmetic Cases
Don’t throw your toiletries and makeup into any old bag—keep ‘em organized in a compact cosmetic case. The many different compartments will prevent any liquid leakage from ruining the rest of your products and they’ll also keep your toothbrush from mingling with your foundation brush. Roll-up or hanging cases are especially efficient for travel. Metcalf recommends the Fossil ‘Key-Per- Hanging’ toiletry bag. “It folds up so it’s not bulky, but is spacious enough to hold all your essential toiletry items,” she explains. “Also, it has a smaller plastic pocket perfect for storing your jewelry. Another amazing thing about this item is that the bottom pocket is detachable so you can pack it separately or use this section as a makeup bag. So versatile!” Here are some other options.
Stephanie Johnson Gidget Compact Brush Case, $21, Neiman Marcus
Vera Bradley Essentials Cosmetic, $23, Vera Bradley
Hadaki Floral Hanging Roll-Up Makeup Pod, $28, Zappos.com
Your Bling’s BFF
Necklaces have a frustrating way of getting inextricably tangled together when put in a bag. With a jewelry organizer, however, you can store your bling in style and avoid those pesky knots. As with the cosmetic case, one that rolls or hangs is a great pick. Jewelry organizers are a diamond’s best friend.
Household Essentials Black Jewelry Roll, $10, Target
Stella & Dot Teal Jewelry Roll, $44, Stella & Dot
Trifold Jewelry Travel Organizer, $45, Etsy.com
Miscellaneous Must-Haves
The experts at Contiki have a few more suggestions of little items you may not have thought of to bring. Pack these handy accessories to make traveling even more of a breeze.
- Travel alarm clock –“Useful for those early morning wake-ups,” Woodring says.
- Reusable water bottle – “Not only will you travel more ‘green,’ but you’ll save money, and they have cute styles,” Woodring says.
- Map – “Crumpled City Maps are awesome!” Online Marketing Specialist Delphia Weissert says.
- Baby wipes – “Extremely handy for when there isn’t a soap dispenser or you spill something,” Woodring says.
- Zip-Loc bags – “You never know what you will bring back, or if something needs to be leak-proof for the return back. It’s a great organizing tool for any bag or suitcase,” Marketing Intern Igor Bosnic says.
- Travel journal – “There are many memories you don’t want to forget, so being able to reflect on the day’s adventures and writing it down in one place is great,” Woodring says.
No matter what kind of trip you are taking or what type of traveler you are, any of the accessories mentioned will make your journey more convenient, organized, and, of course, cute. Happy travels!
Travel accesories rep image via Shutterstock