With this women’s travel essentials list, you’ll be able to solve travel problems you were never even consciously aware of.
Here are 50+ genius, lifesaving travel essentials for women that you’ll never travel without again.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If a product is purchased using one of the following links, I may earn a small commission from the brand at no cost to you.
Luggage Packing Essentials For Women
1. Hanging Suitcase Organizer Insert
You no longer have to spend a fortunate on those fancy suitcases that hang right up in your hotel room closet.
With these hanging suitcase organizer inserts, you can organize all of your clothes, shoes and accessories immediately when you pack them, and when you get to your hotel, you can hang the whole organizer up in seconds.
Voila! You’ll stay organized the entire trip, and you won’t have to dig through your suitcase ever.
2. Packing Cubes
To be completely honest, I had never used packing cubes until my most recent cruise. I thought they were a little gimmicky, and I was doubtful that they would actually improve my already impeccable packing skills.
Boy, was I wrong. I will never not use packing cubes again.
These Well Traveled packing cubes from Amazon (which Well Traveled generously gifted to me) not only allowed me to pack two weeks worth of outfits in a single carry-on suitcase, but they also kept all of my clothes perfectly organized in my tiny cruise room without the hassle of unpacking every clothing article.
3. Suitcase With A Built-In Phone Charger
SHOP THIS ESSENTIAL ON AWAY TRAVEL
As a traveling woman, you need to make sure your phone and other electronics are always charged. It is essential for your safety.
Sometimes, though, charging your phone while traveling can be a huge hassle. Whether your airport terminal doesn’t have public outlets, you need to use your phone GPS on the go or your phone won’t stay charged after an entire day outside of the hotel, a portable charger is one of the most important women’s travel essentials.
This suitcase charger is also ejectable so that you can carry it in your purse, too.
4. Anti-Theft Backpack with Laptop Case, Charging Port & Suitcase Handle Strap
The anti-theft feature of a backpack is a travel essential for obvious reasons. The laptop case and portable charging features are definite bonuses as well.
However, the suitcase handle strap is what makes this specific backpack a travel essential for women. No more lugging around two carry-on bags uncomfortably through the airport. With this handle strap feature, your backpack slides right onto your suitcase handle.
5. Hanging Toiletry Bag
Purchasing this hanging toiletry bag is a game-changer for traveling women. Here’s why:
- You can conveniently hang it up anywhere: hotel closet rod, hotel shower curtain rod, door knob, towel hook, hostel shower/bathroom door, airport bathroom door, you name it.
- It packs easily because it can lay flat or fold up (or half fold up).
- It has multiple compartments to hold all of your toiletries, makeup, makeup brushes, jewelry, hair accessories, etc.
- The pockets are clear so you don’t have to dig through every compartment.
6. Toothbrush Caps
I will never understand how some people can pack their toothbrush uncovered.
If you’re germ-conscious like me, these cute toothbrush caps are perfect for keeping your toothbrush clean without taking up more space.
7. Travel Jewelry Organizer (Women’s Travel Essentials)
Nothing is more annoying than packing necklaces to match your outfits only to find out that they somehow tangled themselves together, rendering them useless on your trips.
This travel jewelry organizer is a brilliant solution. Apart from the compartments for other jewelry items like rings or earrings, the buttons keep your necklaces from tangling.
8. Bra Organizer Case
Perhaps, you’re packing pretty bras for your upcoming romantic getaway. Or, perhaps, you just love luxury lingerie for the boost of self-confidence.
Either way, this hardshell bra organizer case will help maintain your bras’ shape and preserve them well after your travels.
9. Laundry/Shoe Bags
Keep unworn clothing in your suitcase clean with these collapsible laundry and shoe bags.
10. 2-In-1 Wallet & Passport Holder
This two-in-one wallet and passport holder is thin, secure, easily packable and will undoubtably keep your money, passport, boarding passes and other travel documents organized.
(Pro tip: Always have a photo copy of your passport packed in another suitcase. In the unfortunate event that your passport is stolen while abroad, having a photo copy will make the embassy’s replacement process flow a lot quicker.)
11. Refillable TSA-Approved Perfume Bottles (Women’s Travel Essentials)
I purchased these refillable TSA-Approved perfume bottles this past year, and, let me just say, they are life-changing. Here’s why:
- They are TSA-approved for carry-on luggage liquids.
- You don’t have to worry about your glass perfume bottle breaking in your luggage.
- You won’t have to purchase a separate overpriced travel-size perfume bottle from the perfume brand.
- They are super easy to refill.
- They will hold more than enough perfume for your entire trip.
- There is no more reason to hoard perfume samples. Yay for decluttering!
Travel Essentials For Women’s Carry-Ons
Speaking of TSA-approved travel essentials, traveling with a carry-on can be tedious.
As women, we tend to have a plethora of extra liquids to pack — from liquid makeup to moisturizers to skin care to hair products.
The following items will make packing these liquids nearly mindless.
12. Clear TSA-Approved Quart-Size Cosmetic Bag (Women’s Travel Essentials)
Last week, I watched a YouTube travel essentials guide that mentioned how handy clear cosmetic bags are for travel.
Because they are clear, you will be able to see exactly what you’re looking for when you need it.
To put a cherry on top, this specific cosmetic bag is clear and quart-size, which means all liquids that fit inside will be able to pass through airport security with no issues. You no longer need to stuff your carry-on liquids in a separate plastic baggy.
13. Durable TSA-Approved BPA-Free Containers For Liquids
I’ve had so many cheap travel liquid containers break and crack on trips. Not only is this inconvenient, but it’s horribly messy. These durable silicone travel liquid containers won’t break en route.
Furthermore, they are BPA-free, which means there will be zero harmful plastic chemicals seeping into your products.
14. Non-Liquid Lotion Stick
Another packing hack for carry-on luggage is to eliminate or substitute your liquid products with non-liquid products.
This non-liquid Vaseline lotion stick is perfect, especially for airplane rides. Flying dries out the skin, but a non-liquid lotion stick keeps your hands moisturized without taking up precious liquid space. (It also works great to prevent chafing in hot climates!)
Or, if you would prefer a non-Vaseline alternative, try this lotion stick made with a cocoa-butter base.
15. Non-Liquid Sunscreen Stick (Women’s Travel Essentials)
Similarly, you can buy non-liquid sunscreen sticks to save more TSA liquid space. Even if you are checking your luggage, non-liquid products will prevent unwanted spills and keep all of your luggage mess-free.
I love and always recommend the liquid version of this Nuetrogena sunscreen stick, so I will certainly be testing the non-liquid version on an upcoming trip.
16. Shampoo Bar
Moreover, you can even substitute your travel-size liquid shampoo with a shampoo bar.
This particular shampoo bar is highly rated on Amazon, so I will be purchasing it to try in the near future.
17. Conditioner Bar
While you’re at it, substitute your travel-size liquid conditioner for this moisturizing conditioner bar, too.
18. Travel-Size Razor (Women’s Travel Essentials)
I first discovered this adorable-yet-practical travel razor when I was curating items for my travel stocking stuffer gift guide.
What a genius space saver!
Women’s Travel Essentials For Long Flights
19. Blanket Scarf (Women’s Travel Essentials)
Planes get cold. Like, really cold.
As the name suggests, this fashionable blanket scarf acts as a blanket during a long cold flight.
Plus, because you wear a blanket scarf around your neck, it won’t take up any carry-on luggage space like a normal blanket would.
20. Supportive Neck Pillow
I have a confession.
I hated neck pillows up until our last long-haul flight to Bora Bora. Before this flight, I thought neck pillows were stocky, uncomfortable and more harmful for my neck than good.
However, my husband convinced me to try one again on our eight-hour flight from LAX to Tahiti because I can “never” sleep on flights.
I hate to admit it, but I slept better on those flights than I ever have on a flight before. I think I have to credit this basic neck pillow for the bettered sleep.
21. Silk Eye Mask
As many beauty professionals today claim, silk is better for your skin and hair.
If you’re acne-prone like me, especially on planes, this silk eye mask is a better option that a regular fleece or cotton eye mask.
22. Essential Oils For Motion Sickness And Anxiety (Women’s Travel Essentials)
Essential oils are truly a modern female travel essential, particularly if you ever experience motion sickness and/or anxiety while traveling.
This Migrastil Migraine essential oils roller stick cures motion sickness (from planes, cars, trains, rollercoaster or anything really). I wholeheartedly stand by this and never travel without one. (This is coming from someone who suffers from regular migraines. Trust me.)
You can find my entire list of natural motion sickness remedies here.
In addition, lavender essential oils are known to reduce anxiety and promote rest.
Whether you suffer from travel anxiety or are looking for a natural sleep remedy, this travel-size lavender essential oil roller is phenomenal.
Plus, to further help calm your nerves, you can find my top 20 Bible verses for travel anxiety here.
23. Cleansing Face Wash
I have never regretted washing my face in an airport bathroom during a layover. My skin really seems to dislike traveling, so frequent cleansing is crucial.
My dermatologist recommended this Clean & Clear gentle benzoyl peroxide wash for my acne-prone skin, and I love it. I also recommend this generic version for a fraction of the price.
24. A Good Book
Another valuable lesson I learned on our recent Bora Bora trip is that I love reading on the beach — and on long flights, of course!
Lately, I’ve been raving about James Clear’s Atomic Habits, a chart-topping best-seller about making and breaking habits. If you haven’t read Atomic Habits, you need to ASAP.
Women’s Clothing Items You Need On Every Trip
25. Travel Bra (Women’s Travel Essentials)
SHOP THIS ESSENTIAL ON THE TRAVEL BRA
This women’s travel essential will blow your mind.
A travel bra, like this one, has pockets! You can now safely store money, keys, tissues, tampons, passports, jewelry and any other small valuable on your body, free-handed.
26. Comfortable Bralette
No one enjoys scrunching into a tiny car or airplane seat for hours, let alone, scrunching into a seat while the underwire of your bra pokes through the fabric and stabs you.
I’m convinced that wearing a cozy, wireless bralette is the only other way to travel as a woman besides the pocketed travel bra.
I adore all of my bralettes from Aerie, like this one. Aerie’s lacy bralettes are super soft with no itch. And, they last for years. I wear one on every flight.
27. Walking Shoes That Match Every Outfit
SHOP THE BEST WOMEN’S WALKING SHOES
You’ll likely be walking a significant amount on your trip, regardless of your destination. So, comfortable walking shoes are vital.
But, you probably don’t want to wear ugly, outdated tennis shoes. And you definitely don’t want to stuff several pairs of bulky shoes in your suitcase. Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice cuteness nor space for comfortable walking shoes.
You can find all of the best women’s travel shoes for walking here.
28. Lightweight Jacket That Matches Every Outfit (Women’s Travel Essentials)
SHOP THIS ESSENTIAL ON THE GAP
My go-to lightweight travel jacket is a denim jacket. Denim jackets match every outfit, which means you’ll pack lighter. Also, if you wear the jacket on the plane, you’ll save suitcase space.
Gap sells great high-quality denim jackets, like this one, that are perfect for travel.
29. Cheap Sunglasses
SHOP THIS ESSENTIAL ON ZENNI OPTICAL
Expensive sunglasses are fabulous, but not if they get lost or stolen. It’s better to save your nice sunnies for your hometown and to buy cheap sunglasses for your trip.
That being said, cheap sunglasses don’t need to look cheap, and not even prescription sunglasses have to be expensive. I’m a repeat prescription sunglasses (and glasses) customer from Zenni Optical. As the company’s slogan reads, “trendy, not spendy.”
These Zenni tortoise rectangle sunglasses are my favorite pair of sunglasses I have ever owned.
(Side note: I once lost my Zenni sunglasses in the ocean, and, although it was a definite bummer, it was not a big deal because of how affordable they were. The situation would have been much sadder with an expensive pair of Ray-Bans.)
30. Small Packable Purse
If you are traveling with a backpack as your personal item, which I recommend, you may want to pack another small purse to bring outside of the hotel.
If you packed cute outfits that you don’t want to ruin with a clashing backpack, I suggest bringing this timeless black crossbody purse.
This purse is flat, too, which means it will pack easily.
Women’s Travel Essentials For Safety
31. Personal Security Alarm Keychain (Women’s Travel Essentials)
Solo female travel hack! Travel with this personal security alarm keychain on your purse or backpack so a passerby will know to seek help if you’re in a dangerous situation.
When triggered, the keychain will sound an alarm and flash lights. The alarm acts as a deterrent and is often enough to scare a predator away.
This also makes an excellent gift for any young female traveler.
32. Apple Watch
Never let a stranger know you’re lost. This is an important rule in female travel.
Apple Watches that have GPS capabilities like this one (or other GPS-enabled smartwatches) send directions straight to your wrist. No more looking down at your phone constantly for directions, looking around for street signs confused or looking lost (a female travel no-no), period.
As long as you have internet access before punching in the address, you can trust your Apple Watch for directions while in a strange city. Whenever you check your GPS, it will just look like you’re checking the time.
33. Travel Pack Of Bandages
Don’t forget this travel pack of bandages, just in case.
34. Sunscreen
If you were blessed/cursed with fair, acne-prone skin like me, I recommend the Neutrogena Clear Face oil-free sunscreen with SPF 55. This sunscreen is very lightweight, high-coverage and has never made me break out.
Regardless of whether or not you’re fair-skinned, though, you should still be applying sunscreen everyday to keep your skin safe and healthy.
If you enjoy wearing makeup on your travels, I highly recommend this SPF facial sunscreen spray so you can reapply your sunscreen throughout the day without caking liquid SPF over your makeup.
I’m absolutely obsessed with this women’s travel essentials product.
Women’s Travel Essentials For Health
35. Reusable Makeup Remover Cloth (Women’s Travel Essentials)
Every traveling woman knows the feeling of slight embarrassment after getting a full face of makeup all over the hotel towels. Some hotels even charge for makeup-stained towels now.
This water-activated, reusable, makeup remover cloth solves this problem.
Plus, it is much more sustainable than standard disposable makeup remover wipes. I switched from disposable makeup remover wipes to this makeup remover cloth this year, and I’ll never go back.
36. Travel-Size Hand Sanitizer
When you’re traveling, you don’t always have access to a sink with soap. It sounds gross, but it’s true.
I always make sure to bring travel-size hand sanitizer on every trip. I especially love these essential-oil-infused, stress-relief-scented travel hand sanitizers from Bath & Body Works.
37. LARQ Self-Cleaning & UV Purifying Water Bottle
Much like the necessity for hand sanitizer, you don’t always have access to a sink with soap to wash your water bottles. Furthermore, you rarely have access to purified drinking water while traveling.
The LARQ water bottle has become super popular among travelers within the past year for this reason. LARQ water bottles use non-toxic UV light technology to kill bacteria and self-clean, so you don’t have to worry about filtering your water ever again.
The battery lasts an entire month without charging. Additionally, the bottle is made from BPA-free, plastic-free stainless steel, ensuring that your cold drinks will stay cold, and your warm drinks will stay warm.
38. Clorox Wipes Travel Pack (Women’s Travel Essentials)
You’ll want a few travel packs of Clorox Wipes to wipe down the plane seat, tray table and crumby food court table.
39. Anti-Bacterial Hand Wipes Travel Pack
Despite the practicality of Clorox wipes, they’re extremely harsh on skin.
If you prefer wipes to liquid hand sanitizer (which acts as another carry-on liquid space-saver), a couple travel packs of antibacterial hand wipes will be essential.
40. Flushable Feminine Wipes
Again, flushable wipes apply to the less fabulous side of traveling, but they are still often necessary — especially for women.
As previously mentioned, travelers don’t always have access to clean water, showers or toilets.
To avoid feminine infections, I always travel with these natural, pH-balanced Rael feminine wipe travel packs.
41. Urination Device
You have probably squatted over hundreds of questionable public toilets. Or, perhaps you’re an outdoor adventure who has to squat outside every so often.
I saw an Instagram Reel from a pelvic physical therapist that said it’s bad for your urinary track to squat over the toilet. Now, don’t quote me on this. I have zero medical evidence or fact checking for this. But, it blew my mind.
This female urination device will instead allow you to stand up straight and relieve yourself like a man.
42. Travel Pack Of Toilet Seat Covers (Women’s Travel Essentials)
Some airports, and gas stations and other public restrooms do not have toilet seat covers available.
Again, it’s not good for your bladder to squat over the toilet, so if public toilets freak you out, you’ll need this travel pack of flushable toilet seat covers.
I brought these exact toilet seat covers to Disney World, and I’ll never travel without them again.
Electronics & Camera Gear Essentials For Women
43. Portable Charger
The reviews for this two-pack of charging power banks speak for themselves.
I bought these exact portable charger power banks for my husband and I, and I have zero complaints.
Remember, keeping your phone charged is an imperative women’s travel essential tip!
44. Universal Outlet Adaptor
Did you know that not all countries use the same shape of outlet?
Obviously, this poses a bit of a problem when traveling internationally with electronics. You’ll likely need an outlet adaptor.
And if you travel internationally frequently, buying separate adaptors per country becomes expensive and annoying. That’s why this universal outlet adaptor will save you money, stress and even luggage space.
45. Retractable Power Strip
A little-known travel hack that you’ll no longer be able to live without is packing a power strip — especially when you need an outlet adaptor abroad.
We all know that outlets are sparse in hotel rooms. So, packing a power strip is life-changing when you have multiple devices (phone, laptop, tablet, camera batteries, etc.) to charge.
Plus, this power strip comes with a retractable cord, so you won’t have to deal with a long, thick cord tangling in your backpack.
46. Underwater Phone Case
I’m probably the only travel blogger who will admit it, but GoPros are overrated.
Unless you’re an aspiring travel vlogger or filmmaker, a GoPro is completely unnecessary if you have a smartphone with a nice camera. Even so, as a travel vlogger or filmmaker, you’re still better off investing in underwater housing for your camera over a GoPro.
An underwater phone case, like this one, is a safe and much more affordable way to take underwater photos and videos on your trip.
47. Camera For Travel Photography
If you’re looking for an inexpensive beginner camera for travel photography, I personally recommend the Canon Rebel SL3 DSLR. It’s very high quality (I still use an older version of this camera body for all my photos). And, it comes with a kit lens for your convenience.
If you’re looking into purchasing a nicer lens for the Canon Rebel, I recommend either this wide-angle Sigma f/1.8 18-35mm or this Sigma 35mm prime lens for travel.
If you’re wondering about more of the best budget camera gear for travel photography (and/or more information about these listed lenses), click here.
48. Plane Seat Phone Mount
You seriously need one of these plane/car seat phone mounts, especially for the planes that don’t have TVs on the seats.
49. Travel Tripod
This travel tripod is a lot lighter and less bulky that a regular tripod.
Likewise, it allows you not only to taking gorgeous photos of yourself on solo female travel trips but also of your entire family on family vacations. (Hello, Christmas card pictures!)
It comes with a carry bag, camera mount, phone mount and more.
50. Anti-Theft Camera Bag That’s ‘Personal Item’ Size
I bring this BAGSMART anti-theft camera bag on every single trip.
The removable, rearrangeable compartments allow you to fit all of your camera gear. The top compartment provides extra storage for books, chargers, sweatshirts and other travel essentials.
It has a padded laptop case on the back side, so your laptop is safe and inaccessible to pickpockets. It even has a suitcase-handle pass to slide onto your suitcase handle. The outer material is water resistant, so your camera gear will stay dry while traveling through rainy climates.
And, finally, the backpack is actually cute! Unlike other camera bags, this camera bag actually looks good in photos.
Oh, and it also fits under the seat in front of you, which means you can bring another carry-on with on most airlines.
Am I Missing Anything?
Do you have something you always travel with that you don’t see on this list?
I’d love to hear about it! Comment your best travel essentials for women below.
More Women’s Travel Essentials
Personal Item Packing List: Essentials For A Great Flight
6 Best Women’s Travel Shoes You Won’t Hate Walking In
Makeup For Beach Vacation: Proven Products You Need
Gifts For Her Travel That She Actually Wants
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