Let’s face it—travel can be chaotic. Between last-minute packing, juggling schedules, and the inevitable “where’s my charger?” moment, even the most seasoned traveler can feel off their game. But with the right essentials and a comfy outfit, getting from point A to point B doesn’t have to feel like a full-blown production.
That’s why we pulled together Bethenny’s go-to travel must-haves—the items she never boards a plane without. Whether it’s a quick work trip or a well-deserved getaway to Puerto Rico, these are the MVPs that make packing smarter, not harder.
From game-changing carry-on essentials (think: noise-canceling headphones, mini beauty heroes, and a neck pillow that actually works) to travel-size beauty products that keep your glow going strong at cruising altitude—this list is all about making travel easier, more efficient, and a little more elevated.
So whether you're a packing pro or a throw-it-all-in-and-pray type, these picks have you covered.
Bethenny’s Go-To Travel Essentials: Must-Have Items for Every Trip
Packing doesn’t have to be stressful—these must-have travel essentials make every trip feel effortless. Whether it’s a quick weekend escape or a long-haul flight, these beauty favorites and organization hacks are total game-changers.
1. The Perfect Carry-On Luggage
When it comes to carry-ons, it’s all about the details. Look for something lightweight, durable, and TSA-approved. A hard-shell design helps protect your valuables and keeps things organized, while spinner wheels and compression compartments make all the difference when you’re on the move. Smart packing starts here.
The Best Splurge Luggage: July Luggage
Buy Now: July, $295
Sleek, as can be, this Australian-designed luggage, crafted from German polycarbonate– a type of plastic that’s essentially unbreakable and keeps your contents safe–, is meant to be brought with you everywhere from business trips to big cities to beach vacations on exotic islands.
Available in neutral colors for the understated traveler as well as more vibrant hues that’ll ensure no one else grabs your bag by mistake, July Luggage is worth its price tag with its smallest carry-on ringing in at $245. We love their extensive list of accessories, too, such as leather luggage tags and packing cubes to keep us organized while on the go.
The Best Lightweight Luggage: Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable with Double Spinner Wheels
Buy Now: Amazon, $200
Both lightweight and durable, the Freeform Carry-On Spinner allows for increased packing capacity in a smart, streamlined design. We love the thoughtful touches such as a built-in ID tag, 1” expansion, and double wheels design. For longer trips, the same Freeform design comes in larger sizes, so you can get the whole set for cohesive traveling.
The Best Budget-Friendly Luggage: Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner
Buy Now: Amazon, $65
WIth over 50,000 reviews, it may be no-frills, but this budget-friendly roller luggage offers everything you need and will get you where you need to go at a fraction of the price of its higher-end counterparts. At just $65, you get a hard shell case,– choose from 5 stylish colors– an interior divider, three zippered pockets, and multi-directional wheels for easy gliding.
Style Tip: A neutral color (black, beige, navy) keeps your luggage looking chic & timeless.
2. Packing Cubes (Because Organization is Everything)
Packing cubes are a game-changer when it comes to staying organized on the go. They help maximize space in your suitcase, keep everything in its place, and make unpacking a breeze. Think: less mess, more room, and a smoother travel experience from start to finish.
The Best Packing Cubes: Lean Travel Compression Cubes
Buy Now: Amazon, $50
This 6-cube set comes with 2 large (15.5 x 11.5 x 4 inches), 2 medium (11 x 11 x 4 inches), and 2 small (11 x 7.5 x 4 inches) cubes, allowing you to organize everything you’ll need for your trip. Its mesh panels come in handy so you can see exactly what’s inside without even having to open and disturb the contents of the cube, and thanks to their compression zippers, they ensure that you’ll have ample space in your suitcase without having to sit on it while struggling with the zipper.
The Best Affordable Packing Cubes: BAGAIL 6-Piece Packing Cube Set
Buy Now: Amazon, $17
If you’re new to packing cubes, this 6-piece set is a perfect intro. For under $20, you’ll get to experience the ease of organized travel, and will never want to set off for a trip without them, trust. They also come in lots of fun colors, are crafted from durable fabric, and have sturdy zippers for stress-free packing.
Pro Tip: Roll, don’t fold clothes to maximize space.
3. Travel-Sized Beauty Essentials
Take your beauty favorites on the go with travel-sized, TSA-approved essentials. These mini versions make it easy to stick to your routine—no matter where you're headed
The Best Travel Moisturizer: L’Oreal Midnight Cream Mini
Buy Now: Amazon, $30
They call it beauty sleep for a reason– overnight is when the skin rejuvenates itself, so it’s super important to feed it top-notch ingredients while you snooze. For the perfect formula, look no further. The L’Oréal Midnight Cream packs antioxidants and has a comforting, luxurious texture that the skin drinks in, revealing a healthy and hydrated complexion come morning (no matter how many hours of shuteye you actually clock).
The Best Travel SPF: Supergoop! Protec(tint)
Buy Now: Supergoop, $44
Available in 14 shades– impressive for an SPF!– this lightweight skin tint offers both protection and coverage. Going on a beach vacay (or any trip really)– this is all you’ll need to look fresh-faced all day. But there’s more; this smart formula also has a hyaluronic acid-infused clay, so you get hydration but with sebum-absorbing benefits– a true one-stop shop for a gorgeous complexion!
The Best Multi-use stick: Ilia Multi-Stick for Cheeks & Lips
Buy Now: Amazon, $36
Sadly, when we travel, we often have to make sacrifices because packing our entire vanity just isn’t realistic. But, that’s where magic multitaskers like this hybrid cheek and lip formula come in. In just one bullet, you get a blush, lipstick, and highlighter for a monochromatic makeup look that goes with everything.
The Best Cleansing Balm: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm Travel Size
Buy Now: Amazon, $18
While this cleansing balm makes an impeccable cleanser for at-home use– it really does take off all types of makeup including waterproof– it’s the absolute perfect formula for traveling because the balm texture doesn’t pose a spill threat. We love nothing more than getting to our destination and smoothing this over our face to melt away the day (and our makeup) while breathing in its spa-like scent of lavender, chamomile, and eucalyptus. Plus, it doubles as a mask!
Pro Tip: Store liquids in a leak-proof toiletry bag like the Travel Makeup Organizer.
4. The Best Travel Pillow & Sleep Accessories
Say goodbye to uncomfortable plane naps. The right travel sleep accessories—like a supportive neck pillow, eye mask, and noise-canceling earbuds—make all the difference when it comes to
The Best Splurge Travel Pillow: Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow
Buy Now: Amazon, $69
How many last-minute airport-bought neck pillows do you have taking up space in your closet? Far too many, we bet. Well, if you had one of these, we can almost guarantee you wouldn’t leave for a trip without it again. Between its ergonomic design, memory foam core, and adjustable fit, this is what sweet dreams are made of– even on a plane.
The Best Affordable Travel Pillow: Cabeau Evolution Travel Pillow
Buy Now: Amazon, $30
For a neck pillow that contours to the shape of your neck and offers extra support to keep your neck from bobbing as you try to nap on the go, the Cabeau Evolution Classic Neck Pillow has you covered. The memory foam core and adjustable strap make it oh-so-comfy while its removable cover allows you to wash with ease as soon as you arrive at your destination.
The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Buy Now: Amazon, $350
An investment? Yes. However, if you not only want to dull out the surrounding sounds, but also want your favorite tunes, podcasts, or audiobooks to sound as clear as if the person singing, talking, or reading, is right there with you, these comfy, Bluetooth headphones are worth every bit of their price tag.
Pro Tip: Hydrate & apply a rich lip balm (like Babe Sleeping Mask) before sleeping in-flight.
5. A Portable Charger (Never Get Stuck With a Dead Phone Again)
Power up anywhere, anytime. A reliable travel charger is a must for long travel days and layovers. Look for lightweight, fast-charging options to keep your devices (and your day) running smoothly.
The Best Travel Charger: Anker Powerbank
Buy Now: Amazon, $60
Despite packing all of the chargers you’ll need, it’s inevitable that at some point you’ll run into a situation where there’s nowhere to plug said chargers. That’s where this handy pocket-sized power bank comes in. The Anker PowerCore can charge up to 3 (!) devices at once, plus thanks to its voltage boost technology, it ensures high-speed charging no matter where you are or where the nearest outlet is located.
The Best Budget-friendly Charger: iWalk Mini Portable Charger
Buy Now: Amazon, $27
Whether traveling overseas or going a few blocks uptown to brunch, we don’t leave home without our mini portable charger. Small enough to fit in a night-out purse, remember to stash this in your bag so you’re never caught at an airport or in an Uber with a dead phone again. (Just be sure you choose the right adapter for your particular phone!)
Pro Tip: Always carry a universal travel adapter if traveling internationally.
6. A Chic, Functional Travel Tote
The perfect travel tote strikes the balance between style and practicality. Think: fits under your seat, holds all your essentials, and looks good doing it. Opt for a design with multiple compartments and a secure zip-top to keep everything in place from takeoff to landing.
The Best Travel Tote: Cuyana System Zipper Tote
Buy Now: Cuyana, $458
A bag that’s both functional and fashionable can be hard to come by, but this tote checks both those boxes and then some. Crafted from soft and supple Italian leather, this bag will wear beautifully over time and last you for many years (and travels) to come. Bonus: it fits a 15-16” laptop and has plenty of pockets for anything else you may need.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep a mini pouch inside for passports, boarding passes & essentials.
Final Thoughts: Travel Smart, Pack Smarter
Say goodbye to packing stress and hello to these travel essentials that make all the difference. We know, you’ve got quite a few extra things to pack now that we’ve let you in on our must-haves for every trip, but we promise they’ll make your life easier– and you may even wind up with some extra room thanks to some of our functional multitaskers! For more packing and jet-setting tips, B has everything you need, right here.
FAQs
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What’s the best way to stay organized when packing?
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Packing cubes help separate items & maximize suitcase space.
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What are the best travel-friendly beauty products?
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Look for multi-use products like Ilia Multi-Stick & travel-sized SPF like Supergoop!
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What’s the best travel pillow for long-haul flights?
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Memory foam options like the Cabeau Evolution Pillow provide neck support.
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What’s the best carry-on bag for under-seat storage?
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The Cuyana System Zipper Tote checks all of the boxes for a carry-on tote bag.
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How do I avoid overpacking?
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Stick to versatile, mix-and-match outfits & limit shoes to 2-3 pairs max.