Shop all of her packing essentials at Amazon from $5
Traveler-Approved Packing Essentials at Amazon
- Airport Uniform: Sampeel Matching Lounge Set, $26 (orig. $35)
- Never Travel Without: Holii Travel Pill Organizer, $5 (orig. $6)
- Reliable Trip Companion: Iseyyox Foldable Charging Station, $27 (orig. $43)
- Non-Negotiable: Bagail Compression Packing Cubes, $20 with Prime (orig. $28)
- Bye Bye Tangled Cords: Fyy Travel Cable Organizer, $10 (orig. $13)
- Compact and Spacious: Bagsmart Hanging Toiletry Bag, $13 (orig. $23)
- Writer-Favorite: Verb Ghost Hair Oil, $19 (orig. $22)
After 42 years of travel experience from work trips to family vacations, my mom has more than earned her title as my family’s go-to travel expert. As I was growing up, she drilled her packing tips into me, and now I can pack two weeks’ worth of clothes into a carry-on without issue.
Her packing hacks involve genius essentials that have made traveling a lighter, easier, more organized experience for over 20 years. Below, I share her must-have products and the tricks she gave me to seamlessly pack a carry-on for two-week trips. Bonus: Everything can be found in Amazon’s travel shop from $5.
Related: I’ve Been to 28 Countries on a Budget, and These Under-$30 Essentials Help Me Pack Smarter for Every Trip
Sampeel Matching Lounge Set
$35
Building a travel capsule wardrobe is crucial if you want to have ample options without checking a large suitcase. That includes a comfy airport outfit you can mix and match with your other clothes. I was able to wear up to three different outfits a day just by packing clothing that paired well with other pieces in my carry-on. This matching set looks polished and has a soft and stretchy material. One shopper wore it on a 14-hour international flight and compared them to “pajamas.”
Holii Travel Pill Case
$6
This is at the top of my mom’s packing list no matter if it’s a weekend getaway or week-long trip. Pill bottles take up a lot of precious luggage space, but with this sleek case you can sort vitamins into their own compartment by day or type. Bonus: It’s small enough to slip into your purse or a suitcase pocket.
Iseyyox Foldable Charging Station
$43
Instead of packing a mix of cords, this folding charge station cuts down your packing list and is compact enough to slip into a purse, too. You’ll always see one with my mom because, as she puts it, you don’t know how many outlets will be in a hotel room — and it prevents a mess of electronics scattered all over the hotel room.
Bagail Compression Packing Cubes, $20 with Prime
$28
This set of packing cubes compresses everything to not only allow space for souvenirs in my carry-on, but to keep everything organized. I keep my tops and dresses in one, bottoms in another, and socks and underwear in the smallest bag — though my mom says you can separate everything by outfits. On my trip, I easily fit six tops, two skirts, a dress, and four bottoms — with room to spare.
Fyy Travel Cable Organizer
$13
Carrying a tech organizer has pretty much eliminated unnecessary travel tangles with chargers and cords. I appreciate how there are separate pockets for cords, my portable charger, and earbuds case. Since everything’s in one place, I can easily reach for my tech, say on a plane, without risk of dropping anything under the seat. Plus, the case isn’t bulky.
Related: Oprah, 72, Is an Expert Traveler — That’s Why I, 27, am Shopping Her Favorite Gear to Take on the Go, from $20
Bagsmart Hanging Toiletry Bag
$23
A hanging toiletry bag will level-up your travel experience, trust me. Instead of having to pull everything out just to find that one lotion, you can unfold this toiletry bag, hang it on the hotel door and see everything all at once. It seriously cuts down on getting-ready time and keeps everything in one place — so you don’t have to worry about accidentally forgetting something on the bathroom counter.
Verb Ghost Hair Oil
$22
Instead of packing your entire beauty routine for a trip, my mom suggests utilizing hotel cosmetics, which usually include a hair dryer, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. We do still pack our go-to hair oil because it smooths frizz, protects against heat, and adds some shine. Verb’s oil is one of my favorites given its subtle fragrance and lightweight feel — sans greasy residue.
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