50+ Must-Have Travel Essentials for 2025, According to Vogue Editors


This is also the time to take stock of some less-obvious travel items designed to ease the in-flight experience. Think beyond chargers and adapters—a soft eye mask, packable blanket, and neck pillow are all critical to making a red-eye just a little more bearable, particularly when they come in smooth silk, plush cashmere, and padded memory foam. If you’re traveling with a furry friend, a stable but stylish-looking pet carrier is a must; if you’re traveling next to someone’s furry friend, you may be happy you picked up a set of noise-canceling headphones now. Our packing list also includes the handbag essentials and airport outfit staples you need for an elevated travel experience. What’s more, every piece here makes the perfect travel gift for your jet-setting friend. Bookmark this now, and come back to reference later when you need a last-minute present.

Keep scrolling to shop Vogue’s edit of the best essential items for travel, from luggage to in-flight accessories to a comfy outfit that requires minimal effort to pull together.

The Checked Suitcase

When it comes to travel essentials for a longer trip, a roomy checked bag is a must. Brands like Rimowa, Tumi, Away, and Carl Friedrik all offer well-designed options in medium and large sizes. Look for something crafted in sleek aluminum or durable polycarbonate with an interior compression system for luggage that’ll see you through years of travel to come.

Carl Friedrik

The Large Check-in suitcase

The Carry-On Suitcase

Tight layovers and sneaky checked bag fees mean one thing: it pays be to a carry-on-only traveler. Compact rolling suitcases with telescopic handles and spinner wheels make gliding through TSA all the easier; bonus points if you choose one with expanding capabilities, like these from Béis and Antler.

The Weekender Bag

Be it an oversized tote or a designer duffle, this size is ideal for quick one- or two-night trips. (Plus, because the softer fabric makes these bags easily packable, you can always stash one in your checked suitcase to use as your cabin personal item in case you end up with one too many souvenirs.) L.L. Bean, Alex Mill, and The Row make their weekenders in durable canvas, while Massimo Dutti’s suede design is a polished investment.

The Row

Idaho leather-trimmed tote

The Travel Backpack

The very best backpacks blend form and function: Simple silhouettes combine with multiple compartments for chargers, water bottles, and even pairs of shoes. Add on laptop and trolley sleeves and adjustable straps, and these daypacks end up being quite the versatile travel essential. Everlane has a great under-$150 one, while Prada’s luxe version is made from recycled materials and is worth every penny.

Prada

Re-nylon and saffiano leather backpack

The Cosmetics Case

Travel-sized toiletries may be the bane of many travelers’ existences, but these pouches will keep your miniature lotions and potions organized. Cuyana’s set is great for separating your makeup from your skincare.

The Travel Jewelry Case

With dedicated departments for all your baubles, these cases from Mejuri, Monica Vinader, and more make it easy to keep your accessories tidy. Because no one wants to spend valuable vacation time untangling necklaces.

The Packing Cubes

As any seasoned traveler will tell you, packing cubes are key to making the most of limited suitcase space. Choose a pack with compression to squeeze in even more (and if you love a monogram, a set like Calpak’s offers personalization).

Monos

compressible packing cubes

Béis

The Compression Packing Cubes

The Luggage Tag

This is a small but mighty travel accessory whose worth will not be recognized until your bag is lost or delayed and needs to find its way back to you (knock on wood, god forbid!) . Have fun with it by picking one in a textured finish, like these from Aviteur and Bottega Veneta.

The Passport Holder

Keep your most valuable travel essential—your passport—protected and secure with a stylish cover. The best ones have enough room for your boarding passes and credit cards, too; brands like Aspinal of London and Smythson will even let you monogram the cases (perfect for gifting!).

The Eye Mask

There’s not much that’s glamorous about a red-eye or early morning flight, but you can boost your odds of getting some rest with an eye mask. Crafted from handwoven cashmere and soft silk, this crop of sleep masks will infuse a little luxury into a 4 a.m. call time (and maybe even help you fight jet lag the next day).

The Travel Pillow

Cumbersome to carry but oh so worth it when you land without a kink, a good neck pillow makes travel infinitely more comfortable. From silk-covered memory foam—Slip’s is an editor favorite—to ergonomic designs, these make a good investment for the frequent flyer.

Ostrichpillow

Go memory foam travel pillow

The Travel Set

Withstand arctic temperatures on your plane, train, or bus with one of these cozy travel-sized blankets. Our favorite sets all come with some sort of storage pouch to minimize the space they take up in your luggage when not in use.

Pink Lemonade

reversible stripe blanket travel set

Ralph Lauren Home

Iconic Cable Cashmere travel gift set

The Noise-Canceling Headphones

Comfort isn’t solely about pillows and masks; sound is a hugely significant component, especially if you’re trying to work or relax in transit. These headphones and earbuds block out noise and offer immersive audio for streaming your downloaded podcasts and movies.

The Pet Carrier

It’s difficult to find pet carriers that are both stylish and safe, but labels like Fable, Max Bone, Delsey, and Béis are slowly bridging the gap with these carry-on options.

Delsey Paris

Chatelet Air 2.0 pet carrier

The Handbag Essentials

Your suitcase is zipped up, your seat is confirmed, your travel outfit is laid out—all that’s left now is for you to pack your handbag. With the tech gadgets and non-negiotables (i.e., your passport and ID) tucked away, hand sanitizer and hand cream are next on our list; try Aesop’s rinse-free hand mist and Chanel’s rich moisturizer to combat dry cabin air. Finally, keep hair tidy with a travel-sized brush you can use right before landing—La Bonne Brosse’s hair brush is a noted editor favorite.

La Bonne Brosse

N.02 The Small Essential Hair Brush

The Travel Look

There are many ways to travel in style, but if you lean towards something casual for an international trip, opt for pieces you can mix and match with the rest of your vacation wardrobe. A sunny, slouchy sweater like this one from Donni is a great way to stay comfortable in-flight, and you can wear it later over a poplin dress on chillier evenings by the sea. Similarly, a versatile tee and a pair of retro runners are always a win.

Donni.

The Cotton Knit V-Neck Sweater



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