Ah, the airport. The place where you can order a cocktail at 8 a.m., where duty-free shopping makes luxury purchases feel rational, sleeping on the floor is perfectly acceptable, and that $9 bottle of water is simply “just part of traveling.”
This suspension of social norms can sometimes make airports feel like the Wild West. With so much of the air travel experience beyond our control, the little things—like a fully charged phone or a free hand while juggling coffee and a boarding pass—start to feel like small victories. To help me manage the terrain, I have amassed an arsenal of lightweight gadgets, tested over my years as a travel writer, that I routinely rely on at the airport.
Offering hands-free function, organization, and connectivity, my seven go-to airport essentials have helped me learn that while I can’t control flight delays or the mad dash of a last-minute gate change, I can control how prepared I am for that strange little world that exists between curbside and baggage claim.
Guanjunx
Luggage straps bag bungee
I can’t begin to explain how much I love this $7 organizational miracle. Especially useful for overpackers and parents traveling with little ones, this luggage strap has saved me from graceless juggling acts more times than I can count. I find it particularly useful in the colder months when I stack and secure my bulky winter coat and my personal item onto my rolling suitcase, leaving me completely hands-free. Its simple snap buckle closure makes it a breeze to use and it’s machine washable, so all your gear remains germ-free.
Charmast
10000mAh portable charger
It’s a bad day at the airport when your tech goes kaput. That’s why you’ll always catch me traveling with a portable charger. My favorite features three built-in charging cables (USB-C, micro-USB, and Lightning), so I never have to deal with that inevitable forgotten cord. With its three additional ports, it can charge six devices at once and won’t get confiscated at security as it’s TSA-compliant. The digital display lets me know just how much juice I’ve got, and best of all, it’s available in nearly a dozen colors.
Thanks to my toddler, I can still conveniently use the built-in cup holders on her stroller to secure my airport coffee, but the day is nigh when we’ll start traveling without the wheeled wonder—and when that day comes, I’m ready to pull the trigger on Riemot’s dual travel cup holder. The price is right at $14, and I’m obsessed with not only how easily it attaches to a suitcase’s handlem but how it folds completely flat when not in use. Because it is equally important for me to be fully caffeinated and as hands-free as possible on travel days, this feels like the kind of airport upgrade I’ll wonder how I ever lived without.
Nefeeko
Collapsible water bottle
I just recently replaced my Yeti travel tumbler with Nefeeko’s collapsible silicone water bottle and it’s been a game changer. While it doesn’t compare to the Yeti in terms of insulation, it more than makes up for it in convenience and portability. When collapsed, the lightweight bottle is compact enough to fit into any small purse or coat pocket. Its shatterproof design is a must for travel days and its food-grade, BPA-free silicone makes it dishwasher safe. I also love that I can use the attached carabiner to secure the folded bottle to my carry-on, allowing me to zip through security and head to my favorite lounge for a fill-up without having to first excavate half of my luggage.
Newvanga
All in One worldwide plug adapter
Layovers are part of the travel territory. And with this universal adapter compatible with over 200 countries, a few hours to kill in an international airport gets a little easier. A convenient one-time buy, it features two USB ports (USB-C and USB-A), allowing you to charge multiple devices at once without having to pack additional adapters. It’s been a staple for me and my husband on countless European summer trips.
Bagsmart
Blast travel pouch
My longest, most trusted airport companion is a small, crossbody phone bag. I first wore one in 2015 on a long travel day from NYC to Delhi, and I now wear one on every airport journey. It holds my passport for convenient access (which I bring even for domestic travel in lieu of a Real ID), my phone for constant ins and outs, a zippered pocket for cash, and just enough extra room for various smaller items like a hair tie and my favorite lip balm. Unfortunately mine is so old that it’s not available online, but this one from Bagsmart is identical except that this slim bag features an RFID-blocking lining to help prevent hidden scanners from reading the chips in your credit cards.
Jisulife
Handheld mini fan
If you’ve ever flown to or from a tropical airport where air conditioning is limited, or found yourself standing shoulder-to-shoulder in a crowded immigration hall, having your own personal breeze on demand can change your entire mood. My go-to portable fan takes it a step further, serving as both a backup power bank and a flashlight. Fully charged, it has lasted me an entire travel day with battery to spare, and it folds up so small you can slip it into your pocket. (When folded, it’s also become one of my favorite distractions for a restless toddler stuck on the tarmac.)