33 Travel Essentials for Women: The Last Packing List You’ll Need
Are you packing for your next trip? I’ve put together the ultimate list of travel essentials for women. You'll be prepared for anything your trip throws at you.
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Surviving a long-haul flight in economy is like surviving a marathon. You need to prepare ahead of time, apply your game plan, then make it through the hours of torture.
I almost always book economy, because let’s face it—first class is crazy-expensive.
Economy isn’t a huge deal on short trips but on extended ones it can be torturous.
Over the years, I’ve developed my own routine for surviving these lengthy trips. Follow these tips and your flight will be just a little more bearable.
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These are the things I always pack in my carry-on to get through prolonged journeys.
Traveling is incredibly dehydrating. I like to keep as hydrated as possible in the days leading up to my flight. This means making sure I’m drinking lots of water and eating lots of fruits and veggies.
I also stock up on Vive shots and incorporate them into my routine a few days before my trip. Can you tell I’m paranoid about having a low immune system while traveling?
Vive Organic’s blend of super herbs and organic citrus packs a punch when you need it. Take 1-3 shots to support a speedy recovery (especially when you’re in miserable condition.)
You should lay out all your carry-on essentials the morning before you fly. Once everything is laid out, I can identify any essentials I still need to stock up on.
It should be second nature at this point, but don’t forget to bring extra face masks in your carry-on bag!
For long-haul flights, I use a checklist to make sure I remember everything.
Check-in early for the option to choose the aisle or window.
Trust me, don’t wait until the last minute for a major trip.
The last time I did, I got stuck in a middle seat crammed between two old men on a 15 hour flight from New York to Moscow (ugh).
Pro Trip: Check SeatGuru to check out seat reviews before you confirm your assignment. Plusgrade is also something to look into. You can bid on possible upgrades before you fly.
These are a travel must-have these days! After Heathrow lost my luggage for almost a week last summer, I invested in my first AirTag for my checked luggage, and now I'm obsessed!
For lengthy journeys I plan two outfits and bring two face masks. One for boarding and one for changing into when I arrive. I like to plan outfits that are strategically layered for the plane.
Since it’s always cold on the plane, I always wear a zip-up hoodie. It’s so easy to slide on and off while in your seat.
For my second day outfit, I plan something that will be easy and quick to change into. It makes a world of difference having fresh clothes to wear after a long flight.
Pro Tip: Make sure your outfit involves
Unfortunately, I suffer from an over-packing problem and never have enough space to fit full meals in my carry-on.
If you can though, plan ahead and pack at least one healthy meal. I always settle for some healthy snacks like
Airline food isn’t healthy and is high in sodium. I always sign up for a vegetarian or vegan meal when I book.
They tend to be slightly healthier, plus special request meals generally get served first!
Pro Tip: I swear by having 2-3 antioxidant-filled Vive juice shots. They’re great for an added boost of health during the flight.
Make sure all your devices are fully charged.
Also, upload any information or entertainment you may want.
Most planes have charging options, but some still don’t.
If you want to be sure you have a way to charge, get a
I like to store all my chargers into their own little corner of the bag for easy access. Don’t forget to put any converters you may need in your carry-on for when you land.
Write down any important information you’ll need for your customs form on a piece of paper.
Don’t rely on technology in case your device dies or needs the internet to function. I’ve had that issue more times than I care to admit over the years.
Now, I always write out the following:
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Strategically pack things in the order that you’ll need them. The last thing you want is the giant mess of digging through your bag later at security.
I like to first pack my second outfit at the bottom of my bag, along with my deodorant, hairbrush.
Next I’ll put in my make-up bag filled with essentials. Keep anything that’s a liquid or gel in a see-through ziplock bag for security.
Last to go in the bag are my
Check your bags early and head straight through security to avoid stress later. Then use the opportunity to ask if you’re able to move to an empty row (assuming you don’t have one already).
Pro Tip: Take a photo of your baggage tags in case you misplace the claims tag. You’ll want that information in case a bag gets lost.
Use any time remaining before boarding to get some walking or stretching.
It’s also the perfect time to have more water or a healthy
Pro Tip: I like to buy one of those giant water bottles for the journey. I know they’re expensive, but it makes staying hydrated a lot easier. This way you can see how much water I’ve had over
If you the space in your carry on bag you can bring your own
This stainless steel water bottle is vacuum insulated to keep your drinks cool all day long!
I make it a priority to go to the bathroom and apply moisturizer to my face and hands before boarding. The same goes for using
I know what you’re thinking—nasal spray sounds crazy. I thought so too, but my doctor told me you should use it before a flight to keep your nasal passages hydrated. The air on the aircraft is dry, and hydrating them helps fight any airborne germs you may encounter.
Use alcohol or antibacterial wipes to clean anything you may touch during your flight.
When you see how blackened with dirt the wipe is, you’ll be glad you did.
Don’t forget tray tables, seatbacks, windows, armrests, and the overhead lights and air vent.
Once boarded, get anything out of your carry-on bag that will make your environment cozier.
I like to pull my
Once cozy, I’ll send my family a quick text letting them know I’ve boarded. This way nobody stresses over you not being in contact for the length of your long flight.
Flight Attendants are the people in charge of your comfort for a while, so you want them to like you.
The best way to achieve this is to be polite. Say hello and give them your attention when they have to do their safety instruction routine. Always say please and thank you when interacting with them.
Don’t forget these people have the power to move you to a better seat or empty row. At the very least you might get an extra blanket or mini bottle of wine slipped to you.
Trust me, I get extra wine and snacks all the time by doing this. A little courtesy and a smile can go a long way!
I like to take off my shoes and slip some fuzzy
Make sure you have your
Personally, I also like to use this time to have a few glasses of wine or pop a melatonin supplement to help me fall asleep easier later.
Pro Tip: If you’re on the shorter side, bring a
I try to schedule late-night flights to pass as many hours as possible sleeping.
Before passing out, follow your typical nighttime routine as closely as possible.
Use a
Since the air on planes is so dry, you should also use your
Grab your
I know it’s hard for most people to get comfortable enough to sleep well on the plane but try your best. Even a little sleep makes a big difference in how you’ll feel the next day.
When it’s clear you aren’t getting any more sleep, admit defeat, and start your morning routine.
I try not to “wake up” until the lights are up and breakfast is about to come around.
Admittedly, I get very little sleep while flying, so coffee is a must. I also make sure to ask for water with my breakfast. You should drink as much as possible to re-hydrate after the time you’ve spent sleeping.
Pro Tip: This is a great time to crack open a juice shot (if you packed one) for an extra boost of vitamins.
After breakfast, take your essentials to the bathroom. Brush your teeth, wash your face, and moisturize your skin. Break out the
I also like to at least change my shirt (changing out of pants is hard in those little stalls) and re-apply deodorant. Use some light under-eye concealer and mascara for a bit of a refresh.
Once you’ve completed your customs forms, sit back, read your
When they make the seat belt landing announcement, repack your carry on bag. You should keep any necessary documents at the top of your bag.
Once you’re outside the security area, locate a bathroom to freshen up. Change into the rest of your second outfit (assuming you didn’t fully change on the plane).
I like to brush my teeth again, re-moisturize a bit, and maybe throw on some chapstick or lipstick.
Pro Tip: Throw on some sunglasses for an added layer of sophistication. They also hide any tired or puffy eyes.
Obviously nobody loves flying economy, but hopefully with these tips you’ll have a slightly elevated experience.
Coming from a notoriously last-minute packer, take my advice and plan out your packing ahead of time.
I hope your trip is a slightly more bearable one after trying my recommendations.
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