Traveling in 2026 feels more stressful and overwhelming than ever. From spending a fortune on plane tickets to dealing with long security lines and flight delays, travel is not great for the cortisol levels. These days, I feel lucky if I board my flight on time with my phone battery higher than 20 percent and my sanity intact. However, just because travel can be exhausting doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to make the experience more enjoyable. Our editors do a lot of traveling, so I tapped some of our team members to share the travel hacks they use on every trip to save time, money, and unnecessary stress. While some travel day headaches are unavoidable, these hacks might just make your journey almost as good as the vacay itself.
Quick Tips: Travel Hacks to Make Every Trip Easier
Short on time? Here are the editor-approved travel hacks that make every trip smoother, from packing smarter to staying organized on the go. Keep reading for the full breakdown of each tip.
- Pack outfits—not individual pieces. Planning complete looks ahead of time prevents overpacking and ensures everything you bring gets worn.
- Use packing cubes to stay organized. Separate clothing by category or day so you can find what you need without unpacking your entire suitcase.
- Use an AirTag in checked luggage. Slip an AirTag into your checked bag for extra peace of mind and an easy way to track your luggage if it’s delayed.
- Store jewelry in a pill organizer. A weekly pill organizer keeps necklaces, earrings, and rings separated so they don’t get tangled in transit.
- Keep a dedicated travel toiletry bag stocked in your bathroom. Stock it with travel-sized essentials, so you’re not packing toiletries from scratch every time. Bonus: you’ll always be ready at a moment’s notice.
- Download offline maps before you leave. Save your destination in Google Maps before your trip so you can navigate even without cell service or Wi-Fi.
- Bring an empty reusable water bottle through security. Fill it up after you pass through security to stay hydrated without paying airport prices.
- Bring a portable charger in your personal item. A dead phone is the last thing you want while navigating airports or relying on digital boarding passes.
- Wear your bulkiest items on the plane. Save valuable suitcase space by wearing heavier shoes, jackets, or sweaters in transit.
- Pack a foldable tote or reusable bag. It’s perfect for souvenirs, beach days, groceries, or bringing home extra purchases.
- Use small pouches to organize cords and essentials. Keeping chargers, headphones, and travel documents together makes them easy to grab when you need them.
- Always leave a little extra room in your suitcase. You’ll thank yourself when it’s time to pack gifts, shopping finds, or vacation mementos for the trip home.
Our Editors Never Travel Without These 18 Travel Hacks
From packing tricks to airport shortcuts, these editor-approved travel hacks will save you time, space, and stress on your next trip—you’ll wonder how you ever traveled without them.
1. Join an airline loyalty program and stick to one airline
I fly often because I go back and forth from the West Coast to the Midwest and East Coast to see my family and my boyfriend’s family. I used to buy the cheapest flight I found on Expedia or Google Flights until my brother (who is a pilot!) told me that having miles with an airline is worth the more expensive flight—and he was so right. Now, I only fly United whenever possible (even when it is slightly more expensive than other flights). I get multiple free checked bags, free upgrades, free seat assignments, first boarding group, premier access TSA lines, priority baggage, and more benefits just from racking up miles from sticking to one airline. It makes the travel experience so much easier and more enjoyable. – Josie Santi, Podcast Host & Senior Wellness Editor
2. Bring vacuum-sealing bags for dirty clothes
I always pack a couple of plastic vacuum-sealing bags in my carry-on for dirty clothes. They are super inexpensive, easy to pack, and a lifesaver when it comes to repacking your suitcase efficiently at the end of a trip. Plus, they keep any smells or dirt contained and away from the rest of the stuff in your suitcase. – Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
3. Text your flight number
This is a new travel hack that I love! Instead of constantly updating the person who is picking you up from the airport on your flight status, you can text them your flight number through iMessage, and it will then become a clickable link and allow them to access your flight information. By selecting “Preview Flight,” they can see all the details on your flight status, gate departure, arrival time, baggage claim area, and more. If your loved one is waiting for you in the airport pickup line, all they have to do is tap on the message and see how far away you are. I’ve even sent this to myself to have all my flight info readily available and easy to access. – Keely Geist, Senior Social Media Manager
4. Pack a pouch of in-flight essentials
The latest hack that has been making my travel experiences just a little bit easier is packing an in-flight essentials pouch. I use a small leather zip pouch that fits my headphones, gum, lip balm, hand sanitizer, mini hypochlorous acid spray, hair tie/claw clip, and a small pack of wipes. This makes it so much easier to grab the things I need in flight because I can just set it on top of my bag or in the seat-back pocket. No more bending at awkward angles and digging through my bag to get one tiny thing.
5. Wear compression socks on the plane
I never used to struggle with poor circulation or puffiness, but on my first super-long international flight, my ankles swelled so much I could hardly walk the next day. Putting my legs up on the wall is not going to cut it for me after a long flight in terms of reducing swelling, so now, I never get on a plane without a pair of compression socks, just in case. Even if you’re taking a short flight and don’t usually struggle with swelling during travel, trust me—you don’t want to risk feeling uncomfortable the next day. Just make sure to put the socks on before you get to the airport because dogs out at the airport or on the airplane is simply unacceptable. – Emma Ginsberg, Editorial & Podcast Assistant
6. Use an Airtag to keep track of your luggage and passport
During my recent trip to France, I was SO thankful to past me for putting an Airtag in my luggage because it ended up getting stranded in the Philadelphia airport after our flight home was canceled. As hectic as the situation was, I was so thankful that I could at least see where my bag was hanging out instead of just leaving it to the American Airlines gods. – Ashley Selleke, Branded Content Managing Editor
7. Always pack an extra outfit in your personal item
I don’t know what it is, but the travel gods are out to get me with how many times my luggage has been lost while traveling. I now always try to squeeze an extra outfit into my personal item that works for whatever is on the itinerary for the first day or two of the trip, along with an extra pair of socks, underwear, and even some light accessories if I really want to play it safe. It will save you from the stress of having to go shopping for a whole new wardrobe as soon as you arrive at your destination and will hopefully keep you somewhat intact until your airline gets your luggage back to you safe and sound. – McKenna Pringle, Branded Content Editorial Assistant
8. Drink peppermint tea on a flight (and bring your own tea bags)
As much as possible, I always try to drink some peppermint tea during a flight. For one reason, I’m always cold on flights and tea helps me warm up. But mainly because the reduced oxygen level in the airplane cabin can slow down the activity of digestive enzymes, meaning eating any food may cause digestive upset (especially if you tend to have a sensitive stomach like me!). Peppermint tea helps with digestion by helping food to digest, and it’s also good at calming an upset stomach if you’re prone to nausea or stomach aches during travel. Bring a bag of your own tea bags, and all you have to do is ask for a cup of hot water (which is usually free and helpful if the airport restaurant options don’t offer peppermint tea). – Josie Santi, Podcast Host & Senior Wellness Editor
9. Order groceries for delivery while you’re at the airport
If you’re like me, you’ll do just about anything to avoid buying airport food. It’s expensive, and let’s face it, it’s just not that good. The problem with this is that I am always starving when I get to my destination, which has led me straight through a drive-thru more times than I’d like to admit. The solution? Scheduling a grocery delivery for your arrival time. That way, whether you’re headed to a hotel or going home after a long trip, food is waiting for you. Tip: Put together a cart of groceries before you get to the airport, and schedule it once you’re sure you’ll be on time. This way, if you have delays, your groceries aren’t sitting out waiting for you to arrive. – Hailey Tagliarino, Assistant Managing Editor
10. Prevent dehydration with electrolyte packets
It’s always a good idea to pack electrolyte packets. You never quite know how your body will react to different elevations or long travel days, and you may not have as easy access to water as you’re used to. Having electrolytes on hand can be a lifesaver when you’re feeling dehydrated after a long flight. – Kirra Wallace, Director of Shop & Merchandising
11. Pack your own meals and snacks
It’s a well-known fact: Airport and airplane food are not only expensive, but they’re also usually not the healthiest or tastiest. So do your wallet and taste buds a favor and pack a meal and snacks that you know will keep your digestion in check (because digestive drama, especially 40,000 feet up in the air, is no fun) and help tide you over until you reach your destination. – Katherine Chang, Wellness Staff Writer
12. Skip the personal item on long flights
If you’re on a long-haul flight, you’re going to need all of the legroom you can get. Forego your personal item and instead bring a small sling bag to your seat (and I mean small) that holds your phone, charger, headphones, and one other piece of in-flight entertainment if you have it (like a book or your Kindle). Put everything else in your carry-on and stuff it in the overhead bin. This way, you’ll have just the essentials on your flight and can maximize the space underneath the seat in front of you. When it comes time to rest on the flight, you’ll be thrilled there isn’t an over-stuffed backpack preventing you from spreading out. – Garri Chaverst, Senior Managing Editor
13. Eat a clementine on the plane
Plane air always tends to make me nauseous, especially if one of your plane-mates decides that mid-flight is the best time to eat their airport cheeseburger. I always bring a couple of clementines on board with me that I can peel open and fill the air with a fresh citrus smell! They are a refreshing little snack and usually ease any queasy feelings I am experiencing. – Kaia Grobe, Video Content Editor
14. Bring any meds you might need
When traveling internationally, always bring any pain medicine you think you might need. I’ve learned the hard way that many countries don’t have the same over-the-counter options we do. If you end up with a headache or need something like Midol, it can be surprisingly difficult to find—or it may even require a prescription. – Kirra Wallace, Director of Shop & Merchandising
15. Pack loungewear that can double as an actual outfit
When I need to pack super light, I try to pack pajamas/loungewear that could double as pieces of an actual outfit in a pinch. For example, I’ll opt for an all-black tee + pants set like this instead of a collared, floral set that looks very obviously like pajamas. One time, I spilled on the only basic t-shirt I had packed, but luckily I had a plain top that was part of a pajama set I could wear instead! – Lex Rule, Senior Social Media Manager, Engagement
16. Book the early morning flight
I know it’s a pain to wake up at the crack of dawn, but the benefits of an early morning flight far outweigh the lack of sleep. There are no airport lines to hold you up, and when you’re on the first flight out, you will rarely experience any delays. You also get a full day at your destination instead of wasting precious PTO on a whole travel day. To make up for the shut-eye you lost, pop a magnesium or melatonin gummy before you board, and you can sleep on the plane. – Lauren Blue, Assistant Editor
17. Try jet lag relief
I always fear touching down abroad and being too tired from my travels to make the most of my first few days, so I was willing to try just about anything to avoid it (because I didn’t pay thousands of dollars to nap). So, when I came across a TikTok about a homeopathic jet lag relief medicine, I ordered it ASAP and never turned back. These quick-dissolving plant-based pellets help with jet lag-related nausea, muscle pain or stiffness, and drowsiness, which means you can hit the ground running as soon as you land. And the biggest perk of all: They don’t taste bad, and that is coming from a picky eater. – Maddi Goodwin, Account Manager
18. Bring a pillow of some kind
Whenever I am on a longer flight, I always make sure to bring some kind of pillow to keep me comfortable. It is the ultimate setup, especially if I want to sleep for a while. I recommend a neck pillow for a middle or aisle seat, but if you’re in the window seat, a full-size pillow or a medium-sized Squishmallow is the key to getting some serious Zs. Not to mention, if you’re running tight on space, a few extra items can fit in the pillowcase. A win-win situation! – Jenna Piotrowicz, Editorial Assistant
Want more travel hacks and tips? Try these:
- 10 Game-Changing Hacks That Will Save You Money on Vacation
- The Travel Essentials Our Editors Swear By
- 8 Travel Tips That Will Make You Feel Like a Local Wherever You’re Headed
Lauren Blue, Assistant Editor
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of must-read books, movies, home tours, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Goodreads for new releases to feature on the site.
We get it: Your PTO is precious. So when you finally set that OOO message, you deserve a trip that’s unforgettable—not one that makes you feel like you need another vacation to recover. We compiled our favorite travel destinations, must-have travel gear, and sanity-saving hacks to bring you The Everygirl’s Ultimate Guide to Travel, so you can spend less time stressing and more time soaking it all in.
