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The 10 Best Travel Pill Cases of 2024

These are the best pill cases ranging from a one day to one month supply.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• Tips for Buying

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why Trust T + L

Travel + Leisure / David Hattan

Nothing can throw you out of a routine quite like travel. Often that’s a good thing. Traveling allows for the spontaneity of exploration, and removing the push and pull of a daily grind can feel liberating.

But in some cases, losing the normalcy of your day-to-day life can disrupt important tasks like taking your vitamins and important medications. When you’re away from home, jet lagged, or off your normal schedule, forgetting to take an essential prescription, supplement, or vitamin can be a liability for your health.

A pill case is a must for anyone who needs to take any kind of medication while on the go, and ideal travel options are compact and secure so no tablets wriggle loose. We’ve selected the best ones to fit a range of capsule quantities and sizes, including a surprisingly stylish top pick with clever design features.

Best Overall

Port & polish am/pm pill organizer.

It can fit a week’s worth of medication with clear separation for morning and evening doses.

The mirror feature may feel unnecessary to some.

Too many pill cases we considered appeared the same: made from cheap-looking plastic in what was, essentially, the standard Monday to Sunday pill cases we remember watching our grandparents tote around (just in brighter colors.)

This Port & Polish case feels modern, and is an upgraded version of their tried-and-true weekly case with the addition of AM and PM slots for twice daily medications. It more closely resembles a cosmetics compact than a piece of medical equipment, and depending where you purchase it, comes in either blush, black, or mint green. The addition of a mirror means it doubles as a compact for on-the-go touch-ups. While that feature might not appeal to all, it’s an added perk that made it stand out from the rest.

The Details: 7.5 x 4.5 x 1 inches | BPA-free plastic | 7 compartments

Best Weekly

Auvon imedassist weekly pill organizer.

The clearly labeled and color-coded compartments fit all pill sizes, and the push-button spring design makes it easy to open and close. 

There are no separate compartments for morning and evening doses.

Unlike many other Monday through Sunday pill cases, this spring-assisted design can be open or closed with one hand so it’s easy to operate on the go. All lids are colorful and clearly marked, and the compartments are large enough to fit eight fish oil pills or 12 large vitamins, if needed. We also like how the compact plastic case is BPA-free and also includes a 12-month warranty.

The Details: 8.84 x 2.1 x 1.04 inches | BPA-free plastic | 7 compartments

Most Compact

Ppfish portable daily pill case.

This case is about the size of your thumb and comes in unique colors like rose gold and bright green.

Given its diminutive size, the container will only fit small pills like aspirin, ibuprofen, and small vitamins. 

Made from anodized aluminum, this case is our top option for those who travel with just a few small pills but don’t want to sacrifice style. 

With a diameter of just one inch, it's similar in size to a small lip balm. The case is waterproof with a rubber O-ring to protect its contents, and we like how it could be used for other small valuables such as rings, earrings, and earplugs. The color options are also more interesting than others we saw at this size and price, including matte black aluminum and (our favorite) rose gold.

The Details: 3.15 x 2.13 x 0.91 inches | Anodized aluminum | 1 compartment

HRX Pill Box Case

All seven compartments pop out in case you want to carry just the day’s doses (and then tuck away nicely inside a carrying case).

If you take medication more than twice a day, you’ll need a case with more compartments.

Sometimes, a one-a-day isn’t enough, and there are pills that must be taken in the morning, night, or both. This case makes it easy to stock up on twice-daily meds with compartments that are split into two separate spaces so there’s no forgetting a dose. 

The color-coded, translucent containers made from BPA-free plastic are clearly labeled for the time of day, and are small enough to individually fit in your pocket. Each canister pops into a case that holds all seven containers in place so there’s no worry about them falling out and rolling around inside a bag or suitcase. The organizer is under $10, making it one of the most budget-friendly options on this list.

The Details: 3.98 x 2.52 x 1.81 inches | Plastic | 14 compartments

Best Multi-pack

Qeedy 4-pack pill organizer.

This set comes with four waterproof cases and a package of labels so you can customize the organizer to each person’s individual needs.  

The compartments come in different sizes, so large pills might not fit in smaller spaces.

This set of four cases is great for a family who needs one case per person. Each organizer has eight compartments, and a set of blank labels are included so you can label the case, by pill type, dosage time, or day of the week. 

The cases are small enough — about the size of a credit card — to fit in a pocket, purse, or small bag, and made from BPA-free plastic with a silicone ring and a snap-shut lock for a secure seal. Unlike other cases, the compartments are different sizes, which can be a pro or a con depending on your family’s specific needs.

The Details: 7.17 x 4.76 x 2.95 inches | BPA-free plastic | 8 compartments each

Best Luxury

Ikigai weekly pill case.

Sleekly designed for minimalists, this case offers customized engravings, and is small enough to pack away anywhere you wish.

If you want to pack large vitamins, take twice daily doses, or are traveling for longer than a week, you’ll have to upgrade to a larger model.

Forget brightly-colored plastic or large carrying cases. This streamlined option made from anodized aluminum is a minimalist’s dream with clean-cut edges and hidden storage. 

But despite a demure design, the features are thoughtful. Made of a corrosion-resistant material, the case features a traction pad that makes it slide open with ease and comes in a slew of vivid colors and engraving options to imprint days of the week or your name across the front. And, with a lifetime warranty, consider this the last pill case you’ll ever buy.

The Details: 7.25 x 1.75 x 0.75 inches | Anodized aluminum | 7 compartments

Best Customizable

Cadence the originals set.

These aesthetically-pleasing containers are as functional as they are beautiful.

It costs extra to print words on the removable tiles if not included in the premade options.

This set of cases might be the most attractive, multi-use option we considered. Each capsule is magnetic and links up with others to form a unique honeycomb-like design. They’re leakproof, reusable, and impressively customizable with smaller and larger options as well as this original 1.32-ounce size.

In addition to the variety of calming colors they come in like eucalyptus, terracotta, and petal, each capsule features a removable top tile that can be customized to specify its contents. Choose premade icons that designate pills or day and night, or you can custom print the exact medication name or day of the week for an additional $2. These personalization options beat out anything else we saw and the multipurpose functionality — like transporting travel-size toiletries — adds loads of value.

The Details: BPA-free 20 percent recycled ocean-bound plastic and 30 percent excess manufacturing material | One compartment per Capsule

Most Stylish

Dosey am pm pill case.

The collection of zippered pouches are housed inside a chic carrier that’s more akin to a toiletry bag or cosmetics case.

Each pouch is zippered shut, so it might not be as secure against leaks as a standard case.

We love this choice for those who find a standard plastic case uninspiring. Instead, this case has zippered pouches that are housed inside a cosmetics train case-inspired carrier. It's also made from cruelty-free vegan leather with a velvet lining and wrist strap, and available in colors like sage, lilac, latte, and more. It comes with Monday through Sunday and AM and PM labels so there’s no confusion between pouches.

Use the 14 pouches for one week's worth of twice daily doses, two weeks for once daily regimens, or up to 30 pills to use as needed on your trip. 

The Details: 5 x 4 x 5 inches | Vegan leather | 14 EVA plastic pouches

Best for Long Trips

Auvon monthly pill organizer.

This color-coded organizer fits pills of all sizes for four weeks inside one larger carrying case so everything stays together. 

Since the case is intended to carry 28 doses of medication, it is bulky for a small bag.

For travels that extend beyond a week — lucky you! — a case that can hold doses for longer periods of time is a must. This organizer holds pills for four weeks, or 28 days, in clearly labeled and color-coded compartments that are roomy enough to fit large pills such as fish oil capsules. 

Each individual week can pop out on its own, so you can use those for shorter trips without bringing the entire kit, or you can use this option to bring pills for an entire family instead. We also like the accompanying case, which has a silicone seal to protect against moisture, and snaps closed to safely secure all medications.

The Details: 8.7 x 5.6 x 1.4 inches | BPA-free plastic | 28 compartments

Best for Backups

Restree weekly pill organizer 4 times per day.

This case is ideal for anyone who takes pills up to four times a day, or wants the security of traveling with extra spots for backup pills. 

It’s larger than other seven-day organizers. 

If you take pills more than twice a day, you’ll need a case with space beyond the daily, AM, or PM compartments. This weekly organizer holds medications of all sizes for up to four daily doses, and each individual day-of-the-week case can pop in and out. 

But the real standout feature to us was the additional box labeled for backup pills. Use it for a fourth dose or pack with extra pills, since, despite our best intentions, it’s still possible to lose medications. Bringing a surplus of each kind is the safest way to avoid a snafu while away from home.

The Details: 9.4 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches | BPA-free plastic | 28 compartments

Tips for Buying Pill Cases for Travel

Determine how many pills you need to travel with before selecting a case.

Your personal medical regimen should be the main deciding factor when selecting a pill case. Consider factors like trip duration, the number of daily medications needed, dosing times, and pill sizes before selecting a case.

For example, if you take pills twice daily, we wouldn’t suggest a seven-compartment option with no separation for AM and PM, no matter how much you like the style. Likewise, think about how long you’ll be traveling and make sure your case’s compartments match up to fit enough pills for the number of days you’ll be away.

Consider how much space your pills need

Pill cases are not one size fits all. An organizer might have every feature you want, but if you take large vitamins or fish oil capsules that won’t fit inside, the case will quickly become obsolete. Make sure to look for a case with slots that will either fit your specific pills, or can adjust, should your medications change in the future.

Look for cases that are accessible

If you experience swollen fingers, tremors, or have arthritis, be sure to select a pill case with accessible features. For example, a push-button, spring-assisted design will be easier to open and close with the touch of a finger than a snap-shut lid.

Anyone can use a pill organizer, and many are multipurpose enough to hold other items. However, anyone who needs to take a pill on a scheduled basis would benefit greatly from using a pill case, especially while traveling. A pill organizer keeps medications of any kind organized so you never accidentally skip it, or alternatively, take too much.

Different countries have different regulations regarding medication. If you plan to travel internationally and will be carrying prescription medication in a pill case instead of the container it came in from the pharmacy, it's a good idea to bring a copy of the prescription from your healthcare provider to avoid possible confusion with customs or local authorities. And no matter how you travel with medication, be sure to research the rules for medications where you're visiting to confirm if they may legally enter the country.

Just because a case is designed or marketed to hold medication doesn’t mean you can’t use it for other items. Many cases are multipurpose and can hold items such as jewelry, earplugs, or small valuables. Depending on the case you purchase, you might use it to store lotion, shampoo, conditioner, serums, cleanser, or other liquid beauty or toiletry products, too. Just make sure the case is airtight and leak proof in those instances.

TSA regulations allow passengers to bring medications kept within a pill case onboard in a carry-on. It is not required to keep medication in its original labeled packaging when traveling within the United States. You can also pack pill cases in your checked baggage, though we’d advise against that in the event of baggage delays. If you’re bringing liquid medications in quantities larger than TSA's allotted 3.4 ounces, be sure to alert the TSA security officer when you start the screening process. 

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure contributor Emily Hochberg is a veteran travel and lifestyle writer and editor who vacations frequently with her family and researched dozens of pill cases to find the best options for traveling with supplements, vitamins, and medications.

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This $6 Amazon Essential Keeps My Medications and Vitamins Organized When I Travel

By Meaghan Kenny

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The one essential I keep in my carry-on no matter where I'm headed or for how long: a travel pill case from Amazon. The best travel pill cases are compact, secure, and easy to open on the go, and mine checks all the boxes. 

I used to bring the entire bottle of my daily medication in my carry-on and put loose vitamins in a plastic seal top bag—needless to say, this wasn't the best use of space (or single-use plastic). A year ago, I purchased a $6 travel pill case to save some packing room , stay more organized, and have something I could reuse trip after trip . Since then, it's been a packing non-negotiable for me and has made taking my medications, vitamins, and supplements while I'm traveling easier than ever. 

It's nearly impossible to stick to your normal routine when traveling. While I don't mind missing a few workouts or healthy meals on the road, I do want to stay on top of taking my supplements and vitamins every day. This sleek, portable case has eight separate compartments that hold everything I need for a week's vacation in one place and make it easy to track what I'm taking. It features two separate sections: One side with six small chambers for storing daily pills and a second side with two larger chambers that holds capsules and vitamins. Having a pill case with compartments of varied size makes it easy to pack as many pills as you need and organize them however you'd like. I use the smaller chambers for my daily allergy pills and the larger chambers to store emergency essentials that I like to have on hand, like Advil ,   Benadryl , and Tums . 

The size of this travel pill organizer is perfect for most trips I take. The compartments are spacious enough to hold at least a week's worth of pills, but the case is still compact enough to fit in my Dopp kit (for reference, it's smaller than an iPhone). I've packed this pill organizer on numerous trips and it's never opened while in transit or spilled any of my items. To secure each chamber, simply snap the plastic top down. After filling the compartments with your medication, snap the two sides of the case together and toss it in your carry-on . 

Something I love about this travel pill case compared to others on the market is its sleek design. When it's closed, no one would ever know you have a week's worth of supplements on hand. And of course, the price is right. This $6 travel essential from Amazon has accompanied me on short weekend getaways to the Catskills , a 10-day European cruise , and countless business trips —and I plan to bring it with me wherever I'm headed next.

If you're worried about carrying a pill case through airport security, rest assured that travelers are allowed to bring their prescription medications and over-the-counter supplements with them. TSA allows travelers to bring medication in pill or solid form in carry-ons and checked baggage—so you can bring your pill case no matter what bag you're packing. 

While I love traveling with this case, there are plenty of great options on the market with high ratings and glowing reviews. Below, a few more of the best travel pill cases that we recommend bringing on your next getaway.

More travel pill cases we recommend: 

Best day-by-day organizer

This best-selling pill organizer has over 57,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. It has two separate compartments for each day of the week with clear AM and PM labels, so you'll always remember if you took your medication or not. While it's designed for everyday use, it also doubles as a travel organizer for longer trips. If you're looking for an everyday pill box that will keep you on track or are headed on a two-week vacation, this one's for you.

Best for organizing by AM/PM

Another Amazon bestseller is this weekly pill case with AM and PM labels. Each day of the week has its own portable, pocket-size case that can be removed from the box and carried on its own for day trips or hikes . 

Most compact organizer

If you prefer something a little more discreet, this daily pill box has a simple yet polished design. The slim, lightweight organizer slides open and locks into place when you close it, so there's no need to worry about any of your pills falling out. Inside, there's a separate compartment labeled for each day of the week. 

Another very compact option

This small pill box fits in just about any purse or fanny pack you're bringing on your next adventure. It features four separate compartments that each fit several capsules or vitamins, making it an ideal choice for weekend trips when you need two to four days' worth of medications. 

Best multipurpose organizer

Cadence capsules are one of our editors' favorite reusable toiletry bottles , but they're versatile enough to neatly store pills, too. I keep a few emergency Tums stacked in one of these airtight, leakproof capsules in my tote bag at all times. 

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The 10 Best Travel Pill Organizers in 2023 [Detailed Guide]

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

784 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury

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Table of Contents

Things to consider in travel pill organizers, the 10 best travel pill organizers, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

If you are planning a trip or vacation and need to bring any prescription pills along, there’s no better solution than a travel pill organizer. With a travel pill organizer, not only can you have a reminder to take your pills on time, but you can also conveniently carry them all in 1 small package.

It might seem like a straightforward thing, but travel pill organizers can sometimes get messy if you don’t pick the right one. To give you some perspective for finding a suitable organizer for your medicine, we’ll give you detailed instructions on what to look for and our top picks.

When choosing a travel pill organizer, you should focus on a few crucial features. Some organizers have separate compartments with labels to help you take your medicine at specific times or on specific days based on your prescription. Other pill organizers have larger compartments that can fit multiple pills or larger pills like vitamins and supplements.

It’s also crucial that you go for a pill organizer with a design that allows easy and swift opening while still preserving your medicine. Here are the main things you should look for before making a purchase:

Labeled Compartments

If you have weekly prescription pills, you could benefit from a pill organizer that comes with labeled compartments. These organizers usually include separate compartments for every day of the week to help you get organized a bit better and more efficiently.

Bottom Line: Some organizers will only have daily labels, while others have compartments with personalizable labels that you can mark with the medicine name or other prescription details.

Easy To Open

Travel pill organizers shouldn’t be too complicated — they just need to have an easy-to-open design . Some might even use buttons to pop the organizer open.

This feature is particularly helpful for the elderly, those with arthritis, or people with other mobility issues. The whole point of this type of design is to keep your pills in 1 place without having to bother too much just to reach into the compartments.

Compartment Size

Of course, you can find different sizes of travel pill organizers, but whether you go for a larger or smaller one could make a huge difference for you. For example, if you just need to store pills or pills that you’ll be taking over the course of a few days, you can go with compact options.

Still, there are also organizers with larger compartments that can fit fish oil capsules and vitamins as well as other larger pills. The compartment size should be based on your prescription pills, their size, and how often you take them .

Time Labels

Along with the compartment labels to designate the pill type and medicine name, you should also look for compartments with a time label. You can fill out this label with your pill schedule based on your prescription so that you never miss taking your medicine on time.

These markings can also be found on the small containment bags that some pill organizers have instead of compartments.

Here are our top picks for the best travel pill organizers. We’ve considered some of the most important aspects to look for based on the recommendations above, as well as different organizer types and sizes to suit everyone’s needs.

1. Foldable Travel Pill Organizer With AM/PM Labels

Lewis n. clark am/pm folding pill organizer.

If you are looking for a foldable and compact option for a travel pill organizer, the Lewis N. Clark pouch makes a great pick. It’s designed for prescription pills with AM/PM designation, and it has labels for every small pill bag included and red and blue markings so you never miss taking your medicine.

With 16 small pouches in a set, you can easily fit and carry both smaller pills and larger vitamins and supplements. It’s also lightweight since it’s made of polyester, and it has a Velcro opening for swift access to your pills. The addition of a medical reference card makes it a perfect choice for people who take prescription medicine.

As we’ve already mentioned, this organizer will also save you some space as it’s compact enough to fit into any large-sized pocket, pouch, or travel bag .

What We Like

• Well-organized and can be easily labeled for prescription pills

What We Don’t Like

• Plastic medicine containment bags

2. Eco-friendly Travel Pill Organizer

Vera bradley travel pill organizer.

As a recycled material travel pill organizer, the Vera Bradley pill case comes with a small box for every day of the week and an extra box that can be used for vitamins. It’s equally efficient for packing prescription pills and vitamins or supplements, and it’s made of 100% eco-friendly, recycled cotton and plastic .

This organizer’s lightweight and easily fits into a backpack or a travel bag without taking up much space. Another thing worth pointing out is that the individual pillboxes can be snapped shut to provide maximum security and prevent spillage.

The plastic box material is also odorless and provides a safe environment for storing pills and prescription drugs while traveling.

• Recycled materials
• Doesn’t have labeled pill compartments

3. Drawer-style Compact Weekly Pill Organizer

7-day pretty pillbox wide weekly pill organizer.

Perhaps the best compact option for a pill organizer is a 7-day pretty pillbox with a drawer-style compartment. It’s wide enough to let you pull out the small pill drawer with its 7 compartments, 1 for every day of the week. It’s also sleek and small enough to fit into any backpack or travel bag, measuring at just 6.5 inches in length and 1.5 inches in width .

It’s also a fairly stylish option as it’s beautifully designed to be both pretty and useful. There’s a side button that you can slide to pull out the pill drawers, which locks in place, keeping the drawer closed while the organizer is in your travel backpack.

There’s even an extra storage unit at the end perfect for vitamins that you can access by pulling the drawer from the other end.

• Ultimate space-saving option
• Doesn’t have day or time labels

4. Weekly Pill Planner for Travels

Ezy dose weekly am/pm pill organizer vitamine and medicine box.

EZY DOSE has made one of the best pill organizers and containers for travelers with a double set of 7 containment compartments in a row. This way, you have 2 rows you can use, making it a perfect option for couples or if you have multiple pill prescriptions.

The boxes are labeled by the days of the week and are blue on 1 side and purple on the other to make it easier to differentiate between the 2. It’s also available in smaller or larger sizes, so you can pick the option that suits you the best based on your prescription.

Each box is able to hold up to 25 smaller pills or capsules like aspirin and up to 4 large fish oil-sized tablets . You can even remove boxes if you don’t need all of them at your disposal, and the snap closure locks the pills in place while you are traveling.

• Large capacity pillbox with removable compartments
• A large-size box might be a bit bulky

5. Portable Daily Pill Case Box

Meacolia travel pill organizer moisture proof pill box.

An extremely useful portable solution for a travel pill organizer is this travel pillbox. This organizer is made of eco-friendly material since it’s made of cereal fiber and food-grade plastic with a bit of a silicone blend. Due to the 4.3 x 3.5-inch size, it easily fits into the palm of your hand or your pocket.

This organizer has a triple layer of protection for your pills which also prevents them from getting all mixed up while in the box. There are 2 large compartments on 1 side and 6 smaller compartments on the other , along with blank paper labels you can personalize to fit your needs.

Each small box can fit at least a few pills, while the larger slots can fill larger capsules or tablets like fish oil pills.

• Portable and compact pillbox
• Smaller compartments can’t fit larger pills

6. Pack of 4 Small Pill Organizers for Travel

Muchengbao store 4 pack pill case.

This travel pill organizer set is designed to fit a whole family during vacations and short trips. It comes with 4 plastic boxes, each one able to fit both prescription pills and larger vitamins thanks to their 6 small compartments and 4 larger ones.

This organizer easily fits into your pocket and makes a perfect travel option due to its perfect space-consuming to usability ratio. Each box is just 3.8 x 2.5 inches, and every compartment can at least a few pills.

It’s made of a polypropylene and plastic blend and comes in a variety of colorful options , so it can help motivate your children to take their vitamins regularly while on the road.

• A single solution suitable to fit a whole family
• Not all compartments fit larger pills

7. Daily Pill Organizer With Folding Design

Fyy daily pill organizer with 7 compartments portable pill case.

While it might be a bit feminine in terms of design, this pillbox is still a perfect and universal option for storing pills while traveling. It comes with 7 different compartments, with each one able to fit a few pills, and it’s designed to perfectly fit into a purse, handbag, or a travel backpack.

This organizer has 1 large capacity unit for larger pills and 6 smaller compartments. Thanks to its folding design, it takes up very little space, and it’s quite easy to use and open up to access your pills. The snap and magnetic lock help you keep your pills safe and sound while traveling, as well as prevent mixing them up.

• Foldable magnetic snap pillbox
• Mostly designed to fit women’s purses and handbags

8. Pill Dispenser Supplement Case

Travel pill container box for purse.

With a design that resembles a small lunchbox, this pill containment pack will serve you well while on the road. It’s a plastic pill container with a double-lock on the lids that stay open as you unfold the pack to arrange or take your medication.

It comes with 3 large compartments and 4 smaller ones, and it has both a double lock and a waterproof design. As for its storage capacity, this pill organizer can hold up to 8 fish oil capsules and 14 smaller pills in each large compartment.

With its durable construction and customizable stickers that you can use to label your pills, this option is a perfect choice for travelers.

• Double-lock system for keeping pills safe
• No built-in AM/PM marks

9. Ultimate Pill Container for Daily Doses

Auvon canvas bag weekly pill organizer.

This canvas pill container has everything you need for a week-long journey if you have to take daily prescription medicine. It’s suitable for longer travels due to its large compartments for each day of the week, each one with markings and an individual snap opening.

Made of premium and durable canvas that should last for years to come, and with its double protection and camouflage design, this container is designed to withstand more than 9,000 uses and snaps, so it can be used as a long-term solution for pill storage.

With an internal waterproof cortex layer and grid bags that can hold a prescription list, it has everything you need in a complete travel set.

• Complete pill set with separate containers
• Specific washing instructions

10. Weekly Pill Container Set

Performore 2 pack of portable weekly 7-day pill organizers.

If you’re looking for a daily pill container set, you won’t be able to pass up this portable medicine organizer. It comes in a pack of 2 weekly sets that can be customized and are already daily labeled. It also weighs in at just 3.2 ounces, so you can easily bring it along on any travel or road trip.

The simple design is complete with quick-release buttons that are easily triggered so you can quickly unlock each compartment, however, once you lock the quick-release button, it needs to be firmly pressed to release again, so you’re pills are nice and secure.

Every container has enough space to fit up to 12 standard pills or 8 large fish oil capsules, and there are 7 slots in each pack.

All of this makes it a perfect option for travel if you don’t want your pills to spill out all over your travel bag. The total of 14 compartments in 2 separate packs also makes it an outstanding family travel solution.

• Set of 2 packs with quick-release compartments
• Looks a bit basic

Ultimately, a good travel pill organizer can help you take your medication on time without missing a single pill. Most of the options listed here are large enough to fit multiple pills while also managing to be compact,  so they don’t take up much space in your travel bag or backpack.

We hope that our top picks can serve as a good starting place to help you find the best-suited organizer for you and your family during your travels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do pillboxes work for travel.

Travel pill organizers can help you arrange your medication properly and serve as a reminder of when you need to take your pills. With a pillbox, you can organize your medicines easily without having to worry about them getting mixed up in your travel bag or missing a prescription.

Do pill organizers come with pill labels?

You can find travel pill organizers that come with blank pill labels included in the set or AM/PM marks and pre-labeled daily prescription organizer compartments.

How many pills can fit into a pill organizer?

You can usually fit a daily dose of prescription pills or at least a few larger vitamin pills and fish oil pills in a single pill organizer compartment.

Can you mix up pills in a travel organizer?

If you’re careful, you shouldn’t have to worry about mixing up your pills in a travel organizer. You can use the different compartments in a pillbox to prevent mixing up the medicine. It’s also usually safe to store different pills together as long as you label everything properly.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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38 Items to Pack in Your Travel Medicine Bag

From a tiny cold to the dreaded diarrhea (don’t laugh, it’s happened to me every time I’ve been on safari in Africa !), or whether traveling across a state or to a different continent it is important that your travel medicine bag be prepared for when the unexpected might occur. Your first aid kit and supplies are just as important as your boarding pass!

But, what are the best items to pack? Here’s the list of what I bring no matter if I am heading out for just a weekend getaway or a month-long adventure. These items have made sure that I was equipped for many emergency situations, especially while in an unfamiliar place

NOTE: Always consult with your doctor before taking any medication as they may interact with other medications or aggravate existing conditions.

Things to Pack in Your Travel Medicine Bag

1. aloe vera gel.

When it comes to travel, packing a first aid kit is a must – and aloe vera gel should be at the top of your list. Aloe Vera Gel is a natural plant extract that has been used since ancient times for its medicinal purposes. Not only does this gel provide relief from sunburns, but it can also help soothe bug bites, rashes, and minor skin irritations.

Buy the Top Brands: Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Gel Being Natural Aloe Vera Gel

2. Antacids

Heartburn or indigestion can hit at any time, but especially when your stomach might be confused by jet lag or all the different types of food in a new destination. Don’t miss out on eating the spicy Mexican food in Oaxaca or Nigerian cuisine in Africa, just pack some antacids. They help to neutralize acid in your stomach and restore the balance of digestive juices.

Buy the Top Brands: TUMS Chewy Bites Antacid Tablets Alka-Seltzer Extra Strength Heartburn Relief Chews

3. Anti-diarrhea Medication

Trying new foods is one of the best things about traveling! Unfortunately, different food around the world can also come with its fair share of unexpected upsets. One of these could be an unfortunate bout of diarrhea, which can ruin a trip quickly if you are not prepared.

You can get a prescription from your doctor, or an over-the-counter Imodium AD does the trick for me.

Buy the Top Brands: Imodium A-D Diarrhea Relief Caplets Pepto Bismol Diarrhea LiquiCaps

4. Antibiotic Ointment

We sometimes forget that even minor scrapes and cuts can become severely infected if left untreated, so packing an antibiotic ointment in your travel-sized first aid kit is essential. This common topical medication works by providing an antibiotic barrier on the skin that helps prevent infection while also helping to restore the natural balance of bacteria in the affected area.

Buy the Top Brand: Neosporin Antibiotic Ointment

5. Antihistamines

Allergies can be unpredictable, and even the hardiest traveler could find themselves in a jam if they don’t have medication on hand. Antihistamines are medications great as an aid for fast, effective relief to allergic reactions. This will also be a front of the line treatment for insect bites and hives.

Buy the Top Brands: Benadryl Allegra  

6. Bandages

Have you ever gotten one of those dang paper cuts that won’t stop bleeding? Me too! That’s why an assortment of bandages are one of the most important items to pack in your travel first aid kit. They come in all shapes and sizes, so pack just a couple of each type.

Buy the Top Brands: Band-Aid Flexible Fabric Adhesive Bandages, Assorted Curad Performance Series Ironman Antibacterial Bandages, Assorted Variety Pack

7. Calamine Lotion

Calamine lotion is a type of topical skin relief fused with zinc oxide, typically used for alleviating irritation from minor bug bites, sunburns, or mild rashes or sores. It’s an easy and affordable way to quickly treat minor skin issues while away from home. Plus its anti-itch properties mean it certainly loves to make itchy mosquito bites go away in a jiffy!

Buy the Top Brand: HUMCO Calamine Lotion

8. Cotton Swabs

Cotton swabs are a staple of most households, and another essential item for your first aid kit. They offer a convenient and hygienic way to clean wounds, apply ointments, help with splinters or foreign particle removal, and even stop bleeding.

Buy the Top Brands: Q-tips

9. Cough Suppressant/Syrup

It really puts a damper on a day of exploring when you have a nagging cough that just won’t stop. Over-the-counter cough suppressants or syrup can be used to reduce the intensity of a cough, making it easier for sufferers to get some rest.

Buy the Top Brands: Robitussin Max Strength Cough and Congestion Liquid Medicine HALLS Honey Lemon Sugar Free Cough Drops

10. Decongestant

A decongestant can be a lifesaver during your travels. Not only can it help to relieve irritating and uncomfortable symptoms of a cold or seasonal allergies they help to clear the passages and reduce inflammation in the body to allow for better breathing and relief from sinus headaches.

Buy the Top Brands: Sudafed Maximum Strength Non-Drowsy Decongestant Tablets Afrin Original 12 Hour Nasal Congestion Relief Spray

11. Disposable Gloves

Packing a pair of disposable gloves can protect yourself and others when attending to an injury. These gloves help provide a barrier, ensuring you don’t come into contact with any germs or bacteria lingering on a wound, therefore preventing any further infection.

Buy the Top Brands: Comfy Package Black Nitrile Disposable Gloves SAFESKIN Disposable Nitrile Gloves in POP-N-GO

12. Eye Drops

Traveling can often leave your eyes feeling strained, dry and uncomfortable. Whether you’re out sightseeing, spending a long day on a plane, or working long hours staring at a computer screen, you need to have some eye drops handy to alleviate the irritation. Eye drops provide immediate relief by washing away dirt and bacteria, moisturizing your eyes and replenishing their natural lubricants so that they don’t feel dry and scratchy.

Buy the Top Brands: TheraTears Dry Eye Therapy Eye Drops Visine Red Eye Hydrating Comfort  

13. Face Mask

Face masks are a part of our “new normal” lives, offering protection from air pollution, dust, and other environmental elements, but also helping prevent the spread of airborne pathogens. In these unpredictable times, it is even more important for travelers to take extra precautions—having an easily accessible face mask in your first aid kit can go a long way towards keeping yourself safe as well as others around you.

 Buy the Top Brands: Grey Disposable 3 Ply Face Mask 3M N95

Gauze is a loosely-woven medical bandage used for lightly compressing wounds and providing protection from outside elements such as dirt and debris. It comes in varying sizes and lengths to fit any injury or wound, ranging from superficial scratches to deep abrasions. Gauze can also be layered on top of one another until the desired cushioning and pressure has been achieved while still allowing the skin to breathe beneath it.

Buy the Top Brands: Medpride Band-Aid Brand

15. Ginger Pill

If you’re looking for a more natural way to ease some of the travel aches and pains, ginger is a natural digestive aid that helps reduce nausea, motion sickness, stomach aches, mild cramping and dizziness. There are many studies that have identified important compounds in the root that provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties

Buy the Top Brands: Nutricost   Nature’s Way

16. Hydrocortisone Cream

Hydrocortisone cream is a topical steroid that can help soothe and reduce swelling and redness caused by skin irritation, such as bug bites, sunburns, itching and other minor skin ailments. Not only is it great for a travel emergency use but also provides ongoing relief from conditions like dermatitis or eczema.

Buy the Top Brands: Cortizone 10   Aquaphor Hydrocortisone Anti Itch Skin Ointment

17. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a natural antiseptic that helps to both clean and protect wounds from infection, making sure the skin can heal quickly and properly. Not only does it  prevent bacteria from entering any open wounds, its oxygen bubbles create a tingling sensation which helps ease pain. Additionally, since hydrogen peroxide decomposes easily into oxygen and water, there isn’t any residue to irritate or harm healthy skin around the wound area.

Buy the Top Brand: Swan

18. Insect Bite Anti-Itch Gel or Cream

Mosquito and other bug bites are ANNOYING, and there’s many destinations that are prone to these pesky critters (I’m talking to you Guyana !). Having an anti-itch gel or cream is the best solution for anyone who is dealing with an annoying and itchy bug bite. It can provide immediate relief and limit the side effects, such as inflammation and discomfort.

Buy the Top Brands: After Bite Earth’s Care

19. Insect Repellent

Traveling to exotic places can also mean insects and bugs! Do not let these little creatures stop you from exploring the world! Bring along a variety of repellants to help you best enjoy your stay.

Buy the Top Brands: Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Mosquito Repellent OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent

20. Instant Cold Pack

When packing your travel medicine bag, an Instant Cold Pack might be overlooked, but it’s an incredibly versatile tool that can help in a variety of situations. Whether you just hit your finger with a hammer outdoors or are dealing with more serious injuries on a camping trip , an Instant Cold Pack can provide some relief and comfort in the moment.

Buy the Top Brands: Clever Health Disposable Instant Cold Pack

21. Laxative

The fact is that many travelers out there suffer from constipation, and if you’re one of them a laxative can be a Godsend. They work by either increasing fluid in the small intestine to help move things along or help make stools softer, so they are easier to pass.

Buy the Top Brands: Dulcolax Laxative Tablets   ex-lax Maximum Strength Stimulant Laxative Pills

22. Medical Tape

Medical tape, also known as surgical tape, is an invaluable tool for any first aid kit, particularly when you’re traveling. It can be used to hold gauze and bandages in place, especially on hard-to-bandage areas like wrists and fingers. I am currently traveling with a broken toe and am using it to tape my toes together, so one toe is acting as a splint for the other!

Buy the Top Brand: Nexcare Gentle Paper First Aid Tape with Dispenser

23. Micro Led Flashlight

A tiny flashlight may not sound like an important addition to your emergency kit, but it can be invaluable in an unexpected situation. For example, if you are camping in the middle of nowhere, and it’s in the middle of the night and you need to inspect the wound of a family member or friend that was injured. tHaving a micro LED flashlight can also help if you need to read dosage instructions or expiration dates on medication. Of course if you have a phone with a flashlight, you can skip this.

Buy the Top Brands: ThruNite EDC Flashlight Archer Mini OLIGHT Tiny Rechargeable Keychain Flashlight

24. Motion Sickness Medication

Motion sickness medication can be a saving grace when it comes to getting through car trips, boat rides and flights! These medications work by blocking the signals between the inner ear and the brain, which can help reduce dizziness, nausea and vomiting. They come in both pill form and as patches that are applied to the skin behind your ear.

Buy the Top Brands: Dramamine All Day Less Drowsy Motion Sickness Relief Bonine Chewable for Motion Sickness Relief

25. Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS)

You can become dehydrated really quick if you are suffering from diarrhea, vomiting or excessive heat. Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) have the ability to provide the essential salts and minerals our body needs for proper hydration during a bout of illness. The electrolytes or hydro lights will restore your body back up with all the goodness it needs while keeping your sugar and salt levels in check.

Buy the Top Brands: DripDrop Hydration – Electrolyte Powder Packets Hydralyte Electrolyte Tablets

26. Pain Reliever

A key item in any travel first aid kit should be a pain reliever. Remedying common maladies such as headaches and cramps while traveling can make all the difference in having an enjoyable holiday versus an excruciatingly painful one. Pain relievers can relieve discomfort almost instantly, meaning faster recovery time and less worry about worsening symptoms.

Buy the Top Brands: Tylenol Extra Strength Caplets Advil Pain Reliever and Fever Reducer

27. Emergency Contact List

If you ever find yourself needing medical attention or assistance while on the road, being able to easily access the contact details of doctors, police or family is essential.

28. Saline Nasal Spray

Most people think of bandages and aspirin when assembling their medicine bag, but don’t forget to add a bottle of saline nasal spray. This spray can help alleviate the symptoms of allergies, colds, and sinus infection while traveling— relieving congestion, stuffiness, or dryness in the nose. It can also be used to flush out mucus and dirt particles that are stuck in the nasal passages.

Buy the Top Brands: Vicks Sinex Saline Nasal Spray, Drug Free Ultra Fine Mist ARM & HAMMER Simply Saline Nasal Care

29. Sanitizer

Trains, planes, buses…the germs are everywhere! These days, it’s rare that people leave the house without some sanitizer in hand, so adding it to your travel medicine bag is essential. Whether it’s a gel or a wipe, sanitizer is extremely handy for many different things, from cleaning minor scrapes to helping keep your hands germ-free.

Buy the Top Brands: Purell Singles EO Botanical Lavender Hand Sanitizer The Honest Company Sanitizing Alcohol Wipes

30. Scissors

Packing scissors in your travel first aid kit is an absolute must— even if it’s just a tiny pair of emergency ones! Not only can a good pair of scissors come in handy for emergency clothing repairs, but they are also invaluable when dealing with medical emergencies. For example, if you must construct makeshift bandages or splints, having a pair of scissors on-hand means that you can snip any loose ends and customize them to the shape of the affected area. Additionally, they can be used to cut off clothes or dressings that have become stuck to a wound or dressing.

Buy the Top Brands: Plus Pen Style Compact Scissors Luleyjor Folding Travel scissors SUMAJU Folding Stainless Steel Scissors

31. Sleep Aid

One of the best ways to stay healthy while traveling is by getting plenty of rest. However, if you’re staying in unfamiliar places or have an irregular sleep schedule it can become difficult to fall asleep and/or stay asleep. That’s why packing a sleep aid in your travel first aid kit is so important—it ensures that you get essential rest during your travels, no matter where you are.

Buy the Top Brands: ZzzQuil Nighttime Sleep Aid LiquiCaps Carlyle Melatonin Tablets 

32. Sunscreen

Don’t let the sun take a toll on your health while you travel the world! Sunscreen is important whether traveling in the mountains or beaches. It helps prevent sunburns especially in places where the terrains and conditions are different than what you are used to.

Buy the Top Brands: Neutrogena Beach Defense Spray Sunscreen SPF 70  Coppertone SPORT Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 Neutrogena Ultra Dry-Touch Sunscreen

33. Thermometer

Having a thermometer on hand not only allows for convenient fever tracking, but taking a temperature also gives insight into what type of illness you or someone you’re with might have.

Buy the Top Brands: iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer Konques Digital Thermoter

34. Tweezers

Tweezers are an incredibly versatile and useful item that can come in handy when dealing with minor injuries. Since they have pointed ends, they’re able to remove debris such as splinters and thorns from our skin. Additionally, tweezers can be used for delicate tasks such as cleaning dirt out of a wound as well as adjusting dressings without causing further harm to the injured area.

Buy the Top Brands: Revlon Mini Tweezer Set Tweezerman Rose Gold Slanted Tweezer

35. Water Purification Tablets

Having water purification tablets can help protect you from bacteria-borne illnesses and keep you healthy while discovering new places. Even if the tap water in a foreign country is potable, waterborne illnesses are incredibly common and can easily ruin your trip. With just a single tablet, you can make any water safe to drink—instantly!

Buy the Top Brand: Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets  

36. Whistle

Whistles are essential for alerting people that you need help in an emergency, especially in wilderness areas when being visible or audible is more difficult. They can call attention to yourself so that other individuals and authorities can quickly respond to urgent situations such as weather warnings, medical concerns, getting lost, and traveling companions in danger.

Buy the Top Brand: Storm Alert Whistle

37. Tissues

No toilet paper in the restroom? Need to blow your nose? Want to pick up something nasty from the floor? Tissues will come in handy in a variety of different ways while you’re on the road.

Buy the Top Brands: Kimberly-Clark Kleenex 3-Ply Pocket Packs Facial Tissues

38. Medications and Vitamins

Of course don’t forget your normal everyday vitamins and prescribed medications!

A travel medicine bag is your first line of defense when it comes to being prepared for unexpected emergencies while traveling. With a well-stocked first aid kit, you can help protect yourself and your family against health risks during trips and vacations.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my links, I earn a commission that helps to keep this blog running—at no extra cost to you. For more information read my full disclosure .

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Thanks for your recommendations. I’m adding it to my list, I’m sure it will be very useful. I look forward to your other articles, much love.

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Traveler's First-Aid Kit

What should a traveler's first aid kit include.

The American College of Emergency Physicians and the CDC encourage travelers to pack a first aid kit or a travel health kit for common medical emergencies. Pack the following items in your carry-on bag and keep it with you at all times:

Medicines you take on a regular basis at home. Take enough medicine for the planned trip plus extra in case your return home is delayed. Carry all medicine in their original containers with clear labels that identify your name and dosing schedule. If you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes, seizures, or allergies, consider wearing a medical alert bracelet.

Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin to relieve headaches, pain, fever, and simple sprains or strains

Antihistamines to relieve allergies 

Antacid medicine for upset stomach

Anti-nausea or motion sickness medicine. You may also want to include medicine for altitude sickness if traveling to high altitudes.

Antibacterial hand wipes or an alcohol-based hand cleaner (should contain 60% alcohol or more) 

Masks, disposable or cloth

Bandages of assorted sizes to cover minor cuts and scrapes

Bandage closures, such as butterfly bandages, to tape edges of minor cuts together

Triangular bandage to wrap injuries and make an arm sling

Elastic wraps to wrap wrist, ankle, knee, and elbow injuries

Gauze in rolls, as well as 2-inch and 4-inch pads, to dress larger cuts and scrapes

Adhesive tape to keep gauze in place

Scissors with rounded tips to cut tape, gauze, or clothes, if necessary. Note that this may not be allowed in your carry-on bag if traveling by air.

Safety pins to fasten splints and bandages

Antiseptic wipes to disinfect wounds or clean hands and tweezers, scissors, or other utensils. Some of these items may not be allowed in your carry-on bag if traveling by air.

Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection in cuts, scrapes, and burns

Hydrogen peroxide to clean and disinfect wounds

Disposable, instant-activating cold packs to cool injuries and burns, as well as for use in strains and sprains

Tweezers to remove small splinters, foreign objects, bee stingers, and ticks from the skin. Note that this may not be allowed in your carry-on bag if traveling by air.

Disposable rubber gloves to protect hands and reduce the risk for infection when treating wounds

Thermometer (no mercury and no glass) to take temperatures in case of illness

Calamine lotion to relieve itching and irritation from insect bites and poison ivy

Hydrocortisone cream to relieve irritation from rashes

Sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher

Aloe gel for sunburns

Insect repellent. Those appropriate for use on children should contain 10% to 30% DEET. Those for adults should contain 30% to 50% DEET or up to 20% of picaridin. The chemical can cause harm when absorbed through the skin. Don't use insect repellant on infants 2 months of age or younger. Don't use products that combine DEET with sunscreen.

Medicine to prevent malaria, if needed where you are traveling

Over-the-counter medicine for diarrhea. Talk with your healthcare provider about a prescription for an antibiotic you can take in case of diarrhea.

Cough and cold medicines

Epinephrine auto-injector for people with severe allergies

List of prescription medicines and generic names

Latex condoms

Water purification tablets

Extra pair of contact lenses or prescription glasses

Follow the same safety measures with the medicines in your first aid kit as you do with all medicines, and use only as recommended by your healthcare provider. Make sure children can't get into the first aid bag. Use child safety caps whenever possible. Also be aware of volume limits in carry-on bags. Some of these items may need to be packed in your checked luggage while flying. Check expiration dates and discard medicine that is out-of-date. If someone has a life-threatening allergy, carry the appropriate medicine with you at all times.

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TRAVEL TIPS & RESOURCES

A pharmacist’s diy travel medicine kit.

Let’s face it. A travel medicine bag isn’t many people’s priority when it comes to putting together that all-important packing list.

But it should be. You never know when you might come down with a cough or cold, have a bout of diarrhoea or take a tumble. A good traveller is always prepared.

However, many travellers are unsure which products they should pack. So what should you include in a travel medicine kit?

This is where I can help you, both as a frequent traveller and a healthcare professional.

In the course of many adventures in 70+ countries, I’ve experienced my fair share of sniffles, scrapes and sprains. Fortunately, as a registered pharmacist , I know how to deal with these as they arise.

However, I’ve only been able to manage these minor medical emergencies because I’ve packed the right medicines and first aid items. This travel medical kit has evolved over the years and I have honed my selection of pills and potions to a collection that covers most of the bases.

In this article, I will share the contents of my trusty DIY travel medicine kit and give you expert advice on what you should consider when packing medicines for travel.

Some articles on this website contain affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases . Read the full disclosure here .

IN THIS ARTICLE

General Considerations

There is no one-size-fits-all medicine bag for travel.

There is no such thing as a definitive travel medicine kit. Much will depend on your age, gender and medical conditions, your destination, style of travel and your attitude to medicines. It’s all a question of balance. Whilst you won’t want to lug around a medical kit that a paramedic would be proud of, at the same time you should include essential items to cover your basic healthcare needs and emergencies.

Consider your destination and trip style when packing your travel medicine kit

Consider where you are travelling to, and for how long, when deciding which medicines and first aid items to include in your travel medical kit.

Chances are you will not need an extensive selection of medicines, bandages and gauzes on a flashpacking European city break. However, it’s a different story if you are trekking in the Himalayan foothills where access to doctors and pharmacies isn’t a given.

Heading to a high-altitude destination? If so, then you may want to get your hands on preventative treatment before leaving home.

Travelling to a malaria zone? Then. don’t forget your antimalarial medication.

Consider your personal health needs

Although this may be blindingly obvious, you should consider your personal health needs when packing for a trip. For example; if you are a woman who suffers from menstrual cramps, include your preferred remedy in your travel medicine kit.

What’s in my DIY Travel Medicine Kit

 As a pharmacist, I have honed my collection to one that covers most of the bases, and my medicines fit snugly into a semi-rigid plastic pouch from Muji .  You can buy all of the medicines in my travel kit over-the-counter in the UK without needing a doctor’s prescription.

Essential Items

PAIN KILLER: PARACETAMOL 500mg 

Paracetamol (acetaminophen if you are American) is a highly effective pain-killer and it also helps to bring down your temperature if you have an infection. I have used it for headaches, for cold and ‘flu symptoms and for – whisper it – hangovers.

Don’t leave home without it.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY: IBUPROFEN 200MG 

Like paracetamol, ibuprofen is a painkiller and can be used in much the same way. However, it is also anti-inflammatory and so is useful for soft tissue injuries (strains and sprains).

Many women prefer it to paracetamol to relieve period pain.

If you have asthma or have had stomach problems (ulcers) you may not be able to use ibuprofen; check with your doctor or pharmacist.

The choice of paracetamol or ibuprofen to treat headaches and to bring down the temperature is entirely up to you.

Many people find that one works better than the other for them. For example, I find paracetamol is usually effective in killing a headache but ibuprofen barely touches it.

ANTIHISTAMINE TABLET

If like me, you suffer from hay fever or have allergies , an antihistamine is an essential part of your travel medicine kit. Antihistamines are also invaluable for relieving itchiness from hives and insect bites , including pesky mozzie bites .

 My traveller’s medical kit usually has a strip of whichever antihistamine I have to hand. Usually, this is acrivastine but good alternatives are loratadine or cetirizine , neither of which is likely to make you drowsy.

If you want a sedating antihistamine, go for the older drug, chlorphenamine (chlorpheniramine).

Although antihistamine creams are also available, I am less keen on these. They are not as versatile as tablets, and in rare cases can cause skin sensitisation.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY CREAM: HYDROCORTISONE CREAM 1%

I always pop a tube of hydrocortisone cream in my travel medicine bag.

Although it is used primarily for eczema – some people find that eating different foods makes their skin condition flare up – it is also excellent at relieving the itchiness of mosquito bites.

You don’t need to use a lot of hydrocortisone cream. Make sure that you apply it in a very thin layer.

DIARRHOEA MEDICINE: LOPERAMIDE 2MG

Think of loperamide (Imodium) as a pharmaceutical cork.

Call it what you like; Delhi Belly, Montezuma’s Revenge, Backdoor Trots. Most of us will have been struck down by  travellers’  diarrhoea (TD) , usually at the worst possible time.

Trust me; clenching your buttocks on a long-distance bus journey is not much fun. This is where these little green and grey capsules are worth their weight in gold. They are particularly helpful if you have colicky-type pain.

There is some debate as to whether the use of loperamide prolongs TD by retaining the offending bug. The consensus seems to be to let it all flow out, reserving loperamide for those situations where TD may affect travel plans.

My approach is to do exactly that, reserving the use of loperamide for emergencies; to avoid being caught short on a bus or train journey for example.

Codeine and diphenoxylate/atropine (Lomotil) are alternatives to loperamide but I don’t recommend them as they carry a higher risk of side effects for no great gain. Also, you need a doctor’s prescription for these medicines.

Some people take away antibiotics with them to self-treat. The choice of antibiotic depends on the destination.

You will need a doctor’s prescription. A common antibiotic that travellers include in their medical kit is ciprofloxacin .

REHYDRATION SACHETS

Your priority in treating travel diarrhoea or sickness is to keep hydrated. Therefore, I always pop a couple of rehydration sachets with electrolytes in my traveller’s medical kit.

It goes without saying that the water that you use to reconstitute these sachets should be safe

If you don’t have these sachets to hand you can drink other clear fluids, such as diluted fruit juices, as an alternative.

MOTION SICKNESS TABLETS

For those journeys across switchback mountain passes and across choppy waters, I use cinnarizine  (Stugeron) tablets, which do the trick but can cause drowsiness.

Another popular choice is hyoscine hydrobromide (Kwells) but I find that it gives me a dry mouth.

Some people swear by acupressure bands ( Sea-Band ).

Other items to consider

ANTACID TABLETS

Think Gaviscon , Pepto Bismol or omeprazole / lansoprazole . For those times when you overindulge in delicious food or have a few extra drinks.

What’s NOT in my Travel Medical Kit

PROPRIETARY COLD AND FLU REMEDIES

This is polypharmacy at its worst. Proprietary cold and flu medicines are cocktails of unnecessary drugs at sub-therapeutic doses.

Save your money and precious packing space. Just take paracetamol or ibuprofen for cold and ‘flu symptoms. If you feel bunged up, a decongestant such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) can be useful.

Expert Tips for Packing Your Travel Medicines

• You don’t need to take vast quantities of these medicines and first aid items; just enough to get by until you can replenish your supplies at a pharmacy or drugstore. For example, I take just a strip or two of tablets
• Choose strips of tablets instead of bottles to save precious packing space.
• For the same reason, remove strips from their boxes. But if you are unfamiliar with how to take the medicine, make sure to keep the instructions.
• Where possible, opt for tablets over liquids, gels and creams.

Travel First Aid Items

STICKING PLASTERS (BAND-AIDS)

A few sticking plasters of different sizes are an essential component of my travel medicine kit.

The most common injuries are cuts and grazes and you don’t need to be an ardent trekker for blisters to appear.

CREPE BANDAGE

But what about if your injury is bigger than a small cut or graze?

A bog-standard crepe bandage is invaluable for keeping a small dressing in place until you get it looked at by a healthcare professional.

Gauze is one of the most useful items in your travel first aid kit.

A gauze square can be used to clean an injury, apply pressure to a wound to help stop bleeding, and dress a small wound. When used as a dressing, it can be held in place by a crepe bandage or surgical tape .

To keep the wound clean and sterile, pack individually wrapped sterile gauze squares.

ANTISEPTIC WIPES

I also always carry a few sealed alcohol wipes for wound cleansing.

ANTIBACTERIAL CREAM

Again, to prevent wounds from becoming infected and to help them heal faster, it’s a good idea to pack an antibacterial cream like Neosporin .

SMALL SCISSORS & TWEEZERS

Both of these items come as standard in most first aid kits and are extremely versatile items to bring with you on your travels.

Scissors are useful for trimming bandages or gauze to the desired dimensions. As well as grooming eyebrows, tweezers can be used to pull out splinters and to extract bits of stone or dirt from a wound.

Is It Worth Buying a Ready-Made Travel First Aid Kit?

For simplicity and for a travel first aid kit that will be packed to perfection, buying a ready-made travel first aid kit is a hassle-free option. You can be assured that the basics will be covered, and your travel healthcare essentials will come in a sturdy and waterproof bag. However, what you gain in convenience you lose in the ability to personalise your travel medical kit to your own needs. Also, as you will only include items that are essential for your trip, a DIY travel first aid kit will likely be cheaper than buying one online.

The Best Ready-Made Travel First Aid Kits

When choosing the best ready-made travel first aid kit, contents, size and weight are the key factors. Whilst you want to make sure you have enough of all of the essential items, you don’t want this to take up too much valuable real estate in your luggage.

Amazon has a good range of travel first aid kits and I’ve picked out their best lightweight and compact travel first aid kits.

Lifesystems Pocket First Aid Kit

Lightweight (100g) and compact first-aid kit that covers the bases for basic first aid.

Mini First Aid Kit

A 92-piece first aid kit that packs a punch for its compact size.

Universal First Aid Kit in Bag

This 100-piece first aid kit is the most comprehensive of the three shown here and weighs in at 380g.

Best Travel Health Resources

Here are my go-to websites for keeping healthy while on the road.

• fitfortravel – a free, interactive, resource providing up-to-date information on avoiding illness and staying healthy when travelling abroad.
• TRAVEL HEALTH PRO – a website comprising the travel health resources of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), set up by the UK’s Department of Health to protect the health of travellers.
• CDC TRAVELER’S HEALTH – an extensive collection of resources from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Travel Medicines: Final Tips From a Healthcare Professional

Think of this list of items for travel ailments, scrapes and bangs as a tool kit, to which you can add or subtract, according to your needs. In addition, you will need to include any prescribed medicines in your travel medicine bag.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have never taken any of the above medications before. Sometimes medicines don’t mix well together – oral contraceptives and antibiotics are good examples of this –  and medical conditions or allergies may mean that it is unwise to take a certain medication.

For any injury or illness that cannot be remedied by the contents of your travel medical kit, or that does not respond to self-treatment, you should seek professional medical attention.

Although carrying these basic items will help you to deal with the vast majority of ailments and accidents as a traveller, it is no substitute for comprehensive travel insurance.  As a  mid-life traveller , I get my travel insurance from  Staysure. It offers an excellent level of cover, including that against Covid-19, and has garnered 5-star reviews.

Finally, whilst it’s essential to be prepared, chances are that you will rarely need to use the items in your travel medical kit.

Safe and healthy travels!

About Bridget

Bridget Coleman is a registered pharmacist who has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.

Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.

To get in touch, email her at [email protected] or follow her on social media.

6 thoughts on “ A Pharmacist’s DIY Travel Medicine Kit ”

Great list—thanks!

FYI: if you are traveling to or in India by air, ALL scissors are a no go except in checked bags! That includes those tiny ineffective blunt scissors in mini first aid kits and nail clippers. You WILL be stopped.

And as it happens, they fasten your checked bags shut if you’re flying within India! So you have no knife or scissors, and a sealed bag…

Great tip! Thanks. I’ll add it to the article 🙂

Admiring the time and energy you put into your blog and detailed information you provide.

This is a great list! Thanks!

Thanks. I’m glad you liked it!

This is a fantastic list! Thanks!

Comments are closed.

Travel Medicine Bag

Why choose a medpac bag for your medication bag for travelling.

For holidays, business trips or just a weekend away - keep your medicines safe and organised in a Medpac. We have a whole range of options that are perfect for when travelling, including:

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Our Large Medpacs are large enough to house everything from inhalers and Epipens to insulin and antihistamines, while our Small Medpacs are lightweight and can be attached to belts, rucksacks and changing bags using its sturdy metal clip. All Medpacs also feature ID and Treatment Cards , helping to identify medical treatments to members of the public and paramedics in an emergency.

If you’re going on an action-packed family holiday, you can keep all necessary medical equipment close by with our Medpac Active . This handy waist bag is manufactured using water-resistant neoprene and comes with a fully adjustable strap for complete comfort on the go.

Medpac: The UK’s practical travel medication storage experts

Our British-designed and manufactured medicine carry cases are the simplest, most organised storage solution. Keep your prescribed or emergency medication to hand at all times on your holidays.

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If You're A Chronic Over-Packer, These 29 Travel Products May Help You Save Space

These genius packing solutions will make you feel like a true travel expert.

BuzzFeed Staff

1. A wheeled carry-on bag  if you'd rather die than pay for a checked bag. This one is small enough to fit under the seat, so it can even qualify as your personal item on extra strict airlines that shall not be named ( you know the ones ). 

Now you won't even have to pull your suitcase outta the overhead!

Promising review : "If you are a consultant and struggle carrying big carry-ons. This is a perfect one for you. I love this purchase!!! Lightweight. Enough space for 1–3 days of travel. Thank you!" — SS

Get it from Amazon for $105.87 (also available in two other colors ).

2. Or a durable  travel backpack  that is, quite possibly, *the* perfect personal item thanks to its waterproof design, anti-theft pocket, USB charging port, and a dedicated shoe compartment. There's room for everything!

This is super roomy, zips completely open (like a suitcase — so it's easy to find what you need), has plenty of pockets (including one for shoes and a separate wet bag!), and a strap that slides down over your luggage handle for easy transport.

Promising reviews: " I bought this backpack for work. It's the BEST backpack I've ever used. I needed one with several pockets and not too big or heavy. I found that with this backpack,  I can fill it and still have room! There's even a shoe and clothing compartment for traveling! The straps are just wide enough to stay on your shoulders, especially with the snap straps in front. I also love the color, and it's true to the picture color. If you're looking for lightweight with tons of pockets, this is what you need!" — Kelly Miller

"This is a perfect size backpack for traveling on a plane as your personal item, especially to international destinations. You could fit rolled-up clothes in here for another week , and it has a very handy shoe bag and tons of places for your electronics. This will be an excellent addition to my carry-on suitcase. Best purchase all year. I consider myself an expert on travel bags. I have way too many. It’s smaller than it looks but so roomy." — AP

Get it from Amazon for  $36.99  (available in three sizes and 26 colors/styles).

3. A  digital luggage scale  to help you pack the essentials without incurring any overweight bag fees. You won't be filled with dread when you head to the airport because you already know your bag is under the weight limit!

Promising review: "Buy this if you travel a lot. I travel with scuba dive gear and this saved me from going over the weight limit both going to the island and returning. I was a hero with my friends. They had no idea how much their bags weighed. I helped them too from going over their weight limit. It's easy to use and worth the money." — Tinadiver

Get it from Amazon for $11.98  (available in six colors).

4. A travel wallet  for a sensible *and* stylish way to carry important documents so they don't take up space in your carry-on bag. Passport? Check. Boarding pass? Check. Credit cards? Check. 

This RFID-blocking wallet has a passport pocket, boarding pass compartment, three credit card slots, an ID slot, a slim card pouch, a slim pocket, a ticket slot, a cellphone pouch, a zippered coin pocket, a key holder, and a pen holder.

Promising review: "This wallet is durable, chic, and spacious. The lining is very soft and feels expensive. From the design to the material to the zippers and snaps, it's well made. I ordered it in rose gold, and it's a beautiful color. I travel frequently and love the boarding pass pocket. I recommended it to my sister and mom, who also love theirs! They ordered in yellow and bronze and were also happy with the color." — Brianna graham

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in 31 colors).

5. A  set of packing cubes  you'll soon wonder how you ever traveled without. Your clothes will stay nicely folded (or rolled!) and you'll have more room in your suitcase. Expert packing level 🔓unlocked.

Promising review: "I travel frequently and travel light. My luggage is usually limited to a backpack that slides under the airline seat. For a two-week European cruise, I added a carry-on rolling suitcase. I've used these packing cubes twice so far, and I am hooked. One cube holds everything (including clothing) I take on a three-night trip . The cube slides into my pack, saving massive amounts of room, and everything is easy to find during travel and at the hotel. Taking out one cube and unzipping is much better than digging through a pack! I will never leave home without these!" — Gura

Get a set of four from Amazon for $21.99 (available in 12 colors and as a set of eight).

6. Or some  vacuum storage bags  when you're a serial over-packer...or if you simply need to maximize luggage space. Place your items in the bag and suck out the air with the included travel pump. Who says you can't bring multiple outfit options on vacation?

Former BuzzFeed Shopping writer  Jasmin Sandal says: "I swear by these bad boys not only for general storage purposes, but also if I know I'm going to be traveling for an extended period of time. As someone who tends to pack for every eventuality (who doesn't like to be prepared?!) I have learned that it's better to travel with them than without — especially since it's more or less a guarantee that my clothes are gonna take up a ~substantial~ amount of room in my suitcase. And if I can use something that's gonna shrink the size of my bulky hoodies and/or big tees in order for me to create more space, I'm sure as heck gonna do it. Plus, the satisfaction is indeed guaranteed because when you see those chunky layers flatten into a pancake...it's just *chef's kiss* ."

Promising review: "These are the best packing bags. We used them traveling across the country and... to save space in the suitcase! It's really easy to have the pump right inside the suitcase to flatten the bags when traveling for pleasure. I definitely recommend this for home or travel." — kit

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $32.98+ (available in four sizes and in larger multipacks).

7. A Kindle  for bookworms who keep up with their reading habit while on vacation. While packing a giant stack of *actual* books isn't exactly realistic, this compact and lightweight Kindle is a great alternative.

It has a 300-ppi high-resolution display, an adjustable front light, and dark mode. The battery can last up to six weeks on a single charge and it offers 16 GB for storing thousands of books.

BuzzFeed Shopping editor Maitland Quitmeyer says: " I never thought I'd be an e-reader person, but living in a New York apartment with limited bookshelves changed my ways. I love love (love love love) my Kindle — especially for easily borrowing library books, squeezing in a few chapters on a subway ride, and of course traveling. I lit'rally read 10 times as much with a Kindle in my life."

Promising review: "I was so skeptical about switching from actual books to the Kindle but I have loved it!!! It’s so much more convenient to read and travels well. I’ve only had it like two weeks and have only charged it once (have read three books)!! Its battery life is amazing." — Haley

Get the newest 2022 version of the basic Kindle from Amazon for $99.99  (available in black and blue). 

8. A slim and packable  Trtl neck pillow  that'll take up way less space than the round ones. You don't have to sacrifice your comfort just so there's one less annoying item to pack. Goodbye, sore necks and bulky pillows!

The Trtl pillow is adjustable — you wrap the pillow around your neck and secure it with Velcro, and if you find it's too loose, just make it a bit tighter! I've truly never slept better on a plane than with this pillow.

Promising review : "WOW! Literally life changing; used it on my 11-hr flight to and from Norway to SF and I usually can never sleep on planes, but this did the trick! It’s also super packable and doesn’t take up too much space! " — Julie Cox

Get it from Amazon for  $60.99+ (available in five colors).

9. A  carry-on garment duffle bag  for keeping your fancy clothes free of wrinkles while saving room in your luggage for other stuff. If you're attending a formal event and can't bear the thought of ironing or steaming, this'll do the trick.

It's made of vegan leather and includes a 15" padded laptop sleeve, two additional pockets, an external zipped pocket, and a separate shoe compartment!

Promising review: "This garment bag is an exceptional value for the money. Well built, top quality materials, including 'beefy' zippers, should hold up well for airline travel. Minimal wrinkles if any in garments, and a cavernous bag for storing shoes and other items for a trip. Added bonus, it fits easily in the plane overhead storage , similar in size to a standard roller bag. I highly recommend this product." — Kindle Customer

Get it from Amazon for $57.45 (available in two colors).

10. An amazingly compact  travel stroller  if one of your major anxieties when packing revolves around your essential parenting items. This stroller is so dang portable *and* it can count as a carry-on item.

The stroller is supposed to accommodate kids from 6 months up to 55 pounds (approx. 4 years old).

Promising review: "This stroller is great! So cool looking, too. I constantly have moms coming up to me asking where I got this! So easy to fold, so light, and barely takes any space in my trunk. We took it on a flight, and the flight attendants recognized the stroller and told me that I can just wheel the baby on and put the stroller in the overhead bin. I wish I had gotten this stroller with my oldest, but I was being cheap. This stroller is so worth the money. I regret not getting it sooner! But at least my youngest can enjoy it." — Nai Len

Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in eight styles and four colors).

11. A set of TSA-approved  silicone travel bottles  so your toiletries are ready for flight in no time. This set also includes spray bottles and jars for storing other products, like lotions and perfumes.

These BPA-free bottles feature a leakproof design so you won't have to worry about messy spills. Each silicone bottle also has the capacity printed on it for TSA purposes! You get four bottles, four jars, and two spray bottles. It also comes with two scoopers to use with the jars, a funnel for transferring liquids, a clear travel bag, a set of labels, and a cleaning brush.

Promising review : " This little set is perfect for your travel toiletries. Instead of paying $3 for those little travel bottles, you can fill your favorite products in these. The taller tubes are silicone and easy to fill. For the circular containers, I used the little scooper to fill them. I didn't use the spray bottles this trip, but I did use everything else, and I'm happy to say nothing leaked. Easy to clean after use as well. " — Nicole

Get it from Amazon for $9.48+  (available in four colors).

12. Or a  waterproof toiletry bag  designed to hold tons of stuff — it has four compartments so you can pack all your travel-size items. There's also a handy hanging hook so you won't lose track of it!

Promising review: "I. Love. This. Bag. Seriously, I had a cheap toiletry bag from Target that essentially did the same thing, only way worse. It was too small; the hook didn't rotate so you could only hang it at an angle, if anything ever leaked; it would seep right through the bag, etc. But THIS bag has NONE of those issues! It fits everything I need and then some, meaning I don't have to skimp on my 10-step Korean skincare routine when I travel anymore. It never leaks. And I love that the hook swivels so you can hang it anywhere, and your stuff hangs perfectly. I also love the handle and the overall flatter shape. It makes it so easy to travel with! Cannot recommend this bag enough." — KaiEli

Get it from Amazon for $18.39+ (available in two sizes and 11 colors).

13. A  collapsible coffee cup  so you can get your fix without bringing your huge reusable cup from home. This is much easier to pack in your bag!

It's also microwave-safe! Note that the 12-ounce size does not include a straw, but both the 16-ounce and 24-ounce sizes do.

Stojo  is a small biz founded by three New York dads who wanted a better way to get their convenient coffee fix without all the waste. Now they make stylish collapsible essentials in a variety of sizes and colors, including bottles and food storage containers.

BuzzFeed Shopping writer  Danielle Healy has this and loves it. She says : "This is of the first zero-waste swaps I made and I've never looked back. If you buy to-go coffee – whether you're jet-setting or just grabbing a mid-day pick-me-up — this cup is a must-have . So long as you remember to bring it, it's all the convenience of to-go coffee with none of the waste. It's leakproof and, when you're all done, it collapses down teeny tiny and can be tossed back in your bag. Oh! And it comes with a straw, so all you iced coffee lovers can get in on the action, too."

Get it from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in four sizes and in 24 colors).

14. A  space-saving laundry bag  for keeping your dirty laundry separate from your clean clothes. The brilliant design lets you release excess air from the bag to save room in your luggage, which is always needed when returning from a trip with a *few* more purchases than you planned.

Just stuff them in and squeeze to release the extra air!

Promising review:  "As a frequent traveler, this bag has been great for packing dirty laundry on the return trip home. It will hold much more than I usually put in it and compresses nicely in the suitcase . I toss it in the washer along with the clothes, and it has held up for well over a year now." — CC

Get it from Amazon for  $12.15+  (available in two styles).

15. A  travel pill organizer  to ensure you stay on your daily supplement and medication schedule without having to pack a bunch of big bottles in your toiletry bag. It has EIGHT compartments and comes with labels so you know what's what.

Promising review : "I take a daily medication and I like to keep vitamins, supplements, and emergency meds like fever reducer and upset stomach relief with me when I travel. This is compact, feels sturdy, and holds more than I anticipated ." — hw65

Get it from Amazon for $5.97+ (available in five colors).

16. A mini wallet emergency kit  that contains pretty much every *tiny* essential you'll need so you don't have to worry about packing the full-size version. It includes hand sanitizer, pain relief medicine, a hair tie, and more. You can choose the skyline of your fave city for the kit, too!

Here's what it comes with:  Inside your mini wallet, you'll find a lip balm, hair tie, two floss pics, a bandage, emery board, two safety pins, a sewing kit, two earring backs, a makeup wipe, two bobby pins, two mints, deodorant wipe, another cleaning wipe, tampon, hand sanitizer, and pain relief medicine.

Anne Cate is a small Ohio-based business that sells city-skyline-themed accessories and journaling supplies. Their product lineup features 100 hand-designed skylines from various cities and colleges worldwide!

BuzzFeed Shopping writer Danielle Healy swears by this kit and said: "I, your resident forgetful person, bought the NYC skyline version of this at the start of COVID-19 to keep in my work tote. Unfortunately, I haven't touched my work tote in months because...*gestures at the world around*...but it's a really handy kit I know will save me a ton whenever I regularly leave the house again. Everything from Anne Cate is super high quality. The wallet on its own is adorable and could be used for a million different things." 

Get it from Anne Cate for $25  (available in dozens of styles).

17. A pocket-sized, refillable  travel perfume atomizer  because you should never have to travel without your go-to scent. It's easy to use and will take up hardly any space. Pump it on your full-size perfume bottle to fill up the atomizer!

BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lily says: "^ That's me pumping my signature perfume into one of these travel atomizers I've been using for about a year. As the reviewer down below mentions, it's great to just throw in your purse on the reg for a fragrance re-up throughout the day. As you can see, it's about the size of my thumb and therefore takes up very little room. Plus! It's smaller than most rollerball travel fragrances you can pick up. This first one is working so well, that I just have the other three in storage. But if this one bites the dust this summer during travels, I'll be OK about digging into my stores to use one of the remaining three...especially at this price point."

Promising review:  "I bought these due to traveling a lot for work and needing to cut down on the size of things in my carry-on bag for flying. I can bring four different perfumes now instead of one big one. They’re super easy to fill and haven’t leaked so far, but I keep them in a sandwich baggie while traveling just in case. I would 100% buy them again." — Emily

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $7.99 .

18. A  small jewelry case  with enough space for your daily wear items, like necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings. It's very compact so you can even carry it in your purse.

Promising review: "I travel a lot for work, and this jewelry box has everything I was looking for! It’s a nice small size and has plenty of storage for necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, and even a watch! Very good quality, and I love the color. Highly recommend!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" — Morgan

Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in 10 colors).

19. A pack of  laundry soap sheets  if you just KNOW there's an outfit you'll want to wear multiple times during your trip. This also allows you to pack lighter since you'll be able to wash a few things, which leaves plenty of room for souvenirs!

Promising review: "This came SO in handy during my vacation to Europe! I was making lots of different stops at places with different types of weather. With these laundry soap sheets I was able to wash my clothes in the sink — letting me pack just the right amount of clothes for all the different places I went." — Katie Fujarski

Get it from Amazon for $9.95 .

20. A convenient  Alleyoop Pen Pal  so you can save space when packing your nearly-exploding makeup bag. It's a 4-in-1 lip liner, eyeliner, brow pencil, and highlighter, so you'll have everything you need in one sleek pen.

It's cruelty- and paraben-free and it's vegan. Plus, the packaging is recyclable!

Alleyoop is a woman-owned small biz that is focused on redefining beauty efficiency. Many of their products are compact and have multiple uses! 

Former BuzzFeeder  Jasmin Sandal  loves this thing: "I didn't realize I'd ever use a makeup product in my twenties that had the ability to transport me back to something I used in sixth grade, but here we are; and here I am using a multitool pen...for my face. I gotta say, I love the concept of the Pen Pal from Alleyoop ! After using all of the functions (eyeliner, highlighter, lip liner, eyebrow pencil) and as someone who LOVES makeup but was applying as little as humanly possible during lockdown, I think it’s a great tool for anyone looking to streamline their routine. It's ideal to use for touch-ups come the end of the work day, or a subtle, minimalist way to apply makeup in the a.m. The brow pencil is particularly soft and pigmented, and filled in my eyebrows quickly. I just adore the ease of application of each product, and appreciate the universal, does-it-all-for-you concept. Plus, it saves me so much room in my already overflowing makeup bag!"

Promising review : "This is genius. I’ve been doing a lot of traveling and I like to keep my packing to a minimum. Not only is this convenient and travel friendly, but the color payoff is fantastic !" — Stefanie S.

Get it from  Alleyoop  (available in three shades).

21. A genius  hanging packing cube  to neatly store your outfits without having to play a game of Tetris when you pack. This has dedicated compartments for each 'fit! When you arrive at your destination, simply take it out of your suitcase and hang it up.

It also has a zipper compartment at the bottom for your dirty clothes so they don't get mixed together and you end up just washing everything when you get home (bc that's usually what happens to me).

Promising review: "I just love it. I travel a lot. Now I don’t have to hang anything up but my organizer. I can see what I pack and where everything is. Just love it. I can fit easily seven days' worth of outfits and three pairs of shoes in a carry-on suitcase.  Just great." — Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in two sizes and six colors).

22. A genius  Toptote hat clip  because surely you don't want to stuff your precious hat in a suitcase where it'll get all deformed — and take up way too much space. This magnetic clip keeps your hat free of damage *and* prevents you from losing it.

The magnetic clip securely attaches to your hat brim (damage-free) — just hook the gold hexagonal clip around the strap/holder of your choosing!

The Fileist is a woman-owned small biz, formerly known as Lindsay Albanese.

Promising review: "So happy I discovered TOPTOTE! As a hat lover, this product is seriously a lifesaver! I never have to carry my hats now when traveling and its’ magnets are SO strong. I’ve used it to carry multiple hats on my travels with no problem! Definitely a purchase well worth it!" — Adrianna

Get it from The Fileist for $55  (also available in black). 

23. A  travel umbrella  you can quickly open to protect yourself from the rain *and* it'll easily fit in your bag. The inside-out design keeps the wet part inside when you close it, which prevents water from dripping everywhere. It's also windproof, so it won't turn inside out on blustery days.

Promising review : "This is the best travel umbrella I’ve ever owned! It’s very easy to open and close one-handed with the push button. It’s very sturdy and fits nicely in a carry-on or backpack." — C.J.

Get it from Amazon for $20.95+  (available in four sizes and 41 colors).

24. A three-piece luggage set  so you always have *just* the right size suitcase for your next trip, which makes for an easier packing experience. It comes with a carry-on size, a small checked bag size, and a large checked bag size.

These suitcases have TSA-approved locks, 360-degree wheels, interior mesh pockets, and telescoping handles.

Promising review: "My family travels internationally, which means lots of airplane transfers, rail, ferry loading and unloading. Each member has their own set. Only one cosmetic scuff has appeared. About to order another set for my mother as we are taking her to London, Scotland, and Ireland for the holidays. We rarely use the middle size. The small size we carry on, and the largest size we check. Very pleased with maneuvering and durability of wheels on various rough surfaces. The retractable handle makes for easy storage on ferries and railway. We’ve had zero issues with locking mechanism. We are a family of four with kids ages 8 and 12." — ChiefLaughALot

Get a set of three from Amazon for $159.99+ (be sure to clip the $10 off coupon for this price; available in 22 colors and as a four-piece set).

25. A shoe bag  that'll hold a few pairs if you're always questioning how to fit 'em all. You can store it in your suitcase OR use the slide-on strap and secure it on top of your luggage. Bonus: your shoes won't dirty your clean clothes! 

Promising review:  "You can totally fit three pairs of shoes in this! (Size 6.5 female shoe, fit heels, wedges, and sandals.) I bought two and will absolutely be buying more for my husband. 10/10 would recommend! I travel frequently, and I always overpack; this helped cut down space and stress immensely! " — Taylor

Get it from Amazon for $22.99  (available in nine colors/patterns). 

26. A  packing checklist  to replace that feeling of panic with calm as you prepare for your next adventure. This will ensure you don't forget anything and it'll help you pack more strategically. You'll have a clear idea of what needs to fit in the suitcase as you go down the list.

Promising review: "So helpful! I travel a lot, and so does my husband, and this pad makes packing so much easier and stress-free. The list is quite extensive; while I probably will never need to pack all of it for one trip, it covers everything for a business trip or a pleasure trip. I don't worry about what I forgot to pack anymore. Use a pencil, erase it when done, and one sheet will last 3–4 trips." — Cktine

Get it from Amazon for $7  (available in three colors/styles).

27. A mini lightweight flat iron , which is truly the perfect size for traveling. Your hair will stay ~flawless~ and you won't lose a lot of luggage space.

It also comes with a heat-resistant pouch for easy carrying!

Promising review: "This fits perfectly in my toiletries travel bag that I take with me as a flight attendant. Anything that comes in small size and still works well is perfect for me." — Kathy S

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+  (available in three colors).

28. A  flying USB port  to help you cut down on how many bulky charging blocks you need to pack. This ~super fly~ hub will charge four devices at once!

Multitasky is a small business founded by Julia Xu in 2020. They're known for their adorable and functional tech products, including power banks, laptop accessories, and more!

Promising review:  "It does as it says it does, allowing my Dell XPS15 to operate a pair of USB devices from my lightning port! The laptop has two USB ports, one of which is always occupied by my USB mouse dongle and the other by my protected USB drive. If I wanted to plug in my phone to switch data or add another thumb drive to transfer a device, everything might have to be disconnected, but not anymore. It was really worth it." — Liberty

Get it from Multitasky for $25  (available in three colors). 

29. A fold-up duffel  when you know for a fact you'll be coming home with more than you originally packed. Pack your purse in your luggage on the way home and use this as your personal item instead!

It folds into a tiny pouch when not in use, is tear and water resistant, and even has a separate side pocket for shoes. There's also a side strap that slides easily over your roller luggage handle.

Promising review: "We bought this to take with us when we visited our daughter who is studying abroad for four months. We figured she would not have enough room in her luggage when it was time to come home. Folded up, this bag was so compact and lightweight, it took up almost no room in our own luggage for the trip over. Then, sure enough, she had a ton of clothes and shoes to send home with us and packed this bag full. We checked the bag and it made it through two international flights without a scratch. The BEST feature is the side strap that allows you to slide it over the handle of a rolling suitcase so you don't have to carry it. This is probably the most practical and the best-value item I have purchased in years. " — Tosa Mom

Get it from Amazon for  $18.99  (available in 16 colors/patterns).

Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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