The best travel essentials for long flights you should never leave home without.

For me, long flights are a nightmare; in fact as a I’m writing this blog, I am mentally preparing myself to endure the 20+ hour flight I will take just to get to my home country. I’ve never met anyone who enjoys long flights, even if you are lucky to be first or business class where the experience is much different.

Long flights can be daunting on both your mental and physical wellbeing. To combat lengthy flights, I make sure to bring with me a few key items, especially when I’m in economy class like the majority of passengers. The items found on this list have all been proven to be extremely useful for me, so I hope that they will also help you during those unending flights.

Protect your health – what to bring

Traveling during COVID-19 it has become extremely important to take all the necessary precautions to protect your health. Following the directions from the CDC you should always wear a mask if you are traveling. The KN95 Face Mask is a great choice as it can filter out 95% of particles.

In addition, you should bring sanitizing wipes to clean your seat belts, armrests, tray table, screen, and the seat pocket as soon as you board the flight. We recommend getting the LA Fresh Wipe Away Hard Surface Cleaning Wipes which claims to remove up to 99.9% of contaminants.

Last (but not least!) always take hand sanitizer and constantly disinfect your hands; you never know when it could come through in a pinch! Keep in mind that hand sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective. We recommend purchasing the Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Gel 1 OZ Travel Size.

Medicines

You never know if you won’t feel well during long trips; so don’t chance it. I recommend you pack some Tylenol in case you get a headache (which can happen if you don’t hydrate yourself properly) and some Tums for any tummy ache or indigestion you may experience during the flight. If you suffer from motion sickness, bring some Dramamine with you to relieve symptoms.

A pen

What is something so simple you always forget? A pen! When traveling internationally, you probably will be asked to fill out some kind of customs card to present upon arrival to your destination. How many times have you had to ask someone for the pen you forgot to take? And it’s always at the worst time as passengers scramble to complete the form before landing right at the tail end of the flight. Take a pen so that you won’t need to bother your neighbors for theirs and have to wait until they finish.

Food & snacks

As I mentioned before, I am not a fan of airline food, so I always bring something to eat like a sandwich – either from home to be healthy or from a shop at the airport. I also bring snacks like crackers, fruit cups, and nuts to munch on if I am hungry. Eating is another way or helping time go by a bit faster. My husband lives by this rule and will look for any excuse to load up on KitKats, Swedish Fish and god knows what other candy he can find.

Gum

Gum is essential if you suffer from the air pressure that can make your ears hurt (especially during landing and taking off). Chewing gum can help relieving this pressure and reduce the pain. Additionally, it can freshen your mouth if you are not brushing your teeth as often as you would at home.

Water

I force myself to drink a lot of water when I am flying so that my body and skin can be as hydrated as possible. Remember that the low humidity combined with the high pressure on the plane can wreak havoc on your skin. I always purchase a big bottle of water before boarding so that I don’t have to be waiting for the flight attendants to make their rounds and keep asking them to refill my tiny glass.

Sleep aids

Sleeping aids are key for long flights. If you can sleep for at least a couple of hours the flight time will be reduced and you’ll get to your destination faster. There are a few items that can help you fall asleep:

Sleeping mask: This is an essential accessory to help you sleep. We recommend bringing the Manta Sleep Mask to help block 100% of the light.

Neck pillow: A neck pillow is key to be able to sleep a bit more comfortably. We recommend the Ostrichpillow Go neck pillow which is made with high density memory foam and 360º natural ergonomic neck support. This is one of the better products you’ll find, and will be way more comfortable than those you can find at the airport.

Melatonin/ZZZquil: If you need a bit of help you fall asleep try taking Melatonin, a natural supplement, or ZZZquil.

Toiletry bag

Toothbrush/toothpaste: Brushing your teeth when you are taking long flights is essential; you will not only keep your mouth feeling refreshed, you also are combating food you may not normally eat. We recommend getting the Colgate Max Fresh Wisp Disposable Mini Toothbrush which is great for brushing your teeth on the go and can be tossed after use. Remember to also bring a travel size toothpaste like the Crest 3D White Brilliance Toothpaste. Bringing a deodorant to apply during the flight is also a good idea.

Hand cream: My hands tend to get dry when I fly, so I always bring a small hand cream that I apply as many times as necessary. I especially like the L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream which is made (among other ingredients) with honey, almond extracts and coconut oil blended with shea butter.

Lip balm: Your lips might get dry during your trip, so bring along a lip balm like EOS to protect cracked and dry lips. With ingredients that include natural butters, oils and waxes, this balm will protect and lock in moisture.

Skin care: To help protect your skin and avoid dryness you should bring a few skin care products. These include a cleanser, a serum and a moisturizer. If your flight is during the day also remember to bring sunscreen to protect you from the sun rays and blue light – that little window is not the best protection.

We recommend you take the GOX Carry On Zipper Pouch Toiletry Bag Packing Sack to keep all your toiletries organized.

Entertainment

If you like to read considering along a Kindle Paperwhite. It’s the thinnest, lightest Kindle Paperwhite with a flush-front design and 300 ppi glare-free display that reads like real paper. Bonus: it’s waterproof so it’s a great companion to take with you to that beach vacation you are planning!

We are part of several affiliate programs including Amazon and Viator which means that we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through the links included in this post.

Take a look at a few travel tips for long flights.

I’m going to be honest; I dread long flights. I really envy those people who love flying and enjoy the experience – no matter how long they have to be cooped up in the plane cabin. I am definitely not one of them and probably will never be. However, since I love traveling and exploring new destinations, I had to find ways to help me cope better with the challenges long flights always bring. Here are some tips I put into practice in the last years to survive those long flights which helped me cope being stuck on a plane for seemingly endless hours.

Move around the cabin

Whenever you are on long flights, make sure you move around the cabin often – at least once every hour. Not only does it break up the monotony but moving around can help you avoid developing blood clots (more accurately called deep vein thrombosis) which occur when you are immobile for long periods of time or sitting in those tiny cramped seats during the flight.

Wearing a Fitbit during a flight is a great idea – it will notify you that it’s time to get up and move around in case you get lost in an onboard movie marathon. If you don’t have a Fitbit, drinking plenty of water also promotes movement; it acts as a good reminder to get out of your seat since you will be forced to go to the bathroom more often. Take this time to also walk around the cabin and do some quick stretches. Just staying standing in one of the cabin aisles for a few minutes before you return to your seat will also help.

Wear comfortable clothes

Forget about being stylish when you fly and bring comfortable, loose clothing that will make your flight more pleasant. When I travel, I usually wear leggings, warm shoes, and a hoodie. Of course, I always carry a jacket since I am on the boarder of hyperthermia with the plane’s malicious AC. It’s always a good idea to dress in layers so you can adjust to the airplane temperature.

I have seen people travel in their pjs – but this is a bit too much. Remember that when you travel your feet might swell up due to the high altitude, so bring shoes that are not too tight and some warm socks. There is nothing more uncomfortable that having cold and swollen feet for hours.

Bring sleeping aids

If you are taking a redeye flight, make sure you are adequately prepared to catch some shut eye. Falling -and staying- asleep is usually harder in a plane but there are a few tips to follow which might help. When packing for your trip, make sure you bring a comfortable sleeping/neck pillow and a quality sleeping mask. This is vital because to get some good hours of sleep onboard your flight, you can’t wait too long to have the lights turn off in the cabin. When I fly, I usually take a sleeping pill such as ZZZquil to make sure I sleep for as long as possible.

Pack a necessaire

I usually carry with me a small necessaire (toiletry bag) with travel essentials like skin care products, a hairbrush, a small stick of deodorant, and a toothbrush to help me feel a bit fresher when I land. Remember to wash your mouth with bottled water when you brush your teeth in the plane’s bathroom.

Bring a few distractions

Inflight movies can be very hit or miss. Take advantage that you have several hours of basically free time to read that book you’ve had on the shelf, flip through a few magazines, listen to a good podcast, download that Netflix series, or simply relax. If you are traveling with someone, bring a pack of cards to play a fun game or two. I always try organizing the hours ahead and break them up into several activities. For example, I would read for an hour, then watch a movie, eat a snack, nap, etc. Building a “routine” will help time go faster. Keep in mind that phone batteries might die within a couple of hour so it’s important to bring an extra cable to charge your phone as many times as needed. Oh, and download what you want to watch on your iPad or phone before leaving from home.

Pack snacks and your favorite food

As I mentioned during previous posts, I am not a fan of airplane food, and my husband is a snob who refuses to eat on a plane. Whenever possible I always try to bring my own food and plenty of snacks. I usually bring walnuts/almonds or some crackers, while my husband packs in bags of Kit Kats or Swedish Fish. You can either buy a sandwich at the airport or bring a better one from home (we traditionally pack prosciutto sandwiches, since they last longer, and then suffer from overdrinking water). Bringing your own food means that you don’t need to wait until service starts to eat which is especially beneficial during red eye flights – you can fall asleep as soon as you want.

Additionally, before you board the plane, remember to bring one or two large bottles of water. Hydrating yourself during long flights is essential so you should have water readily available to drink when you get thirsty.

Find a good seat

If you want to sleep and not be bothered pick the seat next to the window. If you like moving around and need to go to the bathroom plenty of times, pick an aisle seat. Avoid reserving the last row as seats do not recline as you will be uncomfortable for the whole flight. Arrive early to the airport so you will have more chances of getting a good seat if your ticket didn’t allow to reserve seats in advance.

We are part of several affiliate programs including Amazon and Viator which means that we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through the links included in this post.

When you come back from a trip, follow this post-vacation travel checklist to help you adjust to everyday life once again.

I know the feelings of coming back from an amazing trip all too well: a mix of disappointment, exhaustion, and even a bit of depression. You probably had a blast during your trip visiting wonderful places, meeting incredible people, and eating delicious food. All of a sudden, you’re back home and reality hits – you probably have to work the next day with mind-numbing obligations and those “to do’s” have started to pile up. Seriously, the post-trip blues are no joke.

However, it’s also nice to come back to the familiarity of your own home, to the usual routines, and enjoy the post-travel activities like making photo albums. If possible, give yourself a buffer day before you go back to work. Trust me, you will need it for getting basic groceries, organizing yourself, and honestly just getting some rest. In my opinion, jetlag is the worst downside of traveling especially if there is a major difference in time zones.

Below is a list of things I always do when I come back from a trip – it’s a mix of important to-dos combined with fun post-travel activities to help you properly imprint the best memories of the trip.

Take care of pending to do’s

When you come back there are probably bills to pay, lots of mail to go through, and getting the basic groceries. The first step is getting organized by writing a list of everything you need to do – not just that day but for the week. Remember to also check your credit card balance to make sure there aren’t any unauthorized charges placed during your trip.

Download your pictures to your PC and an external hard drive

This is one of the first things I do when I return from vacation. Unfortunately in the past, I lost pictures saved on my phone and on my computer when it suddenly stopped working – more than once! I am sure I am not the only one who suffered the consequences of not saving the pictures in more than one place.

I now have an external hard drive to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself. I recommend the Toshiba Canvio Basics 3.0 1 TB portable hard drive – it’s compatible with different versions of Windows and a good travel companion.

Take good care of yourself

When we are on vacation, we tend to forget about the healthy habits we follow at home. We might overindulge in restaurants, forget that the gym exists, and not get enough sleep. So when we come back home, it’s time to get back on track by:

Drinking lots of liquids: By liquids, I mean water. Not coffee, not tea, not beer, and not sodas… just water. When traveling, drinking water may not always be easy, nor at the front of your mind. Take this time to catch up and give your body a much-needed restart. Drinking plenty of water has numerous benefits, not just keeping you hydrated, but it will regulate your body temperature, transport nutrients to your cells and eliminate waste. As you can see, drinking water is vital; so shoot for no less than 1 ½ liters of water every day.

Restart your exercise routine: When we travel, going to the gym is usually the last priority for many. That’s why when you get back home, it’s important to start your routine once again. The hardest part is to start, but once you get into the habit, it will be much easier to put on your exercise gear and head to the gym.

Catch up with sleep: If you didn’t get enough sleep during your trip, make sure you get around 7-8 hours of sleep every day. Jetlag can put your sleep routine upside down so take some melatonin or ZZZquil during the first days after your trip if you notice you are awake in the middle of the night.

Detox your body: It’s time to stop overindulging and start eating homemade meals. Go grocery shopping and pack your cart with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid eating sweets and heavy meals. Another great way to detox that you may not think about is the sauna – regular use of a dry sauna has shown to eliminate toxics and improve heart health.

Go back to your usual skin care routine: Hopefully, you brought all you needed to follow your usual skin care routine during your trip, but if you weren’t able to, make sure you go back to using your regular products and give yourself an at home facial for an extra self-care step.

Read blog: 4 travel size skin care products you should always take with you

Add a pin to your travel map

I have a travel map above my desk and one of the most exciting parts when I return from a trip is adding a pin to the destination I just visited. I have to say that the map serves also as a reminder that I still have too many destinations that I want to visit in my lifetime.

There are plenty of options to choose from in Amazon such as the Personalized Push Pin World Travel Map with Black Frame and Pins where you can add your name. It’s a bit expensive but totally worth it in my opinion – it will inspire you to go on more trips and have life changing experiences.

Unpack and put things in order

I know this is the last thing you want to do when you come back from your trip, but you should avoid having your suitcase sitting in the middle of your bedroom for days. My husband is quite militant on this and the next day everything is back in its place. You don’t have to be like him, but there are a few tips that will reduce stress.

Do laundry, store your suitcases, arrange all your souvenirs – just get it over with as soon as you can. Since this is a pretty boring activity put some fun music in the background to motivate you during the process. If you travelled with a carry-on, like I do, you probably didn’t overpack so this will go much faster!

Print your pictures/create a photobook

This is one of my favorite parts when I come back from a trip. Going through the pictures from a recent vacation, helps me revive my favorite memories. I usually select the best quality pictures, print them and put them in a brand new photo album.

I have over 35 photo albums which occupy a lot of space, so I decided to start creating photo books instead. My photo books act like travel journals as I document the best memories and anecdotes of the trip. Otherwise, it’s very easy to forget them as time goes by.

I love Snapfish and highly recommend this company both for printing photos and for creating photo books. Products are of great quality and the company offers great customer service. I honestly had only one issue, a book lost in the mail which they replaced for free.

Plan for your next trip

If you are a globetrotter like me (and you probably are if you are reading this blog) start planning your next adventure. I always say the planning portion is half of the fun as the actual trip. Go grab a new travel book, get inspired, and start building your next itinerary.

We are part of several affiliate programs including Amazon and Viator which means that we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through the links included in this post.