My Favorite Airport Items

Airports, people seem to either love them or hate them. And the people who love, they seem to be more prepared than the average person to make their time in the airport more enjoyable. Here are some of my favorite items that make my life easier at the airport:

Neck Pillow:

Probably the most notorious airport essential, a neck pillow has been a true game changer for me both on the plane and in the airport. I ordered the Napfun Neck Pillow from Amazon because it came with eye covers and ear plugs. However, I particularly like this pillow because the fabric is cooling, it is made of memory foam, and the shape allows me to set it on a table or tray in front of me and lay my head down comfortably.

Chapstick:

Let's face it, dry lips are incredibly annoying, especially when you are not able to fix them. And buying last minute items in the airport is not always the cheapest solution to the problem. Also, high altitudes from being in a plan always makes my lips and skin very dry. I always make sure to grab this item before I leave for the airport.

Dry Shampoo:

Something that I hate more than dry lips is greasy hair. So when I am packing my carry-on, I make sure to grab a TSA-approved-size of dry shampoo. I prefer the Batiste Dark or Brunette travel-sized bottles, which I typically find at Ulta.

Colgate Max Fresh Wisp:

Another product that I discovered and have now decided I cannot go to the airport without is the Colgate Max Fresh Wisp Disposable Toothbrushes. These are little toothbrushed that have toothpaste in the center of the brush head. I found them at Target, but I believe Walmart and Amazon carry them too. They are great to have especially when you have a long layover and packed your toothbrush in your checked bag.

Deodorant:

To top off the personal hygiene list of best items to take to the airport, deodorant should really be at the top. After a long day of traveling, potentially changing temperature, or during a long layover, you don't want to be the smelly person someone texts their best friend about. So do yourself, and others, a favor by including this in your carry on. Just make sure that if you use a gel or spray deodorant that it is 3.4oz or less. If you have a solid stick, you have no worries!

Powerstrip:

I have to admit, I have never brought one of these to the airport. However, my last trip I had two seven-hour layovers to sit through. While there was an abundance of outlets at JFK, that is not always the case. An even if there are plenty of outfits, they may not be in the most comfortable places. Bringing a powerstrip can be a life-saver if you are traveling with a group, or even just a way to make new friends at the airport if you need to share an outlet.

Reusable Water Bottle:

Airport food is expensive. If you are trying to save some cash on meals, bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up at a water fountain. Just make sure your water bottle has absolutely no liquids in it before going through security. You can have ice in your bottle, but it cannot be melted whatsoever or you will have to dump the contents out and restarted the security process. If you really want ice, maybe consider walking up to one of the bars and asking for a cup of ice to put in your bottle.

Four-Wheeled Luggage:

This is something that I wish I owned, but unfortunately I own two-wheeled luggage at the moment. If you plan on bringing a wheeled carry on that you have to lug around the airport, consider investing in one with four wheels. I watched those suitcases travel around the airport much easier than I was able to as my two-wheeled kept flipping and flopping. Seriously, do yourself a favor and make the switch.

A Foldable Tarp Blanket:

This was something I initially packed thinking I would use it on the beach since it is a waterproof and sand-resistant blanket. However, I found it most useful during my seven-hour layover that was overnight in JFK. If you are not in a lounge, there is really no half-way comfortable place to sleep in an airport. And, the floors are really dirty. While the gate we were sitting at was fairly empty with lot's of room to layout on the floor, I remembered that I had packed that little blanket and brought it out to cover the dirty floor. While it was not the most comfortable sleep I have ever had, it certainly helped me catch a few hours before boarding time. I could not find the exact one I have on Amazon, but this one from Browntrek will do the trick.

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and will bring some of these items on your next airport conquest to make traveling a breeze. If you have any suggestions of products that make your life easier at the airport, feel free to share them in the comments!