Long Haul, Less Suffering: Travel Essentials Worth Packing

Long haul travel doesn’t have to be an endurance test. After countless flights across continents and oceans, particularly in the last five years, I’ve learned that the difference between arriving exhausted versus energized often comes down to the smaller, less noticeable accessories you pack. These little guys don’t just make flights more bearable—they actively enhance your travel experience, helping you combat jet lag, stay comfortable, and actually enjoy the journey.

Whether you’re facing a seven-hour hop or a full day in transit, these thoroughly tested essentials have transformed how I travel. From staying fresh and healthy to maximizing rest and entertainment, each item serves a specific purpose in making long haul journeys not just survivable, but genuinely better. Not only that, most of these come in under $50, so you can upgrade without breaking the bank.

Here are the travel essentials that have earned a permanent place in my carry-on.

Packable Hanger

Let’s start with something simple but surprisingly game-changing. Hotels are notorious for having either terrible hangers or not enough of them, and there’s nothing worse than watching your favorite jacket develop creases while draped over a chair for a week. A portable hanger solves this with elegant simplicity.

Most of these ingenious little hangers fold completely flat, taking up virtually no space in your bag. When you need it, it unfolds into a sturdy, full-sized hanger that can support jackets, shirts, or even heavier items without buckling. I’ve used mine everywhere from cramped Airbnb closets to shower rods when I need to air out a rain-soaked shell or dry a merino shirt after washing in the sink by hand!

What makes this particular Muji hanger great is how it packs. With a tiny fitintoanyspace footprint, you can easily slide this into a water bottle pocket or down the side of your carry-on without having to set aside space in your packing. For under ten bucks, it’s one of those purchases that makes you wonder why you waited so long. You could even pack two if you’re traveling for more than a few days!

My Pick: Muji Portable Foldable Hanger

International Travel Adapter

Power management on the road used to mean carrying a tangle of adapters, dongles, and chargers that somehow always left you one port short. A good travel adapter changes the game entirely.

For me, my favourite to use for international travel has been the Matador Global Travel Adapter. This compact unit works in over 150 countries and features a high-capacity 35W PD USB-C port, plus additional USB-C and USB-A ports with smart-charging technology. That means you can fast-charge your phone, laptop, tablet, and other devices simultaneously without any compromises. The 35W PD port can take a smartphone from dead to 50% in under 30 minutes—a literal lifesaver when you’re scrambling to make a connection and your phone is gasping its last breath. The adapter’s party trick is its retractable prong system that adapts to different outlet configurations worldwide. Slide, twist, and you’re compatible with outlets from Tokyo to London to Sydney. 

However, besides all of that, the best thing about this baby is the peace of mind it provides. No more adapter anxiety, no more “which plug do I need for this country?” stress. You arrive, plug in, and everything just works. The built-in surge protection means you can sleep soundly knowing your devices are safe, even in hotels with questionable electrical systems. It’s become so essential to my travel that I actually bought a second one for our family kit—that’s how much I rely on it.

My pick: Matador Global Travel Adapter

Nose Spray

Here’s something nobody talks about enough: airplane air is brutal on your sinuses. Cabin humidity hovers around 10-20%, which is drier than most deserts. After a few hours, your nasal passages feel like sandpaper, you’re more susceptible to catching whatever bug is circulating through the cabin, and you land feeling congested and miserable.

Enter the Sudafed Saline Nasal Mist with Aloe (or any other reputable nasal spray!) This isn’t medicated—it’s just water, salt, and aloe—which means you can use it as often as needed without any concerns about overuse or side effects. The saline solution moisturizes your nasal passages, flushes out irritants and allergens, and helps your body maintain its natural defenses against airborne germs.

I have a fool proof routine for this: once after boarding, once mid-flight, and once before landing. The difference is remarkable. Instead of arriving with that stuffy, dried-out feeling that takes days to shake, my sinuses stay comfortable and I recover faster from the flight. The aloe adds a soothing element that regular saline sprays lack. Not only is it useful on planes, it can help combat overzealous heating or air conditioning too.

The bottle is TSA-compliant, fits easily in any carry-on, and lasts for multiple trips. It’s also perfect for hotel rooms with aggressive air conditioning or heating. For less than ten bucks, this little bottle has become non-negotiable in my travel routine. Your future self, standing in a bathroom at 2 AM unable to breathe properly, will thank you for packing this.

My Pick: SUDAFED Non Medicated Aloe Nasal Spray

Compression Socks

Long-distance travel is hard on your legs and circulatory system. Sitting for extended periods can cause all sorts of problems, and compression socks are a must. 

The ones that I’ve come to love are the Bombas Compression Socks, which offer graduated compression (15-20mmHg for everyday, and a 20-30mmHg variant for more compression), meaning they’re tightest at the ankle and gradually ease up toward your calf. This design actively promotes healthy blood flow, reducing swelling and fatigue. But here’s what makes Bombas special: they’re actually comfortable. Made with a soft, breathable blend, these socks don’t itch, bunch, or cut into your skin.  There’s even a merino wool version available too.

I’ve worn these on 36-hour journeys and genuinely forgotten I had them on. My legs arrive feeling fresh instead of swollen and achy. The difference is so pronounced that I now wear them on any flight over three hours. Beyond flights, they’re fantastic for long days of walking and exploring. Your feet and legs stay energised, and you can cover more ground without that heavy, tired feeling.

At $30, they’re an affordable investment in arriving ready to explore instead of needing a day to recover. Compression socks are an easy upgrade to your travel EDC that’ll help you get more out of your journey.

My Pick: Bombas Compression Socks

Sleep Mask

Sleep is a superpower, especially when traveling. A good sleep mask, is a secret weapon for catching quality rest in the chaos of planes, airports, and unfamiliar hotel rooms.

However, a good eye mask makes all the difference. I’ve recently been using the TRTL Glimpse and this isn’t your typical free flimsy eye mask. The Glimpse features a 360-degree blackout design with a raised foam layer that creates space around your eyes, allowing you to blink naturally without any pressure on your eyelids. That detail alone puts it miles ahead of traditional masks that press against your face and leave you with weird marks.

The mask is exceptionally comfortable, with a soft, breathable fabric that doesn’t cause that sweaty, claustrophobic feeling you get with cheaper options. The adjustable strap ensures it stays in place whether you’re sleeping upright in economy or sprawled out in a hotel bed. It’s useful at all stages of your travel.

Quality sleep transforms your travel experience, and a good eye mask like the Glimpse delivers that consistently.

My pick: TRTL Glimpse Sleep Mask

Anti-Jet Lag System

Jet lag is the final boss of long haul travel. You can survive the flight, navigate customs, and find your hotel, but then your body betrays you—you’re exhausted at noon and wide awake at 3 AM, and it takes days to feel human again. The Fount FlyKitt is the most sophisticated solution I’ve found to this problem.

Developed using research from Navy SEALs and fighter pilots, FlyKitt takes a comprehensive approach to combating jet lag and travel inflammation. The system includes custom supplements, blue light-blocking glasses, and a smart app that creates a personalized protocol based on your specific flight details.

The supplements target sleep quality, inflammation reduction, and circadian rhythm adjustment. The glasses block 99% of the light wavelengths that disrupt your body clock. But the real magic is the app, which tells you exactly when to eat, sleep, take supplements, and wear the glasses—all timed to your travel itinerary and your body’s needs.

I tested this on a 36-hour journey from the US to Australia, historically my most brutal jet lag experience. Following the FlyKitt protocol, I landed feeling remarkably normal. The difference was dramatic—instead of losing two days to recovery, I was functional and energized from day one. The system comes in a well-designed carry case with color-coded supplements that match the app instructions, making it straightforward to follow even when you’re sleep-deprived. I’ve now used this for the last two years and it is the closest thing I’ve found to a “cure” for jetlag.

If you’re traveling across multiple time zones and want to maximize your time at your destination, FlyKitt is worth every penny. It transforms jet lag from an inevitable suffering into a manageable challenge. The difference between arriving wrecked and arriving ready to go changes everything about your trip.

My Pick: Flykitt International

E-reader – Bonus Item

Let’s talk luxury—not necessarily in terms of price, but in terms of pure travel enjoyment. Enter the e-reader. While I’ve always loved reading, the e-reader has become one of my favourite travel companions. 

Why I hear you ask? Well there are a few reasons. One, the battery lasts up to 12 weeks on a single charge. That’s multiple trips without needing to add another charger to your kit. Two, the newer e-readers are waterproof, so you can read poolside or in the bath without worry. And with most readers now having plenty of storage, you can carry a library’s worth of books around at under a pound in weight.

However, the real luxury is the experience. Unlike a phone or tablet, the Kindle has no social media, no notifications, no distractions. It’s a portal to pure reading, which is exactly what you want on a long journey. Unlike a TV show or movie on your phone or tablet, you can squeeze in a few pages of relaxation in the immigration line, while you wait for your luggage, or even on the bus/train/uber to your destination. An easy way to relax and enjoy your journey!

My pick: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature

The Bottom Line

Long haul travel will always be challenging, but these seven essentials transform it from an ordeal into a more manageable—even enjoyable—experience. They address the core issues that make extended travel tough: discomfort, fatigue, jet lag, boredom, and arriving feeling destroyed.

The best travel gear doesn’t just solve problems; it actively enhances your journey. Each item here has earned its place through real-world testing, and each one addresses a specific aspect of making long haul travel better. Together, they’ve helped me create a system that helps you arrive feeling ready to make the most of your destination, not just grateful to be done traveling.

Your next long trip will come around eventually, whether by plane, train or automobile. When it does, you’ll be glad you packed smart.