If you have ever experienced a travel layover, particularly an unplanned layover, you may identify with these titles: “How to Survive the Airport Layover from Hell” or “Surviving your Nightmare Airport Layover”.
However you choose to describe the experience, a little bit of preplanning can go a long way in helping you to pass the time on your next layover.
Essential Travel Accessories for a Planned or Unplanned Travel Layover
What you really need to do is be prepared for the possibility of a layover with the most essential of travel accessories: your phone, water bottle, toiletries, snacks, etc.
>> Related: 30 Things You Can Do To Survive an Airport Layover
Top 10 Travel Accessories if You Are Stuck at the Airport
1. Phone
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In my opinion, a smart phone and a portable charger are of equal importance when you are stuck on a travel layover at the airport.
Smart phones are travel accessories must haves that you don’t want to leave home without. Use your smart phone on a travel layover to:
- set an alarm if you want to sleep
- receive flight updates
- touch base with home
- listen to music or podcasts
- watch a movie or TV show
- surf the internet
- post to social media
Many options are available for smart phones so choose what best fits your personal preference. If you are still in the camp of not owning a smart phone, get one!
2. Portable Charger
I recommend that you always travel with a portable charger for charging your electronic devices (especially your phone). If you are using your devices during an airport layover, you may not always have easy access to charging outlets in the airport. The INIU Portable Charger works like a charm and is essential for keeping your phone charged to receive important travel updates.
3. Cables & Cable Organizer
Don’t forget to pack your cables in your backpack, personal travel bag, or carryon luggage. Having cables in your “checked” luggage won’t do you any good if you need to charge your devices during an unplanned travel layover.
Invest in a cable organizer to keep everything categorized. Get in the habit of double checking your organizer for cables you may have forgotten to unplug.
4. iPad and Keyboard
As a travel blogger, having access to my iPad and a keyboard is essential. You could use the on screen keyboard to type blog posts, but I have done that before when I forgot to bring a keyboard and it is neither fun nor easy.
If you need to catch up on work, text with family or friends, or even post to social media, having both your tablet and a keyboard is essential.
5. Water Bottle
Yes, you can buy a water bottle at the airport, but having a reusable water bottle is not only earth friendly but also less expensive. Fill and refill your water bottle as needed. Staying hydrated on your long layover is important too.
6. Backpack or Personal Travel Bag
I love my North Face travel backpack designed especially for women and picked it for a variety of reasons. If you are looking for a travel bag, do a little research and make a list of your must-haves.
Not sure exactly what your must-haves should be? Here are a few features to look for:
- a travel bag or backpack that is designed specifically for men or women
- a padded laptop section
- a large middle section for a camera insert
- lots of interior and exterior pockets
- expandable side pockets for a water bottle, easily accessible hand sanitizer, and Blistex
- a mesh front pocket
- a sternum strap
- a waist belt
You’ll find that your travel backpack is often your home away from home with all of your essential travel accessories close at hand. NorthFace also has a similar backpack for men.
I also love the Travelon Crossbody Bag (in addition to my backpack). I carry this and my backpack and love the convenience of having essentials close at hand. This bag is my new favorite crossbody bag for travel.
7. Noise Canceling Headphones
Whether you opt for a corded or bluetooth set of noise canceling headphones, you’ll enjoy peace and quiet in the midst of the airport noise and chaos. Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Canceling Headphones
8. Toiletries
Fill a TSA approved bag with toiletry essentials:
- 1-2 days of your prescriptions
- Face mask
- Eye drops
- Lotion
- Fingernail clippers
- Toothbrush and paste
- Comb, pick, hairspray and hair tie
- Hand sanitizer
9. Snacks
There are times when you don’t have the opportunity to purchase a meal or last-minute snacks when you encounter a travel layover. For instance, your flight is held at the gate and not allowed to come or go due to a mechanical error, staffing issues, weather, etc. In this case, you will want to have snacks readily available.
Built.com offers my go-to protein bar or granola bar. They are filling, tasty, high in protein, and don’t take a lot of space in my travel bag. Plus, I have a coupon code for a 10% discount that is reusable and never expires!
Bonus * Use Code SJTRAVELS at checkout for 10% off your Built.com purchase.
10. Scarf
A scarf as one of your travel accessories can be used for fashion and function. Find one that is stylish as well as big enough that it can double as a travel blanket when necessary.
As a bonus, a chic scarf makes a great gift for the adventure seeker in your life.
>> Related: Great Gift Ideas for Adventure Seeking Women
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Final Thoughts on the Travel Accessories You Need to Survive an Airport Layover
We don’t always consider the downsides of travel, but having a travel layover can certainly bring on the blues. Especially if it is unplanned and seems to go on and on and on.
A little advance preparation and planning goes a long way in making your travel layover more enjoyable. Packing the essential travel accessories, if nothing else, will help to pass the time.
Recap of 10 Travel Accessories You Need for a Travel Layover:
- Phone
- Portable Charger
- Cables & Cable Organizer
- iPad (Tablet) & Keyboard
- Water bottle
- Backpack
- Noise Canceling Headphones
- Toiletries
- Snacks
- Scarf
This is super helpful! I always bring some fresh clothes also in case of delays or missing suitcases. That way I can always change into something new 😂
That is a great idea too.
Great tips! I really need to get a portable charger like the one you mentioned. Sometimes even at the airport, it’s hard to find a charger that works or is available. Thanks so much for the recommendations!
It is time to click the link and buy that charger!
Portable chargers are absolute nonnegotiable! I pack two in case of one of them dies on my
A second one is great, especially if you travel with kids who might use up all of their battery too.
These are great ideas. I’ve been stuck in an airport without a charging cord for my phone. I felt so disconnected!
Ugh, I can identify. You feel so lost. “What am I supposed to do now?!”
Every one of them an absolute essential, great list! And thank you for reminding me to get a new scarf : )
I have everything on this list EXCEPT a cable organizer. I really need to get one of those! Great post!
Time to click on the link then!