13 Vogue Staffers Share the Travel Essentials They Never Take Off Without

Style at 40,000 feet is subjective; it follows, then, that what constitutes a “travel essential” is personal too. For some, it’s the 100mL version of their entire medicine cabinet; for others, luxe accessories in silk and cashmere; for the inspiringly laid-back, it might just be their passport and that’s it. Between fashion weeks and summer trips, our editors are on the road quite a bit—so we asked them to spill on the contents of their travel bags.

From lightweight layers that form the base of a capsule wardrobe to tech favorites and the books that are making it off the shelf, these are the travel essentials Vogue editors swear by. The cabin bags vary, the organizational pouches range from designer to toddler-friendly—but no matter where you’re headed this summer, you may find something in the edit worth adding to your own plane tote.

Madeline Fass, fashion market director, shopping

I have an old black leather envelope from the early days of Cuyana that I use as a permanent home for my passport, eye mask, and crappy pair of airplane headphones. That way I never forget the necessities and can throw them into my bag all at once. Additionally, I’ve been using this Hermes pouch all summer and it’s been a great home for the rest of my travel bits, which include an Avène face mist, a mini hair brush, a hand cream, and a lip balm for in-flight refreshes. For long-haul trips without the upgrade, the Ostrich neck pillow is an absolute must!

Elly Leavitt, lifestyle editor, shopping

This time of year, my plane bag is usually also my beach tote. I’m currently deliberating between a jute one I bought last summer (which I love, but which sheds like crazy) and a tidier canvas version. Inside the bag, I have a million little pouches that house boring practicalities like Vaseline and eye drops to combat dry air; speaking of which, I try to switch to glasses for red-eyes, since my contacts always end up fused to my eyes by the end of a 10-hour flight. Finally, despite the best efforts of both myself and Big Melatonin, I can never sleep on the plane—which means I need something to do. I’ve been making my way through Muriel Spark. Loitering with Intent is an all-time favorite and I just ordered The Driver’s Seat, a novella that’s the perfect length for a plane trip.

Talia Abbas, shopping director

I tend to travel with a huge (no really, huge) tote that I then fill with all kinds of pouches to stay organized—one for jewelry, one for my passport and chargers, one for pens, etc. This is also definitely a personal quirk but I’m generally not a fan of the hand soap in public restrooms so I’ve taken to bringing my own… it’s the small things!

Libby Jane Page, global executive shopping director

“Please have your personal belongings on you at all times”—I take this very seriously, and will always have my wallet and passport holder close by along with other valuable essentials (including my LESSE lip balm).

Liam Hess, senior lifestyle & weddings editor

I splashed out on a Prada nylon backpack six or seven years ago, and it hasn’t done me wrong—they’re made of seriously sturdy stuff. Even after countless long-haul flights, all of the straps and zippers are good as new. The nylon does look a little beaten up, but I sort of like the patina it’s developed. I always take a T-shirt to change into in the bathroom after takeoff so that I can change back into a clean shirt before landing—I’m especially fond of a band tee, and the one I bought from the PJ Harvey merch stand after seeing her in London a few years back is in regular rotation.

The book I’m looking forward to diving into this summer during taxi and take-off is Andrew Durbin’s dual biography of two of my favorite artists, Peter Hujar and Paul Thek. Oh, and this Dr. Idriss Depuffer (which was originally given to me by my esteemed colleague and senior beauty editor Margaux Anbouba—she must have noticed my persistent eye bags) is a game-changer if you need sprucing up after a long day of travel. Store it in your hotel minibar fridge to chill for maximum effect.

Kasey Busiel, marketing and production manager

Clean face, hair up, cozy sweater on—the pre-take off essentials that help me get comfortable for the flight. Only once I’m settled in can I dive into my book club book. I’m loving my Loeffler Randall bag for travel—it’s spacious enough for everything I need, with interior pockets that keep it all organized.

Cortne Bonilla, senior shopping writer

When I’m traveling now, I’m no longer solo, and I’m often quite tired—because I’m usually with my baby! For his first flight, we made sure to stock up on bottles, some toys and diapers, and other cozy essentials for the plane. For myself, I like to make sure I’m as comfortable as possible with an infant on my lap. Oversized sunglasses, a throw blanket, and a laid-back romance novel are my musts.

Kiana Murden, beauty editor, shopping

Despite the fact that I’m a beauty editor, you might be surprised at how many products I travel with. First, a face mask to combat dry airplane air. (Sometimes I go for a sheet mask, but I often prefer Medicube’s jelly cream that is as nourishing, without having to fiddle with flimsy hydrogel.) An ultra-fine, barrier-reparative mist, under-eye patches, and lip balms are also essential—tucked away in a pouch inside my Alex Mill tote.

Cosmetics aside, I save the rest of the space in my bag for reading materials (Agnes Lives is next on my list!), chargers, and whatever didn’t fit in my carry-on.

Minty Mellon, shopping market editor

I bought this travel bag from Res Ipsa about five years ago. It has lasted me through various long-haul flights, road trips, and quick weekend escapes. No matter the destination, I try to always bring a few staples with me: I will always have a sunscreen, baseball cap, a lip treatment, probiotics, and wired headphones at the ready.

Alexandra Ditch, associate commerce producer

The L.L. Bean Boat and Tote is a classic for a reason. It’s so spacious, and once I arrive at my destination, it usually transforms into my beach bag. No matter how hot it is outside, I prepare for the inevitably freezing temperatures of the airplane; Leset’s cardigan is the perfect lightweight layer, and it folds up into nothing. I keep my hat and sunglasses in my tote at all times, along with a Gemi hand sanitizer serum and Ilia lip balm—both perfectly moisturizing for the airplane’s dry air.

Andrea Zendejas, shopping market editor

Traveling looks a bit different with a toddler. Packing multiple pouches with snacks and busy books is a non-negotiable; these pouches help me stay organized. I have one for cosmetics, important documents, and passports, and another for baby essentials.

Some other travel favorites include a cashmere travel wrap, Origin’s Peace of Mind On-Spot relief, hand cream, and AirPods. As for my travel bag, I use a vintage Prada travel tote that I bought during a Vogue eBay Live; it has become my go-to.

Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty writer, shopping

God forbid I have to hear my own thoughts, or worse, get caught in a random conversation while traveling—so I keep not only AirPods, but also wired headphones on me at all times as back up. I also always have a book on me at any given time; next on my list is Famesick.

Generally, I’ll knock out for a nap, so I like to keep a sleeping mask on-hand to block out the light while blasting brown noise in my ear. I’m anti-in-flight skincare, though. Once I land, I will do a quick freshen-up with a non-comedogenic face wipe and brush my hair. My favorite lip balm from Violette_FR and my Cyklar perfume oil are also at the ready in any bag I’m carrying. And when in doubt, it’s all going in a large, zipped boat tote that I have my name embroidered on.

Fred Sahai, associate commerce producer

This neck pillow (if you can call it that) might not be the cutest travel accessory, but I have no clue how I ever survived flying without it. It is by far the best travel pillow I’ve ever owned, and when used in combination with my black-out silk eye mask, I can successfully sleep through any flight.

As for my bag, I am faithful to my Baggu travel tote—it’s basically as big as a carry-on suitcase—and I usually pack a large, folded-up Longchamp weekender in case I have to bring home more than I left with. And I can’t go anywhere without my Nuxe lip balm and Sofie Pavitt products, so I’m very glad they exist in a super travel-friendly size!