I feel fortunate to live in the same city now as both my parents and my in-laws. But I will never forget the madness in my younger years that was transiting through NYC’s Penn Station to start my long journey across the country during the chaotic holiday period. Holiday travel is a particular kind of intense: crowded, expensive, and emotionally weighty, too. It’s a lot.

The best way to hit the road for the smoothest experience possible? Think ahead and come prepared. Sometimes, it’s the simplest things that can make all the difference — like a backup tech charger when your flight is inevitably delayed, an Apple AirTag to ensure you avoid the heartbreak of lost luggage, or even a foot hammock to support your legs for that long haul in coach. 

Fortunately, Amazon has these products and tons more that can support your journey for a more streamlined, comfortable, and effective experience. And they won’t break the bank either: These 15 brilliant Amazon products for hacking holiday travel start at just $8.

Riemot Trolley Cup Holder

Breeze through the airport quickly and efficiently — without spilling a single sip of your hot drink in that seasonal red cup. This sleeve fits over the trolley handle of your rolling luggage and holds two drinks as well as small essentials like a phone in the back pocket. Reviewers call it “good quality and useful,” with multiple applications for travel: “It also made a perfect drink holder for a train ride that didn’t have cup holders built into the seats.”

Apple AirTag

This genius little invention equips any of your bags with GPS tracking that connects seamlessly to the Find My app on your Apple device. It’s how I kept tabs on my luggage lost in transit for several days until it arrived safely back in my care. It’s not just for luggage and purses though; you can attach one to your kid or pet — or just about anything else — for peace of mind during the hectic holiday travel season.

Bagsmart Compression Packing Cubes

Packing space is always at a premium — and especially so at holiday time when clothing is thick and presents are plentiful. These packing cubes serve as space-saving hacks, compressing like a vacuum sealer with an extra zipper around the outside that can be closed to compress clothes further and minimize real estate in the luggage. “These cubes are an absolute must-have for anyone who loves efficiency and wants to pack smarter,” one reviewer wrote.

Anker Nano Power Bank

My first boss taught me an invaluable lesson: ABC. (That’s “always be charging,” of course.) And every seasoned traveler knows the critical importance of traveling with backup power supplies. I like this one because it fits right into the bottom of your smartphone, so there’s no trailing cable to snag or trip over. This high-speed bank has dual USB-C ports and a smart foldable design.

Cabeau Evolution S3 Neck Pillow

This unique memory foam neck pillow attaches to any chair to keep you from slouching or falling forward, so your head and spine stay in alignment for comfort and support. A custom-adjustable clasp offers chin support, too. It comes with a washable cover, as well as a carry bag that allows the pillow to compress down to half its size. A quick-release clasp attaches to luggage, saving valuable packing space. Reviewers call this popular item the “best travel pillow ever” and “better than all the rest out there,” because of its design.

Untethered 4-Pack Luggage Straps

If you pack your bags to the absolute limit — and then squeeze in a little more — well, no judgment here. But you’ll want to bring in some reinforcements to keep your belongings secure. With a max force tension of over 400 pounds, these heavy-duty luggage straps keep cargo safely inside. Each set includes four six-foot-long straps, enough for two pieces of luggage. And according to one satisfied reviewer, it has a bonus function thanks to its bright color: “I can spot our luggage on the baggage carousel from far away, and it works as an extra layer of protection for keeping your luggage closed.”

Fixmatti Two-Piece Sweatsuit Set

You’ll always find me in a matching two-piece set on travel days — a strategy I’ve frequently written about because I swear by it so vehemently. The separates are so comfortable to wear for long travel days, even doubling as PJs for a long-haul flight or car ride, and perfect as loungewear for those inevitable airport delays. Plus, you can mix and match them at your destination for warmth and style. The high neck, center seam, and wide-leg pant give this set an elevated style.

Luxebell Digital Luggage Scale

For just $10, this nifty gadget can potentially save you many times more than that in overweight bag fees. Weigh your luggage before heading to the airport so there are no surprises, and make any necessary tweaks comfortably at home (instead of on the airport floor as a line queues behind). “The scale accurately displayed the weight on an easily read display,” noted one five-star reviewer among nearly 6,000. “It also packs into a carry-on to use for the return trip.”

Twelve South Airfly Duo Bluetooth Transmitter

Wirelessly transmit and share audio from in-flight entertainment via AirPods, earbuds, or wireless headphones. That means no cords in the way — and a 33-foot reach so you can feel free to move about the cabin and stay connected. And the 22-hour battery life covers even the longest-haul flight — or that unexpected layover.

Angemay Airplane Footrest

Make your coach seat feel a little bit more like business class with this packable footrest that attaches to the tray table in front of you to create a more comfortable sleeping or lounging position. “If you have a row to yourself, it’s also nice to put on the back of the middle seat while you sit on the aisle or window seat so that you can lean over and rest your legs out even further,” according to one five-star reviewer who “will not be traveling without it again.”

EverSnug Travel Blanket at Pillow

Keep cozy in the airport, plane, car, or anywhere else you find yourself this travel season with this super-cozy 65-by-40-inch blanket. The velvety microfleece blanket packs into a microplush case so it doubles as a pillow, and packs tidily, too. “Can’t get easier than putting it on your carry-on handles and rolling away,” wrote one five-star reviewer. “10/10 this is a must-have when traveling now for me.”

Manta Sleep Mask

Get some shut-eye on the road with an eye mask that truly blocks out the world. This version with more than 10,000 five-star reviews has eye cups that you can adjust for custom face positioning, and that mold perfectly to the face and create blackout conditions without pressure on the eyes. 

StashBandz Pocket Belt

This unisex waist belt with spacious pockets serves two key purposes for holiday travel: stashing your valuables out of view, and holding essentials securely with hands-free ease. It’s outfitted with four big pockets with a large zipper compartment up front. One reviewer called it “perfect for travel,” noting it “hid well under clothing.”

Beyond Cell Phone Clip Holder

Flying coach can be uncomfortable enough these days — and it’s even more humbling when you don’t have a functional seat-back entertainment unit to pass the time. This affordable tool turns your own phone into a tray table-mounted screen setup for movies and videos. Reviewers say it serves multiple functions for travel, too, like on a nightstand or as a tripod in a pinch.

Tranomos Silicone Bottle Covers

Avoid the dreaded toiletry explosion with this super simple and lightweight solution: a pack of eight silicone bottle sleeves that conform to protect and cover a wide range of product tops. “I’ve just tested these on a trip with two nine-hour flights and these worked really well,” one reviewer wrote. “They stayed rolled securely over my deodorant, makeup bottles, perfume, moisturizer, body gel, and lotion of various shapes and sizes.”

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.