Holiday travel doesn’t have to be a nightmare—these essentials make Thanksgiving trips easier
Avoid airport stress with travel bags, gadgets, and comfy outfits that make all the difference
You might not believe it, but the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving travel is quickly approaching. With the chaotic nature of traveling—plus the added stress of the usual flight delays, cancellations, and more—you might be dreading the idea of going home for the holidays.
While you might not be looking forward to fighting your way through TSA lines or even packing for Thanksgiving, there are a few items that could make everything from preparing for your trip to the actual flight, train ride, or bus ride a little more manageable - and comfortable.
Keep reading to see our top packing recommendations to keep the stress at a minimum during the year’s most hectic travel season.
Travel gear that holds up and carries everything you need
Away's high-quality luggage is a reliable, sleek option for Thanksgiving travel, and this version gives you extra room while still fitting in airline overhead bins.
Having reliable luggage is a must when traveling. Away’s award-winning Bigger Carry-On suitcase is designed to go everywhere and hold all your essentials—even your thick fall sweaters—thanks to its smooth 360-degree wheels, interior compression, and durable shell. Plus, you won’t need to worry about it fitting in the overhead bin since Away has a list of tested airlines that will accept this carry-on luggage.
For travelers who are vacationing for extended periods or simply need more space for their Thanksgiving attire, Away's larger checked luggage is a smart addition to their travel gear.
Carry-on luggage usually does the job for short-term travels, but if you’re going abroad or have an extended trip planned for Thanksgiving, a larger checked bag is essential. Away’s ‘The Large’ suitcase also has a rugged shell, 360-degree easy-gliding wheels, and interior compression to help travelers maximize their packing. (Pro tip: If you’re upgrading your luggage set, Away lets you bundle and save on a carry-on and checked suitcase.)
Whether you're packing overflow items or work gear for Thanksgiving, a lightweight, functional backpack like this one from Beís makes traveling more organized.
Backpacks are a practical addition to a carry-on and/or checked bag, and can be a great luggage alternative if you’re a light packer. Calpak’s Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack is ideal if you’re only going home for Thanksgiving for a few days. Need a bag to take your remote work with you or throw other travel accessories in? Beís’ Air Backpack is a lightweight, functional option.
Keep your daily and Thanksgiving travel essentials stowed away in a chic, carry-all tote, like this leather one from Cuyana.
If you prefer a carry-on that doubles as a tote, the Cuyana Classic Zipper Tote is a chic option. This carry-all is designed with buttery-soft and sustainable Italian leather, a hidden zipper, and offers multiple organization options to keep your laptop, chargers, water bottle, and other essentials in place. It’s a practical travel companion that also doubles as a stylish Thanksgiving outfit accessory.
Travel accessories that de-stress and entertain you
Instead of stuffing your heavy sweaters and shoes in your luggage, maximize suitcase space by using Away's compression packing cubes, which come in a set of four.
Calling chronic overpackers. Organizing your items with packing cubes is a smart idea that could eliminate some of the stress of Thanksgiving traveling. Calpak has a five-piece set that’s lightweight and water-resistant—and also comes in fun patterns and shades. Need to pack your heavy sweaters or winter coat? Away’s four-piece packing cubes are designed to compress your items and perfectly fit any Away luggage.
One of the biggest stressors of Thanksgiving travel is the possibility of losing your luggage, which is where this four-pack of Apple AirTags comes in handy.
A common fear while traveling (especially during the year’s busiest time) is losing your luggage. The easiest to eliminate that stress? Just add a tracking device to your bags, like one of Apple’s AirTags. You can get a pack of four and throw one in your carry-on suitcase, personal item, and any other bags for additional peace of mind.
Nothing's quite as overstimulating as waiting to board your plane, so keep your music, podcasts, and other media playing with these noise-canceling and bass-enhancing headphones from Sony.
Once you’ve gotten through airport security, it’s essentially a waiting game to board your plane (or see if your flight’s been delayed). To keep yourself entertained—and block out the noise of any screaming kids—you’ll want solid and comfortable audio gear, like the Sony ULT Wear noise-canceling headphones to stream Netflix or Spotify.
This Thanksgiving, you can make it possible to use your Bluetooth audio gear with your in-flight entertainment, thanks to Twelve South's handy audio transmitter.
There’s nothing quite as disappointing as seeing that your in-flight entertainment screen isn’t Bluetooth-compatible. Instead of settling for listening to your playlists on loop, the Twelve South AirFly Pro transmitter could save the day. This nifty gadget plugs into audio jacks so you can pair your wireless headphones or earbuds to the AirFly and enjoy in-flight shows and movies.
You won't need to deal with a dead phone or fight for outlet access at the airport this holiday season when you add Anker's MagGo charger to your travel gear.
It’s pretty stressful seeing your phone battery plummet midway through your rideshare to the airport—or fighting to find an outlet at your gate. Luckily, you can bring portable power anywhere with the Anker MagGo. This sleek magnetic battery pack lets you juice your smartphone and bring it back up to 82% battery power, making it the ideal travel accessory for Thanksgiving and beyond.
Travel outfits that let you move comfortably
Thanksgiving travel is bound to be stressful, but you can stay cozy and comfortable by opting for clothing like this plush, oversized hoodie from Uniqlo.
Comfortable airport outfits are essential, and this oversized pullover hoodie from Uniqlo is bound to become a staple beyond your Thanksgiving trip home. It comes in five classic neutrals ranging from light gray to navy, and you can even make it a matching set when you grab one of Uniqlo’s wide leg sweatpants, which also come in accompanying shades.
These Birkenstock clogs are a practical shoe to wear while traveling this Thanksgiving, thanks to their comfortable slip-on design that make it easy to throw on and off during airport security.
No one wants to be that person that holds up the security checkpoint line to unlace their shoes. Swap your usual sneakers for a pair of Birkenstock Boston clogs, a truly practical shoe you’ll wear to and from the airport, during errands, and while walking your dog. Its contoured footbed and EVA sole provide comfort and support, while its slip-on design make it a smart option for travelers.