2 mins ago
Traveling well can be one of life’s great pleasures. But what does it mean to travel well? We’d say that along with traveling safely (of course), traveling well involves avoiding wasting time, reducing hassles and improving your comfort. These top 5 travel essentials are sure to speed up your passage through airport security.
Story Quick Hits
What's your time and comfort worth?
TSA estimates that 95% of PreCheck passengers wait less than 5 minutes in the security line. Don't have TSA PreCheck yet? Get approved by CapitalOne and get your PreCheck application fee reimbursed for free with this exclusive offer - a $78 savings!
Sponsored Partner
What is TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck is a Trusted Traveler program run by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration that allows you to go through a dedicated airport security line at more than 200 U.S. airports. When going through this line, you can keep the following items in your carry-on bag or on your person: 3-1-1 liquids, belts, laptops/electronics, light jackets and shoes! Exclusive time-saving benefits include:
🤙 Security lines are often much shorter. TSA estimates that 95% of TSA PreCheck passengers wait less than five minutes in the airport security line.
🤙 You can leave your shoes on. Having to take off footwear in a public space that hundreds of thousands of passengers go through is so … icky. With TSA PreCheck, you can keep your shoes on and your socks clean.
🤙 Your laptop and liquids don’t need separate security bins. You know how sometimes you pack your carry-on bag so flawlessly, any disturbance will mess up the entire Tetris-style order inside? Being a TSA PreCheck member allows you to keep your laptop and liquids perfectly packed.
RELATED: I Can’t Support Maui Recovery With a Visit Right Now? Offer Some Support From Home
5 Ways to Get Through Airport Security Faster
If you for some reason don’t want to sign up for the program ahead of your next big trip, not to worry — there are some key things you can do to make your experience in the airport security line easier than ever, even without PreCheck.
Turning to Amazon, we scoured through thousands of travel-friendly offerings to streamline your carry-on packing for good, consequently pulling out the five items worth adding to your arsenal to make getting through the airport security line quicker and easier. From this clear toiletry bag to the genius backpack you’ll want to tuck everything into, these are the best Amazon products to help you get through airport security as quickly as possible without TSA PreCheck.
Traveling well is a fine balance between finding inspiration in the unknown while being grounded in something familiar. “Sometimes that is a memory of home, a family, a significant other, friends, etc. Sometimes it’s just the necessary, familiar and reliable stuff in your bag.”
A well-packed bag is one that contains less than you think you need but everything you actually need. If possible, fitting everything into one carry-on and personal item will give you more freedom compared to checking and when navigating airport security. You’ll be glad you did if (and when) things don’t go according to plan. While carry-on-only isn’t feasible (or advisable) for every trip—especially extended Hawaiian trips or weddings where you may need numerous outfits to maintain appearances—if in doubt, it’s always better to cut when it comes to traveling.
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L features an easy-to-pack clam-shell design and highly adjustable straps that make it a great all-around bag for any traveler who’s know the value of packing light, or for a smaller person who wants less to carry. Handles on all four sides of this bag make it easy to grab no matter where you’ve stowed it, and the Allpa’s straps are contoured to comfortably fit people who have large or small chests. It’s not a specifically gendered design, but female testers noticed the improvement right away.
Finding the right bag is a personal choice, and no single bag will appeal to everyone. But rest assured we had this pack tested, love it and are confident you will too. Besides, with Amazon’s flexible return policy, your satisfaction is almost certainly in the bag!.
4.7 / 5 stars on Amazon ★★★★★
Travelers without TSA PreCheck are required to take their shoes off while heading through the airport security line, so a simple pair of slip-on shoes will make the process smooth and stress-free. However, just because you’re looking for a slide on shoe doesn’t mean you have to do away with supportive footwear like sneakers.
Kiziks Sneakers innovative design means no more bending down to put on your shoes, making them ideal for adults or anyone interested in ease of use and comfort. Say goodbye to laces forever with these slip on sneakers for men and women’s shoes.
In fact, these Kizik sneakers are built with travel and busy lives in mind. The heels of these shoes fold to ensure that your hands aren’t needed to slip them on and off your feet in a hurry, securing their spot as a brilliant travel companion that provides arch support and cushioning while rushing through TSA’s airport security. They’re built with breathable knit exteriors that keep your feet cool and fresh no matter how much walking you plan on doing, and they’re versatile enough to be worn from the airport to a walking tour without needing to stop at the hotel to change. Available in 5 versatile colors.
These shoes are everything I expected, with the added feature that the shoes have functional laces that allow you to adjust the fit, something which is unusual for slip-on shoes. The shoes are stylish, allow you to slip them on hands-free, and are comfortable.
4.6 / 5 stars on Amazon ★★★★★
If you’re someone who frequently forgets to separate their liquids ahead of arriving at the airport and are then left to scramble to get your toiletries into a plastic bag before heading through TSA’s airport security, there’s one simple solution you may have overlooked: a clear toiletry bag.
Keeping a clear bag on hand at home limits your airport stress (and helps you get through the security line more efficiently), and this two-pack from Bagsmart is actually the perfect size for all of your essential toiletries so you won’t have to give packing it a second thought. The water-repellent pouches are spacious and durable, plus if you pack them at the top of your backpack they’ll be easy to remove — even if you don’t have TSA PreCheck.
Best toiletry/cosmetic bag ever. Keeps everything organized, holds a lot of items, and is relatively lightweight, even when it’s full. I highly recommend, I took it on a lengthy trip and took all my products, and it kept everything neat and easy to find, (all in an attractive and easy to transport case).
4.6 / 5 stars on Amazon ★★★★★
Packing cubes could change your life. (Okay, maybe just your traveling life.) Packing cubes are basically cloth containers to hold your clothes that you organize within your luggage. Though seemingly superfluous, they’re brilliant in action, especially when clearing airport security!
The three-piece Eagle Creek Pack-It Cube Set keeps a week’s worth of clothes organized and moves easily from suitcase to hotel dresser. We’ve been recommending the previous version of these cubes for years, and after testing this updated set, we now recommend this version.
The full-size cube is great for shirts, shorts, and insulating layers. The half-cube and quarter-cube are perfect for underwear, socks, and other thin fabrics such as stockings or sleepwear. These cubes are made of 300-denier polyester (a strong fabric) and stay upright when empty, so they’re easy to pack. The Pack-It cubes’ windows are made of the tightest mesh link we tested—better for resisting snags—and the smooth zippers close easily around all corners, even when a cube is overstuffed.
The Eagle Creek cubes have the ability to unzip fully to allow full access to their contents while sitting in a dresser drawer. That means your clean clothes stay protected against some potentially dicey motel dressers. In 2022, Eagle Creek updated the design of these cubes, and now the company no longer uses YKK zippers, which are widely accepted as the best around.
Wonderful! We used them on a very long and travel-heavy trip to Hawaii. Yes. They are just basically zipper bags, but they are soft and breathable and keep your stuff separated and organized. They also have give, so you can really stuff them. We got the mesh so we could see what was inside. Good purchase.
4.5 / 5 stars on Amazon ★★★★★
I now have now 3 of these sweaters! The fabric doesn’t snag easy as I have found with a lot of other sweaters I’ve tried. These sweaters are stretchy, cozy, and work great with leggings! You can dress them up or dress them down.
4.5 / 5 stars on Amazon ★★★★★
Once you get through airport security and arrive in Hawaii, go a step further during your visit. If you want to up your game, directly contribute and engage direct action in the local communities, the HTA has ongoing volunteer programs that can also earn you discounts on your stay. Many hotels also offer such packages. Be sure to inquire at each property when planning and booking.
The Hawaiian Islands itinerary that can change your life can’t be found in any guidebooks. That’s because what makes the Hawaiian Islands truly special is not only our stunning natural beauty or our vibrant culture – it’s the deeply rooted relationship that connects them.
That relationship between people and place grows stronger every time you mālama (give back). When you give back – to the land, the ocean, the wildlife, the forest, the fishpond, the community – you become part of a virtuous circle that enriches everything and everyone. Including your experience as a visitor.
Numerous organizations offer opportunities for visitors to pay it forward, like beach clean-ups, native tree planting, and more. Engage in some of our volunteer opportunities below, and in exchange, experience Hawaii on a much deeper and connected level. Through the Mālama Hawaii Program, you could qualify for a special discount or even a free night from a participating hotel when participating in its dedicated volunteer activity. Ready to dive in?
It’s because of past visitors to Hawaii like you, that our beautiful islands have been able to extend the Hawaiian culture beyond it’s shores through your memories and stories! So if you can, please consider visiting us soon. Mahalo.
What's your time and comfort worth?
TSA estimates that 95% of PreCheck passengers wait less than 5 minutes in the security line. Don't have TSA PreCheck yet? Get approved by CapitalOne and get your PreCheck application fee reimbursed for free with this exclusive offer - a $78 savings!
Sponsored Partner
Safe Travels Hawaii September 2024 Update
Many Parks And Top Attractions In Hawaii Now Require Reservations To Visit
More will certainly be added to the list in the next year or two. This is to help keep crowds down, reserve space for residents and help maintain some environmental balance.
Also, some areas have become off-limits except to approved tour companies. So, though Waipio Valley on Hawaii Island isn’t a park and doesn’t have a public reservation system, you do need to book a tour in advance to visit that particular area.
But at time of publishing, reservations are mandatory and required at top parks and key locations that have been overwhelmed with visitors – especially since the post-COVID visitor surge.
In most cases, these aren’t make-or-break fees for many people. Rather, it’s a few bucks that you need to pay online to secure your spot. But don’t hesitate to book early all spots are on a first-come basis and do not stay available – especially during peak travel dates!
What Are You Paying For When You Make a Reservation?
Some reservation systems require you to pay a full entry fee when you sign up online. Others like Hale National Park Sunrise Reservations require you to pay a couple of dollars online and then pay your remaining entry fee at the gate. Review what you’re paying for as you make your reservations so there are no surprises later.
How Far In Advance Can You Reserve?
Most parks have a revolving window where you can make reservations. For example, you can make Pearl Harbor reservations up to 8 weeks in advance, with additional tickets becoming available the day before.
Heading back to Hawaii soon or know someone that is?
There are new 2024 mandatory traveler requirements that ONLY apply to Hawaii VISITORS! These requirements will adversely impact your ability to access top attractions & more in Hawaii! A lot has changed for visitors since the pandemic. Uncertain about the changes? We suggest you choose to get the requirements, plus updates whenever enacted, by our convenient messaging service. We assure you, the simplicity & added peace-of-mind is well worth it.
