After years of travel, these are the luxury essentials we still pack

Best carry-on

Why we love: European luxury for your Euro sojourn

Crafted with best-in-class functionality, the London-based Carl Friedrik knows how to combine premium luxury and functionality. Our favourite feature of this carry-on is the hard-shell front laptop pocket, making retrieving travel documents and electronic devices more accessible. The suitcase is crafted in German-engineered Makrolon polycarbonate shell, with an aluminium lock frame and vegetable-tanned leather detailing for premium quality that takes you across the globe.

Size: 56 x 38 x 25 cm | Weight: 4.7kg | Volume: 44L

Key features:

• Former winner of the iF Design Award
• Integrated hard-shell front laptop pocket
• Integrated TSA-approved locks
• Ideal for up to 5 days of travel

Best check-in

Why we love: lifetime guarantee

Rimowa has been in the luggage game since 1898, and it’s the type of brand that always catches the eye of discerning travellers in airports. Superior engineering meets craftsmanship with this line of check-in bags, crafted from high-end anodised aluminium with TSA-approved locks and an integrated hard-shell front laptop pocket.

Size: 79 x 51 x 27.5 cm | Weight: 6.2kg | Volume: 86L

Key features:

• Height adjustable Flex Dividers
• Integrated hard-shell front laptop pocket
• TSA-approved locks
• Ball-bearing mounted wheels for effortless steering
• RIMOWA lifetime guarantee
• Ideal for 14 to 15 days of travel

See also The best luggage brands for travellers who want to go the distance in style

Best weekender

Why we love: a quiet-luxury investment piece to last season after season

Featuring Bottega’s house signature intrecciato weave, this gorgeous weekender is not only a luxury investment, but one that will appreciate in resale value over time. Big enough for two or three days of curated packing without looking like a duffel at the airport, it is the perfect companion for overnight stays and weekend getaways.

Size: 46 x 28 x 29 cm | Strap length: 16 to 50 cm

Key features:

• Crafted in Italy from supple leather
• Top handles + detachable shoulder strap
• External zipped pocket + internal slip + zipped pockets
• Dust bag included

Why we love: compact and classic for a weekend away

This weekender from Trenery features a pebbled leather exterior with neutral twill lining – its quality making it a decade-long investment bag for the refined traveller. It’s a classic, well-proportioned overnight size, however doesn’t look bulky due to its chic folded sides.

Size: 38 x 50 x 22 cm

Key features:

• Crafted in pebbled letter
• Adjustable and removable webbing shoulder strap
• Internal slip + zipped pockets
• Dust bag included

See also Why Australians are ditching suitcases for these luxury weekender bags in 2026

Why we love: perfect choice for the full carry-on set

If you’re not bothered with curated all the luxury travel essentials independently, we recommend opting for this travel organisation set from BAGSMART. The set features the brands classic Blast Quick Access Carry-On Travel Backpack, which can actually expand in size for those travels who tend to go a bit overboard with shopping (no judgement here). It also features a set of 6 compression travel cubes to keep your essentials organised and to make packing hassle-free.

“Compression packing cubes were a lifesaver on my two-month sojourn. This set from BAGSMART is more than enough to organise your clothing into categories, which was incredibly satisfying for a type-A traveller like myself” — Rachel Weisz, travel writer

Size: 31 x 42 x 20.5 cm | Weight: 900g | Volume: 28-38L

Key features:

• Crafted in Nylon
• Machine washable
• Laptop compartment
• Suitable for a one to six day getaway by expanding
• Set of six Blast Compression Packing Cubes included

Why we love: perfect for long trips

This packing set by Zoomlite features six compression cubes and four regular cubes so that you’re completely set for your adventure away. Each cube also comes with a breathable mesh panel to allow airflow, which is a great feature for those on long-haul travels, while the easy grab handles and label windows ensure easy organisation and effortless moving around.

Key features:

• Compression capability
• Zipper closure
• Includes 10 compression and regular packing cubes across 4 sizes

See also The packing cubes and organisers our editors swear by for a perfectly curated suitcase

Why we love: holiday radiance

This duo is a post-holiday glow, bottled. The Cleanser supports skin barrier defence, while the Night Crème restores radiance and hydration. The Night Crème also comes in an easy 20ml size, making it the ideal carry-on accessory.

Key features:

• #4 The Cleanser supports cellular turnover
• #4 The Cleanser refines texture and hydrates
• The Night Crème plumps and repairs the skin’s barrier

Why we love: pre-destination touch-ups

Five minutes is all you’ll need for holiday-ready skin before you arrive at your destination. How? Merit’s new Five Minute Morning routine. This travel beauty collection includes seven swipe-and-glow saviours that sink in like a second skin and leave a polished finish. Lightweight and buildable, this no-fuss makeup edit is the perfect travel accessory for beauty buffs. 

Key features:

• Lightweight and hydrating on post-flight skin
• Balmy finish with in-built glow
• Everything you need to get ready in five minutes

Why we love: beach holidays

Serving high gloss with a sun protection bonus, this dreamy sunscreen is dosed with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C for skin that’s intensely hydrated and radiant. It’s summer skin’s saving grace.

“I only found out recently that airplanes actually allow a significant amount of UVA rays to pass through the windows, so I’ve started applying sunscreen before long-haul flights, especially if I’m in a window seat. Better to be safe!” — Rachel Weisz, travel writer

Key features:

• Can be used alone or as the final step in a skincare routine
• Waterproof
• Weightless and clear with a subtle sheen

Why we love: premium, sleek design and unbeatable sound

Sony 1000X THE COLLECTION combines years of audio innovation into one refined model. These headphones are crafted with premium materials, hand-polished finishes, and faux leather that took two years to develop. But it’s not all about looks. Under the hood, Sony has packed in a newly developed carbon composite driver, Grammy-winning mastering engineer-tuned sound, and the debut of DSEE Ultimate which is an AI-powered technology that restores detail to compressed audio in real time.

Read our review here

Key features:

• Up to 24 hours of battery life (ANC on) / 32 hours (ANC off)
• AI DSEE Ultimate (real-time audio upscaling)
• 360 Upmix – Music, Cinema & Game modes
• Platinum and black colourways
• Magnetic closure carry case with handle

See also I’ve logged hundreds of flight hours, and these headphones are my secret weapon

Why we love: quick touch-ups on the go

The Philips 3000 Series hand garment steamer is compact and lightweight with a foldable design, heats up in about 30 seconds, and delivers up to 20g/min of steam for quick touch-ups. It even includes a travel pouch for easy packing. The 1000W heater with 20g/min continuous steam is also rated to kill 99.9% of bacteria, which is handy for refreshing clothes between washes when you’re on the road. It’s safe on all ironable fabrics including silk, wool, cotton and synthetic blends; and you can steam garments directly while they hang, no ironing board needed!

Key features:

• 0.9kg
• Compact and foldable
• 100ml detachable water tank
• Ready to use in 30 seconds

Why we love: homegrown prestige

A wallet with RFID protection is necessary for travel as it is designed to block radio-frequency signals that can be used to read information stored on certain contactless cards. This Travel Wallet is made from real RFID-blocking leather and fits your passport, cash and boarding passes in a premium leather bifold, with multiple currency sections including one that hides travel cash from sight.

Key features:

• Fits four to 10 cards
• RFID protection
• Sections for passport, tickets and bills
• Hidden compartment for spare cash

Why we love: long-haul flight beauty sleep

Slip is bringing its own brand of luxury to the jet set with these silk eye masks. Blocking out light for uninterrupted (beauty) slumbering, 100-percent silk moonlights as a sensitive skin soother, preventing fine lines from forming while protecting lash integrity.

Key features:

• Available in black, charcoal, silver, pink, poolside, navy, caramel
• Blocks out light
• Crafted in silk
• Reduces tugging on delicate facial skin
• Absorbs less face cream than cotton masks

Why we love: the gold standard for luxury business travel

Having a charger that can fully power a MacBook Pro at wall-charger speed (140W via PD 3.1) has become a must for travel, especially business travellers. The Anker 737 power bank is capable of charging an iPhone 13 almost 5 times or a 2021 iPad Pro 12.9″ 1.3 times, and can even charge high-demand laptops such as the MacBook Pro at full speed. The OLED display actually shows real-time wattage and time remaining, adding a premium touch compared to other portable power banks.

Key features:

• 140W output (laptop-ready)
• OLED smart display
• 3 ports (2 x USB-C + 1 x USB-A)
• Charges in ~ 58-minutes

Why we love: multiple ports for families to business travellers

The Mophie Powerstation Ultra XL 25K power bank is another powerful option that can fully charge a MacBook Pro or two iPad Pros with ease. You can even charge multiple devices at once with three USB-C ports, which is perfect for families on the go or business travellers who needs to be connected at all times. The LED indicator lights will also tell you how much power you have left.

Key features:

• 140W output for ultra-fast power
• Can fully charge a MacBook Pro or fully charge two iPad Pros
• 25,000mAh integrated battery
• Charge up to 3 devices at once
• Enough power to charge your phone up to five times

Why we love: tracking multiple suitcases

If you tense up at the thought of lost luggage (and let’s face it, many of us do), a high-quality luggage tracker can help give you peace of mind. Apple AirTags are a market-leader, with their sleek design and seamless integration with iPhones and iPads. With a pack of four, you can assign one to your checked luggage, carry-on and even a day pack or weekender. Then, if anything happens, just use the Find My app to locate it. You can also play a sound to locate a nearby AirTag, or put it in Lost Mode to be notified when it’s detected with Find My Network.

“While one AirTag is important, I actually recommend carrying multiple, especially for longer trips. During a trip from Athens to Dubrovnik I checked-in two bags, but only one made it to my destination. Unfortunately the one that didn’t make it was also the bag without the AirTag, and it took over a month post-trip for the bag to reach home. Never again!” — Rachel Weisz, travel writer

Key features:

• Simple one-tap setup instantly connects AirTag with your iPhone or iPad
• Built-in speaker to help find your things
• Find items further away with the help of hundreds of millions of Apple devices in the Find My network

Also available at:

• $165 at Apple