Are you going on a trip soon? Do you have a vacation, a cruise or simply a short weekend getaway coming up? Don’t leave your essential oils at home! Travelling with essential oils is easier than you think! Your oils will come in handy in many different situations away from home.
How? Essential oils are so versatile. They can keep you refreshed during long flights, help with travel anxiety or travel-related headaches. You can use them for bumps and scrapes, to soothe an upset stomach, or to help you sleep.
This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure policy here.
Why not pack some essential oils into that suitcase or weekend bag? It’ll make any hotel room feel like home away from home!
Why Essential Oils for Travel?
Essential oils are becoming a popular alternative in the world of personal wellness. Many health conscious men and women trend to go back to the fundamentals of nature, making aromatherapy one of the fastest growing fields in alternative medicine ¹.
Essential oils are thought to have some rather powerful medicinal and therapeutic results. Many individuals use them at home on a daily basis. It’s no wonder you don’t want to give that up when going on a trip.
For me, essential oils are an indispensable part of my travel kit. Not only do they smell great and help to freshen up a hotel room, but they also have a host of other benefits.
Lavender oil, for example, is known for its calming properties and can be helpful if you’re feeling stressed or anxious. Peppermint oil, on the other hand, can help to relieve headaches and nausea. And tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial and can be used to disinfect surfaces or treat minor cuts and scrapes. So whether you’re looking to boost your mood or keep your skin healthy while on the road, essential oils are a must-have!
5 Best Essential Oils to Travel With
Therapeutic essential oils can enhance the mind, body and soul. They also support attitude and emotions. While travelling, you need support in all those areas.
Whenever we travel, I make sure I’ve packed these 5 favorite essential oils:
1. Lavender
Lavender oil from Plant Therapy
Get it Here
Lavender essential oil is a staple that every household should have on hand. It is a very universal oil that you can use in many ways even when away from home.
Many individuals are using lavender oil in different areas of their life already. It truly is one of the most versatile essential oils available. Many call it the “Swiss Army Knife” of oils. It is good for just about anything, from soothing skin after sun exposure, to sleep and relaxation, or first aid on minor cuts and bruises. Use lavender in a carrier oil for a soothing back massage to aid pain and inflammation. The lavender oil will help to relax the muscles and ease tension. Lavender also helps keep bugs away and you can use it in a DIY bug repellent spray.
If you only bring one oil on your trip, I recommend it is lavender!
2. Peppermint
Peppermint Essential Oil
Get it here
Peppermint essential oil is a very fresh oil that you can use for nausea, upset stomach, sea sickness or motion sickness. It can also increase mood and energy.
Inhaling essential oils provides both physical and mental advantages. Take a quick sniff straight out of the bottle to uplift your spirits or make your tummy feel less queasy. You can also use Peppermint oil topically to fight headaches that may arise during travel. I always use peppermint oil to fight the tiredness that comes with jet lag or a change in time zones.
Peppermint is a great oil to bring in a roll-on bottle or personal inhaler as well. Roller bottles allow for safe, quick and easy application, especially when treating a headache.
3. Frankincense
Traveling can be tough on the skin, so I like to pack an extra dose of Frankincense essential oil to add into my nightly skin care and facial care routine. It protects your skin and gently encourages healthy skin cell production. I also use it to keep on top of age spots and wrinkles.
If you tend to get nervous or anxious during travel, Frankincense oil can calm the spirits and aid you in feeling more secure while away from home. Some people also swear by Frankincense essential oil for headaches – whether you have stress related, tension headaches, or a full-blown migraine.
4. Tea Tree
Tea Tree Essential Oil from Plant Therapy
Get It Here
Tea tree essential oil is usable in a lot of diverse ways. It can help in cases of bug bites or infections from scrapes or cuts. It’s also a great remedy for acne, pimples and blackheads that may appear due to travel-related stressors such as dry air, indoor air, or too much caffeine.
Tea tree oil also supports a healthy immune system. Inhale it as preventative maintenance, to keep your immune protection firing at full force. You may be exposed to crowded rooms or confined small spaces with more germs around than you’d like to see!
5. Lemon
Lemon oil
Get It Here
To complete your set of top 5 essential oils for travel, I recommend you include lemon essential oil. It is detoxifying and uplifting, and you can use it to disinfect and clean any surfaces you’re about to touch where you might be worried about the spreading of germs. Lemon essential oil is also great for belly aches and indigestion, plus it can alleviate nervousness. Using lemon essential oil during travel can lower stress and complement your feel-good vibe. It’s a very happy, positive and uplifting oil.
If you’re traveling to a sunny destination, be aware that citrus oils are phototoxic, so please ensure no sun exposure within 24 hours of applying lemon oil topically.
How to Travel with Essential Oils
There are a few things you can do to help keep your oils safe and organized as you travel. Also, a few new & creative ways to use your oils on-the-go. Let me show you my tricks!
Use A Hard-Top Carrying Case
This Hard Top Carrying Case fits up to 10 Essential Oil Bottles or Roll-On Bottles
Get It Here
To start, I recommend you use a hard-top carrying case (such as this one here) for your essential oils. As opposed to its soft-top sister styles, these hard-top carrying cases are made to endure more impact while keeping the oils protected and safe. You don’t want to risk your oils while you’re on the go or your luggage may thrown around by airport staff.
The hard-top carrying cases are also super handy for easy access. You’ll always know where your kit of oils is and won’t have random bottles of oil rolling around in your luggage.
Stock Your Purse with Personal Inhalers
Prepare your Personal Aromatherapy Inhalers ahead of time
Get It Here
If your trip is a short weekend getaway or business trip, prepare yourself a set of personal inhalers so you can leave the main oil bottles at home. I prefer to travel as light as possible!
Having the inhalers ready also means you don’t have to worry about diluting or diffusing your oils when in a rush.
Diffuse Anywhere
Mini Portable Diffuser
Get It Here
If you like to diffuse your oils, especially at night, there are some nifty small-sized aromatherapy diffusers that pack easily and lightly for travel, like this Mini Portable Diffuser here.
Its compact, lightweight, and easy to operate! Enjoy your favorite essential oils anywhere you go.
Can You Take Essential Oils on an Airplane?
Taking essential oils on an airplane is subject to liquid restrictions.
If your travel plans include airplanes, airports and flying, know that you can only take what will fit into the 1 quart-sized zip lock bag for liquids in your carry-on ². All carry-on liquids must be under 100 mL each, and as a total be shown in the clear 1 quart plastic bag when going through security. This clear plastic bag allows for 1 quart (= around 946 mL) of liquids in your carry-on, divided up between any liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, or pastes you may also wish to carry with you. Discount airlines may have stricter rules ³.
There really are no issues traveling with oils, since most bottles are 10 ml – 30 ml in size.
For easiest use while on-the-go, pack personal inhalers or rollers to carry in your purse or carry-on luggage.
In your checked luggage, you can have as many oils as you wish or need. There are no further restrictions in regards to amounts, size, or total amounts for the checked bag(s). I have a zippered case and I travel with up to 30 oils in my checked luggage at any given time.
TIP: Put a piece of electrical tape around each bottle topper to secure them from leakage.
Travelling with Kids
Best roll-on set for travelling with kids
Get It Here
Travel Bug is a set of pre-diluted roll-on essential oil blends designed to keep your little ones healthy and happy during any trip! With this set, you’ll have a roller bottle ready for many of the most common kids’ ailments.
Final Thoughts
Aromatherapy has made essential oils popular for a wide number of uses. People don’t want to leave their holistic wellness behind when traveling.
Pack an easy aromatherapy kit for your travels and store it in a cute case for easy access. Using essential oils while on a trip or cruise immediately makes me feel like a piece of home is here with me. I love using oils on the go!
If you’re just starting out, know that it doesn’t have to be hard or costly to discover excellent quality essential oils. Browse my guide to the Best Essential Oil Brands to get started with an oil company that’s right for you and your family.
Love this Post? Why not Pin it on your favorite Pinterest board?
References
¹ Aromatherapy Market Size, Trends | Industry Analysis Report 2014-2025: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/aromatherapy-market
² Liquids Rule from the Transportation Security Administration: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/liquids-rule
³ How to easily get through TSA Airport Security: https://upgradedpoints.com/tsa-airport-security/
Cheri Mello
GREAT HINTS 👍🏼♥️I’ve NEVER though of TAKING EO’s With me 😳❗️G-d♥️Bless
Pat
I am a newbie to this entire essential oil world so I truly appreciate your articles.
I have contacts with both doTerra and Young Living but as a beginner I hesitate to spend that kind of money. I also question the sales method. I have ordered 2 starter kits and a diffuser from amazon-this is easiest for me living in Canada, so thanks for that direction
Tammy
Great tips and suggestions!