The ultimate travel essential I bring with me everywhere, no matter where I’m going or for how long: my travel pill case. Every time I leave my apartment before a trip, panicked I’ve forgotten something, I think to myself, “well, as long as I have my medication with me, it’s okay!” For the most part, the rest can be repurchased when I reach my destination if need be. The best travel pill cases are compact, secure, and easy to open on the go, and mine checks all the boxes.
I used to bring the entire bottle of my daily medication in my carry-on and put loose vitamins in a plastic seal top bag—needless to say, this wasn’t the best use of space. A few years ago, I finally purchased a travel pill case from Amazon to save some packing room, stay more organized, and have something I could reuse trip after trip. Since then, it’s been a packing non-negotiable for me and has made taking my medications, vitamins, and supplements while I’m traveling easier than ever. And while it’s nearly impossible to stick to my normal routine when traveling, my wellness regimen is one thing I won’t compromise on.
How much does it hold?
Holii Daily Pill Organizer
This small, portable case from Holii has eight separate compartments that hold everything I need for a week’s vacation in one place and make it easy to track what I’m taking. It has two separate sections: One side with six small chambers for storing daily pills and a second side with two larger chambers that hold capsules and vitamins. Having a pill case with compartments of varied size makes it easy to pack as many pills as you need and organize them however you’d like. I use the smaller chambers for my daily allergy pills and the larger chambers to store emergency essentials I like to have on hand, like Advil and Tums.
The size of this pill organizer is perfect for most trips I take. The compartments are spacious enough to hold at least a week’s worth of pills, but the case is still compact enough to fit in my Dopp kit (for reference, it’s smaller than an iPhone). I’ve packed this pill organizer on numerous trips and it’s never opened while in transit or spilled any of my items. To secure each chamber, simply snap the plastic top down. After filling the compartments with your medication, snap the two sides of the case together and toss it in your carry-on or weekender bag.
Why I love it:
Something I love about this travel pill case compared to others on the market is its sleek design. When it’s closed, no one would ever know you have a week’s worth of medicine and supplements on hand. And of course, the price is right. This $6 travel essential from Amazon has accompanied me on a destination wedding in Tuscany, a 10-day European cruise, and countless weekend trips down the shore. It’s compact and lightweight enough that sometimes I even toss it in my work bag just in case.
Can I bring it on the plane?
If you’re worried about carrying a pill case through airport security, rest assured that travelers are allowed to bring their prescription medications and over-the-counter supplements with them. TSA allows travelers to bring medication in pill or solid form in carry-ons and checked baggage—so you can bring your pill case no matter what bag you’re packing.
While I love traveling with this case, there are plenty of other great options on the market, too. Below, a few more of the best travel pill cases that we recommend bringing on your next getaway.
More travel pill cases we recommend:
Best weekly organizer
Auvon weekly pill organizer
The Holii daily pill case is my go-to for travel, but this weekly organizer is what I reach for at home. I’ve been using this under-$10 case for the last several months and I will never go back to the days of opening each of my medication bottles to grab what I need every night. This case has each day of the week clearly labeled, and is color coded, making it easy to track what I’ve taken. The seven dividers are also very roomy, offering me enough space for the multiple pills, vitamins, and supplements I take each day and night. To open each section, simply press down on the lid and it springs open. Thanks to its slim design, it’s an ideal case to pack on weeklong trips. I recommend this for travelers who want a case they can use both at home and on the go, and for those who take larger pills.
Most stylish case
Dosey 7-Day pill compact
If you want something that doesn’t look like your grandmother’s pill case (no offense!), Dosey’s modern and sophisticated seven-day pill case is for you. It’s so sleek and cute on the outside, but offers all the functionality you need for travel on the inside. There are seven sections to hold pills for each day and a built-in mirror, which is always helpful to have for makeup or hair touch-ups on the road. It’s slim enough to slide into your backpack or tote, and keeps pills secure once shut. My one con: The seven sections are separated by only a wall divider and do not have a lid or anything covering each section; I sometimes worry I might accidentally drop a pill into the wrong section when I’m filling up the days. If you‘re taking normal-size pills, you’ll have enough room for a week’s vacation, but if you take some larger pills or capsules, you might not have enough space—these sections are on the small side. Colors available include a pretty pale blush, sage, and lilac.
Best multipurpose organizer
Cadence The Flex Medium
Cadence capsules are among our editors’ favorite reusable toiletry bottles, but they’re versatile enough to neatly store pills, too. The Flex Small is the ideal size for tiny pills like Advil or Tylenol, while the the Flex Medium is great for keeping vitamins or larger pills handy. If you just need to travel with some emergency pills, the Flex capsules are your best bet. I have a severe peanut allergy, so you’ll find Benadryl stashed in one of these capsules in every single one of my handbags and my work tote. The brand also offers the Pillcase set, which is labeled for each day of the week and available in several colorways.
Best customizable case
Iouwei pill organizer
This Amazon find comes highly recommended by Traveler contributor Sara Iannacone. “This compact travel pill organizer keeps my essential medicine within reach without cluttering my purse or backpack with bulky bottles,” says Iannaconne. “Perfect for off-the-beaten-path trips where pharmacies are scarce, solo travelers looking to pack light, or even as a daily purse staple, it allows you to carry what you need.” The fun thing about this one is the 100+ stickers with different brand names and medication types on them, allowing you to customize a pill case that meets your needs. “The labels make pill identification effortless, and while it’s not meant for an entire week’s supply of meds and larger pills may require frequent refills, the organizer ensures you’re prepared and ready for whatever travel brings.”
Best for large pills
Ezy Dose Push Button pill case
This best-selling pill organizer has over 60,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. It has two separate compartments for each day of the week with clear AM and PM labels, so you’ll always remember if you took your medication or not. While it’s designed for everyday use, it also doubles as a travel organizer for longer trips. If you’re looking for an everyday pill box that will keep you on track or are headed on a two-week vacation, this one’s for you.
Best for organizing by AM/PM
Sukuos Weekly Pill Organizer
Another Amazon bestseller is this weekly pill case with AM and PM labels. Something unique we love about this one: Each day of the week has its own portable, pocket-size case that can be removed from the box and carried on its own for day trips or hikes.
Best for short trips
Acedada small pill case
This small pill box will fit inside just about any purse or fanny pack you’re bringing on your next adventure. It features four separate compartments that each fit several capsules or vitamins, making it an ideal choice for weekend trips when you need two to four days’ worth of medications. It also doubles as an organizer for jewelry, earplugs, or other little travel essentials.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
