The best travel pillows for long-haul flights and pesky neck pain

Travelling on long-haul flights, train rides and car journeys are notoriously difficult to fall asleep on.

Thankfully there's a few ways to help get some rest. While we would always recommend wearing your comfiest clothes, a travel pillow can be a godsend.

Not only will one help you drift off, it can also come in handy to combat neck and back pain from sitting in rigid airplane seats.

We've handpicked our favourites to shop now, just in time for your next trip, ranging from budget-friendly options to luxury silk finds.

From memory foam to inflatable designs, these are a travel essential for your carry-on luggage.

Starting from just £6, these are our top picks.

The best travel pillows

Memory Foam Neck Pillow Support | £12.74 from Amazon

This is an Amazon bestseller and is a commonly found design. Created with a horse-shoe inspired shape, it sits comfortably around the neck so you lean on either side without falling out of your seat or onto the person sitting next to you. Filled with soft but supportive memory foam, it's covered in plush velvet for added softness.

Eono Neck Pillow Memory Foam | £29.99 from Amazon

Another memory foam pillow we love is this one from Eono. Not only does it support your neck, but your shoulder too. The cover is machine washable and the raised lobe design will help bobbing heads. It also comes with a drawstring so you adjust its snugness.

Ostrichpillow Go | £44.62 from Amazon

This funky design is made with high density memory foam and the wrap around feature provides 360 degree, ergonomic neck support. Adjust the fit using its velcro strap before catching 40 winks.

Boots Inflatable Travel Pillow | £6.50 from Boots

Keep things under budget with this affordable inflatable pillow that will save space in your carry on. Made from a blend of cotton and viscose, it has a classic horse-shoe shape and comes with a storage bag.

HoMedics Travel Neck Massager | £19.99 from Boots

This is not just a travel pillow, it also has a built-in massage option for kneading out kinks and reducing neck pain. Its memory foam inner adds comfort while the two massage speeds allow you adjust it to be a firm or light as you like.

Go Travel Fusion Travel Pillow | £14.99 from John Lewis

This mid-range neck pillow is inflatable with a quick-adjust air valve and foam panels on top. One happy shopper at John Lewis said: "This travel pillow was more expensive than the previous ones I've owned. However it was well made, felt extremely comfortable and worth every penny!"

TEMPUR® Comfort Travel Pillow, Medium/Firm | £68 from John Lewis

You may recognise Tempur form its supremely comfortable regular pillows, but if you can't imagine the thought of not sleeping on one when you're travelling, then this travel version will come in handy. It offers medium/firm support and its clever design will soften to the natural shape of your head for a nap like no other.

Slip Frequent Flyer Travel Set | £115.50 from Cult Beauty

Travel in style with super luxurious silk set from Slip. A kit with everything you need to doze off, it contains a eye mask, face mask and a supportive neck pillow with a raised lobe design.

Aqua Travel Pillow | £6 from Dunelm

If you're forgetful, opt for a colourful design like this from Dunelm. It'll always be easy to spot in a carry on suitcase or handbag. One Dunelm shopper said: "Good quality memory foam. Portable enough to clip onto backpack and worked well on two long-haul flights."

Wilko Super Soft Contoured Pillow | £9 from Wilko

This cosy number is made for sleeping comfortably when on the move. It's another memory foam design which is worth adding to your basket if you're a light sleeper with neck aches.

The Hybrid Universal memory foam travel pillow | £10 from Selfridges

For snoozing on planes, this travel pillow is a must-have. While it's mainly made up of memory foam, it also has an inflatable base for extra cushioning and the design mimics the pillows you're used to sleep on at home.

Tinly Floral Travel Pillow And Eye Mask | £38 from Ted Baker

Travel pillows needn't be boring. If you're looking for a style that stands out, add this blue and white floral printed design to your basket ASAP. It has a button fastening and comes with a matching eye mask and carry bag.