Let’s dive into the essential packing list items you’ll need to make the most of your tip without breaking the bank. Whether you’re backpacking through Europe, exploring Southeast Asia or embarking on a road trip closer to home, this curated list of budget-friendly travel essentials will ensure you’re well-prepared and ready to embrace every moment of your journey!
1. Vacuum Bags
Vacuum bags can help you save 80% more space when travelling! Although lots of people use these when storing clothes or moving house, they are perfect for budget travel. You can either use normal plastic bags and remove the excess air with a vacuum cleaner, or buy bags which can be used without a vacuum cleaner (which is much more convenient for when you’re travelling back home and may not have access to one). You can pick these up on amazon for less than £10 for a pack of 4.
There usually isnt a weight limit applied to hand-luggage so try to squeeze in everything possible!
2. Packing Cubes
Once you have compressed everything that you need to bring into the vacuum bags, putting these inside packing cubes keeps everything neat, organised and maximises room. Alternatively, if you’d rather not have your clothes wrinkled by the vacuum bags, categorising them and then rolling them tightly into packing cubes is a great way to make the most of room.
3. Universal Adapter
Sometimes the type of plug used by a country can differ from place to place and can be really confusing to navigate (as I experienced on my trip to Switzerland, where I had to waste money on buying several types of adapter).
This tip is particular useful if your’e going on a several-destination trip, but buying a universal adapter online means that you only need to keep track of one thing for every trip, they also often have several charging ports (a USB and a USB-c) on the same plug, so they can be used by several people at the same time, there’s no need to have one in every passengers bag.
4. Microfibre Towel
The shop owners at ‘beachy’ destinations know that so many people forget their towels and so charge extortionate amounts to pick one up once you get there. Many hotels also forbid residents from taking the big, white towels out to the beach and you may be charged a fee if these are brought back covered in sand (which is pretty much unavoidable).
Instead, bring a microfibre towel which is great for your skin and hair, dries incredibly quickly and can be packed into a very small space.
5. Big Beach Blanket
It’s the worst when you think you’re going to have a cheap day out at the beach but you are immediately stumped by having to pay between £20-50 to get access to a sunbed for the day. Bring along a large, linen beach towel/blanket that can fit everybody you need as well as your picnic so that you can enjoy public beaches.
There is usually also vendors selling umbrellas that protect you from the sun, if you can fit a small one that folds down into your bag then this would be a great addition.
6. Specific Hand-Luggage Bag
You don’t want to believe that you’ve found a cheap flight and then have to pay significantly more for your luggage on the way out as well as the return journey. You also don’t want to be caught short by airline staff when your bag is just slightly over the size limits. Although, in my experience, budget airlines rarely check the size of your bag too closely (as long as it’s not blindly obvious), it’s a safe bet to go online and buy one of the hand-luggage bags for your specific airline.
7. A “Duty-Free” Bag
If/when the bag you bought won’t fit your extra pair of shoes or bits and bobs that you forgot you needed to fit in (it’s happened to everyone!), get a “duty free” bag at airport. I don’t mean that you have to splash out on something incredibly expensive at duty free, but either ask one of the shops in the airport for an empty bag, or, even better, have a reusable one that you bring on every trip. You are allowed to buy as much as you like within the airport, it doesn’t need to be in adherence with the airlines baggage requirements….so I always stuff my overfill into the “duty-free” bag and it works great!
8. Mini Toiletry Bottles
Many European airports have a 100/150ml maximum on liquids brought through security. I think it’s such a waste of money to buy the specific ‘mini’ products for everything that you need, and it also prevents you from bringing your favourite beauty/hair goods that aren’t made in these sizes. It’s an even bigger spend to have to buy full-size versions when you’re out on holiday, which you will inevitably have to throw away on your way back. Instead, just buy some empty travel bottles from primark/Poundland/any convenience store and fill these with your favourite products.
9. “Basic” Clothes
Everyone has been guilty of overpacking. You know when you have brought so many clothes but yet you have nothing to wear? If you bring a “travel capsule wardrobe” then this won’t be a problem. Instead of heavily patterned dresses, I always like to have a pair of black trousers and shorts, and plain coloured t-shirts so that I can mix-and-match. I always feel like I’m changing up my look but I don’t actually have to bring that many clothes with me!
10. Power Bank
You need to ensure that you are contactable and can find your way around at all hours of the day. All sorts of situations can arise when you don’t have access to your phone – you may end up having to pay to charge it somewhere or have to get an expensive taxi home with cash because you can’t navigate the walk or public transport without it. Although you need to make sure the airport you will be going to doesn’t place restrictions on power banks (some do because of the lithium battery), it’s always best practice to have one with you.
11. Reusable Water Bottle/Coffee-Mug
When you’re walking around in the hot sun, or alternatively, in the freezing cold… you can end up spending half your budget on constantly buying drinks. If you bring your favourite reusable water bottle/coffee-mug from home, then you can save on visiting the supermarket 10 times a day.
12. Swimming Goggles
These are an item which I always forget and then end up having to buy when I’m there because they are so fun to have in the sea, but they can be really expensive! If you buy a cheap pair and bring these on every trip you take, they will pay for themselves in no time and provide great entertainment for both adults and kids to go budget “snorkelling (which can be a very expensive activity)!
13. Playing Cards
These are a great way to keep entertained and even to make new friends. If you want to have some time sat on the balcony/outside in a local park or beach, then learn some of the classic games and enjoy this activity with friends. You can’t go wrong with a game of Uno! You can even get waterproof cards so that you can take them to the pool, beach, snow or rain and know they are a long-term, durable investment.