15 Travel Products That Will Actually Save You Money

Travel costs can add up quickly with flights, hotels, and transportation often taking up a significant portion of your vacation budget before you even leave the house. No matter if you’re planning a backpacking trip around South America or checking into a chateau in the south of France, there are countless things to spend money on. A durable suitcase, comfy neck pillow, and a good pair of headphones are a few items that are almost always a good investment for savvy travelers. But what if we told you there were items you could buy that would actually save you money?

Whether you’re looking for an immediate ROI or want products that deliver solid value over time, we’ve rounded up the best things to invest in for your next trip because, when it comes down to it, more savings can quickly mean more travel opportunities in the future.

Tech

Chronic over-packers and travelers who like to take full advantage of checked-bag limits can save on surprise fees with this lightweight luggage scale. Priced under $20, this money-saving travel product pays for itself if it stops you from paying overage fees even one time. The slim, streamlined scale weighs just over three ounces, making it easy to toss in your carry-on or checked luggage to bring with you for your return trip. To use, loop the built-in strap around your luggage handle, grab the scale to lift your luggage off the ground, and let it hang for a few seconds. The LED digital scale will give an accurate weight for up to 110 pounds (50 kilograms) within a 0.1-pound margin. Considering baggage overage fees start at $50 to $200 and up, this may be one of the most valuable money-saving hacks in your bag.

Stop buying disposable pairs of wired headphones when you travel — especially last-minute on the plane — and opt for the Twelve South AirFly SE Bluetooth Wireless Transmitter instead. This portable plug-in device lets you use the wireless headphones or earbuds you already own with any AV systems that require wired listening. All you have to do is plug the AirFly into the standard 3.5-millimeter headphone jack and pair the transmitter with your earbuds via Bluetooth. It works with Android or iOS, though connection can sometimes take a few tries. The device can be used with hotel gym equipment once you arrive — and there’s also a Pro model with an even longer battery life that can pair up to two headphones, too.

This universal wall adapter will save the day — and the wallet — of frequent international travelers. This adapter will work with plug configurations commonly found in the U.S., UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, eliminating the need to purchase individual adapters for each trip. We love this one in particular because it can simultaneously charge up to six things at once via four USB-A and one USB-C ports, plus the main plug-in AC input so you only need this adapter, your existing cords, and one outlet to charge several devices. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work for all countries and it will not convert voltage so, if your electronics are unable to convert voltage on their own, you’ll need a separate gadget.

Luggage trackers are an essential travel product these days, and this two-piece starter pack from Tile is one of our favorites as it helps locate lost items before you spend money replacing them. This duo comes with a Tile Mate and a Tile Slim, giving you more flexibility on the items you are able to track. Worried about lost luggage or pickpockets? Toss the small, square Tile Mate tracker into your suitcase and slip the credit card-style Tile Slim into your wallet. Being able to locate lost or stolen property can save you money by aiding in recovery efforts and insurance claims, not to mention give some priceless peace of mind. Each tracker comes with a three-year battery life, IPF6 waterproof rating, and works with Android or iOS. We also love that you’re able to audibly ping your tracked items from your phone — and make your phone ring, even if it’s on silent, with the Tile Mate — as long as you’re within 350 feet. Tile also works with your smart home devices, and will geolocate your tracked items if they have traveled outside of the 350-foot Bluetooth connectivity range.

Dealing with a busted phone on vacation is almost as painful as it is expensive, especially without insurance. If you don’t already have a tough-as-nails phone case protecting your phone on the daily, consider outfitting one of your most important life accessories with an Otterbox Symmetry Series case before your trip. We like this model because it gives top-rated drop protection without being overly bulky. Raised front edges work to protect your screen upon face-down and side impact, but the case does not have a full-screen protector. You’ll get a nice and tidy slim silhouette that can slip into your pocket, and easy-grip sides for stability when holding your phone. Like most phone cases, these are not universal, so double-check the exact model before shopping.

Personal Care

This lightweight, collapsible bottle, which reigned supreme during our collapsible water bottle tests, is equipped with a membrane microfilter that removes the majority of bacteria, parasites, silt, and sand. Not only is it ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and camping, but also for traveling. Its compact nature makes it an ideal airport travel companion, not only for maximizing precious luggage real estate but also to avoid splurging on overpriced water. Best of all, its microfilter ensures that you’ll be able to stay hydrated when on the go, especially when traveling in countries where it may not be safe to consume tap water. The filter is among the best we’ve tried, too; although many of the most effective filters can run extremely slowly, this one flows quickly.

If you know you’re prone to motion sickness, snagging a pair of Sea Bands should be at the top of your list as they work to combat motion sickness using pressure point therapy alone. These bands can be reused over and over unlike motion sickness pills that you’ll have to continually pay to replace — or worse, a prescription patch that may bring on undesirable side effects that could detract from planned activities. You simply slip one band over each wrist as needed so that the built-in plastic node presses on the bottom of your wrist in the correct position. Are they fashionable? Not really, but they can be effective for motion sickness caused by the car, screens, ships, or planes.

Doing laundry while traveling is one of the most effective ways to pack less and leave more room for souvenirs. Packing the right items to do your own laundry with, like this laundry bag from Eagle Creek, will also help you avoid unnecessary fees while on the go.

The lightweight laundry bag, which is crafted washable and water-resistant ocean-recycled fabric, has the added benefit of helping you stay organized thanks to its internal divider that separates clean and dirty clothes. To take your laundry game to the next level, consider packing solid detergent sheets or a laundry bar.

Keeping a first-aid kit on hand is one of the best ways to save money while traveling. The Adventure Kit Ultralight Watertight .5 comes with basic bandages, antiseptic cream, a variety over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medicines, and travel-sized tools to help with splinters, scrapes, and cuts. We all know how expensive standard over-the-counter medicine can be when traveling, if you can even find it in a pinch. Not only will you be able to cover minor health needs from headaches to scrapes, everytime you can grab something out of your first-aid kit instead of heading to the store, it’s money saved on transportation, ATM fees, clinic visits, and more. Plus, this comes already packaged up in an easy-to-find bright yellow bag that can be easily tossed into your travel bag.

Of course, on the extreme side of things, a damaged piece of clothing may mean you need to replace it entirely on a trip. However, this tiny travel kit allows you to make near-instant repairs like button replacements and small tear fixes with needles and thread, or even no-sew mends with the included safety pins. The tiny included pair of scissors (TSA-compliant to boot!) is also handy so you’re not forced to rip off a tag and potentially ruin a brand-new item. You also never know when you’ll need a tape measure on your travels — say, to check the dimensions of a personal item or carry-on — so that’s just an added bonus here in this 27-piece set.

Storage

Versatile, comfortable hoodies are a travel essential. The ScotteVest Chloe Glow Hoodie hides a whopping 18 pockets, over three times as many as other hidden-pocket hoodies. This hoodie can effectively replace your personal item when traveling, allowing you to bring an “extra” bag on board, and possibly avoiding extra luggage fees. You’ll get four exterior pockets, located in the front pouch and sleeve cuffs, and 14 interior pockets laid out within the body of the hoodie. There’s a dedicated space for your glasses, phone, and passport, plus several general pockets of different sizes that can hold everything from your lip balm to your tablet. That said, you’ll want to be choosey with what you stash since a fully loaded sweatshirt can get weighted down pretty quickly (and even start to sag). We give extra points to this hoodie for its breathable stretch material, thumb holes, and deceptive appearance as a regular zip-up otherwise.

If you’re looking to travel light with just a carry-on suitcase and want to get the most out of your limited luggage real estate, consider the VMstr Travel Vacuum Storage Bags. The versatile set includes a range of sizes, all of which fit into a carry-on suitcase, with the smallest even fitting into a personal item or smaller carry-on backpack.

The bags can be compressed via a handy USB-powered electric pump, roughly the same size as a tube of travel toothpaste, that can be powered from your personal device. Best of all, if any of your bags leak, puncture, or break within the first year, the company will replace them for free.

When is a packing cube working its hardest? When it’s a compression packing cube. For travelers looking to save as much space as possible when packing, this six-piece compression set is a huge hack. These packing cubes compress their contents so you can save space in your suitcase, fit more in each bag, and possibly even skip checked luggage fees. Each bag is a different size, ranging from large (15.4 x 15 x 3.54 inches) to extra small (9.8 x 7.5 x 3.54 inches) and slim (13 x 3.9 x 3.54 inches). There’s also a matching laundry bag that can double as a shoe bag. We love these Gonex cubes because they are durable, come in multiple colors and patterns, and have breathable mesh paneling. The zippers glide in a flash and we are big fans of the functionality of the grab handles — and the fact that these are machine washable after a trip, too.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of buying travel-sized toiletries, but those cute little bottles are costing you a fortune, especially if you forget to finish them when you return home and repurchase trip after trip. Instead, grab this four-pack of Liquisnugs Premium Leak-proof Silicone Travel Bottles to take on your travels. One of the best things (besides saving money) is that you can load them with your favorite products you’ve already got at home. Shampoo and conditioner? Check. Body lotion and body wash? Check. We like the soft, squeezability of these specific travel-sized bottles, and the non-drip, sports-style opening we’ve found works great for dispensing body scrubs and hair gel, too. However, the wide-mouth tops do not make these a good choice for watery liquids like toner or aftershave so you’ll want different bottle shapes if you frequently pack those products.

Keep your cash, identification, keycards, jewelry and other small valuables safe while traveling with this portable personal safe. The easy-access clamshell design features a personalizable four-digit combination lock, a durable water-resistant outer shell, and a padded, shock-proof interior to protect your items. What makes this truly invaluable is the cable lock cord that releases with the push of a button and can be wrapped around or threaded through a fixed anchor, like a tree, bedframe, or pole. We especially love whipping this out any time we’re in a travel situation where we would need to rent an overpriced locker, like on a cruise shore excursion, but it also flaunts its value in hostels, on overnight trains, at campsites, and on cycling trips when you just need to hold a few things.

If you’re constantly tempted to buy last-minute snacks before boarding a plane or train, or are often so desperate to eat that a $14 snack box is a frequent in-flight purchase, plan to prevent that with solid, reusable bags you can pack at home. These silicone versions are extra sturdy and easy to clean. Not only can you bring your own food, you can slip one of these in your bag while out and about and save any unfinished treats for later, too. Sizes range from 10 ounces all the way up to 50 ounces, and there are even upright versions you can use to later prepare food in a microwave (right from the bag!).

Tips for Buying Money-saving Travel Products

Figure out where you usually spend money

Does your stomach always seem to grumble after takeoff? Are your travel-size toiletries always left partially empty? Do you break a sweat when it comes time to plop your checked bag on the scale? Don’t worry, no one is perfect. But, in order to figure out the best products to buy to save money while traveling, you’ll have to be honest about what you have a habit of spending money on during trips. Once you’ve zeroed in on the culprits, identify products that will help you keep these habits in check.

Consider size and space

Just because a travel product can save you money, doesn’t mean it’s worth it. You’ll want to think about the overall value in line with how much space it will take up in your bags. Being compact, portable, and durable enough to withstand many trips are a few factors that can make or break whether a certain money-saving travel product is right for you as well.

Consider price versus value

Crunch some numbers before committing to a purchase. Avoid cheap or cheaply made products with minimal returns; you’ll just be creating waste in exchange for something that probably has a low overall value. Consider pricey products only when they can save you money in the long run — a digital translator could be a useful investment for someone who frequently travels internationally, for example. The key here is value, so compare the item’s price versus its true benefit to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my own food and drinks on a plane?

Yes! Bringing your own food and drink on a plane from home can be a great way to save money. Airport eats are often expensive and plane snacks are rarely worth the price. Most flights serve complimentary non-alcoholic drinks, though, when it comes to alcohol, you’ll have to resign to purchasing everything inflight since it’s illegal to bring your own alcohol on board for consumption. If you do bring your own food or drink from home, remember to follow security rules and restrictions in terms of volume, especially for liquids.

What other products can I bring to save money?

There are tons of products that can help you save money, and this list is just the beginning. Some products can prove to be priceless, like an unlocked smartphone. Even an inexpensive smartphone can be used for calls, texts, research, notes, and photos in a foreign country. Products that can be used several times, will last for many trips, and can be used in multiple scenarios are a good place to start. Think of which basic items you find yourself purchasing over and over on trips and see if there is a reusable version or a product that eliminates your need to repeat buy something frequently. Products that take care of infrequent but essential and often expensive needs can also be big money savers.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this story, Katherine Alex Beaven talked to several professional travelers and did hours of research on the most valuable travel products to pack to save money. She also relied on her decades’ worth of travel experience, particularly those times she was traveling for work, on a budget, or to somewhere incredibly overpriced.

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