As long-term travellers/digital nomads, we like to keep ourselves organised and well-prepared for travel days. We travel with two medium-sized suitcases and two standard backpacks. Travelling with suitcases allows us extra luxuries like a professional camera and multiple lenses, fishing equipment and a guitalele among other things. But we do have some useful, tried and tested items that we’ve now been using for more than three years.
Whether you’re team backpack or team suitcase we hope you find this list of our 25 travel essentials under £25 useful, these are all things we use to keep ourselves organised, comfortable and relaxed during our travels. Let’s go…
TABLE OF CONTENTS
To help you pack
1. COMPRESSION Packing cubes £19 – £36
We bought our compression cubes a couple of years ago and swear by them. They are of course great for saving space in your case, but they are also fantastic for separating out your clothing and stopping items from becoming overly creased. Compression cubes are different from packing cubes, as they have an additional zip which allows you to squeeze out any extra space/air, allowing you to fit more in your suitcase or backpack.
From personal experience, we’ve tested these to the limit and after three years of full-time travel, they are still going strong. Highly recommend.
2. WATERPROOF Toiletry bag £18 – £26
This waterproof hanging toiletry bag with multiple compartments is perfect for long-term travel and backpacking. The four different compartments are made from transparent PVC which allows you to easily separate your products and see exactly where everything is. The handy hook allows you to hang your toiletries in small spaces, perfect for shared shower blocks in hostels or cramped spaces. Available in two sizes plus you can get a larger bag which includes a separate jewellery compartment.
3. Silicone travel bottles £10
If you’re only planning to take hand luggage on your travels, these are the perfect solution. They are easily refillable and can be filled with your favourite shampoos, lotions or cleansers. They are 100ml per bottle, BPA-free, have a leak-proof design plus they come with pre-printed labels so you never mix up your make-up remover with your body wash.
4. Shoe organiser £12
In an attempt to keep our suitcases and clothes clean, we like to use shoe bags for our trainers and dusty flip-flops. We have tried the hotel shower cap trick but most of those freebie caps are thin and flimsy and always seem to tear when we’ve tried. This brilliant shoe organiser has space for a minimum of two pairs of flip flops/flat sandals and a pair of trainers.
5. Cable organiser £12
Where are my fellow gadget nerds at? I love my cable organiser, mine houses all of my travel adaptors, charging cables and power banks. This actually helps in two ways, it keeps everything together, neat and tidy but it also helps when we’re packing up and moving to another apartment (as we so often do during our travels) as I can quickly see if I’ve missed a plug or a charger somewhere. Nothing more annoying than leaving your MacBook charger behind.
6. Tile Pro £25 – £29
If, like us, you’re from the UK you’ll remember the recent craziness across airports with luggage going missing. Tile Pro allows you to track your luggage via their free app. They use cutting-edge security technology, are easy to connect via Bluetooth and provide precise locations.
If you’re concerned about lost luggage or are travelling with expensive items, then it’s worth investing in a Tile Pro.
7. UNDER-SEAT CABIN bag £23
With airlines charging huge amounts for hand luggage these days, you’ll want to get yourself a good under-seat cabin bag. This one linked is expandable, so will fit the requirements for both RyanAir and Easyjet flights (please check the dimensions based on your flight and ticket purchased), has a separate waterproof pocket for wet swimwear/towels and has a handy travel sleeve to loop over your luggage if you’re also taking a checked bag. This is the perfect size for a long weekend away and doubles up as a beach bag.
8. digital luggage scale £10
It’s no secret that we are serial over-packers, travelling with two mid-sized suitcases and two small carry-on backpacks. We’ve even been guilty of buying secondhand suitcases to ship stuff home with friends who have come to visit as we obviously haven’t mastered the art of travelling light, and no one likes to arrive at the airport only to be handed a large bill for excess baggage. We use our digital scale every time we pack up ready for a flight, once your luggage is over 20kg it can be difficult to get an exact reading, this depends on the size of your bag but it definitely gives you a good idea and we’ve avoided extra charges in the past from using this handy little gadget.
9. Reusable Airport Bags £5
I know there has been a bit of media coverage around airport baggies this year and the fact that some London airports are already making these a thing of the past. But whilst they are still used in many airports around the world I think it’s important to make as many eco-friendly swaps as possible and this one is super easy. Just £5.49 for two of these reusable bags allows you to separate all of your liquids easily prior to arriving at the airport. They are security approved and we haven’t had any issues using ours in the UK, Europe or SE Asia.
For the flight
10. Loop earplugs £25
I don’t travel anywhere without my Loop earplugs, they are amazing for blocking out sound and are so comfortable. I always seem to struggle with noise, especially when I’m trying to sleep. Maybe it’s the constant changes in environment but I honestly wouldn’t be without these. Whether you’re trying to get 40 winks on the flight, or just need something comfortable to wear whilst your sleeping to block out all those strange sounds, these £24.95 reusable earplugs are what you need.
11. MEMORY FOAM NECK PILLOW £10
If you struggle to get comfortable or sleep on planes then we would highly recommend getting yourself a memory foam neck support pillow. This one linked is Amazon’s best seller and is the exact one we use. The soft velour cover can be removed and washed and it folds down to be stored in a compact bag.
If you’re planning on any long-haul flights this year, make sure to get yourself one of these to help keep you comfortable and to make sure you’re well-rested on arrival.
12. COMPRESSION socks £14
One way to get comfy on flights is to remove your shoes, but please make sure you’re wearing some socks. For long-haul flights we would definitely recommend investing in some good compression socks like the ones linked, these promote good circulation and can prevent swelling and DVT. But if your flight is just a short trip make sure to pack yourself something warm and cosy that you can change into.
13. BATTERY PACK/PORTABLE charger £20
This is one of our travel must-haves! We always make sure our battery pack is fully charged before we set off and make sure to pack it in our carry-on luggage. With everything becoming paperless it’s so important to make sure we always have battery on our phones, whether it’s for flight and train tickets, directions and details of our hotel reservations, or downloaded Netflix shows, we always make sure this is packed.
The power bank linked has four output ports, fully charges in one evening and will give you enough power to charge your device up to seven times on one charge, it also has a display which tells you exactly how much power it has left. Perfect for travel days.
Holiday essentials
14. Chilly’s Water Bottle £24
Here are my top reasons for always carrying a refillable water bottle when travelling;
- Save money
- Save the planet
- Keep track of what you’re drinking and stay hydrated
- To protect yourself from toxic chemicals that come from cheap plastic bottles
- They are more durable so are less likely to leak in your bag. Chillys actually have double walled insulation which also means no condensation on the outside of the bottle – unlike other cheaper versions
- Keep your drink colder for longer. Chilly’s keep your drink cold for up to 24 hours. You can also use for hot drinks, they will stay hot for up to 12 hours.
15. Dock & Bay Beach Towels £21 – £32
The next generation beach towel. We both have a Dock & Bay towel and we are obsessed! They are compact, lightweight, quick drying and sand-free and not just that, but they are eco & planet-friendly, as all Dock & Bay products are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.
Whether you’re looking for a compact, quick-drying beach towel or a handy beach blanket, this is all you’ll need. We’ve linked the classic stripe towel in large, which costs £24.99 or scroll through for some of the latest designs and colours which range from £20.99 – £28.99.
16. Universal plug adapter £24
Coming from the UK we always need to pack travel adapters for our devices. This one linked is a worldwide adapter that can be used in 200+ countries, including Europe, USA, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and areas of South America (It is not suitable for South Africa and India).
This travel adapter has 2 USB and 3 USB C ports (USB C ports are faster than ordinary USB, they are slowly replacing phone chargers with these new ports/cables). The USB ports on this plug can detect multiple devices and allow you to charge your phone whilst using your hairdryer.
17. Waterproof phone case £10 for a pack of 2
I know most phones are waterproof these days, but I would still recommend getting a waterproof phone case, for your travels. Here are three reasons to buy one of these reasonably priced waterproof cases:
1. It’s great for hands-free filming when you’re kayaking or paddleboarding.
2. Protect your phone from seawater and sand – you can never be too careful and it’s an expensive item to replace whilst you’re travelling especially if you’re trying to stick to a budget
3. It can be secured around your neck with the cord, perfect for sea swimming & snorkelling as you won’t drop your phone
18. FOLDABLE WATERPROOF JACKET £20
This is maybe less useful if you’re heading to Europe for a summer break or long weekend, but if you’re heading to South East Asia or planning to travel long-term you’ll definitely want to pack a compact, lightweight jacket. This one from Regatta comes in three different colours and the sizes range from XS – 5XL.
19. WASHING LINE £6 for 2
This might seem like a strange one, but just trust us on this, when you travel long-term you’ll be moving into all types of accommodations and some will have a place to dry your swimwear and towels, while others won’t. This handy little gadget can be attached to tiles in your bathroom via the suction pads or hung up outside on a balcony using the hooks, it has a twist design which means you don’t need to use pegs, you can just tuck the ends into one of the twists to keep it secure. Also, how cute is this dog – I could have selected a more appropriate image to show the benefit of this item, but I can’t resist a cute dog.
Luxury items
20. HANGSUN TRAVEL STEAMER £24
I’ll be honest here, I only really buy clothes that do not need to be ironed. Ironing is my least favourite chore and it just takes so long, however, Carl is king of the floral shirt and he is particularly fond of All Saints shirts, which if you’ve ever had one, or had to iron one you know how lightweight that fabric is, it creases so easily and is a nightmare to iron. That is why we invested in this steamer. Sure, not everyone will need this, but if like Carl you love a freshly pressed shirt and don’t want to rely on your hotel or Airbnb providing all you need, check out this foldable, lightweight steamer. Perfect for all fabrics, easy to use and compact.
21. Barvivo bottle opener £15
The one thing you can never guarantee at an Airbnb or self-catering apartment is the kitchen equipment. We’ve rocked up to places that literally have two bowls, two plates, two spoons and not a lot else. This professional waiter’s corkscrew has travelled the world with us which means we can always enjoy a nice glass of wine on the balcony in the evening without having to force our way into the bottle with a wooden spoon.
22. Coffee frother £12
This is one of my luxury items. I know it’s totally unnecessary but there was one of these little gadgets at our Airbnb in Croatia and I just loved making cappuccinos and lattes in the morning, it feels super luxurious and a bit like home. This small, lightweight milk frother is just £11.99 and takes my morning coffees to a whole new level.
23. Swiss army knife £21 – £100+
This is Carl’s favourite gadget, no question, and has come in so handy at times. Swiss Army Knives come in all sizes and prices. You can find the very basic ones starting from as little as £14.99, and the all-singing, all-dancing knives can cost upwards of £100+. This one linked, is £20.99 and includes 13 different tools including a screwdriver and can opener.
24. YANKEE SLEEP DIFFUSER £20 – £29
As slow travellers, we allow ourselves extra luxuries, for me this Yankee diffuser has been a total blessing. I struggle with getting to sleep and one thing I’ve found that helps is to have a good routine to relax and unwind from the day. The ‘calm night’ fragrance that comes with the kit has soothing lavender, eucalyptus and sweet vanilla scents and it has multiple timing and cutoff settings. It’s one of my favourite luxury items, it’s super lightweight and the diffuser oil lasts for months. Currently on offer for only £12.00, even if you don’t want this for your travels, why not grab yourself a bargain.
25. TRAVEL JOURNAL £15
Another thing I love to do in the evenings to help me clear my mind before bed is to journal, I often just write a short summary of my day, things I’ve achieved, and my to-do list for the following day. I’ve linked my favourite from Avocado and Spice, they do a range of hardback journals, starting from £12.99 and come with a beautiful velvet gift bag and gift box. Whether it’s for you or as a gift for a friend, these journals really are very beautiful and hardwearing, perfect for shoving into a backpack.
What do you think of our travel essentials, have we missed anything? Is there anything on this list you’ve not previously thought of? What would your luxury item be? Let us know in the comments.
And if you’re a fellow long-term traveller or travel lover let’s connect on Instagram or Twitter, we love building our little community, or if you want to follow along on our travel adventures why not subscribe, we aim to post something new every week.
Until next time…
[All of the items linked are from Amazon and are affiliate links, should you choose to purchase through one of our links we will receive a small commission but this does not affect the price you pay. All of the items we have included we have either bought and paid for ourselves or have purchased something similar. (The prices shown in the blog are correct at the time of posting, June 2024).]
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