12 Travel Items To Pack If You Want To Save Money

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The world is opening up again. Slowly, but it is happening. Which means that depending on your situation (and of course everyone is different after the year 2020) you might be thinking about taking a trip soon. Maybe your first one since before the world went to s*#t. And for some, 2020 meant a little bit more penny pinching, cutting down on costs to get by. Travel can often be seen as an extravagant luxury, but there are ways to travel on a budget too. But on top of saving money on flights and hotels, here are some must have travel items to pack for your next trip that will actually save you money.

Packing compression bag

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This thing is my lifesaver. I love it. I’m a chronic over-packer so this really helps me compress the clothing items I do pack so they take up less space. With a packing compression bag, even I have been able to travel carry-on only. If you know me, that’s quite the accomplishment. This thing also came in handy on a recent camping trip when I was able to free up more space in my backpack.

Snacks

If nothing else, make sure to pack some snacks for the airport. Those places are expensive. You start your trip by paying $15 for a limp sandwich, a small packet of chips and a drink. This always leaves me with a sour taste in my mouth, and I’m not talking about the food. Instead pack some items for your journey, and maybe even some extra snacks for your trip. At least day one when you’re still finding your way. My first stop in a new place is always the local supermarket/grocery store. I stock up on some easily packable items for my day trips to save money when my options are limited. Especially near tourist sites.

Water bottle

Considering water is our most abundant natural resource, it sure gets expensive when you travel. Airports, tourist sites, even convenience stores in a popular city. But if you have your own reusable water bottle you can fill up anywhere that has drinkable tap water. One of the travel items I never leave home without is a water bottle. It has saved me so much money. Want to mix it up a bit? Get some of these water flavor drops to add to your H2O.

Stack card

I’m guilty of just putting things on my credit card when I’m traveling. I think I’m doing well with my spending until I get home to the bill. All of a sudden realizing that vacation wasn’t so cheap after all. But instead of racking up huge interest rates and potential currency conversion fees, I discovered reloadable credit cards. One we have in Canada is called Stack. Simply add money to the card and use it like any other Mastercard. If you buy something in another currency it will be converted into CAD with no extra fees.

Portable luggage scale

We’ve already covered the fact I overpack. But while I can pack and weigh my bags at home before I travel, it’s often a surprise how heavy they’ve gotten when I come to return home. I’ve spent the night before my flight sitting on my suitcase to close it, and then hold my breath as the check in agent asks me to put the bag on the scale. We’ve all been there. Sometimes they let it slide, other times you’ll get dinged. Now I make sure to travel with a portable luggage scale. No more guessing, so it lets me rearrange my bags in advance and maybe transfer some travel items between my checked bag and my carry-on to ensure I don’t have to pay any oversized baggage fees.

Travel toiletries

     

If you pack light enough you might be able to forego a checked bag completely. Toiletries are often where you hit a bump in the road. But I recommend getting some travel sized containers to allow you to keep your liquids at a carry-on approved level. It’ll save you space as well as giving you the option of traveling carry-on. It’s also worth checking if your accommodation provides these things. You might be able to leave them behind completely. Another tip for cutting down on liquids is using shampoo bars instead. Bonus: they’re better for the environment than more plastics.

Travel laundry kit

Isn’t it just your luck to get all excited about trying some local food, only to spill it or splash it on your favorite travel shirt? Not to mention potentially expensive. What are you going to do, throw it out? I always have Shout stain remover wipes or a stick with me for this exact reason. If you’re traveling longer though, one of the travel items you might want to pack is a full travel laundry kit. That way you can wash some clothes in your accommodation. This will save on getting it cleaned locally or by the hotel. Plus it means you can carry less clothes which will, again, help with your baggage allowances.

Download a rideshare app

This isn’t something you need to pack, but you do need to plan and download in advance of your trip. So many times I’ve arrived at a new destination and through lack of planning had no choice but to jump in a taxi. Seeing the exorbitant rates climbing higher and higher as I’m stuck in traffic goodness knows how far from my hotel. But if you look into local rideshare apps for the place you are going you might be able to save money. Not everyone has the same ones so check if they use Uber, Lyft, Grab or any other apps.

Local currency

I already talked about being smart with your credit card while traveling, but it’s also good to carry some cash. Make sure to change your money into some local currency before you travel. Definitely not at the airport! And unless you know your destination rather well, I would suggest not there either. I always carry some local currency as not everyone takes cards, especially in the smaller places. But if you are shopping at local businesses, don’t forget they will have to pay credit card fees so using cash will mean they get more of the money you spend.

Kindle or similar

I love reading, especially when I’m traveling. But if I want to keep the weight of my luggage down I need to stop bring a mini library with me. A Kindle, or similar reading device, is the ideal way to take dozens of books with you rather than having to decide what you might fancy reading a week before you pick up the book. For perspective, the weight of 3 average sized books is about 2.5lbs (just under 1.2kg). A Kindle on the other hand is about 7oz (200g). That’s less than one of those books. And it’ll save space as well as luggage weight.

Travel cutlery

     

Open up dining options by carrying your own travel cutlery set when you go somewhere. I love these things. The number of times I’ve wanted to save some money by picking up a yogurt or a salad from a grocery store, then not having anything to eat it with. Or ordering way too much food at dinner and then leaving the leftovers because my hotel room doesn’t have any cutlery. Travel cutlery sets are one of the smallest and most lightweight travel items, and they’re easy to clean too. Another great idea for your trip is collapsible tupperware.

Multi pocket clothing

Ever see those people who defy the luggage constraints and wear all their clothing to the flight? Or have you been in line for your flight, unable to close your bag and start stuffing random travel items in your pocket? Great news, they make coats for that. Buy a multi pocket coat where you can pack a lot more of your items to free up your carry on. Yes, it’s skirting the system, but doesn’t that make it even more ingenious?!

Bonus tip #1: Check your hotel’s amenities

It’s important to remember you might be able to leave some travel items at home if your hotel has them. And I’m not just talking about toiletries. For example on my trip to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise recently the concierge desk offered trekking poles and bear spray for those looking to hike. And at the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel there was a bike rental service which meant I saved money on my own bike rental.

Bonus tip #2: Purchase a pre-paid SIM card

When I was in Vietnam the first thing I did when I landed in Hanoi was go buy a SIM card at an airport kiosk. My cell phone carrier back home had a roaming plan of $12/day. For a 2 week vacation that would have cost $168. Plus tax. Instead I paid about $12 for a SIM card with 10GB of data, international minutes and text messages. It lasted me the full trip without even using half of the allowance. I gave it to my friend to use a month later when she visited Vietnam. Trust me, this is worth it, even if you have to pay one day roaming while you find somewhere to buy a SIM card.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. What are some must have travel items you like to bring to save you money on vacation? Which of these will you be sure to remember next time?