It doesn’t matter how well-traveled you are: Packing for a trip is always at least a little stressful. While you’re focused on making sure you have all the essentials—enough underwear for the week, your can’t-live-without skincare, your passport, and so on—it’s easy to forget the small stuff. You know what I’m talking about: those items you write off because you don’t have enough room in your suitcase, and you can’t handle looking at your travel checklist for the umpteenth time. It’s easy to throw caution to the wind during these moments and forgo packing those “just in case” items you might need in a pinch. After all, you can just buy them if you need them during your trip, right?
While I’m all for saving suitcase space, there are several key items I always recommend packing—because they can actually save you money in the long run. More often than not, you’ll end up paying way more (and likely derailing your carefully planned itinerary) if you end up needing them on your travels. Keep scrolling for 10 practical items to pack that will ultimately save you money on vacation.
1. Refillable water bottle
Staying hydrated is a must no matter where you are in the world, but airports, tourist hubs, hotels, and theme parks mark up bottled water like crazy. Luckily, traveling with a refillable water bottle means you can bypass this expensive purchase and instead use water fountains, bottle refill stations, or the good ol’ faucet at your hotel (assuming the water is safe to drink) whenever your supply runs dry. Plus, keeping a reusable bottle with you ensures you always have easy access to water, making it much easier to stay hydrated while traveling.
2. Basic medications
No one wants to feel sick when they’re on vacation, so traveling with basic medications is non-negotiable. Having your own stash of pain relievers, allergy meds, motion-sickness tablets, and stomach remedies (think: antacids and antidiarrheals) will save you from paying premium prices for these items when you’re desperate for relief. You’ll feel better much sooner and save money, so it’s a win all around.
READ: I’m a Travel Editor—These Stress-Free Hacks Save My Sanity on Every Trip
3. Your own snacks
Vendors in airports and tourist-heavy areas inflate food prices because they know you’ll pay anything when you’re hungry and out of options. While there’s nothing wrong with paying for an overpriced snack here and there, repeatedly falling victim to this trap will overextend your budget unnecessarily. Bringing snacks with you (enough for the plane ride and for once you arrive at your destination) is key. Having food items that don’t need to be refrigerated—such as nuts, dried fruit, chips, granola bars, and so forth—on hand will curb hangry spending and hold you over between meals when you need a quick bite.
4. Mini first aid kit
Most of us wouldn’t think to travel with a first aid kit, but having a mini kit stocked with bandages, antiseptic wipes, blister pads, antibiotic ointment, medical tape, gauze pads, and tweezers can save you in a pinch. Buying these items individually can get costly, especially in a vacation hot spot, and having them on deck means you won’t have to waste time searching for a pharmacy and making the subsequent journey there. While you hopefully won’t have to use them, traveling with a few first aid essentials means a simple scrape or blister doesn’t have to derail your trip.
5. Portable charger
Keeping electronic devices like your phone charged when you’re traveling is obviously important, and doing so via your own portable charger will help you avoid unnecessary spending. You won’t have to pay a fee to use one of those rapid charging stations at the airport, nor will you have to resort to buying a coffee at a café just for the ability to plug your phone into the wall. If you’re in the market for a portable charger, look for one that has fast charging capabilities and a strong battery capacity that can support multiple charges. For easy packing, make sure it’s also lightweight, airline-friendly, and compatible with all your devices.
READ: 15 Europe Travel Essentials to Pack for Your Summer Trip
6. Travel umbrella
Rain gear is notoriously overpriced in tourist areas because no one wants to sit in wet clothes after being caught in a surprise downpour. So while a travel umbrella is probably the last thing you’d think to pack, it’s arguably one of the most important “just in case” items every traveler should have. Look for mini umbrellas that are light and easy to transport so you can carry it with you wherever you go.
7. Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
If you’re heading to the beach or a tropical destination, bringing sunscreen and after-sun lotion with you from home is always a good idea. Not only does the price of these items skyrocket in areas like this, but packing your own will also prevent potential headaches during your trip. You won’t have to run out and panic-buy products to protect your skin in the sun or remedy a sunburn.
READ: Sunscreen 101: The Ultimate Summer SPF Guide
8. Stain remover pen
Honestly, I never would’ve thought to travel with a stain remover pen until I spilled red sauce on one of my favorite shirts during my last vacation. Having a stain remover pen on hand not only protects your clothing but also saves you from wasting money on costly laundry services if you need to treat a fresh stain right away. Better yet, stain remover pens are relatively inexpensive and don’t take up too much suitcase space, so they’re a no-brainer essential to pack.
9. Eye drops
I experienced intense eye dryness during my honeymoon in Italy, and my husband and I wasted an entire day in Sicily searching for a local pharmacy that sold over-the-counter lubricating eye drops, price point be damned. From now on, I’ll be bringing eye drops with me on every vacation. Dry plane air, long days outside, hotel A/C, and climates that are different from what you’re used to can irritate eyes fast, but having eye drops on hand will help you avoid emergency trips to the pharmacy and costly purchases. Not sure what kind to buy? Check with your doctor on the right choice for you.
10. Feminine care products
Traveling with feminine care products is one of the easiest ways to avoid surprise spending on vacation. Cycles aren’t always predictable, especially if you’re dealing with stress or time-zone changes, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. More than that, though, hotels and nearby pharmacies typically charge premium prices for tampons, pads, liners, and menstrual cups, and they won’t always have your preferred brand stocked. Bringing your own products from home ensures comfort and protection—and saves you money in the process.
Arianna Reardon, Contributing Writer
Arianna is a freelance writer and journalist, and the self-proclaimed hot and dirty martini queen. At The Everygirl, Arianna uses her authenticity and relatability to empower, inspire, and motivate women everywhere. Whether she’s writing about sex and relationships, career and finance, beauty and fashion, wellness, or home and living, Arianna’s passion shines through in all her work.
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