Flynanced's Top 10 Travel Products for Budget Travelers

You know you're a budget traveler when you go to great lengths to avoid baggage fees, even on already-cheap airlines! If you fly budget airlines like Frontier or Spirit often, you know that one of the best hacks to avoid paying for baggage fees is to use an underseat carry-on bag. 

I love this particular one by TPRC because it is roomy with a ton of compartments to fit at least a weekend's worth of clothes. It's easy to carry and store because it will fit right under the seat in front of you. Plus, the USB charging port is such a great extra to have. 

Trust me, if you've ever been caught on a flight or in an airport terminal with a dying phone with no outlets in sight, you know how clutch this is! This bag literally pays for itself when you factor in baggage fees on average cost $70 per roundtrip flight.

I honestly think this is one of the best safety tools a budget traveler can use. Often as budget travelers, we're open to staying in a variety of types of accommodations if it means we can stretch our dollars further. 

Plus, as a female traveler, I think it is imperative we always have affordable ways to stay safe and protect ourselves while traveling. This door lock is perfect because it is affordable, very portable, and does exactly what it advertises. Don't let the small size fool you! 

Whether you're staying in a hotel room, Airbnb, or hostel, I highly recommend this lock to ensure your safety and peace of mind while traveling. This particular lock is sold by The Santana Travels, a travel company founded by a fellow Black woman travel entrepreneur.

Budget travelers abroad can rejoice with this simple to use voice translator! Being able to communicate with locals across a language barrier is a must for budget travelers abroad. 

From asking where is an inexpensive restaurant to eat to figuring our directions on public transportation, it is critical to be understood when traveling. I definitely wish I would have had this translator during my trip to Japan! 

I love this translator by Pockettalk because of the built-in data across 74 countries, meaning you'll always be able to connect even if you don't want to invest in international roaming wireless service. In this 2020 model, you also get a camera that can read text and translate for you so you can understand maps, signage, and more. 

This recommendation is definitely more so on the pricey side, but I think well worth it especially if you're planning to spend an extended time in a new country where you may not be fluent in the language.

I'm the type of person who can literally fall asleep anywhere while traveling. Between buses, cars, trains, planes, ferries, and more, being able to get a quick shut-eye while traveling is key to budget travel.

A travel sleep kit like this saved me during my travels backpacking across Europe. Since I primarily took buses from city to city, I could find myself on rides for several hours at different times of the day, so being able to comfortably nap was key. 

I love this particular set because the travel pillow is adjustable, plush, and breathable, yet can also be folded to fit into the travel case. One of my pet peeves is when travel pillows don't come with a storage bag - yuck! Plus, with an eye mask and earplugs, you will be able to knock out light and sound to rest comfortably no matter where you are in your journey.

Budget travelers know that internet connectivity can be a challenge no matter where you're traveling, but that's especially true when you're traveling abroad. 

Being connected to the internet means being able to work, attend class, stay connected with friends and family, and most importantly, be able to comfortably and confidently navigate a new place. I recommend this mobile wifi hotspot by MightyWifi because it's compact, has global coverage to 150+ countries, and has an attached app. 

One thing I disliked about competitor products was not having a way to verify the signal strength or easily share the security credentials. With this one by Mightywifi, you can literally connect up to 10 devices, and there's also a USB-C port for charging on the go. 

I would argue this is a great investment, especially for budget travelers who are creating content or need to stay connected. Be mindful this is not a wifi range extender, though, so you must have some kind of nearby signal to use this hotspot.

Let's be honest... there are never quite enough plugs when traveling, am I right? I always struggle with finding enough outlets to charge all my devices between my iPhone, Apple Watch, Airpods, Macbook, and digital camera. 

This is why I recommend every budget traveler bring a smart power strip like this one on their next trip. I love this particular option for a couple of reasons. 

One: it's super convenient that the plugs are spaced out, meaning more devices can fit including bulkier chargers. Two: it's a smart power strip with a built-in surge protector so your devices are safe in the event of power outages. Three, the 5-foot cord is perfect in the event that the nearest plug isn't close by. I love that this power strip is affordable and compact, too!

If you're wondering how to fit more stuff into a smaller piece of luggage or carry-on, then packing cubes are the solution! I love the look and versatility of these packing cube organizers by OEE because they're stylish and come in a variety of sizes for your needs. 

Plus, they're super affordable. These packing cubes actually make me excited to pack and unpack! Don't sleep on packing cubes before your next adventure. I never go without them to keep my clothes organized, wrinkle-free, and tidy during my travels.

Quick-dry towels are some of the best things a budget traveler can pack, whether you're exploring a city, countryside, mountains, beach, or any terrain in between. I love using a quick-dry towel when I plan to go swimming or when I am staying at a budget hostel where towels may be limited. 

This dryline towel by Sea to Summit is super soft, very absorbent, dries quickly, and is pretty affordable. There are so many good uses for a quick-drying towel, so definitely add this to your travel packing list. Note: you should invest in a Large or X-Large of this towel as they run small.

I don't believe in leaving my valuables up to chance when traveling, so I recommend every budget traveler invest in a set of TSA-approved luggage locks. 

Besides the obvious use, these locks can also be super helpful when using gyms while traveling, deterring pickpocketers, and locking up your valuables when staying in shared rooms in hostels. 

The beauty of these locks is they truly do stand the test of time, so I consider them to be an affordable no-brainer for your travel packing list. You could also invest in a set with a flexible lock so your locks can fit more locker clasps.

Plastic bags are out, and reusable bags are in! Budget travelers know that when it comes to grocery shopping at local markets, bringing your own bag can save you money and hassle. I always pack 1-2 reusable nylon bags like this one during my travels. 

These bags are multipurpose, so you could use them as a quick beach bag, to keep wet items separate in your bag, or whenever you need an extra hand. I like this particular brand of nylon bags because they come with a compact, drawstring travel bag.