September 2024
24 inexpensive items to transform your travels
From the gadgets to help you snooze to the card game that makes long-haul travel go by in a flash, here are the pieces of affordable travel kit you need to make your journey smoother, as chosen by frequent flyers
1. Foldable fan
Says who? The Club editor Hannah Ralph
“Lifesaving devices usually come in a bit more expensive than £3 but that was the price of mine. I am, of course, talking about this floral fan from bargain city Flying Tiger Copenhagen, which saved my life (and kept me looking, dare I say, somewhat chic) as I dragged myself through Tuscany in the height of July. Would I have survived otherwise? *Shakes Magic 8 Ball*: outcome not likely.”
2. Noise reduction earplugs
Says who? Citizen Femme fashion editor Gemma Louise Deeks
“The older I get, the fussier I get when it comes to my sleeping preferences. A plump, firm pillow is always desired, but I particularly need complete silence in order to fall asleep. Hotels often have noisy air-conditioning and Loop Quiet 2 earplugs do the job of cancelling out any noise and providing me with peaceful, undisturbed shuteye.”
3. Tote bag
Says who? Journalist Rosie Conroy
“I’m desperate to be a minimalist but, unfortunately, I can’t not buy souvenirs on holiday. These inevitably won’t fit in my strained suitcase, so I pop in a lightweight tote for the job – these weigh nothing and make room for a whole new holiday haul. Plus, they’re great as beach bags or as a way to separate out anything you need to scan through security.”
4. Portable power bank
Says who? Aviation and business reporter Pete Syme
“You never realise how useful a portable charger is until you’re stuck in a new city with 5% left on your phone. A power bank is easier to carry around than a plug and adapter. I find mine especially crucial during busy reporting trips.”
5. Pen stylus with embedded clip
Says who? Travel photographer and content creator Nicolas Jaegergaard
“My Targus pen stylus is a little magic wand that makes flying more fun. It turns playing Angry Birds into a breeze and helps me add cool designs to my Instagram stories. Whether I’m knocking down green pigs or just doodling, this tiny gadget keeps things easy and enjoyable at 35,000 feet.”
6. Waterproof wallet
Says who? Travel, food and wine writer Ross Clarke
“As a Spain specialist, I often find myself on a beach along one of the country’s glorious costas. But I’m somewhat clumsy when it comes to phones, and have spent many a balmy evening trying to remove sand from my phone’s charging point with a toothpick. Thankfully, I found this cool little travel case from Aquapac. It’s big enough to pop small items in and it’s waterproof (and sand-proof). If you trap a little air inside before sealing, it also floats. I’ve used it everywhere from manning a pedalo in the Balearics to hiking a glacier in Iceland.”
7. Mobile phone tripod
Says who? Food and travel photographer Giulia Verdinelli
“After discovering Lamicall’s pocket-sized travel tripod, I’ve seriously considered ditching my professional gear. It’s light, easy to pack, and holds my phone or camera in the quirkiest spots for Insta-worthy selfies anywhere. Plus, it’s a lifesaver for mid-flight Netflix binges – perfect for when I need to see what happens next, but my arms are toast.”
8. Portable clothes hangers
Says who? Freelance travel journalist Maisie Bovingdon
“Destination weddings have dominated my calendar of late and, despite my meticulous packing, my clothes always crease. I’ve tried every hack, from steamers and hair straighteners to leaving my clothes in a steamy bathroom, but that effort is wasted if hangers are not provided. Now, I never travel without portable hangers, which are compact, lightweight, durable and affordable – a pack of 16 is only £10.99. Ones with clips can double up as towel pegs, too!”
9. Hair scrunchie
Says who? News reporter and journalist Perisha Kudhail
“People want to fly away and not have fly-aways, so a scrunchie is my must-have for travelling. I love my ye olde faithful scrunchies from Newt London. They are long lasting, comfortable, great for sleeping hair styles, and I carry one in pretty much all of my bags when I travel.”
10. Kids’ wireless headphones
Says who? High Life editor Helen Whitaker
“Sticking my kid on a screen won’t win me any parenting awards, but at least with a decent pair of headphones we aren’t actively annoying any other passengers while he watches back-to-back episodes of Teen Titans Go! on a flight. This comfy pair by Belkin comes in at just under £30, leaving some change for the (approximately) eight billion snacks family travel dictates I now have about my person at all times.”
11. Boiled sweets
Says who? First officer Josh Knight
“I always bring emergency snacks, especially on long flights. I love these Bonds of London rhubarb and custard sweets, but I also bring breakfast bars or nuts for a quick energy boost. Also, sweets can be great for the kids, as eating them will naturally pop their ears if they struggle with the pressure when climbing or descending.”
12. Monopoly Deal
Says who? Heathrow inflight lead cabin crew Christina Brooks
“Hear me out on this one. You’re on a long-haul flight with your travel partner and neither of you can sleep. Pull out your Monopoly Deal you ordered online for less than a fiver, sit for hours playing and, before you know it, you’re on the ground! It kept me and my bestie entertained the whole way to Kenya (with only a handful of arguments!).”
13. Milk frother
Says who? Tennis star Emma Raducanu
“I always take my milk frother with me, just in case! Then I can always froth my milk and have a great coffee or hot chocolate anywhere I go.” Try this budget gizmo from Ikea.
14. Sun care stick
Says who? Travel writer and The Club correspondent Emma Blackmore
“Growing up in the Middle East you learn the importance of SPF before your ABCs. OK, not really, but if you, like me, don’t like the grease or smell of thick sun cream, add Clarins Invisible Sun Care Stick SPF50 to your carry-on. It’s non-sticky, won’t spill, protects against UV rays (naturally) and at 17g, fits in the smallest clutch. Glide it on your face before your flight and top it up just as you land.”
15. Bluetooth bag tracker
Says who? Gold Member Rupert Hector
“The fast-paced nature of my job means I’m frequently boarding planes, often at a minute’s notice, so having peace of mind my baggage is where I left it, whether in a hotel lobby or in the hold, is key. The Tile Mate Tracker is easy to place in your bag and it tracks your bag using Bluetooth via its app.”
16. Phone strap
Says who? Travel journalist Emily Nathan
“We all have our hands full, but something about travelling seems to inspire even the best of us to overfill them. I don’t care how many ‘systems’ you try to establish for your carry-on before arriving at the airport – I guarantee you can never find your phone when you need it and make it scarce-yet-accessible when you don’t. Enter the phone necklace: problem solved.”
17. Woolly hat
Says who? Author and broadcaster Laura Price
“It may seem counterintuitive when you’re off to Bali or Belize, but if, like me, you feel the cold, it’s worth taking layers for harsh air-con in hot countries. I learned my lesson from the freezing cold climes of Brazil’s long-distance buses in the 2000s, so these days I carry a bright beanie, a thin hoodie and warm socks for long journeys. They’re light and take up no space at all.”
18. Reusable water bottle
Says who? Travel and lifestyle content creator Yasmin Enger
“There’s no other time I crave water more when it’s not easily accessible – I’m looking at you, airport security. That’s why I keep a trusty stainless steel water bottle handy. It’s my go-to for a plastic-free refill and saves money on the go, too. Bonus hack: keep gum to hand. It’s perfect when brushing teeth isn’t an option. Buying them in bulk and leaving a pack in each of your bags is your best bet for always being prepared.”
19. Shampoo bar with travel case
Says who? The Club correspondent Maddie Gaskin
“I’ve found I wash my hair so much more while traveling and now I’ve found the easiest way to do it – with Body Shop’s shampoo bar in a travel tin. It takes up so little space, it won’t leak in my case and lasts much longer than a bottle. My top tip? Break off a chunk, you can use it to hand wash your laundry.”
20. Compression packing cubes
Says who? Junior travel content writer Charlotte Brook
“If you’re anything like me and can’t pack light to save your life, these compression packing cubes will be an absolute gamechanger. Multiple outfit options per day? No problem. Squeeze in twice the amount, keep your suitcase organised and spend less on baggage allowance. Thank me later.”
21. Country Days Tracker app
Says who? Frequent flyer Ben Evans
“When you’re spending a lot of time travelling through Europe, it’s hard to keep track of the Schengen limits over the rolling 180 days, as well as any restrictions my travel insurance has on continuous days spent abroad. This Country Days Tracker app automatically figures that all out for me – as well as giving me an easy way to see where I’ve been this year!”
22. Notebook
Says who? Researcher and travel journalist Justine Gosling
“Holidays are about making lifelong memories, but how do we capture them? Not everyone loves having their photo taken and we remember things differently. Writing my thoughts and feelings in my William Morris notebook is more personal as it captures my experience and helps me be more present. It’s always thought-provoking to read it back.”
23. Vintage poncho
Says who? Cosmopolitan commissioning director Catriona Innes
“I picked up a soft woollen poncho (similar to this crochet number) from a festival stall years ago, as I was a little chilly. I never expected it would be the item that travels everywhere with me! I douse it in essential oils, and use it as a comforting blanket on long-haul flights (my saviour once, when I ended up middle seat on an economy flight to Japan) and then when I arrive somewhere it’s ideal for just throwing on and wandering down to breakfast in, or as an additional blanket if the hotel air-conditioning is too chilly (and, as usual, I can’t figure out how to turn it down).”
24. Neck pillow
Says who? Frequent flyer Izzy Fletcher
“A neck pillow makes my long-haul flights way more comfortable. It’s easy to clip on to my cabin case and carry around, keeps my neck warm, and it’s super soft. That’s a triple win. Plus, it’s easier to catch some snooze if I’m leaning against the window.”
This article has been tagged Opinion, Technology
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