What are the best budget travel accessories you have had the chance to try any of? Personally, after several years of backpacking, both solo and with others, I’ve managed to compile a small list of affordable and very useful accessories. Whether it’s better organizing my backpack, ensuring my safety, or simply making my life easier, these travel accessories are now essential! And when you want to start equipping yourself but your budget is tight, it’s always helpful to know which accessories are worth the investment.
However, when you start traveling, everyone has a different budget. That’s why I’ve decided to suggest 12 affordable travel accessories in this article, all costing €20 or less. So you can get properly equipped before your next adventure.
Silicone travel miniatures
For many years, Travel miniatures have become indispensable in my toiletry bag for tripsAnd more recently, I bought some silicone travel-size tubes, and it’s made all the difference! Silicone containers are so much easier to use: you’re sure to use all the product in the tube because it’s flexible. What’s more, the silicone material makes them very easy to wash between tripsAnd I must say, this is a crucial point. Indeed, when I previously used hard plastic containers, it was quite difficult to rinse them thoroughly enough to reuse them. With silicone, no problem! So, I’ve definitely adopted silicone travel miniatures. They come in several sizes and for all types of use. I find the template easy to use, and if you’re looking for new travel accessories for your toiletry bag, then consider silicone travel miniatures!
The toothbrush cap
I only adopted the toothbrush cap a few years ago. Indeed, after several trips where I had to pack my often-wet toothbrush in my toiletry bag, I wanted to find a solution to avoid these kinds of situations. In the future, I thought I’d find a simple box to store my toothbrush in, but that would be bulky. Finally, I discovered toothbrush caps, which protect the toothbrush head well in your toiletry bag and prevent it from coming into contact with anything else! The advantage? These caps are particularly affordable: approximately €4 for a pack of.6 Furthermore, they easily adapt to any type of toothbrush. It’s become one of my essential budget travel accessories
Washing sheets
Before leaving for my several-month trip to Asia, I was looking for a solution that would allow me to do some extra laundry, without having to rely on a laundry serviceFor example. I had already heard about laundry sheets, so I decided to give them a try on my trip. I must say that I was pleasantly surprisedIndeed, it takes up absolutely no space in my travel bag, it smells good, and it’s really inexpensive considering the number of washes it can do. However, I must point out that these laundry sheets are very good, but only for a quiwashese these are just for freshening up your clothes after a few days. If you need to deep clean and remove stubborn stains, I think you should use a laundromat! That’s not what these laundry sheets are for.
Merino wool undergloves
If you’re traveling in the fall or winter, then you might be looking for lightweight gloves to protect your hands from the cold. Look no further, Merino wool glove liners are the solutionWhenn I discovereMerinono wool glove liners when I lived in Canada, before my winter trip to Western Canada, I was looking for thin, lightweight gloves that would still keep me warm. I finally found what I was looking for in merino wool glove liners! The material was thin but really warm; it was the perfect solution for me. Indeed, they take up much less space than fleece glove liners, and are far more breathable too. What’s more, these glove liners are very affordable. So you can really equip yourself cheaply, even if you decide to travel in the cold season.
The merino wool t-shirt
AAgainpractical, attractive, and useful travel accessoryMerino wool is one of my favorite materials for the clothes I take with me when I travel. Indeed, this one is versatile and can be worn in both warm and cold weather, as merino wool regulates body temperature. And a significant advantage is that if you sweat, the fabric doesn’t retain odors. If you want to travel light, it’s truly an essential travel accessory. In your backpack or suitcase, inn my experience, merino wool is an essential item of clothing. But it has one drawback: its price. Merino wool is more expensive than regular cotton. And the higher the merino content of the garment, the higher the price. Fortunately, you can also very often find promotions, particularly at Decathlon. While the first merino wool t-shirts start at €25, you can easily find discounted t-shirts or tank tops that. That’s a great way to start adding some of this super practical, breathable, and easy-to-wear material to your backpack.
Flip-flops
No matter the trip, flip-flops are, in my opinion, the best choice a travel accessories that will never let you downIndeed, flip-flops aren’t just for the beach! Personally, I also use them in the showers at hostels, for example, or simply if I’m somewhere with a dirty floor. So, in my opinion, it’s always useful to have a pair on hand. And I don’t only use flip-flops when I’m traveling in the sun! Yes, I also pack them in my backpack for trips in the middle of winter or in a cold climate, for the same reasons mentioned above. Finally, flip-flops are among the very affordable travel accessories. You can find them at all prices, and you can find them everywhere! You will therefore have no problem obtaining them before your next trip, or even during your trip.
The flexible combination padlock
Before leaving to travel for several months in Asa, I started looking for a very specific new padlock. Indeed, I wanted a padlock with a flexible shacklewhich thus adapts very easily to any opening. After a few mishaps in Slovenia, where my padlock was clearly too small to close my locker in the hostel, it was time to buy a more suitable one. After some research and especially two and a half months of using it while traveling, I must admit it this is the best style of padlock I have ever experienced. It is now one of my travel essentials. Having a good, sturdy, and above all, versatile padlock is essential for going on a tripEven on a small budget, you can find some that will be very useful. I advise you to have at least two with you: for example, if you are traveling with two backpacks or if your bag has several compartments that can be locked.
The secret pouch
How can we talk about budget travel accessories without mentioning the secret pouch? For many years, I have always carried this secret pouch with me, whether I use its “secret” aspect or not.
First of all, I appreciate its format: Small enough to hold everything I need, but very practical at the same time. I avoid having to carry a whole wallet with me, which is much more cumbersome! I call it a secret pocket, because its primary function is to be attached to the belt so that it can be hidden under a t-shirt or inside trousers. When traveling to a destination where muggings are commonplace, this is particularly practical and reassuring. There are many models of secret pouches available; however, I find that this model is the most discreet, in addition to being affordable. Personally, I attach it to the inside of my shoulder bag.
Storage cubes
Having a well-organized backpack is, in my opinion, essential for freeing yourself from mental strain while traveling. And for that, nothing beats packing cubes. After several years of testing different brands and various features, I finally opted for the packing cubes from Decathlon. However, the market for storage cubes is large and diverse. So you’re sure to find the perfect fit! No matter the size, material, or function, these storage cubes are easily adaptable to the size of your bag and your needs. In my case, I use them to neatly organize my clothes in my backpack and avoid making a mess. Be careful, though: there are many different storage cubes available, but also prices that can vary from one to two times as much. That’s why I advise you to start by buying a fairly affordable cube. You can easily find kits for €10 or less at Decathlon or Ikea. With straps, mesh flaps, compression closures… they offer a multitude of features. This will allow you to be well-equipped for your trip, and at a lower cost!
The foldable bag
Small, foldable, and practical, the foldablebaindispensablepensablef. Iou travel light. And the foldable travel backpack has become much more widespread in recent years. Now, you can find many different brands. ranging from 10L to 30L! If you decide to travel with only cabin baggage, then you will most certainly find a use for the foldable backpack. Indeed, it will serve as an extra bag for the day, or simply for going shopping. Once folded and stored, it takes up very little weight and even less space. In short, this little bag is a great find that I recommend you try if you have a use for it. But be careful, the foldable backpack does have its limitations, however. I t’s lightweight and therefore not ideal if you want to carry a lot of things. But it’s still a very good daypack for everyday use.
The collapsible water bottle
I discovered the existence of the collapsible water bottle quite recently: about two years ago! And since this, this travel accessory never leaves my side. Before, I used to travel with a hard plastic or stainless steel water bottle. However, I always ran into problems with weight or volume. Since I travel with carry-on luggage, every gram counts when it comes to optimizing the weight of my backpack! When empty, the stainless steel water bottle was taking on too much unnecessary The plastic water bottle, on the other hand, took up too much space on the side of my backpack. That’s why the collapsible water bottle solved all my problems. Lightweight, foldable, and easy to use, it allows you to carry a container without it taking up unnecessary space or weight in your bag. They are available in several different capacities: To keep the price under €20, I recommend you go for the 0.7L capacity water bottle.
The meat bag
I spent many years travelling without carrying a sleeping bag liner. While the name might sound barbaric, it’s also called a silk sheet or sleeping bag liner. In fact, it’s simply a sheet you slip into! Finally, it was in 2026, for my Kilimanjaro climb, that I acquired one for the first time. A nd I was convinced, whether it’s for sleeping in a sleeping bag (if, like me, you don’t like the feel of the material of a sleeping bag)or to sleep in a hostel when you doubt the cleanliness osheetsheetsI used mine a lot. During my several-month trip to Southeast Asia, I was grateful I’d brought it with me. Indeed, I sometimes ended up in accommodations where the cleanliness of the beds was questionable. Sleeping in my sleeping bag, which I knew was clean, brought me a little peace of mind. Moreover, they are available for all budgets.
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