Travel Essentials under $40 to Make Your Vacation More Luxurious
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After 2 years of being stuck at home, we are all looking to let out some pent-up travel energy.
You might be going to visit your best friend, to a wedding, or to Europe on the flight you have had to reschedule 30 times, but regardless of the destination, you are going!!!! That means you need to pack, girl.
And if you are anything like me, a fun part that amps up the anticipation of the trip is picking out the pretty goodies you want to stock in your carryon!
Here are the travel essentials I keep tucked away in my suitcase - they are fun, practical, and luxurious…yet still affordable! Almost every item on this list is under $40 (I have noted the ones that aren’t) and can be used back home too!
Before we get into the list, starting with the foundation, the ideal outfit to wear on a plane is this tank top and these yoga pants.
Remember that comfort is key, and these pieces are breathable and moveable yet still polished. When you’re traveling, you will inevitably run into logistical hiccups, and if you are comfortable, you are less likely to find yourself on the precipice of a complete breakdown.
The shirt is soft, not too tight, and looks cute when you take off any top layers. The pants are just really flattering and come in a variety of both solids and fun prints! From here we start the list…
1. Top layer sweater/pullover.
Layering is key when flying because you go from 80 degrees while waiting for takeoff to 30 degrees when you hit cruising altitude. A soft top layer keeps you warm and feels good against your skin. This particular one is my go-to and is classic yet unique and comes in a variety of colors (yes, I definitely own more than one…).
2. Eye mask.
This is critical for being able to sleep, both on a plane or in a hotel. This is something that people usually only consider on long haul flights, but again, this is also critical for where you are sleeping when you land.
Whether you are staying with a friend or in a hotel, it is a good insurance policy for being able to shut out light and nod off more easily.
Also, don’t we all want to channel Audrey Hepburn?
3. Overnight mask.
This is my favorite skin care product of all time. You can put it on in a thin layer or really goop it on and leave it on as you sleep (your skin will absorb all the goodness).
My face always feels as smooth as a baby’s bottom in the morning, even after sleeping in the dehydrated cabin of an airplane! Wear it in the air and wear it in the hotel. This is a quintessential face product you’ll start using at home too.
4. Eye cream.
I love this cream and use it almost every day. The smell is amazing, it’s really hydrating, and it brightens your under-eye skin, so it feels like a pampering element both in the air and in a hotel.
Remember, the more you pamper your skin, the more awake and refreshed you’ll look, plus it’s fun to do.
5. Lip mask.
This stuff is the second on my list of skin care products you will have to fight me for.
It is technically for overnight use, but I use it during the day for a lip gloss too because the color is the perfect delicate pink glossy tint. Also it is delicious. You will wear this for your entire trip and thank me every time you smooth it on.
6. Flip flops.
If the flight is long, you will want to trade your shoes for these so that your feet are more comfortable. If the flight is not long, you will want to have these for your final destination (I hope you’re going to the tropics!) or your hotel. You can never go wrong with taking flip flops with you – they’re versatile, can go with any outfit, are a failsafe measure against dirty floors, work in sketchy showers, allow you foot freedom, and they take up no room in a carryon!
a. Alternative: if you want to splurge again, you can also go with these slippers that can also be worn outside. I always take flip flops with me on a flight because I wear flip flops everywhere (especially on vacation), but it feels so luxurious and helps me sleep to slip these on while I settle into my seat on a flight. For me, these are as important as an eye mask for comfort and promoting sleep.
These are over $40 of course, but you will wear them at home a LOT!
7. Collapsible water bottle.
We all know it’s better to bring a water bottle with you than to buy a bottle for $27 in an airport news shop. I love the collapsible nature of this one because it takes up no room in your carryon. Fill that puppy up before you board and carry it on (or wait until you get on the plane and ask the flight attendant to fill it – FYI, he or she will likely need to fill a cup that you then need to use to pour into the bottle). When you are ready to deboard, fold it back up and throw it in your bag to carry with you on your trip to refill throughout your daily adventures!
8. Clear bag and travel bottles.
A bag specifically tailored for air travel is way better than a Ziploc baggie containing your toothpaste and travel-sized Pantene shampoo from CVS showcased in one of those TSA bins to go through the X ray.
This bag and cute bottles preserve a modicum of dignity when allowing the world to see your hygiene products.
9. Lavender Oil.
Lavender oil is one of nature’s wonders for aiding in sleep. Even if it were just a placebo effect (which it most definitely is not), we associate this scent with relaxation. There’s a reason for that - there is much science behind the oil’s beneficial properties around enhancing sleep.
To do: put some onto a cotton ball, and slip it into the pillow case to lull you to sleep and keep you asleep. You can also add a few drops into body lotion and rub on your neck and wrists (I always sleep with my hands near my face, so I like to add lavender oil so that I can breathe it in).
Since essential oil is so potent, a little goes a long way…which means it comes in small bottles. If you are like me and prefer to carry on, this won’t take up much room in your quart-sized bag of liquids, and it has many uses! (You can also use it as perfume in a pinch.)
10. Hoop Earrings.
I love hoops and think they work with anything. When you have a pared down wardrobe because you only carry on and don’t check bags (I will die on this mountain), it’s nice to have an accessory that packs a punch to zhuzh up your everyday essential clothes.
The quintessential hoops add a little flare to your comfortable flight outfit and look chic at your final destination.
In fact, if I could only take one piece of jewelry (not including a fitness tracker) on a trip, it would be a pair of hoops. I am absolutely obsessed with these ones - they come in a bunch of different designs that make them interesting and unique. The price tag is nice enough to allow you to get a few different pairs and not to devastated if you lose one on the road (which inevitably happens!).
11. A Catchall Cute Cosmetic/Pharma Bag.
Combine your travel pharmacy and makeup in one place. Here is a great place to stash what I consider to be travel (and daily) non-negotiables:
Melatonin. Ensures you sleep.
Multivitamin. Bridges any nutritional gaps as you’re going on a world dumpling tour.
Vitamin D. It doesn’t hurt to shore up your immunity while traveling.
Probiotic. Keep your gut healthy and prevent any tummy issues from different food.
Travel-sized mascara (I only ever use travel-sized mascara because it doesn’t dry out).
Sunscreen. Even if it’s winter, you need this to keep your youthful skin!
While this is over $30, it doubles as a nighttime clutch, so I thought it earned a pass!
This list is pretty universal in terms of travel essentials, but I will add a few more “upgrades” over $30 that I cannot go overseas in particular without.
When you are on vacation, you are (and should be) enjoying local foods and treats. That being said, it’s nice if you have an insurance policy to allow you to get your daily servings of produce in. Will it kill you if you take a week off lots of fruits and vegetables? Of course not. But if you have an easy and failproof way to get them, why not do it.
This assures you will get all your nutrients on the go! Just combine with water, juice, or milk, and you will fill any nutritional gaps as you let loose and enjoy the food of wherever you are. It takes up almost no space, and you can put it into your collapsible water bottle with your desired liquid as you tour the city! For $39.95 for a 30 day supply, you really can’t lose here.
Read more about the benefits of Daily Greens in this blog post.
This highly portable piece (the dang thing disassembles and only weighs 3 pounds!) ensures you can do efficient and effective workouts no matter where you go.
Don’t want to work out on vacation? I get it. However, I like the option of being able to - it is as good for my mental health as it is for my physical health. And with the number of stress points you could encounter while traveling, keeping an upbeat attitude is key!
Between the weight and space limitations of carry-ons or checked bags, you can’t go wrong with this. You are taking a gym with you wherever you go!
Read more about the benefits of Body Gym in this blog post.
3. Happiness: iPad with Netflix/Hulu/Amazon Prime.
I highly recommend loading up an iPad with TV shows and/or movies.
My personal way of fighting homesickness is TV - for me that makes me feel at home and a sense of normalcy. This is particularly key if you are traveling alone and overseas. When you are in Taiwan, for instance, and don’t speak Chinese, it is nice to get lost in the movies and shows you love to feel normal and not lonely.
If you want more travel tips, check out my three-part series on international travel, including enjoying a long haul flight, how to eat properly on one, and how to avoid and beat jet lag:
How To Enjoy a Long Haul Flight
You Guide to Nutrition on a Long Haul Flight
How to Beat Jet Lag Effortlessly
And if you are looking to maximize your carryon as your only piece of luggage (and save all that wasted time at the baggage claim), sign up here for the ultimate carryon packing list!
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How to Eat Healthily & Avoid Disaster While Traveling
How to Sleep Well in a Hotel
Solo Travel Fears: How to Prevent Loneliness
Must Read Books for a Long Haul Flight
