Our travel experts’ budget must-haves – from bargain underseat cabin bags to essential free apps
KNOWING what to pack and leave behind when going on holiday is always difficult.
But experts from The Sun’s travel team have put together a list of their favourite budget items that they never travel without.
From handy gadgets to clever apps, there are some things that really will make your trips better.
And here are some of the best – and crucially the most affordable products – that once you buy, you’ll wonder how you ever travelled without.
Bluetooth headphone adaptor
If, like me, the plane’s cheap headphones aren’t up to scratch, you’ll be delighted to hear that there are ways in which you can use your bluetooth headphones with the in-flight entertainment.
The very simple and affordable solution is a bluetooth transmitter, that connects the seatback entertainment system to your own headphones.
For me, this is an absolute godsend as it means I can use my noise cancelling headphones, block out the sounds of the cabin and really concentrate on the film.
I take my adaptor on every long-haul flight I go on now and it’s really saved me from some tough situations.
That includes a flight sat behind a row of babies, all competing to see who could scream the loudest.
I just plugged in my adaptor, put my headphones on and watched films in peace until I landed.
The adaptor is available on Amazon from £5.98
- Ryan Gray, Travel Reporter
Sick bags
My five year old is susceptible to travel sickness, but these K-Brands
sick bags have transformed our holidays.
They come in a pack of 24, so work out at about 50p each.
They’re stackable and have sturdy plastic rings around the edge so the child can hold it themselves, then you pop the ring out and tie it up when they’re done.
I take them in a bag whenever we go anywhere now.
The disposable sick bags are available on Amazon from £13.99
- Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel – Digital
The Sun Travel team's holiday essentials
WITH decades of experience and hundreds of countries under their belt, the Sun Travel team have shared some of the essential items they always pack on a trip.
Here are some of the game-changing items we always pack – and some will barely cost you a thing.
- Lisa Minot, Head of Travel – Global travel plug with USB (£64)
- Caroline McGuire, Travel Editor – Hotel Slippers
- Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor – Pack of 40 earplugs (£40)
- Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor – 1 litre water bottle (£8.99)
- Ryan Gray, Travel Reporter – Bluetooth eye mask (£16.50)
- Giuli Graziano, Travel Writer – AirTag luggage location tracker (£29.99).
Kids cabin luggage
Caroline McGuire, head of Travel – Digital
I travel with my child on a lot of flights and we often use hand
luggage only – that way he can wheel his own bag around.
By far, the best value version I have found on the market is the IT Luggage ‘Half Time’ – Kids Eco 2-piece set – currently on sale for £50.
The larger suitcase fits the overhead locker requirements for nearly all airlines and the smaller suitcase fits the under seat requirements for airlines like easyJet.
I managed to get enough in these two bags for a week-long, two-stop holiday to Turkey then Cornwall.. no easy feat.
The exterior feels just as sturdy, and the inside has all of the
zipped-in side and little pouches as some of the pricier suitcases
Available on the IT Luggage website from £25
- Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel – Digital
Too Good To Go
The Too Good to Go app is a great way to pick up some cheap eats across the UK – and beyond.
Thousands of restaurants and supermarkets across the UK have signed up to the app – where you can buy food at bargain prices and prevent it going to waste.
Founded in Denmark, the clever app now operates not just here in the UK but across Europe, the US and Canada.
You can pick up everything from breakfast pastries to barcode cancelled ready meals – and you can bid for specific items, or go for a mystery bag.
It’s a great way to keep a family happy on a UK break and I’ve found using it abroad has helped me find some fantastic shops and restaurants I might never have discovered.
- Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
Seatfrog
BAG yourself a fancy first class upgrade on your next train journey with SeatFrog.
The app sells train tickets at reduced prices but also has a great bid system for first class upgrades if you’ve already booked your ticket.
With upgrades starting from £10 it’s a great way to treat yourself to a little extra space, a comfy seat and even some complimentary food and drink.
The app itself is relatively easy to use and I’ve scored some great upgrades in recent years on trains from London to Leeds, Manchester and Edinburgh.
- Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
Phone suction pads
Watching films and TV shows on your phone on budget flights is now a rite of passage, but I’ve found that you need to prop up your device correctly to avoid being left with a horrible crick in your neck.
To prevent aches and pains, I use my silicone suction phone to attach my phone to the seat in front of me, meaning I can watch my favourite TV shows at eye level and create my entertainment set up on short-haul flights.
Available on Amazon from £4.99
- Giuli Graziano – Travel Ecomm Reporter
Mini Sudacrem
IT’s a running joke that I refuse to ever check in a suitcase – which means I’ve nailed how to take very few liquids in my bag.
One item I swear by is a small pot of My Little Sudacrem, which isn’t just for kids.
As someone who regularly suffers from heat rash on my arms and legs, as well as sunburns, this has saved me on multiple occasions.
And another problem solver is my solid stick of suncream, rather than buying a huge bottle at the airport.
It lasts for ages, and doesn’t have to go in my liquid bag – a double win.
Available from Sainsbury’s from £3.
- Kara Godfrey, Assistant Travel Editor
Narwey Duffel Bag
If you hate spending money on cabin bags, it’s time to put your faith and belongings in the small but spacious underseat bag.
Not only does it meet the strict personal item requirements set out by airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air and easyJet, it’s also a bit of a steal at £13.99.
I put my deceptive black bag through its paces last year on a five-day trip to Bratislava and Vienna.
I managed to pack items like a microfibre towel, two dresses, three t-shirts, a pair of trousers, pyjamas, underwear, a tightly-packed liquids bag, a make-up bag, a curling wand, a Kindle, a power bank, an adapter, charging cables, my travel wallet and a small black handbag.
It’s safe to say I was delighted when it easily slotted into the baggage size checker, and I’ve avoided paying cabin bag fees ever since.
Available on Amazon from £13.99
- Hope Brotherton, Travel Reporter
W7 Makeup Remover Cookie
Keeping up with a strict skincare routine while on holiday can be challenging – especially when travelling with just a carry-on bag where liquid items are capped to under 100ml.
But the Reusable Cleansing Pad from W7 is one solution. Just add some warm water to the tiny microfibre pad to remove makeup at the end of the day – avoiding the need to pack a cleanser or a bottle of micellar water.
I was shocked when the pad effortlessly removed my foundation, waterproof mascara and red lippy. It meant I could get a good night’s sleep without worrying about whether my skin was clean and make-up-free.
While I wouldn’t recommend it for long-term use, it’s great on city breaks and short getaways when luggage space is limited.
It is also machine washable, so it can be easily cleaned. Travel with the bag in an empty liquids bag to keep it clean from other luggage items.
Available on Amazon from £3.75
- Hope Brotherton, Travel Reporter
