After traveling to over 60 countries EXCLUSIVELY with a carryon, we feel confident that we have solidified the best carryon essentials for budget travel. So here’s our recommendations for the top 10 carryon essentials for budget travel that we really do use.
Carry on Toiletries:
- This rechargeable electronic toothbrush is skinny, simple ( one button), and includes a timer. It’s real selling feature is that it’s rechargeable with a USB cord so you don’t need a base/stand in order to travel with it!
- Our favorite toiletry bags are clear and simple which means you don’t have to take out your liquids and repack them in a plastic bag because this bag is TSA approved.
- These reusable silicon flexible toiletry bottles are strong, secure, and 3oz which means it’ll meet all travel requirements. We’ve had the same set for almost 3 years with no complaints.
Carry on Bags/Packing Cubes for budget travel
4. For shorter trips we love this carryon backpack that fully opens creating a large packing space. It’s marketed as a ” weekend” bag, but we’ve used it for trips up to 3 weeks ( hello, laundry). It’s compact, features a laptop sleeve and a separate shoe pocket for clean packing.
5. I’m not exaggerating when I say if you decide to invest in one piece of carryon travel equipment it should be these collapsible packing cubes. We use these for EVERY trip and fit 2-3 months of clothes in our carry on thanks to these. I pretty much have it down to a science- one large cube for tops, one large cube for bottoms, one small cube for undies/bathing suites and socks, and 1 small cube for miscellaneous ( wires, laundry detergent, gloves, running gear)
6. We’ve traveled with this packable backpack for 6 years now and it’s one of a handful of items that literally comes on every single trip. The water resistant bag packs inside of itself to the size of your PALM. I throw it in my purse when we go shopping, use it as a daypack for walking around the city, or stuff it with layers and a water bottle on short hikes.
Miscellaneous Carryon Essentials for budget travel
7.For an eco-friendly, cost effective laundry option, add these laundry detergent sheets to your next packing list. We use these sheets for both sink laundry and a laundry machines and always smell squeaky clean after.
8.We’ve traveled with 3 different universal chargers, but this is our top choice for affordability. It’s one piece so you don’t have to worry about loosing the different prongs and has a USB B and USB C on the side.
9.This is hands down our favorite travel sunscreen. Neutrogena is clean, doesn’t clog pours, is water resistant and comes in a variety of SPF. If it’s a super sunny trip, I’ll pack 3-4 bottles of these.
10. One thing we never skimp on, regardless of what bag we bring is our health. We started using Water-to-Go Filter Water Bottles 6 years and have had NO issues. From Malaysia, China, Uganda, Tanzania, Guatemala, Ecuador, Chile and beyond- we’ve been able to rely on these filter water bottles to keep our stomachs safe and to help reduce our single use plastic consumption. The bottle itself has lasted us YEARS and we replace the filters every 3 months.
When packing a carryon, every item really does count so we’ve put a lot of thought into this list! We hope you find our suggestions practical. Nothing on this list has let us down. And yes, you can pretty much purchase whatever you need most places in the world, but we think having these essentials for budget travel will alleviate some stress when jump starting your trip!
Check out our full list of travel resources for what websites we use to find the best deals for flights , accommodations, and local transportation ( and learn how we use credit card miles and points to travel for FREE).
