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Our experts offer tips and key products that can help you cut down on costs so you can focus on your trip.

Travel can be rewarding, but it can also be expensive. The cost can ramp up when you factor in gear and supplies you may need for specialized excursions, like trekking or kayaking. If you do have to shop for an upcoming trip, it pays to be strategic. 

“Buying affordable, high-quality, multipurpose travel gear means spending less money on products pre-trip,” says Sunny Fitzgerald, a travel writer who splits her time between Jordan, Costa Rica, and Hawaii. “I can then use those savings for what I really love—experiencing the destination through adventure activities and locally led tours.” 

Spending your hard-earned cash wisely doesn’t mean skimping on everything. “Budget travel isn’t about sacrificing experiences—it’s about making every dollar count so you can explore longer and farther,” says Patricia King, a travel journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia.  

To help your dollar go as far as your journeys, we asked experts for their best tips and searched for products that offer great value for the price to last many adventures. Here’s what we found.  

Our picks for the best budget travel products  

When you’re traveling on a budget, every dollar counts. For your next trip, we’ve rounded up some cost-saving tips and great products, from reusable bottles to ingenious containers to travel bags you can use in multiple ways. Read on for more ideas. 

Tip 1: Pack a multitasking travel bag 

Savings: Checked bag fees; spending money on multiple bags 

A bag that works as a carry-on, a shopping bag, and a personal bag is one way to cut down on costs. Besides avoiding expensive checked bag fees, you can also skip baggage claim and get going on your trip. 

“Multipurpose products make it possible to buy and waste less and pack lightly—which is exactly what eco-minded and budget travelers want,” says Fitzgerald. 

If you do need a suitcase that’s larger than a carry-on, look for less-expensive “dupes” that are made of durable materials like a polycarbonate shell, has four spinner wheels, and a comfortable handle.  

Need something bigger than a carry-on? Ricardo Beverly Hills’s Cambria line of stylish yet sturdy hardside bags are less expensive than trendy suitcases. There’s a spacious main compartment plus plenty of pockets, along with a secondary storage compartment with a TSA-recognized combination lock. If you prefer bags with a soft exterior, the company also has a line of soft-sided bags made from recycled plastic, according to the brand.  

Tip 2: Invest in a set of packing cubes 

Savings: Checked bag fees; extra costs to replace lost items 

Many travelers swear by packing cubes—and so do we. Investing in a high-quality set can help you maximize luggage space so you can pack everything you need and keep better track of your things while traveling. After all, the last thing a budget traveler wants is to have to replace a pair of swim trunks or slippers. 

“I travel frequently and most trips are last minute, with a carry-on only,” says Shannon DalPozzal, an author and travel writer based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “Packing cubes are a must-have, as they not only keep me organized with what I need to pack, they also conserve space to fit other needed items.” 

Tip 3: Bring a water bottle and filter 

Savings: Money spent on expensive bottled water and to-go beverages 

“As an avid traveler, there’s nothing worse than spending money on water,” says Kathryn Anderson, a freelance writer and content creator based in Vancouver, Canada. “There’s also nothing worse for the environment than single-use plastic bottles.” Investing in a reusable water bottle (ideally one with a built-in filter) is a great solution for both issues. 

“To save both money and the environment, I always travel with my Brita Premium Filtering Water Bottle,” says Anderson. “It has a built-in filtering system, so I can fill it up at any tap or water fountain and always have clean drinking water.” 

Made of stainless steel, this double-walled, BPA-free bottle is sturdy and keeps beverages cold for up to 24 hours, says the company. It’s dishwasher safe, fits in standard-sized cup holders, and has a comfortable handle that you can clip to a bag.  

The filters (sold separately in packs of three and six) will set you back at least $15, but each filter lasts about two months. 

This bottle doesn’t come with a built-in filter and is a bit pricey. However, the nifty space-saving flat design means you can tuck it into many more spaces than a traditional bottle. 

It comes in four sizes, three of which are similar to notebooks and one that’s about the height of a bottle. You can choose from a durable plastic or stainless steel—both are suitable for hot and cold drinks, although there is no insulation so the bottle will be hot or cold to the touch. 

The company says each purchase helps Water.org provide safe water and sanitation to communities in need.   

Tip 4: Use food storage containers 

Savings: Cut down on the cost of buying food and food waste 

Food storage containers are a great hack for budget travelers. You can use them to store snacks for a flight and even accessories in a pinch. “I’ve become more discerning in my travel experience and don’t like to risk the quality or price of airport/airline snack offerings,” says DalPozzal. “I make my own charcuterie board stashed in silicone food bowls and even carry my own silicone wine glass, just in case I decide to elevate my travel experience with a nice glass of complimentary wine or a bottle of something budget-friendly at my destination.” 

“Carrying a few goodies for the flight crew in my tote earns a smile and sometimes a glass of bubbly on board,” adds DalPozzal. 

We also like to bring them along when dining out to store leftovers or packing food to fuel us on busy sightseeing days. 

Silicone food containers like these are a great alternative to plastic bags and disposable containers. They’re dishwasher and microwave safe. Even better: some have a genius flat bottom so you can use them as bowls. We also like to fill them with ice to pack in a cooler or lunch bag.   

Tip 5: Bring health and beauty items with you  

Savings: Avoid having to buy costly first aid and personal hygiene products, especially if you’re stuck at the airport 

“I travel with a small selection of over-the-counter medications and a first aid kit in my carry-on,” says DalPozzal. “One of the biggest expenses while traveling can be experiencing an illness and trying to find a treatment for the symptoms.” 

Tip 6: Use a journal 

Savings: Overspending on souvenir tchotchkes 

We often travel with journals and planners to organize itineraries. One natural outgrowth? You get a built-in backdrop for recording special moments along the way. Save tickets, museum handouts, coasters and even print out photos to decorate your schedule. You’ll be more likely to stay in the moment while traveling and come back home to a fun memory book to flip through. 

Although more expensive than the other planners on our list, Traveler’s notebooks have a cult-like following for a reason. The cover is made of durable leather and features a simple, buildable design that can accommodate many trips. The elastic cord on the bind allows you to add several slim notebooks to suit your needs. 

Tip 7: Make your own coffee  

Savings: Not having to plunk down more than $10 for your daily caffeine fix 

We all love to treat ourselves to fancy coffee drinks from time to time. But when you’re on a budget, you can save yourself a few dollars by making your own coffee. You don’t have to turn to your hotel coffee maker either. These days, there are plenty of portable options that produce a perfectly good cuppa. 

Today’s instant coffee has come a long way from the stale dark crystals from yesteryear. These packs from Verve Coffee Roasters are actually pretty tasty and made for travel. We like the variety pack, but there are a bunch of single flavor packs too. Just add hot water. 

(We love these coffee mugs for fueling our adventures)  

Tip 8: Don’t forget chargers and adapters  

Savings: Shelling out forextra chargers and adapters, especially at airports and train stations 

Cell phones, laptops, and camera gear are travel essentials. Forgetting chargers and adapters isn’t just a hassle, it can end up costing you more than you expect. Be prepared by packing these items first so you can use your devices throughout your trip.  

Frequently asked questions 

What are the best travel products to save money? 

The best travel products for traveling on a budget help you avoid expenses that can add up as well as unplanned purchases. They should also serve more than one purpose, such as our pick for a multiuse bag, the Conmigo Ulti Convertible Carry-on. A little preparation—such as remembering to pack adapters or making your own food and coffee—can go a long way to keeping you on budget. 

What are some creative ways to save money on travel? 

Recording travel memories in a travel journal or planner instead of buying souvenirs is a great way to save money. Packing snacks and light meals in a food storage container (such as our pick the Bentgo heated lunch box) to cut down on meal costs is another creative way to save while traveling. Our experts also recommend using multipurpose bags and packing light with cubes to avoid checked baggage fees and the cost of purchasing several travel bags. 

What are the most versatile travel gadgets? 

The most versatile travel products serve multiple functions. A travel bag like the Conmigo has lots of versatility—it’s a carry-on, laptop bag, and has a cushion enabling travelers to wait out delays or long lines comfortably.  

Going meat-free for just a few weeks can trigger surprising changes, from gut bacteria shifts to lower cholesterol. But the key to reaping the benefits isn’t just what you cut out—it’s what you add in

A variety of nutrient-rich plant foods, from leafy greens to legumes, offer essential vitamins and minerals. Experts say swapping meat for fiber-packed vegetables and whole grains can lead to improved gut health and lower cholesterol.

Whether for health, environmental concerns, or ethical reasons, more and more people are opting to cut meat from their diets. But what happens to the body when meat or animal products disappear from the plate?

Recent research suggests that even short stints without meat—whether weeks, days, or even just a few meals—can trigger surprising changes. The effects range from weight loss and signs of heart health improvements to more subtle impacts on the gut and immune system.

Weight loss and heart benefits

One of the most noticeable effects of cutting out meat is weight loss, but it’s not just about removing animal products—it’s about what takes their place. When people replace calorie-dense meats with fiber-rich plant foods like vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fruits, “we end up just consuming more foods that are fewer calories,” says Matthew Landry, a registered dietician and health scientist at the University of California, Irvine. Fiber-rich foods also help us feel satiated for longer, which can reduce overeating.

For instance, a 2018 study tracking people over three months found that those who shifted from an omnivorous to a vegetarian diet lost roughly 4 pounds.

The benefits extend beyond weight. Several studies have found that vegetarian diets lasting six weeks or more can lead to lower blood pressure, a key factor in reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. This effect is likely linked to weight loss and greater consumption of minerals like potassium and magnesium that help reduce blood pressure, says Luigi Fontana, an expert on nutrition and healthy aging at the University of Sydney. Vegetarian diets often also lower blood sugar, reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a recent review by Fontana and his colleagues.

(Want a better high-protein diet? You don’t have to eat more meat.)

Other studies on vegetarians have seen drops in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol—the “bad” cholesterol abundant in meat and dairy products that clogs up blood vessels and raises the risk for heart disease and stroke.

A study on 11 pairs of twins, led by Landry and his colleagues at Stanford University, found that those who followed a vegan diet saw their LDL cholesterol drop to optimal levels below 100 milligrams per deciliter after four weeks. Even though participants started with relatively healthy levels, the decrease was still notable.

Changes in the gut

Switching to a plant-based diet doesn’t just change what’s on your plate—it can alter the ecosystem of bacteria living in your guts. New vegetarians tend to develop more bacteria specializing in chopping up fiber in plant-based foods, and fewer bacteria that target meat, explains Veronica Witte, a neuroscientist at Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences and the University of Leipzig Medical Center. In a 2014 study that used stool samples to analyze the gut bacteria of people who shifted to a plant-based diet, the makeup of their gut bacteria changed, “even after several days,” says Witte.

Although the precise effects aren’t consistent across studies, some changes may be beneficial. Preliminary data from the Stanford twin study found that Bilophila wadsworthia, a gut bacterium that chops up specific proteins in animal products and has been linked to disease-driving inflammation, declined in the twins who went vegan. It seems, “that B. wadsworthia can be very problematic to have in your gut microbiota at high abundance, and one way to help get rid of this microbe is to switch to a vegan diet,” says co-author Matthew Carter, a microbiologist at Stanford.  

Scientists are also investigating the potential benefits of fiber-fermenting bacteria and possibly harmful effects of meat-processing ones. Meanwhile, Witte is investigating whether changes in gut bacteria can somehow affect the brain and influence food cravings. But, she cautions, we need more research “to really show that these [processes] are at play.”