Travel is more expensive in 2022, but what you bring doesn’t have to be. When it comes to travel, packing the right gear can make travel more comfortable from start to finish, whether you’re traveling on a budget or if you’re splurging on a 5-star trip.
Any and every globetrotter can benefit from picking up some of these affordable travel items that make traveling just a little bit easier, a little bit less stressful and a lot more fun. Ultimately, you don’t have to spend a fortune on luxury travel goods to travel more comfortably. Here are the top budget travel items under $50 you need to have or gift to the budget traveler in your life this holiday shopping season.
$45 $40 at Amazon
$23 at Amazon
$26 Amazon
$20 $17 at Amazon
Whether your favorite traveler is a budding travel influencer or simply wants to get good photos of themself, this selfie stick tripod combo can be slipped into your suitcase for infinitely better travel photos. The stick is 9 inches when collapsed and weighs just 10.5 ounces, meaning it’s not only affordable, but it’s also lightweight and compact. It connects with most Apple and Android devices as well as smaller DSLR cameras and comes with a detachable remote.
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$40 at Amazon
$18 $13 at Amazon
This simple but effective device will make any plane journey easier. It clamps to the tray table of the seat in front of you, allowing you to insert your phone and stream your favorite TV shows and movies hands-free.
$25 at Amazon
$26 at Amazon
$30 $17 at Amazon
$14 at Amazon
Compression socks are an important travel accessory. Experts agree that the health benefits of wearing them on long travel days can be significant. This set of three pairs is available in a wide range of colors, offering a good amount of compression made from a breathable fabric.
$25 at Jo Malone
This compact, solid perfume has a fresh aroma, and it’s easy to drop into a carry-on even when your baggie of liquids is already full. You can dab it on your wrist, behind your ears or on your neck when you need a scented pick-me-up, the ideal alternative to an expensive liquid perfume formula.
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$20 $10 at Amazon
$40 at Amazon
Whether your favorite traveler is a budding influencer or simply wants to get some memorable travel shots, this Lens Kit from Xenvo snaps onto any Android or Apple phone, as well as many tablets and laptops. The wide lens captures an additional 45%, which means photos — especially ones of travel landscapes and family members — will be comprehensive and sharp. The lens system is easy to attach and use for both amateur photographers and professionals.
From $10 at Amazon
These portable, quick-dry towels are perfect for any travel situation: camping, hiking, beach trip or even visits to destinations where you won’t have access to a dryer. The durable, lightweight towels are made of polyester and polyamide material and are super absorbent, drying fast when you’re on the go. The towels come in various sizes and colors, and each comes with its own portable case for storage.
$20 at Amazon
This four-pack of Mario Badescu facial spray is perfect for all of your different moods during travel. Energize with the sage and orange blossom, relax with the lavender, revitalize and glow with rose and freshen up with the cucumber and green tea. The under-60-milliliter mist bottles are small enough to fit into your zip-lock baggie of liquids during a long-haul flight.
$38 at Amazon
$16 $7 Amazon
These Anbow reusable earplugs offer a noise level reduction level of NRR 32, meaning they’ll block out pesky noise on planes or anywhere else you need to sleep. Made of high-quality, BPA-free silicone material with an ergonomic shape, they’ll comfortably fit into ears pain-free. Unlike foam earplugs, these are made for long-term use and reuse.
$48 at Amazon
Connect this waterproof, wireless speaker to a phone via Bluetooth and play music whenever, wherever. It’s small enough to accompany travelers on trips but strong enough to play favorite tunes at an impromptu barbecue or beach visit. With 10 hours of playtime, it can be clipped onto a backpack, beach bag or stroller with ease.
From $14 at Cadence
$23 at Amazon
$22 at Amazon
$10 at Amazon
These polyester foldable bags are perfect to use as a beach bag, laundry bag, grocery bag, personal item on a plane, emergency diaper bag or any other situation where you might need some storage. Toss a few of these bright, patterned bags in a suitcase folded up and open them to use whenever needed.
$30 at Amazon
$4 at Amazon
Things like air travel, jet lag and different climates can wreak havoc on skin. Give your face a little extra love at a low price with this stress and rehab sheet mask that can be easily added to your suitcase. Ingredients such as green tea purify your skin, while coconut and turmeric rejuvenate and brighten your face. The mask even has caffeine to wake up skin and make it glow.
$17 at Amazon
This 20-liter foldable backpack is incredibly easy to take along during any kind of travel. It folds up to pocket size so it can be packed away and then opens up to use for hiking, shopping, a beach day or anything else once at a new destination. Although the nylon fabric is thin in order to fold up better, it’s tear-resistant, it’s water-resistant and it has a sturdy metal zipper.
$16 $13 at Amazon
$16 at Amazon
Keep hands germ-free and smelling delicious while traveling with this travel-size rosewater sanitizer mist. Not only will this rid hands of germs, but the mist also contains Detoskin, which provides blue-light protection, and Vitasource, which can help firm skin by boosting collagen.
$7 $6 at Amazon
$10 at Amazon
This Vitamin E-infused, SPF 30 lip balm keeps lips moisturized regardless of the season. With three different summery scents (they’ll have you daydreaming of sun and sand even in the wintry cold) and a silky and smooth finish, this balm protects lips from dry plane air and keeps them hydrated throughout a trip.
Looking for a travel credit card? Find out which cards CNN Underscored chose as our best travel credit cards of 2022.
