Jun 18, 17, 4:17 pm
Last edit by: EmailKid
Best items to have for Budget Traveler:
Unlocked SmartPhone with local Sim card with data (not all countries have addresses posted)
Extension cord with multiple outlets (some budget hotels have exactly ONE electrical outlet)
Free local maps that you might pick up at tourist information places (the more the better - different versions seem to list different streets depending on what printer considers important)
USB battery pack for when you are lost and mobile is running low on juice and you need Google maps
Unlocked SmartPhone with local Sim card with data (not all countries have addresses posted)
Extension cord with multiple outlets (some budget hotels have exactly ONE electrical outlet)
Free local maps that you might pick up at tourist information places (the more the better - different versions seem to list different streets depending on what printer considers important)
USB battery pack for when you are lost and mobile is running low on juice and you need Google maps
Favorite budget travel items?
Oct 16, 08, 9:42 pm
#136
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PA
Programs: CO Gold, DL, US, Starwood Gold, RCL, Celebrity, NCL, Princess
Posts: 241
What a great idea. I can't count how many hours I have shuffled, folded, and maneuvered my airline-provided pillow(s) to try to get them to fit nicely against the wall/window. I may need to try this.
Dec 7, 08, 5:26 am
#137
Join Date: May 2005
Location: tlv
Programs: AA Platinum, LY Matmid
Posts: 804
another possibilty is a giant Hefty zip lock bag. Just open it, close the zipper and you have a ready made pillow that can be as firm or soft as you like. Once I even took a straw and used it to top off the pillow by opening the zip a bit , blowing the bag up and closing it quickly
Jan 5, 09, 7:51 pm
#138
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Posts: 244
Great suggestions. I like to carry a few binder clips in several sizes. They have many uses: keeping loose travel-guide pages together, closing curtains, even hanging laundry. Stronger and more versatile than clothes pins or regular paper clips.
Mar 25, 09, 11:42 am
#139
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: Aeroplan, Air miles
Posts: 10
I scan my passport/ID etc. and email it to myself, so that no matter what happens I can access a copy.
Also, if I am going to multiple countries, I like to photocopy the relevant pages of a travel book, and recycle them as I go, instead of bringing lots of heavy books for different countries.
Also, if I am going to multiple countries, I like to photocopy the relevant pages of a travel book, and recycle them as I go, instead of bringing lots of heavy books for different countries.
Mar 25, 09, 11:51 am
#140
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YEG
Programs: TK*G, AC
Posts: 344
One thing I do before I go on a vacation for travel is print out the WikiTravel page for the city I'm headed towards. The price is right (free) and normally the advice is excellent -- for the most part, it's written by people who have lived there and know the ins-and-outs. It's typically quicker to read and a better summary than a thick guide book, and you can read it in-air.
I'm not a big fan of guidebooks though, I'd rather access sites like Tripadvisor for travel advice.
Apr 28, 09, 3:24 pm
#141
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: NW, UA
Posts: 9
I don't go anywhere without a portable water heater. This is just a five inch coil with a clip to attach to the side of any container and a cord to plug into the wall. It takes up almost no space. FANTASTIC!
I got this in India from a fellow backpacker and used it to heat water to do my laundry and to take the edge off of frigid bucket showers.
In Europe (or anywhere else where eating out everyday gets expensive) I use it to make pasta, rice, porridge, and steamed veggies from the local supermarket.
I believe it costs around $2..worth every penny.
I got this in India from a fellow backpacker and used it to heat water to do my laundry and to take the edge off of frigid bucket showers.
In Europe (or anywhere else where eating out everyday gets expensive) I use it to make pasta, rice, porridge, and steamed veggies from the local supermarket.
I believe it costs around $2..worth every penny.
May 16, 09, 12:46 pm
#142
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4
Dental Floss
Find a floss container that you can open, and put a medium needle, a large needle, a fish hook and a sealed antiseptic pad in the container, along with the floss.
I have used floss for sewing, stitches, emergency repairs, fishing, and (of course) flossing my teeth. If you have floss, you can skip the sewing kit.
Find a floss container that you can open, and put a medium needle, a large needle, a fish hook and a sealed antiseptic pad in the container, along with the floss.
I have used floss for sewing, stitches, emergency repairs, fishing, and (of course) flossing my teeth. If you have floss, you can skip the sewing kit.
Jun 19, 09, 5:43 pm
#143
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: Delta-Diamond, Marriott-Platinum, *wood-Plat, Hyatt-Plat, HH-Silver, Frontier-Ascent, Hertz-Prez0
Posts: 147
For a week in Costa
World edition Blackberry or Iphone with translator guidebook and PDF of your passport loaded up
Ray-Ban Sunglasses
Jungle Juice Bug Repellent
Rainbow Sandals
LED Headlamp
Board Shorts
Standard Bandanna
Johnny Cash is a friend of mine T-Shirt
And I'm out
Ray-Ban Sunglasses
Jungle Juice Bug Repellent
Rainbow Sandals
LED Headlamp
Board Shorts
Standard Bandanna
Johnny Cash is a friend of mine T-Shirt
And I'm out
Jul 8, 09, 10:30 pm
#144
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: New York
Programs: BAEC Silver, &c.
Posts: 433
A travel French press (I'm picky about coffee, and spending £3 or €3 for a cup adds up quickly). Starbucks sells a Bodum one for around $10 now. This would work great with Natiaka's advice above on the portable water heater.
Corkscrew (if checking luggage, otherwise they tend to get confiscated) or a simple bottle opener, again to save on costs. In Germany, at least, I get more interesting beers and wines in grocery stores than in bars, for a lot less.
Plasticware. Places outside the US aren't as generous with the free cutlery, even when getting takeout.
I'm addicted to Muji and all the little travel trinkets, which, unfortunately, often aren't all that cheap anymore depending on the exchange rate...
Corkscrew (if checking luggage, otherwise they tend to get confiscated) or a simple bottle opener, again to save on costs. In Germany, at least, I get more interesting beers and wines in grocery stores than in bars, for a lot less.
Plasticware. Places outside the US aren't as generous with the free cutlery, even when getting takeout.
I'm addicted to Muji and all the little travel trinkets, which, unfortunately, often aren't all that cheap anymore depending on the exchange rate...
Sep 9, 09, 1:42 pm
#147
Suspended
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 66
i go to border's and have a coffee and can read them for free. they have all the travel magazines and books. if there is one i really like , i will purchase it.
they do not mind if you read for a couple hours. i asked the manager because i felt bad opening a "new book". i was assured that it's fine to browse them all day long if one wanted to.
enjoy yourself. i was thrilled to learn this and very pleased with the good leadership of that store. they have a nice way of handling customers. i wonder if their business is profitable. might be a good stock pick ?? not sure :-)
Sep 30, 09, 8:02 pm
#148
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: In a hotel somewhere trying to repack everything I brought (and bought) in to a carry-on smaller than my last one.
Programs: UA, Asia Miles, Southwest, IHG
Posts: 1,089
Other than the basics already mentioned, I like to bring a pair of flip flops for use as shower shoes, slippers for unclean hotel/BB floors and of course flip flops.
A few extra ziplock bags are also great to take leftovers back to your room or to take a picnic out with you during the day. Also a Platypus water bottle.
If possible one of those travel knives and a pair of travel chopsticks.
And of course a folding tote bag to carry stuff in and to avoid having to pay for a shopping bag in Europe. I use Chico bags, Kiva or even Envirosax.
A few extra ziplock bags are also great to take leftovers back to your room or to take a picnic out with you during the day. Also a Platypus water bottle.
If possible one of those travel knives and a pair of travel chopsticks.
And of course a folding tote bag to carry stuff in and to avoid having to pay for a shopping bag in Europe. I use Chico bags, Kiva or even Envirosax.
Last edited by tcl; Sep 30, 09 at 8:03 pm Reason: add item
