These Genius Travel Products Will Save You Time And Money

Where to Buy: Amazon
Avg. Cost: $5*

We’ve all heard of dry shampoo, but did you know that there’s another product out there that’s even handier when it comes to traveling? A few different brands make shampoo sheets. They aren’t liquid so you don’t have to worry about flying with them. 

Shampoo Sheets ©amazon.com

They’re just handy single sheets that dissolve when they come into contact with water, which makes them part magic, part life-saving when you’re on day three of that camping trip. You can pick them up on sites like Amazon for just a few bucks each. 

Where to Buy: rei.com
Avg. Cost: $49.95*

Any backpacker or camping enthusiast will tell you that it’s not easy to keep clean when you’re constantly moving around. When there isn’t a washing machine nearby, it can make you feel pretty grubby. There’s a simple answer for that, though. 

Scrubba Washing Machine Bag @GetdatGadget / Pinterest.com

This washing bag actually washes your clothes. Just put them inside, add water (and detergent if you’ve got it) and use your hands to rub the clothes together. The built-in scrub pad helps get rid of all the grime. It won’t be quite as good as using the washer you bought at Walmart but beggars can’t be choosers.

Where to Buy: Amazon
Avg. Cost: $20*

Just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean that you have to look like you’ve slept 12 hours on the Red Eye. Hotel rooms usually provide irons, but if you’re looking for a little more of a crisp, clean look, take your own portable steamer with you. 

Portable Steamer ©NatalyaBond / Shutterstock.com

You can buy them for as little as $20 on sites like Amazon, so it’s a no-brainer, especially if you’re traveling for work or other professional reasons. Even if you’re traveling for pleasure and want to look great on a night out, these things are invaluable. 

Where to Buy: Firebox.com
Avg. Cost: $10*

It’s no secret that traveling can mean touching some pretty unpleasant things. Hotel rooms, airports, and public bathrooms are all high-traffic places that are filled with germs, no matter how often they’re cleaned. 

No-Contact Keyring @yankodesign / Pinterest.com

If the thought of coming into contact with a ton of germs is enough to make you cancel your trip, don’t panic. There’s a gadget for that. You can buy these handy no-contact keyrings that can press buttons and open doors. They’re small and discreet too, so you won’t look like a lunatic.

Where to Buy: Hellotushy.com
Avg. Cost: $29*

There was a time when bidets were quite European things, but their popularity slowly began to increase. That being said, there are still some people out there that have never used one, while others can’t live without them even for a short while. If you fall into the latter camp, then you need this product. 

Portable Bidet @thrillist / Pinterest.com

Tushy makes this portable bidet that can be yours for just $29. With a 3-point spout for the optimum clean, it claims to have “optimal booty cleaning magic.” What’s more, you can choose from pink, grey, teal, or chic black. You can’t buy something this niche at Target yet, but who knows what the future holds. 

Where to Buy: Cgear-andsandfree.com
Avg. Cost: $59-$129*

Even if you love hanging out at the beach, there’s no denying that sand can get a bit annoying. Playing in it is one thing, but when you want to eat or just hang out without feeling uncomfortable, a simple blanket doesn’t always do the job. 

Sand-Free Beach Blanket @ShopStyle / Pinterest.com

Instead, try buying a Sand-Free Beach Blanket from Cgear. This incredible invention is actually made with anti-sand technology, plus it has heavy corner d-rings that allow it to be pinned down. Sand gets brushed away with just a flick of the hand. Watch out Apple, this could be the latest thing in tech. 

Where to Buy: Amazon
Avg. Cost: $50*

Just a few years back, staying connected in other countries was a costly nightmare. Data roaming charges often meant that some people would end up with insane cell phone bills. Thankfully, technology has evolved a bit since then and there are gadgets like this Hotspot and Power Bank. 

Hotspot + Power Bank @bestbuy / Pinterest.com

Made by Skyroam, this handy portable router is also a power bank that can connect up to five devices. For around $10 a day, you can top up the Skyroam sim and enjoy fast internet wherever you are. That’s a bonus when you’re constantly uploading to Facebook. 

Where to Buy: Amazon
Avg. Cost: $20*

What on earth does a vacuum sealer have to do with travel? If you don’t know, you should. Vacuum sealing your clothes actually gives you a ton of room in your suitcase, in some cases meaning you can pack double the volume. 

Vacuum Sealer @franz12 / Shutterstock.com

You can get handy travel versions for around $20, so you can reseal everything once you’re ready to go home. It’s also great for when you’ve bought tons of gifts at the local scarf stall and need to find a way to avoid paying for extra luggage on your United flight home. 

Where to Buy: Amazon
Avg. Cost: $170*

Capturing moments when you’re visiting some of the best places in the world is one of the best parts of traveling. After all, if there aren’t any pictures, did it even happen? If you want to still enjoy yourself without living through a screen, you could invest in these incredible glasses. 

Video Recording Sunglasses ©amazon.com

Made by Snapchat, the glasses look like ordinary sunglasses but allow you to record 10-second videos from your perspective. You can wear them while doing all sorts of stuff, and the videos and images sync to your phone automatically. They aren’t cheap, but they are cool. 

Where to Buy: Firebox
Avg. Cost: $12*

Portable coffee cups and water bottles often take the world by storm, but what if you want something a little more exciting on your trip? Wine lovers rejoice because Firebox has this portable wine cup that’s equal parts thrilling and entertaining. 

Portable Wine Glass @aryan1078 / Pinterest.com

You just pour in your usual glass of vino and sip away to your heart’s content. Need to pack up and move camp? No worries. Just close the lid and away you go, free to roam away while still protecting your precious glass of Walmart’s finest. Glorious things like this really don’t appear that often. 

Where to Buy: Amazon
Avg. Cost: $15*

As humans, it’s only natural that we’ve all experienced the pain of needing to pee without being near a bathroom. For men, it’s a little bit easier to find somewhere to go, but for women, there’s really no way to relieve yourself other than to squat – which is easier said than done. 

Women's Bathroom On-The-Go @gogirlofficial / Instagram.com

That’s where products like this from Go Girl come in. It’s essentially a little funnel that, when placed strategically, allows women to pee while standing up. It’s a wonderful little device that can be bought on sites like Amazon, but you may want to give it a test drive before taking it out into the wild. 

Where to Buy: Amazon
Avg. Cost: $7.95*

If you’re into real adventuring and not just hotel hopping, then you might want to think about investing some cash in this wallet-sized utility knife. When folded up it looks just like a credit card and can be stored safely in your wallet. 

Wallet-Sized Utility Knife ©amazon.com

When unfolded, it’s a sharp utility knife perfect for camping, backpacking, or using as an effective tool. The best part? It’s so cheap, costing just $7.95. You can usually pick up other camping knives for a couple of bucks at stores like Target, but this one really takes the cake. 

Where to Buy: Samsonite
Avg. Cost: $25*

Going through check-in with your suitcase can always be a nail-biting moment if you don’t know exactly how much it weighs. If it’s over the allocated amount, then you could be presented with some ugly extra fees. Avoid all the guesswork by buying your own luggage scale. 

Luggage Scale @luggagefactory / Pinterest.com

Ones like this from Samsonite are accurate, and they cost just $25. Just hook your luggage to the end and see how much it weighs. That way, you’ll know whether you’re going to need a bigger boat, or if you’ve got room for another pair of unnecessary shoes. 

Where to Buy: Amazon
Avg. Cost: $140*

Having too many drinks while on a night out can mean the difference between getting a cab home or being able to drive. If you want to keep track of how much you’re drinking, you can actually get a portable breathalyzer that syncs with your phone. 

Smartphone Breathalyzer ©amazon.com

Be warned, though – they aren’t cheap. One of these will set you back around $140, so it might be worth just staying off the booze or allocating some extra funds for a cab home. It’s a smart and handy gadget that could be of use when dealing with drunk friends, too.