Every time I book a holiday, the day before I jet off, I find myself standing in Boots. Why? To pick up ten miniature toiletries, two travel adapters and one of those squidgy neck pillows. Will I use a miniature dry shampoo or cleansing spray or sudocrem? No. Will I save them for my next trip if they return home with me 80% full. No. Will I stop wasting my money on them? Also, no.
According to Fred Harrington, CEO of discount-platform Proxy Coupons and money-saving guru, I’m not alone. ‘Every year,’ Harrington advises, ‘millions of travellers waste money on items they think they need, only to discover they’re impractical, redundant or simply useless.’
‘The travel industry is brilliant at convincing us we need specialised gear for every scenario, but smart travellers know that simple, versatile items usually work better.’
So what are the biggest pitfalls when it comes to spending unnecessary money on travel gear? Below, Harrington’s shares five unnecessary ‘budget busters’ that you can gladly forget about. Keep reading to save both cash and that all-important luggage space (yes, we need at least five pairs of shoes).
Portable clothing steamers
We all know people who arrive on holiday armed with a portable steamer or iron like some kind of Vogue assistant. But in Harrington’s opinion, ‘they’re more trouble than they’re worth’.
‘Most portable steamers weigh over a pound, take up precious luggage space, and require distilled water that’s not available on tap,’ he points out.
‘I’ve seen people lug these things around Europe only to use them once. Most hotels provide irons, and if yours doesn’t, hanging an outfit in a steamy bathroom works just as well as most portable devices. Save yourself the £30 and pack an extra outfit instead!’
Travel neck pillows
This one will shock most people (smugly not me, as I have been saying for years they’re both ineffective and annoyingly shaped), but Harrington says the best place for your travel neck pillow is, ultimately, the bin.
‘Despite their popularity,’ he says, ‘most travel pillows are bulky, uncomfortable and offer little real support. They’re designed for one sitting-up sleep position that rarely matches how you actually sleep on planes or trains.’
‘These things are everywhere in airports because they’re impulse buys that prey on tired travellers,’ Harrington explains. ‘A rolled-up jumper or small cushion from home does the same job without the bulk. Better yet, invest in noise-cancelling headphones – they’ll help you sleep far better than any pillow.’
Universal travel adapters
We’ve all been there: desperately trying to google what adapter we’ll need for a trip and asking ‘what on earth is a type C?’ But while a universal adapter might sound practical, many universal adapters are cheaply made, unreliable, and potentially dangerous, Harrington warns. They often don’t fit properly in foreign outlets and can damage your devices.
‘I’ve seen people spend £15-25 on these all-in-one adapters that barely work,’ says Harrington. ‘Research your destination and buy a simple, country-specific adapter for £3. It’ll be more reliable and won’t risk frying your phone charger.’
Travel-sized toiletries
Yes, they’re my weakness; but while those tiny bottles of shampoo and toothpaste might seem convenient (and cute), they’re expensive per millilitre and you never get through them. That’s before you even consider that most hotels now offer complimentary toiletries.
‘You’re paying premium prices for tiny amounts,’ Harrington notes. ‘Buy normal-sized products when you arrive, or better yet, use what’s provided. The money you save could buy you an extra meal out.’
Cheap portable phone chargers
Not all power banks are created equal. Travellers often buy cheap, low-capacity chargers that barely provide one full charge, or expensive high-capacity ones they couldn’t use up even if they spent a week in a tent in Antarctica.
‘People either buy the cheapest option that dies after two uses, or the most expensive one that could power a small village,’ Harrington observes. ‘A mid-range power bank with 10,000mAh capacity is perfect for most travellers and costs half the price of premium options.’
