- Mr Plane Guy
- Sep 13
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 14
Top 10 Travel Essentials I Never Fly Without (Budget Airline Edition)
By Mr Plane Guy, Travel Blogger & Flight Expert
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, I might earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this blog running (and fuels my habit of buying wildly overpriced lattes at the airport). I’m not a financial advisor any mentions of cards are just my own experience, not financial advice.
Why Packing Smart Matters
Flying budget airlines in 2025 is all about strategy. Cabin bag restrictions are stricter than ever, airport prices are wild, and comfort isn’t exactly a priority if you’re crammed into a Ryanair 737 middle seat.
That’s why I’ve built a kit of travel essentials I never leave home without. These aren’t gimmicks, they’re the exact items that get me through EasyJet, Wizz Air, Ryanair and beyond, without extra baggage fees, sore legs, or losing my sanity.
Here’s my top 10.
1. Vacuum Travel Packing Bags (Game-Changer)
If you’ve followed my blog, you’ll know I rave about these, because they work.
Save up to 80% space: Shrink jumpers, jeans, and hoodies into flat little bricks.
No bulging bags: Gate staff target people with overstuffed luggage. These keep everything slim and tidy.
Options: Small (30x25x9 cm) and Large (40x30x9 cm), pump or no pump.
Pump details: A tiny wireless pump, Type-C charging, lasts 20+ uses per charge.
They fit any bag, backpack, carry-on, suitcase and are waterproof and odour-proof (no sweaty laundry smell mixing with your clean clothes).
I used them on a week-long trip to Paris and still had room to bring back wine and cheese (priorities).
2. Cabin Max Anode 40L Case 55 x 40 x 20 cm
The Cabin Max Anode has become my go-to for trips up to a week.
Perfect dimensions for easyJet’s pay to carry onboard which is cheaper than getting hold bags, it also fits Ryanair Priority allowance 56 x 45 x 25 cm
Light, durable, and surprisingly roomy especially when combined with vacuum bags.
Lightweight with 360° wheels
Ideal for trips up to 7 days
👉 BUY the Anode case HERE
For the price as well its excellent quality!
It comes in so many colours!
3. Power Bank (with Built-In Cables)
A dead phone on a travel day = nightmare. Boarding passes, hotel bookings, lounge passes all locked behind a blank screen. A £17.99 portable charger that could be your new best travel companion. Trust me, it’s worth every penny!
I use a power bank with built-in cables, so I’m never hunting for the right lead.
⚠️ Note: Some airlines are cracking down on carrying very large power banks in checked luggage (because of lithium battery rules). I always keep mine in my cabin bag to avoid problems.
This reminds of that time I was stuck in Brugge after FlixBus cancelled the return journey, phone battery dead, smart Paul had brought a power bank, but dim paul forgot any cables! I've now invested in this beauty and never looked back.
4. AirTag (Peace of Mind)
Since I started travelling with an AirTag tucked in my suitcase, I sleep easier.
On a recent Abu Dhabi connection, I knew my case had made it onto my next flight before the airline told me.
I also keep one with my wallet, passport, and keys.
Great if you’ve ever had that sinking feeling at baggage claim.
5. Priority Pass (Affordable Lounge Access)
I used to think airport lounges were just for business travellers. Not anymore. With Priority Pass, I’ve got into lounges around the world, comfy chairs, WiFi, free snacks, and yes, prosecco, at a fraction of the walk-in price.
As a nice perk, I’ve got an exclusive 30% discount link for readers → making it around £48 for the year.
Trust me: once you’ve tried a lounge, you’ll never want to sit at the crowded gate again.
Priority Pass gives you access to over 1,700+ airport lounges around the world and I’ve secured a 30% discount just for my readers.
6. Amex Gold (Travel Perks Galore)
⚠️Quick note: I’m not a financial expert this is just my experience.
The Amex Gold card has been a brilliant travel companion for me:
Rewards points that I’ve used for flights and hotels.
Travel insurance perks.
Often includes lounge passes and other bonuses.
It’s worth it if you travel often, but always do your own research before applying for any form of credit card.
7. Hilton Debit Card by Currensea
⚠️Quick note: I’m not a financial expert this is just my experience.
This card is underrated.
It links directly to your regular bank account.
No need to “top up” like other travel currency cards.
Favourable exchange rates abroad.
Free perks, including Hilton stays (I loved mine at the Beijing Hilton check my review).
It’s what I use when I don’t want to use credit.
Looking for a smart way to manage travel spending?
8. Trtl Wrap (Neck Support That Actually Works)
Sleeping on a plane is usually impossible for me. But the Trtl Wrap is a different story.
Supports your neck so you’re not flopping around.
I can even nap in a middle seat on easyJet.
Small enough to pack easily.
Pair this with compression socks (see below) and I can survive even long-haul economy in relative comfort.
Are you influenced?
I’ll be honest: I get swollen feet when flying. Compression socks have been a lifesaver.
Reduce swelling.
Improve circulation.
Make me feel fresher after landing.
I use them on anything over 3 hours. Combine with hydration tablets for best results.
Check out Scholl Flight Socks - Clinically Proven Compression Socks for Flight Travel - Help Prevent Swollen Ankles and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
10. Health & Recovery Kit (Dehydration Tabs, Magnesium, Epsom Salts & More)
Flying takes a real toll on the body dehydration, cabin pressure, awkward sleeping positions, and long queues all add up. That’s why I always travel with a little health & recovery kit. It doesn’t take much space, but it makes a huge difference to how I feel during and after a trip.
Here’s what’s inside mine:
Dehydration Tablets → I drop one in a bottle of water mid-flight to keep hydrated and avoid that awful “jet lag fog.”
Magnesium Supplements & Spray → Magnesium helps relax my muscles and reduces post-flight tension. The spray is perfect if you don’t want to pack capsules.
Epsom Bath Salts → My post-flight ritual. A soak after a long-haul flight works wonders for jet lag and swollen legs.
Melatonin (Sleep Aid) → When I need to reset my body clock quickly, a low-dose melatonin tablet helps me drift off and beat jet lag.
Plasters (Band-Aids) → Blisters from walking miles in new cities are inevitable. A couple of plasters in your wallet = lifesaver.
Headache Tablets (Paracetamol/Ibuprofen) → Whether it’s dehydration, jet lag, or a screaming baby two rows back, these are always in my kit.
It’s a small pouch, but it means I land feeling human — and ready to explore, not collapse.
Bonus: My Everyday Travel Wallet
I use a slim card wallet that doubles as a phone stand. Small, practical, and perfect for travel days when I want to watch a film while waiting at the gate. I bought mine at the airport in Singapore, here is a similar one on Amazon.
Final Boarding Call
Travelling light with budget airlines doesn’t mean travelling badly. With the right kit, you can:
Beat baggage rules (Cabin Max bags + Vacuum Travel Packing Bags).
Stay comfortable (Troll Wrap, compression socks, hydration).
Travel smarter with cards, passes, and gadgets that pay for themselves.
These are the things I genuinely pack every single trip, not because they’re trendy, but because they work.
👉 Ready to level up your own travels? Start with the Vacuum Travel Packing Bags I recommend they’re durable, space-saving, and ship worldwide. Check them out here.
See you in the skies,Mr Plane Guy ✈️
Travel Tip: Get one of these phone holder clips and watch something on your phone hands free, it clips on to economy seats perfectly! They are so cheap and will really transform your economy flight experience!
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Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London Airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading Top 10 Travel Essentials I Never Fly Without (Budget Airline Edition)
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Check out my other inflight essentials!
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