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This weekend I am headed to Raleigh to photograph a childhood friend’s wedding. It’s going to be a quick solo trip, and I’m really looking forward to it! As you know, we travel a LOT! More than usual in the last month, as I’ve also been to Florida and California. (It’s been a fun summer!) As I pride myself in shopping “budget-friendly”, I thought I would share my favorite must-have airplane travel items under $25.

Packing cubes are an absolute MUST-have. My family has these ones in teal and pink, but I found this set with a variety of sizes for under $25. I started using the cubes when I packed for our trip to Walt Disney World and Disney Dream Cruise. They keep everything compact and organized, and I’ll never go back to not using them. I love using a small size for toiletries or even clothes in a carry-on bag.
Read next: Disney Cruise Must-Haves
Also on this list — silicone toiletry tubes. These are the best IMO for shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and face wash. The silicon allows you to get every last bit of your product out. They do sell them in the toiletry section at Target for $1.99 each as well.
You’ll want to bring a refillable water bottle. I prefer stainless steel, which keeps your water cold. Many airports have dispensers for filling your bottle at the drinking fountains, on the other side of security. I’ve found that many standard water bottles are too tall to fit in the space, so a shorter bottle like this one, is preferable.
I am not a huge fan of ginger, but the Gem Gem Ginger Candy packs are a must-have for me while traveling. They help with motion sickness and are just really good! You can purchase single packs, like the Mango ginger candy, I’ve linked below, or get a variety pack (my preference!). I love Mango and Lemon the most.
Another travel trick I’ve learned, is to pack a foldable duffle. This one folds into a small pouch, so as not to take up much space. They’re great to have when you need to even out your baggage weight or you buy souvenirs, etc.
Other things you’ll want to have while traveling, but you don’t need to spend a ton of money on, include a memory foam neck pillow, noise-minimizing wireless headphones, reusable snack bags, and of course—a good book!
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