I Always Fly With Budget Airlines — Here Are My 9 Packing Tips

As a budget-savvy shopping writer at Travel + Leisure, I get a thrill from discovering incredible discounts (and an even bigger thrill from sharing them with our readers). Since joining the T+L team, I’ve written a plethora of articles about rare sales on travel gear and where to look for the best deals on comfy clothes, freeing up your wallet for trips. And while I love sharing these discount leads on name-brand luggage and cozy airport outfits, one of the biggest ways I save money on travel throughout the year is simply by sticking to a budget — a budget airline, that is! 

The comforts and luxuries of higher-end airlines are undeniable, but you can save hundreds of dollars by flying with a budget-friendly option like Spirit Airlines. Of course, there’s a catch: On top of a little less legroom, most budget airlines tout expensive checked baggage fees if your carry-on exceeds their requirements. But if you’re like me and would rather pack light in order to free up cash for more trips throughout the year, keep reading. Below, I share the nine travel essentials that help me avoid these surprise fees, including space-saving compression packing cubes and versatile walking shoes, starting at just $8.

Bagail 4-set Compression Packing Cubes

When you have to pack all of your things in just a personal item or carry-on, every inch counts. Unfortunately, clothes can take up a lot of unnecessary room: This is where compression packing cubes come in handy. This four-pack of Bagail cubes, on sale for $16, squeezes the excess air out of your clothes, compressing them to a fraction of the space they usually take up. I love this set specifically for the sizes it includes, allowing you to pick and choose which ones you take with you and which ones you can leave at home.

Matein 45L XL Carry-on Backpack

When it comes to packing for a budget airline, you’re only as successful as the bag you travel with. Space, organizational features, and weight should be at the top of your checklist when picking out the carry-on for your trip, and this extra-large Matein backpack delivers on all fronts. Weighing in at just over two pounds, this backpack expands to fit up to a week’s worth of clothes and features tons of separate pockets and zippered compartments to keep your belongings organized. As for its size specifications, the backpack clocks in at 19 inches tall, 13 inches wide, and 8 inches deep — well within the carry-on size restrictions of most budget airlines, including Spirit, Frontier, JetBlue, and Southwest. 

Morfone 16-pack Toiletry Set

While I love my hanging toiletry bag from Bagsmart, it’s best suited for trips where I’ll check a suitcase. If I’m flying with a budget airline, though, I’ll opt for my Morfone refillable toiletry bottle set to free up space and lighten my load. On sale for $8 and available in eight fun color combinations, this set comes with four silicone squeeze bottles, four jars, and two spray bottles, allowing me to bring my favorite hair and skin products. Plus, it has a TSA-approved clear carrying case that fully zips to prevent leakage (although I haven’t had a bottle spill yet!).

Taketoday Collapsible Water Bottle

I love packing a water bottle on trips to avoid overpriced plastic bottles at the airport, but stainless steel tumblers are too heavy and clunky when you’re trying to pack for a budget airline. Instead, reach for a collapsible water bottle like this one from Taketoday. The genius bottle is made of soft food-grade silicone and folds into itself to save space in your travel bag. It also comes with a leakproof cap to prevent spillage and a detachable drinking straw that one five-star reviewer said is one of their “favorite features” due to its convenience. 

Vrurc Slim Power Bank 

All of my electronics require a different charger, but bringing individual cables for each gadget can take up unnecessary room. Instead, I like to save space by packing this Vrurc power bank, a portable charger with a built-in cable for all my devices. On sale for $20, this portable charger can charge up to five devices at once and has a built-in LED screen that tells you exactly how much battery power it has left. One frequent traveler said that it can get “multiple charges” before recharging the power bank itself and added that it’s sleek, durable, and “incredibly reliable.”

Banelu Small Sling Bag

One of my favorite hacks for keeping your travel bags within the airline’s size and weight restrictions is to add extra storage space on your person. Along with traveling in pants and jackets that have ultra-deep pockets, I will also throw a sling bag on top of my airport outfit. This Banelu crossbody bag is large enough to hold everything I need to keep accessible while flying, like bulky noise-canceling headphones, my phone, my wallet, and makeup. The three main zippered compartments provide plenty of extra room if you have to size down your carry-on, and the discrete back pocket is perfect for hiding extra cash or important travel documents. 

Relavel Small Makeup Bag

Just as I swap out my larger toiletry bag for a pint-sized version, I also downsize my makeup bag while traveling with budget airlines. I’m a makeup fanatic, so I like to bring at least my essentials on shorter trips — and this $10 Relavel bag is the perfect size. At under 10 inches long and 6 inches wide, it’s large enough to hold your must-haves, plus it comes with two zippered compartments to separate your makeup brushes and products. 

New Balance Women’s 515 V3 Sneaker

Another budget airline packing tip is to minimize the amount of shoes you pack, cutting down your rotation to two or three pairs (including the pair you wear to the airport). One of the easiest ways to do this is by investing in a pair of supportive walking shoes that are versatile enough to be worn in a variety of activities. I specifically love these New Balance sneakers: They have a lightweight EVA foam midsole, a treaded rubber outsole for grip, and a vintage 80s-inspired silhouette that pairs well with jeans, hiking shorts, and casual dresses alike. 

Baleaf Packable Rain Jacket

Weather can be unpredictable no matter the destination, so I like to pack an extra jacket just in case. If I’m trying to pack with just a carry-on, though, I’ll wear my heavier coat to the airport and throw a packable jacket in my bag, like this Baleaf option. The 100 percent waterproof rain jacket comes with a protective hood and five zippered pockets, and it folds up into the back pocket to create a compact carrying pouch. Plus, it’s $13 off right now.

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