where to find cheap travel items online
Looking for affordable travel gear for your next family holiday? Decathlon, Argos, Mountain Warehouse, GO Outdoors, Amazon and eBay are useful places to compare luggage, travel accessories and outdoor equipment online in the UK.
The best place to start depends on what you need. This guide helps you narrow down where to look, compare the total cost and choose items that will be useful for your family.
You don’t need a suitcase full of new accessories to have a good holiday. Sometimes, the most helpful purchase is one small item that makes packing, travelling or settling in a little easier.
Which websites sell affordable travel gear?
Here are some places to look, depending on what you’re shopping for.
| Online shop | What to look for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Decathlon | Travel bags, compact towels, packing accessories and camping equipment | Whether the item is sold by Decathlon or a marketplace seller |
| Argos | Suitcases, travel pillows, luggage accessories and adaptors | Product dimensions and the delivery or collection options available |
| Mountain Warehouse | Travel accessories, bags and outdoor clothing | The current selling price, rather than just the advertised saving |
| GO Outdoors | Camping equipment and accessories for outdoor holidays | Whether the price requires membership |
| Amazon | Everyday travel accessories and specific items you already have in mind | The seller, specifications, delivery date and returns information |
| eBay | New and second-hand luggage and travel bags | Condition, postage costs and seller information |
| The Range | Suitcases, packing cubes, adapters, pillows, ear plugs and many more travel related items | Delivery costs and return options. |
Prices and availability change, so these are starting points for comparison rather than a ranking of the cheapest retailers.
Decathlon for travel and outdoor accessories
Decathlon’s travel accessories range is worth exploring if you’re looking for practical items such as travel pillows, storage bags or luggage accessories. Its wider outdoor ranges may also be useful for camping holidays.
Check who sells and ships the product. The website includes marketplace sellers as well as Decathlon products, so delivery and returns arrangements may differ.
Argos for luggage and everyday travel items
Argos has a luggage and travel range covering suitcases, travel pillows, adaptors and bag accessories.
If you already know what you need, it can be a straightforward place to check. Compare the dimensions and features of the individual product, and see which delivery or collection options are available to you.
Mountain Warehouse for travel accessories and outdoor clothing
Mountain Warehouse is another option for travel accessories, including compact towels and luggage accessories.
When comparing offers, focus on what you’ll actually pay. A large advertised discount doesn’t necessarily mean an item costs less than a similar product elsewhere.
GO Outdoors for camping and outdoor holidays
GO Outdoors is worth checking for travel accessories and equipment for camping or outdoor trips.
Some prices are available to members. If you don’t already have membership, include its cost when deciding whether the purchase offers a saving.
Amazon for comparing specific travel accessories
Amazon UK can be a useful comparison point when you have a particular item in mind.
Searching for a specific product and the feature you need can make browsing more manageable. For example, “washable travel pillow” gives you a clearer starting point than “holiday essentials”.
Check the seller and product details, rather than relying on the photograph or headline alone.
eBay for second-hand luggage
eBay’s luggage range includes new and used items. It may be worth a look if you’re comfortable buying second-hand bags or suitcases.
For used luggage, look for clear photographs and information about the wheels, handles, zips and any damage. Include postage in your comparison: a low item price can become less attractive once delivery is added.
The Range for Suitcases and Gadgets
The Range lives up to its name with a large range of suitcases, backpacks and useful gadgets on offer.
It is also a great comparison to Amazon and Argos with both home delivery and store options.
The Range also has a handy categorisation of travel products by type of travel and need e.g. Camping, Beach, Toiletries etc making finding what you need stress free.
How can you tell whether travel gear is good value?
A useful starting question is:
What would this item make easier for our family?
That might be keeping snacks within reach, finding everyone’s clothes, carrying luggage or getting comfortable during the journey.
Once you know the job it needs to do, comparing products becomes simpler. If you’re unsure, these checks may help:
- Total cost: include delivery and any membership charge.
- Size: check measurements rather than judging from photographs.
- Practicality: consider weight, cleaning and ease of use.
- Likely use: could it help on future trips or at home?
- Returns: check the arrangements if it doesn’t suit you.
There’s no need to compare every website. Looking at two or three suitable options may give you enough information to choose.
Choosing affordable gear for a neurodivergent family
For families with neurodivergent children, how an item feels and works can matter as much as its price.
A compact towel may save space but have an unfamiliar texture. A travel pillow may look comfortable but feel restrictive. A bag with lots of compartments may help one person organise their things while making them harder for another person to find.
Your family’s preferences are a useful guide. If something familiar already works well, you may not need a travel-specific replacement.
If you do buy something new, trying it at home before departure gives everyone a chance to decide whether it suits them. You can then choose what to pack without discovering an unwanted surprise during the journey.
Do you need specialist travel accessories?
Many everyday items can do the same job.
| Travel item you’re considering | Something you may already have |
|---|---|
| Packing cubes | Small bags or zip pouches for separating belongings |
| A travel blanket | A familiar lightweight blanket |
| A travel organiser | A pouch for documents, cables or other small items |
| A new day bag | A comfortable school bag or everyday backpack |
Specialist gear can be helpful when it solves a particular problem. It is also fine to take the things your family already knows and likes.
Where should you start?
If you need luggage, compare Argos with other retailers or explore second-hand options on eBay.
For camping and outdoor equipment, start with Decathlon or GO Outdoors.
For small travel accessories, compare a specific item across a couple of shops rather than browsing long lists of things you might need.
Choose what fits your budget and makes the journey easier for your family. A useful item doesn’t have to be expensive, and a good holiday doesn’t require buying everything new.
Still deciding what would be useful? Our Travelbetter Gear Guides include reviews that consider value for money, practicality and how an item might help your family travel better.
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This guide to finding cheap travel items online in the UK contains a small number of affiliate links to various retailers including The Range and Amazon UK. If you click on a link and make a related purchase we may receive a small commission. This commission goes towards the running of Travelbetter and the development of more content and tools to help you and others explore more and worry less.
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