30+ Travel Essentials To Buy At The Dollar Store

Looking For The Top Travel Essentials To Buy At The Dollar Store? Look No further!

“30+ Travel Essentials To Buy At The Dollar Store“ was updated in 2024.

Buying travel-related items can be pretty expensive.

Some items are worth the extra buck but there are certain items that can be bought at the Dollar Store for way less.

I love shopping there, they have pretty nice products and they are reasonably priced.

Keep in mind, I live in Canada and I am referring mainly to the Dollarama Stores as those are more popular here but I have looked for travel essentials in Dollar Tree as well before.

Also, the prices are in Canadian Dollars and I have included the most recent products and prices that I have seen.

However, the products and prices may vary in different places and not be the exact same as those shown here.

Travel Essentials To Buy At The Dollar Store

Below is a list of the travel essentials I buy from the Dollar Store.

Also, I have included five items that I recommend you buy elsewhere.

Let’s get started.

Toiletries/Beauty Products

The first category that we can find in the Dollar Store is a variety of Toiletries and Beauty Products.

1. Small Toiletries (Varies from $1.00-$3.00) 

Unfortunately, some of the toiletries cannot be transferred into a smaller container (ex. toothpaste, shaving cream, bug spray, deodorant).

Some of them have to be in their original packaging. The Dollar Store offers travel-sized toiletries that are affordable.

I usually go for brands that I recognize and I always make sure to check the expiry date.

I don’t buy products that I am not sure of their quality or anything close to their expiry date.

2. Toiletries Empty Bottles ($3.00)

Empty toiletry bottles are an essential item when traveling. Using them saves an incredible amount of space in your luggage.

Buy a set like the one below (or a few if you have a lot of toiletries) and fill the bottles up with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc.

That way you don’t have to carry huge bottles or buy the more expensive travel-size products.

Those are also ideal if you need to bring any liquids in your carry-on through security.

That is because they usually come in the allowable size (double-check before buying just in case).

Get the ones that have little label stickers included in the pack so that you can label all the bottles (makes it easier to grab the right one).

3. Soap Container 

Having a soap container is important especially if you are staying at a hostel.

A few years ago, I backpacked through Eastern Europe and we stayed in hostels.

Let me tell you, bringing a nice soap was one of the best things I did as a lot of the hostels did not provide any soap.

I have the exact same one as the picture below but purple and I’ve had it for a long time now.

It held up pretty well, there are no cracks or wear and tear and I do like the design and the colors that it comes in.

Your dollar store might have different options of course.

However, if you are going to a place where you would need to bring soap (ex. cheap hostels) getting a soap container from the Dollar Store would be a great idea.

4. Toothbrush Container ($1.25)/Foldable Toothbrush ($1.50 for a pack of 4)

Having a toothbrush container ensures that your toothbrush will be kept nice and clean.

There are a few options where you can get a container for the entire toothbrush, or you can get one that goes over the bristles only (like a cap).

Right now I’m using the cap one if space is not a problem.

There is also an option of getting a foldable toothbrush. That one is a good idea if you are short on space.

I also have a foldable toothbrush that I usually pack with me when I am backpacking as I need everything to be as small as possible.

Whichever one you choose they have a good selection at the Dollar Store.

5. Dental Floss ($1.50)

Since we are on the topic of oral health, don’t forget to grab some dental floss as well.

It usually comes in a package where you pull the thread out of the box and wrap it around your fingers.

Some of them have mint flavor as well.

6. Pill Organizer ($2.00 – $4.00)

I love these pill organizers, they are so cute and they help you keep track of all your medication.

Therefore, it ensures that you have enough pills for your whole trip and that you take them every day.

Those also double as jewelry holders – can fit small earrings or rings so that they don’t get lost in your luggage.

7. Tissues/Napkins ($1.25-$3.50)

This one is a must when traveling. Liquids spill frequently or your nose gets stuffy.

They have different size boxes including pocket-size packages as well as individually packaged.

Make sure you have some tissues in your carry-on for quick access.

8. Q Tips & Cotton Balls/Pads ($1.25)

The Dollar Store is a good place to get q tips and cotton balls/pads.

Those are good for makeup removal or nail polish removal.

You don’t have to take the whole package on your trip, only grab what you need.

For some reason, I always forget to bring those, and I get mad at myself for forgetting them.

9. Shaving Razors ($1.50-$4.00)

The Dollar Store has a bunch of different shaving razors for both men and women.

I usually get those pink ones in the large package.

Having a nice new razor for your vacation will make the grooming session faster and more pleasant.

10. Loofa/Bath Sponge ($1.00-$2.00)

If you want to be able to foam up nicely when you take a shower, then packing a loofa is a great idea.

They have different shapes and colors. Also, if you squish the sponge it will fit in any luggage and won’t take up too much space.

On the way back, if it is wet, use a Ziploc bag to store it.

11. Wet Wipes/Antibacterial Wipes/Hand Sanitizer ($1.25-$2.50)

I am not going anywhere without a pack of these. I can’t tell you how many times I needed a wet nap and didn’t have one.

So I have learned my lesson!!

Before any trip, I go to my local Dollar Store and grab a pack of wet wipes.

They smell so good and can be used for so many different things.

Such as if you spill something sticky on your hands, refresh yourself after a long day of walking around, etc.

I carry those in my carry-on bag on the plane or in my day pack once I’m at my destination.

The disinfectant wipes can be used to wipe up the seat on a plane and the food tray or the nightstand and remote control in the hotel room.

12. Hair Clips, Elastics, Headbands ($1.00-$3.50); Brushes – ($4.00-$4.50)

The Dollar Store has a wide range of hair clips, elastics, bows, bobby pins, scrunchies, and headbands.

I don’t know about you but I need my hair tied up if we are walking a lot or hiking.

They also have hair brushes and combs some of which are small or foldable, making them super easy to throw in your carry-on.

Also, some of them even have a mirror so it serves a double purpose.

13. Makeup/Toiletries Bags (Around $4)

I usually put my toiletries in a Ziploc bag first as I have had some bad experiences with liquids spilling.

Once they are in a Ziploc bag I put them inside a little bag/pouch.

Plenty of cute options at the Dollar Store – different sizes and different designs.

They’re also pretty cheap and if something does leak or gets damaged, throwing away the bag/pouch is not a huge loss. 

Travel Essentials

Next, let’s see what items we can find in the Dollar Store that are directly connected to traveling.

14. Luggage Tags ($1.50)

If you are in the market for a new luggage tag, they have some cute ones at the Dollar Store.

I use luggage tags every time I travel.

On the way to my destination, I put the address of the hotel/Airbnb, and on the way home I put my home address.

I include my phone number (including country code) and my email.

So I highly recommend having them because it ensures that you will be able to locate lost luggage quicker.

You can grab a cheap luggage tag from the ones they have at Dollar Tree or Dollarama.

👉 However, if you feel like getting a unique one, check out the luggage tags and other merch products that I have created for other travel bloggers and enthusiasts.

15. Passport Holder 

Another item that I don’t see the point of spending a lot of money on is a passport holder.

You can grab a cheap passport holder from Dollarama.

Any of them would do the exact same job – protect your passport.

At some stores, I have even seen a passport holder and a luggage tag set which can also be a cute idea.

16. Sleep Mask/Eye Mask ($1.25)

I don’t know about you but I need a sleeping mask every night (cannot sleep without one even if it is dark in the room).

I have one in my carry-on bag in case I want to sleep on the plane (the chances of that are extremely high lol) and I use it when I go to bed at night.

Sometimes you might not have dark curtains in the room or you might need to sleep during the day (could be tired or sick).

Having a sleeping mask can ensure you get proper rest no matter what. 

17. Luggage Locks (Around $4)

If you need luggage locks, there is a wide variety of choices at the Dollar Store – ones with a key and ones with a code.

I personally prefer the ones with the key because I can never remember the code. I put the key in my wallet and we are good to go.

Some of the pieces of luggage do come with a lock (either with keys or code).

However, if yours doesn’t or you lose the one you have, grabbing one from the Dollar Store will be a good idea.

They are pretty sturdy too.

Miscellaneous

Here are a few miscellaneous travel essentials to buy at the Dollar Store before your trip.

18. Bags, bags, bags (Laundry and Vacuum $1.25-$4.00; Reusable $1.00-$4.00)

You will definitely want to bring some reusable shopping bags with you when you travel.

They have all different sizes and designs and can be used for lots of different purposes such as storing extra purchases.

Some Dollar Stores even have beach bags and tote bags as well.

You will also find those meshy-looking laundry bags so that you can separate your dirty clothes in your luggage.

They even have those vacuum bags where you vacuum the air out to make the contents smaller so it takes less space in your luggage.

19. Drier Sheets ($2.50-$3.00)

In order to keep your luggage and clothes smelling nice and pleasant during your trip, a useful trick is to throw in a few drier sheets in your suitcase.

You absolutely need those if you are traveling to the Caribbean or anywhere that is hot and humid.

Due to the humidity, your clothes will start smelling damp (yes, even the ones you haven’t worn yet).

So far, I have found that drier sheets help with that smell the best.

Travel Essentials To Buy At The Dollar Store, If You Are Going On A Beach Vacation

Let’s talk about what goodies we can find in the Dollar Store, specifically for going on a beach vacation.

20. Sunglasses/Reading Glasses ($1.25-$2.50)

When you go on a beach vacation, you definitely need to bring a cheap pair of sunglasses for when you are at the beach or pool.

That is so that you don’t lose your good pair (damage them or someone steals them from your bag).

Keep your nice pair for when you go out for lunch or are walking around the resort/hotel so you know they will be safe.

If you need a basic pair of reading glasses, then the Dollar Store has a lot of options.

I don’t need those (yet lol) but my mom does and she has a pair in her car, at work, and at home.

21. Flip-flops ($2.50-$4.00)

You can find tons of different colored flip-flops in the Dollar Store.

Those are perfect for the beach as flip-flips tend to get damaged from the sand so picking up a cheap pair might not be a bad idea.

I’ve bought some before and they lasted quite a long time so the quality is pretty good.

22. Sunhat ($3.00-$4.00)

Personally, I do not want to spend a lot of money on a sunhat because I only wear it when I go to the Caribbean.

Before I go, I grab a cheap one from the Dollar Store, and then I leave it at the resort as I do not want to pack it in my luggage on the way back.

23. Book/Magazine

The Dollar Store has a limited selection of cheap books and some magazines that you can pick up.

Most of the books are basic but depending on which store is near you, you can find some hidden gems.

Also, you can go for a Sudoku book or Crossword if you prefer to challenge your mind.

🦄 If you want to get more ideas on what to pack for a beach trip, check out this blog post: How to pack for your first beach vacation

Travel Essentials To Buy At The Dollar Store, If You Are Going On A Road Trip

The next time you plan a road trip, make sure you stop by the Dollar Store and grab a few road trip travel essentials.

24. Umbrellas/Ponchos (1.50 and up)

Bringing an umbrella and a poncho is super important if you are going to an area that you know is known for rain.

They have a bunch of different color ponchos as well as ones for kids (smaller size).

The umbrellas are not the most sturdy ones but for the price, they are not too bad.

Additionally, it won’t hurt to grab an extra one to throw in the trunk of your car just in case.

25. Plastic/Glass Containers ($1.50-$4.00)

Those are perfect for storing snacks and any type of food you want to bring on your road trip.

They come in all shapes and sizes and some even have dividers in them.

If you can, go for the glass ones as they are of higher quality.

However, the plastic ones are lighter so it depends on what you prefer.

26. Ziploc Bags ($3.00-$4.00)

If you do not want to deal with bulky containers, then go for some Ziploc bags to store your snacks.

They have a wide range of shapes and sizes, including large ones.

Those can double as bags to store toiletries or anything that can spill or that is wet.

27. Reusable Water Bottle/Tumbler/Coffee Travel Mug ($2.00-$4.00)

You cannot go on a road trip without having a nice coffee/tea tumbler with you.

The Dollar Store has tons of water bottles, tumblers, coffee travel mugs, cuppies with straws, etc.

When you try to decide which one to get, look for one that is easy to clean and the lid seems to fit tightly as you don’t want it to spill.

Travel Essentials To Buy At The Dollar Store, If You Are Traveling With Kids

If you are going to travel with your children, stopping for travel essentials at the Dollar Store is a must.

28. Children’s Toys (1.50-$5.00)

There are tons of children’s toys available – a whole aisle is dedicated to them.

They have stuffed toys, barbies/dolls, Play-Doh, swards/guns, balls, figurines, glow sticks, soap bubbles makers, cars/trucks of all shapes and sizes, etc.

Also, they have different simple board games and cards such as dominos, Uno, regular cards, etc.

Having a variety of toys for your child will make traveling a lot smoother for both of you.

29. Beach Toys ($2.00-$4.00) and Floaties ($1.50-$4.00)

You will find those usually in the summer months (unless it is warm weather where you live year-round).

I have used some of the floaties from the Dollar Store in the past and they are not too bad.

I usually get them for the Carrebian vacations, and on the way back I leave them by the pool.

Some of them look bigger in the pictures than they are in real life so check the sizing before buying.

There are also those foam-looking noodles as well as different sizes sets of sand buckets, shovels, and shapes.

Also, they have cheap goggles, flippers, and other snorkeling equipment if your kid wants to try out snorkeling.

30. Books, Coloring Books, Puzzles, Notebooks ($1.25-$4.00)

The Dollar Store has a wide range of books for children such as coloring books, trivia, puzzles, Sudoku/crosswords (for older ones), word search, spot the difference, activities, sticker books, regular story books, etc.

Other options are to grab a journal, notebook, or sketchbook where they can write or draw.

Having those on hand will make any road trip or plane ride way more manageable as the kids will have some activities to entertain them which will help them pass the time easier.

31. Markets, Colored Pens/Pencils, Crayons ($1.50-$4.00)

If you get them a coloring book, journal, notebook, or sketchbook then you will need to get some colored markers, pens/pencils, or crayons.

Some of them even have glitter in them. Like how cool is that?

If your child is artsy, you can find tons of arts and crafts stuff in the Dollar Store as well.

They have small canvases that you can pack in your carry-on. Also, there are brushes and a whole bunch of paints available.

Those might be more appropriate for an older kid as those can get quite messy.

Travel Essentials NOT To Buy At The Dollar Store

There are tons of useful travel essentials to buy at the Dollar Store, however, there are a few products that you should steer clear of.

Neck Pillow/Travel Pillow ($6.00)

Personally, I do not like the pillows they offer at the dollar store.

I have tried a few different ones and I don’t think they support my neck well enough.

The filling inside of them moves too much and does not provide good support.

Also, I’m not a huge fan of the materials they use for the cover (outside layer). And since I sleep a lot on planes, I decided to invest in a good neck pillow.

I bought one from a store (spa/massage one) at a random airport and it is good quality and provides excellent support.

So I got rid of my Dollarama travel pillow and I don’t go anywhere without my new one.

Food/Snacks/Drinks

Overall, I do not suggest buying any food or drinks from the Dollar Store as I am not sure about their quality.

One time I bought a bag of chips and it had expired a year ago (yikes!).

If you do decide to buy anything, I suggest buying a brand that you recognize and making sure you check the expiry date. 

Sunscreen ($3.50)

I don’t trust sunscreen from the Dollar Store.

It seems like most sunscreens are filled with a lot of chemicals.

So I prefer to go for an organic brand or one that has a good reputation (hopefully with fewer chemicals).

I do burn pretty quickly so it is not worth it for me to spend less money on a sunscreen that might not protect my skin.

We have bought sunscreen from the Dollar Store once and it did not smell good and overall was not a good product.

I recommend investing in a high-quality sunscreen that is going to protect you properly and hopefully has good ingredients.

Meds/Pills/Vitamins ($2.50-$4.00)

The same thing with the meds, I would not risk it and would buy any kind of medication from the pharmacy.

I am not a hundred percent sure about this but I have heard from people that sometimes products in the Dollar Store might be missing ingredients or have an inaccurate proportion of ingredients in them.

So I would not purchase any kind of medication because I don’t want to have some sort of reaction or have a health issue while I am overseas. 

Earplugs

If you want to sleep on the plane or are staying in noisy accommodations, having earplugs can ensure peaceful rest.

The Dollar Store earplugs are made of cheaper material and don’t seem to fit the ear well enough.

The material seems like you can squish it and put it in your ear once and then it doesn’t go back to its original shape.

If you will need them more than once, then invest in a better pair.

Electronics/Batteries/Earphones/Cables ($1.25-$4.00)

It depends on what kind of item you’re buying.

I have bought quite a few earphones from the Dollar Store and they did not last too long.

So if you’re abroad and you’re earphones randomly stop working you have to go and look for new ones in a different country and waste your time or simply not have any.

I have bought batteries and sometimes it feels like they don’t have as much power as they should.

So for this one you need to decide for yourself, do you actually need the item, how important is it for you, do you trust the product based on the way it looks.

If it is something you cannot live without, I would say invest more money and get a higher-quality product.

If it is an item that you will use once or twice on your trip and you don’t care about it then go ahead and get one from the Dollar Store.

It depends on your situation but remember, there could be some hit or miss with the electronics department.

🦄 If you want to get more ideas on how to save money for travel, check out this blog post: How to save money for travel

Conclusion: 30+ Travel Essentials To Buy At The Dollar Store

Well, there you have it, my list of 30+ travel essentials to buy at the Dollar Store.

Those are items that can save you some money and provide reasonable quality.

I have also mentioned 6 products that I personally choose to buy elsewhere.

I hope this blog post was useful and can give you some ideas of what items you can grab at the Dollar Store.