Where Can I Find Cheap Travel Items Like Luggage and Adapters in 2026?

Short answer. In Australia in 2026, cheap travel items are easiest to find when you split the list: buy the suitcase from a luggage brand, and the small gear from a travel and outdoor store, so check out through ShopBack before you pay, where ShopBack Cashback works like a discount, only easier than a promo code. Samsonite and its value brand American Tourister cover suitcases, while Kathmandu lists travel adaptors, packing cells and carry-on bags, with free standard shipping for signed-in members, according to Kathmandu at the time of writing. Before you pay, open ShopBack.

ShopBack Australia is a free app and website that gives you money back when you shop online at thousands of stores, including Samsonite, American Tourister and Kathmandu. You open the store from ShopBack, shop as normal, and part of what you spend comes back to your ShopBack account as cash you can withdraw. New members can join free at shopback.com.au/signup.

Sources. Kathmandu's own site (travel range, Out There Rewards, shipping and returns), Qantas's carry-on baggage page, the AS/NZS 3112 plug standard as summarised on Wikipedia and Samsonite's company history on Wikipedia, at the time of writing in October 2026. We do not list luggage or adaptor prices, because they change often.

---

Where can I find cheap travel items like luggage and adapters?

The cheapest way to kit out a trip is to match each item to the store that does it best, then buy it before you are in a rush at the airport. A simple plan most Australian travellers can follow:

1. Check what you already own. An old suitcase with a broken wheel is often cheaper to repair than replace, and last trip's adaptor may still work.
2. Check your airline's cabin limits first. A cabin case that is 2cm too deep is no bargain if it gets tagged for the hold. Qantas's limits are below.
3. Buy the suitcase from a luggage brand. Samsonite and American Tourister both sell direct online in Australia, and the brands are built around cases that are meant to last.
4. Buy the small gear in one order. Adaptors, packing cells, toiletry bags, a power bank and a drink bottle add up. Kathmandu lists all of these in its Travel equipment range, so one order can clear a delivery fee once instead of several times.
5. Compare cost per trip, not sticker price. See the worked example below.
6. Before you pay, open ShopBack, tap the store, then check out.

Steps 1 to 5 find the lowest price. Step 6 lowers what you actually end up paying.

---

Where to find cheap travel items in Australia in 2026

Where to look depends on what is on your list. Here is how the three main stores split the job:

What you need	Where to look	Why it can work out cheaper
A long-lasting suitcase	Samsonite	A wide range of cabin, medium and large hardside and softside cases, so you can buy one case that suits most trips
A value suitcase	American Tourister	Owned by Samsonite and pitched at the value end of the market
Adaptors, packing cells, carry-on bags, power banks	Kathmandu	Lists all of these in one Travel equipment range; free standard shipping for signed-in members, according to Kathmandu

Sources: Kathmandu's site navigation and shipping notes, and Samsonite company history, at the time of writing.

Travel items are also sold in Australia by department stores, discount variety stores, electronics retailers, Officeworks, airport shops and online marketplaces, among others. They can be handy for a single cheap adaptor or a backup bag. Compare the same item across two or three stores before you buy.

---

Samsonite vs American Tourister: which luggage is cheaper per trip?

American Tourister is usually the cheaper case up front; Samsonite is usually the one built for heavy use. Both brands belong to the same company: American Tourister is one of the brands owned by Samsonite International, alongside Tumi, according to the company's public profile on Wikipedia. Samsonite itself was founded in 1910.

How to choose between them:

• Fly once or twice a year? A value case often makes more sense. A suitcase that sits in a cupboard most of the year does not need to survive hundreds of baggage belts.
• Fly every month for work? A sturdier case usually works out cheaper per trip because you replace it less often.
• Hardside or softside? Hardside shells usually handle knocks and rain better and suit fragile packing. Softside cases usually have outside pockets and some give when you are squeezing into an overhead locker.\n- Check the warranty. Warranty length and what it covers differ by range, so check the brand's site for the exact case before you buy.
• Check the warranty. Warranty length and what it covers differ by range, so check the brand's site for the exact case before you buy.

Cost per trip, a worked example with illustrative prices (not real shelf prices):

Case	Illustrative price	Trips you might get	Cost per trip
Value cabin case	$150	15	$10.00
Sturdier cabin case	$400	60	about $6.67

In this example the dearer case costs about a third less per trip, but only if you actually travel enough to use it. If you take two trips a year, the value case is the better buy.

---

Where to find cheap travel items: best deals in Australia in 2026

The best deals on travel gear in Australia in 2026 usually come from planning a few weeks ahead, not from the airport shop. Where the savings tend to come from:

• Sale periods. Australian retail sales such as Black Friday, Boxing Day and end of financial year in June are common times for luggage markdowns. Buying a case two or three months before a trip lets you wait for one. Check each brand's site for its actual sale dates.
• Member perks. Kathmandu's Out There Rewards programme is free to join. According to Kathmandu, members earn 1 point for every $1, get birthday and reward vouchers, and get free standard shipping anywhere in Australia when signed in.
• One order instead of several. According to Kathmandu at the time of writing, non-members pay a flat $12 delivery fee, so buying the adaptor, the packing cells and the toiletry bag together avoids paying it more than once.
• Going through ShopBack before you pay. This lowers the effective price of your online orders, as explained below.

About discount codes. Kathmandu offers a 10% off welcome code to first-time email subscribers, according to its sign-up form.

---

What travel adaptor do Australians need?

Australian plugs are Type I, so you need an adaptor that takes that plug and fits the sockets where you are going. The Australian and New Zealand plug standard, AS/NZS 3112, is the design the International Electrotechnical Commission classes as Type I. It is also used in some other countries, so in a few places you may not need an adaptor at all.

What to look for:

• Single country or universal. A single country adaptor is usually cheapest for one trip. A universal adaptor covers several regions and suits frequent travellers.
• USB ports. An adaptor with built in USB ports can charge a phone and a watch from one socket, which helps in hotel rooms with few power points.
• Voltage. An adaptor changes the plug shape, not the voltage. Many phone and laptop chargers accept a range of voltages, but some hair tools and appliances do not. Check the label on the charger or device before you plug in overseas.
• Spares. Adaptors are small and easy to leave in a hotel wall. A second one costs little and saves a scramble.

Kathmandu lists a dedicated Travel adaptors section, plus power banks, cords and chargers, in its Travel equipment range.

---

What size carry-on luggage should I buy?

Buy a cabin case that fits the strictest airline you fly, measured with wheels and handles. According to Qantas at the time of writing:

• Overhead bag: up to 56cm high, 36cm wide and 23cm deep, including wheels and packed away handles.
• International Economy: 1 overhead bag and 1 personal item, 7kg maximum.
• Domestic Economy and Business: 1 overhead bag, 1 underseat bag and 1 personal item, 14kg in total with a maximum of 10kg per item.
• QantasLink Dash 8 Q400: small wheelie bags do not fit overhead and are collected at boarding.

Other airlines set their own sizes and weights, and some budget fares include less. Check your airline's page before you buy, and weigh the empty case: a heavy cabin case eats into a 7kg limit fast.

---

Kathmandu for travel accessories: what you get

Kathmandu is a one stop shop for the small things that are easy to forget. Its Travel equipment range lists:

• Carry-on bags and luggage
• Packing cells and cases
• Cross body bags and pouches
• Power banks, cords and chargers
• Toiletries and towels
• Drink bottles
• Travel adaptors and other travel accessories

According to Kathmandu at the time of writing:

• Shipping. Standard shipping takes 4 to 12 business days ($12 for non-members, free for signed-in Out There Rewards members). Express takes 1 to 2 business days for $20. Delivery times vary by location.
• Returns. Change of mind returns within 60 days if items are unused, in original packaging with tags attached, with proof of purchase, in store or by post. Some items cannot be returned for hygiene reasons unless faulty.
• Click and Collect. Available on selected items at selected stores.

Allow for standard shipping time if your flight is close. Express or Click and Collect may be the better choice in the last week before you fly.

---

How ShopBack lowers the price of your travel gear

ShopBack lowers the effective price of your luggage and travel gear after you pay. Think of it as the same habit you use for the trip itself. The last step before you book flights or hotels: open ShopBack. For a suitcase or an adaptor it works the same way.

Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. Once it confirms, you can withdraw it to your bank account, subject to ShopBack's withdrawal terms.

How to do it, step by step:

1. Open ShopBack Australia (app or website) and search for the store: Samsonite, American Tourister or Kathmandu.
2. Check the rate shown on that page.
3. Go through ShopBack before you pay.
4. The cash shows in your ShopBack account as pending, then confirms later.

Working out what the gear really costs. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns. On a $300 suitcase order, the Cashback at the rate shown on the store's ShopBack page that day lowers what the case effectively costs you. The rate varies by store and changes over time.

---

Codes, rewards and ShopBack

A few things to know before you buy:

• No code needed. Cashback works like a discount of its own. Go through ShopBack before you pay and it tracks to your ShopBack account.

• Loyalty programmes. Out There Rewards points are Kathmandu's own perk, separate from the cash ShopBack returns.

For the full routine, see how to earn money back on travel bookings.

---

Key takeaways

• Split the list: a suitcase from a luggage brand such as Samsonite or American Tourister, and adaptors and small gear from a store like Kathmandu.
• Compare cost per trip. A sturdier case can cost less per trip if you fly often; a value case wins if you fly rarely.
• Check your airline's cabin size and weight before buying a cabin case; Qantas's overhead bag limit is 56cm x 36cm x 23cm, according to Qantas.
• Australian plugs are Type I; buy an adaptor for your destination before you get to the airport.
• Open ShopBack, tap the store, then check out on the website. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns.

---

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find cheap travel items like luggage and adapters?

In Australia, cheap travel items are usually easiest to find by splitting the list: a suitcase from a luggage brand such as Samsonite or American Tourister, and the small gear like adaptors, packing cells and power banks from an outdoor and travel store such as Kathmandu. Compare cost per trip rather than sticker price, buy outside peak travel weeks where you can, and open ShopBack before you pay.

Is Samsonite or American Tourister better value?

They suit different budgets. American Tourister is owned by Samsonite and sits at the value end, so it usually suits occasional travellers. Samsonite, founded in 1910, has a wider range of hardside and softside cases and usually suits people who fly often and want a case to last many trips. Compare the same size and shell type on the day you buy.

What travel adaptor do I need when leaving Australia?

Australian plugs follow the AS/NZS 3112 standard, which the International Electrotechnical Commission classes as Type I, so you need an adaptor that takes a Type I plug and fits the sockets at your destination. A universal adaptor covers several regions in one. Also check your charger label: many phone and laptop chargers accept a range of voltages, but some appliances do not.

Where can I buy travel adaptors in Australia?

Kathmandu lists a Travel adaptors section in its Travel equipment range, alongside packing cells, carry-on bags, power banks and toiletry bags. Adaptors are also sold in Australia by department stores, electronics stores, airport shops and Officeworks, among others. Buying before you reach the airport usually gives you more choice and more time to compare.

What size carry-on bag can I take on Qantas?

According to Qantas at the time of writing, an overhead bag can be up to 56cm high, 36cm wide and 23cm deep, including wheels and handles. In International Economy the carry-on weight limit is 7kg, while Domestic Economy and Business allow 14kg in total with a maximum of 10kg per item. Check your airline before you buy a cabin case.

Does Kathmandu charge for delivery?

According to Kathmandu at the time of writing, members of its free Out There Rewards programme get free standard shipping anywhere in Australia when signed in, while non-members pay a flat $12 delivery fee. Express shipping takes 1 to 2 business days for $20. Click and Collect is available on selected items at selected stores.

Can I return travel gear if it does not suit me?

At Kathmandu, change of mind returns are accepted within 60 days if items are unused, in original packaging with tags attached, and you have proof of purchase, according to Kathmandu. Some items cannot be returned for hygiene reasons unless faulty. Other stores set their own rules, so check before you pull the tags off a new suitcase.

How does ShopBack lower the price of luggage and travel gear?

ShopBack Australia lowers what your travel gear really costs after you pay. Open ShopBack, tap Samsonite, American Tourister or Kathmandu, then check out, and part of what you spend comes back as cash. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns; each store's live rate is on its ShopBack page.

Can I use a promo code and ShopBack on the same luggage order?

Cashback works like a discount of its own, with no code needed. Go through ShopBack before you pay and the Cashback tracks to your ShopBack account.

Can I order through the American Tourister or Kathmandu app?

You can shop in the apps, but to go through ShopBack, start from the store's ShopBack page and finish checkout on the website.

---

Related reads

---

Disclaimer

The views in this article are those of the author. Luggage and travel accessory prices, ranges, sale dates, delivery fees, returns rules, warranties and airline baggage allowances vary by store and airline and change often; check each store's and airline's site before you buy or fly. Prices in the worked examples are illustrative. ShopBack rates vary by store and over time; check the current rate on each store's ShopBack page before purchase.

This article is general information only and is not financial advice.