One of the questions we’re most often asked via social media and email is for packing tips and carry-on travel essentials. While our advice might change depending on the destination, there are a few items we never leave home without. This packing list includes items we recommend always having in your bag — especially your carry-on if you’re flying! (Some of the links below are affiliates)
22 Travel Essentials To Pack In Your Carry-On
Electronics To Bring On Your Trip
1 – Portable Cell Phone Charger — Taking pictures, getting directions via Maps, translating languages and currency, updating your Facebook page … your smart phone is like the swiss army knife of travel tools! Don’t get stuck with a dead battery, pack a portable cell phone charger and extra charging cord to make sure you can always stay connected. Our favorite brand is Mophie as it seems to last the whole day and gives us several extra charges for all our devices. Buy It: Amazon.com
2 – Earbuds — This is one item most travelers forget at home, which is why airlines are now charging for them! But the earbuds given out (or sold) on flights are not high quality. Pack your own so that you can listen to music, your favorite podcast or book, even watch a movie during travel days. Also, I know big headphones are also really popular right now, but they’re also really bulky. Save room in your luggage and bring earbuds instead. Buy It: Amazon.com
3 – Cell Phone Handle — I remember when I first saw PopSockets at a blogger retreat a few years ago and I thought they were genius! They collapse flat, but easily pop out so you can have a better grip on your phone when taking pictures. It also makes a handy kick stand for when you want to watch a movie on the plane or tour bus. Plus, I also use the kick stand to see my phone as an alarm clock. Buy It: Amazon.com
4 – Mirrorless Camera — I’ve written a whole review about picking the right mirrorless camera, and if you’re a photography enthusiast, you’ll want to check it out. The quality of mirrorless cameras (and their corresponding selection of lenses) has gotten to a point where you can leave your bulky DSLR at home and still get fantastic photos. Mirrorless cameras are lightweight, compact, and perfect for travel.
Packing Hacks To Help You Bring More In Less Space
5 – Silicone Travel Bottles — Save packing space and be TSA compliment for air travel by using travel sized 3 ounce bottles for your toiletries. Typically for a seven to ten day vacation, 3 ounces is all you need! If you’re flying I always prefer flexible silicone bottles as they expand and contract with changing air pressure on planes, thus they’re less likely to leak. Pro Tip: Don’t fill them to the top. Leave a little extra room for expansion due to air pressure when flying. Buy It: Amazon.com
6 – Collapsable Water Bottle — Speaking of bottles, pack your own to stay hydrated and save some money. Most water sold at airports will cost you around $6 a pop. Bring your own and refill whenever you see a water fountain available. For travel, I really like the collapsable bottles by Hydrapack and Nomader, especially since they stand up on their own when full. Swell also makes a great travel water bottle.
Travel Essentials For Staying Organized
Packing Essentials For Personal Comfort
13 – Hand Fan — Seriously one of my must-have travel essentials, especially in summer. This is a tip I picked up from living in Florida, and it is in my bag at all times. A hand fan is the one thing that when I pull it out of my bag everyone thinks it’s genius. If you’re traveling to a warm climate, or a festival, or a place where you might be standing in a queue, then you’ll want to bring a hand fan. Sure, there are all kinds of electronic ones now, but nothing beats the simplicity and portability of a folding fan. They’re also a fun item to collect as a souvenir during your travels.
Buy It: Amazon.com
14 – Hat — If there is one thing that souvenir shops make the most money on due to convenience and opportunity, it’s a hat. Everyone needs a little shade from the sun. I really love roll-up visors since they’re easy to pack, but your favorite baseball cap will also pack easily. A great hat for men that packs flat is the classic newsboy style hat.
15 – Mini Umbrella — This is another convenience purchase that souvenir shops charge too much for. If there is any rain expected during your travels, you’ll be glad you stashed a mini umbrella in your luggage. But it’s also great for a sun shade too! I carried an umbrella with me all around the walls of Dubrovnik for some respite from the summer sun. Buy It: Amazon.com
16 – Medicine Kit — This is one travel essential recommend creating on your own and customizing it to fit your own needs. If you want a few ideas, I wrote about what I include in my own medicine kit in 6 tips for staying healthy while traveling. Purchase a small cosmetics bag (a quart sized ziplock bag works too) and fill it with things like bandages, ibuprofen, allergy medicine, and Immodium. I also add some vitamin B for some extra pep and energy on jet lag days. Prepping your own travel first aid kit will come in handy whenever you have aches, pains, blisters, headaches, or tummy trouble when away from home.
In-Flight Must Haves
17 – Snack Pack — Let’s face it, airport food is expensive and in-flight snacks amount to peanuts. We like to make a TSA-friendly snack pack filled with nutritious foods and a few of our favorite indulgences too. Some of our favorite travel snacks include apples, almond butter, rice crackers, and gourmet chocolates. Look for items that are non-perishable, and if it can be consider a liquid or gel (like almond butter), make sure it’s under 3 ounces. Create your own based on your favorite snacks, and look for some inspiration in our post: 8 Healthy Snacks You Can Bring On A Plane.
18 – E-Reader — In-flight entertainment has gotten pretty good, but I love to use travel time to catch up on reading too. The type of e-reader I bring depends on my mood. If I’m really into a novel, or plan to do reading outdoors (like on a beach) I’ll bring my Kindle Paperwhite. But if I have long layovers or just want a variety of in-flight entertainment, I’ll bring my iPad loaded with magazines and the latest Netflix series to binge. We have a whole post about the pros and cons of each in our article Best Tablet Readers For Travel.
19- Wet Ones — From wiping down your plane tray table, to cleaning off your hands on-the-go during a street food tour, having these travel essentials are handy for all types of travel. I know my seatmates on a plane might think I’m a germaphobe, but I fly happier knowing I’ve used an antibacterial wipe to clean off my plane space. Buy It: Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes
20 – Water Spray — Living in Florida, I’m used to 100% humidity. So, my sinuses sometimes get irritated when we travel, especially in-flight with the recycled dry cabin air. I always carry a travel-friendly sized water spray. During a long flight, I feel like the little bit of mist is not only refreshing, but it helps me breathe easier too. Sometimes I even like to use a rose water spray for a lovely scent. Buy It: Mineral Water Facial Spray
21 – Sheet Mask — If there were ever a way to relax, discourage your seatmates from talking to you, and make sure your skin looks refreshed after a long flight, it is by using a facial sheet mask. Bold move, I know. If you’re not ready to dive right in to using a full sheet mask in public, maybe start with just the eye masks. Between the sheet mask, a cup of green tea, some jazz music, the rose water spray I mentioned above, and my kindle — I can make any plane seat feel like a spa day.
22 – Compression Socks — I was introduced to the benefits of compressions socks with my hobby of running half marathons, but they’re also perfect for long haul flights. This is definitely one of my must-have travel essentials. If your legs ever feel twitchy from sitting too long, you’ll want to stash a pair of these in your bag to slip on during a flight.
Want to save this list of travel essentials? Pin it to your travel board! 🙂
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This is fabulous — thank you! I do have an absolutely desperate suggestion, however, to PLEASE leave the rosewater at home! The scent of rose in any form gives me an instant migraine, and ruins my day completely. Being in an enclosed space with unwanted scent is absolute torture, and makes me sick.
I was thinking maybe a drop of lemon in the water spray…. refreshing and less likely to overwhelm fellow passengers.
Hi Lynn!
Lemon would smell so clean and refreshing. It might sting your skin a little, though. The rosewater isn’t very strong, not at all like a perfume. It’s meant for your skin. There’s also a lavender version too. Or you could just do plain distilled water too. Any way I can get a little extra hydration on a plane — I’ll take it! 😉
I say no scents at all for both passengers and stafff
I agree with you 100 0/0! No sent at all would be better. Considering that what may smell soft, clean and refreshing might still smell uncomfortable for someone else. Specially being in a closed cabin in a plane.
No smell at all where there are other people may be the best since we don’t know if someone may suffer from allergies from a certain smell. It’s just being considerate.
Love this comprehensive list! So much I wouldn’t have even thought of but which would make certain travel scenarios so much easier.
Hi Rachelle!
That’s a really well-made list! You should consider adding a socket adapter as well #23. I hate those times when I arrive at a new country just to find out that I can’t charge my electronics.
Other than that, I like that you’ve included the e-reader. I never go without it and on longer flights it’s a must!
Great post! Very comprehensive and helpful. I always, always, always travel with sheet masks. Travel is so hard on the skin that you need to take care of it while you’re away- especially if you’re flying. Sheet masks are prefect because they are compact and take up next to no space in your luggage. Plus they allow you to have more room for souvenirs on the way home because they won’t be taking up any room at all!
Also good to have a fun app on your phone for entertainment on the plane and while waiting in lines. Divino – Classic Education fits that need and works even without WiFi or cellular.
Hi Rachelle, Wonderful post, easy to navigate and packed with useful information. Love the fan idea. Would you kindly clarify the messenger bag suggestions. I watched the video on Amazon for the product and it looks rather large. Is there a certain size and color you order and would you any other suggestions for practical functional bags to take on day excursions if packing a camera. Thank you so much for your website.
Hi Elizabeth!
I’d recommend the x-small for a more purse-sized messenger. That’s the size I have and it’s still large enough to fit my mirrorless camera and other essentials I need during the day. If you’re on Amazon, scroll down past the “frequently bought together” stuff that Amazon adds and take a look at the info from the manufacturer. There’s a picture of a girl wearing a x-small and small bag so you can get a better idea of the size. Hope that helps! It’s one of my favorite bags.
Hi Rachelle, Thank you so much for your quick response! Do you have any suggestions for a practical backpack or a favorite toiletry bag? Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
Hello again, Elizabeth! For backpacks, I really like Fjallraven and Osprey. Osprey is great for packing a lot in (as a second carry-on) and the Fjallravens are good for daypacks because they can lay flat in your suitcase for the flight, then you can take them out and use them once at your destination. For toiletries, I have to confess, I end up using just plain ziplock bags … LOL! At least when I’m flying since that’s how you need to get them through airport security. Look for the quart sized bags that have an expandable bottom. I have a picture of them here in my Packing Tips post. Also, I order cloth zippered pouches from Etsy. I like these because they’re cute and washable. Unfortunately it looks like the crafter I used to order from (Barnacle Designs) closed her Etsy shop.
Hi Rachelle!
Love your snack ideas w/ exception of fresh fruit- which can cause trouble in certain countries.
Kindly- Linda
Hi Linda!
Actually, there is no problem with bringing fresh fruit or veggies (such as baby carrots) on an international flight as long as you eat it before reaching the destination. I’ve done this many times and have never had an issue.
Hie Rachelle,
Found your article right it time. I am about to take a flight in few days. Loved this comprehensive list, quite helpful. Thanks!
There were some really good tips except for taking fresh fruit (in you case an apple) on the plane. If you are unable to eat it while in flight it will have to be disposed of prior to leaving the plane which is a hassle for the flight attendants. Cheers!
Thank you Rachel. This is the best travel essential list ever. I ordered a pop-up mobile handles today. And I am going to look into buying the other suggestions you made. They are brilliant
Judith
These compression socks seem to be recommended a lot now. I had never really seen them until a few years ago. What do they actually do? I would have thought you would want to encourage circulation rather than use tight socks to restrict circulation?
Hi Graeme,
Compression socks don’t restrict circulation. My ankles tend to swell when I’m on a long flight sitting down for hours, so the compression socks help me with that. They’re great for a lot of things (though, I’m no medical expert) so take a peek on WebMD or talk to your doctor about how they might be beneficial for you.
I wasnt being in any way critical. I just didnt know what they were/are.
Graeme,
Thats okay! I didn’t take it as a criticism. 🙂
Compression socks are a game changer! As a nurse I wear them to work every day and I think it’s a great idea for flights, long car trips, or days involving a ton of walking.
Great tips! As an asthma sufferer I would like to suggest leaving things with fragrance in checked baggage. Sitting in an enclosed space with a bunch of fragrances sounds miserable!
Oh, the fragrance is definitely for “after” the flight for sure.
These are great tips! But for your fellow travelers’ sake, please don’t suggest people spary rose water in a plane. It may not seem strong to you, but those who suffer from migraines and asthma will disagree. Scents that dissipate in open air environments don’t do that on a flight. I’ve been on a flight where someone’s scent made me miserable. And spraying something scented might actually ruin another person’s vacation. For some, a migraine can last for days. Please save the rose water for when you land.
The hand fan is also handy to set your mascara or liner quicker. I use one all the time!
Oooh! I didn’t know that. Thank you for the make-up tip!
I agree extra Zip-Loc bags are great to carry. They always seem to come in handy, but beware that single-use plastic bags are banned in many, if not most, African countries. The bags are bad for the animals. I now carry reusable bags, better for the animals and the environment and convenient for the traveler.
Great list, my add on is to download some movies on your phone or tablet.
Great tip! Especially since some planes don’t have entertainment.
Correction to your “5 – Silicone Travel Bottles — Pro Tip: Don’t fill them to the top. Leave a little extra room for expansion due to air pressure when flying.”
You DO want to fill them to the top, as much as possible. It is the remaining air inside the bottles that expand & contract with pressure changes. Zero air inside = zero expansion & contraction. That’s what I do!
Great tip, Richard! Thank you!