12 Carry-on Travel Essentials Tips You Should Know

Aug 8, 2019

Almost everyone who travels for work or leisure usually has a packing checklist for what they need to take with them on the trip. Travel clothes, nightwear, toiletries, electronics, first-aid kits are some of the essentials that we pack into our luggage.

Whether you’re packing your main baggage or carry-on luggage, it’s extremely important to put the right things into your bag. What is also equally important is to select the right kind of baggage that you want to take with you.

Below we’ve put together a travel essentials list that you should consider when traveling. Whether it is carry-on essentials, flight essentials or travel essentials our comprehensive list will help make your travel a lot easier and less stressful.

Packing your main baggage

If you are going on international travel and not going to be confined to one place, then the best thing to do is to travel light. Pack smart clothing options for your trip instead of trying to fit your entire wardrobe into your bags.

Having to constantly pack and unpack on a trip can be quite tiresome, especially if you’ve stuffed your bags to the brim!

One of the best things to have in your luggage is packing organizers. With these organizers, you can compress and arrange your clothing in such a manner that it will be possible for you to take even more items if necessary. Packing cubes will also help you in organizing your clothes better as you can arrange your outfits into organizers accordingly.

We have made a checklist of travel essential. This packing list will help in reducing the stress of unpacking as you will know exactly where to find what you need.

Your clothing checklist:

Long-sleeved shirts
T-shirts and tank tops
A pair or two of jeans, trousers, and shorts (pieces of denim are a little heavy but you can reuse them a couple of times, especially dark colors)
Belt
Lightweight clothing (this depends on the country you’re visiting and time of year)
One sweater (always a great option if the weather suddenly changes)
A fleece jacket or a coat (only if you’re visiting a cold country)
Socks and undergarments
Nightwear
An umbrella or a rain jacket
Hat, cap or sun visor
Scarf or bandana
A formal dress or two for a night out and casual dresses or skirts
Comfortable shoes/sandals for walking and a formal pair if you decide to go out
Swimsuit or swim trunks (carry a separate organizer for your damp clothes if you’re going to be constantly on the move.)

Toiletry Items

Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss
A comb or a hairbrush
Deodorant
Shampoo and conditioner (If you’re not too fussy on a vacation most hotels give you these basics, but don’t take it for granted, check first).
Soap or shower gel
Sunscreen and moisturizer
Makeup with makeup remover wipes
Lip balm
Tampons or sanitary napkins
Hairstyling appliances (Many hotels have hairdryers)
Nail file, clippers, tweezers
Insect repellent

Carry-on essentials

Your carry-on bag may seem like a secondary option, but it is a great idea to take along to carry your travel essentials in flight. Remember airlines have restrictions on the size and weight of the carry-on bag so don’t go stuffing it with a backup of everything.

A tote bag or a backpack are good as carry-on bags as these are easy to access. You can even put this bag under the seat in front instead of in the cabin bin. Put a few essential toiletries and a light outfit or two into this bag as a backup in the unfortunate event of your main baggage going missing.

There are other travel sized products that you should carry in this bag are listed below.

1. Your technology

Your mobile device, laptop, Kindle or iPad along with their chargers. Most domestic airlines don’t have in-flight entertainment so you’ll need something to pass your time.

Take a portable charger with you too in case the airline doesn’t have a charging port for your device. International flights usually have these but not always. Make sure to also carry a travel adapter as charging points differ in various countries.

Noise-canceling headphones are also a great travel essential as they help you block out the noise of co-passengers on any form of public transport. Earplugs will also help when you’re sleeping.

2. Travel diary and pens

If you’re someone who likes writing down their travels it can be pretty annoying if you forget a simple thing like a pen.

It’s very suitable for people who love to travel around the world.

People who would want to write down their experience and each and every little thing about that journey in a notebook.

3. Books

A good novel will help you pass a lot of time at the airport and also on your flight.

A guidebook with maps is also a good thing to have.

Yes, it’s easier to Google things these days but you can never be too reliant on technology.

It’s always a good idea to have a backup in place.

4. Toiletry Bag

You probably won’t want to carry all your toiletry in your carry-on luggage especially because of the restrictions in the quantities that you can carry.

So putting your toiletry case into your checked in luggage is a good option.

You can carry your basic essentials in your carry-on baggage.

5. Travel pillow

A travel pillow is a good thing to have for a comfortable sleep on a long haul flight. Pack an eye mask too to block out the light.

To aid circulation to your legs on a long haul flight it’s a good idea to change into a pair of compression tights or socks. Also, add a wrap or a scarf to your bag as it will help keep out the draught.

Source: www.amazon.com

6. Water bottle

Carry a water bottle which you can fill up after you pass security. You are not allowed to carry liquids through security so don’t fill your bottle until you’re through.

If you’re on an international trip remember that you can only carry liquids in containers that are 100 milliliters or less. These containers should fit into a clear zip-lock plastic bag. To know more, read this article about what can you bring on an airplane?

Your skin also needs to stay hydrated so don’t forget to pack your moisturizer and lip balm into your carry-on bag. Sunscreen is also another in-flight essential especially if you have a window seat.

7. Emergency Snack

With any form of travel, it’s always great to have a snack with you in your bag.

You never know when the hunger pangs might kick in.

Energy bars are the best thing to carry as they not only taste good but are also a healthy option.

Some dry fruit like dates and nuts will also make a good snack.

8. Travel Wallet

When you travel abroad, you’ll probably be carrying much more in your wallet than you normally do.

A travel wallet is good for carrying your credit cards, multiple currencies, travel documents, and hotel key cards.

Source: www.amazon.com

9. Passport

If you’re traveling abroad you will definitely need your original passport and visa. Make sure your passport is not close to the expiry date. Transportation tickets, frequent flyer cards, health insurance cards, reservations, and itineraries should always be with you.

Always carry a colored photocopy of your passport, travel information like emergency contacts and important addresses, a passport photograph and some kind of Personal ID.

Keep these copies in a pocket of your bag instead of your wallet. You never know when these will come in handy.

You can consider wearing a money belt or having a neck wallet as these will be safer from pickpockets.

10. First Aid Kits

If you’re on medication of any kind don’t forget to pack it into your carry-on bag. Also, take a backup of essential first aid medicines that you may have trouble finding in a foreign country.

Pills for motion sickness, mild fever, allergies, stomach problems, general pain, band-aids, and eye drops should make up your kit.

Add disinfectant wipes or a hand sanitizer to your bag.

Use the wipes to clean your seat, tray table and anything else that you are likely to touch. You don’t want to take any chances on an international trip.

11. Glasses

Your prescription glasses in their cases and sunglasses are essential for any trip.

If you wear contact lenses then carry extra contacts and the solution.

If you are planning to trip to hot places where the temperature is high.

In these places, sunglass comes in very handy and it will protect against harmful UV rays.

12. Extras

Perfume or cologne, a personal mini mirror, a mini sewing kit, stain remover, and a small detergent pack. Any expensive jewelry should also go into your carry-on bag as you don’t want to be crying over the airline’s carelessness.

If you stick to packing these travel essentials you’ll definitely have a great stress free vacation.

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Anitha Perumal

Content Strategist

Anitha Perumal is a Content Strategist at Claim Flights GmbH. She is a digital influencer, content specialist, analyst and always loves to do new things with new ideas. She holds a Master's degree in Information Technology.