What to Pack in a Carry-On Bag? Here Are 30 Essential Items, According to a Professional Traveler
PureWow Editors select every item that appears on this page,, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story You can learn more about that process here. Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
Read the original article on Purewow.
Whether you’re on a long-haul flight, a quick commuter hop or just a getaway, you don’t want to get caught in mid-air without some essentials to feel and look your best. That’s where intel on what to pack in a carry-on bag comes in, including everything from an emergency snack to a pillow for a little nap.
While we all colloquially refer to this as a carry-on bag, airlines call it your personal item, which needs to be 16 x 14 x 8 inches; in other words, this is your big tote bag, travel backpack or underseat bag. We asked for packing guidance from Jennifer Hawkins, the globetrotting president of luxury travel public relations firm Hawkins International, a FINN Partners Company. For years, Hawkins has had to zip between the Caribbean one week, Europe the next, so she’s constantly refining what needs to be in her go-bag. Ahead, 30 items for maximizing your comfort on your next island getaway or California nature weekend.
10 Travel Duffel Bags Our Frequent-Flying Editors Won’t Leave Home Without
Meet the Expert
Paula Boudes
Your Complete Carry-On Packing List
1. Quince Mongolian Cashmere Cardigan
First pro tip: Bring a warm, neutral layer that goes with everything. “I grab some kind of wrap or cardigan in cashmere; I can’t wear wool, I’m allergic,” Hawkins says. This 100 percent cashmere cardigan comes in 10 shades like camel, oatmeal and heather gray to blend right in with the rest of your travel wardrobe. When it’s folded, it takes up practically no space in your carry-on bag.
2. Bucky 40 Winks Eye Shade
“This eye shade is great because it’s really lightweight,” Hawkins says. And it has complete light-blocking capability without smooshing your eyelashes or smudging your makeup.
3. J. Crew Oversized Silk Bandana
Meet the chicest solution to col overhead air. Jennifer Hawkins has had enough of the overhead air vent blowing downward, right on her. “I always have my neck covered on flights. Along with my cardigan wrap, I wear a scarf,” shares Hawkins. This classic dotted black-and-white scarf gets top marks for its versatility and 100 percent silk warmth.
4. Bombas Everyday Compression Socks
“For long-haul flights, I definitely wear compression socks,” says Hawkins, citing how doctors recommend them as an anti-DVT protocol. “There are some cute, fashion forward options now" like this purple pair made with nylon and Spandex.
5. Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Bottle with Flex Cap
“Now that most airports have a refillable water station after you’ve gone through security, I always travel with a refillable water bottle,” Hawkins says. We like this stainless steel bottle for its sturdiness, dishwasher-safe powder coating and non-spill, tight-fit lid.
6. LanLuc Portable Charger
Sometimes, you’re going to be on a flight with no charging ports, or in a gate area with no free electrical outlets or in an Uber that won’t let you recharge your phone. In which case, this little cable-free charger is your best friend…a best friend that has more than 3,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.
$26 at Amazon
7. Amazon Fire 7 Tablet
Because maybe you want to binge-watch something in the gate area as well as on-board. As for Hawkins, of late she’s been tapping into Audible: “I listened to a whole book on one recent flight.” (If you’re in need of some recs, we’ve got you.)
8. Bagsmart Electronic Organizer
Once you’ve learned to put all your charging cables in this 10.63 x 3.35 x 4.72-inch case, you’ll never leave behind that charging brick again. It’s got multiple mesh pockets and a slot for your phone, too, as well as a spare pen and pencil, if you like to keep your analog game strong.
9. Apple AirPods Pro
These next-to-weightless ear buds have noise-cancelling and Bluetooth capability, and they're dust-, sweat- and water-resistant. And they come in a MagSafe charging case, so you can use them for jogging around your destination's neighborhood or at the hotel gym without worrying about audio quality. With up to six hours listening time per charge, these go the distance without sapping your portable power charger.
10. Brelox Travel Wallet
This travel wallet has slots for all your cards, a sleeve for your license, a place for your passport and sleeves for larger format foreign currency—as well as a zippered pouch for coins. Best of all, the 9- x 4.5-inch size fits so much inside, without having to cram it shut, and the whole thing zips for security. And the real leather comes in a nubby texture that weathers like a champ, in black, brown and blush colorways.
11. Imeetu Leather Coin Purse
This 4.5- x 3-inch zipped leather case is so lightweight you won’t even realize you’re carrying it—until you really need a panty liner or tampon and you’re at 35,000 feet. That's because it's got two zippered compartments: one for credit cards, IDs checks or receipts and the other for personal care items. And since it comes in a gift box and is available to purchase on Amazon Prime, it's a great last-minute gift for anyone who travels often.
12. Goop Beauty Nourishing Lip Balm
Goop Beauty
“I usually don’t spend this much on a lip balm, but I have to say, this really works,” Hawkins admits. (That's because the coconut, argan, castor seed, jojoba, and sunflower botanical oil-loaded formula is dermatologist-approved, too.)
13. Naturopathica Rosemary Mattifying Moisturizer
“I really like Naturapathica’s natural ingredients, and I’ve got to have a face lotion in my in-flight bag,” Hawkins says. This formula refines pores and absorbs any extra oil, so you’re not left looking shiny, and it’s got hyaluronic acid for deep moisturizing.
14. Compact Nail File by Revlon
If you’ve ever tried to stay peaceful on a long flight with a torn fingernail, you’ll never leave home without this again.
15. Saje Sleep Well Restful Sleep Kit
“This little essential oil blend is what I use right before bed to calm and relax,” says Hawkins, whose travels wreak havoc on her body’s natural circadian rhythms. This trio comprises an oil blend, body butter and face mist that contain sleep-inducing herbs valerian root, chamomile and lavender.
16. Saje Clean Hands
Lavender, tea tree oil and aloe vera are the hero ingredients in this tiny hand lotion that requires only a half-teaspoon to soothe your hands, which can really feel (and look) rough after even a short flight.
17. Dunwell Clear Plastic Project Sleeves
While travel arrangements and confirmations can often be pulled up in online files, there’s something reassuring about having a printed copy of itineraries. “I usually travel with those clear folders that have a seam on one side and one on the bottom,” Hawkins says. Along with her digital travel notes, “there’s something nice about an analog version—my whole family is trained to ask ‘where’s the file?’ when someone requests a confirmation number.”
18. Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes
You’re not going to be able to indulge in a nice, thorough hand-washing mid-flight, and the washroom lav is so tiny and water-restrictive…so throwing a 10-pack of these wipes in your bag is like insurance against picking up some errant cold and flu season germs. This multi-pack has 200 wipes total, and each pack of 10 wipes has a resealable closure so it won’t dry out between uses.
19. Erin Condren Spiral Planner
There’s no better time than midair to check items off your to-do list, and to take a few moments to reflect on how you’re progressing toward your monthly or quarterly goals. The Erin Condren planner has prompts for setting and checking up on goals, and can be customized with your name.
20. Nature Valley Granola Bars
“You have to be careful what you bring onto the plane,” warns Hawkins. “Once I brought yogurt and they didn't let me take it on board. So now I bring berries, banana or an orange, almonds and a granola bar.”
$10 at Amazon
21. Invoda Travel Duffel Bag
This tote is available in a handful of colors and features a side-zip pocket and a wide top-zippered opening. But the real attraction of this tote for travelers is that it folds up into a little carrying case that is only 7.5 x 6.7 inches. Ultra-lightweight (only .37 pounds), this bag can hold up to 20 pounds; it has a 26-liter capacity when unfolded to full 16.5 x 13.4 x 7 inches size. We keep one in our suitcase at all times, to use as a tote for going to the gym or the pool at our destination.
22. BedeliteTravel Blanket
This 65- x 40-inch blanket is the cuddly fleece warmth you're longing for in a cold airline cabin. Lightweight yet fluffy, it folds into its own carrying case, which tucks into your carry on or dangles from your carry-on strap via a handy clip. Bonus: When zipped into its carrying case, the Bedelite blanket becomes a cushy pillow.
23. Epicka Universal Travel Adapter
Not only is this plug adapter going to let you charge your devices in far-flung places from England to China, it can be used on plugs here in the States, too. Simultaneously, its four USB-A ports (2.4A), one USB-C port (3A) and one AC socket will re-power your iPhone, laptop, tablet, power bank, and headset using high-speed charging capability.
24. Zara Poplin Shirt
Pro travel tip: Fold a button-front shirt into a tiny square and place it inside a large Ziplock bag, inside a packing cube. That way, in case you spill something a) on your travel top, b) inside your carry on or c) both, you have a fresh shirt to change into without appearing the worse for wear. And since this poly-cotton blend shirt washes nicely in a hotel sink, you can get multiple wears from it on a single trip.
25. Bagail Packing Cubes
A place for everything and everything in its place. Even if you're a Clutter Monster at home, you can learn to streamline the contents of your carry-on so that you are able to find exactly what you need at a moment's notice. We like this set of four compression packing cubes because the smallest of the set measures 11 x 6.75 inches and can hold a fresh top as well as a light jacket neatly folded in your travel tote, while the other larger sizes can keep clothing organized in your rolling case. The set comes in dozens of colors and is also available in five- and six-item versions.
26. Pepochic Womens Military Jacket
Consider this your talisman against the curse of the freezing airline cabin. This military jacket is that extra layer you can slip into and feel comfortable while looking chic, even if you are sandwiched into a middle seat in economy. Multiple pockets, both zip and snap closure and a flattering adjustable inner waistband are the little design details that make this jacket look way more expensive than it is. And if you're really chilly, you can zip the front all the way up to the stand collar and just snuggle down into it.
27. Apple Air Tag
Just pair this little water- and dust-resistant device that's only 1.26 inches in diameter in with your Find My app, and you can track it whether it's across the airport or across the country. Best of all, it takes just one touch to set up, so even technophobes will enjoy this useful gift.
28. Samsonite Two-Pack Luggage Tags
A luggage tag is an absolute must when traveling, but who wants every rando having the opportunity to spy your address and phone number? Then again, you don't want someone to feel unable to reach you immediately if you are separated from your bag. This bright orange vinyl luggage tag is a workable compromise. Sold in a set of two, the sturdy vinyl sheath covers your details in a vinyl window, which pops out when you pull the tag open. (This is a real win for the absent-minded among us.)
29. EzPacking Toiletry Bag
Not only to you need to carry travel-sized individual bottles of liquid, but all of those individual containers need to fit inside one quart-sized container. In a pinch, you could use a clear sandwich bag, but let's be honest—this sturdy 6.25 x 6.25 x 2-inch toiletry bag is way better, since it's not going to rip, has a handy zipper and is topped by a useful top handle. Additionally, we love this because it opens like a clamshell, for easy access to just that mini-item you're after.
30. Loop Quiet Ear Plugs
Anyone who's struggled getting shut eye on a flight (or heaven help you, once you land at your destination) will appreciate the importance of ear plugs. This stylish design not only looks cute in your ear (the loop appears as a colorful jewelry-like decoration), it reduces up to 26 decibels of noise. They come with a color-coded carryng case, and the sift-touch silicone is easy to clean and reuse.
What Not to Pack in a Carry On Bag
According to the TSA, you can't bring liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in containers that are larger than 3.4 ounces (or 100 milliliters) per item, which is pretty well-known. But did you know that you're also prohibited from bringing too many of those little travel size items? All together, these mini-containers must fit in one quart-sized bag in your carry-on.
Additionally, you can't bring anything that can potentially be weaponized or accidentally triggered into the cabin with you. So no corkscrews or knives, obviously, but also no lithium ion batteries over a watt-hour (Wh) rating of 100, gel candles or self-defense sprays. The TSA web site's "What Can I Bring?" pages offer more specific details, and if you're wondering about a particular item that's not on the list, tweet a message via @AskTSA, which responds 24-7, 365 days a year (trust us, we tested the service).
