My Top 5 Carry-on Essentials
If you are able to, we highly recommend packing in a carry-on bag only. Air travel can be unpredictable, from airline delays, schedule changes, and canceled flights which can lead to checked baggage being lost or stuck at your destination, especially with international flights. If you must check a bag, we suggest packing a few days worth of clothing and any important items you might need on arrival in your personal or carry-on bag. Here are my top five items I won’t leave home without!
#1 - Portable Battery Pack
While most new and larger planes have outlets or USB ports built into the seats, charging at the airport gate could still prove to be a challenge. With airports and cities that are busier than ever, the last thing you need is for your phone to die right when you need to scan your boarding pass or get directions to your restaurant. I always travel with a portable battery pack to charge my phone in the downtime so I’m never at risk of not being able to take photos or access What’s App. The battery pack I use will charge my phone several times before I need to charge it. Make sure to pack any charging cables you need for your phone or other devices in your carry-on bag as well. When I return home, I always plug in my battery pack to charge so that it’s ready to go for next time!
What I use: Anker PowerCore 26800 Portable Charger, 26800mAh External Battery with Dual Input Port
#2 - Compression Packing Cubes
Where have these been all my life?! I only recently started using packing cubes and they have totally changed my packing game. These are great for staying organized for a short weekend trip, or a long-haul international getaway. Packing cubes can be used to help pre-plan your outfits, separate dirty and clean clothes during your trip, or even just to keep your toiletries from floating all over your bag. My favorite is the shoe bag which keeps your muddy hiking boots, or heels that have seen a gross dance floor or two, off the rest of your clean clothing. I’m personally not one to unpack into a dresser at my hotel, so I love that I can keep everything in my cubes without having to dig through the abyss of my suitcase for my swimsuit or t-shirt.
What I use: BAGSMART 6 Set/4 Set/2 Set Compression Packing Cubes
#3 - Compression Socks
Not the most exciting item, I know, but one that’s really important nonetheless! If you’re planning to be on a flight longer than 3 hours, definitely pack yourself some over-calf compression socks. They will help your feet from swelling, prevent those dreaded pins and needles from sitting for so long and promote blood flow to help you avoid getting blood clots. You will surely be the most fashionable person on your flight! Ha!
What I use: Graduated Medical Compression Socks for Women & Men
#4 - Noise Cancelling Headphones
This one probably seems pretty obvious, but since this is a list of “essentials”, noise-canceling headphones are definitely something I cannot live without on a flight. Even if there isn’t a crying baby on board, these things are great for drowning out a chatty Cathy or just noise from the engines. Many travelers prefer the over-ear style since they are typically more comfortable on long-haul flights, but I personally prefer earbuds since they are significantly smaller and easy to pack. Often times I’ll end up sleeping on flights, so I don’t always need the extra comfort. (Plus if you’re flying business class, they often include over-ear headphones!) Always make sure to download your favorite content before your trip and bring a small pair of wired headphones if you want to take advantage of the in-flight entertainment system. Some newer planes now have Bluetooth capability, but wired headphones are definitely the easiest right now.
What I use: WYZE Earbuds Pro, 40 dB Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds
#5 - Water Bottle
The type of water bottle you pack will vary based on your destination, but it’s always good to bring one with a tight seal so it doesn’t leak in your bag! Packing a bottle with a filter can also be a great choice if you are concerned about the drinking water in your destination. This collapsable bottle is great for a carry-on bag since it can pack down so small. Plus you’re helping out the environment by avoiding single-use plastics. Airplanes are generally very low in humidity, so it’s really easy to become dehydrated on long-haul flights. Always be sure to drink lots of water and if you want an extra boost, bring some electrolyte powder packets along with you! These are also really great at combatting altitude sickness if your destination sits in the mountains. We swore by these on our trip to Rwanda and it really helped keep the symptoms at bay!
What I use: Vapur Solid Flexible Water Bottle
Bonus: DripDrop ORS Hydration - Electrolyte Powder Packets
You’ll note that I did not include the common neck pillow to my list. That’s because I rarely ever bring one! For shorter flights I find it a hassle to carry around the airport and for longer flights the airline will typically provide you with a pillow and blanket.
Did you know that we can also offer luggage delivery as well? Avoid checking a bag at the airport and have it shipped directly to your final destination! Ask me about this special service if you'd like to avoid checking your baggage.
We have hand-picked every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story.
