As a seasoned travel blogger, I’ve learned that packing light doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or preparedness. In this blog post, I’m unveiling my meticulously curated list of 23 carry-on essentials that’ll transform your flying experience from a chore to a breeze. I’m not talking about umbrellas or hand sanitizer, I’m talking about random things that have made your trip better or helped out in some way. So if you are going on a trip soon, check this blog post out!
Must Have Carry On Essentials
Travel Mug
One time, I paid 10 dollars for an 8 ounce cup of coffee in Switzerland….since then I try to bring my own travel mug that fits into my backpack side pocket. I also pack instant coffee packets, and matcha packets. It saves a fortune and super convenient if you wake up haggard like me and need coffee to function before you even leave your room. My blood is made of 99 percent coffee..
Laundry Detergent
One time I did 3 weeks with only a carry on because i had enough laundry detergent sheets. I think you could also use a bar of soap and use that for laundry detergent.
Drybag
A simple drybag: keep dirty clothes from making the rest of your backpack smell, keep electronics dry, works as a collapsible grocery bag in a pinch. It so versatile!
I fill the dry with warm water, add detergent, seal it, and give it a good shake. The agitation really gets the clothes clean, way better than just soaking them in a sink. After rinsing, I hang both the clothes and the dry bag to dry, ready for the next wash.
Portable Sound Machine
If you are like me and need some white noise to sleep, a small portable sound machine is a game changer! Changed my travel game like none other!
This speaker is great! It Muffles out all door slamming, drunk folks in hallways, and street noise under the windows, open or not.
Travel Power Strip
I have a power strip with many usb/plug spots that is a life saver, since so many hotels/hostels/airbnbs don’t have enough plugs! This way, I can charge my watch, phone, extra batteries, etc all at once instead of switching out or unplugging lamps and stuff.
Protip: If you do forget your charger, ask the hotel front desk if they have a box of left behind chargers. Some hotels will give you used chargers that were left behind by other guests.
Air Tag
I absolutely recommend getting AirTags to put in each important piece of luggage. It’s true peace of mind knowing where those bags if you are in Malaysia and your air tag is saying your bag is in London.
AirTags absolutely pay for themselves eventually.
Pro Tip: take a picture of your checked bag before you check it. Being able to show the baggage ground crew what it looks like instead of just saying “it’s a black soft-sided suitcase about yea big,” is very helpful
Universal Adaptor
If you’re traveling away from your home country or region of the world then chances of you needing an adapter are pretty high.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
This requires no explanation. Life-Saver…I have had my Bose headsets for 5 years and they are going super strong.
These Bose noise cancelling headphones are one of the best products on the market and have up to 24 hours battery life to last the trip.
Zip Lock Bags
The amount of times my ziplock bags have come in so clutch is uncountable. The divider pockets of my suitcases are always full of various zip loc sizes and even a drawstring trash bag I can use as a disposable dirty laundry bag
Buy various size ziplock bags here
Vitamin C
I keep these on hand for when any sickness creeps into the house. Definitely an immune system boost!
Document Organizer
There is nothing worse than not being able to find your passport on your connecting flight..
I personally like mine because it’s soft, lays flat even when quite full. Fits boarding passes, currency of any size, tons of cards, 2+ passports, int’l driver’s license, tri-folded insurance papers and itineraries etc.
Get yourself a document organizer today!
Long Scarf
Something that is often overlooked is something as simple as a big thin scarf- becomes a blanket, heat shield, towel, cover for religious sites, face wrap if it’s dusty or polluted, and can even be tied into a bag.
Lightweight scarves are also great for warm destinations to keep the sun off your shoulders, use as a swimsuit cover-up, or to wet and put on your neck when it’s sweltering.
Quince has great quality scarves that will last!
>>>>Get your scarf here!
Basic Medicine/Pill Organizer
It’s much easier to deal with a minor illness if you aren’t trying to also juggle finding out where to find these things and what they’re called wherever you happen to be. This pill organizer keeps things super organized.
Travel OTC essentials includes:
Pro-Tip: If you have contact lens cases, save them for multiple uses. Can use them for: toothpaste, creams, soaps, medications, powders, spices, salt, containers… you get the point.
Reusable shopping bag
A reusable shopping bag is just one of those items fits everywhere. You can just fold it and put it in a purse or daypack. It can double as a beach bag or be used for grocery/snack runs. I always bring one when I travel.
The baggu ones are especially good for this because they come with their own little pouch.
Retractable Portable Clothesline
Sometimes you stay at places where there is no where to hang your clothes. The hook ends are super convenient, I’m always able to hang it somewhere. OR you can just use use string and couple of those cheap carabineer clips.
>>>Get retractable clothes line here!
if you do laundry in the sink, you’ll need a sink stopper
Portable Bidet
A portable bidet is such an essential especially on long flights and long backpacking trips. This portable bidet fits on plastic bottles and is about the size of a walnut!
Instant Coffee Packets
Sometimes you need a quick cup of coffee to make it through the next couple hours of travel. These have come in handy many times!
Portable Power Bank
This Anker one is the best I’ve found, compact and fairly light. You can charge two devices at once, and they charge extremely quickly and don’t drain the power bank fast.
I have an iphone and the battery drains fast, especially when you are using google maps and always taking photos
Reusable water bottle
This goes without saying but you should always carry a reusable water bottle. It is so important to stay hydrated while traveling. On long flights it is very dry and essential to be hydrated at all times.
Pro Tip: If you are prone to losing things, personalize your water bottle by putting stickers on it
Travel fork and spoon
Travel fork & spoon. So, so useful.
Get yours here
Anti-theft shoulder bag
Anti theft shoulder bag gives you a peace of mind when you are traveling. These pick pocketers get more and more creative so its important to carry a bag that is hard to steal from.
I like Travelons anti-theft bag
Pro-Tip: If you’re using a purse, always have the zipper face forward, like when you hold the strap, the zipper is in sight and preferably in your hand. If not, it’s easier for pick-pocketers to get in.
Packing Cubes
Cubes are super useful for packing all of my things. especially when you travel light. I had them organized by kinds of clothing. I only had to open one cube to retrieve my clothes and socks without having to go through everything else in my backpack. To save space roll everything, even your dirty clothes in the laundry bags mentioned in the other comments.
Sleep Mask
Sleep mask. It looks dorky, but I sleep SO much better in daylight/lit areas with light blacked out. I bought them for my last overnighter trip. I was able to get some pretty decent rest.
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