10 Essential Items Every Traveler Should Pack in Their Carry-on

Flights can be long and boring. They can leave you feeling gross, thirsty, and hungry. But there are items that you can pack in your carry-on to combat all of these issues. When I am flying, I have a list of items that I always set aside first as my primary carry-on items. They help me pass the time, clean up, and fight the hangery beast. Here is my list of 10 small items that are a must when packing your carry-on.

 

What to Do

 

Portable Phone Charger

 

There are few things worse on a long flight than your phone dying during the trip. I always carry a portable phone charger with me in my carry-on (and during long days of sightseeing) so that I always have the ability to charge my phone on the go. Now I never have to worry about my phone dying and having my tunes or games to help make the long flights more bearable (if only so slightly).

 

Change of Clothes

 

A change of clothes is always a great thing to have in your carry-on for a number of reasons. We all know how small and unstable those airplane fold-out tables can be and how easy it is for drinks to spill when they are bumped or the aircraft hits turbulence. So, having clothes to change into after can make an uncomfortable situation so much better. Extra clothes are also handy if you have a long layover between flights or your flight gets delayed, it can be refreshing to be able to change into a clean set of clothes before continuing your journey.

 

Stick of Deodorant

 

When we fly we experience a varying degree of activity and temperatures. We exert energy carrying our luggage or speed walking to our gate because we’re late (let’s be honest, those early morning flights are hard). And we go through many temperature changes through our journey from outside, traveling through the airport, and then the plane. So be kind to your neighbor passengers and reapply some deodorant as needed.

 

Refillable Water Bottle

 

I never go anywhere without my water bottle. Buying bottled water adds up quickly, especially in airports and on planes. All airports have water fountains, and many of them have fountains for refilling your bottles. Having your on refillable water bottle comes in handy so that you always have water on hand.

 

Headphones

 

Headphones is probably the single most important item that you can have in your carry-on. They are a must have to watch inflight movies, listen to music, or to just drown out the noise of crying babies. Bluetooth headphones are great to use with your phone or in flight system, if you have an adapter, but I always carry wired headphones as well just in case (you don’t want your battery to die and then be without). If you are able to splurge on noise cancelling headphones, then you will be all the better.

 

Pen

 

I always carry a pen with me in the pocket of my carry-on where it is easily accessible. A pen comes in handy to fill out custom forms while you are still sitting on a plane, instead of wasting time afterwards. If you get bored on the plane you can also rip open the throw-up bag (unused of course!) and use it to doodle on.

 

Pack of Gum

 

We have all experienced the pressure build up in our ears as we begin our flights and trying all of the tricks we know to get our ears to equalize. Chewing gum upon liftoff is an easy way to get your ears to pop (and freshen your breath at the same time).

 

Snacks

 

I feel like snacks can be on every list ever created for anything – they’re just great! But for flying they are almost an essential carry-on item at this point. Airport food is outrageously priced and more and more airlines are cutting back on the amount of snacks that they provide. Low cost airlines don’t provide them at all, except for a price, so having some snacks of your own comes in handy for those long flights.

 

Book

 

Having a book on hand is always a great way to pass the time while on long haul flights or while waiting for you flight to depart. With most budget airlines not having inflight media, and even for those that do, a good book is a great substitute. I personally use a Kindle. I can carry as more books than I can read and it takes up almost no space at all.

 

Wet Wipes

 

Airplanes can be gross, and honestly, so can we sometimes, so having some wet or antibacterial wipes can come in handy. The fold-out table is dirty, wipe it down. Your hands get messing from eating your delicious snacks, wipe them down. Your gross from sitting in a plan for hours, wipe it down.

 

What is something you always pack in your carry-on?

 

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