I average about three trips a year, with at least one of those being an international foray. And as a result, I’ve nailed packing down to a science. Specifically, I got the whole “packing-for-a-4-day-international-trip-3 hrs-before-take off” thing completely down.😀 And as a result, I’ve really honed my carry on packing game and ID’d the carry on essentials I never leave home without. Like, not ever. Seriously, having these 5 items with me really make my travel experiences less stressful.
Now, while I have my packing process down to a science, it’s far from being perfect. I still manage to over pack on occasion–remember my first cruise?🙃 Or I’m forgetting stuff, which happens waaaaaaay more times than I care to admit. (I may or may not have been parading around Rome late one rainy night looking for facial cleanser…😒).
Before I dive into my carry on essentials, the actual volume of items I cram–um, I mean nicely pack in my carry on luggage, depends on these 4 things:
- The type of trip (domestic or abroad)
- The purpose of the trip (work [day job], work [my personal brands], or simply a fun/relaxing trip)
- How many layovers I’m looking at (trust me, you tend to pack light if you have tight connections & more than 1 layover)
- The overall length of my stay
My 5 Carry On Essentials (Pro Packing Tip)
Now, here’s what you came for: the 5 items I always have in my carry on!
1. Easy Access Travel Document Cache- This includes my ID, passport, & money. Though this one’s a bit of a no-brainer, I’ve learned having my ID & money stored in a secure, but easy to access place in my carry on (be it a bag or a suitcase), is the best way to relieve the bulk of my airport stress. I don’t know about you, but I use to really freak out having to dig around in my bags for my travel docs or money. And I was constantly checking, and rechecking, and rechecking again to make sure I hadn’t lost said wallet or had it stolen. I’m telling you, I was a traveling mess about 10 years ago. But with experience, technological advances, & other conveniences these days (i.e. Global Entry, mobile boarding passes, e-pay apps) I’ve seriously increased my peace of mind about these things.
2. Keys– I live in constant fear that by putting my keys in my checked luggage, I’m dooming my bag to either get lost or delayed or who knows what. And then I’ll be stuck at my destination with no clothes, or back at my home airport and not able to get home or into my house. (Of course, I could just call an Uber, but who wants to do that?🤷🏾) And this completely unfounded fear was made worse a couple of years ago when my luggage was misrouted to Columbia, South America😳 on my way back from Prague. It took five days for my bag to get home.
FIVE. DAYS!!
But since I had my keys on me, I was able to get home with no problem.😉
3. Antibacterial Wipes– I wipe EVERYTHING down the moment I sit down. This includes the seat belt, arm rest, head rest, food tray, call & AC buttons…you get the idea. Wipe it down! Plus, the wipes come in handy when cleaning your hands. Personally, I prefer wipes to hand sanitizer because (1) they don’t count as a 3 oz liquid and (2) wipes clean your hands better.
4. Electronics (& cords): I must have my devices! I’m never without my are my phone & earphones or my cameras (yes plural—I usually travel with 2. Don’t judge me). Now, depending on the purpose & length of the trip, I may also have my laptop and/or e-reader with me. And don’t forget your charger cords! There’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination with a dead phone or camera. I’ve been that person, don’t you be that person.🤣
5. Toiletry Items– Trust me, this is especially a necessity on international flights. I have facial wipes, sheet masks, lotion, toothpaste & toothbrush, mints, sleep aids, a change of undergarments, and fresh socks close on hand. I would explain my choices here, but I’m not. 😊Just go with it and pack you a small toiletry kit too.
Pro Tip: Just after waking up prior to landing, I clean my face (facial wipes) then pop on a sheet mask to give myself a bit of a boost and extra hydration. Once I deplane, my first stop is generally the rest room to brush my teeth. Doing these two things help me feel more human after a 9+hr flight and better prepared to either start my vacation in a new country–or make it the last few hurdles to get home.
FYI: These are my fav sheet masks!!! I love them! I’ve seen sheet masks as high as $6 a piece and for $10, you get an assortment of 16 sheet masks. You just pick the one want (for travel facials, I like the ones that hydrate), pop it on, and 20 mins later, take it off and you are all fresh eyed and dewy faced!
carry on essentials
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