20 Carry-On Essentials
Do you struggle with knowing what to pack in your carry-on? When I first started traveling, I felt like I was always missing something that I wanted in my carry-on so I started making a running list when I thought of something during travel that I wish I had.
I feel like I mastered the list (especially for myself) and I’m excited to share that list with you and some of my favorite products throughout.
I also have a free printable carry-on packing list you can download at the end of this blog post!
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Honest Review About Campervanning in Italy
Thinking about campervanning on your next vacation? Read about our 3-week Italy trip on the blog. We share the pros and cons of renting a camper van and some tips and tricks for the road! Visit the Blog Post!
1. Reusable Water Bottle - I never travel without a reusable water bottle. Airports always overcharge for bottled water when you can get it for free from the water filling stations throughout the airport. Just don’t forget to have it empty before going through TSA. This tumbler has been my favorite so far for a non-leaking, stainless steel style. It keeps your water cold and doesn’t leak when it’s tipped over. I’ve had so many water bottles leak in my backpack on plane rides and it makes for an uncomfortable, wet backpack to start off your vacation. Nobody wants that!
2. Portable Charging Bank - Having a portable charging bank has saved us so much on vacation. This Anker charging bank can charge our phones fully 3x on one full charge. It has been the best charging bank we have ever had. It’s gotten us through backpacking trips, international trips, tons of hiking experiences and even in every day use.
3. Chargers for your electronics - My phone charger and watch charger come everywhere with me. I generally rely a ton on my phone during travel for navigation and I never take my watch off so having it charged is super useful.
4. Valuables + Travel Documents - This includes things like my passport, money, wallet items, any jewelry I am taking with me, and any printed travel documents if necessary. I know we live in the digital age and having printed boarding passes and travel documents is pretty slim but some people still like the old school way so make sure those make it in your carry on if you don’t use a digital pass.
5. Electronics - I never travel without headphones, my iPad and my book light. These noise-cancelling, Bluetooth headphones have been my favorite and they can hold their charge for an entire vacation which is super nice so I don’t have to worry about charging them. Even if I am not using them for listening to music, I sometimes use them on the plane to drown out noise while I’m reading my book. My iPad generally comes along on vacation in case I need a computer device for work although I do try not to work on vacation. I also use my iPad as a means of documenting my travels and working on blog posts. I know I don’t need a book light on the plane because we have an overhead lights generally but I prefer the light that’s given off from my booklight plus I can use it in bed when I’m reading and my husband wants to sleep. This is the booklight I use on a daily basis for reading - it’s rechargeable and holds it’s charge for weeks! You can change your light brightness as well with it!
6. Toiletries - Sometimes these toiletries change based on what kind of luggage I am taking with me. If I am taking a checked bag, I usually pack fewer toiletries in my carry on but obviously if I’m not taking a checked bag, I pack more in my carry-on. I generally will pack a toothbrush/paste, Chapstick, hand sanitizer, tampons, and my bite splint mouth guard for sleeping.
7. Tissues + Wipes - You will always find tissues and wet wipes in my carry-on bag. Tissues are something that travel everywhere with me like Chapstick. And having wet wipes on a plane and during travel can save you from sticky messes. These travel-size tissues are the best to keep in your purse, your backpack, and your car. These wipes are typically in my purse, car, and carry-on as well.
8. Medications - Any prescription medications and daily vitamins should come with on your carry-on especially in the event that your checked bag gets lost, you will still have them with you. I generally pack all my medications into pill containers for the duration of my entire trip. I also have a dispenser that carries ibuprofen, tylenol, benedryl, tums, anti-diarrheal pills, and anti-nausea meds in the event that we may need them on vacation so we don’t have to go purchase them at a local store.
9. Book to Read - I can be a book-worm, especially when I’m on vacation. I always try to bring at least one physical book with me. Lately I’ve been into Colleen Hoover.
Her books are an easy read and they keep you engaged. I typically will always download and e-book or audio book in case I finish my physical book on vacation because it’s hard to travel with multiple books.
10. Snacks - I have a list of snacks that always come with me in my carry-on, especially if we have a long flight. I like to take extra with us because sometimes I just want a snack that I would normally have. I always pack beef sticks, protein bars, some drink mix packets for when I’m not feeling for water, packs of gum, and mints. Sometimes I pack along some salty snacks and a favorite choice of candy for a little treat.
11. Sweatshirt - Are you the type of person who always gets cold? Me too. A sweatshirt is always along with me during travel because sometimes plane rides can be colder than usual and I always want to be prepared. Here are a few of my favorite sweatshirts to take along with me! Crop Sweatshirt (use code MARYVANOO for 10% off) | Crew Neck Sweatshirt | Basic Hoodie.
12. One Outfit + Extra Shoe - If I am only taking a backpack and a checked luggage for travel, I will pack one extra outfit, some socks and underwear, and an extra pair of shoes in my backpack. This is just in case our checked bag gets lost in route.
13. Sunglasses - I never travel without sunglasses. My favorite sunglasses that are comfortable and affordable are these Goodr sunglasses. They are slip-resistant which is super nice during exercise and for hiking on our travels.
14. Hat + Hat Clip - The type of hat I take on vacation depends on where we are traveling to. Most of the time, I am taking my favorite baseball cap. When we go somewhere tropical, I like to take my sunhat along with us and I clip it to my bag with this magnetic hat clip to keep it from getting smooshed in my luggage.
15. Ziploc bags - I always found us needing a zip loc bag or two on vacation so now it’s an essential packing item. I usually pack 4 small bags and 2 large bags just in case we have leftovers or need to seal something.
16. Pen + Notebook - Whether we are playing games on paper, taking notes of our travels, mapping out our day, or just simply needing a pen to fill out entry forms for international travel. Having a pen and some sort of paper has typically came in handy during our travels.
17. Deck of cards - I usually am just traveling with my husband and sometimes we just want to sit at night and play cards after a busy travel day. Having a deck of cards can also make a 14-hour international flight feel so much shorter!
18. Face mask - I don’t typically take a face mask with me unless we are traveling international or red-eye flights. I am not the type of person that can fall asleep on a plane let alone in a car unless it’s in the middle of the night. I am also that type of person who wants complete darkness when I’m sleeping so I wear a face mask.
19. Travel Pillow - The travel pillow is the same as the face mask. I don’t always take it with me if we are just taking a short flight home but if I fly more than 2 hours, I will typically pack this along. Having a neck strain during travel is never fun! What’s super nice is it can attach to the outside of your bag so it won’t take up storage space.
20. Sandals - Flip-flops travel everywhere with me. Typically it’s cheap flip flops that I can wear in the shower, in a hot spring, at the spa, around the pool, to the beach. These flipflops are typically ones I don’t care a ton about but are there for sanitary purposes and they hardly take up any space!
Download your free printable carry-on checklist Below!
