The Essential Carry-On Packing Guide
Luggage
If you read my blog with any regular frequency, you know how much I hate checking a bag. Whether it’s a few days or a few weeks, I always pack super light. So I’ve learned, through trial and error, that I needed to start with the right luggage to maximize my packing capacity and decrease my chances of a gate check. Here are my recommendations for carry on bags:
Roller Bags:
My husband and I both use the Away “The Carry-On” suitcase. It’s super light weight when empty and at a height of 21.7” (including the wheels) it fits perfectly into any overhead storage bin. This suitcase also features a removable, rechargeable battery which comes in handy on those long haul international flights. We’ve also used the batteries at home in a pinch during a blackout!
Personal Item:
I recently discovered (thanks, Instagram ads) a company called Nordace and purchased their “Sienna Smart Backpack” to use as my personal item. I would highly recommend this backpack for the light packing traveler, as it fits perfectly under the seat in front of you, even when completely full, and adds tons of extra packing capacity for your trip. It features tons of hidden pockets which translate into an astonishing amount of storage. We were recently able to comfortably travel with two adults and a toddler using the Away bags and this backpack.
Purse or Day Bag:
In addition to my tote bag, I always pack a purse to use for walking around and/or adventuring. If your vacation is less adventure and more relaxation, I would highly recommend the Longchamps Le Pliage Small Tote Bag. It folds up to about the size of a wallet and then expands to the size of a normal purse to carry with you about town.
If your travel will include some adventuring as well, I’d pack a crossbody bag with you so you can remain hands free. I like the Madewell Simple Crossbody Bag because it fits easily inside my tote and keeps everything I need organized and easily accessible. It also includes a zip closure, which I like because you can attach a small carabiner to the strap for safety (especially when traveling abroad).
Madewell also makes a Simple Pouch Belt Bag that can be hidden under a sweater or jacket, providing an additional layer of protection for your personal items.
Within the Luggage
I’m pretty particular about what I pack into my personal item vs. what goes into my roller bag. I try to keep my essentials, entertainment, and anything I might need for before, during, or after my flight in my personal item (or backpack). Everything else, which really just leaves clothing items and beauty/styling products, goes into my roller bag.
Personal Item:
~ Jewelry + Valuables + Make-Up ~
You do not want to pack these items in your checked luggage or even your carry-on roller bag, in the event the airline forces you to gate check it. I always pack my jewelry in my West Elm Mini Travel Kit and keep it in my personal item for safety. It organizes all your jewelry and valuables in mesh pockets and includes a hook so you can hang it from the towel rack for easy access.
~ Liquids Pouch ~
If you’re traveling withing the United States and you have TSA Pre-Check, it doesn’t actually matter where you pack your liquids, as you won’t need to pull them out of your bag for security. However, if you don’t have Pre-Check, you’ll want to have your liquids easily accessible so you can remove them quickly and glide through security.
For international flights, TSA Pre-Check doesn’t exist so you’ll definitely need to pull your liquids pouch out of your personal item before going through security. I like to keep my liquids pouch in my personal item, either way, so I can refresh a bit before landing, particularly on long flights. You’ll want to have access to your eye cream, hand cream, and toothpaste for sure.
I use the Clarity Jetset Case from Truffle. It’s sturdy, easy to clean, and TSA approved in every country I’ve visted so far.
~ Within the Liquids Pouch ~
You’ll want to pack face lotion, eye cream, hand cream, liquid hair products, and toothpaste. If you frequently stay in AirBnb’s you’ll want to pack shampoo + conditioner as well. If you’re a hotel hopper you can leave your shower products at home and save space.
Here’s what’s in my liquids pouch:
Face:
As I am getting older, I have begun using Dermalogica products more and more. The key to filling your liquids pouch has more to do with the size of the product than with the product itself. These products work for me, but you should continue using whatever your face is used to:
Special Cleansing Gel (1.7oz), Dynamic Skin Recovery spf50 (1.7oz), Sound Sleep Cocoon Night Gel-Cream (0.34oz), Biolumin-c Serum (1.0oz), Retinol Clearing Oil (1.0oz), Antioxidant Hydramist (1.0oz),
Hands:
Aveda Hand Relief: This hand lotion not only smells good, but a little goes a long way. At most Airbnb’s body lotion is not provided so I always bring some of my own. Plus, my hands tend to get quite dry on flights and need a little moisture from time to time.
Solid Lotion Bar: These handy little bars from Uncommon Goods are nice to have around, as they don’t fall into the liquids category, so you can carry these on even if you’ve checked your liquids pouch.
Maskc Travel Size Hand Sanitizer: This flat little bottle fits in your pocket without causing bulge and is filled with nice smelling sanitizing liquid to keep you clean and safe on your journey.
Hair:
Shampoo + Conditioner: I fill these Refillable Travel Pouches from Kit-sch with my own shampoo and conditioner. These will last for at least one week of travel with two people using them. If you’re traveling on your own, you should be able to get by for much longer! They fit 3oz of liquid and lay pretty flat, which helps them fit in your quart size liquids container. Kit-sch also sells solid shampoos and conditioners, which will save tons of space in your liquids container!
Body:
Neosporin & Hydrocortisone: Depending upon where you travel, you may find you need one or both of these at some point. While in Australia, I used both of these quite a bit, actually. Hydrocortisone works great for reducing the itch from bug bites!
Mouth:
Crest Toothpaste: In my experience, the travel size toothpastes you can get in the travel aisle at your local drug store aren’t worth the cost. One of those tubes has never lasted an entire trip for me. Instead, I take these 2.9 oz tubes with me and they will last for a few weeks!
~ Comfort + Nap Time ~
I don’t sleep very well on flights, even in business class, but here are a few things I pack in my tote that help me rest easier and arrive looking refreshed:
Activated Charcoal Eye Mask: On international flights, they will typically give you a sleep mask, but I take this charcoal eye mask with me to make sure I look rested and fresh when I arrive. The activated charcoal promotes blood circulation, and the additional padding eases tension around the eye area, helping you to rest easier.
Trtl Travel Pillow: Most travel pillows cause more stress for me than comfort. The traditional “U” shaped pillows never provide enough support and take up too much space, and the inflatable travel pillows become too cold after a while unless you wrap a sweater around it in addition to the pillow. The Trtl Pillows don’t take up much space, are easy to use, and provide great support for your neck.
Long Cardigan or Sweater: Airplanes are always crazy cold, so I wear a long-ish cardigan on flights to stay warm. The one I’ve linked to here is my most recent purchase and obsession. It’s super warm, goes with everything and is insanely soft.
Ballet Flat Slippers: On international flights my feet tend to get quite cold, especially during summer months when I’m not likely to be wearing socks on the flight. A nice pair of slippers or some warm socks in your bag will ensure you get the rest you need!
Ear Plugs: It’s nice to have noise cancelling headphones on a flight, but they’re not all that comfortable for sleeping. Ear plugs are the way to go here to make sure the other passengers’ snoring, crying, coughing, or sneezing doesn’t keep you up.
Compression Socks: If you’re on a flight that is 4 hours or longer, or a frequent flyer, it is highly recommended that you wear compression socks on your flight. They increase circulation and reduce the risk of swelling and clotting.
~ Arrival Revival ~
If you’re on a long flight, particularly an overnight international flight, you will feel a bit groggy, out of sorts, and a little “un-fresh” when you arrive at your destination. There are a few items I always carry with me in my personal item so I can easily access them and give myself a little pick me up in the tiny airline bathroom before we land.
Dry Shampoo: With no access to a shower, this is the best way to refresh your ‘do so you can arrive looking, smelling, and feeling fresh.
Toothbrush + Toothpaste: Just because you’re on a plane, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take time for personal hygiene. If you don’t want to pack your toothbrush in your carry-on, Colgate makes disposable mini toothbrushes that are great in a pinch. You can even keep them in your bag while out and about so you can refresh your breath anytime.
Refreshing Facial Cleansing Towels: I like the Salt + Stone facial cleansing towelettes for flights. They come in single use pouches and effectively remove make up and any other grossness you’ve accumulated while traveling.
Deodorant: Whatever brand you’re used to bringing, keep it handy…..for all our sakes….please. I use Dove, and bring it with me on every flight.
Tinted moisturizer: I almost exclusively use Bare Minerals for my beauty regime because their make-up is lightweight, makes your skin look amazing, and best of all, it’s animal cruelty free! This Tinted Moisturizer is my favorite for travel.
Under things: On long travel days, it really helps to bring a spare pair of undies and a clean shirt or tank. I also like to wear these breathable travel undies on long flights. They’re quick drying (so you can wash them and wear them multiple times on your trip), and antimicrobial (which means odor reducing, which is great for obvious reasons).
~ Hydration ~
The arid climate of an airline cabin is comparable to that of a desert. The lack of humidity on the plane can cause dehydration, which can exacerbate swelling, jet-lag, and cause headaches. For this reason, I make sure I’m well hydrated before my flight and always bring a bottle of water with me in the cabin.
Of course you can purchase a bottle of water before getting on the flight, but most airports nowadays have filtered water filling stations in them, making it even easier to bring a refillable water bottle with you on any adventure. I make sure to pack this collapsible water bottle by Vapur with me on every flight. It rolls up, when empty, to a size that can fit in your pocket and holds 20 oz. of water when full.
~ Entertainment ~
While my husband still prefers to travel with a book, I always prefer to pack light, save space, and bring my iPad and/or Kindle. You can download movies and TV shows, as well as tons of eBooks, games and other content to keep busy. On shorter flights I typically just use my iPhone for entertainment.
Many airlines now either have free content via their app. If you forgo bringing your own content for using the airline’s, just make sure your airline apps are updated before your flight, or they won’t work properly and you’ll be bored.
My husband and I always pack our bluetooth headphones. I use the Apple Airpods, but he’s an audio snob so he packs his Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones. Both headphones last for a long time and are great to bring with you on your flight, as they don’t take up much space. One benefit of the Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones is its noise cancelling feature. My husband can fly blissfully unaware of the passengers around him (including me) and fully enjoy his other entertainment thanks to these headphones.
On international flights, I always bring my Apple Airpods, but I also always bring a back-up pair of analog headphones just in case. On our last trip to London, my bluetooth headphones lasted the entirety of the 8 hour flight, although I will mention that there was a three hour period where I semi-slept and the pods were charging. Although I didn’t end up needing the analog headphones, it was nice piece of mind so try to be prepared for any eventuality.
Don’t forget your chargers and adapters! I pack everything into this handy dandy Travel Chord Roll-up. It keeps all my plugs, chords, and headphones in one organized and condensed place that fits easily into my tote bag. For international travel, I also make sure to pack my Travel Smart Compact Converter & Adapter Combo so I can use my electronics (including hair dryer/flat iron) no matter what country I visit. There are certainly more robust converter/adapters out there, but this little cube will be your best pal if you’re trying to pack light. Whatever product you chose, just make sure it not only adapts to other outlets, but also converts the energy output to something your electronics can handle.
~ Identification + Important Documents ~
Whether your travel is domestic or international you will, at some point, have to prove you are who you say you are. You may even be asked to prove you have a boarding pass for your flight or pay someone for something along the way. Luckily, there are tons of options out there to keep you and your important documents organized while traveling. Here’s a list of what to never forget and what I recommend to keep it together and available.
Travel wallet: It may seem silly to have a whole separate wallet to use specifically for travel, but my Campus Travel Wallet from Frye is my all-time favorite item to bring with me while I travel. It has plenty of space for your credit/debit cards, driver’s license, and passport, as well as pockets for your printed boarding passes and cash. My husband likes to bring his Filson Passport Wallet with him to keep him organized. It will fit anything you need, other than a printed boarding pass, for travel.
Passport: If you’re traveling abroad, do not forget your passport. Also try to bring color copies of your passport, in case something were to happen to the original. This will make it a lot easier to get a replacement and get home. Make sure your passport is not set to expire within 6 months of travel. Depending on where you visit, this may hinder you from either getting into the destination country or getting home from it.
Driver’s License/ID: Even if I’m already bringing my passport, I always also bring my driver’s license. It can’t hurt to have two forms of government issued identification, and will help to prove your citizenship if your passport is lost or stolen.
Credit Cards + Cash: Since I travel abroad often, I try to save a little currency from wherever I visit so I can arrive with some local cash in my wallet in case I need it. However, for most of the more popular destinations, all you really need is a credit card or debit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. The Chase United Mileage Plus card is my go to because I can earn miles while I travel and they don’t charge me a foreign transaction fee on anything I buy abroad. I also recently began banking with Charles Schwab, as they refund 100% of ATM fees no matter where the card is used. So I can feel confident taking out cash, while abroad, that I’m not wasting money on additional fees.
Roller Bag:
This is where everything you won’t need to take out or use immediately will live. Roll your garments, rather than fold them, or use compressible packing cubes to save space. Pack reusable, layering items and a few more special statement pieces. Try to pack no more than two pairs of shoes; three at most. Make sure the shoes you pack are different styles completely so you can get more use out of them and differentiate your outfits. The below is a rough guide of what to pack to keep your luggage light. Specifics will differ based on your personal style, but the outline should translate.
~ Tops ~
I try to bring versatile tops that can be used in more than one outfit, and anything that looks good as a layering piece. Try to pack a few tanks, a few tees, and a few long sleeves. Depending on what the whether is supposed to be like, you can always pack more or less.
Bring no more than two bras, if you can, and bring your best multi-way bras if you have the option. This will allow you to wear a bra with any and all outfits while also saving space in your luggage. One black or dark bra and one light or nude bra would be all you need. I like these Chantelle bras, as they’re both comfortable and versatile.
~ Bottoms ~
Try to bring only one or two pairs of jeans (max) in your suitcase, and try to bring a combination of light and dark (or black) jeans for variety.
For warm weather travel, you can pack more (as the clothes get smaller). A couple of skirts, a couple of shorts (of differing colors + styles), and some maxi dresses won’t hurt to pack.
If you want to save space by bringing fewer pairs of undies, these ExOfficio travel undies are breathable, antimicrobial, and quick drying so you can also pack fewer pairs of undies, as they can be washed multiple times on your trip.
~ Shoes ~
For autumn or winter travel, you’ll want to pack a pair of flats, a pair of boots, and a pair of comfy (but cute) shoes for walking around. I packed a pair of vintage lace up mid-calf boots for our last trip to Europe in October that look similar to these brown leather lace-up boots on Etsy, a pair of waterproof ankle boots from Blondo, and some black leather flats from Tom’s.
For summer travel, the shoes are smaller so feel free to pack a few more cute pairs of sandals. I just always make sure to have one pair of comfortable close toed flats when I travel, as they’re good for any eventuality and nice to have on your feet as you wander around.
~ Hair ~
Because these items can be easily replaced, I’m usually okay to keep them in my roller bag. I bring a dual voltage Straightener and a small Hairbrush in my roller bag. Anything you use for styling that could be considered a liquid, I would make sure to pack in your liquids pouch.
In Transit
~ Outer ~
A good way to save space when you travel in the colder months is to wear your outerwear while in transit. Don’t pack a jacket if you can avoid it. A black or neutral colored P-Coat is perfect, and I’ve been bringing my Calvin Klein Hooded Puffer Coat with me. It’s cute, it’s warm, and if it rains I can wear it under my Northface Rain Shell to stay dry and warm. It also comes with a packing bag, so if you have to pack it in your carry-on it doesn’t take up too much room.
~ Inner ~
Wear some comfy jeans or jeggings on the flight, a comfy t-shirt, and a longer warm sweater. You’ll want to be able to take off your sweater and be comfortable if it gets too warm on your voyage, or layer up if you get too cold. On my last trip to London and Greece, I rocked these Athleta Herringbone Mercer Tights with a black top, a long cardigan, and some brown leather flats. The Mercer Tights look like trousers, so I looked like I dressed better for the long flight than I actually did. I was warm and comfortable for the entire eight hours!
~ Under ~
No matter what, whenever I know I’ll be spending a lot of time on a plane, train, or automobile, I wear these ExOfficio travel undies. As I mentioned before, they’re breathable and antimicrobial so they keep your under carriage in check while you’re on the move.
Wear a comfy bra on your long travel days. Something you don’t mind sleeping in. I always don this Hanes Cozy Bra in either black or nude. It keeps the ladies in place, provides plenty of support, and is so comfortable I often forget I’m even wearing a bra.