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If you have ever Googled, “What to pack in your carry-on bag,” your search will spill out pages of suggestions and even some with convenient packing lists for download. We’ve found that sometimes the items on these lists seem great but aren’t really necessary.

For example, we’ve seen things like the carry-on cocktail kit or heavy tour guide books, which seem great, but with airlines getting picky with carry-on size and even weight these days, it’s a good idea to only pack items that are practical and not a novelty.

We both pack quite a bit of similar items in our carry-on bag, but we also pack items that the other doesn’t. We thought we’d break down our items with our first list containing the essentials we both pack and then we’ll go into items that are unique to us individually.

Before we get into that, we want to start off by showing you the backpack we use for our travels. We both carry the Pacsafe Anti-theft Citysafe CX Backpack as it has a ton of amazing specs. There are a number of great features to this bag, but the two features we especially love are the trolley sleeve and the exterior pockets.

Now, on to the carry-on essentials.

ITEMS WE BOTH PACK

Gentle Steam Eye Mask

Our little sister in Japan introduced us to the gentle steam eye mask several years ago and we were immediately hooked. It’s an innovative single-use mask that heats up (approximately 104 degrees Fahrenheit) once the packaging is opened. It lasts for about 10-15 minutes, which is enough time to put you to sleep.

Water

Water is provided in-flight, but we like to have our own bottle of water on hand. We both like to keep our tray table free of any possible liquid spills and also like to have one just in case we can’t seem to get a flight attendant’s attention. It’s also good to hydrate as much as you can on your long-haul flights.

Laptop & Charger

Most long-haul flights offer entertainment, but more often than not, there just isn’t enough for us. We usually can find a movie or two that we like, but having our own entertainment downloaded (ahead of time) helps pass the time. We also like to get some work done on our flights like editing photos or videos. We both carry a 15” laptop and luckily our Pacsafe backpack can fit our 15” devices.

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Headphones/AirPod

Unless you are in first or business class, you will get those cheap, annoying headphones that keep falling out of your ear. Since they don’t fit so great, you have to crank up the volume to mask out the cabin noise. If you want a hassle-free listening experience, it’s best to bring your own pair of headphones.

Crystal usually has her AirPods in a cute case that is attached to her Bandolier cellphone case. Candy usually brings her Bose headphones. The Bose headphones do take up quite a bit of space, so she only brings them when she has extra room for them.

Patchology

We have been using Patchology products for over a year now and we especially like their eye patches. The patches help the eyes appear awakened and revitalized. Plus, your skin feels smoother and hydrated. We use them both at home and when we travel. They make convenient travel size packs and also sell a convenient travel kit.

Portable Charger

We don’t like seeing our phone battery hit the red zone, so having a portable charger is a must for us. Our phones tend to run low on battery faster when we are traveling, so we always have a charger with us. If you have an Away suitcase, you can remove the portable battery from the suitcase and toss it into your carry-on, which is exactly what we do.

Healthy Snacks

It’s always a good idea to stash some healthy snacks just in case your flight gets delayed or if the in-flight food wasn’t to your liking. We usually make our own trail mix, but sometimes we like to buy individually packed snack packs or granola bars. They really do come in handy when you’re hungry during the flight.

Medication

When you need your meds, the last thing you want to do is search for a place that sells them. Also, it’s a good idea to research what type of medications are readily available at your destination. We were surprised to find out on our trip to London that Melatonin was not an over-the-counter medication and a prescription was required. Since then, we have learned to always carry that with us. Cold medication was another hard thing to find while driving around Iceland, so make sure to have that on hand as well.

Miscellaneous Items: Breath Mints, Chapstick, Hand Cream, Tissue

We don’t have a preference for the brands we use for these items, but they are essential on all of our trips. Especially the hand cream and chapstick as the cabin air is typically dry.

CRYSTAL’S CARRY-ON ESSENTIALS

Coin Pouches

When traveling to different countries, we find ourselves with a bunch of coins (especially in Japan and parts of Europe). In the States, we are so accustomed to using our credit cards everywhere, but not every country is like this. Having a coin purse keeps your money organized and you won’t end up being that person at the register digging through your pockets and sorting out the different currencies.

Camera Protective Wrap

I used to carry a backpack that was specially designed for cameras but made the switch to the Pacsafe Anti-theft Backpack a couple of years ago. I still needed something to give my cameras and lenses some extra protection and found these awesome protective wraps on Amazon. They work great and have kept my camera equipment safe.

Disinfecting Wipes

Cabin trays and armrests are infested with germs, so I always wipe down my area with disinfecting wipes before I nestle into my seat. I purchase the single-use wipes because the normal packages tend to dry out if I don’t use them shortly after opening the package. The single-use wipes are more expensive, but worth it since I don’t waste the extra wipes.

Portable Hard Drive & Case

I take a ton of photos and videos when I travel, so having a portable hard drive is necessary for me. I have to back up all of my files and don’t have nearly enough room to store them directly on my laptop. The Samsung Portable SSD is super tiny and doesn’t take up a ton of space in my luggage so it’s perfect. Plus it’s lightweight and transfers files at a lightning-fast speed. I also store my hard drive in a case for extra protection.

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Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is a necessity nowadays with the pandemic going on, so we definitely make sure to have travel-size ones with us.

Cameras

My cameras are my number one priority when I am traveling so they always accompany me in my carry-on. I am too afraid to pack them in my larger check-in luggage because I’ve heard one too many stories of stolen gear. The GoPro conveniently fits in the side pocket so it doesn’t take up extra room in the bag.

Saline Spray

Unfortunately, my nasal passages can’t handle the dry cabin air so the saline spray is a must for me. It’s also a good idea to carry saline spray as it helps protect against germs while breathing recycled cabin air.

Eye Mask

Unless you are sitting in First or Business Class, you won’t be handed an eye mask when the cabin lights go out. If you are the type that needs complete darkness to get some rest, it’s best to bring an eye mask.

Portable Apple Watch Charger

If you own an Apple watch, then you are probably aware that they don’t have a long battery life. I found this portable Apple watch charger on Amazon and I can charge my watch conveniently without any cables.

iPad

I like to download shows from NetFlix or Amazon Prime to my iPad to catch up on all my shows and documentaries. Most international flights provide some movies but there’s usually only one or two movies I’m interested in, so downloading TV shows I’m addicted to makes the time pass by much faster.

Portable Wi-Fi

If I am traveling internationally, I always carry my own portable WiFi network. Skyroam has been with me everywhere from Bali to Costa Rica. I’m connected to the world no matter where I am and don’t have to rely on spotty airport or cafe WiFi. Another option for a portable WiFi network is Travel WiFi.

Miscellaneous Items: Deodorant, BB Cream, Roll-on Perfume

I always like to stay fresh and bring some deodorant, perfume, and light makeup on the flight.

CANDY’S CARRY-ON ESSENTIALS

Carry-On Approved Clear Bag

In the past, I used a Ziploc bag, but after one of them ripped from getting caught in a zipper, I decided it was time to invest in an actual clear plastic bag. I read several Amazon reviews and decided on getting this highly-rated TSA-Approved Bag. It’s actually pretty big and holds a lot more than the Ziploc bag I was using. The zipper is durable and I like that the bag clearly states it’s TSA-approved.

Travel Size Mirror

I like to freshen up when I touch down at my destination and I usually just do that at my seat with a lighted travel mirror. This way I don’t take up the lavatory for people who really need it. The ring light comes in handy when the cabin lights are dimmed as well.

Extra Pair of Clothes

I have never had lost or delayed luggage while traveling internationally, but this has happened to Crystal in Prague. She did not pack any extra clothes with her on her carry-on and she was kicking herself for such an amateur mistake. I always make sure to pack an extra pair of clothes with me. Anatomie travel clothes are a great choice since they are they are lightweight, stylish, and wrinkle free.

Essential Oils

I’m a huge fan of essential oils and carry quite a few of them with me at all times and not only on my flights. I use Thieves Oil to kill germs and Lavender Oil to calm my nerves (flying always makes me a bit anxious).

Face & Eye Cream

If I don’t keep my skin moisturized with face and eye cream during my flights, I break out. I used to put nothing on my face before my long-haul flights, but always ended up with a pimple or two when I touched down at my destination. I later discovered that my skin was trying to produce its own oils from the dry cabin air thus causing me to break out. Once I was aware of this, I made sure to always stay moisturized during my flights, and sure enough, the breakouts stopped.

Caffeine Eye Cream

I dab this lightweight caffeine under-eye cream right before I exit the cabin and unlock my seat belt. It’s a hydrating cream that helps to reduce the appearance of puffiness and under-eye bags. It’s just under $10 and also rated as a CLEAN product at Sephora.

Contact Lens Solution/Glasses

I wear contacts, so I always carry my glasses and contact lens solution with me. I usually take off my contacts in-flight right before I go to sleep and switch to my glasses.

Fuzzy Sock Slippers

I got these fuzzy sock slippers from my sister-in-law a few years ago for Christmas and it has been one of the most practical gifts I have received. It’s super warm and comfy and fits over my regular socks.

We hope our comprehensive list of essential items helps you when packing your carry-on bag for those long-haul flights. These items not only help us stay comfortable throughout the journey but also ensure that we remain properly hydrated and entertained. So, as you embark on your next adventure, we wish you safe travels and hope that these items bring you as much comfort and enjoyment as they have brought us.

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