Ahh yes, another “must-have” carry-on essentials guide by an esteemed travel blogger. ‘What makes this one different?’ you might be asking yourself. Welp, quite a bit actually. If you follow me on social media or have been a reader for awhile, you know I constantly find myself in mishaps and happy accidents often. Which is why I’ve learned what MUST be with me at all times to avoid discomfort or confusion when traveling.
I’ve been traveling my entire life (yup, even as a baby my parents strapped me in on long car rides and drove state-to-state). I started traveling internationally with my first trip to Australia at 17 and eventually studying abroad in Sweden at 21.
Safe to say there’s been a lot of trial and error. I’ve forgotten a lot of things (like my damn hair brush of which I now have 10 to replace the original forgotten one) and I’ve learned how to not over or under pack.
That’s why this is the ultimate carry-on essentials packing guide no matter where you’re traveling.
I’ve linked to some of my favorite, tried and true products. In fact, most of these products (about 75%) are eco-friendly, sustainable, and organic!
If you feel like having this carry-on essentials list handy, be sure to subscribe to get the free packing list sent straight to your inbox!
*Please note that depending on the flight length/trip duration, some of these items go in my carry-on and some go in my purse. I’m beatin’ ya to the punch, trolls!
Food and Beverage Carry-On Essentials
An Assortment of Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Foods
Click here for ALL of my favorites when it comes to travel-friendly snacks.
Eco-Friendly Water Bottle
This stainless steel water bottle keeps drinks hot and cold, is eco-friendly and helps store little accessories (cause we all need extra storage if all we have is a carry-on). It’s one of the best reusable water bottles and was featured on Oprah’s Favorite List for Christmas!
Here are my favorites:
Eco-Friendly Cutlery and Packaging
Looking for a way to go green. Bamboo/metal straws not only save the turtles but less plastic is better in general. This waste-free travel kit also includes waste-free travel bottles and a resealable sandwich bag for any snacks and toiletries during your trip.
If you’re looking for extra packing help, these packing cubes work with small, medium and large luggage!
Electronic Carry-On Essentials
Portable Charger
Do you know how long I’ve been traveling and how many electronics went dead before I FINALLY bought this? Too many trips that I’m embarrassed to say. But it doesn’t take a world traveling genius to deduce just how amazing this investment has been.
Laptop/iPad
Not sure if you’re an iPad person or a laptop person, but I cannot function with an iPad. I can barely go a day without using my laptop, especially since I use it to write and edit photos. However if you’re backpacking and don’t intend to stay in many hotels, make sure to invest in a portable safe (click here)!
Cell Phone
As if I need to remind you. But how many times have you gone back inside because you left your charging phone on the nightstand?
Headphones with Bluetooth Capability
A good pair of headphones can make or break your trip. Personally, I like smaller headphones so AirPods or regular pods are my jam. But my husband loves his Sony noise cancelling headphones more than anything. If you have extra room in your carry-on or purse for those behemoths, go for it!
Here are my favorites:
Electronic Reading Device
I love nothing more than a good book in my hands, the feeling of flipping paper from page to page. But my eco-friendly side LOVES reading electronically, as well as not being weighed down by tons of books on the road. The newest Kindle Paperwhite is waterproof (if you want to read in the bath or by the pool) and has a lot more storage.
Here are my favorites:
DSLR Camera
Telling you to just buy any camera through a link is as blasphemous as me telling you to just casually go vegan and provide a single link. This one will require much more research on your part. HOWEVER, I have linked the DSLR that I use for shots like this and this and this. And since it’s a few years old now, it’s a lot cheaper!
Travel Adapter and Converter
My friend brought this during our month-long trip throughout France and I ended up using hers more than my own. Of all the carry-on essentials you’ll need, this is probably the most important.
DVDs or Pre-Downloaded Shows on Streaming Networks (in case you can’t stream abroad)
Did you know you can pre-download shows on streaming apps, like Netflix and Hulu, so you can watch them later without WiFi? It’s perfect if your in-flight movies suck or your jet lag just won’t quit at 4 am.
All Chargers, Memory Cards and Accessories
Idk what you got, but start by laying out each of your electronics and lay each accessory next to it so you don’t forget it.
Toiletries and Beauty
Toiletry Bag
I only really need one type of bag and thats my LL Bean personal organizing toiletry bag. Whether it’s a weekend event in Vegas or a longterm trip and I just bring all of my products (cause let’s face it, I have a lot of ’em), I bring LL Bean. They have them in various sizes (small, medium and large), but I definitely NEED the large, let’s be real. I’m high maintenance.
Makeup Remover
Us ladies go through A LOT just to put on and take off makeup, thus this deserves its own sub category. It takes a quite a few products to take your face off and here are just a few.
Here are my favorites:
Deodorant
Okay, so there’s two sides of me: the kind that wants to go eco-friendly and use the all-natural deodorants and then the other version of me who doesn’t want to actually stink or sweat and buys the name brand crap. If I’m going somewhere humid, I’m not messing around and I’m getting my Dove Clinical Dry. Otherwise, I’ll go for the eco-friendly by Humankind brand that’s all natural and waste-free packaging.
Facial Skincare Products
Think moisturizers, toners, acne medication, etc. My favorites are located below and are either all-natural, organic and/or ue eco-friendly packaging. The linked items are also small and travel-friendly! *PRO TIP: To save space and not have your already purchased, prized toiletries thrown away, use small contact cases or travel bottles to put in the appropriate amount of liquids in your carry on.
Here are my favorites:
Travel-Friendly Sunscreen
Nothing is more important in your beauty regiment than sunblock. Personally, I believe it’s up to us to protect our oceans by buying coral reef-friendly sunblock. However, some of you find that mineral sunscreen doesn’t work and prefer regular block. This travel-friendly kit by COOLA works, but is not reef-friendly so please only use near a pool or away from sea life. All of these listed below are all 3.4 oz, perfect to travel with.
Here are my favorites:
**=Eco-friendly and reef-friendly
*=Reef-friendly
Body Lotion
I go through moisturizers like crazy, but my tried-and-true favorite moisturizer was always coconut oil. This is because it’s natural, it’s inexpensive and it has so many uses! You can use it as a makeup remover, a moisturizer, oil-pulling and dental hygiene, hair conditioner, and much more. I’ve included my favorite eco-friendly, green and all-natural lotions as well as travel-friendly coconut oil.
Here are my favorites:
Sheet Masks
One of my favorite things to bring with me on this whole list is a SOLID sheet mask. It’s insane how much a sheet mask can help add an extra glow to your skin, on or off a plane. My favorite brands alternate between ACURE, Farmacy, Dr. Jart+ and Inna Organic. So I’ve included links to all of them to try for yourself:)
Here are my favorites:
Chapstick
(If I had a dollar for every time I wish I had this on a flight… smh)
Here are my favorites:
Curling Iron, Straightener, and/or Wand
Whatever your flavor, make sure to bring it along. Odds are you don’t need a hair dryer, unless you’re traveling somewhere remote or know there won’t be one. *PRO TIP: You can use your straightener as a clothing iron if you’re careful.
Here are my favorites:
Shampoo, Conditioner, and Hair Styling Tools
If you’re looking to save room in your toiletry bag, you should wait until you get to the hotel. But if you’re a product junkie like me, than you never leave it to chance. With naturally curly, blonde hair, I have to use specific products that I do buy large bottles of and put in travel-friendly bottles.
Here are my favorites:
Hair Brush
Because I have naturally curly hair and practically never brush my hair to keep said curls intact, I ALWAYS forget to pack a hair brush. I have like 5 cheap ones from random CVS’ all over the place. But when I do manage to remember, I always bring this affordable, eco-friendly brush completely made of bamboo. Not only does it help the environment but the bamboo bristles are a lot safer on your hair.
All of the Hair Accessories
‘Cause a girl can never have enough styling accessories am I right? From bobby pins, hair ties, head bands, scarves, and any other trending pieces of flare to put in your hair, make sure you pack it up!
Dental Stuff
My least favorite part of my cleaning regimen AND my packing. Again, I go ec0 with this one. So much waste, man, so much waste with all the plastic toothbrushes, crappy toothpaste and balls of yarn we call floss. This is one of the easiest ways to go green in my opinion.
Here are my favorites:
Shower Stuff
Okay, actually showering in general is my least favorite thing. Probably because I use so much of the best stuff, it’s a damn process. It’s never a 5-minute experience. It’s a 20-minute affair MINIMUM. Nonetheless, it’s necessary especially when traveling.
First Aid Carry-On Essentials
As the queen of happy accidents, I am also the queen of bug bites, stomach aches, cuts, bruises, infections, and sore throats. Which means I’m basically a walking pharmacy on any trip I go on. When I’m really on the health train, I’ll even bring essential oils, diffusers and herbal blends with me. But my basic first aid kit includes:
Bandaids
New shoes, scrapes and falls, or bug bites always seem to happen on the road. Best to be prepared with a bandaid multi-pack with different sizes and levels of transparency/thickness. *PRO TIP: To save space, take it out of the box and put in a spare pocket OR put inside clean socks.
Heating Pad
I always prefer an electronic heating pad than a single-use, sticky one. They’re more powerful, comfortable and it’s not creating unnecessary waste. But if you’re on a plane or using your adapter elsewhere, then you might be out of luck. Since I have lower back pain and PCOS/Endometriosis, I always like to be prepared and bring both. This MIGHTY BLISS Heating Pad is hands-down one of the best heating pads on the market. And if I can’t plug it in, I always use an IcyHot patch on my lower back, lower abdomen or shoulders on planes. *PRO TIP: So as to not injure yourself worse by reaching above or below to get the heating pad, make sure you keep this in an accessible pocket or your purse.
Pain Medication
Think Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Excedrin, Aleve or Advil. Pick your poison. But while we’re here, don’t forget to bring your prescribed medication in the labeled bottles so you don’t have any issues with TSA.
Pepto Bismol Tablets
Lol.
Immodium
LOL.
Neosporin
If you saw my Morocco blog post, you know why Neosporin was necessary.
Cold Medicine
I’m more of a naturopath so natural remedies come first. But if I’m on the road and have no other options to heal my cold or flu, it’s nice to have this medicine on hand. Best to start with preventative care like Emergen-C or Airborne, but once you’re in full blown Cold/Flu mode, it’s best to call for DayQuil or NyQuil.
Hand Sanitizer Spray
As an eco-friendly traveler, I’m not really into bringing wipes with me as it creates more unnecessary garbage. I much prefer hand gel (and if I want to get real technical, I don’t prefer that either as it actually creates SUPER GERMS *controversy alert*). But if you’re disinfecting your airplane tray or you’re in a place that doesn’t have up-to-date plumbing/hygiene options, it’s always good to have on hand, ha get it? This hand sanitizer spray is all-natural and travel-friendly; best of all worlds!
Insect Care
I am INSANELY allergic to all kinds of bugs. And there’s two ways to treat the bugs: before and after. I try to douse myself in natural remedies first if I’m in a less-aggressive mozzy spot (this includes essential oils), but if bugs are aggressive, I use more serious sprays. And once I’ve been bitten, an antihistamine cream is the way to go.
Clothing Carry-On Essentials
Whether you’re traveling with just a carry-on or 4 checked bags, it’s always wise to bring at least one or two outfits on your carry-on in case you lose your luggage. Here are some of my favorite go-to clothing items for any trip.
Beige, Multipurpose Scarf
What I love about this seemingly “plain” scarf, is that it works for just about everything. Is it a scarf? A head wrap? A blanket? A hijab? Who says it can’t be all of the above? This all-in-one item means you can pack a lot less as you still wear this piece as a coverup on the plane.
Tops
A minimum of one shirt is necessary, even if you’re bringing a larger suitcase (you never know if they’ll lose your checked luggage). But no matter where I go, hot weather, cold, indoors or outdoors, a quality linen shirt is an absolute MUST. You can dress it up with banks and a jacket or throw it over a bikini on the beach. This item works literally anywhere.
Here are my favorite brands:
Bottoms (Specifically Black Jeans)
Again, at least one pair is necessary. I think black jeans is a go-to for most occasions and locations RTW. You can dress them down, dress them up and they don’t always look like jeans. If you’re going somewhere warm, maybe make sure you’ve got some human-made distressed holes. But if you’re going somewhere super hot, it won’t take too much space to bring a cute pair of athletic shorts.
Here are my favorite brands:
Dresses/Rompers/Skirts
A cover up, an elegant dress, a wrap, a sundress, a romper… whatever makes you feel comfortable. Just make sure you pack one in your carry-on.
Here are my favorite brands:
Jacket
Unless I’m going somewhere cold like Iceland, I only bring 2 jackets when I travel: a chic-style jacket and a more casual/edgy style jacket. Like a blazer and a leather jacket. Or a cape and a denim jacket. The best part, is that you only need to pack one since you get to wear the other. I don’t have many favorite brands as I usually thrift my jackets, so you’re on your own here.
PJs
No matter the weather, it’s best to be relatively covered (either you will get cold in the night or it’s hot and there might be mosquitos). Cover up in something light and loose so you’re comfortable and it won’t take up too much space in your bag.*PRO TIP: Since sweatpants are trending, you can actually wear your jammies on the plane and just wear a chic leather jacket and sneakers to save you some packing space. Don’t forget to bring your silk sleep mask!
Here are my favorite brands:
Compression Socks
This is a new love of mine and perfect to fight kankles as well as circulation issues (which often start younger than you might realize). These ones are the best and are incredibly affordable.
Shoes and Regular Socks
I believe you never need more than 3 pairs of shoes. If you do not subscribe to this notion, bring the extras in your checked bag.
Here are my favorite brands:
If you’re looking for clothing inspiration, check out my California summer packing list.
Miscellaneous
Journal, Pens and Pencils
One of my favorite things to do on a trip is write, journal and organize my thoughts. Sometimes I draw, sometimes I write daily entries and sometimes I just jot down notes for my someday-novel. And while you actually journal or not, I always need a pen/pencil to fill out immigration forms or to write down an address of a nearby tourist attraction.
Here are my favorites:
Accordion Binder
This is such a strange and random item but I learned about this trick from my study abroad days. Need a place to store your insurance papers? Hotel/airline confirmations? Want a place to store your memories for your scrapbook like European subway tickets or an old map of the area? An accordion binder allows you to organize all of these items without making a mess of your purse and stores everything without taking up too much space.
Travel Steamer
Never have I ever regretted bringing this bad boy on a trip. It’s small, it’s affordable and it’s efficient in getting those wrinkles out. Perfect if you have a special occasion you’re traveling to or if you’re a content creator and need those perfect, wrinkle-free shots.
Feminine Hygiene Products
God I hate that phrase, but that is exactly what this is. But as I mentioned previously, I have PCOS which means I need to bring quite a few different products when I travel. Girls, if you don’t want to have any accidents on the road, here you go:
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