Original post, November 2015. Updated August 2019.
I’m dumping out my carryon to show you the 29 items I always carry in a carryon. 29 items seem like a lot, I know, but don’t worry, everything will fit with ease. Plus you’ll have plenty of space for the non-essentials too. I’ve split the list into 4 sections to make it a bit easier.
Let’s start with my favorite section, beauty and self-care. These are basically the items that are going to keep you feeling fresh, pretty and like a human when you land.
Okay, this is one of my favorite items for travel and for every day. I don’t only carry it in my carryon, but in every bag I own. I’ve been living abroad for 5 years now and this is the only brush I use. It’s compact and it does the job well. No need for more. Plus it has a mirror and a place to store your hair elastics.
The only hairbrush you’ll need
While we’re on the topic, you never know what temperature the plane will be. Within one flight, it could fluctuate 20 degrees. Bring a hair elastic to alleviate some of that heat from your neck. They also come in handy to tie shut a baggie or cinch together a broken bra strap… you never know.
Planes are super dry. My eyes usually feel like I was in the Sahara Desert when I deboard. Eye drops are a savior when my right contact pops out of my eyeball and on to the squeaky clean tray table in front of me. Even if you don’t wear contacts, eye drops are never a bad item to carry in a carryon.
If there’s one thing I always carry in a carryon it’s this. Applying almost white eyeliner to your lower eyelid will widen and brighten your sleepy eyes post-flight. Just apply a thin line to your inner lid before getting off the plane to look well-rested and ready for the day. You don’t need to spend a lot, I always use the NYX Wonder Pencil. It’s only about $5. It also doubles as a lip liner or concealer if you don’t have one handy.
NYX Wonder pencil to look fresh
Always when you least expect it. Traveling throws off your normal cycle so it’s good to be ready. When I was traveling very regularly I’d go weeks at a time without getting my period and the minute I’d board the plane, she’d show up unannounced. Pack at least a few just in case.
My favorites for travel are o.b., they have no applicators so they are tiny and discrete.
Q-Tips are great for cleaning your ears. But there are hundreds of other uses too. I love to carry Q-Tips with me to touch up my makeup in a pinch, fix a zipper, remove nail polish, remove eye makeup, or even to fill in my eyebrows. You can leave a few of your makeup brushes at home if you carry Q-Tips instead.
An everyday must! I always have chapstick in my purse. Dry cracked lips are not sexy. I like to travel with Palmer’s Coco Butter stick. I use it on everything, my lips, my cheeks, my cuticles and dry patches on my knees and elbows.
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter stick for dryness
Sometimes the stick is not enough. Especially if I’m traveling to or from a warm destination, I need to reydrate my skin like crazy on the flight. I always carry a carryon size lotion. I also like Palmer’s for this.
You know those itty bitty test tubes of perfume you get as free samples? Those are perfect for traveling. No need to lug around your entire perfume bottle. Just ask for a sample of what you usually use and you’re good to go. Next time you travel you can easily refill it. Perk: You can always try out some new fragrances and pack a few options in your carryon.
You never know when you are going to break a nail.
One of the best items to carry in a carryon is a pack of face wipes. They are great for washing your face mid-flight or freshening up in the bathroom after you get off. I also use them to freshen my underarms and wipe my hands and feet. CVS does the trick, but I really love the Neutrogena ones. They have all different types for different skin types, but I go with the originals.
Neutrogena makeup removing wipes to get clean
Even though planes are dry environments, my face somehow ends up looking oily by the end of the flight. Oil-absorbing sheets are a great way to touch up your makeup and degrease your face without having to start over. They’re especially useful for shorter flights or warmer destinations. Again, CVS does the trick, but I like the ones by Clean & Clear most.
Clean & Clear oil sheets to pat your face
I use Vaseline for practically everything. Forgot your chapstick? No problem. Forgot your lotion too? Vaseline is a perfect substitute for lotion and chapstick. I also use it to remove eye makeup and to moisturize my cuticles.
D.O. for your B.O. You don’t want to be the smelly one. You can pick up a travel size or bring the whole stick in your carry-on. Most deodorants are less than 3.4 oz.
Fresh breath = success. If your in-flight snack happens to be sticky caramel popcorn, you never know what’s going to get stuck in your teeth. A toothbrush and floss can save you some embarrassment.
I love mints for freshening my breath, but gum is sometimes a wiser travel choice. Gum not only freshens your breath but if you chew gum during takeoff, you can prevent your ears from popping! A 2-in-1.
My other favorite wipe. Let’s face it, planes and airports just aren’t clean. My mom taught me to always carry antibacterial wipes just in case. I use them to clean off my tray table and seat. Nine times out of ten the passenger next to me begs to borrow one too. They’re also handy for eating on the go and unexpected messy situations. Like when you spill wine on your neighbor…
Wet Ones antibacterial towelettes to be clean
Want to get some Zzzs? Eye masks are critical to falling asleep on a plane. They let the flight attendants know you don’t want to be disturbed and that creepy guy next to you know that you’re not interested, not even a little. I’m cheap and usually steal one from a previous flight and use that for many flights to come.
This may be the strangest item on the list. My friend recommended this neck pillow to me not too long ago and I’m now the biggest fan.
For years I’d been struggling with the normal ones that wrap around just the back of your neck. I always found my head bobbing to the side or to the front and waking up in utter stiffness. This guy is different. He sinches with velcro around the entire neck and you can adjust the position easily. Yes, you look like a total weirdo, but it’s worth the strange stares.
Trtl neck pillow, weird but worth it
Magazines, books, and tablets are a good idea. Of course, a tablet is more compact and you can download lots, but sometimes a good old fashioned book is the way to go. I still haven’t transitioned into the Kindle world myself.
Talk about what to carry in a carryon, snacks of course. You never know when there will be a delay or a reroute. Snacks will keep you feeling happy. Mini pretzels and peanuts just won’t cut it and lots of airlines don’t even offer those these days.
You probably won’t forget your phone, but will your phone actually work when you land? Are there crazy fees? If you’re going abroad, check the fees in advance. Call your carrier and see if it’s worth activating your phone while you’re away. Sometimes it’s better to get a local SIM card to pop into your phone when you land.
You’re going on a trip which means you’ll likely be taking more photos and using your maps a lot more than a normal day. Your phone won’t last long. Always charge all your electronics 100% before hitting the airport. You’d be surprised how many airports are behind the times. Lots don’t have any charging stations or outlets. If you’re going overseas, also check what outlets they use. It’s always a good idea to carry adapters with you.
A universal power adapter for overseas flights
Another way to avoid long unwanted conversations. Also great for listening to your new playlist. These days I travel with Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II Wireless noise-canceling headphones. They are really a must on a flight, and you’ll find you can doze off a lot easier or enjoy the movie a lot more. They may seem expensive, but I did quite some research before investing in these. They are mid-range when it comes to price, but top-notch when it comes to quality and comfort. I found it hard to find headphones that fit a woman’s head exactly right. These were by far my favorites. I use them on flights and at work every day so it was totally worth the money.
Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II Wireless, for exactly that, quiet comfort
If you’re going to remember one thing and one thing only, it’s your ID. Passport, State ID, license, it depends where you’re going. Along with that, remember your credit cards and some cash. A lot of countries only accept credit cards while just as many others only accept cash. It’s wise to get the local currency in advance so you won’t be stranded when you land. Visit your local bank or AAA for the best conversion rates.
If you have any daily medications or vitamins, definitely pack them. You’ll have a real nightmare if you’ve put them in your checked bag and your checked bag goes missing.
Another must for me when I’m traveling abroad is Zzzquil. It’s my go-to sleeping aid. I’m not a big fan of sleeping pills or any pills for that matter, but Zzzquil is gentle and also helps with the turbulence.
Airborne is another essential. It’s basically a heavy dose of vitamins to keep your immune system fresh. Planes are germy.
If you’re stuck in the middle seat next to that sneezing, coughing, wheezing passenger or even worse an infant, you’ll be happy you took it.
These days they come in gummies, chewable tablets and effervescent. I genuinely love all types and all flavors, sometimes I have to resist eating too many! For flights though, chewables are easiest.
I was once stuck in a Customs line in Jamaica with four friends and no pens. Not one person in the airport wanted to share their pen and it was a mad dash to the few available. Save time and energy. Carry a pen. You may have to fill out customs forms on the plane or upon arrival. And what if Leonardo Dicaprio happens to be in the seat next to you and he needs a pen… I’m your girl.
So, that’s it. The 29 items to always carry in a carryon. No matter if you’re going on a weekender or a long trip, these items are sure to help.
If you’re looking for more travel tips, check my article on beating jetlag.
Last but not least, it’s a good idea to carry all your jewelry in your carryon. First off, jewelry is delicate. Second, it’s expensive. Put it in your carryon and be sure it’s always safe.
So, that’s it. The 29 items to always carry in a carryon. No matter if you’re going on a weekender or a long trip, these items are sure to help.
If you’re looking for more travel tips, check my article on beating jetlag.
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