The Complete Guide to Packing Carry-On Luggage

If you’re traveling light, making efficient use of your carry-on bag is a must.

It’s important to consider:

• Which items to pack in your carry-on bag to ensure a comfortable flight
• How to maximize the limited space in your carry-on
• Which items you can and cannot bring through security

Flying can be the start of a thrilling adventure or a much-needed relaxing break. However, if you’re not well-prepared, it can also be a pretty uncomfortable experience.

Packing your carry-on with in-air comfort in mind helps to ensure a smooth journey to your destination.

Read on for what to pack in your carry-on luggage, how to fit it all in there and some expert tips on traveling light.

What to pack in your carry-on

Here’s what to pack in your carry-on bag to transform a potentially stressful journey into a smooth and enjoyable start to your trip.

1. Passport and wallet

If you forget to pack your passport and wallet in your carry-on, your adventure will have stalled before it’s even begun. Pack these essentials in an easily accessible but secure side pocket so they’re easy to access when you need them.

2. Devices and chargers

Phone, laptop, tablet, Kindle, or games console – whichever devices you’re taking on your trip, make sure they’re packed safely in your carry-on. It’s important to ensure any electronic devices are easily accessible, as you’ll need to remove them from your bag when going through security. It’s worth wrapping them up in clothes to avoid damage in transit.

3. A change of clothes

If you’re wondering what to pack in a carry-on bag for a flight, I promise you’ll never regret throwing in a change of clothes.

You may be flying to a destination with a very different climate to your departure location – traveling from Alaska to Florida or from the US to Barbados, for example. There’s also the risk that your hold luggage could get lost or delayed, leaving you stuck in your travel wear or forced to splash out on new clothes once you arrive. Then there’s the typical wear and tear of a long day of flying – you’ve spilt a drink down your front or touched something sticky.

Even if you arrive at your destination airport relatively unscathed, you’ll still be keen for a quick change of clothes after a long journey.

4. Travel adapter

This is one of travelers’ most frequently forgotten items.

If you’re traveling out of the country, check to see whether your destination has different electrical outlets than back home. European outlets are completely different to US outlets, for example, or from a UK outlet.

If you’re traveling to a country with a different outlet format, invest in an adaptor before you leave and pack it in your carry-on so you can juice up your devices at the airport from the moment you arrive.

5. Medication and doctor’s note

If you need medication on your trip, pack the required amount in its original pharmacy packaging in your carry-on. Put some extra in your hold luggage too, in case one of your bags is lost or damaged.

For medication that has been prescribed by a doctor, it’s important to pack your prescription too. And in some cases – such as if your medication contains a controlled substance or you’re traveling with a large volume – you’ll also need to pack a doctor’s note. It’s also important to check that your medication is legal in the country you’re entering – some drugs have legal status in the US but are prohibited elsewhere in the world.

6. Moisturizer and lip balm

When you’re flying, you may notice your skin feels dry and your lips become chapped. This is because at high altitudes the air is almost completely devoid of moisture and around 50% of the air in planes is pulled in from outside. This means airplane cabins have very low humidity levels. For extra comfort when cruising in the air, it’s worth packing some self-care products like moisturizer and lip balm in your carry-on.

7. Reusable water bottle

For the same reason, it’s also super important to stay hydrated during flights. But this isn’t as easy as it sounds.

You can’t take bottled water through airport security due to restrictions on liquids and buying water once you’re airside can be expensive. But if you pack an empty reusable water bottle in your carry-on, you should be able to fill it up from a water fountain or drinkable water tap once you’re airside. This allows you to stay hydrated without breaking the bank.

8. Toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant

No one feels at their freshest when disembarking a flight. And often you still have a lengthy journey to your accommodation to face after landing. Packing a toothbrush, travel-sized toothpaste and travel deodorant in your carry-on allows you to freshen up at your arrival airport.

9. Hand sanitiser

During a day of travel, you’re going to be touching a lot of surfaces that many other people have recently touched — from airport seats to the tray table and armrest on your flight. And you won’t always have easy access to a bathroom to immediately wash your hands. Pack some hand sanitiser in your carry-on bag so you can eliminate germs whenever and wherever you need to.

10. Sleep mask and neck pillow

Planning to snooze through your flight? Falling asleep just before takeoff and waking up hours later after touchdown is one way to ensure a painless flight.

But sleeping on a plane isn’t always easy, with possible disruptions ranging from bright lights and cabin crew announcements to chatty passengers and your neighbors standing up and sitting back down. Give yourself the best chance of a successful sleep by packing a sleep mask and neck pillow in your cabin bag.

11. Headphones or earplugs

Similarly, headphones or earplugs can help you block out a lot of the noise of a flight, lessening any anxiety and helping you to nod off. Headphones are also essential if you’re planning to watch or listen to any content during the flight.

12. Sweater or blanket

The temperature on planes is unpredictable. It’s often warm when you first board, but cools down significantly later in the flight, with passengers blasting their aircon. That’s why layering is essential for a comfortable flight. So dress light, but pack a sweater or blanket in your hand luggage to warm up once you’re in the air.

13. A pen

This one may surprise you – but it’s handy to have a pen on you when leaving the US for certain international destinations. Many countries – including the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Cambodia – offer a visa on arrival to US citizens. This means you don’t have to go through the headache of securing a visa ahead of your vacation – but you’ll likely have some paperwork to deal with either during your flight or upon landing.

14. Snacks

If you’re flying long-haul, meals are often included in the price of your ticket. But on short-haul or budget flights, enjoying a snack mid-flight comes with a steep price tag. Make sure you pack some (liquid-free) snacks in your cabin bag to avoid busting your budget before you’ve even arrived.

Carry-on packing list: travel essentials

Item	Packed?
Passport
Wallet
Phone
Laptop/Tablet/Games console
Change of clothes
Travel adapter
Medication and doctor’s note
Moisturizer
Lip balm
Empty reusable water bottle
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Deodorant
Hand sanitizer
Sleep mask
Neck pillow
Headphones
Sweater or blanket
Pen
Snacks

How to pack a carry-on case efficiently

You know what you need to pack – but you’re now faced with the challenge of cramming it all into a small carry-on.

Here’s how to use the space you do have efficiently.

1. Maximize the space

Carry-on bags have limited space, so you need to ensure you maximize their capacity. If you’re packing shoes or bags within your carry-on luggage, make sure you stuff them with other items.

2. Roll your clothes

Any frequent flier will tell you that rolling your clothes up – instead of simply folding them – will help you fit more in your bag. Roll your clothes up and line the bottom of your carry-on case with them.

3. Wrap electronics in soft items

If you’re bringing large electronic devices like laptops or tablets, wrap them in a soft item you’re planning to pack, like a sweater or blanket, to keep them extra safe.

4. Pack liquids in a transparent bag

To get your liquids safely through security, you’ll need to put them all in a single transparent resealable bag that measures 20 cm by 20 cm. You’ll also need to ensure there are no more than 100 ml in each individual container. The entire bag must hold no more than one liter.

While you can usually access plastic bags in the security line, it’s much more efficient to invest in your own so you can pack your liquids ahead of time.

5. Put items for the flight at the top of your bag

Holding up the embarkation line to rifle through your carry-on before stowing it away isn’t relaxing at all. Make sure the things you’ll need during the flight are at the top of your bag and easily accessible.

6. Place valuables inside zipped pockets

Finally, place your valuables inside zipped pockets inside your bag. Your wallet, phone and passport should be easily accessible to you – but not to anyone else.

Expert tips on packing light

But what if you’ve opted to steer clear of hold bags and travel with hand luggage only?

Whether you’re wondering how to pack a carry-on for a week or just a couple of days, here are six top tips to help you make the most of a smaller bag.

1. Decant cosmetics into small reusable bottles

Only travel with the cosmetics you’ll need on your trip. Invest in small reusable cosmetics bottles and decant your shampoo, body wash, sunscreen and any other liquids into them.

2. Take one pair of all-purpose shoes

Try to get away with one pair of shoes that will get you through the whole trip. A smart pair of sneakers, for example, will be appropriate for traveling, sightseeing and dining out at most places.

3. Create a capsule wardrobe

A capsule wardrobe is a select few items of clothes, all of which complement each other. For example, if you only pack black and white clothes and accessories, all the garments in your travel wardrobe will match all the others. This expands the number of outfit combinations you have to play with, while keeping the number of individual pieces low.

4. Plan outfits by day

By planning what you’ll wear on every day of your trip, you won’t end up packing clothes that go unworn. This means less wasted space in your carry-on and more room to fit in the things you do need.

5. Travel in your bulkiest items

Sometimes it’s impossible to avoid traveling with bulky items. For example, if you’re heading to Colorado for a snowy break, you’re going to need a thick coat and winter boots. There’s simply no room for bulky items in carry-on luggage, so get around this by wearing them on the plane.

6. Invest in packing cubes

Consider investing in some packing cubes that will ensure your clothes are as compact as possible.

FAQs

Can I pack razors in my carry-on?

You can pack both disposable razors and electric razors in your carry-on luggage. However, safety razors aren’t allowed.

Can you pack food in your carry-on?

Solid food items are permitted in your carry-on, but not liquids or gels. However, there may be some restrictions around transporting fresh fruit and vegetables, depending on your departure and arrival destinations – so it’s best to check before packing these.

What can’t you pack in a carry-on?

You can’t bring containers on board that are filled with more than 100 ml of liquid or gel. Sharp objects, certain batteries, heat-producing items, blunt instruments that could cause injury and trade tools all have restrictions around them too. In fact, there’s a long list of items that are banned from carry-on luggage – you can read it in full on the TSA website here.

In what order should you pack a carry-on bag?

Start by putting any footwear at the bottom of your bag and stuffing it with small items such as socks or chargers. Then roll up your clothes and fit them around your footwear. Place your electronics in the bag and use your layer of clothes to protect them.

Put your liquids in a transparent bag and place this in the case, along with any other cosmetics. Then pack anything you need for the flight, such as an eye mask or book, on the top layer. Finally, place your valuables, such as your passport, wallet and phone, in zipped pockets within your carry-on.