Ultimate Carry on Packing Tips
Carry On!
Don’t you want to be as comfortable as possible as you travel? I know I do…
That’s why I made this list of the ultimate carry on packing tips!
They include what to put in your carry on luggage and great recommendations for carry on luggage too!
Having a good carry on bag with the right things in it can really make your travels that much more comfortable!
Which Carry on Bags?
These are so many different styles and shapes of carry on bags.
There are ones with laptop pocket will fit in the overhead compartment of most airlines. Of course, check with your specific airline.
Some planes have much smaller storage areas than others, so it’s worth checking this out first.
When I am carrying a laptop or other fragile items I choose a hard-shelled luggage with lots of pockets to organize things.
Most hard shell luggage just opens up in half and that’s it.
For me, it’s best when there is a separate laptop area to make it even better, you don’t need to open up your whole luggage just to get out your laptop to put it through the security checks.
Under the seat carry on bags that can fit under the seat in front of you on most airlines. Again, check the dimensions for your specific airline before you fly.
This luggage is not hard shell, but it has so many great pockets. This luggage also has a front pocket for a laptop and other electronics, pens, and other smaller items.
Inside there are mesh pockets for shoes and tie-down straps to hold your clothes in place too.
There are 2 side pockets and 3 front zippered pockets for holding your cell phone, tickets, and other things. There’s even little pockets inside of the pocket with spaces to put your pen, phone and other items.
This luggage only has 2 wheels, not 4 like the other luggage.
For me, the 2 wheels are okay for this luggage because it’s not too big, so I don’t think it would get too heavy.
This luggage has a handle to hold it and a retractable handle for rolling it on the wheels too.
All of these pictures are clickable links if you want to get these items or check them out more.
Small accessories to keep your hands free!
This travel cup holder for luggage attaches around the retractable handle on your luggage. I find it handy for holding a water bottle and my phone or other smaller items.
A simple item that fixes the problem of where you put your coffee or water as you’re walking around the airport or boarding your plane.
More and more I find that airlines don’t have the televisions as much as they used to.
They may offer you paid or free wifi to use on your phone. This Universal phone holder for flights clips onto the tray table of the seat in front of you. This way your hand is not cramping up as you switch from left to right hand holding your phone.
With this Universal phone holder for flights you can watch a movie and relax hands free!
Things that hold things!
This Travel neck pillow is a sneaky way to pack extra clothes with you! You just fill the neck pillow with clothing that you can’t fit in your luggage! Of course, it turns into a pillow as you stuff it with clothing. I usually roll my clothing so that it’s not lumpy.
This collapsible water bottle is helpful to pack in your carry on, bag or purse. It has little straps that hold it closed when you want it to be compact.
You will save money from buying $6.00 water bottles as you travel. Just open up the bottle and fill it up.
When you need to pack up and save space, drink the water and collapse the water bottle again!
Multi-Use Items!
It seems that everyone wants that perfect photo now! This selfie Stick with tripod and remote can help you to take that photo and still pack light! As you can see in the clickable photo below, it folds up very small!
This way you can still take great pictures, especially if you’re a solo traveller without needing other people’s help.
It also has a tripod which closes too.
This mini handheld personal fan is also very small and folds up. This fan can last for 21 hours and even has a flashlight too!
In my opinion, the most helpful part of this fan is that it also doubles as a power bank to charge your phone too!
There are many airlines that don’t have plugs to charge your phone, so this fan can be helpful for recharging your device.
Organize your Things
This travel bag for electronics and cords is very helpful to keep things in your carry on bag organized.
This bag has mesh pockets and loops to hold cords and different electronic devices.
Packing Cubes Set includes a shoe bag and cosmetic bag. There are also 4 zippered clothing bags. There is also a laundry bag and a bag for underwear and socks.
Of course, you won’t use all of these bags in your carry on bag, but some of them could definitely be used to organize clothing or other things in your carry on.
Organize your small valuables
There is a spot for rings and pockets for bracelets and necklaces. The thing that I like the most about this Travel jewelry organizer is that it has a section to put your earrings through.
This way they will stay organized by putting the earrings through the little holes.
This compact Pill Organizer can help to take whatever you need while you’re travelling. Whether you’re packing vitamins or medication you can organize it and because there are separate lids for each section, you won’t spill it all on accident.
I know that medication is not necessarily a ‘valuable’, but if you need it and don’t have it, it becomes valuable to have!
Pack a Pen
I know it’s simple, but important.
Why? For some countries you need to fill out a form while you’re on the flight or when you enter the airport at your destination.
I also pack my pen in a ziploc bag.
I do this in case the pen explodes; this way if it does explode the ink will only go in the bag as opposed to some clothing or a passport.
I also pack some paper just in case. You never know if you want to or need to write something down.
Keep Warm
Have you ever been cold on a plane, train or bus? I know that I have!
I like to pack this Travel blanket with feet pockets.
It’s so comfy and keeps me warm. What I like about it is that it is the size of a seat, so it doesn’t go onto the other seats.
But the best part is the feet pockets! There is a little pocket for each foot so your feet are not touching the ground.
It keeps your feet warm and clean.
I always pack a pair of comfy socks, so that if I don’t want to use the blanket or just want to take off my shoes I can.
This way my feet are not touching the airplane floor…
Peace and Quiet!
Sometimes there are people playing video games or watching movies on their personal device with the volume up or children being loud.
Some unwanted noises that you may not want to hear are: babies crying, couples arguing, loud music, snoring, and more.
Whether you’re on the plane, train, bus, or whatever this sleep mask and ear plugs set can help.
It comes in a small carrying case, so it’s very portable.
The sleep mask is rounded around the eyes, so the mask is not touching your eyes.
It’s also fully adjustable and can help you have more peace and quiet.
It’s a good idea to pack a set like this because you never know who will be around you as you travel, and in many cases you can’t just get up and move where you want to.
Bring something to do
The final touch is an activity to do while you’re travelling!
I have 2 options for you! I have created both of these books, small and light-weight so that you can take them with you as you travel!
You can pick a coloring book with travel themed and inspirational messages, or you can pick an activity book with things like word searches, crossword puzzles, coloring pages, riddles, cryptograms and more!
When you click on the links below, it will direct you to my Amazon author page.
If you bring all of these things with you, I think the chances of you enjoying your travel are much higher.
Of course, it goes without saying that you need to pack your passport, wallet, ID, keys, etc. I always put those items in a zippered pocket, so that they will not fall out at any point if I have to rush through the airport or look for things in my luggage.
Also, don’t forget to charge your phone or device before you board.
Bring your charger too, some planes have plugs or USBs for charging. Even if the plane doesn’t you’ll need it once you arrive anyways.
Looking for fun activities at your destination?
Are you looking to book some tours for your destination?
You can check out your options, and even book, right here!
Where to Stay
Do you still need to find a hotel for your next trip?
You can use this widget to check out different hotels, and even book your hotel here too!
Besides being a travel blogger, I am also a travel writer, Amazon author and an English teacher. Check out my services here!
Lorraine Black
I'm writing these travel blogs to bring you travel tips, reviews, recommendations & more! I am also a Travel Content Writer, Amazon Author, and an Internationally Certified English teacher. I thrive on opening doors in your life to make you more successful through writing, sharing, and teaching!
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