With summer is full swing, and many of us getting ready to leave on vacation, I thought it would be the perfect time to come up with a quick list of what to pack in your carry-on. First let me say that I always over pack, even after so many years of traveling, I just always feel as if I’m leaving something behind. And I’m also not the kind of person that likes to go shopping for toothpaste when I get to my destination…I want to spend all my time sightseeing and relaxing. So naturally, packing my carry-on is very important to me. Since most of the flights I take average 9 hours, after a while, I start to feel a bit claustrophobic, so I need to feel comfortable and keep busy to make the time go by faster. I also like to carry some snacks for all of us, as we sometimes forgo the plane meals, or fall asleep during the meal times. Here are my carry-on must-haves:
Snacks for the flight…
I love to buy a large bottle of water at the airport and keep myself hydrated during the flight. Snacks like almonds, Cheerios and peanut butter are healthy and yummy. We always pack gum too, as it helps with the ear popping during take-off and landing. And of course, a little piece of chocolate never hurt anyone!
My carry-on essentials…
My husband always makes fun of me saying I carry a small CVS in my bag. I always bring my travel document holder (which includes itineraries, boarding passes, emails from hotels and our passports), my iPad to watch movies, with of course a good set of Beats headphones, a good book and some cozy socks. But I also need to pack things like Advil for headaches (which I tend to suffer from), Visine for my eyes, which get very dry when I’m flying, some hand cream and a travel toothbrush. If you’re wondering about the Afrin, I also get very congested sometimes. And of course I never leave home without some hand wipes and my camera!
So, what are your carry-on must-haves? I’d love to compare notes in case I’m forgetting something!
My must haves are gum, Kleenex, my Blistex, my iPod, my portable phone charger and lots and lots of snacks. Oh, and I usually have an extra sweater crammed in there because I am always cold.
My must-haves are pretty much the same as yours. I also bring a pen and tiny notebook. Can’t wait to pack for a trip again!
Great carry on packing list!! My must haves include – eye mask, ear plugs, EO, water but, like you I pack a small CVS in my carry on. Of course, by the end of the trip, I am cursing the fact that my bag is sooo heavy. Thankfully, my husband normally has his rolling computer bag as a carry on and will place mine on top of his. 🙂
Oh yeah, that iPad holder really would come in handy on a plane! I always want my camera when I’m on a flight. I like pictures from the sky. 🙂
My carry-on always has my Mac Pro and a change of clothing – just in case! I always forget to pack food, so I’m going to steal your food suggestions for my upcoming trip to St. Maarten.
Great choices! I pack a lot, too! I always like to carry extra snacks, a book, along with all of the usual stuff I normally carry like tissues, hand sanitizer, lip balm, etc. 😉
I don’t fly much at all, but if I did, the only thing I would add are markers and a notepad for my daughter. It never fails – as much as she brings her own things to occupy her time, she eventually gets bored of them. I always have to have a back up.
I have all the same items as you mama!! Great post!!
I don’t travel often but when we do snacks and entertainment is a must (ipad, crosswords, etc) I’m not sure what I would have to carryon if we all took a trip… Probably lots!
Great selections. I always try to carry a notebook for writing thoughts and a puzzle book to keep my brain going.
My carry on bag is pretty similar to yours except I also include my face pouch that holds all my mini face products
i also always pack an extra shirt because I have traveled too many times where I’ve gotten spilled on, thrown up on, or just felt icky after a long trip.
You carry a lot of great things with you in your carry on. I always bring a book or magazines because I read so much on flights.
Some gum is always essential for me. I occasionally forget to bring a new book with me though, so I pick one up at the airport.
That has happened to me as well….I must have a book with me!
These are some great ideas! I’m all about a book and music when I’m alone but now with a baby, it’s a billion little toys and snacks
I usually never pack snacks and now I know that I should be lol! One thing I always make sure to pack is tissue paper to blow my nose lol I get so congested when I’m flying!
Me too, that’s why I bring nose drops! LOL!
My camera, iPad, and some snacks ALWAYS go in my carry on. I get hungry on flights.
Wow! U r well prepared for any emergency.. I don’t carry anything in particular….
You must be young…LOL!
I guess I never thought about my essentials. Your supply is probably what I need too . Lol
I do take a lot of the same things that you do. I have to have wet wipes of some sort and of course some advil. Snack are a must because you can find yourself stranded with nothing to eat and of course all of my chargers get carried on in case my luggage gets lost. As well as my prescription meds.
Mine looks pretty similar to yours! I love to bring my own snacks too.
Many of those snacks would definitely be carry ons if I was traveling with my 5 kids. A great way to keep them busy and quite!
I always am prepared with medicine while traveling, you’ll never know so I think I carry CVS all the time. I always always bring food while traveling, I hate airplane food.
Love this! I’ll be doing quite a lot of non-stop traveling for the rest of the year so this is very handy. I always make sure to have my iPad or a book in my carry on bag <3
Great items! I get motion sickness, so I always keep some Sea-Band gum in my carry on. It really helps!
Those are some good carry-on items. We usually take our tablets, fruit snacks, my big blue water bottle (we fill it up at water fountains), granola bars, extra socks and a small pillow. My boyfriend is allergic to flour, so we have to bring all of our own food on airplanes.
Sounds like you carry a lot in your carry on! I love Babybel cheese and never saw those dippers to date! You might be able to tell I am hungry at the moment! 🙂
These are such great carry on ideas!!! I always have to have a drink and my iPad! Especially on long flights!
These are all such great ideas. I definitely have a book in mine, and snacks. I personally love pretzels and chocolate too! I had no idea that Lindt had salted caramel flavor. I also need to make sure I have water.
These are all great stuff. I also like to bring light snacks and an electronic gadget to keep me entertained.
What’s in my carry on looks pretty much the same. I also bring a lip balm with me.
babybel cheese is a must have for me!!! Great choices!
Great tips for a carry on!! I drive most places these days but I will definitely keep these tips in mind for the next time I fly!
I hardly carry on anything, just the barre minimum. I find the more “stuff” I bring the less space I have and it’s just crammed in my bag so tight I can’t reach it anyways!!
This is such a perfect list! It will be so helpful with all the summer traveling coming up.
BabyBel is always a great treat.
These are great things to pack in your carry on. I like to pack a extra set of cloths just in case my luggage is lost.
Salted caramel yumm… it sounds perfect to me just about now
In my carry on I have candy, cookies, my kindle, ipod with headphones and teabags. I need my hot tea wherever I go.
I always have trouble deciding what to include in my carry on luggage. This is some great information to get organized while traveling.
I’ve actually never flown so I don’t know what my essentials would be lol. But this is a great list to refer to if I ever do.
Well, I have a pre-packed bag of my essentials ~ toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, shampoo, razor, comb, brush, shower cap, face wash and panties. I bring what I would need if I get stuck somewhere without the rest of my luggage. My carry on includes one outfit, pair of socks, and some “keep busy items”. Depending where I’m going, a book, laptop, tablet, etc. I don’t often bring snacks.
Great list!
Lindt has a new bar out. It’s milk chocolate with hazelnut brownie caramel filling. Out of this world!
Where are your clothes? Lol. But who needs clothes on a vacation 🙂
In my luggage…
You have given a great list on Carry on. Most of them are similar to the ones I have. I used to pack extra blankets and medicines for emergency use as well.
Everything looks great. Is the cheese shelf stable?
The cheese gets eaten pretty quickly…
Wonderful ideas! I always pack a Luna bar or two in case the craving hits. However, my ultimate carry-on must have is my DSLR.
how awesome! Thanks for sharing these ideas. I always have a handful of band-aid with me….lol!
You have an impressive list! I think that my computer, my toiletries, an extra pair of undies, chargers, wipes, water, money, and a couple of snacks will do it for me. I also need a mini lotion tube all the time for my dry hands/body, and a small first aid box 🙂
I always bring snacks when I travel because you never know when you’re going to want something to give you energy or satisfy a craving. My carry-on stores a lot of tech stuff, chargers, and toiletry items…oh, and anything that I do not want to get lost (in case my luggage decides it wants to travel somewhere else).