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:
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 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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLike
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. 🙂
LikeLike
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. 🙂
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLike
I have all the same items as you mama!! Great post!!
LikeLike
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!
LikeLike
Great selections. I always try to carry a notebook for writing thoughts and a puzzle book to keep my brain going.
LikeLike
My carry on bag is pretty similar to yours except I also include my face pouch that holds all my mini face products
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
That has happened to me as well….I must have a book with me!
LikeLike
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
LikeLike
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!
LikeLike
Me too, that’s why I bring nose drops! LOL!
LikeLike
My camera, iPad, and some snacks ALWAYS go in my carry on. I get hungry on flights.
LikeLike
Wow! U r well prepared for any emergency.. I don’t carry anything in particular….
LikeLike
You must be young…LOL!
LikeLike
I guess I never thought about my essentials. Your supply is probably what I need too . Lol
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mine looks pretty similar to yours! I love to bring my own snacks too.
LikeLike
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!
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
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 ❤
LikeLike
Great items! I get motion sickness, so I always keep some Sea-Band gum in my carry on. It really helps!
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
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! 🙂
LikeLike
These are such great carry on ideas!!! I always have to have a drink and my iPad! Especially on long flights!
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
These are all great stuff. I also like to bring light snacks and an electronic gadget to keep me entertained.
LikeLike
What’s in my carry on looks pretty much the same. I also bring a lip balm with me.
LikeLike
babybel cheese is a must have for me!!! Great choices!
LikeLike
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!
LikeLike
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!!
LikeLike
This is such a perfect list! It will be so helpful with all the summer traveling coming up.
LikeLike
BabyBel is always a great treat.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
Salted caramel yumm… it sounds perfect to me just about now
LikeLike
In my carry on I have candy, cookies, my kindle, ipod with headphones and teabags. I need my hot tea wherever I go.
LikeLike
I always have trouble deciding what to include in my carry on luggage. This is some great information to get organized while traveling.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great list!
LikeLike
Lindt has a new bar out. It’s milk chocolate with hazelnut brownie caramel filling. Out of this world!
LikeLike
Where are your clothes? Lol. But who needs clothes on a vacation 🙂
LikeLike
In my luggage…
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
Everything looks great. Is the cheese shelf stable?
LikeLike
The cheese gets eaten pretty quickly…
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
how awesome! Thanks for sharing these ideas. I always have a handful of band-aid with me….lol!
LikeLike
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 🙂
LikeLike
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).
LikeLike