What to Pack in Your Carry-On Bag — CHOP LIFE AND TRAVEL

As you think of packing your carry on, consider taking a strategic approach. Think of factors such as, the number of flights and layovers you have (e.g. do you want to lug around a heavy carry on?), airline carrier (do they check bag weight or size?), and essentials needed (what’s crucial?). Below are some helpful and essential items to include in your carry on.

What to pack?

1.) Hygiene kit and Covid essentials: Create and customize your kit to fit your need. My kit consists of masks (plus many extra ones), hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes and spray (of course), sanitary products, a small face towel, a toothbrush, and travel sized toothpaste, deodorant, and perfume.

2.) Sweater/jacket: Have you noticed how cold airports and airplanes are? Save yourself from freezing by wearing or packing a sweater. This becomes especially helpful on shorter flight where the airline does not provide blankets.

3.) Change of clothes: Have you experienced being on a cramped or bumpy plane ride and spilling your drink or food on yourself? That’s me! OR Your flight gets cancelled and you have to spend the night in a random city with no luggage? Yup, that’s me!

Although you may or may not have experienced any of those situations, plan ahead! Pack an extra shirt, pants, and underwear, it’s helpful.

4.) Electronics: It's nice to have your laptop, Ipad, kindle, etc but don't forget the chargers and adaptors!

5.) Books: For those who love reading, flights, especially longer ones provide a great opportunity to get lost in a book. With that in mind, bring a physical book (take note that they are heavier) or preload books onto your preferred device, kindle, Ipad, tablet, phone, etc

6.) Of course…The MOST important....SNACKS: Remember those lull moments on flights when you get hungry or peckish but they won’t be serving a meal for another couple hours? Or when the airport food choices are horrible? Avoid this by bringing your own snacks! Non-perishable foods such as nuts and fruit (both fresh or dried) are always a good idea. If you’re traveling internationally and forget to eat your snacks on the plane, be aware of the custom laws (what you can or cannot bring into a country) for your arrival destination. Don’t forget to stay hydrated by packing a reusable water bottle.

Note: This post goes over essentials for carry on luggage. In addition to a carry on, I usually have my purse, hand bag, or fanny pack (LOL yes), which contains my travel documents and other essentials.