When it comes to packing the most essential items for travel, you want to go light. Of course, you’ll want to plan an easy capsule wardrobe and minimize toiletries. But you’ll also want to pack the most important things. Make sure you don’t leave for the airport without these five items in your carry-on bag.
5 Carry-On Travel Essentials for a More Comfortable Trip
Packing light doesn’t mean leaving behind the little things that make travel more comfortable. A few essentials can save you some aggravation, especially when you’re spending hours in airports or on a plane.
Here are five things worth making room for in your carry-on.
Safety and Sanitizing Gear
You’ve probably seen those videos of passengers putting their bare feet on airplane seats or clipping their nails mid-flight. Yuck!
You can’t control what other passengers do, but you can pack a few things to keep your hands clean.
You might also want to pack a well-fitting mask, particularly during cold and flu season.
You can opt for a disposable KN-95 mask or the kind that allows for better breathing and avoids fogging up your glasses.
A PurePerformance mask is a great pick, in that case. It uses nano-mesh fabric with filtration technology that the manufacturer claims filters 99% of pollen particles and other allergens.
It looks and feels great. After all, you’ll be wearing it for your entire plane ride except for when you’re eating and drinking.
Keep hand sanitizer and wipes handy, too.
For a hand-sanitizer that you can snap right onto your purse or carryon bag, you’ll want to get a few of these Olika essential oil hand sanitizers. They come in six delightful scents, including cucumber basil, orange blossom, and fragrance free.
Plus, the refillable 1 oz. dispensers that are so darn cute!
Rather than pouring out a big blob of goo, Olika hand sanitizers spray a mist that is effective against 99.9% of germs for up to 24 hours. The best part is they help moisturize your skin rather than dry it out.
Use sanitizing wipes to clean your tray table and other frequently touched surfaces.
Portable Charger
There’s nothing worse than watching your phone battery drop into the red when you’re trying to pull up a boarding pass or find your way to the hotel.
A portable charger can save the day when you’re nowhere near an outlet. Choose one that’s compact enough for your carry-on and powerful enough to recharge your phone. Keep it in your carry-on, not your checked luggage.
You can place this portable charger from ECOGEAR FX anywhere and use it once your device gets near to shutting down.
That way, you’ll avert being disconnected at the worst time.
Travel Pillow
Trying to sleep sitting upright in an airplane seat isn’t exactly relaxing. And waking up with a stiff neck doesn’t make the trip any better.
A travel pillow gives your head and neck some support, even if you never manage to fall asleep.
Pillows can give you neck and head support, lessening discomfort and pain when battling an upright sleeping position when traveling.
Even if you don’t fall asleep, at least you’ll be more comfortable.
Travel Wallet
Ever find yourself digging through your bag for your passport while everyone behind you waits?
A good travel wallet keeps your important documents together so you can find them without the last-minute scramble, with space for:
- Money and credit cards
- Boarding Pass
- Passport
- Other travel necessities
If you are tired of fumbling around for these things or just cringe at the idea of holding up the line, a travel wallet can help you get organized.
Some travel wallets have separate compartments for your passport, cards, and boarding passes. This zippered travel wallet even has room for your phone, plus it has the added benefit of RFID protection.
Water Bottle
Buying bottled water every time you’re thirsty gets expensive, especially at the airport. Bring a reusable bottle instead. You’ll save money and cut down on plastic waste.
If you’re tight on space, a collapsible silicone bottle is handy because you can fold it up when it’s empty. It doesn’t stain either, so you don’t have to worry about the smell and taste of water when the temperatures are high.
An insulated stainless steel bottle keeps your water cold for hours. Just remember to empty it before going through airport security. You can refill it afterward.
My favorite insulated stainless water bottle is the Super Sparrow, which tucks nicely into a travel bag and has a spill-free spout. It comes in a great selection of colors, too!
Final Thoughts on Essential Items for Travel
These five travel essentials won’t take up much room, but you’ll appreciate having them when you need them.
You can literally count these items with one hand: a portable phone charger, water bottle, travel wallet, travel pillow, and health/safety gear.
Add them to your packing list, put on a comfy travel outfit, and enjoy the trip!
Looking for more packing tips? Click here to read a review of the best hardshell carryon luggage.
Photo credits: PurePerformance, Canva Pro
Related: 3 Useful Travel Items for Comfort, Convenience, and Making Memories