Carry-on Only: Your Airplane Essentials When Going Carry-on Only

One of a traveler’s worst nightmares is lost luggage—one way to avoid this is to not check a bag. Traveling with just a carry-on is not only do-able but it also eliminates extra costs (especially worth considering with increased fees), the time spent waiting at baggage claim, or worse, learning that your bags did not arrive with you.

If you’d like to travel with a carry-on only, we’ve put together a list of carry-on only essentials based on our own experiences as well as the top travel expert-tested recommendations.

Travel Documents

Nothing can ruin a trip faster than getting to the airport only to realize that you don’t have the travel documents necessary for boarding your flight. Essential documents include your passport, ID, any necessary visas, and boarding pass (or have the QR code pulled up on your phone). I personally like to use a passport/document cover so that everything’s together and easier to quickly find in my bag. We recommend one with RFID blocking (and one that does not say "Passport" on the cover), like this vegan leather cover by Satechi.

TSA-Approved Toiletries

Pack TSA-approved travel-sized toiletries (under 3.4 ounces) in a clear bag. I’ve tried several myself and have finally found my favorite leak-proof bottles; made of silicone, they include labels and other accessories, and come in the requisite clear bag.

Electronics and Chargers

Be sure to pack your phone, laptop, and other devices you can’t live without during your trip, and their chargers, too. I highly recommend packing a portable charger; I have never regretted having a portable one with me for long travel days, when my flight is delayed, or during a lengthy sight-seeing excursion. And nowadays you can't even check lithium batteries, according to the TSA.

Headphones or Ear Buds

Ear buds can be great for blocking out distractions on your flight and can also come in handy during your time away. Two tips for using ear buds when you travel (that as a professor, I always share with the college students I travel with): First, if you have an expensive pair, you may consider bringing a cheaper set with you in case you misplace them. Second, if you’re in an environment where you should be aware of your surroundings, especially if you’re a solo traveler, you may not want to use both ear buds; one should suffice.

Versatile Clothing and Packing Cubes

How much clothing you pack depends on the length and purpose of your trip. Regardless, there are some tips that can help you to make the most of the space in your carry-on:

Choose versatile clothing pieces that can be mixed and matched. For example, a pair of black pants can be worn more than once, with a variety of tops. Wear your bulky items: Jackets, sweaters, etc. take up valuable space in a carry-on, so wear them. If it’s too warm to wear something bulky while traveling, either carry it, tie it around your waist, or loop it through the handles of your luggage.

Use packing cubes. Once I tried them, I never looked back. They help compress clothing, keep your luggage organized, and keep your shoes separate from your clothes. Bonus: if you don’t have the time or space to fully unpack, you can at least keep your items organized within the cubes. These particular packing cubes have an Amazon rating of 4.6, an average of more than 38,000 reviews.

Comfort Travel Items

Having flown cross country and abroad, I have found that some travel items really do make a difference in comfort and overall experience, especially for longer flights. For instance, I’d be lost without my favorite travel pillow. Other popular items include eye masks, blankets (small and lightweight) and ear plugs (did you know they make ear plugs specifically for flying?). 

Snacks

Do you ever find yourself feeling disappointed by the snack selection at airports (and/or their prices)? If yes, there’s an easy solution: pack your own! Parents traveling with children would never leave home without snacks for their little ones; we adults need snacks, too!

Reusable Water Bottle

Don’t underestimate the benefits of this oft-overlooked travel accessory. You can fill up a reusable water bottle after you go through airport security and it will serve additional purposes during your trip: you’ll save time and money by not purchasing water, and you’ll be kinder to the environment by foregoing plastic containers. I personally prefer a bottle with a hook so I can attach it to my personal item. This Hydro Flask wide-mouth bottle is on the list of REI’s best water bottles selected by REI staff.

The Right Personal Item

A final tip: Make good use of your under-seat luggage or personal item. Bring the largest one your airline will allow (that you’re able to lift easily). Consider what style would best suit your needs, whether a duffel-type bag, backpack, or a combination of both, like the popular (and often sold out) Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack by Calpak. It boasts multiple pockets including a padded laptop pocket, adjustable padded shoulder straps, a separate compartment for shoes, and a luggage trolley sleeve. If you prefer to carry weight on your back rather than on one shoulder, this may be an excellent choice for you.

Trackable Luggage Tag

Whichever personal item you choose, pack everything you need easy access to during your flight: your documents, medication, any valuables, and other items you'll want nearby, such as a book, snacks, etc. But just in case you're forced to gate-check your bag, make sure you add a trackable luggage tag, like this one with built-in Apple Find My technology.