25 Things You Should Always Pack in Your Carry-on Bag

Packing for a flight is exciting – but it can also be overwhelming. With a little planning and a concise list of what to pack in a carry-on bag, you can maximize space in your duffel bag, weekender bag, backpack and more while staying within airlines’ carry-on size requirements. What’s more, you’ll have all your must-haves and travel essentials readily available in your personal carry-on bag, as well as some extra finds to make the journey more comfortable. Utilizing your carry-on bag and personal item capacity can even reduce baggage fees and decrease lost baggage incidents.

To help you decide what to pack in your personal item and carry-on bag for your next trip, U.S. News editors and industry experts compiled this list of travel necessities to simplify the packing process. These essential items will help with organization and in-flight comfort – not to mention smoother travel days. Click on the packing list below to download it and use while you prep for your next trip, then read on to find out more about the important items to pack.

For safety and security reasons, you’ll want to make sure you have credit cards, identification and any travel documents close to you at all times. If you’re planning to keep your bag under the seat in front of you, the Travelon RFID Blocking Single Zip Wallet on Amazon keeps cards and documents organized and safe. If you tend to put your bag in one of the overhead bins, consider a travel neck wallet, such as the Lewis N. Clark RFID Blocking Stash Neck Wallet on Amazon to keep your cards and documents on your body. Whatever option you choose, you want a wallet that is easy to find during check-in, security screenings, boarding and customs, along with RFID security to avoid having your personal information stolen while traveling.

Travel tip: If you’re traveling internationally, a passport holder can secure your passport and make it easy to find in your carry-on bag. You’ll need access to your passport when you board your flight and when you’re filling out entry forms, so keep the passport holder and a pen within reach. Many styles include room for credit cards, boarding passes, customs documents and vaccine cards to keep all the necessary items organized for customs and boarding your flight. Once you arrive at your destination, put the passport wallet in your crossbody or travel belt to ensure the essentials are safe while you explore.

For your carry-on bag, consider a travel toiletry bag so your toiletries are organized and easy to find. If you’ll have limited counter space at your destination, a hanging style such as the L.L. Bean Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag might help. If you’d like one with separate compartments for makeup, first-aid essentials, personal hygiene items, shaving supplies, brushes and hair accessories, the Lug Mini Trolley on Amazon offers compact organization with multiple zippered compartments and a wipeable lining and exterior. See the U.S. News picks for top travel toiletry bags.

When packing your carry-on bag for a flight, you’ll want to have a clear quart-sized bag that meets Transportation Security Administration guidelines for liquids and gels. Some dopp kits or toiletry bags include a removable bag for travel-size liquids, or you can find a reusable TSA-approved clear bag on Amazon. Put any liquids or gels you’re traveling with in this bag, including shampoo, lotion, liquid makeup items and hand sanitizer. Keep in mind that all liquids and gels must be in travel-size bottles or containers measuring 3.4 ounces or less. If your liquids are in larger containers, you can purchase reusable bottles such as humangear Go Toob+ bottles on Amazon. Remember: You’ll need to remove this clear quart-sized bag from your carry-on bag at security, so consider packing it in an external pocket or an easy-to-find spot in your carry-on suitcase.

Whether you need prescription medications during transit or once you arrive at your destination, you should keep all of these medications in your carry-on bag. Doing so will make these essential items easy to access regardless of any delays or time changes. If you take multiple medications, consider a pill organizer from Amazon. Never stow prescription medications in checked baggage: If luggage is lost or delayed, replacing these medications while traveling can be extremely challenging or even impossible.

Some carry-on bags have built-in luggage tags. If your personal item doesn’t have this feature, you can purchase luggage tags on Amazon. This item is essential because, in the event that you get separated from your bag for whatever reason, the contact information on a luggage tag can help you reunite with and claim your bag. What’s more, choosing a bright color, pattern or favorite character is ideal for expressing your personality and picking your bag out should it need to be stowed among other luggage on a bus or train, or in a hotel.

Resting throughout your journey can help you feel refreshed when you reach your destination and make the time pass a little quicker. But nothing can (literally) cramp your style like a stiff neck from sleeping wrong. Having a comfortable pillow in your carry-on allows you to settle in, get comfortable and catch some zzz’s when time permits. Check out the U.S. News recommendations for the top travel neck pillows.

Maximize space and keep your bag’s contents organized with packing cubes. These handy travel bags are made from a variety of soft-sided materials, some with see-through windows, labeling options or compression technology. What’s more, using a variety of sizes and colors can help you quickly locate your shoes or change of clothes amid your other belongings.

Phones and tablets are essential for today’s traveler, as they may be your boarding pass, notification center and entertainment source. However, it’s easy to have your charging cords at the bottom of your bag or your headphones tangled somewhere in your tote. A handy tech organizer with zippered compartments and sections for specific cords, such as the CALPAK Tech Organizer, can help reduce tangled messes.

Perfect for storing snacks, earbuds, extra socks, scrunchies, coloring supplies, receipts or random finds, zippered pouches and Stasher Silicone Reusable Storage Bags from Amazon will help you curb clutter in your carry-on bag or personal item. For a family tote, consider different colored pouches for each traveler’s items, or maybe varied prints for your necessities so you can easily tell them apart without removing everything from the bag. CALPAK sells a variety of zippered pouch sets.

During a flight, the low humidity and high altitude can have a drying effect on your skin and lips. To combat the dry air, consider packing a hydrating lip balm with soothing natural oils and antioxidants. What’s more, if you choose a lip balm over liquid moisturizer, you won’t need to store this product in your clear TSA-approved liquids bag.

Bluetooth and wireless options are great, but when you’re flying they aren’t always compatible with airplane entertainment systems. If you’re planning to watch a movie (or maybe just tune out your seatmates), Amazon sells inexpensive wired earbuds to toss into your carry-on.

Having a book or two in your carry-on is always a good idea. Whether you encounter a delayed flight, a long layover or a plane with less than stellar in-flight entertainment, an e-reader or a new book will help pass the time.

On everything from red-eyes to international flights, a good eye mask can block out lights from the seatback screens or plane windows to help you catch a bit of sleep while traveling. Some eye masks from brands like Nodpod are weighted for relaxation benefits, while other eye mask options on Amazon are compact and light blocking.

It’s not always easy to find a charging station at the airport, and there are a lot of restrictions when it comes to packing batteries in your carry-on baggage for any flight. One option that meets Federal Aviation Administration guidelines is this Anker 537 Power Bank (PowerCore 26K for Laptop) on Amazon. This device can charge a laptop, smartphone or tablet quickly, to keep your devices running even on a long flight.

For international travel – since different countries use different plug shapes – packing a universal adapter or converter will enable you to charge your devices and other electronics. Before purchasing, consider what your needs will be, especially regarding the shape of the wall outlet plugs and the voltage of the countries you’ll be visiting. A travel adapter such as the EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter on Amazon makes plugs from the U.S. fit into electrical outlets around the world, whereas a travel converter like the GEARGO 230W Voltage Converter converts the electricity voltage. If you’re traveling overseas from the U.S., you’ll need both of these devices to use electronics like laptops, curling irons and hair straighteners (unless your device is dual voltage, like the BaBylissPRO Nano Mini Straightening Iron).           

Whether you’re traveling to different climates or looking to stay cozy on a chilly flight, a comfy blanket can make all the difference. The Travel Blanket from Away has thermoregulating technology, snaps to connect a travel pillow and pouches to tuck your feet. What’s more, it folds up into a handy carrying pouch when not in use. Amazon also sells a variety of travel blankets.

For minor injuries like blisters, unexpected cuts and scrapes, a travel first-aid kit such as the Welly Quick Fix Kit with ointments and bandages is helpful to have along. Or, get a variety pack of Band-Aids from Amazon to pack into your cosmetic bag or tuck in a pocket on your soft-sided suitcase.

For daytrips, picnics, carrying an extra pair of shoes or anything in between, a lightweight reusable bag like the Lug Packable Tote Bag is a helpful addition to your carry-on. It’ll save on single-use plastic bags and provide extra space for unexpected purchases. Amazon sells a variety of packable totes that are useful for carrying travel essentials without having to fully unpack your carry-on bag.

For added comfort and cleanliness, consider a reusable airplane seat cover, such as those available on Amazon from NiceSeats. Constructed from breathable materials, these seat covers are machine-washable, have a universal fit and come with a storage pouch.

Flying and walking can cause feet to swell, while some travels may take you to a completely different climate. Packing an extra pair of shoes in a water-resistant packing cube such as the CALPAK Compakt Shoe Bag, or within a designated shoe compartment in a weekender bag, keeps other carry-on contents clean and gives you footwear options.

Let’s face it: A lot can happen while traveling. Whether your beverage spills off your tray table or you lose your checked baggage, it’s good to plan for the unexpected. Pack a versatile outfit into your carry-on bag so you have a backup option, or perhaps have your swimwear and flip-flops ready to head directly to the beach.

Whether you want to change into a comfy pair of ankle socks to nap, or you got caught in the rain on the way to the airport and now have wet socks, having a change of socks can be useful. For maximum comfort, compression socks can stimulate circulation to help reduce leg swelling caused by flying or sitting for extended periods of time. View the U.S. News picks for top compression socks for travel.

When packing a carry-on bag or suitcase, it’s important to note that some items are prohibited on all flights, due to Federal Aviation Administration regulations. The prohibited list includes aerosol products (such as anti-static spray or pepper spray), lithium or lithium-ion batteries, firearms and ammunition, flammables and explosives. For more details on what you can and can’t pack in your carry-on, visit the TSA’s What Can I Bring? and the FAA’s Pack Safe websites.