What to pack in a carry-on bag every time you travel

Whether you are Team Carry-On or you always check a bag, there are certain items that you should keep with you when you fly. Some of these items can make your flight more comfortable and entertaining, while others are helpful to have with you if your checked luggage gets lost or your flight gets delayed.

Here are the essential items you should never pack in your checked luggage so you have them close when you need them.

Identification documents

This one should go without saying: Your identifying documents, such as a passport or valid driver's license, are among the most important items to keep close when traveling, especially abroad.

To protect your passport from tears and spills, it's smart to carry it in a passport wallet. Some even come with a hidden AirTag pocket to keep tabs on your passport if you misplace it.

Buy: Allive leather passport holder with AirTag hidden pocket

If you're traveling domestically and don't need a passport, those 18 and older still need a Real ID-compliant form of identification to pass through security at U.S. airports.

The Transportation Security Administration website lists all accepted forms of identification.

Once you've reached your destination, you'll likely need to show some form of ID to check into a hotel or rent a car. When traveling internationally, the U.S. government recommends carrying a picture of your passport while keeping your actual passport (and other valuables) securely locked in your room (in a hotel safe, if available).

Additionally, the U.S. Department of State advises travelers to print travel itineraries and other important documents in case their phone gets damaged or Wi-Fi access is difficult.

Daily Newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

Email address

Sign up

By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Phone

A phone is helpful for making calls and texts abroad, especially if you have a plan with international data.

It can also help you navigate unfamiliar cities, book ride-hailing services and make dining reservations.

Related: Frequent Uber or Lyft user? These are the best credit cards for you

Phone charger with a travel adapter

Traveling with your phone also means charging it more frequently, which is only possible if you've brought the right charger and any necessary adapters (when applicable).

If you travel with a suitcase that includes a battery pack for charging, remember that it must comply with TSA guidelines.

Keep your electronics and chargers in a carry-on for easy access on the plane, but be aware of your airline's policies on portable chargers before using one on your flight. Many airlines offer in-seat power outlets.

Charging while flying ensures your phone is fully charged before you exit the plane, minimizing the risk of a dead battery en route to your hotel or other accommodations. Since your room may not be available for check-in when you arrive, charging inflight also ensures your phone is fully charged if you have to wait.

This is also helpful if you have a lengthy layover between flights, since airport charging stations can be hard to find.

Buy: Epicka universal travel adapter

Headphones (wireless and wired)

You should always have at least one pair of headphones when you travel, but it doesn't hurt to have two (one wireless and one not) since wireless ones may run out of battery and, in many cases, won't be able to connect to the inflight entertainment screen on your plane (though some airlines are finally introducing this technology).

Buy: Beats Studio Pro headphones

Buy: Apple AirPods Pro

Multicharging device

In addition to your phone, your other devices, like an iPad or Apple Watch, may require separate chargers. To reduce the load, consider purchasing a charging device that lets you charge multiple devices at once.

We also recommend keeping all your chargers in their own bag or pocket within your smaller carry-on item — preferably the one that sits under the seat for easy access.

Buy: Anker MagSafe-compatible MagGo UFO 3-in-1 charger

Change of clothes

Travel hiccups are sometimes unavoidable, and if all your clothes are in your checked luggage, you may find yourself stranded without a change of clothing.

This is the kind of scenario that always seems like it won't happen to you until it does.

We recommend throwing in a grocery bag or large zip-close bag for dirty clothes in your suitcase, or using a suitcase that comes with a reusable laundry bag.

You'll appreciate having easy access to a fresh change of clothes, especially on long-haul flights or ones with long layovers. It's particularly helpful to have another set of clothes when you can freshen up in an airport lounge or an aircraft with showers.

Even if your flight is short and direct, it's still good idea to pack a change of clothes in your carry-on in case your baggage gets delayed.

Buy: Zcyxuuw wet bag

Reusable water bottle

Another item we recommend traveling with is a reusable water bottle. Just make sure the bottle is empty before you pass through airport security since most airports limit the amount of liquids you can take through security.

Once you head to your gate in the postsecurity area, you'll usually find free water refill stations, including some with filtered water.

Keep in mind that flying can dehydrate you, especially if you're drinking alcohol. It's important to pay attention to your water consumption on travel days and make sure you are getting enough.

Considering how much airport stores charge for water and other items, bringing your own water bottle saves money — and eliminates single-use plastic.

Buy: Owala FreeSip insulated stainless steel water bottle

Snacks

As with water, don't rely on airport options or inflight snacks. Sometimes, when traveling, food outlets may not be available or open when you need them.

A couple of our favorite travel snacks include these chicken sticks and this popcorn.

Prescriptions and other medications

If you take medication daily, it's important to first check that your particular medication won't get you into trouble in the country you're visiting. If you're in the clear, pack any prescription medications in your carry-on bag, and put any frequently used over-the-counter medications, such as pain relievers and allergy medicine, in a travel pill organizer.

Buy: FYY travel pill organizer

You may also want to pack a few extra pairs of contact lenses or first-aid items such as bandages, antibiotic ointment and antacids just in case.

Buy: Welly first-aid kit

Assistance items

If you're a senior traveler or someone who requires assistance, do not keep any assistive items or medical devices, such as a walking stick or handicapped placard, out of reach.

A good rule of thumb: If it's anything you can't live without for half a day or more, put it in your carry-on.

Hand sanitizer, wipes, paper towels and tissues

Many travelers carry hand sanitizer and sanitary wipes to clean seats, tray tables and seat belts upon boarding.

These items are small and can easily fit in your carry-on bag. Ensure your hand sanitizer does not exceed the 3.4-ounce or 100-milliliter size requirement.

Buy: Touchland hand sanitizer spray

Other items to consider bringing in your carry-on are paper towels and a washcloth in case of spills or other situations where you need to dry your hands.

You might be able to find tissues at airports and on planes, but they're likely not of great quality. Tissues are small enough to pack a few in your carry-on bag in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Valuables

Beyond your phone and important travel documents, keep your most valuable items, including jewelry, close to you while traveling.

Depending on how important they are to you, these items would fall under the "hard to replace if not irreplaceable" category.

Cash

Even if you don't routinely carry cash, we recommend bringing some when you travel for cabs, hotel and restaurant tips, small souvenir items, tickets and other unforeseen costs.

And remember, it's always the cheapest to pay in the local currency versus U.S. dollars when using a credit card. For cash purchases, it depends on the purchase price and conversion rate.

Kindle or a good book

Even if your aircraft is equipped with hundreds of hours of entertainment, it may be unavailable at times. There's also plenty of downtime while flying, such as queuing to board or check in, and waiting at the gate.

If you're someone who doesn't jump up the second the seat belt sign is turned off to stand awkwardly in the aisle for several minutes, that's some spare time, too.

Depending on where you are, you may not have a cellular signal or stable Wi-Fi to pass the time.

A trusty Kindle or a hardcover book is a great way to pass the time in these situations.

Buy: Kindle 16 gigabytes

Something warm to wear

Even if you are flying somewhere warm, airplanes can get cold.

Always pack something that folds down small — like a throw, shawl, pashmina or light windbreaker-style jacket — into your carry-on luggage.

Bottom line

Once you've decided on the most essential items to keep with you while traveling, be sure to decide what carry-on luggage makes the most sense for them to go in.

For example, if you have a carry-on bag for the overhead bin and a smaller personal item that fits under the seat in front of you, think about which items you might need most often throughout the flight and place them in the smaller bag. For everything else, you can always retrieve items from your larger bag from the overhead bin.

Related reading:

• Airline carry-on luggage size: Everything you need to know
• 4 things the TSA really doesn't want you to bring on an airplane
• Travel packing tips to save space in your luggage
• Foreign transaction fees: Everything you need to know