11 Must Have Travel Essentials on Your Packing List
While planning my latest trip – I realized how much I’ve come to rely on my trusty carry-on essentials.
It reminded me of a time a few years ago when I was stranded at an airport for hours with nothing to make the wait easier.
Since then – I’ve fine-tuned my packing game! Especially for long-haul international flights.
Over time, I’ve also learned a lot from fellow travelers-
-like what to pack,
-better travel destinations,
-must-visit restaurants, and
-even travel etiquette.
If you’re wondering what to include in your carry-on for those long flights – I’ve put together a packing list with essentials to make your journey smoother.
Even now, I find myself double-checking my own list before I head out.
Making sure I’ve got everything I need.
So, on my recent trip – I took note of what works best for these long flights. And I’m all excited to share that list with you.
Here’s a breakdown of my must-have carry-on items, of course starting with a luxury travel bag:
1. Passport
It’s nice to keep your passport in a pretty holder – but when you’re going through immigration, take it out ahead of time. This will save time and prevent the customs officer from having to do it for you since the case can get in the way.
2. Visa
I strongly suggest getting an electronic visa if it’s available for the country you’re visiting. When I entered my destination – there were separate lines for traditional visas and e-visas. The traditional visa line was much longer – less than one-fifth of the people were in the e-visa line.
Since we were traveling for business – we couldn’t use the tourist e-visa – but if you’re eligible, definitely go for it. We got through customs super-fast with our e-visa!
3. Printed Boarding Pass
Printing might seem old-school – but it’s a good backup plan. So-
-if your phone dies or
-If you haven’t downloaded the airline apps to access your digital tickets for connecting flights, having a printed copy can save you from trouble.
4. Filtered Water Bottle
I always bring my filtered straw bottle (carrying capacity) on international trips for extra safety with the water I drink. But if you fill it up before takeoff – be ready for the pressure to build up. When you open the bottle, water might squirt out through the mouthpiece due to the pressure. So, just be careful when opening it if you plan to carry something similar.
5. Compression Socks
Sitting for long flights can affect your circulation – so wearing compression socks helps-
-improve blood flow and
-reduces swelling in your feet, ankles, and legs.
I’m not a huge fan of wearing them all the time, so I usually wait until I’m in my seat to put them on.
Sometimes, I’ll add a pair of socks over them to stay warm. When I need to get up for the restroom or a quick walk – I just slip off the socks to put my shoes back on easily.
6. Hand Lotion
Airplane cabin air is really dry because it lacks humidity. So, it’s important to stay hydrated (like I mentioned earlier with the water bottle). This dry air can be tough on your skin – especially if you have dry skin or eczema. That’s why having a good, handy moisturizer is a must! It helps keep your skin comfortable during the flight.
Travel tip: Put on moisturizer before a long flight. And reapply it every time you wash your hands. You can also bring a small spray bottle of water to mist your face and hands every now and then. Then, follow up with lotion to keep your skin hydrated.
7. Chewing Gum
Now, many of you may be wondering, why gum? Gum is super handy for a few reasons. I prefer mint-flavored gum-
-it helps with a queasy stomach,
-freshens your breath when you can’t brush your teeth,
-gives you a little wake-up boost after sleeping on the plane and
-helps with ear popping during takeoff and landing.
8. Phone charger
I’ve never been on a plane without a power outlet at the seat. And some even have USB ports. But I would like to bring my own small charging block instead of using those USB ports.
I’ve heard scary stories about hackers using them to access your phone – especially at the airport when you might want to charge up before your flight. So, I carry a small charging block with foldable prongs to save space and stay safe.
9. Noise Canceling Headphones
Noise-canceling headphones that are fully charged and have a sound jack cord are a must for a good trip. Some older planes still use two-prong jacks for in-seat audio. So I recommend bringing a two-prong adapter.
You can use the single jack audio cord that comes with most headphones. But it will only work in one ear if you plug it into a two-prong jack.
Noise-canceling headphones are great for blocking out crying babies and background noise. Thus making it easier to sleep or enjoy your music than regular headphones. They also come in handy at the hotel. I found mine very useful when I heard loud wedding music through the walls for three nights in a row and needed some peace and quiet!
10. Critical Medicine
It’s really important to keep any prescription medicine in your luxury travel bag so you don’t risk losing it with your checked luggage. Make sure the medicine is in its original bottle with the prescription information on it. You never know when security might check your bag – and you’ll need to show your medicine with your name on it.
I always carry my prescription migraine medicine with me to avoid the bad side effects I get. I can’t imagine how much worse I would feel dealing with migraine symptoms like nausea, light and noise sensitivity, head pressure, pain, chills, and numbness while traveling, especially on a plane!
11. Extra Outfit with Undies
It’s always a good idea to pack a backup travel outfit in your bag if you have the space. You never know if your checked luggage will arrive late or get late. So, having a clean change of clothes is really helpful.
If you’re a parent, it’s even better because kids can get their clothes dirty with spills, spit-up, or food. Having a clean outfit makes you feel more comfortable, too.
I always pack undergarments along with my best and most comfortable outfit. For women, a dress is a great choice since it’s easy to manage and doesn’t require coordinating multiple pieces.
Final Thoughts
If you’re flying with a luxury airline or private jet, this post might not be for you. But if you’re flying with Delta or other regular airlines – make sure to pack the essentials I have laid out.
Besides your travel essentials, you’ll want to carry a luxury travel bag. Look for a sturdy bag, but also make sure it looks good!
The packing list above includes everything you need if you want to pack lightly but still be comfortable on long flights.
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