We all love to travel, but one thing most people dread is packing. Whether you’re planning a day trip or a two-week getaway, it may be hard deciding what to pack in your carry on in case of emergencies.
I’ve created a simple, yet effective list that will help you in any given situation. These items can be kept in a tote bag in your car for road trips, or brought on as a carry on for the plane. Here are 5 carry on travel essentials you need.
1) Basic First Aid Kit First aid kits are always a great idea to have on hand, whether you’re travelling or not. Many drugstores carry a cheap and convenient travel-friendly size. Although they are small, they contain the essentials, like band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and ointment for insect bites. Keep in mind, you can always add or take out items that pertain to your needs!
TIP! Refill your first aid kit each time you return from your trip, this will save you the hassle of having to purchase a new one each time you travel.
2) Extra Clothes We have all heard the horror stories or have experienced losing our luggage first hand, which is why it is crucial to pack extra clothes as a carry on to last you for at least 2 days. Basic tanks, tees, undergarments, socks, and tights are a great place to start as they are lightweight, compact, and can be used as layers to keep warm. Even if your luggage ends up arriving safely at your destination, someone in your travel group may not be so lucky, which is where the extra garmets come in handy.
3) Vitamins and Medication For obvious reasons, keep vitamins and medication in an easily accessible bag. Depending on where you’re travelling to and what you plan on doing, you can add other medications that you think you may need during your trip. For example, anti-nausea medication if you’re planning on going on a cruise.
4) Portable Charger While most airports now have charging stations available, it’s not guaranteed that you’ll be able to secure your spot when you need to charge your devices. Portable chargers are incredibly convenient and come in many different sizes depending on your usage. Instead of carrying 2-3 different chargers and having to look for an electrical outlet, simply charge your device(s) on the go!
5) Important Documentation While electronic documents are convenient and preferred, I print and carry physical copies just in case. I separate my documents and label them in different envelopes and folders, (both physical and electronic) so when the time comes, they are organized and easily accessible! You won’t have to worry about fidgeting to find the right documentation, or worry about papers falling out or getting lost.
As you can see, less is more and you may adjust this list accordingly to fit your needs. I hope you found this list helpful and wish you all happy and safe travels this summer! What are some of your must-have carry on essentials? I’d love to know.
Hello! this is a great post and I wish I had it when I started travelling as I found the plane pretty boring and difficult. Thanks for sharing a great post. Alicia
Thank you for reading Alicia!
I’m usually good with my travel organization but I needed this reminder and tips. I’m probably not going to be off anywhere soon but I’m planning a mini trip for the future — this was helpful, thanks!
Thank you for reading Molly!
These are great reminders to take into consideration! Even though I love to travel, packing gives me anxiety every time haha. I also like to bring extra clothes and carry physical copies as you never know what lies ahead. Thank you for sharing! x
Packing used to make me anxious as well! I’m glad you found this post helpful! Thank you for reading Vanelle!
This is fantastic! I’m so bad for forgetting a first aid kit, and it always needed as well! A portable charger is also a must, I always take mine withe wherever I go now just incase. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading Jordanne!
I love this list! Keeping physical copies is a great idea. There have been times where I’ve had to rely on the hotel computers for printing. Doing it at home takes 2 seconds and saves you stress.
Yes, it saves so much time and from using hotel computers! Thanks for reading Kimberly!