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Here is the ultimate guide for carry-on travel essentials. These are must-have items that even the most seasoned of travelers usually forget!
When traveling, we are usually so busy before our departure that we often forget even the most important travel essentials. Luckily, I have got you covered with 13 must-have carry-on travel essentials you probably forgot you needed. Most of these may seem like simple tips, but trust me when I say these have all saved me countless times!
We all know we need to bring our passports. Therefore, I won’t spend too long talking about these basic, but fundamental essentials. In this guide, you can find a quick list of items you CANNOT forget for your trip. Then, I will share some basic yet very important items most people forget to pack. I promise that these items are going to change your travel packing list forever.
This guide includes items such as neck pillows and headphones, which will make your travel more comfortable. However, it also includes some game-changers, such as airtags and much more! Whether you are getting on a plane or a train, these are all items that can be comfortably placed in your carry-on backpack.
Carry-On Travel Essentials – Important Documents
Before going deeper into the 13 must-have carry-on travel essentials, I have compiled a list of important documents you need to make sure you have.
- Passports
- Visas, if needed
- International Driver’s License, if needed (but always a good idea to have)
- Travel Insurance
- Proof of Vaccinations (if required for the travel location)
- Extra ID (for if one gets stolen)
This post is all about 13 must-have carry-on travel essentials.
13 Must-Have Carry-On Travel Essentials
1. The Perfect Backpack
Believe it or not, this tip is truly life-changing. Gone are the days of throwing everything into a backpack with one big compartment. Since switching to a backpack that has different compartment sizes, traveling has become so much easier. When I say you need the perfect backpack, I mean that you need to find one that suits your needs the best!
I love my Brevité backpack because it’s perfect for photography, but can still be used in everyday life. One of the main advantages it has is a small compartment in the back for safekeeping passports. In addition, you can customize the main compartment to make anything you want fit! Lastly, the straps at the bottom are perfect for carrying a tripod, or anything else you might need.
A lot of backpacks that have lots of compartments are also typically built more sturdily. They tend to look suspicious and indicate that they are carrying expensive equipment (which they usually are). This can be an issue when traveling as it could put you at a higher risk for theft. Therefore, I recommend finding a backpack that fits your needs but still manages to look unassuming. If you are interested in the backpack below, I highly recommend checking out the Brevité backpack here (not sponsored, I just love them).
2. AirTags
Now that you have picked the perfect backpack, let’s fill it with the rest of the travel essentials! For those who don’t know, an AirTag is a tracking device developed by Apple. Although other companies have created these devices before, AirTags are very useful to iPhone users. You can name your AirTag when you set it up, and then it will always show you its location in the “Find My” app.
Some things to note: you cannot turn your AirTag off once you have turned it on. The battery should last over a year, and when it runs out, simply get the battery replaced. In addition, as mentioned above, they are only compatible with iPhone users, however, there are other options available for Android.
Since they are not the cheapest items, one or two should be enough. If you have one, I would recommend placing it in your suitcase during the flight, and then in your backpack while exploring your destination. This way, if the bag gets stolen, you can track where it is! I have only had my AirTag for a few months and it has already saved me when my suitcase went missing!
3. Neck Pillow
Whether your mode of transportation is an airplane, train, or bus, a neck pillow always comes in handy. If you are struggling to store your pillow, you might want to get an inflatable one that can be folded neatly when you’re done! Personally, I prefer the thick ones that take up space as I sleep the best with those. However, it is totally up to you and how easily you can fall asleep.
4. Bring an Extra Wallet
If possible, try to always bring an extra wallet with you on your travels. This way you can carry only what you need on you during the day, and leave extra cards and cash at the Airbnb or hotel room. I always take a small wallet with me that is just big enough to fit the necessities!
Little pro tip: if you have an AirTag, place it into the coin compartment of your wallet! Chances are that thieves will look there last as they are more interested in your bills and cards. This way, you have a higher chance of finding where it is than simply reporting it to the police.
5. Water Cover
A water cover for your bag is a must when traveling. The weather can be unpredictable and you might not be able to get cover if you’re out in nature. This can mean some serious damage to your belongings if your bag gets too wet. That’s why I highly recommend getting a water cover to keep in your bag at all times. They are very compact and extremely useful when mother nature decides to surprise you! I can’t even count how many times a water cover has saved my expensive equipment during my euro trip 😳.
6. Portable Charger
When traveling, you never know when you will be able to charge your phone. While you can wait until you get back to your hotel room, it’s risky running out of battery in a foreign country. Many people like stopping at a cafe and charging their phones while sipping on some hot coffee. Although this can sometimes make for a good coffee excuse, you should always have a way to charge your phone while out. This is especially important when you’re out in nature.
Therefore, make sure to bring a portable charger with you wherever you go! You can most likely get away with just a single full charge, however, it is worth investing in one that has several charge cycles for longer trips. Nowadays, portable chargers have become extremely affordable and cost around 20 dollars.
7. Portable Hard Drive
Although this may not apply to all, I highly encourage you to consider investing in a portable hard drive. Whether you take professional photos on a camera, or you like documenting your trip on your phone, this is a great investment.
Photos from travels are always cherished but can sometimes be annoying when they take up a lot of space on your phone or computer. Therefore, a small portable hard drive is a great way to clean out the space but still keep your beautiful memories forever.
8. Socket Splitter
When traveling, we often have lots of equipment we need to charge at night. Instead of trying to find every electrical socket in the room, carry a socket splitter in your bag. This is going to save you a lot of stress and fights over who gets to charge what! Socket splitters are typically quite cheap and don’t take up too much space.
An important factor to consider is what kind of electrical sockets are used in your travel destination. I always use this website to check out which type of adapters I may need to bring with me!
9. Padlock
Whether you want to make sure no one opens your luggage during the day, or you need to store something in a locker, you never know when a padlock will come in handy. They are so cheap and small so there is no harm in bringing one wherever you go!
10. Toiletries Bag
When I say a toiletries bag, I don’t mean the big one you put in your suitcase. I always carry a small bag filled with important items I may otherwise forget. Typically I recommend that it includes: lip balm, band-aids, small hand sanitizer, small deodorant, and tissue paper. If you would like, feel free to add a pad or tampon just in case you suddenly need it.
Although many people typically carry at least one of these items, having them in a specific place makes it much easier to find. Simply find a small bag that won’t take up too much space and consider what some of your own essentials may be.
11. Reusable Water Bottle
Without realizing it, we tend to spend a lot of money on water bottles while traveling. Therefore, having a reusable water bottle with you is not only good for the planet, but it will also save you money. Another great benefit of having an insulated bottle is that you get to enjoy lots of cold water, which is so much more refreshing!
12. Dri Fit Towel
Although you may not see a need for a towel at first, they always end up being handy during your travels. I highly recommend bringing a dri fit towel in your backpack. These are extremely compact and dry very quickly. Whether you want to go for a quick swim, or you don’t want to sit on wet grass, these towels will become lifesavers when you least expect it.
13. Pen and Paper
As old school as this may sound, you just never know when you might need it. All I have to say is that it doesn’t take up any space, and I can promise you will be grateful you brought it with you at least once on your trip.
That concludes my list of the top carry-on travel accessories everyone should bring with them. I hope that these tips were helpful, and hopefully, you have a better idea of how to pack for your upcoming travels. Let me know below if I have missed something and share your favorite carry-on travel essential!
