What to pack in a carry-on bag every time you travel
Editor's Note
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 you want to have with you in case your checked luggage gets lost or you experience a flight delay.
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 special passport wallet. Some come with a hidden AirTag pocket to keep tabs on 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 has a full list of accepted forms of identification.
Once you’ve reached your destination, you’ll likely need to show some form of ID to check in to a hotel or rent a car. When traveling internationally, the U.S. government recommends carrying a picture of your passport while keeping your 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 something happens to their phone or accessing Wi-Fi is difficult.
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 or make dining reservations.
Related: The best credit cards to use for ride-hailing apps
Phone charger with a travel adapter
Traveling with your phone also means having to charge it more frequently, which is only possible if you’ve brought the right charger and any necessary adapters (if applicable).
If you travel with a suitcase that houses a battery pack for charging, remember that it must fall within TSA guidelines.
Keep your electronics and chargers in a carry-on for easy access on the plane. Many airlines offer in-seat power outlets.
Charging in flight ensures your phone is fully charged before exiting the plane, minimizing the chance 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 in flight 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.
Buy: Beats Studio Pro headphones
Buy: Apple AirPods Pro
Multicharging device
In addition to your phone, other Apple products, such as an iPad and Apple Watch, may require separate chargers. To lessen the load, consider purchasing a charging device that allows you to charge multiple devices at once.
We also recommend keeping all of your chargers contained in their own specific 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
A change of clothes
Travel hiccups are sometimes unavoidable, and if all of your clothes are in your checked luggage, you may find yourself stranded without a change of clothing.
“I always keep at least one change of clothes for myself and each of my kids in my carry-on, even if I am checking a bag,” says TPG senior reporter Tarah Chieffi. “If our checked luggage is delayed or lost, or if inflight accidents occur, we always have a fresh change of clothes.”
This is the kind of scenario that always seems like it won’t happen to you, until it does.
Tarah also recommends throwing in a grocery bag or a large zip-close bag for dirty clothes in your suitcase or using a suitcase that provides 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, especially 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 helpful 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.
During your flight, request water and pour it into your bottle so it’s always full. Just remember to take your water bottle (along with your other items) off the plane when you disembark.
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 the airport or inflight snacks. Sometimes, when traveling, food outlets may not be available or open when you need them.
Here are some of our favorite travel snacks:
Buy: The New Primal Snack Mates chicken sticks
Buy: Smartfood popcorn variety pack
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 at this point you’re in the clear, pack any prescriptions in your carry-on along with any over-the-counter medications you take frequently or might need, such as pain relievers or 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 or antacids, just in case.
Buy: Welly first-aid kit
Assistance items
Do not keep any assistive items or medical devices, such as a walking stick or handicapped placard, out of reach of senior travelers or those who require assistance.
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, seat belts, etc., upon boarding.
These items are small and can easily fit in your carry-on. 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, though they’re likely not of great quality. Tissues are small enough to pack a few in your carry-on in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Valuables
Beyond your phone and important travel documents, such as your passport, keep your most important items, including jewelry, close to you while traveling.
Depending on how valuable 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 things like cabs, hotel and restaurant tips, smaller 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, there may be times when it is unavailable. 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 if you prefer, a hardcover book, is a great way to pass the time in these situations.
Buy: Kindle 16GB
Something warm to wear
Even if you are flying somewhere warm, airplanes can get cold.
Always pack something that folds down small into your carry-on like a throw, shawl, pashmina or light windbreaker-style jacket.
Bottom line
Once you’ve decided on the items most essential for your carry-on, 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 and a smaller personal item that fits underneath the seat in front of you or one suitable for the overhead bin, think about what items you might need most often throughout the flight and position those in your 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
- 5 things you should never pack in a checked bag — even though the airlines allow them
- Travel packing tips to save space in your luggage
- Foreign transaction fees: Everything you need to know
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.