1. Passport and ID
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Content Originally Sourced: Femanin.com
We’ve all experienced that fear while travelling when we don’t know where we’ve put our passport. It’s your most valuable travel companion, so the safest place for it is in your carry-on luggage – who knows what could happen to your hold suitcase on a flight across the world? Even better, carry it close to your body, in an inside jacket pocket or bum bag.
2. Cash and credit cards
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Even though most of us can pay for things with our phones nowadays, many of us still carry credit cards and other payment cards with us when travelling. As with your passport, it would be a nightmare were these to disappear with your hold luggage on a flight, so keep them with you.
3. Medication
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All airlines specifically tell passengers to keep medication in your carry on – even if you don’t need to take it during the duration of your flight. This ensures that, in case of an emergency, you have access to it, and that it’s not lost with hold luggage. If you need to carry quite a lot (for a long trip, for example), you could also split your medication into both your hold luggage and carry on.
4. A change of clothing
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It’s not always the end of the world if you hold luggage is delayed. Chances are, it’ll turn up from the airline in a couple of days. However, it’s not especially pleasant to have to live in one set of clothes for more than 24 hours, and it’s not always possible to buy clothing at your destination, depending on where you’re travelling to. So, keep a change of underwear and an extra t-shirt with you in case of emergency.
5. Flip flops
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Flip-flops are a must-have if you’re travelling to a sunny destination, but even if that’s not the case, they’re still incredibly useful to have in your carry on luggage. It means you can take a shower at the airport if your transfer flight is delayed, and offers a more comfortable change of shoes for if you’re stuck somewhere for a while.
6. Entertainment
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This might be one of the most important things in your carry on, especially for long flights! Don’t forget to carry things like a book, an e-reader, or games console with you – it can get pretty uncomfortable and boring just staring out the window for 10 hours. And remember, you can also download Netflix episodes onto your phone or tablet for offline viewing!
7. Phone charger
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Nothing worse than arriving at your destination with a completely empty phone battery. What are you meant to do then? How can you access maps? Or, god forbid, travel tickets that are held on your phone?! Keep your phone charger with you at all times in your carry on luggage, so you can give it that extra boost when needed.
8. Other travel documents
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It’s not just your passport that you’ll need for travelling, necessarily. For many countries, you’ll also need visa documents and health information (like vaccine information) to enter your destination country. This is useless in your hold luggage – you won’t get that until you’ve already gone through security – so keep it in your carry on in a safe place.
9. Valuables
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Carrying things you don’t really want to get lost or stolen? Even if you have travel insurance that covers your hold luggage items, it’s just safer to keep them in your carry on in the airplane with you. Valuables can include things like jewellery, cash, electronics, or important documents.
10. Toothbrush and toothpaste
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On a long flight, even just brushing your teeth can make you feel more put together – it can also help you to wake up at your destination. So, make sure to carry a toothbrush and toothpaste (less than 100ml, remember!) in you carry-on luggage. These days, you can even get nifty travel toothbrushes that fold away so you don’t have to worry about space in your backpack.
11. Antibacterial wipes
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As much as they like to tell us that airplanes are clean, it’s simply the truth that thousands of people have sat in that seat before you. If you’re a bit of a germaphobe (or just don’t want to pick up a travel cold), keep some antibacterial wipes handy so you can give your airplane area a little wipe down once you get settled in.
12. Face wash
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Whether you’re travelling over night or during the day, a long flight is tiring – and the weird air pressure in the cabin can easily dry your skin out. So, keep some face wash with you to cleanse your skin just before you drift off to sleep or once you’ve arrived at your destination. Some face cleaners come in handy little sachets, and remember that wipes don’t count as a liquid like a water-based cleanser would.
13. Snacks
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Airplane food: some people swear by it, and some people refuse it every time. It really depends who you’re flying with, but it’s certainly not good to entirely rely on the meal you’ll get on the plane. Pack a range of snacks with you to help combat any hunger and boredom.
14. Toiletries
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Toiletries are a must for your carry on luggage. It means you can top up your makeup before you land, and give yourself a little spritz of perfume to make you feel more awake and refreshed. However, if you’re planning on packing these in your carry on, rememeber that they have to be under 100ml each and be packed in a clear plastic bag.
15. Eye mask
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It’s hard to sleep on a plane – you really have to pack every little tool to make it easier for you. An eye mask is a must-have, not only for if you want to sleep but also to give your eyes a little break from the dry air in the cabin. It means you won’t have to do what this guy is doing – which doesn’t look super comfy.
16. Pillow
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If you are on a long flight in economy (with a distinct lack of a fancy bed seat), a pillow is a complete necessity. Try and get an ergonomic pillow that will help prevent any dodgy neck twinges after a few hours of napping, and look for something comfy – like this, preferably!
17. Compression socks
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Compression socks aren’t always a priority for travellers, especially if your flight is under 5 hours or so. But for longer travel days, they’re a must. Compression socks help improve your blood circulation around your lower legs and feet, which can prevent you getting painful, swollen feet.
18. An extra fleece
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Where do you stand with flight fashion? Always slightly dressed up, or sweatpants every time? Wherever you land, play it safe and pack an extra sweater or hoodie with you. You can never really tell how warm or cold it’s going to be on a plane, but not feeling comfortable with make it harder to relax and sleep.
19. Bottle of water
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It’s so important to stay hydrated on a flight. The air pressure can dry out your skin quickly, not to mention you risk getting a headache if you don’t keep your water intake up. If you can, bring a reusable water bottle with you, as this mean you can refill between transfers or once you get to your destination.
20. Pens
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Now, this isn’t something that people always remember when travelling, but it always helps to keep a pen in your bag. In some cases, you may have to fill out personal information at security for your visa, or even before you land while on the plane. You don’t want to be one of those people who’s asking for a pen from everyone around you.
21. Noise-cancelling headphones
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Good noise cancelling headphones are a godsend on long flights. You can never tell who you’re going to be sat next to: screaming baby, a loud businessman who insists on typing aggressively through the flight, a couple who won’t stop talking. With noise cancelling headphones, all that fades away into the background.
22. Lip balm
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Any good traveller already includes a lip balm in their toiletry bag. A really expert traveller has at least three different lip balms with them at all times, stashed in various different places among their carry on luggage. Don’t just suffer with dry lips – make sure you have some on hand at all times.
23. First-aid kit
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Again, this probably isn’t the first thing you think to carry in your luggage. However, there may come a time when you really do need something from a first aid kit, whether that’s a plaster or something more hardcore, and then you’ll wish that you had one on you.
24. Extra shoes
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Maybe don’t follow the guy in the photo above and bring four extra pairs of shoes with you, but an extra pair can be useful. It means you can change into an ultra-comfy pair of sneakers on the plane and then move back into your fashionable flats once you get to your destination.
25. Zippered pouches
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Zipper bags are useful for carrying a whole range of things: snacks, toiletries, scrunchies, your travel documents, or makeup. Put a few in your carry on and then you can just get them out as and when needed. They can also help you tidy up a messy carry on backpack by separating everything out!
26. Power bank
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Even if you have your phone and other electronics chargers with you, it really helps to carry a power bank. What happens if you get on the plane and can’t find any plug sockets? Or if your phone runs out of battery in the middle of travelling – say, in the back of a taxi? Then your power back is your best friend.
27. Laptops and electronics
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On the subject of electronics, did you know that all your electronics have to be carried in your carry on luggage in the plane? This applies to anything that uses lithium batteries – they have to go with you in the cabin, as it means you’ll be able to see if anything funny is happening with the batteries during the flight (i.e. they start smoking or get hot.)
28. Box of tissues
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Tissues are really handy whenever you’re travelling, so make sure to keep some in your carry on with you. They can help in the event of a coffee-spill disaster and function as emergency toilet roll in case the plane bathroom runs out. Do what the person above has done and refill a travel pack from a large box of tissues for more sustainability points.
29. Hand sanitizer
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You have no idea how dirty your hands can get while travelling. You’re touching handrails in the airport, toilet doors, the fold-out table in the plane, and so many more gross places. Then, you’re just going to tuck into your plane sandwich without washing your hands first? Nope! Make hand sanitizer a part of your carry on.
30. SIM card
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You don’t always need a SIM card when travelling to a new destination, but if you’re going somewhere that isn’t classed as a ‘home’ destination with your phone provider, then definitely buy one. Keeping it in your carry on means you can switch out your SIM as soon as you get to your destination – no delay on posting those Instagram Stories!
