As someone who has made an unseemly number of packing-related mistakes in my early days of traveling, I can now shamelessly admit it is not always obvious to determine what you should pack in your carry-on versus your checked luggage. If you do not have the time or patience to read this article, please scan for the underlined words as an overview.
There are three highly important things to remember about this topic!
- Always expect that your checked luggage will not arrive at your final destination with you! This means you should be prepared to suffice with only the contents you bring in the cabin for a couple of days before your airline can locate your checked luggage and deliver it.
- Not every airline allows the same dimensions and weight for passengers’ carry-on luggage. This means it is your responsibility to know what your specific airline permits for carry-on luggage before arriving at the airport. Budget airlines like Ryan Air will only permit very small carry-on luggage.
- Any clothing or accessories worn on your body (excluding backpacks or purses) are not considered part of your carry-on luggage. Therefore, my travel hack for this topic is I recommend you walk onto the plane wearing your fluffiest, warmest, most deep zipped pocket-ridden down coat that you possess, regardless of whether you are flying to a warm destination or not. There are a couple of reasons for this.
- You should never assume that an airline will provide you with a blanket or pillow, even on long flights. Flying can be a cold experience, so having a warm coat can help. If you do not mind cool temperatures, then your down coat can function as a pillow.
- Those deep zipped pockets are an excellent place to store all kinds of smaller things you do not want to risk being separated from for even a day. This can also help you save some modest space in your carry-on luggage. I have stuffed all kinds of things in my down coat pockets and no one has ever taken an issue with it.
Below are more specific recommendations of things to bring to the cabin, either worn on your body or in your carry-on luggage.
- In the event that your checked luggage is lost, you will want to have in your carry-on two pairs of underwear, an extra pair of socks, two adapters for international travel (you should research which kind you will need beforehand), your toothbrush, and a mini tube of toothpaste or a mini bottle of mouthwash. (You can bring an extra pair of clothing if you wish, but, personally, I would rather re-wear my clothing than potentially waste space in my carry-on.)
- Your laptop, if you feel compelled to bring one. I keep my laptop in a protective sleeve and carry it in my backpack.
- All camera gear except for a tripod, which should go in your checked luggage.
- Concerning medications, all of them must be contained in their original storage containers and held in a clear Ziploc bag. Do not put your medication in a personal pill dispenser because TSA or Customs and Immigration will not know what that medication is and could confiscate it. There are many examples of medications that may be commonly prescribed in your country, but not in others. If you are bringing any controlled substances, sometimes having a letter from your prescribing doctor explaining why you need a specific medication or medications for the duration of your trip is sufficient, but not always. You must research what is acceptable to bring to your final destination and what is not. Sometimes you might have to apply for approval days or weeks before you embark, like in the case of Singapore.
- I wish I did not have to say this because I am always hopeful that common sense will prevail, but, alas, this is not always the case. Do NOT for any reason bring marijuana into the cabin or packed in your checked luggage, even if you are flying to a destination where it is legally available!
- I encourage all adults to wear compression socks, even for short flights. The reason is to help improve circulation while sitting for long periods and help prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT which could potentially lead to a medical emergency.
- Eye mask, Chapstick or some kind of lip balm, ear plugs, headphones (yes, your flight might not provide you with any).
- An empty bottle for water because it is easy to become dehydrated on long flights.
- A hairbrush, a toothbrush, and a small toothpaste and mouthwash.
- If you are bringing more than one pair of shoes, wear your heaviest pair of shoes on the flight to save weight in your checked luggage. If your carry-on luggage is a backpack, you could consider tying your other pair of shoes to the handle of your backpack to save further space and weight in your checked luggage.
- A photocopy of your passport in case your real one is lost while traveling. This, along with another form of ID like a driver’s license, can be shown at your country’s consulate where a temporary passport can be issued.
- A photocopy or digital copy of your flight itinerary and the addresses of accommodations in case immigration officers ask. Never assume you can access Wi-Fi at Customs and Immigration, so always have the above information saved directly on your phone if you are unable to have a printed copy.
- If you are a pre-menopausal woman, please bring more than enough sanitary products. I personally do not recommend using a menstrual cup while traveling because you may not have access to purified water to wash it sufficiently. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Here I am back in 2018 as I prepare to move to Bilbao, Spain. I've got my Orvis backpack, which I've been using this brand for over a decade, that fits under the seat in front of me. It is carrying my empty Hydro Flask, my camera bag, my laptop, my most important medications in a zip-loc bag, and my hiking boots are carabinered to the handle. It is also carrying a clear plastic sleeve with my doctor's note in it explaining my medication and a printed copy of my passport.
On my body, I am wearing my heaviest shirt to save weight in my checked bag, my down coat with deep, zipped pockets that are stuffed with my phone, eye mask, lip balm (I'm partial to Aquaphor), headphones, melatonin, tissue, a phone charger, throat lozenges, and probably other things. I’m also wearing my heaviest boots to further save weight in my checked luggage. I’m also carrying my umbrella from the previous year because it rains frequently in Bilbao and umbrellas are not included as your carry-on luggage.
In my gym bag, which goes in the overhead compartment, I’ve got my adapters, a couple of pairs of socks and underwear, my hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash, and a couple of extra pairs of clothing in the event my checked luggage goes missing.