Essential Carry On Packing List: What I Actually Pack + Tips

Essentials You Cannot Forget

These are the non-negotiables. If you forget these, your trip starts in chaos. Or doesn’t start at all.

• Passport (check validity!)
• Boarding pass (digital + screenshot backup)
• Wallet + travel cards
• Phone + headphones
• Travel insurance details
• Travel adaptor

Pro tip: Keep everything in a small travel organiser like this one so you’re not digging through your bag at security like it’s a treasure hunt.

I started my travel life when you HAD to have your physical boarding pass with you. Especially with RyanAir when I had to queue just for a “visa check” that no other airline asked for. Nowadays, however, you can just ask for a boarding pass if you have trouble with your digital one. Even with RyanAir who went almost fully digital last November. However, I’m told it’s not for all nationalities so please check before showing up at the gate.

Comfort Items That Will Save Your Flight

Long flights are basically endurance events if you’re flying economy. These can make a huge difference:

• Lightweight hoodie or scarf (planes get cold fast)
• Compression socks (especially for 6+ hour flights)
• Eye mask + earplugs
• Reusable water bottle (fill after security)

This is where people usually think “I’ll be fine without it”… and then regret it 4 hours in. For me, a comfy, baggy hoodie is my go-to flying uniform!

Toiletry Bag Essentials (Travel-Friendly)

A lot of airports (most?!) still have the 100ml liquid restrictions which is fine in most cases, tbh. Makes you pack smarter!

Some of these items you might not even use but you just never know if your checked bag will be misdirected, so I always have these with me:

• Toothbrush + mini toothpaste
• Lip balm (probably more than one – I keep various on different jacket pockets, bags, etc. This Eucerin one is SUPER moisturising!)
• Moisturiser
• Face wipes or micellar water
• Hand sanitiser
• Deodorant
• Hairbrush or mini comb
• Perfume (try not to spray yourself in the small confinements of a plane though… wait until you’re out in the open)

Smart tip: Use a clear, airport-approved liquids bag to avoid airport stress. You can get one of those in most airports but it’s much, MUCH easier for everyone if you already pack your own at home. You don’t want to be the one holding up the queue, especially at London airports!

I’ve also started taking a face (sheet) masks and under eye masks too just for fun. But can you believe they actually make a difference?! I usually look like death coming off a long-haul flight but these really make me feel more like an adult who’s got her shit together.

Tech & Entertainment

Even if your flight has screens, I’ve learnt not to rely on them. I do check the entertainment beforehand and make a bit of a plan but you just never know. And it’s also a great opportunity to catch up with all those shows you keep meaning to start!

• Portable charger (fully charged before boarding)
• Charging cables (in a cable organiser to make life easier!)
• Downloaded streaming content
• Kindle or book
• Laptop or iPad (electronics like these have to go in your carry on anyway…)
• THIS: Airplane bluetooth adaptor (a must if you want to use your wireless headphones/earbuds!)

There is nothing worse than a dead phone halfway through a long-haul flight.

I don’t know about you but I don’t love flying. In fact, I feel the older I get, the more I fear it! If you’ve got travel anxiety like me, well, first of all, read this post here with all my best tips to deal with it. But also, one thing I’ve done a few times that I feel like it helped me a lot was load my Goodnotes app with colouring pages and work on them while listening to a podcast or audiobook. It helps me pass the time quicker and distracts me like I’m a 5-year-old.

Since I got my iPad I don’t use my Kindle as much anymore as I read on the iPad, however, I still prefer to read on the Kindle. It’s smaller and it doesn’t have all the distractions the iPad has so I’ve been trying to use it more. Besides, I’ve got this green one that’s SO PRETTY!!!!

Food & Snacks (Underrated but Important)

Airplane food is… unpredictable. And airport food is expensive. Often times my partner and I WILL eat overpriced airport food though because life’s too busy so we often pay the convenience tax these days. Besides, some of the London airports have really decent food.

• Protein bars or snacks you actually like
• Gum (helps with ear pressure)
• Electrolyte packets (especially for long flights)

I’m not a fussy eater so I don’t usually have a problem with airplane food. However, what a great chance to treat yourself! Especially if you’re not keen on flying like me. Make an experience of it! Be comfy, have your favourite snacks and favourite shows/movies. Make the best out of it!

Things You’ll Regret Not Packing

This is the section people wish they read before flying:

• Portable charger (again, yes, it’s that important. I know planes nowadays have USB ports but they also often don’t work properly)
• Lip balm (the dry air is brutal)
• A pen (immigration forms still exist sometimes or maybe you just want to take some notes)
• Spare underwear!!! Again, you never know if your luggage will be there on the conveyor belt… I usually pack spare undies and a t-shirt.
• Basic medication (headache, nausea, etc.)

These are your “future you will thank you” items.

Carry On Packing Tips (That Actually Work)

• Keep liquids accessible for security (even if often you won’t need to take it out of your bag)
• Use travel organisers to make your life easier
• Wear your bulkiest items (hoodie, trainers)
• Don’t overpack, your shoulders will hate you
• Leave space for things you pick up at the airport (duty free bags don’t count towards your bag allowance but you don’t want to worry about things falling off those open bags during the flight, do you?! And they WILL count towards your allowance on the way back if you can’t fit them in your luggage)