In today’s world of traveling, it is important to be able to travel when you can without a checked bag. There seems to be instance after instance of airlines losing checked bags or having a major backlog of checked bags that are not with the people they belong to.
Plus, budget airlines seem to change sizes and weights of bags that you can take on a plane. So, if you are trying to travel on the cheap it can be difficult to know what to do.
The question is then what should I take along on a trip if I am only taking a carry on bag. The following list of 33 carry on travel essentials can help you have a comfortable trip the next time that you travel.
Make sure to check out the bonus item at the end. This post contains affiliate links where I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Shoes/Clothes
1.Women’s Shoes- Van’s Women’s Low Top Slip On Shoes
Men’s Shoes- Hey Dude Wally Sox
Having a pair of shoes that are comfortable is a must when traveling. The Van’s Low Top shoes are made from sturdy canvas and a thick rubber sole. They are easy to slip on and off if you need to do that while going through TSA. The shoes come in multiple colors.
The Hey Dude shoes are a lightweight shoe. The shoes are 6 ounces or less and they come with elastic laces which makes it easy to slip on and off. They are very comfortable and have removable insoles that can be washed. I wore them the last time I flew and they were great.
2. Men’s Shoes- Sorel Open-Back Slippers
Women’s Shoes- UGG Ansley Slipper
Another option beside shoes for traveling on a plane is a durable travel slipper that is good for indoor and outdoor use. The Sorel Men’s Open-Back Slippers is a great choice. The slipper has a wool and polyester lining, which can make them good for cooler climates. The outer sole is rubber and is very durable. Plus, they are easy to slip on and off.
The UGG Women’s Ansley Slipper can be worn inside and outside because of its hard rubber sole. The slipper is lined with sheep fur to keep your feet warm. This can be helpful since airplanes can be cool at times. They also slip on and off easily.
3. CharmKing Men/Women’s Compression Socks
Flying for long periods of time can cause you to feel stiff because of the lack of movement. Compression socks can help you overcome that feeling faster. Compression socks are known to help with blood circulation and they also help to reduce leg fatigue.
Bags/Packing Essentials
4. Cabin Max Backpack Flight Approved Carry on Luggage Massive 44 Litre 21″
Having a piece of luggage that will fit as a carry on and hold a ton of items is essential when you travel. This Cabin Max Backpack is big enough to carry what you need and small enough to be considered a carry on. The backpack is lightweight and comes with 3 pouches for storage.
5. Men’s Duffel Bag- Herschel Novel Duffle Bag
Women’s Duffel Bag- Hycoo Travel Duffle Bag
If backpacks are not your thing, then a good duffel bag can be a great alternative. First is the Men’s Herschel Novel Duffle Bag. The duffel is made of polyester which is very durable. It also has a functional side access shoe compartment along with a carry strap.
The women’s Hycoo Travel Duffle Bag is not only functional but also stylish. The bag has a large capacity main compartment along with a wet pocket. The bag has an open front pocket, back zipper pocket and 3 internal mesh pockets.
6. Tiny Suitcase Amazonbasics 21-Inch Hardside Spinner
Okay, so you are not a duffle bag or backpack person. There still is another great alternative and that is carry on suitcases. This Amazon Hardside Spinner has a durable expandable outside, dividing areas, along with 3 zipper pockets. The suitcase has 4 easy gliding wheels to help you walk through the airport. The cases come in 4 colors.
Need more space in your carry on? The Cozy Essential Vacuum Bags can help you pack more for the trip without taking up more space. There are 20 bags in all. The bags work with a standard sweeper and it also comes with an easy to use pump that can easily be packed when you are on the road.
Bare Essentials
8. Vapur Solid Flexible Water Bottle
Do you want to take a water bottle with you but you are worried about space in your bags? The Vapor Flexible Water Bottle is able to be folded up to save room in whatever bag you put it in. The bottle holds 23 oz. and weighs only 1.3 ounces when empty which is perfect for travel.
Having some lotion available when your skin dries out is nice to have. The CeraVe Moisturizing Creme has hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and MVE technology. It absorbs quickly, doesn’t feel greasy, and lasts for up to 24 hours.
10. Burt’s Bees 3 in 1 Towelettes
After waiting at the airport and then flying to your destination, it is easy to get oily skin. It always feels refreshing to take a wipe to clean off your face. These Burt’s Bees wipes are made from repurposed cotton. They can be used to remove makeup and to wipe your face to remove oils.
11. Kleenex Slim Pack Tissue – Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer
Tissues are a staple when traveling. You never know when you are going to have a runny nose or need a tissue to wipe something up. This 10 count travel pack of Kleenex is small enough to fit in a bag or purse.
When flying on a plane one of the places that has the most bacteria is the pulldown tray. So, having some hand sanitizer is nice to clean it up before you use it. Plus, you can use the Kleenex to wipe off the hand sanitizer. Purell kills up to 99.99% of germs.
Electronics and Travel Gadgets
Keeping items charged can sometimes be a challenge. This power bank has the juice to charge a number of items a few times before it loses its charge.
13. Newvanga Universal All in One Power Adapter
This Universal Power Adapter accepts plugs from 150 countries around the world. You can be assured that you will be able to charge or use any electrical devices you have while on your travels.
I have a Lenovo Yoga Laptop that I use for everyday use and for my travel blog. I like to use it to watch shows and movies while flying. It has a quick response and has a touch screen which I love.
15. Canon PowerShot G7 Mark 2 Digital Camera
My daughter is a professional photographer and the camera that she recommends for the average person who wants to get some great pics and videos on vacation is this camera. The camera takes great pics and videos. There is a pull out screen so that you can see what you are shooting including yourself for selfies.
Comfort and Entertainment
16. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones
Listening to music or watching a movie on a flight can be hard without the right headphones. The Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones have excellent sound and noise canceling capabilities. The headphones are comfortable and are ideal when you are on the road.
If larger headphones are not your style, then these Apple Airpod Pros are a great alternative. They come with varying sized tips for different sized ears. The sound quality is fantastic along with superb noise canceling capabilities. These are ideal for inflight use or every day use.
18. Twelve South AirFly Pro Wireless Transmitter
Trying to enjoy music, movies, or TV while having wires all around is not the most fun thing. With the AirFly Pro Wireless Transmitter, you can go totally wireless while gaming, or watching movies on the plane. You can link two sets of headphones with a reach of up to 33 feet.
Sleeping on a plane can be hard to do for some people. This Napfun neck pillow is made from soft durable memory foam that helps support your neck. It will help you sleep better wherever you are traveling.
20. Alaska Bear Organic Mulberry Silk Sleep Mask
If you have trouble getting to sleep with lights being on, the Alaska Bear Sleeping Mask will turn off the lights for you. This gender neutral sleeping mask is made of silk which helps you to keep cool and is soft on the skin. It can help you to fall asleep no matter what the setting is.
21. Portable Flexible Phone Tripod
When going on a trip, you want to be able to bring back some great pics from your adventures. The portable flexible phone tripod allows you to anchor your phone on different things so that you can get shots that you would not be able to otherwise. It is lightweight and easy to pack in a day pack.
22. AIRGLO Tablet and Phone Holder
Have you ever tried to prop up your tablet or phone on the plane while watching a show? I know for me it has not been too successful. Plus, holding them doesn’t work either. This tablet and phone holder can be placed on the tray in front of you and the tablet or phone can be placed on it. The holder lies flat and is easy to store.
Health, Beauty, and Care
It is often said that you should limit the amount of makeup that you bring along while you travel. The MKPWC makeup bag is small enough for a carry on but large enough to keep your makeup organized to bring more along on your trip. The bag also has compartments to keep things separated.
You never know when you are going to get a blister, a scrape or some kind of cut. So, having a mini first aid kit can come in handy. This kit includes 110 pieces of first aid equipment like band aids, tweezers, cleaning swabs and safety pins amongst other things.
25. Vlando Small Travel Jewelry Box
There is nothing worse than the airline losing your checked bag. It can take days or even sometimes weeks to get it back. So, it is nice to have some extra items stowed in your carry on. At 4 x 4 x 2, the Vlando Small Travel Jewelry Box is compact enough to not take up much room but large enough to hold almost a dozen pieces of jewelry.
Flying can dry out your lips because of the low humidity on the plane. So, keeping some lip balm in a carry-on is a must. Some of the best lip balm on the market is Burt’s Bees. The lip balm contains bee’s wax and fruit extract that can rehydrate your lips and keep them from getting chapped.
27. Colgate 360 Whole Mouth Clean Toothbrush – Colgate Toothpaste with Baking Soda and Peroxide
Anytime that you are on a long haul flight, it is important to bring a toothbrush and toothpaste along. It always feels good to keep your mouth feeling fresh.
28. Packism Clear Toiletry Bags
Searching for items in a toiletry bag can be a real pain. This TSA approved toiletry bag can take that pain away. It can be put in a purse or luggage. You can purchase sets of 2 to 5 bags in multiple color choices.
Organization and Security
29. Women’s- Travelambo RFID Wallet
Men’s- Timberland’s RFID Travel Wallet
Have peace of mind while you are traveling with an RFID wallet. This bifold wallet will protect you from thieves trying to steal your credit card or identification information. There are 32 colors to choose from.
You don’t want a bulky wallet to store credit cards, identification and more. This slim 100% leather RFID travel wallet has a slim design and will protect you from anyone trying to steal your credit card or identification information while you are traveling.
If a wallet is not your style, another option to keep your valuables protected is a money belt. The Peak Gear Money Belt has a slim design and comes with two separate pockets. The belt has RFID protection so no one can steal your credit card information.
31. Bumb Universal Electronics Accessories Case
Have you ever been on a plane and was searching for that certain cable that you need but it is nowhere to be found? This Bumb Accessories Case allows you to organize all of the different cables. There are pouches and mesh pockets to keep everything organized.
You can always use more space when packing things when traveling. The advantage to the messenger bag is that you can store important documents, your laptop and other things in the bag. They are allowed as an extra carry on since they are on your person.
Option to Keep Under Carry On Weight Limit
Do you feel like you need a PHd to figure out the ever changing policies of budget airlines and their carry on policies. The size and weight requirements seem to change every other week.
If you find it hard to pack everything you need and be under the weight limit there is a way around this problem.
The Weekend Traveler Air Vest can help with lessening the load with your carry on. The vest has pockets on the front, inside of the vest and the back of the vest. The pockets are big enough to carry laptops, shoes, tablets and more.
You can fill the vest up and carry it through the airport over your shoulder. Put the vest through the scanner. Wear the vest when you are boarding and then put it under your seat.
If you are interested in learning more about saving on travel, travel destinations, credit card points and other travel advice go to travelwidstom.com.
