140 – Carry on luggage packing list
January 31, 2010 in Packing For Travel
If you’re travelling for any length of time, chances are you’ll catch a plane at some point during your trip. There are a lot of ways to make a plane trip more enjoyable (especially if it is a long one) and one of these ways is to pack your carry-on bag carefully. The airlines will tell you what NOT to take (scissors, flammables … the list keeps getting longer, actually) but we’d like to help you think about what you should put in that bag.
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Essentials
- Passport
- Tickets
- Wallet
- Pen
Entertainment
- Book
- Puzzle
- Games
- iPod
- Diary
Clothes
- Light jumper
- Undies
- Clothes for destination
Sustenance
- Water bottle
- Snack
Toiletry items
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Brush or comb
- Medication
- Contact lenses and solution
- Painkillers, sleeping pills
- Moisturiser
- Lip balm
Comfort items
- Sleep mask and earplugs
- Sleep phones
- Sweets
Miscellaneous
- Computer and other electronics
- Anything you can’t afford to lose
This list can be adapted for bus and train trips as well — or any trip where you will be separated from your main bag for any length of time. You won’t need all of these items — just pick and choose the ones that are most relevant to you. So, what do you put in your carry-on?
This article was written by Craig and Linda
Craig and Linda Martin have been living on the road since February 2006. Both born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand they are ... somewhere in the world! Craig and Linda host the Indie Travel Podcast - you can get in touch with them here.
Since November 2006 the Indie Travel Podcast has evolved into an independent travel hub with regular audio and video podcasts along with articles by travellers from all over the world. 
Hosts Craig and Linda Martin started travelling in February 2006 and have been to over 50 countries. They were 
Scott said on February 1, 2010
Noise reduction headphones are a must on my list. They filter out the jet and cabin noise better then normal ones. The difference is remarkable. You arrive less fatigued from your flight. After all, why else do you arrive tired after sitting for several hours?
The Global Traveller said on February 1, 2010
I agree, although if I know in advance my airline(s) will have them (normally provided to first & business class and sometimes also elite frequent flyers in economy class) then I don’t need to bring my own.
I don’t bring games or puzzles. I am easily amused and always have lots to think about or do. I do bring some note paper.
For books I bring some with me and give them away en route, either swapping for another book or getting some second hand ones to replace. The book(s) also doubles as emergency extra space. If needed I’d much rather lose the book to make room for something more important.
Joe said on February 1, 2010
Sound cancelling headphones are definitly the way to go if you just want to eliminate sound. The downside is that they are very costly, and you can’t sleep with them on. They also become irritating after a while because they clamp so tightly on the ears. If you haven’t tried the Dreamhelmet yet, it is the first patented sleep mask with noise reduction capability.
The Dreamhelmet promotes sleep by tri-sensory input reduction: pillows the head, blocks light, and muffles sound. A soft chin strap prevents the pillow-mask from sliding out of position. There is no irritation because the pillow and mask are designed to be worn loosely and only 100% cotton touches the skin. There are no straps around the back of the head to get tangled in the hair, and only the pillow and mask come in contact with the head.
This multi-use travel product comes with soft earplugs in secret pockets and converts to an attachable or simple pillow. It also morphs into a muff. Professional travelers use them. They’re not sold in stores – only online.
Jay Sames said on February 8, 2010
Two things conspicuously missing (in my opinion) were 1. a head lamp, or other small light; and 2. diarrhea pills. The head lamp is the essential easy-access item. If you can find your headlamp, you can find anything else. (That’s why I sleep with mine wrapped around my wrist in a youth hostel. And sometimes you need something in the dark just off the plane. (Eg., The directions to my CouchSurfer’s flat, in Hindi, to show to the Mumbai taxi driver at 2300 India time.) The diarrhea pills are likewise essential; you can take time to find your constipation pills, but you may not have that luxury in reverse. I pack both on the top, outside pocket of my carry-on.
Craig and Linda said on February 8, 2010
Hey Jay, you might be right on the tablets! We normally keep some in our first aid kit in our hold luggage. But “Where is the toilet?” is one of the first questions we learn to ask in any language!
A headlamp is a good idea, but we tend to use the displays on our iPods rather than a real torch. Lots of people swear by a headlamp, but we’ve still never bought one.
Sofia - As We Travel said on March 26, 2010
I sleep like a baby almost anywhere, but after the last hostel experiences I will seriously consider those noise reduction headphones…
lisa said on October 25, 2011
this really helped. thanks.
Craig and Linda said on October 25, 2011
Glad to hear it Lisa. Where are you off to?