What to Pack in Your Plane Carry-On Baggage?
Have you just booked your flight, or are you a few days away from the long-awaited journey? You have already started thinking about your luggage preparation. At this stage, you may wonder what you should put in your carry-on and what you should carry in checked luggage.
To dispel all these doubts, we’ve compiled a list of items that should always be stored in a carry-on suitcase. Hopefully, the information included below will help you organize your luggage better and fully enjoy your trip without unnecessary stress related to packed items.
Things to always have in your carry-on
There are a few things that you should always pack in your carry-on luggage. Therefore, before you set off for your journey, check the following list and make sure you have packed all these things:
- Passport/travel document
- Driving license
- Visa (if applicable)
- Itinerary, including accommodation details
- Boarding pass
- Travel insurance confirmation
- Medication
- Bank card and some cash
Electronic devices in carry-on bags
Electronic devices can make your long-haul flight more pleasant, and what is essential is that most of them can be stored in carry-on luggage. The list of permitted items can differ depending on the particular airline. Nevertheless, in most cases, the following items are allowed:
- eReader
- Smartphone
- Tablet
- Laptop
- Electronic games console
- Headphones
- Portable CD and DVD players
Remember to set the Flight Mode before taking off and obey the cabin crew's instructions throughout the entire flight until you land at your destination.
Toiletries in cabin bag
Toiletries are another group of items most travelers pack into their cabin bags. As they are classified into the categories of aerosols, liquids, powders, and gels, you should be careful how you pack them.
- Pack every cosmetic in individual containers of up to 100 ml each
- Put all containers in a resealable transparent plastic bag that will not exceed one liter in total volume
- The plastic bag needs to be presented during the security screening
- One passenger is allowed to carry only one bag
Remember that if you wish to pack more giant quantities of cosmetics, you can do so without meeting the above requirements as long as you pack them into your checked luggage. So, if you fly with checked luggage, you can avoid unnecessary stress and pack all the toiletries there.
Medication in carry-on luggage
If you need to take medication during your trip, make sure to pack it in your carry-on luggage. You should consider all possible scenarios, including losing or separating your checked luggage for a few hours. This way, having all medication will save your health or life. However, you must be aware of certain restrictions regarding what you may pack in this type of luggage.
The medication requirements may differ depending on the airline you travel with. However, you may need to mark the medication with a professionally printed label or even the manufacturer’s name. Also, note that, for example, carrying medical sharps may require a letter from the GP confirming why you need to use them.
Before setting off, make sure that your travel destination accepts the given medication. In some countries, it may be illegal to enter with certain drugs or substances.
5 top carry-on packing tips
After familiarizing yourself with what to pack into your carry-on baggage, you can consider a few strategies that may help you prepare your carry-on properly. Let’s explore the most common five.
Separate your liquids
As you most usually need to present all liquids, gels, powders, or aerosols separately during the security check, put all of them in a transparent plastic bag no larger than one liter in volume.
Use packing cubes
Packing cubes can help you divide your bag into compartments and facilitate finding specific things in your luggage, especially when you are in a hurry.
Put heavier items on you
Under no circumstances should you put your heavy jacket into your carry-on. It may take even all the room in your bag. Wear or carry heavier items with you, which is not considered a carry-on allowance.
Manage the space inside your shoes
Use spare shoes in your carry-on luggage and put some socks or pants there. You will be surprised how many items your shoes can store.
Pack some spare clothes
If the worst possible scenario occurs and your checked luggage is stolen or its delivery is delayed, packing some spare clothes in your carry-on may save your nerves.
Wrap Up
If your trip is coming soon and you are at the point of packing your stuff, the information described in this article can help you save plenty of time and space in your carry-on luggage.
Remember that sometimes it is worth spending more time on luggage preparation instead of being in a situation where you do not have basic necessities at hand after arriving in a foreign country.
