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in Packing Guides, Travel, Travel Tips

What to Pack in Your Carry-on Bag or Personal Item

  • September 2, 2017
  • By Stephanie, The Roving Fox
  • 0 Comments
What to Pack in Your Carry-on Bag or Personal Item

What to Pack in Your Carry-on

Packing just a carry-on bag is the ultimate step in traveler freedom. You can avoid baggage fees, easily carry your bag anywhere, and avoid dragging along unnecessary belongings. In case you haven’t seen my video on travel packing hacks and things you wouldn’t usually think of packing, check out my last travel post here. Here’s a short list of what to pack in your carry-on.

 

One day I’ll cover what I pack in my actual carry-on, but today I want to tell you about a few things I usually pack in my personal item. I’ll usually take a backpack since you get the most room possible by carrying a backpack and a carry-on.

Here are some tips about what to pack in your carry-on:

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Headphones

This is an obvious choice, and I’d recommend a quality pair of noise cancelling headphones. These Bose headphones are at the forefront of technology and are wireless (yay no more cords!). I’d also recommend downloading the White Noise app for when you want to sleep or read without music on.

 

Entertainment

I am a fan of flying as cheaply as possible, and sometimes that means the airlines don’t offer in-flight entertainment or even wifi to purchase. Make sure you download a few various entertainment options like movies, podcasts, games, books, or whatever your jam is.

 

Anti-bacterial wipes & Anti-bacterial hand gel

Ok, this is getting a little OCD, but I like to carry a small packet of anti-bacterial wipes to give my tray table and seat a quick wipe-down. On my last flight to California, the wipe came back brown (ew!). Hand sanitizer is also a must for using after the bathroom or before you eat anything on a flight. Even though you’re flying in a germ container, at least give yourself a fighting chance of not getting sick after your flight. I’m loving Dr. Bronner’s Organic Lavender hand spray!

Clean pair of underoos

 

I always pack a clean pair of underwear in my personal item, even if I also have my carry-on with me. You never know what might happen. You can wear a shirt for two or three days in a pinch, but not so much with underwear.

 

Charger

I have a Jackery portable charger and I LOVE it. I’ve had this one for three years and it still works perfectly! I can get at least 2 full charges out of this bad boy, and it has a flashlight built in.

Hand Cream

I don’t know about you, but my hands get super dry while flying. I always pack a thick hand lotion. The type is up to you, but my recent favorite is this soothing Chamomile and Ylang Ylang hand cream by Nourish Organic.

SNACKS

Maybe the most important category? I always get super hangry while traveling, and the snacks airlines give you are mere morsels. I pack things like protein bars, nuts, and fruit to get me through the flight. My favorite bars are RX Bars, made with egg whites and sweetened with dried fruit.

Scarf

A scarf can not only keep you warm while flying, but it can also double as a lap blanket, shoulder wrap, or pillow. I’ve been eyeing some of the travel scarves on Amazon which have a mini pocket for hiding your passport or other small items.

Empty water bottle

I always pack my water bottle when I travel. I hate the idea of one-use plastic bottles adding to landfills. I love the CamelBak Podium Chill bottle because it keeps my water cool and has a neat locking top.

Those are my top travel musts! What’s in your personal item? Tell me your travel must haves on The Roving Fox Facebook page!
This post contains affiliate links
By Stephanie, The Roving Fox, September 2, 2017

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Hi, I’m Stephanie

Hey there, I am Stephanie, aka “The Roving Fox!” I started this blog to share travel tips with friends, and eventually started incorporating more info about my hip labrum surgery, beauty products I love, and restaurant reviews. Please say hi here on the blog, on Instagram, or Facebook!

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