Ah, the excitement of traveling. Visiting a new country and exploring new cultures is truly one of the most exhilarating experiences in life. But before you can immerse yourself in all the excitement, there’s the pesky task of packing. And let’s be honest, packing can be a pain – especially deciding what to bring on the plane. Lucky for you, I’ve got you covered with the ultimate guide to packing your carry on like a pro for international travel. No more stressing about what to bring because the essentials of what to pack in your carry on for an international flight are listed below.
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The complete list of what to pack in your carry-on:
- Passport
- Pen
- Any necessary medications and toiletries
- Empty water bottle (fill after security)
- Change of clothes, extra socks, and your bathing suit (depending on travel destination!)
- Compression socks
- Snacks
- Health insurance card
- Travel documents such as hotel and car rental reservations including addresses
- Eye mask
- Noise-canceling headphones (don’t forget a bluetooth transmitter/receiver like AirFly Pro to connect your headphones to the airplane TV)
- Light jacket or cardigan
- Ear plugs
- Sleep aids
- Glasses, spare set of contacts, contact case, and contact saline solution
- Hand sanitizer and sanitizer wipes
- Laptop
- Chargers and adapters
First things first, let’s start with the obvious – your passport. This little book is your lifeline when it comes to international travel, so make sure you double-check that it’s packed safely in your carry-on. Yes, it’s obvious, but some people manage to forget it. And you don’t want to be that person. Grab your passport, make sure it’s not expired with more than 6 months left before the expiration date, and pack it in a safe and easily accessible place. And while we’re on the topic of basic necessities, don’t forget to pack a pen. You’ll need it to fill out customs paperwork upon arrival at your destination.
While we’re on the topic of passports, I use an RFID wallet while traveling. RFID wallets are a great choice for those who want to be safe and secure while on the go! RFID blocking technology helps to protect your information from any potential identity theft by scanning and stealing your data. They come in a variety of styles and sizes, so you can find the right one to fit your needs. Whether you’re just carrying your cards or also bringing along cash, an RFID wallet ensures that everything is kept safe, secure and accessible when you need it. The one I use is from Amazon – they have a ton of options based on what you’re looking for.
Now on to the more practical items. Pack any necessary medications and toiletries. Make sure to keep your prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines in their original labeled container. You never know when you’ll need a pain reliever or allergy pill on the plane. For prescription medicine, take enough for your journey plus extras in case of delays.
And speaking of unexpected situations, it’s always a good idea to pack a change of clothes. That way, if your luggage is delayed, you’ll still have something to change into and can hit the town without any worries while waiting for your luggage to arrive. Don’t forget your swimsuit if you’re heading to a beach destination.
Pack extra socks and a light jacket or cardigan – it can get pretty chilly on the plane. I bring a regular set of socks as well as a set of compression socks. I am a HUGE fan of Bombas socks – I especially love their compression socks. They now have compression socks in ankle and calf lengths! Here’s a great article on why it’s a good idea to wear compression socks when traveling.
And while you’re at it, pack an eye mask, noise-canceling headphones, and earplugs to ensure a comfortable snooze on the plane. Consider bringing sleep aids if you have trouble sleeping on planes.
Snacks are also a must-have, especially if you’re like me and get hangry easily. An empty water bottle is also a great addition to include. My personal favorite is the Hydroflask, which keeps water cold for hours. Just make sure it’s empty prior to going through the security line!
If you wear contacts, don’t forget your case with contact solution. I wear daily contacts so I bring a new set of contacts to put in after I wake up and my glasses. While I “might” be a little paranoid, I tend to bring a few sets of contacts of my daily contacts just in case my luggage hits any sort of delay…
When it comes to important travel documents, make sure to pack your car rental and hotel reservation information, along with the address of the hotel or car rental agency. And don’t forget your health insurance card – you never know what could happen on your travels. When I travel internationally, I have a travel policy through MedJet Assist, which provides air medical evacuation and repatriation services. Medjet takes care of you when you need medical attention 150 miles or more away from home. They arrange air medical transport to your hospital of choice, in your home country. It’s a great way to make sure that I’m covered no matter what happens while abroad.
Packing for international travel can be overwhelming, but by following this list of what to pack in your carry-on for international travel, you can make sure you have a comfortable and stress-free flight. Just remember – when it comes to packing, less is always more. Happy travels!
Have something to add to the list? Leave a comment below to add what you bring in your carry-on when you travel internationally!
