10 Simple Travel Essentials to Pack on a Carry On

Having learned from experience, I have found that traveling can be stressful and uncomfortable at times, especially when flying. Now I’m not saying that I am a super frequent flyer, but over the last few years, I have been on quite a few flights from long ones, to others that have been less than a couple hours long.

On each of those flights, I have pretty much learned what to bring with me on my flights that make them a little more comfortable regardless of the length of the flight. Here are my top 10 super simple must-have travel essentials that I’ve found to be extremely useful when traveling:

Notebook, Book, or Magazine

Good reading material and a simple notebook really come in handy for people who easily get bored. I highly recommend a notebook and plenty of pens to take along because you never know if you are going to have a sudden fantastic idea, or more importantly need to remember vital travel information/reservations in case you phone or laptop dies, especially if you don’t have a portable charger on hand.

Snacks

I like to bring trail mix and other healthy dry snacks when I travel because first of all, its nice to have some comfort food to bring with you and it can also keep you occupied for a bit. I’m not saying snacking when boredom arises is the best thing in the world, but hey, it’s okay to indulge once in a while. Plus if you don’t like the plane food (if they have any), then it’s nice to whip out some snacks that you actually like. My favorite on-the-go snack are GoMacro Bars because they not only taste amazing, they are also healthy and nutritious!

Ear Plugs

Ear Plugs are a must, especially when it comes to super long flights. It’s almost like a little escape from all of the loud noises around you and also makes it a tad bit easier to get some shut-eye (not that it’s very easy to sleep on a plane in the first place).

Neck Pillow

Now neck pillows are amazing. They not only give your neck the support that it craves during long flights, it also helps you from falling asleep on the passenger next to you. That would be a little awkward, just a tad… I like memory foam neck pillows instead of those flimsy Styrofoam-filled bead ones.

Headphones

Headphones do wonders on long flights or short because you can drown out noises and either listen to your own music or tune into the featured film that most flights have playing.  Listening to music or an audio book also seem to make flights go by a little faster.

Hand Sanitizer

Hand Sanitizer is one of the most important things (besides my boarding pass) that I bring with me on my carry on. You simply never know what kind of bacteria is on the plane while traveling, so it’s important to keep in on hand, especially before you eat.

Water

Once you are through security, you can fill up your own empty bottle brought from home or purchase a water bottle to bring with you on the flight. I brought my Hydro Flask  and it kept my water ice-cold throughout my entire flight. I would be careful on how much you drink though because if you decide to chug some during the flight, you are more likely on having to get up to go to the bathrooms more often which is just too much of a hassle, especially if you have the window seat. So beware, and drink with caution.

Comfy Shoes

I like to wear soft, comfortable shoes or pack some in my carry-on to change into when I get on the plane because it makes everything a lot more comfortable. My absolute favorite comfy shoes are the Sanuk Yoga Sling Flip Flopsbecause they feel heavenly- almost like you are constantly walking on a soft yoga mat. I wear them everywhere! I’ve found that comfy shoes make me feel so relaxed and a little bit more ready for the long travel ahead of me.

Lip Balm

One thing that I can’t leave the house without, let alone live without is lip balm so it would be torture being stuck on a long flight without any. You may think you don’t need it, but there is constant dry air that circulates through the plane, which can sure dry your lips out really quick.

A light Blanket or Sweater

If you are naturally an ice cube like me, I highly recommend bringing either a sweater, cardigan, or a light blanket that you can either wear or fit in your carry on. You may think that you don’t need one, especially if you are traveling to a warmer climate, but trust me, you do because it’s always a little cooler on airplanes and you will start to feel it once you are seated long enough. Plus you can roll your sweater or blanket up as an extra pillow if you want to attempt to get some sleep.

I hope this list of carry on essentials comes in handy for you! I have flown quite a few times over the last 5 years and have found that all of these items are wonderful to have on a flight, yet can be forgotten extremely easily.

Didn’t see your favorite travel essential on this list? Got any tips for a more comfortable flight? Share your tips and thoughts with us in the comments! Thank you!