What to Pack in a Carry-On Bag? Here Are 30 Essential Items, According to a Professional Traveler

• Why We Love It: lightweight cashmere, loose fit
• Size Range: XS to XL

First pro tip: Bring a warm, neutral layer that goes with everything. “I grab some kind of wrap or cardigan in cashmere; I can’t wear wool, I’m allergic,” Hawkins says. This 100 percent cashmere cardigan comes in 10 shades like camel, oatmeal and heather gray to blend right in with the rest of your travel wardrobe. When it’s folded, it takes up practically no space in your carry-on bag.

• Why We Love It: indents allow you to blink, dozens of colors and patterns

“This eye shade is great because it’s really lightweight,” Hawkins says. And it has complete light-blocking capability without smooshing your eyelashes or smudging your makeup.

• Why We Love It: imported silk, oversized styling

Meet the chicest solution to col overhead air. Jennifer Hawkins has had enough of the overhead air vent blowing downward, right on her. “I always have my neck covered on flights. Along with my cardigan wrap, I wear a scarf,” shares Hawkins. This classic dotted black-and-white scarf gets top marks for its versatility and 100 percent silk warmth.

• Why We Love It: improves circulation, comfortable fit
• Size Range: S -L

“For long-haul flights, I definitely wear compression socks,” says Hawkins, citing how doctors recommend them as an anti-DVT protocol. “There are some cute, fashion forward options now" like this purple pair made with nylon and Spandex.

• Why We Love It: dozens of colors, holds 18 ounces

“Now that most airports have a refillable water station after you’ve gone through security, I always travel with a refillable water bottle,” Hawkins says. We like this stainless steel bottle for its sturdiness, dishwasher-safe powder coating and non-spill, tight-fit lid.

• Why We Love It: lipstick-sized, iPhone-specific

Sometimes, you’re going to be on a flight with no charging ports, or in a gate area with no free electrical outlets or in an Uber that won’t let you recharge your phone. In which case, this little cable-free charger is your best friend…a best friend that has more than 3,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

• Why We Love It: up to 10 hours of battery life, supports all streaming services

Because maybe you want to binge-watch something in the gate area as well as on-board. As for Hawkins, of late she’s been tapping into Audible: “I listened to a whole book on one recent flight.” (If you’re in need of some recs, we’ve got you.)

• Why We Love It: multiple compartments, only 7.8 ounces

Once you’ve learned to put all your charging cables in this 10.63 x 3.35 x 4.72-inch case, you’ll never leave behind that charging brick again. It’s got multiple mesh pockets and a slot for your phone, too, as well as a spare pen and pencil, if you like to keep your analog game strong.

• Why We Love It: noise cancelling, lightweight

These next-to-weightless ear buds have noise-cancelling and Bluetooth capability, and they're dust-, sweat- and water-resistant. And they come in a MagSafe charging case, so you can use them for jogging around your destination's neighborhood or at the hotel gym without worrying about audio quality. With up to six hours listening time per charge, these go the distance without sapping your portable power charger.

• Why We Love It: room for multiple passports, doubles as an evening clutch

This travel wallet has slots for all your cards, a sleeve for your license, a place for your passport and sleeves for larger format foreign currency—as well as a zippered pouch for coins. Best of all, the 9- x 4.5-inch size fits so much inside, without having to cram it shut, and the whole thing zips for security. And the real leather comes in a nubby texture that weathers like a champ, in black, brown and blush colorways.

• Why We Love It: small size, 20 colorways

This 4.5- x 3-inch zipped leather case is so lightweight you won’t even realize you’re carrying it—until you really need a panty liner or tampon and you’re at 35,000 feet. That's because it's got two zippered compartments: one for credit cards, IDs checks or receipts and the other for personal care items. And since it comes in a gift box and is available to purchase on Amazon Prime, it's a great last-minute gift for anyone who travels often.

• Why We Love It: soothing and moisturizing, clean beauty formula

“I usually don’t spend this much on a lip balm, but I have to say, this really works,” Hawkins admits. (That's because the coconut, argan, castor seed, jojoba, and sunflower botanical oil-loaded formula is dermatologist-approved, too.) 

• Why We Love It: ultra-moisturizing, 1.7-ounce size

“I really like Naturapathica’s natural ingredients, and I’ve got to have a face lotion in my in-flight bag,” Hawkins says. This formula refines pores and absorbs any extra oil, so you’re not left looking shiny, and it’s got hyaluronic acid for deep moisturizing.

• Why We Love It: two-sided filing, safe for security checks

If you’ve ever tried to stay peaceful on a long flight with a torn fingernail, you’ll never leave home without this again.

• Why We Love It: three products for bedtime use, zippered case

“This little essential oil blend is what I use right before bed to calm and relax,” says Hawkins, whose travels wreak havoc on her body’s natural circadian rhythms. This trio comprises an oil blend, body butter and face mist that contain sleep-inducing herbs valerian root, chamomile and lavender.

• Why We Love It: invigorating scent, one-ounce travel size

Lavender, tea tree oil and aloe vera are the hero ingredients in this tiny hand lotion that requires only a half-teaspoon to soothe your hands, which can really feel (and look) rough after even a short flight.

• Why We Love It: easy to access, keeps travel info handy

While travel arrangements and confirmations can often be pulled up in online files, there’s something reassuring about having a printed copy of itineraries. “I usually travel with those clear folders that have a seam on one side and one on the bottom,” Hawkins says. Along with her digital travel notes, “there’s something nice about an analog version—my whole family is trained to ask ‘where’s the file?’ when someone requests a confirmation number.”

• Why We Love It: convenient, kills 99.99 percent of bacteria

You’re not going to be able to indulge in a nice, thorough hand-washing mid-flight, and the washroom lav is so tiny and water-restrictive…so throwing a 10-pack of these wipes in your bag is like insurance against picking up some errant cold and flu season germs. This multi-pack has 200 wipes total, and each pack of 10 wipes has a resealable closure so it won’t dry out between uses.

• Why We Love It: portable size, sturdy spiral binding

There’s no better time than midair to check items off your to-do list, and to take a few moments to reflect on how you’re progressing toward your monthly or quarterly goals. The Erin Condren planner has prompts for setting and checking up on goals, and can be customized with your name.

• Why We Love It: filling, refreshing, no sugar coma afterward

“You have to be careful what you bring onto the plane,” warns Hawkins. “Once I brought yogurt and they didn't let me take it on board. So now I bring berries, banana or an orange, almonds and a granola bar.”

• Why We Love It: lightweight nylon, pass-though sleeve for luggage

This tote is available in a handful of colors and features a side-zip pocket and a wide top-zippered opening. But the real attraction of this tote for travelers is that it folds up into a little carrying case that is only 7.5 x 6.7 inches. Ultra-lightweight (only .37 pounds), this bag can hold up to 20 pounds; it has a 26-liter capacity when unfolded to full 16.5 x 13.4 x 7 inches size. We keep one in our suitcase at all times, to use as a tote for going to the gym or the pool at our destination.

• Why We Love It: doubles as a pillow, machine washable

This 65- x 40-inch blanket is the cuddly fleece warmth you're longing for in a cold airline cabin. Lightweight yet fluffy, it folds into its own carrying case, which tucks into your carry on or dangles from your carry-on strap via a handy clip. Bonus: When zipped into its carrying case, the Bedelite blanket becomes a cushy pillow.

• Why We Love It: 150-country plug adapability, charges up to 6 devices at once

Not only is this plug adapter going to let you charge your devices in far-flung places from England to China, it can be used on plugs here in the States, too. Simultaneously, its four USB-A ports (2.4A), one USB-C port (3A) and one AC socket will re-power your iPhone, laptop, tablet, power bank, and headset using high-speed charging capability.

• Why We Love It: oversized, versatile
• Size Range: XS to XXL

Pro travel tip: Fold a button-front shirt into a tiny square and place it inside a large Ziplock bag, inside a packing cube. That way, in case you spill something a) on your travel top, b) inside your carry on or c) both, you have a fresh shirt to change into without appearing the worse for wear. And since this poly-cotton blend shirt washes nicely in a hotel sink, you can get multiple wears from it on a single trip.

• Why We Love It: no-snag nylon fabrication, self-zips to compress contents

A place for everything and everything in its place. Even if you're a Clutter Monster at home, you can learn to streamline the contents of your carry-on so that you are able to find exactly what you need at a moment's notice. We like this set of four compression packing cubes because the smallest of the set measures 11 x 6.75 inches and can hold a fresh top as well as a light jacket neatly folded in your travel tote, while the other larger sizes can keep clothing organized in your rolling case. The set comes in dozens of colors and is also available in five- and six-item versions.

• Why We Love It: cotton twill, looks great slightly rumpled
• Size Range: XS to XXL

Consider this your talisman against the curse of the freezing airline cabin. This military jacket is that extra layer you can slip into and feel comfortable while looking chic, even if you are sandwiched into a middle seat in economy. Multiple pockets, both zip and snap closure and a flattering adjustable inner waistband are the little design details that make this jacket look way more expensive than it is. And if you're really chilly, you can zip the front all the way up to the stand collar and just snuggle down into it.

• Why We Love It: can track your misplaced bag, syncs with iPhone

Just pair this little water- and dust-resistant device that's only 1.26 inches in diameter in with your Find My app, and you can track it whether it's across the airport or across the country. Best of all, it takes just one touch to set up, so even technophobes will enjoy this useful gift.

• Why We Love It: durable, keeps address hidden

A luggage tag is an absolute must when traveling, but who wants every rando having the opportunity to spy your address and phone number? Then again, you don't want someone to feel unable to reach you immediately if you are separated from your bag. This bright orange vinyl luggage tag is a workable compromise. Sold in a set of two, the sturdy vinyl sheath covers your details in a vinyl window, which pops out when you pull the tag open. (This is a real win for the absent-minded among us.)

• Why We Love It: quart capacity, 11 colorways

Not only to you need to carry travel-sized individual bottles of liquid, but all of those individual containers need to fit inside one quart-sized container. In a pinch, you could use a clear sandwich bag, but let's be honest—this sturdy 6.25 x 6.25 x 2-inch toiletry bag is way better, since it's not going to rip, has a handy zipper and is topped by a useful top handle. Additionally, we love this because it opens like a clamshell, for easy access to just that mini-item you're after.

• Why We Love It: includes four interchangeable tips, hypoallergenic

Anyone who's struggled getting shut eye on a flight (or heaven help you, once you land at your destination) will appreciate the importance of ear plugs. This stylish design not only looks cute in your ear (the loop appears as a colorful jewelry-like decoration), it reduces up to 26 decibels of noise. They come with a color-coded carryng case, and the sift-touch silicone is easy to clean and reuse.