Carry-On Must Haves

I am someone who is all about traveling with JUST carry-on luggage. Not only do I not want to pay a baggage fee, but my trust in airlines not losing my luggage or breaking it is very low. I've had my luggage lost & damaged one too many times in my past, so I basically only use carry-on if possible. I have spent 12 days in China, 2 weeks in Europe, & 10 days in Australia, all with only carry-on luggage. People always think I'm crazy when I say that is all I have on such long trips, but with the right pieces & the right accessories, it is completely doable for even the novice traveler!

The following is my "Must Haves" for traveling with just Carry-On luggage:

1. Large Hard Suitcase and/or Duffle Bag:

Most airlines will allow (free of charge) two carry-on items. The first is generally a larger size piece & the second is a "personal item." If you're only going to travel with carry-on luggage, you need just the right larger size piece to fit as much as possible. Depending on my destination, I have two different options. On most trips, I use my Paravel Aviator Carry-on. This is a great size & has some really cool tech features. The luggage is TSA-approved dimensions (13.7" x 21.7" x 9"), made of recycled materials, & is super light (8.2lbs).

Full disclosure, this suitcase is not cheap. However, for me it has been a great investment & the face that it is made of recycled material is very important! If you want something cheaper, I would recommend looking for a hard shell case since you won't have to worry about tearing fabric or stains. Also, just be sure the dimensions are at or below the TSA-approved measurements.

When I am traveling to multiple locations & I need a little more room, I will use my DVF Duffel Bag. It is the perfect piece because it can be carried by the top straps or it can be wheeled with the pop-out handle. Wheeled luggage is a life saver, but there are times when it is nice to be able to carry your bag in a comfortable way. I wish I would've brought this when I was in Venice, Italy, because roller bags & cobble stone sidewalks = awful! The bag still holds a lot & comes in under the TSA-approved dimensions. The actual bag is not available anymore, but any wheeled duffel/satchel is perfect!

2. Personal Item

In addition to your large carry-on piece, airlines allow one "personal item." On most of my trips, I will use my Kate Spade backpack as my personal item. If I'm only going away for a few days, I'll most likely just have my large piece & then a purse/tote. However, when I'm traveling overseas or will be gone for more than a weekend, I take advantage of the rules & bring my backpack (with a small purse tucked inside). You would be amazed how much you can actually fit into a decent sized backpack! I love my Kate Spade backpack because it is very roomy on the inside, has plenty of inside pockets, & three additional zipper pockets on the exterior. I went to Barcelona, Spain & Lisbon, Portugal with just this backpack & a purse. I was shocked how much I could fit in there!

Yes, this is all I took on a 6 day trip to Spain & Portugal! How you ask? Well, that takes us to the next Must Have:

3. Ziploc Space Bags - Travel

I cannot say enough about these bags! In the same way that you use these space saver bags to store winter clothes or anything else you need to store away in the closet or under the bed, you can use these for travel. Whether you're putting them into your larger carry-on piece or in a backpack, they take what would normally take up a ton of space in your luggage & consolidate into magic. You just roll your clothes (insider tip: ALWAYS roll clothing as it takes up less space & helps keep clothes less wrinkled during transport) & stuff them in the bag. Then seal and roll the air out & voila! Here are all the clothes I took on a 2 week European trip before:

This space saving magic allowed me to fit all of this plus my Wellies (rain boots), toiletries, & a rain jacket in my DVF duffel! You can find the Ziploc Space Bags at pretty much every store (Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target, Walmart, etc.) or you can buy them on Amazon. Buy these now & you will thank me, I promise!

4. Reusable Water Bottle

First & foremost it is smart to always have water on you when you travel. You never know where you'll end up, what you'll be doing, or whether you'll have an option to buy something to drink. Since TSA rules forbid bringing liquids over 3 oz. through security (not to mention a bottled water past security will be WAY overpriced), it's a good idea to bring an empty, reusable bottle with you. Most airports now have specific water fountains for filling up bottles. In the chance your airport doesn't, you can still refill from a normal drinking fountain. It is also essential to have your own water with you because once on board, you could wait a long time until the beverage service gets to you. If there is turbulence, your flight is too short, etc., you may not even get the option of beverage service. It's always good to be prepared! Plus, if you're using your own bottle, you won't be buying a bottle that will get thrown away, so you're being kind to Mother Earth as well :)

5. Noise & Light Cancelling Items

Whether it be air travel, train travel, bus travel, or riding in a car (not driving obvs), finding ways to block out sound & light is necessary. When you're traveling in a small space with multiple people, there are SO MANY SOUNDS. This doesn't even include a crying child (which, totally get it kid, cry away). If you can invest in some noise-cancelling headphones, your ears & sanity will thank you. It is an investment for sure, but so worth it once on board, especially if you're on a small plane or seated near the engine. For those who don't like to listen to music when traveling (I don't get it, but I respect you lol), ear plugs are a great option. While they won't block out 100% of noise, they will definitely help. In addition to sound is light. If you want to get sleep on your travels, blocking out unwanted light with an eye mask will help. I've been on one too many flights where the whole cabin is dark at 2:00 am, but my seat mate is wide awake with his overhead light on. Eye masks save the day!

6. Neck Pillow

Once you've cancelled out the noise & light, you may still have trouble falling asleep due to comfort. Unless you're flying business or first class (yes it is possible on your budget), sleeping on a plane can be difficult since you're sitting up. Likewise, train travel can pose the same problem. My solution is a good neck pillow! Personally, I am a fan of the inflatable pillows which you blow up to your desired level of firmness. I find that the cushion/bean bag neck pillows are too soft & don't keep my neck propped up. Plus, with the inflatable pillow, it takes up less room in your bag once you are done & deflate! Some newer neck pillows even offer pockets for your phone/music playing device. Neck pillows can be found at most major retail stores & Amazon for much cheaper than what they charge at the airport.

7. Phone Charger(s)

A lot of airplanes, trains, & buses now offer outlets between seats, giving you easy access to charge your phone. For most travelers (myself included), phones are a lifeblood when traveling. We use them to stay in touch with family/friends, listen to music, take photos, find locations on a map, call a car service, etc. All of these activities = battery usage. There is nothing worse than stepping off a plane & your battery being in the red! There is definitely a sense of calmness I find when I know my battery is fully charged, especially when I'm in a new place of which I know nothing (or very little). It's always comforting to know I can Google something or pull up a map & find my way. I can't state this enough: pack multiple charging devices! I always have my standard charger & at least one additional external charger. I always bring with me a Mophie battery case & a Mophie power station. There are numerous brands to choose from, but Mophie has done me well thus far so I'm sticking with them!

8. Easily Accessible Toiletries (And Undies)

Whether you're only traveling with carry-on luggage or you've checked a bag & have one carry-on bag with you, it is vital to have your toiletries easily accessible. This isn't just for air travel either. No matter your mode of transport, there are always unknowns. You may be delayed, re-routed, stuck, lost, etc. & your planned day turns upside down. There is nothing better than feeling fresh when traveling. If your plans are changed due to circumstances out of your control, having fresh deodorant, brushed teeth, & a fresh pair of undies (yes, I went there!) will make you feel so much better. It is also important to be mindful of time zones when traveling. If you're going overseas & you have a regularly schedule medicine you take, you may need to take it mid-trip, so easy access to medicine is crucial.

Also, for air travelers, it's always good to have chapstick/lip balm & tissues easily accessible as well. Airplane air can get quite dry if you're on a long flight & your lips & nasal passages will feel the lack of moisture. Lather those lips up before taking a snooze & you'll feel much better :) Tissues can also come in handy if you find yourself in a bathroom with no toilet paper!

9. Essential Travel Documents/Identification

It goes without saying, but you always want to keep your essential documents with you at all times! This includes your ID (whether that be a driver's license or passport), boarding passes, vouchers, reservations, or anything else that can't be shown on a phone. Many places are still behind when it comes to technology & require physical print outs, so it is good to have these at the ready. In terms of passports, it is also good to bring a color photocopy of the photo page of your passport with you (in a separate pocket from your actual passport) just in case you lose your passport at some point in your travels. You can head to the nearest US Embassy and show them your photocopy to help get you home. It is also handy to have a photocopy of your passport because you can use that when out and about shopping and dining and leave your physical passport in the safe at your hotel.

10. Snacks

Like with water, if you choose to buy food in the airport/train station or on board, you're going to pay more. In addition to this, with the unknowns mentioned above, your plans could change without notice or your control. This could result in not having access to purchase food & you may find yourself quite hungry! Personally, I've had flight delays that have resulted in me getting to a hotel past midnight with no room service available. Having my own stash of snacks is vital. I love to keep some sort of bar (luna, granola, protein, etc.) in my bag at all times. You can also stock up with free snacks in lounges & hotel lobbies. If there is a free piece of fruit, throw it in your bag just in case!

Tip: Add a personal touch to your luggage for easy identification!