Amy Reynolds As a seasoned traveller, I’ve packed many a carry-on. In fact, it’s usually all I travel with. But even if you choose to stow a suitcase and bringing a bag onboard, it’s important to carefully consider what you’ll need with you on your travel days. Here are my must-haves:
A change of clothes
Yes, it might just be a few hours of travel, but accidents do happen. You’re already feeling claustrophobic and tired; do you really want to be soaked in a spilled, likely sticky beverage too? Plus, this preparation means that you have a contingency plan in case of pesky plane delays. At the very least, I’d recommend bringing a fresh pair of underwear.
Electronics
- Noise-cancelling headphones: I tried these on my last international trip, and they were an absolute game-changer. As someone who thinks the plane is headed for disaster in every patch of turbulence, I won’t do another trip without them.
- eReader: this is my absolute holy grail for travel. My Kindle Paperwhite comes everywhere with me, and lasts through multi-week trips without needing a single charge. Lighter than a traditional book, you’ll have hundreds of stories at your fingertips, without needing to worry about your physical copies being damaged during transit.
- Charging cables: because a long-haul without your phone is a true nightmare.
Toiletries
I’d probably forgo the entire makeup bag, but the feeling of landing in a new destination with freshly brushed teeth is truly unmatched. Flying can also be very dehydrating, and UV rays can penetrate plane windows, so it’s worthwhile bringing a small bag of skincare essentials. Personally, I bring a small Ziploc bag with deodorant, my toothbrush, and travel sizes of toothpaste, cleanser, moisturiser, and sunscreen.
Face mask
On a recent trip, I was seated next to a spluttering woman who cheerfully told me that she’d elected not to sit next to her friend because she was terribly sick and didn’t want to get them unwell. Since then, I’ve vowed to bring a face mask and trusty bottle of sanitiser for long-haul journeys. I’d recommend investing in a quality reusable option, which I’ve found to also come in handy in destinations with high levels of air pollution, and even just to keep your face warm in colder climates.
Snacks
This one’s pretty self-explanatory.