Fall may be peeking around the corner, but there is still enough summer left to enjoy! If you haven't planned a summer getaway with your family and friends or even just some time away for yourself, then now is the time. Before the weather begins to cool, throw a few essentials into a carry-on, pack your bags, and get ready to enjoy some summer fun on a last-minute vacation. Here’s everything you should have in your carry-on to keep all your vacation bases covered.
Each airline has its own weight and size limitations for carry-on bags, so be sure to check them before you pack. If you’re traveling internationally, different countries may have different rules for items like toiletries and medications that may be brought across the border, so check these specifications before you travel, too.
If you’re packing carry-on-only, remember to lay out all your shoes and clothing before you pack them to ensure that each item can be mixed and matched with the rest. This is good advice for heavy packers, too, to help minimize what they bring on holiday.
Keep a little cash in a separate place from your cards. If one goes missing, you’ll still have access to the other. For the same reason, make a list of important phone numbers and details on a piece of paper and keep it separate from your phone. If you’re traveling internationally, keep a copy of all your travel documents in a safe place.
First, and most importantly, is your carry-on bag and the bits and pieces that go along with it. Whether you are a carry-on-only packer for light and simple traveling or a carry-on plus full luggage packer, your bag should be a hard shell with a retractable handle and wheels for easy transport.
To help compact all your carry-on clothing, we recommend investing in some durable packing cubes. These square or rectangular little bags zip closed tightly, compressing your clothing and allowing for more space in your bag. Packing cubes can also help you keep clothing and shoes separate for cleanliness. Keep your must-have toiletries (like a good face moisturizer for that dry airplane skin) in a completely sealable, firm, waterproof bag to avoid any messy spills or getting any of your clothes stained should something get squished or squeezed.
Get yourself a miniature cable bag to store charger cables or hard drives you may need, and don't forget your laptop case! You can never keep your tech too safe.
Whether you’re a carry-on-only person or a full luggage and carry-on person, you need to have a few must-haves in your hand luggage that will cover you in the event of luggage going missing or a makeup mishap. Scale your beauty routine down to the essentials and do the same with your makeup to save space. These are the absolute must-packs:
Face wash and moisturizer
Soap (in a soap tin) and body moisturizer
SPF for your face and body
Rollon antiperspirant and a small bottle of perfume
Face cleansing wipes
A comb (because it takes up less space than a brush)
Dry shampoo
Toothbrush and mini toothpaste
BB cream, blush, brow pomade, mascara, tinted lip balm or gloss
Prescription medication and anything else that can’t be purchased at your destination.
These basics will cover you on the flight and even on the trip if other luggage is delayed or goes missing.
Whether your flight is long or short, you’ll likely need some of your own entertainment. Consider packing your:
Laptop (in a safe case) and charger. If you have a tablet, we suggest bringing this instead to take up less space.
Phone and phone charger.
A book for holiday reading. If you have a Kindle, bring that instead, and don't forget the charger!
Noise-canceling wireless earbuds and charger.
An adapter if you are traveling internationally.
It's essential to have comfort items with you, especially if you’re going to be on a long flight. If you’re flying first class or private, you won't need to bring things like a pillow and blanket because they’ll be provided for you.
A travel pillow: To fit extra clothing into your “luggage” without exceeding the right limit, fill your travel pillowcase with soft clothing instead of a pillow — comfortable and functional.
A microfiber travel blanket: These are easy to fold up small and squish into a suitcase but keep you very warm.
A foot hammock: You can hook this handy little device over your tray table arms and sleep far more comfortably with your feet suspended off the ground. It folds away into a flat pack.
Footliners for the flight: No one wants your bare or dirty-socked feet around, so carry a pair of slim travel slippers to wear on board the flight.
If you’re a carry-on-only pacemaker, you’ll need to get a lot more in here than other passengers would, so pack carefully! Here’s our suggestion for making a carry-on’s limited space work for you:
One pair of comfortable walking shoes, one pair of sandals, one pair of “nice dinner or event” shoes
One bathing suit
One cold weather outfit (jeans and a sweater), just in case
A sun hat or baseball cap
One pair of pajamas
Two sun dresses
Two pairs of shorts
One skirt
Two tank tops
Two t-shirts
Plenty of socks and underwear.
Now that you know what to stock your carry-on with, you’re all set to have the best late summer vacation of your life! You’ll have everything you need and nothing you don’t for the perfect summer trip.
