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In today’s post we’re going to dive into the best items to bring in your personal carry-on.

In fact, these are the very same things I take with me on every trip that make my flights much more enjoyable.

Deciding what to bring with you on a trip is always difficult to figure out.

This is very important, especially for long flights. You need to have certain items easily accessible for comfort and necessity.

In this post you will learn about the best electronics, toiletries, snacks and accessories to pack in your personal carry-on.

So if you’re looking products that will make your flights much more enjoyable, then you’ve come to the right place.

Let’s get right into my list of the best items to bring in your personal carry-on!

The Best Items to Bring in Your Personal Carry-on

Electronics

1. iPad or Kindle

I always bring my iPad with me when I travel. It makes such a huge difference.

I have mine loaded with comic books, books and some movies.

Not every airplane seat has a screen to watch a movie or TV.

Just about every airline has access to an entertainment app (like GoGo Entertainment) that lets you watch popular movies and TV shows during the flight for free.

The iPad is perfect for watching movies and is also great for reading comic books and books. Comic books just look absolutely amazing on an iPad.

Kindles are great, too.

They are a cheaper and really lightweight.

Just load some books on there and you are set for your trip.

An added bonus is that Kindles are glare free and easy on the eyes.

I can’t imagine taking a trip without an iPad or Kindle.

I also highly recommend signing up for Kindle Unlimited for your tablet.

Your membership gets you unlimited access to thousands of ebooks, magazines, and audiobooks with Kindle Unlimited all for $9.99/month. Right now Amazon has a special where your first 2 months of Kindle Unlimited are free!

Kindle Unlimited is awesome for people that love to read. I actually use it for all my audiobook downloads, which are perfect for travel.

2. Phone with Music or Podcasts

Everyone brings their phone with them wherever they go. You also need to load it up with some music and podcasts.

You can download playlists from Spotify or upload music from your home library.

I also use Amazon Music Unlimited, which gives me access to over 50 million songs that I can listen to offline while I’m traveling. I get to listen to any song I want for just $7.99/month (plus no commercials).

You can sign up for Amazon Music Unlimited and try a free 30-day trial to see if you like it. If you don’t, just cancel and you’re charged nothing.

I love downloading podcasts for when I travel, too. You can just put them on, kick back and relax for your flight.

3. Headphones

How are you going to listen to your movies, music and podcasts?

Don’t be that person that plays everything on your device’s speaker – that’s just rude and annoying.

Headphones are a must and they are even better if they are wireless and noise canceling.

I highly recommend the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 wireless headphones. The noise canceling ability of these headphones is incredible.

On flights I can’t hear the plane or people talking around me, and that’s with low volume!

The sound you get out of the QC 35’s is incredible, and the battery lasts up to 20 hours.

These headphones are super comfortable and don’t put any strain on your ears. They are definitely my go-to for travel.

4. Portable Charger

You need to keep all your devices charged up while you travel, right?

A portable charger is absolutely necessary, especially since not all seats have charging ports.

I use the Anker 20100 PowerCore and it is fantastic. It has 20,100 mAh, which means it can charge your devices multiple times.

I get about 6 full iPhone X charges and it will charge my iPad Air 2 almost 2 full times.

The Anker 20100 PowerCore has 2 ports so you can charge multiple devices at the same time, too. That’s plenty of juice to keep your devices going while you travel.

READ MORE: The Best Gifts for Women Who Love to Travel

5. Charging Cords and Cube

You need to have the cords to charge your devices. I usually bring 2 with me.

One set I pack in my Bose QC 35 case and the second set I pack in the carry bag for the Anker 20100 PowerCore.

Amazon Basics cheap and reliable cables for all your devices and I use them (Lightning, USB-C and Micro USB).

Don’t forget to bring your charging cube, too.

Toiletries

6. Medications

You should always bring some of your medication on your personal carry-on. There’s no telling when you might need it, especially on long flights.

I also bring ibuprofen, Tums and Imodium A-D because you never know when an upset stomach, heartburn, or headache will hit.

7. Hand Lotion

Flying always dries out my skin. It’s necessary for me to always bring some lotion with me.

I just fill up a travel bottle, like the GoToob Travel Bottles, and load it in my bag.

READ MORE: The Essential Backpacking Gear List for Europe

8. Hand Sanitizer and Wipes

Planes are filthy.

I always wipe down the tray table with a wipe and use them to wipe my hands after touching just about anything.

The Burt’s Bees Cleansing Towelettes are also really refreshing. I feel like a champ after wiping my face with them before getting off the plane.

I used to use the hand sanitizer bottles that had lids and could attach to my bag, however, the tops would randomly open up and the sanitizer would just ooze everywhere.

Now I use the spray hand sanitizer that has a lid. There’s way less mess now.

9. Kleenex

If you get a runny nose, you need Kleenex.

No one wants to use rough paper towels or one-ply toilet paper to blow your nose.

Kleenex comes in travel packs, so do yourself a favor and get the good stuff.

READ MORE: The Best Travel Gifts for Men (36 Awesome Gift Ideas for Him)

10. Deodorant

If you’re on a long flight, it’s nice to freshen up before you land. You might even need it while you’re on the flight.

I’ve been on too many flights where someone just reeks of BO. It’s gross and easily preventable. It’s really not that hard. Use deodorant people!

Food Stuff

11. Water Bottle

Bringing a water bottle with you can save you so much money traveling.

A bottle of water at the airport is more expensive than a beer at your favorite pub.

I bring an empty Avex 40 ounce water bottle with me and fill it up the moment I clear security. The Avex bottle keeps your drink cold for up to 24 hours, which is really nice.

A side note, people still don’t know how to drink from a water fountain properly. I don’t trust them.

Fortunately, most airports have the top dispensing fountains just for water bottles.

If they don’t, I found if you go up to a restaurant, bar or Starbucks and ask politely, then they will fill your bottle up for you.

12. Snacks

Airport food is expensive and so are the meals and snacks on flights.

I always pack some snackie poos in my bag for the flight.

Mixed nuts, protein bars, some chocolate and maybe an apple will tide me over for the flight.

A bonus tip, if you have small children, bring some Welch’s Fruit Snacks to make them happy.

I also give them to rando children that are being fussy (with their parents’ permission) and it always helps calm them down.

13. Altoids and Gum

Stinky breath sucks and will affect us all at some point.

Whether it’s from eating something, smoking or waking up after mouth breathing while you were asleep, it’s nice to pop something fresh in your mouth.

Altoids and gum are your savior.

As a common courtesy (and preventative measure) I’ll offer a piece up to whomever sits next to me.

READ MORE: The 21 Best Travel Apps You’re Not Using (But Should)

Other

14. Sweatshirt

When you’re on a flight you want to be comfortable.

Having a nice sweatshirt will keep you warm and cozy.

I prefer to bring a hoodie, that way I can pull the hood up and block out everyone else.

15. Writing Tablet and Pen

You never know when you need to write something down.

I’m always writing notes, story ideas, doodling or making lists.

I like going old school and writing things down on a composition book with a pen.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Packing List for Europe in Fall

Bonus

Daypack

Daypacks are great, not just for flights, but also for hiking and exploring cities.

My main bag, the Osprey Farpoint 55, comes with a detachable daypack. I pack all my personal carry-on items in that bag.

When I have to use my smaller bag, the Osprey Farpoint 40, I use the compression straps on the main bag and carabiners to attach it.

The daypack is one of the most versatile bags I have and use it all the time, even when I’m not traveling.

Carabiners

Carabiners are incredibly versatile and I can’t imagine traveling without them.

I use them to hold bags, my water bottle, a flashlight, a visor, headphones and more.

I highly recommend just clipping a bunch onto the straps of your bag and surely you’ll find a way to use them.

Now I’d Like to Hear from You

I hope you enjoyed my post on the best items to bring in your personal carry-on.

Now I would like to hear from you.

What did you think of the carry-on items I recommended?

What are your favorite things to bring in your personal carry-on?

Is there anything you think I left out?

Let me know by leaving a quick comment below!

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