We've compiled a list of the top 25 carry-on must-have items.
Whether you're on a quick 45-minute flight or a 12-hour long-haul, your essentials will have you covered.
Whether you're on a quick 45-minute flight or a 12-hour long-haul, your essentials will have you covered.
1. Passport and/or ID
Because you can't board the plane without it!
Because you can't board the plane without it!
2. Credit/Debit Cards and/or Cash
3. Medications
Never pack these in your check-in luggage just in case something happens to your luggage.
Never pack these in your check-in luggage just in case something happens to your luggage.
4. Advil
For those aches and pain from being cramped in the small airplane chairs, or a headache from lack-of-sleep and/or dehydration.
Cost: $10.00CAD
For those aches and pain from being cramped in the small airplane chairs, or a headache from lack-of-sleep and/or dehydration.
Cost: $10.00CAD
5. Black Ink Pen
You're always going to need a pen when you're flying internationally to fill our arrival & departure cards. You don't want to be stuck asking your neighbour or flight attendant for a pen, so be sure to pack one black ink pen. They're also good to have for doodling on your napkin if you're bored!
Cost: $4.00
You're always going to need a pen when you're flying internationally to fill our arrival & departure cards. You don't want to be stuck asking your neighbour or flight attendant for a pen, so be sure to pack one black ink pen. They're also good to have for doodling on your napkin if you're bored!
Cost: $4.00
6. Phone & Charger
You'll need your phone for multiple reasons - checking your booking(s), grabbing a taxi, staying in touch with your family, listening to music, taking photos, and more!
You'll need your phone for multiple reasons - checking your booking(s), grabbing a taxi, staying in touch with your family, listening to music, taking photos, and more!
7. Noise Cancelling Headphones
If you're trying to listen to music, or watch a movie, you won't really hear it unless your headphones are noise-cancelling, so be sure to grab a good pair.
Cost: $50.00CAD
If you're trying to listen to music, or watch a movie, you won't really hear it unless your headphones are noise-cancelling, so be sure to grab a good pair.
Cost: $50.00CAD
8. Laptop/Tablet & Charger
Super helpful if you've got a very long flight, and your airline doesn't have entertainment.
Super helpful if you've got a very long flight, and your airline doesn't have entertainment.
9. Headphones Splitter
This is so awesome to have if you're traveling with a friend or partner - You can watch your favourite movies together. Another great tip, if you're on a long bus journey without plugs, it's great to watch one laptop together until it dies, and then the next laptop afterwards.
Cost: $12.00CAD
This is so awesome to have if you're traveling with a friend or partner - You can watch your favourite movies together. Another great tip, if you're on a long bus journey without plugs, it's great to watch one laptop together until it dies, and then the next laptop afterwards.
Cost: $12.00CAD
10. Portable Charger
Not all planes have chargers, and sometimes it's difficult to find plugs at the airport. So do yourself a favour and grab a portable charger to keep your electronics charged.
Cost: $42.00CAD
Not all planes have chargers, and sometimes it's difficult to find plugs at the airport. So do yourself a favour and grab a portable charger to keep your electronics charged.
Cost: $42.00CAD
11. Eye Mask
If you're stuck in the middle or aisle seat, and your neighbour's at the window seat with the window shade wide open, an eye mask is wonderful to have to catch some zzz's.
Cost: $10.00CAD
If you're stuck in the middle or aisle seat, and your neighbour's at the window seat with the window shade wide open, an eye mask is wonderful to have to catch some zzz's.
Cost: $10.00CAD
12. Neck Pillow
Again, if you don't have a window seat, a neck pillow helps so much to try and sleep. You can even put your tray table down and sleep on your neck pillow, too.
Cost: $21.00CAD
Again, if you don't have a window seat, a neck pillow helps so much to try and sleep. You can even put your tray table down and sleep on your neck pillow, too.
Cost: $21.00CAD
13. Earplugs
If you're a light sleeper these will be a lifesaver to block out the snoring, and/or crying babies.
Cost: $6.50CAD
If you're a light sleeper these will be a lifesaver to block out the snoring, and/or crying babies.
Cost: $6.50CAD
14. Hat
You shouldn't pack your hat(s) in your luggage or they'll come out totally crushed, that's why we always wear ours on the plane. It can also double as an eye-mask if you don't have one.
P.S. If you purchase an item from Ten Tree, they plant ten trees.
Cost: $23.00CAD
You shouldn't pack your hat(s) in your luggage or they'll come out totally crushed, that's why we always wear ours on the plane. It can also double as an eye-mask if you don't have one.
P.S. If you purchase an item from Ten Tree, they plant ten trees.
Cost: $23.00CAD
15. Sweater and/or Goretex Rain Jacket
Planes are always cold so don't forget your sweater! It can also double as a pillow if you don't have a neck pillow, or a blanket if you don't have a scarf. You'll also want your rain jacket with you, instead of in your checked luggage.
P.S. If you purchase an item from Ten Tree, they plant ten trees.
Cost: $78.00CAD or $215.00CAD
Planes are always cold so don't forget your sweater! It can also double as a pillow if you don't have a neck pillow, or a blanket if you don't have a scarf. You'll also want your rain jacket with you, instead of in your checked luggage.
P.S. If you purchase an item from Ten Tree, they plant ten trees.
Cost: $78.00CAD or $215.00CAD
16. Scarf
Planes get quite cold, and if your airline doesn't offer blankets, your scarf is a perfect alternative to a blanket to keep warm.
Cost: $18.00CAD
Planes get quite cold, and if your airline doesn't offer blankets, your scarf is a perfect alternative to a blanket to keep warm.
Cost: $18.00CAD
17. Collapsible Water Bottle
It's very important to stay hydrated on the place. Once you're past security, there are numerous filtered water fountains that you can fill up your water bottle for free. Once you're finished, you can collapse it and put it back in your bag.
Cost: $20.00CAD
It's very important to stay hydrated on the place. Once you're past security, there are numerous filtered water fountains that you can fill up your water bottle for free. Once you're finished, you can collapse it and put it back in your bag.
Cost: $20.00CAD
18. Lip Balm
For some reason, lips always tend to get dry in the air - always pack a lip balm to keep them hydrated.
Cost: $14.00CAD
For some reason, lips always tend to get dry in the air - always pack a lip balm to keep them hydrated.
Cost: $14.00CAD
19. Disinfecting Wipes
We all know how disgusting and dirty planes are. Most people get sick when they've been on a plane also. When you get to your seat, wipe down your arm rests, reclining button, tray table, and TV screen + buttons with your disinfecting wipes to avoid getting sick.
Cost: $18.00CAD
We all know how disgusting and dirty planes are. Most people get sick when they've been on a plane also. When you get to your seat, wipe down your arm rests, reclining button, tray table, and TV screen + buttons with your disinfecting wipes to avoid getting sick.
Cost: $18.00CAD
20. Hand Sanitizer
Since you can't disinfect everything on the plane, use hand sanitizer as a back-up. This also comes with a bottle of Vitamin C.
Cost: $20.00CAD
Since you can't disinfect everything on the plane, use hand sanitizer as a back-up. This also comes with a bottle of Vitamin C.
Cost: $20.00CAD
21. Moisturizing Face Wipes
Once you've slept, these are so refreshing to help you wake up and also feel clean.
Cost: $10.00CAD
Once you've slept, these are so refreshing to help you wake up and also feel clean.
Cost: $10.00CAD
22. Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Not all airlines provide a toothbrush and toothpaste so it's good to bring your own - especially if something happens to your luggage. Here's a travel set with floss included as well.
Cost: $9.00CAD
Not all airlines provide a toothbrush and toothpaste so it's good to bring your own - especially if something happens to your luggage. Here's a travel set with floss included as well.
Cost: $9.00CAD
23. Gum
Good to have if you don't have your toothbrush, and also helps with your ears popping.
Good to have if you don't have your toothbrush, and also helps with your ears popping.
24. Deodorant
Nobody likes their neighbour smelling like BO - Please Don't be that guy!
Cost: $6.50CAD
Nobody likes their neighbour smelling like BO - Please Don't be that guy!
Cost: $6.50CAD
25. Eye Drops
These are great for feeling refreshed after a long flight, and a crappy sleep.
Cost: $7.00CAD
These are great for feeling refreshed after a long flight, and a crappy sleep.
Cost: $7.00CAD
interested in more packing lists?
Are you trying to pack for your next trip? Be sure to check out the following for more.
Backpacking Essentials
These are the essential items you need to make your life easier on the road.
Men's Packing List
A men's full packing list for backpacking.
Women's Packing List
A women's full packing list for backpacking.
These are the essential items you need to make your life easier on the road.
Men's Packing List
A men's full packing list for backpacking.
Women's Packing List
A women's full packing list for backpacking.
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These small commissions help to keep us on the road longer, and to provide our supporters with travel content such as vlogs, itineraries, guides and more.
We are super grateful for your support!