The Essential Carry-On Packing List (Free Downloadable Checklist)

There's a 95 percent chance Senior Editor Christine Sarkis is thinking about travel right now. Follow her on Instagram @postcartography and Twitter @ChristineSarkis.

Christine Sarkis is an SATW-award-winning journalist and executive editor at SmarterTravel. Her stories have also appeared on USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, Huffington Post, and Business Insider. Her advice has been featured in dozens of print and online publications including The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, and People magazine. She has also shared travel tips on television and radio shows including Good Morning America, Marketplace, and Here & Now. Her work has been published in the anthologies Spain from a Backpack and The Best Women's Travel Writing 2008. She is currently working on a travel memoir.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: The Trtl Pillow. It's easy to pack and comfortable, and makes it so I can actually sleep on flights.

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: Seeing the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of somewhere warm, like a glass igloo or hot spring.

Travel Motto: Curiosity is an amazing compass.

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: Aisle all the way.

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Carol is an editor with SmarterTravel Media, specializing in travel writing, multimedia production, and trying every local cuisine she can find. You can follow her journeys @cj_mcpherson on Instagram.

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Need a little help packing light? With SmarterTravel’s carry-on bag packing list, you can stick to what’s essential for your trip, no matter where you’re headed.

Don’t need an umbrella since you’re headed to Palm Springs? Not bringing contact solution because your vision is 20/20? Customize the list by crossing off items you don’t need and adding any additional items in the “more items” boxes.

Don’t miss our downloadable, editable carry-on packing checklist below.

Clothes and Shoes

Toiletries

Carry-on Essentials

Don't Forget

Clothes and Shoes

While packing light is great, there are still a few essentials you need to make sure make it into your bag—think underwear, socks, pajamas, shirts, and pants. From there, you can get more specific based on your destination. Heading to the beach? Throw in a swimsuit. Vacationing somewhere colder? Gloves, hats, and scarves are a must. Keep in mind that clothing can take up a lot of space—if you’re planning on packing in only a carry-on, try wearing some of your bulkier items to free up precious room in your luggage.

Toiletries

Toiletries are another necessity of travel to keep you feeling fresh. You can find the standards—toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant—all available in TSA-approved travel-sized containers. Liquids should be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces and fit into a clear, quart-size, zip-top plastic bag. To learn more about TSA rules, see Airport Security Frequently Asked Questions.

Once you have the basics packed, think about your individual routine. Don’t forget things like contact solution, period products, and daily medications. Curating your carry-on toiletry bag down to only essentials will help save space. Your one-in-a-million, go-to cleanser you can’t live without? Definitely throw it in your bag. Your extensive collection of handmade shower melts? Maybe save them for home.

Carry-On Essentials

Female putting tablet pc into comfortable bag storage get ready to business trip or vacation — kostikovanata | Adobe Stock

Whether or not you’re checking additional luggage, there are a few items you should always keep with you. Important travel documents like your passport, ID, boarding pass, insurance cards, credit cards, and copy of your COVID-19 vaccination card should always stay with you in your personal item. Pricey items like cameras, SD cards, and laptops as well as items you may want to have on-hand at your destination like umbrellas, a guidebook, and your itinerary should be stowed safely in your carry-on.

Miscellaneous

Finally, don’t forget to pack items to pass time on the plane. Items like headphones, books, and magazines will keep you entertained for however many hours you’re in the air. Make sure to load up your device with podcasts, music, and audiobooks pre-flight while you’re still connected to reliable wi-fi. Other essentials like ear plugs, sleep masks, and travel pillows make sure you’re able to arrive at your destination well-rested.

Carry-On Bag Rules and Regulations

Attention to TSA regulations is important when packing a carry-on, especially if you plan to skip checking a bag. Liquids are subject to the 3-1-1 rule, meaning they must be less than 3.4oz in volume and fit into a clear quart-sized plastic bag. Some surprising substances, like peanut butter and shaving cream, qualify as liquids under this rule. When in doubt, check the TSA website to see if these restrictions apply to your items.

Alcohol purchased anywhere other than the duty-free shops at the airport are also subject to 3-1-1 regulations and additionally must be below 70% ABV (140 proof), so you may want to check a bag if you plan to bring back a couple bottles of wine as a souvenir.

Choosing the Right Carry-On Bag

Choosing the perfect carry-on bag is essential for maximizing packing space, especially if you plan to pack in a carry-on only. Be aware of airline carry-on size restrictions—US-based carriers typically only limit carry-on dimensions, but some international airlines regulate hand luggage weight as well.

A good carry-on will be lightweight, meet the size restrictions for most major airlines, and be easily maneuverable in a crowded airport.

Hardside Carry-On: AWAY Carry-On

Woman in brown suit with green AWAY carry-on — AWAY Travel

The classic Away Carry-On is a perennial favorite with seasoned travelers, with its 360 spinner wheels, compression straps, and underside grab handle for easy maneuverability. At 21.7 by 14.4 by 9 inches, it meets most major airlines’ hand luggage size limits. The Away Bigger Carry-On can fit even more, but it may be too large to count as a cabin bag on some airlines.

Softsided Carry-On: Eagle Creek 4-Wheel International Carry-On

The International Carry-On from Eagle Creek is a half-inch smaller than their standard carry-on model—a world of difference when you’re fighting for space in the overhead bin. This soft-sided roller bag is made from recycled weather-resistant fabrics and has an easy-access external zipper pocket.

Extra Small Carry-On: CALPAK Mini Carry-On

The CALPAK Mini Carry-On is just 14 by 16 by 9 inches, just short of qualifying as a personal item on many airlines. This extra lightweight option is perfect for accommodating the weight limits on international airlines, short weekend travel, or as an additional bag for those already checking luggage. Check out our roundup of the ten top carry-ons under 6 pounds for other extra small options.

Carry-On Packing Strategies

Woman rolling clothes and packing them — boyloso | Adobe Stock

The roll vs. fold debate has been raging among travelers for years. While personal preference may have you strongly leaning one way or another, there is no single best practice when it comes to packing your bags. Heavyweight items like jeans and sweaters are best accommodated by folding or by lying flat at the top or bottom of your suitcase. Lightweight items like t-shirts, camisoles, and shorts can then be rolled up and used to fill in the remaining gaps. Small items like socks can be stored inside spare shoes.

You’ll need to get more creative if you’re traveling carry-on only. Wearing your bulkiest items during travel days won’t make for an overly comfy airplane outfit, but it will save you a lot of valuable suitcase space. Packing laundry detergent packets to do a quick wash in the hotel sink or using the hotel’s laundry service can minimize the amount of items you need to pack in the first place.

Make sure you don’t double up on items that are provided at your destination. For example, with the exception of a few European destinations, most hotels will provide a hair dryer in the room or at the front desk. If you don’t see an amenity listed online, you can call your accommodation ahead of time to inquire so you know what items you can cross off your hand luggage packing list.

Download Our Editable Carry-On Checklist

Never be without your noise-canceling headphones or a spare set of clothes again with our downloadable checklist.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2010. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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The Essential Carry-On Bag Packing List

Christine Sarkis