Carry-On Must-Haves & Tips for Domestic & International Travel

Happy hump day! We made it halfway through the week! 🙂 I’m traveling for work today, heading to San Antonio for the first time! If you don’t already, follow @sunseekinginstyle on Instagram for stories from my trip & photos!

Since I was packing this weekend for this quick work trip plus our vacation on Sunday, I wanted to share my essential carry-on items with you guys. I feel like I have gotten down what’s important in a carry-on over the past few years {or decade lol} of travels plus products that I just really love & never leave them out of my carry-on. Check them out below, and let me know in the comments if you have any other must-have carry-on items to share!

For your comfort:

This travel neck pillow is seriously the best neck pillow I’ve ever had. I got this right before our honeymoon trip to Indonesia because I really didn’t like either of the two I had previously, and for that long trip I knew I needed something good or I wouldn’t be able to sleep at all. This has memory foam and the shape of it really supports your head and neck. It also has a snap so you can hook it together in front of your neck and it won’t move around or slip off as you’re sleeping. I love that it comes with this little pouch to keep it from getting dirty while going through security and all that too.

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I’m sorry, but it just skeeves me out when people just attach their neck pillow to the outside of their bag and then their bag goes in the security bins and in the bathroom and under the airplane seat…and then around their neck! If this is you, no offense, but think about it lol! Airplanes have sooo many germs guys. And I’m not really a germaphobic person in general, but on this one, I’m all about keeping it as germ free as possible. Plus, the case of this neck pillow easily zips off so you can toss it in the wash in between trips!

I always always pack a big cotton sarong that can also be worn as a scarf when I’m flying because it can double as a blanket if the plane is cold & then be a pool or beach coverup at your destination! I feel like planes these days are always super cold, so layers & a sarong are a must for me! This yellow one with the birds is from literally 11 years ago when I was in Madrid & it has come on pretty much every vacation with me since then. Talk about a great buy because I think it cost 12 euro lol! I’m linking a couple cute ones here, here, & here that can work as a scarf as well as sarong. Here is one that comes in solid colors too if that’s more your style!

For overseas flights I also just started bringing compression socks like these because my ankles get super swollen no matter how much a do ankle exercises and walk around on the plain. They also keep your toes warm which is helpful on those chilly flights!

Travel beauty essentials:

My travel pouch not only is super cute & comes in all different inspiring messages {I literally wanted them all lol} but it also keeps me organized by holding all my tiny beauty essentials for my flight. Inside of it I keep carmex, eye drops in case my eyes dry out, mini dry shampoo to freshen up the hair post-flight, a mini Evian or Vichy bottle to spritz on and hydrate during the flight {a spritz of this on your face also helps if your nose gets dry & stuffy in-flight!}, face wipes, a comb, a scrunchie or hair tie, mini hand moisturizer {L’Occitane products are my favorite because they smell soo good & don’t make your hands greasy, but I also really love this hand cream} & a face moisturizer.

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I discovered this Jet Lag Face Mask/Moisturizer last year & it’s great for those redeye, cross-country or overseas flights because it hydrates, tightens and invigorates your skin so you feel glowy & awake when you deboard at your destination! It also smells phenomenal 🙂 I use it as a moisturizer, just a thin layer that doesn’t need to be washed off, but you could also use it as a mask and rinse it off shortly before landing. I wouldn’t recommend using it as a daily moisturizer or mask because it’s a little heavy for that and may cause breakouts, but for travel days or any other time you need a little skin pick-me-up, it’s perfect!

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I also found these cute little travel face wipe packs on one of my business trips earlier this year, and they really cleanse my skin from the woes of traveling & make it feel toned and balanced. They are super tiny so barely take up any room, and I love that they double as hand wipes if needed. As you can see, I stocked up and got three different varieties since they were so cheap {found the 3 pack online & linking here}! Such a great bargain for something so useful. 🙂

Travel tissue packs are also so great to have for all sorts of uses, and I love to pack pretty ones because well why not right? My mother-in-law always gives me super cute tissue packs for holidays which I love 🙂 I also picked up these adorable ones from Cotton On while we were in South Africa earlier this year. They were only $1 and 100% of the proceeds go to educational programs, so stock up on a bunch. Win win!

Lastly, always pick up a water in the airport to carry on. Putting this in beauty because without it, your skin will look dull & puffy and you won’t feel great either. I also recommend packing a few Airborne gummies for the flight {and taking some the day before & day of travel} to give your body that extra boost of Vitamin C and fend off those germs I was talking about.

Passing the time:

For entertainment in-flight, I always bring my headphones {plus the adapter to be able to plug in to in-flight TVs if I’m flying overseas and the movies will be free lol!} I also love these little “Pocket Posh” {cutest name ever 🙂 } crossword and puzzle books & haven’t traveled without them since I first found them over 10 years ago. I love puzzles because they pass the time & I also feel like I’m giving my brain a workout at the same time. Sounds silly I know lol, but it’s true. Puzzles & crosswords are shown to slow down symptoms of Alzheimer’s and Dementia so if either runs in your family then I highly recommend picking a few up for home or travel! Here are links for a crossword, codewords, sudoku & jumble crossword.

For long flights, sometimes I’ll treat myself to a magazine that looks good in the airport. I also always pack an protein bar to tide me over if the airplane meal is tiny or if there isn’t one at all. These bars are made with only the good stuff, no artificial ingredients or preservatives, just natural, healthy ingredients. They have a ton of protein so really keep you full unlike a lot of snack bars and some other protein bars. And they are gluten free for any of my gluten intolerant or allergic friends! My favorite flavor is the peanut butter & to be honest it’s really the only one I eat because I like it so much more than the others lol.

Necessities & just in case your luggage gets delayed:

As for the necessities, I always make sure to have a backup pair of contacts in my carry-on just in case my bag gets delayed. My glasses, a pen, and my passport or driver’s license of course also come in my carry-on. After a few delayed and lost bag mishaps, I have started to pack one outfit in my carry-on for vacations as well. Whenever I get off a plane, I just feel like I need to change my clothes and get the airplane feel off of me lol. And if your luggage doesn’t make it and you’re stuck in your travel clothes the whole first day of vacation, it kind of stinks. Plus, if you are going somewhere warm or to a beach destination, it’s nice to have your swimsuit handy and a warm weather outfit to explore in.

I usually just throw in a bathing suit {if I plan to go straight to the pool or beach}, change of underwear & a comfy, easy, non-wrinkling dress like this one {on sale right now!} that I have & love or this affordable one from Amazon Prime because it goes for pretty much anything I’d be doing when I get to my destination if my luggage doesn’t make the trip with me. I almost always travel in sandals if I’m going somewhere warm, but if you prefer to travel in sneakers, then pack a pair of flip flops or thin sandals to throw on when you get there! These ones are my go-to because they are thin and work for the pool but also look nice enough for dinner or nicer spots you might visit.

My jewelry and sunglasses also always get packed in my carry-on. It may seem like a lot to lug them with you, especially if you are like me and are addicted to sunglasses so pack multiple pairs for a trip lol. But let’s face it, airline personnel are just not careful with luggage. The first trip we took with our new suitcases last year, mine came back with a broken zipper pull after our first flight! And since jewelry & sunglasses are fragile, I just feel more comfortable making them my responsibility.

If you don’t want to carry them on, I recommend protecting them in your suitcase. Pack jewelry in boxes or pouches and put sunglasses in a hard case. Then wrap them all up in a sarong or sweatshirt and pack in the middle section of your luggage so they make it in one piece! This jewelry roll also is a great way to keep your precious pieces organized and safe in your suitcase, and it’s cute!

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I also throw my selfie-stick & other valuable items like my camera & all chargers in my carry-on so I make sure I have them when we get there.

Hope these carry-on essentials & tips help make your next trip a breeze! Happy travels!

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