Pack With Me: What I bring in my Carry On for International Flights

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When it comes to international flights, what you bring in your carry on is vital. As soon as people find out that I actually hate flying, especially for long periods of time, they’re always flabbergasted. I’ve heard everything from, “I thought you LOVED travel?” to “Aren’t you always hopping on super long flights? How are you not used to them by now?” and my answers, respectively, are as follows: I love everything that comes AFTER that long initial travel day, and yes I am always on long flights. I am not used to them because how are you really supposed to get used to being squeezed like sardines into a pressurized metal cylinder thats hurtling across the sky? Screaming babies, mediocre food, and endless boredom isn’t my idea of a fun time. The only thing that brings me some relief on long-haul, international flights, is having an expertly packed carry on tucked under my seat.

And when I say Carry on, I’m actually talking about the “personal item” airlines let you bring aboard that will be right by you at all times. Once you put your carry on suitcase in the overhead bin, it’s probably going to stay there for the duration of your flight. Of course, I would recommend having some travel sized toiletries, a change of clothes, pajamas, and swimsuits (anything you need for the first day or so) packed in that suitcase just in case any checked bags get lost or delayed. Your personal item, however, will have all of your in-flight essentials. I’ve been on enough excruciatingly long international flights to have the art of packing a carry on down to an absolute science.

Without further ado, here my list of 15 essentials you need to bring in your carry on for your next international flight! Some might seem insignificant or obvious, but I wanted to give you a complete checklist to use for your convenience.

What I bring in my carry on for

international flights:

1. Passport and necessary documents

Duh. If you’re on an international flight, you’re going to need your passport. As far as necessary documents go, make sure you’ve researched your final destination to ensure that you either apply for a visa ahead of time or are ready to purchase it in the airport when you arrive. Some countries don’t require tourists to obtain visas! Just make sure you’re confident in what the country you’re flying to requires so you aren’t hit with any crazy surprises.

Obviously, we are living in strange times (if you’re in the future and COVID isn’t as pressing of an issue, I envy you). Allow ample time to get tested before arriving at the airport, and always have your printed off, negative PCR test, result within reach.

Look how cute my passport holder is:) It says, “Work hard, travel harder.”

Pen

This also seems like a silly addition, but you will save so much time going through immigration and customs by filling out the slip that the flight attendants give you in advance to do while you are on the airplane. Some countries require this, and some don’t, but it’s always good to be prepared. I can’t count the number of times my pen has circulated to 5,6, or even 7 people in my row and behind me who didn’t have a pen.

Entertainment

If its a 15 hour flight, or even an 8 or 9 hour flight, you will need something to keep you busy! For me, I will always sacrifice space in my bag for a chunky book, but for some, this looks like a tablet, movies downloaded onto their phone, Airpods, a coloring book and colored pencils, or a kindle. I’ve seen people crochet, do work on their laptop, and even watercolor. Whatever floats your boat!

Tylenol P.M. / Benadryl / Melatonin

As thrilling as the books I read can be, not even I can read for 9 hours straight, let alone 15 hours. I’m someone who can never get comfortable on flights, gets motion sick if I look out the window, and whose limbs fall asleep after like and hour and a half. To avoid all of this, I always bring two Tylenol P.Ms to just KNOCK me TF out. This is a non-negotiable. Tylenol P.M. puts me asleep and keeps me alseep, even if I’m sitting ramrod straight up in my seat because I’m too scared of annoying people to put my seat back.

Take some drowsy medicine in your carry on for international flights and never complain about not being able to sleep on the plane ever again.

Charging cords

The worst thing that could possibly happen is you mindlessly watching the Netflix shows you downloaded on your phone the entire journey to your destination, getting off the plane, trying to put your hotel into google maps and realizing your phone is on 1%.

I do NOT play games with this. Either bring a power bank, or just plug your phone in right off the bat and let that baby sit on the charger for the duration of your flight. If I don’t do this right away, I’ll forget until the pilot announces that we’re landing. The Tylenol P.M. strikes without warning and if the phone isn’t plugged in by then, it won’t ever be, period.

Wallet

Again, Duh. But I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve almost forgotten to switch my purse out and the amount of times my heart has dropped while I dig through my bag trying to find my driver’s license. Don’t forget it.

Water Bottle

Make sure it’s empty before you go through security, but then fill it up at a water fountain once you’re next to your gate! Staying hydrated on the plane will help prevent skin breakouts, as planes just suck any and all moisture right out of your body. The flight attendants will give you little cups, but its NOT ENOUGH. Chug that water, and if you run out, just ask the flight attendants if they could refill it for you. Also, an aisle seat would be beneficial if you know what i’m saying.

Foreign Cash

It’s always a good idea to order some foreign cash from your bank before departing on your trip, especially if you’re going to have to catch a taxi or buy a train ticket immediately upon arrival. I was SO thankful for my Korean won when I arrived and had to pay for a train ticket to my quarantine hotel in Busan. You never want to be caught in a situation where your taxi driver is asking for cash and you have none to give him!

Moisturizer, Deodorant, and Dry shampoo, Hand Sanitizer

A fifteen hour flight can make you feel so gross. Like, SO GROSS. Circulating air and being squished up against strangers is not my idea of a good time, and when you take others into consideration, its best to be on top of your own personal hygiene and hope that others do the same. I take Deodorant, a travel sized toothbrush, and toothpaste.

I make sure that I bring dry shampoo to give my hair some life at the end of a long-haul flight, and no matter how short or long the flight is, you can always catch me applying moisturizer to my face multiple times - The dryness of planes always wreaks havoc on my skin and I’ve found obsessively applying moisturizer is the best way to combat that.

Travel Makeup Bag

Along the same lines, I suggest brining a small bag of makeup. Especially if you take a red-eye flight, it’s always nice to have a little makeup pouch of just the essentials ready to go. Whether I head to the bathroom on the airplane or find a bathroom before exiting the airport, I love feeling like I can drop my bags off at my hotel and head straight out to explore the city.

For me, this looks like a tube of Mascara, liquid eyeliner, an angled brush and some brow pomade. Maybe you want a small thing of concealer and a lip gloss, but just bring a few essentials.

Wipes

Some tips for the ladies: on a long flight, always wear panty liners, even if you’re not on your period. Going to the bathroom to change your underwear is not ideal, but you can always swap out panty liners if you feel like you need a refresh. I also bring honeypot wipes that can be used for armpits and hands, although they’re made for intimate areas. It can make you feel brand new, especially on super long flights.

Hairtie

My hair will get matted instantly otherwise.

An Extra Layer

No matter how far in advance I plan, I always stay FREEZING on planes. My most recent flight, I wore sweatpants, a crop top, and a long sleeve zip up. I thought I would be okay, but just in case I threw an extra sweatshirt around my waist.

BOY was I thankful to have it. even with the three layers on top, I was still so cold and had to double up with the in-flight blankets. I promise you: even if it’s the middle of July, wear some warm clothes.

A Good Carry On Bag!

Because a massive tote bag that’s a big black hole inside with no organization is a nightmare. My carry on bag is called the Mini Work Tote from the brand Béis (the same as my luggage) is absolutely the perfect size. There are so many pockets inside, it’s structured so it won’t fall over, and it has a trolley pass-through on the back side so it will never fall off my carry on suitcase. DM me on instagram or comment down below, and if you’re interested, I can get you 15 dollars off your purchase!

I’ll never travel with a different purse.

And that is my formula to packing the perfect carry on for international flights. You have everything you could possibly need, tucked right underneath your seat. Every item has a designated purpose, and if you follow this guide you don’t have to worry about over-packing or forgetting something that you might end up needing.

Long-haul flights suck; make them suck less with a perfectly packed carry on.

What do you bring in your carry on that makes long international flights just a little bit easier? Let me know in the comments below!

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