23 Winning travel essentials for women carry on
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These absolute travel essentials for women carry on are the exact items I pack in my carry on luggage when going on a trip…and when you pack smart, you can easily fit everything in!
When I’m travelling on a tight budget, I find that good practice is to just take carry on luggage to save money on paying for extra baggage (and save time in the airport collecting bags).
What I love about this is that you’re saving money before you’ve even set off and if you’ve read my other posts, you’ll know that my favourite thing is saving unnecessary expenses especially before I’ve even left my home!
Related posts: 10 Unusual tips for frugal living in the UK
4 Things I learned interrailing on a tight budget
To be honest, over the years, flight companies have laid on more and more restrictions when it comes to carry on luggage.
I’ve found with companies like Easyjet and Ryanair, if you don’t follow the exact guidelines to a Tee then they charge you the extra and make you store your bag in the hold-on.
This is why I stick to the airlines’ strict guidelines to make sure I’m not incurring any extra unnecessary fees.
Of course…each airline has it’s own guidelines, so make sure you consult them before you start packing and especially before you leave for your jolly holidays.
You don’t want to ruin your trip just because you didn’t read the instructions!
These travel essentials for women carry on luggage are everything you need to be well prepared for your trip, of course you’ll need to pack things like clothes and your other essentials.
Carryon packing tips for airlines
So to avoid breaking any carry-on rules, make sure you check the following rules before flying:
- Baggage allowance measurements– double check the size of the bag you can carry-on.
- The weight of your bag- make sure your bag weighs the correct amount.
- Liquids allowance– check the amount of liquid that one container can hold.
- Objects– some airlines don’t allow certain objects, so make sure you’re not packing anything that isn’t accepted.
What should you pack in your carry-on if you have luggage too?
If you’re travelling long haul, sometimes certain airlines let you have check-in luggage for free!
Such a bonus!
In these cases, you usually have the option to take both carry-on and check-in suitcases/bags.
So, you may be wondering what to pack in your carry on?
If I have 2 bags, then my carryon is essential for certain items!
- Personal valuables such as: money, travel cards, credit cards, passport, travel documents
- Important electronics such as: phone, ipad, music devices, laptop, chargers
- Snacks and water
- Entertainment such as: books, travel journal, headphones
- Any medication
The reason why I pack my absolute essentials in my carry on is that the bag is with me throughout the flight and it never leaves my sight unless it is being stored in the overhead storage.
If for any reason, the checked-in luggage gets lost or doesn’t make it to my destination because of an error or complication, at least I have my essentials with me!
If you’re super paranoid about this happening, it may be an idea to actually take some extra clothing with you in your carry on.
I remember meeting some people when I was in Morocco and they told me that their luggage had been lost in the flight! They were wearing the same clothes they travelled in and had to go to the local markets to buy more clothes for their trip because they didn’t know when or if they would see any of their bags again!
Now, this would be such an annoying thing to happen, but if you packed your valuables and essentials in the suitcase too, this would be enough to RUIN a trip!
It’s just not worth the risk.
And while the chances are fairly low of your bag being lost, I’d rather be prepared and minimise this kind of unfortunate event!
So…let’s get on to the travel essentials for women carry on!
Travel essentials for women carry on -packing list
So, having said all that, you now know to bear in mind restrictions and having your valuables with you in your carry on, let’s see the carry-on packing list travel essentials for women carry on luggage.
1. Face mask
Nowadays a face mask is required for travel, but even so, after experiencing a global pandemic, I must say, I’m likely to be taking a mask away with me EVERYWHERE.
For the foreseeable future, this is looking like a travel essential for carry on.
Even if it doesn’t become a requirement again, I’ll probably still take a mask or two with me to places.
I take cloth/fabric masks on trips because they are re-useable and can be washed. If you’re on a long trip and don’t have a mask for each day, you may want to consider washing your cloth masks so you don’t have to take as many masks.
Although I’m not a medical professional, you should ideally wear one mask per day and not re-use dirty masks again and again.
It’s kinda counter productive!
Think about it, if you wear a mask the dirt and contamination from the air gets caught in your mask and if you re-use it, you’re breathing in all that grime which is likely to make you ill or at a minimum, just isn’t good for you!
As I say, I tend to take fabric masks with me but I also take an extra mask that isn’t re-useable as a spare just in case.
I like to make sure I get face masks which have 3 layers and if there is a filter, that’s perfect!
2. Travel sanitizer
You know what, I used to take hand sanitizer with me on trips years and years before the pandemic happened!
When you’re travelling around, especially through tube stations or public transport, you feel like you want to sanitize.
When you’re travelling around, you don’t really get an opportunity to wash your hands frequently, so sanitizer is a great easy way of clearing that bacteria before eating.
3. Sanitizing wipes
Sanitizing wipes have been more of an essential for me since the pandemic, because I’m more conscious of cleanliness.
Wipes are more refreshing than sanitizer I find, and you can clean your items such as your bag so you’re not carrying any unwanted dirt from the airport or places you’ve visited.
These are the wipes I am referring to (below), however, you will probably be able to get them cheaper in the shops…
So, enough about being clean and pandemic talk…
4. Snood
I’m not talking about the winter snoods here!
I’m referring to the thin fabric snoods that you can use in summer and winter.
They’re great because they’re so diversable, you can wear them as a scarf, a face covering, as a hat or hair band.
I like to use them as a hair band to protect my hair from the sun. But I’ve recently started using them as masks when I’ve run out.
These are literally IDEAL for all travel trips, especially if you’re going somewhere where there are multiple climates and terrains, like places with both beaches and mountains.
5. Lip balm
Remember, lip balm is considered a liquid so check the amount in the lip balm before packing it in your carryon.
For me, lip balm is an essential because when I’m on a flight, I find my lips get really dry!
Also, when I’m in a hot country, I feel so much better when I have balm on my lips, it means they don’t get dry and flakey.
6. Eye mask
I find these essential, because you never know when you may need to black out to sleep better.
7. Ear plugs
I take ear plugs as a precaution, but don’t really like using them to be honest.
Unless I’m somewhere really noisy where I can’t sleep, I’ll whip them out. It’s better to have them than have a rubbish sleep!
8. Travel cards
Travel cards are a must!
Because…if you use your standard bank card, it may charge you extra to buy things in different currencies.
So, you need to make sure that you can use a card that wil pay for things in any currency and one that has a good currency exchange rate.
You may also want to use travel cards which give you cash back, points or airmiles.
So, don’t use you standard card if it isn’t suitable for travel!
9. Fold away day bag
When you’re packing for carry on you want to make sure that you’re packing as efficiently and effectively as possible.
That includes fitting in everything you really need.
I absolutely love fold away day bags, they are super useful.
Often your carryon bag is too big or unsuitable for day trips when you’re out and about during your travels. And not to mention the fact that it’s probably storing all your stuff.
You don’t want ot have to unpack and pack it again every day.
Having a day bag is ideal for this and it means you can just whip it out whenever you need it and you can fit all the essentials for that day.
10. TSA Padlock
I talk about pad locks in so many of my posts about saving money while travelling, it’s getting a bit embarrassing.
But I couldn’t write this post without including pad locks because honestly, this is such an essential for me!
Now, this may seem a little bit of an ODD essential travel item, but…not only do taking padlocks save me a little bit of money, but I take them everywhere.
If you’re wondering how padlocks save me money, check out my post:
Tips for saving money on holiday
I use padlocks to keep my belongings secure whilst I’m out and about travelling when my things are waiting for me at my accommodation. It means that I’m not worrying about someone stealing my things.
I know a padlock will not stop someone from stealing my things, but it will certainly deter them in some way!
It gives me some peace of mind!
Also, if I’m staying in hostels around the world, there are usually lockers where you can keep your valuable belongings and THIS is where the lock comes in handy!
I tend to use a normal basic padlock, but I wouldn’t be a proper travel blogger if I didn’t recommend the appropriate travel padlock.
Do as I say and not as I do, comes to mind!
The official TSA travel padlocks are specifically accepted in airports if you are using your lock to secure your suitcase.
Recommended posts:
How to prepare for travel after lockdown
11. Powerpack/ Portable Charger
I don’t really need to explain this one… powerpacks are vital to make sure your phone or other electronics are fully charged.
I tend to take these to remote places where I would question whether the electricity would be reliable.
I’ve been to a few places where the plugs haven’t worked and I’ve had to rely on my power pack/power bank.
A place that springs to mind is a homestay I went to in the middle of the jungle in Nepal!
Related posts: 24 hours in Kathmandu
12. Tissues
I always take a packet of tissues with me, it’s an absolute essential.
You never know when you’ll need them and especially when you’re going to places like India!
Read my post on mistakes to avoid in India if you want to find out why!
Related posts: 11 India solo travel mistakes and how to avoid them
13. Travel-sized everything
Now, this goes back to what I mentioned about restrictions and the size of containers for carry on.
If I’m taking liquids, I’ll always take travel sized EVERYTHING!
Travel sized shampoo, travel sized sanitizer, travel sized toothpaste, travel sized cream, you get the picture!
14. Travel journal
I love to travel journal, and admittedly, I dont’ do enough of it when I’m travelling.
Honestly, I try to fit in as many things as possible into my trips, so I find I struggle for time to journal.
But this is something I want to do more and it is my goal to document every trip.
You probably won’t want to take a bulky travel journal book with you on your carry-on as you’re probably already quite restricted for space.
Why not take some notes while you’re away and then write it up in your journal when you get back?
I have a FREE PRINTABLE JOURNAL which you can download and print off for your trip!
It will save you some space for other things and it will weigh barely anything!
15. Flask
Now, you may not have loads of room for a flask, but I find it a travel essential.
I tend to take a flask which doubles up to be a water bottle too, which means I’m not taking 2 containers.
This is the EXACT water bottle/ flask that I use for my travels, but I have it in blue.
I love it because it keeps my drinks both boiling hot and freezing cold, depending on what I need…the magic of flasks!
16. Re-fillable water bottle
A re-fillable water bottle is one of the top travel essentials for women carry on!
If you know you’re going somewhere where you can use water from the taps OR where you’ll be hiking a lot or going on day trips, a re-fillable bottle will save you.
You’ll be SO grateful for it!
I double up the flask above to be a water bottle too!
17. Travel towel
I take my travel towel with me everywhere!
It’s so handy if you’re going somewhere where you might not be provided with towels like a hostel or a camping trip.
They are so light weight and roll up into a really small bundle.
Travel towels are super handy and the best thing is when you wash them, they dry so quickly!
18. First aid kit
A first aid kit is useful wherever you’re going.
With a carry on bag, I tend to take a few important items from the first aid kit so that I’m not taking up loads of space.
I would take plasters and painkillers usually.
19. Snacks stash
This is possibly one of the most important essentials for carryon.
I hate being a little hungry and not having a snack to nibble on in an airport or when I’m out and about.
TIP: Don’t take snacks that contain liquids, you don’t want them confiscated!
20. Passport holder
Passport holders are so handy for keeping your passport secure and pristine and if you get one which has little card holders you can keep all your important travel documents together!
I hate the feeling of having my passport loose in my bag, the passport holder keeps things in one place and protects my passport.
21. Printed travel documents
I never like to rely on technology when it comes to travel documents.
My nightmare is getting thousands of miles away and being lost or stuck because I don’t have confirmation details or booking information printed out.
To avoid panic, I get prepared when it comes to travel documents.
22. Travel kettle
In all honesty, I don’t take the travel kettle everywhere, only to select places if I can fit it in. It’s not a priority but it’s sometimes essential!
Some places don’t have kettles and it’s an essential to making a hot drink!
It’s easy if you need to cook in your accommodation or have a coffee (or tea) in the morning.
23. Your Travel Budget Plan/Tracker
I couldn’t talk about essentials as a budget traveler and not include a budget tracker!
You need this in your carry on so that you can keep track of your spending whilst you’re away.
How to come up with your realistic travel budget
I have put together a FREE printable travel budget tracker for you, which you can instantly print off and put in your carry-on! Don’t forget to read my post on creating your realistic budget, as it goes hand in hand with the budgeting track.
Concluding travel essentials for women carry on…
These 23 travel essentials for women carry on luggage are the top essentials that I carry with me on all trips!
This travel essential packing list is important to be well prepared for your travels and a great way to pack everything into one and save some money by not having to get paid luggage allowance.
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