By guest writer – Stephanie James, freelance writer
Traveling is one of life’s great pleasures. Exploring the world – or even simply roaming around your home state – is a pastime that has long been enjoyed by people all over the globe. With that said, traveling isn’t always the easiest experience to have. It’s important to carefully consider your destination as well as the length of your air travel when packing your back.
Let’s take a look at eight travel essentials to bring in your carry on regardless of where you decide to go.
- Vitamins
Traveling can take a toll on your body and your mind. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep your carry on packed with the essentials you need to feel great. If you take vitamins for any reason, for example, you’ll want to keep them in your carry on for easy access if you end up away from your checked baggage. - Wet Wipes
There are a few different reasons to keep wet wipes on hand. First of all, you never really know when the tray at your seat or your spot in the airport has last been cleaned. Disinfecting wipes are great for keeping your person and your space as sanitary as possible. This is even more important if you’re traveling with animals or children, as they tend to have accidents of some sort and might require a quick cleanup. - Travel Pillow
Airplanes have been upgraded over the years to include various forms of in-flight entertainment designed to keep your attention, but many people still prefer to sleep through the experience. Make sure you pack a travel pillow to help support your neck and avoid headaches or muscle cramps while sleeping and ensure your rest is as comfortable as possible. - Emergency Kit
It can be easy to assume that airports or hotels will have the first aid items you need, but it’s important to assume they won’t. Packing a small first aid kit won’t take up much room in your carry on at all and will help make sure that if you end up in an accident of some sort, you have the bandages and first aid cream at hand to clean up the mess and continue on your way. - Portable Charger
Electronics never seem to last quite as long as we’d expect. This is somehow especially true when we run into unexpected delays. Keep a portable charger in your carry on to guarantee that your electronics are charged when you need them most. Most airports and planes have multiple charging stations to make use of the charger, too. - Sturdy Phone Case
Even if you’re planning on spending a leisurely trip on the beach, make sure you pack a rugged phone case in your carry on. Whether you accidentally wear your phone into the waves (don’t laugh – it happens) or drop it on the hard concrete at the airport, you’ll be grateful for the protection a sturdy, waterproof case offers. - Extra Clothes
Unfortunately, our luggage doesn’t always arrive as planned. In fact, sometimes we end up without our checked baggage altogether, be it for an evening or much longer. That’s why it’s a good idea to carry a change of clothes with you in your carry on. Even if your luggage isn’t lost, you might spill something mid-flight or on your way to the hotel and find yourself in need of clean clothes. You’ll be grateful for the spare. - Medication
Finally, make sure that you pack any and all medication you need in your carry on. It can be tempting to stuff it into your checked baggage and forget about it but remember that your luggage might not make it at the same time you do. Should you find yourself without your bags,
you’ll want to have the medication you need on hand.
Are you ready to hit the road and explore? Pack your carry on thoughtfully with our eight must haves and your trip is sure to be an easy one!