3 Simple Tips To Packing Your Carry-On

How many times have you been on the plane, got everything in the overhead, seat belt is on and you realize you need your glasses so you can see the screen, a sweater because the plane is cool, your tablet to pass the hours or simply a fresh piece of gum. You begin checking your bag beneath your seat and then the rummaging begins. Item after item being removed as you dig through the black hole that is your carry-on bag. You KNOW you packed it in there somewhere. Right? Is it in the bag above? Or was it in the suitcase? Or did you leave it on your desk at home?! Noooo!

Does this sound familiar? It becomes constant if you are that person who packs last minute. I for one, have only done this a handful of times and swore I would never again! It just adds another level of stress onto my plate that I can certainly avoid.

I’m sharing my three simple but effective tips to organizing your carry-on and therefore making your trip just a tidbit less stressful and more relaxing. After all, you are heading to a fun destination, why let something sour your journey there?

First thing’s first, lay out everything you’ll need in your carry-on:

• flight documents
• ID
• wallet and money
• phone
• laptop/tablet (entertainment or work)
• chargers
• headphones (these are my current fav! so worth the splurge!)
• camera
• book or magazines
• extra clothes in case your luggage gets lost, I throw in a t-shirt and underwear
• valuables (jewelry)
• make-up and toiletries (especially if it’s a long flight, I need my hand cream and face wipes!)
• scarf or pashmina for chilly flights
• snacks! nuts, dried fruit, candy (because let’s get real, we all eat it), dark chocolate
• mints

3 Simple Tips To Packing Your Carry-On

1. CASES AND POUCHES AND BAGS, OH MY!

Sort your items by category: electronics, toiletries, clothing, items you’ll need to access easily (ticket, phone, glasses, medicine) and consolidate these items from each category into their own pouches, bags, and cases. The key here is that you cannot have enough little bags. The bags/cases/pouches are much easier to find in your carry-on than the individual small items. I always have Ziploc bags on hand, they are so handy and you can never pack enough.

2. FIRST PACK UP WHAT YOU WON’T NEED ON THE PLANE

Second tip, and you’d think this goes without saying, but it’s important to put the stuff you don’t need on the flight AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BAG. Items you will need ready access to should be put in last so they’re at the top and in easy-to-access compartments and pockets. So the back-up outfit and shoes that you packed in case your luggage goes missing should go in first at the bottom. Your ticket, ID, eyeglasses, etc. should be at the top of the bag.

3. USE YOUR CARRY-ON’s POCKETS

How many people don’t utilize the compartments in their bags? Or buy bags without pockets for that matter? Who are those people? Lunatics, that’s who. Pockets are smart design and there for a reason! They provide a place for all of the small knick-knacks you’re typically rummaging for: all those tiny, need-on-hand items like gum, your phone, a pen, eyeglasses. Organize them into the pockets where you can easily see and access them.

In conclusion, if you follow these three simple packing your carry-on tips, you will have the best flight of your life. Unless you get seated next to a crying baby, grumpy old fart or some loud, obnoxious loser, then you are out of luck. But at least you’ll be organized!

I hope these tips help you with packing your carry-on. To me, it’s the most important piece of luggage I’m bringing. Nothing is worse than being without entertainment at the airport or missing that essential mid-flight.

Also check out my Free Downloadable Packing List to have as a guide for the rest of your packing needs.

Other great resources:

Weekend Getaway Packing List
A Stress-free Vacation Checklist
Five Tips for Traveling Light

Where are you heading this summer? Do you consider packing and flying stressful?
Share your to make it all easier!

And if I missed anything from these tip to packing your carry-on, let me know!