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04 — Carry-On / Checklist

Carry-on essentials list

Split into two lists, because the overhead bag can be taken from you at the gate and the bag under your seat cannot.

By Brijon M.Last updated How we pick
Carry-on essentials laid out beside a small bag and a passport

The short answer

Split the list in two. The personal item holds medication, documents, electronics, chargers, liquids and a warm layer -- everything you need or cannot lose. The overhead bag holds clothing and bulk, because it can be gate-checked when bins fill.

01 — The principle

Why the list splits in two

Most packing lists treat the carry-on as one thing. It is two, and the distinction has a practical consequence.

When a flight is full, the bins fill and overhead bags get checked at the gate. It is routine, not rare, especially on full flights and smaller aircraft. At that point your overhead bag goes into the hold and you will not see it until the carousel -- where it can be delayed or lost like any checked bag.

Your personal item stays with you, always. So the rule is simple: anything you need during the journey, and anything you cannot afford to lose, goes under the seat rather than in the bin.

For the full distinction between the two size classes see carry-on versus personal item.

02 — Under the seat

The personal item: everything that matters

Non-negotiable

  • Medication, in enough quantity for the trip plus delays, in labeled original containers
  • Passport, ID, tickets and any visa documentation
  • Wallet, cards and some local currency
  • Keys -- house and car
  • Phone and charger
  • Power bank -- lithium batteries must travel in the cabin. See power banks
  • Your liquids bag, where security can reach it. See toiletry bags

For the journey itself

  • A warm layer. Cabins run cold and the bin is shut
  • Headphones, and a wired pair as a backup for in-flight entertainment
  • An empty water bottle to fill after security
  • Snacks, because catering is unreliable and delays are not
  • Eye mask and earplugs, which help more than a pillow for most people. See travel pillows
  • A pen, for landing cards
  • Lip balm and hand cream. Cabin humidity is very low

If the overhead bag might be gate-checked

  • One change of clothes, including underwear
  • A toothbrush and minimal toiletries
  • Anything irreplaceable -- camera gear, work equipment, a laptop

03 — In the bin

The overhead bag: clothing and bulk

  • Clothing, built as a capsule rather than as outfits. See how to pack light
  • Shoes -- one packed pair, the bulkier pair worn
  • Non-liquid toiletries: toothbrush, razor, brush, solid deodorant
  • A packable shell, if not worn
  • Packing cubes, sized to the bag. See packing cubes
  • A laundry setup: detergent sheets, a universal sink plug, a length of cord
  • A travel adapter or a multi-plug USB-C charger. See travel adapters
  • A packable spare bag, if it folds into its own pocket

04 — Security and safety

The rules worth checking before you pack

Three sets of rules affect what goes in a carry-on, all published by the relevant authority and all subject to change -- so check them at source rather than trusting any article, including this one.

  • Liquids. Limited by container size and presented together in a clear resealable bag. The exact limits are set by the security authority and change, so check before you fly. Solid alternatives -- shampoo bars, toothpaste tablets -- sidestep the rule entirely.
  • Lithium batteries. Power banks and spare batteries must travel in the cabin, never in checked baggage, and airlines cap capacity by watt-hours. This is why a power bank belongs in your personal item rather than the overhead bag, which might get checked.
  • Prohibited items. The security authority publishes a list. The ones that catch travelers out are camping fuel canisters, which are banned in any bag, and anything with a blade longer than the permitted length.
  • Medication is generally treated differently from other liquids and is often exempt from the standard limits, but declare it and keep it in labeled original containers. Check the current official guidance for your route.

05 — What to skip

What not to pack in a carry-on

  • Camping fuel canisters. Prohibited in both carry-on and checked bags, and empties are usually refused too. Buy fuel at your destination.
  • Full-size liquids. They will be confiscated regardless of how little is left in the bottle.
  • A hair dryer. The hotel has one, and a single-voltage one abroad is the most commonly destroyed appliance in travel.
  • Valuables you would not hand to a stranger. If the bag might be gate-checked, they belong in the personal item or at home.
  • More than one book. An e-reader or your phone covers it.
  • A towel, unless your accommodation provides none. A small travel towel is a reasonable hedge.
  • Clothes for weather that is not forecast. Check the forecast for your actual dates.

What to buy

The gear we would buy for this

Trail & Terminal earns a commission when you buy through our Amazon links, at no extra cost to you. It does not change which products we pick -- see our affiliate disclosure and selection method.

1

Best for the personal item

Osprey Daylite

Small enough to clear most personal item limits, and a genuinely good daypack afterwards.

The personal item is the more important of the two bags, and this one also removes the need for a separate daypack. See <a href="/carry-on/best-personal-item-bags">personal item bags</a> for structured alternatives that use under-seat space better.

Specs

  • Roughly 13 liter capacity
  • Padded tablet or small laptop sleeve
  • Side bottle pockets and a front stretch pocket
  • Clips onto larger Osprey packs

Good for

  • Clears most personal item limits comfortably
  • Doubles as a daypack at the destination
  • Attaches to a bigger pack for one-object transit

Bad at

  • Unstructured, so it slumps under a seat
  • Minimal organization
  • Tight for a change of clothes plus a laptop
2

Best for the battery that must be in the cabin

Anker PowerCore 10000

A 10,000mAh bank is the right size for flying and well inside typical airline limits.

Lithium batteries must travel in the cabin, and larger banks sit close to common airline watt-hour limits -- so a 10,000mAh bank is the practical choice for flying. Keep it in the personal item, not the overhead bag. See <a href="/camp/best-portable-power-banks-for-camping">power banks</a>.

Specs

  • 10,000mAh rated cell capacity
  • USB-C input and output
  • Pocket-sized
  • Anker's standard warranty

Good for

  • Roughly two phone charges, which covers a long travel day
  • Small enough to live in a jacket pocket
  • Comfortably inside the capacity limits airlines commonly set

Bad at

  • Not enough for a laptop
  • No pass-through charging on some versions
  • Only a battery -- no light, no extra function
3

Best for the toiletries that are not liquids

Peak Design Wash Pouch

Hangs from a real hook and wipes clean after a leak. Carry the liquids separately in a clear bag.

A toiletry bag is not a substitute for the clear resealable liquids bag security requires -- it holds the toothbrush, razor and solid items. Some versions include a removable clear pouch, which is the tidiest arrangement. See <a href="/carry-on/best-toiletry-bags">toiletry bags</a>.

Specs

  • Weatherproof recycled nylon
  • Hook on an extending strap
  • Interior that holds itself open
  • Removable clear inner pouch on some versions

Good for

  • The hook reaches an actual hook or towel rail
  • Holds its shape open so you can see everything
  • Wipes clean after a leak

Bad at

  • Expensive
  • Holds less than an unstructured bag of the same size
  • The structure adds weight

Questions

Frequently asked

What should I pack in my carry-on?
Split it: the personal item holds medication, documents, electronics, chargers, your liquids bag, a warm layer and anything irreplaceable; the overhead bag holds clothing, shoes and bulk. The overhead bag can be taken at the gate when bins fill, so plan for that.
Can I take a power bank in my carry-on?
Yes, and it must be in the cabin rather than checked -- lithium batteries are prohibited in checked baggage. Airlines also cap capacity by watt-hours, so a 10,000mAh bank is a safe choice while very large ones sit close to common limits. Keep it in your personal item.
What are the liquid rules for carry-on bags?
Liquids, aerosols and gels are limited by container size and must be presented together in a single clear resealable bag. The exact limits are set by the security authority and change, so check current official guidance before flying rather than relying on a figure in an article.
What is not allowed in a carry-on?
Camping fuel canisters, in any bag, full-size liquids, and anything on the security authority's prohibited list -- which is published and worth checking for anything unusual. Spare lithium batteries are allowed in the cabin only and never in checked baggage.
Should I pack a change of clothes in my personal item?
If there is any chance the overhead bag gets checked at the gate, yes -- including underwear and a toothbrush. A gate-checked bag goes to the carousel and can be delayed or lost like any checked bag, and a change of clothes turns that from a crisis into an inconvenience.

References

Back up a level

This page sits in Carry-On -- flight kit that fits the bin and the personal-item slot.

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