5 Items You Should Always Pack In Your Carry-On Bag

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If you're packing for a flight, there are essentials that you need in your carry-on. Items like medications, a phone charger, toiletries, and wired earphones for the in-flight entertainment system are definitely important. However, whether you're just taking a carry-on or you're willing to check a bag — despite some U.S. airlines charging more for checked luggage than before — there are five unexpected items that you should always have on hand. We're not talking about the perfect outfit or those comfortable walking shoes recommended on social media. These are items that you may never have considered, yet they can make a big difference in how your trip goes.

Some of these, like solid toiletries, may make sense immediately, but others, such as bubble wrap, might surprise you. Still, each of these items can really aid in making your trip run smoothly, and they won't take up much room. That's important, because carry-on luggage size requirements aren't changing (despite what you might have heard), leaving you with little space to work with. (Note that all prices for the products discussed here are accurate at the time of this writing.)

If you're someone who likes to check a bag, or you plan on bringing back something like wine bottles from Italy, you should absolutely have a portable luggage scale with you. If you've ever had to unpack your checked bag and shove your heaviest items into your carry-on to make it fit the weight requirements, or pay an overweight baggage fee, you need this. It may also come in handy when packing your carry-on, particularly on international flights, where weight limits can apply to all types of baggage. You can weigh your luggage before you leave the house and readjust as needed. However, a portable luggage scale is even more important on the way home, when your bag is full of souvenirs that might take the weight over the limit. 

Portable luggage scales are small and weigh very little. The Travel Inspira Digital Luggage Scale on Amazon is only 3.5 ounces and comes in a number of colors. It's also easy to use: Loop the strap around the handle of your suitcase and lift it up to see the weight. It's also got a 4.7-out-of-five rating with over 21,000 reviews, and it costs about $10, so it's not a big expense.

Public restrooms aren't the picture of cleanliness. In fact, you probably shudder in horror at the thought of putting your purse or travel backpack on the floor when you have to use the facilities. While some stalls may have hooks, they're often missing, or they don't hold very much weight. Not only does putting your bag on the floor mean it will be covered in germs, but it's also much easier for someone to reach under the door and snatch it away. Magnetic hooks allow you to hang your bag on the door, wall, or any other metal surface. These are also really helpful if you're taking a cruise where the walls are often metal. 

You can get a four pack of Neosmuk Magnetic Hooks on Amazon that hold up to 130 pounds. They're highly rated, with 4.7 out of five stars; they're priced around $8 at the time of this writing; and they come in multiple colors and sizes. One caveat is that you shouldn't keep magnets next to your credit cards. Store them in a separate bag or compartment when traveling and on your fridge or in another safe place when at home.

If you've spent a lot of time in hotels, you know that they tend to hide the outlets behind heavy furniture, across the room from the bed, or in any number of other inconvenient places. This can be especially annoying if you use your phone as an alarm clock, read books on a phone app, or tend to scroll in the evening as you start to fall asleep. The usual charging cords we get with phones tend to be too short to allow you to stretch across the room, so bringing a longer one is really helpful. 

You can get an Amazon Basics USB-C to USB-C fast-charging cable that is 9 feet long for under $9. Make sure you have a block to plug it into if you're not charging it on your laptop. This goes for any other devices you want to charge. You can also get a charging tower with its own cord that will give you a bit of extra length and multiple options for what you can plug into it. Amazon has the Tessan Tower Power Strip with 1050J Surge Protection for around $30, with a 6-foot cord and a flat plug so it can fit behind a bed or table. Additionally, keep all your cords and charging blocks in a separate bag so you always know where they are before you travel.

Bubble wrap may seem like an odd thing to pack. However, if you're purchasing something fragile like a ceramic bowl from Tuscany, a bottle of wine from Paris, or a wood carving from Barcelona, having something to protect it is vital. You can, of course, wrap the item in your clothing, but bubble wrap is going to protect it far better. (Wrap it in clothing after the bubble wrap.) You can get a 30-foot, pre-perforated roll of Duck Brand Small Bubble Cushioning Wrap on Amazon for under $10. 

I started lining my suitcases with bubble wrap after a jar of honey from Cortona, Italy, broke open in my suitcase. It wasn't pretty. Some stores may be willing to wrap a purchase for you, but having some bubble wrap in your bag gives you an extra level of protection. If you plan on buying a lot of souvenirs, roll a few pieces up in any shoes you're bringing as well. You can always offer any leftovers to other travelers, or simply leave it behind if you don't have the space. I also like to cut small pieces off and wrap any fragile toiletries (such as perfume bottles). Secure them with a small piece of tape so they can be opened by TSA if need be.

It's easy to be frustrated by the 3-1-1 liquids rule enforced for carry-ons. You have to hunt down empty bottles that are 3.4 ounces or less, or buy travel-sized items specially for your trip. Then you have to make sure they fit in a quart-sized plastic baggie. If you have a lot to bring, whether it's for a multi-step beauty regimen, a long visit, or because you like to have your usual products around when you travel, it can be a huge pain. Instead of putting everything you have into new bottles (which is messy), pack solid toiletries where you can. 

You can find solid shampoo, conditioner, body cream, perfume, sunscreen, and even toothpaste made for travel so you have room in your baggie for your face wash, eye cream, serum, or whatever else you're bringing. Amazon has items like the Kitsch Rice Water Solid Shampoo and Conditioner Set for around $28, a pack of SuperBee Dentos Toothpaste Tablets for around $9, and an Aquaphor Healing Balm Stick for around $10. The latter can be used for multiple purposes including lip balm, blister prevention on your feet, taming flyaways, and even under-eye cream. You can also slice pieces off of a soap bar for each day's shower if you like to wash with a familiar scent. Finally, if you're only bringing a carry-on, check out travel pro Samantha Brown's tips to save space for souvenirs.