When we pack for a trip, whether it's a long or short one, most of us are pretty careful about what we take with us. It doesn't matter if you're a last-minute packer or a planner - most people put some thought into what goes with them. In fact, there are several threads on these very boards dedicated to "kit lists" for trips of different durations, and they're all quite interesting... But what about your carry-on bag?

This post on the Travel Gear Blog got me thinking - what do you carry with you in your carry-on bag? Are you one of those people who packs everything into a small enough bag that you don't have to check anything, or do you have a small backpack or tote bag that carries your in-flight entertainment and snacks? Either way, what do you make sure is in your bag before you get on a plane?

My carry-on bag is usually a backpack or large purse, and for the last few trips the following things are always found in it:

• wallet
  
• passport (if necessary)
  
• laptop
  
• MP3 player
  
• blank journal/notepad & pens
  
• small point-and-shoot digital camera
  
• 1 book & at least 1 guidebook (if it's not a family visit kind of trip)
  
• gum/mints
  
• one of those inflatable neck pillows
  
• prescription medications
  
• eyeglasses case (and sunglasses if it's sunny)
  
• cell phone
  
• PDA (for addresses)
  

My DSLR case is my "purse," in other words it's my 2nd carry-on.

So what's in your carry-on bag?

I pack one carry-on for an entire trip, but when I unexpectedly had to check my regulation-size carry-on at CDG last fall, I got a little smarter about parceling out my stuff. Now I pack a smaller daypack inside the carry-on, and it has:
- two big paperback mysteries, at least one of which I leave in the seatback pocket when I disembark. Don't know if this charms the next traveler or pisses off the cleaning crew.
- guidebook, map, notes
- passport/i.d./tix/money & bank cards
- xeroxes of above, and phone numbers for hotels/family members. I know, technically these should be separate from the passport.
- pair undies & socks
- my quart Ziploc of toiletries, all meds, safety pins, washcloth, nailclippers
- folding comb/brush
- eye mask, earplugs (I have never slept more than 2 hours on a plane, but here's hoping...)
- digital camera, charger, adapter, extra memory card
- gum & snack/candy bar
- a few envelopes of Emergen-C, spork
- extra glasses or sunglasses & prescription
- flashlight
- pen & small spiral notebook
- keychain compass
Umm... I guess that's everything. If I were headed to a nudist colony, that would be my only bag!
(edited to add stuff to list)

Tried one of those "squish" neck pillows, but it didn't work for me. Husband now uses it for lying on the couch, watching football games. The hot pink spandex cover goes well with his coloring.

I use a combined daypack and camera case, which doesn't leave much room for other stuff but that's okay, as long as my Camera is safe!

I have in my Daypack the following:

*Passport (even if I don't need it for travel I may need it for ID)
*Tickets or Reservation Number
*Money
*Details of my Hostel
*A good sized book to read while waiting to board bus/plane/train
*A drink (non-alcoholic LoL)
*Medication
*House Keys (if my luggage gets lost on the way home I don't want to be stranded without a way to get into my house)
*Mobile Phone
*Filofax (has all my phone numbers and important details in)
*A snack for the journey
*Cigarettes

I think that's about it, and my camera and films and extra lens...

Click image and hover over photo for notes.

One trip I took one large pack that was the max. carryon size, and it was my only piece of luggage, with everything in it.

But every other trip so far I've checked luggage, and then my carryon is a Jansport-type backpack with the following:

*Camera bag and film
*Books (1 or 2)
*Mini travel journal
*Suduko puzzle book (starting last yr)
*Makeup
*Sunglasses
*Baggie w/ the 3oz liquid allotments
*Binocs/bird book (if it's a nature-type hiking trip)
*One full outfit (jeans & shirt, underwear & socks, etc)
*Gum
*Keys
*Xerox of important documents

I think that's it. Then I'm usually carrying a water bottle on, which I try to use for the rest of the trip by just refilling in faucets, and my passport and money/cards are in a passport carrier that I wear at all times.

EVERYTHING! ever since air canada lost my luggage.. hmph!

quote:

Originally posted by JessieS:

• prescription medications
  

Oh yes.

What's in my bag?

All my toiletries.
Sleep sack.
Foldable Bowl.
Spoon.
Chop Sticks.
Straw Water Purifier.
Iodine Tablets.
Chlorine Tablets.
Clothes Line.
Universal Stopper.
Whisk.
Platypus water bottle.
Resumes and CV.
All My Certifications(Both backed up by flash drive and online.
Three changes socks and underclothes.
Two Changes Street/Bush clothes
First Aid Kit.
Prescription Meds.
Toilet Paper.
Toilet Seat Covers.
Flash Light(LED)
Pack Towel.
Silk Thermals.
Tie.
Light Jacket.

The only bag I use is my carry on and it usually weighs less than 25lbs. I like my little ol' bag that converts to a pack. If I need camping gear such as blanket, sleeping bag, or tent I find I can pick up something locally fairly cheap whereever I go.

-Overnight bag with toiletries
-Change of underwear and socks, usually a change of outerwear too
-Reading material
-Documents
-All of my electronic gear (camera, music if I'm bringing it, flashlight, rechargers)

Work carry-on(roller):

laptop and accessories
2 cell phones (USA & intl unlocked GSM) + charger
bose QC headphones
eyeshades
ziplock w/meds, t-brush, paste
hair brush
1ea socks, undies, t-shirt
canvas paperwork folder 9x12x1.5
passport/tickets/other travel documents
keys
electric razor
cigarettes
small calculator
pens/pencils/sharpies
digital camera(rarely)
small snacks (usually peanuts)


Vacation carry on(shoulder bag):

2 cell phones
bose headphones
eyeshades
ziplock
hairbrush
1ea socks, undies, t-shirt
1pr canvas hiking shorts
Teva sandals
cigarettes
passport etc.
keys
electric razor
small snacks

That's exactly it unless I'm carrying a gift or something
on a one-time basis.

Depends of course on whether it's a regional (around Asia) or long-haul flight, but at any given time I will have in my carry-on the following items:

pen & small notebook
a book
hairbrush
lip balm
concealer
hand cream
passport
wallet
candy/gum
underwear and t-shirt
iPod (sometimes I check this in tho)
toothbrush/toothpaste
cellphone
camera
tissues
wet wipes
alcogel for hands

I wish I could just bring my carry on. Unfortunately I'm fond of wearing something different on most days so I check in a 32 pound bag of clothes. In my carry on though I am fully prepared:

A few bandaids
Reading Glasses
Munchies (since I dont eat plane food)
A Book
Headphones
Phone Numbers & Addresses of where I'm going plus people I know close to where my flight transfer will take place, just in case.
A Pen
Paper
ID
Tickets
Wet Wipes
Picture of boyfriend I use as bookmark

quote:

Reply

mmmmmm let me see

*mints/gum/snacks and chocolate
*change of underwear
*toothbrush and paste
*notebook / diary
*colored penciles
*mp3 player
*book
*jacket or sweater

thats about it

Trekker

Depends on the length of the flight. If it's long haul:

- eye mask
- ear plugs
- t-shirt and loose trousers
- fleecy booties
- toothbrush and paste
- a change of underwear
- moisturiser
- hairbrush
- tissue
- paracetemol
- books (including at least one soduku book)
- at least 1 wallet (different wallets for different currencies)
- passport (always necessary - even just for security checks)
- MP3 player
- blank journal/notepad & pens
- digital camera
- sweets / snacks
- water
- prescription medications
- cell phone

OMG - some of you take on safety pins and nail clippers. How do you get those through security???

KPG

i think it's a great idea to pack everything, toiletries included, in one's carry-on, but the new restrictions kinda get in the way of that :\ when i flew from honolulu to new york, i completely forgot about putting my liquids in my larger pack, and got my sunblock taken away. could've been worse though.

anyhoo, my list:
*tissues
*eye drops
*hand sanitizer
*compass on a string (if it's not around my neck
*one or two sudoku books
*spiral notebook/journal
*pens, pens, pens
*batteries
*mp3 player
*camera
*lots of business cards/other little knickknacks i've collected
*ear plugs
*wallet
*maps
*painkillers
*tiny roll of travel toilet paper
*passport
*granola bars/trail mix/other such on-the-go food
*ziplock bags
*smaller notebook with travel-related info

i think that's pretty much the gist...everything else is just "stuff" that winds up in there