9 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Carry-On Space

Ocean First   Jul 05, 2022

The feeling of anticipation when getting ready for an adventure to somewhere new is unbeatable. Packing for the trip ahead, feeling the energy in the airport, and getting to spend time experiencing new things are all just parts of why traveling is so incredible. However, long travel days can make it harder to enjoy the thrill of the experience. We have 9 ways for you to make the most of your carry-on space so you can enjoy the journey just as much as the destination!

First and foremost, wear comfortable clothes! Look good, feel good is something that we can all attest to. However, when it comes to traveling for long periods of time with luggage galore and ever-shrinking airplane seats, choosing style over comfort can cause more harm than good. Wearing convenient clothes makes security a breeze, and it makes sitting for long periods of time much more tolerable. Along with a comfy base layer, make sure to pack layers that are easily accessible. Airplanes are known for being chilly so it never hurts to have a sweater, flannel, or light jacket on deck just incase. (You can always use it as a nice makeshift pillow if you don’t need it to stay warm!)

Bring all the essentials for peace and quiet in an otherwise noisy and public place. A neck pillow will keep you from getting those painful and annoying kinks in your neck, ear plugs or noise-cancelling headphones will let you enjoy music without all of the white noise of an airplane, and a sleep mask can help you get some shut eye while blocking out the unwanted reading light of the person next to you.

Packing a few snacks in your bag means you can grab a bite whenever you want, satisfying those sweet or salty cravings from your seat without paying a fortune. Everyone gets a hankering for a snack on long travel days, but it can be tricky to get food on the plane or in the airport that will satisfy your hunger without breaking the bank - so pack your own snacks and don’t worry about the hassle!

Pack a reusable water bottle for your adventure. You can easily get dehydrated while in the air, so it’s important to hydrate throughout your travels! By bringing a reusable water bottle, you can fill it anywhere with filling stations, store water for the long haul, and help reduce plastic waste! If you are really committed, you can ask flight attendants to put water into it instead of the single-use plastic cups.

Try packing a small dopp kit in your carry-on bag - that way you have access to a toothbrush and toothpaste to refresh your mouth (and breath) after lots of eating, drinking, and breathing in the dry air. Throw in an extra contact case and solution so you can give your eyes a rest, some deodorant to freshen up, and moisturizer to keep skin feeling good.

Pack portable chargers (and make sure to charge your devices before heading off on your adventure)! The last thing you want is to be in the middle of an ebook, watching a movie or new episode of a TV show, or doing work, and your electronics die on you. For long trips it’s helpful to charge up electronics, and bring some portable chargers with you - you might not always have the time or ability to charge devices when they are running low on battery, and a portable charger can keep your entertainment going, the whole trip through. (It’s also a life saver if your tickets or travel information happen to be on your phone).

Pack sanitary supplies whenever you’re traveling. We all know that airports and planes have plenty of people filtering through them everyday. Wet wipes can clean off surfaces you are going to spend a lot of time sitting in and touching, hand sanitizer ward off gross germs,  and face masks can create a barrier from people and airplane air that might not be the best for your health.

Make sure to pack light and smart - Consider the bags you are packing in and how you will have to balance the weight when traveling. Long travel days can be taxing, and having large, unwieldy bags to lug around can disrupt an otherwise pleasant travel experience. Oddly shaped bags, having all rolling bags, or all shoulder strap bags, can wreak havoc on the delicate balance that is traveling with your belongings for extensive periods of time.

Keep your valuables close when traveling. Having things like your phone, wallet, passport, and other valuables on your person or at your feet when traveling ensures that your valuables are safe and secure. It is easy to mix up where things are placed, and people have the freedom to open up bag compartments anywhere on the plane when up in the air - making it a little more dangerous to keep your valuables anywhere not in-sight.