Packing the right items in your carry-on bag can drastically alter your trip. Although, being prepared for your travels is easier said than done. There are a lot of things that you need to take with you, and forgetting even one of those items can make your experience go from easy and comfortable to difficult and stressful.
In order to try and make sure you have the best trip possible, we put together a list of carry-on bag must-haves for every type of traveler. No matter if you’re traveling as a family, for business, or are more of an adventurous traveler, this list will ensure that your carry-on bag is packed with everything you need:
If You’re Traveling For Business…
Traveling for business can be hectic. One minute you’re hopping on a plane, and before you know it, you’re at an important meeting or conference. It can feel like a lot is happening in a short amount of time, and can make even the most experienced business traveler feel unprepared at times. Fortunately, there are certain items that you can pack in your carry-on bag that will help you feel more prepared:
- Electronic devices (laptop, tablet, phone)
- Chargers
- Headphones
- Extra meeting outfit (button-up shirt, pants, jacket, shoes)
- Wallet
- Minty gum or breath mints
- Business cards
- Portable charger
- Travel documentation
- Business travel apps downloaded on your phone
When You’re a Family Traveling With Children…
Traveling with children isn’t always the easiest task. You need to make sure that you’re bringing everything you need to keep your little ones happy without overpacking. If you have an upcoming family trip and want to take some stress off your shoulders, here are some of the must-haves you’ll want to bring along in your carry-on bag:
- Healthy snacks
- Tablet preloaded with movies and television shows
- Refillable water bottle
- Coloring book and colored pencils
- Disinfecting wipes
- Small blanket
- Your child’s favorite stuffed animal or another comfort item
- Travel games
- Kid-friendly headphones
- A children’s book
For Anyone Seeking Out Adventure…
If you’re an adventurous traveler, you’re probably eager to start the fun as soon as you hop on the plane. Though you may not be able to partake in any wild activities right out the gate, you can still be prepared and get excited for your journey by packing these items:
- Map of your destination
- Travel itinerary
- Solar-powered portable charger
- Educational book about your destination
- Refillable water bottle
- Travel documentation
- Snacks (granola bars, nuts, etc.)
- Journal and a pen or pencil
- Mini emergency kit
- A camera to capture your journey
If You’re a Student Traveling Abroad…
Traveling abroad for school can be nerve-wracking, but it’s also a very exciting time in a student’s life. You get to meet new people, see new places, and will partake in a whole lot of new experiences. To get prepared for your journey ahead, here are some of the essentials you’ll want to pack in your carry-on bag:
- An informative book about your new school
- A map of your destination
- A journal and a pen or pencil
- Travel documentation
- A book about your destination country
- Portable charger
- Electronic devices (phone, tablet, laptop)
- Currency from your destination country
- A camera to document your journey
- Photos of your family and friends from back home
For Anyone Who’s an Anxious Traveler…
If you’re someone who gets nervous when it comes to traveling, just know that you’re not alone. Many people are afraid to travel, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t try and make yourself more comfortable during your trip. There are a lot of items out there that can help you relax, and who knows, maybe these items can even help you enjoy flying:
- Mini emergency kit
- Sanitizing wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- A phone or music player that contains relaxing music
- Stress ball
- Coloring book and colored pencils
- Sleep mask
- Your favorite book
- Travel pillow
- Crossword puzzles
No matter what type of traveler you are, we hope that these lists will help you be a little more prepared for your upcoming trip. Though traveling can be stressful at times, having the essentials you need can make it go a whole lot more smoothly.
If you need a passport, visa, or business visa for an upcoming trip, you can get the application process started on the Swift website. If you have any questions about obtaining a passport or visa for an upcoming trip, please contact our team. We would be happy to help! No matter where you plan on going, we’ll get you there!
