Taste for Travel

Let’s face it, often the most uncomfortable, dreaded part of your vacation is actually getting there. Take some of the edge out of flying with these carry-on essentials, aimed to make your flying experience as painless as possible.

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From the minute you arrive at the airport to the time you finally walk out to your destination, your access to belongings and services is limited. Making sure you have absolutely everything you need (without bringing the kitchen sink) is key to a seamless travel experience.

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1. Carry-on Essentials – Ear Plugs

Ear plugs are underrated. Sure they aren’t the sexiest, sleekest, most exciting travel accessory – but they are a carry-on essential! From trying to sleep on an airplane to a hotel room with super thin walls, ear plugs prove time and time again their value as a travel accessory.

I prefer these silicone ones from Loop. They are actually quite stylish, and look more like a fun ear accessory then a blob stuffed in your ear canal. The best part? You can chose the level of quite you’d like.

Since I find the roar of the plan engines a bit much after a long flight (hello, overstimulation), I prefer the Loop Quiet. For some muted sounds, opt for the Loop Experience.

2. Over-Ear Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Will these take up more space than your airpods? Yup. Are they worth it? 100%.

In an attempt to save space on a recent trip to Europe, I opted to ONLY bring my in-ear headphones. About an hour into our first flight, I regretted it. You just can’t beat the sound quality (and sanity) that a good pair of over-ear noise-cancelling headphones provide.

My airpods were no match for the engines on an international flight. I still heard them blaring on in the background, even with turn up music turned up full blast.

I prefer Beats, but Bose are great too. Over-ear noice-cancelling headphones have a permanent place as one of my carry-on essentials.

3. A Fun, Engaging Analog Activity

You may be asking, “What do you mean analog activity?” Literally anything you can do that doesn’t require an electronic device. That’s it. This could be anything, like:

• Coloring book
• Magazine
• Crossword puzzle book
• Physical book

My analog activity of choice is a big book of those puzzle games you find in nearly every airport bookstore.

Now, why do I consider this a carry-on essential?

A few reasons. The first is that it’s simply a nice way to pass the time that doesn’t involve an electronic device. (Heck yes, cutting down on screen time.)

Another is that it’s good to have some form of entertainment that won’t drain your batteries. Yes, there’s outlets everywhere, and pretty much every plane has access to USB ports these days.

But that doesn’t account for when you just happen to be seated in an aisle with broken outlets, or your charger was accidentally stashed in the checked bag, among other scenarios. It’s good to have something to keep you busy and keep your phone charged up for when you land.

4. Snacks, snacks and more snacks

Always. Bring. Snacks. I can’t stress this enough. Always. Bring. Snacks.

I always bring my own snacks (B.Y.O.S.) when I travel. This is something I learned the hard way. Traveling with food sensitivities can be hard, particularly when you have a 3 hour layover in an airport that only seems to serve food that you can’t eat.

However, even if you are a unicorn that can eat absolutely anything you want, it’s still good to have snacks. Why? Because of one universal truth: travel is unpredictable.

You never know what will happen when you travel. Maybe your flight gets delayed and you have to rush from one flight to another instead of grabbing a bite during your layover like you planned. Maybe the catering service didn’t have time to service your flight before you boarded and now the meal you were counting on isn’t happening (true story).

Being hungry is uncomfortable. So to ensure a comfortable travel experience, prioritize snacks as a carry-on essential.

5. Carry-on Essentials – Nasal Spray

Between the crisp air blasting down on you to the inevitable drop in water intake, flying can dry you out. Save your sinuses by bringing a saline nasal spray (less than 3 oz of course), to spritz when you’re feeling dry.

Though not as glamorous as a gold face mask, nasal spray has earned its place in this list of carry-on essentials.

6. Moisturizer

Again, flying can be really drying. Bring your favorite moisturizer for you hands and face.

Taking the time to rehydrate outside and in can make a big difference on how you feel during the flight, and after. My favorite lotion and a thick face moisturizer are always carry-on essentials.

7. Stain Remover Pen or Wipes

Think this is unnecessary in a list of carry-on essentials? Let me tell you a story.

Just before I left for the airport, I threw a stain remover wipe in my bag, thinking, “I probably won’t use it, but it’ll be good to have.”

Fast forward, 30 minutes into my flight. I’m eating a bag of chocolate covered fruits. I’m doing my crossword puzzle, I’m happy. Then, I look down.

I have sprinkled little bits of chocolate all over the crotch of my brand new pants. And because I was warm, it melted. Yes, it looked as bad as it sounds.

Not even an hour into my travels and I already needed that stain remover. So even if it feels a bit extra, I strongly recommend you bring some stain removal wipes with you.

8. Carry-on Essentials – Sleeping Mask

Maybe it’s personal preference, but I highly recommend bringing a sleeping mask on the plane. It’s a small, lightweight way to help you sleep in an another wise difficult position. And, sleeping masks help you feel less like you are sleeping in public by providing a sense of privacy.

9. Refillable Water Bottle

A good refillable insulated water bottle is always a carry-on essential. Most airports now have water bottle refill stations. You’ll save on the overpriced bottles in the airport, and ideally, stay more hydrated.

Additionally, a refillable water bottle can be used for things like tea or coffee if desired.

And my maybe not so eco-friendly advice? Buy an extra bottle of water anyways. No one wants to stand in the customs line for an hour dying of thirst.

10. Change of Clothes

This really depends on where you are going, how far, and for how long. On domestic flights less than 5 hours, an entire change of clothes probably isn’t necessary. But if you are flying internationally, I definitely recommend it.

Exactly what you bring depends too. For example, a trip from Canada to the Caribbean in February? You’d definitely want to have some shorts and a t-shirt handy for when you land.

At the very least, having a pair of underwear and a spare t-shirt can save you a lot of discomfort. Particularly, if plans change. Notice a theme here? Travel is unpredictable. It’s best to be prepared.

11. Carry-on Essentials – Medications

Any medications you take, prescription or OTC, should be with you in your carry-on.

There’s a multitude of reasons why this is best travel practice, but they can all be summed up with the theme of this post: Travel is unpredictable.

If you can’t go a day without your medication, it needs to be with you at all times. In addition, pack some standard OTC, like ibuprofen, antidiarrheal and Ginger Root to boost immunity and sooth digestion. You never know what will come in handy. I’m sure that Delta passenger really wished they had some immodium on their flight.