Top 11 Hand Luggage Essentials

Most people create a list of travel essentials when its time to pack for a trip but when they get on the plane, they’re always missing something. Even though you can only fit so much into a small carry-on bag, you should make enough space for the important things. Here are our top 11 hand luggage essentials that you may want to bring with you on your next flight.

Refillable Water bottle

Staying hydrated when you travel is important, so pack a refillable water bottle in your hand luggage. Because airports regulate the volume of liquids you can take with you, don’t fill it up until after you’ve gone through security. If you already have water in your bottle, empty it out before going through the security queue. Many restaurants and bars in the airport will happily fill up your water bottle before you board if you ask nicely. Chose a water bottle that is light weight so it doesn’t take up too much of your baggage allowance. You may want to consider getting a collapsing water bottle so it doesn’t take up too much room in your carry-on bag.

Snacks

Before you leave home, pack your favourite snacks in your carry-on bag. Buying food at the airport and on the plane can get expensive, so make yourself something to eat in advance. Plus, by prepping your own snacks, you’re guaranteed to have something you like and you won’t need to wait for the flight attendant to bring the drinks and snacks trolley. Remember any sauces (including jams and syrups) will be counted as a liquid when you go through security.

Spare Clothes

You’re going to want something to change into when you get off the plane so you don’t feel too grubby during the rest of your journey. Having a spare outfit (or a couple of spare outfits) will come in handy, not just for a quick post-flight refresh, but there’s always the chance that you might spill something during turbulence. You’ll also be grateful for the spare change of clothes if your checked bags go missing.

A Scarf

Scarves an understated accessory that are useful in all sorts of situations. Even if you’re travelling from the UK to a warmer destination, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of packing a scarf in your hand luggage. You never know what the temperature of the airport and plane will be like, so it’s good to have an extra layer to wrap around you if the temperature drops. You can also use your scarf as a blanket or bundle it up into a pillow so you can take a comfortable nap during your flight. Most scarves are lightweight and roll up quite small, so they won’t take up too much space in your bag.

Wipes and Tissues

Hand wipes and tissues can come in handy during flights. Use the wipes to wipe down the table and arm rests before using them, and use them to clean your hands before and after eating. Tissues can be used for runny noses or as emergency toilet roll.

Cash

Most places accept card payments these days. You won’t have any trouble purchasing things at the duty-free shops and restaurants at the airports with your bank card, and you can even pay by card or contactless on the plane. You’ll never know when you’re going to need cash, so take a few pound notes and notes in the currency of the country you’re travelling to in your wallet. It will also make getting a cab from the airport much easier, since you won’t have to go searching for an ATM in the airport when you arrive.

Travel Itinerary

Keeping your travel itinerary will hype you up for your trip and give you the chance to take one more look at the plans you’ve made. When you get to your destination country and go through customs, you may be asked to show the customs agent your travel itinerary. Keep it in the same document folder as your passport, travel insurance information, and other travel documents so you’ll always have it on hand.

A Pen

The one time you don’t bring a pen with you is the time you’ll need it. It’ll be useful for filling out customs forms, jotting down directions, or signing a car rental agreement. If your phone or tablet have low batteries, you’ll be able to write down important contact details, such as your hotel’s address or the phone number of the relative who is picking you up.

An Empty Bag

Reuse the plastic grocery bag you got when buying things at the airport, or be pre-emptive by packing a drawstring bag. Having an empty bag will come in handy during your flight, whether you use it to separate your dirty clothes from your clean ones or use it to put your empty food packets and dirty wet wipes in until you find a bin to dispose of them.

Travel Cubes

Travel cubes are smaller zippered bags that fit neatly inside your carry-on bag. They can be used to separate your travel power adaptor, cables, and power bank from your toiletries, dirty shoes, and travel documents. Having everything neatly stored away I travel cubes means that you’ll be able get through security faster, easily find your boarding pass at the airport gate, and be able to pull your travel pillow and earbuds out of your carry-on bag on the place without disturbing your seatmates too much.

Non-Liquid Toiletries

The hand luggage liquid limit can make travelling with toiletries difficult, especially when that limit includes aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes. Fortunately, you can swap out most of your toiletry essentials with solid alternatives. Pack a shampoo bar and a soap bar and keep them in travel tins to avoid messes in your hand luggage. Pack a stick deodorant instead of a roll on or spray and swap out lip gloss for a lipstick or lip balm. Other non-liquid toiletry essentials include toothpaste tablets, a shaving cream bar, and solid perfumes and colognes.