This picture of a lace bra isn’t just to lure you into reading this article, it also has to do with one of the things I always put in my hand carry.
I can’t decide which one thing is more important than the other, so I just have them listed in reverse alphabetical order – because I am weird.
1. Underwear
My check-in suitcase disappeared already when I transferred in Montreal to go to Cuba from Hong Kong. I didn’t get it back until literally one hour before I flew home from Havana when the trip was over!
Missing luggage is not uncommon, and getting the kind of underwear you like in a foreign country is not as easy as you may think, so at least have one set of clean undergarments packed in your carry-on baggage just for emergencies.
2. Travel wallet
I bring two wallets to travel – one with very little Hong Kong dollars and the other with travel money. As soon as I get to an airline counter, I slip the Hong Kong wallet into my check-in suitcase for I know I won’t need it until my return.
The travel wallet with the passport and HKID always stays close to me. Not in the overhead bin but in the seat pocket right in front of me. In-flight thefts do happen so be careful.
3. Sanitizing wipes
I always clean the tray table with an alcohol wipe before using it. According to a study, seatback tray tables are the dirtiest place on a plane, even more so than the bathrooms!
It’s not hard to imagine how filthy the cabins can be when airlines only have so little time to do cleanups between flights. But since I can’t clean everything, I at least wipe the tray table for it’s where I put my food, my drinks, my phone, and my other stuff.
4. Reusable water bottle
Help save the planet – stop buying bottled water!
There are bottle filling stations or water fountains after security in many airports (check them out here). Virologists say you cannot get Covid through water. Just make sure to wash your hands after touching buttons of water fillers to be safe.
5. Printed ticket
It isn’t very environmentally friendly, but I always have my ticket printed out. I have been to countries where they only let you get to check-in counters after they put a stamp on your printed tickets. And I just find it easier to pull out a printout when I need to key in flight details at a self check-in kiosk.
Use scrap paper and only print the first 1-2 pages with flight info to reduce waste.
6. Power bank
Especially if you like having everything stored on your phone, you need a power bank. You may think you can charge your phone on the plane, but shit happens and the USB charging port at your seat just may not work. And charging stations at airports can be fully occupied when you most need one.
Don’t forget to also bring a charging cable that fits.
7. Jacket
It may be warm or even hot when you leave home, but it can be chilly at the airport or on the plane. I always forget to put a windbreaker in my hand carry and I always regret it. Don’t make the same mistake I do.
I prefer windbreakers to cardigans or other kinds of jackets because they are easier to clean.
8. Headphones
Good headphones can double as earplugs to block noise of baby crying or people snoring. In-ear headphones are lightweight and they hardly occupy any space in your bag, so get yourself a good pair and bring it with you when you travel.
It’s true that you can get them for free on airplanes and tour buses, but a lot of them are for one-time use only and they go to the dump after. Help protect the earth – every little thing counts!
9. Book
Inflight entertainment programs are not always entertaining, especially in short-haul flights where there are only ceiling screens mounted six rows in front of your seat with no sound.
It is mission impossible to keep physical books in good condition when I put them in my travel bag, so I usually bring my Kindle.
10. Anything breakable
Airport workers do not handle your suitcases like how you take care of your pets, so don’t risk it. If you are traveling with something breakable like a tablet or a camera, always hand carry it instead of checking it in.
Even if your belongings are covered by insurance, you don’t always get reimbursed 100% if they are broken or stolen. And things that are sentimental just cannot be claimed back.
–
What do you put in your hand carry? Let me know by sending me a message or leaving a comment below.
Love Traveling?
Subscribe to my monthly eNewsletter for more solo travel stories, tips and inspirations!
