Avoiding International Carry On Packing Mistakes

In my career as an Italian travel writer and frequent flierWhat you pack can have a major impact on your international flight experience. Since airlines have increased baggage fees to near-astronomical levels, i’ve stopped traveling with more than one bag. carry-on suitcase Use a personal bag to reduce costs. 

After much trial and error I have discovered 13 things that you should not pack in your carry on suitcase for an international flight, along with what you should. You can also check out our website for more information. Smart tech items to have on hand Smart tech items like noise-canceling earphones, matching sets You can save space by using items that are compact. compression packing cubes All of these travel essentials help me make the most out of my limited luggage space and ensure comfort on long flights. Amazon has a lot of my favorite travel essentials on sale, starting at $8.

Don’t pack: Vacuum seal bags

Packing cubes instead of compressed packing 

Vacuum seal bags compress clothing well, but they are rigid once compressed and difficult to fit into a carry on suitcase. They also add extra weight. I prefer compression packing cubicles, such as this set from Gonex, not only for their compressing ability but also because of how squishy and flexible they are—their ripstop nylon material makes it easier for me to fit more into my carry-on suitcase. Because they are compressed via zipper, I do not need to carry a pump or find a vacuum. 

Don’t pack: Loose cables

Instead of packing a cable organizer, pack this: 

I have a lot to carry around, including my Amazon Fire Tablet, Amazon Fire Phone, portable chargers and camera batteries. To keep everything in one convenient place, I use cable organizers, such as this one from Fyy. It is slim enough to fit in a carry on or personal item and comes with a variety of pockets, compartments and pouches that allow you to quickly find what you need. The best part is that it has received almost 17,000 five star ratings, and currently costs $8. 

Don’t pack: A backpack

Instead, opt for a weekender bag with a separate shoe compartment

Before I received this, I always travelled with a bag. weekender bag from Etronik. Although I have upgraded to the Béis Mini WeekenderWeekender bags are superior to backpacks for on-the-go storage and organization. The Etronik Weekender, for instance, has a zippered shoe compartment at the bottom, perfect for packing large pairs of shoes, or other items that won’t fit into your carry-on. The bag is slim enough to fit under the seat in front, and it has a USB charging port that allows you to stay connected on the move.

Don’t Wear: Open-toed shoes

Choose this: Comfortable sneakers 

I think that traveling in open-toed footwear is a no-no. They raise concerns about hygiene as well as disrupting airports and airplanes are dirtyThey’re not always the most comfortable shoes. Consider investing in a pair of comfortable and versatile sneakers to keep you comfy when traveling. podiatrist-approved (and TikTok-famous) Dr. Scholl’s Madison Lace Up Sneakers. They are sleek and stylish, and can be worn to sightsee thanks to the next-level cushioning and support. But they’re also classy enough for a dinner. This versatile pair will save you space in your suitcase by removing the need for multiple pairs of shoes.

Pack your wired earphones

Why not pack this? Wireless noise-canceling headphones 

I know, I know—wired earphones are a thing of the past, but they’re still handed out on flights, and I tend to see more people than not who accept and use them to watch an in-flight movie. These wireless earphones are much more convenient and provide better audio quality than wired earphones. Apple AirPods ProWireless The following are some examples of how to get started: noise-canceling. These headphones are great for travel and I love that they’re small. Bluetooth audio transmitterI can connect my AirPods with the seatback TV on an airplane.

AirPods allow me to focus on music, movies, and audiobooks while reducing the noise of the jet engines. You can fit the charging case, which is small, into a crossbody bag. Or, you can invest in an audiobook. traveling sleeve with a carabiner You can attach them to a bag’s strap. These AirPods are usually more expensive, but you can get them for 40% off.

Do not pack large toiletry bags

Instead of packing large, opaque toiletry bags, pack small, transparent ones

The large toiletry bags take up valuable and unnecessary space in your carry-on luggage. This pack of toiletry bags will help you save space in your luggage and reduce stress when going through security. two small, transparent toiletry bags Packism 

The toiletry bags are large enough to hold your essentials. They also have two specific advantages. The bags can make the pre-flight process a bit easier.

Don’t pack: An open-top purse

Choose a crossbody bag with zippers instead

It’s not a good idea to travel with an open-top purse, or tote, regardless of how many features they may have. This increases the chance that your belongings will fall out and get lost. Uto’s three-in-one crossbody bag It has become my go-to purse for travel ever since I bought it. week-long road trip through Ireland. This bag, although small, boasts an array of organizational features: three compartments with zippers, and a removable chest-level zippered coin pouch. 

In the bag, I can pack away my three passports, my wallet, a portable charger and its cable, my Apple AirPods Pro, my AirFly device, and multiple lip balms, hand sanitizers, and hand creams—with room to spare. This bag is water and scratch resistant, and has a synthetic leather exterior. Not to mention, it looks great. Budget-friendly bag is just the cherry. 

Don’t Wear: Pajamas

Wear this set instead: A matching two-piece set

I get it, pajamas are comfortable, but they’re not the most stylish option to wear when traveling, nor are they ideal when you land at your destination—hailing a taxi in pajamas in some European countries can automatically mark you as a tourist, and increase the risk of being scammed and paying a higher price (in Italy, for example, taxi drivers will sometimes take a more circuitous route to rack up time and money on their meters if they suspect this). It doesn’t necessarily mean that you should sacrifice comfort for international flights. 

The matching set like this one from AmazonThis outfit is loved by travelers for its style and comfort. But don’t just take it from me—after all, this matching set, on sale for $38 and available in over 20 colors, has more than 2,000 five-star ratings from shoppers.

Travel steamer: Don’t forget to pack it!

Instead, pack this travel-sized wrinkle-release Spray

The travel steamer can remove stubborn wrinkles on your clothes, but it takes up a lot of space in the carry-on bag. This is where travel-sized steamers come in. wrinkle-release spray Comes in. This small but mighty tool is my go-to Bounce wrinkle-release spray They also eliminate static and musty smells.

Amazon sells the 3-ounce TSA approved spray in three packs, making it ideal for those traveling with family and friends. For serious wrinkles I spray my clothes and hang them in the bathroom while taking a hot bath and let the steam take care of the rest. 

Plastic water bottles are not allowed in your luggage.

Bring a stainless-steel water bottle instead

When you travel by plane for long periods, it can make you feel and look like a dehydrated husk. This can also make jet lag harder to overcome. It’s important to stay hydrated when in the sky. I always have my with me. stainless steel Hydro Flask water bottle When I travel, I bring it with me and fill it at the airport fountains. Some flight attendants are generous enough to fill it for me. 

The Stainless steel interior not only keeps your water cool, but it’s also leakproof—and not to mention devoid of plastic. Avoid the costly plastic bottles at the airport and take a stainless-steel water bottle instead. The Hydro Flask 24-ounce stainless steel water bottle is only $40 for select colors.

Don’t Pack: Hardcover Books

Instead of a tablet, pack an Amazon Fire Tablet 

It’s hard to pack just one book. They take up so much space, and they are heavy. This is why I travel with my bestie: an Amazon Fire Tablet. It is slim and sleek, so I can fit it into my bag and have hundreds of books at my fingertips. If I only use my device for reading, it will last days before needing to be charged. This is a great device that will keep you entertained and take up little space. 

Best of all, the Amazon Fire Tablet is a literal tablet—you can use it to play games like Solitaire, download a movie on the Netflix app, listen to music on the Spotify app, and even jump on a Zoom call without needing to bring your laptop. 

Don’t pack: Loose jewelry

Instead of packing a travel jewelry case, pack this:

I travel with enough rings, necklaces and earrings to accessorize all my outfits. If you are anything like me, you know the importance of having your jewelry stored in an organized and secure space. It’s important to keep your jewelry in a safe and organized place. foldable travel jewelry case from Bagsmart This is a more compact option than the traditional travel jewellery cases which are typically quite boxy. Its pouch-like rollable design is very compact. This makes it easy to fit in a bag, or even a crossbody. 

But don’t let its small size fool you—it packs quite a punch when it comes to organization. For $16, you can get a jewelry organizer that has three zippered compartments to hold larger earrings and pendants, an earring section which can fit seven pairs, and a buckled band for rings.

Don’t wear: An underwire bra

Wear this instead: a seamless bralette

Underwire bras can be uncomfortable and make travel even more difficult. You can’t go wrong with this bra if you want to wear something comfortable and supportive. Calvin Klein seamless bralette. It is made of soft microfiber, which is gentle on the skin. There are removable pads to give it an almost-invisible look. Available in sizes XS – XL and neutral colors such as black and beige for just $24.

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