When it comes to air travel, the paramount thing you can do to ensure a smooth trip is to be prepared. Budget airlines are constantly changing the weight limits and sizes for carry-on bags so knowing what you should pack in your hand luggage is essential. This includes thinking ahead about what you might need while on the plane and packing accordingly. Nothing more, nothing less.

Worry not. We’ve put together the airline packing backpack list with 13 essential things to pack in your carry-on.

How to Choose a Carry-On Travel Backpack

Packing smarter starts with a good carry-on travel backpack. The best travel backpack must be airline compliant and should pack all the essentials we are going to discuss below.

However, before delving into the list, choosing the right carry-on backpack is the first step. And when picking a new bag, look for one that’s spacious enough to carry all your gear, it’s smartly organized with numerous pockets and compartments, and features comfortable straps.

Check the measurements of your bag to make sure it fits the carry-on luggage size of the airline companies you usually fly with. As a rule, your carry-on backpack should fit underneath the seat in front of you – some low-cost companies allow only the rolling carry-on luggage in the overhead cabin.

The Nordace Laval Smart Backpack stands out as one of the best carry-on backpacks.

First, it makes the most out of the packing space with its superior organizational system. It has a place for anything, so you don’t have to dig for your essentials. Second, it has a wide 90˚ opening that allows you to have full control over your belongings for easy packing and unpacking. Last, but not least, it has a dedicated padded laptop compartment that can fit a 15.6” device.

12 Things to Pack in Your Carry-On

1. Passport / ID / Boarding pass / Other documents

You can’t travel or board a plane without a passport or other identification document. Apart from passport/ID, driving license if you intend to rent a car, and boarding pass (this can be electronic or paper) you might need a visa depending on your destination.

2. Passport Holder

When traveling, keeping your passport safe should be a top priority. If you want to ensure you won’t misplace your passport, the Nordace Siena II Passport Holder is the perfect solution. It offers plenty of compartments for more than just your travel documents – features card slots and RFID-blocking technology to protect your cards and passport against data theft, a pen loop, and a key ring. The interior zipper pouch will keep coins and small items secure. There is also a transparent SIM & SD card holder. It packs easily, but you can also wear it as a crossbody bag or attached to your belt.

3. Phone

What would life on the go be like without our smartphones? Difficult to imagine, right?

The mobile phone has become an essential travel item and for a good reason. It allows you to stay connected on the go, access the Internet for valuable information about your destination, and communicate with loved ones at home.

More than that, the mobile phone can make your trip feel safer giving you peace of mind. It gives access to some of the best tools you need when in a foreign country – maps, currency apps, and translation apps.

It might also be the main source of entertainment during long and boring flights – you can use it for anything from reading to listening to music or watching a movie.

4. Power Bank

When traveling, nothing is worse than a dead phone battery when you need it the most. A portable power bank is a must have and you should always pack this accessory in your carry-on bag.

To make the process of charging your phone on the go easier, choose a backpack with an integrated USB charging port – simply connect your external power bank and charge your device.

5. Cash / Cards

When traveling, make sure you have both cash and your cards next to you in your cabin backpack. It’s preferable to choose a bag with a hidden pocket to safeguard your valuables – you will have easy access to your cash or cards, but nobody will know about your secret spot.

6. Travel Wallet

A good travel wallet is the best way to keep your documents, passport, boarding pass, cash, and cards organized and protected. And a good travel wallet is one that’s sleek enough so you can tuck it in your carry-on bag, but you can easily grab and go when in a hurry.

7. Toiletries

If you’re traveling carry-on only, you should pack your toiletries wisely. You can bring on board a quart-sized Ziploc bag with liquids, aerosols, creams, gels, and pastes that will be divided into containers that are 100 ml/ 3.4 ounces or less.

To keep your items organized, and easily accessible (if you want to give yourself a refresh after landing) and to maximize the packing space of your carry-on backpack, use a toiletry bag.

8. Reusable Watter Bottle

Staying hydrated when flying is essential. Bringing a reusable water bottle that you can refill after the airport security check is a good practice to reduce plastic waste and save some money when traveling.

9. Snacks

When flying, we recommend bringing your own snacks. This way, you can save time and money. Plus, you have plenty of healthy options to choose from. Pack fruits, protein bars, dried fruits, crackers, and chocolate and you’ll surely arrive at your destination with your energy up.

10. Medicine

You can bring both over-the-counter and prescription medicine with you in your carry-on and easily access your pills in case you need them. For prescription medicine is important to declare the medication and show the doctor’s prescription.

Regarding the over-the-counter medicine that you should bring, we suggest you pack diarrhea medicine, antihistamine, motion sickness medicine, decongestant, paracetamol, and cough drops.

11. Hand Sanitizer & Tissues

It’s not a secret that the airplane is not the cleanest place. Make sure you bring your own mini bottle of antibacterial lotion and tissues to clean your seat, the seatbelt, and the tray.

12. A Change of Clothes (or More)

When traveling carry-on only, you might find it challenging to fit all the clothes for a few days in a backpack. Not when you pack them correctly and use compression packing cubes. You can pack more and still save some space for souvenirs or extra shopping. Discover more tips about packing using compression cubes.

Pro tip: wear bulkier clothes such as sweaters or jackets.

13. Onboard Entertainment

For in-flight entertainment, don’t forget to pack your laptop, a book, e-reader, a tablet, a magazine, and headphones. Make sure your phone’s battery is fully charged, you’ve downloaded your favorite movie so time will fly until you arrive at your destination.

And if your onboard “entertainment” means taking a nap, don’t forget to pack an eye mask and a set of earplugs.

We hope that our airline packing backpack list will make things easier for you when preparing for your next flight no matter what type of trip you’re taking.