The best tip I have is: dress to impress. Yes, it sucks that you have to sit on a plane all day & it would be awesome to wear sweat pants, but avoid this if at all possible. Airport staff, gate agents, TSA are all going to treat you better if you are dressed nicely. Lose your luggage? Miss your flight? Canceled flight? Need to jump to the head of the security line? Want to upgrade your seats? Chances are you will get your way if you aren't dressed like a bum & you are nice to whoever is helping you.
Remember, most people don't work customer service jobs because they think they're fun - it's a hard job, their doing their best, their providing for their family…treat them with respect, no matter how stressful your travel day is.
Now, for my carry-on essentials. Before you have a heart attack at the length of this list, it all fits in a carry-on :)
Anthropologie Timurid Weekender - this is my favorite carry-on, even if I am checking luggage, I still like to use this bag for my on plane essentials. I just saw that Toms makes this Ikat Traveler Duffel - through the Toms One For One Campaign, proceeds from this bag will help provide a safe birth for a mother & child in need. I've also seen similar weekender bags at Target for far cheeper…just search around for what works for your price-point, but don't underestimate the benefit investing in a good quality bag.
Longchamp Le Pliage Large Tote - I love this bag, it's the working girl's dream! It folds up nicely & is very lightweight…which is important when your lugging a bunch of stuff around. If I'm not using this as my purse, I always bring it in my checked luggage.
Travel pillow - yes, you feel like an idiot, but don't knock it til you rock it! They are comfortable, they keep your neck stable, & you can easily fall asleep. You can clip it on your bag so it doesn't take up any space.
Eye mask - trust me, if you're trying to catch some Z's on your long flight, an eye mask will go a long way & it takes up minimal space in your bag.
Ear plugs - I prefer to keep my sanity when I travel, which means not being interrupted while I sleep. I like these Helios Xtreme ear plugs. This is another thing that takes up minimal space in your bag. Side note: these are super cheap & come with 14 in a package, so I also like to bring an extra, unused pair or two for my whoever is sitting next to me - we're all in this together, if that crying baby or snoring dude is bothering me, chances are they're bothering whoever is sitting next to me…might as well spread the wealth.
Compression socks - no one wants kankles. Travel related Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a real thing & I am not looking to get blood clots in my legs following a long travel day in cramped conditions. I've read enough to convince me that wearing compression socks on flights of 4+ hours significantly reduces the risk of leg swelling & DVT. I either keep a pair in my bag or I wear them to the airport.
Scarf - I love my pashmina! It's large enough to wear like a blanket, or you can just wrap it around your neck. Temperatures on flights fluctuate a lot, so it's nice to have something to snuggle up with. Don't worry, you can find them all over with varying prices, from expensive to more reasonably priced.
Snacks - granola bars, almonds, fruit, tea bags, & frozen lemon wedges for my water once I get past security.
Airborne - there's nothing worse than being sick while traveling. I'm not looking to pick up any cooties while I am on my flight. I take a few chewable tablets throughout the day to mitigate any illness.
Water bottle - I am all about chugging water, especially on travel days! This Vapur water bottle fits nicely into your bag when it isn't full. It also clips on to the outside of your bag, if you're into that sort of thing.
Travel mug - I love my tea, so if I can fit it in my bag, I like to bring along my travel mug. It can also double as a water bottle, if needed.
Eye drops - my eyes are sick, I even went blind in my left eye for a period of time. I don't have time to mess around with my eyes when I am out of town, so I mitigate most eye illness by keeping them hydrated. Even if your eyes aren't sick, eyedrops are a great way to feel refreshed during a flight.
Glasses/Contacts - I always travel with my glasses on (due to my eye issues), but I keep a pair of contacts in my bag.
Lip balm - I'm a big fan of EOS…it's like butter on your lips! But, I think Burts Bees tinted lip balm is the most practical for traveling ladies.
Eye creme - I get major puffiness under these big brown eyes. Considering I might be meeting the man of my dreams on this trip…or more realistically, that I'll be taking selfies, I've got to look good. I like Benefit's puff off!
Mints/Toothbrush - do yourself & everyone around you a favor by freshening up! Either bring along some mints, a mini toothbrush & toothpaste, or these single-use Colgate Wisps.
Headphones - obviously, I like to borrow my parent's noise-canceling headphones (since I am too frugal to buy myself a pair), but I always keep a cheap pair of earbuds in my bag, just in case.
iPad/Kindle - perfect time to catch up on House of Cards & Game of Thrones!
Phone - duhh
Chargers - don't worry, I've been there. If you forget your charger, the hotel's lost & found will typically have an abandoned charger that will work for your electronic devices. If not, it seems like every Walgreens or CVS sells them for about $10.
Camera - if you're traveling for fun, you'll want to capture your memories & document your trip. Phone cameras are wonderful & convenient, but sometimes your travels require a little bit more. I love my Canon Rebel DSLR, but it is not something I would put in a checked bag.
Booze - I'm not a boozehound, but I understand the desire for a beverage. Airlines charge a hefty price for an onboard cocktail. There is nothing wrong with BYOB - pack a mini bottle in your 3-1-1 for a mile high DIY cocktail. As long as it fits in your liquids bag, you're good to go!
Don't forget the important things - cash, passport, medications, itinerary, travel insurance, valuables, etc.
TSA actually has a user friendly website, if you have any travel questions.
Happy traveling!
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