10 Things You Shouldn’t Travel Without in Your Hand Luggage
OK, so there are the usual suspects—passport, phone, wallet, etc.—that you obviously need on hand throughout your journey. But there are a few other items we often forget to pack that come in handy when travelling and don’t take up too much space. Make sure you consult this hand luggage checklist next time you fly—you’ll be glad you did!
1. Hand sanitizer
You’re touching all manner of well-handled items and surfaces when you fly: boarding passes, hand rails, toilet door locks, airplane seatbelts, etc. You won’t always have the opportunity to visit a washroom to wash your hands, so it’s a good idea to pack a small hand sanitizer, especially for use before your meal on board.
2. Headphones
Most airlines provide headphones for their entertainment systems, but let’s face it, they’re usually terrible quality and can often leave your ears feeling raw and painful after a movie. Bring your own and you’ll be able to enjoy better sound and happier ears through the flight. Granted, some airlines still use the irregular two-pronged earphones, in which case you’re out of luck. But you’ll be able to use your own on many (Air Canada, British Airways), so it’s worth bringing a pair.
3. Protein bar
I always pack a protein bar in my hand luggage just in case. On most trips I’ve come back with it, but occasionally I’ve had an awkwardly timed flight and a busy schedule, so I’ve missed the opportunity for a meal onboard or to buy food beforehand. When you’re feeling an extra bit hungry you’ll be thankful you packed that protein bar to keep you going until the next food stop. The chocolate chip Clif bar is a good bet.
4. Eye drops
Airplane cabins are notorious for being dry. It’s almost guaranteed that I will walk off a flight with red, itchy eyes, and they can remain irritated for days. That’s why I always travel with eye drops to prevent redness in the first place. When I’m travelling in the summer I choose an allergy-fighting version like Visine Allergy with antihistamine. For the rest of the year a tear-mimicking drop like Visine True Tears will suffice.
5. Mouthwash
Between snacking, meals on the plane, and irregular travelling hours, oral hygiene can be forgotten. Plus, if you’re not travelling in business class, you don’t get a cleansing kit. If you have room to pack a toothbrush and toothpaste, do it. If not, it’s a good idea to buy a little travel bottle of mouthwash to rinse after eating and before meeting anyone when you get off the plane!
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6. Deodorant
This one follows the same principle as above. Carrying heavy bags, running around airports and sitting through long, unpredictably warm flights can be a sweaty business. You may not get the chance to take a shower right when you arrive (I usually never do), so deodorant is the next best thing!
7. Sweater
Just as flights can get uncomfortably hot, they can also sway to uncomfortably cold. If you’re the kind of person that shivers at the slightest breeze (I am), bring a sweater. Even if you’re travelling from one tropical 30-degree destination to another, you don’t want to be caught out on a chilly connection.
8. Change of clothes
If you’re checking your main bag with all your clothes, beware that bags do occasionally get lost (more often than seems possible, actually). If you have room for a full change of clothes, bring it. The next best thing? A change of shirt. The next best after that? A change of underwear! If your bag gets left behind, at least you’ll be ready to face an extra day while they get it to you.
9. Ibuprofen
With changing destinations, temperatures, air pressures and stress levels, headaches or neck and back pain are common while travelling. Invest in a little travel bottle of Ibuprofen—I take travel-sized Advil—to combat your ailments. There’s nothing worse than feeling under the weather while you’re just trying to get from A to B.
10. USB battery recharging power pack
This one has been critical time and again for me, especially as my phone ages and its ability to stay alive through to the end of the day is dwindling. A recharging pack isn’t just useful for your flight either: think power cuts, long bus rides, occupied sockets, etc. This may be one of the most useful items to bring in your hand luggage, or everywhere you go for that matter.
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