What is in your hand luggage?

I have to confess: I love packing. What I don’t like is unpacking. Probably because going on a trip is much more exciting than returning from one. In any case, packing is an important step to start your trip with the right foot. There is no coming back if you forget to pack a certain item, and you just don’t want to get upset over something you could have avoided. Right? Right!

I know that travelling light is a nightmare for any woman, especially with the airlines limitations nowadays. I have always admired people who manage to travel only with a hand luggage. How do they do that? Ok, if it is a short trip, fine. But if you are staying longer than 3 days you will most probably need some more room for your stuff.

I normally share a suitcase with W, the one I am checking in, and each one of us take a hand luggage (carry-on) with our personal things. That being said, what do you think I take on my hand luggage*? Any guesses? Well, I am soon leaving to Copenhagen for 6 days, and I decided to open up my hand luggage to you and reveal what I am taking along with me…

Of course, my documents and money are essential, so normally they are the first ones on board! This includes my passport, my German resident permit, credit and debit cards, insurance, money, etc.

I travel with a lot of electronics! Laptop, cameras, smartphone, tablet, headphones and all the chargers, which means that they probably take up almost all my space and weight allowance. They are my main travel companions; for listening to music, watching a movie/TV series, working on a new post, taking pictures during the flight and so on.

I also like to bring some snacks. I am always worried about feeling hungry during the flight, so chocolates, cookies, and rice waffles are normally my choices.

I love reading, and I always like to bring a good book to read at the airport and during the flight.

I previously had problem with allergy during flights, so two essential items for me is my antihistaminic medicine and a package of paper tissues. Just in case I start sneezing.

Lip balm, as my lips get really dry during the flight.

Some basic make-up, so I don’t look so tired when I finally arrive at my final destination!

My travel plan (I do one for every trip, with addresses, reservations and must see’s).

 My travel journal and pens for registering my trip, which already starts on the flight.

I always avoid packing liquids on my hand luggage. It is never convenient to pass through security check with so many electronics plus liquids! However, whenever I take some (medicine, lip gloss, etc.) I make sure to put them in a Ziploc bag.

All ready!

 * I normally take my personal purse and a carry on. The smaller stuff goes in my purse, the rest on my carry on.

No matter where I am travelling to, I tend to pack the same things, for no especial reason, but it is probably because I have found my own ideal way of packing my hand luggage. I believe that many of you might not enjoy packing your hand luggage, right? I can totally understand that. It always seems to never have enough space, or that it is always heavier than it should be.

Thinking about that, I decided to share with you a little list of basic things you should consider taking on your hand luggage**, keeping in mind the restrictions and weight allowances of the airline companies:

1. Documents (passport, insurance, driver license, credit and debit cards, etc.)
2. Snacks (preferably healthy, like cereal bars)
3. Electronics (laptop, smartphone, cameras, tablets, headphones, etc.) and their respective chargers.
4. Travel plan, maps and/or guides
5. Personal medicine, lip balm and paper tissues
6. Books or magazines
7. Extra clothes, at least 1 item of each (t-shirt, jeans, underwear, socks). Especially if it is a long haul-flight.
8. Other personal items of your choice: glasses, mini perfume/deodorant, make-up, mirror, hairbands, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.

 ** Assuming that you are also bringing a suitcase to be checked in.

Important notes:

• Keep in mind the restrictions and weight allowances of the airline you are traveling with.
• Don’t forget to put your liquids in a Ziploc bag to save time at the airport’s security check!
• Make sure you are not bringing any pointy objects like scissors or pocketknives.
• Last but not least: is your carry on within the dimensions permitted as cabin luggage?

For some extra information for packing your hand luggage and preparing for your next trip, take a look at all these very useful advices from Purple Parking to be aware of restrictions and much more.

Now I want to know…. what is in your hand luggage? Have you ever managed to travel with only a hand luggage?

 

 

*Disclosure: this post was an editorial collaboration.