Travel can be very tricky, especially if you are going for a long journey. That means you should be carrying all the important things that you need in your carry on. Traveling unprepared is the worst thing that could ever happen. It doesn’t matter if you are going to Cartagena or London, there are some things I think you should always have on hand. Luckily, we have a list for you to use that has the most important travel essentials to keep in your carry-on bag!
What to pack in your carry-on bag

Double duty laptop case
If you are traveling for a business trip or vacation, you can expect that everyone will always bring their laptops with them so that they can work anywhere they want. This is the advantage of having a laptop with you and since it is very important, you should have a laptop case to protect it from being damaged while traveling. Even in a carry-on, things can move around as the plane takes off and lands, so making sure our laptop is protected is important. Durable cases and sleeves will provide your laptop with the extra protection it needs while you are traveling.
Wallet or clutch purse
Traveling on an airport can be a hassle especially if its the time where the security opens your big bags and starts removing all your belongings. To deal with that, all you need to have is a wallet or clutch purse. You will be able to put your money, IDs, and phone in it and keep everything in one place. I generally travel with a small clutch that has a removable crossbody strap. While traveling at the airport, I use it as a crossbody and once I get settled in my destination, I sometimes just use it as a wallet.
Food and water
This can be very basic things but airports can be expensive and to deal with that you should bring some food and water with you. You can put your food on a zip-lock plastic bag and just bring a small water bottle. You will just realize how important these two things when you are already starving and you cannot find anything to eat if you are on a late flight! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve landed at the airport, starving only to find out that everything is closed.
If you are traveling for a couple of hours, you can pick specific food that is not perishable. If you are traveling by car, you can try bringing snacks like sliced fresh fruit, snack bar, greek yogurt. And if you are traveling via plane, you can try sandwiches like cucumber and whipped cream cheese on whole -wheat bread or peanut butter and jelly on rye. Or consider taking some of those instant noodle cups where all you have to do is add hot water! This is my go-to trick when flying on budget airlines that don’t include any snacks since the ones they do sell on the plane are always very overpriced.
Anyone that has traveled with me in the past will tell you that I think snacks and a water bottle are the most important carry on bag essentials! Honestly, I get hangry, so I’m just trying to make sure no one is hungry.
Comfortable shoes and socks
I’ve had to travel for work quite a bit and while I usually try to give myself time between client meetings and my flight, sometimes it just doesn’t happen. Because of this, I always pack a pair of comfy shoes in my carry on so that I can change out of my heels. When it comes to socks, well we all know how cold flights can get! My feet are always cold and when I fly, I feel like they get even colder. So, to make sure I’m not freezing, I usually bring a pair of socks with me.
Wristwatch
One of the most important things to bring when traveling, a wristwatch. There is a lot of watches you can have like a smartwatch that provides great features that is very useful especially when you are traveling or you can have a luxury watch like Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, Blanpain, and Rolex.
The good thing about these watches is that there are all easy to find. You can just buy a Rolex online without experiencing the hassle of going to the mall. And while it may seem silly to carry a watch when your phone can just tell you the time, sometimes phones die!
Takeaway
Bringing the right things when traveling will create a great experience and cut back on stress. For me, these are the important essentials you should have in your carry-on bag when you are traveling but they could be different for you if you are traveling with a small child or have other needs. The important thing is to understand what you will need and make a list before you start packing so you can be prepared!