16 Apr Packing Checklist: Everything You Need to Pack For a Long Flight
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I’ve made a list of the things that I never leave behind in my carry-on bag when we travel on flights that are more than 6 hours. Everyone is different and will have different needs, so use this list as a start. Delete and add as much as you want.
Contents
Identification & Documents
Passport
Don’t forget to check the expiration date on your passport when you book (preferably before you book) your next international trip. The US State Department recommends renewing 9 months before that date to be safe.
I like to put my passport in an easily accessible, secure pocket in my carry-on luggage so I can get to it without fuss. Make sure no nefarious person can just reach in and swipe it.
Be extra prepared and take a picture of your passport with your mobile phone. If you lose your passport or it gets stolen this will make things go much smoother.
Local ID / Driver’s License
It’s always handy to have another form of ID on you. If you lose your passport or it gets stolen, you’ll really wish you had brought this.
If you’re renting a car abroad, you’ll need your home country’s driver’s license. We’ve driven extensively throughout Europe, Australia, and New Zealand and have never had a problem learning the rules of the road (and we’ve never gotten an International Driving Permit, for what that’s worth).
Printed Itinerary
Print the names and address of the hotels where you’ll be staying throughout your trip. This is especially important for your first and last hotels. When you’re tired and cranky from flying, the last thing you want to do is struggle to get to your hotel.
Additionally, on arrival forms many countries want to know where you’ll be when you say you’ll be leaving.
Printed Visa & Other Visa Requirements (when applicable)
Printed Boarding Pass
Because I’m old school. Keep in mind that paper copies may seem old-fashioned but you never know when WiFi will be spotty or your phone battery’s charge will plummet. It’s just nice to have that piece of paper in your hand.
Electronic Copies of Important Documents
Take a picture of your passports, IDs, credit/debit cards (front and back). I like to have both versions because the likelihood that one will be stolen is minimal, but the chance that both will?? Almost zero. Also, don’t forget to set a travel notification for the credit cards you will be taking on your trip. Most companies allow you to do this online or through their app, but you can also call the number on the back of your card.
Tech
Camera
I never put anything in my checked luggage that is valuable or could be damaged. So, my camera comes on board with me.
Earbuds
I don’t know about you but I can’t use earbuds for too long without my ears getting sore. These noise-canceling earbuds from TaoTronics get rid of all the background noise from the plane (and the kiddos) and the battery lasts a long time. Plus they are at a great price point! Just $45!
Universal Travel Adapter
We use this one from Iron-M. It also includes two USB ports.
Tablet & Kindle
One of my favorite smells in the whole world is paper. But books and magazines are bulky. So I’ve made the switch over to Kindle Paperwhite and I am never, ever going back. My library also loans out ebooks and audiobooks, so I always have something new to read or listen to.
Make sure you update your tablet’s apps and download the movies, TV shows, podcasts, and books you want ahead of time. Don’t forget your charger.
Unlocked SmartPhone
Using an unlocked smartphone is way better than relying on spotty and slow WiFi and will often be cheaper (like by a lot) than going through your carrier.
Purchase a local SIM card when you land at your destination and you’ll be good to go. You can often find these at the airport, but you may pay more for it than in town. Don’t forget the charger.
Gear
Backpack
I use the Fairpoint 55 by Osprey and I love it! My two favorite things are how it zips and unzips the whole pack (not top loading) which allows me to access all my things without having to take everything out. And, also the cute little daypack that is attached at the front of the bag (42L main Pack + 13L daypack).
If you’re traveling to old European cities, carrying a pack is super handy because the uneven pavement and cobblestones don’t work well with luggage wheels. And it’s super easy to navigate through crowds if you’re taking public transit like trains or buses.
When I get on the plane, I take off the daypack to store under my seat (it’s packed so it has all the things I want on the flight) and put the main pack in the storage overhead storage compartment.
Packing Cubes
We have three sets of these packing cubes from eBags! They come in really handy for maximizing your space by compressing your clothing. I also like that I can keep things separated (kind of like drawers, I guess).
Also, added benefit—if you wind up at the check-in counter with too much weight in your checked bag, you can easily take a packing cube or two out and put it in your carry on. In other words, your unmentionables aren’t flying around for everyone in line to see.
Travel Pillow
I just bought this pillow and I’m excited to give it a try. I love that it’s inflatable so it won’t take up any room in my luggage when I’m not trying to get some zzzzs. Do you have a pillow that works for you? Let me know in the comments!
Eye Mask
I love eye masks like these that have a push out for your eyeball. They are way more comfortable than traditional eye masks that seem to push down on your eye and they also block more of the external light.
Update November 2019: I got a new eye mask and if it’s possible, I love it even more! It’s soft, blocks a ton of light, and doesn’t hurt the tops of my ears like the ones with the elastic bands. Give it a shot and let me know what you think!
Notebook / Journal
Whether you chronicle your journey or not, actual paper comes in super handy to get addresses written in the local language for taxis.
Ear Planes
If you have ever experienced pain in your ear canal on landing or take off, get Ear Planes. My eardrum actually burst on the first international flight I took. It was horrifically painful for the whole 8-hour flight and when we landed I was dizzy and deaf in one ear.
If you have sinus congestion or have had ear trouble in the past, get some of these. You pop them in before take off, take them out for the flight, and then pop them back in before landing. They are also reusable. I haven’t had any trouble with my ears since I found these. #LifeSaver or rather #EarSaver.
Reusable Water Bottle
Flying causes extreme dehydration and, like magic, can somehow make me look 10 years older by the time I’ve landed. If you plan ahead and bring your own bottle you can save money at the airport, and you won’t have to rely on flight attendants to bring you that little sip of water during your flight.
I really like this collapsible water bottle for traveling because it takes up very little room when I’m not using it. But I also like the metal ones because they keep the water ohhh sooo cold for the whole flight.
Pen
So handy when the flight attendants come around with those arrival forms.
Clothing
I don’t know what it is about me, but I swell up like a big ole balloon on international flights. Not all over my body, just my legs and ankles. So, I’ve taken to wearing compression socks like a little old lady and they have really helped.
Long flights can be really dangerous on your body. Travel-related deep vein thrombosis (DVT), dubbed “economy-class syndrome,” causes blog clots following long-haul air travel in cramped conditions. Wearing compression socks and pants on flights that are more than four hours can significantly reduce your risk of DVT as well as just ugly leg swelling.
For our upcoming trip, I bought a pair of these compression leggings. I’ve actually been wearing them to workout in the meantime and I absolutely love them so far. I like that I’ll be able to just wear them and not take them on and off like the compression socks and they are simply more stylish. We’ll see if they reduce the swelling from the flight.
Compression leggings (1 pair)
Underwear (2 pairs)
Shirt (2)
Pants (1)
Socks (2 pairs)
Sunglasses
Depending on how long the flight was and if there is a layover, I’ll change my shirt. Otherwise, I change my shirt and pants at my final destination. I bring 2 pairs of underwear and socks on board with me because, if my luggage doesn’t arrive, I’m okay re-wearing a shirt or pair of pants…but not underwear and socks, ummm no.
Toiletries
Toothpaste
Here’s a travel toothpaste multi-pack from Crest that is a great deal!
Toothbrush & Cover
We use electronic toothbrushes at home and I really like these vibrating toothbrushes from Oral-B. And here’s a cover for them. I like to get the toothbrush as dry as possible before I put it back into the cover.
Olay Daily Facial Wipes
I fangirl on these Olay wipes so hard. They are dry, not wet like similar wipes. When you’re ready to wash your face, you just add water and rub the wipe around for a mess-free way to freshen up on the go. (These are perfect for the gym, too!)
Hand Sanitizer Wipes
Keep yourself healthy because getting sick on your trip is just not.an.option. And these aren’t a liquid, so #winning! I like to go complete hypochondriac and wipe down the armrests, seat covers, and tray tables.
Deodorant
Checking in, going through security, lugging your stuff around…it’s all stressful. So do yourself and everyone around you a favor and hit the stick a couple of times while you’re traveling.
Eye Drops
These drops provide both moisturizing and redness relief because that cabin air is a killer.
Hand Lotion (3.4 ounces or less)
I love this Yes to Coconuts lotion which comes in a stick form and is good for everything – face, hands, body – anywhere that needs a little TLC. It doesn’t have an overpowering smell either, which is great for your seatmates, too.
Industrial Strength Lip Balm
This Revlon lip balm is moisturizing, exfoliating (with sugar!), and tastes great!
Band-Aids
Because you never know if you’ll need one, and stores in airports will take advantage of you with sky-high prices. These come in convenient travel packs.
Headache Medicine
I don’t know if it’s my sinuses, the cabin pressure, or dehydration (or all of the above), but I can get some mondo headaches on flights. So I always pack some headache meds. Also, it’ll come in handy when you get to your destination and have some major body aches after days of city trekking.
Shout Wipes
You never plan to spill something but you can be prepared for if you do. These little packets with wipes soaked in Shouts stain fighter are awesome.
Refreshing Body Wipes
I don’t know about you, but I always get sweaty on flights. Maybe it’s fear? Ha! Apart from the sweatiness, I also just hate thinking that I’ve been sitting in the same spot for 8+ hours … just marinating in my own filth. These wipes are lightly scented with a powdery finish and are perfect for wiping off that stank after a long flight.
If Needed:
Contacts case and solution (3.4 ounces or less).
Glasses and case.
Medications.
It’s really important that you keep all medications with you when you travel; you never know if your luggage will be lost. Also, make sure that you have enough of your medication to last the duration of your trip—and maybe even a couple of extra days just in case. Also, if you take allergy medication and/or Sudafed regularly at home, chances are you’ll need it where you’re going. I’d bring it along. Sundafed is also a great med to take before flying to relieve sinus pressure. Obviously talk to your doc about Sudafed because I know it’s bad for people with high blood pressure.
Makeup.
Ladies (or gents-no judgment), I bring concealer, mascara, and pressed powder foundation on board with me (I love this powder from Too Faced and concealer from Benefit). Having these things available to me when I land makes me feel like a human again.
Hair Elastics.
I also bring extra hair elastics with me because somehow they have a way of disappearing throughout the flight and trip.
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