Pack items you'll need before landing, plus a change of clothes
Your carry-on should hold anything you cannot afford to lose if your checked bag doesn't arrive with you. That means medications, glasses, hearing aids, phone chargers, and the documents you need to board and enter your destination. Add a complete change of clothes, underwear, and toiletries in case your luggage is delayed — airlines are not required to reimburse you for essentials while you wait.
The TSA allows one personal item (purse, backpack, or small bag) plus one carry-on roller bag or overhead-bin-sized bag per passenger. Carry-on bags must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. Most airlines enforce a 22 by 14 by 9 inch limit, though some budget carriers are stricter. Check your airline's website before you pack — size limits vary.
Pack heavier items at the bottom of your carry-on and lighter items on top. This makes the bag easier to lift into the overhead bin and less likely to shift during flight. Keep your bag organized with packing cubes or compression bags so you can find what you need without unpacking everything at security or on the plane.
Key Takeaways
- Pack medications, glasses, phone chargers, and travel documents in your carry-on because checked bags sometimes arrive late or not at all.
- Include a complete change of clothes and basic toiletries in case your checked luggage is delayed by more than a day.
- Carry-on bags must fit your airline's size limit, usually 22 by 14 by 9 inches, so measure before you pack or buy a new bag.
- Keep liquids, gels, and aerosols in a single quart-sized clear plastic bag and remove it at security — the TSA 3-1-1 rule applies to all carry-on items.
- Pack heavier items at the bottom and organize with cubes or compression bags so you can locate things quickly without unpacking at the gate.
Documents and money you need before you land
Keep your passport, boarding pass, and any visas or travel permits in a small pouch or envelope inside your personal item, not your roller bag. You will need these at check-in, security, the gate, and customs. If you are traveling internationally, also carry a photocopy of your passport's main page in a separate pocket — if your passport is lost or stolen, the copy speeds up replacement at your embassy.
Bring your driver's license or state ID even if you are flying domestically. The TSA requires it at security. If you do not have a valid ID, you can still fly, but you will be subject to additional screening that adds 15 to 30 minutes to your airport time.
Carry credit cards and some cash in your personal item. If your checked bag is lost, you will need money to buy essentials while you wait. Keep cash in small bills — $50 to $100 is usually enough for a day or two. If you are traveling internationally, bring some currency from your destination country or plan to exchange money at the airport.
Medications, glasses, and medical devices
Pack all prescription medications in their original labeled bottles with your name on them. TSA agents may ask to see them, and the label proves they are yours. If you take multiple medications, use a pill organizer only as a backup — keep the original bottles in your carry-on as well. Bring more than you think you will need in case your return flight is delayed.
Pack glasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids in your personal item where you can reach them quickly. If you wear glasses, bring a backup pair if you have one. Bring contact lens solution in a bottle no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) — it counts toward your liquid limit. If you use a CPAP machine or other medical device, pack it in your carry-on. These devices are allowed through security and do not count against your liquid or size limits.
If you use an inhaler, EpiPen, or other emergency medication, keep it in an easily accessible pocket of your personal item, not buried in your roller bag. You may need it quickly during the flight or in the airport.
Phone chargers and electronics
Pack the charger for your phone and any other device you use regularly — laptop, tablet, or wireless earbuds. Airports have charging stations, but they are often full or located far from your gate. A charger in your carry-on means you can charge your phone while you wait. Bring the cable and power adapter, not just the cable.
Lithium batteries in phones, laptops, and power banks are restricted in checked luggage but allowed in carry-on bags. If you carry a portable phone charger (power bank), check its watt-hour rating — most airlines allow power banks up to 100 watt-hours. Anything larger must stay home or go in checked luggage, depending on your airline's rules.
Pack headphones or earbuds if you plan to watch movies or listen to music during the flight. Bring a headphone adapter if your device uses a USB-C or Lightning connector and the plane's seatback screen uses a 3.5mm jack — many older aircraft still do.
Toiletries and a change of clothes
Pack a small toiletry bag with deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and any face wash or skincare you use daily. All liquids, gels, and aerosols must follow the TSA 3-1-1 rule: each container must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or smaller, and all containers must fit in a single quart-sized clear plastic bag. Deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, sunscreen, and toothpaste all count as liquids or gels.
Pack a complete change of clothes — shirt, pants or skirt, underwear, and socks — in case your checked bag is delayed. If you are flying overnight or arriving early morning, pack clothes you can sleep in or wear to your first meeting. Include one pair of comfortable shoes you can wear on the plane.
Bring a travel-sized dry shampoo or face wipes if you want to freshen up during a long flight. Pack any prescription creams, ointments, or medications in containers 3.4 ounces or smaller. Solid items like deodorant sticks, lip balm, and solid perfume do not count as liquids and do not need to go in your liquid bag.
Entertainment and comfort items
Pack a book, tablet, or laptop for entertainment during the flight. Most airlines offer seatback screens with movies and TV shows, but having your own entertainment means you are not dependent on the plane's system. read movies, shows, or books to your device before you leave home — in-flight WiFi is often slow or unreliable.
Bring a neck pillow, eye mask, and earplugs if you plan to sleep on the plane. These items take up little space and make a long flight more comfortable. A small blanket or shawl can serve as both a blanket and a pillow if you do not want to pack a dedicated pillow.
Pack gum or hard candy to help with ear pressure during takeoff and landing. Chewing or sucking on something helps equalize the pressure in your ears and reduces discomfort. If you are traveling with children, pack snacks they enjoy — airplane food is limited and sometimes expensive.
Items to leave at home or pack in checked luggage
Do not pack sharp objects like knives, razors, or scissors in your carry-on. These are prohibited by the TSA. Pack them in your checked bag instead, or buy them after you arrive. Lighters and lighter fluid are also prohibited in both carry-on and checked luggage on passenger planes.
Leave tools, sports equipment, and large electronics in your checked bag. Hammers, screwdrivers, baseball bats, and golf clubs are not allowed in carry-on luggage. If you are traveling with a laptop or camera, you can carry it on, but leave tripods, extra lenses, and backup hard drives in checked luggage to save space.
Do not pack full-size bottles of shampoo, lotion, or other liquids in your carry-on. Buy travel-sized bottles or transfer your products into small containers before you pack. Solid deodorant, toothpaste tablets, and solid shampoo bars are good alternatives if you want to avoid the liquid limit altogether.
Packing order and final checks
Pack your carry-on the night before your flight so you have time to adjust if something does not fit. Start with heavier items like shoes and electronics at the bottom, then add clothes and toiletries. Place your personal item (purse, backpack, or small bag) on top so you can grab it easily when you board.
Weigh your carry-on if you have a scale at home. Most airlines do not weigh carry-on bags, but some budget carriers do, and an overweight bag may be forced into checked luggage at the gate. If your bag is close to the weight limit, remove a few items or move them to your personal item.
Do a final check the morning of your flight: passport and ID in your personal item, medications in their original bottles, liquids in a quart-sized bag, and electronics charged or with chargers packed. Arrive at the airport at least two hours before a domestic flight or three hours before an international flight so you have time to check in, go through security, and reach your gate without rushing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a full-size water bottle in my carry-on?
No, you cannot bring a full water bottle through security. The TSA prohibits liquids larger than 3.4 ounces in carry-on bags. You can bring an empty water bottle and fill it at a water fountain or refill station after you pass security. Many airports have bottle-filling stations near bathrooms or in terminal areas.
What if my medication is a liquid and I need more than 3.4 ounces?
Liquid medications in reasonable quantities for your trip are allowed in carry-on bags even if they exceed 3.4 ounces. Pack them separately from your other liquids and be ready to show them to TSA agents at security. Bring a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor if the medication is not in its original labeled bottle.
Can I bring my laptop through security without removing it?
Most TSA checkpoints require you to remove laptops from your bag and place them in a bin for X-ray screening. Some newer security lanes have advanced scanners that allow you to leave laptops in your bag, but this varies by airport. Check your airport's website or ask a TSA agent when you arrive.
How much cash should I carry on the plane?
There is no legal limit on how much cash you can carry on a domestic flight. For international flights, you must declare amounts over $10,000 to customs. For practical purposes, carry enough to cover a meal, ground transportation, and emergency purchases — usually $50 to $200 depending on your destination and trip length.
What should I do if my carry-on bag is too large at the gate?
If your bag does not fit in the overhead bin or under the seat, gate agents may ask you to check it. To avoid this, measure your bag before you pack and compare it to your airline's size limits. If your bag is borderline, pack lighter items on top so it compresses slightly when you lift it into the bin.