Checklist: How to Pack a Carry On Suitcase

The carry on suitcase is the most important piece of your travel preparation, and the item that can make the difference between a great trip and a terrible trip in many cases.  If your luggage is lost, damaged, or delayed, it is vital to have everything you need in your carry on suitcase. 

Some important guidelines:  You’ll need to make sure you have enough clothing, medications, and personal items (toiletries) to last you one day, or until you can get them replaced.  Pack all breakables and valuable items (either monetary value or sentimental value) in your carry on so that they are never out of your possession.  This includes travel information and identification. 

If you’re traveling with children, you’ll need to anticipate any needs they might have in advance.  Do not count on a drink or snack service on a plane being timed with coincide with your child’s appetite. 

Preparing for travel can get hectic, and the stress of having to remember so many things can cause you to forget the items you really need.  It’s nice to use a checklist to make sure you haven’t forgotten any important items that you’ll need in your carry on.  Use this printable carry on packing checklist as a reference, and add additional items to the list to customize for your family.

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Checklist for Packing a Carry On Suitcase

Clothing

• 1 change of clothes
• 1 set of pajamas
• 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes
• 1 sweatshirt or sweater (in case you need to layer)

Electronics

• Digital camera and batteries
• Video camera and charger
• iPod or mp3 player with ear buds
• Laptop and power cord
• Portable DVD player
• Cell phones and chargers

Travel Info

• Airplane tickets, confirmation number, reservation info
• Travel itinerary
• Frequent flyer number
• Hotel address, confirmation number and reservation info
• Conference receipts, tickets, and reservation info
• Loyalty card for hotel
• Rental car reservation info
• Passport and/or visa
• Identification

Personal Items

• Extra pair of contact lenses (in case one gets lost or torn)
• Contact solution and rewetting drops
• Glasses
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hair brush, hair styling products
• Makeup for ladies
• Deodorant

Financial

• Money
• Credit cards
• Traveler’s checks

Medical

• Daily prescription meditations you take
• Allergy medicine (if any family members have food or other types of allergies)
• Vitamin/mineral supplements
• Packaged wet antibacterial wipes (you never know what you’re going to be touching)
• A copy of medical records for anyone traveling in your party with a serious health condition

Entertainment

• Magazines
• Books
• Crossword puzzle books
• Notebook or journal for writing
• Thank you cards or holiday cards to be written out, envelopes to be addressed
• Portable game systems (like Nintendo DS or Gameboys) and extra games

Valuables

• Jewelry
• Watches
• Leather coats
• Purses and wallets

For traveling with kids

• Extra diapers and wipes
• Small toys
• Books
• Coloring books and crayons or markers
• Small individually wrapped snacks, like granola bars or crackers
• Juice boxes (Because of the new liquid rules, check with TSA to see if you can take them through security. Some TSAs will allow you (at their discretion) to take liquids through if you have babies or toddlers.  If not, you may have to purchase juice boxes after going through the security checkpoint.)

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