My go-to travel essentials for when I’m traveling light. I always try to travel with as little baggage as possible, so I’m no stranger to carry-on luggage only. All of these items are carry-on friendly, so you don’t have to forgo comfort during your travels.

Reminder: This does NOT include clothes.

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1. Quality Luggage

Rolling Luggage

Different trips call for different types of carry-on luggage. When I travel throughout the U.S. or Europe, A nice rolling suitcase is always what I prefer. I love this Travelers Club Chicago Hardside Expandable Spinner Luggage. Its hard exterior ensures that it’s both water resistant (’cause rain happens despite even the best plans) and durable.

I also love its other features such as the holes in the zippers to insert a lock – which is a must.

Backpack

So when I travel to Latin America and other parts of the U.S. where I spend significantly more time walking, in the woods, or out and about, I definitely prefer to carry my belongings on my back.

Osprey bags are one of my all-time favorites. I still have an Osprey bag from a decade ago that I still take with me on my hiking adventures. The bag that I currently use is the Osprey Women’s Fairview 40 Travel Backpack.

Trust me, you do not want to have a suitcase rolling behind you when you are walking through the streets of Panama.

2. Silacone toiletry bottles

Trust me, these bad boys are a game changer. These bottles are so easy to fill, clean, and refill once the product is all used up. It makes bringing my favorite products so easy. I use these 3 Ounce Leak Proof Squeezable Silicone Tubes.

They are TSA-friendly and super durable. I’ve been using these shampoo bottles for about 3 years now, and I even have a pair in my gym back for when I have to shower on the go.

3. Headphones

I recently forgot to pack this for my boyfriend on his most recent trip and he ended up buying a new pair in the airport because headphones have become so essential in travel.

This comes down to personal preference. I prefer to use earbuds because I prefer to travel light, and over-the-head headphones are uncomfortable for me after a long time.

Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation Wireless Earbuds

4. Re-usable water bottle

The amount of times I’ve had to buy overpriced airport bottled water simply because I forgot to pack a water bottle is tragic.

I like Stanley The Quick Flip GO Bottle 24OZ because it’s perfect for both hot and cold liquids, seals up easily, and can fit in nearly any carry-on or personal item bag that I bring.

5. cloth laundry bag

You will thank me for this, trust me.

This is something that I always noticed my grandmother would bring on her travels, but now that I’m an adult, this has been a total game-changer. The one I have is the Expandable and Foldable Laundry Bag by Travel Fanatics. It’s lightweight, and be collapsed down easily (this is a carry-on edition, remember?)

Trust me, you want to keep your dirty clothes separate from your clean ones. This also helps out a lot if/when it’s time to do laundry on the road.

6. Mini-first aid kit

Nothing ruins a good trip like an unplanned sickness or injury. When it comes to travel, it’s always better to be prepared for unfortunate situations than it is to not. There is nothing more awful than having to run to a pharmacy or try to decipher which foreign, unfamiliar medication is best when you are feeling your worst.

To read more about what I pack in my travel first aid kit, click here.

You can also buy a pre-made First Aid Kit from Amazon like the Travel Ready Portable Emergency First Aid Kit for Minor Wound Care kit.

7. Portable charger

Honestly, this has become less of a necessity, as more and more transportation centers are incorporating charging stations. Airports, airplanes, buses, and even bus stations have charging stations where you can easily plug in.

I use the Anker Portable Charger

I still prefer to bring my own portable battery just in case I’m in a taxi or Uber, or on the go so I don’t have to wait and worry for my phone to be fully charged.

8. A jacket or sweater

Airports are COLD! Airplanes are also super COLD!

I always travel with a sweater or hoodie so I can be prepared in case of an air conditioning emergency.

I prefer to travel with hoodies because I like to pull them down over my eyes to try to catch a few z’s in the airplane or airport. If I don’t use them to keep myself warm, I can always use them as a makeshift pillow.

That’s it!

The most important thing is to be prepared, be safe, and have fun! Happy travels!