What to Pack in Your Carry On and Other Travel Packing Tips

I’ve decided that there are two kinds of people: those who need to travel and those who can take it or leave it. I’m in the need to travel category. For me it doesn’t need to be a huge trip but there’s just something about getting away whether it’s a drive, a flight, or my favorite on a boat. Between growing up with family overseas and traveling for fun and school I’ve log a lot of hours getting ready for trips. So today as I’m aching for a getaway, I thought I’d share some of my favorite travel packing tips. I figure you’re probably good on all the big things like clothes, a camera, and tickets so, I wanted to focus on some of the little things that I’ve often found myself thinking, “Shoot I wish I had that!”

Whatever form of travel, air, sea, or land, these are a few things I always like to have on hand! You didn’t know you’d be getting a poem today did you ;)

• Tasty Snacks: I like to have things that I know I really like. Some times there are bumps during traveling and having a little treat can make things just a little better.
• Good Reads: You know that I never go anywhere without a good book. In fact when I travel I usually take at least 2 books. Who knows if I’ll get stuck somewhere and finish my first one. In addition to a good book I like to pack a fun magazine. I like the option of something that doesn’t demand such a focused attention span. Finally, I also like to have a good audiobook or two ready to go on my phone or ipod.
• Stuff to Stay Hydrated: Always pack a water bottle! Whether you’re allowed to keep it full or will need to refill (like on a plane) water is SO important when you travel. I also really like DripDrop Hydration Powder. They are little packs that you mix with water and they help replenish your electrolytes and keep you balanced and able to stay hydrated even better. These are a new favorite of mine right now since it’s been SO dry here in Utah and I feel like I just can’t drink enough water to stay hydrated with breastfeeding and everything. If you’ve never heard of them I found them at CVS in the baby aisle.
• Meds and Chap Stick: I like to always have some pain medicine just in case I get a headache. Also when you’re in closed spaces sharing air with so many people it’s easy to catch their germs. I like to pack cold-eze or airborne just in case I get stuck by someone that sounds particularly germy. That way I can pop one of those preventative type things and boost my immune system. And of course chap stick. In fact I like to have at least two types of lip moisturizers!
• Gum and Mints: Definitely gum when I’m flying but I find that I really like gum any time I travel it keeps me from mindlessly munching and makes my mouth feel fresh. Mints do the same and I just like to have the option. As a bonus mint is really good for anyone that might get a little motion sick. These tiny mints were a lifesaver on our trip to Disneyland when my niece started to feel blah.
• Pen and Paper: You know for all the brilliant ideas, last minute directions, and contact info of new friends you meet in transit!
• Cash and Copy of ID: Just to be safe I like to make a copy of my ID’s whether it’s my passport or just my driver’s licence. I like to have a photocopy and some cash on hand in a separate bag in the unfortunate chance that something happens to my bag with my main stuff..

Air: What to Pack in Your Carry On (and Personal Bag)

When I went to college my parents were still living in Thailand so I flew a few times back and forth. I also did a summer in Oxford, England where I took every opportunity to jump on the cheap flights. To me you want to maximize your carry on bag while at the same time not making it so heavy you can’t carry it.

• Change of clothes: I know you don’t want to think about it but luggage gets lost or delayed. I like to have a change of close in my carry on. This is also helpful when there are accidents.
• DripDrop: Depending on the current rules you may or may not be able to take water bottles on planes. Lately empty ones have been okay but I’ve been to some airports that made me ditch the bottle completely :( But the thing is with those tiny cups of water they give you on the plane and the dumb recycled air it’s even more important to stay up on your hydration. DripDrop makes that a lot easier plus it’s no problem to take through airport security.
• Extra bag: I like to pack one of those thin compact grocery bags,  you know the kind that fold up into nothing. That way if you need to redistribute your stuff or if you end up buying things you don’t have to figure out how to cram it into your already perfectly packed carry on.
• Anything Really Important: I don’t care how big or heavy it is if it’s super important take it in your carry on. For example if you’re trip is for work make sure you have a copy of that presentation and sample with you not just in your checked luggage!

Car: What to Pack in Your Cab Bag

In college I led trips across states where we drove vans full of college kids on Spring break and Summer vacation cultural trips. I loved it. After getting married I’ve gone on tour with my husband’s band for the last few years doing concerts on the way up to Seattle where we played shows and attended PAX, a video game conference. I love that too! All that plus many family road trips and I’d say I’m something of a road trip pro. So here are my tips on what take with you.

• Pillow: I’m all about catching up on sleep on road trips (you know when it isn’t your turn to drive).
• Stuff to Listen To: I love having good audiobooks and my favorite music for when I’m driving and need to keep my eyes on the road. If you haven’t tried audiobooks before here’s a list I made of some of my favorites audiobooks. It can be a fun difference for a trip.
• Snacks to Share: Make sure to bring enough treats to share because whether you like it or not you’ll probably end up sharing your treat stash. My absolute favorite treat to take on road trips is this super easy Teddy Bear Chex Mix.
• Plastic Grocery Bags: These will help you stay on top of your trash. Tie a bunch in knots and throw them in the car before you go. Every stop you make survey the state of the car and throw a bag full of trash out.

Ship: What to Bring On Your Cruise

I’ve mentioned before that I love cruises but if you’re newer to the site you might not know this because sadly it’s been a few years since I’ve gotten to go on a cruise but I.Love.Cruises. I dream about being that old lady that tells the newly married couple that this is my 48th cruise. Ah yes I think they are an awesome value. You get your lodging, a big portion of your transportation, your entertainment, and more than enough food. Here are a few things I’ve found that I like to take with me

• Bonine: This is my favorite motion sickness med. Unlike Dramamine it doesn’t make you drowsy and it really works. We’ve used it on cruises and at amusement parks.
• Exercise Shoes: You might be planning on just lounging but one thing I really loved to do on a cruise ship is walk around the decks with my headphones in. It’s so peaceful and it balances out all the eating you’ll probably be doing.
• Water Bottle: I know I already said this but I think people forget how easily it is to get dehydrated at sea. You’re in the sun a lot and again the recycled air below deck can dry you out. They’re good about having water at meals but I liked having my water bottle throughout the day and in my cabin to remind me to keep it up.
• Sunscreen: Speaking of the sun, even if you’re on a cooler climate trip you’re still going to be very exposed make sure you’ve got your SPF in tow.
• Friends’ Addresses: This is something that I never remembered to do but I want to next time. Write down a few friends’ snail mail addresses so that when you have a stop you can find and mail a couple of postcards right then and there. I’ve bought postcards with plans on posting them once I got home but then I never end up sending them since it feels weird to send a vacation post card from home. This will fix that problem.

Hope those ideas helped. And I might sound like your mom but it’s true staying hydrated is always a huge thing on vacation. Every trip I’ve taken someone has brought it up. So, if you’re getting ready to head out on a trip or if you just want to work on staying better hydrated at home like me (it’s one of my goals this year), DripDrop has a great 1$ off coupon valid from 1/25/15-2/21/15 while supplies last that you can print and use at your local CVS store. I like the berry flavor and I have very little tolerance for weird tasting drinks and I can tell you this isn’t bad at all.

What about you? What things do you like to make sure to have with you when you travel? Share in the comments.

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and DripDrop®, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #DrinkDripDrop #DripDropHydrateshttps://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

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