This article was updated on November 9, 2023.

Disclosure:  I share about products that my family and I use often.  If you make a purchase through one of my links, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you.  🙂

Recently my husband and I were privileged to take a vacation to Europe to visit family and to relax.  Based on our trip, I wanted to help you have the best travel experience possible by giving you a short guide about carry on essentials.

You can read more about our European experience here.

First, bring the largest carry on bag that you are allowed.  You’ll want to bring as many essentials as possible, especially food and water.

1.  Water

We were given plenty of delicious bottled water on the flight.  This is the exception on most flights.  In addition, even if you are given plenty of water on the flight, you will need water during your layovers, especially if they are hours long.

No, you cannot pack water at home.  However, you can purchase as much water as possible in the airport after you go through security and before you board the airplane.  You can read more about the importance of hydration here.

You’ll want to read this study by the Wall Street Journal before you drink water served on an airplane.

2.  Travel Set of Personal Care Items

You can save space in your checked luggage and have your most essential personal care items with you in case your luggage is lost.  You definitely don’t want to find a place to purchase toothpaste right after you get off the airplane.

We clean out empty Forever Hand Sanitizer bottles (they are 2 ounces and therefore a TSA friendly size) and fill them with Aloe Liquid Soap, Aloe Jojoba Shampoo, and Aloe Jojoba Conditioner.

3.  Healthy Snacks

Delta does the best with healthy snacks.  If you travel other airlines, though, you may be eating cookies and potato chips along with ham and cheese sandwiches on white bread.  While that food may satisfy you temporarily, you may feel terrible a few minutes or a few hours later.  The food available for purchase on an airplane is not much healthier.

Some ideas for healthy snacks are cut up vegetables, fruit, nuts, protein bars, and beef jerky sticks.  You want to make sure you have plenty of protein; otherwise, you will still be hungry.  Bring twice as much food as you think you will want to eat.  The food you bring with you may serve as a fast, easy, and nutritious meal at your destination.

If you will be traveling during meal time, bring your favorite meal along with you.  It will be more filling than eating snacks, and you are less likely to arrive at your destination starving.

The importance of having food and water with you is that you never know about delays, even waiting in the airplane before take off.

4.  Hand Sanitizer

Airplanes are full of germs, and people often become ill when they travel.  You will want to use your hand sanitizer before you eat your snacks.  In addition, you can use it as a cleaner for your tray.  Warning:  prepared to be appalled at how dirty that tray table is.

In addition, you will want to use the hand sanitizer after using the airplane restroom.  I’ll spare you the details on how dirty they are, and actually you should not even use that water to wash your hands (source).

Forever Hand Sanitizer kills 99.99% of germs and also conditions your hands with honey and aloe.  Your skin is your #1 defense against germs, and you do not want your skin dried out with harsh hand sanitizers.

5.  Chargers for Electronics

Many airplanes now have USB charging ports.  This way, you can load your favorite audiobooks, sermons, and even videos onto your phone or laptop to listen or watch.  Also, you’ll want to have these chargers on your person for ease of access and just in case your luggage is delayed in being reunited with you at your destination.

6.  Extra Set of Clothing

Thankfully, none of my luggage has been lost recently, but having a change of clothing can be beneficial to have for many reasons.  If you are arriving at your destination late, you will have everything you need for that evening in case you do not have the energy to unpack.  You’ll also want to bring a sweater just in case it’s colder than what your preferred temperature is.

7. Forever Active Pro-B

A quality probiotic can support your digestive system, which is necessary to maintain for your immunity.  Be sure to start taking this as early as possible (3-4 weeks) before your trip to stay well.  Ideally, you should take it daily year-round.  Take it 30 minutes before each meal, and have it in your carry on so that you do not miss taking it for one day.

Other products that are helpful for the immune system are Aloe Blossom Herbal Tea, Forever Garlic Thyme, and Forever Daily multi-vitamin.  My family uses all these daily.

Please share this article with someone who plans to travel soon.