Traveling can be both exhilarating and challenging, especially when it comes to packing smartly. Let's be real — packing like a pro is where it's at!
Your personal item bag is your closest companion throughout your journey. It’s your ride-or-die, always by your side, keeping all of your travel essentials within arm's reach. Whether you're embarking on a long-haul flight or a quick weekend getaway, packing the right items in your personal bag can make all the difference.
Ready to level up your travel game? I've got the ultimate packing list for your personal item bag, because let’s face it, we all want to travel like a pro. Forget about being caught off-guard mid-flight or during those unexpected layovers. I'm spilling my top 10 personal item essentials that have changed the way I travel. Whether you're city hopping or chasing sunsets on remote islands, these items are my non-negotiables for a smooth, stylish, and absolutely fabulous journey. Grab your favorite duffel or weekender bag, and let’s get to packing your personal item like the cool travel girl you are!
The ultimate personal item packing list
Wondering what you should bring in your personal item for a flight? Here are the top 10 travel essentials you should always pack in your personal item bag!
1. Travel documents - Packing your travel documents in your personal item is always a wise choice. Your personal item is typically the bag you keep with you at all times during your journey, making it the most secure and accessible place for important documents like your ID, passport, travel insurance, travel visas, and more.
2. Wallet and phone - Your wallet and phone are something that should always be close to you at all times. Keeping your wallet and phone in your personal item reduces the risk of them being lost or stolen, it also makes them conveniently accessible when going through travel-related processes like check-ins, security checks, or customs, and they’re readily available for when/if you need to make purchases or calls at the airport.
3. Valuables - It is generally recommended to pack your valuables (such as keys, electronic devices, important documents, jewelry or watches, cash and credit cards, and prescription medications) in your personal item. Personal items are less likely to get lost or stolen compared to checked luggage. Since you keep your personal item with you during the flight and while moving through the airport, there's a lower risk of theft or misplacement. Valuables are often fragile or sensitive to handling. By keeping them in your personal item, you can ensure they're handled carefully and not subjected to the rough treatment that checked luggage sometimes undergoes. Also, some travel insurance policies and airlines may not cover valuables that are stored in checked luggage, or they may have limited coverage. Keeping valuables with you can ensure they are covered in case of loss or theft.
4. Electronics - Some airlines require travelers to carry electronic devices in their personal item or carry-on luggage. Since your personal bag is more easily accessible and will be closest to you during your flight, packing your electronics in your personal item is highly recommended. This ensures that they are not only less likely to be lost or stolen, but you can easily remove them during the TSA security process, and use them during your flight for work or personal entertainment.
5. Food and drink - Whether you’re on a short domestic flight or a long international one, having food and water available are the key to avoiding dehydration and hangry vibes when traveling so you’ll want to pack these in your personal item for easy access. Snacks like trail mix or granola/protein bars are small and don’t require any utensils, just toss them into your personal bag and go! When it comes to staying hydrated while traveling, you should keep an empty water bottle in your personal item. This way you can easily refill it at a free water station instead of purchasing a water at the airport. Tip: To save space in your personal bag, opt for a collapsible water bottle like these!
6. Toiletries and personal hygiene items - Packing personal hygiene items (such as hand sanitizer, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush/comb, lip balm, feminine products, face wipes, etc.) in your personal item is a always good idea, especially for long flights or in case of travel delays. Be sure to pack travel-sized products (3.4 ounces or less) to comply with TSA regulations and in order to save space, only pack the essentials that you may need during your flight or important items that you need by during your trip (in case your checked bag gets lost or delayed).
7. Health-related items - Any health-related products such as prescription medication, inhalers, EpiPens, diabetic supplies, over-the-counter medications, first aid items, etc. should absolutely be packed in your personal item. Doing so ensures that you have immediate access to them during your flight and at the airport, especially in case of an emergency.
8. Comfort items - packing comfort items in your personal item bag can significantly enhance your travel experience, especially during long flights or delays. Things like neck pillows, travel blankets, eye masks, earplugs, etc. can all help to make your flight experience comfortable and more enjoyable. When packing comfort items, it’s important to balance your need for comfort with the practicalities of space and weight. Choose items that are compact, lightweight, and genuinely enhance your travel experience. Also, be mindful of airline regulations regarding what you can bring on board.
9. Extra clothing - Packing extra clothing in your personal item can be a smart choice, especially for longer flights or in case of unexpected delays or lost luggage issues. When packing extra clothing, the key is to prioritize items based on your specific travel needs, the length of your journey, and the destination's weather conditions. Pack efficiently to maximize space in your personal item, and choose clothing that can be versatile for different situations.
10. Entertainment - Packing entertainment in your personal item is a great idea, especially for longer trips or flights that don’t include entertainment. Having your own entertainment readily accessible like laptops, iPads, handheld gaming devices, books, or puzzles can make your journey more enjoyable and help to pass the time during your flight.
What I pack in my personal item for every trip
I’ve traveled enough to the point where I now have my personal item packing down to a science. Here are the personal item essentials I always pack to make my travels easier and more enjoyable!
Phone
Wallet
Passport
Small purse - I always travel with a small purse, however, since I use this weekender bag (it has a shoe compartment, charging port, and it’s under $50) as my personal item to hold all of my electronics, toiletries, etc. I always pack my purse inside and fill it with my personal item essentials to save space)
Tripod - I absolutely love this Amazon tripod! I own several and always pack them for trips. It includes a bluetooth remote, expands to 60” tall, collapses to fit in my purse, and it’s under $25!
Laptop - I’m always working on something so I tend to take my Macbook Air with me when I travel. It’s slim and lightweight enough that it doesn’t take up much space or add any unnecessary weight to my personal bag.
Book - Honestly, I love reading but I’m really bad at making time for it, so I almost always bring a book when I travel because I know I’ll have tons of time during my flight to get some reading in!
Portable battery charger - One of my biggest fears is having my phone die when I need it most. So I always travel with a portable battery charger. I have a small portable one that I use during flights if necessary, and a larger power bank that I save for emergencies.
Chargers and charging cables
Bluetooth earbuds - These bluetooth wireless earbuds from Amazon are my favorite and they’re under $30!
Toiletries - For my toiletries, I use this stackable pill organizer to store my liquid skincare. Each cylinder seals by locking into the one above it so you can stack as many as you need for your trip! I like these because they’re smaller and take up less space but still hold a good amount of product for my trips that are a week or less. For longer trips I love these collapsible toiletry bottles. This dental care organizer case holds both my toothbrush and toothpaste together for easy storage.
Neck pillow, travel blanket, eye mask, and earbuds - This travel set that I own includes everything + a carry bag and it’s under $40!
Collapsible water bottle - This one that I own is soft and easy to collapse, includes a carabiner clip to attach to any bag, and it’s under $15!
Electrolyte hydration packets - Flying can leave you feeling pretty dehydrated, so I always bring LMNT electrolyte packets with me to add to my water when I travel. I’ve tried a bunch of brands and prefer LMNT because of their flavors and the fact that they have zero sugar and no artificial ingredients!
Snacks - As far as snack options go, I bring my own trail mix (I usually mix walnuts, almonds, pecans, cashews, and dried cranberries) in a baggy or I’ll pack a Kind bar (chocolate cherry is my fave).
Extra clothing - I rarely check a bag so I’m always flying with a carry on bag so I never have to worry about stashing an entire extra set of clothing in my personal item. However, I do get cold on flights so I will typically bring a pair of socks and a cardigan or travel wrap to toss on if I get chilly. On occasion I may pack a pair of shorts to change into if I’m landing in a warm destination.
FAQ
How big can a personal item be?
The size of a personal item that you can bring on a plane varies by airline, but there are some general guidelines you can follow. Typically, a personal item is considered to be smaller than a carry-on bag and must fit under the seat in front of you. Common dimensions for a personal item are around 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm), but this can vary per airline.
Can I use a backpack as a personal item?
Yes! Items that usually qualify as personal items include handbags, laptop bags, small backpacks, briefcases, or small duffel and weekender bags.
What is allowed in a personal item?
What you can pack in your personal item bag for a flight typically includes essentials and items you might need during the journey. This includes anything you would normally be allowed to pack in your carry-on bag.
What should I not pack in my personal item bag?
When packing your personal item bag for a flight, there are several items you should avoid including, either due to airline regulations or practical considerations. This includes liquids over 3.4 ounces (100 ml), sharp objects (like knives or scissors), weapons or weapon-like items (like firearms, ammunition, or gunpowder), self-defense items (like pepper spray or mace), lithium batteries with high watt-hours, excessive amounts of cash or valuables, illegal substances, items that violate quarantine laws (like foods, plants, etc that might not be allowed into your destination country), and more. You should always check the latest guidelines provided by the airline and the TSA (or equivalent authority in your country), as rules can change and may vary by airline and destination. For international flights, also consider the customs and import regulations of your destination country.
What’s the difference between a personal item and a carry-on bag?
The difference between a personal item and a carry-on bag primarily lies in their size, purpose, and where they are stored on an airplane.
Size: A personal item is typically smaller than a carry-on bag. The standard size for a personal item is usually around 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm), but this can vary by airline. Most airlines allow carry-on bags with dimensions of about 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm), though this can also vary.
Purpose: A personal item is meant for essential items that passengers may need access to during the flight, such as a laptop, travel documents, a small snack, or medication. A carry-on is intended for larger items that a passenger would need on their trip but does not want to check, like clothing, shoes, etc.
Storage location on a plane: Personal items are stored under the seat in front of the passenger for easy access during the flight. Carry-ons are stored in the overhead bins above the seats and are not typically accessible during the flight.
Airline policies: Most airlines allow one personal item for free on a flight and most airlines allow one carry-on bag for free as well, however, some budget airlines might charge for carry-on luggage. Each airline has its own policy regarding personal items.
Can I use a personal item as my carry-on?
Yes, you can use a personal item as your carry-on, especially if you're traveling light or going on a short trip. This approach is quite common for travelers who prefer to minimize their luggage or for those who are flying with airlines that charge extra for larger carry-on bags.
