Essential Carry-On Items for Your Vacation According to Target: 24 Recommended Items Listed
Top 2025 Travel Essentials for Carry-On Luggage
Traveling can be an exciting adventure, but it's essential to be prepared for the journey. Here's a list of top carry-on essentials that are commonly recommended by trusted travel sources, including BuzzFeed in past years. This list focuses on comfort, convenience, and preparedness for air travel.
- Passport/ID and travel documents
- Phone and charger/power bank
- Noise-canceling headphones or earbuds
- Reusable water bottle (empty until security)
- Travel pillow and eye mask
- Healthy snacks
- Lightweight jacket or scarf
- Sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer
- Face masks (if preferred)
- Travel-size toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturizer)
- Medication and vitamins
- Pen for filling out customs forms
- Change of underwear and socks
- Compression socks
- Portable luggage scale
- E-book reader or book
- Travel laundry detergent sheets
- Travel-size stain remover pen
- Sleeping aids like melatonin or ear plugs
- Travel wallet or organizer
These essentials are a great starting point for your travel packing list, but there are a few additional items that might come in handy:
- A reliable external battery to ensure you never run out of power for your devices and never be stuck without directions.
- A small pack of disinfecting wipes for peace of mind when using high-touch surfaces during travel.
- An itty-bitty Venus razor with a carrying case for safe and compact shaving during travel.
- A laptop backpack with a trolly sleeve is a versatile personal item for travel and everyday use.
- A TSA-friendly travel makeup bag kit to ensure all necessary toiletries are packed without worry.
- A seven-piece set of packing cubes for keeping items compact and organized.
- A Takeya water bottle with a fold-down straw for easy carrying and hydration during travel.
- A compact pill organizer to bring the correct amount of medication and supplements for travel without lugging full bottles.
- A travel steamer for neatening clothes, especially for work trips, weddings, or other special events.
- An eight-piece toiletry bottle set for easy decanting of favorite toiletries into TSA-approved bottles.
- An expandable hard-shell carry-on suitcase with four spinner wheels and a built-in lock for bringing luggage firmly into adulthood.
- A five-piece compression bag set to maximize space in luggage by rolling out the air.
- Apple EarPods as a small, minuscule storage option for travel.
- A wheeled carry-on duffel bag for those not ready to give up the duffel life but seeking a more practical option.
- A luggage scale to confidently show up to the airport knowing the luggage weight is within the airline's limit.
- A simple zippered pouch for organizing various travel items.
- A ruled hardcover Moleskine notebook for use as a travel journal.
- A couple of tiny bottles of SheaMoisture shampoo and conditioner to improve hair care during travel.
- A folding travel toothbrush to save space in the toiletry bag during travel.
If you have specific travel needs, I'd be happy to help generate a more specialized packing list tailored to your trip. Happy travels!
- To add a touch of comfort to your home-and-garden, consider incorporating elements of your travel experiences into your lifestyle. For instance, travel-inspired decor such as maps, globes, or souvenirs from your favorite destinations can create a unique and personalized living space.
- A well-planned home-and-garden, travel itinerary can certainly make your journey more enjoyable. Consider integrating some of your favorite travel essentials, like a compact water bottle or reusable shopping bags, into your daily routines once you return home to maintain the holiday feeling.
