Avid travelers are always thinking about their next adventure, and a well-stocked carry-on go bag is absolutely essential for those spontaneous last-minute trips.
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What Is A Go Bag?
We aren’t talking about your average apocalypse bug-out bag filled with survival gear. Rather, we are focusing today on items that stay packed away in our carry-on bags ready for the next trip. I keep one of my carry-on bags ready to go for those last-minute trips.
I have lost track of the times I have ran home at lunchtime on a Friday to pick up a bag because we decided to book a trip that same day. Making sure to have the items you need for any type of trip, from beach escapes to urban excursions, minimizes the amount of time you spend packing so you can head to the airport at a moment’s notice.
What Kind Of Bag Do I Need?
I recommend traveling with a travel backpack or carry-on duffel bag as much as possible. Smaller carry-ons are more portable and stay with you when you fly. Many larger carry-ons, including wheeled bags, are generally too large to be stowed in the overhead bins on smaller regional jets (e.g. American Eagle, Delta Connection, and United Express flights).
Not sure if your bag qualifies as a carry-on? Check out our carry-on guide here: https://standbywithme.com/carry-on-baggage-guide/
What Do I Need In My Go Bag?
I have flown hundreds of flights over the years. My packing list is constantly changing to adapt to my trip itinerary, but there are some things that stay constant no matter the destination. Here is a list of recommended items that I personally pack in my carry-on bag.
Portable Charger/Power Bank
Like it or not, we live in a digital age. Packing a charged high-capacity power bank ensures that you will have enough juice to charge your cell phone and any other travel gadgets you brought along. I recommend having a battery pack that has at least 10,000 mAh (milliamp hours) which is generally large enough to charge your cell phone’s battery 3 times over.
Anker is a well-respected brand that produces cost-effective options like the Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 mAh that can fit in your pocket or purse. If you travel with multiple gadgets or are just looking for a higher-capacity option, opting for the two-port Anker PowerCore 20100 mAh power bank provides the flexibility to charge two devices at the same time.
Universal Travel Power Adapter
If you are planning to travel internationally, there is no replacement for a travel adapter when you need to charge your devices. Save yourself the headache of searching for this at your destination by throwing one into your carry-on bag. I cannot begin to describe the frustration of trying to find a travel adapter when your phone dies. Don’t willingly put yourself in that situation. Most adapters are simple pieces of hardware (though I have some with fuses to prevent accidentally frying your electronics), so check current prices of travel adapters on Amazon.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
I have to admit that I have never been an audiophile. I used to gladly accept the complimentary earbuds that get handed out on longer flights. I still have a bundle of them tangled up somewhere in my closet.
I used to wrongly assume that “noise-canceling” was just a marketing term. Bose & American Airlines helped me realize the error of my ways after I was upgraded to business on an international flight and tried a pair of Bose QC15 headphones a few years ago.
Nowadays, I don’t head to the airport without my own Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones. There is a wide range of options for many different price points, so find some that suit your personality.
Pens & Markers
This may seem odd to mention in this list but there have been so many times when I have found myself without a writing utensil that I felt compelled to include it. As I found out on my trip to Belize, you should never rely on the airport to provide a pen to fill out your immigration forms.
Having a permanent marker handy is also a good idea. The number of dive bars that allow writing on the walls may surprise you, and I always find myself wishing that I had a silver Sharpie in my pocket when I stumble upon these gems.
Toiletry Kit
This is obvious, but it has to be said. Always keep your toiletry kit in your carry-on bag! You never know when you’re going to get stranded in a connecting city, and you want to make sure your essential items are on your person at all times when you are traveling. Trick out your toiletry kit some travel-friendly options:
Swimsuit
I once was on a 4th grade class trip to my state’s capital. It was my first overnight school trip, and that meant getting to stay in a hotel with all my friends. The first night, our chaperones announced that we were going to the pool. To my horror, I discovered that I had forgotten to pack a swimsuit and spent the rest of the night devastated on the side of the pool. That memory still haunts me to this day.
Moral of the story: always pack a swimsuit. They hardly take up any room in your bag, and you don’t have to be going to a beach or river to need one.
Packable Day Pack
You didn’t really think you were going to tote around your carry-on bag on vacation, did you? Throw a packable day pack in your bag for when you need to carry additional items on your adventures. Choose an ultralight day pack that can be packed into itself or rolled up small so that it doesn’t take up valuable real estate in your carry-on bag.
Snacks
Always. Bring. Food.
You always run the risk of getting stranded, or maybe you just know that your hunger cannot wait until cabin service begins. Whatever the case may be, I always try to throw a granola bar or bag of nuts into my carry-on before I head to the airport.
Travel Steamer
Say goodbye to wearing wrinkled clothes on vacation. You can leave that ironing board in the closet while you’re at it. I received this specific portable steamer as white elephant gift and my life hasn’t been the same since. It has traveled with me for years, and it accompanies on nearly every trip I take. Not only do steamers make quick work of wrinkled clothes after a long flight, but they also disinfect your garments.
Reusable Water Bottle
Everyone knows that you cannot bring full water bottles through TSA checkpoints, but most airports have water refilling stations after security. This is a good way to reduce your impact by cutting down on your plastic use when traveling. Any reusable water bottle will suffice, and our favorite brand is Hydroflask.
Conclusion
These items find my way into my carry-on bag on almost every trip. It helps me maintain a mental checklist of travel items before heading to the airport. Making suer your carry-on bag has everything you need for your trip is the first step to a great adventure.
Is there anything that you religiously pack? Let me know in the comments below!
