Packing my carry-on used to be something I thought I had down pat. I travel quite a bit, so you’d think I’d be a pro, right? Wrong!
My husband and I were excited to finally be taking off to Europe for a month-long sabbatical. However, the excitement wore off quickly when we discovered our checked luggage had been lost. Ugh! Why us?
My carry-on wasn’t exactly a masterclass in packing genius, but it did contain some crucial items: my laptop, camera gear, medication, jewelry, snacks, eye mask, a sweater, headphones, and a few spare clothing pieces. To me, it made sense. I’d always prioritized must-haves (like medication), valuable stuff (jewelry, laptop, camera gear), in-flight comfort (eye mask, headphones, snacks, lotion, sweater), and a few basic items (jeans, tees, deodorant, toothbrush, and toothpaste).
Unfortunately, while I thought I packed the crucial items, I hadn’t truly thought it through. What would I actually need on this trip if I were without my luggage for a few days? As we landed in Istanbul, I found myself rushing around to unfamiliar stores, trying to purchase pajamas, eye makeup remover, and facewash before the stores’ closed for the evening. Since I couldn’t read Turkish, I sought an English-speaking customer service person to help me identify the remover and facewash.
We must have called the airline 4-5 times a day to check on our luggage, but it was perpetually “en route from Paris.” As we left Istanbul for Crete, I knew our bags would have to be rerouted again, which meant more waiting.
Greece was going to be all about enjoying the sunshine, but I didn’t have any shorts, sandals, swimsuit, etc. So, I set off to Elounda hoping to find a few things. Now keep in mind, it’s a small beach town, so no major stores are nearby. I had to find the shoe store for shoes, lingerie store for undergarments, drugstore for makeup, and boutiques for clothing. It seemed the boutiques in Elounda purchased their swimsuit inventory for 25-year-olds in mind, because it was impossible to find a decent option that had a bit more material than just a string on the backside😊
So, it turned out our luggage didn’t arrive until day 11! It really taught me a major lesson on packing my carry-on. What I do now, and what I encourage others to do, is really think about what you’ll need for the first 3-4 days of your trip. Priority items will be different for every person and every destination, so create a checklist for yourself by thinking through the first couple days of your trip – from getting up in the morning, to daytime activities, to going to sleep – what are the items you cannot do without?
Are you going to visit Christmas Markets? If so, make sure you have your coat, hat and gloves in your carry-on. Maybe you’re going to a beach destination? Then be sure to pack your swimsuit, sunglasses, sandals, and a cover-up. Are you going to sleep in the first couple of days? Well, off course you are, so be sure to put some pajamas in the carry-on.
Obviously, there’s limited space in a carry-on, so make smart choices. For instance, I can live without perfume for a few days, but I cannot live without my Lubiderm face lotion, so I’m sure to pack it in a mini (3 oz container). Most make-up I can live without, but lip gloss and mascara are a must, so I’m sure to place those in my carry-on.
Remember, packing smart doesn’t mean overloading your carry-on with unnecessary items. It’s about ensuring you have the essentials to keep you comfortable and prepared in case of unexpected situations. By having these items in your carry-on, you’ll be ready for whatever your travels throw your way.
Happy travels!