As a seasoned traveler, the key to a smooth journey often lies in what you pack in your personal item bag when flying. From essential documents and personal items to those little comforts that make a flight more bearable, packing the right contents can make or break your travel experience. In this post, I’ll share my tried-and-true list of must-haves for your personal item to ensure you’re prepared for your well-deserved vacation. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or in your early days of crossing off your travel bucket list, these essentials will allow for easy access to important items you need and help you be ready and comfortable for your travels.
Bags I Use As My Personal Item
Before you pack your personal item bag, you first need to choose a bag appropriate for your travels. Personal items are smaller than a carry-on so always check the size requirements for personal item bags specific to the airline you’re flying with to avoid any unexpected fees. Depending on the destination and length of my trip, I will either take one of the below bags when I’m traveling:
Travel Backpack
Whenever possible depending on sizing restrictions, I use this travel backpack alongside my carry-on luggage as it can also expand to 45 liters, allowing me to fit even more items. If I really wanted to be hands-free, this could also replace my carry-on luggage as it has similar sizing. I love this travel backpack because it features numerous organizational compartments and pockets for various items including clothes, wet bathing suits, electronics, and more. This backpack really is an excellent choice if you want to make travel easy and convenient for yourself without having to lug around rollers. It’s incredibly spacious and I haven’t needed another travel backpack since getting it. Suitable for both short and long trips, it’s versatile, expandable, and complements my outfit effortlessly – and there are multiple colors to choose from!
Tote Bag
A tote bag is a practical and stylish choice for any journey as they are highly versatile and they can be used on flights, beaches, or just for daily use. Tote bags have a wide opening which allows for easy access to items, they can easily fit under an airplane seat or in the overhead bin, they are lightweight and spacious, and come in an endless number of designs, colors, and sizes. You can have them to match your travel outfits and you can carry them over your shoulder, cross-body (if it comes with this feature) or just hold them by the handle. Some tote bags have really great organizational compartments or you can purchase an organizer separately to help you avoid having to rifle through everything to find the one item you need. You can also pack it as an extra bag if you plan to do a little extra shopping as they are easily foldable when not in use.
Tote Bags I Use: Longchamp Le Pliage Original Large Tote, Louis Vuitton Neverfull, Béis Limited Edition Travel Tote
Duffel Bag
Duffel bags are one of the first types of bags I’ve ever used when traveling (besides a roller suitcase). Using a duffel bag as a personal item when traveling is great for both short or long trips and offers practical benefits. They are spacious, lightweight, and flexible, allowing you to pack a significant number of items if you’re packing right – think of it like Tetris! They also fit within most airlines’ personal item size requirements, although I have gotten away with an oversized (almost check-in size) duffel bag many times! Their soft-sided nature means they can easily squeeze into tight spaces, look smaller than they actually are, and fit under airplane seats or overhead bins with ease. With handles and shoulder straps that allow you to carry it in multiple ways, it can be a comfortable and convenient choice for you if you want to carry a little more.
Weekender Bag
I’ve only ever had one weekender bag and it’s the Béis Mini Weekender in Atlas Pink to match my Carry-On Roller. The difference between a weekender and a duffel bag is that they are usually more structured and a little more stylish. They also have more internal compartments, pockets, and dividers for better organization. Plus, the size of weekenders is specifically designed for shorter trips as you can tell by the name. It has enough space for a couple of days’ worth of clothing and travel essentials and offers a more sophisticated travel aesthetic. With the Béis Mini Weekender, it has a bottom compartment where you can fit shoes or other items that you want to be separated from your clothes. I like to pack shoes and/or my makeup and toiletry bags in this area. It fits 2 to 3 days’ worth of travel for me and I do have to try pretty hard to make everything fit – but then again, I admit I do overpack so this helps me be more thoughtful and precise with what I pack. And I didn’t want the regular size weekender just because I didn’t to have any issues using this as a personal item bag when I’m flying as it is much larger.
Here is $15 USD / $20 CAD off your first purchase at Béis with my referral link.
Purse
When I have the luxury to travel with a smaller purse, you can check My Go-To Bags For Every Occasion + What’s In My Bag blog post for specific details of what I put in here. This is usually a crossbody or handbag that I use as a personal item and this rarely happens because I like to take advantage of all the luggage space I can get so I usually choose one of the larger bags above. But I do wish I am able to use this more often than not because it’s always nice to be able to travel light.
Items I Pack In My Personal Item Bag
To give you an idea of why I pack certain items in my personal item bag, check out my guide on What To Pack For A Week’s Vacation To Fit In A Carry-On. Depending on how much space I have, I allocate items between my carry-on and personal item bag. Typically, I prefer to keep the most important items and things I need quick access to in my personal item. The list below will serve as a helpful reference for what to pack in your own personal item bag.
Clothing
1 – Flip Flops
I will never travel anywhere without a pair of flip flops as they’re super useful to change into if your feet feel fatigued, you can use them as slippers to walk around your hotel room so you don’t have to go barefoot, or if you’re at a sunny destination. It’s all about the convenience here!
2 – More Expensive Shoes
The shoes I pack into my personal item bag – more specifically my travel backpack or even duffel or tote bag – are usually my Valentino sandals or other more expensive shoes when I do travel with them. Because of their value, I don’t feel comfortable checking them in and I like having peace of mind that they’re with me at all times.
3 – Extra Set Of Clothes
I’ve been packing an extra set of clothes into my personal item bag just in case my check-in bags get delayed or lost. I like to be clean and have the ability to change out of the clothes I’ve been wearing for hours on the plane. Usually, the outfit I pack into my personal bag will be one that’s suitable for the first location I’m visiting once I get off the plane so that I can be comfortable and wear something that’s weather-appropriate.
Valuables/Fragile Items
4 – Jewelry / Watches
I don’t usually travel with much jewelry or wear much jewelry in general because if it’s not pierced, I often forget to wear it. But when I do travel with jewelry, I’m either wearing them at all times or they’ll be in a small travel jewelry box if I want more options. But I don’t use costume jewelry so I need to keep my valuables with me.
5 – Camera Equipment
These are probably the heaviest items in my personal item bag as I have multiple cameras and lenses. I won’t risk checking these items in (I think most people wouldn’t) considering how fragile and expensive this type of equipment is!
6 – Small Designer Purses
There are only a few designer purses I’m okay with traveling with and they will also always be on my person at all times especially when I travel. They are usually crossbody or belt bags and fit easily into my personal item bag as they are pretty flat so it doesn’t take up too much room either. And if I ever do luxury shopping abroad, I’ll always put them in my carry-on luggage.
Beauty
7 – Makeup bag And/Or Toiletry Bag
As a beauty lover, I tend to pack a bit of everything and I take about 3 makeup/toiletry bags with me whenever I travel. One is specifically for my toiletries and skincare products, another is for all of my makeup, and the third is for the smaller makeup bag I take with me in my purse when I’m out and about. If I’m checking in luggage or have a carry-on, I will put my toiletry bag there as it’s the biggest, but I always have my two makeup bags with me in my personal bag. Makeup and skincare aren’t cheap – if you know you know – so I also like to keep this on me.
Electronics
8 – Laptop/Tablet
If I’m working remotely, I’ll of course need to take my work laptop and charger with me. I never bring my personal laptop with me as it’s much more valuable to me and I don’t want to risk losing or damaging it. When I have enough room, I bring my tablet for entertainment and I’ll also be using this to work on my blog as it’s much easier to travel with than a heavy laptop.
9 – Electronics Bag
One of the most important items I pack in my personal item bag is an electronics bag with a portable charger, charging blocks and cables, travel adapter, extra batteries and SD cards for my camera, and a hidden camera detector. Because we rely on technology and our devices so much, the worst thing is when they are running out of battery and you cannot charge them, so I like to be prepared with backups for the hotel room and when I’m on-the-go.
10 – Headphones + Music (If Not On Your Phone)
I can never go without my music and I especially need my headphones and iPod (old iPhone I use purely just for music purposes as I have so much music that I need a separate device from my phone) when I’m traveling and specifically when I’m on the plane. This is perfect to drown out the noise on the plane to help me sleep better, while I can play my favorite songs on repeat without bothering anyone.
11 – Location Tracker Tag
As I keep seeing stories on social media about people losing their bags or having them stolen, I decided to take proactive measures to have a location tracker tag on all my luggage and other important items. I will always have one in my checked luggage, and one either in my carry-on roller or personal item bag depending on which I use when I’m traveling. This gives me peace of mind should I ever need to find my bags.
Travel-Related Items
12 – Travel Pillow
I don’t normally bring a travel pillow with me as I need all the luggage space I can get unless it’s for a long-haul flight so that I can get more comfortable and get a good sleep on the plane. The one I use is a foldable memory foam travel pillow with a built-in pouch so it doesn’t take up much room.
13 – Travel Water Bottle / Water Bottle
I usually bring one or two water bottles with me when I travel – a steel vacuum-insulated one for both hot and cold drinks which is perfect for summer and winter and a foldable water bottle if I’m doing more outdoor activities. I also like to refill my water bottle at the airport as paying $7 at the airport for a cheap bottle of water is a little ridiculous to me and it’s also better for the environment. You can check Shop My Favorites – Travel under Travel Hydration to see all the different water bottles I use.
14 – Travel Wallet
One essential item I always carry in my personal item bag is my travel wallet. Opting for a travel wallet that can accommodate your passport is a smart choice as it keeps all your important travel documents, cash, and cards organized and easily accessible. Other things to consider when choosing your travel wallet are if there is RFID protection to protect against electronic pickpocketing, multiple compartments for organization, and a secure zipper closure.
15 – Travel Documents
I always make a physical copy of all of my travel documents, flight itinerary, hotel bookings, and my day-to-day itinerary should my phone ever die and I can’t access anything and it’s also easier to be able to instantly pull out what I need from my folder.
Other Accessories And Miscellaneous Items
16 – Medication
As you know, you should always keep your medication on you for any emergencies and therefore this should be kept in your personal item bag. I have a travel pill organizer that I take with me and if I’m gone for a longer duration, I will take the whole bottle with me such as my Hum Nutrition Flatter Me supplements to help with bloating and healthier digestion for a flatter stomach. Here’s your first box free!
17 – Glasses/Sunglasses
Sunglasses are essential for any trip, providing protection from the bright sun while adding a touch of style to your outfit. If you wear prescription glasses, be sure to pack an extra pair in case you break or lose them. The worst is not being able to see and I can speak on this from my own experience! Also consider bringing a durable case to protect your eyewear from damage. If you like to bring multiple pairs of sunglasses and glasses, I like using this sunglasses organizer.
18 – Pen And Notebook
I’m old school and I like to physically write in a notebook. (Did I mention I also love stationary – especially notebooks?) I don’t like always relying on technology and I just like the feeling of having pen to paper. It’s also much quicker for me to refer to as well. And the pen is a must if you don’t bring a notebook as it’s so useful when you have to fill out al the customs and declaration forms and such and people always ask to borrow my pen so I guess it’s something necessary to have!
19 – Snacks
I can’t go anywhere without snacks and if you’re on a flight that doesn’t provide meals, packing your own snacks ensures you have something to munch on during the often-length wait times at the airport and during the flight itself. By the time you account for the pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight periods, having your own snacks can be a real lifesaver to stave off hunger and keep your energy up. There’s been many times that I go hours on end without eating because of all the traveling and my flight wasn’t long enough to provide a meal and the layovers weren’t long enough to line up for food.
20 – Hand Sanitizer
I can’t go anywhere without my sanitizer – even before the pandemic – and it always comes in so handy no matter where I go, and often share it with others when the occasion calls for it. I like to use the Bath & Body Works Pocketbac Hand Sanitizers as they have an endless amount of scents to choose from and they’re small and compact. (It’s also the only thing that takes away the scent of fish if you do any kind of fishing, FYI). But I do need to see what the rage about Touchland is all about!
21 – Hand Cream
Something to always carry in your everyday purse would be hand cream so I’ve included this in my personal item as well. We use our hands so often and it’s prone to being dry and cracked at times. It’s always good to have some nicely scented hand cream to help with that!
22 – Tissue Packs/Wet Wipes
Another item I always have with me is tissue packs and/or wet wipes. They come in so handy for any messes, and it’s always good to have them just in case. There’s been many times where even bathroom stalls have run out of tissues and I’m the only one that’s prepared for such a situation!
23 – Key Chain/Home Keys
When I travel, I always keep my home keys in my personal item bag. I like to have all my valuables and important items with me at all times. By keeping my keys in this bag for the duration of my trip, I ensure they are always secure and I always know where to find them.
24 – Mints/Gum
Having mints or gum in your personal item bag is always a smart idea. Not only do they help keep your breath fresh, but they are also particularly useful during flights when the air can get dry. Chewing gum can help alleviate ear pressure changes during takeoff and landing, and it can also help keep your mouth hydrated. Plus, having mints or gum on hand is a convenient way to refresh yourself after meals or long periods without access to dental care.
To help you be prepared for your travels, here is a Free Packing Checklist For Every Vacation.
To get some inspiration on what you should pack, Shop My Favorites – Travel.