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What to bring in your carry-on luggage while travelling in 2023

Here's the modern packing list for safe travels.

Stephanie Zheng

·Lifestyle Editor

1 February 2023 at 1:52 am·4-min read

Woman packing suitcase for summer travel, including face masks and airplane travel-sized antibacterial hand gels — Packing suitcase for travel. (Photo: Gettyimages)

If the difficulty in redeeming miles and sky-high prices of airfares are anything to go by, the tourism industry is well on its way to recovery. You might already have gone on a trip, or at the very least, are planning for one in 2023. The common thing we'll all be doing: packing for your travels.

Travelling with the pandemic not far behind comes with its unique challenges and needs. For example, it would be wise to keep yourself protected before/during/after flights and make extra space in your luggage for the additional items you need to keep yourself safe. In a world still reeling from the financial impact of the pandemic, it's also not uncommon for travellers to find themselves the target of pickpockets and thieves, which means we need to be more aware of our surrounding and take extra steps to secure our belongings while in an unfamiliar environment.

So, you might need a refresher course on what to bring on your carry-on, plus some key security items to make life easier while travelling. Here's the modern packing list for safe travels.

Firstly, you'll need sturdy and secure carry-on luggage and sling bag. Plus a way to locate all of them all the time.

Here are some of our favourites.

Carry on luggage

Hanke Carry On Suitcase Aesthetic Design

MUJI Hard Carry Bag With Adjustable Carry Bar

Nanuk 935 Waterproof Carry On Cabin Size

Keep your expensive gears safe and with your with this carry on.

Small bags

Pacsafe Citysafe CX Convertible Anti-Theft Backpack

3 Way RFID Travel Safe Bag|Anti-Theft Waist Sling Pouch|12x19x2.5cm Passport Holder

MUJI Water Repellent Shoulder Bag with Pen Holder

Apple AirTag (4 Pack)

Pop these into all of your luggage and bags, and track them easily wherever they go!

Remember to pack these necessities!

Go on an adventure! Happy woman going traveling. Young person with suitcase on color teal background. — All you need are necessities and travels. (Photo: Gettyimages)

Passport holder/currencies holder - One place to store all your travelling essentials such as cash, cards, printed copies of itineraries, vaccination records, confirmation slips and more. Do also keep offline-friendly digital copies of vaccination records as well!

Pen - Often overlooked, always needed.

Bottle/Tumbler - Fill up water in airports or public fountains instead of relying on bottled water. Our favourite reliable brands for long-term use are listed below!

Shop Klean Kanteen here Shop Nalgene here

Essential medications/prescriptions and supplements - As required.

iHerb has all the supplements you need at great prices

Electronics - Requirements differ from person to person, but my current favourite setup for travel is a nifty little iPad Air that can double up as a laptop with the inclusion of the Logitech Smart Folio. This compact and lightweight setup allows me to check my emails, write, read and provides entertainment on-the-go.

Corresponding chargers and wires for all your electronics - Keep all your wires in one neat package. We love this gadget pouch from Muji!

Travel adaptor - Get a well-rounded in a single package for peace of mind! I'm not going to gatekeep this adaptor anymore, with four universal type sockets, USB ports and more in one neat bagel package.

Get Mogics Super Bagel GEN 3 here

Anti-COVID preparations

Close up Woman use Health mask to prevent germs Covid 19.Concept of medical Covid-19. — Mask up, regardless! (Photo: Gettyimages)

Masks - Something as important as underwear.

Choose from a variety of face masks here

Antibacterial wipes/sprays - Go away, virus!

Stock up on antibacterial wipes here 38-45ml Travel Portable Card Type Pocket Spray K5 Disinfection Handheld Nano Spray Gun

Toiletries

Compact travel kits - Fill up what you need into travel-size containers from home, or buy travel kits direct from your favourite brands!

Twinkle BABY Travel Kit 10pc travel kit containers

Lip and body balm - Flying can be drying on the skin, and countries with colder and arid climates can also wreak havoc on our skin. If you're not a 9-step skincare routine kind of person, the very least you should have in your bag is a lip balm and body balm.

Shop BURT'S BEES Beeswax Lip Balm here Kiehl's | Scented Lip Balm Body balms galore!

Items for comfort

Happy and tired young woman comfortably sleeping with mask and pillow in airplane. Sophisticated traveler concept — Maximise your comfort on planes. (Photo: Gettyimages)

Neck pillow, eye masks, ear plugs - Sleep is not overrated on planes.

Neck pillows Eye masks Ear plugs

Kindle/Kobo - Knowledge on-the-go!

Shop Kindle here Shop Kobo here

Streaming entertainment - Catch up on your series/movies on platforms such as Netflix, Disney+ or more on flights!

Got your Disney+ account yet?

Snacks - To satisfy the munchies

[Bundle] MUJI Care Pack (Eucalyptus)

Extra set of clothes - Spare a packing cube and pack an extra set of clothes in the off chance that you lose your checked-in luggage.

Affordable packing cubes here Shop travel related stuff on Shopee Shop travel related stuff on Lazada

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Firstly, you'll need sturdy and secure carry-on luggage and sling bag. Plus a way to locate all of them all the time.

Remember to pack these necessities!

Anti-COVID preparations

Toiletries

Items for comfort

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