I’ve done a bit of travelling this year. Chicago, Thailand and now Dubai, so I’ve worked out what I do need in my carry on luggage to make the trip more comfortable (and I fly economy so I need to make it as comfortable as I can, as on average these flights are all 12 hours or more!).
Today I’m sharing with you what I’m packing for Dubai (leaving tomorrow night!). I like to pack a carry on size trolley case (I’m taking this one from Samsonite with me as it’s super light and versatile).
Essential Carry On Items:
Entertainment
- Headphones (preferably noise cancelling ones to get rid of the roar of the engines and hum of the airconditioning) for my ipad/phone with the little adapter so I can plug into the airplane entertainment system
- Reading materials – my stash of unread copies of the Good Weekend magazine, that I never manage to read during the week, but can happily read and discard along my way.
- ipad- I always download a TV series or two before I leave so I can watch it when I need, to. Waiting in the the lounge at the airport or on the plane.
- Computer for doing some work, with mouse and an international charger, in case I’m stuck in an airport and can find a power outlet to recharge. Blogging requires constant work!
- Smart phone for listening to podcasts and music
- Ear plugs to cut out the noise when sleeping
Comfort
- Eye mask to cut the light so I can nap
- Empty water bottle, to fill and drink on the plane and in transit, once through customs and immigration
- Lip balm and hand cream as it’s drying on the plane
- Toothbrush and toothpaste, face wipes, moisturiser – remember no more than 100ml per item and 1L total in a clear plastic bag
- Pashmina or two, can be used as a blanket or even rolled up and as extra pillow on those uncomfortable elbow rests.
- Ear plus to cut out the noise when sleeping
- Neck pillow for sleeping, I much prefer the memory foam ones to the ones with little balls.
- A little makeup for making myself look more human at the other end
- Small hairbrush
Essentials
- DVT Flight Socks
- Sunglasses as I will need them at the other end
- Reading glasses because I’m going slowly blind in my old age
- Extra wallet with local currency and frequent flyer card, then I don’t have to empty my regular wallet of cards, and I just keep it in the hotel safe til the trip home
- Documentation in a plastic wallet
- Travel Insurance as I’ve heard horrendous stories of overseas hospital bills. Never travel without it. Mine is through Bupa*
- Itinerary
- Passport
- Hotel address/details
- Pen for filling in landing cards
* Exclusive Offer from Bupa for followers of Bloggerati Getaway: If you buy Travel Insurance before December 31 2014, you will receive a Travel Adaptor Kit. Conditions apply. Make sure you buy via the link or by calling 1300 555 240 to receive yours.
Have a great flight to Dubai. Can’t wait to hear about all your adventures!
Imogen, have a safe journey & a GREAT time!!!
Have a great trip!
Great list!!!
Lately I’ve been packing in my purse a little pack of disinfectant wipes — usually it comes with 20 or so wipes in a slim packet. I find mine at Target in the disposable utensils, paper plates section — those wipes don’t have chemicals in them that have to be rinsed away (see package labeling). Before I sit in my seat, I wipe it down — head rest, seat. Then I wipe down the arm rests and all the buttons on the arm rests. With another wipe I clean off the tray and entertainment center — anywhere I would touch or have food be on. Two wipes do the trick.
Also, when leaving the lavatory, I use a tissue to open the door on the way out. Just another way to avoid touching a surface that a bunch of other people touched.
I sound like a germ freak, but I just don’t like getting sick! So anything I can do to cut down my possibilities of getting a bug, I’m all for it. NOTE: Every time I wipe down my seat, tray, etc., my fellow passengers have always said they wished they thought of that — and I let them have a wipe.
Safe travels and can’t wait to hear what you think of Dubai. Always good to see it through a fresh pair of eye after living here now for nearly 10 years.
The noise-cancelling head phones are one of the best investments I’ve ever made for travel. All my flights are 8-14 hours too and they’re a life saver, esp. when a little one is sick/fussy nearby or someone has a bad cough and you are trying to sleep.
-Catherine
Have a wonderful trip Imogen. You are right, noise cancelling headphones are a must when travelling on a plane. I love mine, specially on the oversea flights.
All of the above are great suggestions. I would add a change of underwear and spare top to the list, a lesson learned the hard way when I was stranded without luggage for 24 hours. At least I had a great excuse to go shopping!
I do take a change of undies, and sometimes a spare top or light change of clothes, particularly if travelling to a hotter climate than where I left! Have been known to spill a drink over myself, so it’s nice to have something to change into.
Another vote for disinfectant wipes. Instead of headphones I use ear buds(Sony) that are noise cancelling & can be used for music/IFE etc. & also to sleep. They take up far less room than headphones. I also take a change of undies & a shirt/top in case of lost luggage. For my last holiday I used a backpack with wheels for carry on & it was brilliant. I mostly used it as a wheelie but it was also good to use as a backpack when there were steps on narrow plane aisles.