July
As a travel and shopping writer, I’m the jack of many trades – but there is one thing I can really say I mastered in: perfecting the carry-on luggage. From my frequent trips to visiting family in the sunny Gold Coast, to hiking off the beaten track (I can say I’ve lost my phone to the middle of the wilderness only to find it the next day), to organising two months of clothing into one 40L backpack; travelling abroad is something I know well, and packing properly for it is an essential skill.
My biggest advice when packing a carry-on is to place everything you’ll need onboard (lip balm, headphones, eye mask, hand cream, charger, medications) in a small pouch, which saves you from rummaging through your suitcase or bag mid-flight. Photograph the contents of your carry-on as well, in case your bag is gate-checked unexpectedly.
So, whether you’re organising your pre-packing checklist, or are looking for an upgrade to your basic flight essentials, below is the carry-on formula I – along with frequent travellers the world over – rely on to travel smarter.
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Our carry-on essentials edit
Below is my edit of the carry-on essentials I personally can’t live without (continue scrolling or click here for the full checklist). The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are the first thing I reach for. Their premium noise-cancelling technology can transform a noisy cabin into a peaceful, anxiety-free retreat. I haven’t purchased one yet, but I’ve been eyeing the July Juliette Frame Weekender as my next travel essential. It looks polished enough to carry straight into a hotel lobby while still being practical for weekend getaways. The Anker 737 Power Bank is another non-negotiable, as it can charge both my laptop and phone, meaning I’m never hunting for a power outlet between flights. Lastly, hydration is key when it comes to surviving long-haul travel, which is why I always keep the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask within easy reach. It’s my secret weapon against the dry cabin air that inevitably leaves my skin and lips feeling parched.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra,
$645
July Juliette Frame Weekender,
$595
Anker 737 Power Bank,$165 $149
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask,
$31
Rules for carry-on travel
1. Pack for the journey, not just the destination: Keep everything you’ll need in transit (headphones, chargers, medication, lip balm, a water bottle and an eye mask) easily accessible. A comfortable flight starts with a well-organised carry-on. As I recommended earlier, place everything you’ll need onboard specifically in a small pouch, and pull it out after boarding and stow your larger bag overhead.
2. Master the 7kg weight limit: Before you even think about packing, invest in a lightweight bag – every gram the bag weighs is a gram stolen from your already-perfected holiday wardrobe. A quality ultralight cabin bag can weigh as little as 1.1 kg. Read our guide here.
3. Follow the “one-bag emergency” rule: Assume your checked luggage could be lost or delayed. I’ve made this mistake before, and had to travel through Dubrovnik without pants. Always pack a change of clothes, underwear, toiletries, valuables and anything you’ll need for the first 24 hours of your trip.
4. Keep power within reach: A dead phone can derail everything from boarding passes to hotel check-ins. Travel with a fully charged power bank and charging cables in an easy-to-reach pocket.
5. Every item should earn its place, and be organised: If an item serves only one purpose and isn’t essential, leave it behind. Prioritise versatile pieces that can be worn, used or styled multiple ways. Compression packing cubes can reduce the volume of your clothes by up to 60% – I recommend the 6PCS Compression Packing Cubes from Bagsmart.
1. Luggage and Protection
Expandable Carry-on Luggage
$260 $182 at Antler
Why we love: lightweight design
Weighing just 2.6kg, the Expandable Carry-on by Antler is the perfect choice for those who value simplicity and ease without sacrificing weight for their sojourns across the globe. It has a spacious, organised interior, TSA-approved locks and four wheels for easy movement across the airport, the hotel lobby and beyond.
Blast Pro 38L travel backpack
$145 at Bagsmart
Why we love: expandable design
For those who are keen to travel light, the Blast Pro 38L travel backpack by Bagsmart is a flexible option, designed to expand from 28–38L for 3–5 day trips. It comes with a smart divider panel, stowable shoe compartment. and laptop sleeve, and even has an RFID pocket for protection.
Passport cover
$149 at Bellroy
Why we love: RFID protection
A passport cover is a must if you’re looking for a place to store your passport, cash, cards and documents. This sleek design from Bellroy has RFID protection, a magnetic closure and can fit up to two standard passports, and boarding passes, as well as six cards.
Apple AirTag 4 Pack
$145 at JB-Hi-Fi
Why we love: safety and confidence when travelling
Whether you only need one or the four pack, an Apple AirTag or similar is the simplest way to keep track of and find your items alongside friends and devices in the Find My app. The replaceable battery should last over a year if you’re planning to do multiple trips throughout the year. For those who aren’t an Apple user, we recommend the Moto Tag for the Google Find Hub and the Samsung SmartTag 2 for Samsung users.
2. Staying comfortable in transit
Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise Cancelling Headphones
$698 at JB Hi-Fi
Why we love: immersive and cinematic sound
The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones deliver a premium listening experience with customisation tailored to your needs. The headphones offer up to 30 hours of music playback with noise-cancelling activated, while a quick 10-minute charge provides approximately five hours of use. Other key features include spatial, cinematic sound, an easy-to-access mute and unmute button, and intuitive controls. If you’re after an even more premium option, we recommend the Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION (read our review here).
Camilla and Marc Leonie Knit Scarf
$400 at THE ICONIC
Why we love: knitted fabric and rectangular shape is warm and comfortable
My favourite trick for long-haul flights, or any flight really, is to bring along a large scarf or travel wrap to cosy up in during the flight – especially as the air starts to cool down when flying. Layer over a wool coat or knitwear, or whatever your signature airport fit is, for added warmth and texture.
Slip Pure Silk Sleep Mask
$68 at Myer
Why we love: soft and comfortable, reducing tugging on delicate facial skin
Blocking out light for uninterrupted (beauty) slumbering, this sleep mast is a surprising flight essential. The 100-percent silk moonlights as a sensitive skin soother, preventing fine lines from forming while protecting lash integrity. Choose from black, charcoal, silver, pink, poolside, navy and caramel colourways.
3. Looking fresh after a long-haul flight
The Makeup Travel Kit 2.0
$304 $174 at Jones Road Beauty
Why we love: quick touch-ups on the go
Whether you’re after a suntanned look because you’re heading to summer, or at least want to act like it, The Makeup Travel Kit 2.0 is the perfect travel accessory with all the essentials needed for a quick touch up pre or post-boarding. This travel beauty collection includes five makeup items, including the Mini Miracle Balm and Gel Bronzer, as well as a buffing brush and an exclusive JRB Tyvek bag. Lightweight and buildable, this no-fuss makeup edit is the perfect travel accessory for beauty buffs.
VIRTUE Recovery Discovery Kit
$59 at Adore Beauty
Why we love: hair revitilisation magic
When you’re travelling, you hair feels it. That’s why this miniature kit from VIRTUE is a perfect carry-on addition. This three-piece set contains a shampoo and conditioner in 60ml bottles, and a restorative mask to keep your hair hydrated, soft and shiny. It’s also designed for majority of hair types, making it a perfect asset for girls trips away.
The Starter Kit with The Rich Cream
$336 at Augustinus Bader
Why we love: glowy skin on the go
If you’re after a completely trusted, on-the-glow system, look no further than The Starter Kit from Augustinus Bader. Featuring four cult-favourites from the brand, included the highly coveted The Rich Cream in a 15ml size, as well as a cleansing gel, essence, face oil and mesh bag; we recommend keeping this close to you when boarding a long-haul flight so you can feel as restorative you would post-facial.
Dr Lewinn’s Hydrating Ceramide Mist
$50 at Adore Beauty
Why we love: hydration, hydration, hydration
Hydration is key when it comes to surviving a long-haul flight, or any flight for that matter. The Dr Lewinn’s Hydrating Ceramide Mist 100ML is just small enough to be carry-on approved, delivering refreshing face mist with Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Tripeptide-8, and Provitamin B5 to support the skin barrier.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Vitamin B5 Sheet Face Masks 5 Pack
$56.99 $28.49 at Amazon
Why we love: adds a little luxury to our long-haul
Intensely hydrating and soothing, the Cicaplast Vitamin B5 Sheet Face Masks are a lifesaver on flights. The masks are designed to promotes intense hydration and to soothe and repair dry and dehydrated skin. Opt for the five-pack for the return flight home, and to share with a friend – if you’re willing.
4. Staying connected
Anker Prime Power Bank
$229.95 at Amazon
Why we love: can charge multiple devices
The Anker Prime Power Bank 20,100mAh is powerful, able to charge multiple devices at once, including laptops. It supports ultra-fast 140W single-port charging, recharges quickly at 100W, and has smart app control, making it ideal for travel, work and business travellers constantly on the go.
Airalo
Why we love: global coverage
Airalo has eSIMs you can use in over 200 global locations and is one of the most popular eSIM brands available, with over 20 million users worldwide. It’s also the eSIM I chose for a two-month solo trip across Europe. Installation was so easy and I didn’t have to stress about keeping my current sim in a safe place. The plans vary a lot depending on where you’re going, how long you want to use the eSIM and how much data you want. The cost can also go up for eSIMs that have data as well as network calls and texts.
Disgian Universal Travel Adapter
$69.99 at Amazon
Why we love: universal design
The Design Travel Adapter delivers powerful 100W GaN fast charging in a compact travel-friendly design, supporting laptops, phones, and tablets. It has four ports (USB-C and USB-A) and universal plug compatibility, making it an all-in-one solution for global travellers
Items we never buy for carry-on travel
There are a couple of carry-on items I have personal quirks with. For one, be wary of travel pillows with rigid frames or “engineering-grade” neck support systems. I find them too bulky and, frankly, uncomfortable. Some toiletry bags also have a rigid structure that takes up more space than it intends to.
You also don’t need an oversized power station or high-capacity bricks beyond 25,000mAh – it’s just not worth the extra bucks.
Also, if you’re packing “just in case” shoes, you’ll never use them, trust me. Pick one versatile pair only – and that doesn’t mean they have to be ugly, just comfortable!
Lastly, make sure all your liquids are decanted into 100ml max containers. I know that sounds obvious based on what we’ve been taught our whole lives, but mistakes do get made, and that oh-so-valuable sunscreen you were hoping to sneak past security might end up in the bin.
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