I love traveling with carry on luggage only. Sure, it can take a bit of getting used to, and you need to be particular about what you back – but I reckon that’s a benefit because I don’t end up with a huge bag of clothes that I don’t wear, and I feel lighter and much more organised.
You can read my guide to traveling carry on only here, and if you’re a wheely bag lover check out my favourite light weight carry on here – it’s only a few grams more than a backpack, and way more beautiful. Plus you can personalise! Yay!
Here are five of the best accessories to buy to make traveling carry on even easier. You’ll be a carry on travel expert in no time – and if you’re not an Amazon Prime member yet def look at joining, cause it has a heap of benefits including free shipping!
Lightweight travel scales.
You definitely need to know how much your bag weighs when you’re traveling carry on only. While you may not get weighed every time, there is a weight limit and if the airline enforces it and you’re over, you’ll have to pay to check your bag in, or leave some gear behind! Not good!
Thankfully these lightweight scales are perfect for putting your mind at ease, they’re super easy to use, and they’re cheap. This digital luggage scale is only 0.1k and is accurate up to 100 grams. It has really good reviews and is one of the highest rated on Amazon.
Just pop your bag on, hold it up and see the weight. You can see all the luggage scales here.
Small leak proof bottles for carry on liquids.
While you don’t have to take all your lotions and potions with you when you travel (you can buy there most of the time and the guesthouses and hotels have amenities) I understand wanting to travel with your own products – I NEED my own conditioner when I’m traveling or my hair will turn into a massive birds nest.
Remember, if you’re flying internationally you can only travel with 100ml or less in the cabin, so use travel sized products or these bottles.
These 100ml bottles are leakproof, cute and durable and are the highest ranking on Amazon with more than 4000 reviews and they’re also BPA free. PLUS they are food grade meaning you can put things like peanut butter, honey and other products inside too.
Packing cubes
The best way to organise your clothes and keep them in dedicated spaces, these packing cubes keep your bag managable and give you easy access to everything you’ve crammed in! While they won’t reduce the weight they will help you make the most of your limited space.
I love using packing cubes. They keep me organised and I use one for dirty clothes too. Generally I will have one for clothes, one for undies and swimmers and a third for toiletries/medical.
They come in sets of all different sizes which is so good for divvying up your gear and fitting into the right sized cube.
I prefer mesh on mine so it’s breathable and you have a clearer view of what’s inside. This set from Bagail is so highly rated on Amazon – 4.5 stars and more than 18,000 reviews – and you can pick from lots of different colours. LOVE!
Power banks.
I would keep this in my pocket at check in cause they can add to the weight of your bag, but power banks are super important to carry with you. We are always on our phones and devices and having a back up power source can be a saviour – because of course your battery runs out when you’re about to take the perfect photo, or need to call your mum.
Plus if you’re on a budget airline chances are they won’t have USB charging ports.
I’ve always used Cygnett power banks like this one because they’re super reliable, long lasting and can take getting bashed around in my backpack. I recommend this one.
This ROMOSS 30,000 is an Amazon best seller and I can see why as it has multiple ports so you can charge a number of devices at the same time. You can also connect it to your Nintendo Switch – it has massive power!! Check it out. I think I’ll get this one next.
International adapter
Because you cannot guarantee that a guesthouse or hotel – even in 2022 – will have a international plug or USB for you to use! In the past six months I’ve had to borrow adapters twice from reception. Travel without one at your peril! This is the highest rated adapter on Amazon – check out all of them here.