International Carry-on Packing Mistakes to Avoid

In my years as an Italian travel writer and frequent flier, I’ve come to learn the hard way that your international flight experience can be seriously impacted by what you pack. And with airlines increasing baggage fees to near astronomical levels, I’ve started traveling with only a carry-on suitcase and a personal item bag to cut down on unnecessary costs. 

Through trial and error, I’ve discovered the 13 things you should never pack in your carry-on suitcase for an international trip, as well as what you should definitely have on hand. Smart tech items like noise-canceling earphones, matching sets to streamline your wardrobe, and space-saving items such as compression packing cubes are all travel essentials that help me maximize my limited luggage real estate and comfort levels on even the longest of flights. The good news is that many of my favorite must-haves are currently on sale at Amazon, and they start at just $8.

Don’t pack: Vacuum seal bags

Pack this instead: Compression packing cubes 

There’s no doubt that vacuum seal bags are great at compressing clothing, but once compressed, the bags’ material is rigid and hard to cram into a carry-on suitcase (not to mention they’re notorious for adding extra weight). I prefer compression packing cubes, like this set from Gonex, not only for their compressing ability but also because of how squishy and flexible they are—their ripstop nylon material makes it easier for me to fit more into my carry-on suitcase. And, because they compress via a zipper, I don’t need to carry around a hand pump or worry about finding a vacuum. 

Don’t pack: Loose cables

Pack this instead: A cable organizer 

I travel with a lot of tech, which means that I’m usually dragging behind too many cables and adaptors for my phone, portable chargers, camera batteries, and Amazon Fire Tablet. To keep everything organized in one easy-to-reach space, I use a cable organizer, like this one from Fyy. It’s slim enough to fit into a carry-on or personal item, and has a slew of compartments, pockets, and pouches so you can quickly grab what you need when you need it. Best of all, it’s racked up almost 17,000 five-star ratings and is currently just $8. 

Don’t pack: A backpack

Pack this instead: A weekender with a shoe compartment

I used to always carry a backpack as a personal item when I traveled, until I was gifted this weekender bag from Etronik. While I’ve now upgraded to the Béis Mini Weekender, I find weekender bags to be superior to backpacks in terms of on-the-go organization and storage capacity. The Etronik weekender, for example, comes with a bottom zippered shoe compartment, which is ideal for packing away clunky pairs of shoes or any other belongings that don’t fit in your carry-on. It’s also slim enough to fit beneath the seat in front of you, and features a handy USB-charging port so you can stay connected while on the go.

Don’t Wear: Open-toed shoes

Wear this instead: Comfortable sneakers 

In my eyes, traveling with open-toed shoes is a big no-no. Not only do they raise questions surrounding hygiene, as airports and airplanes are dirty, but they’re also generally not the most comfortable footwear. To stay comfy while traveling, consider investing in a versatile and comfortable pair of sneakers, like these podiatrist-approved (and TikTok-famous) Dr. Scholl’s Madison Lace Up Sneakers. Clean and sleek, they can be worn around to sightsee, thanks to their next-level support and cushioning, but are classy enough to be worn out to dinner. Investing in a versatile pair like this will also save you much-needed space in your suitcase, removing the need to pack too many pairs of shoes.

Don’t pack: Wired earphones

Pack this instead: Wireless noise-canceling earphones 

I know, I know—wired earphones are a thing of the past, but they’re still handed out on flights, and I tend to see more people than not who accept and use them to watch an in-flight movie. Wired earphones get in the way and don’t necessarily provide the best audio quality, unlike these Apple AirPods Pro, which are wireless and noise-canceling. I pair them with this traveler-loved, pocket-sized Bluetooth audio transmitter, which lets me connect my AirPods to the airplane’s seatback television.

My AirPods help drone out the general cabin noise and the rumbling jet engines, letting me focus on my music, movie, or audiobook. Plus, the small charging case they come in can easily pack in a crossbody bag, or you can also invest in a traveling sleeve with a carabiner to hook them onto a bag strap. While these AirPods usually come with a heftier price tag, you can snag them right now for 40 percent off their original price.

Don’t pack: Large toiletry bags

Pack this instead: Small, transparent toiletry bags

Large toiletry bags can take up a lot of unnecessary and valuable space in a carry-on suitcase. To save on precious luggage real estate and remove a stressor when passing through hectic security lines, consider this pack of two small, transparent toiletry bags from Packism. 

Spacious enough to fit your essentials, the toiletry bags have two very specific advantages: they’re small enough to fit into a personal item such as a weekender bag so you don’t have to worry about fishing them out of your suitcase ahead of security; and they’re transparent, allowing airport workers to clearly see what you’ve packed, which can cut down on time spent passing through security checkpoints. Overall, they can help make your pre-flight experience a little smoother, which is all the more worth it when you consider that they’re currently on sale for just $8.

Don’t pack: An open-top purse

Pack this instead: A zippered crossbody bag

An open-top purse or tote bag, no matter how many features it may come with, isn’t an ideal option to travel with because it increases the risk of your personal belongings falling out and getting lost. Uto’s three-in-one crossbody bag is my go-to travel purse ever since I purchased it for a week-long road trip through Ireland. Although small, the bag boasts a slew of organizational options: three zippered compartments and a removable and zippered, chest-level coin purse. 

In the bag, I can pack away my three passports, my wallet, a portable charger and its cable, my Apple AirPods Pro, my AirFly device, and multiple lip balms, hand sanitizers, and hand creams—with room to spare. It can easily survive the wear and tear of traveling long distances thanks to its water- and scratch-resistant synthetic-washed leather exterior, not to mention that it’s pretty cute, too. The bag’s budget-friendly price tag is just the cherry on top. 

Don’t Wear: Pajamas

Wear this instead: A matching 2-piece set

I get it, pajamas are comfortable, but they’re not the most stylish option to wear when traveling, nor are they ideal when you land at your destination—hailing a taxi in pajamas in some European countries can automatically mark you as a tourist, and increase the risk of being scammed and paying a higher price (in Italy, for example, taxi drivers will sometimes take a more circuitous route to rack up time and money on their meters if they suspect this). But that doesn’t mean you have to forgo comfort on international flights. 

A matching set, like this one from Amazon, is a traveler-loved outfit that scores high in the style and comfort departments. But don’t just take it from me—after all, this matching set, on sale for $38 and available in over 20 colors, has more than 2,000 five-star ratings from shoppers.

Don’t pack: A travel steamer

Pack this instead: A travel-sized wrinkle-release spray

While travel steamers can help remove the more stubborn wrinkles from your clothing, they take up precious space in a carry-on suitcase. That’s where travel-sized wrinkle-release spray comes in. I use this small but mighty Bounce wrinkle-release spray to get any pesky lines and creases out of my clothes while I travel, and they have the added benefit of also eliminating static and musty odors.

The 3-ounce, TSA-approved spray comes in a pack of three at Amazon, which is great for if you’re traveling with friends or family. And for serious wrinkles, I usually spray my clothing and then hang them up in the bathroom when taking a hot shower and let the steam do the rest. 

Don’t pack: A plastic water bottle

Pack this instead: A stainless steel water bottle

Traveling by plane for extended periods of time can leave you feeling and looking like a dehydrated husk, which can also make it harder to fight jet lag. That’s why staying hydrated is essential when up in the air. I always bring my stainless steel Hydro Flask water bottle with me when I travel, and fill it up at the airport fountains and when flying (some flight attendants will generously fill it up for me). 

The Stainless steel interior not only keeps your water cool, but it’s also leakproof—and not to mention devoid of plastic. Next time you travel, skip the expensive airport plastic water bottles and help the environment by taking a stainless steel water bottle with you instead. Plus, the Hydro Flask 24-ounce Stainless Steel Water Bottle is just $40 in select colors.

Don’t pack: Hardcover books

Pack this instead: An Amazon Fire Tablet 

While I love the feeling of a good hardcover book in my hands, packing just one can take up a lot of space in a carry-on suitcase, not to mention the weight it adds. That’s why I always travel with my best friend: an Amazon Fire Tablet. It’s sleek and thin, so it can easily fit into my personal item, and it can store hundreds of books that I’ll have access to on the go. Plus, I’ve noticed that if I’m only using my device to read, it can go days without needing a charge. It’s a versatile device to have on that hand that’ll keep you entertained while taking up very little space. 

Best of all, the Amazon Fire Tablet is a literal tablet—you can use it to play games like Solitaire, download a movie on the Netflix app, listen to music on the Spotify app, and even jump on a Zoom call without needing to bring your laptop. 

Don’t pack: Loose jewelry

Pack this instead: A travel jewelry case

I always travel with a decent amount of rings, necklaces, and earrings so that I can properly accessorize my outfits. If you’re anything like me, then you understand the need to have your jewelry packed away in one secure and organized space. This foldable travel jewelry case from Bagsmart is a less clunky option to traditional travel jewelry cases, which are usually quite boxy. Its rollable pouch-like design is also very compact, so it can easily fit in a personal belonging or even a crossbody bag. 

But don’t let its small size fool you—it packs quite a punch when it comes to organization. It features three zippered compartments for larger earrings and necklaces, an earring panel that can hold seven pairs of earrings, and a long buckled band to store your rings, all of which can be yours for $16.

Don’t wear: An underwire bra

Wear this instead: A seamless bralette

Travel can already be a miserably uncomfortable affair, and there’s no need to make it worse by wearing an underwire bra that digs into your skin with every twist and turn of your body. If you’re looking for something that’s comfortable but still supportive, look no further than this Calvin Klein seamless bralette. It’s crafted with soft microfiber that’s gentle on skin and is lightly lined with removable pads for a barely-there look. It’s currently available in sizes XS to XL, and in neutral colors including black and beige, for $24.

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