Carry-on packing checklist: everything you need, nothing you forget

To forget nothing in your carry-on, follow a simple order: documents, money, tech, liquids, clothes, comfort. The full checklist is right below, along with the traps to avoid at security and boarding.

The idea: anything valuable, fragile or essential on arrival travels with you in the cabin. The rest can go in the hold.

What is the complete carry-on checklist?

Tick each line the day before you leave. Then do a quick check on the morning itself, just for documents and chargers.

1. Documents and money

• ☐ ID card or passport (check the expiry date)
• ☐ Boarding pass (paper or on your phone, with a screenshot)
• ☐ Visa or travel authorisation if your destination requires one
• ☐ Bank card + a backup card stored elsewhere
• ☐ Some cash
• ☐ Health insurance card or travel insurance certificate
• ☐ Driving licence if you are renting a car
• ☐ Accommodation address saved offline

2. Tech and charging

• ☐ Phone and its charger
• ☐ Power bank (always in the cabin, never in the hold)
• ☐ Charging cable(s)
• ☐ Earphones
• ☐ Plug adapter if you leave Europe
• ☐ Laptop or tablet + charger
• ☐ E-reader, camera and memory cards

Power banks follow precise rules depending on their capacity. We detail them all here: Power banks on planes: all the rules.

The problem: cables, chargers and earphones end up in a tangle at the bottom of your bag. At security, you have to empty everything out.
The solution: a single pouch just for tech. Out in one move, back in one move. The Packune Organizer Pouch does exactly that, when travelling and at home. For a detailed list of what to put in it, see our carry-on tech kit guide.

3. Liquids and toiletries

• ☐ Clear, resealable plastic bag
• ☐ Travel-size toothpaste + toothbrush
• ☐ Deodorant (a stick is not a liquid)
• ☐ Cream, shower gel, shampoo in small bottles
• ☐ Sunscreen if your destination calls for it
• ☐ Regular medication + prescription
• ☐ Contact lenses, glasses, lens solution
• ☐ Tissues and small hand sanitiser

4. Clothes

• ☐ One full change of clothes (in case your checked bag gets lost)
• ☐ Underwear and socks for each day
• ☐ A jumper or light jacket (it is often cool on board)
• ☐ Pyjamas
• ☐ Swimsuit if needed
• ☐ One extra pair of shoes at most: wear the heaviest pair

5. On-board comfort

• ☐ Empty water bottle (fill it after security)
• ☐ Travel pillow
• ☐ Sleep mask and earplugs
• ☐ A snack
• ☐ Lip balm
• ☐ Pen (for arrival forms)

What are the rules for liquids in the cabin?

The basic rule in the European Union: each liquid must be in a container of 100 ml maximum, and all these containers must fit in one clear, resealable 1-litre plastic bag (Your Europe, European Commission).

Careful: it is the size of the container that counts, not what is left inside. A half-empty 150 ml tube will be refused.

Some airports equipped with new-generation scanners may relax this rule. But not everywhere, and not always on the way back. The safest approach: pack as if the 100 ml rule applies, and check your airport's website. Exceptions (medication, baby food) are listed by the European Commission. (Rules checked on 24 September 2026.)

What counts as a liquid?

Item	Liquid?	Tip
Toothpaste, cream, gel	Yes	100 ml max containers
Mascara, lip gloss, foundation	Yes	In the clear bag
Stick deodorant, bar soap	No	Great for saving space
Shampoo bar	No	Replaces a whole bottle
Peanut butter, jam	Yes	Often forgotten: put it in the hold
Water bought after security	Allowed	Or refill your empty bottle

How do you pack a carry-on so everything fits?

A carry-on is small. The problem is not how much you bring, it is the mess. Three rules are enough.

Rule 1: one pouch per category

Tops, bottoms, underwear, toiletries, tech. Each group gets its own pouch. Result: you find everything without emptying your case onto the hotel bed.

The problem: your case is opened at security and everything spills out.
The solution: the Packune set of 6 travel pouches keeps clothes, shoes, accessories and cosmetics in separate compartments. You see at a glance what is missing.

Rule 2: roll, don't fold

Roll T-shirts, trousers and jumpers. They take up less space and crease less. Slip socks and chargers inside your shoes.

Rule 3: heavy items at the bottom, by the wheels

Shoes and heavy items near the wheels. Clothes in the middle. Tech pouch and liquids bag on top: those are the two things you take out at security.

How do you avoid paying excess baggage fees?

Each airline sets its own cabin dimensions and weight limits. And these rules change. Two habits prevent bad surprises:

• Check your ticket: some fares only include a small under-seat bag, not a carry-on case.
• Weigh your bag before leaving: especially on the way home, with souvenirs.

The problem: finding out at the airport that your bag is over the weight limit.
The solution: the Packune digital luggage scale (up to 40 kg) fits in your pocket. Weigh at home, then at the hotel before flying back.

What do people forget most often?

• The charger (you think of the phone, not the cable)
• The plug adapter
• Everyday medication
• A change of clothes in the cabin
• The empty water bottle
• Car rental paperwork

Tip: keep a tech kit always ready, used only for travel. You never empty it, so you never forget anything.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put a power bank in my carry-on?

Yes, and in fact you must: power banks are banned from the hold. Their capacity is limited. All the rules are in our article Power banks on planes.

Is spray deodorant allowed in the cabin?

Yes, if it is 100 ml maximum and in your clear bag. A stick deodorant avoids the question: it is not considered a liquid.

Are liquid medicines limited to 100 ml?

No, medication needed during the trip is one of the exceptions. Keep the prescription handy and show them at security (Your Europe).

Do packing pouches count towards the weight?

Yes, everything in the case counts. Light fabric pouches weigh little, and the gain in organisation more than makes up for it.

When should I pack my carry-on?

The evening before. You have time to buy anything missing, and in the morning you only check documents and chargers.

In short

A well-packed carry-on comes down to three moves: follow the checklist, pack in pouches, weigh before you leave. Print this list, tick it the day before, and travel with a clear mind.

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