The Ultimate Airplane Packing List for Women Over 60 (Carry-On Friendly & Comfortable)
Do you enjoy traveling? Do you often find that once you arrive at your destination, you realize that you packed too much? Or worse, you are missing something important? Packing for a flight can be hit-or-miss for some, but there are ways to make the task easier and less hectic. Having a carry-on-friendly packing list for airplanes can definitely make your travels more comfortable.
Let’s unpack how to create a list for smarter packing!
What Should Always Be in Your Carry-on
There are essential items that should never be packed in your checked luggage. These are items you will want to put in your carry-on or in your personal bag.
In your carry-on, put all the items you cannot do without and that cannot be easily replaced if your checked bag is delayed or lost.
- Passport
- Boarding pass
- Credit cards and cash
- Travel insurance information
- Hotel information and travel itineraries
- Phone and charger
- Portable power bank
Read more: 10 Compact Power Banks – Keeping Your Devices Charged on the Go.
- Laptop, tablet, and chargers
- Prescription medication
- Small first aid kit
Read more: 10 Compact Travel First Aid Kits for Peace of Mind on the Go.
- Scarf or wrap (for warmth or as a pillow)
- Entertainment items (book, e-reader, downloaded movies, journal, etc.)
- Headphones or earplugs (I prefer the noise-cancelling headphones)
Read more: 7 Noise-Canceling Headphones for Peaceful Travels.
- Personal items to freshen up (in travel size)
- Change of clothes for a few days
A Lesson I Learned the Hard Way
Always pack your carry-on with the understanding that it could be checked at the gate. On an international flight last year, I was asked to check my carry-on in exchange for a seat with more legroom. I agreed without thinking about it. When I arrived, my MacBook charger was missing.
Chargers and cables are usually allowed in checked luggage, but lithium batteries and power banks are not, so it may have been removed by mistake.
Lesson learned: if you’re asked to check your carry-on, take out important electronics and chargers first. MacBook chargers are expensive, and it’s a mistake I won’t make again.
What Should You Wear on a Plane
This is one of the most searched travel questions. What should I wear on a flight? The 100% correct answer is comfortable clothing. Planes are cramped and often chilly. Think of clothing items that offer stretch and that are layerable.
Here is my go-to look when I’m travelling:
Best Long-Haul Travel Outfit
Planning a lengthy flight? International travel often entails extended hours in airports and, potentially, layovers. It’s crucial to prioritize utmost comfort in your clothing, considering the possibility that you may have to catch some sleep in them!
A black-and-white outfit is a timeless look that is both elegant and easy to put together. This is always my go-to when traveling for long periods and spending countless hours in airports. These cashmere wide-leg pantsfrom Splendid are the epitome of comfort and style. Match the pants with a Cashmere relaxed V-neck sweaterand a comfy wrap(that can double as a blanket), a tote bagthat comes with an essentials pouch, and some super comfortable slip-ons from Dr. Scholl’s.
Read the rest of the article, 5 Comfortable Travel Outfits for Women Over 60, for more travel outfit ideas.
How to Organize Your Carry-on
Here are a few tips to maximize the space in your carry-on and to make it easy to find what you are looking for:
- Packing cubes. I never travel without them now that I have learned how to use them efficiently. I even offer this as a gift item to friends and family when birthdays and holidays roll around.
Read more: Best Way to Use Packing Cubes – You’ll Never Travel Without Them Again!
- Keep your travel-sized liquid bottles in a clear bag. A zip-lock bag is a perfect solution.
- Keep medications together and well labeled.
- Store cables and chargers in a tech organizer.
FYY Electronic Organizer, Extra Large Travel Cable Organizer
- Store documents in a travel wallet
HERO Neck Wallet, RFID Blocking Passport Holder, Easy to Conceal Travel Pouch
Carry-on Friendly and Comfortable
Remember that you need to stow your carry-on in the overhead bins on the airplane, so weight is a huge factor to consider. The more you pack into your carry-on, the heavier it gets and the more difficult it is to lift over your head. As much as I love packing cubes, they also let you pack more, so be mindful of that.
You don’t need to do all the things mentioned in this article, but adapting a few tips from this packing list will definitely make traveling less stressful and more enjoyable.
Read more: 7 Carry-On Luggage for Women Over 60.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Do you travel with a carry-on? Do you have a packing list? What do you pack that is not on our list? Do you have any other packing tips that you would like to share with our community? Tell us about it in the comments below.
