{ 1st Day on Trip }

     Make a point of keeping your first day as simple as possible.  You will most likely be exhausted after traveling for long hours.  Besides, time difference could give you a havoc mentally and physically.  If you are arriving in the morning, take the rest of your day "off".  If you are arriving in the evening to night, take the next day "off".  Go to massage, take a casual walk nearby, go to gym in your hotel, enjoy good foods and have some relaxing beverage, etc.  Whatever resets your mind and body.  No busy itinerary.  Your body will thank you!  And, you will be set to enjoy the rest of your trip!  Just be mindful that it could take days for your jet lag to ease off!

{ Luggage }

 ​    Carry-on only traveling is what I like to do.  Benefits are; you don't have to wait in line at your departing airport to check in your luggage.  You go right to TSA check point.  All your contents stay with you through your domestic and international flights.  You are usually allowed to have a "personal bag" which is smaller than your carry-on luggage, and it should fit under seat.  Points to remember in carry-on only traveling are as follows.      

1. Comply with carry-on luggage size dimensions, and possibly weight limit depending on airlines.  Check your airlines' websites.
   
2. Comply with personal bag size dimensions, and possibly weight limit depending on airlines.
   
3. Many carry-on luggages advertised as "carry-on" on markets are larger than the allowed dimensions (Widely used dimensions set by airlines are 9in x 14in x 22in).  Make sure to measure yourself in purchasing.
   
4. Luggage material - Polycarbonate (PC) is recognized as the most durable.  (e.g. Samsonite Winfield 3 DLX).
   
5. Straps are must.  It will help your luggage from accidentally opening.  It is also helpful to keep your luggage closed if zipper on your luggage breaks.  It happened to me!  (e.g. Weewooday Luggage Straps).
   
6. Luggage cover prevents surface damage and is an extra layer to keep luggage from opening.  ​Unique patterns/designs and bright colors enhance visibility.  Plain solid color luggages easily get mistaken as someone else's luggages.  Some covers have pocket(s) which can be very useful.  (e.g. Slohif Luggage Cover for Suitcase).
   
7. Personal bag should have sleeve/strap that slides over upright luggage handle for secure Attachment.  Otherwise, it flaps around.
   

Carry-on suitcases with covers & personal bags

[ Airline Carry-on & Personal Bag Info ]
American Airline
Delta Airline
United Airline
Southwest Airline
JetBlue Airline
- Updated on Jan. 2026 -

{ Liquid Rule }

      Follow TSA 3-1-1 Liquid Rule for carry-on luggage.  Official TSA videos are shown below.  In short, liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes ​​ need to be in travel-size containers (3.4 ounces = 100 milliliter or less) per item.  All containers need to fit inside one clear quart-sized resealable bag per person.  Make sure to be able to remove the clear bag easily out of your personal bag  when requested.  Medications in liquid, paste or cream form are exempt from TSA 3-1-1 Liquid Rule.  Keep your medications in separate bag (s) clearly labeled as such and notify TSA officer.  If you have any question to TSA, ask TSA.  They have email, text, facebook messenger, etc.  You can also download MyTSA app.  They will reply to you.

{ Medicine }

  ​    Bring your Prescription (Rx) medicines & over-the-counters (OTC) medicines.

1. Rx meds - Bring your daily medicines more than enough for your trip in case you end up staying longer. Ask your doctor to get you stand-by medicines such as antibiotics for UTI, antiviral for shingles, etc. if you tend to get those conditions. Ask your pharmacist to use the smallest containers for space-saving in your bag.
2. OTC meds - Have your basic OTC meds such as Tylenol, anti-acid, anti-diarrheal, cold/flu relief, stool softeners, Miralax, etc.
3. Have a list of your meds with you. (e.g. all your records can be saved on your smart phone!)
4. Have a reminder set on your phone for meds that need to be taken at the same time every day.
   

* Travel Constipation is a real thing!  Your body gets thrown off by time difference, unfamiliar foods, and just simply being off-routine.  There is a good article by Cleveland Clinic "On the Road Again With Constipation".  It is a good idea to bring bowel regimens of your choice when traveling even if you normally stay regular.

[ My Recommendation OTC ] 

Boiron Oscillococcinum Homeopathic Flu-like Symptoms Relief - It works!

Nature's Way Umcka Cold & Flu Relief

Airborne Chewable Tablets - I took this every day during trip.

MiraFAST Soft Chews

Miralax Powder Laxative

{ Vacuum Bag }

      When you travel with carry-on only, it is imperative to compress all you can. Space is limited.  Choose vacuum bags that are compressible both by your pressing ​and by mini electric vacuum.  if the electric vacuum breaks, you want to be able to compress manually. Bring extra bags in case bag breaks.  (e.g. VMstr 12 Pack Travel Vacuum Storage Bags with USB Electric Pump).  My packing recommendation is to put one-two day worth of clothes in one small bag, the next one-two day worth of clothes in the next small bag, and so on.  You only open one bag every day keeping the rest of vacuumed bag unopened until you need them.  This method come in handy especially when you are changing locations often going from one accommodation to another with repeated unpacking and packing.  You want to separate your clothes by day so you don't have to open all the vacuumed bags.  Of course, if you are staying in one accommodation for the entire trip, this method doesn't matter!

Vacuumed to Flat with Electric Pump

{ Tooth Care Kit }

      Travel size tooth care kit is a must for space saving.  It used to be a common practice that most hotels provide disposable toothbrush and toothpaste, but nowadays, many accommodations are phasing out of the practice.  You will also notice that they are switching from single-use to refillable dispensers for shampoo, conditioner, and lotion.  Hence, it is a good idea to always bring your own too​th care kit.  It is also nice to be able to brush your teeth at airport in between flights.  If you like electric toothbrush, there are travel-size electric toothbrushes.  If you need water pick which tends to be very clunky, there are travel-size water picks that are collapsable on the market.  My recommendation is to get battery-operated items versus rechargeable ones in case of power outage.  Always bring extra batteries.

Travel-size Toothcare Kit & Razor

{ Laundry }

      To make your carry-on only travel possible, you pack less clothes, and do laundry during traveling.  1. You  could use hotel's laundry service.  Things to remember is that some hotels may not have laundry service on weekend.  I had this experience at one hotel where front staff told me that they don't have laundry staff on weekends.  2. Some accommodations have coin laundry machine, or you may find laundromat nearby.  3.  You do your own laundry at your accommodation.  Here are travel-friendly things to pack for self laundry during your trip, and some laundry tips.

1. Collapsible Bucket - Bring your own collapsible bucket as your accommodation's sink may not be suitable for laundry for variety of reason​s; broken or missing drain plug, too small or shallow of a sink, it doesn't look clean, etc.  This collapsible bucket doesn't take much space in your carry-on luggage.  (e.g. Tessco 5-Gallon Collapsible Bucket, Polyester). 
   
2. Mini Wash Board - For when scrubbing is needed. (e.g. Mini Washboard Portable).
   
3. Water-proof Rubber Gloves - It protects your skin.  (e.g. DABOGOSA Household Dishwashing Cleaning Rubber Gloves).
   
4. Laundry Detergent Sheet and Stain Remover - (e.g. Soulink Laundry Detergent Sheets & Nellie's Wow Stick Stain Remover).
   
5. Clothes Line - Suction cups or hooks on ends.  Hooking is more reliable as suction could come off with the weight of wet laundry.  (e.g. Go Travel Clothes Line).
   
6. Ask for more towels for drying your laundry at your accommodation.  After squeezing out as much water as possible from your washed & rinsed laundry, roll them up inside dry towel to remove more moisture before hang them up.  
   
7. Use iron to speed up drying if needed.
   
8. Keep in mind that thick winter clothes take more efforts to squeeze and take longer to dry.  
   

5-gallon collapsible bucket & mini wash board

Drying on clothes line

{ Liquid to Solid }

      You have so many of your favorite liquids that you want to take with you, not only your toiletries but also facial serum and creams, sunblock, after-sun aloe gel, bug repellent spray, etc.  It is impossible to fit all of the liquids in one quart-size bag!  If you are sticking with carry-on only plan, there is a way to reduce liquid amount.  Simply, switch to bar shampoo, bar conditioner, sheet laundry detergent, bug repellent stick balm, etc.  If you are like me with sensitive skin and want to bring your own familiar products that you know won't cause skin irritation, finding your favorite non-liquid items before your trip will give you peace of mind.  If your skin can take anything new and unfamiliar in foreign countries, you could purchase at your destination which save space in your luggage. 

Shampoo, conditioner, body wash bars

[ My Recommendation ]

Pouch with strap is convenient for hanging as you are likely to have no place to place all your bar soaps. - (e.g. myHomeBody Soap Pocket Pouch)

Bring your suction cups with hooks​ so you can hang your pouches.  (e.g.  KORCCI Suction Cup Hooks) 

{ Essentials }

      Here is a list of essentials that get you "well-prepared" for travel.  

1. Passport that doesn't expire soon- Each international destination has a requirement for passport's validity length for entry.  Go to this official website "Travel Advisories" by US Travel.State.Gov [for US citizens] to check passport validity requirement.  There, pick your destination either in the "International Travel Advisory map" or "Travel Advisories by destination".  Then, you will find travel requirements information.  For other citizens, check with your country's embassy.
   
2. Visa or electronic travel authorization if your destination(s) require(s).  - You can find this information in the same website "Travel Advisories".
   
3. International Data Plan for Phone - Recommended eSIM companies. Saily and Airalo. 
   
4. Portable Power Bank- Power banks up to 100 watt-hours (about 27,000 mAh) are generally allowed in carry-on luggage, with no special approval needed.  I like the brand Anker, and their article explains it all about power bank for airplane ride.  Also, see FAA's "Pack Safe - Lithium Batteries". 
   
5. International Electrical Plug - Find your destination's plug type at International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).  This one is compact & comes with cord.  (e.g. kakyanill Travel Plug Adapter).  Use Power adapter (charger block) that can accommodate the voltage of your destination.  (e.g. Anker Dual Port USB A Charger Block, Anker Nano USB C Charger).
   
6. First Aid Kit - Mini first aid kit has essentials just in case.  Moleskin on your blisters feels like a life saver when you got to keep exploring! 
   
7. Mini umbrella - It rains sometimes!  It also serves as sun protection.  (e.g. BAODINI Travel Essentials Mini Umbrella).
   
8. Pancho - It can cover your body and your backpack at the same time. (e.g. SaphiRose Hooded Rain Poncho).
   
9. Extra Batteries - For your electric toothbrush, water pick, flashlight, etc.  
   
10. Mini Flashlight- Power outage happens.  
    
11. Hand Sanitizer - Individually-wrapped wipes are convenient and doesn't count as liquid like the commonly used gel sanitizer.  (e.g. Sani-Hands Hand Sanitizer Wipes).
    
12. Disinfecting Wipe - Quick wiping of your surrounding such as your airplane seat, armrest, table, etc. keeps germ away. (e.g. Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Travel Wipes).
    
13. Mask - Protect yourself when needed, and to protect others if you are sick.
    
14. Glasses Cleaning Wipe- Glasses get always dirty!  You can also clean your camera lens.  (e.g Dipoo lens wipes).
    
15. Glasses/Sunglasses Strap - For when you go for high-velocity activities such as speedboat! and so you don't lose your glasses generally.  (e.g. Attmu Sunglasses Strap).
    
16. Ice Cleats - In case you travel in possibly icy condition, it prevents you from slipping.  (e.g. Due North Everyday G3 Ice Cleats). 
17. Instant Coffee - If you like to drink coffee when you wake up, coffee maker in your room may not work.  (this happened to me many times.).  Bring your own instant coffee packets so all you need is hot water.  Many, not all, hotels provide electric kettle in your room.

(​I will keep adding more helpful travel items & info here as I discover them along the way!)