Hand luggage packing list
ID, charging cable, power bank and the clear bag for liquids: the list for everything that comes into the cabin with you.
Hand luggage
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Combine it with a second list
A trip is often more than one list. Add a second one: matching sections are folded together and nothing appears twice.
What goes in hand luggage and what goes in the suitcase
Your hand luggage holds everything the trip cannot go on without if your suitcase turns up a day late. That means your passport or ID card, boarding pass, credit card and some cash, your medication, glasses or contact lenses, your phone with its charging cable and one change of clothes.
Valuable and fragile things like a laptop, an e-reader or your keys are also better off with you than in the hold. Whatever is big and heavy and only needed at your destination can go in the suitcase. How big and heavy your hand luggage may be, and how many pieces you can take, is set by each airline, often by fare as well. Check your booking or the airline before you pack.
Liquids and power banks
At many airports, liquids, gels and creams in hand luggage have to be in small containers of up to 100 ml that all fit into one clear, resealable bag. That includes toothpaste, hand cream, lip balm in a tube and contact lens solution. The rules differ from airport to airport and they change, so check them with your departure airport before you fly. Pack the bag where you can take it out quickly at security.
Power banks go in your hand luggage, not in the checked suitcase. How many you can take, what size is allowed and whether you may use or charge them on board is up to each airline, and these rules change too. Check what your airline allows before you fly.
What people often forget in their hand luggage
What goes missing most is what you only notice in the cabin: charging cable and headphones, a jumper or scarf against the air conditioning, tissues and lip balm for the dry air. A boarding pass on paper or as a screenshot helps when your phone has no signal at the gate or runs out of battery.
Just as easy to forget: the medication you take every day, and your medication list in case anyone asks. In case your suitcase arrives late, a change of clothes, a toothbrush and, for a trip to the sea, your swimwear are in good hands in your hand luggage. And on the way home, your house keys belong in your hand luggage, not in the suitcase.
A comfortable flight
On longer flights, a travel pillow, an eye mask and earplugs are worth it. Comfortable shoes and loose clothes make the long sitting easier. Compression socks are worth considering on long-haul flights; if in doubt, ask your doctor.
Take your water bottle through security empty and fill it up afterwards wherever there is water. Snacks like nuts or cereal bars keep you going until the meal and through delays. Chewing gum can help with the pressure in your ears during take-off and landing.
Frequently asked questions
What is not allowed in hand luggage?
Cabin bags usually may not contain sharp or pointed items such as larger knives and scissors, tools, weapons or anything that looks like one, or flammable and explosive substances. Liquids are allowed only in limited amounts. The exact lists vary by airport, country and airline, and they change over time. Before you fly, check what currently applies with your departure airport and your airline.
Can I take medication in my hand luggage?
Anything you need during the journey belongs in your hand luggage. Liquid medicines are often exempt from the usual liquid limits, typically if you can show a prescription or a letter from your doctor. Keep them in their original packaging. Your departure airport or airline can confirm the rules for the flight, and the official authorities of your destination what you may bring in. Your pharmacy or doctor can help with questions.
Can I bring food in my carry-on?
Solid food such as sandwiches, fruit, nuts or cereal bars rarely causes trouble at security. Yoghurt, soup, honey or soft cheese, on the other hand, often count as liquids and fall under the same limits as drinks. Think about your destination too, since many countries restrict bringing in meat, dairy, fruit or vegetables. Check with your departure airport and the authorities at your destination before packing.
How do I fit everything into a carry-on bag?
Wear your bulkiest pieces on the way, such as your jacket, jumper and heavier shoes. Roll clothes tightly, use your shoes as storage and fill every gap, and packing cubes help keep it all in order. The biggest saving, though, is leaving things at home. In Packlist you can strike whatever went unused after the trip and pack from the shorter list on your next flight.
How it works
“Start with this list” opens the template – once you have signed in with your email address.
Add more templates, such as “Before leaving” for the water, the heating and the plants. Nothing appears twice.
Create the list, tick it off, archive it after the trip – and pack it again next time.
Good to know
- Can I change the list?
- Yes. Your list is yours: add, rename, move and delete items. The template stays as it is.
- Does it cost anything?
- No. No subscription, no ads. All you need is an email address, no password.