✈️ Air Travel Q&A
What should I pack in my carry-on versus my checked luggage?
Documents, medication, electronics, valuables and one change of clothes always go in your carry-on; bulk, liquids over 100ml and anything replaceable can be checked.
Answered by the RealTripGuides editors. We check what we can against official sources and say when something varies by country or operator.
Always in your carry-on
- Passport, visas, booking confirmations and any printed entry documents.
- Medication in its original packaging, plus a copy of the prescription for anything unusual.
- Laptop, camera, phone, chargers and power banks (lithium batteries are not allowed in the hold).
- Cash, cards, jewellery and anything you could not replace.
- One change of clothes and basic toiletries, in case your checked bag takes a later flight.
- Liquids in containers of 100ml or less, inside one clear resealable bag.
Fine to check
- Clothing, shoes and anything bulky but cheap to replace.
- Full-size toiletries and sun cream.
- Sports equipment, walking poles and other items security will not allow in the cabin.
Weigh your bag at home. Most airlines allow 23kg (50lb) per checked bag in economy, and airport excess-baggage fees are deliberately painful. A cheap luggage scale costs less than one overweight charge. Photograph your packed bag and its contents before you drop it — if it goes missing, that photo makes the claim far easier.
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