I fly to Europe a lot. Like, enough that airport security agents have probably seen me more often than some of my extended family. Between splitting my time between Ohio and Copenhagen, reporting trips, and various European getaways, I cross the Atlantic more than 15 times a year. After hundreds of hours in airport terminals and airplane seats, I’ve become ruthlessly selective about what earns a spot in my carry-on.
You won’t find many gimmicky travel gadgets here. Most of the items I pack solve a specific problem, whether that’s staying hydrated, resting on a red-eye, or surviving the inevitable moment when an airline decides your suitcase should take a different vacation than you.
These are the items that come with me on nearly every European flight.
LARQ Self-Cleaning Water Bottle
Hydration becomes surprisingly difficult on travel days. Between security checkpoints, overpriced airport water, and the dry air inside aircraft cabins, it’s easy to arrive feeling like a raisin.
That’s why I almost always travel with a LARQ self-cleaning water bottle. The UV-C technology helps keep the bottle fresh between washes, which is particularly useful when you’re bouncing between airports, trains, and hotels for weeks at a time.
The biggest benefit? I fill it before boarding and keep sipping throughout the flight instead of relying solely on the tiny cups of water flight attendants hand out.
Trtl Travel Hoodie
Airplanes operate on their own climate system. One minute you’re sweating during boarding. Next, you’re considering whether you can request a blanket fort.
The Trtl travel hoodie has become one of my favorite long-haul travel pieces because it’s comfortable and designed with travel in mind. The oversized hood creates a little personal bubble when you’re trying to sleep, read, or simply avoid eye contact during hour eight of a transatlantic flight.
An eye mask
I’ve tested plenty of travel accessories over the years. Few make as much difference as a good eye mask.
When you’re trying to get some rest on an overnight flight to Europe, light is the enemy. So is the passenger across the aisle who decides to watch an action movie at full brightness.
I rotate between a few options, including the Manta Sleep Mask and the Slip Silk Sleep Mask. Both do an excellent job blocking light while remaining comfortable enough to wear for hours.
Create Creatine + Electrolytes Mix
Jet lag is annoying. Dehydration makes it worse.
I usually pack individual servings of Create Creatine + Electrolytes Mix and add them to my water after landing. Long-haul travel can leave you feeling sluggish, and having electrolytes ready to go helps me start feeling human again after an overnight flight.
AirFly Pro
This is one of those gadgets that seems unnecessary until you use it.
The AirFly Pro allows you to connect Bluetooth headphones to airplane entertainment systems. Instead of using the complimentary earbuds that sound like they came from a vending machine in 2004, I can use my own headphones and enjoy movies, podcasts, and music with significantly better audio quality.
For long flights, it’s absolutely worth carrying.
A foldable tote
A foldable tote takes up almost no room in my bag, yet somehow ends up being useful on every trip.
I’ve used mine for grocery runs in Copenhagen, carrying snacks for train rides, transporting laundry, and bringing home souvenirs I definitely didn’t plan on buying.
It’s one of the least exciting items I pack and one of the most useful.
Argon Audio Quiet Storm Headphones
Noise-canceling headphones are practically mandatory for long-haul travel.
My current favorite pair is the Argon Audio Quiet Storm. They block out a surprising amount of cabin noise and make flights significantly more enjoyable, whether I’m watching movies or just trying to drown out a particularly enthusiastic toddler three rows back.
Compression packing cube for in-flight essentials
One mistake I see travelers make all the time is stuffing everything into their carry-on without any organization.
I keep all of my in-flight essentials in a dedicated compression packing cube. Chargers, medications, lip balm, hand cream, snacks, tissues, and anything else I might need during the flight all live in one place. Instead of digging through my entire bag under the seat, I pull out one cube and I’m set.
Matador FlatPak Toiletry Bottle
These are a game-changer for carry-on-only travel.
Unlike traditional travel bottles, Matador FlatPak bottles are flexible and take up less space as you use the contents. They’re perfect for shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and other essentials when you’re traveling for several weeks at a time.
A dedicated flight skincare kit
Airplane cabins are notoriously dry, and my skin definitely notices after eight or nine hours in the air.
Rather than bringing my entire skincare routine, I keep a dedicated flight kit packed and ready to go. Depending on the trip, it might include a moisturizer, lip balm, hydrating serum, eye drops, and hand cream.
Some favorites include products from Aesop, ALBION, and Summer Fridays.
Kindle Paperwhite
I love a good travel bookshop, but I don’t love carrying six books through three countries.
My Kindle Paperwhite solves that problem nicely. The battery lasts forever, the screen is easy on tired eyes, and it is truly my favorite way to pass the time on flights.
Portable door lock
This one gets a few raised eyebrows.
A portable door lock weighs almost nothing and adds an extra layer of security when staying in hotels or unfamiliar accommodations.
Do I use it every night? No.
Am I glad I packed it when I want a little extra peace of mind? Absolutely.
A change of clothes
This is the least glamorous item on the list and possibly the most important.
Even though I typically travel carry-on only, I always pack a spare outfit in my personal item. Flight delays happen. Coffee spills happen. Unexpected overnight layovers happen.
Having a clean shirt, fresh underwear, and an extra pair of socks has saved me more than once.
It’s not exciting, but neither is spending 18 hours in the same outfit after a missed connection.
