I’ve been on a lot of long international flights and I’ve streamlined what I take for myself on the plane since I bring so much for the kids. I think I finally have it down to my essential favorite things.
1. Cardigan – It always gets cold on long flights so I bring a layer like a cardigan. But having comfy pants like leggings or yoga pants is also a good idea because the little blankets the airplanes provide aren’t big enough to cover your whole body.
2. Money belt – We brought a decent amount of cash with us when we moved here because cash is not easily accessible in El Nido. It was definitely a little scary walking around Manila so we purchased a money belt while we were there. A money belt is always a good idea when traveling internationally.
3. Backpack – They keep your hands free to carry things and wrangle kids. My uncle had his backpack pickpocketed when he was on a hike and didn’t even realize it until the culprit was long gone, so I never put valuables in there when I’m walking around a city.
4. Face lotion sample – No need for a big bottle that you have to put in a ziploc bag when going through security. Save those Sephora samples and just pop 1-2 in your carry-on bag to freshen up during your trip.
6. Headphones – International airlines provide them for free, but I always like to bring my own.
7. External battery – External batteries used to be pretty pricey, but now there are so many options and they’re so affordable! Get the strongest one you can because you can charge multiple devices at once. We never travel without the 2 that we have and they are absolutely indispensable.
8. Lip balm – I have the most chapped lips ever and this multi-purpose ointment helps and does so much more.
9. Gum – I’ve never met anyone whose ears get plugged as much as mine to on planes. I have to clear them 30 times easily on the way up and down. Olive seems to have inherited this affliction and gum helps because you can chew it a long time.
10. Plastic bags – I bring at least 3 plastic bags on the plane with me when traveling internationally with kids because they generate a lot of trash. Wrappers, empty beverage bottles, etc. are all kept in one neat place until the bag is full.
11. Passport holder – I carry 4 passports when we travel and this time around I used passport holders for me and Mr. Bee, and it was great since we could easily differentiate between the passports. I like this set because it comes with 2 bright luggage tags (really handy when looking for your bags on luggage carousel), and a pen. You always need a pen to fill out immigration and customs forms, and it’s easiest to fill them out on the plane instead of asking someone to borrow their pen in the immigration line.
12. Reusable bag – The really big ones you can buy at markets or malls. I like to have one of these because they’re so lightweight, they’re strong and they hold a ton of stuff! You always pick up extra things while in the airport, especially when you have kids, so this is great to have.
13. Wipes – To wipe your hands, the airplane armrests/tabletop/remote.
14. Ziploc bags – For organizing everything.
15. Travel toothbrush – We travel over 24 hours to get to the Philippines and these disposable toothbrushes with toothpaste on them are awesome.
16. Pill box – For your own mini pharmacy – dramamine, ibuprofen, melatonin, etc.
. . . . .
I could certainly bring more things like a travel pillow, eye mask, etc., but I try to keep it to my must-haves.
Are there certain things you can’t fly without?
guest
Snacks! Plane food isn’t always good and even when it is, it’s not always timed to your hunger pangs. I always have snacks and instant noodles (not healthy but super tasty in a pinch!) for a long flight.
apricot / 428 posts
girl be honest with yourself, it’s a fanny pack
pineapple / 12566 posts
Eye mask and ear plugs.
Motion sickness medicine.
Menthol inhaler.
Lip balm.
Eye drops.