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I spent over 120 days a year traveling and have perfected my packing routine. Here are 12 things I refuse to leave behind.

Carly Caramanna   

I spent over 120 days a year traveling and have perfected my packing routine. Here are 12 things I refuse to leave behind.
After years working as a travel writer, I've perfected my packing routine.Carly Caramanna
  • I'm a travel writer who spends at least 120 days per year on the road, and I rarely check a bag.
  • My carry-on is filled with items, like my sound machine and packing cubes, that cost less than $35.

My sound machine drowns out background noise and takes up minimal space in my bag.

My sound machine drowns out background noise and takes up minimal space in my bag.
I pack my Sleepbox sound machine regardless of where I'm headed.      Carly Caramanna

A good night's rest is vital to making the most of a jam-packed trip itinerary.

In case my accommodation has thin walls or is stationed above a bustling city street, I always have a sound machine on hand to drown out any unwanted noise.

My favorite one is made by Sleepbox and costs $20. The compact machine is programmed to have a variety of different tones and volume levels. It also doubles as a nightlight.

I've found countless uses for gallon-sized plastic bags.

I
The resealable plastic bags barely take up any space in my carry-on.      Carly Caramanna

Few things in my bag are as useful or versatile as gallon-sized, resealable plastic bags.

They come in handy in so many situations — from wrapping up a wet bathing suit to storing a messy, broken beauty product.

To keep my carry-on organized, I put each individual outfit, down to the undergarment, in its own individual plastic bag.

Thanks to my sleeping mask, I can get some shut-eye at any hour.

Thanks to my sleeping mask, I can get some shut-eye at any hour.
I never know how much light a hotel room will have in the morning, so I always travel with an eye mask.      Carly Caramanna

My eye mask makes a noticeable difference when I attempt to lie down and rest. After a long day of travel, putting it on feels like pulling a soft blanket over my eyes.

Mine is silk and made by BeeVines. It comes in a variety of colors, and a two-pack costs $10.

I go through so many temperature changes when I travel, so I always have a portable fan on hand.

I go through so many temperature changes when I travel, so I always have a portable fan on hand.
The portable fan I carry is tiny but can cool me off fairly quickly.      Carly Caramanna

Portable fans are small, but they pack a mighty punch.

When I'm running around scorching hot theme parks or packing into public transportation, I'm always thrilled to pull one out of my bag.

I've tried over a dozen fans and swear by a $14 one made by JisuLife. Its compact design and battery life are unrivaled by any of the others I've used.

As an added bonus, the fan has a built-in flashlight and USB port, so I can use it to charge my phone.

I have two Wet Brushes — one for my home and one for my carry-on.

I have two Wet Brushes — one for my home and one for my carry-on.
I travel with the same type of Wet Brush I have at home.      Carly Caramanna

I always pack a duplicate of the same $12 hairbrush that I use at home.

I've found the Wet Brush brand to be my favorite. They're easy to clean and help detangle knots, even when I don't deep condition my hair during trips.

To avoid germs on hotel or Airbnb floors, I wear slide sandals around the room.

To avoid germs on hotel or Airbnb floors, I wear slide sandals around the room.
I put on my slides as soon as I removed my footwear.      Carly Caramanna

When I check into a hotel or an Airbnb, it's impossible to know who or what has been on the floors before I arrived.

To put a barrier between my feet and any potential germs, I keep my carry-on stocked with a pair of slide sandals and slip them on whenever I'm not in my normal footwear.

Keychains can provide storage without taking up space inside my bag.

Keychains can provide storage without taking up space inside my bag.
The keychains are small, but they can actually hold a decently large bag inside of them.      Carly Caramanna

To avoid checking bags, I have to be strategic with how I use space in my carry-on. Keeping a keychain that has a foldable bag inside attached to the front is a great hack.

When the bag is unrolled, it's no more than a few inches long. Still, it's big enough to use for beach towels, groceries, or dirty laundry.

I also bring a hard-shell keychain to store my cords and keep my phone charger and headphones tidy.

Wipes are a lightweight and handy addition to my bag.

Wipes are a lightweight and handy addition to my bag.
I come in contact with a ton of germs when I travel, so I carry antibacterial wipes.      Carly Caramanna

I bring several packages of wipes in my carry-on. They're a light item to pack, and they can be really helpful when I'm on the road.

Coconut wipes offer a refresher from the heat and are a perfect addition to my bag when I head to warmer climates.

I use antibacterial wipes to sanitize airplane tray tables and clean my hands before a roadside meal.

In case I spill a glass of wine on my white shoes or step into a pesky puddle, I also carry a few shoe-cleaning wipes.

Setting spray is the secret weapon in my makeup arsenal.

Setting spray is the secret weapon in my makeup arsenal.
Setting spray helps me keep the little makeup that I do wear when I'm traveling intact.      Carly Caramanna

I keep my makeup routine very simple when I travel.

No matter how little or how much product I wear on my face, this $15 Urban Decay setting spray always keeps my makeup intact — even after long, hot days.

My phone is my lifeline on trips, so a portable charger is invaluable.

My phone is my lifeline on trips, so a portable charger is invaluable.
I rely on my phone when I'm on the road, so a portable charger always makes it into my bag.      Carly Caramanna

I rely on technology when I travel, using my phone for everything from managing hotel reservations to pulling up train tickets.

It has to have plenty of battery at all times, hence my insistence on carrying a portable charger with me around the clock.

I've been through many portable chargers, but this $25 EnergyCell one reigns supreme because of how quickly it powers up my phone battery.

I keep my toiletries organized in small, colorful packing cubes.

I keep my toiletries organized in small, colorful packing cubes.
The packing cubes I bought come in a variety of colors.      Carly Caramanna

My carry-on is always packed with travel-sized versions of the hair, body, and beauty products I use at home.

I put the items in small packing cubes, which I then separate by color for organizational purposes. As soon as I return home from a trip, I check which cubes need to be restocked.

A reusable water bottle keeps me from buying plastic alternatives.

A reusable water bottle keeps me from buying plastic alternatives.
Carrying around a reusable water bottle reminds me to hydrate and keeps me from using plastic bottles.      Carly Caramanna

Hydration is important all the time, but especially when I'm traveling.

The 750-milliliter Corksicle is a little bulky and expensive at $33, but it's an important addition to my bag. Having it with me serves as a constant reminder to drink water.

Plus, not only does the cost of buying bottled water add up, but using so much plastic is harmful to the environment.

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