I Asked 5 Pro Travelers What Unexpected Item They Always Pack in Their Carry-On — Here’s What They Said

A few months ago, I was headed on one of those whirlwind 48-hour work trips (cross-country, no less!), when I realized my carry-on had a crack in the exterior. It was minor enough that I figured I could still get away with flying with it, plus there wasn’t enough time at this point to grab a new bag and re-pack. So I did some quick arts and crafts involving super glue and duct tape and went on my way. To my shock, the bag not only survived the trip, but my last-minute fix-it attempt was also maintained rather beautifully.

I decided to keep the duct tape in my bag just in case I needed to do more mid-trip repairs. That’s when I discovered that duct tape has a ton of uses when you’re traveling. Along with luggage reinforcement, you can use it to wrap around jars and containers to avoid spills and leakage, repair frayed charging cables, or secure dangling cords or straps. Plus, it takes up hardly any space. 

I wondered if other travel experts also have an unexpected item they keep in their bags — whether it was something they came across circumstantially or by accident that ended up making a big difference in their travels. Turns out they do!

Any professional traveler will tell you that the right or wrong energy can make or break even the most incredible of destinations. “The most unexpected thing in my carry-on is probably my bottle of The Vibe Spray,” says Amber Love Bond, a travel and food journalist. “I’m super sensitive to energy and when I travel I make sure to always have a mini bottle of this spray in my bag.”

For Bond, this spray works as a sort of alternative to smudging the room with sage to clear the energy. “I do it when I feel like the vibes are off in a hotel room, which I know sounds super woo-woo of me, but I think it makes a huge difference. It’s made with essential oils and has hints of rose, sea salt, and sandalwood, so it smells really good and just helps me center and sleep better when I’m on the road, which is super often.”

Sometimes, staying organized when traveling is all about being on top of those odds and ends. “I always keep binder clips in my travel bag … I’ve used them to close bags of chips, clamp curtains closed that otherwise have gaps that let light in, keep a stack of travel paperwork together, maximize a tube of toothpaste, clamp money and credit cards together if I want to leave the rest of my wallet in the hotel safe, organize tech cords, and protect open razor blades,” says Jill Schildhouse, a Phoenix-based travel writer. “There are a ton of uses for them, so keep a few in various sizes in your carry-on, as you never know when you’ll need to grab one!”

As a food and travel journalist, it seems I’m always ending up with tired and banged-up feet after a long day of exploring — and I’m not alone! “I find that the heat patches come in the clutch for periods, pulled muscles (European cobblestones are no joke!), and even just comfort while winding down at the end of a packed travel day. Sometimes I even put them on if the plane is extra cold — like on those early a.m. flights!” says Emily Cappiello, a spirits, food, and travel journalist.

Cappiello also keeps a small bottle of Evian facial spray in her carry-on. “It helps refresh after long-haul flights, keeps me cool if I need it after an airport sprint; and it can even act as a base for makeup in a pinch. After traveling with it, I will never again leave it at home!” she says.

Super glue came in a pinch for me with my aforementioned cracked luggage, but for my travel journalist friends, it has a host of other uses as well. “I always pack super glue. The truth is, I pack it primarily for any nail emergencies. But it packs so small and light — practically weightless — that it’s a no-brainer and can come in handy for any kind of on-the-go repair!” says Alice Dubin, a travel journalist. 

A pack of tissues seems pretty simple, but it might not be something you immediately think to toss in a carry-on or purse. It’s a great idea, though. “Mine has become a packet of tissues. Along with taking care of my nose needs, this item has aided me in bathroom situations lacking [toilet paper] or at eateries where napkins are not readily on hand,” says Michele Herrmann, a travel journalist.