I’m a travel editor – here’s everything I ALWAYS pack in my hand luggage

I always need a cross-body bag too when using my hand luggage in the airport – purely for easy access to my passport.

This ALPAKA satchel is a great size, with loads of pockets – and a space for my water bottle. 

I bought this blackout eye mask for a long-haul flight originally, and it’s so good I use it in bed every night now, and my sleep has got so much better.

Designed to prevent pressure on your eyes, this 3D sleep mask is perfect for sensitive eyes or those with lash extensions.

Made from premium memory foam and soft, breathable material, it offers superior comfort and light-blocking ability.

A travel adapter is an absolute must if you’re going abroad, and I always leave this one in my suitcase so I never forget to pack it.

It fits any plug sockets around the world, and also has two USB ports, a slot for USB-C cables, and built-in USB-C cable, so you can charge five different devices at the same time.

The free headphones given out on planes are nearly always worse quality than the ones I bring with me.

But with no Bluetooth capabilities, there’s no way of using them to watch a movie on long-haul flights.

This Bluetooth transmitter has fixed that and simply plugs into the AUX port.

What’s even better is it connects to two devices at the same time, so when my partner and I want to watch the same film together on a flight, we no longer have to do it by pressing play at exactly the same time!

Throughout my life I’ve been told I’d ‘lose my head if it weren’t screwed on’, and have been known to leave my suitcase on the train, my passport on the plane and my purse on the bar.

I really would be lost without tile Mates, which I’ve attached to my keys and added one to my suitcase.

The Bluetooth trackers are the ideal solution for scatterbrains, and also for safety if you’re solo travelling, so friends and family can know your whereabouts.

I was so skeptical about trtl pillows for years, having seen the pictures of people looking a bit silly using them on planes.

But I’m officially a convert – they’re the comfiest thing, and, together with my eye mask, I can finally sleep on the plane and don’t even need a window seat.

At 5″1, I have very little legs, and struggle to reach the footrest on planes, let alone the floor.

This portable foot hammock hangs from the tray table in front, and makes it so much easier to get comfy – even in economy.

It also comes in a little bag, which fits easily into any suitcase or backpack. 

This travel bottle set has been an absolute gamechanger for me when it comes to travelling with hand luggage only.

The TSA-approved clear case comes with 17 containers, ranging in size, that you can decant all your lotions and potions in to using the included funnel.

It even comes with a brush for cleaning, as well as waterproof sticker labels so you don’t mix up your shampoo with your moisturiser!

I take a water bottle wherever I’m going, as it means I don’t have to keep asking the crew for another tiny cup of water on a flight.

This one from Le Creuset keeps my water cold all day – especially when I add some ice to it when I leave the house. 

 

The problem with travelling from cold and miserable UK to hot and sunny destinations is needing to pack a bulky coat in your suitcase and never take it out once you’re at the hotel.

But Mac in a Sac has the answer – with insulated jackets that pack away into a tiny bag.

I have this Synergy jacket in ivory, and it’s so warm and so easy to pack into my hand luggage once I no longer need it.

The worst thing about short-haul flights is the lack of screen – and having to hold your phone for an entire movie can be frustrating.

Thankfully, this phone stand – which works with all phones – can mount onto luggage handles or tray tables with a clamp.

It also easily rotates 360 degrees, so I use it to make hands-free video calls too when I’m waiting for my flight in the airport.

Earplugs are a must to get some sleep on the plane – and Loop Switch 2 are perfect for wearing constantly, with three different volume modes.

It means I can use them to nap on the flight, and also to wear in the clubs in Ibiza to stop myself getting tinnitus. 

The earplugs have just come out in a gorgeous new McClaren Papaya colour (pictured), having partnered with the racing brand.

Power banks are a must for long journeys, as there’s not always an available plug socket nearby – although most long-haul flights now do have USB ports to charge your phone.

I love Anker’s Nano Power Bank, as it’s so small, and doesn’t have a need for wires. 

These Bluetooth earbuds have great sound quality, and provide six hours of playtime, with an additional 18 from the charging case – plenty for a long-haul journey.

The ear-cuff design is so unusual – and really comfortable. 

I always bring my Instax camera with me on my travels, as the instant photos are such a cute way of marking each trip.

The camera always goes down a treat with friends – and is so easy to use.

I was always a paperback book purist until I got my Kindle.

It really is a game-changer for reading, purely for the amount of space it saves in your bag, rather than having to carry around three heavy books, which often end up getting soggy and damaged.

The air on planes can get so dry, so I always pack this moisture spray with me for the flight.

You just need one spritz of it and your skin will feel so much more moisturised.

It’s so refreshing too to use when you’re sat by the pool in the baking hot sun.

Getting off a plane, my lips can end up feeling so dry and sore.

But I put this sleep mask on it, and it sucks the moisture back in.