Travel Tips for Long Flights
Getting stuck at the airport, having to stay the night in a city you weren’t planning to, finding out that your flight is packed to the max even though you thought there might be a slight chance you’d get a row to yourself so you could snooze. These are all experiences we’ve had while traveling and after a recent trip to Asia, we decided to compile a list of things to pack and prepare for when planning for a long flight.
WHAT TO PACK
First things first, you’ll need a decent carry-on bag. Some people like to check their bags and carry minimal items with them, but when traveling far, we agree that no checked bags is best so you spend no time retrieving them and don’t have to worry about lost or missing luggage. Christopher’s backpack is ideal because it’s easy to carry and easily fits in the overhead bin or under the seat on airplanes. I’ve been using a backpack from The North Face for a while now. I’m due for an upgrade soon but mine hasn’t failed me yet.
PACKING CUBES
We ordered two sets of these packing cubes and ever since using them, we don’t travel without them! One of our cubes did rip already and we’re not sure if it was shipped that way or if we ripped it, but the others see fine and get the job done for sure. Packing cubes are so easy to use. You simply roll your clothes into certain cubes depending on if it’s a shirt, pair paints, etc. and they help compress your clothes and keep them organized and easy to find.
A CHANGE OF CLOTHES
Whether you’re using your carry-on as a way to transport your day-of-travel items or you’re using it to carry all of your items for your trip, packing a change of clothes is essential. There will come a time where you have to stay overnight unexpectedly, your flight gets delayed and you get stuck in the airport, or other delays may occur. Having an extra set of clothes keeps you from having to be stuck in the same outfit for too long. In our recent trip to Asia, we changed after our first flight which was 14 hours and it made a huge difference.
TOILETRIES
Besides a toiletries bag, which we keep ready to go at all time, we love these HyperGo Full Body Wipes. During a recent 20 hour trek around the world, they came in handy as we were able to use them in lieu of showering which was not an option as we were in the air most of the time. They are big, so one wipe goes a long way.
Our toiletries bag we make sure we take with us in our carry-on because you never know what you’ll need from it. We keep folding travel toothbrushes in ours, chapstick, cough drops, eye drops, and Qtips. Because airplanes tend to get dry after a few hours in the air, these items become essential to making sure your body stays on it’s A-game until you’ve arrived at your destination.
COMPRESSION SOCKS
We recently ordered a pack (3 pairs) of these compression socks. For those of you that don’t know, flying can sometimes cause your body to swell, especially your legs. These socks keep your blood circulating and minimize swelling. They were a game-changer for our recent trip to Asia.
A REFILLABLE WATER BOTTLE AND SNACKS
Most airports have water filling stations and because airplanes only serve small portions of water, we always travel with refillable water bottles. This will save you from having to ask for water every hour during long flights, especially ones where the air gets dry. Packing protein and energy bars helps keep you full so you don’t end up hungry with 5 hours left until you reach your destination. Most airlines who fly long distances will feed you, but it’s good to have options in case you can’t or don’t want to eat what they’re serving.
HEADPHONES AND ENTERTAINMENT
On long flights, it’s nice to be able to sleep and get some rest. But sometimes, your mind won’t allow you to do that. We’ve found that downloading movies from Netflix is super helpful, especially when flights don’t offer in-flight entertainment. It’s also helpful to have this when you have a layover and have pretty much explored the airport as much as you’d like. We also like to play cards, so we have several card games on our phones that we play when flying. If you’re a reader (which neither of us are), bringing a book or e-book will be helpful, but keep in mind carry-on space when opting for a good read. We have recently become obsessed with true-crime podcasts, so there’s another great idea for your next trip.
A TURKISH TOWEL
Ever since discovering Turkish Towels, I never travel without them! We use them to lay on the beach, as a blanket on the plane, and even as a floor cover to nap at airports since most of them have seats with non-removable arm rests. We tend to be budget travelers and splurge more when we’ve arrived at our destination. So it’s nice to be able to wear a Turkish Towel as a scarf so I don’t have to take up carry-on or luggage space. If a Turkish Towel is too bulky, a large scarf will work too. Most flights during the non-summer months get pretty cool, so you’ll want to be sure to pack either or!
YOUR TRAVEL CREDIT CARD
Booking your next long trip with your travel credit card likely means reward points or bonuses coming your way soon! When you use your card to make the airline purchase, some cards might even allow you to upgrade your travel, receive in-flight discounts on purchases, or even use that VIP lounge in your next layover. Check out more information on some of the best travel credit cards here.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
What are some things that you can’t fly without? Leave your answer in the comments below. We’re always looking for ways to improve our travel time!