Are you wondering about what to pack in your underseat backpack—aka YOUR PERSONAL ITEM—for your next trip, especially those international travel essentials for long haul flights? Even as a seasoned traveler, I still follow a packing list to make sure I am remembering all of my travel backpack essentials.
Think of this underseat backpack as your “home away from home” as you begin your travel adventures. You will want to fill this piece of luggage with must-have travel essentials to have a comfortable flight without having to repeatedly get up and access your “standard” carry-on luggage.
Just to clarify * This post focuses on your underseat backpack that is used as a personal item as you travel NOT the backpack you plan to use while camping and backpacking across Europe.
What is the Difference Between an Underseat Backpack and a Carry-On?
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If you’re traveling carry-on only (you are NOT checking bags), you are usually allowed two pieces of luggage:
- Carry-On Luggage: Your carry-on is your main luggage and goes in the overhead bin on the airplane.
- Personal Item: Your personal item is your personal travel bag and goes under the seat in front of you. Options include an underseat backpack (travel backpacks and laptop backpacks), briefcase, purse, crossbody bag, messenger bag, tote bag, or camera bag.
As a guideline, a personal item filled with your essentials for long haul flights, should not exceed the standard travel size of 45 x 35 x 20 cm (18 x 14 x 8 in). It MUST be able to fit under the seat in front of you.
When packing your underseat backpack, you want to be sure that you:
- Are mindful about what you take with you.
- Follow TSA regulations. Your goal is to go through security without incident.
- Have your travel backpack essentials close at hand while flying.
- Streamline your must-have travel essentials list for women AND men so it is not full of extras that you won’t use or that could be packed in your luggage.
- Invest in a high-quality underseat backpack, handbag, or travel bag.
WHAT IS CONSIDERED A PERSONAL ITEM BAG ON A PLANE? “What is considered a personal item bag varies from airline to airline, but a small purse, briefcase and laptop bag are always considered personal items. Backpacks, totes, and crossbody bags are typically considered personal items too…. it must be able to fit underneath the seat in front of you.” ~ Briggs & Riley
Here’s What to Pack in Your Underseat Backpack on International Flights
Your underseat backpack should earn its keep pulling double duty as your “personal item” bag as you fly and then work as your day bag while sightseeing at your destination. Discover why I love and recommend The North Face Recon Backpack. It is my favorite underseat backpack whether I am traveling within the United States, exploring Europe, or even embarking on day hikes.
1. Travel Documents: ID, Passport, and Wallet
Don’t forget to pack your travel documents and keep them safe and close at hand in your underseat backpack. These documents are INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ESSENTIALS. Don’t leave home without them! Whether you prefer to carry a paper copy of your boarding pass or use your phone for a digital pass, make sure that your passport and boarding pass are easy to access as you go through security and board your flight.
A Travel Wallet is awesome for keeping track of your passport in one small zippered pouch along with your ID, money, and credit cards. The wallet offers great features:
- Blocks RFID readers and prevent unauthorized access to your identity
- Features a passport window
- Offers card slots for credit cards and ID window
- Has zippered currency and coin compartments
- Zips closed to secure all of your travel documents
- Comes in a timeless style with colorful options
2. Eyewear: Glasses, Sunglasses and Contacts
You’ll definitely want to include any prescription eyewear on your travel essentials list for women and men .
My Optometrist brothers would strongly encourage everyone to wear sunglasses everyday when you are outside, in your travels, and on adventures. (Don’t forget to bring your glasses case as you switch from your glasses to sunglasses).
As you travel, you aren’t always mindful of the amount of time spent outside in the sun. Take care of your eyes.
So don’t forget this important accessory—sunglasses are fashion and function all in one!
No doubt you will also need a Microfiber Cleaning Cloth and Lens Spray for cleaning your sunglasses and glasses while you are away. The cloth may also work double duty to clean screens and carefully clean camera lenses.
3. Light Jacket, Scarf or Hoodie
Bring a light jacket with you when you fly. The air on the plane often cools and a light jacket keeps the edge off the coolness of the air conditioning. Having a jacket that is foldable and rollable without wrinkling is a nice consideration as well.
If you are planning to sleep on the plane, a larger scarf can also be used as a blanket and is one of the long flight essentials. It can be rolled to be compact AND used as a fashion accessory at your destination.
4. Neck Pillow, Eye Mask, Ear Plugs
Bringing your neck pillow, face mask and ear plugs for travel may be some of YOUR long flight essentials. The pillow is a commitment as you will need to account for the added bulk. For sleeping on an airplane, these items might just be your best travel companions.
5. Notebook or Journal and Pen
If you like to journal when you travel using paper and pen, Sharpie pens are a great option. Make notes on the places you visit, the funny things that happen as you explore, and memorable moments.
A Travel Journal is compact enough to slip into your travel bag. Some people (like me) simply love being able to record daily events using paper and pen.
6. Entertainment: Book, Downloaded Books, Movies, Magazines and Music
My husband is quick to remind all of the “girls” in his life when we travel to DOWNLOAD any movies and books well in advance. Most often, it happens the night before we leave.
You can download books, movies, magazines and music to enjoy as you travel—definitely essentials for long flights! If you like to have an actual book, just be mindful of the space and weight it will take in your underseat backpack.
Electronic Travel Essentials
7. Cell Phone
A cell phone, whichever brand you choose, should be one of your international travel essentials. If you are still in the camp that doesn’t own a cell phone, now is the time to invest in one and learn how to use it.
My iPhone has an awesome camera! (And they keep getting better).
Don’t forget about finding an iPhone Case to protect your phone from accidental drops and bumps. Accidents happen. And tuck your retractable cables, cables and charging cubes or blocks in with your iPad cables in your travel tech accessory organizer to keep everything together and accounted for.
8. Portable Charger
If you are using your phone throughout the day for taking photos, getting directions, checking maps, figuring out transportation, or researching on the internet don’t forget to pack a portable charger so you can recharge your phone when needed. It should be one of your travel backpack essentials.
If you are using your phone for all of those activities, you will most likely use up your battery before the end of the day.
Portable chargers range in size and shape from the size of a tube of lipstick to a cell phone to something larger. Portable chargers are convenient and easy to pack into your travel handbag as you sightsee each day.
Again…don’t forget to bring your charging cables.
9. Tablet and Accessories
Do you love having your Tablet handy when you travel? Tablets help pass the time when traveling overseas and are definitely essentials for long haul flight as you read, watch movies, or catch up on your journaling.
Tablets are useful to have in your travel backpack for these additional reasons:
- Store all information related to your vacation—dates, locations, activities, booked flights, hotel, and transportation
- Review in the evening for the next day
- Unwind or relax while reading an eBook
- “Facetime” with family at home
- Watch a downloaded movie
- Journal throughout your vacation
- Blog on the long flight home
NOTE * Be sure to charge all of your electronic devices and portable chargers the night before you leave for your trip. Also, password protect ALL of your devices.
Accessories to pack in your travel backpack with your iPad may include:
- iPad cover – Protect your investment from accidental bumps.
- Apple Pencil – If you need to distract your kids while flying, an Apple Pencil is great for drawing. It can also be used for taking notes in the Noteshelf App as you travel.
- Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad – An external keyboard is so much easier than using the keyboard on the iPad for journaling
- Charging cables & cubes – Don’t forget to bring your Cables and Cubes and Adapters. Check out “Wall Chargers and Cables” in 14 Genius Tech Gadgets for Travel for what you might need.
- Investing in a Travelon Tech Accessory Organizer would be convenient for organizing all of your cables related to your electronic devices.
10. Laptop
Do you like to travel with your laptop? If you are a business traveler—especially on international flights—it may be one of your essentials for long haul flights for getting some work done on. Be sure to bring the charging cables that you’ll need.
11. Noise Canceling Headphones
As you are flying, headphones are great for watching movies, blocking out noisy babies and chatty seat mates, or cancelling out noise as you try to sleep. You have options, so discover what will work best for you.
Do you ever listen to Rick Steves Audio Tours or podcasts as you travel? If so, headphones are a great listening option.
Corded earbuds – If you have smaller ears, headphones that are too large are either uncomfortable or they just don’t fit. Try Skullcandy Ink’d 2 earbuds. As a bonus, if they do happen to fall out of yours ears, at least they are connected by a cord and you won’t lose an expensive earbud.
You may also need to travel with an Apple Lightning to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter in order to plug your headphones into your iPhone.
AirPods – You’ll love the convenience of Airpods. Don’t forget a Silicone Case.
Apple AirPods Pro with the accompanying AirPods Pro Silicone Case with Keychain are great to tuck into your travel backpack if you are also looking for a noise-canceling option.
Beats Solo3 – Though these are not quite so compact and easy to travel with as smaller headphones, the Beats Solo3 are an over-the-ear option that works quite well if you choose to sleep in them while flying or simply prefer that style of headphone. Because they cover the whole ear, they are quite effective as noise-cancelling devices.
You will need to charge the AirPods and Beats, so don’t forget the charging cables!
Toiletries for Your Travel Backpack
12. Toiletries
Hand Sanitizer is definitely one of the must have travel essentials in any underseat backpack.
Use a TSA Approved Clear Bag to organize the small toiletry items to keep your international travel essentials in one place.
Make sure all liquids, lotions, and gels are under the 3.4 oz TSA fluid requirement or they may be confiscated.
Blistex is an essential in any travel backpack.
No doubt after an uncomfortable night of sleeping on an airplane, your hair is going to need a little fixing to greet the day in a new country. Pack a travel-sized hairspray to add to your TSA Approved toiletry bag and include a small pick or comb and a scrunchie (if you use one).
Ladies, you may wish to do a little face touch up as well to be fresh for a new day with this IT CC+ Airbrush Perfecting Powder with SPF 50+ after you wake up.
Gold Bond Lotion is great for the dryness that always seems to happen to hands while traveling.
Who wants to be without Facial Tissue when a big sneeze comes on? Neither you nor any of your seat mates! Tuck in some small travel packs in your travel backpack.
You can find Travel-sized Toothpaste and a Toothbrush which are nice and refreshing.
Don’t forget to pack Eye Drops in your travel bag as well. They are helpful for dry eyes or for allergies that begin to act up.
13. Medicine & Prescriptions
Here’s a handy tip for your travel backpack: Buy a small container or two of Tic Tac Mints. When the container is empty, fill one with your Advil and Excedrin tablets (they are different enough in appearance that you won’t confuse the two) and another container with Unisom.
Be sure to mark with a Sharpie what is in each Tic Tac container along with the dosing instructions.
Airborne comes in its own small tube. Who wants to be sick on vacation when you have planned for and looked forward to travel for months?
A good rule of thumb is to ALWAYS pack two to three days worth of any prescriptions in your travel bag in case you are separated from your checked luggage. A small, travel-size container with a twist lid will do the trick for storage. It is also a good idea to mark the contents with a Sharpie as well.
14. Baby Fingernail Clippers
These Baby Fingernail Clippers are tiny and quite sharp and work perfectly on the go. Honestly, I keep a pair in my purse, my travel backpack, and my car.
Food & Drink
15. Water Bottle
A water bottle is super nice to have on vacation and to include in your underseat backpack. Just make sure it is empty before going through security at the airport! Be sure to fill the bottle before you board your plane.
Staying hydrated is always important. In fact, bring along some small single-serving packets of Crystal Lite, Electrolytes, or Zipfizz to add a little flavor or energy boost to your Water Bottle.
16. Snacks
No doubt you will get hungry in your travels and will want to bring snacks to have with you as you travel each day. Include a few snacks in your travel handbag just in case.
17. Gum
Well, this isn’t really an essential, but I always travel with gum just for a quick burst of freshness.
Camera Equipment * Optional
The North Face Recon Backpack works as a camera bag AND as a personal travel bag, so if you are into photography, you might be interested in outfitting your backpack to pull double duty. Check out these 15 Popular Photography Gadgets for travel.
18. Camera Insert
The North Face Women’s Recon Backpack isn’t designed specifically for transporting camera equipment, but this handy dandy camera insert on Amazon transforms the inner section of the backpack. If you are a photography enthusiast and don’t want to travel with ALL of your equipment, this insert is ideal for your camera and a lens or two.
19. Camera
Your camera will be essential for your personal travel bag packing list. Check out the Canon 6d Mark II camera if you are looking to upgrade.
If you don’t have camera equipment to worry about, just think of all the extra space you will have in your travel bag and how much lighter it will be!
Camera equipment can get HEAVY!
20. Camera Lenses
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens – This lens may be attached to your camera body for the majority of the time when you travel.
Canon Nifty Fifty Lens – A second lens that is compact and lightweight enough to include in your camera insert.
21. Camera Accessories
Extra Camera Battery – Bring along a second backup battery just in case you use up all of the juice in your first battery. You don’t want to miss any great shots!
Battery Charger – Leave the charger in the hotel once you arrive and be sure to charge everything overnight so that it is ready to go each morning.
Waterproof Backpack Cover – Have you ever experienced a sudden downpour? A waterproof backpack cover is essential.
Lens Pen – Store this in the pockets of your insert or in one of the zippered pockets in the main storage area of your backpack.
SD card – If you carry more than one SD card in your travel bag, you can also store these in the camera insert if your insert has a zippered pocket on the lid flap for small items.
NOTE * Most of the links here are specific to a Canon 6d Mark II. Click through any Amazon product link in this post and search for the accessories designed specifically for YOUR camera.
Must-Have Features for An Underseat Backpack
If you are using a hand-me down backpack as your personal travel handbag, it is time to find something that is designed just for you. Do you need lots of pockets? Space to accommodate a camera? Padding to ease the strain on your shoulders and neck?
The right kind of backpack will make such a difference.
The North Face Recon Backpack for Women and Men is perfect as a personal travel bag.
Check on Amazon
If you are looking for a travel backpack, do a little research and make a list of your must-haves. Not sure exactly what your must-haves should be? Here are a few features to look for:
- a travel handbag or backpack that is designed specifically for men or women
- a padded laptop section
- a large middle section (great for adding a camera insert and camera equipment)
- lots of interior and exterior pockets
- expandable side pockets for a water bottle and easily accessible hand sanitizer
- a mesh front pocket
- a sternum strap
- a waist belt
You can find all of these features in The North Face Recon Backpack for women.
The standard version of The North Face Recon Backpack works great as a travel bag for men. It is even perfect for taller torsos.
Just remember, when you arrive at your destination, you don’t have to carry everything in your backpack with you as you sightsee each day. Your back will thank you if you remove all of the non-essentials and leave them at the hotel, vacation rental, or your accommodations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are personal items that you should ABSOLUTELY leave at home?
Sharp objects: scissors, knives, straight razors, etc.
Tools
Sporting equipment
Self-defense items: pepper spray or brass knuckles
Flammable and explosive items
What can you put in your travel backpack?
Any item that’s carry-on compliant can be packed in either your carry-on luggage or your personal item bag. There are no requirements around what “must” be in which bag.
Can you pack clothes in your underseat backpack?
Yes. If you have ever had your checked luggage lost or delayed, you would understand the importance of adding a few items of clothing to your backpack.
Are liquids allowed in your personal item?
Yes, as long as they follow TSA’s 3-1-1 rule for liquids. Your liquids must be in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or smaller. Pack your containers in one clear, quart-sized zippered bag.
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Final Thoughts on Underseat Backpacks and 21 Essential Items to Pack for International Flights
Well, it is a long list, but if you are planning to be away from home for any amount of time, having a few comforts close at hand is essential.
You may not wish to include all of the items in your travel bag; consider what would work best for you and use this list as a general guideline. It might just spur an idea for something else that is essential for you.
One final item to include: an Apple Airtag. Keep track of your travel backpack everyday as you travel.
Bon Voyage!
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Great post! Love your tips about what to bring in your carryon and underseat bag. Always enjoy reading your content and look forward to reading more articles!
Thanks. That means a lot to me.
Great, comprehensive list! I always bring a water bottle and fill it up after going through security. I bring personal wipes and lots of snacks e cause with plane delays these days, you need to be prepared.
Helpful! A great list to look back on when it’s time to pack 🙂
I’m flying next week and haven’t packed a thing yet. I’m trying to keep my luggage to a minimum so these tips are so timely and great!
This post was super helpful. We are preparing for a long haul flight later this month and I’ll definitely make sure to pack some of these items.
Incredibly detailed and useful!
This is a great guide on what to pack for the underseat backpack personal item. It’ll be useful for my next flight.
Helpful tips. I always bring a portable charger and hand gel now with me.
I must admit to being a gadget girl. So I am always checking out lists of things to add to my travel pack. In these days of electronic everything, I must admit I often forget pen and paper and scrounge when I need one. But I sure never travel without noise cancelling headphones. And lately we are always packing clothes for when we land!
Great list of items! The noise-canceling headphones are a must for me. As I get older certain sounds can really get on my nerves over long periods of time.
Thanks for the information 🙂
The post I didn’t know I needed! Such great tips and has got me excited for my next weekend away (Barcelona!!) just want to pack my bag now. Thanks for sharing 🙂
It can be quite tricky packing so many things into a small bag for the plane. Definitely important to just keep it to the essentials if you can. My bag is always taken up by my camera and drone!
That’s a great list! Means I don’t have to make my own everytime when you already did all the work 🙂
I love all the tips of what to pack and depending on the length of trip I’m doing, I take most of your suggestions. So far, no problems getting through baggage check!
Great list! I usually travel with a large tote as my personal item, but after reading your post I see the value in a backpack. I’ll be investing in one immediately!
With lots of international flights, we pay a lot of attention to what we pack in our personal bag. Having a large scarf is a great idea since the temperature varies so much over the flight. And these days, with planes removing tvs we always load our devices up with entertainment.
I really like the look of that backpack..I’m in the market for a new one.. something sleek and easy to wear- this might need to be my holiday gift to myself!
So many of these are great for domestic travel too! Great thoughts and item ideas for when we start international traveling. Love this!