Join us as members of the Global Traveler team and our intrepid freelancers share what’s in their suitcases, carry-ons and personal items when they head out on business (or leisure!) travel. Learn what must-have items we keep in our bags and those necessities we just can’t leave home without.

What’s in your bag? Share your pictures and a list of must includes to us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com, and we may share in a future issue!

PHOTO: © TRACEY CULLEN

I only pack enough outfits for the trip — no extra clothes, other than a sweater or wrap, no matter the climate. Even if it’s a tropical location, I still get chilly in air-conditioning or on the plane.

• A travel carbon monoxide detector because you can’t be too safe!
• Better Blister Blocker; nothing’s worse than running through an airport with painful blisters on your feet
• Band-Aids, for when I forget to use that Better Blister Blocker
• Snacks
• Noise-cancelling earphones
• A good magazine

– Tracey Cullen, art director

PHOTO: © JILLIAN DARA

Before a trip I look at my schedule and plan all outfits accordingly. I physically write them down, which helps me to only pack what I need. I can usually travel with a carry-on, even for two-plus- week trips! My must-haves are

• Samsonite expandable carry-on
• Packing cubes: I have one for day outfits and one for night attire
• Quince cashmere shawl: for the plane and to add variety to evening wear
• A foldable duffel in case I need extra space on the return trip; I can easily throw my dirty laundry in it, then check it
• Silk pillowcase
• Skin Better Science Foundation Sunscreen: easier than packing makeup and sunscreen, plus its coverage is spectacular
• Bose noise-cancelling headphones
• July Weekender bag as my personal item for all its optimal storage and sleek look
• Aether travel suit, which I love for any type of travel; it’s such a comfy set but looks put together for business trips

– Jillian Dara, freelancer

In both my briefcase and carry-on I have a bag of over-the-counter medications, which comes in handy; many different electrical connectors for overseas and domestic, most in a slim Ziplock bag for easy access; sunglasses; back-up reading glasses; iPad; and a flashlight, which is better than the phone flashlight. Earplugs are also a must on flights!

– Francis X. Gallagher, publisher & CEO

Here’s a list of my packing must-haves:

• Current read (or my Kindle)
• AirPods
• Loop earplugs
• Packing cubes
• If I’m driving, my pillow
• Silk pillowcase

– Hannah Gruen, advertising & events coordinator

PHOTO: © JANICE HECHT

• I always use a backpack as a carry-on so my hands are free to use visual aids like a white cane and monocular. Here are the essentials, plus I try to use any leftover room for other snacks, toiletries or clothing items:
• A good paperback book
• Dark chocolate because I always crave this when traveling
• Eyeglasses: reading glasses, computer glasses, sunglasses
• Handheld magnifying lens
• Mini binoculars or monocular
• Eyeglass cleaner
• Earbuds
• Smartphone
• Laptop or tablet
• Device chargers
• Vitamins, allergy medications
• Lip balm, moisturizer and eye drops
• Neck pillow
• Travel slippers or socks
• Small, lightweight travel blanket or shawl

– Jan Hecht, senior editor

My goal is always to carry on only and pack only what I need; I usually will write down planned outfits by day and try to pack comfortable items that can work in a variety of ways. I roll my clothes to fit as much as possible. Here’s what’s always in my Briggs & Riley bag:

• Apple AirPods Max (I cannot stand earbuds, so I invested in these over- the-ear, noise-cancelling headphones and couldn’t be happier)
• Multiple pairs of extra contact lenses
• Cash
• Another foldable bag for dirty clothes or anything purchased on my trip
• A travel steamer
• A book(s) (After years of Kindle use, in 2025 I ended up reading more physical books)
• Chapstick and hand lotion, especially in winter
• Snacks and water (usually selected and purchased post-security)
• Extra-long charging cord

– Kimberly Inlander, editor in chief

PHOTO: © KELLY MAGARYICS

My suitcase is a Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-on Spinner. I LOVE this bag: lifetime warranty; dedicated exterior pockets for phone and passport; and a great feature where you can expand it to make it deeper, pack it, shut it and then push it down to compress it to carry-on size.

A few items always in my bag:

• Outfits from Rent the Runway: I have a two-shipment/10-piece membership per month, and I always use it to rent fun things for trips. It’s so great to have access to high-end and designer pieces, it’s sustainable, and I always have something new to wear.
• Collapsible tripod (great for taking photos, especially during solo trips)
• Crushable beach hats for tropical trips
• Lightweight backpack that zips up into itself (perfect for hikes and outings)
• Sunscreen applicator (brown item) so I can apply it to my back by myself
• Portable case (black) for jewelry so I can always glam up my look

– Kelly Magyarics, “Mixology” columnist

I have been using Patricia Nash bags most of all lately, always with a map in it and an Arlostyle hard case. I always carry on, but you won’t believe how much I can pack into the bag! I always have a pair of high heels; several silk dresses; jacquard light jacket; tennis shoes; comfy walking shoes; ankle boots; swimsuit and goggles; yoga pants and top; lace skirt and velvet or silky tops; aromatherapy oil, usually the Olbas brand; several jewelry changes; makeup, of course; and usually a long coat draped over my arm! My smaller bag has computer, journal, several scarves and the requisite makeup and toiletry items. Oh, and B vitamins and Armra colostrum!

– Becca Hensley, freelancer

PHOTO: © MEGAN GRAGG

• Reading material
• Brush
• Passport
• Sunglasses
• Earbuds
• Camera
• Lip gloss and Chapstick

– Megan Gragg, account executive

Here are some of the must haves I need when traveling:

• Sweater for the plane
• Portable charger
• Dramamine
• AirPods
• Kindle
• Water bottle
• Chapstick

– Mary Melnick, editorial and social media manager

PHOTO: © BRANDON SCHULTZ

Wherever I’m going, I pack my little green bag of pharmaceuticals, so I always feel good, and my dual-voltage travel steamer, so I always look good.

– Brandon Schultz, “Must Haves” columnist

• In my Samsonite Voltage carry-on spinner suitcase, I must always pack
• Beats Studio 3 Soundproof Headphones
• Travel-sized jewelry organizer (keeps my necklaces, earrings and rings separated and tangle-free)
• Toiletry bag with a hook to hang and unravel from bathroom door (lets me see all of my products without digging or rooting around)
• Headrest with eye mask for plane (For those who struggle to sleep on planes because your head rolls from side to side, this straps to the back headrest of the seat.)
• Portable charger
• REI reusable travel-sized bottles (for carry-on purposes to pack face wash hair products, etc. They are durable and easy to wash.)
• Steripod toothbrush cover (keeps toothbrush clean and dry)
• A book (or two)
• Liquid IV packets/electrolyte tablets (Flying is dehydrating, so I pack a few to add to a bottle of water when on the plane.)
• Aquaphor lip balm

– Aoife O’Riordan, associate editor

My husband and I shared one suitcase for a recent overnight trip to New York City. Besides what I wore for the drive, I only packed the essentials: a dress to wear for our dinner and theater reservations, pajamas, toiletries and a change of clothes for the drive home.

I am a carry-on loyalist, especially when traveling alone. Typically, I bring my small Travelpro suitcase packed with versatile clothing items plus whatever special items I need for that particular trip.

Besides my suitcase, I bring either a large tote bag or backpack as my personal item. After a few lost luggage incidents in the past, I always pack an extra set of clothes in my bag. Regardless of the weather, I always bring a scarf for the plane ride. A few other items I don’t leave home without include hand sanitizer, a protein bar, small bills for tips, lip balm and my glasses or extra pair of contacts.

– Katie Skrzek, vice president/digital director

I’m confident virtually every traveler’s bag contains essential items such as a laptop, chargers, medications and basic toiletry items. To those I add these others which are absolute necessities to me: some resistance bands, comfortable walking shoes and workout clothes; a corkscrew, for when I find a nice bottle in a shop or tasting room and want to enjoy a glass on a spontaneous picnic or my room’s balcony; a nightlight to provide a low, subtle light that won’t disturb my partner when I need to navigate an unfamiliar space in the middle of the night; and stain-removing wipes or solution. Because I almost always take my work with me, on leisure or business trips, I also must have a few red pens, the most recent issue(s) of GT, printouts of the flatplan and article text of the current issue we are producing (when possible, I like to work on hard copy), and a copy of our GT style guide.

– Patricia Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor

• Earbuds
• A book
• iPad
• Two chargers
• Hard-copy maps
• Sleeper eye mask
• And the obvious (clothes, toiletries)

– John Wroblewski, special projects manager

• Portable charger
• Weighted eye mask
• Beats Over-Ear Wireless Bluetooth headphones
• Brightening under eye patches
• LANEIGE lip sleeping mask
• Melatonin
• Salt & Stone hand cream
• Journal and pen
• Hand sanitizer
• Owala water bottle

– Emily Gladu, administrative & events coordinator