What’s in Your Bag? Essentials Every Woman Carries

Join us as members of the Global Traveler team and our freelance contributors reveal what they pack in their suitcases, carry-ons and personal items for business and leisure trips. Discover the essential items we always bring, the clever travel tools we rely on, and the small comforts we can’t leave home without.

What’s in your bag? Share photos and a list of must-haves with us at [email protected] and you might be featured in a future issue.

I pack efficiently—only the outfits I need for the trip plus a sweater or wrap regardless of destination, because planes and indoor venues often run cold. My essentials:

• Travel carbon monoxide detector—safety first
• Better Blister Blocker—airport sprints are painful without it
• Band-Aids for backup
• Snacks
• Noise-cancelling earphones
• A good magazine

– Tracey Cullen, art director

I plan outfits in advance and write them down so I pack only what I need—usually a carry-on even for extended trips. Items I rely on:

• Samsonite expandable carry-on
• Packing cubes (day and night outfits separated)
• Quince cashmere shawl—for flights and to elevate evening looks
• Foldable duffel for returns or dirty laundry
• Silk pillowcase
• Skin Better Science Foundation Sunscreen—combines coverage and SPF
• Bose noise-cancelling headphones
• July Weekender as a personal item—stylish and highly functional
• Aether travel suit—comfortable yet polished for business travel

– Jillian Dara, freelancer

In both my briefcase and carry-on I keep a small kit of over-the-counter medications, a slim bag of electrical adapters for domestic and international use, sunglasses, spare reading glasses, an iPad and a flashlight (preferable to a phone light). Earplugs are essential on flights.

– Francis X. Gallagher, publisher & CEO

My go-tos when packing:

• Current read or Kindle
• AirPods
• Loop earplugs
• Packing cubes
• Travel pillow when driving
• Silk pillowcase

– Hannah Gruen, advertising & events coordinator

I use a backpack as my carry-on so my hands are free. I pack essentials and use any spare space for snacks or toiletries. Regular items in my bag:

• A good paperback
• Dark chocolate
• Eyeglasses (reading, computer, sunglasses)
• Handheld magnifying lens
• Mini binoculars or monocular
• Eyeglass cleaner
• Earbuds and smartphone
• Laptop or tablet and chargers
• Vitamins and allergy meds
• Lip balm, moisturizer and eye drops
• Neck pillow, travel slippers or socks
• Lightweight travel blanket or shawl

– Jan Hecht, senior editor

I aim to travel carry-on only, packing versatile, comfortable clothing I can mix and match. I roll clothes to maximize space. Always in my Briggs & Riley bag:

• Apple AirPods Max—over-ear noise-cancelling headphones
• Extra contact lenses
• Cash
• Foldable bag for dirty laundry or purchases
• Travel steamer
• One or more physical books—I returned to print reading in 2025
• Chapstick and hand lotion
• Snacks and bottled water (often bought after security)
• Extra-long charging cord

– Kimberly Inlander, editor in chief

My suitcase is a Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-on Spinner—durable, expandable and backed by a lifetime warranty. A few travel staples I always bring:

• Rent the Runway outfits for high-end looks without the bulk
• Collapsible tripod for photos on solo trips
• Crushable beach hats for tropical destinations
• Lightweight backpack that packs into itself for day trips
• Sunscreen applicator for hard-to-reach areas
• Portable jewelry case to keep accessories organized

– Kelly Magyarics, “Mixology” columnist

I often carry a Patricia Nash bag and an Arlostyle hard case. I travel carry-on and somehow fit a lot: heels, several silk dresses, a jacquard jacket, walking shoes, ankle boots, swimsuit and goggles, yoga gear, lace skirts and elegant tops, aromatherapy oil, jewelry, makeup, a long coat, and supplements. My smaller bag holds a laptop, journal, scarves and toiletries.

– Becca Hensley, freelancer

• Reading material
• Hair brush
• Passport
• Sunglasses
• Earbuds
• Camera
• Lip gloss and ChapStick

– Megan Gragg, account executive

My travel essentials:

• Plane sweater
• Portable charger
• Dramamine
• AirPods
• Kindle
• Water bottle
• Chapstick

– Mary Melnick, editorial and social media manager

I always pack a small bag of pharmaceuticals so I feel well on the road, plus a dual-voltage travel steamer to keep my clothes looking fresh.

– Brandon Schultz, “Must Haves” columnist

In my Samsonite Voltage carry-on spinner I never forget:

• Beats Studio 3 headphones
• Travel-sized jewelry organizer
• Toiletry bag with a hanging hook for easy access
• Headrest with eye mask for stable sleep on planes
• Portable charger
• REI reusable travel-sized bottles for liquids
• Steripod toothbrush cover
• A book or two
• Electrolyte packets for hydration
• Aquaphor lip balm

– Aoife O’Riordan, associate editor

For a recent overnight in New York, my husband and I shared a single suitcase. I packed just the essentials: a dinner/theater dress, pajamas, toiletries and a change of clothes for the drive home. I’m a committed carry-on traveler and always keep an extra outfit in my personal bag after a few lost-luggage experiences. Other staples include a scarf for the plane, hand sanitizer, a protein bar, small bills for tips, lip balm and backup glasses or contacts.

– Katie Skrzek, vice president/digital director

Besides the obvious laptop, chargers, medications and toiletries, I bring resistance bands, comfortable walking shoes and workout clothes, a corkscrew for spontaneous wine, a small nightlight for subtle illumination, and stain-removing wipes. Because I travel with work, I also pack red pens, recent issues of Global Traveler, printouts of layouts and articles when possible, and our style guide.

– Patricia Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor

• Earbuds
• A book
• iPad
• Two chargers
• Hard-copy maps
• Sleeper eye mask
• And the essentials: clothes and toiletries

– John Wroblewski, special projects manager

• Portable charger
• Weighted eye mask
• Beats over-ear 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